WisdomTree Trust
Table of Contents

As filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission on July 29, 2014

1933 Act File No. 333-132380

1940 Act File No. 811-21864

 

 

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

WASHINGTON, DC 20549

 

 

FORM N-1A

REGISTRATION STATEMENT

UNDER

   THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933   x
   Pre-Effective Amendment No.       
   Post-Effective Amendment No. 372   x

and/or

REGISTRATION STATEMENT

UNDER

THE INVESTMENT COMPANY ACT OF 1940   x
Amendment No. 374   x

(Check appropriate box or boxes.)

 

 

WISDOMTREE TRUST

(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in Charter)

 

 

245 Park Avenue

35th Floor

New York, NY 10167

(Address of Principal Executive Offices) (Zip Code)

1-866-909-9473

(Registrant’s Telephone Number, including Area Code)

JONATHAN STEINBERG

WISDOMTREE TRUST

245 Park Avenue

35th Floor

New York, NY 10167

(Name and Address of Agent for Service)

 

 

Copies to:

W. John McGuire

Bingham McCutchen LLP

2020 K Street NW

Washington, DC 20006

 

Ryan Louvar

WisdomTree Asset Management, Inc.

245 Park Avenue, 35th Floor

New York, NY 10167

 

 

It is proposed that this filing will become effective (check appropriate box):

  ¨ Immediately upon filing pursuant to paragraph (b).
  x On August 1, 2014 pursuant to paragraph (b).
  ¨ 60 days after filing pursuant to paragraph (a)(1).
  ¨ On (date), pursuant to paragraph (a)(1).
  ¨ 75 days after filing pursuant to paragraph (a)(2).
  ¨ On (date) pursuant to paragraph (a)(2) of Rule 485.

If appropriate, check the following box:

 

  ¨ This post-effective amendment designates a new effective date for a previously filed post-effective amendment.

 

 

 


Table of Contents

PROSPECTUS

August 1, 2014

 

U.S. Equity ETFs

 

LOGO

 

WisdomTree Trust

 

WisdomTree U.S. Equity ETFs*   
Dividends   
Total Dividend Fund (DTD)   
Equity Income Fund (DHS)   
Dividend ex-Financials Fund (DTN)   
LargeCap Dividend Fund (DLN)   
MidCap Dividend Fund (DON)   
SmallCap Dividend Fund (DES)   
U.S. Dividend Growth Fund (DGRW)   
U.S. SmallCap Dividend Growth Fund (DGRS)   
Earnings   
Total Earnings Fund (EXT)   
Earnings 500 Fund (EPS)   
MidCap Earnings Fund (EZM)   
SmallCap Earnings Fund (EES)   
LargeCap Value Fund (EZY)   

 

* Principal U.S. Listing Exchange: NYSE Arca, Inc. (except DGRW and DGRS are listed on NASDAQ).

THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION (“SEC”) HAS NOT APPROVED OR DISAPPROVED THESE SECURITIES OR PASSED UPON THE ADEQUACY OF THIS PROSPECTUS. ANY REPRESENTATION TO THE CONTRARY IS A CRIMINAL OFFENSE.


Table of Contents

WisdomTree Trust

 

Table of Contents

 

 

WisdomTree U.S. Equity ETFs   
Fund Summary      2   

WisdomTree Total Dividend Fund

     2   

WisdomTree Equity Income Fund

     6   

WisdomTree Dividend ex-Financials Fund

     10   

WisdomTree LargeCap Dividend Fund

     14   

WisdomTree MidCap Dividend Fund

     18   

WisdomTree SmallCap Dividend Fund

     22   

WisdomTree U.S. Dividend Growth Fund

     26   

WisdomTree U.S. SmallCap Dividend Growth Fund

     29   

WisdomTree Total Earnings Fund

     32   

WisdomTree Earnings 500 Fund

     36   

WisdomTree MidCap Earnings Fund

     40   

WisdomTree SmallCap Earnings Fund

     44   

WisdomTree LargeCap Value Fund

     48   
Additional Information About the Funds      52   

More Information About Benchmarks

     52   

Additional Information About the Funds’ Investment Objective

     52   

Additional Information About the Funds’ Investment Strategies

     52   

Other Investment Information

     53   
Additional Principal Risk Information About the Funds      53   
Additional Non-Principal Risk Information      55   
Portfolio Holdings Information      56   
Management      57   

Investment Adviser

     57   

Sub-Adviser

     57   

Portfolio Managers

     58   
Additional Information on Buying and Selling Fund Shares      59   

Share Trading Prices

     59   

Determination of Net Asset Value

     59   

Dividends and Distributions

     59   

Book Entry

     59   

Delivery of Shareholder Documents – Householding

     60   

Frequent Purchases and Redemptions of Fund Shares

     60   

Investments by Registered Investment Companies

     60   
Additional Tax Information      61   

Taxes on Distributions

     61   

Taxes When Fund Shares are Sold

     61   

Taxes on Creation and Redemption of Creation Units

     62   
Distribution      62   
Premium/Discount and NAV Information      62   
Additional Notices      62   
Financial Highlights      63   
 

 

INVESTMENT PRODUCTS: n ARE NOT FDIC INSURED n MAY LOSE VALUE n ARE NOT BANK GUARANTEED

 

 

WisdomTree Trust Prospectus      1   


Table of Contents

WisdomTree Total Dividend Fund

 

Investment Objective

The WisdomTree Total Dividend Fund (the “Fund”) seeks to track the price and yield performance, before fees and expenses, of the WisdomTree Dividend Index (the “Index”).

Fees and Expenses of the Fund

The following table describes the fees and expenses you may pay if you buy and hold shares of the Fund. The fees are expressed as a percentage of the Fund’s average net assets.

 

Shareholder Fees (fees paid directly from your investment)     None   

Annual Fund Operating Expenses (expenses that you pay each year as a percentage of the value of your investment)

       

Management Fees

    0.28

Distribution and/or Service (12b-1) Fees

    None   

Other Expenses

    0.00
Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses     0.28

Example

The following example is intended to help retail investors compare the cost of investing in the Fund with the cost of investing in other funds. It illustrates the hypothetical expenses that such investors would incur over various periods if they were to invest $10,000 in the Fund for the time periods indicated and then redeem all of the shares at the end of those periods. This example assumes that the Fund provides a return of 5% a year and that operating expenses remain the same. This example does not include the brokerage commission that retail investors may pay to buy and sell shares of the Fund. Although your actual costs may be higher or lower, based on these assumptions, your costs would be:

 

     1 Year     3 Years     5 Years     10 Years  
      $29        $90        $157        $356   

Portfolio Turnover

The Fund pays transaction costs, such as commissions, when it buys and sells securities (or “turns over” its portfolio). A higher portfolio turnover rate may indicate higher transaction costs and may result in higher taxes when Fund shares are held in a taxable account. These costs, which are not reflected in annual fund operating expenses or in the example, affect the Fund’s performance. During the most recent fiscal year, the Fund’s portfolio turnover rate was 12% of the average value of its portfolio, excluding the value of portfolio securities received or delivered as a result of in-kind creations or redemptions of the Fund’s capital shares.

Principal Investment Strategies of the Fund

The Fund employs a “passive management” – or indexing – investment approach designed to track the performance of the Index. The Fund generally uses a representative sampling strategy to achieve its investment objective, meaning it generally will invest in a sample of the securities in the Index whose risk, return and other characteristics resemble the risk, return and other characteristics of the Index as a whole. Under normal circumstances, at least 95% of the Fund’s total assets (exclusive of collateral held from securities lending) will be invested in the component securities of the Index and investments that have economic characteristics that are substantially identical to the economic characteristics of such component securities.

The Index is a fundamentally-weighted index that defines the dividend-paying portion of the U.S. stock market. The Index is comprised of U.S. companies listed on the NYSE, NASDAQ Global Market or related exchanges that pay regular cash dividends and that meet other liquidity and capitalization requirements established by the index provider, WisdomTree Investments, Inc. (“WisdomTree Investments”). These requirements include the following: (i) companies must pay regular cash dividends on shares of common stock in the 12 months preceding the annual Index screening date; (ii) companies need to have a market capitalization of at least $100 million as of the Index screening date; (iii) companies need to have exhibited an average daily dollar volume of at least $100,000 for three months preceding the Index screening date; and (iv) companies need to have a calculated volume factor (the average daily dollar volume for three months preceding the Index screening date divided by the weight of the security in the Index) that is greater than $200 million. The Index is dividend weighted annually to reflect the proportionate share of the aggregate cash dividends each component company is projected to pay in the coming year, based on the most recently declared dividend per share. The maximum weight of any one sector in the Index, at the time of the Index’s annual screening date, is capped at 25%, subject to the following volume factor. In the event that a

 

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company has a calculated volume factor that is less than $400 million as of the annual Index screening date, (i) the company’s weight in the Index will be reduced such that its weight equals its weight prior to the adjustment multiplied by a fraction of its calculated volume factor divided by $400 million, and (ii) the reduction in the company’s Index weight may cause a sector’s weight to rise above 25%. In response to market conditions, sector weights may fluctuate above 25% between annual Index screening dates.

WisdomTree Investments currently uses Standard & Poor’s Global Industry Classification Standards (“S&P GICS”) to define companies within a sector. The following sectors are included in the Index: consumer discretionary, consumer staples, energy, financials, health care, industrials, information technology, materials, telecommunication services, and utilities. A sector is comprised of multiple industries. For example, the energy sector is comprised of companies in, among others, the natural gas, oil and petroleum industries. As of June 30, 2014, a significant portion of the Index is comprised of companies in the financial sector.

To the extent that the Index concentrates (i.e., holds 25% or more of its total assets) in the securities of a particular industry or group of industries, the Fund will concentrate its investments to approximately the same extent as its Index.

Principal Risks of Investing in the Fund

You can lose money on your investment in the Fund. The Fund is subject to the risks described below. Some or all of these risks may adversely affect the Fund’s net asset value per share (“NAV”), trading price, yield, total return and/or ability to meet its objectives. For more information about the risks of investing in the Fund, see the sections in the Fund’s Prospectus titled “Additional Principal Risk Information About the Funds” and “Additional Non-Principal Risk Information.”

 

n  

Investment Risk. As with all investments, an investment in the Fund is subject to investment risk. Investors in the Fund could lose money, including the possible loss of the entire principal amount of an investment, over short or long periods of time.

 

n  

Market Risk. The trading prices of equity securities and other instruments fluctuate in response to a variety of factors. The Fund’s NAV and market price may fluctuate significantly in response to these and other factors. As a result, an investor could lose money over short or long periods of time.

 

n  

Shares of the Fund May Trade at Prices Other Than NAV. As with all exchange-traded funds (“ETFs”), Fund shares may be bought and sold in the secondary market at market prices. The trading prices of the Fund’s shares in the secondary market generally differ from the Fund’s daily NAV and there may be times when the market price of the shares is more than the NAV (premium) or less than the NAV (discount). This risk is heightened in times of market volatility or periods of steep market declines.

 

n  

Financial Sector Risk. The Fund currently invests a significant portion of its assets in companies in the financial sector, and therefore the performance of the Fund could be negatively impacted by events affecting this sector. This sector can be significantly affected by changes in interest rates, government regulation, the rate of defaults on corporate, consumer and government debt, the availability and cost of capital, and fallout from the housing and sub-prime mortgage crisis.

 

n  

Investment Style Risk. The Fund invests in the securities included in, or representative of, its Index regardless of their investment merit. The Fund does not attempt to outperform its Index or take defensive positions in declining markets. As a result, the Fund’s performance may be adversely affected by a general decline in the market segments relating to its Index.

 

n  

Issuer-Specific Risk. Issuer-specific events, including changes in the financial condition of an issuer, can have a negative impact on the value of the Fund.

 

n  

Large-Capitalization Investing. The Fund may invest a relatively large percentage of its assets in the securities of large-capitalization companies. As a result, the Fund’s performance may be adversely affected if securities of large-capitalization companies underperform securities of smaller-capitalization companies or the market as a whole. The securities of large-capitalization companies may be relatively mature compared to smaller companies and therefore subject to slower growth during times of economic expansion.

 

n  

Non-Correlation Risk. As with all index funds, the performance of the Fund and its Index may differ from each other for a variety of reasons.

 

n  

Non-Diversification Risk. Although the Fund intends to invest in a variety of securities and instruments, the Fund will be considered to be non-diversified, which means that it may invest more of its assets in the securities of a single issuer or a smaller number of issuers than if it were a diversified fund. As a result, the Fund may be more exposed to the risks associated with and developments affecting an individual issuer or a smaller number of issuers than a fund that invests more widely. This may increase the Fund’s volatility and cause the performance of a relatively smaller number of issuers to have a greater impact on the Fund’s performance.

 

 

WisdomTree Trust Prospectus      3   


Table of Contents

Fund Performance

Historical Fund performance, which varies over time, can provide an indication of the risks of investing in the Fund. The bar chart that follows shows the annual total returns of the Fund for each full calendar year since the Fund commenced operations. The table that follows the bar chart shows the Fund’s average annual total returns, both before and after taxes. This table also shows how the Fund’s performance compares to the Index and that of a relevant broad-based securities index. Index returns do not reflect deductions for fees, expenses or taxes. All returns assume reinvestment of dividends and distributions. The Fund’s past performance (before and after taxes) is not necessarily an indication of how the Fund will perform in the future.

 

LOGO

The Fund’s year-to-date total return as of June 30, 2014 was 7.86%.

Best and Worst Quarter Returns (for the periods reflected in the bar chart above)

 

     Return     Quarter/Year  

Highest Return

    17.30     3Q/2009   

Lowest Return

    (21.87 )%      4Q/2008   

After-tax returns are calculated using the highest historical individual federal marginal income tax rates and do not reflect the impact of state and local taxes. Actual after-tax returns depend on your tax situation and may differ from those shown and are not relevant if you hold your shares through tax-deferred arrangements, such as 401(k) plans or individual retirement accounts. In some cases the return after taxes may exceed the return before taxes due to an assumed tax benefit from any losses on a sale of Fund shares at the end of the measurement period.

Average Annual Total Returns for the periods ending December 31, 2013

 

WisdomTree Total Dividend Fund   1 Year     5 Years     Since Inception
(6/16/2006)
 

Return Before Taxes Based on NAV

    28.03     16.99     7.01

Return After Taxes on Distributions

    27.24     16.43     6.51

Return After Taxes on Distributions and Sale of Fund Shares

    16.41     13.82     5.63

Russell 3000® Index (reflects no deduction for fees, expenses, or taxes)

    33.55     18.71     7.89

WisdomTree Dividend Index (reflects no deduction for fees, expenses, or taxes)

    28.36     17.57     7.47

Management

Investment Adviser and Sub-Adviser

WisdomTree Asset Management, Inc. serves as investment adviser to the Fund. Mellon Capital Management Corporation serves as sub-adviser to the Fund.

Portfolio Managers

Karen Q. Wong, CFA, a Managing Director, Head of Equity Portfolio Management, has been a portfolio manager of the Fund since February 2008.

Richard A. Brown, CFA, a Director, Senior Portfolio Manager, has been a portfolio manager of the Fund since February 2008.

Thomas J. Durante, CFA, a Managing Director, Senior Portfolio Manager, has been a portfolio manager of the Fund since February 2008.

 

4   WisdomTree Trust Prospectus


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Buying and Selling Fund Shares

The Fund is an ETF. This means that shares of the Fund are listed on a national securities exchange, such as NYSE Arca, and trade at market prices. Most investors will buy and sell shares of the Fund through brokers. Because Fund shares trade at market prices rather than NAV, shares may trade at a price greater than NAV (premium) or less than NAV (discount).

The Fund issues and redeems shares at NAV only in large blocks of shares (“Creation Units”), which only certain institutions or large investors (typically market makers or other broker-dealers) may purchase or redeem. Currently, Creation Units generally consist of 50,000 shares, though this may change from time to time. Creation Units are not expected to consist of less than 50,000 shares. The Fund generally issues and redeems Creation Units in exchange for a portfolio of securities closely approximating the holdings of the Fund and/or a designated amount of U.S. cash.

Tax Information

The Fund intends to make distributions that may be taxed as ordinary income, qualified dividend income, or capital gains.

Payments to Broker-Dealers and Other Financial Intermediaries

If you purchase shares of the Fund through a broker-dealer or other financial intermediary (such as a bank) (an “Intermediary”), WisdomTree Asset Management, Inc. or its affiliates may pay Intermediaries for certain activities related to the Fund, including participation in activities that are designed to make Intermediaries more knowledgeable about exchange traded products, including the Fund, or for other activities, such as marketing, educational training or other initiatives related to the sale or promotion of Fund shares. These payments may create a conflict of interest by influencing the Intermediary and your salesperson to recommend the Fund over another investment. Any such arrangements do not result in increased Fund expenses. Ask your salesperson or visit the Intermediary’s website for more information.

 

WisdomTree Trust Prospectus      5   


Table of Contents

WisdomTree Equity Income Fund

 

Investment Objective

The WisdomTree Equity Income Fund (the “Fund”) seeks to track the price and yield performance, before fees and expenses, of the WisdomTree Equity Income Index (the “Index”).

Fees and Expenses of the Fund

The following table describes the fees and expenses you may pay if you buy and hold shares of the Fund. The fees are expressed as a percentage of the Fund’s average net assets.

 

Shareholder Fees (fees paid directly from your investment)     None   

Annual Fund Operating Expenses (expenses that you pay each year as a percentage of the value of your investment)

       

Management Fees

    0.38

Distribution and/or Service (12b-1) Fees

    None   

Other Expenses

    0.00
Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses     0.38

Example

The following example is intended to help retail investors compare the cost of investing in the Fund with the cost of investing in other funds. It illustrates the hypothetical expenses that such investors would incur over various periods if they were to invest $10,000 in the Fund for the time periods indicated and then redeem all of the shares at the end of those periods. This example assumes that the Fund provides a return of 5% a year and that operating expenses remain the same. This example does not include the brokerage commission that retail investors may pay to buy and sell shares of the Fund. Although your actual costs may be higher or lower, based on these assumptions, your costs would be:

 

     1 Year     3 Years     5 Years     10 Years  
      $39        $122        $213        $480   

Portfolio Turnover

The Fund pays transaction costs, such as commissions, when it buys and sells securities (or “turns over” its portfolio). A higher portfolio turnover rate may indicate higher transaction costs and may result in higher taxes when Fund shares are held in a taxable account. These costs, which are not reflected in annual fund operating expenses or in the example, affect the Fund’s performance. During the most recent fiscal year, the Fund’s portfolio turnover rate was 30% of the average value of its portfolio, excluding the value of portfolio securities received or delivered as a result of in-kind creations or redemptions of the Fund’s capital shares.

Principal Investment Strategies of the Fund

The Fund employs a “passive management” – or indexing – investment approach designed to track the performance of the Index. The Fund generally uses a representative sampling strategy to achieve its investment objective, meaning it generally will invest in a sample of the securities in the Index whose risk, return and other characteristics resemble the risk, return and other characteristics of the Index as a whole. Under normal circumstances, at least 95% of the Fund’s total assets (exclusive of collateral held from securities lending) will be invested in the component securities of the Index and investments that have economic characteristics that are substantially identical to the economic characteristics of such component securities.

The Index is a fundamentally weighted index that is comprised of companies with high dividend yields selected from the WisdomTree Dividend Index. At the annual Index screening date, companies within the WisdomTree Dividend Index that have (i) market capitalizations of at least $200 million, (ii) average daily dollar volumes of at least $200,000 for the three months preceding the Index screening date, and (iii) a calculated volume factor (the average daily dollar volume for three months preceding the Index screening date divided by the weight of the security in the Index) greater than $200 million are ranked by dividend yield. Securities ranking in the highest 30% by dividend yield are selected for inclusion. If a company currently in the Index is no longer ranked in the top 30% by dividend yield at the time of the annual Index screening date but remains ranked in the top 35% by dividend yield, the company will remain in the Index. The Index is dividend weighted annually to reflect the proportionate share of the aggregate cash dividends each component company is projected to pay in the coming year, based on the most recently declared dividend per share. At the time of the Index’s annual screening date, the maximum weight of any security in the Index is capped at 5%. The maximum weight of any one sector in the Index, at the time of the Index’s annual screening date, is capped at 25%, subject to the following volume factor. In the event that a

 

6   WisdomTree Trust Prospectus


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company has a calculated volume factor that is less than $400 million as of the annual Index screening date, (i) the company’s weight in the Index will be reduced such that its weight equals its weight prior to the adjustment multiplied by a fraction of its calculated volume factor divided by $400 million, and (ii) the reduction in the company’s Index weight may cause a sector’s weight to rise above 25%. In response to market conditions, security and sector weights may fluctuate above the specified cap between annual Index screening dates.

WisdomTree Investments, Inc. (“WisdomTree Investments”), as index provider, currently uses Standard & Poor’s Global Industry Classification Standards (“S&P GICS”) to define companies within a sector. The following sectors are included in the Index: consumer discretionary, consumer staples, energy, financials, health care, industrials, information technology, materials, telecommunication services, and utilities. A sector is comprised of multiple industries. For example, the energy sector is comprised of companies in, among others, the natural gas, oil and petroleum industries. As of June 30, 2014, a significant portion of the Index is comprised of companies in the financial sector.

To the extent that the Index concentrates (i.e., holds 25% or more of its total assets) in the securities of a particular industry or group of industries, the Fund will concentrate its investments to approximately the same extent as its Index.

Principal Risks of Investing in the Fund

You can lose money on your investment in the Fund. The Fund is subject to the risks described below. Some or all of these risks may adversely affect the Fund’s net asset value per share (“NAV”), trading price, yield, total return and/or ability to meet its objectives. For information about the risks of investing in the Fund, see the sections in the Fund’s Prospectus titled “Additional Principal Risk Information About the Funds” and “Additional Non-Principal Risk Information.”

 

n  

Investment Risk. As with all investments, an investment in the Fund is subject to investment risk. Investors in the Fund could lose money, including the possible loss of the entire principal amount of an investment, over short or long periods of time.

 

n  

Market Risk. The trading prices of equity securities and other instruments fluctuate in response to a variety of factors. The Fund’s NAV and market price may fluctuate significantly in response to these and other factors. As a result, an investor could lose money over short or long periods of time.

 

n  

Shares of the Fund May Trade at Prices Other Than NAV. As with all exchange-traded funds (“ETFs”), Fund shares may be bought and sold in the secondary market at market prices. The trading prices of the Fund’s shares in the secondary market generally differ from the Fund’s daily NAV and there may be times when the market price of the shares is more than the NAV (premium) or less than the NAV (discount). This risk is heightened in times of market volatility or periods of steep market declines.

 

n  

Financial Sector Risk. The Fund currently invests a significant portion of its assets in companies in the financial sector, and therefore the performance of the Fund could be negatively impacted by events affecting this sector. This sector can be significantly affected by changes in interest rates, government regulation, the rate of defaults on corporate, consumer and government debt, the availability and cost of capital, and fallout from the housing and sub-prime mortgage crisis.

 

n  

Investment Style Risk. The Fund invests in the securities included in, or representative of, its Index regardless of their investment merit. The Fund does not attempt to outperform its Index or take defensive positions in declining markets. As a result, the Fund’s performance may be adversely affected by a general decline in the market segments relating to its Index.

 

n  

Issuer-Specific Risk. Issuer-specific events, including changes in the financial condition of an issuer, can have a negative impact on the value of the Fund.

 

n  

Large-Capitalization Investing. The Fund may invest a relatively large percentage of its assets in the securities of large-capitalization companies. As a result, the Fund’s performance may be adversely affected if securities of large-capitalization companies underperform securities of smaller-capitalization companies or the market as a whole. The securities of large-capitalization companies may be relatively mature compared to smaller companies and therefore subject to slower growth during times of economic expansion.

 

n  

Non-Correlation Risk. As with all index funds, the performance of the Fund and its Index may differ from each other for a variety of reasons.

 

n  

Non-Diversification Risk. Although the Fund intends to invest in a variety of securities and instruments, the Fund will be considered to be non-diversified, which means that it may invest more of its assets in the securities of a single issuer or a smaller number of issuers than if it were a diversified fund. As a result, the Fund may be more exposed to the risks associated with and developments affecting an individual issuer or a smaller number of issuers than a fund that invests more widely. This may increase the Fund’s volatility and cause the performance of a relatively smaller number of issuers to have a greater impact on the Fund’s performance.

 

WisdomTree Trust Prospectus      7   


Table of Contents

Fund Performance

Historical Fund performance, which varies over time, can provide an indication of the risks of investing in the Fund. The bar chart that follows shows the annual total returns of the Fund for each full calendar year since the Fund commenced operations. The table that follows the bar chart shows the Fund’s average annual total returns, both before and after taxes. This table also shows how the Fund’s performance compares to the Index and that of a relevant broad-based securities index. Index returns do not reflect deductions for fees, expenses or taxes. All returns assume reinvestment of dividends and distributions. The Fund’s past performance (before and after taxes) is not necessarily an indication of how the Fund will perform in the future.

 

LOGO

The Fund’s year-to-date total return as of June 30, 2014 was 9.30%.

Best and Worst Quarter Returns (for the periods reflected in the bar chart above)

 

     Return     Quarter/Year  

Highest Return

    22.68     3Q/2009   

Lowest Return

    (25.85 )%      4Q/2008   

After-tax returns are calculated using the highest historical individual federal marginal income tax rates and do not reflect the impact of state and local taxes. Actual after-tax returns depend on your tax situation and may differ from those shown and are not relevant if you hold your shares through tax-deferred arrangements, such as 401(k) plans or individual retirement accounts. In some cases the return after taxes may exceed the return before taxes due to an assumed tax benefit from any losses on a sale of Fund shares at the end of the measurement period.

Average Annual Total Returns for the periods ending December 31, 2013

 

WisdomTree Equity Income Fund   1 Year     5 Years    

Since Inception

(6/16/2006)

 

Return Before Taxes Based on NAV

    24.44     16.92     5.35

Return After Taxes on Distributions

    23.44     16.20     4.73

Return After Taxes on Distributions and Sale of Fund Shares

    14.56     13.78     4.32

Russell 1000® Value Index (reflects no deduction for fees, expenses, or taxes)

    32.53     16.67     6.41

WisdomTree Equity Income Index (reflects no deduction for fees, expenses, or taxes)

    24.76     17.38     5.66

Management

Investment Adviser and Sub-Adviser

WisdomTree Asset Management, Inc. serves as investment adviser to the Fund. Mellon Capital Management Corporation serves as sub-adviser to the Fund.

Portfolio Managers

Karen Q. Wong, CFA, a Managing Director, Head of Equity Portfolio Management, has been a portfolio manager of the Fund since February 2008.

 

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Richard A. Brown, CFA, a Director, Senior Portfolio Manager, has been a portfolio manager of the Fund since February 2008.

Thomas J. Durante, CFA, a Managing Director, Senior Portfolio Manager, has been a portfolio manager of the Fund since February 2008.

Buying and Selling Fund Shares

The Fund is an ETF. This means that shares of the Fund are listed on a national securities exchange, such as NYSE Arca, and trade at market prices. Most investors will buy and sell shares of the Fund through brokers. Because Fund shares trade at market prices rather than NAV, shares may trade at a price greater than NAV (premium) or less than NAV (discount).

The Fund issues and redeems shares at NAV only in large blocks of shares (“Creation Units”), which only certain institutions or large investors (typically market makers or other broker-dealers) may purchase or redeem. Currently, Creation Units generally consist of 50,000 shares, though this may change from time to time. Creation Units are not expected to consist of less than 50,000 shares. The Fund generally issues and redeems Creation Units in exchange for a portfolio of securities closely approximating the holdings of the Fund and/or a designated amount of U.S. cash.

Tax Information

The Fund intends to make distributions that may be taxed as ordinary income, qualified dividend income, or capital gains.

Payments to Broker-Dealers and Other Financial Intermediaries

If you purchase shares of the Fund through a broker-dealer or other financial intermediary (such as a bank) (an “Intermediary”), WisdomTree Asset Management, Inc. or its affiliates may pay Intermediaries for certain activities related to the Fund, including participation in activities that are designed to make Intermediaries more knowledgeable about exchange traded products, including the Fund, or for other activities, such as marketing, educational training or other initiatives related to the sale or promotion of Fund shares. These payments may create a conflict of interest by influencing the Intermediary and your salesperson to recommend the Fund over another investment. Any such arrangements do not result in increased Fund expenses. Ask your salesperson or visit the Intermediary’s website for more information.

 

WisdomTree Trust Prospectus      9   


Table of Contents

WisdomTree Dividend ex-Financials Fund

 

Investment Objective

The WisdomTree Dividend ex-Financials Fund (the “Fund”) seeks to track the price and yield performance, before fees and expenses, of the WisdomTree Dividend ex-Financials Index (the “Index”).

Fees and Expenses of the Fund

The following table describes the fees and expenses you may pay if you buy and hold shares of the Fund. The fees are expressed as a percentage of the Fund’s average net assets.

 

Shareholder Fees (fees paid directly from your investment)     None   

Annual Fund Operating Expenses (expenses that you pay each year as a percentage of the value of your investment)

       

Management Fees

    0.38

Distribution and/or Service (12b-1) Fees

    None   

Other Expenses

    0.00
Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses     0.38

Example

The following example is intended to help retail investors compare the cost of investing in the Fund with the cost of investing in other funds. It illustrates the hypothetical expenses that such investors would incur over various periods if they were to invest $10,000 in the Fund for the time periods indicated and then redeem all of the shares at the end of those periods. This example assumes that the Fund provides a return of 5% a year and that operating expenses remain the same. This example does not include the brokerage commission that retail investors may pay to buy and sell shares of the Fund. Although your actual costs may be higher or lower, based on these assumptions, your costs would be:

 

     1 Year     3 Years     5 Years     10 Years  
      $39        $122        $213        $480   

Portfolio Turnover

The Fund pays transaction costs, such as commissions, when it buys and sells securities (or “turns over” its portfolio). A higher portfolio turnover rate may indicate higher transaction costs and may result in higher taxes when Fund shares are held in a taxable account. These costs, which are not reflected in annual fund operating expenses or in the example, affect the Fund’s performance. During the most recent fiscal year, the Fund’s portfolio turnover rate was 35% of the average value of its portfolio, excluding the value of portfolio securities received or delivered as a result of in-kind creations or redemptions of the Fund’s capital shares.

Principal Investment Strategies of the Fund

The Fund employs a “passive management” – or indexing – investment approach designed to track the performance of the Index. The Fund generally uses a representative sampling strategy to achieve its investment objective, meaning it generally will invest in a sample of the securities in the Index whose risk, return and other characteristics resemble the risk, return and other characteristics of the Index as a whole. Under normal circumstances, at least 95% of the Fund’s total assets (exclusive of collateral held from securities lending) will be invested in the component securities of the Index and investments that have economic characteristics that are substantially identical to the economic characteristics of such component securities.

The Index is comprised of the 10 highest dividend-yielding companies in each sector, selected from the three hundred largest companies by market value in the WisdomTree Dividend Index (other than companies in the financial sector). Eligibility requirements include: (i) payment of regular cash dividends on shares of common stock in the 12 months preceding the annual Index screening date; (ii) market capitalization of at least $100 million as of the Index screening date; (iii) average daily dollar volume of at least $100,000 for three months preceding the Index screening date; and (iv) a calculated volume factor (the average daily dollar volume for three months preceding the Index screening date divided by the weight of the security in the Index) that is greater than $200 million. The Index is the only one of the WisdomTree U.S. Dividend Indexes that is not weighted by the dollar value of cash dividends to be paid. A component company’s weight in the Index is determined by dividing its indicated annual dividend yield by the sum of all the indicated annual dividend yields for all the component companies in the Index. The maximum weight of any one sector in the Index, at the time of the Index’s annual screening date, is capped at 25%, subject to the following volume factor. In the event that a company has a calculated volume factor that is less than $400 million as of the annual Index screening date, (i) the company’s weight in the Index will be reduced such

 

10   WisdomTree Trust Prospectus


Table of Contents

that its weight equals its weight prior to the adjustment multiplied by a fraction of its calculated volume factor divided by $400 million, and (ii) the reduction in the company’s Index weight may cause a sector’s weight to rise above 25%. In response to market conditions, sector weights may fluctuate above 25% between annual Index screening dates.

WisdomTree Investments, Inc. (“WisdomTree Investments”), as index provider, currently uses Standard & Poor’s Global Industry Classification Standards (“S&P GICS”) to define companies within a sector. The following sectors are included in the Index: consumer discretionary, consumer staples, energy, health care, industrials, information technology, materials, telecommunication services, and utilities. A sector is comprised of multiple industries. For example, the energy sector is comprised of companies in, among others, the natural gas, oil and petroleum industries. As of June 30, 2014, a significant portion of the Index is comprised of companies in the utilities sector.

To the extent that the Index concentrates (i.e., holds 25% or more of its total assets) in the securities of a particular industry or group of industries, the Fund will concentrate its investments to approximately the same extent as its Index.

Principal Risks of Investing in the Fund

You can lose money on your investment in the Fund. The Fund is subject to the risks described below. Some or all of these risks may adversely affect the Fund’s net asset value per share (“NAV”), trading price, yield, total return and/or ability to meet its objectives. For more information about the risks of investing in the Fund, see the sections in the Fund’s Prospectus titled “Additional Principal Risk Information About the Funds” and “Additional Non-Principal Risk Information.”

 

n  

Investment Risk. As with all investments, an investment in the Fund is subject to investment risk. Investors in the Fund could lose money, including the possible loss of the entire principal amount of an investment, over short or long periods of time.

 

n  

Market Risk. The trading prices of equity securities and other instruments fluctuate in response to a variety of factors. The Fund’s NAV and market price may fluctuate significantly in response to these and other factors. As a result, an investor could lose money over short or long periods of time.

 

n  

Shares of the Fund May Trade at Prices Other Than NAV. As with all exchange-traded funds (“ETFs”), Fund shares may be bought and sold in the secondary market at market prices. The trading prices of the Fund’s shares in the secondary market generally differ from the Fund’s daily NAV and there may be times when the market price of the shares is more than the NAV (premium) or less than the NAV (discount). This risk is heightened in times of market volatility or periods of steep market declines.

 

n  

Investment Style Risk. The Fund invests in the securities included in, or representative of, its Index regardless of their investment merit. The Fund does not attempt to outperform its Index or take defensive positions in declining markets. As a result, the Fund’s performance may be adversely affected by a general decline in the market segments relating to its Index.

 

n  

Issuer-Specific Risk. Issuer-specific events, including changes in the financial condition of an issuer, can have a negative impact on the value of the Fund.

 

n  

Large-Capitalization Investing. The Fund may invest a relatively large percentage of its assets in the securities of large-capitalization companies. As a result, the Fund’s performance may be adversely affected if securities of large-capitalization companies underperform securities of smaller-capitalization companies or the market as a whole. The securities of large-capitalization companies may be relatively mature compared to smaller companies and therefore subject to slower growth during times of economic expansion.

 

n  

Non-Correlation Risk. As with all index funds, the performance of the Fund and its Index may differ from each other for a variety of reasons.

 

n  

Non-Diversification Risk. Although the Fund intends to invest in a variety of securities and instruments, the Fund will be considered to be non-diversified, which means that it may invest more of its assets in the securities of a single issuer or a smaller number of issuers than if it were a diversified fund. As a result, the Fund may be more exposed to the risks associated with and developments affecting an individual issuer or a smaller number of issuers than a fund that invests more widely. This may increase the Fund’s volatility and cause the performance of a relatively smaller number of issuers to have a greater impact on the Fund’s performance.

 

n  

Utilities Sector Risk. The Fund currently invests a significant portion of its assets in companies in the utilities sector of the market and, as such, is sensitive to risks to the utilities sector. These risks include, but are not limited to, changing commodity prices, government regulation stipulating rates charged by utilities, interest rate sensitivity, and the cost of providing the specific utility service.

 

WisdomTree Trust Prospectus      11   


Table of Contents

Fund Performance

Historical Fund performance, which varies over time, can provide an indication of the risks of investing in the Fund. The bar chart that follows shows the annual total returns of the Fund for each full calendar year since the Fund commenced operations. The table that follows the bar chart shows the Fund’s average annual total returns, both before and after taxes. This table also shows how the Fund’s performance compares to the Index and that of a relevant broad-based securities index. Index returns do not reflect deductions for fees, expenses or taxes. All returns assume reinvestment of dividends and distributions. The Fund’s past performance (before and after taxes) is not necessarily an indication of how the Fund will perform in the future.

The Fund’s name and objective changed effective May 7, 2009. Fund performance prior to May 7, 2009 reflects the investment objective and style of the Fund when it was the WisdomTree Dividend Top 100 Fund, and tracked the performance of the WisdomTree Dividend Top 100 Index.

 

LOGO

The Fund’s year-to-date total return as of June 30, 2014 was 8.96%.

Best and Worst Quarter Returns (for the periods reflected in the bar chart above)

 

     Return     Quarter/Year  

Highest Return

    24.77     2Q/2009   

Lowest Return

    (24.23 )%      4Q/2008   

After-tax returns are calculated using the highest historical individual federal marginal income tax rates and do not reflect the impact of state and local taxes. Actual after-tax returns depend on your tax situation and may differ from those shown and are not relevant if you hold your shares through tax-deferred arrangements, such as 401(k) plans or individual retirement accounts. In some cases the return after taxes may exceed the return before taxes due to an assumed tax benefit from any losses on a sale of Fund shares at the end of the measurement period.

Average Annual Total Returns for the periods ending December 31, 2013

 

WisdomTree Dividend ex-Financials Fund*   1 Year     5 Years    

Since Inception

(6/16/2006)

 

Return Before Taxes Based on NAV

    27.64     19.57     8.22

Return After Taxes on Distributions

    26.71     18.86     7.61

Return After Taxes on Distributions and Sale of Fund Shares

    16.30     16.03     6.65

Dow Jones U.S. Select Dividend IndexSM (reflects no deduction for fees, expenses, or taxes)

    29.06     16.16     6.37

WisdomTree Dividend Top 100/Dividend ex-Financials Spliced Index** (reflects no deduction for fees, expenses, or taxes)

    28.19     20.12     8.61
*   The Fund’s objective changed effective May 7, 2009. Prior to that date, the Fund sought to track the price and yield performance, before fees and expenses, of the WisdomTree Dividend Top 100 Index. After May 7, 2009, the Fund’s objective seeks to track the price and yield performance, before fees and expenses, of the WisdomTree Dividend ex-Financials Index.
**   Reflects performance of the WisdomTree Dividend Top 100 Index through May 7, 2009 and the WisdomTree Dividend ex-Financials Index thereafter.

 

12   WisdomTree Trust Prospectus


Table of Contents

Management

Investment Adviser and Sub-Adviser

WisdomTree Asset Management, Inc. serves as investment adviser to the Fund. Mellon Capital Management Corporation serves as sub-adviser to the Fund.

Portfolio Managers

Karen Q. Wong, CFA, a Managing Director, Head of Equity Portfolio Management, has been a portfolio manager of the Fund since February 2008.

Richard A. Brown, CFA, a Director, Senior Portfolio Manager, has been a portfolio manager of the Fund since February 2008.

Thomas J. Durante, CFA, a Managing Director, Senior Portfolio Manager, has been a portfolio manager of the Fund since February 2008.

Buying and Selling Fund Shares

The Fund is an ETF. This means that shares of the Fund are listed on a national securities exchange, such as NYSE Arca, and trade at market prices. Most investors will buy and sell shares of the Fund through brokers. Because Fund shares trade at market prices rather than NAV, shares may trade at a price greater than NAV (premium) or less than NAV (discount).

The Fund issues and redeems shares at NAV only in large blocks of shares (“Creation Units”), which only certain institutions or large investors (typically market makers or other broker-dealers) may purchase or redeem. Currently, Creation Units generally consist of 50,000 shares, though this may change from time to time. Creation Units are not expected to consist of less than 50,000 shares. The Fund generally issues and redeems Creation Units in exchange for a portfolio of securities closely approximating the holdings of the Fund and/or a designated amount of U.S. cash.

Tax Information

The Fund intends to make distributions that may be taxed as ordinary income, qualified dividend income, or capital gains.

Payments to Broker-Dealers and Other Financial Intermediaries

If you purchase shares of the Fund through a broker-dealer or other financial intermediary (such as a bank) (an “Intermediary”), WisdomTree Asset Management, Inc. or its affiliates may pay Intermediaries for certain activities related to the Fund, including participation in activities that are designed to make Intermediaries more knowledgeable about exchange traded products, including the Fund, or for other activities, such as marketing, educational training or other initiatives related to the sale or promotion of Fund shares. These payments may create a conflict of interest by influencing the Intermediary and your salesperson to recommend the Fund over another investment. Any such arrangements do not result in increased Fund expenses. Ask your salesperson or visit the Intermediary’s website for more information.

 

WisdomTree Trust Prospectus      13   


Table of Contents

WisdomTree LargeCap Dividend Fund

 

Investment Objective

The WisdomTree LargeCap Dividend Fund (the “Fund”) seeks to track the price and yield performance, before fees and expenses, of the WisdomTree LargeCap Dividend Index (the “Index”).

Fees and Expenses of the Fund

The following table describes the fees and expenses you may pay if you buy and hold shares of the Fund. The fees are expressed as a percentage of the Fund’s average net assets.

 

Shareholder Fees (fees paid directly from your investment)     None   

Annual Fund Operating Expenses (expenses that you pay each year as a percentage of the value of your investment)

       

Management Fees

    0.28

Distribution and/or Service (12b-1) Fees

    None   

Other Expenses

    0.00
Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses     0.28

Example

The following example is intended to help retail investors compare the cost of investing in the Fund with the cost of investing in other funds. It illustrates the hypothetical expenses that such investors would incur over various periods if they were to invest $10,000 in the Fund for the time periods indicated and then redeem all of the shares at the end of those periods. This example assumes that the Fund provides a return of 5% a year and that operating expenses remain the same. This example does not include the brokerage commission that retail investors may pay to buy and sell shares of the Fund. Although your actual costs may be higher or lower, based on these assumptions, your costs would be:

 

     1 Year     3 Years     5 Years     10 Years  
      $29        $90        $157        $356   

Portfolio Turnover

The Fund pays transaction costs, such as commissions, when it buys and sells securities (or “turns over” its portfolio). A higher portfolio turnover rate may indicate higher transaction costs and may result in higher taxes when Fund shares are held in a taxable account. These costs, which are not reflected in annual fund operating expenses or in the example, affect the Fund’s performance. During the most recent fiscal year, the Fund’s portfolio turnover rate was 11% of the average value of its portfolio, excluding the value of portfolio securities received or delivered as a result of in-kind creations or redemptions of the Fund’s capital shares.

Principal Investment Strategies of the Fund

The Fund employs a “passive management” – or indexing – investment approach designed to track the performance of the Index. The Fund generally uses a representative sampling strategy to achieve its investment objective, meaning it generally will invest in a sample of the securities in the Index whose risk, return and other characteristics resemble the risk, return and other characteristics of the Index as a whole. Under normal circumstances, at least 95% of the Fund’s total assets (exclusive of collateral held from securities lending) will be invested in the component securities of the Index and investments that have economic characteristics that are substantially identical to the economic characteristics of such component securities.

The Index is a fundamentally weighted index that is comprised of the large-capitalization segment of the U.S. dividend-paying market. The Index is comprised of the 300 largest companies ranked by market capitalization from the WisdomTree Dividend Index. As of June 30, 2014, the Index had a market capitalization range from $3.5 billion to $560.3 billion, with an average market capitalization of $49.23 billion. Eligibility requirements include: (i) payment of regular cash dividends on shares of common stock in the 12 months preceding the annual Index screening date; (ii) market capitalization of at least $100 million as of the Index screening date; (iii) average daily dollar volume of at least $100,000 for three months preceding the Index screening date; and (iv) a calculated volume factor (the average daily dollar volume for three months preceding the Index screening date divided by the weight of the security in the Index) that is greater than $200 million. The Index is dividend weighted annually to reflect the proportionate share of the aggregate cash dividends each component company is projected to pay in the coming year, based on the most recently declared dividend per share. The maximum weight of any one sector in the Index, at the time of the Index’s annual screening date, is capped at 25%, subject to the following volume factor. In the event that a company has a calculated volume factor that is less than $400 million as of the annual Index

 

14   WisdomTree Trust Prospectus


Table of Contents

screening date, (i) the company’s weight in the Index will be reduced such that its weight equals its weight prior to the adjustment multiplied by a fraction of its calculated volume factor divided by $400 million, and (ii) the reduction in the company’s Index weight may cause a sector’s weight to rise above 25%. In response to market conditions, sector weights may fluctuate above 25% between annual Index screening dates.

WisdomTree Investments, Inc. (“WisdomTree Investments”), as index provider, currently uses Standard & Poor’s Global Industry Classification Standards (“S&P GICS”) to define companies within a sector. The following sectors are included in the Index: consumer discretionary, consumer staples, energy, financials, health care, industrials, information technology, materials, telecommunication services, and utilities. A sector is comprised of multiple industries. For example, the energy sector is comprised of companies in, among others, the natural gas, oil and petroleum industries. As of June 30, 2014, a significant portion of the Index is comprised of companies in the information technology sector.

To the extent that the Index concentrates (i.e., holds 25% or more of its total assets) in the securities of a particular industry or group of industries, the Fund will concentrate its investments to approximately the same extent as its Index.

Principal Risks of Investing in the Fund

You can lose money on your investment in the Fund. The Fund is subject to the risks described below. Some or all of these risks may adversely affect the Fund’s net asset value per share (“NAV”), trading price, yield, total return and/or ability to meet its objectives. For more information about the risks of investing in the Fund, see the sections in the Fund’s Prospectus titled “Additional Principal Risk Information About the Funds” and “Additional Non-Principal Risk Information.”

 

n  

Investment Risk. As with all investments, an investment in the Fund is subject to investment risk. Investors in the Fund could lose money, including the possible loss of the entire principal amount of an investment, over short or long periods of time.

 

n  

Market Risk. The trading prices of equity securities and other instruments fluctuate in response to a variety of factors. The Fund’s NAV and market price may fluctuate significantly in response to these and other factors. As a result, an investor could lose money over short or long periods of time.

 

n  

Shares of the Fund May Trade at Prices Other Than NAV. As with all exchange-traded funds (“ETFs”), Fund shares may be bought and sold in the secondary market at market prices. The trading prices of the Fund’s shares in the secondary market generally differ from the Fund’s daily NAV and there may be times when the market price of the shares is more than the NAV (premium) or less than the NAV (discount). This risk is heightened in times of market volatility or periods of steep market declines.

 

n  

Information Technology Sector Risk. The Fund currently invests a significant portion of its assets in companies in the information technology sector. This sector can be significantly affected by, among other things, the supply and demand for specific products and services, the pace of technological development and government regulation.

 

n  

Investment Style Risk. The Fund invests in the securities included in, or representative of, its Index regardless of their investment merit. The Fund does not attempt to outperform its Index or take defensive positions in declining markets. As a result, the Fund’s performance may be adversely affected by a general decline in the market segments relating to its Index.

 

n  

Issuer-Specific Risk. Issuer-specific events, including changes in the financial condition of an issuer, can have a negative impact on the value of the Fund.

 

n  

Large-Capitalization Investing. The Fund invests primarily in the securities of large-capitalization companies. As a result, the Fund’s performance may be adversely affected if securities of large-capitalization companies underperform securities of smaller-capitalization companies or the market as a whole. The securities of large-capitalization companies may be relatively mature compared to smaller companies and therefore subject to slower growth during times of economic expansion.

 

n  

Non-Correlation Risk. As with all index funds, the performance of the Fund and its Index may differ from each other for a variety of reasons.

 

n  

Non-Diversification Risk. Although the Fund intends to invest in a variety of securities and instruments, the Fund will be considered to be non-diversified, which means that it may invest more of its assets in the securities of a single issuer or a smaller number of issuers than if it were a diversified fund. As a result, the Fund may be more exposed to the risks associated with and developments affecting an individual issuer or a smaller number of issuers than a fund that invests more widely. This may increase the Fund’s volatility and cause the performance of a relatively smaller number of issuers to have a greater impact on the Fund’s performance.

 

WisdomTree Trust Prospectus      15   


Table of Contents

Fund Performance

Historical Fund performance, which varies over time, can provide an indication of the risks of investing in the Fund. The bar chart that follows shows the annual total returns of the Fund for each full calendar year since the Fund commenced operations. The table that follows the bar chart shows the Fund’s average annual total returns, both before and after taxes. This table also shows how the Fund’s performance compares to the Index and that of a relevant broad-based securities index. Index returns do not reflect deductions for fees, expenses or taxes. All returns assume reinvestment of dividends and distributions. The Fund’s past performance (before and after taxes) is not necessarily an indication of how the Fund will perform in the future.

 

LOGO

The Fund’s year-to-date total return as of June 30, 2014 was 7.59%.

Best and Worst Quarter Returns (for the periods reflected in the bar chart above)

 

     Return     Quarter/Year  

Highest Return

    15.79     2Q/2009   

Lowest Return

    (21.37 )%      4Q/2008   

After-tax returns are calculated using the highest historical individual federal marginal income tax rates and do not reflect the impact of state and local taxes. Actual after-tax returns depend on your tax situation and may differ from those shown and are not relevant if you hold your shares through tax-deferred arrangements, such as 401(k) plans or individual retirement accounts. In some cases the return after taxes may exceed the return before taxes due to an assumed tax benefit from any losses on a sale of Fund shares at the end of the measurement period.

Average Annual Total Returns for the periods ending December 31, 2013

 

WisdomTree LargeCap Dividend Fund   1 Year     5 Years    

Since Inception

(6/16/2006)

 

Return Before Taxes Based on NAV

    27.35     16.43     6.75

Return After Taxes on Distributions

    26.56     15.87     6.27

Return After Taxes on Distributions and Sale of Fund Shares

    16.03     13.33     5.41

S&P 500® Index (reflects no deduction for fees, expenses, or taxes)

    32.39     17.94     7.58

WisdomTree LargeCap Dividend Index (reflects no deduction for fees, expenses, or taxes)

    27.71     16.85     7.12

Management

Investment Adviser and Sub-Adviser

WisdomTree Asset Management, Inc. serves as investment adviser to the Fund. Mellon Capital Management Corporation serves as sub-adviser to the Fund.

Portfolio Managers

Karen Q. Wong, CFA, a Managing Director, Head of Equity Portfolio Management, has been a portfolio manager of the Fund since February 2008.

Richard A. Brown, CFA, a Director, Senior Portfolio Manager, has been a portfolio manager of the Fund since February 2008.

 

16   WisdomTree Trust Prospectus


Table of Contents

Thomas J. Durante, CFA, a Managing Director, Senior Portfolio Manager, has been a portfolio manager of the Fund since February 2008.

Buying and Selling Fund Shares

The Fund is an ETF. This means that shares of the Fund are listed on a national securities exchange, such as NYSE Arca, and trade at market prices. Most investors will buy and sell shares of the Fund through brokers. Because Fund shares trade at market prices rather than NAV, shares may trade at a price greater than NAV (premium) or less than NAV (discount).

The Fund issues and redeems shares at NAV only in large blocks of shares (“Creation Units”), which only certain institutions or large investors (typically market makers or other broker-dealers) may purchase or redeem. Currently, Creation Units generally consist of 50,000 shares, though this may change from time to time. Creation Units are not expected to consist of less than 50,000 shares. The Fund generally issues and redeems Creation Units in exchange for a portfolio of securities closely approximating the holdings of the Fund and/or a designated amount of U.S. cash.

Tax Information

The Fund intends to make distributions that may be taxed as ordinary income, qualified dividend income, or capital gains.

Payments to Broker-Dealers and Other Financial Intermediaries

If you purchase shares of the Fund through a broker-dealer or other financial intermediary (such as a bank) (an “Intermediary”), WisdomTree Asset Management, Inc. or its affiliates may pay Intermediaries for certain activities related to the Fund, including participation in activities that are designed to make Intermediaries more knowledgeable about exchange traded products, including the Fund, or for other activities, such as marketing, educational training or other initiatives related to the sale or promotion of Fund shares. These payments may create a conflict of interest by influencing the Intermediary and your salesperson to recommend the Fund over another investment. Any such arrangements do not result in increased Fund expenses. Ask your salesperson or visit the Intermediary’s website for more information.

 

WisdomTree Trust Prospectus      17   


Table of Contents

WisdomTree MidCap Dividend Fund

 

Investment Objective

The WisdomTree MidCap Dividend Fund (the “Fund”) seeks to track the price and yield performance, before fees and expenses, of the WisdomTree MidCap Dividend Index (the “Index”).

Fees and Expenses of the Fund

The following table describes the fees and expenses you may pay if you buy and hold shares of the Fund. The fees are expressed as a percentage of the Fund’s average net assets.

 

Shareholder Fees (fees paid directly from your investment)     None   

Annual Fund Operating Expenses (expenses that you pay each year as a percentage of the value of your investment)

       

Management Fees

    0.38

Distribution and/or Service (12b-1) Fees

    None   

Other Expenses

    0.00
Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses     0.38

Example

The following example is intended to help retail investors compare the cost of investing in the Fund with the cost of investing in other funds. It illustrates the hypothetical expenses that such investors would incur over various periods if they were to invest $10,000 in the Fund for the time periods indicated and then redeem all of the shares at the end of those periods. This example assumes that the Fund provides a return of 5% a year and that operating expenses remain the same. This example does not include the brokerage commission that retail investors may pay to buy and sell shares of the Fund. Although your actual costs may be higher or lower, based on these assumptions, your costs would be:

 

     1 Year     3 Years     5 Years     10 Years  
      $39        $122        $213        $480   

Portfolio Turnover

The Fund pays transaction costs, such as commissions, when it buys and sells securities (or “turns over” its portfolio). A higher portfolio turnover rate may indicate higher transaction costs and may result in higher taxes when Fund shares are held in a taxable account. These costs, which are not reflected in annual fund operating expenses or in the example, affect the Fund’s performance. During the most recent fiscal year, the Fund’s portfolio turnover rate was 32% of the average value of its portfolio, excluding the value of portfolio securities received or delivered as a result of in-kind creations or redemptions of the Fund’s capital shares.

Principal Investment Strategies of the Fund

The Fund employs a “passive management” – or indexing – investment approach designed to track the performance of the Index. The Fund generally uses a representative sampling strategy to achieve its investment objective, meaning it generally will invest in a sample of the securities in the Index whose risk, return and other characteristics resemble the risk, return and other characteristics of the Index as a whole. Under normal circumstances, at least 95% of the Fund’s total assets (exclusive of collateral held from securities lending) will be invested in the component securities of the Index and investments that have economic characteristics that are substantially identical to the economic characteristics of such component securities.

The Index is a fundamentally weighted index that is comprised of the mid-capitalization segment of the U.S. dividend-paying market. As of June 30, 2014, the Index had a market capitalization range from $2.0 billion to $17.4 billion, with an average market capitalization of $5.67 billion. Eligibility requirements include: (i) payment of regular cash dividends on shares of common stock in the 12 months preceding the annual Index screening date; (ii) market capitalization of at least $100 million as of the Index screening date; (iii) average daily dollar volume of at least $100,000 for three months preceding the Index screening date; and (iv) a calculated volume factor (the average daily dollar volume for three months preceding the Index screening date divided by the weight of the security in the Index) that is greater than $200 million. The Index is comprised of the companies that compose the top 75% of the market capitalization of the WisdomTree Dividend Index after the 300 largest companies have been removed. The Index is dividend weighted annually to reflect the proportionate share of the aggregate cash dividends each component company is projected to pay in the coming year, based on the most recently declared dividend per share. The maximum weight of any one sector in the Index, at the time of the Index’s annual screening date, is capped at 25%, subject to the following volume factor. In the event that a company has a calculated volume factor that is less than

 

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$400 million as of the annual Index screening date, (i) the company’s weight in the Index will be reduced such that its weight equals its weight prior to the adjustment multiplied by a fraction of its calculated volume factor divided by $400 million, and (ii) the reduction in the company’s Index weight may cause a sector’s weight to rise above 25%. In response to market conditions, sector weights may fluctuate above 25% between annual Index screening dates.

WisdomTree Investments, Inc. (“WisdomTree Investments”), as index provider, currently uses Standard & Poor’s Global Industry Classification Standards (“S&P GICS”) to define companies within a sector. The following sectors are included in the Index: consumer discretionary, consumer staples, energy, financials, health care, industrials, information technology, materials, telecommunication services, and utilities. A sector is comprised of multiple industries. For example, the energy sector is comprised of companies in, among others, the natural gas, oil and petroleum industries. As of June 30, 2014, a significant portion of the Index is comprised of companies in the financial sector.

To the extent that the Index concentrates (i.e., holds 25% or more of its total assets) in the securities of a particular industry or group of industries, the Fund will concentrate its investments to approximately the same extent as its Index.

Principal Risks of Investing in the Fund

You can lose money on your investment in the Fund. The Fund is subject to the risks described below. Some or all of these risks may adversely affect the Fund’s net asset value per share (“NAV”), trading price, yield, total return and/or ability to meet its objectives. For more information about the risks of investing in the Fund, see the sections in the Fund’s Prospectus titled “Additional Principal Risk Information About the Funds” and “Additional Non-Principal Risk Information.”

 

n  

Investment Risk. As with all investments, an investment in the Fund is subject to investment risk. Investors in the Fund could lose money, including the possible loss of the entire principal amount of an investment, over short or long periods of time.

 

n  

Market Risk. The trading prices of equity securities and other instruments fluctuate in response to a variety of factors. The Fund’s NAV and market price may fluctuate significantly in response to these and other factors. As a result, an investor could lose money over short or long periods of time.

 

n  

Shares of the Fund May Trade at Prices Other Than NAV. As with all exchange-traded funds (“ETFs”), Fund shares may be bought and sold in the secondary market at market prices. The trading prices of the Fund’s shares in the secondary market generally differ from the Fund’s daily NAV and there may be times when the market price of the shares is more than the NAV (premium) or less than the NAV (discount). This risk is heightened in times of market volatility or periods of steep market declines.

 

n  

Financial Sector Risk. The Fund currently invests a significant portion of its assets in companies in the financial sector, and therefore the performance of the Fund could be negatively impacted by events affecting this sector. This sector can be significantly affected by changes in interest rates, government regulation, the rate of defaults on corporate, consumer and government debt, the availability and cost of capital, and fallout from the housing and sub-prime mortgage crisis.

 

n  

Investment Style Risk. The Fund invests in the securities included in, or representative of, its Index regardless of their investment merit. The Fund does not attempt to outperform its Index or take defensive positions in declining markets. As a result, the Fund’s performance may be adversely affected by a general decline in the market segments relating to its Index.

 

n  

Issuer-Specific Risk. Issuer-specific events, including changes in the financial condition of an issuer, can have a negative impact on the value of the Fund.

 

n  

Mid-Capitalization Investing. The Fund invests primarily in the securities of mid-capitalization companies. As a result, the Fund’s performance may be adversely affected if securities of mid-capitalization companies underperform securities of other capitalization ranges or the market as a whole. Securities of smaller companies are often more vulnerable to market volatility than securities of larger companies.

 

n  

Non-Correlation Risk. As with all index funds, the performance of the Fund and its Index may differ from each other for a variety of reasons.

 

n  

Non-Diversification Risk. Although the Fund intends to invest in a variety of securities and instruments, the Fund will be considered to be non-diversified, which means that it may invest more of its assets in the securities of a single issuer or a smaller number of issuers than if it were a diversified fund. As a result, the Fund may be more exposed to the risks associated with and developments affecting an individual issuer or a smaller number of issuers than a fund that invests more widely. This may increase the Fund’s volatility and cause the performance of a relatively smaller number of issuers to have a greater impact on the Fund’s performance.

 

WisdomTree Trust Prospectus      19   


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Fund Performance

Historical Fund performance, which varies over time, can provide an indication of the risks of investing in the Fund. The bar chart that follows shows the annual total returns of the Fund for each full calendar year since the Fund commenced operations. The table that follows the bar chart shows the Fund’s average annual total returns, both before and after taxes. This table also shows how the Fund’s performance compares to the Index and that of a relevant broad-based securities index. Index returns do not reflect deductions for fees, expenses or taxes. All returns assume reinvestment of dividends and distributions. The Fund’s past performance (before and after taxes) is not necessarily an indication of how the Fund will perform in the future.

 

LOGO

The Fund’s year-to-date total return as of June 30, 2014 was 10.73%.

Best and Worst Quarter Returns (for the periods reflected in the bar chart above)

 

     Return     Quarter/Year  

Highest Return

    27.96     3Q/2009   

Lowest Return

    (24.64 )%      4Q/2008   

After-tax returns are calculated using the highest historical individual federal marginal income tax rates and do not reflect the impact of state and local taxes. Actual after-tax returns depend on your tax situation and may differ from those shown and are not relevant if you hold your shares through tax-deferred arrangements, such as 401(k) plans or individual retirement accounts. In some cases the return after taxes may exceed the return before taxes due to an assumed tax benefit from any losses on a sale of Fund shares at the end of the measurement period.

Average Annual Total Returns for the periods ending December 31, 2013

 

WisdomTree MidCap Dividend Fund   1 Year     5 Years    

Since Inception

(6/16/2006)

 

Return Before Taxes Based on NAV

    32.96     20.87     8.75

Return After Taxes on Distributions

    32.22     20.40     8.35

Return After Taxes on Distributions and Sale of Fund Shares

    19.24     17.25     7.19

S&P MidCap 400® Index (reflects no deduction for fees, expenses, or taxes)

    33.50     21.89     9.81

WisdomTree MidCap Dividend Index (reflects no deduction for fees, expenses, or taxes)

    33.25     21.36     8.69

Management

Investment Adviser and Sub-Adviser

WisdomTree Asset Management, Inc. serves as investment adviser to the Fund. Mellon Capital Management Corporation serves as sub-adviser to the Fund.

Portfolio Managers

Karen Q. Wong, CFA, a Managing Director, Head of Equity Portfolio Management, has been a portfolio manager of the Fund since February 2008.

 

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Richard A. Brown, CFA, a Director, Senior Portfolio Manager, has been a portfolio manager of the Fund since February 2008.

Thomas J. Durante, CFA, a Managing Director, Senior Portfolio Manager, has been a portfolio manager of the Fund since February 2008.

Buying and Selling Fund Shares

The Fund is an ETF. This means that shares of the Fund are listed on a national securities exchange, such as NYSE Arca, and trade at market prices. Most investors will buy and sell shares of the Fund through brokers. Because Fund shares trade at market prices rather than NAV, shares may trade at a price greater than NAV (premium) or less than NAV (discount).

The Fund issues and redeems shares at NAV only in large blocks of shares (“Creation Units”), which only certain institutions or large investors (typically market makers or other broker-dealers) may purchase or redeem. Currently, Creation Units generally consist of 50,000 shares, though this may change from time to time. Creation Units are not expected to consist of less than 50,000 shares. The Fund generally issues and redeems Creation Units in exchange for a portfolio of securities closely approximating the holdings of the Fund and/or a designated amount of U.S. cash.

Tax Information

The Fund intends to make distributions that may be taxed as ordinary income, qualified dividend income, or capital gains.

Payments to Broker-Dealers and Other Financial Intermediaries

If you purchase shares of the Fund through a broker-dealer or other financial intermediary (such as a bank) (an “Intermediary”), WisdomTree Asset Management, Inc. or its affiliates may pay Intermediaries for certain activities related to the Fund, including participation in activities that are designed to make Intermediaries more knowledgeable about exchange traded products, including the Fund, or for other activities, such as marketing, educational training or other initiatives related to the sale or promotion of Fund shares. These payments may create a conflict of interest by influencing the Intermediary and your salesperson to recommend the Fund over another investment. Any such arrangements do not result in increased Fund expenses. Ask your salesperson or visit the Intermediary’s website for more information.

 

WisdomTree Trust Prospectus      21   


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WisdomTree SmallCap Dividend Fund

 

Investment Objective

The WisdomTree SmallCap Dividend Fund (the “Fund”) seeks to track the price and yield performance, before fees and expenses, of the WisdomTree SmallCap Dividend Index (the “Index”).

Fees and Expenses of the Fund

The following table describes the fees and expenses you may pay if you buy and hold shares of the Fund. The fees are expressed as a percentage of the Fund’s average net assets.

 

Shareholder Fees (fees paid directly from your investment)     None   

Annual Fund Operating Expenses (expenses that you pay each year as a percentage of the value of your investment)

       

Management Fees

    0.38

Distribution and/or Service (12b-1) Fees

    None   

Other Expenses

    0.00
Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses     0.38

Example

The following example is intended to help retail investors compare the cost of investing in the Fund with the cost of investing in other funds. It illustrates the hypothetical expenses that such investors would incur over various periods if they were to invest $10,000 in the Fund for the time periods indicated and then redeem all of the shares at the end of those periods. This example assumes that the Fund provides a return of 5% a year and that operating expenses remain the same. This example does not include the brokerage commission that retail investors may pay to buy and sell shares of the Fund. Although your actual costs may be higher or lower, based on these assumptions, your costs would be:

 

     1 Year     3 Years     5 Years     10 Years  
      $39        $122        $213        $480   

Portfolio Turnover

The Fund pays transaction costs, such as commissions, when it buys and sells securities (or “turns over” its portfolio). A higher portfolio turnover rate may indicate higher transaction costs and may result in higher taxes when Fund shares are held in a taxable account. These costs, which are not reflected in annual fund operating expenses or in the example, affect the Fund’s performance. During the most recent fiscal year, the Fund’s portfolio turnover rate was 42% of the average value of its portfolio, excluding the value of portfolio securities received or delivered as a result of in-kind creations or redemptions of the Fund’s capital shares.

Principal Investment Strategies of the Fund

The Fund employs a “passive management” – or indexing – investment approach designed to track the performance of the Index. The Fund generally uses a representative sampling strategy to achieve its investment objective, meaning it generally will invest in a sample of the securities in the Index whose risk, return and other characteristics resemble the risk, return and other characteristics of the Index as a whole. Under normal circumstances, at least 95% of the Fund’s total assets (exclusive of collateral held from securities lending) will be invested in the component securities of the Index and investments that have economic characteristics that are substantially identical to the economic characteristics of such component securities.

The Index is a fundamentally weighted index measuring the performance of the small-capitalization segment of the U.S. dividend-paying market. As of June 30, 2014, the Index had a market capitalization range from $84.8 million to $11.3 billion, with an average market capitalization of $1.09 billion. Eligibility requirements include: (i) payment of regular cash dividends on shares of common stock in the 12 months preceding the annual Index screening date; (ii) market capitalization of at least $100 million as of the Index screening date; (iii) average daily dollar volume of at least $100,000 for three months preceding the Index screening date; and (iv) a calculated volume factor (the average daily dollar volume for three months preceding the Index screening date divided by the weight of the security in the Index) that is greater than $200 million. The Index is comprised of the companies that compose the bottom 25% of the market capitalization of the WisdomTree Dividend Index after the 300 largest companies have been removed. The Index is dividend weighted annually to reflect the proportionate share of the aggregate cash dividends each component company is projected to pay in the coming year, based on the most recently declared dividend per share. The maximum weight of any one sector in the Index, at the time of the Index’s annual screening date, is capped at 25%, subject to the following volume factor. In the event that a company has a calculated volume

 

22   WisdomTree Trust Prospectus


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factor that is less than $400 million as of the annual Index screening date, (i) the company’s weight in the Index will be reduced such that its weight equals its weight prior to the adjustment multiplied by a fraction of its calculated volume factor divided by $400 million, and (ii) the reduction in the company’s Index weight may cause a sector’s weight to rise above 25%. In response to market conditions, sector weights may fluctuate above 25% between annual Index screening dates.

WisdomTree Investments, Inc. (“WisdomTree Investments”), as index provider, currently uses Standard & Poor’s Global Industry Classification Standards (“S&P GICS”) to define companies within a sector. The following sectors are included in the Index: consumer discretionary, consumer staples, energy, financials, health care, industrials, information technology, materials, telecommunication services, and utilities. A sector is comprised of multiple industries. For example, the energy sector is comprised of companies in, among others, the natural gas, oil and petroleum industries. As of June 30, 2014, a significant portion of the Index is comprised of companies in the financial and industrial sectors.

To the extent that the Index concentrates (i.e., holds 25% or more of its total assets) in the securities of a particular industry or group of industries, the Fund will concentrate its investments to approximately the same extent as its Index.

Principal Risks of Investing in the Fund

You can lose money on your investment in the Fund. The Fund is subject to the risks described below. Some or all of these risks may adversely affect the Fund’s net asset value per share (“NAV”), trading price, yield, total return and/or ability to meet its objectives. For more information about the risks of investing in the Fund, see the sections in the Fund’s Prospectus titled “Additional Principal Risk Information About the Funds” and “Additional Non-Principal Risk Information.”

 

n  

Investment Risk. As with all investments, an investment in the Fund is subject to investment risk. Investors in the Fund could lose money, including the possible loss of the entire principal amount of an investment, over short or long periods of time.

 

n  

Market Risk. The trading prices of equity securities and other instruments fluctuate in response to a variety of factors. The Fund’s NAV and market price may fluctuate significantly in response to these and other factors. As a result, an investor could lose money over short or long periods of time.

 

n  

Shares of the Fund May Trade at Prices Other Than NAV. As with all exchange-traded funds (“ETFs”), Fund shares may be bought and sold in the secondary market at market prices. The trading prices of the Fund’s shares in the secondary market generally differ from the Fund’s daily NAV and there may be times when the market price of the shares is more than the NAV (premium) or less than the NAV (discount). This risk is heightened in times of market volatility or periods of steep market declines.

 

n  

Financial Sector Risk. The Fund currently invests a significant portion of its assets in the financial sector, and therefore the performance of the Fund could be negatively impacted by events affecting this sector. This sector can be significantly affected by changes in interest rates, government regulation, the rate of defaults on corporate, consumer and government debt, the availability and cost of capital, and fallout from the housing and sub-prime mortgage crisis.

 

n  

Industrial Sector Risk. The Fund currently invests a significant portion of its assets in companies in the industrial sector. The industrial sector can be significantly affected by, among other things, worldwide economy growth, supply and demand for specific products and services, rapid technological developments, and government regulation.

 

n  

Investment Style Risk. The Fund invests in the securities included in, or representative of, its Index regardless of their investment merit. The Fund does not attempt to outperform its Index or take defensive positions in declining markets. As a result, the Fund’s performance may be adversely affected by a general decline in the market segments relating to its Index.

 

n  

Issuer-Specific Risk. Issuer-specific events, including changes in the financial condition of an issuer, can have a negative impact on the value of the Fund.

 

n  

Non-Correlation Risk. As with all index funds, the performance of the Fund and its Index may differ from each other for a variety of reasons.

 

n  

Non-Diversification Risk. Although the Fund intends to invest in a variety of securities and instruments, the Fund will be considered to be non-diversified, which means that it may invest more of its assets in the securities of a single issuer or a smaller number of issuers than if it were a diversified fund. As a result, the Fund may be more exposed to the risks associated with and developments affecting an individual issuer or a smaller number of issuers than a fund that invests more widely. This may increase the Fund’s volatility and cause the performance of a relatively smaller number of issuers to have a greater impact on the Fund’s performance.

 

n  

Small-Capitalization Investing. The Fund invests primarily in the securities of small-capitalization companies. As a result, the Fund may be more volatile than funds that invest in larger, more established companies. The securities of small-capitalization companies generally trade in lower volumes and are subject to greater and more unpredictable price changes than larger capitalization stocks or the stock market as a whole. Small-capitalization companies may be particularly sensitive to changes in interest rates, government regulation, borrowing costs and earnings.

 

WisdomTree Trust Prospectus      23   


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Fund Performance

Historical Fund performance, which varies over time, can provide an indication of the risks of investing in the Fund. The bar chart that follows shows the annual total returns of the Fund for each full calendar year since the Fund commenced operations. The table that follows the bar chart shows the Fund’s average annual total returns, both before and after taxes. This table also shows how the Fund’s performance compares to the Index and that of a relevant broad-based securities index. Index returns do not reflect deductions for fees, expenses or taxes. All returns assume reinvestment of dividends and distributions. The Fund’s past performance (before and after taxes) is not necessarily an indication of how the Fund will perform in the future.

 

LOGO

The Fund’s year-to-date total return as of June 30, 2014 was 4.49%.

Best and Worst Quarter Returns (for the periods reflected in the bar chart above)

 

     Return     Quarter/Year  

Highest Return

    26.68     2Q/2009   

Lowest Return

    (27.04 )%      1Q/2009   

After-tax returns are calculated using the highest historical individual federal marginal income tax rates and do not reflect the impact of state and local taxes. Actual after-tax returns depend on your tax situation and may differ from those shown and are not relevant if you hold your shares through tax-deferred arrangements, such as 401(k) plans or individual retirement accounts. In some cases the return after taxes may exceed the return before taxes due to an assumed tax benefit from any losses on a sale of Fund shares at the end of the measurement period.

Average Annual Total Returns for the periods ending December 31, 2013

 

WisdomTree SmallCap Dividend Fund   1 Year     5 Years    

Since Inception

(6/16/2006)

 

Return Before Taxes Based on NAV

    36.86     19.54     8.10

Return After Taxes on Distributions

    35.97     19.01     7.64

Return After Taxes on Distributions and Sale of Fund Shares

    21.45     16.14     6.68

Russell 2000® Index (reflects no deduction for fees, expenses, or taxes)

    38.82     20.08     8.59

WisdomTree SmallCap Dividend Index (reflects no deduction for fees, expenses, or taxes)

    36.16     19.83     8.12

Management

Investment Adviser and Sub-Adviser

WisdomTree Asset Management, Inc. serves as investment adviser to the Fund. Mellon Capital Management Corporation serves as sub-adviser to the Fund.

Portfolio Managers

Karen Q. Wong, CFA, a Managing Director, Head of Equity Portfolio Management, has been a portfolio manager of the Fund since February 2008.

Richard A. Brown, CFA, a Director, Senior Portfolio Manager, has been a portfolio manager of the Fund since February 2008.

 

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Thomas J. Durante, CFA, a Managing Director, Senior Portfolio Manager, has been a portfolio manager of the Fund since February 2008.

Buying and Selling Fund Shares

The Fund is an ETF. This means that shares of the Fund are listed on a national securities exchange, such as NYSE Arca, and trade at market prices. Most investors will buy and sell shares of the Fund through brokers. Because Fund shares trade at market prices rather than NAV, shares may trade at a price greater than NAV (premium) or less than NAV (discount).

The Fund issues and redeems shares at NAV only in large blocks of shares (“Creation Units”), which only certain institutions or large investors (typically market makers or other broker-dealers) may purchase or redeem. Currently, Creation Units generally consist of 50,000 shares, though this may change from time to time. Creation Units are not expected to consist of less than 50,000 shares. The Fund generally issues and redeems Creation Units in exchange for a portfolio of securities closely approximating the holdings of the Fund and/or a designated amount of U.S. cash.

Tax Information

The Fund intends to make distributions that may be taxed as ordinary income, qualified dividend income, or capital gains.

Payments to Broker-Dealers and Other Financial Intermediaries

If you purchase shares of the Fund through a broker-dealer or other financial intermediary (such as a bank) (an “Intermediary”), WisdomTree Asset Management, Inc. or its affiliates may pay Intermediaries for certain activities related to the Fund, including participation in activities that are designed to make Intermediaries more knowledgeable about exchange traded products, including the Fund, or for other activities, such as marketing, educational training or other initiatives related to the sale or promotion of Fund shares. These payments may create a conflict of interest by influencing the Intermediary and your salesperson to recommend the Fund over another investment. Any such arrangements do not result in increased Fund expenses. Ask your salesperson or visit the Intermediary’s website for more information.

 

WisdomTree Trust Prospectus      25   


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WisdomTree U.S. Dividend Growth Fund

 

Investment Objective

The WisdomTree U.S. Dividend Growth Fund (the “Fund”) seeks to track the price and yield performance, before fees and expenses, of the WisdomTree U.S. Dividend Growth Index (the “Index”).

Fees and Expenses of the Fund

The following table describes the fees and expenses you may pay if you buy and hold shares of the Fund. The fees are expressed as a percentage of the Fund’s average net assets.

 

Shareholder Fees (fees paid directly from your investment)     None   

Annual Fund Operating Expenses (expenses that you pay each year as a percentage of the value of your investment)

       

Management Fees

    0.28

Distribution and/or Service (12b-1) Fees

    None   

Other Expenses

    0.00
Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses     0.28

Example

The following example is intended to help retail investors compare the cost of investing in the Fund with the cost of investing in other funds. It illustrates the hypothetical expenses that such investors would incur over various periods if they were to invest $10,000 in the Fund for the time periods indicated and then redeem all of the shares at the end of those periods. This example assumes that the Fund provides a return of 5% a year and that operating expenses remain the same. This example does not include the brokerage commissions that retail investors may pay to buy and sell shares of the Fund. Although your actual costs may be higher or lower, based on these assumptions, your costs would be:

 

     1 Year     3 Years     5 Years     10 Years  
      $29        $90        $157        $356   

Portfolio Turnover

The Fund pays transaction costs, such as commissions, when it buys and sells securities (or “turns over” its portfolio). A higher portfolio turnover rate may indicate higher transaction costs and may result in higher taxes when Fund shares are held in a taxable account. These costs, which are not reflected in annual fund operating expenses or in the example, affect the Fund’s performance. During the most recent fiscal period, the Fund’s portfolio turnover rate was 31% of the average value of its portfolio, excluding the value of portfolio securities received or delivered as a result of in-kind creations or redemptions of the Fund’s capital shares.

Principal Investment Strategies of the Fund

The Fund employs a “passive management” – or indexing – investment approach designed to track the performance of the Index. The Fund generally uses a representative sampling strategy to achieve its investment objective, meaning it generally will invest in a sample of the securities in the Index whose risk, return and other characteristics resemble the risk, return and other characteristics of the Index as a whole. Under normal circumstances, at least 80% of the Fund’s total assets (exclusive of collateral held from securities lending) will be invested in the component securities of the Index and investments that have economic characteristics that are substantially identical to the economic characteristics of such component securities.

The Index is a fundamentally weighted index that consists of dividend-paying U.S. common stocks with growth characteristics. The Index is comprised of the 300 companies in the WisdomTree Dividend Index with the best combined rank of growth and quality factors: specifically long-term earnings growth expectations, return on equity, and return on assets. The starting universe screening requirements include: (i) payment of regular cash dividends on common shares in the annual cycle prior to the annual Index screening date; (ii) market capitalization of at least $2 billion as of the Index screening date; (iii) average daily dollar volume of at least $100,000 three months preceding the Index screening date; and (iv) a calculated volume factor (the average daily dollar volume for three months preceding the Index screening date divided by the weight of the security in the Index) that is greater than $200 million. Securities are weighted in the Index to reflect the proportionate share of the aggregate cash dividends each component company is projected to pay in the coming year, based on the most recently declared dividend per share, a measure of fundamental value. Companies projected to pay more dividends are more heavily weighted. At the time of the Index’s annual screening date, the maximum weight of any security in the Index is capped at 5% and the maximum weight of any one sector in the Index is capped at 20%, subject to the following volume

 

26   WisdomTree Trust Prospectus


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factor. In the event that a company has a calculated volume factor that is less than $400 million as of the annual Index screening date, (i) the company’s weight in the Index will be reduced such that its weight equals its weight prior to the adjustment multiplied by a fraction of its calculated volume factor divided by $400 million, and (ii) the reduction in the company’s Index weight may cause a sector’s weight to rise above 25%. In response to market conditions, security and sector weights may fluctuate above the specified cap between annual Index screening dates.

WisdomTree Investments, Inc. (“WisdomTree Investments”), as index provider, currently uses Standard & Poor’s Global Industry Classification Standards (“S&P GICS”) to define companies within a sector. The following sectors are included in the Index: consumer discretionary, consumer staples, energy, financials, health care, industrials, information technology, materials, telecommunication services, and utilities. A sector is comprised of multiple industries. For example, the energy sector is comprised of companies in, among others, the natural gas, oil and petroleum industries. As of June 30, 2014, a significant portion of the Index is comprised of companies in the consumer discretionary, consumer staples, industrial and information technology sectors.

To the extent the Index concentrates (i.e., holds 25% or more of its total assets) in the securities of a particular industry or group of industries, the Fund will concentrate its investments to approximately the same extent as its Index.

Principal Risks of Investing in the Fund

You can lose money on your investment in the Fund. The Fund is subject to the risks described below. Some or all of these risks may adversely affect the Fund’s net asset value per share (“NAV”), trading price, yield, total return and/or ability to meet its objectives. For more information about the risks of investing in the Fund, see the sections in the Fund’s Prospectus titled “Additional Principal Risk Information About the Funds” and “Additional Non-Principal Risk Information.”

 

n  

Investment Risk. As with all investments, an investment in the Fund is subject to investment risk. Investors in the Fund could lose money, including the possible loss of the entire principal amount of an investment, over short or long periods of time.

 

n  

Market Risk. The trading prices of equity securities and other instruments fluctuate in response to a variety of factors. The Fund’s NAV and market price may fluctuate significantly in response to these and other factors. As a result, an investor could lose money over short or long periods of time.

 

n  

Shares of the Fund May Trade at Prices Other Than NAV. As with all exchange-traded funds (“ETFs”), Fund shares may be bought and sold in the secondary market at market prices. The trading prices of the Fund’s shares in the secondary market generally differ from the Fund’s daily NAV and there may be times when the market price of the shares is more than the NAV (premium) or less than the NAV (discount). This risk is heightened in times of market volatility or periods of steep market declines.

 

n  

Consumer Discretionary Sector Risk. The Fund currently invests a significant portion of its assets in companies in the consumer discretionary sector. This sector consists of, for example, automobile, media and retail companies. The consumer discretionary sector of the economy can be significantly affected by, among other things, economic growth, worldwide demand and consumers’ disposable income levels and propensity to spend.

 

n  

Consumer Staples Sector Risk. The Fund currently invests a significant portion of its assets in companies in the consumer staples sector. This sector can be significantly affected by, among other things, changes in price and availability of underlying commodities, rising energy prices and global and economic conditions.

 

n  

Industrial Sector Risk. The Fund currently invests a significant portion of its assets in companies in the industrial sector. The industrial sector can be significantly affected by, among other things, worldwide economy growth, supply and demand for specific products and services, rapid technological developments, and government regulation.

 

n  

Information Technology Sector Risk. The Fund currently invests a significant portion of its assets in companies in the information technology sector. This sector can be significantly affected by, among other things, the supply and demand for specific products and services, the pace of technological development and government regulation.

 

n  

Investment Style Risk. The Fund invests in the securities included in, or representative of, its Index regardless of their investment merit. The Fund does not attempt to outperform its Index or take defensive positions in declining markets. As a result, the Fund’s performance may be adversely affected by a general decline in the market segments relating to its Index.

 

n  

Issuer-Specific Risk. Issuer-specific events, including changes in the financial condition of an issuer, can have a negative impact on the value of the Fund.

 

n  

Large-Capitalization Investing. The Fund may invest a relatively large percentage of its assets in the securities of large-capitalization companies. As a result, the Fund’s performance may be adversely affected if securities of large-capitalization companies underperform securities of smaller-capitalization companies or the market as a whole. The securities of large-capitalization companies may be relatively mature compared to smaller companies and therefore subject to slower growth during times of economic expansion.

 

WisdomTree Trust Prospectus      27   


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n  

Non-Correlation Risk. As with all index funds, the performance of the Fund and its Index may differ from each other for a variety of reasons.

 

n  

Non-Diversification Risk. Although the Fund intends to invest in a variety of securities and instruments, the Fund will be considered to be non-diversified, which means that it may invest more of its assets in the securities of a single issuer or a smaller number of issuers than if it were a diversified fund. As a result, the Fund may be more exposed to the risks associated with and developments affecting an individual issuer or a smaller number of issuers than a fund that invests more widely. This may increase the Fund’s volatility and cause the performance of a relatively smaller number of issuers to have a greater impact on the Fund’s performance.

Fund Performance

The Fund commenced operations on May 22, 2013, and therefore does not have performance history for a full calendar year. Once the Fund has completed a full calendar year of operations, a bar chart and table will be included that will provide some indication of the risks of investing in the Fund by showing the variability of the Fund’s return based on net assets and comparing the Fund’s performance to a broad measure of market performance.

Management

Investment Adviser and Sub-Adviser

WisdomTree Asset Management, Inc. serves as investment adviser to the Fund. Mellon Capital Management Corporation serves as sub-adviser to the Fund.

Portfolio Managers

Karen Q. Wong, CFA, a Managing Director, Head of Equity Portfolio Management, has been a portfolio manager of the Fund since May 2013.

Richard A. Brown, CFA, a Director, Senior Portfolio Manager, has been a portfolio manager of the Fund since May 2013.

Thomas J. Durante, CFA, a Managing Director, Senior Portfolio Manager, has been a portfolio manager of the Fund since May 2013.

Buying and Selling Fund Shares

The Fund is an ETF. This means that shares of the Fund are listed on a national securities exchange, such as NASDAQ, and trade at market prices. Most investors will buy and sell shares of the Fund through brokers. Because Fund shares trade at market prices rather than NAV, shares may trade at a price greater than NAV (premium) or less than NAV (discount).

The Fund issues and redeems shares at NAV only in large blocks of shares (“Creation Units”), which only certain institutions or large investors (typically market makers or other broker-dealers) may purchase or redeem. Currently, Creation Units generally consist of 50,000 shares, though this may change from time to time. Creation Units are not expected to consist of less than 50,000 shares. The Fund generally issues and redeems Creation Units in exchange for a portfolio of securities closely approximating the holdings of the Fund and/or a designated amount of U.S. cash.

Tax Information

The Fund intends to make distributions that may be taxed as ordinary income, qualified dividend income, or capital gains.

Payments to Broker-Dealers and Other Financial Intermediaries

If you purchase shares of the Fund through a broker-dealer or other financial intermediary (such as a bank) (an “Intermediary”), WisdomTree Asset Management, Inc. or its affiliates may pay Intermediaries for certain activities related to the Fund, including participation in activities that are designed to make Intermediaries more knowledgeable about exchange traded products, including the Fund, or for other activities, such as marketing, educational training or other initiatives related to the sale or promotion of Fund shares. These payments may create a conflict of interest by influencing the Intermediary and your salesperson to recommend the Fund over another investment. Any such arrangements do not result in increased Fund expenses. Ask your salesperson or visit the Intermediary’s website for more information.

 

28   WisdomTree Trust Prospectus


Table of Contents

WisdomTree U.S. SmallCap Dividend Growth Fund

 

Investment Objective

The WisdomTree U.S. SmallCap Dividend Growth Fund (the “Fund”) seeks to track the price and yield performance, before fees and expenses, of the WisdomTree U.S. SmallCap Dividend Growth Index (the “Index”).

Fees and Expenses of the Fund

The following table describes the fees and expenses you may pay if you buy and hold shares of the Fund. The fees are expressed as a percentage of the Fund’s average net assets.

 

Shareholder Fees (fees paid directly from your investment)     None   

Annual Fund Operating Expenses (expenses that you pay each year as a percentage of the value of your investment)

       

Management Fees

    0.38

Distribution and/or Service (12b-1) Fees

    None   

Other Expenses

    0.00
Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses     0.38

Example

The following example is intended to help retail investors compare the cost of investing in the Fund with the cost of investing in other funds. It illustrates the hypothetical expenses that such investors would incur over various periods if they were to invest $10,000 in the Fund for the time periods indicated and then redeem all of the shares at the end of those periods. This example assumes that the Fund provides a return of 5% a year and that operating expenses remain the same. This example does not include the brokerage commissions that retail investors may pay to buy and sell shares of the Fund. Although your actual costs may be higher or lower, based on these assumptions, your costs would be:

 

     1 Year     3 Years     5 Years     10 Years  
      $39        $122        $213        $480   

Portfolio Turnover

The Fund pays transaction costs, such as commissions, when it buys and sells securities (or “turns over” its portfolio). A higher portfolio turnover rate may indicate higher transaction costs and may result in higher taxes when Fund shares are held in a taxable account. These costs, which are not reflected in annual fund operating expenses or in the example, affect the Fund’s performance. During the most recent fiscal period, the Fund’s portfolio turnover rate was 71% of the average value of its portfolio, excluding the value of portfolio securities received or delivered as a result of in-kind creations or redemptions of the Fund’s capital shares.

Principal Investment Strategies of the Fund

The Fund employs a “passive management” – or indexing – investment approach designed to track the performance of the Index. The Fund generally uses a representative sampling strategy to achieve its investment objective, meaning it generally will invest in a sample of the securities in the Index whose risk, return and other characteristics resemble the risk, return and other characteristics of the Index as a whole. Under normal circumstances, at least 80% of the Fund’s total assets (exclusive of collateral held from securities lending) will be invested in the component securities of the Index and investments that have economic characteristics that are substantially identical to the economic characteristics of such component securities.

The Index is a fundamentally weighted index that consists of the small-capitalization segment of dividend-paying U.S. common stocks with growth characteristics. The starting screening universe for the Index is the constituents of the WisdomTree SmallCap Dividend Index, which consists of the bottom 25% of the market capitalization of the WisdomTree Dividend Index after the 300 largest companies have been removed. As of June 30, 2014, the Index had a market capitalization range from $86 million to $3.2 billion, with an average market capitalization of $1.10 billion. Eligibility requirements for inclusion in the Index include: (i) payment of regular cash dividends on common shares in the annual cycle prior to the annual Index screening date; (ii) market capitalization of at least $100 million as of the Index screening date; (iii) average daily dollar volume of at least $100,000 three months preceding the Index screening date; and (iv) a calculated volume factor (the average daily dollar volume for three months preceding the Index screening date divided by the weight of the security in the Index) that is greater than $200 million. From this starting universe, the Index is comprised of the top 50% of companies with the best combined rank of certain growth and quality factors: specifically long-term earnings growth expectations, return on equity, and return on assets. Securities are weighted in the Index to reflect the proportionate share of

 

WisdomTree Trust Prospectus      29   


Table of Contents

the aggregate cash dividends each component company is projected to pay in the coming year, based on the most recently declared dividend per share, a measure of fundamental value. Companies projected to pay more dividends are more heavily weighted. At the time of the Index’s annual screening date, the maximum weight of any security in the Index is capped at 2% and the maximum weight of any one sector in the Index is capped at 25%, subject to the following volume factor. In the event that a company has a calculated volume factor that is less than $400 million as of the annual Index screening date, (i) the company’s weight in the Index will be reduced such that its weight equals its weight prior to the adjustment multiplied by a fraction of its calculated volume factor divided by $400 million, and (ii) the reduction in the company’s Index weight may cause a sector’s weight to rise above 25%. In response to market conditions, security and sector weights may fluctuate above the specified cap between annual Index screening dates.

WisdomTree Investments, Inc. (“WisdomTree Investments”), as index provider, currently uses Standard & Poor’s Global Industry Classification Standards (“S&P GICS”) to define companies within a sector. The following sectors are included in the Index: consumer discretionary, consumer staples, energy, financials, health care, industrials, information technology, materials, telecommunication services, and utilities. A sector is comprised of multiple industries. For example, the energy sector is comprised of companies in, among others, the natural gas, oil and petroleum industries. As of June 30, 2014, a significant portion of the Index is comprised of companies in the consumer discretionary, financial and industrial sectors.

To the extent the Index concentrates (i.e., holds 25% or more of its total assets) in the securities of a particular industry or group of industries, the Fund will concentrate its investments to approximately the same extent as its Index.

Principal Risks of Investing in the Fund

You can lose money on your investment in the Fund. The Fund is subject to the risks described below. Some or all of these risks may adversely affect the Fund’s net asset value per share (“NAV”), trading price, yield, total return and/or ability to meet its objectives. For more information about the risks of investing in the Fund, see the sections in the Fund’s Prospectus, titled “Additional Principal Risk Information About the Funds” and “Additional Non-Principal Risk Information.”

 

n  

Investment Risk. As with all investments, an investment in the Fund is subject to investment risk. Investors in the Fund could lose money, including the possible loss of the entire principal amount of an investment, over short or long periods of time.

 

n  

Market Risk. The trading prices of equity securities and other instruments fluctuate in response to a variety of factors. The Fund’s NAV and market price may fluctuate significantly in response to these and other factors. As a result, an investor could lose money over short or long periods of time.

 

n  

Shares of the Fund May Trade at Prices Other Than NAV. As with all exchange-traded funds (“ETFs”), Fund shares may be bought and sold in the secondary market at market prices. The trading prices of the Fund’s shares in the secondary market generally differ from the Fund’s daily NAV and there may be times when the market price of the shares is more than the NAV (premium) or less than the NAV (discount). This risk is heightened in times of market volatility or periods of steep market declines.

 

n  

Consumer Discretionary Sector Risk. The Fund currently invests a significant portion of its assets in companies in the consumer discretionary sector. This sector consists of, for example, automobile, media and retail companies. The consumer discretionary sector of the economy can be significantly affected by, among other things, economic growth, worldwide demand and consumers’ disposable income levels and propensity to spend.

 

n  

Financial Sector Risk. The Fund currently invests a significant portion of its assets in companies in the financial sector, and therefore the performance of the Fund could be negatively impacted by events affecting this sector. This sector can be significantly affected by changes in interest rates, government regulation, the rate of defaults on corporate, consumer and government debt, the availability and cost of capital, and fallout from the housing and sub-prime mortgage crisis.

 

n  

Industrial Sector Risk. The Fund currently invests a significant portion of its assets in companies in the industrial sector. The industrial sector can be significantly affected by, among other things, worldwide economy growth, supply and demand for specific products and services, rapid technological developments, and government regulation.

 

n  

Investment Style Risk. The Fund invests in the securities included in, or representative of, its Index regardless of their investment merit. The Fund does not attempt to outperform its Index or take defensive positions in declining markets. As a result, the Fund’s performance may be adversely affected by a general decline in the market segments relating to its Index.

 

n  

Issuer-Specific Risk. Issuer-specific events, including changes in the financial condition of an issuer, can have a negative impact on the value of the Fund.

 

n  

Non-Correlation Risk. As with all index funds, the performance of the Fund and its Index may differ from each other for a variety of reasons.

 

30   WisdomTree Trust Prospectus


Table of Contents
n  

Non-Diversification Risk. Although the Fund intends to invest in a variety of securities and instruments, the Fund will be considered to be non-diversified, which means that it may invest more of its assets in the securities of a single issuer or a smaller number of issuers than if it were a diversified fund. As a result, the Fund may be more exposed to the risks associated with and developments affecting an individual issuer or a smaller number of issuers than a fund that invests more widely. This may increase the Fund’s volatility and cause the performance of a relatively smaller number of issuers to have a greater impact on the Fund’s performance.

 

n  

Small-Capitalization Investing. The Fund invests primarily in the securities of small-capitalization companies. As a result, the Fund may be more volatile than funds that invest in larger, more established companies. The securities of small-capitalization companies generally trade in lower volumes and are subject to greater and more unpredictable price changes than larger capitalization stocks or the stock market as a whole. Small-capitalization companies may be particularly sensitive to changes in interest rates, government regulation, borrowing costs and earnings.

Fund Performance

The Fund commenced operations on July 25, 2013, and therefore does not have performance history for a full calendar year. Once the Fund has completed a full calendar year of operations, a bar chart and table will be included that will provide some indication of the risks of investing in the Fund by showing the variability of the Fund’s return based on net assets and comparing the Fund’s performance to a broad measure of market performance.

Management

Investment Adviser and Sub-Adviser

WisdomTree Asset Management, Inc. serves as investment adviser to the Fund. Mellon Capital Management Corporation serves as sub-adviser to the Fund.

Portfolio Managers

Karen Q. Wong, CFA, a Managing Director, Head of Equity Portfolio Management, has been a portfolio manager of the Fund since its inception in July 2013.

Richard A. Brown, CFA, a Director, Senior Portfolio Manager, has been a portfolio manager of the Fund since its inception in July 2013.

Thomas J. Durante, CFA, a Managing Director, Senior Portfolio Manager, has been a portfolio manager of the Fund since its inception in July 2013.

Buying and Selling Fund Shares

The Fund is an ETF. This means that shares of the Fund are listed on a national securities exchange, such as NASDAQ, and trade at market prices. Most investors will buy and sell shares of the Fund through brokers. Because Fund shares trade at market prices rather than NAV, shares may trade at a price greater than NAV (premium) or less than NAV (discount).

The Fund issues and redeems shares at NAV only in large blocks of shares (“Creation Units”), which only certain institutions or large investors (typically market makers or other broker-dealers) may purchase or redeem. Currently, Creation Units generally consist of 50,000 shares, though this may change from time to time. Creation Units are not expected to consist of less than 50,000 shares. The Fund generally issues and redeems Creation Units in exchange for a portfolio of securities closely approximating the holdings of the Fund and/or a designated amount of U.S. cash.

Tax Information

The Fund intends to make distributions that may be taxed as ordinary income, qualified dividend income, or capital gains.

Payments to Broker-Dealers and Other Financial Intermediaries

If you purchase shares of the Fund through a broker-dealer or other financial intermediary (such as a bank) (an “Intermediary”), WisdomTree Asset Management, Inc. or its affiliates may pay Intermediaries for certain activities related to the Fund, including participation in activities that are designed to make Intermediaries more knowledgeable about exchange traded products, including the Fund, or for other activities, such as marketing, educational training or other initiatives related to the sale or promotion of Fund shares. These payments may create a conflict of interest by influencing the Intermediary and your salesperson to recommend the Fund over another investment. Any such arrangements do not result in increased Fund expenses. Ask your salesperson or visit the Intermediary’s website for more information.

 

WisdomTree Trust Prospectus      31   


Table of Contents

WisdomTree Total Earnings Fund

 

Investment Objective

The WisdomTree Total Earnings Fund (the “Fund”) seeks to track the price and yield performance, before fees and expenses, of the WisdomTree Earnings Index (the “Index”).

Fees and Expenses of the Fund

The following table describes the fees and expenses you may pay if you buy and hold shares of the Fund. The fees are expressed as a percentage of the Fund’s average net assets.

 

Shareholder Fees (fees paid directly from your investment)     None   

Annual Fund Operating Expenses (expenses that you pay each year as a percentage of the value of your investment)

       

Management Fees

    0.28

Distribution and/or Service (12b-1) Fees

    None   

Other Expenses

    0.00
Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses     0.28

Example

The following example is intended to help retail investors compare the cost of investing in the Fund with the cost of investing in other funds. It illustrates the hypothetical expenses that such investors would incur over various periods if they were to invest $10,000 in the Fund for the time periods indicated and then redeem all of the shares at the end of those periods. This example assumes that the Fund provides a return of 5% a year and that operating expenses remain the same. This example does not include the brokerage commission that retail investors may pay to buy and sell shares of the Fund. Although your actual costs may be higher or lower, based on these assumptions, your costs would be:

 

     1 Year     3 Years     5 Years     10 Years  
      $29        $90        $157        $356   

Portfolio Turnover

The Fund pays transaction costs, such as commissions, when it buys and sells securities (or “turns over” its portfolio). A higher portfolio turnover rate may indicate higher transaction costs and may result in higher taxes when Fund shares are held in a taxable account. These costs, which are not reflected in annual fund operating expenses or in the example, affect the Fund’s performance. During the most recent fiscal year, the Fund’s portfolio turnover rate was 13% of the average value of its portfolio, excluding the value of portfolio securities received or delivered as a result of in-kind creations or redemptions of the Fund’s capital shares.

Principal Investment Strategies of the Fund

The Fund employs a “passive management” – or indexing – investment approach designed to track the performance of the Index. The Fund generally uses a representative sampling strategy to achieve its investment objective, meaning it generally will invest in a sample of the securities in the Index whose risk, return and other characteristics resemble the risk, return and other characteristics of the Index as a whole. Under normal circumstances, at least 95% of the Fund’s total assets (exclusive of collateral held from securities lending) will be invested in the component securities of the Index and investments that have economic characteristics that are substantially identical to the economic characteristics of such component securities.

The Index is a fundamentally weighted index that is comprised of earnings-generating companies within the broad U.S. stock market. Companies in the Index are incorporated and listed in the U.S. and have generated positive cumulative earnings over their most recent four fiscal quarters prior to the annual Index screening date. Eligibility requirements include: (i) market capitalization of at least $100 million as of the Index screening date; (ii) average daily dollar volume of at least $200,000 for each of the six months preceding the Index screening ; (iii) a price to earnings ratio of at least 2 as of the Index screening date; and (iv) a calculated volume factor (the average daily dollar volume for three months preceding the Index screening date divided by the weight of the security in the Index) that is greater than $200 million. The Index is earnings-weighted annually to reflect the proportionate share of the aggregate earnings each component company has generated. Companies with greater earnings generally have larger weights in the Index. WisdomTree Investments, Inc. (“WisdomTree Investments”), as index provider, uses “Core Earnings”, computed by Standard & Poor’s, as the earnings weighting metric. Core Earnings is a standardized calculation of earnings developed by Standard & Poor’s designed to include expenses, incomes and activities that reflect the actual profitability of an enterprise’s ongoing operations. The maximum weight of any one sector in the Index,

 

32   WisdomTree Trust Prospectus


Table of Contents

at the time of the Index’s annual screening date, is capped at 25%, subject to the following volume factor. In the event that a company has a calculated volume factor that is less than $400 million as of the annual Index screening date, (i) the company’s weight in the Index will be reduced such that its weight equals its weight prior to the adjustment multiplied by a fraction of its calculated volume factor divided by $400 million, and (ii) the reduction in the company’s Index weight may cause a sector’s weight to rise above 25%. In response to market conditions, sector weights may fluctuate above 25% between annual Index screening dates.

WisdomTree Investments currently uses Standard & Poor’s Global Industry Classification Standards (“S&P GICS”) to define companies within a sector. The following sectors are included in the Index: consumer discretionary, consumer staples, energy, financials, health care, industrials, information technology, materials, telecommunication services, and utilities. A sector is comprised of multiple industries. For example, the energy sector is comprised of companies in, among others, the natural gas, oil and petroleum industries. As of June 30, 2014, a significant portion of the Index is comprised of companies in the financial and information technology sectors.

To the extent that the Index concentrates (i.e., holds 25% or more of its total assets) in the securities of a particular industry or group of industries, the Fund will concentrate its investments to approximately the same extent as its Index.

Principal Risks of Investing in the Fund

You can lose money on your investment in the Fund. The Fund is subject to the risks described below. Some or all of these risks may adversely affect the Fund’s net asset value per share (“NAV”), trading price, yield, total return and/or ability to meet its objectives. For more information about the risks of investing in the Fund, see the sections in the Fund’s Prospectus titled “Additional Principal Risk Information About the Funds” and “Additional Non-Principal Risk Information.”

 

n  

Investment Risk. As with all investments, an investment in the Fund is subject to investment risk. Investors in the Fund could lose money, including the possible loss of the entire principal amount of an investment, over short or long periods of time.

 

n  

Market Risk. The trading prices of equity securities and other instruments fluctuate in response to a variety of factors. The Fund’s NAV and market price may fluctuate significantly in response to these and other factors. As a result, an investor could lose money over short or long periods of time.

 

n  

Shares of the Fund May Trade at Prices Other Than NAV. As with all exchange-traded funds (“ETFs”), Fund shares may be bought and sold in the secondary market at market prices. The trading prices of the Fund’s shares in the secondary market generally differ from the Fund’s daily NAV and there may be times when the market price of the shares is more than the NAV (premium) or less than the NAV (discount). This risk is heightened in times of market volatility or periods of steep market declines.

 

n  

Financial Sector Risk. The Fund currently invests a significant portion of its assets in companies in the financial sector, and therefore the performance of the Fund could be negatively impacted by events affecting this sector. This sector can be significantly affected by changes in interest rates, government regulation, the rate of defaults on corporate, consumer and government debt, the availability and cost of capital, and fallout from the housing and sub-prime mortgage crisis.

 

n  

Information Technology Sector Risk. The Fund currently invests a significant portion of its assets in companies in the information technology sector. This sector can be significantly affected by, among other things, the supply and demand for specific products and services, the pace of technological development and government regulation.

 

n  

Investment Style Risk. The Fund invests in the securities included in, or representative of, its Index regardless of their investment merit. The Fund does not attempt to outperform its Index or take defensive positions in declining markets. As a result, the Fund’s performance may be adversely affected by a general decline in the market segments relating to its Index.

 

n  

Issuer-Specific Risk. Issuer-specific events, including changes in the financial condition of an issuer, can have a negative impact on the value of the Fund.

 

n  

Large-Capitalization Investing. The Fund may invest a relatively large percentage of its assets in the securities of large-capitalization companies. As a result, the Fund’s performance may be adversely affected if securities of large-capitalization companies underperform securities of smaller-capitalization companies or the market as a whole. The securities of large-capitalization companies may be relatively mature compared to smaller companies and therefore subject to slower growth during times of economic expansion.

 

n  

Non-Correlation Risk. As with all index funds, the performance of the Fund and its Index may differ from each other for a variety of reasons.

 

WisdomTree Trust Prospectus      33   


Table of Contents
n  

Non-Diversification Risk. Although the Fund intends to invest in a variety of securities and instruments, the Fund will be considered to be non-diversified, which means that it may invest more of its assets in the securities of a single issuer or a smaller number of issuers than if it were a diversified fund. As a result, the Fund may be more exposed to the risks associated with and developments affecting an individual issuer or a smaller number of issuers than a fund that invests more widely. This may increase the Fund’s volatility and cause the performance of a relatively smaller number of issuers to have a greater impact on the Fund’s performance.

Fund Performance

Historical Fund performance, which varies over time, can provide an indication of the risks of investing in the Fund. The bar chart that follows shows the annual total returns of the Fund for each full calendar year since the Fund commenced operations. The table that follows the bar chart shows the Fund’s average annual total returns, both before and after taxes. This table also shows how the Fund’s performance compares to the Index and that of a relevant broad-based securities index. Index returns do not reflect deductions for fees, expenses or taxes. All returns assume reinvestment of dividends and distributions. The Fund’s past performance (before and after taxes) is not necessarily an indication of how the Fund will perform in the future.

 

LOGO

The Fund’s year-to-date total return as of June 30, 2014 was 6.56%.

Best and Worst Quarter Returns (for the periods reflected in the bar chart above)

 

     Return     Quarter/Year  

Highest Return

    17.64     2Q/2009   

Lowest Return

    (22.26 )%      4Q/2008   

After-tax returns are calculated using the highest historical individual federal marginal income tax rates and do not reflect the impact of state and local taxes. Actual after-tax returns depend on your tax situation and may differ from those shown and are not relevant if you hold your shares through tax-deferred arrangements, such as 401(k) plans or individual retirement accounts. In some cases the return after taxes may exceed the return before taxes due to an assumed tax benefit from any losses on a sale of Fund shares at the end of the measurement period.

Average Annual Total Returns for the periods ending December 31, 2013

 

WisdomTree Total Earnings Fund   1 Year     5 Years    

Since Inception

(2/23/2007)

 

Return Before Taxes Based on NAV

    33.67     18.86     6.43

Return After Taxes on Distributions

    33.11     18.48     6.09

Return After Taxes on Distributions and Sale of Fund Shares

    19.43     15.39     5.10

Russell 3000® Index (reflects no deduction for fees, expenses, or taxes)

    33.55     18.71     6.11

WisdomTree Earnings Index (reflects no deduction for fees, expenses, or taxes)

    34.10     19.22     6.67

Management

Investment Adviser and Sub-Adviser

WisdomTree Asset Management, Inc. serves as investment adviser to the Fund. Mellon Capital Management Corporation serves as sub-adviser to the Fund.

 

34   WisdomTree Trust Prospectus


Table of Contents

Portfolio Managers

Karen Q. Wong, CFA, a Managing Director, Head of Equity Portfolio Management, has been a portfolio manager of the Fund since February 2008.

Richard A. Brown, CFA, a Director, Senior Portfolio Manager, has been a portfolio manager of the Fund since February 2008.

Thomas J. Durante, CFA, a Managing Director, Senior Portfolio Manager, has been a portfolio manager of the Fund since February 2008.

Buying and Selling Fund Shares

The Fund is an ETF. This means that shares of the Fund are listed on a national securities exchange, such as NYSE Arca, and trade at market prices. Most investors will buy and sell shares of the Fund through brokers. Because Fund shares trade at market prices rather than NAV, shares may trade at a price greater than NAV (premium) or less than NAV (discount).

The Fund issues and redeems shares at NAV only in large blocks of shares (“Creation Units”), which only certain institutions or large investors (typically market makers or other broker-dealers) may purchase or redeem. Currently, Creation Units generally consist of 50,000 shares, though this may change from time to time. Creation Units are not expected to consist of less than 50,000 shares. The Fund generally issues and redeems Creation Units in exchange for a portfolio of securities closely approximating the holdings of the Fund and/or a designated amount of U.S. cash.

Tax Information

The Fund intends to make distributions that may be taxed as ordinary income, qualified dividend income, or capital gains.

Payments to Broker-Dealers and Other Financial Intermediaries

If you purchase shares of the Fund through a broker-dealer or other financial intermediary (such as a bank) (an “Intermediary”), WisdomTree Asset Management, Inc. or its affiliates may pay Intermediaries for certain activities related to the Fund, including participation in activities that are designed to make Intermediaries more knowledgeable about exchange traded products, including the Fund, or for other activities, such as marketing, educational training or other initiatives related to the sale or promotion of Fund shares. These payments may create a conflict of interest by influencing the Intermediary and your salesperson to recommend the Fund over another investment. Any such arrangements do not result in increased Fund expenses. Ask your salesperson or visit the Intermediary’s website for more information.

 

WisdomTree Trust Prospectus      35   


Table of Contents

WisdomTree Earnings 500 Fund

 

Investment Objective

The WisdomTree Earnings 500 Fund (the “Fund”) seeks to track the price and yield performance, before fees and expenses, of the WisdomTree Earnings 500 Index (the “Index”).

Fees and Expenses of the Fund

The following table describes the fees and expenses you may pay if you buy and hold shares of the Fund. The fees are expressed as a percentage of the Fund’s average net assets.

 

Shareholder Fees (fees paid directly from your investment)     None   

Annual Fund Operating Expenses (expenses that you pay each year as a percentage of the value of your investment)

       

Management Fees

    0.28

Distribution and/or Service (12b-1) Fees

    None   

Other Expenses

    0.00
Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses     0.28

Example

The following example is intended to help retail investors compare the cost of investing in the Fund with the cost of investing in other funds. It illustrates the hypothetical expenses that such investors would incur over various periods if they were to invest $10,000 in the Fund for the time periods indicated and then redeem all of the shares at the end of those periods. This example assumes that the Fund provides a return of 5% a year and that operating expenses remain the same. This example does not include the brokerage commission that retail investors may pay to buy and sell shares of the Fund. Although your actual costs may be higher or lower, based on these assumptions, your costs would be:

 

     1 Year     3 Years     5 Years     10 Years  
      $29        $90        $157        $356   

Portfolio Turnover

The Fund pays transaction costs, such as commissions, when it buys and sells securities (or “turns over” its portfolio). A higher portfolio turnover rate may indicate higher transaction costs and may result in higher taxes when Fund shares are held in a taxable account. These costs, which are not reflected in annual fund operating expenses or in the example, affect the Fund’s performance. During the most recent fiscal year, the Fund’s portfolio turnover rate was 15% of the average value of its portfolio, excluding the value of portfolio securities received or delivered as a result of in-kind creations or redemptions of the Fund’s capital shares.

Principal Investment Strategies of the Fund

The Fund employs a “passive management” – or indexing – investment approach designed to track the performance of the Index. The Fund generally uses a representative sampling strategy to achieve its investment objective, meaning it generally will invest in a sample of the securities in the Index whose risk, return and other characteristics resemble the risk, return and other characteristics of the Index as a whole. Under normal circumstances, at least 95% of the Fund’s total assets (exclusive of collateral held from securities lending) will be invested in the component securities of the Index and investments that have economic characteristics that are substantially identical to the economic characteristics of such component securities.

The Index is a fundamentally weighted index that is comprised of earnings-generating companies within the large-capitalization segment of the U.S. stock market. Companies in the Index are incorporated and listed in the U.S. and have generated positive cumulative earnings over their most recent four fiscal quarters prior to the annual Index screening date. Eligibility requirements include: (i) market capitalization of at least $100 million as of the Index screening date; (ii) average daily dollar volume of at least $200,000 for each of the six months preceding the Index screening date; (iii) a price to earnings ratio of at least 2 as of the Index screening date; and (iv) a calculated volume factor (the average daily dollar volume for three months preceding the Index screening date divided by the weight of the security in the Index) that is greater than $200 million. The Index is comprised of the 500 largest companies ranked by market capitalization in the WisdomTree Earnings Index. The Index is earnings-weighted annually to reflect the proportionate share of the aggregate earnings each component company has generated. Companies with greater earnings generally have larger weights in the Index. WisdomTree Investments, Inc. (“WisdomTree Investments”), as index provider, uses “Core Earnings”, computed by Standard & Poor’s, as the earnings weighting metric. Core Earnings is a standardized calculation of earnings developed by Standard & Poor’s

 

36   WisdomTree Trust Prospectus


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designed to include expenses, incomes and activities that reflect the actual profitability of an enterprise’s ongoing operations. The maximum weight of any one sector in the Index, at the time of the Index’s annual screening date, is capped at 25%, subject to the following volume factor. In the event that a company has a calculated volume factor that is less than $400 million as of the annual Index screening date, (i) the company’s weight in the Index will be reduced such that its weight equals its weight prior to the adjustment multiplied by a fraction of its calculated volume factor divided by $400 million, and (ii) the reduction in the company’s Index weight may cause a sector’s weight to rise above 25%. In response to market conditions, sector weights may fluctuate above 25% between annual Index screening dates.

WisdomTree Investments currently uses Standard & Poor’s Global Industry Classification Standards (“S&P GICS”) to define companies within a sector. The following sectors are included in the Index: consumer discretionary, consumer staples, energy, financials, health care, industrials, information technology, materials, telecommunication services, and utilities. A sector is comprised of multiple industries. For example, the energy sector is comprised of companies in, among others, the natural gas, oil and petroleum industries. As of June 30, 2014, a significant portion of the Index is comprised of companies in the financial and information technology sectors.

To the extent that the Index concentrates (i.e., holds 25% or more of its total assets) in the securities of a particular industry or group of industries, the Fund will concentrate its investments to approximately the same extent as its Index.

Principal Risks of Investing in the Fund

You can lose money on your investment in the Fund. The Fund is subject to the risks described below. Some or all of these risks may adversely affect the Fund’s net asset value per share (“NAV”), trading price, yield, total return and/or ability to meet its objectives. For more information about the risks of investing in the Fund, see the sections in the Fund’s Prospectus titled “Additional Principal Risk Information About the Funds” and “Additional Non-Principal Risk Information.”

 

n  

Investment Risk. As with all investments, an investment in the Fund is subject to investment risk. Investors in the Fund could lose money, including the possible loss of the entire principal amount of an investment, over short or long periods of time.

 

n  

Market Risk. The trading prices of equity securities and other instruments fluctuate in response to a variety of factors. The Fund’s NAV and market price may fluctuate significantly in response to these and other factors. As a result, an investor could lose money over short or long periods of time.

 

n  

Shares of the Fund May Trade at Prices Other Than NAV. As with all exchange-traded funds (“ETFs”), Fund shares may be bought and sold in the secondary market at market prices. The trading prices of the Fund’s shares in the secondary market generally differ from the Fund’s daily NAV and there may be times when the market price of the shares is more than the NAV (premium) or less than the NAV (discount). This risk is heightened in times of market volatility or periods of steep market declines.

 

n  

Financial Sector Risk. The Fund currently invests a significant portion of its assets in companies in the financial sector, and therefore the performance of the Fund could be negatively impacted by events affecting this sector. This sector can be significantly affected by changes in interest rates, government regulation, the rate of defaults on corporate, consumer and government debt, the availability and cost of capital, and fallout from the housing and sub-prime mortgage crisis.

 

n  

Information Technology Sector Risk. The Fund currently invests a significant portion of its assets in companies in the information technology sector. This sector can be significantly affected by, among other things, the supply and demand for specific products and services, the pace of technological development and government regulation.

 

n  

Investment Style Risk. The Fund invests in the securities included in, or representative of, its Index regardless of their investment merit. The Fund does not attempt to outperform its Index or take defensive positions in declining markets. As a result, the Fund’s performance may be adversely affected by a general decline in the market segments relating to its Index.

 

n  

Issuer-Specific Risk. Issuer-specific events, including changes in the financial condition of an issuer, can have a negative impact on the value of the Fund.

 

n  

Large-Capitalization Investing. The Fund may invest a relatively large percentage of its assets in the securities of large-capitalization companies. As a result, the Fund’s performance may be adversely affected if securities of large-capitalization companies underperform securities of smaller-capitalization companies or the market as a whole. The securities of large-capitalization companies may be relatively mature compared to smaller companies and therefore subject to slower growth during times of economic expansion.

 

WisdomTree Trust Prospectus      37   


Table of Contents
n  

Non-Correlation Risk. As with all index funds, the performance of the Fund and its Index may differ from each other for a variety of reasons.

 

n  

Non-Diversification Risk. Although the Fund intends to invest in a variety of securities and instruments, the Fund will be considered to be non-diversified, which means that it may invest more of its assets in the securities of a single issuer or a smaller number of issuers than if it were a diversified fund. As a result, the Fund may be more exposed to the risks associated with and developments affecting an individual issuer or a smaller number of issuers than a fund that invests more widely. This may increase the Fund’s volatility and cause the performance of a relatively smaller number of issuers to have a greater impact on the Fund’s performance.

Fund Performance

Historical Fund performance, which varies over time, can provide an indication of the risks of investing in the Fund. The bar chart that follows shows the annual total returns of the Fund for each full calendar year since the Fund commenced operations. The table that follows the bar chart shows the Fund’s average annual total returns, both before and after taxes. This table also shows how the Fund’s performance compares to the Index and that of a relevant broad-based securities index. Index returns do not reflect deductions for fees, expenses or taxes. All returns assume reinvestment of dividends and distributions. The Fund’s past performance (before and after taxes) is not necessarily an indication of how the Fund will perform in the future.

 

LOGO

The Fund’s year-to-date total return as of June 30, 2014 was 6.71%.

Best and Worst Quarter Returns (for the periods reflected in the bar chart above)

 

     Return     Quarter/Year  

Highest Return

    15.96     2Q/2009   

Lowest Return

    (21.78 )%      4Q/2008   

After-tax returns are calculated using the highest historical individual federal marginal income tax rates and do not reflect the impact of state and local taxes. Actual after-tax returns depend on your tax situation and may differ from those shown and are not relevant if you hold your shares through tax-deferred arrangements, such as 401(k) plans or individual retirement accounts. In some cases the return after taxes may exceed the return before taxes due to an assumed tax benefit from any losses on a sale of Fund shares at the end of the measurement period.

Average Annual Total Returns for the periods ending December 31, 2013

 

WisdomTree Earnings 500 Fund   1 Year     5 Years    

Since Inception

(2/23/2007)

 

Return Before Taxes Based on NAV

    32.56     17.88     5.93

Return After Taxes on Distributions

    31.99     17.48     5.59

Return After Taxes on Distributions and Sale of Fund Shares

    18.81     14.55     4.70

S&P 500® Index (reflects no deduction for fees, expenses, or taxes)

    32.39     17.94     5.86

WisdomTree Earnings 500 Index (reflects no deduction for fees, expenses, or taxes)

    33.00     18.25     6.25

Management

Investment Adviser and Sub-Adviser

WisdomTree Asset Management, Inc. serves as investment adviser to the Fund. Mellon Capital Management Corporation serves as sub-adviser to the Fund.

 

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Portfolio Managers

Karen Q. Wong, CFA, a Managing Director, Head of Equity Portfolio Management, has been a portfolio manager of the Fund since February 2008.

Richard A. Brown, CFA, a Director, Senior Portfolio Manager, has been a portfolio manager of the Fund since February 2008.

Thomas J. Durante, CFA, a Managing Director, Senior Portfolio Manager, has been a portfolio manager of the Fund since February 2008.

Buying and Selling Fund Shares

The Fund is an ETF. This means that shares of the Fund are listed on a national securities exchange, such as NYSE Arca, and trade at market prices. Most investors will buy and sell shares of the Fund through brokers. Because Fund shares trade at market prices rather than NAV, shares may trade at a price greater than NAV (premium) or less than NAV (discount).

The Fund issues and redeems shares at NAV only in large blocks of shares (“Creation Units”), which only certain institutions or large investors (typically market makers or other broker-dealers) may purchase or redeem. Currently, Creation Units generally consist of 50,000 shares, though this may change from time to time. Creation Units are not expected to consist of less than 50,000 shares. The Fund generally issues and redeems Creation Units in exchange for a portfolio of securities closely approximating the holdings of the Fund and/or a designated amount of U.S. cash.

Tax Information

The Fund intends to make distributions that may be taxed as ordinary income, qualified dividend income, or capital gains.

Payments to Broker-Dealers and Other Financial Intermediaries

If you purchase shares of the Fund through a broker-dealer or other financial intermediary (such as a bank) (an “Intermediary”), WisdomTree Asset Management, Inc. or its affiliates may pay Intermediaries for certain activities related to the Fund, including participation in activities that are designed to make Intermediaries more knowledgeable about exchange traded products, including the Fund, or for other activities, such as marketing, educational training or other initiatives related to the sale or promotion of Fund shares. These payments may create a conflict of interest by influencing the Intermediary and your salesperson to recommend the Fund over another investment. Any such arrangements do not result in increased Fund expenses. Ask your salesperson or visit the Intermediary’s website for more information.

 

WisdomTree Trust Prospectus      39   


Table of Contents

WisdomTree MidCap Earnings Fund

 

Investment Objective

The WisdomTree MidCap Earnings Fund (the “Fund”) seeks to track the price and yield performance, before fees and expenses, of the WisdomTree MidCap Earnings Index (the “Index”).

Fees and Expenses of the Fund

The following table describes the fees and expenses you may pay if you buy and hold shares of the Fund. The fees are expressed as a percentage of the Fund’s average net assets.

 

Shareholder Fees (fees paid directly from your investment)     None   

Annual Fund Operating Expenses (expenses that you pay each year as a percentage of the value of your investment)

       

Management Fees

    0.38

Distribution and/or Service (12b-1) Fees

    None   

Other Expenses

    0.00
Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses     0.38 %* 
*   Acquired Fund Fees and Expenses (AFFE) related to a business development company holding were 0.06% for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2014. The Fund no longer holds such business development company. Thus, the expense information in the table reflects current fees.

Example

The following example is intended to help retail investors compare the cost of investing in the Fund with the cost of investing in other funds. It illustrates the hypothetical expenses that such investors would incur over various periods if they were to invest $10,000 in the Fund for the time periods indicated and then redeem all of the shares at the end of those periods. This example assumes that the Fund provides a return of 5% a year and that operating expenses remain the same. This example does not include the brokerage commission that retail investors may pay to buy and sell shares of the Fund. Although your actual costs may be higher or lower, based on these assumptions, your costs would be:

 

     1 Year     3 Years     5 Years     10 Years  
      $39        $122        $213        $480   

Portfolio Turnover

The Fund pays transaction costs, such as commissions, when it buys and sells securities (or “turns over” its portfolio). A higher portfolio turnover rate may indicate higher transaction costs and may result in higher taxes when Fund shares are held in a taxable account. These costs, which are not reflected in annual fund operating expenses or in the example, affect the Fund’s performance. During the most recent fiscal year, the Fund’s portfolio turnover rate was 41% of the average value of its portfolio, excluding the value of portfolio securities received or delivered as a result of in-kind creations or redemptions of the Fund’s capital shares.

Principal Investment Strategies of the Fund

The Fund employs a “passive management” – or indexing – investment approach designed to track the performance of the Index. The Fund generally uses a representative sampling strategy to achieve its investment objective, meaning it generally will invest in a sample of the securities in the Index whose risk, return and other characteristics resemble the risk, return and other characteristics of the Index as a whole. Under normal circumstances, at least 95% of the Fund’s total assets (exclusive of collateral held from securities lending) will be invested in the component securities of the Index and investments that have economic characteristics that are substantially identical to the economic characteristics of such component securities.

The Index is a fundamentally weighted index that is comprised of earnings-generating companies within the mid-capitalization segment of the U.S. stock market. The Index is comprised of the companies in the top 75% of the market capitalization of the WisdomTree Earnings Index after the 500 largest companies have been removed. As of June 30, 2014, the Index had a market capitalization range from $1.1 billion to $30.9 billion, with an average market capitalization of $3.7 billion. Companies in the Index are incorporated and listed in the U.S. and have generated positive cumulative earnings over their most recent four fiscal quarters prior to the annual Index screening date. Eligibility requirements also include: (i) market capitalization of at least $100 million as of the Index screening date; (ii) average daily dollar volume of at least $200,000 for each of the six months preceding the Index screening date; (iii) a price to earnings ratio of at least 2 as of the Index screening date; and (iv) a calculated volume factor (the average daily dollar volume for three months preceding the Index screening date divided by the weight of the security in the Index) that is greater than $200 million. The Index is earnings-weighted annually

 

40   WisdomTree Trust Prospectus


Table of Contents

to reflect the proportionate share of the aggregate earnings each component company has generated. Companies with greater earnings generally have larger weights in the Index. WisdomTree Investments, Inc. (“WisdomTree Investments”), as index provider, uses “Core Earnings”, computed by Standard & Poor’s, as the earnings weighting metric. Core Earnings is a standardized calculation of earnings developed by Standard & Poor’s designed to include expenses, incomes and activities that reflect the actual profitability of an enterprise’s ongoing operations. The maximum weight of any one sector in the Index, at the time of the Index’s annual screening date, is capped at 25%, subject to the following volume factor. In the event that a company has a calculated volume factor that is less than $400 million as of the annual Index screening date, (i) the company’s weight in the Index will be reduced such that its weight equals its weight prior to the adjustment multiplied by a fraction of its calculated volume factor divided by $400 million, and (ii) the reduction in the company’s Index weight may cause a sector’s weight to rise above 25%. In response to market conditions, sector weights may fluctuate above 25% between annual Index screening dates.

WisdomTree Investments currently uses Standard & Poor’s Global Industry Classification Standards (“S&P GICS”) to define companies within a sector. The following sectors are included in the Index: consumer discretionary, consumer staples, energy, financials, health care, industrials, information technology, materials, telecommunication services, and utilities. A sector is comprised of multiple industries. For example, the energy sector is comprised of companies in, among others, the natural gas, oil and petroleum industries. As of June 30, 2014, a significant portion of the Index is comprised of companies in the consumer discretionary, financial and industrial sectors.

To the extent that the Index concentrates (i.e., holds 25% or more of its total assets) in the securities of a particular industry or group of industries, the Fund will concentrate its investments to approximately the same extent as its Index.

Principal Risks of Investing in the Fund

You can lose money on your investment in the Fund. The Fund is subject to the risks described below. Some or all of these risks may adversely affect the Fund’s net asset value per share (“NAV”), trading price, yield, total return and/or ability to meet its objectives. For more information about the risks of investing in the Fund, see the sections in the Fund’s Prospectus titled “Additional Principal Risk Information About the Funds” and “Additional Non-Principal Risk Information.”

 

n  

Investment Risk. As with all investments, an investment in the Fund is subject to investment risk. Investors in the Fund could lose money, including the possible loss of the entire principal amount of an investment, over short or long periods of time.

 

n  

Market Risk. The trading prices of equity securities and other instruments fluctuate in response to a variety of factors. The Fund’s NAV and market price may fluctuate significantly in response to these and other factors. As a result, an investor could lose money over short or long periods of time.

 

n  

Shares of the Fund May Trade at Prices Other Than NAV. As with all exchange-traded funds (“ETFs”), Fund shares may be bought and sold in the secondary market at market prices. The trading prices of the Fund’s shares in the secondary market generally differ from the Fund’s daily NAV and there may be times when the market price of the shares is more than the NAV (premium) or less than the NAV (discount). This risk is heightened in times of market volatility or periods of steep market declines.

 

n  

Consumer Discretionary Sector Risk. The Fund currently invests a significant portion of its assets in companies in the consumer discretionary sector. This sector consists of, for example, automobile, media and retail companies. The consumer discretionary sector of the economy can be significantly affected by, among other things, economic growth, worldwide demand and consumers’ disposable income levels and propensity to spend.

 

n  

Financial Sector Risk. The Fund currently invests a significant portion of its assets in companies in the financial sector, and therefore the performance of the Fund could be negatively impacted by events affecting this sector. This sector can be significantly affected by changes in interest rates, government regulation, the rate of defaults on corporate, consumer and government debt, the availability and cost of capital, and fallout from the housing and sub-prime mortgage crisis.

 

n  

Industrial Sector Risk. The Fund currently invests a significant portion of its assets in companies in the industrial sector. The industrial sector can be significantly affected by, among other things, worldwide economy growth, supply and demand for specific products and services, rapid technological developments, and government regulation.

 

n  

Investment Style Risk. The Fund invests in the securities included in, or representative of, its Index regardless of their investment merit. The Fund does not attempt to outperform its Index or take defensive positions in declining markets. As a result, the Fund’s performance may be adversely affected by a general decline in the market segments relating to its Index.

 

n  

Issuer-Specific Risk. Issuer-specific events, including changes in the financial condition of an issuer, can have a negative impact on the value of the Fund.

 

n  

Mid-Capitalization Investing. The Fund invests primarily in the securities of mid-capitalization companies. As a result, the Fund’s performance may be adversely affected if securities of mid-capitalization companies underperform

 

WisdomTree Trust Prospectus      41   


Table of Contents
 

securities of other capitalization ranges or the market as a whole. Securities of smaller companies are often more vulnerable to market volatility than securities of larger companies.

 

n  

Non-Correlation Risk. As with all index funds, the performance of the Fund and its Index may differ from each other for a variety of reasons.

 

n  

Non-Diversification Risk. Although the Fund intends to invest in a variety of securities and instruments, the Fund will be considered to be non-diversified, which means that it may invest more of its assets in the securities of a single issuer or a smaller number of issuers than if it were a diversified fund. As a result, the Fund may be more exposed to the risks associated with and developments affecting an individual issuer or a smaller number of issuers than a fund that invests more widely. This may increase the Fund’s volatility and cause the performance of a relatively smaller number of issuers to have a greater impact on the Fund’s performance.

Fund Performance

Historical Fund performance, which varies over time, can provide an indication of the risks of investing in the Fund. The bar chart that follows shows the annual total returns of the Fund for each full calendar year since the Fund commenced operations. The table that follows the bar chart shows the Fund’s average annual total returns, both before and after taxes. This table also shows how the Fund’s performance compares to the Index and that of a relevant broad-based securities index. Index returns do not reflect deductions for fees, expenses or taxes. All returns assume reinvestment of dividends and distributions. The Fund’s past performance (before and after taxes) is not necessarily an indication of how the Fund will perform in the future.

 

LOGO

The Fund’s year-to-date total return as of June 30, 2014 was 7.53%.

Best and Worst Quarter Returns (for the periods reflected in the bar chart above)

 

     Return     Quarter/Year  

Highest Return

    26.92     2Q/2009   

Lowest Return

    (24.54 )%      4Q/2008   

After-tax returns are calculated using the highest historical individual federal marginal income tax rates and do not reflect the impact of state and local taxes. Actual after-tax returns depend on your tax situation and may differ from those shown and are not relevant if you hold your shares through tax-deferred arrangements, such as 401(k) plans or individual retirement accounts. In some cases the return after taxes may exceed the return before taxes due to an assumed tax benefit from any losses on a sale of Fund shares at the end of the measurement period.

Average Annual Total Returns for the periods ending December 31, 2013

 

WisdomTree MidCap Earnings Fund   1 Year     5 Years     Since Inception
(2/23/2007)
 

Return Before Taxes Based on NAV

    40.19     25.74     9.81

Return After Taxes on Distributions

    39.82     25.47     9.58

Return After Taxes on Distributions and Sale of Fund Shares

    22.99     21.36     7.90

S&P MidCap 400® Index (reflects no deduction for fees, expenses, or taxes)

    33.50     21.89     8.18

WisdomTree MidCap Earnings Index (reflects no deduction for fees, expenses, or taxes)

    40.40     26.22     10.01

 

42   WisdomTree Trust Prospectus


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Management

Investment Adviser and Sub-Adviser

WisdomTree Asset Management, Inc. serves as investment adviser to the Fund. Mellon Capital Management Corporation serves as sub-adviser to the Fund.

Portfolio Managers

Karen Q. Wong, CFA, a Managing Director, Head of Equity Portfolio Management, has been a portfolio manager of the Fund since February 2008.

Richard A. Brown, CFA, a Director, Senior Portfolio Manager, has been a portfolio manager of the Fund since February 2008.

Thomas J. Durante, CFA, a Managing Director, Senior Portfolio Manager, has been a portfolio manager of the Fund since February 2008.

Buying and Selling Fund Shares

The Fund is an ETF. This means that shares of the Fund are listed on a national securities exchange, such as NYSE Arca, and trade at market prices. Most investors will buy and sell shares of the Fund through brokers. Because Fund shares trade at market prices rather than NAV, shares may trade at a price greater than NAV (premium) or less than NAV (discount).

The Fund issues and redeems shares at NAV only in large blocks of shares (“Creation Units”), which only certain institutions or large investors (typically market makers or other broker-dealers) may purchase or redeem. Currently, Creation Units generally consist of 50,000 shares, though this may change from time to time. Creation Units are not expected to consist of less than 50,000 shares. The Fund generally issues and redeems Creation Units in exchange for a portfolio of securities closely approximating the holdings of the Fund and/or a designated amount of U.S. cash.

Tax Information

The Fund intends to make distributions that may be taxed as ordinary income, qualified dividend income, or capital gains.

Payments to Broker-Dealers and Other Financial Intermediaries

If you purchase shares of the Fund through a broker-dealer or other financial intermediary (such as a bank) (an “Intermediary”), WisdomTree Asset Management, Inc. or its affiliates may pay Intermediaries for certain activities related to the Fund, including participation in activities that are designed to make Intermediaries more knowledgeable about exchange traded products, including the Fund, or for other activities, such as marketing, educational training or other initiatives related to the sale or promotion of Fund shares. These payments may create a conflict of interest by influencing the Intermediary and your salesperson to recommend the Fund over another investment. Any such arrangements do not result in increased Fund expenses. Ask your salesperson or visit the Intermediary’s website for more information.

 

WisdomTree Trust Prospectus      43   


Table of Contents

WisdomTree SmallCap Earnings Fund

 

Investment Objective

The WisdomTree SmallCap Earnings Fund (the “Fund”) seeks to track the price and yield performance, before fees and expenses, of the WisdomTree SmallCap Earnings Index (the “Index”).

Fees and Expenses of the Fund

The following table describes the fees and expenses you may pay if you buy and hold shares of the Fund. The fees are expressed as a percentage of the Fund’s average net assets.

 

Shareholder Fees (fees paid directly from your investment)     None   

Annual Fund Operating Expenses (expenses that you pay each year as a percentage of the value of your investment)

       

Management Fees

    0.38

Distribution and/or Service (12b-1) Fees

    None   

Other Expenses

    0.00
Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses     0.38

Example

The following example is intended to help retail investors compare the cost of investing in the Fund with the cost of investing in other funds. It illustrates the hypothetical expenses that such investors would incur over various periods if they were to invest $10,000 in the Fund for the time periods indicated and then redeem all of the shares at the end of those periods. This example assumes that the Fund provides a return of 5% a year and that operating expenses remain the same. This example does not include the brokerage commission that retail investors may pay to buy and sell shares of the Fund. Although your actual costs may be higher or lower, based on these assumptions, your costs would be:

 

     1 Year     3 Years     5 Years     10 Years  
      $39        $122        $213        $480   

Portfolio Turnover

The Fund pays transaction costs, such as commissions, when it buys and sells securities (or “turns over” its portfolio). A higher portfolio turnover rate may indicate higher transaction costs and may result in higher taxes when Fund shares are held in a taxable account. These costs, which are not reflected in annual fund operating expenses or in the example, affect the Fund’s performance. During the most recent fiscal year, the Fund’s portfolio turnover rate was 61% of the average value of its portfolio, excluding the value of portfolio securities received or delivered as a result of in-kind creations or redemptions of the Fund’s capital shares.

Principal Investment Strategies of the Fund

The Fund employs a “passive management” – or indexing – investment approach designed to track the performance of the Index. The Fund generally uses a representative sampling strategy to achieve its investment objective, meaning it generally will invest in a sample of the securities in the Index whose risk, return and other characteristics resemble the risk, return and other characteristics of the Index as a whole. Under normal circumstances, at least 95% of the Fund’s total assets (exclusive of collateral held from securities lending) will be invested in the component securities of the Index and investments that have economic characteristics that are substantially identical to the economic characteristics of such component securities.

The Index is a fundamentally weighted index that is comprised of earnings-generating companies within the small-capitalization segment of the U.S. stock market. The Index is comprised of the companies in the bottom 25% of the market capitalization of the WisdomTree Earnings Index after the 500 largest companies have been removed. As of June 30, 2014, the Index had a market capitalization range from $25.9 million to $3.2 billion, with an average market capitalization of $1.1 billion. Companies must be incorporated and listed in the U.S. and have generated positive cumulative earnings over their most recent four fiscal quarters prior to the annual Index screening date. Eligibility requirements also include: (i) market capitalization of at least $100 million as of the Index screening date; (ii) average daily dollar volume of at least $200,000 for each of the six months preceding the Index screening date; (iii) a price to earnings ratio of at least 2 as of the Index screening date; and (iv) a calculated volume factor (the average daily dollar volume for three months preceding the Index screening date divided by the weight of the security in the Index) that is greater than $200 million. The Index is earnings-weighted annually to reflect the proportionate share of the aggregate earnings each component company has generated. Companies with greater earnings generally have larger weights in the Index. WisdomTree Investments, Inc. (“WisdomTree Investments”), as index

 

44   WisdomTree Trust Prospectus


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provider, uses “Core Earnings”, computed by Standard & Poor’s, as the earnings weighting metric. Core Earnings is a standardized calculation of earnings developed by Standard & Poor’s designed to include expenses, incomes and activities that reflect the actual profitability of an enterprise’s ongoing operations. The maximum weight of any one sector in the Index, at the time of the Index’s annual screening date, is capped at 25%, subject to the following volume factor. In the event that a company has a calculated volume factor that is less than $400 million as of the annual Index screening date, (i) the company’s weight in the Index will be reduced such that its weight equals its weight prior to the adjustment multiplied by a fraction of its calculated volume factor divided by $400 million, and (ii) the reduction in the company’s Index weight may cause a sector’s weight to rise above 25%. In response to market conditions, sector weights may fluctuate above 25% between annual Index screening dates.

WisdomTree Investments currently uses Standard & Poor’s Global Industry Classification Standards (“S&P GICS”) to define companies within a sector. The following sectors are included in the Index: consumer discretionary, consumer staples, energy, financials, health care, industrials, information technology, materials, telecommunication services, and utilities. A sector is comprised of multiple industries. For example, the energy sector is comprised of companies in, among others, the natural gas, oil and petroleum industries. As of June 30, 2014, a significant portion of the Index is comprised of companies in the consumer discretionary, financial and industrial sectors.

To the extent that the Index concentrates (i.e., holds 25% or more of its total assets) in the securities of a particular industry or group of industries, the Fund will concentrate its investments to approximately the same extent as its Index.

Principal Risks of Investing in the Fund

You can lose money on your investment in the Fund. The Fund is subject to the risks described below. Some or all of these risks may adversely affect the Fund’s net asset value per share (“NAV”), trading price, yield, total return and/or ability to meet its objectives. For more information about the risks of investing in the Fund, see the sections in the Fund’s Prospectus titled “Additional Principal Risk Information About the Funds” and “Additional Non-Principal Risk Information.”

 

n  

Investment Risk. As with all investments, an investment in the Fund is subject to investment risk. Investors in the Fund could lose money, including the possible loss of the entire principal amount of an investment, over short or long periods of time.

 

n  

Market Risk. The trading prices of equity securities and other instruments fluctuate in response to a variety of factors. The Fund’s NAV and market price may fluctuate significantly in response to these and other factors. As a result, an investor could lose money over short or long periods of time.

 

n  

Shares of the Fund May Trade at Prices Other Than NAV. As with all exchange-traded funds (“ETFs”), Fund shares may be bought and sold in the secondary market at market prices. The trading prices of the Fund’s shares in the secondary market generally differ from the Fund’s daily NAV and there may be times when the market price of the shares is more than the NAV (premium) or less than the NAV (discount). This risk is heightened in times of market volatility or periods of steep market declines.

 

n  

Consumer Discretionary Sector Risk. The Fund currently invests a significant portion of its assets in companies in the consumer discretionary sector. This sector consists of, for example, automobile, media and retail companies. The consumer discretionary sector of the economy can be significantly affected by, among other things, economic growth, worldwide demand and consumers’ disposable income levels and propensity to spend.

 

n  

Financial Sector Risk. The Fund currently invests a significant portion of its assets in companies in the financial sector, and therefore the performance of the Fund could be negatively impacted by events affecting this sector. This sector can be significantly affected by changes in interest rates, government regulation, the rate of defaults on corporate, consumer and government debt, the availability and cost of capital, and fallout from the housing and sub-prime mortgage crisis.

 

n  

Industrial Sector Risk. The Fund currently invests a significant portion of its assets in companies in the industrial sector. The industrial sector can be significantly affected by, among other things, worldwide economy growth, supply and demand for specific products and services, rapid technological developments, and government regulation.

 

n  

Investment Style Risk. The Fund invests in the securities included in, or representative of, its Index regardless of their investment merit. The Fund does not attempt to outperform its Index or take defensive positions in declining markets. As a result, the Fund’s performance may be adversely affected by a general decline in the market segments relating to its Index.

 

n  

Issuer-Specific Risk. Issuer-specific events, including changes in the financial condition of an issuer, can have a negative impact on the value of the Fund.

 

n  

Non-Correlation Risk. As with all index funds, the performance of the Fund and its Index may differ from each other for a variety of reasons.

 

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n  

Non-Diversification Risk. Although the Fund intends to invest in a variety of securities and instruments, the Fund will be considered to be non-diversified, which means that it may invest more of its assets in the securities of a single issuer or a smaller number of issuers than if it were a diversified fund. As a result, the Fund may be more exposed to the risks associated with and developments affecting an individual issuer or a smaller number of issuers than a fund that invests more widely. This may increase the Fund’s volatility and cause the performance of a relatively smaller number of issuers to have a greater impact on the Fund’s performance.

 

n  

Small-Capitalization Investing. The Fund invests primarily in the securities of small-capitalization companies. As a result, the Fund may be more volatile than funds that invest in larger, more established companies. The securities of small-capitalization companies generally trade in lower volumes and are subject to greater and more unpredictable price changes than larger capitalization stocks or the stock market as a whole. Small-capitalization companies may be particularly sensitive to changes in interest rates, government regulation, borrowing costs and earnings.

Fund Performance

Historical Fund performance, which varies over time, can provide an indication of the risks of investing in the Fund. The bar chart that follows shows the annual total returns of the Fund for each full calendar year since the Fund commenced operations. The table that follows the bar chart shows the Fund’s average annual total returns, both before and after taxes. This table also shows how the Fund’s performance compares to the Index and that of a relevant broad-based securities index. Index returns do not reflect deductions for fees, expenses or taxes. All returns assume reinvestment of dividends and distributions. The Fund’s past performance (before and after taxes) is not necessarily an indication of how the Fund will perform in the future.

 

LOGO

The Fund’s year-to-date total return as of June 30, 2014 was 1.68%.

Best and Worst Quarter Returns (for the periods reflected in the bar chart above)

 

     Return     Quarter/Year  

Highest Return

    37.38     2Q/2009   

Lowest Return

    (24.70 )%      4Q/2008   

After-tax returns are calculated using the highest historical individual federal marginal income tax rates and do not reflect the impact of state and local taxes. Actual after-tax returns depend on your tax situation and may differ from those shown and are not relevant if you hold your shares through tax-deferred arrangements, such as 401(k) plans or individual retirement accounts. In some cases the return after taxes may exceed the return before taxes due to an assumed tax benefit from any losses on a sale of Fund shares at the end of the measurement period.

Average Annual Total Returns for the periods ending December 31, 2013

 

WisdomTree SmallCap Earnings Fund   1 Year     5 Years    

Since Inception

(2/23/2007)

 

Return Before Taxes Based on NAV

    45.41     25.38     8.80

Return After Taxes on Distributions

    45.10     25.14     8.59

Return After Taxes on Distributions and Sale of Fund Shares

    25.90     21.06     7.06

Russell 2000® Index (reflects no deduction for fees, expenses, or taxes)

    38.82     20.08     6.59

WisdomTree SmallCap Earnings Index (reflects no deduction for fees, expenses, or taxes)

    45.37     25.69     8.86

 

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Management

Investment Adviser and Sub-Adviser

WisdomTree Asset Management, Inc. serves as investment adviser to the Fund. Mellon Capital Management Corporation serves as sub-adviser to the Fund.

Portfolio Managers

Karen Q. Wong, CFA, a Managing Director, Head of Equity Portfolio Management, has been a portfolio manager of the Fund since February 2008.

Richard A. Brown, CFA, a Director, Senior Portfolio Manager, has been a portfolio manager of the Fund since February 2008.

Thomas J. Durante, CFA, a Managing Director, Senior Portfolio Manager, has been a portfolio manager of the Fund since February 2008.

Buying and Selling Fund Shares

The Fund is an ETF. This means that shares of the Fund are listed on a national securities exchange, such as NYSE Arca, and trade at market prices. Most investors will buy and sell shares of the Fund through brokers. Because Fund shares trade at market prices rather than NAV, shares may trade at a price greater than NAV (premium) or less than NAV (discount).

The Fund issues and redeems shares at NAV only in large blocks of shares (“Creation Units”), which only certain institutions or large investors (typically market makers or other broker-dealers) may purchase or redeem. Currently, Creation Units generally consist of 50,000 shares, though this may change from time to time. Creation Units are not expected to consist of less than 50,000 shares. The Fund generally issues and redeems Creation Units in exchange for a portfolio of securities closely approximating the holdings of the Fund and/or a designated amount of U.S. cash.

Tax Information

The Fund intends to make distributions that may be taxed as ordinary income, qualified dividend income, or capital gains.

Payments to Broker-Dealers and Other Financial Intermediaries

If you purchase shares of the Fund through a broker-dealer or other financial intermediary (such as a bank) (an “Intermediary”), WisdomTree Asset Management, Inc. or its affiliates may pay Intermediaries for certain activities related to the Fund, including participation in activities that are designed to make Intermediaries more knowledgeable about exchange traded products, including the Fund, or for other activities, such as marketing, educational training or other initiatives related to the sale or promotion of Fund shares. These payments may create a conflict of interest by influencing the Intermediary and your salesperson to recommend the Fund over another investment. Any such arrangements do not result in increased Fund expenses. Ask your salesperson or visit the Intermediary’s website for more information.

 

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WisdomTree LargeCap Value Fund

 

Investment Objective

The WisdomTree LargeCap Value Fund (the “Fund”) seeks to track the price and yield performance, before fees and expenses, of the WisdomTree LargeCap Value Index (the “Index”).

Fees and Expenses of the Fund

The following table describes the fees and expenses you may pay if you buy and hold shares of the Fund. The fees are expressed as a percentage of the Fund’s average net assets.

 

Shareholder Fees (fees paid directly from your investment)     None   

Annual Fund Operating Expenses (expenses that you pay each year as a percentage of the value of your investment)

       

Management Fees

    0.38

Distribution and/or Service (12b-1) Fees

    None   

Other Expenses

    0.00
Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses     0.38

Example

The following example is intended to help retail investors compare the cost of investing in the Fund with the cost of investing in other funds. It illustrates the hypothetical expenses that such investors would incur over various periods if they were to invest $10,000 in the Fund for the time periods indicated and then redeem all of the shares at the end of those periods. This example assumes that the Fund provides a return of 5% a year and that operating expenses remain the same. This example does not include the brokerage commission that retail investors may pay to buy and sell shares of the Fund. Although your actual costs may be higher or lower, based on these assumptions, your costs would be:

 

     1 Year     3 Years     5 Years     10 Years  
      $39        $122        $213        $480   

Portfolio Turnover

The Fund pays transaction costs, such as commissions, when it buys and sells securities (or “turns over” its portfolio). A higher portfolio turnover rate may indicate higher transaction costs and may result in higher taxes when Fund shares are held in a taxable account. These costs, which are not reflected in annual fund operating expenses or in the example, affect the Fund’s performance. During the most recent fiscal year, the Fund’s portfolio turnover rate was 67% of the average value of its portfolio, excluding the value of portfolio securities received or delivered as a result of in-kind creations or redemptions of the Fund’s capital shares.

Principal Investment Strategies of the Fund

The Fund employs a “passive management” – or indexing – investment approach designed to track the performance of the Index. The Fund generally uses a representative sampling strategy to achieve its investment objective, meaning it generally will invest in a sample of the securities in the Index whose risk, return and other characteristics resemble the risk, return and other characteristics of the Index as a whole. Under normal circumstances, at least 95% of the Fund’s total assets (exclusive of collateral held from securities lending) will be invested in the component securities of the Index and investments that have economic characteristics that are substantially identical to the economic characteristics of such component securities.

The Index is a fundamentally weighted index that is comprised of large-cap value companies. As of June 30, 2014, the Index had a market capitalization range from $1.6 billion to $312.1 billion, with an average market capitalization of $16.31 billion. The Index consists of U.S. companies that have positive cumulative earnings over the past four fiscal quarters. Eligibility requirements also include: (i) market capitalization of at least $100 million as of the annual Index screening date; (ii) average daily dollar volume of at least $200,000 for each of the six months preceding the Index screening date; (iii) a price to earnings ratio of at least 2 as of the Index screening date; and (iv) a calculated volume factor (the average daily dollar volume for three months preceding the Index screening date divided by the weight of the security in the Index) that is greater than $200 million. Additionally, companies must have positive earnings per share, positive book value per share, and positive sales per share statistics as of the Index screening date. WisdomTree Investments, Inc. (“WisdomTree Investments”), as index provider, creates a “value” score for each company based on the company’s price to earnings ratio, price to sales ratio, and price to book value and 1-year change in stock price. The top 30% of companies with the highest value scores within the 1,000 largest companies by market capitalization are included in the Index. Companies are weighted in the Index annually

 

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based on earnings. For these purposes, “earnings” are determined using a company’s reported net income, excluding special items, applicable to common shareholders. The maximum weight of any one sector in the Index, at the time of the Index’s annual screening date, is capped at 25%, subject to the following volume factor. In the event that a company has a calculated volume factor that is less than $400 million as of the annual Index screening date, (i) the company’s weight in the Index will be reduced such that its weight equals its weight prior to the adjustment multiplied by a fraction of its calculated volume factor divided by $400 million, and (ii) the reduction in the company’s Index weight may cause a sector’s weight to rise above 25%. In response to market conditions, sector weights may fluctuate above 25% between annual Index screening dates.

WisdomTree Investments currently uses Standard & Poor’s Global Industry Classification Standards (“S&P GICS”) to define companies within a sector. The following sectors are included in the Index: consumer discretionary, consumer staples, energy, financials, health care, industrials, information technology, materials, telecommunication services, and utilities. A sector is comprised of multiple industries. For example, the energy sector is comprised of companies in, among others, the natural gas, oil and petroleum industries. As of June 30, 2014, a significant portion of the Index is comprised of companies in the financial sector.

To the extent that the Index concentrates (i.e., holds 25% or more of its total assets) in the securities of a particular industry or group of industries, the Fund will concentrate its investments to approximately the same extent as its Index.

Principal Risks of Investing in the Fund

You can lose money on your investment in the Fund. The Fund is subject to the risks described below. Some or all of these risks may adversely affect the Fund’s net asset value per share (“NAV”), trading price, yield, total return and/or ability to meet its objectives. For more information about the risks of investing in the Fund, see the sections in the Fund’s Prospectus titled “Additional Principal Risk Information About the Funds” and “Additional Non-Principal Risk Information.”

 

n  

Investment Risk. As with all investments, an investment in the Fund is subject to investment risk. Investors in the Fund could lose money, including the possible loss of the entire principal amount of an investment, over short or long periods of time.

 

n  

Market Risk. The trading prices of equity securities and other instruments fluctuate in response to a variety of factors. The Fund’s NAV and market price may fluctuate significantly in response to these and other factors. As a result, an investor could lose money over short or long periods of time.

 

n  

Shares of the Fund May Trade at Prices Other Than NAV. As with all exchange-traded funds (“ETFs”), Fund shares may be bought and sold in the secondary market at market prices. The trading prices of the Fund’s shares in the secondary market generally differ from the Fund’s daily NAV and there may be times when the market price of the shares is more than the NAV (premium) or less than the NAV (discount). This risk is heightened in times of market volatility or periods of steep market declines.

 

n  

Financial Sector Risk. The Fund currently invests a significant portion of its assets in companies in the financial sector, and therefore the performance of the Fund could be negatively impacted by events affecting this sector. This sector can be significantly affected by changes in interest rates, government regulation, the rate of defaults on corporate, consumer and government debt, the availability and cost of capital, and fallout from the housing and sub-prime mortgage crisis.

 

n  

Investment Style Risk. The Fund invests in the securities included in, or representative of, its Index regardless of their investment merit. The Fund does not attempt to outperform its Index or take defensive positions in declining markets. As a result, the Fund’s performance may be adversely affected by a general decline in the market segments relating to its Index.

 

n  

Issuer-Specific Risk. Issuer-specific events, including changes in the financial condition of an issuer, can have a negative impact on the value of the Fund.

 

n  

Large-Capitalization Investing. The Fund invests primarily in the securities of large-capitalization companies. As a result, the Fund’s performance may be adversely affected if securities of large-capitalization companies underperform securities of smaller-capitalization companies or the market as a whole. The securities of large-capitalization companies may be relatively mature compared to smaller companies and therefore subject to slower growth during times of economic expansion.

 

n  

Non-Correlation Risk. As with all index funds, the performance of the Fund and its Index may differ from each other for a variety of reasons.

 

n  

Non-Diversification Risk. Although the Fund intends to invest in a variety of securities and instruments, the Fund will be considered to be non-diversified, which means that it may invest more of its assets in the securities of a single issuer or a smaller number of issuers than if it were a diversified fund. As a result, the Fund may be more exposed to the risks associated with and developments affecting an individual issuer or a smaller number of issuers than a fund that invests

 

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more widely. This may increase the Fund’s volatility and cause the performance of a relatively smaller number of issuers to have a greater impact on the Fund’s performance.

Fund Performance

Historical Fund performance, which varies over time, can provide an indication of the risks of investing in the Fund. The bar chart that follows shows the annual total returns of the Fund for each full calendar year since the Fund commenced operations. The table that follows the bar chart shows the Fund’s average annual total returns, both before and after taxes. This table also shows how the Fund’s performance compares to the Index and that of a relevant broad-based securities index. Index returns do not reflect deductions for fees, expenses or taxes. All returns assume reinvestment of dividends and distributions. The Fund’s past performance (before and after taxes) is not necessarily an indication of how the Fund will perform in the future.

The Fund’s name and investment objective changed effective June 19, 2009. Fund performance prior to June 19, 2009 reflects the investment objective and style of the Fund when it was the WisdomTree Low P/E Fund, and tracked the performance of the WisdomTree Low P/E Index.

 

LOGO

The Fund’s year-to-date total return as of June 30, 2014 was 7.05%.

Best and Worst Quarter Returns (for the periods reflected in the bar chart above)

 

     Return     Quarter/Year  

Highest Return

    22.39     2Q/2009   

Lowest Return

    (25.20 )%      4Q/2008   

After-tax returns are calculated using the highest historical individual federal marginal income tax rates and do not reflect the impact of state and local taxes. Actual after-tax returns depend on your tax situation and may differ from those shown and are not relevant if you hold your shares through tax-deferred arrangements, such as 401(k) plans or individual retirement accounts. In some cases the return after taxes may exceed the return before taxes due to an assumed tax benefit from any losses on a sale of Fund shares at the end of the measurement period.

Average Annual Total Returns for the periods ending December 31, 2013

 

WisdomTree LargeCap Value Fund*   1 Year     5 Year    

Since Inception

(2/23/2007)

 

Return Before Taxes Based on NAV

    30.73     17.74     4.11

Return After Taxes on Distributions

    30.32     17.40     3.79

Return After Taxes on Distributions and Sale of Fund Shares

    17.66     14.45     3.23

Russell 1000® Value Index (reflects no deduction for fees, expenses, or taxes)

    32.53     16.67     4.23

WisdomTree Low P/E/LargeCap Value Spliced Index** (reflects no deduction for fees, expenses, or taxes)

    31.20     18.28     4.46
*   The Fund’s objective changed effective June 19, 2009. Prior to that date, the Fund sought to track the price and yield performance, before fees and expenses, of the WisdomTree Low P/E Index. After June 19, 2009, the Fund’s objective seeks to track the price and yield performance, before fees and expenses, of the WisdomTree LargeCap Value Index.
**   Reflects performance of the WisdomTree Low P/E Index through June 19, 2009 and the WisdomTree LargeCap Value Index thereafter.

 

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Management

Investment Adviser and Sub-Adviser

WisdomTree Asset Management, Inc. serves as investment adviser to the Fund. Mellon Capital Management Corporation serves as sub-adviser to the Fund.

Portfolio Managers

Karen Q. Wong, CFA, a Managing Director, Head of Equity Portfolio Management, has been a portfolio manager of the Fund since February 2008.

Richard A. Brown, CFA, a Director, Senior Portfolio Manager, has been a portfolio manager of the Fund since February 2008.

Thomas J. Durante, CFA, a Managing Director, Senior Portfolio Manager, has been a portfolio manager of the Fund since February 2008.

Buying and Selling Fund Shares

The Fund is an ETF. This means that shares of the Fund are listed on a national securities exchange, such as NYSE Arca, and trade at market prices. Most investors will buy and sell shares of the Fund through brokers. Because Fund shares trade at market prices rather than NAV, shares may trade at a price greater than NAV (premium) or less than NAV (discount).

The Fund issues and redeems shares at NAV only in large blocks of shares (“Creation Units”), which only certain institutions or large investors (typically market makers or other broker-dealers) may purchase or redeem. Currently, Creation Units generally consist of 50,000 shares, though this may change from time to time. Creation Units are not expected to consist of less than 50,000 shares. The Fund generally issues and redeems Creation Units in exchange for a portfolio of securities closely approximating the holdings of the Fund and/or a designated amount of U.S. cash.

Tax Information

The Fund intends to make distributions that may be taxed as ordinary income, qualified dividend income, or capital gains.

Payments to Broker-Dealers and Other Financial Intermediaries

If you purchase shares of the Fund through a broker-dealer or other financial intermediary (such as a bank) (an “Intermediary”), WisdomTree Asset Management, Inc. or its affiliates may pay Intermediaries for certain activities related to the Fund, including participation in activities that are designed to make Intermediaries more knowledgeable about exchange traded products, including the Fund, or for other activities, such as marketing, educational training or other initiatives related to the sale or promotion of Fund shares. These payments may create a conflict of interest by influencing the Intermediary and your salesperson to recommend the Fund over another investment. Any such arrangements do not result in increased Fund expenses. Ask your salesperson or visit the Intermediary’s website for more information.

 

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Additional Information About the Funds

More Information About Benchmarks

The following is a description of each broad-based securities market index included in the table showing average annual total returns in the Summary section for each Fund, except the U.S. Dividend Growth Fund and U.S. SmallCap Dividend Growth Fund, each of which does not have performance information for a full calendar year.

 

  n  

The Russell 3000® Index is comprised of the 3,000 largest U.S. companies based on total market capitalization.

 

  n  

The Russell 1000® Value Index is a measure of the large-cap value segment of the U.S. equity universe selecting from the Russell 1000® Index.

 

  n  

The Dow Jones U.S. Select Dividend IndexSM is comprised of 100 U.S. dividend-paying companies.

 

  n  

The S&P 500® Index is a capitalization-weighted index of 500 stocks designed to represent the performance of the leading industries in the U.S. economy.

 

  n  

The S&P MidCap 400® Index is a capitalization-weighted index that is comprised of the mid-cap range of the U.S. stock market.

 

  n  

The Russell 2000® Index is comprised of the smallest 2,000 securities in the Russell 3000 Index.

Additional Information About the Funds’ Investment Objective

Each Fund seeks to track the price and yield performance, before fees and expenses, of a particular index (“Index”) developed by WisdomTree Investments. Each Index consists of securities in the market suggested by its name that meet specific criteria developed by WisdomTree Investments. Since each Fund’s investment objective has been adopted as a non-fundamental investment policy, each Fund’s investment objective may be changed without a vote of shareholders upon 60 days’ written notice to shareholders.

Additional Information About the Funds’ Investment Strategies. Each Fund will normally invest at least 80% of its net assets, plus the amount of any borrowings for investment purposes, in the types of securities suggested by its name (i.e., investments connoted by its Index). Each Fund anticipates meeting this policy because, under normal circumstances, at least 95% (80% for the U.S. Dividend Growth Fund and U.S. SmallCap Dividend Growth Fund) of each Fund’s total assets (exclusive of collateral held from securities lending) will be invested in component securities of its underlying Index and investments that have economic characteristics that are substantially identical to the economic characteristics of such component securities, such as depositary receipts based on component securities and TBA Transactions. WisdomTree Asset Management, Inc. (“WisdomTree Asset Management” or the “Adviser”) expects that, over time, the correlation between the Fund’s performance and that of the Index, before fees and expenses, will be 95% or better. A number of factors may affect the Fund’s ability to achieve a high degree of correlation with its Index, and there can be no guarantee that a Fund will achieve a high degree of correlation.

The quantity of holdings in a Fund using a representative sampling strategy will be based on a number of factors, including asset size of the Fund. In addition, from time to time, securities are added to or removed from an Index and consequently the attributes of an Index, such as sectors or industries represented in an Index and weightings, may change. The Fund may sell securities that are represented in an Index, or purchase securities that are not yet represented in an Index, in anticipation of their removal from or addition to an Index or to reflect various corporate actions or other changes to an Index. Further, the Fund may overweight or underweight securities in an Index, purchase or sell securities not in the Index, or utilize various combinations of other available techniques, in seeking to track an Index.

Indices. Each Index is “fundamentally weighted” and differs from most traditional indexes in that the proportion, or “weighting,” of the securities in each Index is based on a measure of fundamental value, such as dividends or earnings. Most traditional indexes and index funds weight their securities by looking simply at the market capitalization of such securities.

Each “Dividend Index” is weighted based on either the amount of cash dividends that companies in the Index pay, or are expected to pay, or the dividend yield of the companies in the Index. This means that securities of companies that pay, or are expected to pay, higher amounts of cash dividends or have higher dividend yields generally will be more heavily weighted in each Index and Fund. Only regular dividends (i.e., established or quarterly dividends as opposed to non-recurring or special dividends) are included in the determination of cash dividends or dividend yield.

Each “Earnings Index” weights securities based on either the amount of earnings of the companies in the Index or the earnings yields of such companies. This means that securities of companies that have higher earnings or earnings yields generally will be more heavily weighted in each Earnings Index and Fund. To determine a company’s earnings, each Earnings Index, except as noted, currently uses the concept of “Core Earnings.” Core Earnings is a standardized calculation

 

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of earnings developed by Standard & Poor’s that is designed to include expenses, incomes and activities that reflect the actual profitability of a company’s ongoing operations. The LargeCap Value Index is considered to be an “Earnings Index.” For this Index and its respective Fund, “earnings” is defined as a company’s reported net income, excluding special items, applicable to common shareholders.

Other Investment Information. Each Fund may invest in other investments that the Fund believes will help it track its Index, including cash and cash equivalents, as well as in shares of other investment companies (including affiliated investment companies), forward contracts, futures contracts, options on futures contracts, options and swaps.

Each Fund may lend its portfolio securities in an amount not to exceed one third (33  1/3%) of the value of its total assets via a securities lending program through its securities lending agent, State Street Bank and Trust Company, to brokers, dealers and other financial institutions desiring to borrow securities to complete transactions and for other purposes. A securities lending program allows a Fund to receive a portion of the income generated by lending its securities and investing the respective collateral. A Fund will receive collateral for each loaned security which is at least equal to the market value of that security, marked to market each trading day. In the securities lending program, the borrower generally has the right to vote the loaned securities, however a Fund may call loans to vote proxies if a material issue affecting the Fund’s economic interest in the investment is to be voted upon. Security loans may be terminated at any time by a Fund.

Additional Principal Risk Information About the Funds. This section provides additional information regarding the principal risks described under “Principal Risks of Investing in the Fund” in the Fund Summaries. Risk information may not be applicable to each Fund. Please consult each Fund’s Summary sections to determine which risks are applicable to a particular Fund. Each of the factors below could have a negative impact on Fund performance and trading prices.

Investment Risk

As with all investments, an investment in a Fund is subject to investment risk. Investors in a Fund could lose money, including the possible loss of the entire principal amount of an investment, over short or long periods of time. An investment in a Fund is not a bank deposit and it is not insured or guaranteed by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation or any other government agency.

Investment Style Risk

Each Fund invests in the securities included in, or representative of, its Index regardless of their investment merit. The Funds do not attempt to outperform their Indexes or take defensive positions in declining markets. As a result, each Fund’s performance may be adversely affected by a general decline in the market segments relating to its Index. The returns from the types of securities in which a Fund invests may underperform returns from the various general securities markets or different asset classes. This may cause a Fund to underperform other investment vehicles that invest in different asset classes. Different types of securities (for example, large-, mid- and small-capitalization stocks) tend to go through cycles of doing better – or worse – than the general securities markets. In the past, these periods have lasted for as long as several years.

Issuer-Specific Risk

Changes in the financial condition of an issuer or counterparty, changes in specific economic or political conditions that affect a particular type of security or issuer, and changes in general economic or political conditions can affect a security’s or instrument’s value. The value of securities of smaller, less well-known issuers can be more volatile than that of larger issuers. Issuer-specific events can have a negative impact on the value of a Fund.

Market Risk

The trading prices of equity securities, fixed income securities, currencies, commodities, and other instruments fluctuate in response to a variety of factors. These factors include events impacting the entire market or specific market segments, such as political, market and economic developments, as well as events that impact specific issuers. A Fund’s NAV and market price, like security and commodity prices generally, may fluctuate significantly in response to these and other factors. As a result, an investor could lose money over short or long periods of time.

Market Capitalization Risk

Small-Capitalization Investing

The securities of small-capitalization companies may be more vulnerable to adverse issuer, market, political, or economic developments than securities of larger-capitalization companies. The securities of small-capitalization companies generally trade in lower volumes and are subject to greater and more unpredictable price changes than larger capitalization stocks or the stock market as a whole. Some small capitalization companies have limited product lines, markets, and financial and managerial resources and tend to concentrate on fewer geographical markets relative to larger capitalization companies. There is typically less publicly available information concerning

 

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smaller-capitalization companies than for larger, more established companies. Small-capitalization companies also may be particularly sensitive to changes in interest rates, government regulation, borrowing costs and earnings.

Mid-Capitalization Investing

The securities of mid-capitalization companies may be more vulnerable to adverse issuer, market, political, or economic developments than securities of large-capitalization companies. The securities of mid-capitalization companies generally trade in lower volumes and are subject to greater and more unpredictable price changes than large capitalization stocks or the stock market as a whole. Some medium capitalization companies have limited product lines, markets, financial resources, and management personnel and tend to concentrate on fewer geographical markets relative to large-capitalization companies.

Large-Capitalization Investing

The securities of large-capitalization companies may be relatively mature compared to smaller companies and therefore subject to slower growth during times of economic expansion. Large-capitalization companies may also be unable to respond quickly to new competitive challenges, such as changes in technology and consumer tastes.

Non-Correlation Risk

As with all index funds, the performance of a Fund and its Index may vary somewhat for a variety of reasons. For example, each Fund incurs operating expenses and portfolio transaction costs, while also managing cash flows and potential operational inefficiencies, not incurred by its Index. In addition, a Fund may not be fully invested in the securities of its Index at all times or may hold securities not included in its Index or may be subject to pricing differences, differences in the timing of dividend accruals, and the need to meet various new or existing regulatory requirements. For example, it may take several business days for additions and deletions to an Index to be reflected in the portfolio composition of a Fund. The use of sampling techniques may affect a Fund’s ability to achieve close correlation with its Index. A Fund using a representative sampling strategy generally can be expected to have a greater non-correlation risk and this risk may be heightened during times of market volatility or other unusual market conditions.

Non-Diversification Risk

Although each Fund intends to invest in a variety of securities and instruments, each Fund will be considered to be non-diversified. This means that each Fund may invest more of its assets in the securities of a single issuer or a smaller number of issuers than if it was a diversified fund. As a result, a Fund may be more exposed to the risks associated with and developments affecting an individual issuer or a smaller number of issuers than a fund that invests more widely. This may increase a Fund’s volatility and cause the performance of a relatively smaller number of issuers to have a greater impact on a Fund’s performance.

Sector Risks

Consumer Discretionary Sector Risk

The consumer discretionary sector consists of, for example, automobile, retail and media companies. The consumer discretionary sector may be affected by changes in domestic and international economies, exchange and interest rates, worldwide demand, competition, consumers’ disposable income levels, propensity to spend and consumer preferences, social trends and marketing campaigns. Companies in the consumer discretionary sector have historically been characterized as relatively cyclical and therefore more volatile in times of change.

Consumer Staples Sector Risk

The consumer staples sector consists of, for example, companies whose primary lines of business are food, beverage and other household items. This sector can be affected by, among other things, changes in price and availability of underlying commodities, rising energy prices and global economic conditions. Unlike the consumer discretionary sector, companies in the consumer staples sector have historically been characterized as non-cyclical in nature and therefore less volatile in times of change.

Financial Sector Risk

The financial sector can be significantly affected by changes in interest rates, government regulation, the rate of defaults on corporate, consumer and government debt, the availability and cost of capital, and fallout from the housing and sub-prime mortgage crisis. These factors and events have had, and may continue to have, a significant negative impact on the valuations and stock prices of companies in this sector and have increased the volatility of investments in this sector.

 

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Industrial Sector Risk

The industrial sector can be significantly affected by, among other things, worldwide economic growth, supply and demand for specific products and services, rapid technological developments, international political and economic developments, environmental issues, and tax and governmental regulatory policies. As the demand for, or prices of, industrials increase, the value of a Fund’s investments generally would be expected to also increase. Conversely, declines in the demand for, or prices of, industrials generally would be expected to contribute to declines in the value of such securities. Such declines may occur quickly and without warning and may negatively impact the value of a Fund and your investment.

Information Technology Sector Risk

This sector can be significantly affected by, among other things, the supply and demand for specific products and services, the pace of technological development and government regulation. Challenges facing companies in the information technology sector include distressed cash flows due to the need to commit substantial capital to meet increasing competition, particularly in formulating new products and services using new technology, technological innovations that make existing products and services obsolete, and satisfying consumer demand.

Utilities Sector Risk

The utilities sector is subject to a number of risks, including decreases in the demand for utility company products and services, increased competition resulting from deregulation, and rising energy costs. The utilities sector also is typically sensitive to changes in interest rates. Any of these events could cause the utilities sector to underperform other sectors or the market as a whole and, thus, adversely affect a Fund’s investment performance.

Shares of the Funds May Trade at Prices Other Than NAV

As with all ETFs, Fund shares may be bought and sold in the secondary market at market prices. Although it is expected that the market price of the shares of a Fund will approximate the Fund’s NAV, there may be times when the market price and the NAV vary significantly, including due to supply and demand of a Fund’s shares and/or during periods of market volatility. Thus, you may pay more (or less) than NAV when you buy shares of a Fund in the secondary market, and you may receive more (or less) than NAV when you sell those shares in the secondary market. If an investor purchases Fund shares at a time when the market price is at a premium to the NAV of the Fund’s shares or sells at a time when the market price is at a discount to the NAV of the Fund’s shares, an investor may sustain losses.

Additional Non-Principal Risk Information

Trading. Although each Fund’s shares are listed for trading on NYSE Arca, Inc. or NASDAQ (each a “Listing Exchange”) and may be listed or traded on U.S. and non-U.S. stock exchanges other than the Listing Exchange, there can be no assurance that an active trading market for such shares will develop or be maintained. Trading in shares may be halted due to market conditions or for reasons that, in the view of the Listing Exchange, make trading in shares inadvisable. In addition, trading in shares on the Listing Exchange is subject to trading halts caused by extraordinary market volatility pursuant to Listing Exchange “circuit breaker” rules. There can be no assurance that the requirements of the Listing Exchange necessary to maintain the listing of a Fund will continue to be met or will remain unchanged or that Fund shares will trade with any volume, or at all, on any stock exchange.

Costs of Buying or Selling Shares. Investors buying or selling Fund shares in the secondary market will pay brokerage commissions or other charges imposed by brokers, as determined by that broker. Brokerage commissions are often a fixed amount and may be a significant proportional cost for investors seeking to buy or sell relatively small amounts of Fund shares. In addition, secondary market investors will also incur the cost of the difference between the price that an investor is willing to buy shares (the “bid” price) and the price at which an investor is willing to sell shares (the “ask” price). This difference in bid and ask prices is often referred to as the “spread” or “bid/ask spread.” The bid/ask spread varies over time for shares based on trading volume and market liquidity, and is generally lower if a Fund’s shares have more trading volume and market liquidity and higher if a Fund’s shares have little trading volume and market liquidity. Further, increased market volatility may cause increased bid/ask spreads. Due to the costs of buying or selling Fund shares, including bid/ask spreads, frequent trading of Fund shares may significantly reduce investment results and an investment in shares may not be advisable for investors who anticipate regularly making small investments.

Securities Lending. Although the Funds are indemnified by the Funds’ lending agent for losses incurred in connection with a borrower’s default with respect to a loan, the Funds bear the risk of loss of investing cash collateral and may be required to make payments to a borrower upon return of loaned securities if invested collateral has declined in value. Furthermore, because of the risks in delay of recovery, a Fund may lose the opportunity to sell the securities at a desirable price, and the Fund will generally not have the right to vote securities while they are being loaned. These events could also trigger negative tax consequences for a Fund.

 

 

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Portfolio Holdings Information

Information about each Fund’s daily portfolio holdings is available at www.wisdomtree.com. In addition, each Fund discloses its complete portfolio holdings as of the end of its fiscal year (March 31) and its second fiscal quarter (September 30) in its reports to shareholders. Each Fund files its complete portfolio holdings as of the end of its first and third fiscal quarters (June 30 and December 31, respectively) with the SEC on Form N-Q no later than 60 days after the relevant fiscal period. You can find the SEC filings on the SEC’s website, www.sec.gov. A summarized description of each Fund’s policies and procedures with respect to the disclosure of each Fund’s portfolio holdings is available in the Trust’s Statement of Additional Information (“SAI”).

 

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Management

Investment Adviser

As investment adviser, WisdomTree Asset Management has overall responsibility for the general management and administration of WisdomTree Trust (the “Trust”) and each of its separate investment portfolios called “Funds.” WisdomTree Asset Management is a registered investment adviser with offices located at 245 Park Avenue, 35th Floor, New York, NY 10167, and is a leader in ETF management. As of June 30, 2014, WisdomTree Asset Management had assets under management totaling approximately $35.5 billion. WisdomTree Investments* is the parent company of WisdomTree Asset Management. WisdomTree Asset Management provides an investment program for each Fund. The Adviser also provides proactive oversight of the Sub-Adviser, defined below, daily monitoring of the Sub-Adviser’s buying and selling of securities for each Fund, and regular review of the Sub-Adviser’s performance. In addition, the Adviser arranges for sub-advisory, transfer agency, custody, fund administration, securities lending, and all other non-distribution related services necessary for the Funds to operate.

For the fiscal year ended March 31, 2014, the Funds, other than the U.S. Dividend Growth Fund and U.S. SmallCap Dividend Growth Fund, paid advisory fees to the Adviser, as a percentage of net assets, in the amounts listed below. With respect to the U.S. Dividend Growth Fund and U.S. SmallCap Dividend Growth Fund, the Adviser expects to receive fees from the Fund, as a percentage of average daily net assets, in the amount listed below.

 

Name of Fund   Management Fee  
Total Dividend Fund     0.28
Equity Income Fund     0.38
Dividend ex-Financials Fund     0.38
LargeCap Dividend Fund     0.28
MidCap Dividend Fund     0.38
SmallCap Dividend Fund     0.38
U.S. Dividend Growth Fund     0.28
U.S. SmallCap Dividend Growth Fund     0.38
Total Earnings Fund     0.28
Earnings 500 Fund     0.28
MidCap Earnings Fund     0.38
SmallCap Earnings Fund     0.38
LargeCap Value Fund     0.38

Under the Investment Advisory Agreement for each Fund, WisdomTree Asset Management has agreed to pay generally all expenses of each Fund, subject to certain exceptions. For a detailed description of the Investment Advisory Agreement for each Fund, please see the “Management of the Trust” section of the SAI. Pursuant to a separate contractual arrangement, WisdomTree Asset Management arranges for the provision of chief compliance officer (“CCO”) services with respect to each Fund, and is liable and responsible for, and administers, payments to the CCO, the Independent Trustees and counsel to the Independent Trustees. WisdomTree Asset Management receives a fee of up to 0.0044% of each Fund’s average daily net assets for providing such services and paying such expenses. WisdomTree Asset Management provides CCO services to the Trust.

The basis for the Board of Trustees’ approval of the Funds’ Investment Advisory Agreements is available in the Trust’s Annual Report to Shareholders for the period ended March 31, 2013. The basis for the Board of Trustees’ approval of the Investment Advisory Agreement, with respect to the U.S. Dividend Growth Fund and U.S. SmallCap Dividend Growth Fund, is available in the Trust’s Semi-Annual Report to Shareholders for the period ended September  30, 2013.

Sub-Adviser

As sub-adviser, Mellon Capital Management Corporation (“Mellon Capital”) is responsible for the day-to-day management of the Funds. Mellon Capital, a registered investment adviser, is a leading innovator in the investment industry and manages global quantitative-based investment strategies for institutional and private investors. Its principal office is located at 50 Fremont Street, San Francisco, CA 94105. As of May 31, 2014, Mellon Capital had assets under management totaling approximately $372 billion (including $4.8 billion in overlay). Mellon Capital is a wholly-owned indirect subsidiary of The

 

 

 

* “WisdomTree” is a registered mark of WisdomTree Investments and has been licensed for use by the Trust. WisdomTree Investments has patent applications pending on the methodology and operation of its Indexes and the Funds.

 

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Bank of New York Mellon Corporation, a publicly traded financial holding company. Mellon Capital chooses each Fund’s portfolio investments and places orders to buy and sell the investments. WisdomTree Asset Management pays Mellon Capital for providing sub-advisory services to the Funds.

The basis for the Board of Trustees’ approval of the Sub-Advisory Agreement is available in the Trust’s Annual Report to Shareholders for the period ended March 31, 2013. The basis for the Board of Trustees’ approval of the Sub-Advisory Agreement, with respect to the U.S. Dividend Growth Fund and U.S. SmallCap Dividend Growth Fund, is available in the Trust’s Semi-Annual Report to Shareholders for the period ended September 30, 2013.

WisdomTree Asset Management, as the investment adviser for the Funds, may hire one or more sub-advisers to oversee the day-to-day activities of the Funds. The sub-advisers are subject to oversight by WisdomTree Asset Management. WisdomTree Asset Management and the Trust have received an exemptive order from the SEC that permits WisdomTree Asset Management, with the approval of the Independent Trustees of the Trust, to retain unaffiliated investment sub-advisers for each of the Funds, without submitting the sub-advisory agreement to a vote of the Fund’s shareholders. The Trust will notify shareholders in the event of any change in the identity of such sub-adviser or sub-advisers. WisdomTree Asset Management has ultimate responsibility for the investment performance of the Funds due to its responsibility to oversee each sub-adviser and recommend their hiring, termination and replacement. WisdomTree Asset Management is not required to disclose fees paid to any sub-adviser retained pursuant to the order.

Portfolio Managers

Each Fund is managed by Mellon Capital’s Equity Index Strategies Portfolio management team. The individual members of the team responsible for the day-to-day management of the Funds’ portfolios are listed below.

Ms. Karen Q. Wong, CFA, a Managing Director and Head of Equity Portfolio Management, has been with Mellon Capital since June 2000. Ms. Wong heads a team of portfolio managers responsible for overseeing all passive equity funds, including ETFs. She is responsible for refinement and implementation of the equity portfolio management process. She is a member of the Senior Management Committee, Investment Management Committee, Risk Management Committee, Fiduciary Committee, and Trade Management Oversight Committee. Prior to joining Mellon Capital, Ms. Wong worked as a security analyst at Redwood Securities. Ms. Wong attained the Chartered Financial Analyst designation. She graduated with a B.A. from San Francisco State University, and obtained an M.B.A. in Finance from San Francisco State University. Ms. Wong is a member of the CFA Institute and the CFA Society of San Francisco. She is also a member of the S&P Index Advisory Panel and Russell Index Advisory Board.

Mr. Richard A. Brown, CFA, a Director and Senior Portfolio Manager, Equity Portfolio Management, has been with Mellon Capital since August 1995. Mr. Brown heads a team of portfolio managers covering domestic and international passive equity funds. He is responsible for refinement and implementation of the equity portfolio management process. Mr. Brown attained the Chartered Financial Analyst designation. Mr. Brown graduated with an M.B.A. from California State University at Hayward and is a member of the CFA Institute and the CFA Society of San Francisco. He has over 18 years of investment experience.

Mr. Thomas J. Durante, CFA, a Managing Director and Senior Portfolio Manager, Equity Portfolio Management, has been with Mellon Capital since January 2000. Mr. Durante heads a team of portfolio managers covering domestic and international index portfolios. He is responsible for refinement and implementation of the equity portfolio management process. Prior to joining Mellon Capital, Mr. Durante worked in the fund accounting department for The Dreyfus Corporation. Mr. Durante attained the Chartered Financial Analyst designation. Mr. Durante graduated with a B.A. in Accounting from Fairfield University and is a member of the CFA Institute and the CFA Society of Pittsburgh. He has over 32 years of investment experience.

The Funds’ SAI provides additional information about the Portfolio Managers’ compensation, other accounts managed by the Portfolio Managers, and the Portfolio Managers’ ownership of shares in the Funds.

 

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Additional Information on Buying and Selling Fund Shares

Most investors will buy and sell shares of the Funds through brokers. Shares of the Funds trade on the Listing Exchange and elsewhere during the trading day and can be bought and sold throughout the trading day like other shares of publicly traded securities. When buying or selling shares through a broker, most investors will incur customary brokerage commissions and charges. Shares of the Funds trade under the trading symbols listed on the cover of this Prospectus.

Share Trading Prices

Transactions in Fund shares will be priced at NAV only if you are an institutional investor (e.g., broker-dealer) that has signed an agreement with the Distributor (as defined below) and you thereafter purchase or redeem shares directly from a Fund in Creation Units. As with other types of securities, the trading prices of shares in the secondary market can be affected by market forces such as supply and demand, economic conditions and other factors. The price you pay or receive when you buy or sell your shares in the secondary market may be more or less than the NAV of such shares.

The approximate value of shares of each Fund is disseminated every 15 seconds throughout the trading day by the Listing Exchange or by other information providers. This approximate value should not be viewed as a “real-time” update of the Funds’ NAV because the approximate value may not be calculated in the same manner as the NAV, which is computed once per day. The approximate value generally is determined by using current market quotations, price quotations obtained from broker-dealers that may trade in the portfolio securities and instruments held by the Funds, and/or amortized cost for securities with remaining maturities of 60 days or less. The Funds, the adviser and their affiliates are not involved in, or responsible for, the calculation or dissemination of the approximate value and make no warranty as to its accuracy.

Determination of Net Asset Value

The NAV of each Fund’s shares is calculated each day the national securities exchanges are open for trading as of the close of regular trading on the Listing Exchange, generally 4:00 p.m. New York time (the “NAV Calculation Time”). NAV per share is calculated by dividing a Fund’s net assets by the number of Fund shares outstanding.

In calculating its NAV, the Fund generally values its assets on the basis of market quotations, last sale prices, or estimates of value furnished by a pricing service or brokers who make markets in such instruments. Debt obligations with maturities of 60 days or less are valued at amortized cost.

Fair value pricing is used by the Fund when reliable market valuations are not readily available or are not deemed to reflect current market values. Securities that may be valued using “fair value” pricing may include, but are not limited to, securities for which there are no current market quotations or whose issuer is in default or bankruptcy, securities subject to corporate actions (such as mergers or reorganizations), securities subject to non-U.S. investment limits or currency controls, and securities affected by “significant events.” An example of a significant event is an event occurring after the close of the market in which a security trades but before the Fund’s next NAV Calculation Time that may materially affect the value of the Fund’s investment (e.g., government action, natural disaster, or significant market fluctuation). When fair-value pricing is employed, the prices of securities used by the Fund to calculate its NAV may differ from quoted or published prices for the same securities.

Dividends and Distributions

The Total Dividend Fund, Equity Income Fund, Dividend ex-Financials Fund, LargeCap Dividend Fund, MidCap Dividend Fund, SmallCap Dividend Fund, U.S. Dividend Growth Fund and U.S. SmallCap Dividend Growth Fund intend to pay out dividends on a monthly basis. The remaining Funds intend to pay out dividends on a quarterly basis. Nonetheless, a Fund may not make a dividend payment every month or quarter, as applicable. Each Fund intends to distribute its net realized capital gains to investors annually. The Funds occasionally may be required to make supplemental distributions at some other time during the year. Distributions in cash may be reinvested automatically in additional whole shares only if the broker through whom you purchased shares makes such option available. Your broker is responsible for distributing the income and capital gain distributions to you.

Book Entry

Shares of the Funds are held in book-entry form, which means that no stock certificates are issued. The Depository Trust Company (“DTC”) or its nominee is the record owner of all outstanding shares of each Fund.

Investors owning shares of the Funds are beneficial owners as shown on the records of DTC or its participants. DTC serves as the securities depository for all shares of the Funds. Participants include DTC, securities brokers and dealers, banks, trust companies, clearing corporations, and other institutions that directly or indirectly maintain a custodial relationship with DTC. As a beneficial owner of shares, you are not entitled to receive physical delivery of stock certificates or to have shares registered in your name, and you are not considered a registered owner of shares. Therefore, to exercise any right as an owner of shares, you must rely upon the procedures of DTC and its participants. These procedures are the same as those that

 

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apply to any securities that you hold in book-entry or “street name” form. Your broker will provide you with account statements, confirmations of your purchases and sales, and tax information.

Delivery of Shareholder Documents – Householding

Householding is an option available to certain investors of the Funds. Householding is a method of delivery, based on the preference of the individual investor, in which a single copy of certain shareholder documents can be delivered to investors who share the same address, even if their accounts are registered under different names. Householding for the Funds is available through certain broker-dealers. If you are interested in enrolling in householding and receiving a single copy of prospectuses and other shareholder documents, please contact your broker-dealer. If you are currently enrolled in householding and wish to change your householding status, please contact your broker-dealer.

Frequent Purchases and Redemptions of Fund Shares

The Funds have adopted policies and procedures with respect to frequent purchases and redemptions of Creation Units of Fund shares. Since the Funds are ETFs, only a few institutional investors (known as “Authorized Participants”) are authorized to purchase and redeem shares directly from the Funds. Because purchase and redemption transactions with Authorized Participants are an essential part of the ETF process and may help keep ETF trading prices in line with NAV, each Fund accommodates frequent purchases and redemptions by Authorized Participants. Frequent purchases and redemptions for cash may increase index tracking error and portfolio transaction costs and may lead to the realization of capital gains. Frequent in-kind creations and redemptions generally do not give rise to these concerns. Each Fund reserves the right to reject any purchase order at any time. Each Fund reserves the right to impose restrictions on disruptive, excessive, or short-term trading.

Investments by Registered Investment Companies

Section 12(d)(1) of the Investment Company Act of 1940 restricts investments by registered investment companies in the securities of other investment companies, including shares of each Fund. Registered investment companies are permitted to invest in the Funds beyond the limits set forth in section 12(d)(1) subject to certain terms and conditions set forth in an SEC exemptive order issued to the Trust, including that such investment companies enter into an agreement with the Funds.

 

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Additional Tax Information

The following discussion is a summary of some important U.S. federal income tax considerations generally applicable to investments in the Funds. Your investment in a Fund may have other tax implications. Please consult your tax advisor about the tax consequences of an investment in Fund shares, including the possible application of foreign, state, and local tax laws.

Each Fund intends to qualify each year for treatment as a regulated investment company. If it meets certain minimum distribution requirements, a regulated investment company is not subject to tax at the fund level on income and gains from investments that are timely distributed to shareholders. However, a Fund’s failure to qualify as a regulated investment company or to meet minimum distribution requirements would result (if certain relief provisions were not available) in fund-level taxation and consequently a reduction in income available for distribution to shareholders.

Unless your investment in Fund shares is made through a tax-exempt entity or tax-deferred retirement account, such as an individual retirement account, you need to be aware of the possible tax consequences when:

 

  n  

A Fund makes distributions,

 

  n  

You sell Fund shares, and

 

  n  

You purchase or redeem Creation Units (institutional investors only).

Taxes on Distributions

For federal income tax purposes, distributions of investment income are generally taxable as ordinary income or qualified dividend income. Taxes on distributions of capital gains (if any) are determined by how long a Fund owned the investments that generated them, rather than how long a shareholder has owned his or her Fund shares. Sales of assets held by a Fund for more than one year generally result in long-term capital gains and losses, and sales of assets held by a Fund for one year or less generally result in short-term capital gains and losses. Distributions of a Fund’s net capital gain (the excess of net long-term capital gains over net short-term capital losses) that are properly reported by the Fund as capital gain dividends (“Capital Gain Dividends”) will be taxable as long-term capital gains. For noncorporate shareholders, long-term capital gains are generally subject to tax at reduced rates. Distributions of short-term capital gain will generally be taxable as ordinary income. Distributions reported by the Fund as “qualified dividend income” are generally taxed to noncorporate shareholders at rates applicable to long-term capital gains, provided holding period and other requirements are met.

In general, your distributions are subject to federal income tax for the year in which they are paid. Certain distributions paid in January, however, may be treated as paid on December 31 of the prior year. Distributions are generally taxable even if they are paid from income or gains earned by a Fund before your investment (and thus were included in the price you paid for your shares).

Dividends and distributions from the Funds and capital gain on the sale of Fund shares are generally taken into account in determining a shareholder’s “net investment income” for purposes of the Medicare contribution tax applicable to certain individuals, estates and trusts.

The redemption of Creation Units of a Fund may incorporate a payment of cash by the Fund in addition to, or in place of, the delivery of a basket of securities. To meet this requirement, the Fund may be required to sell portfolio securities in order to obtain the cash needed to distribute redemption proceeds. This may cause the Fund to recognize income and/or capital gains or losses that it might not have recognized if it had completely satisfied the redemption in-kind. As a result, the Funds may be less tax efficient than if the in-kind redemption process was used.

Distributions (other than Capital Gain Dividends) paid to individual shareholders that are neither citizens nor residents of the U.S. or to foreign entities will generally be subject to a U.S. withholding tax at the rate of 30%, unless a lower treaty rate applies.

The Funds (or financial intermediaries, such as brokers, through which shareholders own Fund shares) generally are required to withhold and to remit to the U.S. Treasury a percentage of the taxable distributions and the sale or redemption proceeds paid to any shareholder who fails to properly furnish a correct taxpayer identification number, who has under-reported dividend or interest income, or who fails to certify that he, she or it is not subject to such withholding.

Taxes When Fund Shares Are Sold

Any capital gain or loss realized upon a sale of Fund shares is generally treated as a long-term gain or loss if the shares have been held for more than one year. Any capital gain or loss realized upon a sale of Fund shares held for one year or less is generally treated as a short-term gain or loss, except that any capital loss on a sale of shares held for six months or less is treated as long-term capital loss to the extent that Capital Gain Dividends were paid with respect to such shares. The ability to deduct capital losses may be limited depending on your circumstances.

 

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Taxes on Creation and Redemption of Creation Units

An Authorized Participant having the U.S. dollar as its functional currency for U.S. federal tax purposes that exchanges securities for Creation Units generally will recognize a gain or loss equal to the difference between (i) the sum of the market value of the Creation Units at the time of the exchange and any amount of cash received by the Authorized Participant in the exchange and (ii) the sum of the exchanger’s aggregate basis in the securities surrendered and any amount of cash paid for such Creation Units. A person who redeems Creation Units for securities will generally recognize a gain or loss equal to the difference between the exchanger’s basis in the Creation Units and the sum of the aggregate U.S. dollar market value of the securities plus the amount of any cash received for such Creation Units. The Internal Revenue Service, however, may assert that a loss that is realized by an Authorized Participant upon an exchange of securities for Creation Units cannot be currently deducted under the rules governing “wash sales,” or on the basis that there has been no significant change in economic position.

Gain or loss recognized by an Authorized Participant upon an issuance of Creation Units in exchange for non-U.S. currency will generally be treated as ordinary income or loss. Gain or loss recognized by an Authorized Participant upon an issuance of Creation Units in exchange for securities, or upon a redemption of Creation Units, may be capital or ordinary gain or loss depending on the circumstances. Any capital gain or loss realized upon an issuance of Creation Units in exchange for securities will generally be treated as long-term capital gain or loss if the securities have been held for more than one year. Any capital gain or loss realized upon the redemption of a Creation Unit will generally be treated as long-term capital gain or loss if the Fund shares comprising the Creation Unit have been held for more than one year. Otherwise, such capital gains or losses are treated as short-term capital gains or losses.

A person subject to U.S. federal income tax who receives non-U.S. currency upon a redemption of Creation Units and does not immediately convert the non-U.S. currency into U.S. dollars may, upon a later conversion of the non-U.S. currency into U.S. dollars, recognize as ordinary gains or losses any gains or losses resulting from fluctuations in the value of the non-U.S. currency relative to the U.S. dollar since the date of the redemption.

Persons exchanging securities or non-U.S. currency for Creation Units should consult their own tax advisors with respect to the tax treatment of any creation or redemption transaction. If you purchase or redeem Creation Units, you will be sent a confirmation statement showing how many Fund shares you purchased or redeemed and at what price.

Distribution

ALPS Distributors, Inc. (the “Distributor”) serves as the distributor of Creation Units for each Fund on an agency basis. The Distributor does not maintain a secondary market in shares of the Funds. The Distributor’s principal address is 1290 Broadway, Suite 1100, Denver, Colorado 80203. The Distributor has no role in determining the policies of any Fund or the securities that are purchased or sold by any Fund.

Premium/Discount and NAV Information

Information regarding a Fund’s NAV and how often shares of each Fund traded on the Listing Exchange at a price above (i.e., at a premium) or below (i.e., at a discount) the NAV of the Fund during the past calendar year and most recent calendar quarter can be found at www.wisdomtree.com.

Additional Notices

Listing Exchange

Shares of the Funds are not sponsored, endorsed, or promoted by the Listing Exchange. The Listing Exchange makes no representation or warranty, express or implied, to the owners of the shares of any Fund or any member of the public regarding the ability of a Fund to track the total return performance of any Index or the ability of any Index identified herein to track stock market performance. The Listing Exchange is not responsible for, nor has it participated in, the determination of the compilation or the calculation of any Index, nor in the determination of the timing of, prices of, or quantities of the shares of any Fund to be issued, nor in the determination or calculation of the equation by which the shares are redeemable. The Listing Exchange has no obligation or liability to owners of the shares of any Fund in connection with the administration, marketing, or trading of the shares of the Fund.

The Listing Exchange does not guarantee the accuracy and/or the completeness of any Index or any data included therein. The Listing Exchange makes no warranty, express or implied, as to results to be obtained by the Trust on behalf of its Funds, owners of the shares, or any other person or entity from the use of the subject Indexes or any data included therein. The Listing Exchange makes no express or implied warranties, and hereby expressly disclaims all warranties of merchantability or fitness for a particular purpose with respect to any Index or any data included therein. Without limiting any of the foregoing, in no event shall the Listing Exchange have any liability for any lost profits or indirect, punitive, special, or consequential damages even if notified of the possibility thereof.

 

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WisdomTree and the Funds

WisdomTree Investments and WisdomTree Asset Management (together, “WisdomTree”) and the Funds make no representation or warranty, express or implied, to the owners of shares of the Funds or any member of the public regarding the advisability of investing in securities generally or in the Funds particularly or the ability of the Indexes to track general stock market performance. WisdomTree Investments is the licensor of certain trademarks, service marks and trade names of the Funds. WisdomTree Investments has no obligation to take the needs of the Funds or the owners of shares of the Funds into consideration in determining, composing, or calculating the Indexes. WisdomTree Investments is not responsible for, and has not participated in, the determination of the timing of, prices of, or quantities of shares of the Funds to be issued or in the determination or calculation of the equation by which the shares of the Funds are redeemable. WisdomTree and the Funds do not guarantee the accuracy, completeness, or performance of any Index or the data included therein and shall have no liability in connection with any Index or Index calculation. WisdomTree Investments has contracted with Standard & Poor’s (“S&P”) to maintain and calculate certain Indexes used by the Funds. S&P shall have no liability for any errors or omissions in calculating any Index.

Financial Highlights

The financial highlights table is intended to help you understand each Fund’s financial performance for the past five fiscal years or, if shorter, the period since a Fund’s inception. The total return in the table represents the rate that an investor would have earned (or lost) on an investment in the respective Fund (assuming reinvestment of all dividends and distributions). This information has been derived from the financial statements audited by Ernst & Young LLP, an independent registered public accounting firm, whose report, along with the Funds’ financial statements, are included in the Funds’ Annual Report, which is available upon request.

 

WisdomTree Trust Prospectus      63   


Table of Contents

Financial Highlights

WisdomTree Domestic Dividend Funds

Selected data for a share of beneficial interest outstanding throughout the period is presented below:

 

WisdomTree Total Dividend
Fund
   For the
Year Ended
March 31, 2014
     For the
Year Ended
March 31, 2013
     For the
Year Ended
March 31, 2012
     For the
Year Ended
March 31, 2011
     For the
Year Ended
March 31, 2010
 

Net asset value, beginning of year

   $ 59.33       $ 53.04       $ 48.84       $ 42.89       $ 29.26   

Investment operations:

              

Net investment income1

     1.68         1.65         1.47         1.37         1.14   

Net realized and unrealized gain

     8.91         6.32         4.15         5.92         13.61   

Total from investment operations

     10.59         7.97         5.62         7.29         14.75   

Dividends to shareholders:

              

Net investment income

     (1.63      (1.68      (1.42      (1.34      (1.12

Net asset value, end of year

   $ 68.29       $ 59.33       $ 53.04       $ 48.84       $ 42.89   

TOTAL RETURN2

     18.10      15.39      11.81      17.37      50.83

RATIOS/SUPPLEMENTAL DATA:

              

Net assets, end of year (000’s omitted)

   $ 419,955       $ 296,638       $ 243,985       $ 170,948       $ 132,971   

Ratios to average net assets3 of:

              

Expenses, net of expense waivers

     0.28      0.28      0.28      0.28      0.28

Expenses, prior to expense waivers

     0.28      0.28      0.28      0.28      0.28

Net investment income

     2.65      3.05      3.03      3.10      3.01

Portfolio turnover rate4

     12      13      15      6      16
              
WisdomTree Equity Income
Fund
   For the
Year Ended
March 31, 2014
     For the
Year Ended
March 31, 2013
     For the
Year Ended
March 31, 2012
     For the
Year Ended
March 31, 2011
     For the
Year Ended
March 31, 2010
 

Net asset value, beginning of year

   $ 51.17       $ 44.81       $ 40.52       $ 35.12       $ 22.98   

Investment operations:

              

Net investment income1

     1.77         1.82         1.66         1.61         1.17   

Net realized and unrealized gain

     5.37         6.40         4.15         5.33         12.16   

Total from investment operations

     7.14         8.22         5.81         6.94         13.33   

Dividends to shareholders:

              

Net investment income

     (1.74      (1.86      (1.52      (1.54      (1.19

Net asset value, end of year

   $ 56.57       $ 51.17       $ 44.81       $ 40.52       $ 35.12   

TOTAL RETURN2

     14.24      18.83      14.66      20.24      58.47

RATIOS/SUPPLEMENTAL DATA:

              

Net assets, end of year (000’s omitted)

   $ 797,595       $ 639,585       $ 427,918       $ 178,273       $ 122,907   

Ratios to average net assets3 of:

              

Expenses, net of expense waivers

     0.38      0.38      0.38      0.38      0.38

Expenses, prior to expense waivers

     0.38      0.38      0.38      0.38      0.38

Net investment income

     3.31      3.91      3.99      4.25      3.72

Portfolio turnover rate4

     30      28      22      8      25

 

1 

Based on average shares outstanding.

 

2 

Total return is calculated assuming an initial investment made at the net asset value at the beginning of the period, reinvestment of all dividends and distributions at net asset value during the period and redemption on the last day of the period. Total return calculated for a period of less than one year is not annualized. The total return would have been lower if certain expenses had not been waived by the investment adviser.

 

3 

The ratios to average net assets do not include net investment income (loss) or expenses of affiliated funds in which the Fund invests.

 

4 

Portfolio turnover rate is not annualized and excludes the value of portfolio securities received or delivered as a result of in-kind creations or redemptions of the Fund’s capital shares.

 

64   WisdomTree Trust Prospectus


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Financial Highlights

WisdomTree Domestic Dividend Funds

Selected data for a share of beneficial interest outstanding throughout the period is presented below:

 

WisdomTree Dividend ex-
Financials Fund
   For the
Year Ended
March 31, 2014
     For the
Year Ended
March 31, 2013
     For the
Year Ended
March 31, 2012
     For the
Year Ended
March 31, 2011
     For the
Year Ended
March 31, 2010
 

Net asset value, beginning of year

   $ 62.03       $ 54.81       $ 50.13       $ 42.76       $ 26.74   

Investment operations:

              

Net investment income1

     2.00         2.27         2.06         1.81         1.60   

Net realized and unrealized gain

     8.22         7.36         4.31         7.25         16.01   

Total from investment operations

     10.22         9.63         6.37         9.06         17.61   

Dividends to shareholders:

              

Net investment income

     (1.98      (2.41      (1.69      (1.69      (1.59

Net asset value, end of year

   $ 70.27       $ 62.03       $ 54.81       $ 50.13       $ 42.76   

TOTAL RETURN2

     16.75      18.18      12.99      21.68      66.66

RATIOS/SUPPLEMENTAL DATA:

              

Net assets, end of year (000’s omitted)

   $ 1,127,812       $ 1,094,800       $ 1,268,812       $ 343,382       $ 190,277   

Ratios to average net assets3 of:

              

Expenses, net of expense waivers

     0.38      0.38      0.38      0.38      0.38

Expenses, prior to expense waivers

     0.38      0.38      0.38      0.38      0.38

Net investment income

     3.06      4.08      4.05      3.99      4.32

Portfolio turnover rate4

     35      34      38      5      57
              
WisdomTree LargeCap
Dividend Fund
   For the
Year Ended
March 31, 2014
     For the
Year Ended
March 31, 2013
     For the
Year Ended
March 31, 2012
     For the
Year Ended
March 31, 2011
     For the
Year Ended
March 31, 2010
 

Net asset value, beginning of year

   $ 58.94       $ 52.98       $ 48.31       $ 42.56       $ 29.86   

Investment operations:

              

Net investment income1

     1.65         1.61         1.45         1.33         1.10   

Net realized and unrealized gain

     8.64         6.00         4.59         5.68         12.69   

Total from investment operations

     10.29         7.61         6.04         7.01         13.79   

Dividends to shareholders:

              

Net investment income

     (1.63      (1.65      (1.37      (1.26      (1.09

Net asset value, end of year

   $ 67.60       $ 58.94       $ 52.98       $ 48.31       $ 42.56   

TOTAL RETURN2

     17.70      14.69      12.82      16.83      46.53

RATIOS/SUPPLEMENTAL DATA:

              

Net assets, end of year (000’s omitted)

   $ 1,821,886       $ 1,500,106       $ 1,205,215       $ 611,094       $ 412,809   

Ratios to average net assets3 of:

              

Expenses, net of expense waivers

     0.28      0.28      0.28      0.28      0.28

Expenses, prior to expense waivers

     0.28      0.28      0.28      0.28      0.28

Net investment income

     2.62      2.97      3.02      3.04      2.89

Portfolio turnover rate4

     11      14      14      5      17

 

1 

Based on average shares outstanding.

 

2 

Total return is calculated assuming an initial investment made at the net asset value at the beginning of the period, reinvestment of all dividends and distributions at net asset value during the period and redemption on the last day of the period. Total return calculated for a period of less than one year is not annualized. The total return would have been lower if certain expenses had not been waived by the investment adviser.

 

3 

The ratios to average net assets do not include net investment income (loss) or expenses of affiliated funds in which the Fund invests.

 

4 

Portfolio turnover rate is not annualized and excludes the value of portfolio securities received or delivered as a result of in-kind creations or redemptions of the Fund’s capital shares.

 

WisdomTree Trust Prospectus      65   


Table of Contents

Financial Highlights

WisdomTree Domestic Dividend Funds

Selected data for a share of beneficial interest outstanding throughout the period is presented below:

 

WisdomTree MidCap
Dividend Fund
   For the
Year Ended
March 31, 2014
     For the
Year Ended
March 31, 2013
     For the
Year Ended
March 31, 2012
     For the
Year Ended
March 31, 2011
     For the
Year Ended
March 31, 2010
 

Net asset value, beginning of year

   $ 65.15       $ 56.25       $ 54.01       $ 46.08       $ 26.80   

Investment operations:

              

Net investment income1

     1.83         1.99         1.47         1.53         1.29   

Net realized and unrealized gain

     11.82         8.91         2.17         7.79         19.22   

Total from investment operations

     13.65         10.90         3.64         9.32         20.51   

Dividends to shareholders:

              

Net investment income

     (1.81      (2.00      (1.40      (1.39      (1.23

Net asset value, end of year

   $ 76.99       $ 65.15       $ 56.25       $ 54.01       $ 46.08   

TOTAL RETURN2

     21.24      19.96      6.99      20.60      77.34

RATIOS/SUPPLEMENTAL DATA:

              

Net assets, end of year (000’s omitted)

   $ 993,148       $ 540,728       $ 345,963       $ 256,552       $ 122,121   

Ratios to average net assets3 of:

              

Expenses, net of expense waivers

     0.38      0.38      0.38      0.38      0.38

Expenses, prior to expense waivers

     0.38      0.38      0.38      0.38      0.38

Net investment income

     2.58      3.46      2.81      3.16      3.34

Portfolio turnover rate4

     32      33      29      10      11
              
WisdomTree SmallCap
Dividend Fund
   For the
Year Ended
March 31, 2014
     For the
Year Ended
March 31, 2013
     For the
Year Ended
March 31, 2012
     For the
Year Ended
March 31, 2011
     For the
Year Ended
March 31, 2010
 

Net asset value, beginning of year

   $ 57.07       $ 49.03       $ 48.66       $ 42.39       $ 24.06   

Investment operations:

              

Net investment income1

     1.85         1.87         1.68         1.72         1.49   

Net realized and unrealized gain

     11.10         8.14         0.34         6.14         18.28   

Total from investment operations

     12.95         10.01         2.02         7.86         19.77   

Dividends to shareholders:

              

Net investment income

     (1.69      (1.97      (1.65      (1.59      (1.44

Net asset value, end of year

   $ 68.33       $ 57.07       $ 49.03       $ 48.66       $ 42.39   

TOTAL RETURN2

     22.99      21.06      4.50      18.96      83.27

RATIOS/SUPPLEMENTAL DATA:

              

Net assets, end of year (000’s omitted)

   $ 1,062,525       $ 553,551       $ 313,791       $ 248,171       $ 154,724   

Ratios to average net assets3 of:

              

Expenses, net of expense waivers

     0.38      0.38      0.38      0.38      0.38

Expenses, prior to expense waivers

     0.38      0.38      0.38      0.38      0.38

Net investment income

     2.93      3.71      3.69      3.86      4.21

Portfolio turnover rate4

     42      49      31      11      16

 

1 

Based on average shares outstanding.

 

2 

Total return is calculated assuming an initial investment made at the net asset value at the beginning of the period, reinvestment of all dividends and distributions at net asset value during the period and redemption on the last day of the period. Total return calculated for a period of less than one year is not annualized. The total return would have been lower if certain expenses had not been waived by the investment adviser.

 

3 

The ratios to average net assets do not include net investment income (loss) or expenses of affiliated funds in which the Fund invests.

 

4 

Portfolio turnover rate is not annualized and excludes the value of portfolio securities received or delivered as a result of in-kind creations or redemptions of the Fund’s capital shares.

 

66   WisdomTree Trust Prospectus


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Financial Highlights

WisdomTree Domestic Dividend Funds

Selected data for a share of beneficial interest outstanding throughout the period is presented below:

 

WisdomTree U.S. Dividend Growth Fund    For the Period
May 22, 2013*
through
March 31, 2014
 

Net asset value, beginning of period

   $ 24.86   

Investment operations:

  

Net investment income1

     0.48   

Net realized and unrealized gain

     3.02   

Total from investment operations

     3.50   

Dividends and distributions to shareholders:

  

Net investment income

     (0.41

Capital gains

     (0.00 )5 

Total dividends and distributions to shareholders

     (0.41

Net asset value, end of period

   $ 27.95   

TOTAL RETURN2

     14.19

RATIOS/SUPPLEMENTAL DATA:

  

Net assets, end of period (000’s omitted)

   $ 104,802   

Ratios to average net assets of:

  

Expenses

     0.28 %3 

Net investment income

     2.11 %3 

Portfolio turnover rate4

     31

 

WisdomTree U.S. SmallCap Dividend Growth Fund    For the Period
July 25, 2013*
through
March 31, 2014
 

Net asset value, beginning of period

   $ 25.02   

Investment operations:

  

Net investment income1

     0.34   

Net realized and unrealized gain

     3.32   

Total from investment operations

     3.66   

Dividends to shareholders:

  

Net investment income

     (0.25

Net asset value, end of period

   $ 28.43   

TOTAL RETURN2

     14.66

RATIOS/SUPPLEMENTAL DATA:

  

Net assets, end of period (000’s omitted)

   $ 24,163   

Ratios to average net assets of:

  

Expenses

     0.38 %3 

Net investment income

     1.82 %3 

Portfolio turnover rate4

     71
* 

Commencement of operations.

 

1 

Based on average shares outstanding.

 

2 

Total return is calculated assuming an initial investment made at the net asset value at the beginning of the period, reinvestment of all dividends and distributions at net asset value during the period and redemption on the last day of the period. Total return calculated for a period of less than one year is not annualized.

 

3 

Annualized.

 

4 

Portfolio turnover rate is not annualized and excludes the value of portfolio securities received or delivered as a result of in-kind creations or redemptions of the Fund’s capital shares.

 

5 

Amount is less than $0.005.

 

WisdomTree Trust Prospectus      67   


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Financial Highlights

WisdomTree Domestic Earnings Funds

Selected data for a share of beneficial interest outstanding throughout the period is presented below:

 

WisdomTree Total Earnings
Fund
   For the
Year Ended
March 31, 2014
     For the
Year Ended
March 31, 2013
     For the
Year Ended
March 31, 2012
     For the
Year Ended
March 31, 2011
     For the
Year Ended
March 31, 2010
 

Net asset value, beginning of year

   $ 56.14       $ 50.62       $ 47.12       $ 41.56       $ 27.52   

Investment operations:

              

Net investment income1

     1.12         1.07         0.88         0.77         0.70   

Net realized and unrealized gain

     11.63         5.51         3.58         5.55         14.03   

Total from investment operations

     12.75         6.58         4.46         6.32         14.73   

Dividends to shareholders:

              

Net investment income

     (1.10      (1.06      (0.96      (0.76      (0.69

Net asset value, end of year

   $ 67.79       $ 56.14       $ 50.62       $ 47.12       $ 41.56   

TOTAL RETURN2

     22.89      13.23      9.74      15.44      53.82

RATIOS/SUPPLEMENTAL DATA:

              

Net assets, end of year (000’s omitted)

   $ 71,174       $ 53,329       $ 43,026       $ 54,193       $ 47,789   

Ratios to average net assets3 of:

              

Expenses, net of expense waivers

     0.28      0.28      0.28      0.28      0.28

Expenses, prior to expense waivers

     0.28      0.28      0.28      0.28      0.28

Net investment income

     1.81      2.10      1.90      1.82      1.92

Portfolio turnover rate4

     13      13      12      9      16
              
WisdomTree Earnings 500
Fund
   For the
Year Ended
March 31, 2014
     For the
Year Ended
March 31, 2013
     For the
Year Ended
March 31, 2012
     For the
Year Ended
March 31, 2011
     For the
Year Ended
March 31, 2010
 

Net asset value, beginning of year

   $ 54.46       $ 49.42       $ 45.59       $ 40.75       $ 27.77   

Investment operations:

              

Net investment income1

     1.14         1.04         0.88         0.77         0.68   

Net realized and unrealized gain

     10.88         5.10         3.84         4.84         12.98   

Total from investment operations

     12.02         6.14         4.72         5.61         13.66   

Dividends to shareholders:

              

Net investment income

     (1.09      (1.10      (0.89      (0.77      (0.68

Net asset value, end of year

   $ 65.39       $ 54.46       $ 49.42       $ 45.59       $ 40.75   

TOTAL RETURN2

     22.24      12.66      10.60      13.99      49.49

RATIOS/SUPPLEMENTAL DATA:

              

Net assets, end of year (000’s omitted)

   $ 101,351       $ 65,354       $ 69,187       $ 63,832       $ 77,422   

Ratios to average net assets3 of:

              

Expenses, net of expense waivers

     0.28      0.28      0.28      0.28      0.28

Expenses, prior to expense waivers

     0.28      0.28      0.28      0.28      0.28

Net investment income

     1.89      2.12      1.98      1.87      1.95

Portfolio turnover rate4

     15      13      16      12      21

 

1 

Based on average shares outstanding.

 

2 

Total return is calculated assuming an initial investment made at the net asset value at the beginning of the period, reinvestment of all dividends and distributions at net asset value during the period and redemption on the last day of the period. Total return calculated for a period of less than one year is not annualized. The total return would have been lower if certain expenses had not been reimbursed/waived by the investment adviser.

 

3 

The ratios to average net assets do not include net investment income (loss) or expenses of other Funds in which the Fund invests.

 

4 

Portfolio turnover rate is not annualized and excludes the value of portfolio securities received or delivered as a result of in-kind creations or redemptions of the Fund’s capital shares.

 

68   WisdomTree Trust Prospectus


Table of Contents

Financial Highlights

WisdomTree Domestic Earnings Funds

Selected data for a share of beneficial interest outstanding throughout the period is presented below:

 

WisdomTree MidCap
Earnings Fund
   For the
Year Ended
March 31, 2014
     For the
Year Ended
March 31, 2013
     For the
Year Ended
March 31, 2012
     For the
Year Ended
March 31, 2011
     For the
Year Ended
March 31, 2010
 

Net asset value, beginning of year

   $ 70.55       $ 61.00       $ 58.75       $ 47.22       $ 26.19   

Investment operations:

              

Net investment income1

     1.00         1.09         0.62         0.73         0.61   

Net realized and unrealized gain

     18.11         9.54         2.20         11.50         20.92   

Total from investment operations

     19.11         10.63         2.82         12.23         21.53   

Dividends to shareholders:

              

Net investment income

     (0.92      (1.08      (0.57      (0.70      (0.50

Net asset value, end of year

   $ 88.74       $ 70.55       $ 61.00       $ 58.75       $ 47.22   

TOTAL RETURN2

     27.26      17.75      4.92      26.15      82.49

RATIOS/SUPPLEMENTAL DATA:

              

Net assets, end of year (000’s omitted)

   $ 514,682       $ 211,643       $ 158,596       $ 105,745       $ 54,306   

Ratios to average net assets3 of:

              

Expenses, net of expense waivers

     0.38      0.38      0.38      0.38      0.38

Expenses, prior to expense waivers

     0.38      0.38      0.38      0.38      0.38

Net investment income

     1.24      1.80      1.11      1.45      1.54

Portfolio turnover rate4

     41      39      38      18      19
              
WisdomTree SmallCap
Earnings Fund
   For the
Year Ended
March 31, 2014
     For the
Year Ended
March 31, 2013
     For the
Year Ended
March 31, 2012
     For the
Year Ended
March 31, 2011
     For the
Year Ended
March 31, 2010
 

Net asset value, beginning of year

   $ 63.40       $ 56.59       $ 54.97       $ 44.33       $ 23.25   

Investment operations:

              

Net investment income1

     0.73         1.03         0.74         0.65         0.37   

Net realized and unrealized gain

     17.95         6.86         1.59         10.60         20.96   

Total from investment operations

     18.68         7.89         2.33         11.25         21.33   

Dividends to shareholders:

              

Net investment income

     (0.68      (1.08      (0.71      (0.61      (0.25

Net asset value, end of year

   $ 81.40       $ 63.40       $ 56.59       $ 54.97       $ 44.33   

TOTAL RETURN2

     29.55      14.20      4.39      25.57      91.88

RATIOS/SUPPLEMENTAL DATA:

              

Net assets, end of year (000’s omitted)

   $ 439,571       $ 180,687       $ 147,127       $ 134,672       $ 95,306   

Ratios to average net assets3 of:

              

Expenses, net of expense waivers

     0.38      0.38      0.38      0.38      0.38

Expenses, prior to expense waivers

     0.38      0.38      0.38      0.38      0.38

Net investment income

     0.98      1.83      1.43      1.37      0.97

Portfolio turnover rate4

     61      50      41      19      16

 

1 

Based on average shares outstanding.

 

2 

Total return is calculated assuming an initial investment made at the net asset value at the beginning of the period, reinvestment of all dividends and distributions at net asset value during the period and redemption on the last day of the period. Total return calculated for a period of less than one year is not annualized. The total return would have been lower if certain expenses had not been waived by the investment adviser.

 

3 

The ratios to average net assets do not include net investment income (loss) or expenses of other Funds in which the Fund invests.

 

4 

Portfolio turnover rate is not annualized and excludes the value of portfolio securities received or delivered as a result of in-kind creations or redemptions of the Fund’s capital shares.

 

WisdomTree Trust Prospectus      69   


Table of Contents

Financial Highlights

WisdomTree Domestic Earnings Funds

Selected data for a share of beneficial interest outstanding throughout the period is presented below:

 

WisdomTree LargeCap
Value Fund
   For the
Year Ended
March 31, 2014
     For the
Year Ended
March 31, 2013
     For the
Year Ended
March 31, 2012
     For the
Year Ended
March 31, 2011
     For the
Year Ended
March 31, 2010*
 

Net asset value, beginning of year

   $ 48.86       $ 44.31       $ 43.02       $ 37.01       $ 24.24   

Investment operations:

              

Net investment income1

     0.61         1.02         0.75         0.49         0.65   

Net realized and unrealized gain

     9.70         4.56         1.26         6.04         12.75   

Total from investment operations

     10.31         5.58         2.01         6.53         13.40   

Dividends to shareholders:

              

Net investment income

     (0.60      (1.03      (0.72      (0.52      (0.63

Net asset value, end of year

   $ 58.57       $ 48.86       $ 44.31       $ 43.02       $ 37.01   

TOTAL RETURN2

     21.20      12.81      4.83      17.86      55.57

RATIOS/SUPPLEMENTAL DATA:

              

Net assets, end of year (000’s omitted)

   $ 26,357       $ 24,428       $ 31,015       $ 25,812       $ 35,164   

Ratios to average net assets3 of:

              

Expenses, net of expense waivers

     0.38      0.38      0.38      0.38      0.38

Expenses, prior to expense waivers

     0.38      0.38      0.38      0.38      0.38

Net investment income

     1.14      2.26      1.84      1.33      2.01

Portfolio turnover rate4

     67      65      62      6      71

 

* This information reflects the investment objective and strategy of WisdomTree Low P/E Fund through June 19, 2009 and the investment objective and strategy of the WisdomTree LargeCap Value Fund thereafter.

 

1 

Based on average shares outstanding.

 

2 

Total return is calculated assuming an initial investment made at the net asset value at the beginning of the period, reinvestment of all dividends and distributions at net asset value during the period and redemption on the last day of the period. Total return calculated for a period of less than one year is not annualized. The total return would have been lower if certain expenses had not been reimbursed/waived by the investment adviser.

 

3 

The ratios to average net assets do not include net investment income (loss) or expenses of other Funds in which the Fund invests.

 

4 

Portfolio turnover rate is not annualized and excludes the value of portfolio securities received or delivered as a result of in-kind creations or redemptions of the Fund’s capital shares.

 

70   WisdomTree Trust Prospectus


Table of Contents

WisdomTree Trust

245 Park Avenue, 35th Floor

New York, NY 10167

 

LOGO

 

LOGO

 

The Trust’s current SAI provides additional detailed information about the Funds. The Trust has electronically filed the SAI with the SEC. It is incorporated by reference in this Prospectus.

Additional information about the Funds’ investments is or will be available in the Funds’ annual and semi-annual reports to shareholders. In the annual report you will find a discussion of the market conditions and investment strategies that significantly affected the Funds’ performance during the last fiscal year.

To make shareholder inquiries, for more detailed information on the Funds, or to request the SAI or annual or semi-annual shareholder reports, as applicable, free of charge, please:

 

Call:  

1-866-909-9473

Monday through Friday

8:00 a.m. – 8:00 p.m. (Eastern time)

   Write:  

WisdomTree Trust

c/o ALPS Distributors, Inc.

1290 Broadway, Suite 1100

Denver, Colorado 80203

      
Visit:   www.wisdomtree.com     

Information about the Funds (including the SAI) can be reviewed and copied at the SEC’s Public Reference Room in Washington, D.C., and information on the operation of the Public Reference Room may be obtained by calling the SEC at 1-202-551-8090. Reports and other information about the Funds are available on the EDGAR Database on the SEC’s Internet site at www.sec.gov, and copies of this information may be obtained, after paying a duplicating fee, by electronic request at the following e-mail address: publicinfo@sec.gov, or by writing the SEC’s Public Reference Section, Washington, D.C. 20549-1520.

No person is authorized to give any information or to make any representations about any Fund and its shares not contained in this Prospectus and you should not rely on any other information. Read and keep this Prospectus for future reference.

©2014 WisdomTree Trust

WisdomTree Funds are distributed by

ALPS Distributors, Inc.

1290 Broadway, Suite 1100

Denver, Colorado 80203

WisdomTree® is a registered mark of WisdomTree Investments, Inc.

INVESTMENT COMPANY ACT FILE NO. 811-21864

WIS-PR-003-0814


Table of Contents

PROSPECTUS

August 1, 2014

 

International Equity ETFs

 

LOGO

 

WisdomTree Trust

 

WisdomTree
International Equity ETFs*
  
Developed World ex-U.S.    Japan Hedged Capital Goods Fund (DXJC)
DEFA Fund (DWM)    Japan Hedged Health Care Fund (DXJH)
DEFA Equity Income Fund (DTH)    Japan Hedged Tech, Media and Telecom Fund (DXJT)
International LargeCap Dividend Fund (DOL)    International Hedged Dividend Growth Fund (IHDG)
International MidCap Dividend Fund (DIM)    Global/Global ex-U.S.
International SmallCap Dividend Fund (DLS)    Global Equity Income Fund (DEW)
International Dividend ex-Financials Fund (DOO)    Global ex-U.S. Dividend Growth Fund (DNL)
Europe Dividend Growth Fund (EUDG)    Asia Pacific ex-Japan Fund (AXJL)
Europe SmallCap Dividend Fund (DFE)    Commodity Country Equity Fund (CCXE)
Australia Dividend Fund (AUSE)    Global Natural Resources Fund (GNAT)
Japan SmallCap Dividend Fund (DFJ)    Global ex-U.S. Utilities Fund (DBU)
Currency Hedged Equity    Global ex-U.S. Real Estate Fund (DRW)
Japan Hedged Equity Fund (DXJ)    Emerging/Frontier Markets
Japan Hedged SmallCap Equity Fund (DXJS)    China Dividend ex-Financials Fund (CHXF)
Europe Hedged Equity Fund (HEDJ)    Emerging Markets Dividend Growth Fund (DGRE)
United Kingdom Hedged Equity Fund (DXPS)    Emerging Markets Equity Income Fund (DEM)
Germany Hedged Equity Fund (DXGE)    Emerging Markets SmallCap Dividend Fund (DGS)
Korea Hedged Equity Fund (DXKW)    Emerging Markets Consumer Growth Fund (EMCG)
Japan Hedged Financials Fund (DXJF)    Middle East Dividend Fund (GULF)
Japan Hedged Real Estate Fund (DXJR)    India Earnings Fund (EPI)

 

* Principal U.S. Listing Exchange: NYSE Arca, Inc. (except GULF, DXPS, DXJS, DXGE, DXKW, EMCG, CHXF and DGRE are listed on NASDAQ).

THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION (“SEC”) HAS NOT APPROVED OR DISAPPROVED THESE SECURITIES OR PASSED UPON THE ADEQUACY OF THIS PROSPECTUS. ANY REPRESENTATION TO THE CONTRARY IS A CRIMINAL OFFENSE.


Table of Contents

WisdomTree Trust

 

Table of Contents

 

WisdomTree International Equity ETFs   
Fund Summary   

DEFA Fund

     2   

DEFA Equity Income Fund

     6   

International LargeCap Dividend Fund

     10   

International MidCap Dividend Fund

     14   

International SmallCap Dividend Fund

     18   

International Dividend ex-Financials Fund

     22   

Europe Dividend Growth Fund

     26   

Europe SmallCap Dividend Fund

     30   

Australia Dividend Fund

     34   

Japan SmallCap Dividend Fund

     38   

Japan Hedged Equity Fund

     42   

Japan Hedged SmallCap Equity Fund

     47   

Europe Hedged Equity Fund

     51   

United Kingdom Hedged Equity Fund

     56   

Germany Hedged Equity Fund

     60   

Korea Hedged Equity Fund

     64   

Japan Hedged Financials Fund

     69   

Japan Hedged Real Estate Fund

     73   

Japan Hedged Capital Goods Fund

     78   

Japan Hedged Health Care Fund

     82   

Japan Hedged Tech, Media and Telecom Fund

     86   

International Hedged Dividend Growth Fund

     90   

Global Equity Income Fund

     94   

Global ex-U.S. Dividend Growth Fund

     99   

Asia Pacific ex-Japan Fund

     104   

Commodity Country Equity Fund

     109   

Global Natural Resources Fund

     114   

Global ex-U.S. Utilities Fund

     119   

Global ex-U.S. Real Estate Fund

     124   

China Dividend ex-Financials Fund

     129   

Emerging Markets Dividend Growth Fund

     134   

Emerging Markets Equity Income Fund

     138   

Emerging Markets SmallCap Dividend Fund

     143   

Emerging Markets Consumer Growth Fund

     148   

Middle East Dividend Fund

     153   

India Earnings Fund

     158   
Additional Information About the Funds      163   

More Information About Benchmarks

     163   

Additional Information About the Funds’ Investment Objectives

     164   

Additional Information About the Funds’ Investment Strategies

     164   

Other Investment Information

     165   
Additional Principal Risk Information About the Funds      165   
Additional Non-Principal Risk Information      173   
Portfolio Holdings Information      173   
Management      174   

Investment Adviser

     174   

Sub-Adviser

     175   

Portfolio Managers

     176   
Additional Information on Buying and Selling Shares      176   

Share Trading Prices

     176   

Determination of Net Asset Value

     177   

Dividends and Distributions

     177   

Book Entry

     177   

Delivery of Shareholder Documents – Householding

     177   

Frequent Purchases and Redemptions of Fund Shares

     177   

Investments by Registered Investment Companies

     178   
Additional Tax Information      178   

Taxes on Distributions

     178   

Taxes When Fund Shares are Sold

     179   

Taxes on Creation and Redemption of Creation Units

     179   

Taxes on the WisdomTree India Earnings Fund

     179   
Distribution      180   
Premium/Discount and NAV Information      180   
Additional Notices      180   
Financial Highlights      181   
 

 

INVESTMENT PRODUCTS: n ARE NOT FDIC INSURED n MAY LOSE VALUE n ARE NOT BANK GUARANTEED

 

 

WisdomTree Trust Prospectus      1   


Table of Contents

WisdomTree DEFA Fund

 

Investment Objective

The WisdomTree DEFA Fund (the “Fund”) seeks to track the price and yield performance, before fees and expenses, of the WisdomTree Dividend Index of Europe, Far East Asia and Australasia (the “Index” or “WisdomTree DEFA Index”).

Fees and Expenses of the Fund

The following table describes the fees and expenses you may pay if you buy and hold shares of the Fund. The fees are expressed as a percentage of the Fund’s average net assets.

 

Shareholder Fees (fees paid directly from your investment)     None   

Annual Fund Operating Expenses (expenses that you pay each year as a percentage of the value of your investment)

       

Management Fees

    0.48

Distribution and/or Service (12b-1) Fees

    None   

Other Expenses

    0.00
Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses     0.48

Example

The following example is intended to help retail investors compare the cost of investing in the Fund with the cost of investing in other funds. It illustrates the hypothetical expenses that such investors would incur over various periods if they were to invest $10,000 in the Fund for the time periods indicated and then redeem all of the shares at the end of those periods. This example assumes that the Fund provides a return of 5% a year and that operating expenses remain the same. This example does not include the brokerage commissions that retail investors may pay to buy and sell shares of the Fund. Although your actual costs may be higher or lower, based on these assumptions, your costs would be:

 

     1 Year     3 Years     5 Years     10 Years  
      $49        $154        $269        $604   

Portfolio Turnover

The Fund pays transaction costs, such as commissions, when it buys and sells securities (or “turns over” its portfolio). A higher portfolio turnover rate may indicate higher transaction costs and may result in higher taxes when Fund shares are held in a taxable account. These costs, which are not reflected in annual fund operating expenses or in the example, affect the Fund’s performance. During the most recent fiscal year, the Fund’s portfolio turnover rate was 21% of the average value of its portfolio, excluding the value of portfolio securities received or delivered as a result of in-kind creations or redemptions of the Fund’s capital shares.

Principal Investment Strategies of the Fund

The Fund employs a “passive management” – or indexing – investment approach designed to track the performance of the Index. The Fund generally uses a representative sampling strategy to achieve its investment objective, meaning it generally will invest in a sample of the securities in the Index whose risk, return and other characteristics resemble the risk, return and other characteristics of the Index as a whole. Under normal circumstances, at least 95% of the Fund’s total assets (exclusive of collateral held from securities lending) will be invested in the component securities of the Index and investments that have economic characteristics that are substantially identical to the economic characteristics of such component securities.

The Index is a fundamentally weighted index that is comprised of dividend-paying companies in the industrialized world, excluding Canada and the United States, that pay regular cash dividends. Eligibility requirements for the Index include: (i) incorporation in one of 15 developed European countries (Austria, Belgium, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Ireland, Italy, Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, or the United Kingdom), Israel, Japan, Australia, New Zealand, Hong Kong or Singapore; (ii) payment of at least $5 million in cash dividends on shares of common stock in the annual cycle prior to the annual Index screening date; (iii) market capitalization of at least $100 million as of the Index screening date; (iv) average daily dollar volume of at least $100,000 for three months preceding the Index screening date; (v) a calculated volume factor (the average daily dollar volume for three months preceding the Index screening date divided by the weight of the security in the Index) that is greater than $200 million; and (vi) trading of at least 250,000 shares per month for each of the six months preceding the Index screening date. Securities are weighted in the Index based on dividends paid over the prior annual cycle. Companies that pay more total dollar amount of dividends are more heavily weighted. The maximum weight of any one sector and any one country in the Index, at the time of the Index’s annual screening date, is capped at

 

2   WisdomTree Trust Prospectus


Table of Contents

25%, subject to the following volume factor. In the event that a company has a calculated volume factor that is less than $400 million as of the annual Index screening date, (i) the company’s weight in the Index will be reduced such that its weight equals its weight prior to the adjustment multiplied by a fraction of its calculated volume factor divided by $400 million, and (ii) the reduction in the company’s Index weight may cause a sector’s and/or country’s weight to rise above 25%. In response to market conditions, sector and country weights may fluctuate above 25% between annual Index screening dates.

WisdomTree Investments, Inc. (“WisdomTree Investments”), as index provider, currently uses Standard & Poor’s Global Industry Classification Standards (“S&P GICS”) to define companies within a sector. The following sectors are included in the Index: consumer discretionary, consumer staples, energy, financials, health care, industrials, information technology, materials, telecommunication services, and utilities. A sector is comprised of multiple industries. For example, the energy sector is comprised of companies in, among others, the natural gas, oil and petroleum industries. As of June 30, 2014, a significant portion of the Index is comprised of companies in the financial sector.

To the extent the Index concentrates (i.e., holds 25% or more of its total assets) in the securities of a particular industry or group of industries, the Fund will concentrate its investments to approximately the same extent as its Index.

Principal Risks of Investing in the Fund

You can lose money on your investment in the Fund. The Fund is subject to the risks described below. Some or all of these risks may adversely affect the Fund’s net asset value per share (“NAV”), trading price, yield, total return and/or ability to meet its objectives. For more information about the risks of investing in the Fund, see the sections in the Fund’s prospectus titled “Additional Principal Risk Information About the Funds” and “Additional Non-Principal Risk Information.”

 

n  

Investment Risk. As with all investments, an investment in the Fund is subject to investment risk. Investors in the Fund could lose money, including the possible loss of the entire principal amount of an investment, over short or long periods of time.

 

n  

Market Risk. The trading prices of equity securities and other instruments fluctuate in response to a variety of factors. The Fund’s NAV and market price may fluctuate significantly in response to these and other factors. As a result, an investor could lose money over short or long periods of time.

 

n  

Shares of the Fund May Trade at Prices Other Than NAV. As with all exchange-traded funds (“ETFs”), Fund shares may be bought and sold in the secondary market at market prices. The trading prices of the Fund’s shares in the secondary market generally differ from the Fund’s daily NAV and there may be times when the market price of the shares is more than the NAV (premium) or less than the NAV (discount). This risk is heightened in times of market volatility or periods of steep market declines.

 

n  

Currency Exchange Rate Risk. The Fund invests a relatively large percentage of its assets in investments denominated in non-U.S. currencies or in securities that provide exposure to such currencies. Changes in currency exchange rates and the relative value of non-U.S. currencies will affect the value of the Fund’s investment and the value of your Fund shares. Currency exchange rates can be very volatile and can change quickly and unpredictably. As a result, the value of an investment in the Fund may change quickly and without warning and you may lose money.

 

n  

Financial Sector Risk. The Fund currently invests a significant portion of its assets in companies in the financial sector, and therefore the performance of the Fund could be negatively impacted by events affecting this sector. This sector can be significantly affected by changes in interest rates, government regulation, the rate of defaults on corporate, consumer and government debt, the availability and cost of capital, and fallout from the housing and sub-prime mortgage crisis.

 

n  

Foreign Securities Risk. Investments in non-U.S. securities involve certain risks that may not be present with investments in U.S. securities. For example, investments in non-U.S. securities may be subject to risk of loss due to foreign currency fluctuations or to political or economic instability. Investments in non-U.S. securities also may be subject to withholding or other taxes and may be subject to additional trading, settlement, custodial, and operational risks. These and other factors can make investments in the Fund more volatile and potentially less liquid than other types of investments and may be heightened in connection with investments in developing or emerging markets countries.

 

n  

Geographic Investment Risk. To the extent the Fund invests a significant portion of its assets in the securities of companies of a single country or region, it is more likely to be impacted by events or conditions affecting that country or region. The Fund currently invests a significant portion of its assets in companies organized in the United Kingdom.

 

n  

Geopolitical Risk. Some countries and regions in which the Fund invests have experienced security concerns, war or threats of war and aggression, terrorism, economic uncertainty, natural and environmental disasters and/or systemic market dislocations that have led, and in the future may lead, to increased short-term market volatility and may have adverse long-term effects on the U.S. and world economies and markets generally, each of which may negatively impact the Fund’s investments.

 

WisdomTree Trust Prospectus      3   


Table of Contents
n  

Investment Style Risk. The Fund invests in the securities included in, or representative of, its Index regardless of their investment merit. The Fund does not attempt to outperform its Index or take defensive positions in declining markets. As a result, the Fund’s performance may be adversely affected by a general decline in the market segments relating to its Index.

 

n  

Issuer-Specific Risk. Issuer-specific events, including changes in the financial condition of an issuer, can have a negative impact on the value of the Fund.

 

n  

Large-Capitalization Investing. The Fund may invest a relatively large percentage of its assets in the securities of large-capitalization companies. As a result, the Fund’s performance may be adversely affected if securities of large-capitalization companies underperform securities of smaller-capitalization companies or the market as a whole. The securities of large-capitalization companies may be relatively mature compared to smaller companies and therefore subject to slower growth during times of economic expansion.

 

n  

Non-Correlation Risk. As with all index funds, the performance of the Fund and its Index may differ from each other for a variety of reasons.

 

n  

Non-Diversification Risk. Although the Fund intends to invest in a variety of securities and instruments, the Fund will be considered to be non-diversified, which means that it may invest more of its assets in the securities of a single issuer or a smaller number of issuers than if it were a diversified fund. As a result, the Fund may be more exposed to the risks associated with and developments affecting an individual issuer or a smaller number of issuers than a fund that invests more widely. This may increase the Fund’s volatility and cause the performance of a relatively smaller number of issuers to have a greater impact on the Fund’s performance.

Fund Performance

Historical Fund performance, which varies over time, can provide an indication of the risks of investing in the Fund. The bar chart that follows shows the annual total returns of the Fund for each full calendar year since the Fund commenced operations. The table that follows the bar chart shows the Fund’s average annual total returns, both before and after taxes. This table also shows how the Fund’s performance compares to the Index and that of a relevant broad-based securities index. Index returns do not reflect deductions for fees, expenses or taxes. All returns assume reinvestment of dividends and distributions. The Fund’s past performance (before and after taxes) is not necessarily an indication of how the Fund will perform in the future.

 

LOGO

The Fund’s year-to-date total return as of June 30, 2014 was 6.73%.

Best and Worst Quarter Returns (for the periods reflected in the bar chart above)

 

     Return     Quarter/Year  

Highest Return

    24.41     2Q/2009   

Lowest Return

    (19.97 )%      4Q/2008   

After-tax returns are calculated using the highest historical individual federal marginal income tax rates and do not reflect the impact of state and local taxes. Actual after-tax returns depend on your tax situation and may differ from those shown and are not relevant if you hold your Fund shares through tax-deferred arrangements, such as 401(k) plans or individual retirement accounts. In some cases the return after taxes may exceed the return before taxes due to an assumed tax benefit from any losses on a sale of Fund shares at the end of the measurement period.

 

4   WisdomTree Trust Prospectus


Table of Contents

Average Annual Total Returns for the periods ending December 31, 2013

 

WisdomTree DEFA Fund   1 Year     5 Years     Since Inception
(6/16/2006)
 

Return Before Taxes Based on NAV

    21.74     11.97     4.65

Return After Taxes on Distributions

    20.30     11.24     4.10

Return After Taxes on Distributions and Sale of Fund Shares

    12.65     9.67     3.77

MSCI EAFE Index (Reflects no deduction for fees, expenses or taxes)

    22.78     12.44     4.19

WisdomTree DEFA Index (Reflects no deduction for fees, expenses or taxes)

    21.94     12.21     5.03

Management

Investment Adviser and Sub-Adviser

WisdomTree Asset Management, Inc. serves as investment adviser to the Fund. Mellon Capital Management Corporation serves as sub-adviser to the Fund.

Portfolio Managers

Karen Q. Wong, CFA, a Managing Director, Head of Equity Portfolio Management, has been a portfolio manager of the Fund since February 2008.

Richard A. Brown, CFA, a Director, Senior Portfolio Manager, has been a portfolio manager of the Fund since February 2008.

Thomas J. Durante, CFA, a Managing Director, Senior Portfolio Manager, has been a portfolio manager of the Fund since February 2008.

Buying and Selling Fund Shares

The Fund is an ETF. This means that shares of the Fund are listed on a national securities exchange, such as NYSE Arca, and trade at market prices. Most investors will buy and sell shares of the Fund through brokers. Because Fund shares trade at market prices rather than NAV, shares may trade at a price greater than NAV (premium) or less than NAV (discount).

The Fund issues and redeems shares at NAV only in large blocks of shares (“Creation Units”), which only certain institutions or large investors (typically market makers or other broker-dealers) may purchase or redeem. Currently, Creation Units generally consist of 50,000 shares, though this may change from time to time. Creation Units are not expected to consist of less than 50,000 shares. The Fund generally issues and redeems Creation Units in exchange for a portfolio of securities closely approximating the holdings of the Fund and/or a designated amount of U.S. cash.

Tax Information

The Fund intends to make distributions that may be taxed as ordinary income, qualified dividend income, or capital gains.

Payments to Broker-Dealers and Other Financial Intermediaries

If you purchase shares of the Fund through a broker-dealer or other financial intermediary (such as a bank) (an “Intermediary”), WisdomTree Asset Management, Inc. or its affiliates may pay Intermediaries for certain activities related to the Fund, including participation in activities that are designed to make Intermediaries more knowledgeable about exchange traded products, including the Fund, or for other activities, such as marketing, educational training or other initiatives related to the sale or promotion of Fund shares. These payments may create a conflict of interest by influencing the Intermediary and your salesperson to recommend the Fund over another investment. Any such arrangements do not result in increased Fund expenses. Ask your salesperson or visit the Intermediary’s website for more information.

 

WisdomTree Trust Prospectus      5   


Table of Contents

WisdomTree DEFA Equity Income Fund

 

Investment Objective

The WisdomTree DEFA Equity Income Fund (the “Fund”) seeks to track the price and yield performance, before fees and expenses, of the WisdomTree DEFA Equity Income Index (the “Index”).

Fees and Expenses of the Fund

The following table describes the fees and expenses you may pay if you buy and hold shares of the Fund. The fees are expressed as a percentage of the Fund’s average net assets.

 

Shareholder Fees (fees paid directly from your investment)     None   

Annual Fund Operating Expenses (expenses that you pay each year as a percentage of the value of your investment)

       

Management Fees

    0.58

Distribution and/or Service (12b-1) Fees

    None   

Other Expenses

    0.00
Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses     0.58

Example

The following example is intended to help retail investors compare the cost of investing in the Fund with the cost of investing in other funds. It illustrates the hypothetical expenses that such investors would incur over various periods if they were to invest $10,000 in the Fund for the time periods indicated and then redeem all of the shares at the end of those periods. This example assumes that the Fund provides a return of 5% a year and that operating expenses remain the same. This example does not include the brokerage commissions that retail investors may pay to buy and sell shares of the Fund. Although your actual costs may be higher or lower, based on these assumptions, your costs would be:

 

     1 Year     3 Years     5 Years     10 Years  
      $59        $186        $324        $726   

Portfolio Turnover

The Fund pays transaction costs, such as commissions, when it buys and sells securities (or “turns over” its portfolio). A higher portfolio turnover rate may indicate higher transaction costs and may result in higher taxes when Fund shares are held in a taxable account. These costs, which are not reflected in annual fund operating expenses or in the example, affect the Fund’s performance. During the most recent fiscal year, the Fund’s portfolio turnover rate was 26% of the average value of its portfolio, excluding the value of portfolio securities received or delivered as a result of in-kind creations or redemptions of the Fund’s capital shares.

Principal Investment Strategies of the Fund

The Fund employs a “passive management” – or indexing – investment approach designed to track the performance of the Index. The Fund generally uses a representative sampling strategy to achieve its investment objective, meaning it generally will invest in a sample of the securities in the Index whose risk, return and other characteristics resemble the risk, return and other characteristics of the Index as a whole. Under normal circumstances, at least 95% of the Fund’s total assets (exclusive of collateral held from securities lending) will be invested in the component securities of the Index and investments that have economic characteristics that are substantially identical to the economic characteristics of such component securities.

The Index is a fundamentally weighted index that is comprised of companies with high dividend yields selected from the WisdomTree DEFA Index. The WisdomTree DEFA Index consists of companies incorporated in one of 15 developed European countries, Israel, Japan, Australia, New Zealand, Hong Kong or Singapore. At the annual WisdomTree DEFA Index screening date, companies within the WisdomTree DEFA Index that have (i) market capitalizations of at least $200 million, (ii) average daily dollar volumes of at least $200,000 for the prior three months are ranked by dividend yield, and (iii) a calculated volume factor (the average daily dollar volume for three months preceding the Index screening date divided by the weight of the security in the Index) greater than $200 million are ranked by dividend yield. Securities ranking in the highest 30% by dividend yield are selected for inclusion in the Index. If a company currently in the Index is no longer ranked in the top 30% by dividend yield at the time of the annual Index screening date but remains ranked in the top 35% by dividend yield, the company will remain in the Index. Securities are weighted in the Index based on dividends paid over the prior annual cycle. Companies that pay more total dollar amount of dividends are more heavily weighted. At the time of the Index’s annual screening date, the maximum weight of any security in the Index is capped at 5%. The maximum weight of

 

6   WisdomTree Trust Prospectus


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any one sector and any one country in the Index, at the time of the Index’s annual screening date, is capped at 25%, subject to the following volume factor. In the event that a company has a calculated volume factor that is less than $400 million as of the annual Index screening date, (i) the company’s weight in the Index will be reduced such that its weight equals its weight prior to the adjustment multiplied by a fraction of its calculated volume factor divided by $400 million, and (ii) the reduction in the company’s Index weight may cause a sector’s and/or country’s weight to rise above 25%. In response to market conditions, security, sector and country weights may fluctuate above the specified cap between annual Index screening dates.

WisdomTree Investments, Inc. (“WisdomTree Investments”), as index provider, currently uses Standard & Poor’s Global Industry Classification Standards (“S&P GICS”) to define companies within a sector. The following sectors are included in the Index: consumer discretionary, consumer staples, energy, financials, health care, industrials, information technology, materials, telecommunication services, and utilities. A sector is comprised of multiple industries. For example, the energy sector is comprised of companies in, among others, the natural gas, oil and petroleum industries. As of June 30, 2014, a significant portion of the Index is comprised of companies in the financial sector.

To the extent the Index concentrates (i.e., holds 25% or more of its total assets) in the securities of a particular industry or group of industries, the Fund will concentrate its investments to approximately the same extent as its Index.

Principal Risks of Investing in the Fund

You can lose money on your investment in the Fund. The Fund is subject to the risks described below. Some or all of these risks may adversely affect the Fund’s net asset value per share (“NAV”), trading price, yield, total return and/or ability to meet its objectives. For more information about the risks of investing in the Fund, see the sections in the Fund’s prospectus titled “Additional Principal Risk Information About the Funds” and “Additional Non-Principal Risk Information.”

 

n  

Investment Risk. As with all investments, an investment in the Fund is subject to investment risk. Investors in the Fund could lose money, including the possible loss of the entire principal amount of an investment, over short or long periods of time.

 

n  

Market Risk. The trading prices of equity securities and other instruments fluctuate in response to a variety of factors. The Fund’s NAV and market price may fluctuate significantly in response to these and other factors. As a result, an investor could lose money over short or long periods of time.

 

n  

Shares of the Fund May Trade at Prices Other Than NAV. As with all exchange-traded funds (“ETFs”), Fund shares may be bought and sold in the secondary market at market prices. The trading prices of the Fund’s shares in the secondary market generally differ from the Fund’s daily NAV and there may be times when the market price of the shares is more than the NAV (premium) or less than the NAV (discount). This risk is heightened in times of market volatility or periods of steep market declines.

 

n  

Currency Exchange Rate Risk. The Fund invests a relatively large percentage of its assets in investments denominated in non-U.S. currencies or in securities that provide exposure to such currencies. Changes in currency exchange rates and the relative value of non-U.S. currencies will affect the value of the Fund’s investment and the value of your Fund shares. Currency exchange rates can be very volatile and can change quickly and unpredictably. As a result, the value of an investment in the Fund may change quickly and without warning and you may lose money.

 

n  

Financial Sector Risk. The Fund currently invests a significant portion of its assets in companies in the financial sector, and therefore the performance of the Fund could be negatively impacted by events affecting this sector. This sector can be significantly affected by changes in interest rates, government regulation, the rate of defaults on corporate, consumer and government debt, the availability and cost of capital, and fallout from the housing and sub-prime mortgage crisis.

 

n  

Foreign Securities Risk. Investments in non-U.S. securities involve certain risks that may not be present with investments in U.S. securities. For example, investments in non-U.S. securities may be subject to risk of loss due to foreign currency fluctuations or to political or economic instability. Investments in non-U.S. securities also may be subject to withholding or other taxes and may be subject to additional trading, settlement, custodial, and operational risks. These and other factors can make investments in the Fund more volatile and potentially less liquid than other types of investments and may be heightened in connection with investments in developing or emerging markets countries.

 

n  

Geographic Investment Risk. To the extent the Fund invests a significant portion of its assets in the securities of companies of a single country or region, it is more likely to be impacted by events or conditions affecting that country or region. The Fund currently invests a significant portion of its assets in companies organized in Australia and the United Kingdom.

 

n  

Geopolitical Risk. Some countries and regions in which the Fund invests have experienced security concerns, war or threats of war and aggression, terrorism, economic uncertainty, natural and environmental disasters and/or systemic market dislocations that have led, and in the future may lead, to increased short-term market volatility and may have

 

WisdomTree Trust Prospectus      7   


Table of Contents
 

adverse long-term effects on the U.S. and world economies and markets generally, each of which may negatively impact the Fund’s investments.

 

n  

Investment Style Risk. The Fund invests in the securities included in, or representative of, its Index regardless of their investment merit. The Fund does not attempt to outperform its Index or take defensive positions in declining markets. As a result, the Fund’s performance may be adversely affected by a general decline in the market segments relating to its Index.

 

n  

Issuer-Specific Risk. Issuer-specific events, including changes in the financial condition of an issuer, can have a negative impact on the value of the Fund.

 

n  

Large-Capitalization Investing. The Fund may invest a relatively large percentage of its assets in the securities of large-capitalization companies. As a result, the Fund’s performance may be adversely affected if securities of large-capitalization companies underperform securities of smaller-capitalization companies or the market as a whole. The securities of large-capitalization companies may be relatively mature compared to smaller companies and therefore subject to slower growth during times of economic expansion.

 

n  

Non-Correlation Risk. As with all index funds, the performance of the Fund and its Index may differ from each other for a variety of reasons.

 

n  

Non-Diversification Risk. Although the Fund intends to invest in a variety of securities and instruments, the Fund will be considered to be non-diversified, which means that it may invest more of its assets in the securities of a single issuer or a smaller number of issuers than if it were a diversified fund. As a result, the Fund may be more exposed to the risks associated with and developments affecting an individual issuer or a smaller number of issuers than a fund that invests more widely. This may increase the Fund’s volatility and cause the performance of a relatively smaller number of issuers to have a greater impact on the Fund’s performance.

Fund Performance

Historical Fund performance, which varies over time, can provide an indication of the risks of investing in the Fund. The bar chart that follows shows the annual total returns of the Fund for each full calendar year since the Fund commenced operations. The table that follows the bar chart shows the Fund’s average annual total returns, both before and after taxes. This table also shows how the Fund’s performance compares to the Index and that of a relevant broad-based securities index. Index returns do not reflect deductions for fees, expenses or taxes. All returns assume reinvestment of dividends and distributions. The Fund’s past performance (before and after taxes) is not necessarily an indication of how the Fund will perform in the future.

 

LOGO

The Fund’s year-to-date total return as of June 30, 2014 was 7.96%.

Best and Worst Quarter Returns (for the periods reflected in the bar chart above)

 

     Return     Quarter/Year  

Highest Return

    24.97     2Q/2009   

Lowest Return

    (23.28 )%      4Q/2008   

After-tax returns are calculated using the highest historical individual federal marginal income tax rates and do not reflect the impact of state and local taxes. Actual after-tax returns depend on your tax situation and may differ from those shown and are not relevant if you hold your Fund shares through tax-deferred arrangements, such as 401(k) plans or individual retirement accounts. In some cases the return after taxes may exceed the return before taxes due to an assumed tax benefit from any losses on a sale of Fund shares at the end of the measurement period.

 

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Average Annual Total Returns for the periods ending December 31, 2013

 

WisdomTree DEFA Equity Income Fund   1 Year     5 Years    

Since Inception

(6/16/2006)

 

Return Before Taxes Based on NAV

    23.15     12.01     3.89

Return After Taxes on Distributions

    21.41     11.21     3.20

Return After Taxes on Distributions and Sale of Fund Shares

    13.47     9.72     3.21

MSCI EAFE Value Index (Reflects no deduction for fees, expenses or taxes)

    22.95     11.99     3.36

WisdomTree DEFA Equity Income Index (Reflects no deduction for fees, expenses or taxes)

    23.11     12.22     4.49

Management

Investment Adviser and Sub-Adviser

WisdomTree Asset Management, Inc. serves as investment adviser to the Fund. Mellon Capital Management Corporation serves as sub-adviser to the Fund.

Portfolio Managers

Karen Q. Wong, CFA, a Managing Director, Head of Equity Portfolio Management, has been a portfolio manager of the Fund since February 2008.

Richard A. Brown, CFA, a Director, Senior Portfolio Manager, has been a portfolio manager of the Fund since February 2008.

Thomas J. Durante, CFA, a Managing Director, Senior Portfolio Manager, has been a portfolio manager of the Fund since February 2008.

Buying and Selling Fund Shares

The Fund is an ETF. This means that shares of the Fund are listed on a national securities exchange, such as NYSE Arca, and trade at market prices. Most investors will buy and sell shares of the Fund through brokers. Because Fund shares trade at market prices rather than NAV, shares may trade at a price greater than NAV (premium) or less than NAV (discount).

The Fund issues and redeems shares at NAV only in large blocks of shares (“Creation Units”), which only certain institutions or large investors (typically market makers or other broker-dealers) may purchase or redeem. Currently, Creation Units generally consist of 50,000 shares, though this may change from time to time. Creation Units are not expected to consist of less than 50,000 shares. The Fund generally issues and redeems Creation Units in exchange for a portfolio of securities closely approximating the holdings of the Fund and/or a designated amount of U.S. cash.

Tax Information

The Fund intends to make distributions that may be taxed as ordinary income, qualified dividend income, or capital gains.

Payments to Broker-Dealers and Other Financial Intermediaries

If you purchase shares of the Fund through a broker-dealer or other financial intermediary (such as a bank) (an “Intermediary”), WisdomTree Asset Management, Inc. or its affiliates may pay Intermediaries for certain activities related to the Fund, including participation in activities that are designed to make Intermediaries more knowledgeable about exchange traded products, including the Fund, or for other activities, such as marketing, educational training or other initiatives related to the sale or promotion of Fund shares. These payments may create a conflict of interest by influencing the Intermediary and your salesperson to recommend the Fund over another investment. Any such arrangements do not result in increased Fund expenses. Ask your salesperson or visit the Intermediary’s website for more information.

 

WisdomTree Trust Prospectus      9   


Table of Contents

WisdomTree International LargeCap Dividend Fund

 

Investment Objective

The WisdomTree International LargeCap Dividend Fund (the “Fund”) seeks to track the price and yield performance, before fees and expenses, of the WisdomTree International LargeCap Dividend Index (the “Index”).

Fees and Expenses of the Fund

The following table describes the fees and expenses you may pay if you buy and hold shares of the Fund. The fees are expressed as a percentage of the Fund’s average net assets.

 

Shareholder Fees (fees paid directly from your investment)     None   

Annual Fund Operating Expenses (expenses that you pay each year as a percentage of the value of your investment)

       

Management Fees

    0.48

Distribution and/or Service (12b-1) Fees

    None   

Other Expenses

    0.00
Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses     0.48

Example

The following example is intended to help retail investors compare the cost of investing in the Fund with the cost of investing in other funds. It illustrates the hypothetical expenses that such investors would incur over various periods if they were to invest $10,000 in the Fund for the time periods indicated and then redeem all of the shares at the end of those periods. This example assumes that the Fund provides a return of 5% a year and that operating expenses remain the same. This example does not include the brokerage commissions that retail investors may pay to buy and sell shares of the Fund. Although your actual costs may be higher or lower, based on these assumptions, your costs would be:

 

     1 Year     3 Years     5 Years     10 Years  
      $49        $154        $269        $604   

Portfolio Turnover

The Fund pays transaction costs, such as commissions, when it buys and sells securities (or “turns over” its portfolio). A higher portfolio turnover rate may indicate higher transaction costs and may result in higher taxes when Fund shares are held in a taxable account. These costs, which are not reflected in annual fund operating expenses or in the example, affect the Fund’s performance. During the most recent fiscal year, the Fund’s portfolio turnover rate was 15% of the average value of its portfolio, excluding the value of portfolio securities received or delivered as a result of in-kind creations or redemptions of the Fund’s capital shares.

Principal Investment Strategies of the Fund

The Fund employs a “passive management” – or indexing – investment approach designed to track the performance of the Index. The Fund generally uses a representative sampling strategy to achieve its investment objective, meaning it generally will invest in a sample of the securities in the Index whose risk, return and other characteristics resemble the risk, return and other characteristics of the Index as a whole. Under normal circumstances, at least 95% of the Fund’s total assets (exclusive of collateral held from securities lending) will be invested in the component securities of the Index and investments that have economic characteristics that are substantially identical to the economic characteristics of such component securities.

The Index is a fundamentally weighted index that is comprised of the large-capitalization segment of the dividend-paying market in the industrialized world outside the U.S. and Canada. Constituent companies are selected from the WisdomTree DEFA Index. The Index is comprised of the 300 largest companies ranked by market capitalization from the WisdomTree DEFA Index, as of the annual Index screening date. As of June 30, 2014, the Index had a market capitalization range from $12.2 billion to $249.8 billion, with an average market capitalization of $53.11 billion. The Index consists of companies that are incorporated in one of 15 developed European countries, Israel, Japan, Australia, Hong Kong or Singapore. Companies in the Index must have a calculated volume factor (the average daily dollar volume for three months preceding the Index screening date divided by the weight of the security in the Index) that is greater than $200 million. Securities are weighted in the Index based on dividends paid over the prior annual cycle. Companies that pay more total dollar amount of dividends are more heavily weighted. The maximum weight of any one sector and any one country in the Index, at the time of the Index’s annual screening date, is capped at 25%, subject to the following volume factor. In the event that a company has a calculated volume factor that is less than $400 million as of the annual Index screening date, (i) the company’s weight in the Index will

 

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be reduced such that its weight equals its weight prior to the adjustment multiplied by a fraction of its calculated volume factor divided by $400 million, and (ii) the reduction in the company’s Index weight may cause a sector’s and/or country’s weight to rise above 25%. In response to market conditions, sector and country weights may fluctuate above 25% between annual Index screening dates.

WisdomTree Investments, Inc. (“WisdomTree Investments”), as index provider, currently uses Standard & Poor’s Global Industry Classification Standards (“S&P GICS”) to define companies within a sector. The following sectors are included in the Index: consumer discretionary, consumer staples, energy, financials, health care, industrials, information technology, materials, telecommunication services, and utilities. A sector is comprised of multiple industries. For example, the energy sector is comprised of companies in, among others, the natural gas, oil and petroleum industries. As of June 30, 2014, a significant portion of the Index is comprised of companies in the financial sector.

To the extent the Index concentrates (i.e., holds 25% or more of its total assets) in the securities of a particular industry or group of industries, the Fund will concentrate its investments to approximately the same extent as its Index.

Principal Risks of Investing in the Fund

You can lose money on your investment in the Fund. The Fund is subject to the risks described below. Some or all of these risks may adversely affect the Fund’s net asset value per share (“NAV”), trading price, yield, total return and/or ability to meet its objectives. For more information about the risks of investing in the Fund, see the sections in the Fund’s prospectus titled “Additional Principal Risk Information About the Funds” and “Additional Non-Principal Risk Information.”

 

n  

Investment Risk. As with all investments, an investment in the Fund is subject to investment risk. Investors in the Fund could lose money, including the possible loss of the entire principal amount of an investment, over short or long periods of time.

 

n  

Market Risk. The trading prices of equity securities and other instruments fluctuate in response to a variety of factors. The Fund’s NAV and market price may fluctuate significantly in response to these and other factors. As a result, an investor could lose money over short or long periods of time.

 

n  

Shares of the Fund May Trade at Prices Other Than NAV. As with all exchange-traded funds (“ETFs”), Fund shares may be bought and sold in the secondary market at market prices. The trading prices of the Fund’s shares in the secondary market generally differ from the Fund’s daily NAV and there may be times when the market price of the shares is more than the NAV (premium) or less than the NAV (discount). This risk is heightened in times of market volatility or periods of steep market declines.

 

n  

Currency Exchange Rate Risk. The Fund invests a relatively large percentage of its assets in investments denominated in non-U.S. currencies or in securities that provide exposure to such currencies. Changes in currency exchange rates and the relative value of non-U.S. currencies will affect the value of the Fund’s investment and the value of your Fund shares. Currency exchange rates can be very volatile and can change quickly and unpredictably. As a result, the value of an investment in the Fund may change quickly and without warning and you may lose money.

 

n  

Financial Sector Risk. The Fund currently invests a significant portion of its assets in companies in the financial sector, and therefore the performance of the Fund could be negatively impacted by events affecting this sector. This sector can be significantly affected by changes in interest rates, government regulation, the rate of defaults on corporate, consumer and government debt, the availability and cost of capital, and fallout from the housing and sub-prime mortgage crisis.

 

n  

Foreign Securities Risk. Investments in non-U.S. securities involve certain risks that may not be present with investments in U.S. securities. For example, investments in non-U.S. securities may be subject to risk of loss due to foreign currency fluctuations or to political or economic instability. Investments in non-U.S. securities also may be subject to withholding or other taxes and may be subject to additional trading, settlement, custodial, and operational risks. These and other factors can make investments in the Fund more volatile and potentially less liquid than other types of investments and may be heightened in connection with investments in developing or emerging markets countries.

 

n  

Geographic Investment Risk. To the extent the Fund invests a significant portion of its assets in the securities of companies of a single country or region, it is more likely to be impacted by events or conditions affecting that country or region. The Fund currently invests a significant portion of its assets in companies organized in the United Kingdom.

 

n  

Geopolitical Risk. Some countries and regions in which the Fund invests have experienced security concerns, war or threats of war and aggression, terrorism, economic uncertainty, natural and environmental disasters and/or systemic market dislocations that have led, and in the future may lead, to increased short-term market volatility and may have adverse long-term effects on the U.S. and world economies and markets generally, each of which may negatively impact the Fund’s investments.

 

WisdomTree Trust Prospectus      11   


Table of Contents
n  

Investment Style Risk. The Fund invests in the securities included in, or representative of, its Index regardless of their investment merit. The Fund does not attempt to outperform its Index or take defensive positions in declining markets. As a result, the Fund’s performance may be adversely affected by a general decline in the market segments relating to its Index.

 

n  

Issuer-Specific Risk. Issuer-specific events, including changes in the financial condition of an issuer, can have a negative impact on the value of the Fund.

 

n  

Large-Capitalization Investing. The Fund invests primarily in the securities of large-capitalization companies. As a result, the Fund’s performance may be adversely affected if securities of large-capitalization companies underperform securities of smaller-capitalization companies or the market as a whole. The securities of large-capitalization companies may be relatively mature compared to smaller companies and therefore subject to slower growth during times of economic expansion.

 

n  

Non-Correlation Risk. As with all index funds, the performance of the Fund and its Index may differ from each other for a variety of reasons.

 

n  

Non-Diversification Risk. Although the Fund intends to invest in a variety of securities and instruments, the Fund will be considered to be non-diversified, which means that it may invest more of its assets in the securities of a single issuer or a smaller number of issuers than if it were a diversified fund. As a result, the Fund may be more exposed to the risks associated with and developments affecting an individual issuer or a smaller number of issuers than a fund that invests more widely. This may increase the Fund’s volatility and cause the performance of a relatively smaller number of issuers to have a greater impact on the Fund’s performance.

Fund Performance

Historical Fund performance, which varies over time, can provide an indication of the risks of investing in the Fund. The bar chart that follows shows the annual total returns of the Fund for each full calendar year since the Fund commenced operations. The table that follows the bar chart shows the Fund’s average annual total returns, both before and after taxes. This table also shows how the Fund’s performance compares to the Index and that of a relevant broad-based securities index. Index returns do not reflect deductions for fees, expenses or taxes. All returns assume reinvestment of dividends and distributions. The Fund’s past performance (before and after taxes) is not necessarily an indication of how the Fund will perform in the future.

 

LOGO

The Fund’s year-to-date total return as of June 30, 2014 was 6.71%.

Best and Worst Quarter Returns (for the periods reflected in the bar chart above)

 

     Return     Quarter/Year  

Highest Return

    23.28     2Q/2009   

Lowest Return

    (19.83 )%      4Q/2008   

After-tax returns are calculated using the highest historical individual federal marginal income tax rates and do not reflect the impact of state and local taxes. Actual after-tax returns depend on your tax situation and may differ from those shown and are not relevant if you hold your Fund shares through tax-deferred arrangements, such as 401(k) plans or individual retirement accounts. In some cases the return after taxes may exceed the return before taxes due to an assumed tax benefit from any losses on a sale of Fund shares at the end of the measurement period.

 

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Average Annual Total Returns for the periods ending December 31, 2013

 

WisdomTree International LargeCap Dividend Fund   1 Year     5 Years     Since Inception
(6/16/2006)
 

Return Before Taxes Based on NAV

    20.74     10.95     4.26

Return After Taxes on Distributions

    19.36     10.30     3.73

Return After Taxes on Distributions and Sale of Fund Shares

    12.08     8.86     3.52

MSCI EAFE Index (Reflects no deduction for fees, expenses or taxes)

    22.78     12.44     4.19

WisdomTree International LargeCap Dividend Index (Reflects no deduction for fees, expenses or taxes)

    21.13     11.20     4.56

Management

Investment Adviser and Sub-Adviser

WisdomTree Asset Management, Inc. serves as investment adviser to the Fund. Mellon Capital Management Corporation serves as sub-adviser to the Fund.

Portfolio Managers

Karen Q. Wong, CFA, a Managing Director, Head of Equity Portfolio Management, has been a portfolio manager of the Fund since February 2008.

Richard A. Brown, CFA, a Director, Senior Portfolio Manager, has been a portfolio manager of the Fund since February 2008.

Thomas J. Durante, CFA, a Managing Director, Senior Portfolio Manager, has been a portfolio manager of the Fund since February 2008.

Buying and Selling Fund Shares

The Fund is an ETF. This means that shares of the Fund are listed on a national securities exchange, such as NYSE Arca, and trade at market prices. Most investors will buy and sell shares of the Fund through brokers. Because Fund shares trade at market prices rather than NAV, shares may trade at a price greater than NAV (premium) or less than NAV (discount).

The Fund issues and redeems shares at NAV only in large blocks of shares (“Creation Units”), which only certain institutions or large investors (typically market makers or other broker-dealers) may purchase or redeem. Currently, Creation Units generally consist of 50,000 shares, though this may change from time to time. Creation Units are not expected to consist of less than 50,000 shares. The Fund generally issues and redeems Creation Units in exchange for a portfolio of securities closely approximating the holdings of the Fund and/or a designated amount of U.S. cash.

Tax Information

The Fund intends to make distributions that may be taxed as ordinary income, qualified dividend income, or capital gains.

Payments to Broker-Dealers and Other Financial Intermediaries

If you purchase shares of the Fund through a broker-dealer or other financial intermediary (such as a bank) (an “Intermediary”), WisdomTree Asset Management, Inc. or its affiliates may pay Intermediaries for certain activities related to the Fund, including participation in activities that are designed to make Intermediaries more knowledgeable about exchange traded products, including the Fund, or for other activities, such as marketing, educational training or other initiatives related to the sale or promotion of Fund shares. These payments may create a conflict of interest by influencing the Intermediary and your salesperson to recommend the Fund over another investment. Any such arrangements do not result in increased Fund expenses. Ask your salesperson or visit the Intermediary’s website for more information.

 

WisdomTree Trust Prospectus      13   


Table of Contents

WisdomTree International MidCap Dividend Fund

 

Investment Objective

The WisdomTree International MidCap Dividend Fund (the “Fund”) seeks to track the price and yield performance, before fees and expenses, of the WisdomTree International MidCap Dividend Index (the “Index”).

Fees and Expenses of the Fund

The following table describes the fees and expenses you may pay if you buy and hold shares of the Fund. The fees are expressed as a percentage of the Fund’s average net assets.

 

Shareholder Fees (fees paid directly from your investment)     None   

Annual Fund Operating Expenses (expenses that you pay each year as a percentage of the value of your investment)

       

Management Fees

    0.58

Distribution and/or Service (12b-1) Fees

    None   

Other Expenses

    0.00
Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses     0.58

Example

The following example is intended to help retail investors compare the cost of investing in the Fund with the cost of investing in other funds. It illustrates the hypothetical expenses that such investors would incur over various periods if they were to invest $10,000 in the Fund for the time periods indicated and then redeem all of the shares at the end of those periods. This example assumes that the Fund provides a return of 5% a year and that operating expenses remain the same. This example does not include the brokerage commissions that retail investors may pay to buy and sell shares of the Fund. Although your actual costs may be higher or lower, based on these assumptions, your costs would be:

 

     1 Year     3 Years     5 Years     10 Years  
      $59        $186        $324        $726   

Portfolio Turnover

The Fund pays transaction costs, such as commissions, when it buys and sells securities (or “turns over” its portfolio). A higher portfolio turnover rate may indicate higher transaction costs and may result in higher taxes when Fund shares are held in a taxable account. These costs, which are not reflected in annual fund operating expenses or in the example, affect the Fund’s performance. During the most recent fiscal year, the Fund’s portfolio turnover rate was 22% of the average value of its portfolio, excluding the value of portfolio securities received or delivered as a result of in-kind creations or redemptions of the Fund’s capital shares.

Principal Investment Strategies of the Fund

The Fund employs a “passive management” – or indexing – investment approach designed to track the performance of the Index. The Fund generally uses a representative sampling strategy to achieve its investment objective, meaning it generally will invest in a sample of the securities in the Index whose risk, return and other characteristics resemble the risk, return and other characteristics of the Index as a whole. Under normal circumstances, at least 95% of the Fund’s total assets (exclusive of collateral held from securities lending) will be invested in the component securities of the Index and investments that have economic characteristics that are substantially identical to the economic characteristics of such component securities.

The Index is a fundamentally weighted index that is comprised of the mid-capitalization segment of the dividend-paying market in the industrialized world outside the U.S. and Canada. Constituent companies are selected from the WisdomTree DEFA Index. The Index consists of companies that are incorporated in one of 15 developed European countries, Israel, Japan, Australia, New Zealand, Hong Kong or Singapore. The Index is comprised of the companies that compose the top 75% of the market capitalization of the WisdomTree DEFA Index, as of the annual Index screening date, after the 300 largest companies have been removed. As of June 30, 2014, the Index had a market capitalization range from $539 million to $15.2 billion, with an average market capitalization of $6.53 billion. Companies in the Index must have a calculated volume factor (the average daily dollar volume for three months preceding the Index screening date divided by the weight of the security in the Index) that is greater than $200 million. Securities are weighted in the Index based on dividends paid over the prior annual cycle. Companies that pay more total dollar amount of dividends are more heavily weighted. The maximum weight of any one sector and any one country in the Index, at the time of the Index’s annual screening date, is capped at 25%, subject to the following volume factor. In the event that a company has a calculated volume factor that is less than

 

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$400 million as of the annual Index screening date, (i) the company’s weight in the Index will be reduced such that its weight equals its weight prior to the adjustment multiplied by a fraction of its calculated volume factor divided by $400 million, and (ii) the reduction in the company’s Index weight may cause a sector’s and/or country’s weight to rise above 25%. In response to market conditions, sector and country weights may fluctuate above 25% between annual Index screening dates.

WisdomTree Investments, Inc. (“WisdomTree Investments”), as index provider, currently uses Standard & Poor’s Global Industry Classification Standards (“S&P GICS”) to define companies within a sector. The following sectors are included in the Index: consumer discretionary, consumer staples, energy, financials, health care, industrials, information technology, materials, telecommunication services, and utilities. A sector is comprised of multiple industries. For example, the energy sector is comprised of companies in, among others, the natural gas, oil and petroleum industries. As of June 30, 2014, a significant portion of the Index is comprised of companies in the financial and industrial sectors.

To the extent the Index concentrates (i.e., holds 25% or more of its total assets) in the securities of a particular industry or group of industries, the Fund will concentrate its investments to approximately the same extent as its Index.

Principal Risks of Investing in the Fund

You can lose money on your investment in the Fund. The Fund is subject to the risks described below. Some or all of these risks may adversely affect the Fund’s net asset value per share (“NAV”), trading price, yield, total return and/or ability to meet its objectives. For more information about the risks of investing in the Fund, see the sections in the Fund’s prospectus titled “Additional Principal Risk Information About the Funds” and “Additional Non-Principal Risk Information.”

 

n  

Investment Risk. As with all investments, an investment in the Fund is subject to investment risk. Investors in the Fund could lose money, including the possible loss of the entire principal amount of an investment, over short or long periods of time.

 

n  

Market Risk. The trading prices of equity securities and other instruments fluctuate in response to a variety of factors. The Fund’s NAV and market price may fluctuate significantly in response to these and other factors. As a result, an investor could lose money over short or long periods of time.

 

n  

Shares of the Fund May Trade at Prices Other Than NAV. As with all exchange-traded funds (“ETFs”), Fund shares may be bought and sold in the secondary market at market prices. The trading prices of the Fund’s shares in the secondary market generally differ from the Fund’s daily NAV and there may be times when the market price of the shares is more than the NAV (premium) or less than the NAV (discount). This risk is heightened in times of market volatility or periods of steep market declines.

 

n  

Currency Exchange Rate Risk. The Fund invests a relatively large percentage of its assets in investments denominated in non-U.S. currencies or in securities that provide exposure to such currencies. Changes in currency exchange rates and the relative value of non-U.S. currencies will affect the value of the Fund’s investment and the value of your Fund shares. Currency exchange rates can be very volatile and can change quickly and unpredictably. As a result, the value of an investment in the Fund may change quickly and without warning and you may lose money.

 

n  

Financial Sector Risk. The Fund currently invests a significant portion of its assets in companies in the financial sector, and therefore the performance of the Fund could be negatively impacted by events affecting this sector. This sector can be significantly affected by changes in interest rates, government regulation, the rate of defaults on corporate, consumer and government debt, the availability and cost of capital, and fallout from the housing and sub-prime mortgage crisis.

 

n  

Foreign Securities Risk. Investments in non-U.S. securities involve certain risks that may not be present with investments in U.S. securities. For example, investments in non-U.S. securities may be subject to risk of loss due to foreign currency fluctuations or to political or economic instability. Investments in non-U.S. securities also may be subject to withholding or other taxes and may be subject to additional trading, settlement, custodial, and operational risks. These and other factors can make investments in the Fund more volatile and potentially less liquid than other types of investments and may be heightened in connection with investments in developing or emerging markets countries.

 

n  

Geographic Investment Risk. To the extent the Fund invests a significant portion of its assets in the securities of companies of a single country or region, it is more likely to be impacted by events or conditions affecting that country or region. The Fund currently invests a significant portion of its assets in companies organized in Japan and the United Kingdom.

 

n  

Geopolitical Risk. Some countries and regions in which the Fund invests have experienced security concerns, war or threats of war and aggression, terrorism, economic uncertainty, natural and environmental disasters and/or systemic market dislocations that have led, and in the future may lead, to increased short-term market volatility and may have adverse long-term effects on the U.S. and world economies and markets generally, each of which may negatively impact the Fund’s investments.

 

WisdomTree Trust Prospectus      15   


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n  

Industrial Sector Risk. The Fund currently invests a significant portion of its assets in companies in the industrial sector. The industrial sector can be significantly affected by, among other things, worldwide economy growth, supply and demand for specific products and services, rapid technological developments, and government regulation.

 

n  

Investment Style Risk. The Fund invests in the securities included in, or representative of, its Index regardless of their investment merit. The Fund does not attempt to outperform its Index or take defensive positions in declining markets. As a result, the Fund’s performance may be adversely affected by a general decline in the market segments relating to its Index.

 

n  

Issuer-Specific Risk. Issuer-specific events, including changes in the financial condition of an issuer, can have a negative impact on the value of the Fund.

 

n  

Mid-Capitalization Investing. The Fund invests primarily in securities of mid-capitalization companies. As a result, the Fund’s performance may be adversely affected if securities of mid-capitalization companies underperform securities of other capitalization ranges or the market as a whole. Securities of smaller companies are often more vulnerable to market volatility than securities of larger companies.

 

n  

Non-Correlation Risk. As with all index funds, the performance of the Fund and its Index may differ from each other for a variety of reasons.

 

n  

Non-Diversification Risk. Although the Fund intends to invest in a variety of securities and instruments, the Fund will be considered to be non-diversified, which means that it may invest more of its assets in the securities of a single issuer or a smaller number of issuers than if it were a diversified fund. As a result, the Fund may be more exposed to the risks associated with and developments affecting an individual issuer or a smaller number of issuers than a fund that invests more widely. This may increase the Fund’s volatility and cause the performance of a relatively smaller number of issuers to have a greater impact on the Fund’s performance.

Fund Performance

Historical Fund performance, which varies over time, can provide an indication of the risks of investing in the Fund. The bar chart that follows shows the annual total returns of the Fund for each full calendar year since the Fund commenced operations. The table that follows the bar chart shows the Fund’s average annual total returns, both before and after taxes. This table also shows how the Fund’s performance compares to the Index and that of a relevant broad-based securities index. Index returns do not reflect deductions for fees, expenses or taxes. All returns assume reinvestment of dividends and distributions. The Fund’s past performance (before and after taxes) is not necessarily an indication of how the Fund will perform in the future.

 

LOGO

The Fund’s year-to-date total return as of June 30, 2014 was 6.97%.

Best and Worst Quarter Returns (for the periods reflected in the bar chart above)

 

     Return     Quarter/Year  

Highest Return

    27.01     2Q/2009   

Lowest Return

    (19.35 )%      4Q/2008   

After-tax returns are calculated using the highest historical individual federal marginal income tax rates and do not reflect the impact of state and local taxes. Actual after-tax returns depend on your tax situation and may differ from those shown and are not relevant if you hold your Fund shares through tax-deferred arrangements, such as 401(k) plans or individual retirement accounts. In some cases the return after taxes may exceed the return before taxes due to an assumed tax benefit from any losses on a sale of Fund shares at the end of the measurement period.

 

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Average Annual Total Returns for the periods ending December 31, 2013

 

WisdomTree International MidCap Dividend Fund   1 Year     5 Years    

Since Inception

(6/16/2006)

 

Return Before Taxes Based on NAV

    21.98     13.94     5.76

Return After Taxes on Distributions

    20.60     13.36     5.25

Return After Taxes on Distributions and Sale of Fund Shares

    12.75     11.34     4.71

MSCI EAFE Mid Cap Index (Reflects no deduction for fees, expenses or taxes)

    24.37     14.04     4.27

WisdomTree International MidCap Dividend Index (Reflects no deduction for fees, expenses or taxes)

    23.06     14.27     5.87

Management

Investment Adviser and Sub-Adviser

WisdomTree Asset Management, Inc. serves as investment adviser to the Fund. Mellon Capital Management Corporation serves as sub-adviser to the Fund.

Portfolio Managers

Karen Q. Wong, CFA, a Managing Director, Head of Equity Portfolio Management, has been a portfolio manager of the Fund since February 2008.

Richard A. Brown, CFA, a Director, Senior Portfolio Manager, has been a portfolio manager of the Fund since February 2008.

Thomas J. Durante, CFA, a Managing Director, Senior Portfolio Manager, has been a portfolio manager of the Fund since February 2008.

Buying and Selling Fund Shares

The Fund is an ETF. This means that shares of the Fund are listed on a national securities exchange, such as NYSE Arca, and trade at market prices. Most investors will buy and sell shares of the Fund through brokers. Because Fund shares trade at market prices rather than NAV, shares may trade at a price greater than NAV (premium) or less than NAV (discount).

The Fund issues and redeems shares at NAV only in large blocks of shares (“Creation Units”), which only certain institutions or large investors (typically market makers or other broker-dealers) may purchase or redeem. Currently, Creation Units generally consist of 50,000 shares, though this may change from time to time. Creation Units are not expected to consist of less than 50,000 shares. The Fund generally issues and redeems Creation Units in exchange for a portfolio of securities closely approximating the holdings of the Fund and/or a designated amount of U.S. cash.

Tax Information

The Fund intends to make distributions that may be taxed as ordinary income, qualified dividend income, or capital gains.

Payments to Broker-Dealers and Other Financial Intermediaries

If you purchase shares of the Fund through a broker-dealer or other financial intermediary (such as a bank) (an “Intermediary”), WisdomTree Asset Management, Inc. or its affiliates may pay Intermediaries for certain activities related to the Fund, including participation in activities that are designed to make Intermediaries more knowledgeable about exchange traded products, including the Fund, or for other activities, such as marketing, educational training or other initiatives related to the sale or promotion of Fund shares. These payments may create a conflict of interest by influencing the Intermediary and your salesperson to recommend the Fund over another investment. Any such arrangements do not result in increased Fund expenses. Ask your salesperson or visit the Intermediary’s website for more information.

 

WisdomTree Trust Prospectus      17   


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WisdomTree International SmallCap Dividend Fund

 

Investment Objective

The WisdomTree International SmallCap Dividend Fund (the “Fund”) seeks to track the price and yield performance, before fees and expenses, of the WisdomTree International SmallCap Dividend Index (the “Index”).

Fees and Expenses of the Fund

The following table describes the fees and expenses you may pay if you buy and hold shares of the Fund. The fees are expressed as a percentage of the Fund’s average net assets.

 

Shareholder Fees (fees paid directly from your investment)     None   

Annual Fund Operating Expenses (expenses that you pay each year as a percentage of the value of your investment)

       

Management Fees

    0.58

Distribution and/or Service (12b-1) Fees

    None   

Other Expenses

    0.00
Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses     0.58

Example

The following example is intended to help retail investors compare the cost of investing in the Fund with the cost of investing in other funds. It illustrates the hypothetical expenses that such investors would incur over various periods if they were to invest $10,000 in the Fund for the time periods indicated and then redeem all of the shares at the end of those periods. This example assumes that the Fund provides a return of 5% a year and that operating expenses remain the same. This example does not include the brokerage commissions that retail investors may pay to buy and sell shares of the Fund. Although your actual costs may be higher or lower, based on these assumptions, your costs would be:

 

     1 Year     3 Years     5 Years     10 Years  
      $59        $186        $324        $726   

Portfolio Turnover

The Fund pays transaction costs, such as commissions, when it buys and sells securities (or “turns over” its portfolio). A higher portfolio turnover rate may indicate higher transaction costs and may result in higher taxes when Fund shares are held in a taxable account. These costs, which are not reflected in annual fund operating expenses or in the example, affect the Fund’s performance. During the most recent fiscal year, the Fund’s portfolio turnover rate was 42% of the average value of its portfolio, excluding the value of portfolio securities received or delivered as a result of in-kind creations or redemptions of the Fund’s capital shares.

Principal Investment Strategies of the Fund

The Fund employs a “passive management” – or indexing – investment approach designed to track the performance of the Index. The Fund generally uses a representative sampling strategy to achieve its investment objective, meaning it generally will invest in a sample of the securities in the Index whose risk, return and other characteristics resemble the risk, return and other characteristics of the Index as a whole. Under normal circumstances, at least 95% of the Fund’s total assets (exclusive of collateral held from securities lending) will be invested in the component securities of the Index and investments that have economic characteristics that are substantially identical to the economic characteristics of such component securities.

The Index is a fundamentally weighted index that is comprised of the small-capitalization segment of the dividend-paying market in the industrialized world outside the U.S. and Canada. Constituent companies are selected from the WisdomTree DEFA Index. The Index consists of companies that are incorporated in one of 15 developed European countries, Israel, Japan, Australia, New Zealand, Hong Kong or Singapore. The Index is comprised of the companies that compose the bottom 25% of the market capitalization of the WisdomTree DEFA Index, as of the annual Index screening date, after the 300 largest companies have been removed. As of June 30, 2014, the Index had a market capitalization range from $115 million to $2.6 billion, with an average market capitalization of $1.25 billion. Companies in the Index must have a calculated volume factor (the average daily dollar volume for three months preceding the Index screening date divided by the weight of the security in the Index) that is greater than $200 million. Securities are weighted in the Index based on dividends paid over the prior annual cycle. Companies that pay more total dollar amount of dividends are more heavily weighted. The maximum weight of any one sector and any one country in the Index, at the time of the Index’s annual screening date, is capped at 25%, subject to the following volume factor. In the event that a company has a calculated volume factor that is less than $400

 

18   WisdomTree Trust Prospectus


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million as of the annual Index screening date, (i) the company’s weight in the Index will be reduced such that its weight equals its weight prior to the adjustment multiplied by a fraction of its calculated volume factor divided by $400 million, and (ii) the reduction in the company’s Index weight may cause a sector’s and/or country’s weight to rise above 25%. In response to market conditions, sector and country weights may fluctuate above 25% between annual Index screening dates.

WisdomTree Investments, Inc. (“WisdomTree Investments”), as index provider, currently uses Standard & Poor’s Global Industry Classification Standards (“S&P GICS”) to define companies within a sector. The following sectors are included in the Index: consumer discretionary, consumer staples, energy, financials, health care, industrials, information technology, materials, telecommunication services, and utilities. A sector is comprised of multiple industries. For example, the energy sector is comprised of companies in, among others, the natural gas, oil and petroleum industries. As of June 30, 2014, a significant portion of the Index is comprised of companies in the consumer discretionary, financial and industrial sectors.

To the extent the Index concentrates (i.e., holds 25% or more of its total assets) in the securities of a particular industry or group of industries, the Fund will concentrate its investments to approximately the same extent as its Index.

Principal Risks of Investing in the Fund

You can lose money on your investment in the Fund. The Fund is subject to the risks described below. Some or all of these risks may adversely affect the Fund’s net asset value per share (“NAV”), trading price, yield, total return and/or ability to meet its objectives. For more information about the risks of investing in the Fund, see the sections in the Fund’s prospectus titled “Additional Principal Risk Information About the Funds” and “Additional Non-Principal Risk Information.”

 

n  

Investment Risk. As with all investments, an investment in the Fund is subject to investment risk. Investors in the Fund could lose money, including the possible loss of the entire principal amount of an investment, over short or long periods of time.

 

n  

Market Risk. The trading prices of equity securities and other instruments fluctuate in response to a variety of factors. The Fund’s NAV and market price may fluctuate significantly in response to these and other factors. As a result, an investor could lose money over short or long periods of time.

 

n  

Shares of the Fund May Trade at Prices Other Than NAV. As with all exchange-traded funds (“ETFs”), Fund shares may be bought and sold in the secondary market at market prices. The trading prices of the Fund’s shares in the secondary market generally differ from the Fund’s daily NAV and there may be times when the market price of the shares is more than the NAV (premium) or less than the NAV (discount). This risk is heightened in times of market volatility or periods of steep market declines.

 

n  

Consumer Discretionary Sector Risk. The Fund currently invests a significant portion of its assets in companies in the consumer discretionary sector. This sector consists of, for example, automobile, retail and media companies. The consumer discretionary sector of the economy can be significantly affected by, among other things, economic growth, worldwide demand and consumers’ disposable income levels and propensity to spend.

 

n  

Currency Exchange Rate Risk. The Fund invests a relatively large percentage of its assets in investments denominated in non-U.S. currencies or in securities that provide exposure to such currencies. Changes in currency exchange rates and the relative value of non-U.S. currencies will affect the value of the Fund’s investment and the value of your Fund shares. Currency exchange rates can be very volatile and can change quickly and unpredictably. As a result, the value of an investment in the Fund may change quickly and without warning and you may lose money.

 

n  

Financial Sector Risk. The Fund currently invests a significant portion of its assets in companies in the financial sector, and therefore the performance of the Fund could be negatively impacted by events affecting this sector. This sector can be significantly affected by changes in interest rates, government regulation, the rate of defaults on corporate, consumer and government debt, the availability and cost of capital, and fallout from the housing and sub-prime mortgage crisis.

 

n  

Foreign Securities Risk. Investments in non-U.S. securities involve certain risks that may not be present with investments in U.S. securities. For example, investments in non-U.S. securities may be subject to risk of loss due to foreign currency fluctuations or to political or economic instability. Investments in non-U.S. securities also may be subject to withholding or other taxes and may be subject to additional trading, settlement, custodial, and operational risks. These and other factors can make investments in the Fund more volatile and potentially less liquid than other types of investments and may be heightened in connection with investments in developing or emerging markets countries.

 

n  

Geographic Investment Risk. To the extent the Fund invests a significant portion of its assets in the securities of companies of a single country or region, it is more likely to be impacted by events or conditions affecting that country or region. The Fund currently invests a significant portion of its assets in companies organized in Australia and Japan.

 

n  

Geopolitical Risk. Some countries and regions in which the Fund invests have experienced security concerns, war or threats of war and aggression, terrorism, economic uncertainty, natural and environmental disasters and/or systemic

 

WisdomTree Trust Prospectus      19   


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market dislocations that have led, and in the future may lead, to increased short-term market volatility and may have adverse long-term effects on the U.S. and world economies and markets generally, each of which may negatively impact the Fund’s investments.

 

n  

Industrial Sector Risk. The Fund currently invests a significant portion of its assets in companies in the industrial sector. The industrial sector can be significantly affected by, among other things, worldwide economy growth, supply and demand for specific products and services, rapid technological developments, and government regulation.

 

n  

Investment Style Risk. The Fund invests in the securities included in, or representative of, its Index regardless of their investment merit. The Fund does not attempt to outperform its Index or take defensive positions in declining markets. As a result, the Fund’s performance may be adversely affected by a general decline in the market segments relating to its Index.

 

n  

Issuer-Specific Risk. Issuer-specific events, including changes in the financial condition of an issuer, can have a negative impact on the value of the Fund.

 

n  

Non-Correlation Risk. As with all index funds, the performance of the Fund and its Index may differ from each other for a variety of reasons.

 

n  

Non-Diversification Risk. Although the Fund intends to invest in a variety of securities and instruments, the Fund will be considered to be non-diversified, which means that it may invest more of its assets in the securities of a single issuer or a smaller number of issuers than if it were a diversified fund. As a result, the Fund may be more exposed to the risks associated with and developments affecting an individual issuer or a smaller number of issuers than a fund that invests more widely. This may increase the Fund’s volatility and cause the performance of a relatively smaller number of issuers to have a greater impact on the Fund’s performance.

 

n  

Small-Capitalization Investing. The Fund invests primarily in the securities of small-capitalization companies. As a result, the Fund may be more volatile than funds that invest in larger, more established companies. The securities of small-capitalization companies generally trade in lower volumes and are subject to greater and more unpredictable price changes than larger capitalization stocks or the stock market as a whole. Small-capitalization companies may be particularly sensitive to changes in interest rates, government regulation, borrowing costs and earnings.

Fund Performance

Historical Fund performance, which varies over time, can provide an indication of the risks of investing in the Fund. The bar chart that follows shows the annual total returns of the Fund for each full calendar year since the Fund commenced operations. The table that follows the bar chart shows the Fund’s average annual total returns, both before and after taxes. This table also shows how the Fund’s performance compares to the Index and that of a relevant broad-based securities index. Index returns do not reflect deductions for fees, expenses or taxes. All returns assume reinvestment of dividends and distributions. The Fund’s past performance (before and after taxes) is not necessarily an indication of how the Fund will perform in the future.

 

LOGO

The Fund’s year-to-date total return as of June 30, 2014 was 5.50%.

Best and Worst Quarter Returns (for the periods reflected in the bar chart above)

 

     Return     Quarter/Year  

Highest Return

    27.30     2Q/2009   

Lowest Return

    (22.47 )%      4Q/2008   

After-tax returns are calculated using the highest historical individual federal marginal income tax rates and do not reflect the impact of state and local taxes. Actual after-tax returns depend on your tax situation and may differ from those shown and are

 

20   WisdomTree Trust Prospectus


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not relevant if you hold your Fund shares through tax-deferred arrangements, such as 401(k) plans or individual retirement accounts. In some cases the return after taxes may exceed the return before taxes due to an assumed tax benefit from any losses on a sale of Fund shares at the end of the measurement period.

Average Annual Total Returns for the periods ending December 31, 2013

 

WisdomTree International SmallCap Dividend Fund   1 Year     5 Years    

Since Inception

(6/16/2006)

 

Return Before Taxes Based on NAV

    27.41     17.94     6.65

Return After Taxes on Distributions

    25.68     17.25     6.06

Return After Taxes on Distributions and Sale of Fund Shares

    15.98     14.66     5.33

MSCI EAFE Small Cap Index (Reflects no deduction for fees, expenses or taxes)

    29.30     18.50     5.70

WisdomTree International SmallCap Dividend Index (Reflects no deduction for fees, expenses or taxes)

    27.35     18.60     6.99

Management

Investment Adviser and Sub-Adviser

WisdomTree Asset Management, Inc. serves as investment adviser to the Fund. Mellon Capital Management Corporation serves as sub-adviser to the Fund.

Portfolio Managers

Karen Q. Wong, CFA, a Managing Director, Head of Equity Portfolio Management, has been a portfolio manager of the Fund since February 2008.

Richard A. Brown, CFA, a Director, Senior Portfolio Manager, has been a portfolio manager of the Fund since February 2008.

Thomas J. Durante, CFA, a Managing Director, Senior Portfolio Manager, has been a portfolio manager of the Fund since February 2008.

Buying and Selling Fund Shares

The Fund is an ETF. This means that shares of the Fund are listed on a national securities exchange, such as NYSE Arca, and trade at market prices. Most investors will buy and sell shares of the Fund through brokers. Because Fund shares trade at market prices rather than NAV, shares may trade at a price greater than NAV (premium) or less than NAV (discount).

The Fund issues and redeems shares at NAV only in large blocks of shares (“Creation Units”), which only certain institutions or large investors (typically market makers or other broker-dealers) may purchase or redeem. Currently, Creation Units generally consist of 50,000 shares, though this may change from time to time. Creation Units are not expected to consist of less than 50,000 shares. The Fund generally issues and redeems Creation Units in exchange for a portfolio of securities closely approximating the holdings of the Fund and/or a designated amount of U.S. cash.

Tax Information

The Fund intends to make distributions that may be taxed as ordinary income, qualified dividend income, or capital gains.

Payments to Broker-Dealers and Other Financial Intermediaries

If you purchase shares of the Fund through a broker-dealer or other financial intermediary (such as a bank) (an “Intermediary”), WisdomTree Asset Management, Inc. or its affiliates may pay Intermediaries for certain activities related to the Fund, including participation in activities that are designed to make Intermediaries more knowledgeable about exchange traded products, including the Fund, or for other activities, such as marketing, educational training or other initiatives related to the sale or promotion of Fund shares. These payments may create a conflict of interest by influencing the Intermediary and your salesperson to recommend the Fund over another investment. Any such arrangements do not result in increased Fund expenses. Ask your salesperson or visit the Intermediary’s website for more information.

 

WisdomTree Trust Prospectus      21   


Table of Contents

WisdomTree International Dividend ex-Financials Fund

 

Investment Objective

The WisdomTree International Dividend ex-Financials Fund (the “Fund”) seeks to track the price and yield performance, before fees and expenses, of the WisdomTree International Dividend ex-Financials Index (the “Index”).

Fees and Expenses of the Fund

The following table describes the fees and expenses you may pay if you buy and hold shares of the Fund. The fees are expressed as a percentage of the Fund’s average net assets.

 

Shareholder Fees (fees paid directly from your investment)     None   

Annual Fund Operating Expenses (expenses that you pay each year as a percentage of the value of your investment)

       

Management Fees

    0.58

Distribution and/or Service (12b-1) Fees

    None   

Other Expenses

    0.00
Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses     0.58

Example

The following example is intended to help retail investors compare the cost of investing in the Fund with the cost of investing in other funds. It illustrates the hypothetical expenses that such investors would incur over various periods if they were to invest $10,000 in the Fund for the time periods indicated and then redeem all of the shares at the end of those periods. This example assumes that the Fund provides a return of 5% a year and that operating expenses remain the same. This example does not include the brokerage commissions that retail investors may pay to buy and sell shares of the Fund. Although your actual costs may be higher or lower, based on these assumptions, your costs would be:

 

     1 Year     3 Years     5 Years     10 Years  
      $59        $186        $324        $726   

Portfolio Turnover

The Fund pays transaction costs, such as commissions, when it buys and sells securities (or “turns over” its portfolio). A higher portfolio turnover rate may indicate higher transaction costs and may result in higher taxes when Fund shares are held in a taxable account. These costs, which are not reflected in annual fund operating expenses or in the example, affect the Fund’s performance. During the most recent fiscal year, the Fund’s portfolio turnover rate was 36% of the average value of its portfolio, excluding the value of portfolio securities received or delivered as a result of in-kind creations or redemptions of the Fund’s capital shares.

Principal Investment Strategies of the Fund

The Fund employs a “passive management” – or indexing – investment approach designed to track the performance of the Index. The Fund generally uses a representative sampling strategy to achieve its investment objective, meaning it generally will invest in a sample of the securities in the Index whose risk, return and other characteristics resemble the risk, return and other characteristics of the Index as a whole. Under normal circumstances, at least 95% of the Fund’s total assets (exclusive of collateral held from securities lending) will be invested in the component securities of the Index and investments that have economic characteristics that are substantially identical to the economic characteristics of such component securities.

The Index is comprised of high dividend-yielding international common stocks outside the financial sector. The Index consists of companies outside the financial sector that are incorporated in one of 15 developed European countries, Israel, Japan, Australia, New Zealand, Hong Kong or Singapore. The Index is comprised of the 10 highest dividend-yielding companies in each sector except financials, selected from the 300 largest companies by market value within the WisdomTree DEFA Index as of the annual Index screening date. Companies in the Index must have a calculated volume factor (the average daily dollar volume for three months preceding the Index screening date divided by the weight of the security in the Index) that is greater than $200 million. Securities are weighted in the Index based on dividend yield. The maximum weight of any one sector and any one country in the Index, at the time of the Index’s annual screening date, is capped at 25%, subject to the following volume factor. In the event that a company has a calculated volume factor that is less than $400 million as of the annual Index screening date, (i) the company’s weight in the Index will be reduced such that its weight equals its weight prior to the adjustment multiplied by a fraction of its calculated volume factor divided by $400 million, and (ii) the

 

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reduction in the company’s Index weight may cause a sector’s and/or country’s weight to rise above 25%. In response to market conditions, sector and country weights may fluctuate above 25% between annual Index screening dates.

WisdomTree Investments, Inc. (“WisdomTree Investments”), as index provider, currently uses Standard & Poor’s Global Industry Classification Standards (“S&P GICS”) to define companies within a sector. The following sectors are included in the Index: consumer discretionary, consumer staples, energy, health care, industrials, information technology, materials, telecommunication services, and utilities. A sector is comprised of multiple industries. For example, the energy sector is comprised of companies in, among others, the natural gas, oil and petroleum industries.

To the extent the Index concentrates (i.e., holds 25% or more of its total assets) in the securities of a particular industry or group of industries, the Fund will concentrate its investments to approximately the same extent as its Index.

Principal Risks of Investing in the Fund

You can lose money on your investment in the Fund. The Fund is subject to the risks described below. Some or all of these risks may adversely affect the Fund’s net asset value per share (“NAV”), trading price, yield, total return and/or ability to meet its objectives. For more information about the risks of investing in the Fund, see the sections in the Fund’s prospectus titled “Additional Principal Risk Information About the Funds” and “Additional Non-Principal Risk Information.”

 

n  

Investment Risk. As with all investments, an investment in the Fund is subject to investment risk. Investors in the Fund could lose money, including the possible loss of the entire principal amount of an investment, over short or long periods of time.

 

n  

Market Risk. The trading prices of equity securities, and other instruments fluctuate in response to a variety of factors. The Fund’s NAV and market price may fluctuate significantly in response to these and other factors. As a result, an investor could lose money over short or long periods of time.

 

n  

Shares of the Fund May Trade at Prices Other Than NAV. As with all exchange-traded funds (“ETFs”), Fund shares may be bought and sold in the secondary market at market prices. The trading prices of the Fund’s shares in the secondary market generally differ from the Fund’s daily NAV and there may be times when the market price of the shares is more than the NAV (premium) or less than the NAV (discount). This risk is heightened in times of market volatility or periods of steep market declines.

 

n  

Currency Exchange Rate Risk. The Fund invests a relatively large percentage of its assets in investments denominated in non-U.S. currencies or in securities that provide exposure to such currencies. Changes in currency exchange rates and the relative value of non-U.S. currencies will affect the value of the Fund’s investment and the value of your Fund shares. Currency exchange rates can be very volatile and can change quickly and unpredictably. As a result, the value of an investment in the Fund may change quickly and without warning and you may lose money.

 

n  

Foreign Securities Risk. Investments in non-U.S. securities involve certain risks that may not be present with investments in U.S. securities. For example, investments in non-U.S. securities may be subject to risk of loss due to foreign currency fluctuations or to political or economic instability. Investments in non-U.S. securities also may be subject to withholding or other taxes and may be subject to additional trading, settlement, custodial, and operational risks. These and other factors can make investments in the Fund more volatile and potentially less liquid than other types of investments and may be heightened in connection with investments in developing or emerging markets countries.

 

n  

Geographic Investment Risk. To the extent the Fund invests a significant portion of its assets in the securities of companies of a single country or region, it is more likely to be impacted by events or conditions affecting that country or region. The Fund currently invests a significant portion of its assets in companies organized in the United Kingdom.

 

n  

Geopolitical Risk. Some countries and regions in which the Fund invests have experienced security concerns, war or threats of war and aggression, terrorism, economic uncertainty, natural and environmental disasters and/or systemic market dislocations that have led, and in the future may lead, to increased short-term market volatility and may have adverse long-term effects on the U.S. and world economies and markets generally, each of which may negatively impact the Fund’s investments.

 

n  

Investment Style Risk. The Fund invests in the securities included in, or representative of, its Index regardless of their investment merit. The Fund does not attempt to outperform its Index or take defensive positions in declining markets. As a result, the Fund’s performance may be adversely affected by a general decline in the market segments relating to its Index.

 

n  

Issuer-Specific Risk. Issuer-specific events, including changes in the financial condition of an issuer, can have a negative impact on the value of the Fund.

 

WisdomTree Trust Prospectus      23   


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n  

Large-Capitalization Investing. The Fund may invest a relatively large percentage of its assets in the securities of large-capitalization companies. As a result, the Fund’s performance may be adversely affected if securities of large-capitalization companies underperform securities of smaller-capitalization companies or the market as a whole. The securities of large-capitalization companies may be relatively mature compared to smaller companies and therefore subject to slower growth during times of economic expansion.

 

n  

Non-Correlation Risk. As with all index funds, the performance of the Fund and its Index may differ from each other for a variety of reasons.

 

n  

Non-Diversification Risk. Although the Fund intends to invest in a variety of securities and instruments, the Fund will be considered to be non-diversified, which means that it may invest more of its assets in the securities of a single issuer or a smaller number of issuers than if it were a diversified fund. As a result, the Fund may be more exposed to the risks associated with and developments affecting an individual issuer or a smaller number of issuers than a fund that invests more widely. This may increase the Fund’s volatility and cause the performance of a relatively smaller number of issuers to have a greater impact on the Fund’s performance.

Fund Performance

Historical Fund performance, which varies over time, can provide an indication of the risks of investing in the Fund. The bar chart that follows shows the annual total returns of the Fund for each full calendar year since the Fund commenced operations. The table that follows the bar chart shows the Fund’s average annual total returns, both before and after taxes. This table also shows how the Fund’s performance compares to the Index and that of a relevant broad-based securities index. Index returns do not reflect deductions for fees, expenses or taxes. All returns assume reinvestment of dividends and distributions. The Fund’s past performance (before and after taxes) is not necessarily an indication of how the Fund will perform in the future.

The Fund’s name and objective changed effective May 7, 2009. Fund performance prior to May 7, 2009 reflects the investment objective and style of the Fund when it was the WisdomTree International Dividend Top 100 Fund, and tracked the performance of the WisdomTree International Dividend Top 100 Index.

 

LOGO

The Fund’s year-to-date total return as of June 30, 2014 was 9.46%.

Best and Worst Quarter Returns (for the periods reflected in the bar chart above)

 

     Return     Quarter/Year  

Highest Return

    26.30     2Q/2009   

Lowest Return

    (24.86 )%      4Q/2008   

After-tax returns are calculated using the highest historical individual federal marginal income tax rates and do not reflect the impact of state and local taxes. Actual after-tax returns depend on your tax situation and may differ from those shown and are not relevant if you hold your Fund shares through tax-deferred arrangements, such as 401(k) plans or individual retirement accounts. In some cases the return after taxes may exceed the return before taxes due to an assumed tax benefit from any losses on a sale of Fund shares at the end of the measurement period.

 

24   WisdomTree Trust Prospectus


Table of Contents

Average Annual Total Returns for the periods ending December 31, 2013

 

WisdomTree International Dividend ex-Financials Fund*   1 Year     5 Years    

Since Inception

(6/16/2006)

 

Return Before Taxes Based on NAV

    19.67     12.06     4.25

Return After Taxes on Distributions

    18.74     11.59     3.68

Return After Taxes on Distributions and Sale of Fund Shares

    12.11     10.09     3.64

MSCI EAFE Value Index (Reflects no deduction for fees, expenses or taxes)

    22.95     11.99     3.36

WisdomTree International Dividend Top 100/International Dividend ex-Financials Spliced Index** (Reflects no deduction for fees, expenses or taxes)

    19.65     11.98     4.36

 

*   The Fund’s objective changed effective May 7, 2009. Prior to that date, the Fund sought to track the price and yield performance, before fees and expenses, of the WisdomTree International Dividend Top 100 Index. After May 7, 2009, the Fund’s objective seeks to track the price and yield performance, before fees and expenses, of the WisdomTree International Dividend ex-Financials Index.
**   Reflects performance of the WisdomTree International Dividend Top 100 Index through May 7, 2009 and the WisdomTree International Dividend ex-Financials Index thereafter.

Management

Investment Adviser and Sub-Adviser

WisdomTree Asset Management, Inc. serves as investment adviser to the Fund. Mellon Capital Management Corporation serves as sub-adviser to the Fund.

Portfolio Managers

Karen Q. Wong, CFA, a Managing Director, Head of Equity Portfolio Management, has been a portfolio manager of the Fund since February 2008.

Richard A. Brown, CFA, a Director, Senior Portfolio Manager, has been a portfolio manager of the Fund since February 2008.

Thomas J. Durante, CFA, a Managing Director, Senior Portfolio Manager, has been a portfolio manager of the Fund since February 2008.

Buying and Selling Fund Shares

The Fund is an ETF. This means that shares of the Fund are listed on a national securities exchange, such as NYSE Arca, and trade at market prices. Most investors will buy and sell shares of the Fund through brokers. Because Fund shares trade at market prices rather than NAV, shares may trade at a price greater than NAV (premium) or less than NAV (discount).

The Fund issues and redeems shares at NAV only in large blocks of shares (“Creation Units”), which only certain institutions or large investors (typically market makers or other broker-dealers) may purchase or redeem. Currently, Creation Units generally consist of 50,000 shares, though this may change from time to time. Creation Units are not expected to consist of less than 50,000 shares. The Fund generally issues and redeems Creation Units in exchange for a portfolio of securities closely approximating the holdings of the Fund and/or a designated amount of U.S. cash.

Tax Information

The Fund intends to make distributions that may be taxed as ordinary income, qualified dividend income, or capital gains.

Payments to Broker-Dealers and Other Financial Intermediaries

If you purchase shares of the Fund through a broker-dealer or other financial intermediary (such as a bank) (an “Intermediary”), WisdomTree Asset Management, Inc. or its affiliates may pay Intermediaries for certain activities related to the Fund, including participation in activities that are designed to make Intermediaries more knowledgeable about exchange traded products, including the Fund, or for other activities, such as marketing, educational training or other initiatives related to the sale or promotion of Fund shares. These payments may create a conflict of interest by influencing the Intermediary and your salesperson to recommend the Fund over another investment. Any such arrangements do not result in increased Fund expenses. Ask your salesperson or visit the Intermediary’s website for more information.

 

WisdomTree Trust Prospectus      25   


Table of Contents

WisdomTree Europe Dividend Growth Fund

 

Fund Summary

Investment Objective

The WisdomTree Europe Dividend Growth Fund (the “Fund”) seeks to track the price and yield performance, before fees and expenses, of the WisdomTree Europe Dividend Growth Index (the “Index”).

Fees and Expenses of the Fund

The following table describes the fees and expenses you may pay if you buy and hold shares of the Fund. The fees are expressed as a percentage of the Fund’s average net assets.

 

Shareholder Fees (fees paid directly from your investment)     None   

Annual Fund Operating Expenses (expenses that you pay each year as a percentage of the value of your investment)

       

Management Fees

    0.58

Distribution and/or Service (12b-1) Fees

    None   

Other Expenses*

    0.00
Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses     0.58
*   “Other Expenses” are based on estimated amounts for the current fiscal year.

Example

The following example is intended to help retail investors compare the cost of investing in the Fund with the cost of investing in other funds. It illustrates the hypothetical expenses that such investors would incur over various periods if they were to invest $10,000 in the Fund for the time periods indicated and then redeem all of the shares at the end of those periods. This example assumes that the Fund provides a return of 5% a year and that operating expenses remain the same. This example does not include the brokerage commissions that retail investors may pay to buy and sell shares of the Fund. Although your actual costs may be higher or lower, based on these assumptions, your costs would be:

 

     1 Year     3 Years  
      $59        $186   

Portfolio Turnover

The Fund pays transaction costs, such as commissions, when it buys and sells securities (or “turns over” its portfolio). A higher portfolio turnover rate may indicate higher transaction costs and may result in higher taxes when Fund shares are held in a taxable account. These costs, which are not reflected in annual fund operating expenses or in the example, affect the Fund’s performance. The Fund commenced operations on May 7, 2014, and therefore does not have portfolio turnover information for the most recent fiscal year.

Principal Investment Strategies of the Fund

The Fund employs a “passive management” – or indexing – investment approach designed to track the performance of the Index. The Fund generally uses a representative sampling strategy to achieve its investment objective, meaning it generally will invest in a sample of the securities in the Index whose risk, return and other characteristics resemble the risk, return and other characteristics of the Index as a whole. Under normal circumstances, at least 80% of the Fund’s total assets (exclusive of collateral held from securities lending) will be invested in the component securities of the Index and investments that have economic characteristics that are substantially identical to the economic characteristics of such component securities.

The Index consists of dividend-paying common stocks of companies with growth characteristics that are incorporated and listed on a stock exchange in one of the following countries: Austria, Belgium, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Ireland, Italy, Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland or the United Kingdom. Currently a significant portion of the index is comprised of companies organized in the United Kingdom, Switzerland and Germany, although this may change from time to time. The Index is a fundamentally weighted index that is generally comprised of the 300 companies with the best combined rank of certain growth and quality factors: specifically long-term earnings growth expectations, return on equity, and return on assets. The starting universe screening requirements for the Index include: (i) payment of at least $5 million in cash dividends on common shares in the annual cycle prior to the annual Index screening date; (ii) market capitalization of at least $1 billion as of the Index screening date; (iii) average daily dollar volume of at least $100,000 for each of the three months preceding the Index screening date; (iv) a calculated volume factor (the average daily dollar volume for

 

26   WisdomTree Trust Prospectus


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three months preceding the Index screening date divided by the weight of the security in the Index) that is greater than $200 million; and (v) trading of at least 250,000 shares per month for each of the six months preceding the Index screening date. Securities are weighted in the Index based on dividends paid over the prior annual cycle.

Companies that pay more total dollar amount of dividends are more heavily weighted. At the time of the Index’s annual screening date, the maximum weight of any security in the Index is capped at 5% and the maximum weight of any one sector or country in the Index is capped at 20% and 25%, respectively, subject to the following volume factor. In the event that a company has a calculated volume factor that is less than $400 million as of the annual Index screening date, (i) the company’s weight in the Index will be reduced such that its weight equals its weight prior to the adjustment multiplied by a fraction of its calculated volume factor divided by $400 million, and (ii) the reduction in the company’s Index weight may cause a sector’s and/or country’s weight to rise above 20% or 25%, respectively. In response to market conditions, security, sector and country weights may fluctuate above the specified cap between annual Index screening dates.

WisdomTree Investments, Inc. (“WisdomTree Investments”), as index provider, currently uses Standard & Poor’s Global Industry Classification Standards (“S&P GICS”) to define companies within a sector. The following sectors are included in the Index: consumer discretionary, consumer staples, energy, financials, health care, industrials, information technology, materials, telecommunication services, and utilities. A sector is comprised of multiple industries. For example, the energy sector is comprised of companies in, among others, the natural gas, oil and petroleum industries. As of June 30, 2014, a significant portion of the Index is comprised of companies in the consumer staples, energy and health care sectors.

To the extent the Index concentrates (i.e., holds 25% or more of its total assets) in the securities of a particular industry or group of industries, the Fund will concentrate its investments to approximately the same extent as its Index.

Principal Risks of Investing in the Fund

You can lose money on your investment in the Fund. The Fund is subject to the risks described below. Some or all of these risks may adversely affect the Fund’s net asset value per share (“NAV”), trading price, yield, total return and/or ability to meet its objectives. For more information about the risks of investing in the Fund, see the sections in the Fund’s Prospectus, titled “Additional Principal Risk Information About the Funds” and “Additional Non-Principal Risk Information.”

 

n  

Investment Risk. As with all investments, an investment in the Fund is subject to investment risk. Investors in the Fund could lose money, including the possible loss of the entire principal amount of an investment, over short or long periods of time.

 

n  

Market Risk. The trading prices of equity securities and other instruments fluctuate in response to a variety of factors. The Fund’s NAV and market price may fluctuate significantly in response to these and other factors. As a result, an investor could lose money over short or long periods of time.

 

n  

Shares of the Fund May Trade at Prices Other Than NAV. As with all exchange-traded funds (“ETFs”), Fund shares may be bought and sold in the secondary market at market prices. The trading prices of the Fund’s shares in the secondary market generally differ from the Fund’s daily NAV, and there may be times when the market price of the shares is more than the NAV (premium) or less than the NAV (discount). This risk is heightened in times of market volatility or periods of steep market declines.

 

n  

Consumer Staples Sector Risk. The Fund currently invests a significant portion of its assets in companies in the consumer staples sector. This sector can be significantly affected by, among other things, changes in price and availability of underlying commodities, rising energy prices and global and economic conditions.

 

n  

Currency Exchange Rate Risk. The Fund invests a relatively large percentage of its assets in investments denominated in non-U.S. currencies or in securities that provide exposure to such currencies. Changes in currency exchange rates and the relative value of non-U.S. currencies will affect the value of the Fund’s investment and the value of your Fund shares. Currency exchange rates can be very volatile and can change quickly and unpredictably. As a result, the value of an investment in the Fund may change quickly and without warning and you may lose money.

 

n  

Energy Sector Risk. The Fund currently invests a significant portion of its assets in companies in the energy sector. The energy sector can be significantly affected by, among other things: economic growth, worldwide demand, political instability in the Middle East, and volatile oil prices.

 

n  

Foreign Securities Risk. Investments in non-U.S. securities involve certain risks that may not be present with investments in U.S. securities. For example, investments in non-U.S. securities may be subject to risk of loss due to foreign currency fluctuations or to political or economic instability. Investments in non-U.S. securities also may be subject to withholding or other taxes and may be subject to additional trading, settlement, custodial, and operational risks. These and other factors can make investments in the Fund more volatile and potentially less liquid than other types of investments

 

WisdomTree Trust Prospectus      27   


Table of Contents
 

and may be heightened in connection with investments in developing or emerging market countries and may be heightened in connection with investments in developing or emerging markets countries.

 

n  

Geographic Concentration in Europe. Because the Fund invests primarily in the securities of companies in Europe, the Fund’s performance is expected to be closely tied to social, political, and economic conditions within Europe and to be more volatile than the performance of more geographically diversified funds. Most developed countries in Western Europe are members of the European Union (EU), and many are also members of the European Monetary Union (EMU), which requires compliance with restrictions on inflation rates, deficits, and debt levels. Unemployment in certain European nations is historically high and several countries face significant debt problems. These conditions can significantly affect every country in Europe. The Fund currently invests a significant portion of its assets in companies organized in Germany, Switzerland and the United Kingdom.

 

n  

Geopolitical Risk. Some countries and regions in which the Fund invests have experienced security concerns, war or threats of war and aggression, terrorism, economic uncertainty, natural and environmental disasters and/or systemic market dislocations that have led, and in the future may lead, to increased short-term market volatility and may have adverse long-term effects on the U.S. and world economies and markets generally, each of which may negatively impact the Fund’s investments.

 

n  

Health Care Sector Risk. The Fund currently invests a significant portion of its assets in companies in the health care sector. This sector can be significantly affected by, among other things, lapsing patent protection, technological developments that make drugs obsolete, government regulation, price controls, and approvals for drugs.

 

n  

Investment Style Risk. The Fund invests in the securities included in, or representative of, its Index regardless of their investment merit. The Fund does not attempt to outperform its Index or take defensive positions in declining markets. As a result, the Fund’s performance may be adversely affected by a general decline in the market segments relating to its Index.

 

n  

Issuer-Specific Risk. Issuer-specific events, including changes in the financial condition of an issuer, can have a negative impact on the value of the Fund.

 

n  

Large-Capitalization Investing. The Fund may invest a relatively large percentage of its assets in the securities of large-capitalization companies. As a result, the Fund’s performance may be adversely affected if securities of large-capitalization companies underperform securities of smaller-capitalization companies or the market as a whole. The securities of large-capitalization companies may be relatively mature compared to smaller companies and therefore subject to slower growth during times of economic expansion.

 

n  

Non-Correlation Risk. As with all index funds, the performance of the Fund and its Index may differ from each other for a variety of reasons.

 

n  

Non-Diversification Risk. Although the Fund intends to invest in a variety of securities and instruments, the Fund will be considered to be non-diversified, which means that it may invest more of its assets in the securities of a single issuer or a smaller number of issuers than if it were a diversified fund. As a result, the Fund may be more exposed to the risks associated with and developments affecting an individual issuer or a smaller number of issuers than a fund that invests more widely. This may increase the Fund’s volatility and cause the performance of a relatively smaller number of issuers to have a greater impact on the Fund’s performance.

Fund Performance

The Fund commenced operations on May 7, 2014, and therefore does not have performance history for a full calendar year. Once the Fund has completed a full calendar year of operations, a bar chart and table will be included that will provide some indication of the risks of investing in the Fund by showing the variability of the Fund’s return based on net assets and comparing the Fund’s performance to a broad measure of market performance.

Management

Investment Adviser and Sub-Adviser

WisdomTree Asset Management, Inc. serves as investment adviser to the Fund. Mellon Capital Management Corporation serves as sub-adviser to the Fund.

Portfolio Managers

Karen Q. Wong, CFA, a Managing Director, Head of Equity Portfolio Management, has been a portfolio manager of the Fund since its inception.

Richard A. Brown, CFA, a Director, Senior Portfolio Manager, has been a portfolio manager of the Fund since its inception.

 

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Thomas J. Durante, CFA, a Managing Director, Senior Portfolio Manager, has been a portfolio manager of the Fund since its inception.

Buying and Selling Fund Shares

The Fund is an ETF. This means that shares of the Fund are listed on a national securities exchange, such as NYSE Arca, and trade at market prices. Most investors will buy and sell shares of the Fund through brokers. Because Fund shares trade at market prices rather than NAV, shares may trade at a price greater than NAV (premium) or less than NAV (discount).

The Fund issues and redeems shares at NAV only in large blocks of shares (“Creation Units”), which only certain institutions or large investors (typically market makers or other broker-dealers) may purchase or redeem. Currently, Creation Units generally consist of 50,000 shares, though this may change from time to time. Creation Units are not expected to consist of less than 50,000 shares. The Fund generally issues and redeems Creation Units in exchange for a portfolio of securities closely approximating the holdings of the Fund and/or a designated amount of U.S. cash.

Tax Information

The Fund intends to make distributions that may be taxed as ordinary income, qualified dividend income, or capital gains.

Payments to Broker-Dealers and Other Financial Intermediaries

If you purchase shares of the Fund through a broker-dealer or other financial intermediary (such as a bank) (an “Intermediary”), WisdomTree Asset Management, Inc. or its affiliates may pay Intermediaries for certain activities related to the Fund, including participation in activities that are designed to make Intermediaries more knowledgeable about exchange traded products, including the Fund, or for other activities, such as marketing, educational training or other initiatives related to the sale or promotion of Fund shares. These payments may create a conflict of interest by influencing the Intermediary and your salesperson to recommend the Fund over another investment. Any such arrangements do not result in increased Fund expenses. Ask your salesperson or visit the Intermediary’s website for more information.

 

WisdomTree Trust Prospectus      29   


Table of Contents

WisdomTree Europe SmallCap Dividend Fund

 

Investment Objective

The WisdomTree Europe SmallCap Dividend Fund (the “Fund”) seeks to track the price and yield performance, before fees and expenses, of the WisdomTree Europe SmallCap Dividend Index (the “Index”).

Fees and Expenses of the Fund

The following table describes the fees and expenses you may pay if you buy and hold shares of the Fund. The fees are expressed as a percentage of the Fund’s average net assets.

 

Shareholder Fees (fees paid directly from your investment)     None   

Annual Fund Operating Expenses (expenses that you pay each year as a percentage of the value of your investment)

       

Management Fees

    0.58

Distribution and/or Service (12b-1) Fees

    None   

Other Expenses

    0.00
Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses     0.58

Example

The following example is intended to help retail investors compare the cost of investing in the Fund with the cost of investing in other funds. It illustrates the hypothetical expenses that such investors would incur over various periods if they were to invest $10,000 in the Fund for the time periods indicated and then redeem all of the shares at the end of those periods. This example assumes that the Fund provides a return of 5% a year and that operating expenses remain the same. This example does not include the brokerage commissions that retail investors may pay to buy and sell shares of the Fund. Although your actual costs may be higher or lower, based on these assumptions, your costs would be:

 

     1 Year     3 Years     5 Years     10 Years  
      $59        $186        $324        $726   

Portfolio Turnover

The Fund pays transaction costs, such as commissions, when it buys and sells securities (or “turns over” its portfolio). A higher portfolio turnover rate may indicate higher transaction costs and may result in higher taxes when Fund shares are held in a taxable account. These costs, which are not reflected in annual fund operating expenses or in the example, affect the Fund’s performance. During the most recent fiscal year, the Fund’s portfolio turnover rate was 24% of the average value of its portfolio, excluding the value of portfolio securities received or delivered as a result of in-kind creations or redemptions of the Fund’s capital shares.

Principal Investment Strategies of the Fund

The Fund employs a “passive management” – or indexing – investment approach designed to track the performance of the Index. The Fund generally uses a representative sampling strategy to achieve its investment objective, meaning it generally will invest in a sample of the securities in the Index whose risk, return and other characteristics resemble the risk, return and other characteristics of the Index as a whole. Under normal circumstances, at least 95% of the Fund’s total assets (exclusive of collateral held from securities lending) will be invested in the component securities of the Index and investments that have economic characteristics that are substantially identical to the economic characteristics of such component securities.

The Index is a fundamentally weighted index that is comprised of the small-capitalization segment of the European dividend-paying market. Constituent companies are selected from the WisdomTree Europe Dividend Index. The Index is comprised of the companies that compose the bottom 30% (bottom 25% with respect to any new company to be added) of the market capitalization of the WisdomTree Europe Dividend Index after the 300 largest companies have been removed. As of June 30, 2014, the Index had a market capitalization range from $137 million to $2.4 billion, with an average market capitalization of $1.39 billion. Eligibility requirements for the WisdomTree Europe Dividend Index include: (i) incorporation and exchange listing in one of the following countries: Austria, Belgium, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Ireland, Italy, Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, or the United Kingdom (“Europe”); (ii) payment of at least $5 million in cash dividends on common shares in the annual cycle prior to the annual Index screening date; (iii) market capitalization of at least $100 million as of the Index screening date; (iv) average daily dollar volume of at least $100,000 for three months preceding the Index screening date; (v) a calculated volume factor (the average daily dollar volume for three months preceding the Index screening date divided by the weight of the security in the Index) that is greater than $200 million; and (vi) trading of at least 250,000 shares

 

30   WisdomTree Trust Prospectus


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per month for each of the six months preceding the Index screening date. Securities are weighted in the Index based on dividends paid over the prior annual cycle. Companies that pay more total dollar amount of dividends are more heavily weighted. The maximum weight of any one sector and any one country in the Index, at the time of the Index’s annual screening date, is capped at 25%, subject to the following volume factor. In the event that a company has a calculated volume factor that is less than $400 million as of the annual Index screening date, (i) the company’s weight in the Index will be reduced such that its weight equals its weight prior to the adjustment multiplied by a fraction of its calculated volume factor divided by $400 million, and (ii) the reduction in the company’s Index weight may cause a sector’s and/or country’s weight to rise above 25%. In response to market conditions, sector and country weights may fluctuate above 25% between annual Index screening dates.

WisdomTree Investments, Inc. (“WisdomTree Investments”), as index provider, currently uses Standard & Poor’s Global Industry Classification Standards (“S&P GICS”) to define companies within a sector. The following sectors are included in the Index: consumer discretionary, consumer staples, energy, financials, health care, industrials, information technology, materials, telecommunication services, and utilities. A sector is comprised of multiple industries. For example, the energy sector is comprised of companies in, among others, the natural gas, oil and petroleum industries. As of June 30, 2014, a significant portion of the Index is comprised of companies in the financial and industrial sectors.

To the extent the Index concentrates (i.e., holds 25% or more of its total assets) in the securities of a particular industry or group of industries, the Fund will concentrate its investments to approximately the same extent as its Index.

Principal Risks of Investing in the Fund

You can lose money on your investment in the Fund. The Fund is subject to the risks described below. Some or all of these risks may adversely affect the Fund’s net asset value per share (“NAV”), trading price, yield, total return and/or ability to meet its objectives. For more information about the risks of investing in the Fund, see the sections in the Fund’s prospectus titled “Additional Principal Risk Information About the Funds” and “Additional Non-Principal Risk Information.”

 

n  

Investment Risk. As with all investments, an investment in the Fund is subject to investment risk. Investors in the Fund could lose money, including the possible loss of the entire principal amount of an investment, over short or long periods of time.

 

n  

Market Risk. The trading prices of equity securities and other instruments fluctuate in response to a variety of factors. The Fund’s NAV and market price may fluctuate significantly in response to these and other factors. As a result, an investor could lose money over short or long periods of time.

 

n  

Shares of the Fund May Trade at Prices Other Than NAV. As with all exchange-traded funds (“ETFs”), Fund shares may be bought and sold in the secondary market at market prices. The trading prices of the Fund’s shares in the secondary market generally differ from the Fund’s daily NAV and there may be times when the market price of the shares is more than the NAV (premium) or less than the NAV (discount). This risk is heightened in times of market volatility or periods of steep market declines.

 

n  

Currency Exchange Rate Risk. The Fund invests a relatively large percentage of its assets in investments denominated in non-U.S. currencies or in securities that provide exposure to such currencies. Changes in currency exchange rates and the relative value of non-U.S. currencies will affect the value of the Fund’s investment and the value of your Fund shares. Currency exchange rates can be very volatile and can change quickly and unpredictably. As a result, the value of an investment in the Fund may change quickly and without warning and you may lose money.

 

n  

Financial Sector Risk. The Fund currently invests a significant portion of its assets in companies in the financial sector, and therefore the performance of the Fund could be negatively impacted by events affecting this sector. This sector can be significantly affected by changes in interest rates, government regulation, the rate of defaults on corporate, consumer and government debt, the availability and cost of capital, and fallout from the housing and sub-prime mortgage crisis.

 

n  

Foreign Securities Risk. Investments in non-U.S. securities involve certain risks that may not be present with investments in U.S. securities. For example, investments in non-U.S. securities may be subject to risk of loss due to foreign currency fluctuations or to political or economic instability. Investments in non-U.S. securities also may be subject to withholding or other taxes and may be subject to additional trading, settlement, custodial, and operational risks. These and other factors can make investments in the Fund more volatile and potentially less liquid than other types of investments and may be heightened in connection with investments in developing or emerging markets countries.

 

n  

Geographic Concentration in Europe. Because the Fund invests primarily in the securities of companies in Europe, the Fund’s performance is expected to be closely tied to social, political, and economic conditions within Europe and to be more volatile than the performance of more geographically diversified funds. Most developed countries in Western Europe are members of the European Union (EU), and many are also members of the European Monetary Union (EMU), which requires compliance with restrictions on inflation rates, deficits, and debt levels. Unemployment in certain European nations is

 

WisdomTree Trust Prospectus      31   


Table of Contents
 

historically high. In addition, the tight fiscal and monetary controls necessary to join the EMU can significantly affect every country in Europe. The Fund currently invests a significant portion of its assets in companies organized in the United Kingdom.

 

n  

Geopolitical Risk. Some countries and regions in which the Fund invests have experienced security concerns, war or threats of war and aggression, terrorism, economic uncertainty, natural and environmental disasters and/or systemic market dislocations that have led, and in the future may lead, to increased short-term market volatility and may have adverse long-term effects on the U.S. and world economies and markets generally, each of which may negatively impact the Fund’s investments.

 

n  

Industrial Sector Risk. The Fund currently invests a significant portion of its assets in companies in the industrial sector. The industrial sector can be significantly affected by, among other things, worldwide economy growth, supply and demand for specific products and services, rapid technological developments, and government regulation.

 

n  

Investment Style Risk. The Fund invests in the securities included in, or representative of, its Index regardless of their investment merit. The Fund does not attempt to outperform its Index or take defensive positions in declining markets. As a result, the Fund’s performance may be adversely affected by a general decline in the market segments relating to its Index.

 

n  

Issuer-Specific Risk. Issuer-specific events, including changes in the financial condition of an issuer, can have a negative impact on the value of the Fund.

 

n  

Non-Correlation Risk. As with all index funds, the performance of the Fund and its Index may differ from each other for a variety of reasons.

 

n  

Non-Diversification Risk. Although the Fund intends to invest in a variety of securities and instruments, the Fund will be considered to be non-diversified, which means that it may invest more of its assets in the securities of a single issuer or a smaller number of issuers than if it were a diversified fund. As a result, the Fund may be more exposed to the risks associated with and developments affecting an individual issuer or a smaller number of issuers than a fund that invests more widely. This may increase the Fund’s volatility and cause the performance of a relatively smaller number of issuers to have a greater impact on the Fund’s performance.

 

n  

Small-Capitalization Investing. The Fund invests primarily in the securities of small-capitalization companies. As a result, the Fund may be more volatile than funds that invest in larger, more established companies. The securities of small-capitalization companies generally trade in lower volumes and are subject to greater and more unpredictable price changes than larger capitalization stocks or the stock market as a whole. Small-capitalization companies may be particularly sensitive to changes in interest rates, government regulation, borrowing costs and earnings.

Fund Performance

Historical Fund performance, which varies over time, can provide an indication of the risks of investing in the Fund. The bar chart that follows shows the annual total returns of the Fund for each full calendar year since the Fund commenced operations. The table that follows the bar chart shows the Fund’s average annual total returns, both before and after taxes. This table also shows how the Fund’s performance compares to the Index and that of a relevant broad-based securities index. Index returns do not reflect deductions for fees, expenses or taxes. All returns assume reinvestment of dividends and distributions. The Fund’s past performance (before and after taxes) is not necessarily an indication of how the Fund will perform in the future.

 

LOGO

The Fund’s year-to-date total return as of June 30, 2014 was 7.29%.

Best and Worst Quarter Returns (for the periods reflected in the bar chart above)

 

     Return     Quarter/Year  

Highest Return

    31.20     2Q/2009   

Lowest Return

    (31.16 )%      4Q/2008   

 

32   WisdomTree Trust Prospectus


Table of Contents

After-tax returns are calculated using the highest historical individual federal marginal income tax rates and do not reflect the impact of state and local taxes. Actual after-tax returns depend on your tax situation and may differ from those shown and are not relevant if you hold your Fund shares through tax-deferred arrangements, such as 401(k) plans or individual retirement accounts. In some cases the return after taxes may exceed the return before taxes due to an assumed tax benefit from any losses on a sale of Fund shares at the end of the measurement period.

Average Annual Total Returns for the periods ending December 31, 2013

 

WisdomTree Europe SmallCap Dividend Fund   1 Year     5 Years    

Since Inception

(6/16/2006)

 

Return Before Taxes Based on NAV

    47.17     23.26     6.98

Return After Taxes on Distributions

    45.85     22.73     6.55

Return After Taxes on Distributions and Sale of Fund Shares

    27.02     19.37     5.88

MSCI Europe Small Cap Index (Reflects no deduction for fees, expenses or taxes)

    39.44     23.50     7.95

WisdomTree Europe SmallCap Dividend Index (Reflects no deduction for fees, expenses or taxes)

    47.40     23.99     7.28

Management

Investment Adviser and Sub-Adviser

WisdomTree Asset Management, Inc. serves as investment adviser to the Fund. Mellon Capital Management Corporation serves as sub-adviser to the Fund.

Portfolio Managers

Karen Q. Wong, CFA, a Managing Director, Head of Equity Portfolio Management, has been a portfolio manager of the Fund since February 2008.

Richard A. Brown, CFA, a Director, Senior Portfolio Manager, has been a portfolio manager of the Fund since February 2008.

Thomas J. Durante, CFA, a Managing Director, Senior Portfolio Manager, has been a portfolio manager of the Fund since February 2008.

Buying and Selling Fund Shares

The Fund is an ETF. This means that shares of the Fund are listed on a national securities exchange, such as NYSE Arca, and trade at market prices. Most investors will buy and sell shares of the Fund through brokers. Because Fund shares trade at market prices rather than NAV, shares may trade at a price greater than NAV (premium) or less than NAV (discount).

The Fund issues and redeems shares at NAV only in large blocks of shares (“Creation Units”), which only certain institutions or large investors (typically market makers or other broker-dealers) may purchase or redeem. Currently, Creation Units generally consist of 50,000 shares, though this may change from time to time. Creation Units are not expected to consist of less than 50,000 shares. The Fund generally issues and redeems Creation Units in exchange for a portfolio of securities closely approximating the holdings of the Fund and/or a designated amount of U.S. cash.

Tax Information

The Fund intends to make distributions that may be taxed as ordinary income, qualified dividend income, or capital gains.

Payments to Broker-Dealers and Other Financial Intermediaries

If you purchase shares of the Fund through a broker-dealer or other financial intermediary (such as a bank) (an “Intermediary”), WisdomTree Asset Management, Inc. or its affiliates may pay Intermediaries for certain activities related to the Fund, including participation in activities that are designed to make Intermediaries more knowledgeable about exchange traded products, including the Fund, or for other activities, such as marketing, educational training or other initiatives related to the sale or promotion of Fund shares. These payments may create a conflict of interest by influencing the Intermediary and your salesperson to recommend the Fund over another investment. Any such arrangements do not result in increased Fund expenses. Ask your salesperson or visit the Intermediary’s website for more information.

 

WisdomTree Trust Prospectus      33   


Table of Contents

WisdomTree Australia Dividend Fund

 

Investment Objective

The WisdomTree Australia Dividend Fund (the “Fund”) seeks to track the price and yield performance, before fees and expenses, of the WisdomTree Australia Dividend Index (the “Index”).

Fees and Expenses of the Fund

The following table describes the fees and expenses you may pay if you buy and hold shares of the Fund. The fees are expressed as a percentage of the Fund’s average net assets.

 

Shareholder Fees (fees paid directly from your investment)     None   

Annual Fund Operating Expenses (expenses that you pay each year as a percentage of the value of your investment)

       

Management Fees

    0.58

Distribution and/or Service (12b-1) Fees

    None   

Other Expenses

    0.00
Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses     0.58

Example

The following example is intended to help retail investors compare the cost of investing in the Fund with the cost of investing in other funds. It illustrates the hypothetical expenses that such investors would incur over various periods if they were to invest $10,000 in the Fund for the time periods indicated and then redeem all of the shares at the end of those periods. This example assumes that the Fund provides a return of 5% a year and that operating expenses remain the same. This example does not include the brokerage commission that retail investors may pay to buy and sell shares of the Fund. It also does not include the transaction fees on purchases and redemptions of Creation Units because these fees will not be imposed on retail investors. Although your actual costs may be higher or lower, based on these assumptions, your costs would be:

 

     1 Year     3 Years     5 Years     10 Years  
      $59        $186        $324        $726   

Portfolio Turnover

The Fund pays transaction costs, such as commissions, when it buys and sells securities (or “turns over” its portfolio). A higher portfolio turnover rate may indicate higher transaction costs and may result in higher taxes when Fund shares are held in a taxable account. These costs, which are not reflected in annual fund operating expenses or in the example, affect the Fund’s performance. During the most recent fiscal year, the Fund’s portfolio turnover rate was 27% of the average value of its portfolio, excluding the value of portfolio securities received or delivered as a result of in-kind creations or redemptions of the Fund’s capital shares.

Principal Investment Strategies of the Fund

The Fund employs a “passive management” – or indexing – investment approach designed to track the performance of the Index. The Fund generally uses a representative sampling strategy to achieve its investment objective, meaning it generally will invest in a sample of the securities in the Index whose risk, return and other characteristics resemble the risk, return and other characteristics of the Index as a whole. Under normal circumstances, at least 95% of the Fund’s total assets (exclusive of collateral held from securities lending) will be invested in the component securities of the Index and investments that have economic characteristics that are substantially identical to the economic characteristics of such component securities.

The Index is a fundamentally weighted index that is comprised of high-dividend yielding companies in Australia. The Index is comprised of dividend paying companies incorporated in Australia with a minimum market capitalization of $1.0 billion as of the annual Index screening date. The Index is comprised of the ten largest qualifying companies from each sector ranked by market capitalization. Other eligibility criteria include: (i) payment of at least $5 million in cash dividends in the annual cycle prior to the annual Index screening date; (ii) average daily dollar volume of at least $100,000 for three months preceding the annual Index screening date; and (iii) a calculated volume factor (the average daily dollar volume for three months preceding the Index screening date divided by the weight of the security in the Index) that is greater than $200 million. Securities are weighted in the Index based on dividends paid over the prior annual cycle. Companies that pay more total dollar amount of dividends are more heavily weighted. The maximum weight of any one sector in the Index, at the time of the Index’s annual screening date, is capped at 25%, subject to the following volume factor. In the event that a company

 

34   WisdomTree Trust Prospectus


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has a calculated volume factor that is less than $400 million as of the annual Index screening date, (i) the company’s weight in the Index will be reduced such that its weight equals its weight prior to the adjustment multiplied by a fraction of its calculated volume factor divided by $400 million, and (ii) the reduction in the company’s Index weight may cause a sector’s weight to rise above 25%. In response to market conditions, sector weights may fluctuate above 25% between annual Index screening dates.

WisdomTree Investments, Inc. (“WisdomTree Investments”), as index provider, currently uses Standard & Poor’s Global Industry Classification Standards (“S&P GICS”) to define companies within a sector. The following sectors are included in the Index: consumer discretionary, consumer staples, energy, financials, health care, industrials, information technology, materials, telecommunication services, and utilities. A sector is comprised of multiple industries. For example, the energy sector is comprised of companies in, among others, the natural gas, oil and petroleum industries. As of June 30, 2014, a significant portion of the Index is comprised of companies in the financial sector.

To the extent the Index concentrates (i.e., holds 25% or more of its total assets) in the securities of a particular industry or group of industries, the Fund will concentrate its investments to approximately the same extent as its Index.

Principal Risks of Investing in the Fund

You can lose money on your investment in the Fund. The Fund is subject to the risks described below. Some or all of these risks may adversely affect the Fund’s net asset value per share (“NAV”), trading price, yield, total return and/or ability to meet its objectives. For more information about the risks of investing in the Fund, see the section in the Fund’s prospectus titled “Additional Principal Risk Information About the Funds” and “Additional Non-Principal Risk Information.”

 

n  

Investment Risk. As with all investments, an investment in the Fund is subject to investment risk. Investors in the Fund could lose money, including the possible loss of the entire principal amount of an investment, over short or long periods of time.

 

n  

Market Risk. The trading prices of equity securities and other instruments fluctuate in response to a variety of factors. The Fund’s NAV and market price may fluctuate significantly in response to these and other factors. As a result, an investor could lose money over short or long periods of time.

 

n  

Shares of the Fund May Trade at Prices Other Than NAV. As with all exchange-traded funds (“ETFs”), Fund shares may be bought and sold in the secondary market at market prices. The trading prices of the Fund’s shares in the secondary market generally differ from the Fund’s daily NAV and there may be times when the market price of the shares is more than the NAV (premium) or less than the NAV (discount). This risk is heightened in times of market volatility or periods of steep market declines.

 

n  

Currency Exchange Rate Risk. The Fund invests a relatively large percentage of its assets in investments denominated in Australian dollars or in securities that provide exposure to Australian dollars. Changes in currency exchange rates and the relative value of the Australian dollar will affect the value of the Fund’s investment and the value of your Fund shares. Currency exchange rates can be very volatile and can change quickly and unpredictably. As a result, the value of an investment in the Fund may change quickly and without warning and you may lose money.

 

n  

Financial Sector Risk. The Fund currently invests a significant portion of its assets in companies in the financial sector, and therefore the performance of the Fund could be negatively impacted by events affecting this sector. This sector can be significantly affected by changes in interest rates, government regulation, the rate of defaults on corporate, consumer and government debt, the availability and cost of capital, and fallout from the housing and sub-prime mortgage crisis.

 

n  

Foreign Securities Risk. Investments in non-U.S. securities involve certain risks that may not be present with investments in U.S. securities. For example, investments in non-U.S. securities may be subject to risk of loss due to foreign currency fluctuations or to political or economic instability. Investments in non-U.S. securities also may be subject to withholding or other taxes and may be subject to additional trading, settlement, custodial, and operational risks. These and other factors can make investments in the Fund more volatile and potentially less liquid than other types of investments and may be heightened in connection with investments in developing or emerging markets countries.

 

n  

Geopolitical Risk. Some countries and regions in which the Fund invests have experienced security concerns, war or threats of war and aggression, terrorism, economic uncertainty, natural and environmental disasters and/or systemic market dislocations that have led, and in the future may lead, to increased short-term market volatility and may have adverse long-term effects on the U.S. and world economies and markets generally, each of which may negatively impact the Fund’s investments.

 

n  

Investment in Australia. Because the Fund invests primarily in the securities of companies in Australia, the Fund’s performance is expected to be closely tied to social, political, and economic conditions within Australia and to be more volatile than the performance of more geographically diversified funds. The Australian economy is heavily dependent on the demand for commodities and natural resources and declines in the demand for such products may have an adverse impact on the Fund’s returns. The Fund is susceptible to loss due to adverse market, political, regulatory, and other events affecting

 

WisdomTree Trust Prospectus      35   


Table of Contents
 

Australia. These events may in turn adversely affect the trading market and price for Fund shares and cause the Fund to decline in value.

 

n  

Investment Style Risk. The Fund invests in the securities included in, or representative of, its Index regardless of their investment merit. The Fund does not attempt to outperform its Index or take defensive positions in declining markets. As a result, the Fund’s performance may be adversely affected by a general decline in the market segments relating to its Index.

 

n  

Issuer-Specific Risk. Issuer-specific events, including changes in the financial condition of an issuer, can have a negative impact on the value of the Fund.

 

n  

Large-Capitalization Investing. The Fund may invest in the securities of large-capitalization companies. As a result, the Fund’s performance may be adversely affected if securities of large-capitalization companies underperform securities of smaller-capitalization companies or the market as a whole. The securities of large-capitalization companies may be relatively mature compared to smaller companies and therefore subject to slower growth during times of economic expansion.

 

n  

Mid-Capitalization Investing. The Fund may invest in the securities of mid-capitalization companies. As a result, the Fund’s performance may be adversely affected if securities of mid-capitalization companies underperform securities of other capitalization ranges or the market as a whole. Securities of smaller companies are often more vulnerable to market volatility than securities of larger companies.

 

n  

Non-Correlation Risk. As with all index funds, the performance of the Fund and its Index may differ from each other for a variety of reasons.

 

n  

Non-Diversification Risk. Although the Fund intends to invest in a variety of securities and instruments, the Fund will be considered to be non-diversified, which means that it may invest more of its assets in the securities of a single issuer or a smaller number of issuers than if it were a diversified fund. As a result, the Fund may be more exposed to the risks associated with and developments affecting an individual issuer or a smaller number of issuers than a fund that invests more widely. This may increase the Fund’s volatility and cause the performance of a relatively smaller number of issuers to have a greater impact on the Fund’s performance.

Fund Performance

Historical Fund performance, which varies over time, can provide an indication of the risks of investing in the Fund. The bar chart that follows shows the annual total returns of the Fund for each full calendar year since the Fund commenced operations. The table that follows the bar chart shows the Fund’s average annual total returns, both before and after taxes. This table also shows how the Fund’s performance compares to the Index and that of a relevant broad-based securities index. Index returns do not reflect deductions for fees, expenses or taxes. All returns assume reinvestment of dividends and distributions. The Fund’s past performance (before and after taxes) is not necessarily an indication of how the Fund will perform in the future.

The Fund’s name and objective changed effective June 17, 2011. Fund performance prior to June 17, 2011 reflects the investment objective and style of the Fund when it was the WisdomTree Pacific ex-Japan Equity Income Fund, and tracked the performance of the WisdomTree Pacific ex-Japan Equity Income Index.

 

LOGO

The Fund’s year-to-date total return as of June 30, 2014 was 7.09%.

Best and Worst Quarter Returns (for the periods reflected in the bar chart above)

 

     Return     Quarter/Year  

Highest Return

    37.96     3Q/2009   

Lowest Return

    (27.00 )%      4Q/2008   

 

36   WisdomTree Trust Prospectus


Table of Contents

After-tax returns are calculated using the highest historical individual federal marginal income tax rates and do not reflect the impact of state and local taxes. Actual after-tax returns depend on your tax situation and may differ from those shown and are not relevant if you hold your Fund shares through tax-deferred arrangements, such as 401(k) plans or individual retirement accounts. In some cases the return after taxes may exceed the return before taxes due to an assumed tax benefit from any losses on a sale of Fund shares at the end of the measurement period.

Average Annual Total Returns for the periods ending December 31, 2013

 

WisdomTree Australia Dividend Fund*   1 Year     5 Years    

Since Inception

(6/16/2006)

 

Return Before Taxes Based on NAV

    6.23     18.19     8.30

Return After Taxes on Distributions

    5.03     17.26     7.34

Return After Taxes on Distributions and Sale of Fund Shares

    4.29     15.04     6.77

MSCI Pacific ex-Japan Value/MSCI Australia Spliced Index** (Reflects no deduction for fees, expenses or taxes)

    4.16     17.83     7.66

WisdomTree Pacific ex-Japan Equity Income/Australia Dividend Spliced Index*** (Reflects no deduction for fees, expenses or taxes)

    6.52     18.89     8.82
*   The Fund’s objective changed effective June 17, 2011. Prior to that date, the Fund sought to track the price and yield performance, before fees and expenses, of the WisdomTree Pacific ex-Japan Equity Income Index. After June 17, 2011, the Fund’s objective seeks to track the price and yield performance, before fees and expenses, of the WisdomTree Australia Dividend Index.
**   Reflects performance of the MSCI Pacific ex-Japan Value Index through June 17, 2011 and the MSCI Australia Index thereafter.
***   Reflects performance of the WisdomTree Pacific ex-Japan Equity Income Index through June 17, 2011 and the WisdomTree Australia Dividend Index thereafter.

Management

Investment Adviser and Sub-Adviser

WisdomTree Asset Management, Inc. serves as investment adviser to the Fund. Mellon Capital Management Corporation serves as sub-adviser to the Fund.

Portfolio Managers

Karen Q. Wong, CFA, a Managing Director, Head of Equity Portfolio Management, has been a portfolio manager of the Fund since February 2008.

Richard A. Brown, CFA, a Director, Senior Portfolio Manager, has been a portfolio manager of the Fund since February 2008.

Thomas J. Durante, CFA, a Managing Director, Senior Portfolio Manager, has been a portfolio manager of the Fund since February 2008.

Buying and Selling Fund Shares

The Fund is an ETF. This means that shares of the Fund are listed on a national securities exchange, such as NYSE Arca, and trade at market prices. Most investors will buy and sell shares of the Fund through brokers. Because Fund shares trade at market prices rather than NAV, shares may trade at a price greater than NAV (premium) or less than NAV (discount).

The Fund issues and redeems shares at NAV only in large blocks of shares (“Creation Units”), which only certain institutions or large investors (typically market makers or other broker-dealers) may purchase or redeem. Currently, Creation Units generally consist of 50,000 shares, though this may change from time to time. Creation Units are not expected to consist of less than 50,000 shares. The Fund generally issues and redeems Creation Units in exchange for a portfolio of securities closely approximating the holdings of the Fund and/or a designated amount of U.S. cash.

Tax Information

The Fund intends to make distributions that may be taxed as ordinary income, qualified dividend income, or capital gains.

Payments to Broker-Dealers and Other Financial Intermediaries

If you purchase shares of the Fund through a broker-dealer or other financial intermediary (such as a bank) (an “Intermediary”), WisdomTree Asset Management, Inc. or its affiliates may pay Intermediaries for certain activities related to the Fund, including participation in activities that are designed to make Intermediaries more knowledgeable about exchange traded products, including the Fund, or for other activities, such as marketing, educational training or other initiatives related to the sale or promotion of Fund shares. These payments may create a conflict of interest by influencing the Intermediary and your salesperson to recommend the Fund over another investment. Any such arrangements do not result in increased Fund expenses. Ask your salesperson or visit the Intermediary’s website for more information.

 

WisdomTree Trust Prospectus      37   


Table of Contents

WisdomTree Japan SmallCap Dividend Fund

 

Investment Objective

The WisdomTree Japan SmallCap Dividend Fund (the “Fund”) seeks to track the price and yield performance, before fees and expenses, of the WisdomTree Japan SmallCap Dividend Index (the “Index”).

Fees and Expenses of the Fund

The following table describes the fees and expenses you may pay if you buy and hold shares of the Fund. The fees are expressed as a percentage of the Fund’s average net assets.

 

Shareholder Fees (fees paid directly from your investment)     None   

Annual Fund Operating Expenses (expenses that you pay each year as a percentage of the value of your investment)

       

Management Fees

    0.58

Distribution and/or Service (12b-1) Fees

    None   

Other Expenses

    0.00
Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses     0.58

Example

The following example is intended to help retail investors compare the cost of investing in the Fund with the cost of investing in other funds. It illustrates the hypothetical expenses that such investors would incur over various periods if they were to invest $10,000 in the Fund for the time periods indicated and then redeem all of the shares at the end of those periods. This example assumes that the Fund provides a return of 5% a year and that operating expenses remain the same. This example does not include the brokerage commissions that retail investors may pay to buy and sell shares of the Fund. Although your actual costs may be higher or lower, based on these assumptions, your costs would be:

 

     1 Year     3 Years     5 Years     10 Years  
      $59        $186        $324        $726   

Portfolio Turnover

The Fund pays transaction costs, such as commissions, when it buys and sells securities (or “turns over” its portfolio). A higher portfolio turnover rate may indicate higher transaction costs and may result in higher taxes when Fund shares are held in a taxable account. These costs, which are not reflected in annual fund operating expenses or in the example, affect the Fund’s performance. During the most recent fiscal year, the Fund’s portfolio turnover rate was 21% of the average value of its portfolio, excluding the value of portfolio securities received or delivered as a result of in-kind creations or redemptions of the Fund’s capital shares.

Principal Investment Strategies of the Fund

The Fund employs a “passive management” – or indexing – investment approach designed to track the performance of the Index. The Fund generally uses a representative sampling strategy to achieve its investment objective, meaning it generally will invest in a sample of the securities in the Index whose risk, return and other characteristics resemble the risk, return and other characteristics of the Index as a whole. Under normal circumstances, at least 95% of the Fund’s total assets (exclusive of collateral held from securities lending) will be invested in the component securities of the Index and investments that have economic characteristics that are substantially identical to the economic characteristics of such component securities.

The Index is comprised of dividend-paying small capitalization companies in Japan. As of June 30, 2014, the Index had a market capitalization range from $140 million to $2.6 billion, with an average market capitalization of $0.99 billion. To be eligible for inclusion in the Index, a company must meet the following criteria: (i) be incorporated within Japan; (ii) have $5 million in cash dividends on common shares in the annual cycle prior to the annual Index screening date; (iii) have a market capitalization of at least $100 million as of the Index screening date; (iv) have an average daily dollar volume of at least $100,000 for three months preceding the Index screening date; (v) a calculated volume factor (the average daily dollar volume for three months preceding the Index screening date divided by the weight of the security in the Index) that is greater than $200 million; and (vi) trading of at least 250,000 shares per month for each of the six months preceding the Index screening date. The Index is then created by removing the 300 largest companies by market capitalization from the list of eligible companies, as of the annual Index screening date. The remaining companies are weighted in the Index based on dividends paid over the prior annual cycle. Companies that pay more total dollar amount of dividends are more heavily weighted. The maximum weight of any one sector in the Index, at the time of the Index’s annual screening date, is capped at 25%, subject to

 

38   WisdomTree Trust Prospectus


Table of Contents

the following volume factor. In the event that a company has a calculated volume factor that is less than $400 million as of the annual Index screening date, (i) the company’s weight in the Index will be reduced such that its weight equals its weight prior to the adjustment multiplied by a fraction of its calculated volume factor divided by $400 million, and (ii) the reduction in the company’s Index weight may cause a sector’s weight to rise above 25%. In response to market conditions, sector weights may fluctuate above 25% between annual Index screening dates.

WisdomTree Investments, Inc. (“WisdomTree Investments”), as index provider, currently uses Standard & Poor’s Global Industry Classification Standards (“S&P GICS”) to define companies within a sector. The following sectors are included in the Index: consumer discretionary, consumer staples, energy, financials, health care, industrials, information technology, materials, telecommunication services, and utilities. A sector is comprised of multiple industries. For example, the energy sector is comprised of companies in, among others, the natural gas, oil and petroleum industries. As of June 30, 2014, a significant portion of the Index is comprised of companies in the consumer discretionary and industrial sectors.

To the extent the Index concentrates (i.e., holds 25% or more of its total assets) in the securities of a particular industry or group of industries, the Fund will concentrate its investments to approximately the same extent as its Index.

Principal Risks of Investing in the Fund

You can lose money on your investment in the Fund. The Fund is subject to the risks described below. Some or all of these risks may adversely affect the Fund’s net asset value per share (“NAV”), trading price, yield, total return and/or ability to meet its objectives. For more information about the risks of investing in the Fund, see the section in the Fund’s prospectus titled “Additional Principal Risk Information About the Funds” and “Additional Non-Principal Risk Information.”

 

n  

Investment Risk. As with all investments, an investment in the Fund is subject to investment risk. Investors in the Fund could lose money, including the possible loss of the entire principal amount of an investment, over short or long periods of time.

 

n  

Market Risk. The trading prices of equity securities and other instruments fluctuate in response to a variety of factors. The Fund’s NAV and market price may fluctuate significantly in response to these and other factors. As a result, an investor could lose money over short or long periods of time.

 

n  

Shares of the Fund May Trade at Prices Other Than NAV. As with all exchange-traded funds (“ETFs”), Fund shares may be bought and sold in the secondary market at market prices. The trading prices of the Fund’s shares in the secondary market generally differ from the Fund’s daily NAV and there may be times when the market price of the shares is more than the NAV (premium) or less than the NAV (discount). This risk is heightened in times of market volatility or periods of steep market declines.

 

n  

Consumer Discretionary Sector Risk. The Fund currently invests a significant portion of its assets in companies in the consumer discretionary sector. This sector consists of, for example, automobile, retail and media companies. The consumer discretionary sector of the economy can be significantly affected by, among other things, economic growth, worldwide demand and consumers’ disposable income levels and propensity to spend.

 

n  

Currency Exchange Rate Risk. The Fund invests a relatively large percentage of its assets in investments denominated in Japanese yen or in securities that provide exposure to Japanese yen. Changes in currency exchange rates and the relative value of Japanese yen will affect the value of the Fund’s investment and the value of your Fund shares. Currency exchange rates can be very volatile and can change quickly and unpredictably. As a result, the value of an investment in the Fund may change quickly and without warning and you may lose money.

 

n  

Foreign Securities Risk. Investments in non-U.S. securities involve certain risks that may not be present with investments in U.S. securities. For example, investments in non-U.S. securities may be subject to risk of loss due to foreign currency fluctuations or to political or economic instability. Investments in non-U.S. securities also may be subject to withholding or other taxes and may be subject to additional trading, settlement, custodial, and operational risks. These and other factors can make investments in the Fund more volatile and potentially less liquid than other types of investments and may be heightened in connection with investments in developing or emerging markets countries.

 

n  

Geographic Concentration in Japan. Because the Fund invests primarily in the securities of companies in Japan, the Fund’s performance is expected to be closely tied to social, political, and economic conditions within Japan and to be more volatile than the performance of more geographically diversified funds. The Japanese economy has only recently emerged from a prolonged economic downturn. Since the year 2000, Japan’s economic growth rate has remained relatively low. The economy is characterized by government intervention and protectionism, an unstable financial services sector, and relatively high unemployment. Economic growth is heavily dependent on international trade, government support of the financial services sector and other troubled sectors, and consistent government policy. The United States is Japan’s largest single trading partner, but close to half of Japan’s trade is conducted with developing nations, almost all of which are in

 

WisdomTree Trust Prospectus      39   


Table of Contents
 

Southeast Asia. Slowdowns in the U.S. and China could have a negative impact on Japan. Exposure to China, in terms of both imports and exports, has been increasing in recent years.

 

n  

Geopolitical Risk. Some countries and regions in which the Fund invests have experienced security concerns, war or threats of war and aggression, terrorism, economic uncertainty, natural and environmental disasters and/or systemic market dislocations that have led, and in the future may lead, to increased short-term market volatility and may have adverse long-term effects on the U.S. and world economies and markets generally, each of which may negatively impact the Fund’s investments.

 

n  

Industrial Sector Risk. The Fund currently invests a significant portion of its assets in companies in the industrial sector. The industrial sector can be significantly affected by, among other things, worldwide economy growth, supply and demand for specific products and services, rapid technological developments, and government regulation.

 

n  

Investment Style Risk. The Fund invests in the securities included in, or representative of, its Index regardless of their investment merit. The Fund does not attempt to outperform its Index or take defensive positions in declining markets. As a result, the Fund’s performance may be adversely affected by a general decline in the market segments relating to its Index.

 

n  

Issuer-Specific Risk. Issuer-specific events, including changes in the financial condition of an issuer, can have a negative impact on the value of the Fund.

 

n  

Non-Correlation Risk. As with all index funds, the performance of the Fund and its Index may differ from each other for a variety of reasons.

 

n  

Non-Diversification Risk. Although the Fund intends to invest in a variety of securities and instruments, the Fund will be considered to be non-diversified, which means that it may invest more of its assets in the securities of a single issuer or a smaller number of issuers than if it were a diversified fund. As a result, the Fund may be more exposed to the risks associated with and developments affecting an individual issuer or a smaller number of issuers than a fund that invests more widely. This may increase the Fund’s volatility and cause the performance of a relatively smaller number of issuers to have a greater impact on the Fund’s performance.

 

n  

Small-Capitalization Investing. The Fund invests primarily in the securities of small-capitalization companies. As a result, the Fund may be more volatile than funds that invest in larger, more established companies. The securities of small-capitalization companies generally trade in lower volumes and are subject to greater and more unpredictable price changes than larger capitalization stocks or the stock market as a whole. Small-capitalization companies may be particularly sensitive to changes in interest rates, government regulation, borrowing costs and earnings.

Fund Performance

Historical Fund performance, which varies over time, can provide an indication of the risks of investing in the Fund. The bar chart that follows shows the annual total returns of the Fund for each full calendar year since the Fund commenced operations. The table that follows the bar chart shows the Fund’s average annual total returns, both before and after taxes. This table also shows how the Fund’s performance compares to the Index and that of a relevant broad-based securities index. Index returns do not reflect deductions for fees, expenses or taxes. All returns assume reinvestment of dividends and distributions. The Fund’s past performance (before and after taxes) is not necessarily an indication of how the Fund will perform in the future.

LOGO

The Fund’s year-to-date total return as of June 30, 2014 was 6.63%.

Best and Worst Quarter Returns (for the periods reflected in the bar chart above)

 

     Return     Quarter/Year  

Highest Return

    23.03     2Q/2009   

Lowest Return

    (16.07 )%      1Q/2009   

 

40   WisdomTree Trust Prospectus


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After-tax returns are calculated using the highest historical individual federal marginal income tax rates and do not reflect the impact of state and local taxes. Actual after-tax returns depend on your tax situation and may differ from those shown and are not relevant if you hold your Fund shares through tax-deferred arrangements, such as 401(k) plans or individual retirement accounts. In some cases the return after taxes may exceed the return before taxes due to an assumed tax benefit from any losses on a sale of Fund shares at the end of the measurement period.

Average Annual Total Returns for the periods ending December 31, 2013

 

WisdomTree Japan SmallCap Dividend Fund   1 Year     5 Years    

Since Inception

(6/16/2006)

 

Return Before Taxes Based on NAV

    20.08     8.39     1.73

Return After Taxes on Distributions

    19.39     8.11     1.52

Return After Taxes on Distributions and Sale of Fund Shares

    11.83     6.79     1.47

MSCI Japan Small Cap Index (Reflects no deduction for fees, expenses or taxes)

    26.34     9.75     1.29

WisdomTree Japan SmallCap Dividend Index (Reflects no deduction for fees, expenses or taxes)

    21.73     9.49     2.49

Management

Investment Adviser and Sub-Adviser

WisdomTree Asset Management, Inc. serves as investment adviser to the Fund. Mellon Capital Management Corporation serves as sub-adviser to the Fund.

Portfolio Managers

Karen Q. Wong, CFA, a Managing Director, Head of Equity Portfolio Management, has been a portfolio manager of the Fund since February 2008.

Richard A. Brown, CFA, a Director, Senior Portfolio Manager, has been a portfolio manager of the Fund since February 2008.

Thomas J. Durante, CFA, a Managing Director, Senior Portfolio Manager, has been a portfolio manager of the Fund since February 2008.

Buying and Selling Fund Shares

The Fund is an ETF. This means that shares of the Fund are listed on a national securities exchange, such as NYSE Arca, and trade at market prices. Most investors will buy and sell shares of the Fund through brokers. Because Fund shares trade at market prices rather than NAV, shares may trade at a price greater than NAV (premium) or less than NAV (discount).

The Fund issues and redeems shares at NAV only in large blocks of shares (“Creation Units”), which only certain institutions or large investors (typically market makers or other broker-dealers) may purchase or redeem. Currently, Creation Units generally consist of 50,000 shares, though this may change from time to time. Creation Units are not expected to consist of less than 50,000 shares. The Fund generally issues and redeems Creation Units in exchange for a portfolio of securities closely approximating the holdings of the Fund and/or a designated amount of U.S. cash.

Tax Information

The Fund intends to make distributions that may be taxed as ordinary income, qualified dividend income, or capital gains.

Payments to Broker-Dealers and Other Financial Intermediaries

If you purchase shares of the Fund through a broker-dealer or other financial intermediary (such as a bank) (an “Intermediary”), WisdomTree Asset Management, Inc. or its affiliates may pay Intermediaries for certain activities related to the Fund, including participation in activities that are designed to make Intermediaries more knowledgeable about exchange traded products, including the Fund, or for other activities, such as marketing, educational training or other initiatives related to the sale or promotion of Fund shares. These payments may create a conflict of interest by influencing the Intermediary and your salesperson to recommend the Fund over another investment. Any such arrangements do not result in increased Fund expenses. Ask your salesperson or visit the Intermediary’s website for more information.

 

WisdomTree Trust Prospectus      41   


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WisdomTree Japan Hedged Equity Fund

 

Investment Objective

The WisdomTree Japan Hedged Equity Fund (the “Fund”) seeks to track the price and yield performance, before fees and expenses, of the WisdomTree Japan Hedged Equity Index (the “Index”). The Fund seeks to provide Japanese equity returns while mitigating or “hedging” against fluctuations between the value of the Japanese yen and the U.S. dollar.

Fees and Expenses of the Fund

The following table describes the fees and expenses you may pay if you buy and hold shares of the Fund. The fees are expressed as a percentage of the Fund’s average net assets.

 

Shareholder Fees (fees paid directly from your investment)     None   

Annual Fund Operating Expenses (expenses that you pay each year as a percentage of the value of your investment)

       

Management Fees

    0.48

Distribution and/or Service (12b-1) Fees

    None   

Other Expenses

    0.00
Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses     0.48

Example

The following example is intended to help retail investors compare the cost of investing in the Fund with the cost of investing in other funds. It illustrates the hypothetical expenses that such investors would incur over various periods if they were to invest $10,000 in the Fund for the time periods indicated and then redeem all of the shares at the end of those periods. This example assumes that the Fund provides a return of 5% a year and that operating expenses remain the same. This example does not include the brokerage commissions that retail investors may pay to buy and sell shares of the Fund. Although your actual costs may be higher or lower, based on these assumptions, your costs would be:

 

     1 Year     3 Years     5 Years     10 Years  
      $49        $154        $269        $604   

Portfolio Turnover

The Fund pays transaction costs, such as commissions, when it buys and sells securities (or “turns over” its portfolio). A higher portfolio turnover rate may indicate higher transaction costs and may result in higher taxes when Fund shares are held in a taxable account. These costs, which are not reflected in annual fund operating expenses or in the example, affect the Fund’s performance. During the most recent fiscal year, the Fund’s portfolio turnover rate was 24% of the average value of its portfolio, excluding the value of portfolio securities received or delivered as a result of in-kind creations or redemptions of the Fund’s capital shares.

Principal Investment Strategies of the Fund

The Fund employs a “passive management” – or indexing – investment approach designed to track the performance of the Index. The Fund generally uses a representative sampling strategy to achieve its investment objective, meaning it generally will invest in a sample of securities in the Index whose risk, return and other characteristics resemble the risk, return and other characteristics of the Index as a whole. Under normal circumstances, at least 95% of the Fund’s total assets (exclusive of collateral held from securities lending) will be invested in the component securities of the Index and investments that have economic characteristics that are substantially identical to the economic characteristics of such component securities.

The Index is designed to provide exposure to Japanese equity markets while at the same time neutralizing exposure to fluctuations of the Japanese yen relative to the U.S. dollar. The Index consists of dividend-paying companies incorporated in Japan and traded on the Tokyo Stock Exchange that derive less than 80% of their revenue from sources in Japan. By excluding companies that derive 80% or more of their revenue from Japan, the Index is tilted towards companies with a more significant global revenue base. The companies included in the Index typically have greater exposure to the value of global currencies and, in many cases, their business prospects historically have improved when the value of the yen has declined and have weakened when the value of the yen has increased. Eligibility requirements include: (i) payment of at least $5 million in cash dividends on common shares in the annual cycle prior to the annual Index screening date; (ii) market capitalization of at least $100 million as of the Index screening date; (iii) average daily dollar volume of at least $100,000 for the three months preceding the Index screening date; (iv) a calculated volume factor (the average daily dollar volume for three months preceding the Index screening date divided by the weight of the security in the Index) that is greater than $200 million; and

 

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(v) trading of at least 250,000 shares per month for each of the six months preceding the Index screening date. Securities are weighted in the Index based on dividends paid over the prior annual cycle. Companies that pay more total dollar amount of dividends are more heavily weighted. At the time of the Index’s annual screening date, the maximum weight of any single security in the Index is capped at 5% and the maximum weight of any one sector in the Index is capped at 25%, subject to the following volume factor. In the event that a company has a calculated volume factor that is less than $400 million as of the annual Index screening date, (i) the company’s weight in the Index will be reduced such that its weight equals its weight prior to the adjustment multiplied by a fraction of its calculated volume factor divided by $400 million, and (ii) the reduction in the company’s Index weight may cause a sector’s weight to rise above 25%. In response to market conditions, security and sector weights may fluctuate above the specified cap between annual Index screening dates.

WisdomTree Investments, Inc. (“WisdomTree Investments”), as index provider, currently uses Standard & Poor’s Global Industry Classification Standards (“S&P GICS”) to define companies within a sector. The following sectors are included in the Index: consumer discretionary, consumer staples, energy, financials, health care, industrials, information technology, materials, telecommunication services, and utilities. A sector is comprised of multiple industries. For example, the energy sector is comprised of companies in, among others, the natural gas, oil and petroleum industries. As of June 30, 2014, a significant portion of the Index is comprised of companies in the consumer discretionary and industrial sectors.

The Index “hedges” against fluctuations in the relative value of the Japanese yen against the U.S. dollar. The Index is designed to have higher returns than an equivalent non-currency hedged investment when the yen is weakening relative to the U.S. dollar. Conversely, the Index is designed to have lower returns than an equivalent unhedged investment when the yen is rising relative to the U.S. dollar. The Index applies an applicable published WM/Reuters one-month currency forward rate to the total equity exposure to Japan to adjust the value of the Japanese yen against the U.S. dollar.

The Fund intends to enter into forward currency contracts or futures contracts designed to offset the Fund’s exposure to the Japanese yen. A forward currency contract is a contract between two parties to buy or sell a specific currency in the future at an agreed upon exchange rate. The amount of forward contracts and futures contracts in the Fund is based on the aggregate exposure of the Fund and Index to the Japanese yen. While this approach is designed to minimize the impact of currency fluctuations on Fund returns, it does not necessarily eliminate the Fund’s exposure to the yen. The return of the forward currency contracts and currency futures contracts may not perfectly offset the actual fluctuations between the yen and the U.S. dollar.

The Fund also may invest its assets in cash and cash equivalents, as well as in shares of other investment companies, forward contracts, futures contracts, options on futures contracts, options, and swaps.

To the extent the Index concentrates (i.e., holds 25% or more of its total assets in the securities of a particular industry or group of industries, the Fund will concentrate its investments to approximately the same extent as its Index.

Principal Risks of Investing in the Fund

You can lose money on your investment in the Fund. The Fund is subject to the risks described below. Some or all of these risks may adversely affect the Fund’s net asset value per share (“NAV”), trading price, yield, total return and/or ability to meet its objectives. For more information about the risks of investing in the Fund, see the sections in the Fund’s prospectus titled “Additional Principal Risk Information About the Funds” and “Additional Non-Principal Risk Information.”

 

n  

Investment Risk. As with all investments, an investment in the Fund is subject to investment risk. Investors in the Fund could lose money, including the possible loss of the entire principal amount of an investment, over short or long periods of time.

 

n  

Market Risk. The trading prices of equity securities and other instruments fluctuate in response to a variety of factors. The Fund’s NAV and market price may fluctuate significantly in response to these and other factors. As a result, an investor could lose money over short or long periods of time.

 

n  

Shares of the Fund May Trade at Prices Other Than NAV. As with all exchange-traded funds (“ETFs”), Fund shares may be bought and sold in the secondary market at market prices. The trading prices of the Fund’s shares in the secondary market generally differ from the Fund’s daily NAV and there may be times when the market price of the shares is more than the NAV (premium) or less than the NAV (discount). This risk is heightened in times of market volatility or periods of steep market declines.

 

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Cash Redemption Risk. The Fund’s investment strategy will require it to redeem shares for cash or to otherwise include cash as part of its redemption proceeds. The Fund may be required to sell or unwind portfolio investments in order to obtain the cash needed to distribute redemption proceeds. This may cause the Fund to recognize a capital gain that it might not have recognized if it had made a redemption in-kind. As a result, the Fund may pay out higher annual capital gain distributions than if the in-kind redemption process was used.

 

WisdomTree Trust Prospectus      43   


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Consumer Discretionary Sector Risk. The Fund currently invests a significant portion of its assets in companies in the consumer discretionary sector. This sector consists of, for example, automobile, retail and media companies. The consumer discretionary sector of the economy can be significantly affected by, among other things, economic growth, worldwide demand and consumers’ disposable income levels and propensity to spend.

 

n  

Currency Exchange Rate Risk. The Fund uses various strategies to attempt to minimize the impact of changes in the value of the Japanese yen against the U.S. dollar. These strategies may not be successful. In order to minimize transaction costs, or for other reasons, the Fund’s exposure to the yen may not be fully hedged at all times. Currency exchange rates can be very volatile and can change quickly and unpredictably. Therefore, the value of an investment in the Fund may also go up or down quickly and unpredictably and investors may lose money.

 

n  

Derivatives Risk. The Fund may invest in derivatives. Derivatives are financial instruments that derive their performance from an underlying reference asset, such as a commodity, index, interest rate or inflation rate. The return on a derivative instrument may not correlate with the return of its underlying reference asset. Derivatives are subject to a number of risks described elsewhere in the Fund’s Prospectus, such as market risk and issuer-specific risk. Derivatives can be volatile and may be less liquid than other securities. As a result, the value of an investment in the Fund may change quickly and without warning and you may lose money. In addition to the other risks associated with the use of derivatives described elsewhere in this Prospectus, there are risks associated with the Fund’s use of forward currency contracts and futures contracts. With respect to forward currency contracts, these risks include but are not limited to the risk that the counterparty will default on its obligations. With respect to futures contracts, these risks include but are not limited to: (1) the success of the adviser’s and sub-adviser’s ability to predict movements in the prices of individual currencies or securities, fluctuations in markets and movements in interest rates; (2) an imperfect or no correlation between the changes in market value of the currencies or securities and the prices of futures contracts; and (3) no guarantee that an active market will exist for the contracts at any particular time.

 

n  

Foreign Securities Risk. Investments in non-U.S. securities involve certain risks that may not be present with investments in U.S. securities. For example, investments in non-U.S. securities may be subject to risk of loss due to foreign currency fluctuations or to political or economic instability. Investments in non-U.S. securities also may be subject to withholding or other taxes and may be subject to additional trading, settlement, custodial, and operational risks. These and other factors can make investments in the Fund more volatile and potentially less liquid than other types of investments and may be heightened in connection with investments in developing or emerging markets countries.

 

n  

Geographic Concentration in Japan. Because the Fund invests primarily in the securities of companies in Japan, the Fund’s performance is expected to be closely tied to social, political, and economic conditions within Japan and to be more volatile than the performance of more geographically diversified funds. The Japanese economy has only recently emerged from a prolonged economic downturn. Since the year 2000, Japan’s economic growth rate has remained relatively low. The economy is characterized by government intervention and protectionism, an unstable financial services sector, and relatively high unemployment. Economic growth is heavily dependent on international trade, government support of the financial services sector and other troubled sectors, and consistent government policy. The United States is Japan’s largest single trading partner, but close to half of Japan’s trade is conducted with developing nations, almost all of which are in Southeast Asia. Slowdowns in the U.S. and China could have a negative impact on Japan. Exposure to China, in terms of both imports and exports, has been increasing in recent years.

 

n  

Geopolitical Risk. Some countries and regions in which the Fund invests have experienced security concerns, war or threats of war and aggression, terrorism, economic uncertainty, natural and environmental disasters and/or systemic market dislocations that have led, and in the future may lead, to increased short-term market volatility and may have adverse long-term effects on the U.S. and world economies and markets generally, each of which may negatively impact the Fund’s investments.

 

n  

Industrial Sector Risk. The Fund currently invests a significant portion of its assets in companies in the industrial sector. The industrial sector can be significantly affected by, among other things, worldwide economy growth, supply and demand for specific products and services, rapid technological developments, and government regulation.

 

n  

Investment Style Risk. The Fund invests in the securities included in, or representative of, its Index regardless of their investment merit. The Fund does not attempt to outperform its Index or take defensive positions in declining markets. As a result, the Fund’s performance may be adversely affected by a general decline in the market segments relating to its Index.

 

n  

Issuer-Specific Risk. Issuer-specific events, including changes in the financial condition of an issuer, can have a negative impact on the value of the Fund.

 

n  

Large-Capitalization Investing. The Fund may invest a relatively large percentage of its assets in the securities of large-capitalization companies. As a result, the Fund’s performance may be adversely affected if securities of

 

44   WisdomTree Trust Prospectus


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large-capitalization companies underperform securities of smaller-capitalization companies or the market as a whole. The securities of large-capitalization companies may be relatively mature compared to smaller companies and therefore subject to slower growth during times of economic expansion.

 

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Mid-Capitalization Investing. The Fund may invest in the securities of mid-capitalization companies. As a result, the Fund’s performance may be adversely affected if securities of mid-capitalization companies underperform securities of other capitalization ranges or the market as a whole. Securities of smaller companies are often more vulnerable to market volatility than securities of larger companies.

 

n  

Non-Correlation Risk. As with all index funds, the performance of the Fund and its Index may differ from each other for a variety of reasons.

 

n  

Non-Diversification Risk. Although the Fund intends to invest in a variety of securities and instruments, the Fund will be considered to be non-diversified, which means that it may invest more of its assets in the securities of a single issuer or a smaller number of issuers than if it were a diversified fund. As a result, the Fund may be more exposed to the risks associated with and developments affecting an individual issuer or a smaller number of issuers than a fund that invests more widely. This may increase the Fund’s volatility and cause the performance of a relatively smaller number of issuers to have a greater impact on the Fund’s performance.

Fund Performance

Historical Fund performance, which varies over time, can provide an indication of the risks of investing in the Fund. The bar chart that follows shows the annual total returns of the Fund for each full calendar year since the Fund commenced operations. The table that follows the bar chart shows the Fund’s average annual total returns, both before and after taxes. This table also shows how the Fund’s performance compares to the Index and that of a relevant broad-based securities index. Index returns do not reflect deductions for fees, expenses or taxes. All returns assume reinvestment of dividends and distributions. The Fund’s past performance (before and after taxes) is not necessarily an indication of how the Fund will perform in the future.

The Fund’s name and objective changed effective April 1, 2010. Fund performance prior to April 1, 2010 reflects the investment objective and style of the Fund when it was the WisdomTree Japan Total Dividend Fund, and tracked the performance of the WisdomTree Japan Dividend Index.

 

LOGO

The Fund’s year-to-date total return as of June 30, 2014 was (0.77)%.

Best and Worst Quarter Returns (for the periods reflected in the bar chart above)

 

     Return     Quarter/Year  

Highest Return

    20.20     2Q/2009   

Lowest Return

    (16.31 )%      1Q/2009   

After-tax returns are calculated using the highest historical individual federal marginal income tax rates and do not reflect the impact of state and local taxes. Actual after-tax returns depend on your tax situation and may differ from those shown and are not relevant if you hold your Fund shares through tax-deferred arrangements, such as 401(k) plans or individual retirement accounts. In some cases the return after taxes may exceed the return before taxes due to an assumed tax benefit from any losses on a sale of Fund shares at the end of the measurement period.

 

WisdomTree Trust Prospectus      45   


Table of Contents

Average Annual Total Returns for the periods ending December 31, 2013

 

WisdomTree Japan Hedged Equity Fund*   1 Year     5 Years    

Since Inception

(6/16/2006)

 

Return Before Taxes Based on NAV

    41.86     7.51     1.64

Return After Taxes on Distributions

    40.85     7.22     1.42

Return After Taxes on Distributions and Sale of Fund Shares

    24.19     5.97     1.35

MSCI Japan/Japan Local Currency Spliced Index** (Reflects no deduction for fees, expenses and taxes)

    54.58     10.09     2.37

WisdomTree Japan Dividend/Japan Hedged Equity Spliced Index*** (Reflects no deduction for fees, expenses and taxes)

    42.84     7.70     1.70
*   The Fund’s objective changed effective April 1, 2010. Prior to that date, the Fund sought to track the price and yield performance, before fees and expenses, of the WisdomTree Japan Dividend Index. After March 31, 2010, the Fund’s objective seeks to track the price and yield performance, before fees and expenses, of the WisdomTree Japan Hedged Equity Index.
**   Reflects performance of the MSCI Japan Index through March 31, 2010 and the MSCI Japan Local Currency Index thereafter.
***   Reflects performance of the WisdomTree Japan Dividend Index through March 31, 2010 and the WisdomTree Japan Hedged Equity Index thereafter.

Management

Investment Adviser and Sub-Adviser

WisdomTree Asset Management, Inc. serves as investment adviser to the Fund. Mellon Capital Management Corporation serves as sub-adviser to the Fund.

Portfolio Managers

Karen Q. Wong, CFA, a Managing Director, Head of Equity Portfolio Management, has been a portfolio manager of the Fund since February 2008.

Richard A. Brown, CFA, a Director, Senior Portfolio Manager, has been a portfolio manager of the Fund since February 2008.

Thomas J. Durante, CFA, a Managing Director, Senior Portfolio Manager, has been a portfolio manager of the Fund since February 2008.

Buying and Selling Fund Shares

The Fund is an ETF. This means that shares of the Fund are listed on a national securities exchange, such as NYSE Arca, and trade at market prices. Most investors will buy and sell shares of the Fund through brokers. Because Fund shares trade at market prices rather than NAV, shares may trade at a price greater than NAV (premium) or less than NAV (discount).

The Fund issues and redeems shares at NAV only in large blocks of shares (“Creation Units”), which only certain institutions or large investors (typically market makers or other broker-dealers) may purchase or redeem. Currently, Creation Units generally consist of 50,000 shares, though this may change from time to time. Creation Units are not expected to consist of less than 50,000 shares. The Fund generally issues and redeems Creation Units in exchange for a portfolio of securities closely approximating the holdings of the Fund and/or a designated amount of U.S. cash.

Tax Information

The Fund intends to make distributions that may be taxed as ordinary income, qualified dividend income, or capital gains.

Payments to Broker-Dealers and Other Financial Intermediaries

If you purchase shares of the Fund through a broker-dealer or other financial intermediary (such as a bank) (an “Intermediary”), WisdomTree Asset Management, Inc. or its affiliates may pay Intermediaries for certain activities related to the Fund, including participation in activities that are designed to make Intermediaries more knowledgeable about exchange traded products, including the Fund, or for other activities, such as marketing, educational training or other initiatives related to the sale or promotion of Fund shares. These payments may create a conflict of interest by influencing the Intermediary and your salesperson to recommend the Fund over another investment. Any such arrangements do not result in increased Fund expenses. Ask your salesperson or visit the Intermediary’s website for more information.

 

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WisdomTree Japan Hedged SmallCap Equity Fund

 

Investment Objective

The WisdomTree Japan Hedged SmallCap Equity Fund (the “Fund”) seeks to track the price and yield performance, before fees and expenses, of the WisdomTree Japan Hedged SmallCap Equity Index (the “Index”).

Fees and Expenses of the Fund

The following table describes the fees and expenses you may pay if you buy and hold shares of the Fund. The fees are expressed as a percentage of the Fund’s average net assets.

 

Shareholder Fees (fees paid directly from your investment)     None   

Annual Fund Operating Expenses (expenses that you pay each year as a percentage of the value of your investment)

       

Management Fees

    0.58

Distribution and/or Service (12b-1) Fees

    None   

Other Expenses

    0.00
Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses     0.58

Example

The following example is intended to help retail investors compare the cost of investing in the Fund with the cost of investing in other funds. It illustrates the hypothetical expenses that such investors would incur over various periods if they were to invest $10,000 in the Fund for the time periods indicated and then redeem all of the shares at the end of those periods. This example assumes that the Fund provides a return of 5% a year and that operating expenses remain the same. This example does not include the brokerage commissions that retail investors may pay to buy and sell shares of the Fund. Although your actual costs may be higher or lower, based on these assumptions, your costs would be:

 

     1 Year     3 Years     5 Years     10 Years  
      $59        $186        $324        $726   

Portfolio Turnover

The Fund pays transaction costs, such as commissions, when it buys and sells securities (or “turns over” its portfolio). A higher portfolio turnover rate may indicate higher transaction costs and may result in higher taxes when Fund shares are held in a taxable account. These costs, which are not reflected in annual fund operating expenses or in the example, affect the Fund’s performance. During the most recent fiscal period, the Fund’s portfolio turnover rate was 19% of the average value of its portfolio, excluding the value of portfolio securities received or delivered as a result of in-kind creations or redemptions of the Fund’s capital shares.

Principal Investment Strategies of the Fund

The Fund employs a “passive management” – or indexing – investment approach designed to track the performance of the Index. The Fund generally uses a representative sampling strategy to achieve its investment objective, meaning it generally will invest in a sample of the securities in the Index whose risk, return and other characteristics resemble the risk, return and other characteristics of the Index as a whole. Under normal circumstances, at least 80% of the Fund’s total assets (exclusive of collateral held from securities lending) will be invested in the component securities of the Index and investments that have economic characteristics that are substantially identical to the economic characteristics of such component securities.

The Index is a dividend weighted index designed to provide exposure to Japanese equity markets while at the same time neutralizing exposure to fluctuations of the value of the Japanese yen relative to the U.S. dollar. The Index consists of dividend-paying small capitalization companies incorporated in Japan and traded on the Tokyo Stock Exchange. As of June 30, 2014, the Index had a market capitalization range from $140.1 million to $2.6 billion, with an average market capitalization of $0.95 billion. To be eligible for inclusion in the Index, a company must meet the following criteria: (i) be incorporated within Japan and traded on the Tokyo Stock Exchange; (ii) payment of at least $5 million in cash dividends on common shares in the annual cycle prior to the annual Index screening date; (iii) have a market capitalization of at least $100 million as of the Index screening date; (iv) have an average daily dollar volume of at least $100,000 for three months preceding the Index screening date; (v) a calculated volume factor (the average daily dollar volume for three months preceding the Index screening date divided by the weight of the security in the Index) that is greater than $200 million; and (vi) have trading of at least 250,000 shares per month for each of the six months preceding the Index screening date. The 300 largest companies by market capitalization are then removed from the list of eligible companies, as of the annual Index

 

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screening date. Securities are weighted in the Index based on dividends paid over the prior annual cycle. Companies that pay more total dollar amount of dividends are more heavily weighted. At the time of the Index’s annual screening date, the maximum weight of any single security in the Index is capped at 2% and the maximum weight of any one sector in the Index is capped at 25%, subject to the following volume factor. In the event that a company has a calculated volume factor that is less than $400 million as of the annual Index screening date, (i) the company’s weight in the Index will be reduced such that its weight equals its weight prior to the adjustment multiplied by a fraction of its calculated volume factor divided by $400 million, and (ii) the reduction in the company’s Index weight may cause a sector’s weight to rise above 25%. In response to market conditions, security and sector weights may fluctuate above the specified cap between annual Index screening dates.

WisdomTree Investments, Inc. (“WisdomTree Investments”), as index provider, currently uses Standard & Poor’s Global Industry Classification Standards (“S&P GICS”) to define companies within a sector. The following sectors are included in the Index: consumer discretionary, consumer staples, energy, financials, health care, industrials, information technology, materials, telecommunication services, and utilities. A sector is comprised of multiple industries. For example, the energy sector is comprised of companies in, among others, the natural gas, oil and petroleum industries. As of June 30, 2014, a significant portion of the Index is comprised of companies in the consumer discretionary and industrial sectors.

The Index “hedges” against fluctuations in the relative value of the Japanese yen against the U.S. dollar. The Index is designed to have higher returns than an equivalent unhedged investment when the yen is weakening relative to the U.S. dollar. Conversely, the Index is designed to have lower returns than an equivalent unhedged investment when the yen is rising relative to the U.S. dollar. The Index applies an applicable published WM/Reuters one-month currency forward rate to the total equity exposure to Japan to adjust the value of the Japanese yen against the U.S. dollar.

The Fund intends to enter into forward currency contracts or futures contracts designed to offset the Fund’s exposure to the Japanese yen. A forward currency contract is a contract between two parties to buy or sell a specific currency in the future at an agreed upon exchange rate. A currency futures contract is a contract to exchange one currency for another at a specified date in the future at an agreed upon exchange rate. The amount of forward contracts and futures contracts in the Fund is based on the aggregate exposure of the Fund and Index to the Japanese yen. While this approach is designed to minimize the impact of currency fluctuations on Fund returns, it does not necessarily eliminate the Fund’s exposure to the yen. The return of the forward currency contracts and currency futures contracts may not perfectly offset the actual fluctuations between the yen and the U.S. dollar.

The Fund also may invest its assets in cash and cash equivalents, as well as in shares of other investment companies, forward contracts, futures contracts, options on futures contracts, options, and swaps.

To the extent the Index concentrates (i.e., holds 25% or more of its total assets) in the securities of a particular industry or group of industries, the Fund will concentrate its investments to approximately the same extent as its Index.

Principal Risks of Investing in the Fund

You can lose money on your investment in the Fund. The Fund is subject to the risks described below. Some or all of these risks may adversely affect the Fund’s net asset value per share (“NAV”), trading price, yield, total return and/or ability to meet its objectives. For more information about the risks of investing in the Fund, see the sections in the Fund’s prospectus titled “Additional Principal Risk Information About the Funds” and “Additional Non-Principal Risk Information.”

 

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Investment Risk. As with all investments, an investment in the Fund is subject to investment risk. Investors in the Fund could lose money, including the possible loss of the entire principal amount of an investment, over short or long periods of time.

 

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Market Risk. The trading prices of equity securities and other instruments fluctuate in response to a variety of factors. The Fund’s NAV and market price may fluctuate significantly in response to these and other factors. As a result, an investor could lose money over short or long periods of time.

 

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Shares of the Fund May Trade at Prices Other Than NAV. As with all exchange-traded funds (“ETFs”), Fund shares may be bought and sold in the secondary market at market prices. The trading prices of the Fund’s shares in the secondary market generally differ from the Fund’s daily NAV and there may be times when the market price of the shares is more than the NAV (premium) or less than the NAV (discount). This risk is heightened in times of market volatility or periods of steep market declines.

 

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Cash Redemption Risk. The Fund’s investment strategy will require it to redeem shares for cash or to otherwise include cash as part of its redemption proceeds. The Fund may be required to sell or unwind portfolio investments in order to obtain the cash needed to distribute redemption proceeds. This may cause the Fund to recognize a capital gain that it might not have recognized if it had made a redemption in-kind. As a result, the Fund may pay out higher annual capital gain distributions than if the in-kind redemption process was used.

 

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Consumer Discretionary Sector Risk. The Fund currently invests a significant portion of its assets in companies in the consumer discretionary sector. This sector consists of, for example, automobile, media and retail companies. The consumer discretionary sector of the economy can be significantly affected by, among other things, economic growth, worldwide demand and consumers’ disposable income levels and propensity to spend.

 

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Currency Exchange Rate Risk. The Fund uses various strategies to attempt to minimize the impact of changes in the value of the Japanese yen against the U.S. dollar. These strategies may not be successful. In order to minimize transaction costs, or for other reasons, the Fund’s exposure to the yen may not be fully hedged at all times. Currency exchange rates can be very volatile and can change quickly and unpredictably. Therefore, the value of an investment in a Fund may also go up or down quickly and unpredictably and investors may lose money.

 

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Derivatives Risk. The Fund may invest in derivatives. Derivatives are financial instruments that derive their performance from an underlying reference asset, such as a commodity, index, interest rate or inflation rate. The return on a derivative instrument may not correlate with the return of its underlying reference asset. Derivatives are subject to a number of risks described elsewhere in the Fund’s Prospectus, such as market risk and issuer-specific risk. Derivatives can be volatile and may be less liquid than other securities. As a result, the value of an investment in the Fund may change quickly and without warning and you may lose money. In addition to the other risks associated with the use of derivatives described elsewhere in this Prospectus, there are risks associated with the Fund’s use of forward currency contracts and futures contracts. With respect to forward currency contracts, these risks include but are not limited to the risk that the counterparty will default on its obligations. With respect to futures contracts, these risks include but are not limited to: (1) the success of the adviser’s and sub-adviser’s ability to predict movements in the prices of individual currencies or securities, fluctuations in markets and movements in interest rates; (2) an imperfect or no correlation between the changes in market value of the currencies or securities and the prices of futures contracts; and (3) no guarantee that an active market will exist for the contracts at any particular time.

 

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Foreign Securities Risk. Investments in non-U.S. securities involve certain risks that may not be present with investments in U.S. securities. For example, investments in non-U.S. securities may be subject to risk of loss due to foreign currency fluctuations or to political or economic instability. Investments in non-U.S. securities also may be subject to withholding or other taxes and may be subject to additional trading, settlement, custodial, and operational risks. These and other factors can make investments in the Fund more volatile and potentially less liquid than other types of investments and may be heightened in connection with investments in developing or emerging markets countries.

 

n  

Geographic Concentration in Japan. Because the Fund invests primarily in the securities of companies in Japan, the Fund’s performance is expected to be closely tied to social, political, and economic conditions within Japan and to be more volatile than the performance of more geographically diversified funds. The Japanese economy has only recently emerged from a prolonged economic downturn. Since the year 2000, Japan’s economic growth rate has remained relatively low. The economy is characterized by government intervention and protectionism, an unstable financial services sector, and relatively high unemployment. Economic growth is heavily dependent on international trade, government support of the financial services sector and other troubled sectors, and consistent government policy. The United States is Japan’s largest single trading partner, but close to half of Japan’s trade is conducted with developing nations, almost all of which are in Southeast Asia. Slowdowns in the U.S. and China could have a negative impact on Japan. Exposure to China, in terms of both imports and exports, has been increasing in recent years. These and other factors could have a negative impact on the Fund’s performance and increase the volatility of an investment in the Fund.

 

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Geopolitical Risk. Some countries and regions in which the Fund invests have experienced security concerns, war or threats of war and aggression, terrorism, economic uncertainty, natural and environmental disasters and/or systemic market dislocations that have led, and in the future may lead, to increased short-term market volatility and may have adverse long-term effects on the U.S. and world economies and markets generally, each of which may negatively impact the Fund’s investments.

 

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Industrial Sector Risk. The Fund currently invests a significant portion of its assets in companies in the industrial sector. The industrial sector can be significantly affected by, among other things, worldwide economy growth, supply and demand for specific products and services, rapid technological developments, and government regulation.

 

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Investment Style Risk. The Fund invests in the securities included in, or representative of, its Index regardless of their investment merit. The Fund does not attempt to outperform its Index or take defensive positions in declining markets. As a result, the Fund’s performance may be adversely affected by a general decline in the market segments relating to its Index.

 

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Issuer-Specific Risk. Issuer-specific events, including changes in the financial condition of an issuer, can have a negative impact on the value of the Fund.

 

WisdomTree Trust Prospectus      49   


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Non-Correlation Risk. As with all index funds, the performance of the Fund and its Index may differ from each other for a variety of reasons.

 

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Non-Diversification Risk. Although the Fund intends to invest in a variety of securities and instruments, the Fund will be considered to be non-diversified, which means that it may invest more of its assets in the securities of a single issuer or a smaller number of issuers than if it were a diversified fund. As a result, the Fund may be more exposed to the risks associated with and developments affecting an individual issuer or a smaller number of issuers than a fund that invests more widely. This may increase the Fund’s volatility and cause the performance of a relatively smaller number of issuers to have a greater impact on the Fund’s performance.

 

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Small-Capitalization Investing. The Fund invests primarily in the securities of small-capitalization companies. As a result, the Fund may be more volatile than funds that invest in larger, more established companies. The securities of small-capitalization companies generally trade in lower volumes and are subject to greater and more unpredictable price changes than larger capitalization stocks or the stock market as a whole. Small-capitalization companies may be particularly sensitive to changes in interest rates, government regulation, borrowing costs and earnings.

Fund Performance

The Fund commenced operations on June 28, 2013, and therefore does not have performance history for a full calendar year. Once the Fund has completed a full calendar year of operations, a bar chart and table will be included that will provide some indication of the risks of investing in the Fund by showing the variability of the Fund’s return based on net assets and comparing the Fund’s performance to a broad measure of market performance.

Management

Investment Adviser and Sub-Adviser

WisdomTree Asset Management, Inc. serves as investment adviser to the Fund. Mellon Capital Management Corporation serves as sub-adviser to the Fund.

Portfolio Managers

Karen Q. Wong, CFA, a Managing Director, Head of Equity Portfolio Management, has been a portfolio manager of the Fund since its inception in June 2013.

Richard A. Brown, CFA, a Director, Senior Portfolio Manager, has been a portfolio manager of the Fund since its inception in June 2013.

Thomas J. Durante, CFA, a Managing Director, Senior Portfolio Manager, has been a portfolio manager of the Fund since its inception in June 2013.

Buying and Selling Fund Shares

The Fund is an ETF. This means that shares of the Fund are listed on a national securities exchange, such as NASDAQ, and trade at market prices. Most investors will buy and sell shares of the Fund through brokers. Because Fund shares trade at market prices rather than NAV, shares may trade at a price greater than NAV (premium) or less than NAV (discount).

The Fund issues and redeems shares at NAV only in large blocks of shares (“Creation Units”), which only certain institutions or large investors (typically market makers or other broker-dealers) may purchase or redeem. Currently, Creation Units generally consist of 100,000 shares, though this may change from time to time. Creation Units are not expected to consist of less than 50,000 shares. The Fund generally issues and redeems Creation Units in exchange for a portfolio of securities closely approximating the holdings of the Fund and/or a designated amount of U.S. cash.

Tax Information

The Fund intends to make distributions that may be taxed as ordinary income, qualified dividend income, or capital gains.

Payments to Broker-Dealers and Other Financial Intermediaries

If you purchase shares of the Fund through a broker-dealer or other financial intermediary (such as a bank) (an “Intermediary”), WisdomTree Asset Management, Inc. or its affiliates may pay Intermediaries for certain activities related to the Fund, including participation in activities that are designed to make Intermediaries more knowledgeable about exchange traded products, including the Fund, or for other activities, such as marketing, educational training or other initiatives related to the sale or promotion of Fund shares. These payments may create a conflict of interest by influencing the Intermediary and your salesperson to recommend the Fund over another investment. Any such arrangements do not result in increased Fund expenses. Ask your salesperson or visit the Intermediary’s website for more information.

 

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WisdomTree Europe Hedged Equity Fund

 

Investment Objective

The WisdomTree Europe Hedged Equity Fund (the “Fund”) seeks to track the price and yield performance, before fees and expenses, of the WisdomTree Europe Hedged Equity Index (the “Index”).

Fees and Expenses of the Fund

The following table describes the fees and expenses you may pay if you buy and hold shares of the Fund. The fees are expressed as a percentage of the Fund’s average net assets.

 

Shareholder Fees (fees paid directly from your investment)     None   

Annual Fund Operating Expenses (expenses that you pay each year as a percentage of the value of your investment)

       

Management Fees

    0.58

Distribution and/or Service (12b-1) Fees

    None   

Other Expenses

    0.00
Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses     0.58

Example

The following example is intended to help retail investors compare the cost of investing in the Fund with the cost of investing in other funds. It illustrates the hypothetical expenses that such investors would incur over various periods if they were to invest $10,000 in the Fund for the time periods indicated and then redeem all of the shares at the end of those periods. This example assumes that the Fund provides a return of 5% a year and that operating expenses remain the same. This example does not include the brokerage commissions that retail investors may pay to buy and sell shares of the Fund. Although your actual costs may be higher or lower, based on these assumptions, your costs would be:

 

     1 Year     3 Years     5 Years     10 Years  
      $59        $186        $324        $726   

Portfolio Turnover

The Fund pays transaction costs, such as commissions, when it buys and sells securities (or “turns over” its portfolio). A higher portfolio turnover rate may indicate higher transaction costs and may result in higher taxes when Fund shares are held in a taxable account. These costs, which are not reflected in annual fund operating expenses or in the example, affect the Fund’s performance. During the most recent fiscal year, the Fund’s portfolio turnover rate was 28% of the average value of its portfolio, excluding the value of portfolio securities received or delivered as a result of in-kind creations or redemptions of the Fund’s capital shares.

Principal Investment Strategies of the Fund

The Fund employs a “passive management” – or indexing – investment approach designed to track the performance of the Index. The Fund generally uses a representative sampling strategy to achieve its investment objective, meaning it generally will invest in a sample of the securities in the Index whose risk, return and other characteristics resemble the risk, return and other characteristics of the Index as a whole. Under normal circumstances, at least 95% of the Fund’s total assets (exclusive of collateral held from securities lending) will be invested in the component securities of the Index and investments that have economic characteristics that are substantially identical to the economic characteristics of such component securities.

The Index is a dividend weighted index designed to provide exposure to European equity securities, particularly shares of European exporters, while at the same time neutralizing exposure to fluctuations between the value of the U.S. dollar and the euro. Shares of European exporters stand to benefit from weakness in the value of the euro as this decreases the relative cost of the goods and services they are exporting. The Index consists of those dividend paying companies within the WisdomTree DEFA Index that are organized under the laws of a European country and trade in euros, have at least $1 billion in market capitalization, and derive at least 50% of their revenue from countries outside of Europe. Countries historically represented in the Index include: Germany, France, the Netherlands, Spain, Belgium, Finland, Italy, Portugal, Austria and Ireland. Companies in the Index must have a calculated volume factor (the average daily dollar volume for three months preceding the Index screening date divided by the weight of the security in the Index) that is greater than $200 million. Securities are weighted in the Index based on dividends paid over the prior annual cycle. Companies that pay more total dollar amount of dividends are more heavily weighted. At the time of the Index’s annual screening date, the maximum weight of any single security in the Index is capped at 5% and the maximum weight of any one sector and any one country in the Index, is capped

 

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at 25%, subject to the following volume factor. In the event that a company has a calculated volume factor that is less than $400 million as of the annual Index screening date, (i) the company’s weight in the Index will be reduced such that its weight equals its weight prior to the adjustment multiplied by a fraction of its calculated volume factor divided by $400 million, and (ii) the reduction in the company’s Index weight may cause a sector’s and/or country’s weight to rise above 25%. In response to market conditions, security, sector and country weights may fluctuate above the specified cap between annual Index screening dates.

WisdomTree Investments, Inc. (“WisdomTree Investments”), as index provider, currently uses Standard & Poor’s Global Industry Classification Standards (“S&P GICS”) to define companies within a sector. The following sectors are included in the Index: consumer discretionary, consumer staples, energy, financials, health care, industrials, information technology, materials, telecommunication services, and utilities. A sector is comprised of multiple industries. For example, the energy sector is comprised of companies in, among others, the natural gas, oil and petroleum industries. As of June 30, 2014, a significant portion of the Index is comprised of companies in the consumer discretionary, consumer staples and industrial sectors.

The Index “hedges” against fluctuations in the relative value of the euro against the U.S. dollar. The Index is designed to have higher returns than an equivalent non-currency hedged investment when the U.S. dollar is going up in value relative to the euro. Conversely, the Index is designed to have lower returns than an equivalent non-currency hedged investment when the U.S. dollar is falling in value relative to the euro. The Index applies an applicable published WM/Reuters one-month currency forward rate to the total equity exposure of each country in the Index to adjust the value of the euro against the U.S. dollar. If a country that had previously adopted the euro as its official currency were to revert back to its local currency, the country would remain in the Index and the Index would be hedged in such local currency as soon as practicable after forward rates become available for such currency.

Forward currency contracts or futures contracts are used to offset the Fund’s exposure to the euro. A forward currency contract is a contract between two parties to buy or sell a specific currency in the future at an agreed-upon rate. A currency futures contract is a contract to exchange one currency for another at a specified date in the future at an agreed upon exchange rate. The amount of forward contracts and futures contracts in the Fund is based on the aggregate exposure of the Fund and Index to the euro. While this approach is designed to minimize the impact of currency fluctuations on Fund returns, it does not necessarily eliminate exposure to all currency fluctuations. The return of the forward currency contracts and currency futures contracts may not perfectly offset the actual fluctuations of the euro relative to the U.S. dollar.

The Fund also may invest its assets in cash and cash equivalents, as well as in shares of other investment companies, forward contracts, futures contracts, options on futures contracts, options, and swaps.

To the extent the Index concentrates (i.e., holds 25% or more of its total assets) in the securities of a particular industry or group of industries, the Fund will concentrate its investments to approximately the same extent as its Index.

Principal Risks of Investing in the Fund

You can lose money on your investment in the Fund. The Fund is subject to the risks described below. Some or all of these risks may adversely affect the Fund’s net asset value per share (“NAV”), trading price, yield, total return and/or ability to meet its objectives. For more information about the risks of investing in the Fund, see the sections in the Fund’s prospectus titled “Additional Principal Risk Information About the Funds” and “Additional Non-Principal Risk Information.”

 

n  

Investment Risk. As with all investments, an investment in the Fund is subject to investment risk. Investors in the Fund could lose money, including the possible loss of the entire principal amount of an investment, over short or long periods of time.

 

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Market Risk. The trading prices of equity securities and other instruments fluctuate in response to a variety of factors. The Fund’s NAV and market price may fluctuate significantly in response to these and other factors. As a result, an investor could lose money over short or long periods of time.

 

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Shares of the Fund May Trade at Prices Other Than NAV. As with all exchange-traded funds (“ETFs”), Fund shares may be bought and sold in the secondary market at market prices. The trading prices of the Fund’s shares in the secondary market generally differ from the Fund’s daily NAV and there may be times when the market price of the shares is more than the NAV (premium) or less than the NAV (discount). This risk is heightened in times of market volatility or periods of steep market declines.

 

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Cash Redemption Risk. The Fund’s investment strategy will require it to redeem shares for cash or to otherwise include cash as part of its redemption proceeds. The Fund may be required to sell or unwind portfolio investments in order to obtain the cash needed to distribute redemption proceeds. This may cause the Fund to recognize a capital gain that it might not have recognized if it had made a redemption in-kind. As a result, the Fund may pay out higher annual capital gain distributions than if the in-kind redemption process was used.

 

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Consumer Discretionary Sector Risk. The Fund currently invests a significant portion of its assets in companies in the consumer discretionary sector. This sector consists of, for example, automobile, retail and media companies. The consumer discretionary sector of the economy can be significantly affected by, among other things, economic growth, worldwide demand and consumers’ disposable income levels and propensity to spend.

 

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Consumer Staples Sector Risk. The Fund currently invests a significant portion of its assets in companies in the consumer staples sector. This sector can be significantly affected by, among other things, changes in price and availability of underlying commodities, rising energy prices and global and economic conditions.

 

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Currency Exchange Rate Risk. The Fund uses various strategies to attempt to minimize the impact of changes in the value of the euro against the U.S. dollar. These strategies may not be successful. In order to minimize transaction costs, or for other reasons, the Fund’s exposure to the euro may not be fully hedged at all times. Currency exchange rates can be very volatile and can change quickly and unpredictably. Therefore, the value of an investment in a Fund may also go up or down quickly and unpredictably and investors may lose money.

 

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Derivatives Risk. The Fund may invest in derivatives. Derivatives are financial instruments that derive their performance from an underlying reference asset, such as a commodity, index, interest rate or inflation rate. The return on a derivative instrument may not correlate with the return of its underlying reference asset. Derivatives are subject to a number of risks described elsewhere in the Fund’s Prospectus, such as market risk and issuer-specific risk. Derivatives can be volatile and may be less liquid than other securities. As a result, the value of an investment in the Fund may change quickly and without warning and you may lose money. In addition to the other risks associated with the use of derivatives described elsewhere in this Prospectus, there are risks associated with the Fund’s use of forward currency contracts and futures contracts. With respect to forward currency contracts, these risks include but are not limited to the risk that the counterparty will default on its obligations. With respect to futures contracts, these risks include but are not limited to: (1) the success of the adviser’s and sub-adviser’s ability to predict movements in the prices of individual currencies or securities, fluctuations in markets and movements in interest rates; (2) an imperfect or no correlation between the changes in market value of the currencies or securities and the prices of futures contracts; and (3) no guarantee that an active market will exist for the contracts at any particular time.

 

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Foreign Securities Risk. Investments in non-U.S. securities involve certain risks that may not be present with investments in U.S. securities. For example, investments in non-U.S. securities may be subject to risk of loss due to foreign currency fluctuations or to political or economic instability. Investments in non-U.S. securities also may be subject to withholding or other taxes and may be subject to additional trading, settlement, custodial, and operational risks. These and other factors can make investments in the Fund more volatile and potentially less liquid than other types of investments and may be heightened in connection with investments in developing or emerging markets countries.

 

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Geographic Concentration in Europe. Because the Fund invests primarily in the securities of companies in Europe, the Fund’s performance is expected to be closely tied to social, political, and economic conditions within Europe and to be more volatile than the performance of more geographically diversified funds. Most developed countries in Western Europe are members of the European Union (EU), and many are also members of the European Monetary Union (EMU), which requires compliance with restrictions on inflation rates, deficits, and debt levels. Unemployment in certain European nations is historically high and several countries face significant debt problems. These conditions can significantly affect every country in Europe. The Fund currently invests a significant portion of its assets in companies organized in Germany, France, Spain, and the Netherlands.

 

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Geopolitical Risk. Some countries and regions in which the Fund invests have experienced security concerns, war or threats of war and aggression, terrorism, economic uncertainty, natural and environmental disasters and/or systemic market dislocations that have led, and in the future may lead, to increased short-term market volatility and may have adverse long-term effects on the U.S. and world economies and markets generally, each of which may negatively impact the Fund’s investments.

 

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Industrial Sector Risk. The Fund currently invests a significant portion of its assets in companies in the industrial sector. The industrial sector can be significantly affected by, among other things, worldwide economy growth, supply and demand for specific products and services, rapid technological developments, and government regulation.

 

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Investment Style Risk. The Fund invests in the securities included in, or representative of, its Index regardless of their investment merit. The Fund does not attempt to outperform its Index or take defensive positions in declining markets. As a result, the Fund’s performance may be adversely affected by a general decline in the market segments relating to its Index.

 

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Issuer-Specific Risk. Issuer-specific events, including changes in the financial condition of an issuer, can have a negative impact on the value of the Fund.

 

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Large-Capitalization Investing. The Fund may invest a relatively large percentage of its assets in the securities of large-capitalization companies. As a result, the Fund’s performance may be adversely affected if securities of large-capitalization companies underperform securities of smaller-capitalization companies or the market as a whole. The securities of large-capitalization companies may be relatively mature compared to smaller companies and therefore subject to slower growth during times of economic expansion.

 

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Non-Correlation Risk. As with all index funds, the performance of the Fund and its Index may differ from each other for a variety of reasons.

 

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Non-Diversification Risk. Although the Fund intends to invest in a variety of securities and instruments, the Fund will be considered to be non-diversified, which means that it may invest more of its assets in the securities of a single issuer or a smaller number of issuers than if it were a diversified fund. As a result, the Fund may be more exposed to the risks associated with and developments affecting an individual issuer or a smaller number of issuers than a fund that invests more widely. This may increase the Fund’s volatility and cause the performance of a relatively smaller number of issuers to have a greater impact on the Fund’s performance.

Fund Performance

Historical Fund performance, which varies over time, can provide an indication of the risks of investing in the Fund. The bar chart that follows shows the annual total returns of the Fund for each full calendar year since the Fund commenced operations. The table that follows the bar chart shows the Fund’s average annual total returns, both before and after taxes. This table also shows how the Fund’s performance compares to the Index and that of a relevant broad-based securities index. Index returns do not reflect deductions for fees, expenses or taxes. All returns assume reinvestment of dividends and distributions. The Fund’s past performance (before and after taxes) is not necessarily an indication of how the Fund will perform in the future.

The Fund’s name and objective changed effective August 29, 2012. Fund performance prior to August 29, 2012 reflects the investment objective of the Fund when it was the WisdomTree International Hedged Equity Fund and tracked the performance, before fees and expenses, of the WisdomTree DEFA International Hedged Equity Index.

 

LOGO

The Fund’s year-to-date total return as of June 30, 2014 was 6.30%.

Best and Worst Quarter Returns (for the period reflected in the bar chart above)

 

     Return     Quarter/Year  

Highest Return

    10.84     3Q/2013   

Lowest Return

    (14.16 )%      3Q/2011   

After-tax returns are calculated using the highest historical individual federal marginal income tax rates and do not reflect the impact of state and local taxes. Actual after-tax returns depend on your tax situation and may differ from those shown and are not relevant if you hold your Fund shares through tax-deferred arrangements, such as 401(k) plans or individual retirement accounts. In some cases the return after taxes may exceed the return before taxes due to an assumed tax benefit from any losses on a sale of Fund shares at the end of the measurement period.

 

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Average Annual Total Returns for the periods ending December 31, 2013

 

WisdomTree Europe Hedged Equity Fund*   1 Year    

Since Inception

(12/31/2009)

 

Return Before Taxes Based on NAV

    21.51     7.42

Return After Taxes on Distributions

    20.72     7.02

Return After Taxes on Distributions and Sale of Fund Shares

    12.39     5.97

MSCI EAFE Local Currency/MSCI EMU Local Currency Spliced Index** (Reflects no deduction for fees, expenses or taxes)

    23.36     7.45

WisdomTree DEFA International Hedged Equity/WisdomTree Europe Hedged Equity Spliced Index*** (Reflects no deduction for fees, expenses or taxes)

    21.70     7.94
*   The Fund’s objective changed effective August 29, 2012. Prior to that date, the Fund sought to track the price and yield performance, before fees and expenses, of the WisdomTree DEFA International Hedged Equity Index. After August 29, 2012, the Fund seeks to track the price and yield performance, before fees and expenses, of the WisdomTree Europe Hedged Equity Index.
**   MSCI EAFE Local Currency Index through August 29, 2012; MSCI EMU Local Currency Index thereafter.
***   Reflects performance of the WisdomTree International Hedged Equity Index through August 29, 2012 and the WisdomTree Europe Hedged Equity Index thereafter.

Management

Investment Adviser and Sub-Adviser

WisdomTree Asset Management, Inc. serves as investment adviser to the Fund. Mellon Capital Management Corporation serves as sub-adviser to the Fund.

Portfolio Managers

Karen Q. Wong, CFA, a Managing Director, Head of Equity Portfolio Management, has been a portfolio manager of the Fund since December 2009.

Richard A. Brown, CFA, a Director, Senior Portfolio Manager, has been a portfolio manager of the Fund since December 2009.

Thomas J. Durante, CFA, a Managing Director, Senior Portfolio Manager, has been a portfolio manager of the Fund since December 2009.

Buying and Selling Fund Shares

The Fund is an ETF. This means that shares of the Fund are listed on a national securities exchange, such as NYSE Arca, and trade at market prices. Most investors will buy and sell shares of the Fund through brokers. Because Fund shares trade at market prices rather than NAV, shares may trade at a price greater than NAV (premium) or less than NAV (discount).

The Fund issues and redeems shares at NAV only in large blocks of shares (“Creation Units”), which only certain institutions or large investors (typically market makers or other broker-dealers) may purchase or redeem. Currently, Creation Units generally consist of 50,000 shares, though this may change from time to time. Creation Units are not expected to consist of less than 50,000 shares. The Fund generally issues and redeems Creation Units in exchange for a portfolio of securities closely approximating the holdings of the Fund and/or a designated amount of U.S. cash.

Tax Information

The Fund intends to make distributions that may be taxed as ordinary income, qualified dividend income, or capital gains.

Payments to Broker-Dealers and Other Financial Intermediaries

If you purchase shares of the Fund through a broker-dealer or other financial intermediary (such as a bank) (an “Intermediary”), WisdomTree Asset Management, Inc. or its affiliates may pay Intermediaries for certain activities related to the Fund, including participation in activities that are designed to make Intermediaries more knowledgeable about exchange traded products, including the Fund, or for other activities, such as marketing, educational training or other initiatives related to the sale or promotion of Fund shares. These payments may create a conflict of interest by influencing the Intermediary and your salesperson to recommend the Fund over another investment. Any such arrangements do not result in increased Fund expenses. Ask your salesperson or visit the Intermediary’s website for more information.

 

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WisdomTree United Kingdom Hedged Equity Fund

 

Investment Objective

The WisdomTree United Kingdom Hedged Equity Fund (the “Fund”) seeks to track the price and yield performance, before fees and expenses, of the WisdomTree United Kingdom Hedged Equity Index (the “Index”).

Fees and Expenses of the Fund

The following table describes the fees and expenses you may pay if you buy and hold shares of the Fund. The fees are expressed as a percentage of the Fund’s average net assets.

 

Shareholder Fees (fees paid directly from your investment)     None   

Annual Fund Operating Expenses (expenses that you pay each year as a percentage of the value of your investment)

       

Management Fees

    0.48

Distribution and/or Service (12b-1) Fees

    None   

Other Expenses

    0.00
Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses     0.48

Example

The following example is intended to help retail investors compare the cost of investing in the Fund with the cost of investing in other funds. It illustrates the hypothetical expenses that such investors would incur over various periods if they were to invest $10,000 in the Fund for the time periods indicated and then redeem all of the shares at the end of those periods. This example assumes that the Fund provides a return of 5% a year and that operating expenses remain the same. This example does not include the brokerage commissions that retail investors may pay to buy and sell shares of the Fund. Although your actual costs may be higher or lower, based on these assumptions, your costs would be:

 

     1 Year     3 Years     5 Years     10 Years  
      $49        $154        $269        $604   

Portfolio Turnover

The Fund pays transaction costs, such as commissions, when it buys and sells securities (or “turns over” its portfolio). A higher portfolio turnover rate may indicate higher transaction costs and may result in higher taxes when Fund shares are held in a taxable account. These costs, which are not reflected in annual fund operating expenses or in the example, affect the Fund’s performance. During the most recent fiscal period, the Fund’s portfolio turnover rate was 12% of the average value of its portfolio, excluding the value of portfolio securities received or delivered as a result of in-kind creations or redemptions of the Fund’s capital shares.

Principal Investment Strategies of the Fund

The Fund employs a “passive management” – or indexing – investment approach designed to track the performance of the Index. The Fund generally uses a representative sampling strategy to achieve its investment objective, meaning it generally will invest in a sample of the securities in the Index whose risk, return and other characteristics resemble the risk, return and other characteristics of the Index as a whole. Under normal circumstances, at least 80% of the Fund’s total assets (exclusive of collateral held from securities lending) will be invested in the component securities of the Index and investments that have economic characteristics that are substantially identical to the economic characteristics of such component securities.

The Index is a dividend weighted index designed to provide exposure to United Kingdom equity markets while at the same time neutralizing exposure to fluctuations of the value of the British pound relative to the U.S. dollar. The Index consists of dividend-paying companies incorporated in the United Kingdom and traded on the London Stock Exchange that derive less than 80% of their revenue from sources in the United Kingdom. By excluding companies that derive 80% or more of their revenue from the United Kingdom, the Index is tilted towards companies with a more significant global revenue base. The starting universe screening requirements include: (i) payment of at least $5 million in cash dividends on common shares in the annual cycle prior to the annual Index screening date; (ii) market capitalization of at least $1 billion as of the Index screening date; (iii) average daily dollar volume of at least $100,000 for the three months preceding the Index screening date; (iv) a calculated volume factor (the average daily dollar volume for three months preceding the Index screening date divided by the weight of the security in the Index) that is greater than $200 million; and (v) trading of at least 250,000 shares per month for each of the six months preceding the Index screening date. Securities are weighted in the Index based on dividends paid over the prior annual cycle. Companies that pay more total dollar amount of dividends are more heavily weighted. At the time of

 

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the Index’s annual screening date, the maximum weight of any single security in the Index is capped at 5% and the maximum weight of any one sector in the Index is capped at 25%, subject to the following volume factor. In the event that a company has a calculated volume factor that is less than $400 million as of the annual Index screening date, (i) the company’s weight in the Index will be reduced such that its weight equals its weight prior to the adjustment multiplied by a fraction of its calculated volume factor divided by $400 million, and (ii) the reduction in the company’s Index weight may cause a sector’s weight to rise above 25%. In response to market conditions, security and sector weights may fluctuate above the specified cap between annual Index screening dates.

WisdomTree Investments, Inc. (“WisdomTree Investments”), as index provider, currently uses Standard & Poor’s Global Industry Classification Standards (“S&P GICS”) to define companies within a sector. The following sectors are included in the Index: consumer discretionary, consumer staples, energy, financials, health care, industrials, information technology, materials, telecommunication services, and utilities. A sector is comprised of multiple industries. For example, the energy sector is comprised of companies in, among others, the natural gas, oil and petroleum industries. As of June 30, 2014, a significant portion of the Index is comprised of companies in the consumer staples, energy and financial sectors.

The Index “hedges” against fluctuations in the relative value of the British pound against the U.S. dollar. The Index is designed to have higher returns than an equivalent unhedged investment when the British pound is weakening relative to the U.S. dollar. Conversely, the Index is designed to have lower returns than an equivalent unhedged investment when the British pound is rising relative to the U.S. dollar. The Index applies an applicable published WM/Reuters one-month currency forward rate to the total equity exposure to the United Kingdom to adjust the value of the British pound against the U.S. dollar.

The Fund intends to enter into forward currency contracts or futures contracts designed to offset the Fund’s exposure to the British pound. A forward currency contract is a contract between two parties to buy or sell a specific currency in the future at an agreed upon exchange rate. A currency futures contract is a contract to exchange one currency for another at a specified date in the future at an agreed upon exchange rate. The amount of forward contracts and futures contracts in the Fund is based on the aggregate exposure of the Fund and Index to the British pound. While this approach is designed to minimize the impact of currency fluctuations on Fund returns, it does not necessarily eliminate the Fund’s exposure to the British pound. The return of the forward currency contracts and currency futures contracts may not perfectly offset the actual fluctuations between the British pound and the U.S. dollar.

The Fund also may invest its assets in cash and cash equivalents, as well as in shares of other investment companies, forward contracts, futures contracts, options on futures contracts, options, and swaps.

To the extent the Index concentrates (i.e., holds 25% or more of its total assets) in the securities of a particular industry or group of industries, the Fund will concentrate its investments to approximately the same extent as its Index.

Principal Risks of Investing in the Fund

You can lose money on your investment in the Fund. The Fund is subject to the risks described below. Some or all of these risks may adversely affect the Fund’s net asset value per share (“NAV”), trading price, yield, total return and/or ability to meet its objectives. For more information about the risks of investing in the Fund, see the sections in the Fund’s prospectus titled “Additional Principal Risk Information About the Funds” and “Additional Non-Principal Risk Information.”

 

n  

Investment Risk. As with all investments, an investment in the Fund is subject to investment risk. Investors in the Fund could lose money, including the possible loss of the entire principal amount of an investment, over short or long periods of time.

 

n  

Market Risk. The trading prices of equity securities and other instruments fluctuate in response to a variety of factors. The Fund’s NAV and market price may fluctuate significantly in response to these and other factors. As a result, an investor could lose money over short or long periods of time.

 

n  

Shares of the Fund May Trade at Prices Other Than NAV. As with all exchange-traded funds (“ETFs”), Fund shares may be bought and sold in the secondary market at market prices. The trading prices of the Fund’s shares in the secondary market generally differ from the Fund’s daily NAV and there may be times when the market price of the shares is more than the NAV (premium) or less than the NAV (discount). This risk is heightened in times of market volatility or periods of steep market declines.

 

n  

Cash Redemption Risk. The Fund’s investment strategy will require it to redeem shares for cash or to otherwise include cash as part of its redemption proceeds. The Fund may be required to sell or unwind portfolio investments in order to obtain the cash needed to distribute redemption proceeds. This may cause the Fund to recognize a capital gain that it might not have recognized if it had made a redemption in-kind. As a result, the Fund may pay out higher annual capital gain distributions than if the in-kind redemption process was used.

 

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Consumer Staples Sector Risk. The Fund currently invests a significant portion of its assets in companies in the consumer staples sector. This sector can be significantly affected by, among other things, changes in price and availability of underlying commodities, rising energy prices and global and economic conditions.

 

n  

Currency Exchange Rate Risk. The Fund uses various strategies to attempt to minimize the impact of changes in the value of the British pound against the U.S. dollar. These strategies may not be successful. In order to minimize transaction costs, or for other reasons, the Fund’s exposure to the British pound may not be fully hedged at all times. Currency exchange rates can be very volatile and can change quickly and unpredictably. Therefore, the value of an investment in a Fund may also go up or down quickly and unpredictably and investors may lose money.

 

n  

Derivatives Risk. The Fund may invest in derivatives. Derivatives are financial instruments that derive their performance from an underlying reference asset, such as a commodity, index, interest rate or inflation rate. The return on a derivative instrument may not correlate with the return of its underlying reference asset. Derivatives are subject to a number of risks described elsewhere in the Fund’s Prospectus, such as market risk and issuer-specific risk. Derivatives can be volatile and may be less liquid than other securities. As a result, the value of an investment in the Fund may change quickly and without warning and you may lose money. In addition to the other risks associated with the use of derivatives described elsewhere in this Prospectus, there are risks associated with the Fund’s use of forward currency contracts and futures contracts. With respect to forward currency contracts, these risks include but are not limited to the risk that the counterparty will default on its obligations. With respect to futures contracts, these risks include but are not limited to: (1) the success of the adviser’s and sub-adviser’s ability to predict movements in the prices of individual currencies or securities, fluctuations in markets and movements in interest rates; (2) an imperfect or no correlation between the changes in market value of the currencies or securities and the prices of futures contracts; and (3) no guarantee that an active market will exist for the contracts at any particular time.

 

n  

Energy Sector Risk. The Fund currently invests a significant portion of its assets in companies in the energy sector. The energy sector can be significantly affected by, among other things: economic growth, worldwide demand, political instability in the Middle East, and volatile oil prices.

 

n  

Financial Sector Risk. The Fund currently invests a significant portion of its assets in companies in the financial sector, and therefore the performance of the Fund could be negatively impacted by events affecting this sector. This sector can be significantly affected by changes in interest rates, government regulation, the rate of defaults on corporate, consumer and government debt, the availability and cost of capital, and fallout from the housing and sub-prime mortgage crisis.

 

n  

Foreign Securities Risk. Investments in non-U.S. securities involve certain risks that may not be present with investments in U.S. securities. For example, investments in non-U.S. securities may be subject to risk of loss due to foreign currency fluctuations or to political or economic instability. Investments in non-U.S. securities also may be subject to withholding or other taxes and may be subject to additional trading, settlement, custodial, and operational risks. These and other factors can make investments in the Fund more volatile and potentially less liquid than other types of investments and may be heightened in connection with investments in developing or emerging markets countries.

 

n  

Geographic Concentration in the United Kingdom. Because the Fund concentrates its investments in the United Kingdom, the Fund’s performance is expected to be closely tied to social, political, and economic conditions within the United Kingdom and to be more volatile than the performance of more geographically diversified funds. The United Kingdom has one of the largest economies in Europe and trades heavily with other European countries. The economy of the United Kingdom may be impacted by changes to the economic health of other European countries. These and other factors could have a negative impact on the Fund’s performance and increase the volatility of an investment in the Fund.

 

n  

Geopolitical Risk. Some countries and regions in which the Fund invests have experienced security concerns, war or threats of war and aggression, terrorism, economic uncertainty, natural and environmental disasters and/or systemic market dislocations that have led, and in the future may lead, to increased short-term market volatility and may have adverse long-term effects on the U.S. and world economies and markets generally, each of which may negatively impact the Fund’s investments.

 

n  

Investment Style Risk. The Fund invests in the securities included in, or representative of, its Index regardless of their investment merit. The Fund does not attempt to outperform its Index or take defensive positions in declining markets. As a result, the Fund’s performance may be adversely affected by a general decline in the market segments relating to its Index.

 

n  

Issuer-Specific Risk. Issuer-specific events, including changes in the financial condition of an issuer, can have a negative impact on the value of the Fund.

 

n  

Large-Capitalization Investing. The Fund invests a relatively large percentage of its assets in the securities of large-capitalization companies. As a result, the Fund’s performance may be adversely affected if securities of large-capitalization companies underperform securities of smaller-capitalization companies or the market as a whole. The securities of

 

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large-capitalization companies may be relatively mature compared to smaller companies and therefore subject to slower growth during times of economic expansion.

 

n  

Non-Correlation Risk. As with all index funds, the performance of the Fund and its Index may differ from each other for a variety of reasons.

 

n  

Non-Diversification Risk. Although the Fund intends to invest in a variety of securities and instruments, the Fund will be considered to be non-diversified, which means that it may invest more of its assets in the securities of a single issuer or a smaller number of issuers than if it were a diversified fund. As a result, the Fund may be more exposed to the risks associated with and developments affecting an individual issuer or a smaller number of issuers than a fund that invests more widely. This may increase the Fund’s volatility and cause the performance of a relatively smaller number of issuers to have a greater impact on the Fund’s performance.

Fund Performance

The Fund commenced operations on June 28, 2013, and therefore does not have performance history for a full calendar year. Once the Fund has completed a full calendar year of operations, a bar chart and table will be included that will provide some indication of the risks of investing in the Fund by showing the variability of the Fund’s return based on net assets and comparing the Fund’s performance to a broad measure of market performance.

Management

Investment Adviser and Sub-Adviser

WisdomTree Asset Management, Inc. serves as investment adviser to the Fund. Mellon Capital Management Corporation serves as sub-adviser to the Fund.

Portfolio Managers

Karen Q. Wong, CFA, a Managing Director, Head of Equity Portfolio Management, has been a portfolio manager of the Fund since its inception in June 2013.

Richard A. Brown, CFA, a Director, Senior Portfolio Manager, has been a portfolio manager of the Fund since its inception in June 2013.

Thomas J. Durante, CFA, a Managing Director, Senior Portfolio Manager, has been a portfolio manager of the Fund since its inception in June 2013.

Buying and Selling Fund Shares

The Fund is an ETF. This means that shares of the Fund are listed on a national securities exchange, such as NASDAQ, and trade at market prices. Most investors will buy and sell shares of the Fund through brokers. Because Fund shares trade at market prices rather than NAV, shares may trade at a price greater than NAV (premium) or less than NAV (discount).

The Fund issues and redeems shares at NAV only in large blocks of shares (“Creation Units”), which only certain institutions or large investors (typically market makers or other broker-dealers) may purchase or redeem. Currently, Creation Units generally consist of 50,000 shares, though this may change from time to time. Creation Units are not expected to consist of less than 50,000 shares. The Fund generally issues and redeems Creation Units in exchange for a portfolio of securities closely approximating the holdings of the Fund and/or a designated amount of U.S. cash.

Tax Information

The Fund intends to make distributions that may be taxed as ordinary income, qualified dividend income, or capital gains.

Payments to Broker-Dealers and Other Financial Intermediaries

If you purchase shares of the Fund through a broker-dealer or other financial intermediary (such as a bank) (an “Intermediary”), WisdomTree Asset Management, Inc. or its affiliates may pay Intermediaries for certain activities related to the Fund, including participation in activities that are designed to make Intermediaries more knowledgeable about exchange traded products, including the Fund, or for other activities, such as marketing, educational training or other initiatives related to the sale or promotion of Fund shares. These payments may create a conflict of interest by influencing the Intermediary and your salesperson to recommend the Fund over another investment. Any such arrangements do not result in increased Fund expenses. Ask your salesperson or visit the Intermediary’s website for more information.

 

WisdomTree Trust Prospectus      59   


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WisdomTree Germany Hedged Equity Fund

 

Fund Summary

Investment Objective

The WisdomTree Germany Hedged Equity Fund (the “Fund”) seeks to track the price and yield performance, before fees and expenses, of the WisdomTree Germany Hedged Equity Index (the “Index”).

Fees and Expenses of the Fund

The following table describes the fees and expenses you may pay if you buy and hold shares of the Fund. The fees are expressed as a percentage of the Fund’s average net assets.

 

Shareholder Fees (fees paid directly from your investment)     None   

Annual Fund Operating Expenses (expenses that you pay each year as a percentage of the value of your investment)

       

Management Fees

    0.48

Distribution and/or Service (12b-1) Fees

    None   

Other Expenses

    0.00
Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses     0.48

Example

The following example is intended to help retail investors compare the cost of investing in the Fund with the cost of investing in other funds. It illustrates the hypothetical expenses that such investors would incur over various periods if they were to invest $10,000 in the Fund for the time periods indicated and then redeem all of the shares at the end of those periods. This example assumes that the Fund provides a return of 5% a year and that operating expenses remain the same. This example does not include the brokerage commissions that retail investors may pay to buy and sell shares of the Fund. Although your actual costs may be higher or lower, based on these assumptions, your costs would be:

 

     1 Year     3 Years     5 Years     10 Years  
      $49        $154        $269        $604   

Portfolio Turnover

The Fund pays transaction costs, such as commissions, when it buys and sells securities (or “turns over” its portfolio). A higher portfolio turnover rate may indicate higher transaction costs and may result in higher taxes when Fund shares are held in a taxable account. These costs, which are not reflected in annual fund operating expenses or in the example, affect the Fund’s performance. During the most recent fiscal period, the Fund’s portfolio turnover rate was 4% of the average value of its portfolio, excluding the value of portfolio securities received or delivered as a result of in-kind creations or redemptions of the Fund’s capital shares.

Principal Investment Strategies of the Fund

The Fund employs a “passive management” – or indexing – investment approach designed to track the performance of the Index. The Fund generally uses a representative sampling strategy to achieve its investment objective, meaning it generally will invest in a sample of the securities in the Index whose risk, return and other characteristics resemble the risk, return and other characteristics of the Index as a whole. Under normal circumstances, at least 80% of the Fund’s total assets (exclusive of collateral held from securities lending) will be invested in the component securities of the Index and investments that have economic characteristics that are substantially identical to the economic characteristics of such component securities.

The Index is a dividend weighted index designed to provide exposure to Germany equity markets while at the same time neutralizing exposure to fluctuations of the value of the euro relative to the U.S. dollar. The Index consists of dividend-paying companies incorporated in Germany that trade primarily on German Exchanges and derive less than 80% of their revenue from sources in Germany. By excluding companies that derive 80% or more of their revenue from Germany, the Index is tilted towards companies with a significant global revenue base. To be eligible for inclusion in the Index, a company must meet the following criteria: (i) payment of at least $5 million in cash dividends on common shares in the annual cycle prior to the annual Index screening date; (ii) have a market capitalization of at least $1 billion as of the Index screening date; (iii) have an average daily dollar volume of at least $100,000 for three months preceding the Index screening date; (iv) a calculated volume factor (the average daily dollar volume for three months preceding the Index screening date divided by the weight of the security in the Index) that is greater than $200 million; and (v) have trading of at least 250,000 shares per month for each

 

60   WisdomTree Trust Prospectus


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of the six months preceding the Index screening date. Securities are weighted in the Index based on dividends paid over the prior annual cycle. Companies that pay a higher total dollar amount of dividends are more heavily weighted. At the time of the Index’s annual screening date, the maximum weight of any one sector in the Index is capped at 25%, subject to the following volume factor. In the event that a company has a calculated volume factor that is less than $400 million as of the annual Index screening date, (i) the company’s weight in the Index will be reduced such that its weight equals its weight prior to the adjustment multiplied by a fraction of its calculated volume factor divided by $400 million, and (ii) the reduction in the company’s Index weight may cause a sector’s weight to rise above 25%. In response to market conditions, sector weights may fluctuate above the specified cap between annual Index screening dates.

WisdomTree Investments, Inc. (“WisdomTree Investments”), as index provider, currently uses Standard & Poor’s Global Industry Classification Standards (“S&P GICS”) to define companies within a sector. The following sectors are included in the Index: consumer discretionary, consumer staples, energy, financials, health care, industrials, information technology, materials, telecommunication services, and utilities. A sector is comprised of multiple industries. For example, the energy sector is comprised of companies in, among others, the natural gas, oil and petroleum industries. As of June 30, 2014, a significant portion of the Index is comprised of companies in the consumer discretionary, financial and industrial sectors.

The Index “hedges” against fluctuations in the relative value of the euro against the U.S. dollar. The Index is designed to have higher returns than an equivalent unhedged investment when the euro is weakening relative to the U.S. dollar. Conversely, the Index is designed to have lower returns than an equivalent unhedged investment when the euro is rising relative to the U.S. dollar. The Index applies an applicable published WM/Reuters one-month currency forward rate to the total equity exposure to Germany to adjust the value of the euro against the U.S. dollar.

The Fund intends to enter into forward currency contracts or futures contracts designed to offset the Fund’s exposure to the euro. A forward currency contract is a contract between two parties to buy or sell a specific currency in the future at an agreed upon exchange rate. A currency futures contract is a contract to exchange one currency for another at a specified date in the future at an agreed upon exchange rate. The amount of forward contracts and futures contracts in the Fund is based on the aggregate exposure of the Fund and Index to the euro. While this approach is designed to minimize the impact of currency fluctuations on Fund returns, it does not necessarily eliminate the Fund’s exposure to the euro. The return of the forward currency contracts and currency futures contracts may not perfectly offset the actual fluctuations between the euro and the U.S. dollar.

To the extent the Index concentrates (i.e., holds 25% or more of its total assets) in the securities of a particular industry or group of industries, the Fund will concentrate its investments to approximately the same extent as its Index.

Principal Risks of Investing in the Fund

You can lose money on your investment in the Fund. The Fund is subject to the risks described below. Some or all of these risks may adversely affect the Fund’s net asset value per share (“NAV”), trading price, yield, total return and/or ability to meet its objectives. For more information about the risks of investing in the Fund, see the sections in the Fund’s Prospectus, titled “Additional Principal Risk Information About the Funds” and “Additional Non-Principal Risk Information.”

 

n  

Investment Risk. As with all investments, an investment in the Fund is subject to investment risk. Investors in the Fund could lose money, including the possible loss of the entire principal amount of an investment, over short or long periods of time.

 

n  

Market Risk. The trading prices of equity securities and other instruments fluctuate in response to a variety of factors. The Fund’s NAV and market price may fluctuate significantly in response to these and other factors. As a result, an investor could lose money over short or long periods of time.

 

n  

Shares of the Fund May Trade at Prices Other Than NAV. As with all exchange-traded funds (“ETFs”), Fund shares may be bought and sold in the secondary market at market prices. The trading prices of the Fund’s shares in the secondary market generally differ from the Fund’s daily NAV, and there may be times when the market price of the shares is more than the NAV (premium) or less than the NAV (discount). This risk is heightened in times of market volatility or periods of steep market declines.

 

n  

Cash Redemption Risk. The Fund’s investment strategy will require it to redeem shares for cash or to otherwise include cash as part of its redemption proceeds. The Fund may be required to sell or unwind portfolio investments in order to obtain the cash needed to distribute redemption proceeds. This may cause the Fund to recognize a capital gain that it might not have recognized if it had made a redemption in-kind. As a result, the Fund may pay out higher annual capital gain distributions than if the in-kind redemption process was used.

 

n  

Consumer Discretionary Sector Risk. The Fund currently invests a significant portion of its assets in companies in the consumer discretionary sector. This sector consists of, for example, automobile, media and retail companies. The consumer discretionary sector of the economy can be significantly affected by, among other things, economic growth, worldwide demand and consumers’ disposable income levels and propensity to spend.

 

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Currency Exchange Rate Risk. The Fund uses various strategies to attempt to minimize the impact of changes in the value of the euro against the U.S. dollar. These strategies may not be successful. In order to minimize transaction costs, or for other reasons, the Fund’s exposure to the euro may not be fully hedged at all times. Currency exchange rates can be very volatile and can change quickly and unpredictably. Therefore, the value of an investment in the Fund may also go up or down quickly and unpredictably and investors may lose money.

 

n  

Derivatives Risk. The Fund may invest in derivatives. Derivatives are financial instruments that derive their performance from an underlying reference asset, such as a commodity, index, interest rate or inflation rate. The return on a derivative instrument may not correlate with the return of its underlying reference asset. Derivatives are subject to a number of risks described elsewhere in the Fund’s Prospectus, such as market risk and issuer-specific risk. Derivatives can be volatile and may be less liquid than other securities. As a result, the value of an investment in the Fund may change quickly and without warning and you may lose money. In addition to the other risks associated with the use of derivatives described elsewhere in this Prospectus, there are risks associated with the Fund’s use of forward currency contracts and futures contracts. With respect to forward currency contracts, these risks include but are not limited to the risk that the counterparty will default on its obligations. With respect to futures contracts, these risks include but are not limited to: (1) the success of the adviser’s and sub-adviser’s ability to predict movements in the prices of individual currencies or securities, fluctuations in markets and movements in interest rates; (2) an imperfect or no correlation between the changes in market value of the currencies or securities and the prices of futures contracts; and (3) no guarantee that an active market will exist for the contracts at any particular time.

 

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Financial Sector Risk. The Fund currently invests a significant portion of its assets in companies in the financial sector, and therefore the performance of the Fund could be negatively impacted by events affecting this sector. This sector can be significantly affected by changes in interest rates, government regulation, the rate of defaults on corporate, consumer and government debt, the availability and cost of capital, and fallout from the housing and sub-prime mortgage crisis.

 

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Foreign Securities Risk. Investments in non-U.S. securities involve certain risks that may not be present with investments in U.S. securities. For example, investments in non-U.S. securities may be subject to risk of loss due to foreign currency fluctuations or to political or economic instability. Investments in non-U.S. securities also may be subject to withholding or other taxes and may be subject to additional trading, settlement, custodial, and operational risks. These and other factors can make investments in the Fund more volatile and potentially less liquid than other types of investments and may be heightened in connection with investments in developing or emerging market countries.

 

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Geographic Concentration in Germany. Because the Fund invests primarily in the securities of companies in Germany, the Fund’s performance is expected to be closely tied to social, political, and economic conditions within Germany and to be more volatile than the performance of more geographically diversified funds. Germany is a member of the European Economic and Monetary Union (“EMU”). EMU member countries share coordinated economic policies and a common currency. As a result, the economy of Germany may be significantly affected by changes in the economies of the EMU members or other European countries. Challenges related to the rebuilding of infrastructure and unemployment in the former area of East Germany may also impact the economy of Germany. These and other factors could have a negative impact on the Fund’s performance.

 

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Geopolitical Risk. Some countries and regions in which the Fund invests have experienced security concerns, war or threats of war and aggression, terrorism, economic uncertainty, natural and environmental disasters and/or systemic market dislocations that have led, and in the future may lead, to increased short-term market volatility and may have adverse long-term effects on the U.S. and world economies and markets generally, each of which may negatively impact the Fund’s investments.

 

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Industrial Sector Risk. The Fund currently invests a significant portion of its assets in companies in the industrial sector. The industrial sector can be significantly affected by, among other things, worldwide economy growth, supply and demand for specific products and services, rapid technological developments, and government regulation.

 

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Investment Style Risk. The Fund invests in the securities included in, or representative of, its Index regardless of their investment merit. The Fund does not attempt to outperform its Index or take defensive positions in declining markets. As a result, the Fund’s performance may be adversely affected by a general decline in the market segments relating to its Index.

 

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Issuer-Specific Risk. Issuer-specific events, including changes in the financial condition of an issuer, can have a negative impact on the value of the Fund.

 

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Large-Capitalization Investing. The Fund may invest a relatively large percentage of its assets in the securities of large-capitalization companies. As a result, the Fund’s performance may be adversely affected if securities of large-capitalization companies underperform securities of smaller-capitalization companies or the market as a whole. The securities of large-capitalization companies may be relatively mature compared to smaller companies and therefore subject to slower growth during times of economic expansion.

 

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Non-Correlation Risk. As with all index funds, the performance of the Fund and its Index may differ from each other for a variety of reasons.

 

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Non-Diversification Risk. Although the Fund intends to invest in a variety of securities and instruments, the Fund will be considered to be non-diversified, which means that it may invest more of its assets in the securities of a single issuer or a smaller number of issuers than if it were a diversified fund. As a result, the Fund may be more exposed to the risks associated with and developments affecting an individual issuer or a smaller number of issuers than a fund that invests more widely. This may increase the Fund’s volatility and cause the performance of a relatively smaller number of issuers to have a greater impact on the Fund’s performance.

Fund Performance

The Fund commenced operations on October 17, 2013, and therefore does not have performance history for a full calendar year. Once the Fund has completed a full calendar year of operations, a bar chart and table will be included that will provide some indication of the risks of investing in the Fund by showing the variability of the Fund’s return based on net assets and comparing the Fund’s performance to a broad measure of market performance.

Management

Investment Adviser and Sub-Adviser

WisdomTree Asset Management, Inc. serves as investment adviser to the Fund. Mellon Capital Management Corporation serves as sub-adviser to the Fund.

Portfolio Managers

Karen Q. Wong, CFA, a Managing Director, Head of Equity Portfolio Management, has been a portfolio manager of the Fund since its inception in October 2013.

Richard A. Brown, CFA, a Director, Senior Portfolio Manager, has been a portfolio manager of the Fund since its inception in October 2013.

Thomas J. Durante, CFA, a Managing Director, Senior Portfolio Manager, has been a portfolio manager of the Fund since its inception in October 2013.

Buying and Selling Fund Shares

The Fund is an ETF. This means that shares of the Fund are listed on a national securities exchange, such as NASDAQ, and trade at market prices. Most investors will buy and sell shares of the Fund through brokers. Because Fund shares trade at market prices rather than NAV, shares may trade at a price greater than NAV (premium) or less than NAV (discount).

The Fund issues and redeems shares at NAV only in large blocks of shares (“Creation Units”), which only certain institutions or large investors (typically market makers or other broker-dealers) may purchase or redeem. Currently, Creation Units generally consist of 50,000 shares, though this may change from time to time. Creation Units are not expected to consist of less than 50,000 shares. The Fund generally issues and redeems Creation Units in exchange for a portfolio of securities closely approximating the holdings of the Fund and/or a designated amount of U.S. cash.

Tax Information

The Fund intends to make distributions that may be taxed as ordinary income, qualified dividend income, or capital gains.

Payments to Broker-Dealers and Other Financial Intermediaries

If you purchase shares of the Fund through a broker-dealer or other financial intermediary (such as a bank) (an “Intermediary”), WisdomTree Asset Management, Inc. or its affiliates may pay Intermediaries for certain activities related to the Fund, including participation in activities that are designed to make Intermediaries more knowledgeable about exchange traded products, including the Fund, or for other activities, such as marketing, educational training or other initiatives related to the sale or promotion of Fund shares. These payments may create a conflict of interest by influencing the Intermediary and your salesperson to recommend the Fund over another investment. Any such arrangements do not result in increased Fund expenses. Ask your salesperson or visit the Intermediary’s website for more information.

 

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WisdomTree Korea Hedged Equity Fund

 

Fund Summary

Investment Objective

The WisdomTree Korea Hedged Equity Fund (the “Fund”) seeks to track the price and yield performance, before fees and expenses, of the WisdomTree Korea Hedged Equity Index (the “Index”).

Fees and Expenses of the Fund

The following table describes the fees and expenses you may pay if you buy and hold shares of the Fund. The fees are expressed as a percentage of the Fund’s average net assets.

 

Shareholder Fees (fees paid directly from your investment)     None   

Annual Fund Operating Expenses (expenses that you pay each year as a percentage of the value of your investment)

       

Management Fees

    0.58

Distribution and/or Service (12b-1) Fees

    None   

Other Expenses

    0.00
Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses     0.58

Example

The following example is intended to help retail investors compare the cost of investing in the Fund with the cost of investing in other funds. It illustrates the hypothetical expenses that such investors would incur over various periods if they were to invest $10,000 in the Fund for the time periods indicated and then redeem all of the shares at the end of those periods. This example assumes that the Fund provides a return of 5% a year and that operating expenses remain the same. This example does not include the brokerage commissions that retail investors may pay to buy and sell shares of the Fund. Although your actual costs may be higher or lower, based on these assumptions, your costs would be:

 

     1 Year     3 Years     5 Years     10 Years  
      $59        $186        $324        $726   

Portfolio Turnover

The Fund pays transaction costs, such as commissions, when it buys and sells securities (or “turns over” its portfolio). A higher portfolio turnover rate may indicate higher transaction costs and may result in higher taxes when Fund shares are held in a taxable account. These costs, which are not reflected in annual fund operating expenses or in the example, affect the Fund’s performance. During the most recent fiscal period, the Fund’s portfolio turnover rate was 37% of the average value of its portfolio, excluding the value of portfolio securities received or delivered as a result of in-kind creations or redemptions of the Fund’s capital shares.

Principal Investment Strategies of the Fund

The Fund employs a “passive management” – or indexing – investment approach designed to track the performance of the Index. The Fund generally uses a representative sampling strategy to achieve its investment objective, meaning it generally will invest in a sample of the securities in the Index whose risk, return and other characteristics resemble the risk, return and other characteristics of the Index as a whole. Under normal circumstances, at least 80% of the Fund’s total assets (exclusive of collateral held from securities lending) will be invested in the component securities of the Index and investments that have economic characteristics that are substantially identical to the economic characteristics of such component securities.

The Index is designed to provide exposure to Korean equity markets while at the same time neutralizing exposure to fluctuations of the value of the Korean won relative to the U.S. dollar. The Index consists of companies incorporated in Korea and traded on the Korea Stock Exchange that derive less than 80% of their revenue from sources in Korea. By excluding companies that derive 80% or more of their revenue from Korea, the Index is tilted towards companies with a significant global revenue base. To be eligible for inclusion in the Index, a company must meet the following criteria: (i) earnings of at least $5 million during the fiscal year prior to the Index screening date; (ii) market capitalization of at least $1 billion as of the Index screening date; (iii) average daily dollar volume of at least $100,000 for three months preceding the Index screening date; (iv) a calculated volume factor (the average daily dollar volume for three months preceding the Index screening date divided by the weight of the security in the Index) that is greater than $200 million; (v) trading of at least 250,000 shares per month for each of the six months preceding the Index screening date; and (vi) a price to earnings ratio of

 

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at least 2 as of the Index screening date. The initial weight of a component in the Index at the annual screening date is based on reported net income in the most recent fiscal year prior to the annual Index screening date. Companies that have a higher total dollar amount of reported net income, as determined by each company’s trailing 12-month net income, generally will be more heavily weighted in the Index and Fund. At the time of the Index’s annual screening date, prior to the implementation of sector constraints, the maximum weight of the largest security in the Index is capped at 10% and the maximum weight of the second largest security in the Index is capped at 4.5%. The maximum weight of any one sector in the Index is capped at 25%, subject to the following volume factor. In the event that a company has a calculated volume factor that is less than $400 million as of the annual Index screening date, (i) the company’s weight in the Index will be reduced such that its weight equals its weight prior to the adjustment multiplied by a fraction of its calculated volume factor divided by $400 million, and (ii) the reduction in the company’s Index weight may cause a sector’s weight to rise above 25%. In response to market conditions, sector weights may fluctuate above the specified cap between annual Index screening dates.

WisdomTree Investments, Inc. (“WisdomTree Investments”), as index provider, currently uses Standard & Poor’s Global Industry Classification Standards (“S&P GICS”) to define companies within a sector. The following sectors are included in the Index: consumer discretionary, consumer staples, energy, financials, health care, industrials, information technology, materials, telecommunication services, and utilities. A sector is comprised of multiple industries. For example, the energy sector is comprised of companies in, among others, the natural gas, oil and petroleum industries. As of June 30, 2014, a significant portion of the Index is comprised of companies in the consumer discretionary, industrial, information technology and material sectors.

The Index “hedges” against fluctuations in the relative value of the Korean won against the U.S. dollar. The Index is designed to have higher returns than an equivalent unhedged investment when the Korean won is weakening relative to the U.S. dollar. Conversely, the Index is designed to have lower returns than an equivalent unhedged investment when the Korean won is rising relative to the U.S. dollar. The Index applies an applicable published one-month currency forward rate to the total equity exposure to Korea to adjust the value of the Korean won against the U.S. dollar.

The Fund intends to enter into forward currency contracts or futures contracts designed to offset the Fund’s exposure to the Korean won. A forward currency contract is a contract between two parties to buy or sell a specific currency in the future at an agreed upon exchange rate. A currency futures contract is a contract to exchange one currency for another at a specified date in the future at an agreed upon exchange rate. The amount of forward contracts and futures contracts in the Fund is based on the aggregate exposure of the Fund and Index to the Korean won. While this approach is designed to minimize the impact of currency fluctuations on Fund returns, it does not necessarily eliminate the Fund’s exposure to the Korean won. The return of the forward currency contracts and currency futures contracts may not perfectly offset the actual fluctuations between the Korean won and the U.S. dollar.

To the extent the Index concentrates (i.e., holds 25% or more of its total assets) in the securities of a particular industry or group of industries, the Fund will concentrate its investments to approximately the same extent as its Index.

Principal Risks of Investing in the Fund

You can lose money on your investment in the Fund. The Fund is subject to the risks described below. Some or all of these risks may adversely affect the Fund’s net asset value per share (“NAV”), trading price, yield, total return and/or ability to meet its objectives. For more information about the risks of investing in the Fund, see the sections in the Fund’s Prospectus, titled “Additional Principal Risk Information About the Funds” and “Additional Non-Principal Risk Information.”

 

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Investment Risk. As with all investments, an investment in the Fund is subject to investment risk. Investors in the Fund could lose money, including the possible loss of the entire principal amount of an investment, over short or long periods of time.

 

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Market Risk. The trading prices of equity securities and other instruments fluctuate in response to a variety of factors. The Fund’s NAV and market price may fluctuate significantly in response to these and other factors. As a result, an investor could lose money over short or long periods of time.

 

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Shares of the Fund May Trade at Prices Other Than NAV. As with all exchange-traded funds (“ETFs”), Fund shares may be bought and sold in the secondary market at market prices. The trading prices of the Fund’s shares in the secondary market generally differ from the Fund’s daily NAV, and there may be times when the market price of the shares is more than the NAV (premium) or less than the NAV (discount). This risk is heightened in times of market volatility or periods of steep market declines.

 

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Capital Controls and Sanctions Risk. Economic conditions, such as volatile currency exchange rates and interest rates, political events, military action and other conditions may, without prior warning, lead to foreign government intervention (including intervention by the U.S. government with respect to foreign governments, economic sectors, foreign companies and related securities and interests) and the imposition of capital controls and/or sanctions, which may also include retaliatory actions of one government against another government, such as seizure of assets. Capital controls and/or sanctions include the prohibition of, or restrictions on, the ability to own or transfer currency, securities or other assets, which may potentially include derivative instruments related thereto. Capital controls and/or sanctions may also

 

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impact the ability of the Fund to buy, sell, transfer, receive, deliver or otherwise obtain exposure to, foreign securities or currency, negatively impact the value and/or liquidity of such instruments, adversely affect the trading market and price for shares of the Fund, and cause the Fund to decline in value.

 

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Cash Redemption Risk. The Fund’s investment strategy will require it to redeem shares for cash or to otherwise include cash as part of its redemption proceeds. The Fund may be required to sell or unwind portfolio investments in order to obtain the cash needed to distribute redemption proceeds. This may cause the Fund to recognize a capital gain that it might not have recognized if it had made a redemption in-kind. As a result, the Fund may pay out higher annual capital gain distributions than if the in-kind redemption process was used.

 

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Consumer Discretionary Sector Risk. The Fund currently invests a significant portion of its assets in companies in the consumer discretionary sector. This sector consists of, for example, automobile, retail and media companies. The consumer discretionary sector of the economy can be significantly affected by, among other things, economic growth, worldwide demand and consumers’ disposable income levels and propensity to spend.

 

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Currency Exchange Rate Risk. The Fund uses various strategies to attempt to minimize the impact of changes in the value of the Korean won against the U.S. dollar. These strategies may not be successful. In order to minimize transaction costs, or for other reasons, the Fund’s exposure to the Korean won may not be fully hedged at all times. Currency exchange rates can be very volatile and can change quickly and unpredictably. Therefore, the value of an investment in the Fund may also go up or down quickly and unpredictably and investors may lose money.

 

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Derivatives Risk. The Fund may invest in derivatives. Derivatives are financial instruments that derive their performance from an underlying reference asset, such as a commodity, index, interest rate or inflation rate. The return on a derivative instrument may not correlate with the return of its underlying reference asset. Derivatives are subject to a number of risks described elsewhere in the Fund’s Prospectus, such as market risk and issuer-specific risk. Derivatives can be volatile and may be less liquid than other securities. As a result, the value of an investment in the Fund may change quickly and without warning and you may lose money. In addition to the other risks associated with the use of derivatives described elsewhere in this Prospectus, there are risks associated with the Fund’s use of forward currency contracts and futures contracts. With respect to forward currency contracts, these risks include but are not limited to the risk that the counterparty will default on its obligations. With respect to futures contracts, these risks include but are not limited to: (1) the success of the adviser’s and sub-adviser’s ability to predict movements in the prices of individual currencies or securities, fluctuations in markets and movements in interest rates; (2) an imperfect or no correlation between the changes in market value of the currencies or securities and the prices of futures contracts; and (3) no guarantee that an active market will exist for the contracts at any particular time.

 

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Emerging Markets Risk. The Fund invests primarily in companies organized in an emerging market nation. Investments in securities and instruments traded in developing or emerging markets, or that provide exposure to such securities or markets, can involve additional risks relating to political, economic, or regulatory conditions not associated with investments in U.S. securities and instruments or investments in more developed international markets. Such conditions may impact the ability of the Fund to buy, sell or otherwise transfer securities, adversely affect the trading market and price for Fund shares and cause the Fund to decline in value.

 

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Foreign Securities Risk. Investments in non-U.S. securities involve certain risks that may not be present with investments in U.S. securities. For example, investments in non-U.S. securities may be subject to risk of loss due to foreign currency fluctuations or to political or economic instability. Investments in non-U.S. securities also may be subject to withholding or other taxes and may be subject to additional trading, settlement, custodial, and operational risks. These and other factors can make investments in the Fund more volatile and potentially less liquid than other types of investments and may be heightened in connection with investments in developing or emerging market countries.

 

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Geographic Concentration in Korea. Because the Fund invests primarily in the securities of companies in Korea, the Fund’s performance is expected to be closely tied to social, political, and economic conditions within Korea and to be more volatile than the performance of more geographically diversified funds. The economy of Korea is heavily dependent on exports and the demand for certain finished goods. Korea’s main industries include electronics, automobile production, chemicals, shipbuilding, steel, textiles, clothing, footwear, and food processing. Conditions that weaken demand for such products worldwide or in other Asian countries could have a negative impact on the Korean economy as a whole. Relations with North Korea could also have a significant impact on the economy of Korea. These and other factors could have a negative impact on the Fund’s performance and increase the volatility of an investment in the Fund.

 

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Geopolitical Risk. Some countries and regions in which the Fund invests have experienced security concerns, war or threats of war and aggression, terrorism, economic uncertainty, natural and environmental disasters and/or systemic market dislocations that have led, and in the future may lead, to increased short-term market volatility and may have adverse long-term effects on the U.S. and world economies and markets generally, each of which may negatively impact the Fund’s investments.

 

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Industrial Sector Risk. The Fund currently invests a significant portion of its assets in companies in the industrial sector. The industrial sector can be significantly affected by, among other things, worldwide economy growth, supply and demand for specific products and services, rapid technological developments, and government regulation.

 

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Information Technology Sector Risk. The Fund currently invests a significant portion of its assets in companies in the information technology sector. This sector can be significantly affected by, among other things, the supply and demand for specific products and services, the pace of technological development and government regulation.

 

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Investment Style Risk. The Fund invests in the securities included in, or representative of, its Index regardless of their investment merit. The Fund does not attempt to outperform its Index or take defensive positions in declining markets. As a result, the Fund’s performance may be adversely affected by a general decline in the market segments relating to its Index.

 

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Issuer-Specific Risk. Issuer-specific events, including changes in the financial condition of an issuer, can have a negative impact on the value of the Fund.

 

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Large-Capitalization Investing. The Fund may invest a relatively large percentage of its assets in the securities of large-capitalization companies. As a result, the Fund’s performance may be adversely affected if securities of large-capitalization companies underperform securities of smaller-capitalization companies or the market as a whole. The securities of large-capitalization companies may be relatively mature compared to smaller companies and therefore subject to slower growth during times of economic expansion.

 

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Materials Sector Risk. The Fund currently invests a significant portion of its assets in companies in the basic materials sector. This sector includes, for example, metals and mining, chemicals and forest product companies. This sector can be significantly affected by, among other things, commodity price volatility, demand for basic materials, world economic growth, depletion of natural resources, technological progress, and government regulations.

 

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Mid-Capitalization Investing. The Fund may invest in the securities of mid-capitalization companies. As a result, the Fund’s performance may be adversely affected if securities of mid-capitalization companies underperform securities of other capitalization ranges or the market as a whole. Securities of smaller companies are often more vulnerable to market volatility than securities of larger companies.

 

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Non-Correlation Risk. As with all index funds, the performance of the Fund and its Index may differ from each other for a variety of reasons.

 

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Non-Diversification Risk. Although the Fund intends to invest in a variety of securities and instruments, the Fund will be considered to be non-diversified, which means that it may invest more of its assets in the securities of a single issuer or a smaller number of issuers than if it were a diversified fund. As a result, the Fund may be more exposed to the risks associated with and developments affecting an individual issuer or a smaller number of issuers than a fund that invests more widely. This may increase the Fund’s volatility and cause the performance of a relatively smaller number of issuers to have a greater impact on the Fund’s performance.

Fund Performance

The Fund commenced operations on November 7, 2013, and therefore does not have performance history for a full calendar year. Once the Fund has completed a full calendar year of operations, a bar chart and table will be included that will provide some indication of the risks of investing in the Fund by showing the variability of the Fund’s return based on net assets and comparing the Fund’s performance to a broad measure of market performance.

Management

Investment Adviser and Sub-Adviser

WisdomTree Asset Management, Inc. serves as investment adviser to the Fund. Mellon Capital Management Corporation serves as sub-adviser to the Fund.

Portfolio Managers

Karen Q. Wong, CFA, a Managing Director, Head of Equity Portfolio Management, has been a portfolio manager of the Fund since its inception.

Richard A. Brown, CFA, a Director, Senior Portfolio Manager, has been a portfolio manager of the Fund since its inception.

Thomas J. Durante, CFA, a Managing Director, Senior Portfolio Manager, has been a portfolio manager of the Fund since its inception.

 

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Buying and Selling Fund Shares

The Fund is an ETF. This means that shares of the Fund are listed on a national securities exchange, such as NASDAQ, and trade at market prices. Most investors will buy and sell shares of the Fund through brokers. Because Fund shares trade at market prices rather than NAV, shares may trade at a price greater than NAV (premium) or less than NAV (discount).

The Fund issues and redeems shares at NAV only in large blocks of shares (“Creation Units”), which only certain institutions or large investors (typically market makers or other broker-dealers) may purchase or redeem. Currently, Creation Units generally consist of 50,000 shares, though this may change from time to time. Creation Units are not expected to consist of less than 50,000 shares. The Fund generally issues and redeems Creation Units in exchange for a portfolio of securities closely approximating the holdings of the Fund and/or a designated amount of U.S. cash.

Tax Information

The Fund intends to make distributions that may be taxed as ordinary income, qualified dividend income, or capital gains.

Payments to Broker-Dealers and Other Financial Intermediaries

If you purchase shares of the Fund through a broker-dealer or other financial intermediary (such as a bank) (an “Intermediary”), WisdomTree Asset Management, Inc. or its affiliates may pay Intermediaries for certain activities related to the Fund, including participation in activities that are designed to make Intermediaries more knowledgeable about exchange traded products, including the Fund, or for other activities, such as marketing, educational training or other initiatives related to the sale or promotion of Fund shares. These payments may create a conflict of interest by influencing the Intermediary and your salesperson to recommend the Fund over another investment. Any such arrangements do not result in increased Fund expenses. Ask your salesperson or visit the Intermediary’s website for more information.

 

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WisdomTree Japan Hedged Financials Fund

 

Fund Summary

Investment Objective

The WisdomTree Japan Hedged Financials Fund (the “Fund”) seeks to track the price and yield performance, before fees and expenses, of the WisdomTree Japan Hedged Financials Index (the “Index”).

Fees and Expenses of the Fund

The following table describes the fees and expenses you may pay if you buy and hold shares of the Fund. The fees are expressed as a percentage of the Fund’s average net assets.

 

Shareholder Fees (fees paid directly from your investment)     None   

Annual Fund Operating Expenses (expenses that you pay each year as a percentage of the value of your investment)

       

Management Fees

    0.48

Distribution and/or Service (12b-1) Fees

    None   

Other Expenses*

    0.00
Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses     0.48

Fee Waivers

    (0.05 )% 
Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses After Fee Waivers**     0.43
*   Other Expenses are based on estimated amounts for the current fiscal year.
**   WisdomTree Asset Management, Inc. has contractually agreed to limit the Management Fee to 0.43% through July 31, 2015, unless earlier terminated by the Board of Trustees of the Trust for any reason at any time.

Example

The following example is intended to help retail investors compare the cost of investing in the Fund with the cost of investing in other funds. It illustrates the hypothetical expenses that such investors would incur over various periods if they were to invest $10,000 in the Fund for the time periods indicated and then redeem all of the shares at the end of those periods. This example assumes that the Fund provides a return of 5% a year and that operating expenses remain the same. This example does not include the brokerage commissions that retail investors may pay to buy and sell shares of the Fund. Although your actual costs may be higher or lower, based on these assumptions, your costs would be:

 

     1 Year     3 Years  
      $44        $146   

Portfolio Turnover

The Fund pays transaction costs, such as commissions, when it buys and sells securities (or “turns over” its portfolio). A higher portfolio turnover rate may indicate higher transaction costs and may result in higher taxes when Fund shares are held in a taxable account. These costs, which are not reflected in annual fund operating expenses or in the example, affect the Fund’s performance. The Fund commenced operations on April 8, 2014, and therefore does not have portfolio turnover information for the most recent fiscal year.

Principal Investment Strategies of the Fund

The Fund employs a “passive management” – or indexing – investment approach designed to track the performance of the Index. The Fund generally uses a representative sampling strategy to achieve its investment objective, meaning it generally will invest in a sample of the securities in the Index whose risk, return and other characteristics resemble the risk, return and other characteristics of the Index as a whole. Under normal circumstances, at least 80% of the Fund’s total assets (exclusive of collateral held from securities lending) will be invested in the component securities of the Index and investments that have economic characteristics that are substantially identical to the economic characteristics of such component securities.

The Index is designed to provide exposure to Japanese companies in the financial sector while at the same time neutralizing exposure to fluctuations of the value of the Japanese yen relative to the U.S. dollar. WisdomTree Investments, Inc. (“WisdomTree Investments”), as index provider, currently uses Standard & Poor’s Global Industry Classification Standards (“S&P GICS”) to determine membership in this Index.

 

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The Index consists of companies incorporated in Japan that trade primarily on the Tokyo Stock Exchange. Securities are weighted by their float-adjusted market capitalization. “Float-adjusted” means that the share amounts used in calculating the Index reflect only shares available to investors. Shares held by control groups, public companies and government agencies are excluded. At the time of the Index’s annual screening date, the maximum weight of any single security in the Index is capped at 10%. In response to market conditions, security weights may fluctuate above the specified cap between annual Index screening dates.

To be eligible for inclusion in the Index, a company must have: (i) a float-adjusted market capitalization of at least $500 million as of the Index screening date; (ii) an average daily dollar volume of at least $100,000 for three months preceding the Index screening date; (iii) a calculated volume factor (the average daily dollar volume for three months preceding the Index screening date divided by the weight of the security in the Index) that is greater than $200 million; and (iv) trading of at least either 250,000 shares per month or $25 million notional for each of the six months preceding the Index screening date. In the event that a company has a calculated volume factor that is less than $400 million as of the annual Index screening date, the company’s weight in the Index will be reduced such that its weight equals its weight prior to the adjustment multiplied by a fraction of its calculated volume factor divided by $400 million.

The Index “hedges” against fluctuations in the relative value of the Japanese yen against the U.S. dollar. The Index is designed to have higher returns than an equivalent unhedged investment when the yen is weakening relative to the U.S. dollar. Conversely, the Index is designed to have lower returns than an equivalent unhedged investment when the yen is rising relative to the U.S. dollar. The Index applies an applicable published one-month currency forward rate to the total equity exposure to Japan to adjust the value of the Japanese yen against the U.S. dollar.

The Fund intends to enter into forward currency contracts or futures contracts designed to offset the Fund’s exposure to the Japanese yen. A forward currency contract is a contract between two parties to buy or sell a specific currency in the future at an agreed upon exchange rate. A currency futures contract is a contract to exchange one currency for another at a specified date in the future at an agreed upon exchange rate. The amount of forward contracts and futures contracts in the Fund is based on the aggregate exposure of the Fund and Index to the Japanese yen. While this approach is designed to minimize the impact of currency fluctuations on Fund returns, it does not necessarily eliminate the Fund’s exposure to the yen. The return of the forward currency contracts and currency futures contracts may not perfectly offset the actual fluctuations between the yen and the U.S. dollar.

To the extent the Index concentrates (i.e., holds 25% or more of its total assets) in the securities of a particular industry or group of industries, the Fund will concentrate its investments to approximately the same extent as its Index.

Principal Risks of Investing in the Fund

You can lose money on your investment in the Fund. The Fund is subject to the risks described below. Some or all of these risks may adversely affect the Fund’s net asset value per share (“NAV”), trading price, yield, total return and/or ability to meet its objectives. For more information about the risks of investing in the Fund, see the sections in the Fund’s Prospectus, titled “Additional Principal Risk Information About the Funds” and “Additional Non-Principal Risk Information.”

 

n  

Investment Risk. As with all investments, an investment in the Fund is subject to investment risk. Investors in the Fund could lose money, including the possible loss of the entire principal amount of an investment, over short or long periods of time.

 

n  

Market Risk. The trading prices of equity securities and other instruments fluctuate in response to a variety of factors. The Fund’s NAV and market price may fluctuate significantly in response to these and other factors. As a result, an investor could lose money over short or long periods of time.

 

n  

Shares of the Fund May Trade at Prices Other Than NAV. As with all exchange-traded funds (“ETFs”), Fund shares may be bought and sold in the secondary market at market prices. The trading prices of the Fund’s shares in the secondary market generally differ from the Fund’s daily NAV, and there may be times when the market price of the shares is more than the NAV (premium) or less than the NAV (discount). This risk is heightened in times of market volatility or periods of steep market declines.

 

n  

Cash Redemption Risk. The Fund’s investment strategy will require it to redeem shares for cash or to otherwise include cash as part of its redemption proceeds. The Fund may be required to sell or unwind portfolio investments in order to obtain the cash needed to distribute redemption proceeds. This may cause the Fund to recognize a capital gain that it might not have recognized if it had made a redemption in-kind. As a result, the Fund may pay out higher annual capital gain distributions than if the in-kind redemption process was used.

 

n  

Currency Exchange Rate Risk. The Fund uses various strategies to attempt to minimize the impact of changes in the value of the Japanese yen against the U.S. dollar. These strategies may not be successful. In order to minimize transaction costs, or for other reasons, the Fund’s exposure to the yen may not be fully hedged at all times. Currency exchange rates

 

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can be very volatile and can change quickly and unpredictably. Therefore, the value of an investment in the Fund may also go up or down quickly and unpredictably and investors may lose money.

 

n  

Derivatives Risk. The Fund may invest in derivatives. Derivatives are financial instruments that derive their performance from an underlying reference asset, such as a commodity, index, interest rate or inflation rate. The return on a derivative instrument may not correlate with the return of its underlying reference asset. Derivatives are subject to a number of risks described elsewhere in the Fund’s Prospectus, such as market risk and issuer-specific risk. Derivatives can be volatile and may be less liquid than other securities. As a result, the value of an investment in the Fund may change quickly and without warning and you may lose money. In addition to the other risks associated with the use of derivatives described elsewhere in this Prospectus, there are risks associated with the Fund’s use of forward currency contracts and futures contracts. With respect to forward currency contracts, these risks include but are not limited to the risk that the counterparty will default on its obligations. With respect to futures contracts, these risks include but are not limited to: (1) the success of the adviser’s and sub-adviser’s ability to predict movements in the prices of individual currencies or securities, fluctuations in markets and movements in interest rates; (2) an imperfect or no correlation between the changes in market value of the currencies or securities and the prices of futures contracts; and (3) no guarantee that an active market will exist for the contracts at any particular time.

 

n  

Financial Sector Risk. The Fund invests primarily in companies in the financial sector, and therefore the performance of the Fund could be negatively impacted by events affecting this sector. This sector can be significantly affected by changes in interest rates, government regulation, the rate of defaults on corporate, consumer and government debt, the availability and cost of capital, and fallout from the housing and sub-prime mortgage crisis.

 

n  

Foreign Securities Risk. Investments in non-U.S. securities involve certain risks that may not be present with investments in U.S. securities. For example, investments in non-U.S. securities may be subject to risk of loss due to foreign currency fluctuations or to political or economic instability. Investments in non-U.S. securities also may be subject to withholding or other taxes and may be subject to additional trading, settlement, custodial, and operational risks. These and other factors can make investments in the Fund more volatile and potentially less liquid than other types of investments and may be heightened in connection with investments in developing or emerging market countries.

 

n  

Geographic Concentration in Japan. Because the Fund invests primarily in the securities of companies in Japan, the Fund’s performance is expected to be closely tied to social, political, and economic conditions within Japan and to be more volatile than the performance of more geographically diversified funds. The Japanese economy has only recently emerged from a prolonged economic downturn. Since the year 2000, Japan’s economic growth rate has remained relatively low. The economy is characterized by government intervention and protectionism, an unstable financial services sector, and relatively high unemployment. Economic growth is heavily dependent on international trade, government support of the financial services sector and other troubled sectors, and consistent government policy. The United States is Japan’s largest single trading partner, but close to half of Japan’s trade is conducted with developing nations, almost all of which are in Southeast Asia. Slowdowns in the U.S. and China could have a negative impact on Japan. Exposure to China, in terms of both imports and exports, has been increasing in recent years. These and other factors could have a negative impact on the Fund’s performance and increase the volatility of an investment in the Fund.

 

n  

Geopolitical Risk. Some countries and regions in which the Fund invests have experienced security concerns, war or threats of war and aggression, terrorism, economic uncertainty, natural and environmental disasters and/or systemic market dislocations that have led, and in the future may lead, to increased short-term market volatility and may have adverse long-term effects on the U.S. and world economies and markets generally, each of which may negatively impact the Fund’s investments.

 

n  

Investment Style Risk. The Fund invests in the securities included in, or representative of, its Index regardless of their investment merit. The Fund does not attempt to outperform its Index or take defensive positions in declining markets. As a result, the Fund’s performance may be adversely affected by a general decline in the market segments relating to its Index.

 

n  

Issuer-Specific Risk. Issuer-specific events, including changes in the financial condition of an issuer, can have a negative impact on the value of the Fund.

 

n  

Large-Capitalization Investing. The Fund may invest a relatively large percentage of its assets in the securities of large-capitalization companies. As a result, the Fund’s performance may be adversely affected if securities of large-capitalization companies underperform securities of smaller-capitalization companies or the market as a whole. The securities of large-capitalization companies may be relatively mature compared to smaller companies and therefore subject to slower growth during times of economic expansion.

 

n  

Mid-Capitalization Investing. The Fund may invest in the securities of mid-capitalization companies. As a result, the Fund’s performance may be adversely affected if securities of mid-capitalization companies underperform securities of other capitalization ranges or the market as a whole. Securities of smaller companies are often more vulnerable to market volatility than securities of larger companies.

 

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n  

Non-Correlation Risk. As with all index funds, the performance of the Fund and its Index may differ from each other for a variety of reasons.

 

n  

Non-Diversification Risk. Although the Fund intends to invest in a variety of securities and instruments, the Fund will be considered to be non-diversified, which means that it may invest more of its assets in the securities of a single issuer or a smaller number of issuers than if it were a diversified fund. As a result, the Fund may be more exposed to the risks associated with and developments affecting an individual issuer or a smaller number of issuers than a fund that invests more widely. This may increase the Fund’s volatility and cause the performance of a relatively smaller number of issuers to have a greater impact on the Fund’s performance.

Fund Performance

The Fund commenced operations on April 8, 2014, and therefore does not have performance history for a full calendar year. Once the Fund has completed a full calendar year of operations, a bar chart and table will be included that will provide some indication of the risks of investing in the Fund by showing the variability of the Fund’s return based on net assets and comparing the Fund’s performance to a broad measure of market performance.

Management

Investment Adviser and Sub-Adviser

WisdomTree Asset Management, Inc. serves as investment adviser to the Fund. Mellon Capital Management Corporation serves as sub-adviser to the Fund.

Portfolio Managers

Karen Q. Wong, CFA, a Managing Director, Head of Equity Portfolio Management, has been a portfolio manager of the Fund since its inception.

Richard A. Brown, CFA, a Director, Senior Portfolio Manager, has been a portfolio manager of the Fund since its inception.

Thomas J. Durante, CFA, a Managing Director, Senior Portfolio Manager, has been a portfolio manager of the Fund since its inception.

Buying and Selling Fund Shares

The Fund is an ETF. This means that shares of the Fund are listed on a national securities exchange, such as NYSE Arca, and trade at market prices. Most investors will buy and sell shares of the Fund through brokers. Because Fund shares trade at market prices rather than NAV, shares may trade at a price greater than NAV (premium) or less than NAV (discount).

The Fund issues and redeems shares at NAV only in large blocks of shares (“Creation Units”), which only certain institutions or large investors (typically market makers or other broker-dealers) may purchase or redeem. Currently, Creation Units generally consist of 50,000 shares, though this may change from time to time. Creation Units are not expected to consist of less than 50,000 shares. The Fund generally issues and redeems Creation Units in exchange for a portfolio of securities closely approximating the holdings of the Fund and/or a designated amount of U.S. cash.

Tax Information

The Fund intends to make distributions that may be taxed as ordinary income, qualified dividend income, or capital gains.

Payments to Broker-Dealers and Other Financial Intermediaries

If you purchase shares of the Fund through a broker-dealer or other financial intermediary (such as a bank) (an “Intermediary”), WisdomTree Asset Management, Inc. or its affiliates may pay Intermediaries for certain activities related to the Fund, including participation in activities that are designed to make Intermediaries more knowledgeable about exchange traded products, including the Fund, or for other activities, such as marketing, educational training or other initiatives related to the sale or promotion of Fund shares. These payments may create a conflict of interest by influencing the Intermediary and your salesperson to recommend the Fund over another investment. Any such arrangements do not result in increased Fund expenses. Ask your salesperson or visit the Intermediary’s website for more information.

 

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WisdomTree Japan Hedged Real Estate Fund

 

Fund Summary

Investment Objective

The WisdomTree Japan Hedged Real Estate Fund (the “Fund”) seeks to track the price and yield performance, before fees and expenses, of the WisdomTree Japan Hedged Real Estate Index (the “Index”).

Fees and Expenses of the Fund

The following table describes the fees and expenses you may pay if you buy and hold shares of the Fund. The fees are expressed as a percentage of the Fund’s average net assets.

 

Shareholder Fees (fees paid directly from your investment)     None   

Annual Fund Operating Expenses (expenses that you pay each year as a percentage of the value of your investment)

       

Management Fees

    0.48

Distribution and/or Service (12b-1) Fees

    None   

Other Expenses*

    0.00
Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses     0.48

Fee Waivers

    (0.05 )% 
Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses After Fee Waivers**     0.43
*   Other Expenses are based on estimated amounts for the current fiscal year.
**   WisdomTree Asset Management, Inc. has contractually agreed to limit the Management Fee to 0.43% through July 31, 2015, unless earlier terminated by the Board of Trustees of the Trust for any reason at any time.

Example

The following example is intended to help retail investors compare the cost of investing in the Fund with the cost of investing in other funds. It illustrates the hypothetical expenses that such investors would incur over various periods if they were to invest $10,000 in the Fund for the time periods indicated and then redeem all of the shares at the end of those periods. This example assumes that the Fund provides a return of 5% a year and that operating expenses remain the same. This example does not include the brokerage commissions that retail investors may pay to buy and sell shares of the Fund. Although your actual costs may be higher or lower, based on these assumptions, your costs would be:

 

     1 Year     3 Years  
      $44        $146   

Portfolio Turnover

The Fund pays transaction costs, such as commissions, when it buys and sells securities (or “turns over” its portfolio). A higher portfolio turnover rate may indicate higher transaction costs and may result in higher taxes when Fund shares are held in a taxable account. These costs, which are not reflected in annual fund operating expenses or in the example, affect the Fund’s performance. The Fund commenced operations on April 8, 2014, and therefore does not have portfolio turnover information for the most recent fiscal year.

Principal Investment Strategies of the Fund

The Fund employs a “passive management” – or indexing – investment approach designed to track the performance of the Index. The Fund generally uses a representative sampling strategy to achieve its investment objective, meaning it generally will invest in a sample of the securities in the Index whose risk, return and other characteristics resemble the risk, return and other characteristics of the Index as a whole. Under normal circumstances, at least 80% of the Fund’s total assets (exclusive of collateral held from securities lending) will be invested in the component securities of the Index and investments that have economic characteristics that are substantially identical to the economic characteristics of such component securities.

The Index is designed to provide exposure to Japanese real estate companies as defined by WisdomTree Investments, Inc. (“WisdomTree Investments”), as index provider, while at the same time neutralizing exposure to fluctuations of the value of the Japanese yen relative to the U.S. dollar. The Index was created by WisdomTree Investments utilizing a proprietary combination of sub-industry classifications from Standard & Poor’s Global Industry Classification Standards (“S&P GICS”) to determine membership for inclusion as a “real estate” company in the Index. In addition to real estate investment trusts (“REITs”) and real estate management and development companies (included in the financial sector as defined by S&P GICS), the following

 

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sub-industries, which are derived from the consumer discretionary sector, industrial sector or material sectors as defined by S&P GICS, are included in the Index: homebuilding, building products, construction and engineering (building sub-groups), construction materials, and marine ports and services. As of June 30, 2014, a significant portion of the Index is comprised of companies in the financial and industrial sectors.

The Index consists of companies incorporated in Japan that trade primarily on the Tokyo Stock Exchange. Securities are weighted by their float-adjusted market capitalization. “Float-adjusted” means that the share amounts used in calculating the Index reflect only shares available to investors. Shares held by control groups, public companies and government agencies are excluded. At the time of the Index’s annual screening date, the maximum weight of any single security in the Index is capped at 10%. In response to market conditions, security weights may fluctuate above the specified cap between annual Index screening dates.

To be eligible for inclusion in the Index, a company must have: (i) a float-adjusted market capitalization of at least $500 million as of the Index screening date; (ii) an average daily dollar volume of at least $100,000 for three months preceding the Index screening date; (iii) a calculated volume factor (the average daily dollar volume for three months preceding the Index screening date divided by the weight of the security in the Index) that is greater than $200 million; and (iv) trading of at least either 250,000 shares per month or $25 million notional for each of the six months preceding the Index screening date. In the event that a company has a calculated volume factor that is less than $400 million as of the annual Index screening date, the company’s weight in the Index will be reduced such that its weight equals its weight prior to the adjustment multiplied by a fraction of its calculated volume factor divided by $400 million.

The Index “hedges” against fluctuations in the relative value of the Japanese yen against the U.S. dollar. The Index is designed to have higher returns than an equivalent unhedged investment when the yen is weakening relative to the U.S. dollar. Conversely, the Index is designed to have lower returns than an equivalent unhedged investment when the yen is rising relative to the U.S. dollar. The Index applies an applicable published one-month currency forward rate to the total equity exposure to Japan to adjust the value of the Japanese yen against the U.S. dollar.

The Fund intends to enter into forward currency contracts or futures contracts designed to offset the Fund’s exposure to the Japanese yen. A forward currency contract is a contract between two parties to buy or sell a specific currency in the future at an agreed upon exchange rate. A currency futures contract is a contract to exchange one currency for another at a specified date in the future at an agreed upon exchange rate. The amount of forward contracts and futures contracts in the Fund is based on the aggregate exposure of the Fund and Index to the Japanese yen. While this approach is designed to minimize the impact of currency fluctuations on Fund returns, it does not necessarily eliminate the Fund’s exposure to the yen. The return of the forward currency contracts and currency futures contracts may not perfectly offset the actual fluctuations between the yen and the U.S. dollar.

To the extent the Index concentrates (i.e., holds 25% or more of its total assets) in the securities of a particular industry or group of industries, the Fund will concentrate its investments to approximately the same extent as its Index.

Principal Risks of Investing in the Fund

You can lose money on your investment in the Fund. The Fund is subject to the risks described below. Some or all of these risks may adversely affect the Fund’s net asset value per share (“NAV”), trading price, yield, total return and/or ability to meet its objectives. For more information about the risks of investing in the Fund, see the sections in the Fund’s Prospectus, titled “Additional Principal Risk Information About the Funds” and “Additional Non-Principal Risk Information.”

 

n  

Investment Risk. As with all investments, an investment in the Fund is subject to investment risk. Investors in the Fund could lose money, including the possible loss of the entire principal amount of an investment, over short or long periods of time.

 

n  

Market Risk. The trading prices of equity securities and other instruments fluctuate in response to a variety of factors. The Fund’s NAV and market price may fluctuate significantly in response to these and other factors. As a result, an investor could lose money over short or long periods of time.

 

n  

Shares of the Fund May Trade at Prices Other Than NAV. As with all exchange-traded funds (“ETFs”), Fund shares may be bought and sold in the secondary market at market prices. The trading prices of the Fund’s shares in the secondary market generally differ from the Fund’s daily NAV, and there may be times when the market price of the shares is more than the NAV (premium) or less than the NAV (discount). This risk is heightened in times of market volatility or periods of steep market declines.

 

n  

Cash Redemption Risk. The Fund’s investment strategy will require it to redeem shares for cash or to otherwise include cash as part of its redemption proceeds. The Fund may be required to sell or unwind portfolio investments in order to obtain the cash needed to distribute redemption proceeds. This may cause the Fund to recognize a capital gain that it might not have recognized if it had made a redemption in-kind. As a result, the Fund may pay out higher annual capital gain distributions than if the in-kind redemption process was used.

 

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n  

Currency Exchange Rate Risk. The Fund uses various strategies to attempt to minimize the impact of changes in the value of the Japanese yen against the U.S. dollar. These strategies may not be successful. In order to minimize transaction costs, or for other reasons, the Fund’s exposure to the yen may not be fully hedged at all times. Currency exchange rates can be very volatile and can change quickly and unpredictably. Therefore, the value of an investment in the Fund may also go up or down quickly and unpredictably and investors may lose money.

 

n  

Derivatives Risk. The Fund may invest in derivatives. Derivatives are financial instruments that derive their performance from an underlying reference asset, such as a commodity, index, interest rate or inflation rate. The return on a derivative instrument may not correlate with the return of its underlying reference asset. Derivatives are subject to a number of risks described elsewhere in the Fund’s Prospectus, such as market risk and issuer-specific risk. Derivatives can be volatile and may be less liquid than other securities. As a result, the value of an investment in the Fund may change quickly and without warning and you may lose money. In addition to the other risks associated with the use of derivatives described elsewhere in this Prospectus, there are risks associated with the Fund’s use of forward currency contracts and futures contracts. With respect to forward currency contracts, these risks include but are not limited to the risk that the counterparty will default on its obligations. With respect to futures contracts, these risks include but are not limited to: (1) the success of the adviser’s and sub-adviser’s ability to predict movements in the prices of individual currencies or securities, fluctuations in markets and movements in interest rates; (2) an imperfect or no correlation between the changes in market value of the currencies or securities and the prices of futures contracts; and (3) no guarantee that an active market will exist for the contracts at any particular time.

 

n  

Financial Sector Risk. The Fund currently invests a significant portion of its assets in companies in the financial sector, and therefore the performance of the Fund could be negatively impacted by events affecting this sector. This sector can be significantly affected by changes in interest rates, government regulation, the rate of defaults on corporate, consumer and government debt, the availability and cost of capital, and fallout from the housing and sub-prime mortgage crisis.

 

n  

Foreign Securities Risk. Investments in non-U.S. securities involve certain risks that may not be present with investments in U.S. securities. For example, investments in non-U.S. securities may be subject to risk of loss due to foreign currency fluctuations or to political or economic instability. Investments in non-U.S. securities also may be subject to withholding or other taxes and may be subject to additional trading, settlement, custodial, and operational risks. These and other factors can make investments in the Fund more volatile and potentially less liquid than other types of investments and may be heightened in connection with investments in developing or emerging market countries.

 

n  

Geographic Concentration in Japan. Because the Fund invests primarily in the securities of companies in Japan, the Fund’s performance is expected to be closely tied to social, political, and economic conditions within Japan and to be more volatile than the performance of more geographically diversified funds. The Japanese economy has only recently emerged from a prolonged economic downturn. Since the year 2000, Japan’s economic growth rate has remained relatively low. The economy is characterized by government intervention and protectionism, an unstable financial services sector, and relatively high unemployment. Economic growth is heavily dependent on international trade, government support of the financial services sector and other troubled sectors, and consistent government policy. The United States is Japan’s largest single trading partner, but close to half of Japan’s trade is conducted with developing nations, almost all of which are in Southeast Asia. Slowdowns in the U.S. and China could have a negative impact on Japan. Exposure to China, in terms of both imports and exports, has been increasing in recent years. These and other factors could have a negative impact on the Fund’s performance and increase the volatility of an investment in the Fund.

 

n  

Geopolitical Risk. Some countries and regions in which the Fund invests have experienced security concerns, war or threats of war and aggression, terrorism, economic uncertainty, natural and environmental disasters and/or systemic market dislocations that have led, and in the future may lead, to increased short-term market volatility and may have adverse long-term effects on the U.S. and world economies and markets generally, each of which may negatively impact the Fund’s investments.

 

n  

Industrial Sector Risk. The Fund currently invests a significant portion of its assets in companies in the industrials sector. The industrials sector can be significantly affected by, among other things, business cycle fluctuations, worldwide economy growth, government and corporate spending, supply and demand for specific products and manufacturing, and government regulation.

 

n  

Investment Style Risk. The Fund invests in the securities included in, or representative of, its Index regardless of their investment merit. The Fund does not attempt to outperform its Index or take defensive positions in declining markets. As a result, the Fund’s performance may be adversely affected by a general decline in the market segments relating to its Index.

 

n  

Issuer-Specific Risk. Issuer-specific events, including changes in the financial condition of an issuer, can have a negative impact on the value of the Fund.

 

n  

Large-Capitalization Investing. The Fund may invest in the securities of large-capitalization companies. As a result, the Fund’s performance may be adversely affected if securities of large-capitalization companies underperform securities of

 

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smaller-capitalization companies or the market as a whole. The securities of large-capitalization companies may be relatively mature compared to smaller companies and therefore subject to slower growth during times of economic expansion.

 

n  

Mid-Capitalization Investing. The Fund may invest in the securities of mid-capitalization companies. As a result, the Fund’s performance may be adversely affected if securities of mid-capitalization companies underperform securities of other capitalization ranges or the market as a whole. Securities of smaller companies are often more vulnerable to market volatility than securities of larger companies.

 

n  

Non-Correlation Risk. As with all index funds, the performance of the Fund and its Index may differ from each other for a variety of reasons.

 

n  

Non-Diversification Risk. Although the Fund intends to invest in a variety of securities and instruments, the Fund will be considered to be non-diversified, which means that it may invest more of its assets in the securities of a single issuer or a smaller number of issuers than if it were a diversified fund. As a result, the Fund may be more exposed to the risks associated with and developments affecting an individual issuer or a smaller number of issuers than a fund that invests more widely. This may increase the Fund’s volatility and cause the performance of a relatively smaller number of issuers to have a greater impact on the Fund’s performance.

 

n Real Estate Sector Risk. The Fund invests primarily in real estate companies, including investments in REITs traded in Japan. REITs are securities that invest substantially all of their assets in real estate, trade like stocks and may qualify for special tax considerations. Investments in REITs subject the Fund to risks associated with the direct ownership of real estate. Market conditions or events affecting the overall market for real estate and REITs, such as declining property values or rising interest rates, could have a negative impact on the Fund’s performance.

 

n Small-Capitalization Investing. The Fund may invest in securities of small-capitalization companies. As a result, the Fund may be more volatile than funds that invest in larger, more established companies. The securities of small-capitalization companies generally trade in lower volumes and are subject to greater and more unpredictable price changes than larger capitalization stocks or the stock market as a whole. Small-capitalization companies may be particularly sensitive to changes in interest rates, government regulation, borrowing costs and earnings.

Fund Performance

The Fund commenced operations on April 8, 2014, and therefore does not have performance history for a full calendar year. Once the Fund has completed a full calendar year of operations, a bar chart and table will be included that will provide some indication of the risks of investing in the Fund by showing the variability of the Fund’s return based on net assets and comparing the Fund’s performance to a broad measure of market performance.

Management

Investment Adviser and Sub-Adviser

WisdomTree Asset Management, Inc. serves as investment adviser to the Fund. Mellon Capital Management Corporation serves as sub-adviser to the Fund.

Portfolio Managers

Karen Q. Wong, CFA, a Managing Director, Head of Equity Portfolio Management, has been a portfolio manager of the Fund since its inception.

Richard A. Brown, CFA, a Director, Senior Portfolio Manager, has been a portfolio manager of the Fund since its inception.

Thomas J. Durante, CFA, a Managing Director, Senior Portfolio Manager, has been a portfolio manager of the Fund since its inception.

Buying and Selling Fund Shares

The Fund is an ETF. This means that shares of the Fund are listed on a national securities exchange, such as NYSE Arca, and trade at market prices. Most investors will buy and sell shares of the Fund through brokers. Because Fund shares trade at market prices rather than NAV, shares may trade at a price greater than NAV (premium) or less than NAV (discount).

The Fund issues and redeems shares at NAV only in large blocks of shares (“Creation Units”), which only certain institutions or large investors (typically market makers or other broker-dealers) may purchase or redeem. Currently, Creation Units generally consist of 50,000 shares, though this may change from time to time. Creation Units are not expected to consist of less than 50,000 shares. The Fund generally issues and redeems Creation Units in exchange for a portfolio of securities closely approximating the holdings of the Fund and/or a designated amount of U.S. cash.

Tax Information

The Fund intends to make distributions that may be taxed as ordinary income, qualified dividend income, or capital gains.

 

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Payments to Broker-Dealers and Other Financial Intermediaries

If you purchase shares of the Fund through a broker-dealer or other financial intermediary (such as a bank) (an “Intermediary”), WisdomTree Asset Management, Inc. or its affiliates may pay Intermediaries for certain activities related to the Fund, including participation in activities that are designed to make Intermediaries more knowledgeable about exchange traded products, including the Fund, or for other activities, such as marketing, educational training or other initiatives related to the sale or promotion of Fund shares. These payments may create a conflict of interest by influencing the Intermediary and your salesperson to recommend the Fund over another investment. Any such arrangements do not result in increased Fund expenses. Ask your salesperson or visit the Intermediary’s website for more information.

 

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WisdomTree Japan Hedged Capital Goods Fund

 

Fund Summary

Investment Objective

The WisdomTree Japan Hedged Capital Goods Fund (the “Fund”) seeks to track the price and yield performance, before fees and expenses, of the WisdomTree Japan Hedged Capital Goods Index (the “Index”).

Fees and Expenses of the Fund

The following table describes the fees and expenses you may pay if you buy and hold shares of the Fund. The fees are expressed as a percentage of the Fund’s average net assets.

 

Shareholder Fees (fees paid directly from your investment)     None   

Annual Fund Operating Expenses (expenses that you pay each year as a percentage of the value of your investment)

       

Management Fees

    0.48

Distribution and/or Service (12b-1) Fees

    None   

Other Expenses*

    0.00
Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses     0.48

Fee Waivers

    (0.05 )% 
Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses After Fee Waivers**     0.43
*   Other Expenses are based on estimated amounts for the current fiscal year.
**   WisdomTree Asset Management, Inc. has contractually agreed to limit the Management Fee to 0.43% through July 31, 2015, unless earlier terminated by the Board of Trustees of the Trust for any reason at any time.

Example

The following example is intended to help retail investors compare the cost of investing in the Fund with the cost of investing in other funds. It illustrates the hypothetical expenses that such investors would incur over various periods if they were to invest $10,000 in the Fund for the time periods indicated and then redeem all of the shares at the end of those periods. This example assumes that the Fund provides a return of 5% a year and that operating expenses remain the same. This example does not include the brokerage commissions that retail investors may pay to buy and sell shares of the Fund. Although your actual costs may be higher or lower, based on these assumptions, your costs would be:

 

     1 Year     3 Years  
      $44        $146   

Portfolio Turnover

The Fund pays transaction costs, such as commissions, when it buys and sells securities (or “turns over” its portfolio). A higher portfolio turnover rate may indicate higher transaction costs and may result in higher taxes when Fund shares are held in a taxable account. These costs, which are not reflected in annual fund operating expenses or in the example, affect the Fund’s performance. The Fund commenced operations on April 8, 2014, and therefore does not have portfolio turnover information for the most recent fiscal year.

Principal Investment Strategies of the Fund

The Fund employs a “passive management” – or indexing – investment approach designed to track the performance of the Index. The Fund generally uses a representative sampling strategy to achieve its investment objective, meaning it generally will invest in a sample of the securities in the Index whose risk, return and other characteristics resemble the risk, return and other characteristics of the Index as a whole. Under normal circumstances, at least 80% of the Fund’s total assets (exclusive of collateral held from securities lending) will be invested in the component securities of the Index and investments that have economic characteristics that are substantially identical to the economic characteristics of such component securities.

The Index is designed to provide exposure to Japanese capital goods companies as defined by WisdomTree Investments, Inc. (“WisdomTree Investments”), as index provider, while at the same time neutralizing exposure to fluctuations of the value of the Japanese yen relative to the U.S. dollar. The Index was created by WisdomTree Investments utilizing a proprietary combination of sub-industry classifications from Standard & Poor’s Global Industry Classification Standards (“S&P GICS”) to determine membership for inclusion as a “capital goods” company in the Index. The following sub-industries, which are currently derived from either the consumer discretionary sector, industrials sector or materials sector as defined by S&P GICS, are included in the Index: aerospace and defense, automobiles, auto components, building products, specialty

 

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chemicals (paint companies), electrical components and equipment, heavy electrical equipment, machinery, steel, engineering and R&D services, and other building products. As of June 30, 2014, a significant portion of the Index is comprised of companies in the consumer discretionary and industrial sectors.

The Index consists of companies incorporated in Japan that trade primarily on the Tokyo Stock Exchange. Securities are weighted by their float-adjusted market capitalization. “Float-adjusted” means that the share amounts used in calculating the Index reflect only shares available to investors. Shares held by control groups, public companies and government agencies are excluded. At the time of the Index’s annual screening date, the maximum weight of any single security in the Index is capped at 10%. In response to market conditions, security weights may fluctuate above the specified cap between annual Index screening dates.

To be eligible for inclusion in the Index, a company must have: (i) a float-adjusted market capitalization of at least $500 million as of the Index screening date; (ii) an average daily dollar volume of at least $100,000 for three months preceding the Index screening date; (iii) a calculated volume factor (the average daily dollar volume for three months preceding the Index screening date divided by the weight of the security in the Index) that is greater than $200 million; and (iv) trading of at least either 250,000 shares per month or $25 million notional for each of the six months preceding the Index screening date. In the event that a company has a calculated volume factor that is less than $400 million as of the annual Index screening date, the company’s weight in the Index will be reduced such that its weight equals its weight prior to the adjustment multiplied by a fraction of its calculated volume factor divided by $400 million.

The Index “hedges” against fluctuations in the relative value of the Japanese yen against the U.S. dollar. The Index is designed to have higher returns than an equivalent unhedged investment when the yen is weakening relative to the U.S. dollar. Conversely, the Index is designed to have lower returns than an equivalent unhedged investment when the yen is rising relative to the U.S. dollar. The Index applies an applicable published one-month currency forward rate to the total equity exposure to Japan to adjust the value of the Japanese yen against the U.S. dollar.

The Fund intends to enter into forward currency contracts or futures contracts designed to offset the Fund’s exposure to the Japanese yen. A forward currency contract is a contract between two parties to buy or sell a specific currency in the future at an agreed upon exchange rate. A currency futures contract is a contract to exchange one currency for another at a specified date in the future at an agreed upon exchange rate. The amount of forward contracts and futures contracts in the Fund is based on the aggregate exposure of the Fund and Index to the Japanese yen. While this approach is designed to minimize the impact of currency fluctuations on Fund returns, it does not necessarily eliminate the Fund’s exposure to the yen. The return of the forward currency contracts and currency futures contracts may not perfectly offset the actual fluctuations between the yen and the U.S. dollar.

To the extent the Index concentrates (i.e., holds 25% or more of its total assets) in the securities of a particular industry or group of industries, the Fund will concentrate its investments to approximately the same extent as its Index.

Principal Risks of Investing in the Fund

You can lose money on your investment in the Fund. The Fund is subject to the risks described below. Some or all of these risks may adversely affect the Fund’s net asset value per share (“NAV”), trading price, yield, total return and/or ability to meet its objectives. For more information about the risks of investing in the Fund, see the sections in the Fund’s Prospectus, titled “Additional Principal Risk Information About the Funds” and “Additional Non-Principal Risk Information.”

 

n  

Investment Risk. As with all investments, an investment in the Fund is subject to investment risk. Investors in the Fund could lose money, including the possible loss of the entire principal amount of an investment, over short or long periods of time.

 

n  

Market Risk. The trading prices of equity securities and other instruments fluctuate in response to a variety of factors. The Fund’s NAV and market price may fluctuate significantly in response to these and other factors. As a result, an investor could lose money over short or long periods of time.

 

n  

Shares of the Fund May Trade at Prices Other Than NAV. As with all exchange-traded funds (“ETFs”), Fund shares may be bought and sold in the secondary market at market prices. The trading prices of the Fund’s shares in the secondary market generally differ from the Fund’s daily NAV, and there may be times when the market price of the shares is more than the NAV (premium) or less than the NAV (discount). This risk is heightened in times of market volatility or periods of steep market declines.

 

n  

Cash Redemption Risk. The Fund’s investment strategy will require it to redeem shares for cash or to otherwise include cash as part of its redemption proceeds. The Fund may be required to sell or unwind portfolio investments in order to obtain the cash needed to distribute redemption proceeds. This may cause the Fund to recognize a capital gain that it might not have recognized if it had made a redemption in-kind. As a result, the Fund may pay out higher annual capital gain distributions than if the in-kind redemption process was used.

 

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n  

Consumer Discretionary Sector Risk. The Fund currently invests a significant portion of its assets in companies in the consumer discretionary sector. This sector consists of, for example, automobile and automobile component companies. The consumer discretionary sector of the economy can be significantly affected by, among other things, economic growth, worldwide demand and consumers’ disposable income levels and propensity to spend.

 

n  

Currency Exchange Rate Risk. The Fund uses various strategies to attempt to minimize the impact of changes in the value of the Japanese yen against the U.S. dollar. These strategies may not be successful. In order to minimize transaction costs, or for other reasons, the Fund’s exposure to the yen may not be fully hedged at all times. Currency exchange rates can be very volatile and can change quickly and unpredictably. Therefore, the value of an investment in the Fund may also go up or down quickly and unpredictably and investors may lose money.

 

n  

Derivatives Risk. The Fund may invest in derivatives. Derivatives are financial instruments that derive their performance from an underlying reference asset, such as a commodity, index, interest rate or inflation rate. The return on a derivative instrument may not correlate with the return of its underlying reference asset. Derivatives are subject to a number of risks described elsewhere in the Fund’s Prospectus, such as market risk and issuer-specific risk. Derivatives can be volatile and may be less liquid than other securities. As a result, the value of an investment in the Fund may change quickly and without warning and you may lose money. In addition to the other risks associated with the use of derivatives described elsewhere in this Prospectus, there are risks associated with the Fund’s use of forward currency contracts and futures contracts. With respect to forward currency contracts, these risks include but are not limited to the risk that the counterparty will default on its obligations. With respect to futures contracts, these risks include but are not limited to: (1) the success of the adviser’s and sub-adviser’s ability to predict movements in the prices of individual currencies or securities, fluctuations in markets and movements in interest rates; (2) an imperfect or no correlation between the changes in market value of the currencies or securities and the prices of futures contracts; and (3) no guarantee that an active market will exist for the contracts at any particular time.

 

n  

Foreign Securities Risk. Investments in non-U.S. securities involve certain risks that may not be present with investments in U.S. securities. For example, investments in non-U.S. securities may be subject to risk of loss due to foreign currency fluctuations or to political or economic instability. Investments in non-U.S. securities also may be subject to withholding or other taxes and may be subject to additional trading, settlement, custodial, and operational risks. These and other factors can make investments in the Fund more volatile and potentially less liquid than other types of investments and may be heightened in connection with investments in developing or emerging market countries.

 

n  

Geographic Concentration in Japan. Because the Fund invests primarily in the securities of companies in Japan, the Fund’s performance is expected to be closely tied to social, political, and economic conditions within Japan and to be more volatile than the performance of more geographically diversified funds. The Japanese economy has only recently emerged from a prolonged economic downturn. Since the year 2000, Japan’s economic growth rate has remained relatively low. The economy is characterized by government intervention and protectionism, an unstable financial services sector, and relatively high unemployment. Economic growth is heavily dependent on international trade, government support of the financial services sector and other troubled sectors, and consistent government policy. The United States is Japan’s largest single trading partner, but close to half of Japan’s trade is conducted with developing nations, almost all of which are in Southeast Asia. Slowdowns in the U.S. and China could have a negative impact on Japan. Exposure to China, in terms of both imports and exports, has been increasing in recent years. These and other factors could have a negative impact on the Fund’s performance and increase the volatility of an investment in the Fund.

 

n  

Geopolitical Risk. Some countries and regions in which the Fund invests have experienced security concerns, war or threats of war and aggression, terrorism, economic uncertainty, natural and environmental disasters and/or systemic market dislocations that have led, and in the future may lead, to increased short-term market volatility and may have adverse long-term effects on the U.S. and world economies and markets generally, each of which may negatively impact the Fund’s investments.

 

n  

Industrials Sector Risk. The Fund currently invests a significant portion of its assets in companies in the industrials sector. The industrials sector can be significantly affected by, among other things, business cycle fluctuations, worldwide economy growth, government and corporate spending, supply and demand for specific products and manufacturing, and government regulation.

 

n  

Investment Style Risk. The Fund invests in the securities included in, or representative of, its Index regardless of their investment merit. The Fund does not attempt to outperform its Index or take defensive positions in declining markets. As a result, the Fund’s performance may be adversely affected by a general decline in the market segments relating to its Index.

 

n  

Issuer-Specific Risk. Issuer-specific events, including changes in the financial condition of an issuer, can have a negative impact on the value of the Fund.

 

 

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n  

Large-Capitalization Investing. The Fund may invest a relatively large percentage of its assets in the securities of large-capitalization companies. As a result, the Fund’s performance may be adversely affected if securities of large-capitalization companies underperform securities of smaller-capitalization companies or the market as a whole. The securities of large-capitalization companies may be relatively mature compared to smaller companies and therefore subject to slower growth during times of economic expansion.

 

n  

Mid-Capitalization Investing. The Fund may invest in the securities of mid-capitalization companies. As a result, the Fund’s performance may be adversely affected if securities of mid-capitalization companies underperform securities of other capitalization ranges or the market as a whole. Securities of smaller companies are often more vulnerable to market volatility than securities of larger companies.

 

n  

Non-Correlation Risk. As with all index funds, the performance of the Fund and its Index may differ from each other for a variety of reasons.

 

n  

Non-Diversification Risk. Although the Fund intends to invest in a variety of securities and instruments, the Fund will be considered to be non-diversified, which means that it may invest more of its assets in the securities of a single issuer or a smaller number of issuers than if it were a diversified fund. As a result, the Fund may be more exposed to the risks associated with and developments affecting an individual issuer or a smaller number of issuers than a fund that invests more widely. This may increase the Fund’s volatility and cause the performance of a relatively smaller number of issuers to have a greater impact on the Fund’s performance.

Fund Performance

The Fund commenced operations on April 8, 2014, and therefore does not have performance history for a full calendar year. Once the Fund has completed a full calendar year of operations, a bar chart and table will be included that will provide some indication of the risks of investing in the Fund by showing the variability of the Fund’s return based on net assets and comparing the Fund’s performance to a broad measure of market performance.

Management

Investment Adviser and Sub-Adviser

WisdomTree Asset Management, Inc. serves as investment adviser to the Fund. Mellon Capital Management Corporation serves as sub-adviser to the Fund.

Portfolio Managers

Karen Q. Wong, CFA, a Managing Director, Head of Equity Portfolio Management, has been a portfolio manager of the Fund since its inception.

Richard A. Brown, CFA, a Director, Senior Portfolio Manager, has been a portfolio manager of the Fund since its inception.

Thomas J. Durante, CFA, a Managing Director, Senior Portfolio Manager, has been a portfolio manager of the Fund since its inception.

Buying and Selling Fund Shares

The Fund is an ETF. This means that shares of the Fund are listed on a national securities exchange, such as NYSE Arca, and trade at market prices. Most investors will buy and sell shares of the Fund through brokers. Because Fund shares trade at market prices rather than NAV, shares may trade at a price greater than NAV (premium) or less than NAV (discount).

The Fund issues and redeems shares at NAV only in large blocks of shares (“Creation Units”), which only certain institutions or large investors (typically market makers or other broker-dealers) may purchase or redeem. Currently, Creation Units generally consist of 50,000 shares, though this may change from time to time. Creation Units are not expected to consist of less than 50,000 shares. The Fund generally issues and redeems Creation Units in exchange for a portfolio of securities closely approximating the holdings of the Fund and/or a designated amount of U.S. cash.

Tax Information

The Fund intends to make distributions that may be taxed as ordinary income, qualified dividend income, or capital gains.

Payments to Broker-Dealers and Other Financial Intermediaries

If you purchase shares of the Fund through a broker-dealer or other financial intermediary (such as a bank) (an “Intermediary”), WisdomTree Asset Management, Inc. or its affiliates may pay Intermediaries for certain activities related to the Fund, including participation in activities that are designed to make Intermediaries more knowledgeable about exchange traded products, including the Fund, or for other activities, such as marketing, educational training or other initiatives related to the sale or promotion of Fund shares. These payments may create a conflict of interest by influencing the Intermediary and your salesperson to recommend the Fund over another investment. Any such arrangements do not result in increased Fund expenses. Ask your salesperson or visit the Intermediary’s website for more information.

 

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WisdomTree Japan Hedged Health Care Fund

 

Fund Summary

Investment Objective

The WisdomTree Japan Hedged Health Care Fund (the “Fund”) seeks to track the price and yield performance, before fees and expenses, of the WisdomTree Japan Hedged Health Care Index (the “Index”).

Fees and Expenses of the Fund

The following table describes the fees and expenses you may pay if you buy and hold shares of the Fund. The fees are expressed as a percentage of the Fund’s average net assets.

 

Shareholder Fees (fees paid directly from your investment)     None   

Annual Fund Operating Expenses (expenses that you pay each year as a percentage of the value of your investment)

       

Management Fees

    0.48

Distribution and/or Service (12b-1) Fees

    None   

Other Expenses*

    0.00
Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses     0.48

Fee Waivers

    (0.05 )% 
Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses After Fee Waivers**     0.43
*   Other Expenses are based on estimated amounts for the current fiscal year.
**   WisdomTree Asset Management, Inc. has contractually agreed to limit the Management Fee to 0.43% through at least July 31, 2015, unless earlier terminated by the Board of Trustees of the Trust for any reason at any time.

Example

The following example is intended to help retail investors compare the cost of investing in the Fund with the cost of investing in other funds. It illustrates the hypothetical expenses that such investors would incur over various periods if they were to invest $10,000 in the Fund for the time periods indicated and then redeem all of the shares at the end of those periods. This example assumes that the Fund provides a return of 5% a year and that operating expenses remain the same. This example does not include the brokerage commissions that retail investors may pay to buy and sell shares of the Fund. Although your actual costs may be higher or lower, based on these assumptions, your costs would be:

 

     1 Year     3 Years  
      $44        $146   

Portfolio Turnover

The Fund pays transaction costs, such as commissions, when it buys and sells securities (or “turns over” its portfolio). A higher portfolio turnover rate may indicate higher transaction costs and may result in higher taxes when Fund shares are held in a taxable account. These costs, which are not reflected in annual fund operating expenses or in the example, affect the Fund’s performance. The Fund commenced operations on April 8, 2014, and therefore does not have portfolio turnover information for the most recent fiscal year.

Principal Investment Strategies of the Fund

The Fund employs a “passive management” – or indexing – investment approach designed to track the performance of the Index. The Fund generally uses a representative sampling strategy to achieve its investment objective, meaning it generally will invest in a sample of the securities in the Index whose risk, return and other characteristics resemble the risk, return and other characteristics of the Index as a whole. Under normal circumstances, at least 80% of the Fund’s total assets (exclusive of collateral held from securities lending) will be invested in the component securities of the Index and investments that have economic characteristics that are substantially identical to the economic characteristics of such component securities.

The Index is designed to provide exposure to Japanese health care companies as defined by WisdomTree Investments, Inc. (“WisdomTree Investments”), as index provider, while at the same time neutralizing exposure to fluctuations of the value of the Japanese yen relative to the U.S. dollar. The Index was created by WisdomTree Investments utilizing a proprietary combination of sub-industry classifications from Standard & Poor’s Global Industry Classification Standards (“S&P GICS”) to determine membership for inclusion as a “health care” company in the Index. The following sub-industries, which are

 

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currently derived from either the health care sector or consumer staples sector as defined by S&P GICS, are included in the Index: biotechnology, drug retail, health care equipment and supplies, health care providers and services, health care technology, life sciences tools and services, and pharmaceuticals. As of June 30, 2014, a significant portion of the Index is comprised of companies in the health care sector.

The Index consists of companies incorporated in Japan that trade primarily on the Tokyo Stock Exchange. Securities are weighted by their float-adjusted market capitalization. “Float-adjusted” means that the share amounts used in calculating the Index reflect only shares available to investors. Shares held by control groups, public companies and government agencies are excluded. At the time of the Index’s annual screening date, the maximum weight of any single security in the Index is capped at 10%. In response to market conditions, security weights may fluctuate above the specified cap between annual Index screening dates.

To be eligible for inclusion in the Index, a company must have: (i) a float-adjusted market capitalization of at least $500 million as of the Index screening date; (ii) an average daily dollar volume of at least $100,000 for three months preceding the Index screening date; (iii) a calculated volume factor (the average daily dollar volume for three months preceding the Index screening date divided by the weight of the security in the Index) that is greater than $200 million; and (iv) trading of at least either 250,000 shares per month or $25 million notional for each of the six months preceding the Index screening date. In the event that a company has a calculated volume factor that is less than $400 million as of the annual Index screening date, the company’s weight in the Index will be reduced such that its weight equals its weight prior to the adjustment multiplied by a fraction of its calculated volume factor divided by $400 million.

The Index “hedges” against fluctuations in the relative value of the Japanese yen against the U.S. dollar. The Index is designed to have higher returns than an equivalent unhedged investment when the yen is weakening relative to the U.S. dollar. Conversely, the Index is designed to have lower returns than an equivalent unhedged investment when the yen is rising relative to the U.S. dollar. The Index applies an applicable published one-month currency forward rate to the total equity exposure to Japan to adjust the value of the Japanese yen against the U.S. dollar.

The Fund intends to enter into forward currency contracts or futures contracts designed to offset the Fund’s exposure to the Japanese yen. A forward currency contract is a contract between two parties to buy or sell a specific currency in the future at an agreed upon exchange rate. A currency futures contract is a contract to exchange one currency for another at a specified date in the future at an agreed upon exchange rate. The amount of forward contracts and futures contracts in the Fund is based on the aggregate exposure of the Fund and Index to the Japanese yen. While this approach is designed to minimize the impact of currency fluctuations on Fund returns, it does not necessarily eliminate the Fund’s exposure to the yen. The return of the forward currency contracts and currency futures contracts may not perfectly offset the actual fluctuations between the yen and the U.S. dollar.

To the extent the Index concentrates (i.e., holds 25% or more of its total assets) in the securities of a particular industry or group of industries, the Fund will concentrate its investments to approximately the same extent as its Index.

Principal Risks of Investing in the Fund

You can lose money on your investment in the Fund. The Fund is subject to the risks described below. Some or all of these risks may adversely affect the Fund’s net asset value per share (“NAV”), trading price, yield, total return and/or ability to meet its objectives. For more information about the risks of investing in the Fund, see the sections in the Fund’s Prospectus, titled “Additional Principal Risk Information About the Funds” and “Additional Non-Principal Risk Information.”

 

n  

Investment Risk. As with all investments, an investment in the Fund is subject to investment risk. Investors in the Fund could lose money, including the possible loss of the entire principal amount of an investment, over short or long periods of time.

 

n  

Market Risk. The trading prices of equity securities and other instruments fluctuate in response to a variety of factors. The Fund’s NAV and market price may fluctuate significantly in response to these and other factors. As a result, an investor could lose money over short or long periods of time.

 

n  

Shares of the Fund May Trade at Prices Other Than NAV. As with all exchange-traded funds (“ETFs”), Fund shares may be bought and sold in the secondary market at market prices. The trading prices of the Fund’s shares in the secondary market generally differ from the Fund’s daily NAV, and there may be times when the market price of the shares is more than the NAV (premium) or less than the NAV (discount). This risk is heightened in times of market volatility or periods of steep market declines.

 

n  

Cash Redemption Risk. The Fund’s investment strategy will require it to redeem shares for cash or to otherwise include cash as part of its redemption proceeds. The Fund may be required to sell or unwind portfolio investments in order to obtain the cash needed to distribute redemption proceeds. This may cause the Fund to recognize a capital gain that it might not have recognized if it had made a redemption in-kind. As a result, the Fund may pay out higher annual capital gain distributions than if the in-kind redemption process was used.

 

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n  

Currency Exchange Rate Risk. The Fund uses various strategies to attempt to minimize the impact of changes in the value of the Japanese yen against the U.S. dollar. These strategies may not be successful. In order to minimize transaction costs, or for other reasons, the Fund’s exposure to the yen may not be fully hedged at all times. Currency exchange rates can be very volatile and can change quickly and unpredictably. Therefore, the value of an investment in the Fund may also go up or down quickly and unpredictably and investors may lose money.

 

n  

Derivatives Risk. The Fund may invest in derivatives. Derivatives are financial instruments that derive their performance from an underlying reference asset, such as a commodity, index, interest rate or inflation rate. The return on a derivative instrument may not correlate with the return of its underlying reference asset. Derivatives are subject to a number of risks described elsewhere in the Fund’s Prospectus, such as market risk and issuer-specific risk. Derivatives can be volatile and may be less liquid than other securities. As a result, the value of an investment in the Fund may change quickly and without warning and you may lose money. In addition to the other risks associated with the use of derivatives described elsewhere in this Prospectus, there are risks associated with the Fund’s use of forward currency contracts and futures contracts. With respect to forward currency contracts, these risks include but are not limited to the risk that the counterparty will default on its obligations. With respect to futures contracts, these risks include but are not limited to: (1) the success of the adviser’s and sub-adviser’s ability to predict movements in the prices of individual currencies or securities, fluctuations in markets and movements in interest rates; (2) an imperfect or no correlation between the changes in market value of the currencies or securities and the prices of futures contracts; and (3) no guarantee that an active market will exist for the contracts at any particular time.

 

n  

Foreign Securities Risk. Investments in non-U.S. securities involve certain risks that may not be present with investments in U.S. securities. For example, investments in non-U.S. securities may be subject to risk of loss due to foreign currency fluctuations or to political or economic instability. Investments in non-U.S. securities also may be subject to withholding or other taxes and may be subject to additional trading, settlement, custodial, and operational risks. These and other factors can make investments in the Fund more volatile and potentially less liquid than other types of investments and may be heightened in connection with investments in developing or emerging market countries.

 

n  

Geographic Concentration in Japan. Because the Fund invests primarily in the securities of companies in Japan, the Fund’s performance is expected to be closely tied to social, political, and economic conditions within Japan and to be more volatile than the performance of more geographically diversified funds. The Japanese economy has only recently emerged from a prolonged economic downturn. Since the year 2000, Japan’s economic growth rate has remained relatively low. The economy is characterized by government intervention and protectionism, an unstable financial services sector, and relatively high unemployment. Economic growth is heavily dependent on international trade, government support of the financial services sector and other troubled sectors, and consistent government policy. The United States is Japan’s largest single trading partner, but close to half of Japan’s trade is conducted with developing nations, almost all of which are in Southeast Asia. Slowdowns in the U.S. and China could have a negative impact on Japan. Exposure to China, in terms of both imports and exports, has been increasing in recent years. These and other factors could have a negative impact on the Fund’s performance and increase the volatility of an investment in the Fund.

 

n  

Geopolitical Risk. Some countries and regions in which the Fund invests have experienced security concerns, war or threats of war and aggression, terrorism, economic uncertainty, natural and environmental disasters and/or systemic market dislocations that have led, and in the future may lead, to increased short-term market volatility and may have adverse long-term effects on the U.S. and world economies and markets generally, each of which may negatively impact the Fund’s investments.

 

n  

Health Care Sector Risk. The Fund invests primarily in companies in the health care sector. This sector can be significantly affected by, among other things, lapsing patent protection, technological developments that make drugs obsolete, government regulation, price controls, and approvals for drugs.

 

n  

Investment Style Risk. The Fund invests in the securities included in, or representative of, its Index regardless of their investment merit. The Fund does not attempt to outperform its Index or take defensive positions in declining markets. As a result, the Fund’s performance may be adversely affected by a general decline in the market segments relating to its Index.

 

n  

Issuer-Specific Risk. Issuer-specific events, including changes in the financial condition of an issuer, can have a negative impact on the value of the Fund.

 

n  

Large-Capitalization Investing. The Fund may invest a relatively large percentage of its assets in the securities of large-capitalization companies. As a result, the Fund’s performance may be adversely affected if securities of large-capitalization companies underperform securities of smaller-capitalization companies or the market as a whole. The securities of large-capitalization companies may be relatively mature compared to smaller companies and therefore subject to slower growth during times of economic expansion.

 

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n  

Mid-Capitalization Investing. The Fund may invest in the securities of mid-capitalization companies. As a result, the Fund’s performance may be adversely affected if securities of mid-capitalization companies underperform securities of other capitalization ranges or the market as a whole. Securities of smaller companies are often more vulnerable to market volatility than securities of larger companies.

 

n  

Non-Correlation Risk. As with all index funds, the performance of the Fund and its Index may differ from each other for a variety of reasons.

 

n  

Non-Diversification Risk. Although the Fund intends to invest in a variety of securities and instruments, the Fund will be considered to be non-diversified, which means that it may invest more of its assets in the securities of a single issuer or a smaller number of issuers than if it were a diversified fund. As a result, the Fund may be more exposed to the risks associated with and developments affecting an individual issuer or a smaller number of issuers than a fund that invests more widely. This may increase the Fund’s volatility and cause the performance of a relatively smaller number of issuers to have a greater impact on the Fund’s performance.

Fund Performance

The Fund commenced operations on April 8, 2014, and therefore does not have performance history for a full calendar year. Once the Fund has completed a full calendar year of operations, a bar chart and table will be included that will provide some indication of the risks of investing in the Fund by showing the variability of the Fund’s return based on net assets and comparing the Fund’s performance to a broad measure of market performance.

Management

Investment Adviser and Sub-Adviser

WisdomTree Asset Management, Inc. serves as investment adviser to the Fund. Mellon Capital Management Corporation serves as sub-adviser to the Fund.

Portfolio Managers

Karen Q. Wong, CFA, a Managing Director, Head of Equity Portfolio Management, has been a portfolio manager of the Fund since its inception.

Richard A. Brown, CFA, a Director, Senior Portfolio Manager, has been a portfolio manager of the Fund since its inception.

Thomas J. Durante, CFA, a Managing Director, Senior Portfolio Manager, has been a portfolio manager of the Fund since its inception.

Buying and Selling Fund Shares

The Fund is an ETF. This means that shares of the Fund are listed on a national securities exchange, such as NYSE Arca, and trade at market prices. Most investors will buy and sell shares of the Fund through brokers. Because Fund shares trade at market prices rather than NAV, shares may trade at a price greater than NAV (premium) or less than NAV (discount).

The Fund issues and redeems shares at NAV only in large blocks of shares (“Creation Units”), which only certain institutions or large investors (typically market makers or other broker-dealers) may purchase or redeem. Currently, Creation Units generally consist of 50,000 shares, though this may change from time to time. Creation Units are not expected to consist of less than 50,000 shares. The Fund generally issues and redeems Creation Units in exchange for a portfolio of securities closely approximating the holdings of the Fund and/or a designated amount of U.S. cash.

Tax Information

The Fund intends to make distributions that may be taxed as ordinary income, qualified dividend income, or capital gains.

Payments to Broker-Dealers and Other Financial Intermediaries

If you purchase shares of the Fund through a broker-dealer or other financial intermediary (such as a bank) (an “Intermediary”), WisdomTree Asset Management, Inc. or its affiliates may pay Intermediaries for certain activities related to the Fund, including participation in activities that are designed to make Intermediaries more knowledgeable about exchange traded products, including the Fund, or for other activities, such as marketing, educational training or other initiatives related to the sale or promotion of Fund shares. These payments may create a conflict of interest by influencing the Intermediary and your salesperson to recommend the Fund over another investment. Any such arrangements do not result in increased Fund expenses. Ask your salesperson or visit the Intermediary’s website for more information.

 

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WisdomTree Japan Hedged Tech, Media and Telecom Fund

 

Fund Summary

Investment Objective

The WisdomTree Japan Hedged Tech, Media and Telecom Fund (the “Fund”) seeks to track the price and yield performance, before fees and expenses, of the WisdomTree Japan Hedged Tech, Media and Telecom Index (the “Index”).

Fees and Expenses of the Fund

The following table describes the fees and expenses you may pay if you buy and hold shares of the Fund. The fees are expressed as a percentage of the Fund’s average net assets.

 

Shareholder Fees (fees paid directly from your investment)     None   

Annual Fund Operating Expenses (expenses that you pay each year as a percentage of the value of your investment)

       

Management Fees

    0.48

Distribution and/or Service (12b-1) Fees

    None   

Other Expenses*

    0.00
Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses     0.48

Fee Waivers

    (0.05 )% 
Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses After Fee Waivers**     0.43
*   Other Expenses are based on estimated amounts for the current fiscal year.
**   WisdomTree Asset Management, Inc. has contractually agreed to limit the Management Fee to 0.43% through July 31, 2015, unless earlier terminated by the Board of Trustees of the Trust for any reason at any time.

Example

The following example is intended to help retail investors compare the cost of investing in the Fund with the cost of investing in other funds. It illustrates the hypothetical expenses that such investors would incur over various periods if they were to invest $10,000 in the Fund for the time periods indicated and then redeem all of the shares at the end of those periods. This example assumes that the Fund provides a return of 5% a year and that operating expenses remain the same. This example does not include the brokerage commissions that retail investors may pay to buy and sell shares of the Fund. Although your actual costs may be higher or lower, based on these assumptions, your costs would be:

 

     1 Year     3 Years  
      $44        $146   

Portfolio Turnover

The Fund pays transaction costs, such as commissions, when it buys and sells securities (or “turns over” its portfolio). A higher portfolio turnover rate may indicate higher transaction costs and may result in higher taxes when Fund shares are held in a taxable account. These costs, which are not reflected in annual fund operating expenses or in the example, affect the Fund’s performance. The Fund commenced operations on April 8, 2014, and therefore does not have portfolio turnover information for the most recent fiscal year.

Principal Investment Strategies of the Fund

The Fund employs a “passive management” – or indexing – investment approach designed to track the performance of the Index. The Fund generally uses a representative sampling strategy to achieve its investment objective, meaning it generally will invest in a sample of the securities in the Index whose risk, return and other characteristics resemble the risk, return and other characteristics of the Index as a whole. Under normal circumstances, at least 80% of the Fund’s total assets (exclusive of collateral held from securities lending) will be invested in the component securities of the Index and investments that have economic characteristics that are substantially identical to the economic characteristics of such component securities.

The Index is designed to provide exposure to Japanese information technology, media and telecommunications companies as defined by WisdomTree Investments, Inc. (“WisdomTree Investments”), as index provider, while at the same time neutralizing exposure to fluctuations of the value of the Japanese yen relative to the U.S. dollar. The Index was created by WisdomTree Investments utilizing a proprietary combination of sub-industry classifications from Standard & Poor’s Global Industry Classification Standards (“S&P GICS”) to determine membership for inclusion as an “information technology, media or telecommunications” company in the Index. In addition to stocks in the information technology sector as defined by

 

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S&P GICS, the following sub-industries, which are currently derived from either the consumer discretionary sector or telecommunication services sector as defined by S&P GICS, are included in the Index: wireless telecommunications services, media, photographic products, leisure products (video gaming related companies), internet and catalog retail, consumer electronics, and electronic components. As of June 30, 2014, a significant portion of the Index is comprised of companies in the consumer discretionary, information technology and telecommunications sectors.

The Index consists of companies incorporated in Japan that trade primarily on the Tokyo Stock Exchange. Securities are weighted by their float-adjusted market capitalization. “Float-adjusted” means that the share amounts used in calculating the Index reflect only shares available to investors. Shares held by control groups, public companies and government agencies are excluded. At the time of the Index’s annual screening date, the maximum weight of any single security in the Index is capped at 10%. In response to market conditions, security weights may fluctuate above the specified cap between annual Index screening dates.

To be eligible for inclusion in the Index, a company must have: (i) a float-adjusted market capitalization of at least $500 million as of the Index screening date; (ii) an average daily dollar volume of at least $100,000 for three months preceding the Index screening date; (iii) a calculated volume factor (the average daily dollar volume for three months preceding the Index screening date divided by the weight of the security in the Index) that is greater than $200 million; and (iv) trading of at least either 250,000 shares per month or $25 million notional for each of the six months preceding the Index screening date. In the event that a company has a calculated volume factor that is less than $400 million as of the annual Index screening date, the company’s weight in the Index will be reduced such that its weight equals its weight prior to the adjustment multiplied by a fraction of its calculated volume factor divided by $400 million.

The Index “hedges” against fluctuations in the relative value of the Japanese yen against the U.S. dollar. The Index is designed to have higher returns than an equivalent unhedged investment when the yen is weakening relative to the U.S. dollar. Conversely, the Index is designed to have lower returns than an equivalent unhedged investment when the yen is rising relative to the U.S. dollar. The Index applies an applicable published one-month currency forward rate to the total equity exposure to Japan to adjust the value of the Japanese yen against the U.S. dollar.

The Fund intends to enter into forward currency contracts or futures contracts designed to offset the Fund’s exposure to the Japanese yen. A forward currency contract is a contract between two parties to buy or sell a specific currency in the future at an agreed upon exchange rate. A currency futures contract is a contract to exchange one currency for another at a specified date in the future at an agreed upon exchange rate. The amount of forward contracts and futures contracts in the Fund is based on the aggregate exposure of the Fund and Index to the Japanese yen. While this approach is designed to minimize the impact of currency fluctuations on Fund returns, it does not necessarily eliminate the Fund’s exposure to the yen. The return of the forward currency contracts and currency futures contracts may not perfectly offset the actual fluctuations between the yen and the U.S. dollar.

To the extent the Index concentrates (i.e., holds 25% or more of its total assets) in the securities of a particular industry or group of industries, the Fund will concentrate its investments to approximately the same extent as its Index.

Principal Risks of Investing in the Fund

You can lose money on your investment in the Fund. The Fund is subject to the risks described below. Some or all of these risks may adversely affect the Fund’s net asset value per share (“NAV”), trading price, yield, total return and/or ability to meet its objectives. For more information about the risks of investing in the Fund, see the sections in the Fund’s Prospectus, titled “Additional Principal Risk Information About the Funds” and “Additional Non-Principal Risk Information.”

 

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Investment Risk. As with all investments, an investment in the Fund is subject to investment risk. Investors in the Fund could lose money, including the possible loss of the entire principal amount of an investment, over short or long periods of time.

 

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Market Risk. The trading prices of equity securities and other instruments fluctuate in response to a variety of factors. The Fund’s NAV and market price may fluctuate significantly in response to these and other factors. As a result, an investor could lose money over short or long periods of time.

 

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Shares of the Fund May Trade at Prices Other Than NAV. As with all exchange-traded funds (“ETFs”), Fund shares may be bought and sold in the secondary market at market prices. The trading prices of the Fund’s shares in the secondary market generally differ from the Fund’s daily NAV, and there may be times when the market price of the shares is more than the NAV (premium) or less than the NAV (discount). This risk is heightened in times of market volatility or periods of steep market declines.

 

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Cash Redemption Risk. The Fund’s investment strategy will require it to redeem shares for cash or to otherwise include cash as part of its redemption proceeds. The Fund may be required to sell or unwind portfolio investments in order to obtain the cash needed to distribute redemption proceeds. This may cause the Fund to recognize a capital gain that it might not have recognized if it had made a redemption in-kind. As a result, the Fund may pay out higher annual capital gain distributions than if the in-kind redemption process was used.

 

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Consumer Discretionary Sector Risk. The Fund currently invests a significant portion of its assets in companies in the consumer discretionary sector. This sector consists of, for example, media and retail companies. The consumer discretionary sector of the economy can be significantly affected by, among other things, economic growth, worldwide demand and consumers’ disposable income levels and propensity to spend.

 

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Currency Exchange Rate Risk. The Fund uses various strategies to attempt to minimize the impact of changes in the value of the Japanese yen against the U.S. dollar. These strategies may not be successful. In order to minimize transaction costs, or for other reasons, the Fund’s exposure to the yen may not be fully hedged at all times. Currency exchange rates can be very volatile and can change quickly and unpredictably. Therefore, the value of an investment in the Fund may also go up or down quickly and unpredictably and investors may lose money.

 

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Derivatives Risk. The Fund may invest in derivatives. Derivatives are financial instruments that derive their performance from an underlying reference asset, such as a commodity, index, interest rate or inflation rate. The return on a derivative instrument may not correlate with the return of its underlying reference asset. Derivatives are subject to a number of risks described elsewhere in the Fund’s Prospectus, such as market risk and issuer-specific risk. Derivatives can be volatile and may be less liquid than other securities. As a result, the value of an investment in the Fund may change quickly and without warning and you may lose money. In addition to the other risks associated with the use of derivatives described elsewhere in this Prospectus, there are risks associated with the Fund’s use of forward currency contracts and futures contracts. With respect to forward currency contracts, these risks include but are not limited to the risk that the counterparty will default on its obligations. With respect to futures contracts, these risks include but are not limited to: (1) the success of the adviser’s and sub-adviser’s ability to predict movements in the prices of individual currencies or securities, fluctuations in markets and movements in interest rates; (2) an imperfect or no correlation between the changes in market value of the currencies or securities and the prices of futures contracts; and (3) no guarantee that an active market will exist for the contracts at any particular time.

 

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Foreign Securities Risk. Investments in non-U.S. securities involve certain risks that may not be present with investments in U.S. securities. For example, investments in non-U.S. securities may be subject to risk of loss due to foreign currency fluctuations or to political or economic instability. Investments in non-U.S. securities also may be subject to withholding or other taxes and may be subject to additional trading, settlement, custodial, and operational risks. These and other factors can make investments in the Fund more volatile and potentially less liquid than other types of investments and may be heightened in connection with investments in developing or emerging market countries.

 

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Geographic Concentration in Japan. Because the Fund invests primarily in the securities of companies in Japan, the Fund’s performance is expected to be closely tied to social, political, and economic conditions within Japan and to be more volatile than the performance of more geographically diversified funds. The Japanese economy has only recently emerged from a prolonged economic downturn. Since the year 2000, Japan’s economic growth rate has remained relatively low. The economy is characterized by government intervention and protectionism, an unstable financial services sector, and relatively high unemployment. Economic growth is heavily dependent on international trade, government support of the financial services sector and other troubled sectors, and consistent government policy. The United States is Japan’s largest single trading partner, but close to half of Japan’s trade is conducted with developing nations, almost all of which are in Southeast Asia. Slowdowns in the U.S. and China could have a negative impact on Japan. Exposure to China, in terms of both imports and exports, has been increasing in recent years. These and other factors could have a negative impact on the Fund’s performance and increase the volatility of an investment in the Fund.

 

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Geopolitical Risk. Some countries and regions in which the Fund invests have experienced security concerns, war or threats of war and aggression, terrorism, economic uncertainty, natural and environmental disasters and/or systemic market dislocations that have led, and in the future may lead, to increased short-term market volatility and may have adverse long-term effects on the U.S. and world economies and markets generally, each of which may negatively impact the Fund’s investments.

 

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Information Technology Sector Risk. The Fund currently invests a significant portion of its assets in companies in the information technology sector. This sector can be significantly affected by, among other things, the supply and demand for specific products and services, the pace of technological development and government regulation.

 

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Investment Style Risk. The Fund invests in the securities included in, or representative of, its Index regardless of their investment merit. The Fund does not attempt to outperform its Index or take defensive positions in declining markets. As a result, the Fund’s performance may be adversely affected by a general decline in the market segments relating to its Index.

 

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Issuer-Specific Risk. Issuer-specific events, including changes in the financial condition of an issuer, can have a negative impact on the value of the Fund.

 

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Large-Capitalization Investing. The Fund may invest a relatively large percentage of its assets in the securities of large-capitalization companies. As a result, the Fund’s performance may be adversely affected if securities of

 

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large-capitalization companies underperform securities of smaller-capitalization companies or the market as a whole. The securities of large-capitalization companies may be relatively mature compared to smaller companies and therefore subject to slower growth during times of economic expansion.

 

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Mid-Capitalization Investing. The Fund may invest in the securities of mid-capitalization companies. As a result, the Fund’s performance may be adversely affected if securities of mid-capitalization companies underperform securities of other capitalization ranges or the market as a whole. Securities of smaller companies are often more vulnerable to market volatility than securities of larger companies.

 

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Non-Correlation Risk. As with all index funds, the performance of the Fund and its Index may differ from each other for a variety of reasons.

 

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Non-Diversification Risk. Although the Fund intends to invest in a variety of securities and instruments, the Fund will be considered to be non-diversified, which means that it may invest more of its assets in the securities of a single issuer or a smaller number of issuers than if it were a diversified fund. As a result, the Fund may be more exposed to the risks associated with and developments affecting an individual issuer or a smaller number of issuers than a fund that invests more widely. This may increase the Fund’s volatility and cause the performance of a relatively smaller number of issuers to have a greater impact on the Fund’s performance.

 

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Telecommunications Sector Risk. The Fund currently invests a significant portion of its assets in companies in the telecommunication services sector. The telecommunication services sector can be significantly affected by, among other things, government intervention and regulation, technological innovations that make existing products and services obsolete, and consumer demand.

Fund Performance

The Fund commenced operations on April 8, 2014, and therefore does not have performance history for a full calendar year. Once the Fund has completed a full calendar year of operations, a bar chart and table will be included that will provide some indication of the risks of investing in the Fund by showing the variability of the Fund’s return based on net assets and comparing the Fund’s performance to a broad measure of market performance.

Management

Investment Adviser and Sub-Adviser

WisdomTree Asset Management, Inc. serves as investment adviser to the Fund. Mellon Capital Management Corporation serves as sub-adviser to the Fund.

Portfolio Managers

Karen Q. Wong, CFA, a Managing Director, Head of Equity Portfolio Management, has been a portfolio manager of the Fund since its inception.

Richard A. Brown, CFA, a Director, Senior Portfolio Manager, has been a portfolio manager of the Fund since its inception.

Thomas J. Durante, CFA, a Managing Director, Senior Portfolio Manager, has been a portfolio manager of the Fund since its inception.

Buying and Selling Fund Shares

The Fund is an ETF. This means that shares of the Fund are listed on a national securities exchange, such as NYSE Arca, and trade at market prices. Most investors will buy and sell shares of the Fund through brokers. Because Fund shares trade at market prices rather than NAV, shares may trade at a price greater than NAV (premium) or less than NAV (discount).

The Fund issues and redeems shares at NAV only in large blocks of shares (“Creation Units”), which only certain institutions or large investors (typically market makers or other broker-dealers) may purchase or redeem. Currently, Creation Units generally consist of 50,000 shares, though this may change from time to time. Creation Units are not expected to consist of less than 50,000 shares. The Fund generally issues and redeems Creation Units in exchange for a portfolio of securities closely approximating the holdings of the Fund and/or a designated amount of U.S. cash.

Tax Information

The Fund intends to make distributions that may be taxed as ordinary income, qualified dividend income, or capital gains.

Payments to Broker-Dealers and Other Financial Intermediaries

If you purchase shares of the Fund through a broker-dealer or other financial intermediary (such as a bank) (an “Intermediary”), WisdomTree Asset Management, Inc. or its affiliates may pay Intermediaries for certain activities related to the Fund, including participation in activities that are designed to make Intermediaries more knowledgeable about exchange traded products, including the Fund, or for other activities, such as marketing, educational training or other initiatives related to the sale or promotion of Fund shares. These payments may create a conflict of interest by influencing the Intermediary and your salesperson to recommend the Fund over another investment. Any such arrangements do not result in increased Fund expenses. Ask your salesperson or visit the Intermediary’s website for more information.

 

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WisdomTree International Hedged Dividend Growth Fund

 

Fund Summary

Investment Objective

The WisdomTree International Hedged Dividend Growth Fund (the “Fund”) seeks to track the price and yield performance, before fees and expenses, of the WisdomTree International Hedged Dividend Growth Index (the “Index”).

Fees and Expenses of the Fund

The following table describes the fees and expenses you may pay if you buy and hold shares of the Fund. The fees are expressed as a percentage of the Fund’s average net assets.

 

Shareholder Fees (fees paid directly from your investment)     None   

Annual Fund Operating Expenses (expenses that you pay each year as a percentage of the value of your investment)

       

Management Fees

    0.58

Distribution and/or Service (12b-1) Fees

    None   

Other Expenses*

    0.00
Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses     0.58
*   “Other Expenses” are based on estimated amounts for the current fiscal year.

Example

The following example is intended to help retail investors compare the cost of investing in the Fund with the cost of investing in other funds. It illustrates the hypothetical expenses that such investors would incur over various periods if they were to invest $10,000 in the Fund for the time periods indicated and then redeem all of the shares at the end of those periods. This example assumes that the Fund provides a return of 5% a year and that operating expenses remain the same. This example does not include the brokerage commissions that retail investors may pay to buy and sell shares of the Fund. Although your actual costs may be higher or lower, based on these assumptions, your costs would be:

 

     1 Year     3 Years  
      $59        $186   

Portfolio Turnover

The Fund pays transaction costs, such as commissions, when it buys and sells securities (or “turns over” its portfolio). A higher portfolio turnover rate may indicate higher transaction costs and may result in higher taxes when Fund shares are held in a taxable account. These costs, which are not reflected in annual fund operating expenses or in the example, affect the Fund’s performance. The Fund commenced operations on May 7, 2014, and therefore does not have portfolio turnover information for the most recent fiscal year.

Principal Investment Strategies of the Fund

The Fund employs a “passive management” – or indexing – investment approach designed to track the performance of the Index. The Fund generally uses a representative sampling strategy to achieve its investment objective, meaning it generally will invest in a sample of the securities in the Index whose risk, return and other characteristics resemble the risk, return and other characteristics of the Index as a whole. Under normal circumstances, at least 80% of the Fund’s total assets (exclusive of collateral held from securities lending) will be invested in the component securities of the Index and investments that have economic characteristics that are substantially identical to the economic characteristics of such component securities.

The Index consists of dividend-paying common stocks with growth characteristics of companies in the industrialized world, excluding Canada and the United States, while at the same time neutralizing exposure to fluctuations of the value of foreign currencies relative to the U.S. dollar. The Index is generally comprised of the 300 companies in the WisdomTree Dividend Index of Europe, Far East Asia and Australasia (the “WisdomTree DEFA Index”) with the best combined rank of certain growth and quality factors: specifically long-term earnings growth expectations, return on equity, and return on assets. The WisdomTree DEFA Index is a fundamentally weighted index that is comprised of dividend-paying companies that pay regular cash dividends. To be eligible for inclusion in the WisdomTree DEFA Index a company must be incorporated in one of 15 developed European countries (Austria, Belgium, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Ireland, Italy, Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, or the United Kingdom), Israel, Japan, Australia, New Zealand, Hong Kong or Singapore. Currently a significant portion of the Index is comprised of companies organized in the United Kingdom, Switzerland and Australia, although this may change from time to time.

 

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The starting universe screening requirements for the Index include: (i) payment of at least $5 million in cash dividends on common shares in the annual cycle prior to the annual Index screening date; (ii) market capitalization of at least $1 billion as of the Index screening date; (iii) average daily dollar volume of at least $100,000 for each of the three months preceding the Index screening date; (iv) a calculated volume factor (the average daily dollar volume for three months preceding the Index screening date divided by the weight of the security in the Index) that is greater than $200 million; and (v) trading of at least 250,000 shares per month for each of the six months preceding the Index screening date. Securities are weighted in the Index based on dividends paid over the prior annual cycle. Companies that pay more total dollar amount of dividends are more heavily weighted. At the time of the Index’s annual screening date, the maximum weight of any security in the Index is capped at 5% and the maximum weight of any one sector or country in the Index is capped at 20%, subject to the following volume factor. In the event that a company has a calculated volume factor that is less than $400 million as of the annual Index screening date, (i) the company’s weight in the Index will be reduced such that its weight equals its weight prior to the adjustment multiplied by a fraction of its calculated volume factor divided by $400 million, and (ii) the reduction in the company’s Index weight may cause a sector’s and/or country’s weight to rise above 20%. In response to market conditions, security, sector and country weights may fluctuate above the specified cap between annual Index screening dates.

The Index “hedges” against fluctuations in the relative value of foreign currencies against the U.S. dollar. The Index is designed to have higher returns than an equivalent unhedged investment when foreign currencies are weakening relative to the U.S. dollar. Conversely, the Index is designed to have lower returns than an equivalent unhedged investment when foreign currencies are rising relative to the U.S. dollar. The Index applies an applicable published one-month currency forward rate to the total equity exposure of each country in the Index to adjust the value of their respective currencies against the U.S. dollar.

The Fund intends to enter into forward currency contracts or futures contracts designed to offset the Fund’s exposure to foreign currencies. A forward currency contract is a contract between two parties to buy or sell a specific currency in the future at an agreed upon exchange rate. A currency futures contract is a contract to exchange one currency for another at a specified date in the future at an agreed upon exchange rate. The amount of forward contracts and futures contracts in the Fund is based on the aggregate exposure of the Fund and Index to the specified foreign currencies. While this approach is designed to minimize the impact of currency fluctuations on Fund returns, it does not necessarily eliminate the Fund’s exposure to foreign currencies. The return of the forward currency contracts and currency futures contracts may not perfectly offset the actual fluctuations between foreign currencies and the U.S. dollar.

WisdomTree Investments, Inc. (“WisdomTree Investments”), as index provider, currently uses Standard & Poor’s Global Industry Classification Standards (“S&P GICS”) to define companies within a sector. The following sectors are included in the Index: consumer discretionary, consumer staples, energy, financials, health care, industrials, information technology, materials, telecommunication services, and utilities. A sector is comprised of multiple industries. For example, the energy sector is comprised of companies in, among others, the natural gas, oil and petroleum industries. As of June 30, 2014, a significant portion of the Index is comprised of companies in the consumer discretionary, consumer staples, financial, healthcare and materials sectors.

To the extent the Index concentrates (i.e., holds 25% or more of its total assets) in the securities of a particular industry or group of industries, the Fund will concentrate its investments to approximately the same extent as its Index.

Principal Risks of Investing in the Fund

You can lose money on your investment in the Fund. The Fund is subject to the risks described below. Some or all of these risks may adversely affect the Fund’s net asset value per share (“NAV”), trading price, yield, total return and/or ability to meet its objectives. For more information about the risks of investing in the Fund, see the sections in the Fund’s Prospectus, titled “Additional Principal Risk Information About the Funds” and “Additional Non-Principal Risk Information.”

 

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Investment Risk. As with all investments, an investment in the Fund is subject to investment risk. Investors in the Fund could lose money, including the possible loss of the entire principal amount of an investment, over short or long periods of time.

 

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Market Risk. The trading prices of equity securities and other instruments fluctuate in response to a variety of factors. The Fund’s NAV and market price may fluctuate significantly in response to these and other factors. As a result, an investor could lose money over short or long periods of time.

 

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Shares of the Fund May Trade at Prices Other Than NAV. As with all exchange-traded funds (“ETFs”), Fund shares may be bought and sold in the secondary market at market prices. The trading prices of the Fund’s shares in the secondary market generally differ from the Fund’s daily NAV, and there may be times when the market price of the shares is more than the NAV (premium) or less than the NAV (discount). This risk is heightened in times of market volatility or periods of steep market declines.

 

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Cash Redemption Risk. The Fund’s investment strategy will require it to redeem shares for cash or to otherwise include cash as part of its redemption proceeds. The Fund may be required to sell or unwind portfolio investments in order to obtain the cash needed to distribute redemption proceeds. This may cause the Fund to recognize a capital gain that it

 

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might not have recognized if it had made a redemption in-kind. As a result, the Fund may pay out higher annual capital gain distributions than if the in-kind redemption process was used.

 

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Consumer Discretionary Sector Risk. The Fund currently invests a significant portion of its assets in companies in the consumer discretionary sector. This sector consists of, for example, automobile, retail and media companies. The consumer discretionary sector of the economy can be significantly affected by, among other things, economic growth, worldwide demand and consumers’ disposable income levels and propensity to spend.

 

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Consumer Staples Sector Risk. The Fund currently invests a significant portion of its assets in companies in the consumer staples sector. This sector can be significantly affected by, among other things, changes in price and availability of underlying commodities, rising energy prices and global and economic conditions.

 

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Currency Exchange Rate Risk. The Fund uses various strategies to attempt to minimize the impact of changes in the value of foreign currencies against the U.S. dollar. These strategies may not be successful. In order to minimize transaction costs, or for other reasons, the Fund’s exposure to foreign currencies may not be fully hedged at all times. Currency exchange rates can be very volatile and can change quickly and unpredictably. Therefore, the value of an investment in the Fund may also go up or down quickly and unpredictably and investors may lose money.

 

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Derivatives Risk. The Fund may invest in derivatives. Derivatives are financial instruments that derive their performance from an underlying reference asset, such as a commodity, index, interest rate or inflation rate. The return on a derivative instrument may not correlate with the return of its underlying reference asset. Derivatives are subject to a number of risks described elsewhere in the Fund’s Prospectus, such as market risk and issuer-specific risk. Derivatives can be volatile and may be less liquid than other securities. As a result, the value of an investment in the Fund may change quickly and without warning and you may lose money. In addition to the other risks associated with the use of derivatives described elsewhere in this Prospectus, there are risks associated with the Fund’s use of forward currency contracts and futures contracts. With respect to forward currency contracts, these risks include but are not limited to the risk that the counterparty will default on its obligations. With respect to futures contracts, these risks include but are not limited to: (1) the success of the adviser’s and sub-adviser’s ability to predict movements in the prices of individual currencies or securities, fluctuations in markets and movements in interest rates; (2) an imperfect or no correlation between the changes in market value of the currencies or securities and the prices of futures contracts; and (3) no guarantee that an active market will exist for the contracts at any particular time.

 

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Financial Sector Risk. The Fund currently invests a significant portion of its assets in companies in the financial sector, and therefore the performance of the Fund could be negatively impacted by events affecting this sector. This sector can be significantly affected by changes in interest rates, government regulation, the rate of defaults on corporate, consumer and government debt, the availability and cost of capital, and fallout from the housing and sub-prime mortgage crisis.

 

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Foreign Securities Risk. Investments in non-U.S. securities involve certain risks that may not be present with investments in U.S. securities. For example, investments in non-U.S. securities may be subject to risk of loss due to foreign currency fluctuations or to political or economic instability. Investments in non-U.S. securities also may be subject to withholding or other taxes and may be subject to additional trading, settlement, custodial, and operational risks. These and other factors can make investments in the Fund more volatile and potentially less liquid than other types of investments and may be heightened in connection with investments in developing or emerging market countries.

 

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Geographic Investment Risk. To the extent the Fund invests a significant portion of its assets in the securities of companies of a single country or region, it is more likely to be impacted by events or conditions affecting that country or region. The Fund currently invests a significant portion of its assets in companies organized in the United Kingdom.

 

n  

Geopolitical Risk. Some countries and regions in which the Fund invests have experienced security concerns, war or threats of war and aggression, terrorism, economic uncertainty, natural and environmental disasters and/or systemic market dislocations that have led, and in the future may lead, to increased short-term market volatility and may have adverse long-term effects on the U.S. and world economies and markets generally, each of which may negatively impact the Fund’s investments.

 

n  

Health Care Sector Risk. The Fund currently invests a significant portion of its assets in companies in the health care sector. This sector can be significantly affected by, among other things, lapsing patent protection, technological developments that make drugs obsolete, government regulation, price controls, and approvals for drugs.

 

n  

Investment Style Risk. The Fund invests in the securities included in, or representative of, its Index regardless of their investment merit. The Fund does not attempt to outperform its Index or take defensive positions in declining markets. As a result, the Fund’s performance may be adversely affected by a general decline in the market segments relating to its Index.

 

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n  

Issuer-Specific Risk. Issuer-specific events, including changes in the financial condition of an issuer, can have a negative impact on the value of the Fund.

 

n  

Large-Capitalization Investing. The Fund may invest a relatively large percentage of its assets in the securities of large-capitalization companies. As a result, the Fund’s performance may be adversely affected if securities of large-capitalization companies underperform securities of smaller-capitalization companies or the market as a whole. The securities of large-capitalization companies may be relatively mature compared to smaller companies and therefore subject to slower growth during times of economic expansion.

 

n  

Materials Sector Risk. The Fund currently invests a significant portion of its assets in companies in the basic materials sector. This sector includes, for example, metals and mining, chemicals and forest product companies. This sector can be significantly affected by, among other things, commodity price volatility, demand for basic materials, world economic growth, depletion of natural resources, technological progress, and government regulations.

 

n  

Non-Correlation Risk. As with all index funds, the performance of the Fund and its Index may differ from each other for a variety of reasons.

 

n  

Non-Diversification Risk. Although the Fund intends to invest in a variety of securities and instruments, the Fund will be considered to be non-diversified, which means that it may invest more of its assets in the securities of a single issuer or a smaller number of issuers than if it were a diversified fund. As a result, the Fund may be more exposed to the risks associated with and developments affecting an individual issuer or a smaller number of issuers than a fund that invests more widely. This may increase the Fund’s volatility and cause the performance of a relatively smaller number of issuers to have a greater impact on the Fund’s performance.

Fund Performance

The Fund commenced operations on May 7, 2014, and therefore does not have performance history for a full calendar year. Once the Fund has completed a full calendar year of operations, a bar chart and table will be included that will provide some indication of the risks of investing in the Fund by showing the variability of the Fund’s return based on net assets and comparing the Fund’s performance to a broad measure of market performance.

Management

Investment Adviser and Sub-Adviser

WisdomTree Asset Management, Inc. serves as investment adviser to the Fund. Mellon Capital Management Corporation serves as sub-adviser to the Fund.

Portfolio Managers

Karen Q. Wong, CFA, a Managing Director, Head of Equity Portfolio Management, has been a portfolio manager of the Fund since its inception.

Richard A. Brown, CFA, a Director, Senior Portfolio Manager, has been a portfolio manager of the Fund since its inception.

Thomas J. Durante, CFA, a Managing Director, Senior Portfolio Manager, has been a portfolio manager of the Fund since its inception.

Buying and Selling Fund Shares

The Fund is an ETF. This means that shares of the Fund are listed on a national securities exchange, such as NYSE Arca, and trade at market prices. Most investors will buy and sell shares of the Fund through brokers. Because Fund shares trade at market prices rather than NAV, shares may trade at a price greater than NAV (premium) or less than NAV (discount).

The Fund issues and redeems shares at NAV only in large blocks of shares (“Creation Units”), which only certain institutions or large investors (typically market makers or other broker-dealers) may purchase or redeem. Currently, Creation Units generally consist of 50,000 shares, though this may change from time to time. Creation Units are not expected to consist of less than 50,000 shares. The Fund generally issues and redeems Creation Units in exchange for a portfolio of securities closely approximating the holdings of the Fund and/or a designated amount of U.S. cash.

Tax Information

The Fund intends to make distributions that may be taxed as ordinary income, qualified dividend income, or capital gains.

Payments to Broker-Dealers and Other Financial Intermediaries

If you purchase shares of the Fund through a broker-dealer or other financial intermediary (such as a bank) (an “Intermediary”), WisdomTree Asset Management, Inc. or its affiliates may pay Intermediaries for certain activities related to the Fund, including participation in activities that are designed to make Intermediaries more knowledgeable about exchange traded products, including the Fund, or for other activities, such as marketing, educational training or other initiatives related to the sale or promotion of Fund shares. These payments may create a conflict of interest by influencing the Intermediary and your salesperson to recommend the Fund over another investment. Any such arrangements do not result in increased Fund expenses. Ask your salesperson or visit the Intermediary’s website for more information.

 

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WisdomTree Global Equity Income Fund

 

Investment Objective

The WisdomTree Global Equity Income Fund (the “Fund”) seeks to track the price and yield performance, before fees and expenses, of the WisdomTree Global Equity Income Index (the “Index”).

Fees and Expenses of the Fund

The following table describes the fees and expenses you may pay if you buy and hold shares of the Fund. The fees are expressed as a percentage of the Fund’s average net assets.

 

Shareholder Fees (fees paid directly from your investment)     None   

Annual Fund Operating Expenses (expenses that you pay each year as a percentage of the value of your investment)

       

Management Fees

    0.58

Distribution and/or Service (12b-1) Fees

    None   

Other Expenses

    0.00
Total Annual Operating Expenses     0.58

Example

The following example is intended to help retail investors compare the cost of investing in the Fund with the cost of investing in other funds. It illustrates the hypothetical expenses that such investors would incur over various periods if they were to invest $10,000 in the Fund for the time periods indicated and then redeem all of the shares at the end of those periods. This example assumes that the Fund provides a return of 5% a year and that operating expenses remain the same. This example does not include the brokerage commissions that retail investors may pay to buy and sell shares of the Fund. Although your actual costs may be higher or lower, based on these assumptions, your costs would be:

 

     1 Year     3 Years     5 Years     10 Years  
      $59        $186        $324        $726   

Portfolio Turnover

The Fund pays transaction costs, such as commissions, when it buys and sells securities (or “turns over” its portfolio). A higher portfolio turnover rate may indicate higher transaction costs and may result in higher taxes when Fund shares are held in a taxable account. These costs, which are not reflected in annual fund operating expenses or in the example, affect the Fund’s performance. During the most recent fiscal year, the Fund’s portfolio turnover rate was 25% of the average value of its portfolio, excluding the value of portfolio securities received or delivered as a result of in-kind creations or redemptions of the Fund’s capital shares.

Principal Investment Strategies of the Fund

The Fund employs a “passive management” – or indexing – investment approach designed to track the performance of the Index. The Fund generally uses a representative sampling strategy to achieve its investment objective, meaning it generally will invest in a sample of the securities in the Index whose risk, return and other characteristics resemble the risk, return and other characteristics of the Index as a whole. Under normal circumstances, at least 95% of the Fund’s total assets (exclusive of collateral held from securities lending) will be invested in the component securities of the Index and investments that have economic characteristics that are substantially identical to the economic characteristics of such component securities.

The Index is a fundamentally weighted index that is comprised of high dividend-yielding companies selected from the WisdomTree Global Dividend Index, which is comprised of dividend-paying companies in the U.S., and developed and emerging markets throughout the world. As of the annual Index screening date, companies with market capitalizations of at least $2 billion are ranked by dividend yield and those companies in the top 30% by dividend yield are selected for inclusion in the Index. If a company currently in the Index is no longer ranked in the top 30% by dividend yield at the time of the annual Index screening date but remains ranked in the top 35% by dividend yield, the company will remain in the Index. Companies in the Index must have a calculated volume factor (the average daily dollar volume for three months preceding the Index screening date divided by the weight of the security in the Index) that is greater than $200 million. Securities are weighted in the Index based on dividends paid over the prior annual cycle. Companies that pay more total dollar amount of dividends are more heavily weighted. At the time of the Index’s annual screening date, the maximum weight of any security in the Index is capped at 5%. The maximum weight of any one sector and any one country in the Index, at the time of the

 

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Index’s annual screening date, is capped at 25%, subject to the following volume factor. In the event that a company has a calculated volume factor that is less than $400 million as of the annual Index screening date, (i) the company’s weight in the Index will be reduced such that its weight equals its weight prior to the adjustment multiplied by a fraction of its calculated volume factor divided by $400 million, and (ii) the reduction in the company’s Index weight may cause a sector’s and/or country’s weight to rise above 25%. In response to market conditions, security, sector and country weights may fluctuate above the specified cap between annual Index screening dates.

WisdomTree Investments, Inc. (“WisdomTree Investments”), as index provider, currently uses Standard & Poor’s Global Industry Classification Standards (“S&P GICS”) to define companies within a sector. The following sectors are included in the Index: consumer discretionary, consumer staples, energy, financials, health care, industrials, information technology, materials, telecommunication services, and utilities. A sector is comprised of multiple industries. For example, the energy sector is comprised of companies in, among others, the natural gas, oil and petroleum industries. As of June 30, 2014, a significant portion of the Index is comprised of companies in the financial sector.

To the extent the Index concentrates (i.e., holds 25% or more of its total assets) in the securities of a particular industry or group of industries, the Fund will concentrate its investments to approximately the same extent as its Index.

Principal Risks of Investing in the Fund

You can lose money on your investment in the Fund. The Fund is subject to the risks described below. Some or all of these risks may adversely affect the Fund’s net asset value per share (“NAV”), trading price, yield, total return and/or ability to meet its objectives. For more information about the risks of investing in the Fund, see the sections in the Fund’s prospectus titled “Additional Principal Risk Information About the Funds” and “Additional Non-Principal Risk Information.”

 

n  

Investment Risk. As with all investments, an investment in the Fund is subject to investment risk. Investors in the Fund could lose money, including the possible loss of the entire principal amount of an investment, over short or long periods of time.

 

n  

Market Risk. The trading prices of equity securities and other instruments fluctuate in response to a variety of factors. The Fund’s NAV and market price may fluctuate significantly in response to these and other factors. As a result, an investor could lose money over short or long periods of time.

 

n  

Shares of the Fund May Trade at Prices Other Than NAV. As with all exchange-traded funds (“ETFs”), Fund shares may be bought and sold in the secondary market at market prices. The trading prices of the Fund’s shares in the secondary market generally differ from the Fund’s daily NAV and there may be times when the market price of the shares is more than the NAV (premium) or less than the NAV (discount). This risk is heightened in times of market volatility or periods of steep market declines.

 

n  

Capital Controls and Sanctions Risk. Economic conditions, such as volatile currency exchange rates and interest rates, political events, military action and other conditions may, without prior warning, lead to foreign government intervention (including intervention by the U.S. government with respect to foreign governments, economic sectors, foreign companies and related securities and interests) and the imposition of capital controls and/or sanctions, which may also include retaliatory actions of one government against another government, such as seizure of assets. Capital controls and/or sanctions include the prohibition of, or restrictions on, the ability to own or transfer currency, securities or other assets, which may potentially include derivative instruments related thereto. Capital controls and/or sanctions may also impact the ability of the Fund to buy, sell, transfer, receive, deliver or otherwise obtain exposure to, foreign securities or currency, negatively impact the value and/or liquidity of such instruments, adversely affect the trading market and price for shares of the Fund, and cause the Fund to decline in value.

 

n  

Cash Redemption Risk. The Fund’s investment strategy will require it to redeem shares for cash or to otherwise include cash as part of its redemption proceeds. The Fund may be required to sell or unwind portfolio investments in order to obtain the cash needed to distribute redemption proceeds. This may cause the Fund to recognize a capital gain that it might not have recognized if it had made a redemption in-kind. As a result, the Fund may pay out higher annual capital gain distributions than if the in-kind redemption process was used.

 

n  

Currency Exchange Rate Risk. The Fund invests a relatively large percentage of its assets in investments denominated in non-U.S. currencies or in securities that provide exposure to such currencies. Changes in currency exchange rates and the relative value of non-U.S. currencies will affect the value of the Fund’s investment and the value of your Fund shares. Currency exchange rates can be very volatile and can change quickly and unpredictably. As a result, the value of an investment in the Fund may change quickly and without warning and you may lose money.

 

n  

Emerging Markets Risk. The Fund may invest in companies organized in emerging market nations. Investments in securities and instruments traded in developing or emerging markets, or that provide exposure to such securities or markets, can involve additional risks relating to political, economic, or regulatory conditions not associated with

 

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investments in U.S. securities and instruments or investments in more developed international markets. Such conditions may impact the ability of the Fund to buy, sell or otherwise transfer securities, adversely affect the trading market and price for Fund shares and cause the Fund to decline in value.

 

n  

Financial Sector Risk. The Fund currently invests a significant portion of its assets in companies in the financial sector, and therefore the performance of the Fund could be negatively impacted by events affecting this sector. This sector can be significantly affected by changes in interest rates, government regulation, the rate of defaults on corporate, consumer and government debt, the availability and cost of capital, and fallout from the housing and sub-prime mortgage crisis.

 

n  

Foreign Securities Risk. Investments in non-U.S. securities involve certain risks that may not be present with investments in U.S. securities. For example, investments in non-U.S. securities may be subject to risk of loss due to foreign currency fluctuations or to political or economic instability. Investments in non-U.S. securities also may be subject to withholding or other taxes and may be subject to additional trading, settlement, custodial, and operational risks. These and other factors can make investments in the Fund more volatile and potentially less liquid than other types of investments and may be heightened in connection with investments in developing or emerging markets countries.

 

n  

Geographic Investment Risk. To the extent the Fund invests a significant portion of its assets in the securities of companies of a single country or region, it is more likely to be impacted by events or conditions affecting that country or region.

 

n  

Geopolitical Risk. Some countries and regions in which the Fund invests have experienced security concerns, war or threats of war and aggression, terrorism, economic uncertainty, natural and environmental disasters and/or systemic market dislocations that have led, and in the future may lead, to increased short-term market volatility and may have adverse long-term effects on the U.S. and world economies and markets generally, each of which may negatively impact the Fund’s investments.

 

n  

Investment Style Risk. The Fund invests in the securities included in, or representative of, its Index regardless of their investment merit. The Fund does not attempt to outperform its Index or take defensive positions in declining markets. As a result, the Fund’s performance may be adversely affected by a general decline in the market segments relating to its Index.

 

n  

Issuer-Specific Risk. Issuer-specific events, including changes in the financial condition of an issuer, can have a negative impact on the value of the Fund.

 

n  

Large-Capitalization Investing. The Fund may invest a relatively large percentage of its assets in the securities of large-capitalization companies. As a result, the Fund’s performance may be adversely affected if securities of large-capitalization companies underperform securities of smaller-capitalization companies or the market as a whole. The securities of large-capitalization companies may be relatively mature compared to smaller companies and therefore subject to slower growth during times of economic expansion.

 

n  

Non-Correlation Risk. As with all index funds, the performance of the Fund and its Index may differ from each other for a variety of reasons.

 

n  

Non-Diversification Risk. Although the Fund intends to invest in a variety of securities and instruments, the Fund will be considered to be non-diversified, which means that it may invest more of its assets in the securities of a single issuer or a smaller number of issuers than if it were a diversified fund. As a result, the Fund may be more exposed to the risks associated with and developments affecting an individual issuer or a smaller number of issuers than a fund that invests more widely. This may increase the Fund’s volatility and cause the performance of a relatively smaller number of issuers to have a greater impact on the Fund’s performance.

Fund Performance

Historical Fund performance, which varies over time, can provide an indication of the risks of investing in the Fund. The bar chart that follows shows the annual total returns of the Fund for each full calendar year since the Fund commenced operations. The table that follows the bar chart shows the Fund’s average annual total returns, both before and after taxes. This table also shows how the Fund’s performance compares to the Index and that of a relevant broad-based securities index. Index returns do not reflect deductions for fees, expenses or taxes. All returns assume reinvestment of dividends and distributions. The Fund’s past performance (before and after taxes) is not necessarily an indication of how the Fund will perform in the future.

 

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The Fund’s name and objective changed effective June 19, 2009. Fund performance prior to June 19, 2009 reflects the investment objective of the Fund when it was the WisdomTree Europe Equity Income Fund and tracked the performance, before fees and expenses, of the WisdomTree Europe Equity Income Index.

 

LOGO

The Fund’s year-to-date total return as of June 30, 2014 was 7.18%.

Best and Worst Quarter Returns (for the periods reflected in the bar chart above)

 

     Return     Quarter/Year  

Highest Return

    27.28     2Q/2009   

Lowest Return

    (24.50 )%      4Q/2008   

After-tax returns are calculated using the highest historical individual federal marginal income tax rates and do not reflect the impact of state and local taxes. Actual after-tax returns depend on your tax situation and may differ from those shown and are not relevant if you hold your Fund shares through tax-deferred arrangements, such as 401(k) plans or individual retirement accounts. In some cases the return after taxes may exceed the return before taxes due to an assumed tax benefit from any losses on a sale of Fund shares at the end of the measurement period.

Average Annual Total Returns for the periods ending December 31, 2013

 

WisdomTree Global Equity Income Fund*   1 Year     5 Years    

Since Inception

(6/16/2006)

 

Return Before Taxes Based on NAV

    14.88     12.61     3.84

Return After Taxes on Distributions

    13.55     11.88     3.26

Return After Taxes on Distributions and Sale of Fund Shares

    8.94     10.30     3.26

MSCI Europe Value/MSCI AC World Spliced Index** (Reflects no deduction for fees, expenses or taxes)

    22.80     14.75     4.37

WisdomTree Europe Equity Income/Global Equity Income Spliced Index*** (Reflects no deduction for fees, expenses or taxes)

    15.14     12.77     4.16
*   The Fund’s objective changed effective June 19, 2009. Prior to that date, the Fund sought to track the price and yield performance, before fees and expenses, of the WisdomTree Europe Equity Income Index. After June 19, 2009, the Fund’s objective seeks to track the price and yield performance, before fees and expenses, of the WisdomTree Global Equity Income Index.
**   Reflects performance of the MSCI Europe Value Index through June 19, 2009 and the MSCI AC World Index thereafter.
***   Reflects performance of the WisdomTree Europe Equity Income Index through June 19, 2009 and the WisdomTree Global Equity Income Index thereafter.

Management

Investment Adviser and Sub-Adviser

WisdomTree Asset Management, Inc. serves as investment adviser to the Fund. Mellon Capital Management Corporation serves as sub-adviser to the Fund.

Portfolio Managers

Karen Q. Wong, CFA, a Managing Director, Head of Equity Portfolio Management, has been a portfolio manager of the Fund since February 2008.

Richard A. Brown, CFA, a Director, Senior Portfolio Manager, has been a portfolio manager of the Fund since February 2008.

 

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Thomas J. Durante, CFA, a Managing Director, Senior Portfolio Manager, has been a portfolio manager of the Fund since February 2008.

Buying and Selling Fund Shares

The Fund is an ETF. This means that shares of the Fund are listed on a national securities exchange, such as NYSE Arca, and trade at market prices. Most investors will buy and sell shares of the Fund through brokers. Because Fund shares trade at market prices rather than NAV, shares may trade at a price greater than NAV (premium) or less than NAV (discount).

The Fund issues and redeems shares at NAV only in large blocks of shares (“Creation Units”), which only certain institutions or large investors (typically market makers or other broker-dealers) may purchase or redeem. Currently, Creation Units generally consist of 50,000 shares, though this may change from time to time. Creation Units are not expected to consist of less than 50,000 shares. The Fund generally issues and redeems Creation Units in exchange for a portfolio of securities closely approximating the holdings of the Fund and/or a designated amount of U.S. cash.

Tax Information

The Fund intends to make distributions that may be taxed as ordinary income, qualified dividend income, or capital gains.

Payments to Broker-Dealers and Other Financial Intermediaries

If you purchase shares of the Fund through a broker-dealer or other financial intermediary (such as a bank) (an “Intermediary”), WisdomTree Asset Management, Inc. or its affiliates may pay Intermediaries for certain activities related to the Fund, including participation in activities that are designed to make Intermediaries more knowledgeable about exchange traded products, including the Fund, or for other activities, such as marketing, educational training or other initiatives related to the sale or promotion of Fund shares. These payments may create a conflict of interest by influencing the Intermediary and your salesperson to recommend the Fund over another investment. Any such arrangements do not result in increased Fund expenses. Ask your salesperson or visit the Intermediary’s website for more information.

 

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WisdomTree Global ex-U.S. Dividend Growth Fund

 

Investment Objective

The WisdomTree Global ex-U.S. Dividend Growth Fund (the “Fund”) seeks to track the price and yield performance, before fees and expenses, of the WisdomTree Global ex-U.S. Dividend Growth Index (the “Index”).

Fees and Expenses of the Fund

The following table describes the fees and expenses you may pay if you buy and hold shares of the Fund. The fees are expressed as a percentage of the Fund’s average net assets.

 

Shareholder Fees (fees paid directly from your investment)     None   

Annual Fund Operating Expenses (expenses that you pay each year as a percentage of the value of your investment)

       

Management Fees

    0.58

Distribution and/or Service (12b-1) Fees

    None   

Other Expenses

    0.00
Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses     0.58

Example

The following example is intended to help retail investors compare the cost of investing in the Fund with the cost of investing in other funds. It illustrates the hypothetical expenses that such investors would incur over various periods if they were to invest $10,000 in the Fund for the time periods indicated and then redeem all of the shares at the end of those periods. This example assumes that the Fund provides a return of 5% a year and that operating expenses remain the same. This example does not include the brokerage commission that retail investors may pay to buy and sell shares of the Fund. It also does not include the transaction fees on purchases and redemptions of Creation Units because these fees will not be imposed on retail investors. Although your actual costs may be higher or lower, based on these assumptions, your costs would be:

 

     1 Year     3 Years     5 Years     10 Years  
      $59        $186        $324        $726   

Portfolio Turnover

The Fund pays transaction costs, such as commissions, when it buys and sells securities (or “turns over” its portfolio). A higher portfolio turnover rate may indicate higher transaction costs and may result in higher taxes when Fund shares are held in a taxable account. These costs, which are not reflected in annual fund operating expenses or in the example, affect the Fund’s performance. During the most recent fiscal year, the Fund’s portfolio turnover rate was 93% of the average value of its portfolio, excluding the value of portfolio securities received or delivered as a result of in-kind creations or redemptions of the Fund’s capital shares.

Principal Investment Strategies of the Fund

The Fund employs a “passive management” – or indexing – investment approach designed to track the performance of the Index. The Fund generally uses a representative sampling strategy to achieve its investment objective, meaning it generally will invest in a sample of the securities in the Index whose risk, return and other characteristics resemble the risk, return and other characteristics of the Index as a whole. Under normal circumstances, at least 95% of the Fund’s total assets (exclusive of collateral held from securities lending) will be invested in the component securities of the Index and investments that have economic characteristics that are substantially identical to the economic characteristics of such component securities.

The Index is a fundamentally weighted index that consists of dividend-paying global ex-U.S. common stocks with growth characteristics. The Index is comprised of the 300 companies in the WisdomTree Global ex-U.S. Dividend Index with the best combined rank of growth and quality factors: specifically long-term earnings growth expectations, return on equity, and return on assets. The starting universe screening requirements include: (i) payment of regular cash dividends on common shares in the annual cycle prior to the annual Index screening date; (ii) market capitalization of at least $2 billion as of the Index screening date; (iii) average daily dollar volume of at least $100,000 three months preceding the Index screening date; and (iv) a calculated volume factor (the average daily dollar volume for three months preceding the Index screening date divided by the weight of the security in the Index) that is greater than $200 million. Securities are weighted in the Index based on dividends over the prior annual cycle. Companies that pay more total dollar amount of dividends are more heavily weighted. At the time of the Index’s annual screening date, the maximum weight of any security in the Index is capped at 5% and the maximum weight of any one sector and any one country in the Index is capped at 20%, subject to the following

 

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volume factor. In the event that a company has a calculated volume factor that is less than $400 million as of the annual Index screening date, (i) the company’s weight in the Index will be reduced such that its weight equals its weight prior to the adjustment multiplied by a fraction of its calculated volume factor divided by $400 million, and (ii) the reduction in the company’s Index weight may cause a sector’s and/or country’s weight to rise above 20%. In response to market conditions, security, sector and country weights may fluctuate above the specified cap between annual Index screening dates.

WisdomTree Investments, Inc. (“WisdomTree Investments”), as index provider, currently uses Standard & Poor’s Global Industry Classification Standards (“S&P GICS”) to define companies within a sector. The following sectors are included in the Index: consumer discretionary, consumer staples, energy, financials, health care, industrials, information technology, materials, telecommunication services, and utilities. A sector is comprised of multiple industries. For example, the energy sector is comprised of companies in, among others, the natural gas, oil and petroleum industries. As of June 30, 2014, a significant portion of the Index is comprised of companies in the consumer discretionary and consumer staples sectors.

To the extent the Index concentrates (i.e., holds 25% or more of its total assets) in the securities of a particular industry or group of industries, the Fund will concentrate its investments to approximately the same extent as its Index.

Principal Risks of Investing in the Fund

You can lose money on your investment in the Fund. The Fund is subject to the risks described below. Some or all of these risks may adversely affect the Fund’s net asset value per share (“NAV”), trading price, yield, total return and/or ability to meet its objectives. For more information about the risks of investing in the Fund, see the sections in the Fund’s prospectus titled “Additional Principal Risk Information About the Funds” and “Additional Non-Principal Risk Information.”

 

n  

Investment Risk. As with all investments, an investment in the Fund is subject to investment risk. Investors in the Fund could lose money, including the possible loss of the entire principal amount of an investment, over short or long periods of time.

 

n  

Market Risk. The trading prices of equity securities and other instruments fluctuate in response to a variety of factors. The Fund’s NAV and market price may fluctuate significantly in response to these and other factors. As a result, an investor could lose money over short or long periods of time.

 

n  

Shares of the Fund May Trade at Prices Other Than NAV. As with all exchange-traded funds (“ETFs”), Fund shares may be bought and sold in the secondary market at market prices. The trading prices of the Fund’s shares in the secondary market generally differ from the Fund’s daily NAV and there may be times when the market price of the shares is more than the NAV (premium) or less than the NAV (discount). This risk is heightened in times of market volatility or periods of steep market declines.

 

n  

Capital Controls and Sanctions Risk. Economic conditions, such as volatile currency exchange rates and interest rates, political events, military action and other conditions may, without prior warning, lead to foreign government intervention (including intervention by the U.S. government with respect to foreign governments, economic sectors, foreign companies and related securities and interests) and the imposition of capital controls and/or sanctions, which may also include retaliatory actions of one government against another government, such as seizure of assets. Capital controls and/or sanctions include the prohibition of, or restrictions on, the ability to own or transfer currency, securities or other assets, which may potentially include derivative instruments related thereto. Capital controls and/or sanctions may also impact the ability of the Fund to buy, sell, transfer, receive, deliver or otherwise obtain exposure to, foreign securities or currency, negatively impact the value and/or liquidity of such instruments, adversely affect the trading market and price for shares of the Fund, and cause the Fund to decline in value.

 

n  

Cash Redemption Risk. The Fund’s investment strategy will require it to redeem shares for cash or to otherwise include cash as part of its redemption proceeds. The Fund may be required to sell or unwind portfolio investments in order to obtain the cash needed to distribute redemption proceeds. This may cause the Fund to recognize a capital gain that it might not have recognized if it had made a redemption in-kind. As a result, the Fund may pay out higher annual capital gain distributions than if the in-kind redemption process was used.

 

n  

Consumer Discretionary Sector Risk. The Fund currently invests a significant portion of its assets in companies in the consumer discretionary sector. This sector consists of, for example, automobile, retail and media companies. The consumer discretionary sector of the economy can be significantly affected by, among other things, economic growth, worldwide demand and consumers’ disposable income levels and propensity to spend.

 

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Consumer Staples Sector Risk. The Fund currently invests a significant portions of its assets in companies in the consumer staples sector. This sector can be significantly affected by, among other things, changes in price and availability of underlying commodities, rising energy prices and global and economic conditions.

 

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Currency Exchange Rate Risk. The Fund invests a relatively large percentage of its assets in investments denominated in non-U.S. currencies or in securities that provide exposure to such currencies. Changes in currency exchange rates and the relative value of non-U.S. currencies will affect the value of the Fund’s investment and the value of your Fund shares. Currency exchange rates can be very volatile and can change quickly and unpredictably. As a result, the value of an investment in the Fund may change quickly and without warning and you may lose money.

 

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Emerging Markets Risk. The Fund may invest in companies organized in emerging market nations. Investments in securities and instruments traded in developing or emerging markets, or that provide exposure to such securities or markets, can involve additional risks relating to political, economic, or regulatory conditions not associated with investments in U.S. securities and instruments or investments in more developed international markets. Such conditions may impact the ability of the Fund to buy, sell or otherwise transfer securities, adversely affect the trading market and price for Fund shares and cause the Fund to decline in value.

 

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Foreign Securities Risk. Investments in non-U.S. securities involve certain risks that may not be present with investments in U.S. securities. For example, investments in non-U.S. securities may be subject to risk of loss due to foreign currency fluctuations or to political or economic instability. Investments in non-U.S. securities also may be subject to withholding or other taxes and may be subject to additional trading, settlement, custodial, and operational risks. These and other factors can make investments in the Fund more volatile and potentially less liquid than other types of investments and may be heightened in connection with investments in developing or emerging markets countries.

 

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Geographic Investment Risk. To the extent the Fund invests a significant portion of its assets in the securities of companies of a single country or region, it is more likely to be impacted by events or conditions affecting that country or region. The Fund currently invests a significant portion of its assets in companies organized in the United Kingdom.

 

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Geopolitical Risk. Some countries and regions in which the Fund invests have experienced security concerns, war or threats of war and aggression, terrorism, economic uncertainty, natural and environmental disasters and/or systemic market dislocations that have led, and in the future may lead, to increased short-term market volatility and may have adverse long-term effects on the U.S. and world economies and markets generally, each of which may negatively impact the Fund’s investments.

 

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Investment Style Risk. The Fund invests in the securities included in, or representative of, its Index regardless of their investment merit. The Fund does not attempt to outperform its Index or take defensive positions in declining markets. As a result, the Fund’s performance may be adversely affected by a general decline in the market segments relating to its Index.

 

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Issuer-Specific Risk. Issuer-specific events, including changes in the financial condition of an issuer, can have a negative impact on the value of the Fund.

 

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Large-Capitalization Investing. The Fund may invest a relatively large percentage of its assets in the securities of large-capitalization companies. As a result, the Fund’s performance may be adversely affected if securities of large-capitalization companies underperform securities of smaller-capitalization companies or the market as a whole. The securities of large-capitalization companies may be relatively mature compared to smaller companies and therefore subject to slower growth during times of economic expansion.

 

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Mid-Capitalization Investing. The Fund may invest in the securities of mid-capitalization companies. As a result, the Fund’s performance may be adversely affected if securities of mid-capitalization companies underperform securities of other capitalization ranges or the market as a whole. Securities of smaller companies are often more vulnerable to market volatility than securities of larger companies.

 

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Non-Correlation Risk. As with all index funds, the performance of the Fund and its Index may differ from each other for a variety of reasons.

 

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Non-Diversification Risk. Although the Fund intends to invest in a variety of securities and instruments, the Fund will be considered to be non-diversified, which means that it may invest more of its assets in the securities of a single issuer or a smaller number of issuers than if it were a diversified fund. As a result, the Fund may be more exposed to the risks associated with and developments affecting an individual issuer or a smaller number of issuers than a fund that invests more widely. This may increase the Fund’s volatility and cause the performance of a relatively smaller number of issuers to have a greater impact on the Fund’s performance.

Fund Performance

Historical Fund performance, which varies over time, can provide an indication of the risks of investing in the Fund. The bar chart that follows shows the annual total returns of the Fund for each full calendar year since the Fund commenced operations. The table that follows the bar chart shows the Fund’s average annual total returns, both before and after taxes. This table also shows how the Fund’s performance compares to the Index and that of a relevant broad-based securities index.

 

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Index returns do not reflect deductions for fees, expenses or taxes. All returns assume reinvestment of dividends and distributions. The Fund’s past performance (before and after taxes) is not necessarily an indication of how the Fund will perform in the future.

The Fund’s name and objective changed effective June 19, 2009. Fund performance prior to June 19, 2009 reflects the investment objective and style of the Fund when it was the WisdomTree Japan Equity Income Fund, and tracked the performance of the WisdomTree Japan Equity Income Index.

 

LOGO

The Fund’s year-to-date total return as of June 30, 2014 was 7.08%.

Best and Worst Quarter Returns (for the periods reflected in the bar chart above)

 

     Return     Quarter/Year  

Highest Return

    19.27     3Q/2010   

Lowest Return

    (21.73 )%      3Q/2011   

After-tax returns are calculated using the highest historical individual federal marginal income tax rates and do not reflect the impact of state and local taxes. Actual after-tax returns depend on your tax situation and may differ from those shown and are not relevant if you hold your Fund shares through tax-deferred arrangements, such as 401(k) plans or individual retirement accounts. In some cases the return after taxes may exceed the return before taxes due to an assumed tax benefit from any losses on a sale of Fund shares at the end of the measurement period.

Average Annual Total Returns for the periods ending December 31, 2013

 

WisdomTree Global ex-U.S. Dividend Growth Fund*   1 Year     5 Years    

Since Inception

(6/16/2006)

 

Return Before Taxes Based on NAV

    0.10     6.43     2.78

Return After Taxes on Distributions

    (0.43 )%      6.02     2.48

Return After Taxes on Distributions and Sale of Fund Shares

    0.52     5.28     2.40

MSCI Japan Value/MSCI AC World ex-USA Growth Spliced Index** (Reflects no deduction for fees, expenses or taxes)

    15.49     12.26     5.11

WisdomTree Japan Equity Income/Global ex-U.S. Dividend Growth Spliced Index*** (Reflects no deduction for fees, expenses or taxes)

    1.09     7.21     3.39
*   The Fund’s objective changed effective June 19, 2009. Prior to that date, the Fund sought to track the price and yield performance, before fees and expenses, of the WisdomTree Japan Equity Income Index. After June 19, 2009, the Fund’s objective seeks to track the price and yield performance, before fees and expenses, of the WisdomTree Global ex-U.S. Dividend Growth Index.
**   Reflects performance of the MSCI Japan Value Index through June 19, 2009 and the MSCI AC World ex-USA Growth Index thereafter.
***   Reflects performance of the WisdomTree Japan Equity Income Index through June 19, 2009 and the WisdomTree Global ex-U.S. Dividend Growth Index thereafter.

Management

Investment Adviser and Sub-Adviser

WisdomTree Asset Management, Inc. serves as investment adviser to the Fund. Mellon Capital Management Corporation serves as sub-adviser to the Fund.

 

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Portfolio Managers

Karen Q. Wong, CFA, a Managing Director, Head of Equity Portfolio Management, has been a portfolio manager of the Fund since February 2008.

Richard A. Brown, CFA, a Director, Senior Portfolio Manager, has been a portfolio manager of the Fund since February 2008.

Thomas J. Durante, CFA, a Managing Director, Senior Portfolio Manager, has been a portfolio manager of the Fund since February 2008.

Buying and Selling Fund Shares

The Fund is an ETF. This means that shares of the Fund are listed on a national securities exchange, such as NYSE Arca, and trade at market prices. Most investors will buy and sell shares of the Fund through brokers. Because Fund shares trade at market prices rather than NAV, shares may trade at a price greater than NAV (premium) or less than NAV (discount).

The Fund issues and redeems shares at NAV only in large blocks of shares (“Creation Units”), which only certain institutions or large investors (typically market makers or other broker-dealers) may purchase or redeem. Currently, Creation Units generally consist of 100,000 shares, though this may change from time to time. Creation Units are not expected to consist of less than 50,000 shares. The Fund generally issues and redeems Creation Units in exchange for a portfolio of securities closely approximating the holdings of the Fund and/or a designated amount of U.S. cash.

Tax Information

The Fund intends to make distributions that may be taxed as ordinary income, qualified dividend income, or capital gains.

Payments to Broker-Dealers and Other Financial Intermediaries

If you purchase shares of the Fund through a broker-dealer or other financial intermediary (such as a bank) (an “Intermediary”), WisdomTree Asset Management, Inc. or its affiliates may pay Intermediaries for certain activities related to the Fund, including participation in activities that are designed to make Intermediaries more knowledgeable about exchange traded products, including the Fund, or for other activities, such as marketing, educational training or other initiatives related to the sale or promotion of Fund shares. These payments may create a conflict of interest by influencing the Intermediary and your salesperson to recommend the Fund over another investment. Any such arrangements do not result in increased Fund expenses. Ask your salesperson or visit the Intermediary’s website for more information.

 

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WisdomTree Asia Pacific ex-Japan Fund

 

Investment Objective

The WisdomTree Asia Pacific ex-Japan Fund (the “Fund”) seeks to track the price and yield performance, before fees and expenses, of the WisdomTree Asia Pacific ex-Japan Index (the “Index”).

Fees and Expenses of the Fund

The following table describes the fees and expenses you may pay if you buy and hold shares of the Fund. The fees are expressed as a percentage of the Fund’s average net assets.

 

Shareholder Fees (fees paid directly from your investment)     None   

Annual Fund Operating Expenses (expenses that you pay each year as a percentage of the value of your investment)

       

Management Fees

    0.48

Distribution and/or Service (12b-1) Fees

    None   

Other Expenses

    0.00
Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses     0.48

Example

The following example is intended to help retail investors compare the cost of investing in the Fund with the cost of investing in other funds. It illustrates the hypothetical expenses that such investors would incur over various periods if they were to invest $10,000 in the Fund for the time periods indicated and then redeem all of the shares at the end of those periods. This example assumes that the Fund provides a return of 5% a year and that operating expenses remain the same. This example does not include the brokerage commission that retail investors may pay to buy and sell shares of the Fund. It also does not include the transaction fees on purchases and redemptions of Creation Units because these fees will not be imposed on retail investors. Although your actual costs may be higher or lower, based on these assumptions, your costs would be:

 

     1 Year     3 Years     5 Years     10 Years  
      $49        $154        $269        $604   

Portfolio Turnover

The Fund pays transaction costs, such as commissions, when it buys and sells securities (or “turns over” its portfolio). A higher portfolio turnover rate may indicate higher transaction costs and may result in higher taxes when Fund shares are held in a taxable account. These costs, which are not reflected in annual fund operating expenses or in the example, affect the Fund’s performance. During the most recent fiscal year, the Fund’s portfolio turnover rate was 21% of the average value of its portfolio, excluding the value of portfolio securities received or delivered as a result of in-kind creations or redemptions of the Fund’s capital shares.

Principal Investment Strategies of the Fund

The Fund employs a “passive management” – or indexing – investment approach designed to track the performance of the Index. The Fund generally uses a representative sampling strategy to achieve its investment objective, meaning it generally will invest in a sample of the securities in the Index whose risk, return and other characteristics resemble the risk, return and other characteristics of the Index as a whole. Under normal circumstances, at least 95% of the Fund’s total assets (exclusive of collateral held from securities lending) will be invested in the component securities of the Index and investments that have economic characteristics that are substantially identical to the economic characteristics of such component securities.

The Index is a fundamentally weighted index that is comprised of dividend paying companies in the Asia Pacific ex-Japan region. The Index is comprised of the 300 largest companies ranked by market capitalization that meet the following eligibility criteria. Eligibility requirements include: (i) incorporation within one of the following countries: Australia, China, Hong Kong, India, Indonesia, Malaysia, New Zealand, Philippines, Singapore, South Korea, Taiwan and Thailand; (ii) payment of at least $5 million in cash dividends on common shares in the annual cycle prior to the annual Index screening date; (iii) market capitalization of at least $100 million as of the Index screening date; (iv) average daily dollar volume of at least $100,000 for the three months preceding the Index screening date; (v) a calculated volume factor (the average daily dollar volume for three months preceding the Index screening date divided by the weight of the security in the Index) that is greater than $200 million; and (vi) trading of at least 250,000 shares per month for each of the six months preceding the Index screening date. Securities are weighted in the Index based on dividends paid over the prior annual cycle. Companies that pay more total dollar amount of dividends are more heavily weighted. The maximum weight of any one sector and any one

 

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country in the Index, at the time of the Index’s annual screening date, is capped at 25%, subject to the following volume factor. In the event that a company has a calculated volume factor that is less than $400 million as of the annual Index screening date, (i) the company’s weight in the Index will be reduced such that its weight equals its weight prior to the adjustment multiplied by a fraction of its calculated volume factor divided by $400 million, and (ii) the reduction in the company’s Index weight may cause a sector’s and/or country’s weight to rise above 25%. In response to market conditions, sector and country weights may fluctuate above 25% between annual Index screening dates.

WisdomTree Investments, Inc. (“WisdomTree Investments”), as index provider, currently uses Standard & Poor’s Global Industry Classification Standards (“S&P GICS”) to define companies within a sector. The following sectors are included in the Index: consumer discretionary, consumer staples, energy, financials, health care, industrials, information technology, materials, telecommunication services, and utilities. A sector is comprised of multiple industries. For example, the energy sector is comprised of companies in, among others, the natural gas, oil and petroleum industries. As of June 30, 2014, a significant portion of the Index is comprised of companies in the financial and telecommunications sectors.

To the extent the Index concentrates (i.e., holds 25% or more of its total assets) in the securities of a particular industry or group of industries, the Fund will concentrate its investments to approximately the same extent as its Index.

Principal Risks of Investing in the Fund

You can lose money on your investment in the Fund. The Fund is subject to the risks described below. Some or all of these risks may adversely affect the Fund’s net asset value per share (“NAV”), trading price, yield, total return and/or ability to meet its objectives. For more information about the risks of investing in the Fund, see the sections in the Fund’s prospectus titled “Additional Principal Risk Information About the Funds” and “Additional Non-Principal Risk Information.”

 

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Investment Risk. As with all investments, an investment in the Fund is subject to investment risk. Investors in the Fund could lose money, including the possible loss of the entire principal amount of an investment, over short or long periods of time.

 

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Market Risk. The trading prices of equity securities and other instruments fluctuate in response to a variety of factors. The Fund’s NAV and market price may fluctuate significantly in response to these and other factors. As a result, an investor could lose money over short or long periods of time.

 

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Shares of the Fund May Trade at Prices Other Than NAV. As with all exchange-traded funds (“ETFs”), Fund shares may be bought and sold in the secondary market at market prices. The trading prices of the Fund’s shares in the secondary market generally differ from the Fund’s daily NAV and there may be times when the market price of the shares is more than the NAV (premium) or less than the NAV (discount). This risk is heightened in times of market volatility or periods of steep market declines.

 

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Capital Controls and Sanctions Risk. Economic conditions, such as volatile currency exchange rates and interest rates, political events, military action and other conditions may, without prior warning, lead to foreign government intervention (including intervention by the U.S. government with respect to foreign governments, economic sectors, foreign companies and related securities and interests) and the imposition of capital controls and/or sanctions, which may also include retaliatory actions of one government against another government, such as seizure of assets. Capital controls and/or sanctions include the prohibition of, or restrictions on, the ability to own or transfer currency, securities or other assets, which may potentially include derivative instruments related thereto. Capital controls and/or sanctions may also impact the ability of the Fund to buy, sell transfer, receive, deliver or otherwise obtain exposure to, foreign securities or currency, negatively impact the value and/or liquidity of such instruments, adversely affect the trading market and price for shares of the Fund, and cause the Fund to decline in value.

 

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Currency Exchange Rate Risk. The Fund invests a relatively large percentage of its assets in investments denominated in non-U.S. currencies or in securities that provide exposure to such currencies. Changes in currency exchange rates and the relative value of non-U.S. currencies will affect the value of the Fund’s investment and the value of your Fund shares. Currency exchange rates can be very volatile and can change quickly and unpredictably. As a result, the value of an investment in the Fund may change quickly and without warning and you may lose money.

 

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Cash Redemption Risk. The Fund’s investment strategy will require it to redeem shares for cash or to otherwise include cash as part of its redemption proceeds. The Fund may be required to sell or unwind portfolio investments in order to obtain the cash needed to distribute redemption proceeds. This may cause the Fund to recognize a capital gain that it might not have recognized if it had made a redemption in-kind. As a result, the Fund may pay out higher annual capital gain distributions than if the in-kind redemption process was used.

 

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Emerging Markets Risk. The Fund may invest in companies organized in emerging market nations. Investments in securities and instruments traded in developing or emerging markets, or that provide exposure to such securities or

 

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markets, can involve additional risks relating to political, economic, or regulatory conditions not associated with investments in U.S. securities and instruments or investments in more developed international markets. Such conditions may impact the ability of the Fund to buy, sell or otherwise transfer securities, adversely affect the trading market and price for Fund shares and cause the Fund to decline in value.

 

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Financial Sector Risk. The Fund currently invests a significant portion of its assets in companies in the financial sector, and therefore the performance of the Fund could be negatively impacted by events affecting this sector. This sector can be significantly affected by changes in interest rates, government regulation, the rate of defaults on corporate, consumer and government debt, the availability and cost of capital, and fallout from the housing and sub-prime mortgage crisis.

 

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Foreign Securities Risk. Investments in non-U.S. securities involve certain risks that may not be present with investments in U.S. securities. For example, investments in non-U.S. securities may be subject to risk of loss due to foreign currency fluctuations or to political or economic instability. Investments in non-U.S. securities also may be subject to withholding or other taxes and may be subject to additional trading, settlement, custodial, and operational risks. These and other factors can make investments in the Fund more volatile and potentially less liquid than other types of investments and may be heightened in connection with investments in developing or emerging markets countries.

 

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Geopolitical Risk. Some countries and regions in which the Fund invests have experienced security concerns, war or threats of war and aggression, terrorism, economic uncertainty, natural and environmental disasters and/or systemic market dislocations that have led, and in the future may lead, to increased short-term market volatility and may have adverse long-term effects on the U.S. and world economies and markets generally, each of which may negatively impact the Fund’s investments.

 

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Investment in the Asia Pacific Region. Because the Fund invests primarily in the securities of companies in the Asia Pacific region, the Fund will be susceptible to loss due to adverse market, political, regulatory, and other events, such as natural disasters, affecting that region. While certain economies in this region are exemplars of growth and development, others have been and continue to be subject, to some extent, to over-extension of credit, currency devaluations and restrictions, high unemployment, high inflation, decreased exports, and economic recessions. Each of these factors may impact the ability of the Fund to buy, sell or otherwise transfer securities, adversely affect the trading market and price for Fund shares and cause the Fund to decline in value. The Fund currently invests a significant portion of its assets in companies organized in Australia and Hong Kong.

 

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Investment in Australia. The Fund currently invests a significant portion of its assets in companies organized in Australia. The Australian economy is dependent on the economies of Asian countries and on the price and demand for agricultural products and natural resources.

 

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Investment Style Risk. The Fund invests in the securities included in, or representative of, its Index regardless of their investment merit. The Fund does not attempt to outperform its Index or take defensive positions in declining markets. As a result, the Fund’s performance may be adversely affected by a general decline in the market segments relating to its Index.

 

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Issuer-Specific Risk. Issuer-specific events, including changes in the financial condition of an issuer, can have a negative impact on the value of the Fund.

 

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Large-Capitalization Investing. The Fund may invest a relatively large percentage of its assets in the securities of large-capitalization companies. As a result, the Fund’s performance may be adversely affected if securities of large-capitalization companies underperform securities of smaller-capitalization companies or the market as a whole. The securities of large-capitalization companies may be relatively mature compared to smaller companies and therefore subject to slower growth during times of economic expansion.

 

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Mid-Capitalization Investing. The Fund may invest in the securities of mid-capitalization companies. As a result, the Fund’s performance may be adversely affected if securities of mid-capitalization companies underperform securities of other capitalization ranges or the market as a whole. Securities of smaller companies are often more vulnerable to market volatility than securities of larger companies.

 

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Non-Correlation Risk. As with all index funds, the performance of the Fund and its Index may differ from each other for a variety of reasons.

 

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Non-Diversification Risk. Although the Fund intends to invest in a variety of securities and instruments, the Fund will be considered to be non-diversified, which means that it may invest more of its assets in the securities of a single issuer or a smaller number of issuers than if it were a diversified fund. As a result, the Fund may be more exposed to the risks associated with and developments affecting an individual issuer or a smaller number of issuers than a fund that invests more widely. This may increase the Fund’s volatility and cause the performance of a relatively smaller number of issuers to have a greater impact on the Fund’s performance.

 

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Telecommunications Sector Risk. The Fund currently invests a significant portion of its assets in companies in the telecommunications industry. The telecommunications industry can be significantly affected by, among other things, government intervention and regulation, technological innovations that make existing products and services obsolete, and consumer demand.

Fund Performance

Historical Fund performance, which varies over time, can provide an indication of the risks of investing in the Fund. The bar chart that follows shows the annual total returns of the Fund for each full calendar year since the Fund commenced operations. The table that follows the bar chart shows the Fund’s average annual total returns, both before and after taxes. This table also shows how the Fund’s performance compares to the Index and that of a relevant broad-based securities index. Index returns do not reflect deductions for fees, expenses or taxes. All returns assume reinvestment of dividends and distributions. The Fund’s past performance (before and after taxes) is not necessarily an indication of how the Fund will perform in the future.

The Fund’s name and objective changed effective June 17, 2011. Fund performance prior to June 17, 2011 reflects the investment objective and style of the Fund when it was the WisdomTree Pacific ex-Japan Total Dividend Fund, and tracked the performance of the WisdomTree Pacific ex-Japan Dividend Index.

 

LOGO

The Fund’s year-to-date total return as of June 30, 2014 was 5.42%.

Best and Worst Quarter Returns (for the periods reflected in the bar chart above)

 

     Return     Quarter/Year  

Highest Return

    30.04     2Q/2009   

Lowest Return

    (24.05 )%      4Q/2008   

After-tax returns are calculated using the highest historical individual federal marginal income tax rates and do not reflect the impact of state and local taxes. Actual after-tax returns depend on your tax situation and may differ from those shown and are not relevant if you hold your Fund shares through tax-deferred arrangements, such as 401(k) plans or individual retirement accounts. In some cases the return after taxes may exceed the return before taxes due to an assumed tax benefit from any losses on a sale of Fund shares at the end of the measurement period.

Average Annual Total Returns for the periods ending December 31, 2013

 

WisdomTree Asia Pacific ex-Japan Fund*   1 Year     5 Years    

Since Inception

(6/16/2006)

 

Return Before Taxes Based on NAV

    0.70     15.25     8.46

Return After Taxes on Distributions

    (0.05 )%      14.62     7.67

Return After Taxes on Distributions and Sale of Fund Shares

    1.00     12.55     6.85

MSCI Pacific ex-Japan/MSCI AC Asia Pacific ex-Japan Spliced Index** (Reflects no deduction for fees, expenses or taxes)

    3.41     16.76     7.73

WisdomTree Pacific ex-Japan Dividend/Asia Pacific ex-Japan Spliced Index*** (Reflects no deduction for fees, expenses or taxes)

    0.99     16.36     9.48
*   The Fund’s objective changed effective June 17, 2011. Prior to that date, the Fund sought to track the price and yield performance, before fees and expenses, of the WisdomTree Pacific ex-Japan Dividend Index. After June 17, 2011, the Fund’s objective seeks to track the price and yield performance, before fees and expenses, of the WisdomTree Asia Pacific ex-Japan Index.
**   Reflects performance of the MSCI Pacific ex-Japan Index through June 17, 2011 and the MSCI AC Asia Pacific ex-Japan Index thereafter.
***   Reflects performance of the WisdomTree Pacific ex-Japan Dividend Index through June 17, 2011 and the WisdomTree Asia Pacific ex-Japan Index thereafter.

 

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Management

Investment Adviser and Sub-Adviser

WisdomTree Asset Management, Inc. serves as investment adviser to the Fund. Mellon Capital Management Corporation serves as sub-adviser to the Fund.

Portfolio Managers

Karen Q. Wong, CFA, a Managing Director, Head of Equity Portfolio Management, has been a portfolio manager of the Fund since February 2008.

Richard A. Brown, CFA, a Director, Senior Portfolio Manager, has been a portfolio manager of the Fund since February 2008.

Thomas J. Durante, CFA, a Managing Director, Senior Portfolio Manager, has been a portfolio manager of the Fund since February 2008.

Buying and Selling Fund Shares

The Fund is an ETF. This means that shares of the Fund are listed on a national securities exchange, such as NYSE Arca, and trade at market prices. Most investors will buy and sell shares of the Fund through brokers. Because Fund shares trade at market prices rather than NAV, shares may trade at a price greater than NAV (premium) or less than NAV (discount).

The Fund issues and redeems shares at NAV only in large blocks of shares (“Creation Units”), which only certain institutions or large investors (typically market makers or other broker-dealers) may purchase or redeem. Currently, Creation Units generally consist of 50,000 shares, though this may change from time to time. Creation Units are not expected to consist of less than 50,000 shares. The Fund generally issues and redeems Creation Units in exchange for a portfolio of securities closely approximating the holdings of the Fund and/or a designated amount of U.S. cash.

Tax Information

The Fund intends to make distributions that may be taxed as ordinary income, qualified dividend income, or capital gains.

Payments to Broker-Dealers and Other Financial Intermediaries

If you purchase shares of the Fund through a broker-dealer or other financial intermediary (such as a bank) (an “Intermediary”), WisdomTree Asset Management, Inc. or its affiliates may pay Intermediaries for certain activities related to the Fund, including participation in activities that are designed to make Intermediaries more knowledgeable about exchange traded products, including the Fund, or for other activities, such as marketing, educational training or other initiatives related to the sale or promotion of Fund shares. These payments may create a conflict of interest by influencing the Intermediary and your salesperson to recommend the Fund over another investment. Any such arrangements do not result in increased Fund expenses. Ask your salesperson or visit the Intermediary’s website for more information.

 

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WisdomTree Commodity Country Equity Fund

 

Investment Objective

The WisdomTree Commodity Country Equity Fund (the “Fund”) seeks to track the price and yield performance, before fees and expenses, of the WisdomTree Commodity Country Equity Index (the “Index”).

Fees and Expenses of the Fund

The following table describes the fees and expenses you may pay if you buy and hold shares of the Fund. The fees are expressed as a percentage of the Fund’s average net assets.

 

Shareholder Fees (fees paid directly from your investment)     None   

Annual Fund Operating Expenses (expenses that you pay each year as a percentage of the value of your investment)

       

Management Fees

    0.58

Distribution and/or Service (12b-1) Fees

    None   

Other Expenses

    0.00
Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses     0.58

Example

The following example is intended to help retail investors compare the cost of investing in the Fund with the cost of investing in other funds. It illustrates the hypothetical expenses that such investors would incur over various periods if they were to invest $10,000 in the Fund for the time periods indicated and then redeem all of the shares at the end of those periods. This example assumes that the Fund provides a return of 5% a year and that operating expenses remain the same. This example does not include the brokerage commission that retail investors may pay to buy and sell shares of the Fund. It also does not include the transaction fees on purchases and redemptions of Creation Units because these fees will not be imposed on retail investors. Although your actual costs may be higher or lower, based on these assumptions, your costs would be:

 

     1 Year     3 Years     5 Years     10 Years  
      $59        $186        $324        $726   

Portfolio Turnover

The Fund pays transaction costs, such as commissions, when it buys and sells securities (or “turns over” its portfolio). A higher portfolio turnover rate may indicate higher transaction costs and may result in higher taxes when Fund shares are held in a taxable account. These costs, which are not reflected in annual fund operating expenses or in the example, affect the Fund’s performance. During the most recent fiscal year, the Fund’s portfolio turnover rate was 23% of the average value of its portfolio, excluding the value of portfolio securities received or delivered as a result of in-kind creations or redemptions of the Fund’s capital shares.

Principal Investment Strategies of the Fund

The Fund employs a “passive management” – or indexing – investment approach designed to track the performance of the Index. The Fund generally uses a representative sampling strategy to achieve its investment objective, meaning it generally will invest in a sample of the securities in the Index whose risk, return and other characteristics resemble the risk, return and other characteristics of the Index as a whole. Under normal circumstances, at least 95% of the Fund’s total assets (exclusive of collateral held from securities lending) will be invested in the component securities of the Index and investments that have economic characteristics that are substantially identical to the economic characteristics of such component securities.

The Index is a fundamentally weighted index that is comprised of dividend-paying companies from “commodity countries” selected from the WisdomTree Global Dividend Index. Commodity Countries are defined for these purposes as those countries whose economic success is commonly identified with the production and export of commodities (such as precious metals, oil, agricultural products or other raw materials). The Index is comprised of companies from the following eight commodity countries: Australia, Brazil, Canada, Chile, New Zealand, Norway, Russia, and South Africa. Each country has an allocation of approximately 12.5% within the Index as of the annual Index screening date. Companies in the Index must have a calculated volume factor (the average daily dollar volume for three months preceding the Index screening date divided by the weight of the security in the Index) that is greater than $200 million. Securities are weighted within each country allocation based on dividends paid over the prior annual cycle. A maximum of 20 companies are eligible to be included from any individual country. Companies that pay more total dollar amount of dividends are more heavily weighted. The maximum weight of any one sector and any one country in the Index, at the time of the Index’s annual screening date, is capped at 25%, subject to the following

 

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volume factor. In the event that a company has a calculated volume factor that is less than $400 million as of the annual Index screening date, (i) the company’s weight in the Index will be reduced such that its weight equals its weight prior to the adjustment multiplied by a fraction of its calculated volume factor divided by $400 million, and (ii) the reduction in the company’s Index weight may cause a sector’s and/or country’s weight to rise above 25%. In response to market conditions, sector and country weights may fluctuate above 25% between annual Index screening dates.

WisdomTree Investments, Inc. (“WisdomTree Investments”), as index provider, currently uses Standard & Poor’s Global Industry Classification Standards (“S&P GICS”) to define companies within a sector. The following sectors are included in the Index: consumer discretionary, consumer staples, energy, financials, health care, industrials, information technology, materials, telecommunication services, and utilities. A sector is comprised of multiple industries. For example, the energy sector is comprised of companies in, among others, the natural gas, oil and petroleum industries. As of June 30, 2014, a significant portion of the Index is comprised of companies in the energy, financial and telecommunications sectors.

To the extent the Index concentrates (i.e., holds 25% or more of its total assets) in the securities of a particular industry or group of industries, the Fund will concentrate its investments to approximately the same extent as its Index.

Principal Risks of Investing in the Fund

You can lose money on your investment in the Fund. The Fund is subject to the risks described below. Some or all of these risks may adversely affect the Fund’s net asset value per share (“NAV”), trading price, yield, total return and/or ability to meet its objectives. For more information about the risks of investing in the Fund, see the sections in the Fund’s prospectus titled “Additional Principal Risk Information About the Funds” and “Additional Non-Principal Information.”

 

n  

Investment Risk. As with all investments, an investment in the Fund is subject to investment risk. Investors in the Fund could lose money, including the possible loss of the entire principal amount of an investment, over short or long periods of time.

 

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Market Risk. The trading prices of equity securities and other instruments fluctuate in response to a variety of factors. The Fund’s NAV and market price may fluctuate significantly in response to these and other factors. As a result, an investor could lose money over short or long periods of time.

 

n  

Shares of the Fund May Trade at Prices Other Than NAV. As with all exchange-traded funds (“ETFs”), Fund shares may be bought and sold in the secondary market at market prices. The trading prices of the Fund’s shares in the secondary market generally differ from the Fund’s daily NAV and there may be times when the market price of the shares is more than the NAV (premium) or less than the NAV (discount). This risk is heightened in times of market volatility or periods of steep market declines.

 

n  

Capital Controls and Sanctions Risk. Economic conditions, such as volatile currency exchange rates and interest rates, political events, military action and other conditions may, without prior warning, lead to foreign government intervention (including intervention by the U.S. government with respect to foreign governments, economic sectors, foreign companies and related securities and interests) and the imposition of capital controls and/or sanctions, which may also include retaliatory actions of one government against another government, such as seizure of assets. Capital controls and/or sanctions include the prohibition of, or restrictions on, the ability to own or transfer currency, securities or other assets, which may potentially include derivative instruments related thereto. Capital controls and/or sanctions may also impact the ability of the Fund to buy, sell, transfer, receive, deliver or otherwise obtain exposure to, foreign securities or currency, negatively impact and the value and/or liquidity of such instruments, adversely affect the trading market and price for shares of the Fund, and cause the Fund to decline in value.

 

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Cash Redemption Risk. The Fund’s investment strategy will require it to redeem shares for cash or to otherwise include cash as part of its redemption proceeds. The Fund may be required to sell or unwind portfolio investments in order to obtain the cash needed to distribute redemption proceeds. This may cause the Fund to recognize a capital gain that it might not have recognized if it had made a redemption in-kind. As a result, the Fund may pay out higher annual capital gain distributions than if the in-kind redemption process was used.

 

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Commodity Country Risk. The Fund invests primarily in investments designed to provide exposure to equity securities of selected commodity-producing countries. As the demand for, or price of, such commodities increases, money tends to flow into the country. This generally lifts the country’s economic prospects and supports the value of such equity securities. Conversely, declines in the demand for, or price of, such commodities historically have contributed to declines in the economies of such countries and the value of such securities. Such declines may occur quickly and without warning and may negatively impact the value of the Fund and your investment.

 

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Currency Exchange Rate Risk. The Fund invests a relatively large percentage of its assets in investments denominated in non-U.S. currencies or in securities that provide exposure to such currencies. Changes in currency exchange rates and the relative value of non-U.S. currencies will affect the value of the Fund’s investment and the value of your Fund shares. Currency exchange rates can be very volatile and can change quickly and unpredictably. As a result, the value of an investment in the Fund may change quickly and without warning and you may lose money.

 

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Emerging Markets Risk. The Fund may invest in companies organized in emerging market nations. Investments in securities and instruments traded in developing or emerging markets, or that provide exposure to such securities or markets, can involve additional risks relating to political, economic, or regulatory conditions not associated with investments in U.S. securities and instruments or investments in more developed international markets. Such conditions may impact the ability of the Fund to buy, sell or otherwise transfer securities, adversely affect the trading market and price for Fund shares and cause the Fund to decline in value.

 

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Energy Sector Risk. The Fund currently invests a significant portion of its assets in companies in the energy sector. The energy sector can be significantly affected by, among other things: economic growth, worldwide demand, political instability in the Middle East, Eastern Europe or other oil or gas producing regions, and volatile oil prices.

 

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Financial Sector Risk. The Fund currently invests a significant portion of its assets in companies in the financial sector, and therefore the performance of the Fund could be negatively impacted by events affecting this sector. This sector can be significantly affected by changes in interest rates, government regulation, the rate of defaults on corporate, consumer and government debt, the availability and cost of capital, and fallout from the housing and sub-prime mortgage crisis.

 

n  

Foreign Securities Risk. Investments in non-U.S. securities involve certain risks that may not be present with investments in U.S. securities. For example, investments in non-U.S. securities may be subject to risk of loss due to foreign currency fluctuations or to political or economic instability. Investments in non-U.S. securities also may be subject to withholding or other taxes and may be subject to additional trading, settlement, custodial, and operational risks. These and other factors can make investments in the Fund more volatile and potentially less liquid than other types of investments and may be heightened in connection with investments in developing or emerging markets countries.

 

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Geographic Concentration Risk. To the extent the Fund invests a significant portion of its assets in the securities of companies of a single country or region, it is more likely to be impacted by events or conditions affecting that country or region.

 

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Geopolitical Risk. Some countries and regions in which the Fund invests have experienced security concerns, war or threats of war and aggression, terrorism, economic uncertainty, natural and environmental disasters and/or systemic market dislocations that have led, and in the future may lead, to increased short-term market volatility and may have adverse long-term effects on the U.S. and world economies and markets generally, each of which may negatively impact the Fund’s investments.

 

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Investment Style Risk. The Fund invests in the securities included in, or representative of, its Index regardless of their investment merit. The Fund does not attempt to outperform its Index or take defensive positions in declining markets. As a result, the Fund’s performance may be adversely affected by a general decline in the market segments relating to its Index.

 

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Issuer-Specific Risk. Issuer-specific events, including changes in the financial condition of an issuer, can have a negative impact on the value of the Fund.

 

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Large-Capitalization Investing. The Fund may invest a relatively large percentage of its assets in the securities of large-capitalization companies. As a result, the Fund’s performance may be adversely affected if securities of large-capitalization companies underperform securities of smaller-capitalization companies or the market as a whole. The securities of large-capitalization companies may be relatively mature compared to smaller companies and therefore subject to slower growth during times of economic expansion.

 

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Mid-Capitalization Investing. The Fund may invest in the securities of mid-capitalization companies. As a result, the Fund’s performance may be adversely affected if securities of mid-capitalization companies underperform securities of other capitalization ranges or the market as a whole. Securities of smaller companies are often more vulnerable to market volatility than securities of larger companies.

 

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Non-Correlation Risk. As with all index funds, the performance of the Fund and its Index may differ from each other for a variety of reasons.

 

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Non-Diversification Risk. Although the Fund intends to invest in a variety of securities and instruments, the Fund will be considered to be non-diversified, which means that it may invest more of its assets in the securities of a single issuer or a smaller number of issuers than if it were a diversified fund. As a result, the Fund may be more exposed to the risks associated with and developments affecting an individual issuer or a smaller number of issuers than a fund that invests more widely. This may increase the Fund’s volatility and cause the performance of a relatively smaller number of issuers to have a greater impact on the Fund’s performance.

 

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Telecommunications Sector Risk. The Fund currently invests a significant portion of its assets in companies in the telecommunications industry. The telecommunications industry can be significantly affected by, among other things, government intervention and regulation, technological innovations that make existing products and services obsolete, and consumer demand.

 

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Fund Performance

Historical Fund performance, which varies over time, can provide an indication of the risks of investing in the Fund. The bar chart that follows shows the annual total returns of the Fund for each full calendar year since the Fund commenced operations. The table that follows the bar chart shows the Fund’s average annual total returns, both before and after taxes. This table also shows how the Fund’s performance compares to the Index and that of a relevant broad-based securities index. Index returns do not reflect deductions for fees, expenses or taxes. All returns assume reinvestment of dividends and distributions. The Fund’s past performance (before and after taxes) is not necessarily an indication of how the Fund will perform in the future.

The Fund’s name and objective changed effective June 17, 2011. Fund performance prior to June 17, 2011 reflects the investment objective and style of the Fund when it was the WisdomTree International Basic Materials Sector Fund, and tracked the performance of the WisdomTree International Basic Materials Sector Index.

 

LOGO

The Fund’s year-to-date total return as of June 30, 2014 was 7.85%.

Best and Worst Quarter Returns (for the periods reflected in the bar chart above)

 

     Return     Quarter/Year  

Highest Return

    31.37     2Q/2009   

Lowest Return

    (33.31 )%      3Q/2008   

After-tax returns are calculated using the highest historical individual federal marginal income tax rates and do not reflect the impact of state and local taxes. Actual after-tax returns depend on your tax situation and may differ from those shown and are not relevant if you hold your Fund shares through tax-deferred arrangements, such as 401(k) plans or individual retirement accounts. In some cases the return after taxes may exceed the return before taxes due to an assumed tax benefit from any losses on a sale of Fund shares at the end of the measurement period.

Average Annual Total Returns for the periods ending December 31, 2013

 

WisdomTree Commodity Country Equity Fund*   1 Year     5 Years    

Since Inception

(10/13/2006)

 

Return Before Taxes Based on NAV

    (0.04 )%      14.24     5.76

Return After Taxes on Distributions

    (0.98 )%      13.75     5.34

Return After Taxes on Distributions and Sale of Fund Shares

    0.63     11.72     4.75

S&P Developed ex-U.S. BMI Materials Sector/MSCI ACWI ex-USA Spliced Index** (Reflects no deduction for fees, expenses or taxes)

    15.29     18.93     3.32

WisdomTree International Basic Materials Sector/Commodity Country Equity Spliced Index*** (Reflects no deduction for fees, expenses or taxes)

    0.14     14.86     6.43
*   The Fund’s objective changed effective June 17, 2011. Prior to that date, the Fund sought to track the price and yield performance, before fees and expenses, of the WisdomTree International Basic Materials Sector Index. After June 17, 2011, the Fund’s objective seeks to track the price and yield performance, before fees and expenses, of the WisdomTree Commodity Country Equity Index.
**   The inception date of the S&P Developed ex-U.S. BMI Sector Index is April 1, 2008. Accordingly, “Since Inception” data for this index is as of April 1, 2008 rather than the inception date of the Fund. Reflects performance of the S&P Developed ex-U.S. BMI Materials Sector Index through June 17, 2011, and the MSCI ACWI ex-USA Index thereafter.
***   Reflects performance of the WisdomTree International Basic Materials Sector Index through June 17, 2011, and the WisdomTree Commodity Country Equity Index thereafter.

 

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Management

Investment Adviser and Sub-Adviser

WisdomTree Asset Management, Inc. serves as investment adviser to the Fund. Mellon Capital Management Corporation serves as sub-adviser to the Fund.

Portfolio Managers

Karen Q. Wong, CFA, a Managing Director, Head of Equity Portfolio Management, has been a portfolio manager of the Fund since February 2008.

Richard A. Brown, CFA, a Director, Senior Portfolio Manager, has been a portfolio manager of the Fund since February 2008.

Thomas J. Durante, CFA, a Managing Director, Senior Portfolio Manager, has been a portfolio manager of the Fund since February 2008.

Buying and Selling Fund Shares

The Fund is an ETF. This means that shares of the Fund are listed on a national securities exchange, such as NYSE Arca, and trade at market prices. Most investors will buy and sell shares of the Fund through brokers. Because Fund shares trade at market prices rather than NAV, shares may trade at a price greater than NAV (premium) or less than NAV (discount).

The Fund issues and redeems shares at NAV only in large blocks of shares (“Creation Units”), which only certain institutions or large investors (typically market makers or other broker-dealers) may purchase or redeem. Currently, Creation Units generally consist of 50,000 shares, though this may change from time to time. Creation Units are not expected to consist of less than 50,000 shares. The Fund generally issues and redeems Creation Units in exchange for a portfolio of securities closely approximating the holdings of the Fund and/or a designated amount of U.S. cash.

Tax Information

The Fund intends to make distributions that may be taxed as ordinary income, qualified dividend income, or capital gains.

Payments to Broker-Dealers and Other Financial Intermediaries

If you purchase shares of the Fund through a broker-dealer or other financial intermediary (such as a bank) (an “Intermediary”), WisdomTree Asset Management, Inc. or its affiliates may pay Intermediaries for certain activities related to the Fund, including participation in activities that are designed to make Intermediaries more knowledgeable about exchange traded products, including the Fund, or for other activities, such as marketing, educational training or other initiatives related to the sale or promotion of Fund shares. These payments may create a conflict of interest by influencing the Intermediary and your salesperson to recommend the Fund over another investment. Any such arrangements do not result in increased Fund expenses. Ask your salesperson or visit the Intermediary’s website for more information.

 

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WisdomTree Global Natural Resources Fund

 

Investment Objective

The WisdomTree Global Natural Resources Fund (the “Fund”) seeks to track the price and yield performance, before fees and expenses, of the WisdomTree Global Natural Resources Index (the “Index”).

Fees and Expenses of the Fund

The following table describes the fees and expenses you may pay if you buy and hold shares of the Fund. The fees are expressed as a percentage of the Fund’s average net assets.

 

Shareholder Fees (fees paid directly from your investment)     None   

Annual Fund Operating Expenses (expenses that you pay each year as a percentage of the value of your investment)

       

Management Fees

    0.58

Distribution and/or Service (12b-1) Fees

    None   

Other Expenses

    0.00
Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses     0.58

Example

The following example is intended to help retail investors compare the cost of investing in the Fund with the cost of investing in other funds. It illustrates the hypothetical expenses that such investors would incur over various periods if they were to invest $10,000 in the Fund for the time periods indicated and then redeem all of the shares at the end of those periods. This example assumes that the Fund provides a return of 5% a year and that operating expenses remain the same. This example does not include the brokerage commission that retail investors may pay to buy and sell shares of the Fund. It also does not include the transaction fees on purchases and redemptions of Creation Units because these fees will not be imposed on retail investors. Although your actual costs may be higher or lower, based on these assumptions, your costs would be:

 

     1 Year     3 Years     5 Years     10 Years  
      $59        $186        $324        $726   

Portfolio Turnover

The Fund pays transaction costs, such as commissions, when it buys and sells securities (or “turns over” its portfolio). A higher portfolio turnover rate may indicate higher transaction costs and may result in higher taxes when Fund shares are held in a taxable account. These costs, which are not reflected in annual fund operating expenses or in the example, affect the Fund’s performance. During the most recent fiscal year, the Fund’s portfolio turnover rate was 30% of the average value of its portfolio, excluding the value of portfolio securities received or delivered as a result of in-kind creations or redemptions of the Fund’s capital shares.

Principal Investment Strategies of the Fund

The Fund employs a “passive management” – or indexing – investment approach designed to track the performance of the Index. The Fund generally uses a representative sampling strategy to achieve its investment objective, meaning it generally will invest in a sample of the securities in the Index whose risk, return and other characteristics resemble the risk, return and other characteristics of the Index as a whole. Under normal circumstances, at least 95% of the Fund’s total assets (exclusive of collateral held from securities lending) will be invested in the component securities of the Index and investments that have economic characteristics that are substantially identical to the economic characteristics of such component securities.

The Index is a fundamentally weighted index that is comprised of global dividend-paying companies in natural resource industries. Constituents are selected from the WisdomTree Global Dividend Index. The 100 largest companies operating in global natural resources industries within the WisdomTree Global Dividend Index are selected for inclusion. Specific sub-industries include: Integrated Oil & Gas, Oil & Gas Exploration and Production, Diversified Metals & Mining, Coal and Consumable Fuels, Fertilizers & Agricultural Chemicals, Iron Ore Miners, Precious Metals & Minerals, Agricultural Products, Oil & Gas Drilling and Oil & Gas Equipment and Services. A maximum of 20 companies from each sub-industry, ranked by market capitalization as of the annual Index screening date, are selected for inclusion. Companies in the Index must have a calculated volume factor (the average daily dollar volume for three months preceding the Index screening date divided by the weight of the security in the Index) that is greater than $200 million. Securities are weighted in the Index based on dividends paid over the prior annual cycle. Companies that pay more total dollar amount of dividends are more heavily weighted. The maximum weight of any one sector and any one country in the Index, at the time of the Index’s annual

 

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screening date, is capped at 25%, subject to the following volume factor. In the event that a company has a calculated volume factor that is less than $400 million as of the annual Index screening date, (i) the company’s weight in the Index will be reduced such that its weight equals its weight prior to the adjustment multiplied by a fraction of its calculated volume factor divided by $400 million, and (ii) the reduction in the company’s Index weight may cause a sector’s and/or country’s weight to rise above 25%. In response to market conditions, sector and country weights may fluctuate above 25% between annual Index screening dates.

WisdomTree Investments, Inc. (“WisdomTree Investments”), as index provider, currently uses Standard & Poor’s Global Industry Classification Standards (“S&P GICS”) to define companies within a sector. The following sectors are included in the Index: consumer staples, energy, and materials. A sector is comprised of multiple industries. For example, the energy sector is comprised of companies in, among others, the natural gas, oil and petroleum industries. As of June 30, 2014, a significant portion of the Index is comprised of companies in the energy and materials sectors.

To the extent the Index concentrates (i.e., holds 25% or more of its total assets) in the securities of a particular industry or group of industries, the Fund will concentrate its investments to approximately the same extent as its Index.

Principal Risks of Investing in the Fund

You can lose money on your investment in the Fund. The Fund is subject to the risks described below. Some or all of these risks may adversely affect the Fund’s net asset value per share (“NAV”), trading price, yield, total return and/or ability to meet its objectives. For more information about the risks of investing in the Fund, see the sections in the Fund’s prospectus titled “Additional Principal Risk Information About the Funds” and “Additional Non-Principal Risk Information.”

 

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Investment Risk. As with all investments, an investment in the Fund is subject to investment risk. Investors in the Fund could lose money, including the possible loss of the entire principal amount of an investment, over short or long periods of time.

 

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Market Risk. The trading prices of equity securities and other instruments fluctuate in response to a variety of factors. The Fund’s NAV and market price may fluctuate significantly in response to these and other factors. As a result, an investor could lose money over short or long periods of time.

 

n  

Shares of the Fund May Trade at Prices Other Than NAV. As with all exchange-traded funds (“ETFs”), Fund shares may be bought and sold in the secondary market at market prices. The trading prices of the Fund’s shares in the secondary market generally differ from the Fund’s daily NAV and there may be times when the market price of the shares is more than the NAV (premium) or less than the NAV (discount). This risk is heightened in times of market volatility or periods of steep market declines.

 

n  

Capital Controls and Sanctions Risk. Economic conditions, such as volatile currency exchange rates and interest rates, political events, military action and other conditions may, without prior warning, lead to foreign government intervention (including intervention by the U.S. government with respect to foreign governments, economic sectors, foreign companies and related securities and interests) and the imposition of capital controls and/or sanctions, which may also include retaliatory actions of one government against another government, such as seizure of assets. Capital controls and/or sanctions include the prohibition of, or restrictions on, the ability to own or transfer currency, securities or other assets, which may potentially include derivative instruments related thereto. Capital controls and/or sanctions may also impact the ability of the Fund to buy, sell, transfer, receive, deliver or otherwise obtain exposure to, foreign securities or currency, negative impact the value and/or liquidity of such instruments, adversely affect the trading market and price for shares of the Fund, and cause the Fund to decline in value.

 

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Cash Redemption Risk. The Fund’s investment strategy will require it to redeem shares for cash or to otherwise include cash as part of its redemption proceeds. The Fund may be required to sell or unwind portfolio investments in order to obtain the cash needed to distribute redemption proceeds. This may cause the Fund to recognize a capital gain that it might not have recognized if it had made a redemption in-kind. As a result, the Fund may pay out higher annual capital gain distributions than if the in-kind redemption process was used.

 

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Currency Exchange Rate Risk. The Fund invests a relatively large percentage of its assets in investments denominated in non-U.S. currencies or in securities that provide exposure to such currencies. Changes in currency exchange rates and the relative value of non-U.S. currencies will affect the value of the Fund’s investment and the value of your Fund shares. Currency exchange rates can be very volatile and can change quickly and unpredictably. As a result, the value of an investment in the Fund may change quickly and without warning and you may lose money.

 

n  

Emerging Markets Risk. The Fund may invest in companies organized in emerging market nations. Investments in securities and instruments traded in developing or emerging markets, or that provide exposure to such securities or markets, can involve additional risks relating to political, economic, or regulatory conditions not associated with investments in U.S. securities and instruments or investments in more developed international markets. Such conditions

 

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may impact the ability of the Fund to buy, sell or otherwise transfer securities, adversely affect the trading market and price for Fund shares and cause the Fund to decline in value.

 

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Energy Sector Risk. The Fund currently invests a significant portion of its assets in companies in the energy sector. The energy sector can be significantly affected by, among other things: economic growth, worldwide demand, political instability in the Middle East, Eastern Europe or other oil or gas producing regions, and volatile oil prices.

 

n  

Foreign Securities Risk. Investments in non-U.S. securities involve certain risks that may not be present with investments in U.S. securities. For example, investments in non-U.S. securities may be subject to risk of loss due to foreign currency fluctuations or to political or economic instability. Investments in non-U.S. securities also may be subject to withholding or other taxes and may be subject to additional trading, settlement, custodial, and operational risks. These and other factors can make investments in the Fund more volatile and potentially less liquid than other types of investments and may be heightened in connection with investments in developing or emerging markets countries.

 

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Geographic Concentration Risk. To the extent the Fund invests a significant portion of its assets in the securities of companies of a single country or region, it is more likely to be impacted by events or conditions affecting that country or region. The Fund currently invests a significant portion of its assets in securities of companies in the United States.

 

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Geopolitical Risk. Some countries and regions in which the Fund invests have experienced security concerns, war or threats of war and aggression, terrorism, economic uncertainty, natural and environmental disasters and/or systemic market dislocations that have led, and in the future may lead, to increased short-term market volatility and may have adverse long-term effects on the U.S. and world economies and markets generally, each of which may negatively impact the Fund’s investments.

 

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Global Natural Resources Sector Risk. The Fund invests primarily in equity securities of companies in the natural resources sector. These risks include, but are not limited to, commodity price volatility, world economic growth, depletion of natural resources, technological progress, and government regulations. As the demand for, or prices of, natural resources increase, the value of the Fund’s equity investments generally would be expected to also increase. Conversely, declines in the demand for, or prices of, natural resources generally would be expected to contribute to declines in the value of such equity securities. Such declines may occur quickly and without warning and may negatively impact the value of the Fund and your investment.

 

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Investment Style Risk. The Fund invests in the securities included in, or representative of, its Index regardless of their investment merit. The Fund does not attempt to outperform its Index or take defensive positions in declining markets. As a result, the Fund’s performance may be adversely affected by a general decline in the market segments relating to its Index.

 

n  

Issuer-Specific Risk. Issuer-specific events, including changes in the financial condition of an issuer, can have a negative impact on the value of the Fund.

 

n  

Large-Capitalization Investing. The Fund may invest a relatively large percentage of its assets in the securities of large-capitalization companies. As a result, the Fund’s performance may be adversely affected if securities of large-capitalization companies underperform securities of smaller-capitalization companies or the market as a whole. The securities of large-capitalization companies may be relatively mature compared to smaller companies and therefore subject to slower growth during times of economic expansion.

 

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Materials Sector Risk. The Fund currently invests a significant portion of its assets in companies in the basic materials sector. This sector includes, for example, metals and mining, chemicals and forest product companies. This sector can be significantly affected by, among other things, commodity price volatility, demand for basic materials, world economic growth, depletion of natural resources, technological progress, and government regulations.

 

n  

Mid-Capitalization Investing. The Fund may invest in the securities of mid-capitalization companies. As a result, the Fund’s performance may be adversely affected if securities of mid-capitalization companies underperform securities of other capitalization ranges or the market as a whole. Securities of smaller companies are often more vulnerable to market volatility than securities of larger companies.

 

n  

Non-Correlation Risk. As with all index funds, the performance of the Fund and its Index may differ from each other for a variety of reasons.

 

n  

Non-Diversification Risk. Although the Fund intends to invest in a variety of securities and instruments, the Fund will be considered to be non-diversified, which means that it may invest more of its assets in the securities of a single issuer or a smaller number of issuers than if it were a diversified fund. As a result, the Fund may be more exposed to the risks associated with and developments affecting an individual issuer or a smaller number of issuers than a fund that invests more widely. This may increase the Fund’s volatility and cause the performance of a relatively smaller number of issuers to have a greater impact on the Fund’s performance.

 

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Fund Performance

Historical Fund performance, which varies over time, can provide an indication of the risks of investing in the Fund. The bar chart that follows shows the annual total returns of the Fund for each full calendar year since the Fund commenced operations. The table that follows the bar chart shows the Fund’s average annual total returns, both before and after taxes. This table also shows how the Fund’s performance compares to the Index and that of a relevant broad-based securities index. Index returns do not reflect deductions for fees, expenses or taxes. All returns assume reinvestment of dividends and distributions. The Fund’s past performance (before and after taxes) is not necessarily an indication of how the Fund will perform in the future.

The Fund’s name and objective changed effective June 17, 2011. Fund performance prior to June 17, 2011 reflects the investment objective and style of the Fund when it was the WisdomTree International Energy Sector Fund, and tracked the performance of the WisdomTree International Energy Sector Index.

 

LOGO

The Fund’s year-to-date total return as of June 30, 2014 was 8.48%.

Best and Worst Quarter Returns (for the periods reflected in the bar chart above)

 

     Return     Quarter/Year  

Highest Return

    20.23     3Q/2010   

Lowest Return

    (29.92 )%      3Q/2008   

After-tax returns are calculated using the highest historical individual federal marginal income tax rates and do not reflect the impact of state and local taxes. Actual after-tax returns depend on your tax situation and may differ from those shown and are not relevant if you hold your Fund shares through tax-deferred arrangements, such as 401(k) plans or individual retirement accounts. In some cases the return after taxes may exceed the return before taxes due to an assumed tax benefit from any losses on a sale of Fund shares at the end of the measurement period.

Average Annual Total Returns for the periods ending December 31, 2013

 

WisdomTree Global Natural Resources Fund*   1 Year     5 Years    

Since Inception

(10/13/2006)

 

Return Before Taxes Based on NAV

    (8.26 )%      5.63     1.30

Return After Taxes on Distributions

    (8.84 )%      5.20     0.89

Return After Taxes on Distributions and Sale of Fund Shares

    (4.02 )%      4.81     1.39

S&P Developed ex-U.S. BMI Energy Sector/S&P Global Natural Resources Spliced Index** (Reflects no deduction for fees, expenses or taxes)

    0.96     8.61     (0.41 )% 

WisdomTree International Energy Sector/Global Natural Resources Spliced Index*** (Reflects no deduction for fees, expenses or taxes)

    (8.03 )%      6.10     1.65
*   The Fund’s objective changed effective June 17, 2011. Prior to that date, the Fund sought to track the price and yield performance, before fees and expenses, of the WisdomTree International Energy Sector Index. After June 17, 2011, the Fund’s objective seeks to track the price and yield performance of the WisdomTree Global Natural Resources Index.
**   The inception date of the S&P Developed ex-U.S. BMI Energy Sector Index is April 1, 2008. Accordingly, “Since Inception” data for this index is as of April 1, 2008 rather than the inception date of the Fund. Reflects performance of the S&P Developed ex-U.S. BMI Energy Sector Index through June 17, 2011 and the S&P Global Natural Resources Index thereafter.
***   Reflects performance of the WisdomTree International Energy Sector Index through June 17, 2011 and the WisdomTree Global Natural Resources Index thereafter.

 

WisdomTree Trust Prospectus      117   


Table of Contents

Management

Investment Adviser and Sub-Adviser

WisdomTree Asset Management, Inc. serves as investment adviser to the Fund. Mellon Capital Management Corporation serves as sub-adviser to the Fund.

Portfolio Managers

Karen Q. Wong, CFA, a Managing Director, Head of Equity Portfolio Management, has been a portfolio manager of the Fund since February 2008.

Richard A. Brown, CFA, a Director, Senior Portfolio Manager, has been a portfolio manager of the Fund since February 2008.

Thomas J. Durante, CFA, a Managing Director, Senior Portfolio Manager, has been a portfolio manager of the Fund since February 2008.

Buying and Selling Fund Shares

The Fund is an ETF. This means that shares of the Fund are listed on a national securities exchange, such as NYSE Arca, and trade at market prices. Most investors will buy and sell shares of the Fund through brokers. Because Fund shares trade at market prices rather than NAV, shares may trade at a price greater than NAV (premium) or less than NAV (discount).

The Fund issues and redeems shares at NAV only in large blocks of shares (“Creation Units”), which only certain institutions or large investors (typically market makers or other broker-dealers) may purchase or redeem. Currently, Creation Units generally consist of 50,000 shares, though this may change from time to time. Creation Units are not expected to consist of less than 50,000 shares. The Fund generally issues and redeems Creation Units in exchange for a portfolio of securities closely approximating the holdings of the Fund and/or a designated amount of U.S. cash.

Tax Information

The Fund intends to make distributions that may be taxed as ordinary income, qualified dividend income, or capital gains.

Payments to Broker-Dealers and Other Financial Intermediaries

If you purchase shares of the Fund through a broker-dealer or other financial intermediary (such as a bank) (an “Intermediary”), WisdomTree Asset Management or its affiliates may pay Intermediaries for certain activities related to the Fund, including participation in activities that are designed to make Intermediaries more knowledgeable about exchange traded products, including the Fund, or for other activities, such as marketing, educational training or other initiatives related to the sale or promotion of Fund shares. These payments may create a conflict of interest by influencing the Intermediary and your salesperson to recommend the Fund over another investment. Any such arrangements do not result in increased Fund expenses. Ask your salesperson or visit the Intermediary’s website for more information.

 

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WisdomTree Global ex-U.S. Utilities Fund

 

Investment Objective

The WisdomTree Global ex-U.S. Utilities Fund (the “Fund”) seeks to track the price and yield performance, before fees and expenses, of the WisdomTree Global ex-U.S. Utilities Index (the “Index”).

Fees and Expenses of the Fund

The following table describes the fees and expenses you may pay if you buy and hold shares of the Fund. The fees are expressed as a percentage of the Fund’s average net assets.

 

Shareholder Fees (fees paid directly from your investment)     None   

Annual Fund Operating Expenses (expenses that you pay each year as a percentage of the value of your investment)

       

Management Fees

    0.58

Distribution and/or Service (12b-1) Fees

    None   

Other Expenses

    0.00
Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses     0.58

Example

The following example is intended to help retail investors compare the cost of investing in the Fund with the cost of investing in other funds. It illustrates the hypothetical expenses that such investors would incur over various periods if they were to invest $10,000 in the Fund for the time periods indicated and then redeem all of the shares at the end of those periods. This example assumes that the Fund provides a return of 5% a year and that operating expenses remain the same. This example does not include the brokerage commission that retail investors may pay to buy and sell shares of the Fund. It also does not include the transaction fees on purchases and redemptions of Creation Units because these fees will not be imposed on retail investors. Although your actual costs may be higher or lower, based on these assumptions, your costs would be:

 

     1 Year     3 Years     5 Years     10 Years  
      $59        $186        $324        $726   

Portfolio Turnover

The Fund pays transaction costs, such as commissions, when it buys and sells securities (or “turns over” its portfolio). A higher portfolio turnover rate may indicate higher transaction costs and may result in higher taxes when Fund shares are held in a taxable account. These costs, which are not reflected in annual fund operating expenses or in the example, affect the Fund’s performance. During the most recent fiscal year, the Fund’s portfolio turnover rate was 37% of the average value of its portfolio, excluding the value of portfolio securities received or delivered as a result of in-kind creations or redemptions of the Fund’s capital shares.

Principal Investment Strategies of the Fund

The Fund employs a “passive management” – or indexing – investment approach designed to track the performance of the Index. The Fund generally uses a representative sampling strategy to achieve its investment objective, meaning it generally will invest in a sample of the securities in the Index whose risk, return and other characteristics resemble the risk, return and other characteristics of the Index as a whole. Under normal circumstances, at least 95% of the Fund’s total assets (exclusive of collateral held from securities lending) will be invested in the component securities of the Index and investments that have economic characteristics that are substantially identical to the economic characteristics of such component securities.

The Index is comprised of utilities companies from developed and emerging markets outside of the United States that are classified as being part of the “Global Utilities” sector. Companies are selected from within the WisdomTree Global ex-U.S. Dividend Index. Requirements for eligibility within the WisdomTree Global ex-U.S. Dividend Index include: (i) incorporation within Europe, Japan, Australia, Brazil, Canada, Chile, China, Hong Kong, India, Indonesia, Israel, Malaysia, Mexico, New Zealand, Philippines, Singapore, South Africa, Taiwan or Thailand; (ii) payment of at least $5 million in cash dividends paid on common shares in the annual cycle prior to the annual Index screening date; (iii) market capitalization of at least $100 million as of the Index screening date; (iv) average daily dollar volume of at least $100,000 for three months preceding the Index screening date; (v) a calculated volume factor (the average daily dollar volume for three months preceding the Index screening date divided by the weight of the security in the Index) that is greater than $200 million; and (vi) trading of at least 250,000 shares for each of the six months preceding the Index screening date.

 

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Companies within the WisdomTree Global ex-U.S. Dividend Index are ranked by market capitalization as of the annual Index screening date. The 100 largest Utilities are included within the Index. Securities are weighted in the Index based on dividends paid over the prior annual cycle. Companies that pay more total dollar amount of dividends are more heavily weighted. The maximum weight of any one country in the Index, at the time of the Index’s annual screening date, is capped at 25%, subject to the following volume factor. In the event that a company has a calculated volume factor that is less than $400 million as of the annual Index screening date, (i) the company’s weight in the Index will be reduced such that its weight equals its weight prior to the adjustment multiplied by a fraction of its calculated volume factor divided by $400 million, and (ii) the reduction in the company’s Index weight may cause a country’s weight to rise above 25%. In response to market conditions, country weights may fluctuate above 25% between annual Index screening dates.

WisdomTree Investments, Inc. (“WisdomTree Investments”), as index provider, currently uses Standard & Poor’s Global Industry Classification Standards (“S&P GICS”) to define companies in the utilities sector. A sector is comprised of multiple industries. For example, the utilities sector is comprised of companies in, among others, the electric utilities, water utilities and gas utilities industries.

To the extent the Index concentrates (i.e., holds 25% or more of its total assets) in the securities of a particular industry or group of industries, the Fund will concentrate its investments to approximately the same extent as its Index.

Principal Risks of Investing in the Fund

You can lose money on your investment in the Fund. The Fund is subject to the risks described below. Some or all of these risks may adversely affect the Fund’s net asset value per share (“NAV”), trading price, yield, total return and/or ability to meet its objectives. For more information about the risks of investing in the Fund, see the sections in the Fund’s prospectus titled “Additional Principal Risk Information About the Funds” and “Additional Non-Principal Risk Information.”

 

n  

Investment Risk. As with all investments, an investment in the Fund is subject to investment risk. Investors in the Fund could lose money, including the possible loss of the entire principal amount of an investment, over short or long periods of time.

 

n  

Market Risk. The trading prices of equity securities and other instruments fluctuate in response to a variety of factors. The Fund’s NAV and market price may fluctuate significantly in response to these and other factors. As a result, an investor could lose money over short or long periods of time.

 

n  

Shares of the Fund May Trade at Prices Other Than NAV. As with all exchange-traded funds (“ETFs”), Fund shares may be bought and sold in the secondary market at market prices. The trading prices of the Fund’s shares in the secondary market generally differ from the Fund’s daily NAV and there may be times when the market price of the shares is more than the NAV (premium) or less than the NAV (discount). This risk is heightened in times of market volatility or periods of steep market declines.

 

n  

Capital Controls and Sanctions Risk. Economic conditions, such as volatile currency exchange rates and interest rates, political events, military action and other conditions may, without prior warning, lead to foreign government intervention (including intervention by the U.S. government with respect to foreign governments, economic sectors, foreign companies and related securities and interests) and the imposition of capital controls and/or sanctions, which may also include retaliatory actions of one government against another government, such as seizure of assets. Capital controls and/or sanctions include the prohibition of, or restrictions on, the ability to own or transfer currency, securities or other assets which may potentially include derivative instruments related thereto. Capital controls and/or sanctions may also impact the ability of the Fund to buy, sell, transfer, receive, deliver or otherwise obtain exposure to, foreign securities or currency negatively impact the value and/or liquidity of such instruments, adversely affect the trading market and price for shares of the Fund, and cause the Fund to decline in value.

 

n  

Cash Redemption Risk. The Fund’s investment strategy will require it to redeem shares for cash or to otherwise include cash as part of its redemption proceeds. The Fund may be required to sell or unwind portfolio investments in order to obtain the cash needed to distribute redemption proceeds. This may cause the Fund to recognize a capital gain that it might not have recognized if it had made a redemption in-kind. As a result, the Fund may pay out higher annual capital gain distributions than if the in-kind redemption process was used.

 

n  

Currency Exchange Rate Risk. The Fund invests a relatively large percentage of its assets in investments denominated in non-U.S. currencies or in securities that provide exposure to such currencies. Changes in currency exchange rates and the relative value of non-U.S. currencies will affect the value of the Fund’s investment and the value of your Fund shares. Currency exchange rates can be very volatile and can change quickly and unpredictably. As a result, the value of an investment in the Fund may change quickly and without warning and you may lose money.

 

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Emerging Markets Risk. The Fund may invest in companies organized in emerging market nations. Investments in securities and instruments traded in developing or emerging markets, or that provide exposure to such securities or

 

120   WisdomTree Trust Prospectus


Table of Contents
 

markets, can involve additional risks relating to political, economic, or regulatory conditions not associated with investments in U.S. securities and instruments or investments in more developed international markets. Such conditions may impact the ability of the Fund to buy, sell or otherwise transfer securities, adversely affect the trading market and price for Fund shares and cause the Fund to decline in value.

 

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Foreign Securities Risk. Investments in non-U.S. securities involve certain risks that may not be present with investments in U.S. securities. For example, investments in non-U.S. securities may be subject to risk of loss due to foreign currency fluctuations or to political or economic instability. Investments in non-U.S. securities also may be subject to withholding or other taxes and may be subject to additional trading, settlement, custodial, and operational risks. These and other factors can make investments in the Fund more volatile and potentially less liquid than other types of investments and may be heightened in connection with investments in developing or emerging markets countries.

 

n  

Geographic Concentration Risk. To the extent the Fund invests a significant portion of its assets in the securities of companies of a single country or region, it is more likely to be impacted by events or conditions affecting that country or region.

 

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Geopolitical Risk. Some countries and regions in which the Fund invests have experienced security concerns, war or threats of war and aggression, terrorism, economic uncertainty, natural and environmental disasters and/or systemic market dislocations that have led, and in the future may lead, to increased short-term market volatility and may have adverse long-term effects on the U.S. and world economies and markets generally, each of which may negatively impact the Fund’s investments.

 

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Investment Style Risk. The Fund invests in the securities included in, or representative of, its Index regardless of their investment merit. The Fund does not attempt to outperform its Index or take defensive positions in declining markets. As a result, the Fund’s performance may be adversely affected by a general decline in the market segments relating to its Index.

 

n  

Issuer-Specific Risk. Issuer-specific events, including changes in the financial condition of an issuer, can have a negative impact on the value of the Fund.

 

n  

Large-Capitalization Investing. The Fund may invest in the securities of large-capitalization companies. As a result, the Fund’s performance may be adversely affected if securities of large-capitalization companies underperform securities of smaller-capitalization companies or the market as a whole. The securities of large-capitalization companies may be relatively mature compared to smaller companies and therefore subject to slower growth during times of economic expansion.

 

n  

Mid-Capitalization Investing. The Fund may invest in the securities of mid-capitalization companies. As a result, the Fund’s performance may be adversely affected if securities of mid-capitalization companies underperform securities of other capitalization ranges or the market as a whole. Securities of smaller companies are often more vulnerable to market volatility than securities of larger companies.

 

n  

Non-Correlation Risk. As with all index funds, the performance of the Fund and its Index may differ from each other for a variety of reasons.

 

n  

Non-Diversification Risk. Although the Fund intends to invest in a variety of securities and instruments, the Fund will be considered to be non-diversified, which means that it may invest more of its assets in the securities of a single issuer or a smaller number of issuers than if it were a diversified fund. As a result, the Fund may be more exposed to the risks associated with and developments affecting an individual issuer or a smaller number of issuers than a fund that invests more widely. This may increase the Fund’s volatility and cause the performance of a relatively smaller number of issuers to have a greater impact on the Fund’s performance.

 

n  

Utilities Sector Risk. The Fund invests primarily in the utilities sector of the market and, as such, is particularly sensitive to risks to the utilities sector. These risks include, but are not limited to, changing commodity prices, government regulation stipulating rates charged by utilities, interest rate sensitivity, and the cost of providing the specific utility service.

Fund Performance

Historical Fund performance, which varies over time, can provide an indication of the risks of investing in the Fund. The bar chart that follows shows the annual total returns of the Fund for each full calendar year since the Fund commenced operations. The table that follows the bar chart shows the Fund’s average annual total returns, both before and after taxes. This table also shows how the Fund’s performance compares to the Index and that of a relevant broad-based securities index. Index returns do not reflect deductions for fees, expenses or taxes. All returns assume reinvestment of dividends and distributions. The Fund’s past performance (before and after taxes) is not necessarily an indication of how the Fund will perform in the future.

 

WisdomTree Trust Prospectus      121   


Table of Contents

The Fund’s name and objective changed effective June 17, 2011. Fund performance prior to June 17, 2011 reflects the investment objective and style of the Fund when it was the WisdomTree International Utilities Sector Fund, and tracked the performance of the WisdomTree International Utilities Sector Index.

 

LOGO

The Fund’s year-to-date total return as of June 30, 2014 was 13.54%.

Best and Worst Quarter Returns (for the periods reflected in the bar chart above)

 

     Return     Quarter/Year  

Highest Return

    15.23     2Q/2009   

Lowest Return

    (21.69 )%      1Q/2009   

After-tax returns are calculated using the highest historical individual federal marginal income tax rates and do not reflect the impact of state and local taxes. Actual after-tax returns depend on your tax situation and may differ from those shown and are not relevant if you hold your Fund shares through tax-deferred arrangements, such as 401(k) plans or individual retirement accounts. In some cases the return after taxes may exceed the return before taxes due to an assumed tax benefit from any losses on a sale of Fund shares at the end of the measurement period.

Average Annual Total Returns for the periods ending December 31, 2013

 

WisdomTree Global ex-U.S. Utilities Fund*   1 Year     5 Years    

Since Inception

(10/13/2006)

 

Return Before Taxes Based on NAV

    6.09     0.17     (0.16 )% 

Return After Taxes on Distributions

    4.47     (0.52 )%      (0.74 )% 

Return After Taxes on Distributions and Sale of Fund Shares

    3.89     0.45     0.21

S&P Developed ex-U.S. BMI Utilities Sector Index** (Reflects no deduction for fees, expenses or taxes)

    14.26     0.69     (4.25 )% 

WisdomTree International Utilities Sector/Global ex-U.S. Utilities Spliced Index*** (Reflects no deduction for fees, expenses or taxes)

    6.12     0.07     (0.06 )% 
*   The Fund’s objective changed effective June 17, 2011. Prior to that date, the Fund sought to track the price and yield performance, before fees and expenses, of the WisdomTree International Utilities Sector Index. After June 17, 2011, the Fund’s objective seeks to track the price and yield performance, before fees and expenses, of the WisdomTree Global ex-U.S. Utilities Index.
**   The inception date of the S&P Developed ex-U.S. BMI Sector Index is April 1, 2008. Accordingly, “Since Inception” data for this index is as of April 1, 2008 rather than the inception date of the Fund.
***   Reflects performance of the WisdomTree International Utilities Sector Index through June 17, 2011 and the WisdomTree Global ex-U.S. Utilities Index thereafter.

Management

Investment Adviser and Sub-Adviser

WisdomTree Asset Management, Inc. serves as investment adviser to the Fund. Mellon Capital Management Corporation serves as sub-adviser to the Fund.

Portfolio Managers

Karen Q. Wong, CFA, a Managing Director, Head of Equity Portfolio Management, has been a portfolio manager of the Fund since February 2008.

Richard A. Brown, CFA, a Director, Senior Portfolio Manager, has been a portfolio manager of the Fund since February 2008.

 

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Table of Contents

Thomas J. Durante, CFA, a Managing Director, Senior Portfolio Manager, has been a portfolio manager of the Fund since February 2008.

Buying and Selling Fund Shares

The Fund is an ETF. This means that shares of the Fund are listed on a national securities exchange, such as NYSE Arca, and trade at market prices. Most investors will buy and sell shares of the Fund through brokers. Because Fund shares trade at market prices rather than NAV, shares may trade at a price greater than NAV (premium) or less than NAV (discount).

The Fund issues and redeems shares at NAV only in large blocks of shares (“Creation Units”), which only certain institutions or large investors (typically market makers or other broker-dealers) may purchase or redeem. Currently, Creation Units generally consist of 50,000 shares, though this may change from time to time. Creation Units are not expected to consist of less than 50,000 shares. The Fund generally issues and redeems Creation Units in exchange for a portfolio of securities closely approximating the holdings of the Fund and/or a designated amount of U.S. cash.

Tax Information

The Fund intends to make distributions that may be taxed as ordinary income, qualified dividend income, or capital gains.

Payments to Broker-Dealers and Other Financial Intermediaries

If you purchase shares of the Fund through a broker-dealer or other financial intermediary (such as a bank) (an “Intermediary”), WisdomTree Asset Management, Inc. or its affiliates may pay Intermediaries for certain activities related to the Fund, including participation in activities that are designed to make Intermediaries more knowledgeable about exchange traded products, including the Fund, or for other activities, such as marketing, educational training or other initiatives related to the sale or promotion of Fund shares. These payments may create a conflict of interest by influencing the Intermediary and your salesperson to recommend the Fund over another investment. Any such arrangements do not result in increased Fund expenses. Ask your salesperson or visit the Intermediary’s website for more information.

 

WisdomTree Trust Prospectus      123   


Table of Contents

WisdomTree Global ex-U.S. Real Estate Fund

 

Investment Objective

The WisdomTree Global ex-U.S. Real Estate Fund (the “Fund”) seeks to track the price and yield performance, before fees and expenses, of the WisdomTree Global ex-U.S. Real Estate Index (the “Index”).

Fees and Expenses of the Fund

The following table describes the fees and expenses you may pay if you buy and hold shares of the Fund. The fees are expressed as a percentage of the Fund’s average net assets.

 

Shareholder Fees (fees paid directly from your investment)     None   

Annual Fund Operating Expenses (expenses that you pay each year as a percentage of the value of your investment)

       

Management Fees

    0.58

Distribution and/or Service (12b-1) Fees

    None   

Other Expenses

    0.00
Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses     0.58

Example

The following example is intended to help retail investors compare the cost of investing in the Fund with the cost of investing in other funds. It illustrates the hypothetical expenses that such investors would incur over various periods if they were to invest $10,000 in the Fund for the time periods indicated and then redeem all of the shares at the end of those periods. This example assumes that the Fund provides a return of 5% a year and that operating expenses remain the same. This example does not include the brokerage commission that retail investors will pay to buy and sell shares of the Fund. It also does not include the transaction fees on purchases and redemptions of Creation Units because these fees will not be imposed on retail investors. Although your actual costs may be higher or lower, based on these assumptions, your costs would be:

 

     1 Year     3 Years     5 Years     10 Years  
      $59        $186        $324        $726   

Portfolio Turnover

The Fund pays transaction costs, such as commissions, when it buys and sells securities (or “turns over” its portfolio). A higher portfolio turnover rate may indicate higher transaction costs and may result in higher taxes when Fund shares are held in a taxable account. These costs, which are not reflected in annual fund operating expenses or in the example, affect the Fund’s performance. During the most recent fiscal year, the Fund’s portfolio turnover rate was 18% of the average value of its portfolio, excluding the value of portfolio securities received or delivered as a result of in-kind creations or redemptions of the Fund’s capital shares.

Principal Investment Strategies of the Fund

The Fund employs a “passive management” – or indexing – investment approach designed to track the performance of the Index. The Fund generally uses a representative sampling strategy to achieve its investment objective, meaning it generally will invest in a sample of the securities in the Index whose risk, return and other characteristics resemble the risk, return and other characteristics of the Index as a whole. Under normal circumstances, at least 95% of the Fund’s total assets (exclusive of collateral held from securities lending) will be invested in the component securities of the Index and investments that have economic characteristics that are substantially identical to the economic characteristics of such component securities.

The Index is comprised of companies from developed and emerging markets outside of the United States that are classified as being part of the “Global Real Estate” sector. Companies are selected from the WisdomTree Global ex-U.S. Dividend Index. Requirements for eligibility within the WisdomTree Global ex-U.S. Dividend Index include: (i) incorporation within Europe, Japan, Australia, Brazil, Canada, Chile, China, Hong Kong, India, Indonesia, Israel, Malaysia, Mexico, New Zealand, Philippines, Singapore, South Africa, Taiwan or Thailand; (ii) payment of at least $5 million in cash dividends paid on common shares in the annual cycle prior to the annual Index screening date; (iii) market capitalization of at least $100 million as of the Index screening date; (iv) average daily dollar volume of at least $100,000 for three months preceding the Index screening date; (v) a calculated volume factor (the average daily dollar volume for three months preceding the Index screening date divided by the weight of the security in the Index) that is greater than $200 million; and (vi) trading of at least 250,000 shares for each of the six months preceding the Index screening date. Constituents will be among the following types of companies: real estate

 

124   WisdomTree Trust Prospectus


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operating companies, real estate developing companies, or diversified REITs. The Index also includes companies that may be classified as Passive Foreign Investment Companies. Market capitalization must be greater than $1 billion. Securities are weighted in the Index based on dividends paid over the prior annual cycle. Companies that pay more total dollar amount of dividends are more heavily weighted. The maximum weight of any one country in the Index, at the time of the Index’s annual screening date, is capped at 25%, subject to the following volume factor. In the event that a company has a calculated volume factor that is less than $400 million as of the annual Index screening date, (i) the company’s weight in the Index will be reduced such that its weight equals its weight prior to the adjustment multiplied by a fraction of its calculated volume factor divided by $400 million, and (ii) the reduction in the company’s Index weight may cause a country’s weight to rise above 25%. In response to market conditions, country weights may fluctuate above 25% between annual Index screening dates.

WisdomTree Investments, Inc. (“WisdomTree Investments”), as index provider, currently uses Standard & Poor’s Global Industry Classification Standards (“S&P GICS”) to define real estate companies. Real estate companies include, among others, companies involved in diversified real estate activities, real estate development companies, real estate operating companies, retail REITs, diversified REITs, office REITs, and industrial REITs.

To the extent the Index concentrates (i.e., holds 25% or more of its total assets) in the securities of a particular industry or group of industries, the Fund will concentrate its investments to approximately the same extent as its Index.

Principal Risks of Investing in the Fund

You can lose money on your investment in the Fund. The Fund is subject to the risks described below. Some or all of these risks may adversely affect the Fund’s net asset value per share (“NAV”), trading price, yield, total return and/or ability to meet its objectives. For more information about the risks of investing in the Fund, see the sections in the Fund’s prospectus titled “Additional Principal Risk Information About the Funds” and “Additional Non-Principal Risk Information.”

 

n  

Investment Risk. As with all investments, an investment in the Fund is subject to investment risk. Investors in the Fund could lose money, including the possible loss of the entire principal amount of an investment, over short or long periods of time.

 

n  

Market Risk. The trading prices of equity securities and other instruments fluctuate in response to a variety of factors. The Fund’s NAV and market price may fluctuate significantly in response to these and other factors. As a result, an investor could lose money over short or long periods of time.

 

n  

Shares of the Fund May Trade at Prices Other Than NAV. As with all exchange-traded funds (“ETFs”), Fund shares may be bought and sold in the secondary market at market prices. The trading prices of the Fund’s shares in the secondary market generally differ from the Fund’s daily NAV and there may be times when the market price of the shares is more than the NAV (premium) or less than the NAV (discount). This risk is heightened in times of market volatility or periods of steep market declines.

 

n  

Capital Controls and Sanctions Risk. Economic conditions, such as volatile currency exchange rates and interest rates, political events, military action and other conditions may, without prior warning, lead to government intervention (including intervention by the U.S. government with respect to foreign governments, economic sectors, foreign companies and related securities and interests) and the imposition of capital controls and/or sanctions, which may also include retaliatory actions of one government against another government, such as seizure of assets. Capital controls and/or sanctions include the prohibition of, or restrictions on, the ability to own or transfer currency, securities or other assets, which may potentially include derivative instruments related thereto. Capital controls and/or sanctions may also impact the ability of the Fund to buy, sell, transfer, receive, deliver or otherwise obtain exposure to, foreign securities or currency, negatively impact the value and/or liquidity of such instruments adversely affect the trading market and price for shares of the Fund, and cause the Fund to decline in value.

 

n  

Cash Redemption Risk. The Fund’s investment strategy will require it to redeem shares for cash or to otherwise include cash as part of its redemption proceeds. The Fund may be required to sell or unwind portfolio investments in order to obtain the cash needed to distribute redemption proceeds. This may cause the Fund to recognize a capital gain that it might not have recognized if it had made a redemption in-kind. As a result, the Fund may pay out higher annual capital gain distributions than if the in-kind redemption process was used.

 

n  

Currency Exchange Rate Risk. The Fund invests a relatively large percentage of its assets in investments denominated in non-U.S. currencies or in securities that provide exposure to such currencies. Changes in currency exchange rates and the relative value of non-U.S. currencies will affect the value of the Fund’s investment and the value of your Fund shares. Currency exchange rates can be very volatile and can change quickly and unpredictably. As a result, the value of an investment in the Fund may change quickly and without warning and you may lose money.

 

n  

Emerging Markets Risk. The Fund may invest in companies organized in emerging market nations. Investments in securities and instruments traded in developing or emerging markets, or that provide exposure to such securities or

 

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markets, can involve additional risks relating to political, economic, or regulatory conditions not associated with investments in U.S. securities and instruments or investments in more developed international markets. Such conditions may impact the ability of the Fund to buy, sell or otherwise transfer securities, adversely affect the trading market and price for Fund shares and cause the Fund to decline in value.

 

n  

Foreign Securities Risk. Investments in non-U.S. securities involve certain risks that may not be present with investments in U.S. securities. For example, investments in non-U.S. securities may be subject to risk of loss due to foreign currency fluctuations or to political or economic instability. Investments in non-U.S. securities also may be subject to withholding or other taxes and may be subject to additional trading, settlement, custodial, and operational risks. These and other factors can make investments in the Fund more volatile and potentially less liquid than other types of investments and may be heightened in connection with investments in developing or emerging markets countries.

 

n  

Geographic Concentration Risk. To the extent the Fund invests a significant portion of its assets in the securities of companies of a single country or region, it is more likely to be impacted by events or conditions affecting that country or region. The Fund currently invests a significant portion of its assets in companies organized in Hong Kong and Australia.

 

n  

Geopolitical Risk. Some countries and regions in which the Fund invests have experienced security concerns, war or threats of war and aggression, terrorism, economic uncertainty, natural and environmental disasters and/or systemic market dislocations that have led, and in the future may lead, to increased short-term market volatility and may have adverse long-term effects on the U.S. and world economies and markets generally, each of which may negatively impact the Fund’s investments.

 

n  

Investment Style Risk. The Fund invests in the securities included in, or representative of, its Index regardless of their investment merit. The Fund does not attempt to outperform its Index or take defensive positions in declining markets. As a result, the Fund’s performance may be adversely affected by a general decline in the market segments relating to its Index.

 

n  

Issuer-Specific Risk. Issuer-specific events, including changes in the financial condition of an issuer, can have a negative impact on the value of the Fund.

 

n  

Large-Capitalization Investing. The Fund may invest in the securities of large-capitalization companies. As a result, the Fund’s performance may be adversely affected if securities of large-capitalization companies underperform securities of smaller-capitalization companies or the market as a whole. The securities of large-capitalization companies may be relatively mature compared to smaller companies and therefore subject to slower growth during times of economic expansion.

 

n  

Mid-Capitalization Investing. The Fund may invest in the securities of mid-capitalization companies. As a result, the Fund’s performance may be adversely affected if securities of mid-capitalization companies underperform securities of other capitalization ranges or the market as a whole. Securities of smaller companies are often more vulnerable to market volatility than securities of larger companies.

 

n  

Non-Correlation Risk. As with all index funds, the performance of the Fund and its Index may differ from each other for a variety of reasons.

 

n  

Non-Diversification Risk. Although the Fund intends to invest in a variety of securities and instruments, the Fund will be considered to be non-diversified, which means that it may invest more of its assets in the securities of a single issuer or a smaller number of issuers than if it were a diversified fund. As a result, the Fund may be more exposed to the risks associated with and developments affecting an individual issuer or a smaller number of issuers than a fund that invests more widely. This may increase the Fund’s volatility and cause the performance of a relatively smaller number of issuers to have a greater impact on the Fund’s performance.

 

n  

Real Estate Sector Risk. The Fund invests primarily in the real estate sector, including investments in real estate investment trusts (“REITs”). REITs are securities that invest substantially all of their assets in real estate, trade like stocks and may qualify for special tax considerations. Investments in REITs subject the Fund to risks associated with the direct ownership of real estate. Market conditions or events affecting the overall market for real estate and REITs, such as declining property values or rising interest rates, could have a negative impact on the Fund’s performance.

Fund Performance

Historical Fund performance, which varies over time, can provide an indication of the risks of investing in the Fund. The bar chart that follows shows the annual total returns of the Fund for each full calendar year since the Fund commenced operations. The table that follows the bar chart shows the Fund’s average annual total returns, both before and after taxes. This table also shows how the Fund’s performance compares to the Index and that of a relevant broad-based securities index. Index returns do not reflect deductions for fees, expenses or taxes. All returns assume reinvestment of dividends and distributions. The Fund’s past performance (before and after taxes) is not necessarily an indication of how the Fund will perform in the future.

 

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The Fund’s name and objective changed effective June 17, 2011. Fund performance prior to June 17, 2011 reflects the investment objective and style of the Fund when it was the WisdomTree International Real Estate Fund, and tracked the performance of the WisdomTree International Real Estate Index.

 

LOGO

The Fund’s year-to-date total return as of June 30, 2014 was 11.07%.

Best and Worst Quarter Returns (for the periods reflected in the bar chart above)

 

     Return     Quarter/Year  

Highest Return

    36.89     2Q/2009   

Lowest Return

    (27.99 )%      4Q/2008   

After-tax returns are calculated using the highest historical individual federal marginal income tax rates and do not reflect the impact of state and local taxes. Actual after-tax returns depend on your tax situation and may differ from those shown and are not relevant if you hold your Fund shares through tax-deferred arrangements, such as 401(k) plans or individual retirement accounts. In some cases the return after taxes may exceed the return before taxes due to an assumed tax benefit from any losses on a sale of Fund shares at the end of the measurement period.

Average Annual Total Returns for the periods ending December 31, 2013

 

WisdomTree Global ex-U.S. Real Estate Fund*   1 Year     5 Years    

Since Inception

(6/5/2007)

 

Return Before Taxes Based on NAV

    (2.87 )%      14.44     (2.85 )% 

Return After Taxes on Distributions

    (4.29 )%      12.72     (4.24 )% 

Return After Taxes on Distributions and Sale of Fund Shares

    (1.15 )%      11.63     (2.19 )% 

Dow Jones Global ex-U.S. Select Real Estate Securities Index (Reflects no deduction for fees, expenses or taxes)

    5.23     16.21     (2.29 )% 

WisdomTree International Real Estate/Global ex-U.S. Real Estate Spliced Index** (Reflects no deduction for fees, expenses or taxes)

    (2.70 )%      14.74     (2.72 )% 
*   The Fund’s objective changed effective June 17, 2011. Prior to that date, the Fund sought to track the price and yield performance, before fees and expenses, of the WisdomTree International Real Estate Index. After June 17, 2011, the Fund’s objective seeks to track the price and yield performance, before fees and expenses, of the WisdomTree Global ex-U.S. Real Estate Index.
**   Reflects performance of the WisdomTree International Real Estate Index through June 17, 2011 and the WisdomTree Global ex-U.S. Real Estate Index thereafter.

Management

Investment Adviser and Sub-Adviser

WisdomTree Asset Management, Inc. serves as investment adviser to the Fund. Mellon Capital Management Corporation serves as sub-adviser to the Fund.

Portfolio Managers

Karen Q. Wong, CFA, a Managing Director, Head of Equity Portfolio Management, has been a portfolio manager of the Fund since February 2008.

Richard A. Brown, CFA, a Director, Senior Portfolio Manager, has been a portfolio manager of the Fund since February 2008.

 

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Thomas J. Durante, CFA, a Managing Director, Senior Portfolio Manager, has been a portfolio manager of the Fund since February 2008.

Buying and Selling Fund Shares

The Fund is an ETF. This means that shares of the Fund are listed on a national securities exchange, such as NYSE Arca, and trade at market prices. Most investors will buy and sell shares of the Fund through brokers. Because Fund shares trade at market prices rather than NAV, shares may trade at a price greater than NAV (premium) or less than NAV (discount).

The Fund issues and redeems shares at NAV only in large blocks of shares (“Creation Units”), which only certain institutions or large investors (typically market makers or other broker-dealers) may purchase or redeem. Currently, Creation Units generally consist of 50,000 shares, though this may change from time to time. Creation Units are not expected to consist of less than 50,000 shares. The Fund generally issues and redeems Creation Units in exchange for a portfolio of securities closely approximating the holdings of the Fund and/or a designated amount of U.S. cash.

Tax Information

The Fund intends to make distributions that may be taxed as ordinary income, qualified dividend income, or capital gains.

Payments to Broker-Dealers and Other Financial Intermediaries

If you purchase shares of the Fund through a broker-dealer or other financial intermediary (such as a bank) (an “Intermediary”), WisdomTree Asset Management, Inc. or its affiliates may pay Intermediaries for certain activities related to the Fund, including participation in activities that are designed to make Intermediaries more knowledgeable about exchange traded products, including the Fund, or for other activities, such as marketing, educational training or other initiatives related to the sale or promotion of Fund shares. These payments may create a conflict of interest by influencing the Intermediary and your salesperson to recommend the Fund over another investment. Any such arrangements do not result in increased Fund expenses. Ask your salesperson or visit the Intermediary’s website for more information.

 

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WisdomTree China Dividend ex-Financials Fund

 

Investment Objective

The WisdomTree China Dividend ex-Financials Fund (the “Fund”) seeks to track the price and yield performance, before fees and expenses, of the WisdomTree China Dividend ex-Financials Index (the “Index”).

Fees and Expenses of the Fund

The following table describes the fees and expenses you may pay if you buy and hold shares of the Fund. The fees are expressed as a percentage of the Fund’s average net assets.

 

Shareholder Fees (fees paid directly from your investment)     None   

Annual Fund Operating Expenses (expenses that you pay each year as a percentage of the value of your investment)

       

Management Fees

    0.63

Distribution and/or Service (12b-1) Fees

    None   

Other Expenses

    0.00
Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses     0.63

Example

The following example is intended to help retail investors compare the cost of investing in the Fund with the cost of investing in other funds. It illustrates the hypothetical expenses that such investors would incur over various periods if they were to invest $10,000 in the Fund for the time periods indicated and then redeem all of the shares at the end of those periods. This example assumes that the Fund provides a return of 5% a year and that operating expenses remain the same. This example does not include the brokerage commissions that retail investors may pay to buy and sell shares of the Fund. Although your actual costs may be higher or lower, based on these assumptions, your costs would be:

 

     1 Year     3 Years     5 Years     10 Years  
      $64        $202        $351        $786   

Portfolio Turnover

The Fund pays transaction costs, such as commissions, when it buys and sells securities (or “turns over” its portfolio). A higher portfolio turnover rate may indicate higher transaction costs and may result in higher taxes when Fund shares are held in a taxable account. These costs, which are not reflected in annual fund operating expenses or in the example, affect the Fund’s performance. During the most recent fiscal year, the Fund’s portfolio turnover rate was 21% of the average value of its portfolio, excluding the value of portfolio securities received or delivered as a result of in-kind creations or redemptions of the Fund’s capital shares.

Principal Investment Strategies of the Fund

The Fund employs a “passive management” – or indexing – investment approach designed to track the performance of the Index. The Fund generally uses a representative sampling strategy to achieve its investment objective, meaning it generally will invest in a sample of the securities in the Index whose risk, return and other characteristics resemble the risk, return and other characteristics of the Index as a whole. Under normal circumstances, at least 95% of the Fund’s total assets (exclusive of collateral held from securities lending) will be invested in the component securities of the Index and investments that have economic characteristics that are substantially identical to the economic characteristics of such component securities.

The Index is comprised of dividend paying common stocks outside of the financial sector. The Index consists of the ten largest stocks in each sector of the Chinese economy, other than the financial sector, that meet the Index criteria. Companies are eligible to be included in the Index if they have at least $1 billion in float-adjusted market capitalization, are organized under the laws of China, an emerging market nation, and are listed on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange. “Float-adjusted” means that the share amounts used in calculating the Index reflect only shares available to investors. Shares held by control groups, public companies and government agencies are excluded. Companies in the Index must have a calculated volume factor (the average daily dollar volume for three months preceding the Index screening date divided by the weight of the security in the Index) that is greater than $200 million. Securities are weighted in the Index based on dividends paid over the prior annual cycle. Companies that pay more total dollar amount of dividends and meet specified liquidity and other criteria are more heavily weighted. At the time of the Index’s annual screening date, the maximum weight of any security in the Index is capped at 10% and the maximum weight of any one sector in the Index is capped at 25%, subject to the following volume factor. In the event that a company has a calculated volume factor that is less than $400 million as of the annual Index

 

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screening date, (i) the company’s weight in the Index will be reduced such that its weight equals its weight prior to the adjustment multiplied by a fraction of its calculated volume factor divided by $400 million, and (ii) the reduction in the company’s Index weight may cause a sector’s weight to rise above 25%. In response to market conditions, security and sector weights may fluctuate above the specified cap between annual Index screening dates.

WisdomTree Investments, Inc. (“WisdomTree Investments”), as index provider, currently uses Standard & Poor’s Global Industry Classification Standards (“S&P GICS”) to define companies within a sector. The following sectors are included in the Index: consumer discretionary, consumer staples, energy, health care, industrials, information technology, materials, telecommunication services, and utilities. A sector is comprised of multiple industries. For example, the energy sector is comprised of companies in, among others, the natural gas, oil and petroleum industries. As of June 30, 2014, a significant portion of the Index is comprised of companies in the energy and industrial sectors.

To the extent the Index concentrates (i.e., holds 25% or more of its total assets) in the securities of a particular industry or group of industries, the Fund will concentrate its investments to approximately the same extent as its Index.

Principal Risks of Investing in the Fund

You can lose money on your investment in the Fund. The Fund is subject to the risks described below. Some or all of these risks may adversely affect the Fund’s net asset value per share (“NAV”), trading price, yield, total return and/or ability to meet its objectives. For more information about the risks of investing in the Fund, see the sections in the Fund’s prospectus titled “Additional Principal Risk Information About the Funds” and “Additional Non-Principal Risk Information.”

 

n  

Investment Risk. As with all investments, an investment in the Fund is subject to investment risk. Investors in the Fund could lose money, including the possible loss of the entire principal amount of an investment, over short or long periods of time.

 

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Market Risk. The trading prices of equity securities and other instruments fluctuate in response to a variety of factors. The Fund’s NAV and market price may fluctuate significantly in response to these and other factors. As a result, an investor could lose money over short or long periods of time.

 

n  

Shares of the Fund May Trade at Prices Other Than NAV. As with all exchange-traded funds (“ETFs”), Fund shares may be bought and sold in the secondary market at market prices. The trading prices of the Fund’s shares in the secondary market generally differ from the Fund’s daily NAV and there may be times when the market price of the shares is more than the NAV (premium) or less than the NAV (discount). This risk is heightened in times of market volatility or periods of steep market declines.

 

n  

Capital Controls and Sanctions Risk. Economic conditions, such as volatile currency exchange rates and interest rates, political events, military action and other conditions may, without prior warning, lead to government intervention (including intervention by the U.S. government with respect to foreign governments, economic sectors, foreign companies and related securities and interests) and the imposition of capital controls and/or sanctions, which may also include retaliatory actions of one government against another government, such as seizure of assets. Capital controls and/or sanctions include the prohibition of, or restrictions on, the ability to own or transfer currency, securities or other assets, which may potentially include derivative instruments related thereto. Capital controls and/or sanctions may also impact the ability of the Fund to buy, sell, transfer, receive, deliver or otherwise obtain exposure to, foreign securities or currency, negatively impact the value and/or liquidity of such instruments adversely affect the trading market and price for shares of the Fund, and cause the Fund to decline in value.

 

n  

Cash Redemption Risk. The Fund’s investment strategy will require it to redeem shares for cash or to otherwise include cash as part of its redemption proceeds. The Fund may be required to sell or unwind portfolio investments in order to obtain the cash needed to distribute redemption proceeds. This may cause the Fund to recognize a capital gain that it might not have recognized if it had made a redemption in-kind. As a result, the Fund may pay out higher annual capital gain distributions than if the in-kind redemption process was used.

 

n  

Currency Exchange Rate Risk. The Fund invests a relatively large percentage of its assets in investments denominated in Hong Kong dollars, or in securities that provide exposure to such currency, currency exchange rates or interest rates denominated in such currency. Changes in currency exchange rates and the relative value of the Hong Kong dollar will affect the value of the Fund’s investment and the value of your Fund shares. Currency exchange rates can be very volatile and can change quickly and unpredictably. As a result, the value of an investment in the Fund may change quickly and without warning and you may lose money.

 

n  

Emerging Markets Risk. The Fund currently invests a relatively large percentage of its assets in securities and instruments that are traded in developing or emerging markets or that provide exposure to such securities or markets. These investments can involve additional risks relating to political, economic, or regulatory conditions not associated with

 

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investments in U.S. securities and instruments or investments in more developed international markets. Such conditions may impact the ability of the Fund to buy, sell or otherwise transfer securities, adversely affect the trading market and price for Fund shares, and cause the Fund to decline in value.

 

n  

Energy Sector Risk. The Fund currently invests a significant portion of its assets in companies in the energy sector. The energy sector can be significantly affected by, among other things: economic growth, worldwide demand, political instability in the Middle East, Eastern Europe or other oil or gas producing regions, and volatile oil prices.

 

n  

Foreign Securities Risk. Investments in non-U.S. securities involve certain risks that may not be present with investments in U.S. securities. For example, investments in non-U.S. securities may be subject to risk of loss due to foreign currency fluctuations or to political or economic instability. Investments in non-U.S. securities also may be subject to withholding or other taxes and may be subject to additional trading, settlement, custodial, and operational risks. These and other factors can make investments in the Fund more volatile and potentially less liquid than other types of investments and may be heightened in connection with investments in developing or emerging markets countries.

 

n  

Geographic Concentration in China. Because the Fund concentrates its investments in China, the Fund’s performance is expected to be closely tied to social, political, and economic conditions within China and to be more volatile than the performance of more geographically diversified funds. The government of China maintains strict currency controls in order to achieve economic, trade and political objectives and regularly intervenes in the currency market. The Chinese government also plays a major role in the country’s economic policies regarding foreign investments. Foreign investors are subject to the risk of loss from expropriation or nationalization of their investment assets and property, governmental restrictions on foreign investments and the repatriation of capital invested. In addition, the rapid growth rate of the Chinese economy over the past several years may not continue, and the trend toward economic liberalization and disparities in wealth may result in social disorder, including violence and labor unrest. These and other factors could have a negative impact on the Fund’s performance and increase the volatility of an investment in the Fund.

 

n  

Geopolitical Risk. Some countries and regions in which the Fund invests have experienced security concerns, war or threats of war and aggression, terrorism, economic uncertainty, natural and environmental disasters and/or systemic market dislocations that have led, and in the future may lead, to increased short-term market volatility and may have adverse long-term effects on the U.S. and world economies and markets generally, each of which may negatively impact the Fund’s investments.

 

n  

Industrial Sector Risk. The Fund currently invests a significant portion of its assets in companies in the industrial sector. The industrial sector can be significantly affected by, among other things, worldwide economy growth, supply and demand for specific products and services, rapid technological developments, and government regulation.

 

n  

Investment Style Risk. The Fund invests in the securities included in, or representative of, its Index regardless of their investment merit. The Fund does not attempt to outperform its Index or take defensive positions in declining markets. As a result, the Fund’s performance may be adversely affected by a general decline in the market segments relating to its Index.

 

n  

Issuer-Specific Risk. Issuer-specific events, including changes in the financial condition of an issuer, can have a negative impact on the value of the Fund.

 

n  

Large-Capitalization Investing. The Fund may invest a relatively large percentage of its assets in the securities of large-capitalization companies. As a result, the Fund’s performance may be adversely affected if securities of large-capitalization companies underperform securities of smaller-capitalization companies or the market as a whole. The securities of large-capitalization companies may be relatively mature compared to smaller companies and therefore subject to slower growth during times of economic expansion.

 

n  

Mid-Capitalization Investing. The Fund may invest in the securities of mid-capitalization companies. As a result, the Fund’s performance may be adversely affected if securities of mid-capitalization companies underperform securities of other capitalization ranges or the market as a whole. Securities of smaller companies are often more vulnerable to market volatility than securities of larger companies.

 

n  

Non-Correlation Risk. As with all index funds, the performance of the Fund and its Index may differ from each other for a variety of reasons.

 

n  

Non-Diversification Risk. Although the Fund intends to invest in a variety of securities and instruments, the Fund will be considered to be non-diversified, which means that it may invest more of its assets in the securities of a single issuer or a smaller number of issuers than if it were a diversified fund. As a result, the Fund may be more exposed to the risks associated with and developments affecting an individual issuer or a smaller number of issuers than a fund that invests more widely. This may increase the Fund’s volatility and cause the performance of a relatively smaller number of issuers to have a greater impact on the Fund’s performance.

 

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Fund Performance

Historical Fund performance, which varies over time, can provide an indication of the risks of investing in the Fund. The bar chart that follows shows the annual total returns of the Fund for each full calendar year since the Fund commenced operations. The table that follows the bar chart shows the Fund’s average annual total returns, both before and after taxes. This table also shows how the Fund’s performance compares to the Index and that relevant broad-based securities indices, the FTSE China 25 Index and the MSCI China Index. Index returns do not reflect deductions for fees, expenses or taxes. All returns assume reinvestment of dividends and distributions. The Fund’s past performance (before and after taxes) is not necessarily an indication of how the Fund will perform in the future.

 

LOGO

The Fund’s year-to-date total return as of June 30, 2014 was (0.19)%.

Best and Worst Quarter Returns (for the periods reflected in the bar chart above)

 

     Return     Quarter/Year  

Highest Return

    11.29     3Q/2013   

Lowest Return

    (9.90 )%      2Q/2013   

After-tax returns are calculated using the highest historical individual federal marginal income tax rates and do not reflect the impact of state and local taxes. Actual after-tax returns depend on your tax situation and may differ from those shown and are not relevant if you hold your Fund shares through tax-deferred arrangements, such as 401(k) plans or individual retirement accounts. In some cases the return after taxes may exceed the return before taxes due to an assumed tax benefit from any losses on a sale of Fund shares at the end of the measurement period.

Average Annual Total Returns for the periods ending December 31, 2013

 

WisdomTree China Dividend ex-Financials Fund   1 Year    

Since Inception

(9/19/2012)

 

Return Before Taxes Based on NAV

    (1.10 )%      6.16

Return After Taxes on Distributions

    (1.41 )%      5.89

Return After Taxes on Distributions and Sales of Fund Shares

    0.24     4.94

MSCI China Index (Reflects no deduction for fees, expenses or taxes)

    3.64     13.17

FTSE China 25 Index (Reflects no deduction for fees, expenses or taxes)

    (0.49 )%      10.27

WisdomTree China Dividend ex-Financials Index (Reflects no deduction for fees, expenses or taxes)

    (1.17 )%      6.33

Management

Investment Adviser and Sub-Adviser

WisdomTree Asset Management, Inc. serves as investment adviser to the Fund. Mellon Capital Management Corporation serves as sub-adviser to the Fund.

Portfolio Managers

Karen Q. Wong, CFA, a Managing Director, Head of Equity Portfolio Management, has been a portfolio manager of the Fund since February 2014.

Richard A. Brown, CFA, a Director, Senior Portfolio Manager, has been a portfolio manager of the Fund since February 2014.

 

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Thomas J. Durante, CFA, a Managing Director, Senior Portfolio Manager, has been a portfolio manager of the Fund since February 2014.

Buying and Selling Fund Shares

The Fund is an ETF. This means that shares of the Fund are listed on a national securities exchange, such as NASDAQ, and trade at market prices. Most investors will buy and sell shares of the Fund through brokers. Because Fund shares trade at market prices rather than NAV, shares may trade at a price greater than NAV (premium) or less than NAV (discount).

The Fund issues and redeems shares at NAV only in large blocks of shares (“Creation Units”), which only certain institutions or large investors (typically market makers or other broker-dealers) may purchase or redeem. Creation Units generally consist of 50,000 shares, though this may change from time to time. Creation Units are not expected to consist of less than 50,000 shares. The Fund generally issues and redeems Creation Units in exchange for a portfolio of securities closely approximating the holdings of the Fund and/or a designated amount of U.S. cash.

Tax Information

The Fund intends to make distributions that may be taxed as ordinary income, qualified dividend income, or capital gains.

Payments to Broker-Dealers and Other Financial Intermediaries

If you purchase shares of the Fund through a broker-dealer or other financial intermediary (such as a bank) (an “Intermediary”), WisdomTree Asset Management or its affiliates may pay Intermediaries for certain activities related to the Fund, including participation in activities that are designed to make Intermediaries more knowledgeable about exchange traded products, including the Fund, or for other activities, such as marketing, educational training or other initiatives related to the sale or promotion of Fund shares. These payments may create a conflict of interest by influencing the Intermediary and your salesperson to recommend the Fund over another investment. Any such arrangements do not result in increased Fund expenses. Ask your salesperson or visit the Intermediary’s website for more information.

 

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WisdomTree Emerging Markets Dividend Growth Fund

 

Investment Objective

The WisdomTree Emerging Markets Dividend Growth Fund (the “Fund”) seeks to track the price and yield performance, before fees and expenses, of the WisdomTree Emerging Markets Dividend Growth Index (the “Index”).

Fees and Expenses of the Fund

The following table describes the fees and expenses you may pay if you buy and hold shares of the Fund. The fees are expressed as a percentage of the Fund’s average net assets.

 

Shareholder Fees (fees paid directly from your investment)     None   

Annual Fund Operating Expenses (expenses that you pay each year as a percentage of the value of your investment)

       

Management Fees

    0.63

Distribution and/or Service (12b-1) Fees

    None   

Other Expenses

    0.00
Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses     0.63

Example

The following example is intended to help retail investors compare the cost of investing in the Fund with the cost of investing in other funds. It illustrates the hypothetical expenses that such investors would incur over various periods if they were to invest $10,000 in the Fund for the time periods indicated and then redeem all of the shares at the end of those periods. This example assumes that the Fund provides a return of 5% a year and that operating expenses remain the same. This example does not include the brokerage commissions that retail investors may pay to buy and sell shares of the Fund. Although your actual costs may be higher or lower, based on these assumptions, your costs would be:

 

     1 Year     3 Years     5 Years     10 Years  
      $64        $202        $351        $786   

Portfolio Turnover

The Fund pays transaction costs, such as commissions, when it buys and sells securities (or “turns over” its portfolio). A higher portfolio turnover rate may indicate higher transaction costs and may result in higher taxes when Fund shares are held in a taxable account. These costs, which are not reflected in annual fund operating expenses or in the example, affect the Fund’s performance. During the most recent fiscal period, the Fund’s portfolio turnover rate was 3% of the average value of its portfolio, excluding the value of portfolio securities received or delivered as a result of in-kind creations or redemptions of the Fund’s capital shares.

Principal Investment Strategies of the Fund

The Fund employs a “passive management” – or indexing – investment approach designed to track the performance of the Index. The Fund generally uses a representative sampling strategy to achieve its investment objective, meaning it generally will invest in a sample of the securities in the Index whose risk, return and other characteristics resemble the risk, return and other characteristics of the Index as a whole. Under normal circumstances, at least 80% of the Fund’s total assets (exclusive of collateral held from securities lending) will be invested in the component securities of the Index and investments that have economic characteristics that are substantially identical to the economic characteristics of such component securities.

The Index is a fundamentally weighted index that consists of emerging market dividend-paying common stocks with growth characteristics. The starting universe screening requirements include: (i) payment of at least $5 million in cash dividends on common shares in the annual cycle prior to the annual Index screening date; (ii) market capitalization of at least $200 million as of the Index screening date; (iii) average daily dollar volume of at least $200,000 for each of the six months preceding the Index screening date; (iv) a calculated volume factor (the average daily dollar volume for three months preceding the Index screening date divided by the weight of the security in the Index) that is greater than $200 million; (v) incorporation within one of 17 emerging market nations (Brazil, Chile, China, Czech Republic, Hungary, India, Indonesia, Korea, Malaysia, Mexico, the Philippines, Poland, Russia, South Africa, Taiwan, Thailand, and Turkey); and (vi) trading of at least 250,000 shares per month for each of the six months preceding the Index screening date. From this starting universe, the Index is comprised of the top 50% of companies with the best combined rank of certain growth and quality factors: specifically long-term earnings growth expectations, return on equity, and return on assets. Securities are weighted in the Index based on dividends paid over the prior annual cycle. Companies that pay more total dollar amount of dividends are more heavily weighted. At the time of the Index’s annual screening date, the maximum weight of any security in the Index is capped at 5%

 

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and the maximum weight of any one sector or country in the Index is capped at 20%, subject to the following volume factor. In the event that a company has a calculated volume factor that is less than $400 million as of the annual Index screening date, (i) the company’s weight in the Index will be reduced such that its weight equals its weight prior to the adjustment multiplied by a fraction of its calculated volume factor divided by $400 million, and (ii) the reduction in the company’s Index weight may cause a sector’s and/or country’s weight to rise above 20%. In response to market conditions, security, sector and country weights may fluctuate above the specified cap between annual Index screening dates.

WisdomTree Investments, Inc. (“WisdomTree Investments”), as index provider, currently uses Standard & Poor’s Global Industry Classification Standards (“S&P GICS”) to define companies within a sector. The following sectors are included in the Index: consumer discretionary, consumer staples, energy, financials, health care, industrials, information technology, materials, telecommunication services, and utilities. A sector is comprised of multiple industries. For example, the energy sector is comprised of companies in, among others, the natural gas, oil and petroleum industries. As of June 30, 2014, a significant portion of the Index is comprised of companies in the consumer staples and telecommunications sectors.

To the extent the Index concentrates (i.e., holds 25% or more of its total assets) in the securities of a particular industry or group of industries, the Fund will concentrate its investments to approximately the same extent as its Index.

Principal Risks of Investing in the Fund

You can lose money on your investment in the Fund. The Fund is subject to the risks described below. Some or all of these risks may adversely affect the Fund’s net asset value per share (“NAV”), trading price, yield, total return and/or ability to meet its objectives. For more information about the risks of investing in the Fund, see the sections in the Fund’s Prospectus, titled “Additional Principal Risk Information About the Funds” and “Additional Non-Principal Risk Information.”

 

n  

Investment Risk. As with all investments, an investment in the Fund is subject to investment risk. Investors in the Fund could lose money, including the possible loss of the entire principal amount of an investment, over short or long periods of time.

 

n  

Market Risk. The trading prices of equity securities and other instruments fluctuate in response to a variety of factors. The Fund’s NAV and market price may fluctuate significantly in response to these and other factors. As a result, an investor could lose money over short or long periods of time.

 

n  

Shares of the Fund May Trade at Prices Other Than NAV. As with all exchange-traded funds (“ETFs”), Fund shares may be bought and sold in the secondary market at market prices. The trading prices of the Fund’s shares in the secondary market generally differ from the Fund’s daily NAV, and there may be times when the market price of the shares is more than the NAV (premium) or less than the NAV (discount). This risk is heightened in times of market volatility or periods of steep market declines.

 

n  

Capital Controls and Sanctions Risk. Economic conditions, such as volatile currency exchange rates and interest rates, political events, military action and other conditions may, without prior warning, lead to foreign government intervention (including intervention by the U.S. government with respect to foreign governments, economic sectors, foreign companies and related securities and interests) and the imposition of capital controls and/or sanctions, which may also include retaliatory actions of one government against another government, such as seizure of assets. Capital controls and/or sanctions include the prohibition of, or restrictions on, the ability to own or transfer currency, securities or other assets, which may potentially include derivative instruments related thereto. Capital controls and/or sanctions may also impact the ability of the Fund to buy, sell, transfer, receive, deliver or otherwise obtain exposure to, foreign securities or currency, negatively impact the value and/or liquidity of such instruments, adversely affect the trading market and price for shares of the Fund, and cause the Fund to decline in value.

 

n  

Cash Redemption Risk. The Fund’s investment strategy will require it to redeem shares for cash or to otherwise include cash as part of its redemption proceeds. The Fund may be required to sell or unwind portfolio investments in order to obtain the cash needed to distribute redemption proceeds. This may cause the Fund to recognize a capital gain that it might not have recognized if it had made a redemption in-kind. As a result, the Fund may pay out higher annual capital gain distributions than if the in-kind redemption process was used.

 

n  

Consumer Staples Sector Risk. The Fund currently invests in a significant portion of its assets in companies in the consumer staples sector. This sector can be significantly affected by, among other things, changes in price and availability of underlying commodities, rising energy prices and global and economic conditions.

 

n  

Currency Exchange Rate Risk. The Fund invests a relatively large percentage of its assets in investments denominated in non-U.S. currencies or in securities that provide exposure to such currencies. Changes in currency exchange rates and the relative value of non-U.S. currencies will affect the value of the Fund’s investment and the value of your Fund shares. Currency exchange rates can be very volatile and can change quickly and unpredictably. As a result, the value of an investment in the Fund may change quickly and without warning and you may lose money.

 

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n  

Emerging Markets Risk. The Fund invests primarily in companies organized in emerging market nations. Investments in securities and instruments traded in developing or emerging markets, or that provide exposure to such securities or markets, can involve additional risks relating to political, economic, or regulatory conditions not associated with investments in U.S. securities and instruments or investments in more developed international markets. Such conditions may impact the ability of the Fund to buy, sell or otherwise transfer securities, adversely affect the trading market and price for Fund shares and cause the Fund to decline in value.

 

n  

Foreign Securities Risk. Investments in non-U.S. securities involve certain risks that may not be present with investments in U.S. securities. For example, investments in non-U.S. securities may be subject to risk of loss due to foreign currency fluctuations or to political or economic instability. Investments in non-U.S. securities also may be subject to withholding or other taxes and may be subject to additional trading, settlement, custodial, and operational risks. These and other factors can make investments in the Fund more volatile and potentially less liquid than other types of investments and may be heightened in connection with investments in developing or emerging markets countries.

 

n  

Geographic Investment Risk. To the extent the Fund invests a significant portion of its assets in the securities of companies of a single country or region, it is more likely to be impacted by events or conditions affecting that country or region. The Fund currently invests a significant portion of its assets in securities of companies in Brazil.

 

n  

Geopolitical Risk. Some countries and regions in which the Fund invests have experienced security concerns, war or threats of war and aggression, terrorism, economic uncertainty, natural and environmental disasters and/or systemic market dislocations that have led, and in the future may lead, to increased short-term market volatility and may have adverse long-term effects on the U.S. and world economies and markets generally, each of which may negatively impact the Fund’s investments.

 

n  

Investment Style Risk. The Fund invests in the securities included in, or representative of, its Index regardless of their investment merit. The Fund does not attempt to outperform its Index or take defensive positions in declining markets. As a result, the Fund’s performance may be adversely affected by a general decline in the market segments relating to its Index.

 

n  

Issuer-Specific Risk. Issuer-specific events, including changes in the financial condition of an issuer, can have a negative impact on the value of the Fund.

 

n  

Large-Capitalization Investing. The Fund may invest a relatively large percentage of its assets in the securities of large-capitalization companies. As a result, the Fund’s performance may be adversely affected if securities of large-capitalization companies underperform securities of smaller-capitalization companies or the market as a whole. The securities of large-capitalization companies may be relatively mature compared to smaller companies and therefore subject to slower growth during times of economic expansion.

 

n  

Mid-Capitalization Investing. The Fund may invest in the securities of mid-capitalization companies. As a result, the Fund’s performance may be adversely affected if securities of mid-capitalization companies underperform securities of other capitalization ranges or the market as a whole. Securities of smaller companies are often more vulnerable to market volatility than securities of larger companies.

 

n  

Non-Correlation Risk. As with all index funds, the performance of the Fund and its Index may differ from each other for a variety of reasons.

 

n  

Non-Diversification Risk. Although the Fund intends to invest in a variety of securities and instruments, the Fund will be considered to be non-diversified, which means that it may invest more of its assets in the securities of a single issuer or a smaller number of issuers than if it were a diversified fund. As a result, the Fund may be more exposed to the risks associated with and developments affecting an individual issuer or a smaller number of issuers than a fund that invests more widely. This may increase the Fund’s volatility and cause the performance of a relatively smaller number of issuers to have a greater impact on the Fund’s performance.

 

n  

Telecommunications Sector Risk. The Fund currently invests a significant portion of its assets in companies in the telecommunications industry. The telecommunications industry can be significantly affected by, among other things, government intervention and regulation, technological innovations that make existing products and services obsolete, and consumer demand.

Fund Performance

The Fund commenced operations on August 1, 2013, and therefore does not have performance history for a full calendar year. Once the Fund has completed a full calendar year of operations, a bar chart and table will be included that will provide some indication of the risks of investing in the Fund by showing the variability of the Fund’s return based on net assets and comparing the Fund’s performance to a broad measure of market performance.

 

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Management

Investment Adviser and Sub-Adviser

WisdomTree Asset Management, Inc. serves as investment adviser to the Fund. Mellon Capital Management Corporation serves as sub-adviser to the Fund.

Portfolio Managers

Karen Q. Wong, CFA, a Managing Director, Head of Equity Portfolio Management, has been a portfolio manager of the Fund since its inception in July 2013.

Thomas J. Durante, CFA, a Director, Senior Portfolio Manager, has been a portfolio manager of the Fund since its inception in July 2013.

Richard A. Brown, CFA, a Managing Director, Senior Portfolio Manager, has been a portfolio manager of the Fund since its inception in July 2013.

Buying and Selling Fund Shares

The Fund is an ETF. This means that shares of the Fund are listed on a national securities exchange, such as NASDAQ, and trade at market prices. Most investors will buy and sell shares of the Fund through brokers. Because Fund shares trade at market prices rather than NAV, shares may trade at a price greater than NAV (premium) or less than NAV (discount).

The Fund issues and redeems shares at NAV only in large blocks of shares (“Creation Units”), which only certain institutions or large investors (typically market makers or other broker-dealers) may purchase or redeem. Currently, Creation Units generally consist of 100,000 shares, though this may change from time to time. Creation Units are not expected to consist of less than 50,000 shares. The Fund generally issues and redeems Creation Units in exchange for a portfolio of securities closely approximating the holdings of the Fund and/or a designated amount of U.S. cash.

Tax Information

The Fund intends to make distributions that may be taxed as ordinary income, qualified dividend income, or capital gains.

Payments to Broker-Dealers and Other Financial Intermediaries

If you purchase shares of the Fund through a broker-dealer or other financial intermediary (such as a bank) (an “Intermediary”), WisdomTree Asset Management, Inc. or its affiliates may pay Intermediaries for certain activities related to the Fund, including participation in activities that are designed to make Intermediaries more knowledgeable about exchange traded products, including the Fund, or for other activities, such as marketing, educational training or other initiatives related to the sale or promotion of Fund shares. These payments may create a conflict of interest by influencing the Intermediary and your salesperson to recommend the Fund over another investment. Any such arrangements do not result in increased Fund expenses. Ask your salesperson or visit the Intermediary’s website for more information.

 

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WisdomTree Emerging Markets Equity Income Fund

 

Investment Objective

The WisdomTree Emerging Markets Equity Income Fund (the “Fund”) seeks to track the price and yield performance, before fees and expenses, of the WisdomTree Emerging Markets Equity Income Index (the “Index”).

Fees and Expenses of the Fund

The following table describes the fees and expenses you may pay if you buy and hold shares of the Fund. The fees are expressed as a percentage of the Fund’s average net assets.

 

Shareholder Fees (fees paid directly from your investment)     None   

Annual Fund Operating Expenses (expenses that you pay each year as a percentage of the value of your investment)

       

Management Fees

    0.63

Distribution and/or Service (12b-1) Fees

    None   

Other Expenses

    0.00
Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses     0.63

Example

The following example is intended to help retail investors compare the cost of investing in the Fund with the cost of investing in other funds. It illustrates the hypothetical expenses that such investors would incur over various periods if they were to invest $10,000 in the Fund for the time periods indicated and then redeem all of the shares at the end of those periods. This example assumes that the Fund provides a return of 5% a year and that operating expenses remain the same. This example does not include the brokerage commissions that retail investors may pay to buy and sell shares of the Fund. Although your actual costs may be higher or lower, based on these assumptions, your costs would be:

 

     1 Year     3 Years     5 Years     10 Years  
      $64        $202        $351        $786   

Portfolio Turnover

The Fund pays transaction costs, such as commissions, when it buys and sells securities (or “turns over” its portfolio). A higher portfolio turnover rate may indicate higher transaction costs and may result in higher taxes when Fund shares are held in a taxable account. These costs, which are not reflected in annual fund operating expenses or in the example, affect the Fund’s performance. During the most recent fiscal year, the Fund’s portfolio turnover rate was 39% of the average value of its portfolio, excluding the value of portfolio securities received or delivered as a result of in-kind creations or redemptions of the Fund’s capital shares.

Principal Investment Strategies of the Fund

The Fund employs a “passive management” – or indexing – investment approach designed to track the performance of the Index. The Fund generally uses a representative sampling strategy to achieve its investment objective, meaning it generally will invest in a sample of the securities in the Index whose risk, return and other characteristics resemble the risk, return and other characteristics of the Index as a whole. Under normal circumstances, at least 95% of the Fund’s total assets (exclusive of collateral held from securities lending) will be invested in the component securities of the Index and investments that have economic characteristics that are substantially identical to the economic characteristics of such component securities.

The Index is a fundamentally weighted index that is comprised of the highest dividend yielding common stocks selected from the WisdomTree Emerging Markets Dividend Index. As of the annual Index screening date, companies within the WisdomTree Emerging Markets Dividend Index are ranked by dividend yield. Securities ranking in the highest 30% by dividend yield are selected for inclusion within the Index. If a company currently in the Index is no longer ranked in the top 30% by dividend yield at the time of the annual Index screening date but remains ranked in the top 35% by dividend yield, the company will remain in the Index. Eligibility requirements for the WisdomTree Emerging Markets Dividend Index include: (i) payment of at least $5 million in cash dividends on common shares in the annual cycle prior to the annual Index screening date; (ii) market capitalization of at least $200 million as of the Index screening date; (iii) average daily dollar volume of at least $200,000 for each of the six months preceding the Index screening date; (iv) incorporation within one of 17 emerging market nations (Brazil, Chile, China, Czech Republic, Hungary, India, Indonesia, Korea, Malaysia, Mexico, Philippines, Poland, Russia, South Africa, Taiwan, Thailand, and Turkey); (v) a calculated volume factor (the average daily dollar volume for three months preceding the Index screening date divided by the weight of the security in the Index) that is

 

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greater than $200 million; and (vi) trading of at least 250,000 shares per month for each of the six months preceding the Index screening date. Securities are weighted in the Index based on dividends paid over the prior annual cycle. Companies that pay more total dollar amount of dividends are more heavily weighted. At the time of the Index’s annual screening date, the maximum weight of any security in the Index is capped at 5%. The maximum weight of any one sector and any one country in the Index, at the time of the Index’s annual screening date, is capped at 25%, subject to the following volume factor. In the event that a company has a calculated volume factor that is less than $400 million as of the annual Index screening date, (i) the company’s weight in the Index will be reduced such that its weight equals its weight prior to the adjustment multiplied by a fraction of its calculated volume factor divided by $400 million, and (ii) the reduction in the company’s Index weight may cause a sector’s and/or country’s weight to rise above 25%. In response to market conditions, security, sector and country weights may fluctuate above the specified cap between annual Index screening dates.

WisdomTree Investments, Inc. (“WisdomTree Investments”), as index provider, currently uses Standard & Poor’s Global Industry Classification Standards (“S&P GICS”) to define companies within a sector. The following sectors are included in the Index: consumer discretionary, consumer staples, energy, financials, health care, industrials, information technology, materials, telecommunication services, and utilities. A sector is comprised of multiple industries. For example, the energy sector is comprised of companies in, among others, the natural gas, oil and petroleum industries. As of June 30, 2014, a significant portion of the Index is comprised of companies in the energy, financial, materials and telecommunications sectors.

To the extent the Index concentrates (i.e., holds 25% or more of its total assets) in the securities of a particular industry or group of industries, the Fund will concentrate its investments to approximately the same extent as its Index.

Principal Risks of Investing in the Fund

You can lose money on your investment in the Fund. The Fund is subject to the risks described below. Some or all of these risks may adversely affect the Fund’s net asset value per share (“NAV”), trading price, yield, total return and/or ability to meet its objectives. For more information about the risks of investing in the Fund, see the sections in the Fund’s prospectus titled “Additional Principal Risk Information About the Funds” and “Additional Non-Principal Risk Information.”

 

n  

Investment Risk. As with all investments, an investment in the Fund is subject to investment risk. Investors in the Fund could lose money, including the possible loss of the entire principal amount of an investment, over short or long periods of time.

 

n  

Market Risk. The trading prices of equity securities and other instruments fluctuate in response to a variety of factors. The Fund’s NAV and market price may fluctuate significantly in response to these and other factors. As a result, an investor could lose money over short or long periods of time.

 

n  

Shares of the Fund May Trade at Prices Other Than NAV. As with all exchange-traded funds (“ETFs”), Fund shares may be bought and sold in the secondary market at market prices. The trading prices of the Fund’s shares in the secondary market generally differ from the Fund’s daily NAV and there may be times when the market price of the shares is more than the NAV (premium) or less than the NAV (discount). This risk is heightened in times of market volatility or periods of steep market declines.

 

n  

Capital Controls and Sanctions Risk. Economic conditions, such as volatile currency exchange rates and interest rates, political events, military action and other conditions may, without prior warning, lead to foreign government intervention (including intervention by the U.S. government with respect to foreign governments, economic sectors, foreign companies and related securities and interests) and the imposition of capital controls and/or sanctions, which may also include retaliatory actions of one government against another government, such as seizure of assets. Capital controls and/or sanctions include the prohibition of, or restrictions on, the ability to own or transfer currency, securities or other assets, which may potentially include derivative instruments related thereto. Capital controls and/or sanctions may also impact the ability of the Fund to buy, sell, transfer, receive, deliver or otherwise obtain exposure to, foreign securities or currency, negatively impact the value and/or liquidity of such instruments, adversely affect the trading market and price for shares of the Fund, and cause the Fund to decline in value.

 

n  

Cash Redemption Risk. The Fund’s investment strategy will require it to redeem shares for cash or to otherwise include cash as part of its redemption proceeds. The Fund may be required to sell or unwind portfolio investments in order to obtain the cash needed to distribute redemption proceeds. This may cause the Fund to recognize a capital gain that it might not have recognized if it had made a redemption in-kind. As a result, the Fund may pay out higher annual capital gain distributions than if the in-kind redemption process was used.

 

n  

Currency Exchange Rate Risk. The Fund invests a relatively large percentage of its assets in investments denominated in non-U.S. currencies or in securities that provide exposure to such currencies. Changes in currency exchange rates and the relative value of non-U.S. currencies will affect the value of the Fund’s investment and the value of

 

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your Fund shares. Currency exchange rates can be very volatile and can change quickly and unpredictably. As a result, the value of an investment in the Fund may change quickly and without warning and you may lose money.

 

n  

Emerging Markets Risk. The Fund invests primarily in companies organized in emerging market nations. Investments in securities and instruments traded in developing or emerging markets, or that provide exposure to such securities or markets, can involve additional risks relating to political, economic, or regulatory conditions not associated with investments in U.S. securities and instruments or investments in more developed international markets. Such conditions may impact the ability of the Fund to buy, sell or otherwise transfer securities, adversely affect the trading market and price for Fund shares and cause the Fund to decline in value.

 

n  

Energy Sector Risk. The Fund currently invests a significant portion of its assets in companies in the energy sector. The energy sector can be significantly affected by, among other things: economic growth, worldwide demand, political instability in the Middle East, Eastern Europe or other oil or gas producing regions and volatile oil prices.

 

n  

Financial Sector Risk. The Fund currently invests a significant portion of its assets in companies in the financial sector, and therefore the performance of the Fund could be negatively impacted by events affecting this sector. This sector can be significantly affected by changes in interest rates, government regulation, the rate of defaults on corporate, consumer and government debt, the availability and cost of capital, and fallout from the housing and sub-prime mortgage crisis.

 

n  

Foreign Securities Risk. Investments in non-U.S. securities involve certain risks that may not be present with investments in U.S. securities. For example, investments in non-U.S. securities may be subject to risk of loss due to foreign currency fluctuations or to political or economic instability. Investments in non-U.S. securities also may be subject to withholding or other taxes and may be subject to additional trading, settlement, custodial, and operational risks. These and other factors can make investments in the Fund more volatile and potentially less liquid than other types of investments and may be heightened in connection with investments in developing or emerging markets countries.

 

n  

Geographic Investment Risk. To the extent the Fund invests a significant portion of its assets in the securities of companies of a single country or region, it is more likely to be impacted by events or conditions affecting that country or region. The Fund currently invests a significant portion of its assets in companies organized in China and Russia.

 

n  

Geopolitical Risk. Some countries and regions in which the Fund invests have experienced security concerns, war or threats of war and aggression, terrorism, economic uncertainty, natural and environmental disasters and/or systemic market dislocations that have led, and in the future may lead, to increased short-term market volatility and may have adverse long-term effects on the U.S. and world economies and markets generally, each of which may negatively impact the Fund’s investments.

 

n  

Investment Style Risk. The Fund invests in the securities included in, or representative of, its Index regardless of their investment merit. The Fund does not attempt to outperform its Index or take defensive positions in declining markets. As a result, the Fund’s performance may be adversely affected by a general decline in the market segments relating to its Index.

 

n  

Issuer-Specific Risk. Issuer-specific events, including changes in the financial condition of an issuer, can have a negative impact on the value of the Fund.

 

n  

Large-Capitalization Investing. The Fund may invest a relatively large percentage of its assets in the securities of large-capitalization companies. As a result, the Fund’s performance may be adversely affected if securities of large-capitalization companies underperform securities of smaller-capitalization companies or the market as a whole. The securities of large-capitalization companies may be relatively mature compared to smaller companies and therefore subject to slower growth during times of economic expansion.

 

n  

Materials Sector Risk. The Fund currently invests a significant portion of its assets in companies in the basic materials sector. This sector includes, for example, metals and mining, chemicals and forest product companies. This sector can be significantly affected by, among other things, commodity price volatility, demand for basic materials, world economic growth, depletion of natural resources, technological progress, and government regulations.

 

n  

Mid-Capitalization Investing. The Fund may invest in the securities of mid-capitalization companies. As a result, the Fund’s performance may be adversely affected if securities of mid-capitalization companies underperform securities of other capitalization ranges or the market as a whole. Securities of smaller companies are often more vulnerable to market volatility than securities of larger companies.

 

n  

Non-Correlation Risk. As with all index funds, the performance of the Fund and its Index may differ from each other for a variety of reasons.

 

n  

Non-Diversification Risk. Although the Fund intends to invest in a variety of securities and instruments, the Fund will be considered to be non-diversified, which means that it may invest more of its assets in the securities of a single issuer or a

 

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smaller number of issuers than if it were a diversified fund. As a result, the Fund may be more exposed to the risks associated with and developments affecting an individual issuer or a smaller number of issuers than a fund that invests more widely. This may increase the Fund’s volatility and cause the performance of a relatively smaller number of issuers to have a greater impact on the Fund’s performance.

 

n  

Telecommunications Sector Risk. The Fund currently invests a significant portion of its assets in companies in the telecommunications industry. The telecommunications industry can be significantly affected by, among other things, government intervention and regulation, technological innovations that make existing products and services obsolete, and consumer demand.

Fund Performance

Historical Fund performance, which varies over time, can provide an indication of the risks of investing in the Fund. The bar chart that follows shows the annual total returns of the Fund for each full calendar year since the Fund commenced operations. The table that follows the bar chart shows the Fund’s average annual total returns, both before and after taxes. This table also shows how the Fund’s performance compares to the Index and that of a relevant broad-based securities index. Index returns do not reflect deductions for fees, expenses or taxes. All returns assume reinvestment of dividends and distributions. The Fund’s past performance (before and after taxes) is not necessarily an indication of how the Fund will perform in the future.

 

LOGO

The Fund’s year-to-date total return as of June 30, 2014 was 3.97%.

Best and Worst Quarter Returns (for the period reflected in the bar chart above)

 

     Return     Quarter/Year  

Highest Return

    26.76     2Q/2009   

Lowest Return

    (21.24 )%      4Q/2008   

After-tax returns are calculated using the highest historical individual federal marginal income tax rates and do not reflect the impact of state and local taxes. Actual after-tax returns depend on your tax situation and may differ from those shown and are not relevant if you hold your Fund shares through tax-deferred arrangements, such as 401(k) plans or individual retirement accounts. In some cases the return after taxes may exceed the return before taxes due to an assumed tax benefit from any losses on a sale of Fund shares at the end of the measurement period.

Average Annual Total Returns for the periods ending December 31, 2013

 

WisdomTree Emerging Markets Equity Income Fund   1 Year   5 Years    

Since Inception

(7/13/2007)

 

Return Before Taxes Based on NAV

  (5.61)%     14.09     4.13

Return After Taxes on Distributions

  (6.53)%     13.58     3.57

Return After Taxes on Distributions and Sale of Fund Shares

  (2.44)%     11.80     3.50

MSCI Emerging Markets Index (Reflects no deduction for fees, expenses or taxes)

  (2.60)%     14.79     0.29

WisdomTree Emerging Markets Equity Income Index (Reflects no deduction for fees, expenses or taxes)

  (4.49)%     15.49     5.17

 

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Management

Investment Adviser and Sub-Adviser

WisdomTree Asset Management, Inc. serves as investment adviser to the Fund. Mellon Capital Management Corporation serves as sub-adviser to the Fund.

Portfolio Managers

Karen Q. Wong, CFA, a Managing Director, Head of Equity Portfolio Management, has been a portfolio manager of the Fund since February 2008.

Richard A. Brown, CFA, a Director, Senior Portfolio Manager, has been a portfolio manager of the Fund since February 2008.

Thomas J. Durante, CFA, a Managing Director, Senior Portfolio Manager, has been a portfolio manager of the Fund since February 2008.

Buying and Selling Fund Shares

The Fund is an ETF. This means that shares of the Fund are listed on a national securities exchange, such as NYSE Arca, and trade at market prices. Most investors will buy and sell shares of the Fund through brokers. Because Fund shares trade at market prices rather than NAV, shares may trade at a price greater than NAV (premium) or less than NAV (discount).

The Fund issues and redeems shares at NAV only in large blocks of shares (“Creation Units”), which only certain institutions or large investors (typically market makers or other broker-dealers) may purchase or redeem. Currently, Creation Units generally consist of 100,000 shares, though this may change from time to time. Creation Units are not expected to consist of less than 50,000 shares. The Fund generally issues and redeems Creation Units in exchange for a portfolio of securities closely approximating the holdings of the Fund and/or a designated amount of U.S. cash.

Tax Information

The Fund intends to make distributions that may be taxed as ordinary income, qualified dividend income, or capital gains.

Payments to Broker-Dealers and Other Financial Intermediaries

If you purchase shares of the Fund through a broker-dealer or other financial intermediary (such as a bank) (an “Intermediary”), WisdomTree Asset Management, Inc. or its affiliates may pay Intermediaries for certain activities related to the Fund, including participation in activities that are designed to make Intermediaries more knowledgeable about exchange traded products, including the Fund, or for other activities, such as marketing, educational training or other initiatives related to the sale or promotion of Fund shares. These payments may create a conflict of interest by influencing the Intermediary and your salesperson to recommend the Fund over another investment. Any such arrangements do not result in increased Fund expenses. Ask your salesperson or visit the Intermediary’s website for more information.

 

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WisdomTree Emerging Markets SmallCap Dividend Fund

 

Investment Objective

The WisdomTree Emerging Markets SmallCap Dividend Fund (the “Fund”) seeks to track the price and yield performance, before fees and expenses, of the WisdomTree Emerging Markets SmallCap Dividend Index (the “Index”).

Fees and Expenses of the Fund

The following table describes the fees and expenses you may pay if you buy and hold shares of the Fund. The fees are expressed as a percentage of the Fund’s average net assets.

 

Shareholder Fees (fees paid directly from your investment)     None   

Annual Fund Operating Expenses (expenses that you pay each year as a percentage of the value of your investment)

       

Management Fees

    0.63

Distribution and/or Service (12b-1) Fees

    None   

Other Expenses

    0.00
Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses     0.63

Example

The following example is intended to help retail investors compare the cost of investing in the Fund with the cost of investing in other funds. It illustrates the hypothetical expenses that such investors would incur over various periods if they were to invest $10,000 in the Fund for the time periods indicated and then redeem all of the shares at the end of those periods. This example assumes that the Fund provides a return of 5% a year and that operating expenses remain the same. This example does not include the brokerage commissions that retail investors may pay to buy and sell shares of the Fund. Although your actual costs may be higher or lower, based on these assumptions, your costs would be:

 

     1 Year     3 Years     5 Years     10 Years  
      $64        $202        $351        $786   

Portfolio Turnover

The Fund pays transaction costs, such as commissions, when it buys and sells securities (or “turns over” its portfolio). A higher portfolio turnover rate may indicate higher transaction costs and may result in higher taxes when Fund shares are held in a taxable account. These costs, which are not reflected in annual fund operating expenses or in the example, affect the Fund’s performance. During the most recent fiscal year, the Fund’s portfolio turnover rate was 26% of the average value of its portfolio, excluding the value of portfolio securities received or delivered as a result of in-kind creations or redemptions of the Fund’s capital shares.

Principal Investment Strategies of the Fund

The Fund employs a “passive management” – or indexing – investment approach designed to track the performance of the Index. The Fund generally uses a representative sampling strategy to achieve its investment objective, meaning it generally will invest in a sample of the securities in the Index whose risk, return and other characteristics resemble the risk, return and other characteristics of the Index as a whole. Under normal circumstances, at least 95% of the Fund’s total assets (exclusive of collateral held from securities lending) will be invested in the component securities of the Index and investments that have economic characteristics that are substantially identical to the economic characteristics of such component securities.

The Index is a fundamentally weighted index that is comprised of primarily small cap common stocks selected from the WisdomTree Emerging Markets Dividend Index. Companies included in the Index fall within the bottom 10% of total market capitalization of the WisdomTree Emerging Markets Dividend Index as of the annual Index screening date. If a company currently in the Index is no longer ranked in the bottom 10% of total market capitalization of the WisdomTree Emerging Markets Dividend Index at the time of the annual Index screening date but remains ranked within the bottom 13% of total market capitalization of the WisdomTree Emerging Markets Dividend Index, the company will remain in the Index. As of June 30, 2014, the Index had a market capitalization range from $110 million to $4.8 billion, with an average market capitalization of $1.57 billion. Eligibility requirements for the WisdomTree Emerging Markets Dividend Index include: (i) payment of at least $5 million in cash dividends on common shares in the annual cycle prior to the annual Index screening date; (ii) market capitalization of at least $200 million as of the Index screening date; (iii) average daily dollar volume of at least $200,000 for each of the six months preceding the Index screening date; (iv) incorporation within one of 17 emerging market nations (Brazil, Chile, China, Czech Republic, Hungary, India, Indonesia, Korea, Malaysia, Mexico, Philippines,

 

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Poland, Russia, South Africa, Taiwan, Thailand, and Turkey); (v) a calculated volume factor (the average daily dollar volume for three months preceding the Index screening date divided by the weight of the security in the Index) that is greater than $200 million; and (vi) trading of at least 250,000 shares per month for each of the six months preceding the Index screening date. Securities are weighted in the Index based on dividends paid over the prior annual cycle. Companies that pay more total dollar amount of dividends are more heavily weighted. The maximum weight of any one sector and any one country in the Index, at the time of the Index’s annual screening date, is capped at 25%, subject to the following volume factor. In the event that a company has a calculated volume factor that is less than $400 million as of the annual Index screening date, (i) the company’s weight in the Index will be reduced such that its weight equals its weight prior to the adjustment multiplied by a fraction of its calculated volume factor divided by $400 million, and (ii) the reduction in the company’s Index weight may cause a sector’s and/or country’s weight to rise above 25%. In response to market conditions, sector and country weights may fluctuate above 25% between annual Index screening dates.

WisdomTree Investments, Inc. (“WisdomTree Investments”), as index provider, currently uses Standard & Poor’s Global Industry Classification Standards (“S&P GICS”) to define companies within a sector. The following sectors are included in the Index: consumer discretionary, consumer staples, energy, financials, health care, industrials, information technology, materials, telecommunication services, and utilities. A sector is comprised of multiple industries. For example, the energy sector is comprised of companies in, among others, the natural gas, oil and petroleum industries. As of June 30, 2014, a significant portion of the Index is comprised of companies in the financial, industrial and information technology sectors.

To the extent the Index concentrates (i.e., holds 25% or more of its total assets) in the securities of a particular industry or group of industries, the Fund will concentrate its investments to approximately the same extent as its Index.

Principal Risks of Investing in the Fund

You can lose money on your investment in the Fund. The Fund is subject to the risks described below. Some or all of these risks may adversely affect the Fund’s net asset value per share (“NAV”), trading price, yield, total return and/or ability to meet its objectives. For more information about the risks of investing in the Fund, see the sections in the Fund’s prospectus titled “Additional Principal Risk Information About the Funds” and “Additional Non-Principal Risk Information.”

 

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Investment Risk. As with all investments, an investment in the Fund is subject to investment risk. Investors in the Fund could lose money, including the possible loss of the entire principal amount of an investment, over short or long periods of time.

 

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Market Risk. The trading prices of equity securities and other instruments fluctuate in response to a variety of factors. The Fund’s NAV and market price may fluctuate significantly in response to these and other factors. As a result, an investor could lose money over short or long periods of time.

 

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Shares of the Fund May Trade at Prices Other Than NAV. As with all exchange-traded funds (“ETFs”), Fund shares may be bought and sold in the secondary market at market prices. The trading prices of the Fund’s shares in the secondary market generally differ from the Fund’s daily NAV and there may be times when the market price of the shares is more than the NAV (premium) or less than the NAV (discount). This risk is heightened in times of market volatility or periods of steep market declines.

 

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Capital Controls and Sanctions Risk. Economic conditions, such as volatile currency exchange rates and interest rates, political events, military action and other conditions may, without prior warning, lead to foreign government intervention (including intervention by the U.S. government with respect to foreign governments, economic sectors, foreign companies, and related securities and interests) and the imposition of capital controls and/or sanctions, which may also include retaliatory actions of one government against another government, such as seizure of assets. Capital controls and/or sanctions include the prohibition of, or restrictions on, the ability to own or transfer currency, securities or other assets, which may potentially include derivative instruments related thereto. Capital controls and/or sanctions may also impact the ability of the Fund to buy, sell, transfer, receive, deliver or otherwise obtain exposure to, foreign securities or currency, negatively impact the value and/or liquidity of such instruments, adversely affect the trading market and price for shares of the Fund, and cause the Fund to decline in value.

 

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Cash Redemption Risk. The Fund’s investment strategy will require it to redeem shares for cash or to otherwise include cash as part of its redemption proceeds. The Fund may be required to sell or unwind portfolio investments in order to obtain the cash needed to distribute redemption proceeds. This may cause the Fund to recognize a capital gain that it might not have recognized if it had made a redemption in-kind. As a result, the Fund may pay out higher annual capital gain distributions than if the in-kind redemption process was used.

 

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Currency Exchange Rate Risk. The Fund invests a relatively large percentage of its assets in investments denominated in non-U.S. currencies or in securities that provide exposure to such currencies. Changes in currency exchange rates and the relative value of non-U.S. currencies will affect the value of the Fund’s investment and the value of

 

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your Fund shares. Currency exchange rates can be very volatile and can change quickly and unpredictably. As a result, the value of an investment in the Fund may change quickly and without warning and you may lose money.

 

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Emerging Markets Risk. The Fund invests primarily in companies organized in emerging market nations. Investments in securities and instruments traded in developing or emerging markets, or that provide exposure to such securities or markets, can involve additional risks relating to political, economic, or regulatory conditions not associated with investments in U.S. securities and instruments or investments in more developed international markets. Such conditions may impact the ability of the Fund to buy, sell or otherwise transfer securities, adversely affect the trading market and price for Fund shares and cause the Fund to decline in value.

 

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Financial Sector Risk. The Fund currently invests a significant portion of its assets in companies in the financial sector, and therefore the performance of the Fund could be negatively impacted by events affecting this sector. This sector can be significantly affected by changes in interest rates, government regulation, the rate of defaults on corporate, consumer and government debt, the availability and cost of capital, and fallout from the housing and sub-prime mortgage crisis.

 

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Foreign Securities Risk. Investments in non-U.S. securities involve certain risks that may not be present with investments in U.S. securities. For example, investments in non-U.S. securities may be subject to risk of loss due to foreign currency fluctuations or to political or economic instability. Investments in non-U.S. securities also may be subject to withholding or other taxes and may be subject to additional trading, settlement, custodial, and operational risks. These and other factors can make investments in the Fund more volatile and potentially less liquid than other types of investments and may be heightened in connection with investments in developing or emerging markets countries.

 

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Geographic Investment Risk. To the extent the Fund invests a significant portion of its assets in the securities of companies of a single country or region, it is more likely to be impacted by events or conditions affecting that country or region. The Fund currently invests a significant portion of its assets in companies organized in Taiwan.

 

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Geopolitical Risk. Some countries and regions in which the Fund invests have experienced security concerns, war or threats of war and aggression, terrorism, economic uncertainty, natural and environmental disasters and/or systemic market dislocations that have led, and in the future may lead, to increased short-term market volatility and may have adverse long-term effects on the U.S. and world economies and markets generally, each of which may negatively impact the Fund’s investments.

 

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Industrial Sector Risk. The Fund currently invests a significant portion of its assets in companies in the industrial sector. The industrial sector can be significantly affected by, among other things, worldwide economy growth, supply and demand for specific products and services, rapid technological developments, and government regulation.

 

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Information Technology Sector Risk. The Fund currently invests a significant portion of its assets in companies in the information technology sector. This sector can be significantly affected by, among other things, the supply and demand for specific products and services, the pace of technological development and government regulation.

 

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Investment Style Risk. The Fund invests in the securities included in, or representative of, its Index regardless of their investment merit. The Fund does not attempt to outperform its Index or take defensive positions in declining markets. As a result, the Fund’s performance may be adversely affected by a general decline in the market segments relating to its Index.

 

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Issuer-Specific Risk. Issuer-specific events, including changes in the financial condition of an issuer, can have a negative impact on the value of the Fund.

 

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Non-Correlation Risk. As with all index funds, the performance of the Fund and its Index may differ from each other for a variety of reasons.

 

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Non-Diversification Risk. Although the Fund intends to invest in a variety of securities and instruments, the Fund will be considered to be non-diversified, which means that it may invest more of its assets in the securities of a single issuer or a smaller number of issuers than if it were a diversified fund. As a result, the Fund may be more exposed to the risks associated with and developments affecting an individual issuer or a smaller number of issuers than a fund that invests more widely. This may increase the Fund’s volatility and cause the performance of a relatively smaller number of issuers to have a greater impact on the Fund’s performance.

 

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Small-Capitalization Investing. The Fund invests primarily in securities of small-capitalization companies. As a result, the Fund may be more volatile than funds that invest in larger, more established companies. The securities of small-capitalization companies generally trade in lower volumes and are subject to greater and more unpredictable price changes than larger capitalization stocks or the stock market as a whole. Small-capitalization companies may be particularly sensitive to changes in interest rates, government regulation, borrowing costs and earnings.

 

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Fund Performance

Historical Fund performance, which varies over time, can provide an indication of the risks of investing in the Fund. The bar chart that follows shows the annual total returns of the Fund for each full calendar year since the Fund commenced operations. The table that follows the bar chart shows the Fund’s average annual total returns, both before and after taxes. This table also shows how the Fund’s performance compares to the Index and that of a relevant broad-based securities index. Index returns do not reflect deductions for fees, expenses or taxes. All returns assume reinvestment of dividends and distributions. The Fund’s past performance (before and after taxes) is not necessarily an indication of how the Fund will perform in the future.

 

LOGO

The Fund’s year-to-date total return as of June 30, 2014 was 6.00%.

Best and Worst Quarter Returns (for the period reflected in the bar chart above)

 

     Return     Quarter/Year  

Highest Return

    34.32     2Q/2009   

Lowest Return

    (22.02 )%      3Q/2011   

After-tax returns are calculated using the highest historical individual federal marginal income tax rates and do not reflect the impact of state and local taxes. Actual after-tax returns depend on your tax situation and may differ from those shown and are not relevant if you hold your Fund shares through tax-deferred arrangements, such as 401(k) plans or individual retirement accounts. In some cases the return after taxes may exceed the return before taxes due to an assumed tax benefit from any losses on a sale of Fund shares at the end of the measurement period.

Average Annual Total Returns for the periods ending December 31, 2013

 

WisdomTree Emerging Markets SmallCap Dividend Fund   1 Year   5 Years    

Since Inception

(10/30/2007)

 

Return Before Taxes Based on NAV

  (2.58)%     17.80     1.65

Return After Taxes on Distributions

  (3.49)%     17.34     1.22

Return After Taxes on Distributions and Sale of Fund Shares

  (0.93)%     14.89     1.52

MSCI Emerging Markets Small Cap Index (Reflects no deduction for fees, expenses or taxes)

  1.04%     19.58     (0.87 )% 

WisdomTree Emerging Markets SmallCap Dividend Index (Reflects no deduction for fees, expenses or taxes)

  (1.63)%     19.33     2.79

Management

Investment Adviser and Sub-Adviser

WisdomTree Asset Management, Inc. serves as investment adviser to the Fund. Mellon Capital Management Corporation serves as sub-adviser to the Fund.

Portfolio Managers

Karen Q. Wong, CFA, a Managing Director, Head of Equity Portfolio Management, has been a portfolio manager of the Fund since February 2008.

 

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Richard A. Brown, CFA, a Director, Senior Portfolio Manager, has been a portfolio manager of the Fund since February 2008.

Thomas J. Durante, CFA, a Managing Director, Senior Portfolio Manager, has been a portfolio manager of the Fund since February 2008.

Buying and Selling Fund Shares

The Fund is an ETF. This means that shares of the Fund are listed on a national securities exchange, such as NYSE Arca, and trade at market prices. Most investors will buy and sell shares of the Fund through brokers. Because Fund shares trade at market prices rather than NAV, shares may trade at a price greater than NAV (premium) or less than NAV (discount).

The Fund issues and redeems shares at NAV only in large blocks of shares (“Creation Units”), which only certain institutions or large investors (typically market makers or other broker-dealers) may purchase or redeem. Currently, Creation Units generally consist of 100,000 shares, though this may change from time to time. Creation Units are not expected to consist of less than 50,000 shares. The Fund generally issues and redeems Creation Units in exchange for a portfolio of securities closely approximating the holdings of the Fund and/or a designated amount of U.S. cash.

Tax Information

The Fund intends to make distributions that may be taxed as ordinary income, qualified dividend income, or capital gains.

Payments to Broker-Dealers and Other Financial Intermediaries

If you purchase shares of the Fund through a broker-dealer or other financial intermediary (such as a bank) (an “Intermediary”), WisdomTree Asset Management, Inc. or its affiliates may pay Intermediaries for certain activities related to the Fund, including participation in activities that are designed to make Intermediaries more knowledgeable about exchange traded products, including the Fund, or for other activities, such as marketing, educational training or other initiatives related to the sale or promotion of Fund shares. These payments may create a conflict of interest by influencing the Intermediary and your salesperson to recommend the Fund over another investment. Any such arrangements do not result in increased Fund expenses. Ask your salesperson or visit the Intermediary’s website for more information.

 

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WisdomTree Emerging Markets Consumer Growth Fund

 

Fund Summary

Investment Objective

The WisdomTree Emerging Markets Consumer Growth Fund (the “Fund”) seeks to track the price and yield performance, before fees and expenses, of the WisdomTree Emerging Markets Consumer Growth Index (the “Index”).

Fees and Expenses of the Fund

The following table describes the fees and expenses you may pay if you buy and hold shares of the Fund. The fees are expressed as a percentage of the Fund’s average net assets.

 

Shareholder Fees (fees paid directly from your investment)     None   

Annual Fund Operating Expenses (expenses that you pay each year as a percentage of the value of your investment)

       

Management Fees

    0.63

Distribution and/or Service (12b-1) Fees

    None   

Other Expenses

    0.00
Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses     0.63

Example

The following example is intended to help retail investors compare the cost of investing in the Fund with the cost of investing in other funds. It illustrates the hypothetical expenses that such investors would incur over various periods if they were to invest $10,000 in the Fund for the time periods indicated and then redeem all of the shares at the end of those periods. This example assumes that the Fund provides a return of 5% a year and that operating expenses remain the same. This example does not include the brokerage commissions that retail investors may pay to buy and sell shares of the Fund. Although your actual costs may be higher or lower, based on these assumptions, your costs would be:

 

     1 Year     3 Years     5 Years     10 Years  
      $64        $202        $351        $786   

Portfolio Turnover

The Fund pays transaction costs, such as commissions, when it buys and sells securities (or “turns over” its portfolio). A higher portfolio turnover rate may indicate higher transaction costs and may result in higher taxes when Fund shares are held in a taxable account. These costs, which are not reflected in annual fund operating expenses or in the example, affect the Fund’s performance. During the most recent fiscal period, the Fund’s portfolio turnover rate was 7% of the average value of its portfolio, excluding the value of portfolio securities received or delivered as a result of in-kind creations or redemptions of the Fund’s capital shares.

Principal Investment Strategies of the Fund

The Fund employs a “passive management” – or indexing – investment approach designed to track the performance of the Index. The Fund generally uses a representative sampling strategy to achieve its investment objective, meaning it generally will invest in a sample of the securities in the Index whose risk, return and other characteristics resemble the risk, return and other characteristics of the Index as a whole. Under normal circumstances, at least 80% of the Fund’s total assets (exclusive of collateral held from securities lending) will be invested in the component securities of the Index and investments that have economic characteristics that are substantially identical to the economic characteristics of such component securities.

The Index is a fundamentally weighted index that consists of consumer growth common stocks in emerging markets. The Index is comprised of the 250 companies with the best combined rank of growth, quality, and valuation factors: specifically, long-term earnings growth expectations, return on assets, return on equity and earnings yield. Of the 250 companies in the Index, approximately 150 companies are selected from the consumer staples and consumer discretionary sectors and approximately 100 companies are selected from other sectors and industries that are estimated to be the most sensitive to local emerging market consumers, such as the financial and telecommunications services sectors. Accordingly, companies from the following sectors and industries, which are deemed to be less sensitive to local emerging market consumers, are not eligible for inclusion in the Index: commercial services, energy minerals, non-energy minerals, industrial services, process industries, technology services, producer manufacturing and electronic technology. In addition, banks with more than a $10 billion market capitalization are also excluded.

 

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Eligibility requirements for the Index include: (i) market capitalization of at least $200 million as of the Index screening date; (ii) average daily dollar volume of at least $200,000 for each of the six months preceding the Index screening date; (iii) a calculated volume factor (the average daily dollar volume for three months preceding the Index screening date divided by the weight of the security in the Index) that is greater than $100 million; (iv) incorporation and shares listed on a stock exchange within one of 17 emerging market nations (Brazil, Chile, China, Czech Republic, Hungary, India, Indonesia, Korea, Malaysia, Mexico, the Philippines, Poland, Russia, South Africa, Taiwan, Thailand, and Turkey) (with respect to China, a company’s shares must be traded on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange and with respect to Internet companies, those that reflect local consumer growth trends and are listed on the NASDAQ or NYSE are eligible for inclusion), (v) trading of at least 250,000 shares per month for each of the six months preceding the Index screening date; (vi) a price/earnings ratio of at least 2x as of the Index screening date; and (vii) at least 60% of a company’s revenue is derived from emerging markets (provided, however, if a company derives more than 25% of its revenue from one of the following regions: Europe, Japan or the United States, it is not eligible for inclusion). Local exchange shares are included in the Index for all countries with the exception of Russia, whereby only American Depositary Receipts (ADRs) or Global Depositary Receipts (GDRs) are included. Passive foreign investment companies, limited partnerships, limited liability companies, royalty trusts, preferred stock, closed-end funds, exchange-traded funds, and derivative securities such as warrants and rights are all excluded from the Index.

The initial weight of a component in the Index at the annual screening date is based on earnings, a measure of fundamental value, which is measured by the reported net income in the most recent fiscal year prior to the annual Index screening date. Companies that have a higher total dollar amount of reported net income, as determined by each company’s trailing 12-month net income, generally will be more heavily weighted in the Index and Fund, and a company must have generated at least $5 million in net income over its last fiscal year for inclusion in the Index. At the time of the Index’s annual screening date, prior to the implementation of sector constraints, the maximum weight of the top held security in the Index is capped at 5% and the maximum weight of any one country in the Index is capped at 25% and the non-consumer sectors weight in the Index will be capped and set to 40% as of the annual screening date, subject to the following volume factor. In the event that a company has a calculated volume factor that is less than $400 million as of the annual Index screening date, (i) the company’s weight in the Index will be reduced such that its weight equals its weight prior to the adjustment multiplied by a fraction of its calculated volume factor divided by $400 million, and (ii) the reduction in the company’s Index weight may cause a country’s weight to rise above 25% or the non-consumers sector’s weight to rise above 40%. In response to market conditions, security, sector and country weights may fluctuate above the specified cap between annual Index screening dates.

WisdomTree Investments, Inc. (“WisdomTree Investments”), as index provider, currently uses Factset Global Industry Classification Standards to help define companies eligible for this Index. WisdomTree Investments also uses Standard & Poor’s Global Industry Classification Standards (“S&P GICS”) to classify companies within a sector for various reporting purposes. As of June 30, 2014, a significant portion of the Index is comprised of companies in the consumer discretionary, consumer staples and financial sectors.

To the extent the Index concentrates (i.e., holds 25% or more of its total assets) in the securities of a particular industry or group of industries, the Fund will concentrate its investments to approximately the same extent as its Index.

Principal Risks of Investing in the Fund

You can lose money on your investment in the Fund. The Fund is subject to the risks described below. Some or all of these risks may adversely affect the Fund’s net asset value per share (“NAV”), trading price, yield, total return and/or ability to meet its objectives. For more information about the risks of investing in the Fund, see the sections in the Fund’s Prospectus, titled “Additional Principal Risk Information About the Funds” and “Additional Non-Principal Risk Information.”

 

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Investment Risk. As with all investments, an investment in the Fund is subject to investment risk. Investors in the Fund could lose money, including the possible loss of the entire principal amount of an investment, over short or long periods of time.

 

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Market Risk. The trading prices of equity securities and other instruments fluctuate in response to a variety of factors. The Fund’s NAV and market price may fluctuate significantly in response to these and other factors. As a result, an investor could lose money over short or long periods of time.

 

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Shares of the Fund May Trade at Prices Other Than NAV. As with all exchange-traded funds (“ETFs”), Fund shares may be bought and sold in the secondary market at market prices. The trading prices of the Fund’s shares in the secondary market generally differ from the Fund’s daily NAV, and there may be times when the market price of the shares is more than the NAV (premium) or less than the NAV (discount). This risk is heightened in times of market volatility or periods of steep market declines.

 

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Capital Controls and Sanctions Risk. Economic conditions, such as volatile currency exchange rates and interest rates, political events, military action and other conditions may, without prior warning, lead to foreign government intervention (including intervention by the U.S. government with respect to foreign governments, economic sectors,

 

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foreign companies and related securities and interests) and the imposition of capital controls and/or sanctions, which may also include retaliatory actions of one government against another government, such as seizure of assets. Capital controls and/or sanctions include the prohibition of, or restrictions on, the ability to own or transfer currency, securities or other assets, which may potentially include derivative instruments related thereto. Capital controls and/or sanctions may also impact the ability of the Fund to buy, sell, transfer, receive, deliver or otherwise obtain exposure to, foreign securities or currency, negatively impact the value and/or liquidity of such instruments, adversely affect the trading market and price for shares of the Fund, and cause the Fund to decline in value.

 

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Cash Redemption Risk. The Fund’s investment strategy will require it to redeem shares for cash or to otherwise include cash as part of its redemption proceeds. The Fund may be required to sell or unwind portfolio investments in order to obtain the cash needed to distribute redemption proceeds. This may cause the Fund to recognize a capital gain that it might not have recognized if it had made a redemption in-kind. As a result, the Fund may pay out higher annual capital gain distributions than if the in-kind redemption process was used.

 

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Consumer Discretionary Sector Risk. The Fund currently invests a significant portion of its assets in companies in the consumer discretionary sector. This sector consists of, for example, automobile, media and retail companies. The consumer discretionary sector of the economy can be significantly affected by, among other things, economic growth, worldwide demand and consumers’ disposable income levels and propensity to spend.

 

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Consumer Staples Sector Risk. The Fund currently invests a significant portion of its assets in companies in the consumer staples sector. This sector can be significantly affected by, among other things, changes in price and availability of underlying commodities, rising energy prices and global and economic conditions.

 

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Currency Exchange Rate Risk. The Fund invests a relatively large percentage of its assets in investments denominated in non-U.S. currencies or in securities that provide exposure to such currencies. Changes in currency exchange rates and the relative value of non-U.S. currencies will affect the value of the Fund’s investment and the value of your Fund shares. Currency exchange rates can be very volatile and can change quickly and unpredictably. As a result, the value of an investment in the Fund may change quickly and without warning and you may lose money.

 

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Emerging Markets Risk. The Fund invests primarily in companies organized in emerging market nations. Investments in securities and instruments traded in developing or emerging markets, or that provide exposure to such securities or markets, can involve additional risks relating to political, economic, or regulatory conditions not associated with investments in U.S. securities and instruments or investments in more developed international markets. Such conditions may impact the ability of the Fund to buy, sell or otherwise transfer securities, adversely affect the trading market and price for Fund shares and cause the Fund to decline in value.

 

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Financial Sector Risk. The Fund currently invests a significant portion of its assets in companies in the financial sector, and therefore the performance of the Fund could be negatively impacted by events affecting this sector. This sector can be significantly affected by changes in interest rates, government regulation, the rate of defaults on corporate, consumer and government debt, the availability and cost of capital, and fallout from the housing and sub-prime mortgage crisis.

 

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Foreign Securities Risk. Investments in non-U.S. securities involve certain risks that may not be present with investments in U.S. securities. For example, investments in non-U.S. securities may be subject to risk of loss due to foreign currency fluctuations or to political or economic instability. Investments in non-U.S. securities also may be subject to withholding or other taxes and may be subject to additional trading, settlement, custodial, and operational risks. In addition, investments in ADRs and GDRs may be less liquid than the underlying securities in their primary trading market, and GDRs, many of which are issued by companies in emerging markets, may be more volatile. These and other factors can make investments in the Fund more volatile and potentially less liquid than other types of investments and may be heightened in connection with investments in developing or emerging market countries.

 

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Geographic Investment Risk. To the extent the Fund invests a significant portion of its assets in the securities of companies of a single country or region, it is more likely to be impacted by events or conditions affecting that country or region. The Fund currently invests a significant portion of its assets in companies organized in China.

 

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Geopolitical Risk. To Some countries and regions in which the Fund invests have experienced security concerns, war or threats of war and aggression, terrorism, economic uncertainty, natural and environmental disasters and/or systemic market dislocations that have led, and in the future may lead, to increased short-term market volatility and may have adverse long-term effects on the U.S. and world economies and markets generally, each of which may negatively impact the Fund’s investments.

 

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Investment Style Risk. The Fund invests in the securities included in, or representative of, its Index regardless of their investment merit. The Fund does not attempt to outperform its Index or take defensive positions in declining markets. As a result, the Fund’s performance may be adversely affected by a general decline in the market segments relating to its Index.

 

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n  

Issuer-Specific Risk. Issuer-specific events, including changes in the financial condition of an issuer, can have a negative impact on the value of the Fund.

 

n  

Large-Capitalization Investing. The Fund may invest a relatively large percentage of its assets in the securities of large-capitalization companies. As a result, the Fund’s performance may be adversely affected if securities of large-capitalization companies underperform securities of smaller-capitalization companies or the market as a whole. The securities of large-capitalization companies may be relatively mature compared to smaller companies and therefore subject to slower growth during times of economic expansion.

 

n  

Mid-Capitalization Investing. The Fund may invest in the securities of mid-capitalization companies. As a result, the Fund’s performance may be adversely affected if securities of mid-capitalization companies underperform securities of other capitalization ranges or the market as a whole. Securities of smaller companies are often more vulnerable to market volatility than securities of larger companies.

 

n  

Non-Correlation Risk. As with all index funds, the performance of the Fund and its Index may differ from each other for a variety of reasons.

 

n  

Non-Diversification Risk. Although the Fund intends to invest in a variety of securities and instruments, the Fund will be considered to be non-diversified, which means that it may invest more of its assets in the securities of a single issuer or a smaller number of issuers than if it were a diversified fund. As a result, the Fund may be more exposed to the risks associated with and developments affecting an individual issuer or a smaller number of issuers than a fund that invests more widely. This may increase the Fund’s volatility and cause the performance of a relatively smaller number of issuers to have a greater impact on the Fund’s performance.

 

n  

Small-Capitalization Investing. The Fund may invest in securities of small-capitalization companies. As a result, the Fund may be more volatile than funds that invest in larger, more established companies. The securities of small-capitalization companies generally trade in lower volumes and are subject to greater and more unpredictable price changes than larger capitalization stocks or the stock market as a whole. Small-capitalization companies may be particularly sensitive to changes in interest rates, government regulation, borrowing costs and earnings.

Fund Performance

The Fund commenced operations on September 27, 2013, and therefore does not have performance history for a full calendar year. Once the Fund has completed a full calendar year of operations, a bar chart and table will be included that will provide some indication of the risks of investing in the Fund by showing the variability of the Fund’s return based on net assets and comparing the Fund’s performance to a broad measure of market performance.

Management

Investment Adviser and Sub-Adviser

WisdomTree Asset Management, Inc. serves as investment adviser to the Fund. Mellon Capital Management Corporation serves as sub-adviser to the Fund.

Portfolio Managers

Karen Q. Wong, CFA, a Managing Director, Head of Equity Portfolio Management, has been a portfolio manager of the Fund since its inception in September 2013.

Richard A. Brown, CFA, a Director, Senior Portfolio Manager, has been a portfolio manager of the Fund since its inception in September 2013.

Thomas J. Durante, CFA, a Managing Director, Senior Portfolio Manager, has been a portfolio manager of the Fund since its inception in September 2013.

Buying and Selling Fund Shares

The Fund is an ETF. This means that shares of the Fund are listed on a national securities exchange, such as NASDAQ, and trade at market prices. Most investors will buy and sell shares of the Fund through brokers. Because Fund shares trade at market prices rather than NAV, shares may trade at a price greater than NAV (premium) or less than NAV (discount).

The Fund issues and redeems shares at NAV only in large blocks of shares (“Creation Units”), which only certain institutions or large investors (typically market makers or other broker-dealers) may purchase or redeem. Currently, Creation Units generally consist of 100,000 shares, though this may change from time to time. Creation Units are not expected to consist of less than 50,000 shares. The Fund generally issues and redeems Creation Units in exchange for a portfolio of securities closely approximating the holdings of the Fund and/or a designated amount of U.S. cash.

 

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Tax Information

The Fund intends to make distributions that may be taxed as ordinary income, qualified dividend income, or capital gains.

Payments to Broker-Dealers and Other Financial Intermediaries

If you purchase shares of the Fund through a broker-dealer or other financial intermediary (such as a bank) (an “Intermediary”), WisdomTree Asset Management, Inc. or its affiliates may pay Intermediaries for certain activities related to the Fund, including participation in activities that are designed to make Intermediaries more knowledgeable about exchange traded products, including the Fund, or for other activities, such as marketing, educational training or other initiatives related to the sale or promotion of Fund shares. These payments may create a conflict of interest by influencing the Intermediary and your salesperson to recommend the Fund over another investment. Any such arrangements do not result in increased Fund expenses. Ask your salesperson or visit the Intermediary’s website for more information.

 

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WisdomTree Middle East Dividend Fund

 

Investment Objective

The WisdomTree Middle East Dividend Fund (the “Fund”) seeks to track the price and yield performance, before fees and expenses, of the WisdomTree Middle East Dividend Index (the “Index”).

Fees and Expenses of the Fund

The following table describes the fees and expenses you may pay if you buy and hold shares of the Fund. The fees are expressed as a percentage of the Fund’s average net assets.

 

Shareholder Fees (fees paid directly from your investment)     None   

Annual Fund Operating Expenses (expenses that you pay each year as a percentage of the value of your investment)

       

Management Fees

    0.88

Distribution and/or Service (12b-1) Fees

    None   

Other Expenses

    0.00
Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses     0.88

Example

The following example is intended to help retail investors compare the cost of investing in the Fund with the cost of investing in other funds. It illustrates the hypothetical expenses that such investors would incur over various periods if they were to invest $10,000 in the Fund for the time periods indicated and then redeem all of the shares at the end of those periods. This example assumes that the Fund provides a return of 5% a year and that operating expenses remain the same. This example does not include the brokerage commissions that retail investors may pay to buy and sell shares of the Fund. Although your actual costs may be higher or lower, based on these assumptions, your costs would be:

 

     1 Year     3 Years     5 Years     10 Years  
      $90        $281        $488        $1,084   

Portfolio Turnover

The Fund pays transaction costs, such as commissions, when it buys and sells securities (or “turns over” its portfolio). A higher portfolio turnover rate may indicate higher transaction costs and may result in higher taxes when Fund shares are held in a taxable account. These costs, which are not reflected in annual fund operating expenses or in the example, affect the Fund’s performance. During the most recent fiscal year, the Fund’s portfolio turnover rate was 26% of the average value of its portfolio, excluding the value of portfolio securities received or delivered as a result of in-kind creations or redemptions of the Fund’s capital shares.

Principal Investment Strategies of the Fund

The Fund employs a “passive management” – or indexing – investment approach designed to track the performance of the Index. The Fund generally uses a representative sampling strategy to achieve its investment objective, meaning it generally will invest in a sample of the securities in the Index whose risk, return and other characteristics resemble the risk, return and other characteristics of the Index as a whole. Under normal circumstances, at least 95% of the Fund’s total assets (exclusive of collateral held from securities lending) will be invested in the component securities of the Index and investments that have economic characteristics that are substantially identical to the economic characteristics of such component securities.

The Index is a fundamentally weighted index that is comprised of companies in the Middle East region that pay regular cash dividends on shares of common stock. Eligible companies are ranked by market capitalization and the 100 largest companies by market capitalization are selected for inclusion. Eligibility requirements include: (i) incorporation within Bahrain, Egypt, Jordan, Kuwait, Morocco, Oman, Qatar, or the United Arab Emirates; (ii) payment of at least $5 million in cash dividends on common shares in the annual cycle prior to the annual Index screening date; (iii) market capitalization of at least $200 million as of the Index screening date; (iv) average daily dollar volume of at least $200,000 for each of the six months prior to the Index screening date; and (v) trading of at least 250,000 shares per month for each of the six months preceding the Index screening date. Securities are weighted in the Index based on dividends paid over the prior annual cycle. Companies that pay more total dollar amount of dividends are more heavily weighted. If, at the time of the annual Index screening date, any country has a weight of over 33% of the Index, the weight of such country shall be reduced to 25% at the annual Index screening date. In response to market conditions, country weights may fluctuate above 33% between annual Index screening dates.

 

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WisdomTree Investments, Inc. (“WisdomTree Investments”), as index provider, currently uses Standard & Poor’s Global Industry Classification Standards (“S&P GICS”) to define companies within a sector. The following sectors are included in the Index: consumer discretionary, consumer staples, energy, financials, health care, industrials, information technology, materials, telecommunication services, and utilities. A sector is comprised of multiple industries. For example, the energy sector is comprised of companies in, among others, the natural gas, oil and petroleum industries. As of June 30, 2014, a significant portion of the Index is comprised of companies in the financial and telecommunications sectors.

To the extent the Index concentrates (i.e., holds 25% or more of its total assets) in the securities of a particular industry or group of industries, the Fund will concentrate its investments to approximately the same extent as its Index.

Principal Risks of Investing in the Fund

You can lose money on your investment in the Fund. The Fund is subject to the risks described below. Some or all of these risks may adversely affect the Fund’s net asset value per share (“NAV”), trading price, yield, total return and/or ability to meet its objectives. For more information about the risks of investing in the Fund, see the sections in the Fund’s prospectus titled “Additional Principal Risk Information About the Funds” and “Additional Non-Principal Risk Information.”

 

n  

Investment Risk. As with all investments, an investment in the Fund is subject to investment risk. Investors in the Fund could lose money, including the possible loss of the entire principal amount of an investment, over short or long periods of time.

 

n  

Market Risk. The trading prices of equity securities and other instruments fluctuate in response to a variety of factors. The Fund’s NAV and market price may fluctuate significantly in response to these and other factors. As a result, an investor could lose money over short or long periods of time.

 

n  

Shares of the Fund May Trade at Prices Other Than NAV. As with all exchange-traded funds (“ETFs”), Fund shares may be bought and sold in the secondary market at market prices. The trading prices of the Fund’s shares in the secondary market generally differ from the Fund’s daily NAV and there may be times when the market price of the shares is more than the NAV (premium) or less than the NAV (discount). This risk is heightened in times of market volatility or periods of steep market declines.

 

n  

Capital Controls and Sanctions Risk. Economic conditions, such as volatile currency exchange rates and interest rates, political events, military action and other conditions may, without prior warning, lead to foreign government intervention (including intervention by the U.S. government with respect to foreign governments, economic sectors, foreign companies and related securities and interests) and the imposition of capital controls and/or sanctions, which may also include retaliatory actions of one government against another government, such as seizure of assets. Capital controls and/or sanctions include the prohibition of, or restrictions on, the ability to own or transfer currency, securities or other assets, which may potentially include derivative instruments related thereto. Capital controls and/or sanctions may also impact the ability of the Fund to buy, sell, transfer, receive, deliver or otherwise obtain exposure to, foreign securities or currency, negatively impact the value and/or liquidity of such instruments, adversely affect the trading market and price for shares of the Fund, and cause the Fund to decline in value.

 

n  

Cash Redemption Risk. The Fund’s investment strategy will require it to redeem shares for cash or to otherwise include cash as part of its redemption proceeds. The Fund may be required to sell or unwind portfolio investments in order to obtain the cash needed to distribute redemption proceeds. This may cause the Fund to recognize a capital gain that it might not have recognized if it had made a redemption in-kind. As a result, the Fund may pay out higher annual capital gain distributions than if the in-kind redemption process was used.

 

n  

Currency Exchange Rate Risk. The Fund invests a relatively large percentage of its assets in investments denominated in non-U.S. currencies or in securities that provide exposure to such currencies. Changes in currency exchange rates and the relative value of non-U.S. currencies will affect the value of the Fund’s investment and the value of your Fund shares. Currency exchange rates can be very volatile and can change quickly and unpredictably. As a result, the value of an investment in the Fund may change quickly and without warning and you may lose money.

 

n  

Emerging Markets Risk. The Fund may invest a relatively large percentage of its assets in companies organized in emerging market nations. Investments in securities and instruments traded in developing or emerging markets, or that provide exposure to such securities or markets, can involve additional risks relating to political, economic, or regulatory conditions not associated with investments in U.S. securities and instruments or investments in more developed international markets. Such conditions may impact the ability of the Fund to buy, sell or otherwise transfer securities, adversely affect the trading market and price for Fund shares and cause the Fund to decline in value.

 

n  

Financial Sector Risk. The Fund currently invests a significant portion of its assets in companies in the financial sector, and therefore the performance of the Fund could be negatively impacted by events affecting this sector. This sector can be

 

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significantly affected by changes in interest rates, government regulation, the rate of defaults on corporate, consumer and government debt, the availability and cost of capital, and fallout from the housing and sub-prime mortgage crisis.

 

n  

Foreign Securities Risk. Investments in non-U.S. securities involve certain risks that may not be present with investments in U.S. securities. For example, investments in non-U.S. securities may be subject to risk of loss due to foreign currency fluctuations or to political or economic instability. Investments in non-U.S. securities also may be subject to withholding or other taxes and may be subject to additional trading, settlement, custodial, and operational risks. These and other factors can make investments in the Fund more volatile and potentially less liquid than other types of investments and may be heightened in connection with investments in developing or emerging markets countries.

 

n  

Geopolitical Risk. Some countries and regions in which the Fund invests have experienced security concerns, war or threats of war and aggression, terrorism, economic uncertainty, natural and environmental disasters and/or systemic market dislocations that have led, and in the future may lead, to increased short-term market volatility and may have adverse long-term effects on the U.S. and

 

n  

Investment in the Middle East Region. The Fund invests primarily in the securities of companies in Middle Eastern countries. Certain Middle Eastern markets are only in the earliest stages of development and may be considered “frontier markets.” Financial markets in the Middle East generally are less liquid and more volatile than other markets, including markets in developing and emerging economies. There is a high concentration of market capitalization and trading volume in a small number of issuers representing a limited number of industries. Securities may have limited marketability and be subject to erratic price movements. Certain economies in the Middle East depend to a significant degree upon exports of primary commodities such as oil. A sustained decrease in commodity prices could have a significant negative impact on all aspects of the economy in the region. Middle Eastern governments have exercised and continue to exercise substantial influence over many aspects of the private sector. In certain cases, the government owns or controls many companies, including the largest in the country. Accordingly, governmental actions in the future could have a significant effect on economic conditions in Middle Eastern countries. This could affect private sector companies and the Fund, as well as the value of securities in the Fund’s portfolio. Further, substantial limitations may exist in certain Middle Eastern countries with respect to the Fund’s ability to protect its legal interests and ability to repatriate its investment, investment income or capital gains. The Fund could be adversely affected by delays in, or a refusal to grant, any required governmental approval for repatriation of capital, as well as by the application to the Fund of any restrictions on investment. Procedures concerning transaction settlement and dividend collection may be less reliable than in developed markets and larger emerging markets. Countries in the Middle East have been, and may continue to be, impacted by political instability, war, terrorist activities and religious, ethnic and/or socioeconomic unrest. These and other factors make investing in frontier market countries significantly riskier than investing in developed market or emerging market countries. The Fund currently invests a significant portion of its assets in the securities of companies in the United Arab Emirates, Kuwait and Qatar.

 

n  

Investment Style Risk. The Fund invests in the securities included in, or representative of, its Index regardless of their investment merit. The Fund does not attempt to outperform its Index or take defensive positions in declining markets. As a result, the Fund’s performance may be adversely affected by a general decline in the market segments relating to its Index.

 

n  

Issuer-Specific Risk. Issuer-specific events, including changes in the financial condition of an issuer, can have a negative impact on the value of the Fund.

 

n  

Large-Capitalization Investing. The Fund may invest in the securities of large-capitalization companies. As a result, the Fund’s performance may be adversely affected if securities of large-capitalization companies underperform securities of smaller-capitalization companies or the market as a whole. The securities of large-capitalization companies may be relatively mature compared to smaller companies and therefore subject to slower growth during times of economic expansion.

 

n  

Mid-Capitalization Investing. The Fund may invest in the securities of mid-capitalization companies. As a result, the Fund’s performance may be adversely affected if securities of mid-capitalization companies underperform securities of other capitalization ranges or the market as a whole. Securities of smaller companies are often more vulnerable to market volatility than securities of larger companies.

 

n  

Non-Correlation Risk. As with all index funds, the performance of the Fund and its Index may differ from each other for a variety of reasons.

 

n  

Non-Diversification Risk. Although the Fund intends to invest in a variety of securities and instruments, the Fund will be considered to be non-diversified, which means that it may invest more of its assets in the securities of a single issuer or a smaller number of issuers than if it were a diversified fund. As a result, the Fund may be more exposed to the risks associated with and developments affecting an individual issuer or a smaller number of issuers than a fund that invests

 

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more widely. This may increase the Fund’s volatility and cause the performance of a relatively smaller number of issuers to have a greater impact on the Fund’s performance.

 

n  

Telecommunications Sector Risk. The Fund currently invests a significant portion of its assets in companies in the telecommunications industry. The telecommunications industry in the Middle East can be significantly affected by, among other things, commodity prices, government intervention and regulation, technological innovations that make existing products and services obsolete, and consumer demand.

Fund Performance

Historical Fund performance, which varies over time, can provide an indication of the risks of investing in the Fund. The bar chart that follows shows the annual total returns of the Fund for each full calendar year since the Fund commenced operations. The table that follows the bar chart shows the Fund’s average annual total returns, both before and after taxes. This table also shows how the Fund’s performance compares to the Index and that of a relevant broad-based securities index. Index returns do not reflect deductions for fees, expenses or taxes. All returns assume reinvestment of dividends and distributions. The Fund’s past performance (before and after taxes) is not necessarily an indication of how the Fund will perform in the future.

 

LOGO

The Fund’s year-to-date total return as of June 30, 2014 was 11.11%.

Best and Worst Quarter Returns (for the period reflected in the bar chart above)

 

     Return     Quarter/Year  

Highest Return

    19.30     2Q/2009   

Lowest Return

    (11.85 )%      1Q/2009   

After-tax returns are calculated using the highest historical individual federal marginal income tax rates and do not reflect the impact of state and local taxes. Actual after-tax returns depend on your tax situation and may differ from those shown and are not relevant if you hold your Fund shares through tax-deferred arrangements, such as 401(k) plans or individual retirement accounts. In some cases the return after taxes may exceed the return before taxes due to an assumed tax benefit from any losses on a sale of Fund shares at the end of the measurement period.

Average Annual Total Returns for the periods ending December 31, 2013

 

WisdomTree Middle East Dividend Fund   1 Year     5 Years    

Since Inception

(7/16/2008)

 

Return Before Taxes Based on NAV

    37.10     12.07     (0.20 )% 

Return After Taxes on Distributions

    36.02     11.41     (0.73 )% 

Return After Taxes on Distributions and Sale of Fund Shares

    21.64     9.80     (0.03 )% 

MSCI Arabian Markets ex-Saudi Arabia Index (Reflects no deduction for fees, expenses or taxes)

    21.00     7.17     (6.24 )% 

WisdomTree Middle East Dividend Index (Reflects no deduction for fees, expenses or taxes)

    37.19     13.57     1.14

 

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Management

Investment Adviser and Sub-Adviser

WisdomTree Asset Management, Inc. serves as investment adviser to the Fund. Mellon Capital Management Corporation serves as sub-adviser to the Fund.

Portfolio Managers

Karen Q. Wong, CFA, a Managing Director, Head of Equity Portfolio Management, has been a portfolio manager of the Fund since July 2008.

Richard A. Brown, CFA, a Director, Senior Portfolio Manager, has been a portfolio manager of the Fund since July 2008.

Thomas J. Durante, CFA, a Managing Director, Senior Portfolio Manager, has been a portfolio manager of the Fund since July 2008.

Buying and Selling Fund Shares

The Fund is an ETF. This means that shares of the Fund are listed on a national securities exchange, such as NASDAQ, and trade at market prices. Most investors will buy and sell shares of the Fund through brokers. Because Fund shares trade at market prices rather than NAV, shares may trade at a price greater than NAV (premium) or less than NAV (discount).

The Fund issues and redeems shares at NAV only in large blocks of shares (“Creation Units”), which only certain institutions or large investors (typically market makers or other broker-dealers) may purchase or redeem. Currently, Creation Units generally consist of 100,000 shares, though this may change from time to time. Creation Units are not expected to consist of less than 50,000 shares. The Fund generally issues and redeems Creation Units solely in exchange for an amount of cash.

Tax Information

The Fund intends to make distributions that may be taxed as ordinary income, qualified dividend income, or capital gains.

Payments to Broker-Dealers and Other Financial Intermediaries

If you purchase shares of the Fund through a broker-dealer or other financial intermediary (such as a bank) (an “Intermediary”), WisdomTree Asset Management, Inc. or its affiliates may pay Intermediaries for certain activities related to the Fund, including participation in activities that are designed to make Intermediaries more knowledgeable about exchange traded products, including the Fund, or for other activities, such as marketing, educational training or other initiatives related to the sale or promotion of Fund shares. These payments may create a conflict of interest by influencing the Intermediary and your salesperson to recommend the Fund over another investment. Any such arrangements do not result in increased Fund expenses. Ask your salesperson or visit the Intermediary’s website for more information.

 

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WisdomTree India Earnings Fund

 

Investment Objective

The WisdomTree India Earnings Fund (the “Fund”) seeks to track the price and yield performance, before fees and expenses, of the WisdomTree India Earnings Index (the “Index”).

Fees and Expenses of the Fund

The following table describes the fees and expenses you may pay if you buy and hold shares of the Fund. The fees are expressed as a percentage of the Fund’s average net assets.

 

Shareholder Fees (fees paid directly from your investment)     None   

Annual Fund Operating Expenses (expenses that you pay each year as a percentage of the value of your investment)

       

Management Fees

    0.83

Distribution and/or Service (12b-1) Fees

    None   

Other Expenses

    0.00
Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses     0.83

Example

The following example is intended to help retail investors compare the cost of investing in the Fund with the cost of investing in other funds. It illustrates the hypothetical expenses that such investors would incur over various periods if they were to invest $10,000 in the Fund for the time periods indicated and then redeem all of the shares at the end of those periods. This example assumes that the Fund provides a return of 5% a year and that operating expenses remain the same. This example does not include the brokerage commissions that retail investors may pay to buy and sell shares of the Fund. Although your actual costs may be higher or lower, based on these assumptions, your costs would be:

 

     1 Year     3 Years     5 Years     10 Years  
      $85        $265        $460        $1,025   

Portfolio Turnover

The Fund pays transaction costs, such as commissions, when it buys and sells securities (or “turns over” its portfolio). A higher portfolio turnover rate may indicate higher transaction costs and may result in higher taxes when Fund shares are held in a taxable account. These costs, which are not reflected in annual fund operating expenses or in the example, affect the Fund’s performance. During the most recent fiscal year, the Fund’s portfolio turnover rate was 43% of the average value of its portfolio, excluding the value of portfolio securities received or delivered as a result of in-kind creations or redemptions of the Fund’s capital shares.

Principal Investment Strategies of the Fund

The Fund employs a “passive management” – or indexing – investment approach designed to track the performance of the Index. The Fund generally uses a representative sampling strategy to achieve its investment objective, meaning it generally will invest in a sample of the securities in the Index whose risk, return and other characteristics resemble the risk, return and other characteristics of the Index as a whole. Under normal circumstances, at least 95% of the Fund’s total assets (exclusive of collateral held from securities lending) will be invested in the component securities of the Index and investments that have economic characteristics that are substantially identical to the economic characteristics of such component securities.

The Index is a fundamentally weighted index that is comprised of companies incorporated and traded in India that are profitable and that are eligible to be purchased by foreign investors as of the annual Index screening date. Eligibility requirements include: (i) incorporation within India; (ii) listing on a major Indian stock exchange; (iii) earnings of at least $5 million during the fiscal year prior to the Index screening date; (iv) market capitalization of at least $200 million as of the Index screening date; (v) trading of at least 250,000 shares per month for each of the six months prior to the Index screening date; (vi) average daily dollar volume of at least $200,000 for each of the six months preceding the Index screening date; (vii) a calculated volume factor (the average daily dollar volume for three months preceding the Index screening date divided by the weight of the security in the Index) that is greater than $200 million; and (viii) price to earnings ratio of at least 2 as of the Index screening date.

The initial weight of a component in the Index at the annual screening date is based on reported net income in the most recent fiscal year prior to the annual Index screening date. The reported net income number is then multiplied by a second

 

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factor developed by Standard & Poor’s called the “Investability Weighting Factor” (“IWF”). The IWF is used to scale the earnings generated by each company by restrictions on shares available to be purchased. The product of the reported net income and IWF is known at the “Earnings Factor.” Companies are weighted by the proportion of each individual earnings factor relative to the sum of all earnings factors within the WisdomTree India Earnings Index. The maximum weight of any one sector in the Index, at the time of the Index’s annual screening date, is capped at 25%, subject to the following volume factor. In the event that a company has a calculated volume factor that is less than $400 million as of the annual Index screening date, (i) the company’s weight in the Index will be reduced such that its weight equals its weight prior to the adjustment multiplied by a fraction of its calculated volume factor divided by $400 million, and (ii) the reduction in the company’s Index weight may cause a sector’s weight to rise above 25%. In response to market conditions, sector weights may fluctuate above 25% between annual Index screening dates.

WisdomTree Investments, Inc. (“WisdomTree Investments”), as index provider, currently uses Standard & Poor’s Global Industry Classification Standards (“S&P GICS”) to define companies within a sector. The following sectors are included in the Index: consumer discretionary, consumer staples, energy, financials, health care, industrials, information technology, materials, telecommunication services, and utilities. A sector is comprised of multiple industries. For example, the energy sector is comprised of companies in, among others, the natural gas, oil and petroleum industries. As of June 30, 2014, a significant portion of the Index is comprised of companies in the energy and financial sectors.

To the extent the Index concentrates (i.e., holds 25% or more of its total assets) in the securities of a particular industry or group of industries, the Fund will concentrate its investments to approximately the same extent as its Index.

The Fund seeks to gain exposure to Indian equity securities, in whole or in part, through investments in a subsidiary organized in the Republic of Mauritius, the WisdomTree India Investment Portfolio, Inc. (the “WisdomTree Subsidiary”). The WisdomTree Subsidiary is wholly-owned and controlled by the Fund. Except as noted, references to the investment strategies and risks of the Fund include the investment strategies and risks of the WisdomTree Subsidiary.

Principal Risks of Investing in the Fund

You can lose money on your investment in the Fund. The Fund is subject to the risks described below. Some or all of these risks may adversely affect the Fund’s net asset value per share (“NAV”), trading price, yield, total return and/or ability to meet its objectives. For more information about the risks of investing in the Fund, see the sections in the Fund’s prospectus titled “Additional Principal Risk Information About the Funds” and “Additional Non-Principal Risk Information.”

 

n  

Investment Risk. As with all investments, an investment in the Fund is subject to investment risk. Investors in the Fund could lose money, including the possible loss of the entire principal amount of an investment, over short or long periods of time.

 

n  

Market Risk. The trading prices of equity securities and other instruments fluctuate in response to a variety of factors. The Fund’s NAV and market price may fluctuate significantly in response to these and other factors. As a result, an investor could lose money over short or long periods of time.

 

n  

Shares of the Fund May Trade at Prices Other Than NAV. As with all exchange-traded funds (“ETFs”), Fund shares may be bought and sold in the secondary market at market prices. The trading prices of the Fund’s shares in the secondary market generally differ from the Fund’s daily NAV and there may be times when the market price of the shares is more than the NAV (premium) or less than the NAV (discount). This risk is heightened in times of market volatility or periods of steep market declines.

 

n  

Capital Controls and Sanctions Risk. Economic conditions, such as volatile currency exchange rates and interest rates, political events, military action and other conditions may, without prior warning, lead to foreign government intervention (including intervention by the U.S. government with respect to foreign governments, economic sectors, foreign companies and related securities and interests) and the imposition of capital controls and/or sanctions, which may also include retaliatory actions of one government against another government, such as seizure of assets. Capital controls and/or sanctions include the prohibition of, or restrictions on, the ability to own or transfer currency, securities or other assets, which may potentially include derivative instruments related thereto. Capital controls and/or sanctions may also impact the ability of the Fund to buy, sell, transfer, receive, deliver or otherwise obtain exposure to, foreign securities or currency, negatively impact the value and/or liquidity of such instruments, adversely affect the trading market and price for shares of the Fund, and cause the Fund to decline in value.

 

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Cash Redemption Risk. The Fund’s investment strategy will require it to redeem shares for cash or to otherwise include cash as part of its redemption proceeds. The Fund may be required to sell or unwind portfolio investments in order to obtain the cash needed to distribute redemption proceeds. This may cause the Fund to recognize a capital gain that it might not have recognized if it had made a redemption in-kind. As a result, the Fund may pay out higher annual capital gain distributions than if the in-kind redemption process was used.

 

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Currency Exchange Rate Risk. The Fund invests a relatively large percentage of its assets in investments denominated in India rupees or in securities that provide exposure to Indian rupees. Changes in currency exchange rates and the relative value of the Indian rupee will affect the value of the Fund’s investment and the value of your Fund shares. Currency exchange rates can be very volatile and can change quickly and unpredictably. As a result, the value of an investment in the Fund may change quickly and without warning and you may lose money.

 

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Emerging Markets Risk. The Fund invests primarily in companies organized in an emerging market nation. Investments in securities and instruments traded in developing or emerging markets, or that provide exposure to such securities or markets, can involve additional risks relating to political, economic, or regulatory conditions not associated with investments in U.S. securities and instruments or investments in more developed international markets. Such conditions may impact the ability of the Fund to buy, sell or otherwise transfer securities, adversely affect the trading market and price for Fund shares and cause the Fund to decline in value.

 

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Energy Sector Risk. The Fund currently invests a significant portion of its assets in companies in the energy sector. The energy sector can be significantly affected by, among other things: economic growth, worldwide demand, political instability in the Middle East, Eastern Europe or other oil or gas producing regions, and volatile oil prices.

 

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Financial Sector Risk. The Fund currently invests a significant portion of its assets in companies in the financial sector, and therefore the performance of the Fund could be negatively impacted by events affecting this sector. This sector can be significantly affected by changes in interest rates, government regulation, the rate of defaults on corporate, consumer and government debt, the availability and cost of capital, and fallout from the housing and sub-prime mortgage crisis.

 

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Foreign Securities Risk. Investments in non-U.S. securities involve certain risks that may not be present with investments in U.S. securities. For example, investments in non-U.S. securities may be subject to risk of loss due to foreign currency fluctuations or to political or economic instability. Investments in non-U.S. securities also may be subject to withholding or other taxes and may be subject to additional trading, settlement, custodial, and operational risks. These and other factors can make investments in the Fund more volatile and potentially less liquid than other types of investments and may be heightened in connection with investments in developing or emerging markets countries.

 

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Geographic Concentration in India. Because the Fund invests primarily in the securities of companies in India, it will be impacted by events or conditions affecting India. Political and economic conditions and changes in regulatory, tax, or economic policy in India could significantly affect the market in that country and in surrounding or related countries and have a negative impact on the Fund’s performance. The Indian economy may differ favorably or unfavorably from the U.S. economy in such respects as the rate of growth of gross domestic product, the rate of inflation, capital reinvestment, resource self-sufficiency and balance of payments position. The Indian government has exercised and continues to exercise significant influence over many aspects of the economy, and the number of public sector enterprises in India is substantial. Accordingly, Indian government actions in the future could have a significant effect on the Indian economy.

Despite recent downturns, the Indian economy has experienced generally sustained growth during the last several years. There are no guarantees this will continue. While the Indian government has implemented economic structural reforms with the objective of liberalizing India’s exchange and trade policies, reducing the fiscal deficit, controlling inflation, promoting a sound monetary policy, reforming the financial sector, and placing greater reliance on market mechanisms to direct economic activity, there can be no assurance that these policies will continue or that the economic recovery will be sustained. Religious and border disputes persist in India. In addition, India has experienced civil unrest and hostilities with neighboring countries such as Pakistan. The Indian government has confronted separatist movements in several Indian states. Investment and repatriation restrictions in India may impact the ability of the Fund to track its Index. Each of the factors described above could have a negative impact on the Fund’s performance and increase the volatility of the Fund.

 

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Geopolitical Risk. Some countries and regions in which the Fund invests have experienced security concerns, war or threats of war and aggression, terrorism, economic uncertainty, natural and environmental disasters and/or systemic market dislocations that have led, and in the future may lead, to increased short-term market volatility and may have adverse long-term effects on the U.S. and world economies and markets generally, each of which may negatively impact the Fund’s investments.

 

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Investment Style Risk. The Fund invests in the securities included in, or representative of, its Index regardless of their investment merit. The Fund does not attempt to outperform its Index or take defensive positions in declining markets. As a result, the Fund’s performance may be adversely affected by a general decline in the market segments relating to its Index.

 

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Issuer-Specific Risk. Issuer-specific events, including changes in the financial condition of an issuer, can have a negative impact on the value of the Fund.

 

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Large-Capitalization Investing. The Fund may invest a relatively large percentage of its assets in the securities of large-capitalization companies. As a result, the Fund’s performance may be adversely affected if securities of large-capitalization companies underperform securities of smaller-capitalization companies or the market as a whole. The securities of large-capitalization companies may be relatively mature compared to smaller companies and therefore subject to slower growth during times of economic expansion.

 

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Mid-Capitalization Investing. The Fund may invest in the securities of mid-capitalization companies. As a result, the Fund’s performance may be adversely affected if securities of mid-capitalization companies underperform securities of other capitalization ranges or the market as a whole. Securities of smaller companies are often more vulnerable to market volatility than securities of larger companies.

 

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Non-Correlation Risk. As with all index funds, the performance of the Fund and its Index may differ from each other for a variety of reasons.

 

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Non-Diversification Risk. Although the Fund intends to invest in a variety of securities and instruments, the Fund will be considered to be non-diversified, which means that it may invest more of its assets in the securities of a single issuer or a smaller number of issuers than if it were a diversified fund. As a result, the Fund may be more exposed to the risks associated with and developments affecting an individual issuer or a smaller number of issuers than a fund that invests more widely. This may increase the Fund’s volatility and cause the performance of a relatively smaller number of issuers to have a greater impact on the Fund’s performance.

 

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Subsidiary Investment Risk. Changes in the laws of India and/or the Republic of Mauritius could result in the inability of the WisdomTree Subsidiary to operate as intended and could negatively affect the Fund and its shareholders.

 

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Tax Risk. Any change in the provisions of the income tax treaty between Mauritius and India, in its applicability to the Fund or the WisdomTree Subsidiary, or in the requirements established by Mauritius to qualify as a Mauritius resident, could result in the imposition of various taxes on the Fund by India, which could reduce the return to the Fund on its investments.

Fund Performance

Historical Fund performance, which varies over time, can provide an indication of the risks of investing in the Fund. The bar chart that follows shows the annual total returns of the Fund for each full calendar year since the Fund commenced operations. The table that follows the bar chart shows the Fund’s average annual total returns, both before and after taxes. This table also shows how the Fund’s performance compares to the Index and that of a relevant broad-based securities index. Index returns do not reflect deductions for fees, expenses or taxes. All returns assume reinvestment of dividends and distributions. The Fund’s past performance (before and after taxes) is not necessarily an indication of how the Fund will perform in the future.

 

LOGO

The Fund’s year-to-date total return as of June 30, 2014 was 30.85%.

Best and Worst Quarter Returns (for the period reflected in the bar chart above)

 

     Return     Quarter/Year  

Highest Return

    57.62     2Q/2009   

Lowest Return

    (20.38 )%      3Q/2011   

After-tax returns are calculated using the highest historical individual federal marginal income tax rates and do not reflect the impact of state and local taxes. Actual after-tax returns depend on your tax situation and may differ from those shown and are not relevant if you hold your Fund shares through tax-deferred arrangements, such as 401(k) plans or individual retirement

 

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accounts. In some cases the return after taxes may exceed the return before taxes due to an assumed tax benefit from any losses on a sale of Fund shares at the end of the measurement period.

Average Annual Total Returns for the periods ending December 31, 2013

 

WisdomTree India Earnings Fund   1 Year     5 Years    

Since Inception

(2/28/2008)

 

Return Before Taxes Based on NAV

    (8.75 )%      10.03     (5.35 )% 

Return After Taxes on Distributions

    (8.91 )%      9.93     (5.43 )% 

Return After Taxes on Distributions and Sale of Fund Shares

    (4.81 )%      8.06     (3.87 )% 

MSCI India Index (Reflects no deduction for fees, expenses or taxes)

    (3.83 )%      13.30     (3.66 )% 

WisdomTree India Earnings Index (Reflects no deduction for fees,
expenses or taxes)

    (7.76 )%      11.42     (3.99 )% 

Management

Investment Adviser and Sub-Adviser

WisdomTree Asset Management, Inc. serves as investment adviser to the Fund. Mellon Capital Management Corporation serves as sub-adviser to the Fund.

Portfolio Managers

Karen Q. Wong, CFA, a Managing Director, Head of Equity Portfolio Management, has been a portfolio manager of the Fund since February 2008.

Richard A. Brown, CFA, a Director, Senior Portfolio Manager, has been a portfolio manager of the Fund since February 2008.

Thomas J. Durante, CFA, a Managing Director, Senior Portfolio Manager, has been a portfolio manager of the Fund since February 2008.

Buying and Selling Fund Shares

The Fund is an ETF. This means that shares of the Fund are listed on a national securities exchange, such as NYSE Arca, and trade at market prices. Most investors will buy and sell shares of the Fund through brokers. Because Fund shares trade at market prices rather than NAV, shares may trade at a price greater than NAV (premium) or less than NAV (discount).

The Fund issues and redeems shares at NAV only in large blocks of shares (“Creation Units”), which only certain institutions or large investors (typically market makers or other broker-dealers) may purchase or redeem. Currently, Creation Units generally consist of 200,000 shares, though this may change from time to time. Creation Units are not expected to consist of less than 50,000 shares. The Fund generally issues and redeems Creation Units solely in exchange for an amount of cash.

Tax Information

The Fund intends to make distributions that may be taxed as ordinary income, qualified dividend income, or capital gains.

Payments to Broker-Dealers and Other Financial Intermediaries

If you purchase shares of the Fund through a broker-dealer or other financial intermediary (such as a bank) (an “Intermediary”), WisdomTree Asset Management, Inc. or its affiliates may pay Intermediaries for certain activities related to the Fund, including participation in activities that are designed to make Intermediaries more knowledgeable about exchange traded products, including the Fund, or for other activities, such as marketing, educational training or other initiatives related to the sale or promotion of Fund shares. These payments may create a conflict of interest by influencing the Intermediary and your salesperson to recommend the Fund over another investment. Any such arrangements do not result in increased Fund expenses. Ask your salesperson or visit the Intermediary’s website for more information.

 

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Additional Information About the Funds

More Information About Benchmarks

The following is a description of each broad-based securities market index included in the table showing average annual total returns in the Summary section for each Fund, except the Emerging Markets Dividend Growth Fund, United Kingdom Hedged Equity Fund, Japan Hedged SmallCap Equity Fund, Emerging Markets Consumer Growth Fund, Germany Hedged Equity Fund, Korea Hedged Equity Fund, Japan Hedged Real Estate Fund, Japan Hedged Financials Fund, Japan Hedged Capital Goods Fund, Japan Hedged Health Care Fund, Japan Hedged Tech, Media and Telecom Fund, Europe Dividend Growth Fund, and International Hedged Dividend Growth Fund (the “New Funds”), each of which does not have performance information for a full calendar year.

 

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The MSCI EAFE Index is a market cap-weighted index composed of companies representative of the developed market structure of developed countries in Europe, Australasia and Japan.

 

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The MSCI EAFE Value Index is comprised of value stocks in the MSCI EAFE Index.

 

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The MSCI EAFE Local Currency Index is a free float-adjusted market capitalization weighted index that is designed to measure developed market equity performance, excluding the US and Canada. The index is calculated using the same methodology as its corresponding MSCI EAFE Index in U.S. dollars, with the key difference being the currency in which the securities are quoted. The price used for each security in the local currency index is the local price, on the primary exchange on which a security is traded, with no conversion into U.S. dollars.

 

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The MSCI EAFE Mid Cap Index is a free float-adjusted market capitalization index that is designed to measure the performance of mid-capitalization equities in the developed markets excluding the US & Canada.

 

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The MSCI EAFE Small Cap Index is comprised of small cap stocks in the MSCI EAFE Index.

 

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The MSCI Europe Small Cap Index is comprised of small cap stocks in the MSCI Europe Index.

 

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The MSCI Europe Value Index is comprised of value stocks in the MSCI Europe Index.

 

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The MSCI European Economic and Monetary Union (EMU) Local Currency Index is a free float-adjusted market capitalization weighted index that is designed to measure the equity market performance of the 11 countries within EMU. The securities are priced in local currency terms with no conversion into U.S. dollars.

 

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The MSCI AC World Index is comprised of the world stock market indexes covered by MSCI.

 

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The MSCI ACWI ex-USA Index is comprised of large- and mid-capitalization segments of the developed and emerging markets covered by MSCI excluding the U.S.

 

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The MSCI AC World ex-USA Growth Index is comprised of growth stocks in the developed and emerging markets covered by MSCI excluding the U.S.

 

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The MSCI Japan Index is a subset of the MSCI EAFE Index and is comprised of the Japanese equity market.

 

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The MSCI Japan Local Currency Index is a free float-adjusted market capitalization index that is designed to measure developed market equity performance in Japan and uses the same methodology as its corresponding MSCI Japan Index. The price used for each security in the local currency index is the local price, on the primary exchange on which a security is traded, with no conversion into U.S. dollars.

 

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The MSCI Japan Small Cap Index is comprised of small cap stocks in the MSCI Japan Index.

 

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The MSCI Japan Value Index is comprised of Value stocks in the MSCI Japan Index.

 

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The MSCI AC Asia Pacific ex-Japan Index is comprised of large- and mid-capitalization segments of emerging market and developed market countries in the Asia Pacific region, excluding Japan.

 

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The MSCI Pacific ex-Japan Index is a subset of the MSCI EAFE Index and is comprised of stocks in Australia, Hong Kong, Singapore, and New Zealand.

 

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The MSCI Pacific ex-Japan Value Index is comprised of Value stocks in the MSCI Pacific ex-Japan Index.

 

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The MSCI Australia Index is comprised of large- and mid-capitalization segments of the Australia market.

 

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The MSCI Emerging Markets Index is a free float-adjusted market capitalization index that is designed to measure emerging markets’ equity performance.

 

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The MSCI Emerging Markets Small Cap Index is a free float-adjusted market capitalization index that is designed to measure the performance of small capitalization equities in the emerging markets.

 

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The MSCI Arabian Markets ex-Saudi Arabia Index is a free float-adjusted market capitalization index that is designed to measure the performance of stocks in the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries and the neighboring region.

 

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The MSCI India Index is a market cap-weighted index that is designed to measure the performance of the Indian equity market.

 

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The MSCI China Index is a capitalization weighted index that is comprised of stocks in China.

 

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The FTSE China 25 Index is a capitalization weighted index that is comprised of the 25 largest and most liquid Chinese securities.

 

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S&P Developed ex-U.S. BMI Materials Sector Index represents the non-U.S. materials sub-industry of developed countries included in the BMI Global Index.

 

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S&P Developed ex-U.S. BMI Energy Sector Index represents the non-U.S. energy sub-industry of developed countries included in the BMI Global Index.

 

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S&P Developed ex-U.S. BMI Utilities Sector Index represents the non-U.S. utilities sub-industry of developed countries included in the BMI Global Index.

 

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The S&P Global Natural Resources Index is comprised of the largest publicly traded companies in natural resources and commodities businesses that meet specific investability requirements.

 

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Dow Jones Global ex-U.S. Select Real Estate Securities IndexSM is designed to provide measures of real estate securities that serve as proxies for direct real estate investing in the international markets and is weighted by float-adjusted market capitalization.

Additional Information About the Funds’ Investment Objectives

Each Fund seeks to track the price and yield performance, before fees and expenses, of a particular index (“Index”) developed by WisdomTree Investments. Each Index consists of securities in the market suggested by its name that meet specific criteria developed by WisdomTree Investments. Since each Fund’s investment objective has been adopted as a non-fundamental investment policy, each Fund’s investment objective may be changed without a vote of shareholders upon 60 days’ written notice to shareholders.

Additional Information About the Fund’s Investment Strategies

All Funds. Each Fund will normally invest at least 80% of its net assets, plus the amount of any borrowings for investment purposes, in the types of securities suggested by its name (i.e., investments connoted by its Index). Each Fund anticipates meeting this policy because, under normal circumstances, at least 95% (80% for the Japan Hedged Equity Fund and the New Funds) of each Fund’s total assets (exclusive of collateral held from securities lending) will be invested in component securities of its underlying Index and investments that have economic characteristics that are substantially identical to the economic characteristics of such component securities, such as depositary receipts based on component securities and TBA Transactions. Funds designated as “International” generally invest in developed markets outside the United States. Funds designated as “Global” generally invest in developed and emerging markets throughout the world, including the United States and other regions. WisdomTree Asset Management, Inc. (“WisdomTree Asset Management” of the “Adviser”) expects that, over time, the correlation between each Fund’s performance and that of its Index, before fees and expenses, will be 95% or better. A number of factors may affect a Fund’s ability to achieve a high degree of correlation with its Index, and there can be no guarantee that a Fund will achieve a high degree of correlation.

The quantity of holdings in a Fund using a representative sampling strategy will be based on a number of factors, including asset size of the Fund. In addition, from time to time, securities are added to or removed from an Index and consequently the attributes of an Index, such as sectors, industries or countries represented in an Index and weightings, may change. The Fund may sell securities that are represented in an Index, or purchase securities that are not yet represented in an Index, in anticipation of their removal from or addition to an Index or to reflect various corporate actions or other changes to an Index. Further, the Fund may overweight or underweight securities in an Index, purchase or sell securities not in the Index, or utilize various combinations of other available techniques, in seeking to track an Index.

Hedged Equity Funds. Each Hedged Equity Fund employs strategies to “hedge” against fluctuations in the relative value of non-U.S. currencies included in its underlying Index against the U.S. dollar. The Europe Hedged Equity Index, United Kingdom Hedged Equity Index, Germany Hedged Equity Index, and Korea Hedged Equity Index are designed to provide exposure to equity securities in Europe, the United Kingdom, Germany and Korea respectively, while at the same time hedging exposure to fluctuations between the value of the U.S. dollar and the euro, British pound, and Korean won respectively. The Japan Hedged Equity Index and Japan Hedged SmallCap Equity Index are designed to provide exposure to Japanese equity markets while at the same time hedging exposure to fluctuations of the Japanese yen relative to the U.S. dollar. The Japan

 

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Hedged Financials Index, Japan Hedged Real Estate Index, Japan Hedged Capital Goods Index, Japan Hedged Health Care Index and the Japan Hedged Tech, Media and Telecom Index are designed to provide exposure to their respective Japanese sectors while at the same time hedging exposure to fluctuations of the Japanese yen relative to the U.S. dollar. For U.S. investors, international equity investments include two components of return. The first is the return attributable to stock prices in the non-U.S. market or markets in which an investment is made. The second is the return attributable to the value of non-U.S. currencies in these markets relative to the U.S. dollar. Each of these WisdomTree Hedged Equity Indices seeks to track the performance of equity securities in a developed market that is attributable solely to stock prices.

Indices. Each Index is “fundamentally weighted” and differs from most traditional indexes in that the proportion, or “weighting,” of the securities in each Index is based on a measure of fundamental value, such as dividends or earnings. Most traditional indexes and index funds weight their securities by looking simply at the market capitalization of such securities.

Each “Dividend Index” is weighted based on either the annual cash dividends paid by companies in the Index or the dividend yield of companies in the Index. This means that securities of companies that pay higher amounts of cash dividends or have higher dividend yields generally will be more heavily weighted in each Index and Fund. Only regular dividends (i.e., established or quarterly dividends as opposed to non-recurring or special dividends) are included in the determination of cash dividends or dividend yield.

The India Earnings Index weights companies based on earning in their fiscal year prior to the annual Index measurement date adjusted for a factor that takes into account shares available to foreign investors. “Earnings” for this Index are determined using a company’s reported net income.

Other Investment Information

Each Fund may invest in other investments that the Fund believes will help it track its Index, including cash and cash equivalents, as well as in shares of other investment companies (including affiliated investment companies), forward contracts, futures contracts, options on futures contracts, options and swaps.

Each Fund may lend its portfolio securities in an amount not to exceed one third (33 1/3%) of the value of its total assets via a securities lending program through its securities lending agent, State Street Bank and Trust Company, to brokers, dealers and other financial institutions desiring to borrow securities to complete transactions and for other purposes. A securities lending program allows a Fund to receive a portion of the income generated by lending its securities and investing the respective collateral. A Fund will receive collateral for each loaned security which is at least equal to the market value of that security, marked to market each trading day. In the securities lending program, the borrower generally has the right to vote the loaned securities; however, a Fund may call loans to vote proxies if a material issue affecting the Fund’s economic interest in the investment is to be voted upon. Security loans may be terminated at any time by a Fund.

Additional Principal Risk Information About the Funds. This section provides additional information regarding the principal risks described under “Principal Risks of Investing in the Fund” in the Fund Summaries. Risk information may not be applicable to each Fund. Please consult the Fund Summaries sections to determine which risks are applicable to a particular Fund. Each of the factors below could have a negative impact on Fund performance and trading prices.

Capital Controls and Sanctions Risk

Economic conditions, such as volatile currency exchange rates and interest rates, political events, military action and other conditions, may, without prior warning, lead to government intervention (including intervention by the U.S. government with respect to foreign governments, economic sectors, foreign companies and related securities and interests) and the imposition of capital controls and/or sanctions, which may also include retaliatory actions of one government against another government, such as seizure of assets. Capital controls and/or sanctions include the prohibition of, or restrictions on, the ability to own or transfer currency, securities or other assets, which may potentially include derivative instruments related thereto. Levies may be placed on profits repatriated by foreign entities (such as the Funds). Capital controls and/or sanctions may also impact the ability of a Fund to buy, sell, transfer, receive, deliver or otherwise obtain exposure to, foreign securities or currency, negatively impact the value and/or liquidity of such instruments, adversely affect the trading market and price for shares of a Fund, and cause a Fund to decline in value.

Cash Redemption Risk

When a Fund’s investment strategy requires it to redeem shares for cash or to otherwise include cash as part of its redemption proceeds, it may be required to sell or unwind portfolio investments in order to obtain the cash needed to distribute redemption proceeds. This may cause the Fund to recognize a capital gain that it might not have recognized if it had made a redemption in-kind (i.e., distribute securities as payment of redemption proceeds). As a result, the Fund may pay out higher annual capital gain distributions than if the in-kind redemption process was used.

 

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Currency Exchange Rate Risk

Changes in currency exchange rates and the relative value of non-U.S. currencies will affect the value of a Fund’s investments and the value of your Fund shares. Because each Fund’s NAV is determined on the basis of U.S. dollars, the U.S. dollar value of your investment in a Fund may go down if the value of the local currency of the non-U.S. markets in which the Fund invests depreciates against the U.S. dollar. This is true even if the local currency value of securities in the Fund’s holdings goes up. Conversely, the dollar value of your investment in the Fund may go up if the value of the local currency appreciates against the U.S. dollar.

The value of the U.S. dollar measured against other currencies is influenced by a variety of factors. These factors include: national debt levels and trade deficits, changes in balances of payments and trade, domestic and foreign interest and inflation rates, global or regional political, economic or financial events, monetary policies of governments, actual or potential government intervention, and global energy prices. Political instability, the possibility of government intervention and restrictive or opaque business and investment policies may also reduce the value of a country’s currency. Government monetary policies and the buying or selling of currency by a country’s government may also influence exchange rates. Currency exchange rates can be very volatile and can change quickly and unpredictably. As a result, the value of an investment in a Fund may change quickly and without warning, and you may lose money.

Hedged Equity Funds Only: Each of the Hedged Equity Funds employs various strategies to minimize the impact of changes in the value of applicable currencies, such as the euro, the British pound, the Korean won and the Japanese yen, respectively, against the U.S. dollar. However, these strategies may not be successful. In addition, a Fund may not be fully hedged at all times in order to minimize transaction costs or for other reasons.

Derivatives Risk

Derivatives are financial instruments that derive their performance from an underlying reference asset, such as a commodity, index, interest rate or currency exchange rate. Derivatives include forward currency contracts, futures contracts, currency swaps, interest rate swaps, total return swaps and credit linked notes. A forward currency contract is an agreement to buy or sell a specific currency at a future date at a price set at the time of the contract. A non-deliverable forward currency contract is a contract where there is no physical settlement of two currencies at maturity. Rather, based on the movement of the currencies, a net cash settlement will be made by one party to the other. The risks of forward currency contracts include but are not limited to the risk that the counterparty will default on its obligations. A futures contract may generally be described as an agreement for the future sale by one party and the purchase by another of a specified security or instrument at a specified price and time. A currency futures contract is a contract to exchange one currency for another at a specified date in the future at an agreed upon exchange rate. The risks of futures contracts include but are not limited to: (1) the success of the adviser’s and sub-adviser’s ability to predict movements in the prices of individual currencies or securities, fluctuations in markets and movements in interest rates; (2) an imperfect or no correlation between the changes in market value of the currencies or securities and the prices of futures contracts; and (3) no guarantee that an active market will exist for the contracts at any particular time. A currency swap is an agreement between two parties to exchange one currency for another at a future rate. An interest rate swap typically involves the exchange of a floating interest rate payment for a fixed interest payment. A total return swap is an agreement between two parties in which one party agrees to make payments of the total return of a reference asset in return for payments equal to a rate of interest on another reference asset. The risks of swaps include but are not limited to the potential to increase or decrease the overall volatility of the Fund’s investments and its share price. A credit linked note is a type of structured note whose value is linked to an underlying reference asset or entity. Credit linked notes typically provide periodic payments of interest as well as payment of principal upon maturity. The risks of credit linked notes include but are not limited to default by the issuer and the underlying reference asset or entity. Derivatives are subject to a number of risks described elsewhere in this Prospectus, such as market risk and issuer-specific risk. They also involve the risk that changes in the value of the derivative may not correlate perfectly with the underlying asset, rate or index, or that the counterparty to a derivative contract might default on its obligations. Derivatives can be volatile and may be less liquid than other securities. As a result, the value of an investment in the Fund may change quickly and without warning, and you may lose money.

Foreign Securities Risk

Investments in non-U.S. securities involve certain risks that may not be present with investments in U.S. securities. For example, investments in non-U.S. securities may be subject to risk of loss due to foreign currency fluctuations or to political or economic instability. There may be less information publicly available about a non-U.S. issuer than a U.S. issuer. Non-U.S. issuers may be subject to different accounting, auditing, financial reporting and investor protection standards than U.S. issuers. Investments in non-U.S. securities may be subject to withholding or other taxes and may be subject to additional trading, settlement, custodial, and operational risks. With respect to certain countries, there is the possibility of government intervention and expropriation or nationalization of assets. Because legal systems differ, there is also the possibility that it will be difficult to obtain or enforce legal judgments in certain countries. Since foreign exchanges may be open on days when a Fund does not price its shares, the value of the securities in a Fund’s portfolio may change on days when shareholders will not be able to

 

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purchase or sell a Fund’s shares. Conversely, Fund shares may trade on days when foreign exchanges are closed. Each of these factors can make investments in a Fund more volatile and potentially less liquid than other types of investments and may be heightened in connection with investments in developing or emerging market countries. Foreign securities also include American Depositary Receipts (“ADRs”) which are U.S. dollar-denominated receipts representing shares of foreign-based corporations. ADRs are issued by U.S. banks or trust companies and entitle the holder to all dividends and capital gains that are paid out on the underlying foreign shares. Global Depositary Receipts (“GDRs”), which are similar to ADRs, but are shares to foreign-based corporations generally issued by international banks in one or more markets around the world. Investments in ADRs and GDRs may be less liquid and more volatile than underlying shares in their primary trading markets.

Geographic Investment Risk

To the extent that a Fund’s Index invests a significant portion of its assets in the securities of companies of a single country or region, it is more likely to be impacted by events or conditions affecting that country or region. For example, political and economic conditions and changes in regulatory, tax, or economic policy in a country could significantly affect the market in that country and in surrounding or related countries and have a negative impact on the Fund’s performance. Currency developments or restrictions, political and social instability, and changing economic conditions have resulted in significant market volatility.

Commodity Country Risk

As the demand for, or price of, such commodities increases, money tends to flow into the country. This generally lifts the country’s economic prospects and supports the value of such equity securities. Conversely, declines in the demand for, or price of, such commodities historically have contributed to declines in the economies of such countries and the value of such securities. Such declines may occur quickly and without warning and may negatively impact the value of a Fund and your investment.

Emerging Markets Risk

Investments in securities and instruments traded in developing or emerging markets, or that provide exposure to such securities or markets, can involve additional risks relating to political, economic, or regulatory conditions not associated with investments in U.S. securities and instruments or investments in more developed international markets. For example, developing and emerging markets may be subject to (i) greater market volatility, (ii) lower trading volume and liquidity, (iii) greater social, political and economic uncertainty, (iv) governmental controls on foreign investments and limitations on repatriation of invested capital, (v) lower disclosure, corporate governance, auditing and financial reporting standards, (vi) fewer protections of property rights, (vii) restrictions on the transfer of securities or currency or payment of dividends and (viii) settlement and trading practices that differ from U.S. markets. Each of these factors may impact the ability of a Fund that invests in emerging market securities to buy, sell, transfer, receive, deliver or otherwise obtain exposure to, emerging market securities or currency, negatively impact the value and/or liquidity of such instruments, adversely affect the trading market and price for shares of the Fund and cause a Fund to decline in value. The volatility of emerging markets may be heightened by the actions (such as significant buying and selling) of a few major investors. For example, substantial increases or decreases in cash flows of funds investing in these markets could significantly affect local securities prices and cause Fund share prices to decline. For these and other reasons, investments in emerging markets are often considered speculative.

Investments in Asia and the Pacific Region

While certain economies in this region are exemplars of growth and development, others have been and continue to be subject, to some extent, to over-extension of credit, currency devaluations and restrictions, high unemployment, high inflation, decreased exports, and economic recessions. Each of these factors may impact the ability of a Fund to buy, sell or otherwise transfer securities, adversely affect the trading market and price for Fund shares and cause Fund shares to decline in value.

Investments in Australia

The economy of Australia is heavily dependent on the economies of Asian countries and the demand for natural resources and agricultural products. Conditions that weaken demand for such products worldwide could have a negative impact on the Australian economy as a whole.

Investments in China

The government of China maintains strict currency controls in order to achieve economic, trade and political objectives and regularly intervenes in the currency market. The Chinese government places strict regulation on the yuan and Hong Kong dollar and manages the yuan and Hong Kong dollar so that they have historically traded in a tight range relative to the U.S. dollar. The Chinese government has been under pressure to manage the currency in a less restrictive fashion so that it is less correlated to the U.S. dollar. It is expected that such action would

 

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increase the value of the yuan and the Hong Kong dollar relative to the U.S. dollar. Of course, there can be no guarantee that this will occur, or that the yuan or the Hong Kong dollar will move in relation to the U.S. dollar as expected. The Chinese government also plays a major role in the country’s economic policies regarding foreign investments. Foreign investors are subject to the risk of loss from expropriation or nationalization of their investment assets and property, governmental restrictions on foreign investments and the repatriation of capital invested. In addition, the rapid growth rate of the Chinese economy over the past several years may not continue, and the trend toward economic liberalization and disparities in wealth may result in social disorder, including violence and labor unrest. Adding to this risk, China’s authoritarian government has used force in the past to suppress civil dissent, and China’s foreign and domestic policies remain in conflict with those of Hong Kong as well as nationalist and religious groups in Xinjiang and Tibet. These and other factors could have a negative impact on the Chinese economy as a whole.

Investments in Europe

Most developed countries in Western Europe are members of the European Union (EU), and many are also members of the European Monetary Union (EMU), which requires compliance with restrictions on inflation rates, deficits, and debt levels. Unemployment in certain European nations is historically high and several countries face significant debt problems. These conditions can significantly affect every country in Europe. The euro is the official currency of the European Union (EU). Funds that invest in Europe may have significant exposure to the euro and events affecting the euro. Recent market events affecting several of the EU member countries have adversely affected the sovereign debt issued by those countries, and ultimately may lead to a decline in the value of the euro. A significant decline in the value of the euro may produce unpredictable effects on trade and commerce generally and could lead to increased volatility in financial markets worldwide.

Investments in Germany

Germany is a member of the European Economic and Monetary Union (“EMU”). EMU member countries share coordinated economic policies and a common currency. As a result, the economy of Germany may be significantly affected by changes in the economies of the EMU members or other European countries. Challenges related to the rebuilding of infrastructure and unemployment in the former area of East Germany may also impact the economy of Germany. These and other factors could have a negative impact on the Fund’s performance.

Investments in Hong Kong

Investing in companies organized or traded in Hong Kong involves special considerations not typically associated with investing in countries with more democratic governments or more established economies or securities markets. China is Hong Kong’s largest trading partner, both in terms of exports and imports. Any changes in the Chinese economy, trade regulations or currency exchange rates may have an adverse impact on Hong Kong’s economy. Other risks associated with investing in Hong Kong may include, but are not limited to: (i) the risk of nationalization or expropriation of assets or confiscatory taxation; (ii) greater social, economic and political uncertainty (including the risk of war); (iii) dependency on exports and the corresponding importance of international trade; (iv) increasing competition from Asia’s other low-cost emerging economies; (v) currency exchange rate fluctuations and the lack of available currency hedging instruments; (vi) higher rates of inflation; (vii) controls on foreign investment and limitations on repatriation of invested capital and on the Fund’s ability to exchange local currencies for U.S. dollars; (viii) greater governmental involvement in and control over the economy and other political risks. Additionally, any fluctuation or shortage in the commodity markets could have a negative impact on the Hong Kong economy, which has few natural resources.

Investments in India

Political and economic conditions and changes in regulatory, tax, or economic policy in India could significantly affect the market in India and in surrounding or related countries and could have a negative impact on Funds that invest in India. The Indian economy may differ favorably or unfavorably from the U.S. economy in such respects as the rate of growth of gross domestic product, the rate of inflation, capital reinvestment, resource self-sufficiency and balance of payments position. The Indian government has exercised and continues to exercise significant influence over many aspects of the economy, and the number of public sector enterprises in India is substantial. Accordingly, Indian government actions in the future could have a significant effect on the Indian economy.

Despite recent downturns, the Indian economy has experienced generally sustained growth during the last several years. There are no guarantees this will continue. While the Indian government has implemented economic structural reforms with the objective of liberalizing India’s exchange and trade policies, reducing the fiscal deficit, controlling inflation, promoting a sound monetary policy, reforming the financial sector, and placing greater reliance on market mechanisms to direct economic activity, there can be no assurance that these policies will continue or that the economic recovery will be sustained. Religious and border disputes persist in India. In

 

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addition, India has experienced civil unrest and hostilities with neighboring countries such as Pakistan. The Indian government has confronted separatist movements in several Indian states. Investment and repatriation restrictions and tax laws in India may impact the ability of a Fund to track its index.

Investments in Japan

Economic growth in Japan is heavily dependent on international trade, government support, and consistent government policy. Slowdowns in the economies of key trading partners such as the United States, China and countries in Southeast Asia could have a negative impact on the Japanese economy as a whole. The Japanese economy has in the past been negatively affected by, among other factors, government intervention and protectionism and an unstable financial services sector. While the Japanese economy has recently emerged from a prolonged economic downturn, some of these factors, as well as other adverse political developments, increases in government debt, changes to fiscal, monetary or trade policies or other events, such as natural disasters, could have a negative impact on Japanese securities.

Investments in Korea

The economy of Korea is heavily dependent on exports and the demand for certain finished goods. Korea’s main industries include electronics, automobile production, chemicals, shipbuilding, steel, textiles, clothing, footwear, and food processing. Conditions that weaken demand for such products worldwide or in other Asian countries could have a negative impact on the Korean economy as a whole. Relations with North Korea could also have a significant impact on the economy of Korea. These and other factors could have a negative impact on the Fund’s performance.

Investments in the Middle East

Certain Middle Eastern markets are only in the earliest stages of development and may be considered “frontier markets.” Financial markets in the Middle East generally are less liquid and more volatile than other markets, including markets in developing and emerging economies. There is a high concentration of market capitalization and trading volume in a small number of issuers representing a limited number of industries. Securities may have limited marketability and be subject to erratic price movements. Certain economies in the Middle East depend to a significant degree upon exports of primary commodities such as oil. A sustained decrease in commodity prices could have a significant negative impact on all aspects of the economy in the region. Middle Eastern governments have exercised and continue to exercise substantial influence over many aspects of the private sector. In certain cases, the government owns or controls many companies, including the largest in the country. Accordingly, governmental actions in the future could have a significant effect on economic conditions in Middle Eastern countries.

Investments in Taiwan

The economy of Taiwan is heavily dependent on exports. Currency fluctuations, increasing competition from Asia’s other emerging economies, and conditions that weaken demand for Taiwan’s export products worldwide could have a negative impact on the Taiwanese economy as a whole. Concerns over Taiwan’s history of political contention and its current relationship with China may also have a significant impact on the economy of Taiwan.

Investments in the United Kingdom

The United Kingdom has one of the largest economies in Europe and trades heavily with other European countries. The economy of the United Kingdom may be impacted by changes to the economic health of other European countries.

Geopolitical Risk

Some countries and regions in which the Fund invests have experienced security concerns, war, terrorism, economic uncertainty, natural and environmental disasters and/or systemic market dislocations that have led, and in the future may lead, to increased short-term market volatility and may have adverse long-term effects on the U.S. and world economies and markets generally. Such geopolitical and other events may also disrupt securities markets and, during such market disruptions, the Fund’s exposure to the other risks described herein will likely increase. For example, a market disruption may adversely affect the orderly functioning of the securities markets and may cause the Fund’s derivatives counterparties to discontinue offering derivatives on some underlying commodities, securities, reference rates or indices, or to offer them on a more limited basis. Each of the foregoing may negatively impact the Fund’s investments.

Investment Risk

As with all investments, an investment in a Fund is subject to investment risk. Investors in a Fund could lose money, including the possible loss of the entire principal amount of an investment, over short or long periods of time. An investment in a Fund is not a bank deposit and it is not insured or guaranteed by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation or any other government agency.

 

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Investment Style Risk

Each Fund invests in the securities included in, or representative of, its Index regardless of their investment merit. The Funds do not attempt to outperform their Indexes or take defensive positions in declining markets. As a result, each Fund’s performance may be adversely affected by a general decline in the market segments relating to its Index. The returns from the types of securities in which a Fund invests may underperform returns from the various general securities markets or different asset classes. This may cause a Fund to underperform other investment vehicles that invest in different asset classes. Different types of securities (for example, large-, mid- and small-capitalization stocks) tend to go through cycles of doing better – or worse – than the general securities markets. In the past, these periods have lasted for as long as several years.

Issuer-Specific Risk

Changes in the financial condition of an issuer or counterparty, changes in specific economic or political conditions that affect a particular type of security or issuer, and changes in general economic or political conditions can affect a security’s or instrument’s value. The value of securities of smaller, less well-known issuers can be more volatile than that of larger issuers. Issuer-specific events can have a negative impact on the value of a Fund.

Market Risk

The trading prices of equity securities, fixed income securities, currencies, commodities, and other instruments fluctuate in response to a variety of factors. These factors include events impacting the entire market or specific market segments, such as political, market and economic developments, as well as events that impact specific issuers. A Fund’s NAV and market price, like security and commodity prices generally, may fluctuate significantly in response to these and other factors. As a result, an investor could lose money over short or long periods of time.

Market Capitalization Risk

Small-Capitalization Investing

The securities of small-capitalization companies may be more vulnerable to adverse issuer, market, political, or economic developments than securities of larger-capitalization companies. The securities of small-capitalization companies generally trade in lower volumes and are subject to greater and more unpredictable price changes than larger capitalization stocks or the stock market as a whole. Some small-capitalization companies have limited product lines, markets, and financial and managerial resources and tend to concentrate on fewer geographical markets relative to larger capitalization companies. There is typically less publicly available information concerning smaller-capitalization companies than for larger, more established companies. Small-capitalization companies also may be particularly sensitive to changes in interest rates, government regulation, borrowing costs and earnings.

Mid-Capitalization Investing

The securities of mid-capitalization companies may be more vulnerable to adverse issuer, market, political, or economic developments than securities of large-capitalization companies. The securities of mid-capitalization companies generally trade in lower volumes and are subject to greater and more unpredictable price changes than large capitalization stocks or the stock market as a whole. Some mid-capitalization companies have limited product lines, markets, financial resources, and management personnel and tend to concentrate on fewer geographical markets relative to large-capitalization companies.

Large-Capitalization Investing

The securities of large-capitalization companies may be relatively mature compared to smaller companies and therefore subject to slower growth during times of economic expansion. Large-capitalization companies may also be unable to respond quickly to new competitive challenges, such as changes in technology and consumer tastes.

Non-Correlation Risk

As with all index funds, the performance of a Fund and its Index may vary somewhat for a variety of reasons. For example, each Fund incurs operating expenses and portfolio transaction costs, while also managing cash flows and potential operational inefficiencies, not incurred by its Index. In addition, a Fund may not be fully invested in the securities of its Index at all times or may hold securities not included in its Index and may be subject to pricing differences, differences in the timing of dividend accruals and the need to meet various new or existing regulatory requirements. For example, it may take several business days for additions and deletions to an Index to be reflected in the portfolio composition of a Fund. A Fund may be subject to foreign ownership limitations and, as a result, may not be able to invest in certain securities to the same extent as its underlying Index. The use of sampling techniques may affect a Fund’s ability to achieve close correlation with its Index. A Fund using a representative sampling strategy generally can be expected to have a greater non-correlation risk and this risk may be heightened during times of increased market volatility or other unusual market conditions.

 

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Non-Diversification Risk

Although each Fund intends to invest in a variety of securities and instruments, each Fund will be considered to be non-diversified. This means that each Fund may invest more of its assets in the securities of a single issuer or a smaller number of issuers than if it was a diversified fund. As a result, each Fund may be more exposed to the risks associated with and developments affecting an individual issuer or a smaller number of issuers than a fund that invests more widely. This may increase a Fund’s volatility and cause the performance of a relatively smaller number of issuers to have a greater impact on a Fund’s performance.

Sector Risks

Consumer Discretionary Sector Risk

The consumer discretionary sector consists of, for example, automobile, retail and media companies. The consumer discretionary sector may be affected by changes in domestic and international economies, exchange and interest rates, worldwide demand, competition, consumers’ disposable income levels, propensity to spend and consumer preferences, social trends and marketing campaigns. Companies in the consumer discretionary sector have historically been characterized as relatively cyclical and therefore more volatile in times of change.

Consumer Staples Sector Risk

The consumer staples sector consists of, for example, companies whose primary lines of business are food, beverage and other household items. This sector can be affected by, among other things, changes in price and availability of underlying commodities, rising energy prices and global economic conditions. Unlike the consumer discretionary sector, companies in the consumer staples sector have historically been characterized as non-cyclical in nature and therefore less volatile in times of change.

Energy Sector Risk

The energy sector can be significantly affected by, among other things: worldwide economic growth, worldwide demand, political instability in the Middle East, eastern Europe or other oil or gas producing regions, and volatile oil prices. Securities’ prices for these types of companies are affected by supply and demand, exploration and production spending, world events and economic conditions, swift price and supply fluctuations, energy conservation, the success of exploration projects, exchange rates, interest rates, increased competition and technological advances, liabilities for environmental damage and general civil liabilities and tax and other governmental regulatory policies. Companies in this sector may be subject to substantial government regulation and contractual fixed pricing, which may increase the cost of doing business and limit these companies’ earnings. A significant portion of revenues of these companies depends on a relatively small number of customers, including governmental entities and utilities. As a result, governmental budget constraints may have a material adverse effect on the stock prices of companies in this sector. Energy companies may also operate in or engage in transactions involving countries with less developed regulatory regimes or a history of expropriation, nationalization or other adverse policies. As the demand for, or prices of, energy increase, the value of the Fund’s investments generally would be expected to also increase. Conversely, declines in the demand for, or prices of, energy generally would be expected to contribute to declines in the value of such securities. Such declines may occur quickly and without warning and may negatively impact the value of a Fund and your investment.

Financial Sector Risk

The financial sector can be significantly affected by changes in interest rates, government regulation, the rate of defaults on corporate, consumer and government debt, the availability and cost of capital, and fallout from the housing and sub-prime mortgage crisis. These factors and events have had, and may continue to have, a significant negative impact on the valuations and stock prices of companies in this sector and have increased the volatility of investments in this sector.

Health Care Sector Risk

The health care sector can be significantly affected by, among other things, lapsing patent protection, technological developments that make drugs obsolete, government regulation, price controls, and approvals for drugs.

Industrial Sector Risk

The industrial sector can be significantly affected by, among other things, worldwide economic growth, supply and demand for specific products and services, rapid technological developments, international political and economic developments, environmental issues, and tax and governmental regulatory policies. As the demand for, or prices of, industrials increase, the value of a Fund’s investments generally would be expected to also increase. Conversely, declines in the demand for, or prices of, industrials generally would be expected to contribute to declines in the value of such securities. Such declines may occur quickly and without warning and may negatively impact the value of a Fund and your investment.

 

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Information Technology Sector Risk

This sector can be significantly affected by, among other things, the supply and demand for specific products and services, the pace of technological development and government regulation. Challenges facing companies in the information technology sector include distressed cash flows due to the need to commit substantial capital to meet increasing competition, particularly in formulating new products and services using new technology, technological innovations that make existing products and services obsolete, and satisfying consumer demand.

Materials Sector Risk

The basic materials sector includes, for example, metals and mining, chemicals and forest product companies. This sector can be significantly affected by, among other things, swift fluctuations in supply and demand for basic materials, commodity price volatility, world economic growth, depletion of natural resources and energy conservation, technological progress, and government regulations, including international political and economic developments, the environmental impact of energy and basic materials operations and tax and other governmental regulatory policies. As the demand for, or prices of, basic materials increase, the value of a Fund’s investments generally would be expected to also increase. Conversely, declines in the demand for, or prices of, basic materials generally would be expected to contribute to declines in the value of such securities. Such declines may occur quickly and without warning and may negatively impact the value of a Fund and your investment.

Natural Resources Sector Risk

The natural resources sector can be significantly affected by risks including, but not limited to, commodity price volatility, worldwide economic growth, depletion of natural resources, energy conservation, technological progress, international political and economic developments, environmental issues, and tax and other governmental regulatory policies. As the demand for, or prices of, natural resources increase, the value of a Fund’s investments generally would be expected to also increase. Conversely, declines in the demand for, or prices of, natural resources generally would be expected to contribute to declines in the value of such securities. Such declines may occur quickly and without warning and may negatively impact the value of a Fund and your investment.

Real Estate Sector Risk

REITs are securities that invest substantially all of their assets in real estate, trade like stocks and may qualify for special tax considerations. Investments in REITs subject a Fund to risks associated with the direct ownership of real estate. Market conditions or events affecting the overall market for real estate and REITs, such as declining property values or rising interest rates, could have a negative impact on the real estate market and the value of REITs in general. As the demand for, or prices of, real estate increase, the value of a Fund’s investments generally would be expected to also increase. Conversely, declines in the demand for, or prices of, real estate generally would be expected to contribute to declines in the value of the real estate market and REITs. Such declines may occur quickly and without warning and may negatively impact the value of a Fund and your investment.

Telecommunications Sector Risk

The telecommunications industry is characterized by increasing competition and regulation by various regulatory authorities. Challenges facing companies in the telecommunications sector include distressed cash flows due to the need to commit substantial capital to meet increasing competition, particularly in formulating new products and services using new technology, technological innovations that make existing products and services obsolete, and satisfying consumer demand.

Utilities Sector Risk

The utilities sector is subject to a number of risks, including decreases in the demand for utility company products and services, increased competition resulting from deregulation, and rising energy costs. The utilities sector also is typically sensitive to changes in interest rates. Any of these events could cause the utilities sector to underperform other sectors or the market as a whole and, thus, adversely affect a Fund’s investment performance.

Shares of the Funds May Trade at Prices Other Than NAV

As with all ETFs, Fund shares may be bought and sold in the secondary market at market prices. Although it is expected that the market price of the shares of a Fund will approximate the Fund’s NAV, there may be times when the market price and the NAV vary significantly, including due to supply and demand of the Fund’s shares and/or during periods of market volatility. Thus, you may pay more (or less) than NAV when you buy shares of a Fund in the secondary market, and you may receive more (or less) than NAV when you sell those shares in the secondary market. If an investor purchases Fund shares at a time when the market price is at a premium to the NAV of the Fund’s shares or sells at a time when the market price is at a discount to the NAV of the Fund’s shares, an investor may sustain losses.

 

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Additional Non-Principal Risk Information

Trading. Although each Fund’s shares are listed for trading on NYSE Arca, Inc. or NASDAQ ( each a “Listing Exchange”) and may be listed or traded on U.S. and non-U.S. stock exchanges other than the Listing Exchange, there can be no assurance that an active trading market for such shares will develop or be maintained. Trading in shares may be halted due to market conditions or for reasons that, in the view of the Listing Exchange, make trading in shares inadvisable. In addition, trading in shares on the Listing Exchange is subject to trading halts caused by extraordinary market volatility pursuant to Listing Exchange “circuit breaker” rules. There can be no assurance that the requirements of the Listing Exchange necessary to maintain the listing of a Fund will continue to be met or will remain unchanged or that Fund shares will trade with any volume, or at all, on any stock exchange.

Costs of Buying or Selling Shares. Investors buying or selling Fund shares in the secondary market will pay brokerage commissions or other charges imposed by brokers, as determined by that broker. Brokerage commissions are often a fixed amount and may be a significant proportional cost for investors seeking to buy or sell relatively small amounts of Fund shares. In addition, secondary market investors will also incur the cost of the difference between the price that an investor is willing to buy shares (the “bid” price) and the price at which an investor is willing to sell shares (the “ask” price). This difference in bid and ask prices is often referred to as the “spread” or “bid/ask spread.” The bid/ask spread varies over time for shares based on trading volume and market liquidity, and is generally lower if a Fund’s shares have more trading volume and market liquidity and higher if a Fund’s shares have little trading volume and market liquidity. Further, increased market volatility may cause increased bid/ask spreads. Due to the costs of buying or selling Fund shares, including bid/ask spreads, frequent trading of Fund shares may significantly reduce investment results and an investment in shares may not be advisable for investors who anticipate regularly making small investments.

Securities Lending. Although the Funds are indemnified by the Funds’ lending agent for losses incurred in connection with a borrower’s default with respect to a loan, the Funds bear the risk of loss of investing cash collateral and may be required to make payments to a borrower upon return of loaned securities if invested collateral has declined in value. Furthermore, because of the risks in delay of recovery, a Fund may lose the opportunity to sell the securities at a desirable price, and the Fund will generally not have the right to vote securities while they are being loaned. These events could also trigger negative tax consequences for a Fund.

Portfolio Holdings Information

Information about each Fund’s daily portfolio holdings is available at www.wisdomtree.com. In addition, each Fund discloses its complete portfolio holdings as of the end of its fiscal year (March 31) and its second fiscal quarter (September 30) in its reports to shareholders. Each Fund files its complete portfolio holdings as of the end of its first and third fiscal quarters (June 30 and December 31, respectively) with the SEC on Form N-Q no later than 60 days after the relevant fiscal period. You can find the SEC filings on the SEC’s website, www.sec.gov. A summarized description of each Fund’s policies and procedures with respect to the disclosure of each Fund’s portfolio holdings is available in the Funds’ Statement of Additional Information (“SAI”).

 

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Management

Investment Adviser

As investment adviser, WisdomTree Asset Management has overall responsibility for the general management and administration of WisdomTree Trust (the “Trust”) and each of the Funds. WisdomTree Asset Management is a registered investment adviser with offices located at 245 Park Avenue, 35th Floor, New York, New York 10167, and is a leader in ETF management. As of June 30, 2014, WisdomTree Asset Management had assets under management totaling approximately $35.5 billion. WisdomTree Investments* is the parent company of WisdomTree Asset Management. WisdomTree Asset Management provides an investment program for each Fund. The Adviser also provides proactive oversight of the Sub-Adviser, defined below, daily monitoring of the Sub-Adviser’s buying and selling of securities for each Fund, and regular review of the Sub-Adviser’s performance. In addition, the Adviser arranges for sub-advisory, transfer agency, custody, fund administration, securities lending, and all other non-distribution related services necessary for the Funds to operate.

For the fiscal period ended March 31, 2014, the Funds, other than the New Funds, paid advisory fees to the Adviser, as a percentage of average daily net assets, in the amounts listed below. With respect to the New Funds, the Adviser expects to receive fees from the Fund, as a percentage of average daily net assets, in the amount listed below.

 

Name of Fund   Management Fee  
DEFA Fund     0.48
DEFA Equity Income Fund     0.58
International LargeCap Dividend Fund     0.48
International MidCap Dividend Fund     0.58
International SmallCap Dividend Fund     0.58
International Dividend ex-Financials Fund     0.58
Europe Dividend Growth Fund     0.58
Europe SmallCap Dividend Fund     0.58
Australia Dividend Fund     0.58
Japan SmallCap Dividend Fund     0.58
Japan Hedged Equity Fund     0.48
Japan Hedged SmallCap Equity Fund     0.58
Europe Hedged Equity Fund     0.58
United Kingdom Hedged Equity Fund     0.48
Germany Hedged Equity Fund     0.48
Korea Hedged Equity Fund     0.58
Japan Hedged Financials Fund     0.48 %(1) 
Japan Hedged Real Estate Fund     0.48 %(1) 
Japan Hedged Capital Goods Fund     0.48 %(1) 
Japan Hedged Health Care Fund     0.48 %(1) 
Japan Hedged Tech, Media and Telecom Fund     0.48 %(1) 
International Hedged Dividend Growth Fund     0.58
Global Equity Income Fund     0.58
Global ex-U.S. Dividend Growth Fund     0.58
Asia Pacific ex-Japan Fund     0.48
Commodity Country Equity Fund     0.58
Global Natural Resources Fund     0.58

 

 

 

(1)   

WisdomTree Asset Management, Inc. has contractually agreed to limit the Management Fee to 0.43% through July 31, 2015, unless earlier terminated by the Board of Trustees of the Trust for any reason at any time.

 

* “WisdomTree” is a registered mark of WisdomTree Investments and has been licensed for use by the Trust. WisdomTree Investments has patent applications pending on the methodology and operation of its Indexes and the Funds.

 

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Name of Fund   Management Fee  
Global ex-U.S. Utilities Fund     0.58
Global ex-U.S. Real Estate Fund     0.58
China Dividend ex-Financials Fund     0.63
Emerging Markets Dividend Growth Fund     0.63
Emerging Markets Equity Income Fund     0.63
Emerging Markets SmallCap Dividend Fund     0.63
Emerging Markets Consumer Growth Fund     0.63
Middle East Dividend Fund     0.88
India Earnings Fund     0.83

 

Under the Investment Advisory Agreement for each Fund, WisdomTree Asset Management has agreed to pay generally all expenses of each Fund, subject to certain exceptions. For a detailed description of the Investment Advisory Agreement for each Fund, please see the “Management of the Trust” section of the SAI. Pursuant to a separate contractual arrangement, WisdomTree Asset Management arranges for the provision of chief compliance officer (“CCO”) services with respect to each Fund, and is liable and responsible for, and administers, payments to the CCO, the Independent Trustees and counsel to the Independent Trustees. WisdomTree Asset Management receives a fee of up to 0.0044% of each Fund’s average daily net assets for providing such services and paying such expenses. WisdomTree Asset Management provides CCO services to the Trust.

The basis for the Board of Trustees’ approval of the Funds’ Investment Advisory Agreements is available in the Trust’s Annual Report to Shareholders dated March 31, 2013. The basis for the Board of Trustees’ approval of the Investment Advisory Agreements, with respect to the Emerging Markets Dividend Growth Fund, Emerging Markets Consumer Growth Fund, United Kingdom Hedged Equity Fund and Japan Hedged SmallCap Equity Fund, is available in the Trust’s Semi-Annual Report to Shareholders for the period dated September 30, 2013. The basis for the Board of Trustees’ approval of the Investment Advisory Agreements, with respect to the Germany Hedged Equity Fund and Korea Hedged Equity Fund, is available in the Trust’s Annual Report to Shareholders dated March 31, 2014. The basis for the Board of Trustees’ approval of the Investment Advisory Agreements, with respect to the Japan Hedged Real Estate Fund, Japan Hedged Financials Fund, Japan Hedged Capital Goods Fund, Japan Hedged Health Care Fund, Japan Hedged Tech, Media and Telecom Fund, Europe Dividend Growth Fund, and International Hedged Dividend Growth Fund, will be available in the Trust’s Semi-Annual Report to Shareholders for the period ended September 30, 2014.

Sub-Adviser

Mellon Capital Management Corporation (“Mellon Capital”) is responsible for the day-to-day management of each Fund. Mellon Capital, a registered investment adviser, is a leading innovator in the investment industry and manages global quantitative-based investment strategies for institutional and private investors. Its principal office is located at 50 Fremont Street, Suite 3900, San Francisco, California 94105. As of May 31, 2014, Mellon Capital had assets under management totaling approximately $372 billion (including $4.8 billion in overlay). Mellon Capital is a wholly-owned indirect subsidiary of The Bank of New York Mellon, a publicly traded financial holding company. Mellon Capital chooses the portfolio investments of each Fund, and places orders to buy and sell the portfolio investments. WisdomTree Asset Management pays Mellon Capital for providing sub-advisory services to each of the Funds.

The basis for the Board of Trustees’ approval of the Investment Sub-Advisory Agreements between the Adviser and Mellon Capital is available in the Trust’s Annual Report to Shareholders dated March 31, 2013. The basis for the Board of Trustees’ approval of the Investment Sub-Advisory Agreements, with respect to the Emerging Markets Dividend Growth Fund, Emerging Markets Consumer Growth Fund, United Kingdom Hedged Equity Fund and Japan Hedged SmallCap Equity Fund, is available in the Trust’s Semi-Annual Report to Shareholders for the period dated September 30, 2013. The basis for the Board of Trustees’ approval of the Investment Sub-Advisory Agreements, with respect to the Germany Hedged Equity Fund, Korea Hedged Equity Fund and China Dividend ex-Financials Fund, is available in the Trust’s Annual Report to Shareholders dated March 31, 2014. The basis for the Board of Trustees’ approval of the Investment Sub-Advisory Agreements, with respect to the Japan Hedged Real Estate Fund, Japan Hedged Financials Fund, Japan Hedged Capital Goods Fund, Japan Hedged Health Care Fund, Japan Hedged Tech, Media and Telecom Fund, Europe Dividend Growth Fund, and International Hedged Dividend Growth Fund, will be available in the Trust’s Semi-Annual Report to Shareholders for the period ended September 30, 2014.

WisdomTree Asset Management, as the investment adviser for the Funds, may hire one or more sub-advisers to oversee the day-to-day activities of the Funds. The sub-advisers are subject to oversight by WisdomTree Asset Management. WisdomTree Asset Management and the Trust have received an exemptive order from the SEC that permits WisdomTree

 

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Asset Management, with the approval of the Independent Trustees of the Trust, to retain unaffiliated investment sub-advisers for each of the Funds without submitting the sub-advisory agreement to a vote of the Fund’s shareholders. The Trust will notify shareholders in the event of any change in the identity of such sub-adviser or sub-advisers. WisdomTree Asset Management has ultimate responsibility for the investment performance of the Funds due to its responsibility to oversee each sub-adviser and recommend their hiring, termination and replacement. WisdomTree Asset Management is not required to disclose fees paid to any sub-adviser retained pursuant to the order.

Portfolio Managers

Each Fund is managed by Mellon Capital’s Equity Index Strategies Portfolio management team. The individual members of the team responsible for the day-to-day management of these Funds’ portfolios are described below.

Ms. Karen Q. Wong, CFA, a Managing Director, Head of Equity Portfolio Management, has been with Mellon Capital since June 2000. Ms. Wong heads a team of portfolio managers responsible for overseeing all passive equity funds, including ETFs. She is responsible for refinement and implementation of the equity portfolio management process. She is a member of the Senior Management Committee, Investment Management Committee, Risk Management Committee, Fiduciary Committee, and Trade Management Oversight Committee. Prior to joining Mellon Capital, Ms. Wong worked as a security analyst at Redwood Securities. Ms. Wong attained the Chartered Financial Analyst designation. She graduated with a B.A. from San Francisco State University, and obtained an M.B.A. in Finance from San Francisco State University. Ms. Wong is a member of the CFA Institute and the CFA Society of San Francisco. She is also a member of the S&P Index Advisory Panel and Russell Index Advisory Board.

Mr. Richard A. Brown, CFA, a Director and Senior Portfolio Manager, Equity Portfolio Management, has been with Mellon Capital since August 1995. Mr. Brown heads a team of portfolio managers covering domestic and international passive equity funds. He is responsible for refinement and implementation of the equity portfolio management process. Mr. Brown attained the Chartered Financial Analyst designation. Mr. Brown graduated with an M.B.A. from California State University at Hayward and is a member of the CFA Institute and the CFA Society of San Francisco. He has over 19 years of investment experience.

Mr. Thomas J. Durante, CFA, a Managing Director and Senior Portfolio Manager, Equity Portfolio Management, has been with Mellon Capital since January 2000. Mr. Durante heads a team of portfolio managers covering domestic and international index portfolios. He is responsible for refinement and implementation of the equity portfolio management process. Prior to joining Mellon Capital, Mr. Durante worked in the fund accounting department for The Dreyfus Corporation. Mr. Durante attained the Chartered Financial Analyst designation. Mr. Durante graduated with a B.A. in Accounting from Fairfield University and is a member of the CFA Institute and the CFA Society of Pittsburgh. He has over 32 years of investment experience.

The Funds’ SAI provides additional information about the portfolio managers’ compensation, other accounts managed by the portfolio managers, and the portfolio managers’ ownership of shares in the Funds.

Additional Information on Buying and Selling Fund Shares

Most investors will buy and sell shares of the Funds through brokers. Shares of the Funds trade on the Listing Exchange and elsewhere during the trading day and can be bought and sold throughout the trading day like other shares of publicly traded securities. When buying or selling shares through a broker most investors will incur customary brokerage commissions and charges. Shares of the Funds trade under the trading symbols listed on the cover of this Prospectus.

Share Trading Prices

Transactions in Fund shares will be priced at NAV only if you are an institutional investor (e.g., broker-dealer) that has signed an agreement with the Distributor (as defined below) and you thereafter purchase or redeem shares directly from the Fund in Creation Units. As with other types of securities, the trading prices of shares in the secondary market can be affected by market forces such as supply and demand, economic conditions and other factors. The price you pay or receive when you buy or sell your shares in the secondary market may be more or less than the NAV of such shares.

The approximate value of shares of each Fund is disseminated every fifteen seconds throughout the trading day by the Listing Exchange or by other information providers. This approximate value should not be viewed as a “real-time” update of the Funds’ NAV because the approximate value may not be calculated in the same manner as the NAV, which is computed once per day. The approximate value generally is determined by using current market quotations, price quotations obtained from broker-dealers that may trade in the portfolio securities and instruments held by the Funds and/or amortized cost for securities with remaining maturities of 60 days or less. The Funds, the adviser and their affiliates are not involved in, or responsible for, the calculation or dissemination of the approximate value and make no warranty as to its accuracy.

 

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Determination of Net Asset Value

The NAV of each Fund’s shares is calculated each day the national securities exchanges are open for trading as of the close of regular trading on the Listing Exchange, generally 4:00 p.m. New York time (the “NAV Calculation Time”). NAV per share is calculated by dividing a Fund’s net assets by the number of Fund shares outstanding.

In calculating its NAV, the Fund generally values its assets on the basis of market quotations, last sale prices, or estimates of value furnished by a pricing service or brokers who make markets in such instruments. Debt obligations with maturities of 60 days or less are valued at amortized cost.

Fair value pricing is used by the Fund when reliable market valuations are not readily available or are not deemed to reflect current market values. Securities that may be valued using “fair value” pricing may include, but are not limited to, securities for which there are no current market quotations or whose issuer is in default or bankruptcy, securities subject to corporate actions (such as mergers or reorganizations), securities subject to non-U.S. investment limits or currency controls, and securities affected by “significant events.” An example of a significant event is an event occurring after the close of the market in which a security trades but before the Fund’s next NAV Calculation Time that may materially affect the value of the Fund’s investment (e.g., government action, natural disaster, or significant market fluctuation). When fair-value pricing is employed, the prices of securities used by the Fund to calculate its NAV may differ from quoted or published prices for the same securities.

Dividends and Distributions

The Funds intend to pay out dividends on a quarterly basis. Nonetheless, a Fund may not make a dividend payment every quarter. Each Fund intends to distribute its net realized capital gains to investors annually. The Funds occasionally may be required to make supplemental distributions at some other time during the year. Distributions in cash may be reinvested automatically in additional whole shares only if the broker through whom you purchased shares makes such option available. Your broker is responsible for distributing the income and capital gain distributions to you.

Book Entry

Shares of the Funds are held in book-entry form, which means that no stock certificates are issued. The Depository Trust Company (“DTC”) or its nominee is the record owner of all outstanding shares of each Fund.

Investors owning shares of the Funds are beneficial owners as shown on the records of DTC or its participants. DTC serves as the securities depository for all shares of the Funds. Participants include DTC, securities brokers and dealers, banks, trust companies, clearing corporations, and other institutions that directly or indirectly maintain a custodial relationship with DTC. As a beneficial owner of shares, you are not entitled to receive physical delivery of stock certificates or to have shares registered in your name, and you are not considered a registered owner of shares. Therefore, to exercise any right as an owner of shares, you must rely upon the procedures of DTC and its participants. These procedures are the same as those that apply to any securities that you hold in book-entry or “street name” form. Your broker will provide you with account statements, confirmations of your purchases and sales, and tax information.

Delivery of Shareholder Documents – Householding

Householding is an option available to certain investors of the Funds. Householding is a method of delivery, based on the preference of the individual investor, in which a single copy of certain shareholder documents can be delivered to investors who share the same address, even if their accounts are registered under different names. Householding for the Funds is available through certain broker-dealers. If you are interested in enrolling in householding and receiving a single copy of prospectuses and other shareholder documents, please contact your broker-dealer. If you are currently enrolled in householding and wish to change your householding status, please contact your broker-dealer.

Frequent Purchases and Redemptions of Fund Shares

The Funds have adopted policies and procedures with respect to frequent purchases and redemptions of Creation Units of Fund shares. Since the Funds are ETFs, only a few institutional investors (known as “Authorized Participants”) are authorized to purchase and redeem shares directly from the Funds. Because purchase and redemption transactions with Authorized Participants are an essential part of the ETF process and may help keep ETF trading prices in line with NAV, each Fund accommodates frequent purchases and redemptions by Authorized Participants. Frequent purchases and redemptions for cash may increase index tracking error and portfolio transaction costs and may lead to the realization of capital gains. Frequent in-kind creations and redemptions generally do not give rise to these concerns. Each Fund reserves the right to reject any purchase order at any time. Each Fund reserves the right to impose restrictions on disruptive, excessive, or short-term trading.

 

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Investments by Registered Investment Companies

Section 12(d)(1) of the Investment Company Act of 1940 restricts investments by registered investment companies in the securities of other investment companies, including shares of each Fund. Registered investment companies are permitted to invest in the Funds beyond the limits set forth in section 12(d)(1) subject to certain terms and conditions set forth in an SEC exemptive order issued to the Trust, including that such investment companies enter into an agreement with the Funds.

Additional Tax Information

The following discussion is a summary of some important U.S. federal income tax considerations generally applicable to investments in the Funds. Your investment in a Fund may have other tax implications. Please consult your tax advisor about the tax consequences of an investment in Fund shares, including the possible application of foreign, state, and local tax laws.

Each Fund intends to qualify each year for treatment as a regulated investment company. If it meets certain minimum distribution requirements, a regulated investment company is not subject to tax at the fund level on income and gains from investments that are timely distributed to shareholders. However, a Fund’s failure to qualify as a regulated investment company or to meet minimum distribution requirements would result (if certain relief provisions were not available) in fund-level taxation and consequently a reduction in income available for distribution to shareholders.

Unless your investment in Fund shares is made through a tax-exempt entity or tax-deferred retirement account, such as an individual retirement account, you need to be aware of the possible tax consequences when:

 

  n  

A Fund makes distributions;

 

  n  

You sell Fund shares; and

 

  n  

You purchase or redeem Creation Units (institutional investors only).

Taxes on Distributions

For federal income tax purposes, distributions of investment income are generally taxable as ordinary income or qualified dividend income. Taxes on distributions of capital gains (if any) are determined by how long a Fund owned the investments that generated them, rather than how long a shareholder has owned his or her Fund shares. Sales of assets held by a Fund for more than one year generally result in long-term capital gains and losses, and sales of assets held by a Fund for one year or less generally result in short-term capital gains and losses. Distributions of a Fund’s net capital gain (the excess of net long-term capital gains over net short-term capital losses) that are properly reported by the Fund as capital gain dividends (“Capital Gain Dividends”) will be taxable as long-term capital gains. For noncorporate shareholders, long-term capital gains are generally subject to tax at reduced rates. Distributions of short-term capital gain will generally be taxable as ordinary income. Distributions reported by the Fund as “qualified dividend income” are generally taxed to noncorporate shareholders at rates applicable to long-term capital gains, provided holding period and other requirements are met.

In general, your distributions are subject to federal income tax for the year in which they are paid. Certain distributions paid in January, however, may be treated as paid on December 31 of the prior year. Distributions are generally taxable even if they are paid from income or gains earned by a Fund before your investment (and thus were included in the price you paid for your shares).

Dividends and distributions from the Funds and capital gain on the sale of Fund shares are generally taken into account in determining a shareholder’s “net investment income” for purposes of the Medicare contribution tax applicable to certain individuals, estates and trusts.

The redemption of Creation Units of a Fund may incorporate a payment of cash by the Fund in addition to, or in place of, the delivery of a basket of securities. To meet this requirement, the Fund may be required to sell portfolio securities in order to obtain the cash needed to distribute redemption proceeds. This may cause the Fund to recognize income and/or capital gains or losses that it might not have recognized if it had completely satisfied the redemption in-kind. As a result, the Funds may be less tax efficient than if the in-kind redemption process was used.

Distributions (other than Capital Gain Dividends) paid to individual shareholders that are neither citizens nor residents of the U.S. or to foreign entities will generally be subject to a U.S. withholding tax at the rate of 30%, unless a lower treaty rate applies.

The Funds (or financial intermediaries, such as brokers, through which shareholders own Fund shares) generally are required to withhold and to remit to the U.S. Treasury a percentage of the taxable distributions and the sale or redemption proceeds paid to any shareholder who fails to properly furnish a correct taxpayer identification number, who has under-reported dividend or interest income, or who fails to certify that he, she or it is not subject to such withholding.

 

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Taxes When Fund Shares Are Sold

Any capital gain or loss realized upon a sale of Fund shares is generally treated as a long-term gain or loss if the shares have been held for more than one year. Any capital gain or loss realized upon a sale of Fund shares held for one year or less is generally treated as a short-term gain or loss, except that any capital loss on a sale of shares held for six months or less is treated as long-term capital loss to the extent that Capital Gain Dividends were paid with respect to such shares. The ability to deduct capital losses may be limited depending on your circumstances.

Taxes on Creation and Redemption of Creation Units

An Authorized Participant having the U.S. dollar as its functional currency for U.S. federal tax purposes that exchanges securities for Creation Units generally will recognize a gain or loss equal to the difference between (i) the sum of the market value of the Creation Units at the time of the exchange and any amount of cash received by the Authorized Participant in the exchange and (ii) the sum of the exchanger’s aggregate basis in the securities surrendered and any amount of cash paid for such Creation Units. A person who redeems Creation Units for securities will generally recognize a gain or loss equal to the difference between the exchanger’s basis in the Creation Units and the sum of the aggregate U.S. dollar market value of the securities plus the amount of any cash received for such Creation Units. The Internal Revenue Service, however, may assert that a loss that is realized by an Authorized Participant upon an exchange of securities for Creation Units cannot be currently deducted under the rules governing “wash sales,” or on the basis that there has been no significant change in economic position.

Gain or loss recognized by an Authorized Participant upon an issuance of Creation Units in exchange for non-U.S. currency will generally be treated as ordinary income or loss. Gain or loss recognized by an Authorized Participant upon an issuance of Creation Units in exchange for securities, or upon a redemption of Creation Units, may be capital or ordinary gain or loss depending on the circumstances. Any capital gain or loss realized upon an issuance of Creation Units in exchange for securities will generally be treated as long-term capital gain or loss if the securities have been held for more than one year. Any capital gain or loss realized upon the redemption of a Creation Unit will generally be treated as long-term capital gain or loss if the Fund shares comprising the Creation Unit have been held for more than one year. Otherwise, such capital gains or losses are treated as short-term capital gains or losses.

A person subject to U.S. federal income tax who receives non-U.S. currency upon a redemption of Creation Units and does not immediately convert the non-U.S. currency into U.S. dollars may, upon a later conversion of the non-U.S. currency into U.S. dollars, recognize as ordinary gains or losses any gains or losses resulting from fluctuations in the value of the non-U.S. currency relative to the U.S. dollar since the date of the redemption.

Persons exchanging securities or non-U.S. currency for Creation Units should consult their own tax advisors with respect to the tax treatment of any creation or redemption transaction. If you purchase or redeem Creation Units, you will be sent a confirmation statement showing how many Fund shares you purchased or redeemed and at what price.

Foreign Investments by the Fund

Interest and other income received by the Funds with respect to foreign securities may give rise to withholding and other taxes imposed by foreign countries. Tax conventions between certain countries and the United States may reduce or eliminate such taxes. The Funds may need to file special claims for refund to secure the benefit of a reduced rate. If as of the close of a taxable year more than 50% of the total assets of a Fund consist of stock or securities of foreign corporations, the Fund intends to elect to “pass through” to investors the amount of foreign income and similar taxes (including withholding taxes) paid by the Fund during that taxable year. If a Fund elects to “pass through” such foreign taxes, then investors will be considered to have received as additional income their respective shares of such foreign taxes, but may be entitled to either a corresponding tax deduction in calculating taxable income, or, subject to certain limitations, a credit in calculating federal income tax.

Taxes on the WisdomTree India Earnings Fund

The WisdomTree India Earnings Fund (the “Fund”) invests in the WisdomTree India Investment Portfolio, Inc. (the “Portfolio”), a wholly-owned subsidiary organized in the Republic of Mauritius, which invests in Indian securities. The Portfolio is also advised by WisdomTree Asset Management and sub-advised by Mellon Capital. Taxation of the income earned by the Portfolio shall be as per the provisions of the tax treaty (“Treaty”) between India and Mauritius, in conjunction with the Indian Income Tax Act, 1961. The Supreme Court of India upheld the validity of this tax treaty in response to a lower court challenge contesting the Treaty’s applicability to entities such as the Fund. No assurance can be given that the terms of the Treaty will not be subject to re-negotiation in the future or subject to a different interpretation. While Budget 2012 introduced certain anti-avoidance rules under Chapter X-A of the Indian Income Tax Act, 1961 which included certain General Anti- Avoidance Rules (GAAR), the recent Budget 2013 deferred its effective date to April 1, 2015. With effect from April 1, 2015, GAAR will apply to cases of “impermissible avoidance arrangements” where the main purpose of entering into such an arrangement is purely to obtain a tax benefit and where such arrangement satisfies one of a list of described abusive

 

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transactions. If an “impermissible avoidance arrangement” is found, then the arrangement may be disregarded, recharacterized or ignored for India tax purposes. It is currently unclear. whether such rules will have an adverse effect on the Fund’s ability to benefit from the provisions of the Treaty, since the guidelines containing the enabling provisions with respect to GAAR have not been released. As a result, no assurances can be given that the terms of the Treaty will not be subject to re-negotiation in the future or subject to an adverse interpretation under the proposed GAAR. Any change in the provision of this Treaty or in its applicability to the Fund could result in the imposition of withholding and other taxes on the Fund by tax authorities in India. This would reduce the return to the Fund on its investments and the return received by Fund shareholders.

Another amendment to the Indian Income Tax Act may have the effect of taxing the transfer of an asset, such as a share or interest in an offshore company or entity, if such share or interest derives, directly or indirectly, its value substantially from the assets located in India.

The above changes could apply Indian income tax to transactions by the Fund in shares of the Portfolio or in the Fund’s shares. Presently, it is unclear how extensively they will be applied by Indian tax authorities.

Distribution

ALPS Distributors, Inc. (the “Distributor”) serves as the distributor of Creation Units for each Fund on an agency basis. The Distributor does not maintain a secondary market in shares of the Funds. The Distributor’s principal address is 1290 Broadway, Suite 1100, Denver, Colorado 80203. The Distributor has no role in determining the policies of any Fund or the securities that are purchased or sold by any Fund.

Premium/Discount and NAV Information

Information regarding a Fund’s NAV and how often shares of each Fund traded on the Listing Exchange at a price above (i.e., at a premium) or below (i.e., at a discount) the NAV of the Fund during the past calendar year and most recent calendar quarter can be found at www.wisdomtree.com.

Additional Notices

Listing Exchange

Shares of the Funds are not sponsored, endorsed, or promoted by the Listing Exchange. The Listing Exchange makes no representation or warranty, express or implied, to the owners of the shares of any Fund or any member of the public regarding the ability of a Fund to track the total return performance of any Index or the ability of any Index identified herein to track stock market performance. The Listing Exchange is not responsible for, nor has it participated in, the determination of the compilation or the calculation of any Index, nor in the determination of the timing of, prices of, or quantities of the shares of any Fund to be issued, nor in the determination or calculation of the equation by which the shares are redeemable. The Listing Exchange has no obligation or liability to owners of the shares of any Fund in connection with the administration, marketing, or trading of the shares of the Fund.

The Listing Exchange does not guarantee the accuracy and/or the completeness of any Index or any data included therein. The Listing Exchange makes no warranty, express or implied, as to results to be obtained by the Trust on behalf of its Funds, owners of the shares, or any other person or entity from the use of the subject Indexes or any data included therein. The Listing Exchange makes no express or implied warranties, and hereby expressly disclaims all warranties of merchantability or fitness for a particular purpose with respect to any Index or any data included therein. Without limiting any of the foregoing, in no event shall the Listing Exchange have any liability for any lost profits or indirect, punitive, special, or consequential damages even if notified of the possibility thereof.

WisdomTree and the Fund

WisdomTree Investments and WisdomTree Asset Management (together “WisdomTree”) and the Funds make no representation or warranty, express or implied, to the owners of shares of the Funds or any member of the public regarding the advisability of investing in securities generally or in the Funds particularly or the ability of the Indexes to track general stock market performance. WisdomTree Investments is the licensor of certain trademarks, service marks and trade names of the Funds. WisdomTree Investments has no obligation to take the needs of the Funds or the owners of shares of the Funds into consideration in determining, composing, or calculating the Indexes. WisdomTree Investments is not responsible for and has not participated in the determination of the timing of, prices of, or quantities of shares of the Funds to be issued or in the determination or calculation of the equation by which the shares of the Funds are redeemable. WisdomTree and the Funds do not guarantee the accuracy, completeness, or performance of any Index or the data included therein and shall have no liability in connection with any Index or Index calculation. WisdomTree Investments has contracted with Standard & Poor’s (“S&P”) to maintain and calculate certain Indexes used by the Funds. S&P shall have no liability for any errors or omissions in calculating any Index.

 

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Financial Highlights

The financial highlights table is intended to help you understand each Fund’s (except the Europe Dividend Growth Fund, Japan Hedged Financials Fund, Japan Hedged Real Estate Fund, Japan Hedged Capital Goods Fund, Japan Hedged Health Care Fund, Japan Hedged Tech, Media and Telecom Fund, and International Hedged Dividend Growth Fund) financial performance for the past five fiscal years or, if shorter, the period since a Fund’s inception. The total return in the table represents the rate that an investor would have earned (or lost) on an investment in the respective Fund (assuming reinvestment of all dividends and distributions). This information has been derived from the financial statements audited by Ernst & Young LLP, an independent registered public accounting firm, whose report, along with the Funds’ financial statements, are included in the Funds’ Annual Report, which is available upon request.

 

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Financial Highlights

WisdomTree International Dividend and Sector Funds

Selected data for a share of beneficial interest outstanding throughout the period is presented below:

 

WisdomTree DEFA Fund   For the
Period Ended
March 31, 2014
    For the
Period Ended
March 28, 2013
    For the
Year Ended
March 31, 2012
    For the
Year Ended
March 31, 2011
    For the
Year Ended
March 31, 2010
 

Net asset value, beginning of year or period

  $ 47.77      $ 44.53      $ 49.51      $ 46.13      $ 32.00   

Investment operations:

         

Net investment income1

    2.27        1.63        1.90        1.58        2.00   

Net realized and unrealized gain (loss)

    6.72        3.22        (4.99     3.39        14.24   

Total from investment operations

    8.99        4.85        (3.09     4.97        16.24   

Dividends to shareholders:

         

Net investment income

    (2.29     (1.61     (1.89     (1.59     (2.11

Net asset value, end of year or period

  $ 54.47      $ 47.77      $ 44.53      $ 49.51      $ 46.13   

TOTAL RETURN2

    19.43     11.42     (6.18 )%      11.33     51.43

RATIOS/SUPPLEMENTAL DATA:

         

Net assets, end of year or period (000’s omitted)

  $ 569,188      $ 458,607      $ 385,202      $ 457,997      $ 435,906   

Ratios to average net assets3 of:

         

Expenses, net of expense waivers

    0.48 %4      0.48 %4      0.48     0.48     0.19 %* 

Expenses, prior to expense waivers

    0.48 %4      0.48 %4      0.48     0.48     0.48

Net investment income

    4.41 %4      3.75 %4      4.22     3.50     4.63

Portfolio turnover rate5

    21     20     27     30     97
         
WisdomTree DEFA Equity Income Fund   For the
Period Ended
March 31, 2014
    For the
Period Ended
March 28, 2013
    For the
Year Ended
March 31, 2012
    For the
Year Ended
March 31, 2011
    For the
Year Ended
March 31, 2010
 

Net asset value, beginning of year or period

  $ 41.39      $ 38.64      $ 43.82      $ 41.85      $ 28.43   

Investment operations:

         

Net investment income1

    2.57        1.74        1.90        1.75        1.56   

Net realized and unrealized gain (loss)

    6.14        2.70        (5.17     2.01        13.44   

Total from investment operations

    8.71        4.44        (3.27     3.76        15.00   

Dividends to shareholders:

         

Net investment income

    (2.48     (1.69     (1.91     (1.79     (1.58

Net asset value, end of year or period

  $ 47.62      $ 41.39      $ 38.64      $ 43.82      $ 41.85   

TOTAL RETURN2

    21.82     12.08     (7.45 )%      9.74     53.57

RATIOS/SUPPLEMENTAL DATA:

         

Net assets, end of year or period (000’s omitted)

  $ 304,753      $ 209,010      $ 175,809      $ 131,454      $ 142,297   

Ratios to average net assets3 of:

         

Expenses, net of expense waivers

    0.58 %4      0.58 %4      0.58     0.58     0.58

Expenses, prior to expense waivers

    0.58 %4      0.58 %4      0.58     0.58     0.58

Net investment income

    5.71 %4      4.58 %4      4.84     4.39     3.91

Portfolio turnover rate5

    26     31     32     34     36

 

* Reflects the Fund’s advisory fees, after waiver, and the fees and expenses of the underlying funds that were paid indirectly by the Fund during the period when Fund operated as a “funds of funds”.

 

1 

Based on average shares outstanding.

 

2 

Total return is calculated assuming an initial investment made at the net asset value at the beginning of the period, reinvestment of all dividends and distributions at net asset value during the period and redemption on the last day of the period. Total return calculated for a period of less than one year is not annualized. The total return would have been lower if certain expenses had not been reimbursed/waived by the investment adviser.

 

3 

The ratios to average net assets do not include net investment income (loss) or expenses of other Funds in which the Fund Invests.

 

4 

Annualized.

 

5 

Portfolio turnover rate is not annualized and excludes the value of portfolio securities received or delivered as a result of in-kind creations or redemptions of the Fund’s capital shares.

 

182   WisdomTree Trust Prospectus


Table of Contents

Financial Highlights

WisdomTree International Dividend and Sector Funds

Selected data for a share of beneficial interest outstanding throughout the period is presented below:

 

WisdomTree Global Equity
Income Fund
  For the
Period Ended
March 31, 2014
    For the
Period Ended
March 28, 2013
    For the
Year Ended
March 31, 2012
    For the
Year Ended
March 31, 2011
    For the
Year Ended
March 31, 20101
 

Net asset value, beginning of year or period

  $ 44.03      $ 41.50      $ 44.66      $ 40.99      $ 26.84   

Investment operations:

         

Net investment income2

    2.11        1.68        1.86        1.52        2.07   

Net realized and unrealized gain (loss)

    3.46        2.51        (3.14     3.63        14.28   

Total from investment operations

    5.57        4.19        (1.28     5.15        16.35   

Dividends to shareholders:

         

Net investment income

    (2.09     (1.66     (1.88     (1.48     (2.20

Net asset value, end of year or period

  $ 47.51      $ 44.03      $ 41.50      $ 44.66      $ 40.99   

TOTAL RETURN3

    13.13     10.51     (2.70 )%      13.12     62.13

RATIOS/SUPPLEMENTAL DATA:

         

Net assets, end of year or period (000’s omitted)

  $ 123,527      $ 103,473      $ 91,304      $ 78,147      $ 43,042   

Ratios to average net assets4 of:

         

Expenses, net of expense waivers

    0.58 %5      0.58 %5      0.58     0.58     0.26 %* 

Expenses, prior to expense waivers

    0.58 %5      0.58 %5      0.58     0.58     0.58

Net investment income

    4.60 %5      4.10 %5      4.53     3.74     5.49

Portfolio turnover rate6

    25     32     25     35     94
         
WisdomTree Europe SmallCap
Dividend Fund
  For the
Period Ended
March 31, 2014
    For the
Period Ended
March 28, 2013
    For the
Year Ended
March 31, 2012
    For the
Year Ended
March 31, 2011
    For the
Year Ended
March 31, 2010
 

Net asset value, beginning of year or period

  $ 41.98      $ 38.22      $ 44.44      $ 37.62      $ 22.44   

Investment operations:

         

Net investment income2

    0.73        1.32        1.44        1.09        0.99   

Net realized and unrealized gain (loss)

    20.90        3.82        (5.74     6.85        15.37   

Total from investment operations

    21.63        5.14        (4.30     7.94        16.36   

Dividends to shareholders:

         

Net investment income

    (1.38     (1.38     (1.92     (1.12     (1.18

Net asset value, end of year or period

  $ 62.23      $ 41.98      $ 38.22      $ 44.44      $ 37.62   

TOTAL RETURN3

    53.06     14.33     (9.80 )%      21.86     74.18

RATIOS/SUPPLEMENTAL DATA:

         

Net assets, end of year or period (000’s omitted)

  $ 1,446,871      $ 60,874      $ 28,668      $ 28,889      $ 30,095   

Ratios to average net assets4 of:

         

Expenses, net of expense waivers

    0.58 %5      0.58 %5      0.58     0.58     0.58

Expenses, prior to expense waivers

    0.58 %5      0.58 %5      0.58     0.58     0.58

Net investment income

    1.29 %5      3.52 %5      3.79     2.81     2.92

Portfolio turnover rate6

    24     48     58     60     55

 

* Reflects the Fund’s advisory fees, after waiver, and the fees and expenses of the underlying funds that were paid indirectly by the Fund during the period when Fund operated as a “funds of funds”.

 

1 

This information reflects the investment objective and strategy of the WisdomTree Europe Equity Income Fund through June 19, 2009 and the investment objective and strategy of the WisdomTree Global Equity Income Fund thereafter.

 

2 

Based on average shares outstanding.

 

3 

Total return is calculated assuming an initial investment made at the net asset value at the beginning of the period, reinvestment of all dividends and distributions at net asset value during the period and redemption on the last day of the period. Total return calculated for a period of less than one year is not annualized. The total return would have been lower if certain expenses had not been reimbursed/waived by the investment adviser.

 

4 

The ratios to average net assets do not include net investment income (loss) or expenses of other Funds in which the Fund invests.

 

5 

Annualized.

 

6 

Portfolio turnover rate is not annualized and excludes the value of portfolio securities received or delivered as a result of in-kind creations or redemptions of the Fund’s capital shares.

 

WisdomTree Trust Prospectus      183   


Table of Contents

Financial Highlights

WisdomTree International Dividend and Sector Funds

Selected data for a share of beneficial interest outstanding throughout the period is presented below:

 

WisdomTree Japan Hedged
Equity Fund
  For the
Period Ended
March 31, 2014
    For the
Period Ended
March 28, 2013
    For the
Year Ended
March 31, 2012
    For the
Year Ended
March 31, 2011
    For the
Year Ended
March 31, 2010
 

Net asset value, beginning of year or period

  $ 42.95      $ 36.66      $ 36.94      $ 42.12      $ 32.02   

Investment operations:

         

Net investment income1

    0.88        1.54        0.81        1.79        0.73   

Net realized and unrealized gain (loss)

    4.91        5.30        (0.34     (6.52     9.89   

Total from investment operations

    5.79        6.84        0.47        (4.73     10.62   

Dividends and distributions to shareholders:

         

Net investment income

    (0.62     (0.55     (0.75     (0.45     (0.52

Capital gains

    (0.62                            

Total dividends and distributions to shareholders

    (1.24     (0.55     (0.75     (0.45     (0.52

Net asset value, end of year or period

  $ 47.50      $ 42.95      $ 36.66      $ 36.94      $ 42.12   

TOTAL RETURN2

    13.48     19.12     1.46     (11.25 )%      33.33

RATIOS/SUPPLEMENTAL DATA:

         

Net assets, end of year or period (000’s omitted)

  $ 11,441,824      $ 5,632,633      $ 606,707      $ 494,981      $ 54,751   

Ratios to average net assets3 of:

         

Expenses, net of expense waivers

    0.48 %5      0.48 %5      0.48     0.48     0.48

Expenses, prior to expense waivers

    0.48 %5      0.48 %5      0.48     0.48     0.48

Net investment income

    1.84 %5      4.22 %5      2.41     5.40     1.72

Portfolio turnover rate4

    24     36     41     28     13

 

1 

Based on average shares outstanding.

 

2 

Total return is calculated assuming an initial investment made at the net asset value at the beginning of the period, reinvestment of all dividends and distributions at net asset value during the period and redemption on the last day of the period. Total return calculated for a period of less than one year is not annualized.

 

3 

The ratios to average net assets do not include net investment income (loss) or expenses of other funds in which the Fund invests.

 

4 

Portfolio turnover rate is not annualized and excludes the value of portfolio securities received or delivered as a result of in-kind creations or redemptions of the Fund’s capital shares.

 

5 

Annualized.

 

WisdomTree Japan Hedged SmallCap Equity Fund    For the Period
June 28, 2013*
through
March 31,  2014
 

Net asset value, beginning of period

   $ 26.17   

Investment operations:

  

Net investment income1

     0.59   

Net realized and unrealized gain

     2.38   

Total from investment operations

     2.97   

Dividends to shareholders:

  

Net investment income

     (0.06

Net asset value, end of period

   $ 29.08   

TOTAL RETURN2

     11.37

RATIOS/SUPPLEMENTAL DATA:

  

Net assets, end of period (000’s omitted)

   $ 75,614   

Ratios to average net assets of:

  

Expenses

     0.58 %3 

Net investment income

     2.75 %3 

Portfolio turnover rate4

     19

 

* Commencement of operations.

 

1 

Based on average shares outstanding.

 

2 

Total return is calculated assuming an initial investment made at the net asset value at the beginning of the period, reinvestment of all dividends and distributions at net asset value during the period and redemption on the last day of the period. Total return calculated for a period of less than one year is not annualized.

 

3 

Annualized.

 

4 

Portfolio turnover rate is not annualized and excludes the value of portfolio securities received or delivered as a result of in-kind creations or redemptions of the Fund’ capital shares.

 

184   WisdomTree Trust Prospectus


Table of Contents

Financial Highlights

WisdomTree International Dividend and Sector Funds

Selected data for a share of beneficial interest outstanding throughout the period is presented below:

 

WisdomTree Global ex-U.S.
Dividend Growth Fund
  For the
Period Ended
March 31, 2014
    For the
Period Ended
March 28, 2013
    For the
Year Ended
March 31, 2012
    For the
Year Ended
March 31, 2011
    For the
Year Ended
March 31, 20101
 

Net asset value, beginning of year or period

  $ 51.75      $ 50.70      $ 54.94      $ 49.61      $ 35.41   

Investment operations:

         

Net investment income2

    1.38        1.34        1.39        1.41        1.11   

Net realized and unrealized gain (loss)

    (0.19     1.08        (4.32     5.22        14.94   

Total from investment operations

    1.19        2.42        (2.93     6.63        16.05   

Dividends to shareholders:

         

Net investment income

    (1.26     (1.37     (1.31     (1.30     (1.85

Net asset value, end of year or period

  $ 51.68      $ 51.75      $ 50.70      $ 54.94      $ 49.61   

TOTAL RETURN3

    2.53     5.03     (5.20 )%      13.67     46.04

RATIOS/SUPPLEMENTAL DATA:

         

Net assets, end of year or period (000’s omitted)

  $ 62,012      $ 87,977      $ 55,774      $ 49,446      $ 24,805   

Ratios to average net assets7 of:

         

Expenses, net of expense waivers

    0.58 %6      0.58 %6      0.58 %4      0.57 %4      0.58 %4 

Expenses, prior to expense waivers

    0.58 %6      0.58 %6      0.58     0.58     0.58

Net investment income

    2.73 %6      2.72 %6      2.73     2.80     2.54

Portfolio turnover rate5

    93     59     28     68     121

 

1 

This information reflects the investment objective and strategy of the WisdomTree World ex-U.S. Growth Fund through June 19, 2011 and the investment objective and strategy of the WisdomTree Global ex-U.S. Dividend Growth Fund thereafter.

 

2 

Based on average shares outstanding.

 

3 

Total return is calculated assuming an initial investment made at the net asset value at the beginning of the period, reinvestment of all dividends and distributions at net asset value during the period and redemption on the last day of the period. Total return calculated for a period of less than one year is not annualized. The total return would have been lower if certain expenses had not been reimbursed/waived by the investment adviser.

 

4 

Reflects the Fund’s advisory fees, after waiver, and the fees and expenses of the WisdomTree India Earnings Fund that were paid indirectly by the Fund. The Fund invests a portion of its assets in the WisdomTree India Earnings Fund in order to achieve exposure to securities in India.

 

5 

Portfolio turnover rate is not annualized and excludes the value of portfolio securities received or delivered as a result of in-kind creations or redemptions of the Fund’s capital shares.

 

6 

Annualized.

 

7 

The ratios to average net assets do not include net investment income (loss) or expenses of other Funds in which the Fund invests.

 

 

WisdomTree Trust Prospectus      185   


Table of Contents

Financial Highlights

WisdomTree International Dividend and Sector Funds

Selected data for a share of beneficial interest outstanding throughout the period is presented below:

 

WisdomTree Japan SmallCap
Dividend Fund
  For the
Period Ended
March 31, 2014
    For the
Period Ended
March 28, 2013
    For the
Year Ended
March 31, 2012
    For the
Year Ended
March 31, 2011
    For the
Year Ended
March 31, 2010
 

Net asset value, beginning of year or period

  $ 48.84      $ 45.45      $ 43.25      $ 41.54      $ 31.47   

Investment operations:

         

Net investment income1

    0.72        0.78        0.68        0.99        0.79   

Net realized and unrealized gain

    1.84        3.58        2.42        1.47        9.96   

Total from investment operations

    2.56        4.36        3.10        2.46        10.75   

Dividends to shareholders:

         

Net investment income

    (1.12     (0.97     (0.90     (0.75     (0.68

Net asset value, end of year or period

  $ 50.28      $ 48.84      $ 45.45      $ 43.25      $ 41.54   

TOTAL RETURN2

    5.41     9.97     7.36     6.02     34.37

RATIOS/SUPPLEMENTAL DATA:

         

Net assets, end of year or period (000’s omitted)

  $ 284,106      $ 192,914      $ 193,172      $ 235,685      $ 157,850   

Ratios to average net assets3 of:

         

Expenses, net of expense waivers

    0.58 %4      0.58 %4      0.58     0.58     0.58

Expenses, prior to expense waivers

    0.58 %4      0.58 %4      0.58     0.58     0.58

Net investment income

    1.44 %4      1.84 %4      1.58     2.51     2.09

Portfolio turnover rate5

    21     41     36     39     45

 

1 

Based on average shares outstanding.

 

2 

Total return is calculated assuming an initial investment made at the net asset value at the beginning of the period, reinvestment of all dividends and distributions at net asset value during the period and redemption on the last day of the period. Total return calculated for a period of less than one year is not annualized. The total return would have been lower if certain expenses had not been reimbursed/waived by the investment adviser.

 

3 

The ratio to average net assets do not include net investment income (loss) or expenses of other Funds in which the Fund invests.

 

4 

Annualized.

 

5 

Portfolio turnover rate is not annualized and excludes the value of portfolio securities received or delivered as a result of in-kind creations or redemptions of the Fund’s capital shares.

 

 

186   WisdomTree Trust Prospectus


Table of Contents

Financial Highlights

WisdomTree International Dividend and Sector Funds

Selected data for a share of beneficial interest outstanding throughout the period is presented below:

 

WisdomTree Asia Pacific
ex-Japan Fund
  For the
Period Ended
March 31, 2014
    For the
Period Ended
March 28, 2013
    For the
Year Ended
March 31, 20121
    For the
Year Ended
March 31, 2011
    For the
Year Ended
March 31, 2010
 

Net asset value, beginning of year or period

  $ 68.70      $ 64.05      $ 67.99      $ 61.40      $ 37.09   

Investment operations:

         

Net investment income2

    2.25        2.27        2.14        2.51        1.79   

Net realized and unrealized gain (loss)

    (3.01     4.65        (3.85     6.59        24.23   

Total from investment operations

    (0.76     6.92        (1.71     9.10        26.02   

Dividends to shareholders:

         

Net investment income

    (2.22     (2.27     (2.23     (2.51     (1.71

Net asset value, end of year or period

  $ 65.72      $ 68.70      $ 64.05      $ 67.99      $ 61.40   

TOTAL RETURN3

    (0.98 )%      11.18     (2.22 )%      15.33     70.97

RATIOS/SUPPLEMENTAL DATA:

         

Net assets, end of year or period (000’s omitted)

  $ 52,579      $ 96,187      $ 89,672      $ 88,388      $ 89,033   

Ratios to average net assets5 of:

         

Expenses, net of expense waivers

    0.48 %4      0.48 %4      0.48     0.48     0.48

Expenses, prior to expense waivers

    0.48 %4      0.48 %4      0.48     0.48     0.48

Net investment income

    3.35 %4      3.53 %4      3.42     4.05     3.11

Portfolio turnover rate6

    21     26     60     27     18
         
WisdomTree Australia
Dividend Fund
  For the
Period Ended
March 31, 2014
    For the
Period Ended
March 28, 2013
    For the
Year Ended
March 31, 20127
    For the
Year Ended
March 31, 2011
    For the
Year Ended
March 31, 2010
 

Net asset value, beginning of year or period

  $ 64.33      $ 55.87      $ 61.64      $ 57.24      $ 30.80   

Investment operations:

         

Net investment income2

    2.32        2.60        2.87        2.99        2.23   

Net realized and unrealized gain (loss)

    (2.81     8.44        (5.48     4.62        26.27   

Total from investment operations

    (0.49     11.04        (2.61     7.61        28.50   

Dividends to shareholders:

         

Net investment income

    (2.58     (2.58     (3.16     (3.21     (2.06

Net asset value, end of year or period

  $ 61.26      $ 64.33      $ 55.87      $ 61.64      $ 57.24   

TOTAL RETURN3

    (0.59 )%      20.49     (3.86 )%      14.03     93.79

RATIOS/SUPPLEMENTAL DATA:

         

Net assets, end of year or period (000’s omitted)

  $ 55,138      $ 77,193      $ 61,456      $ 80,137      $ 117,339   

Ratios to average net assets5 of:

         

Expenses, net of expense waivers

    0.58 %4      0.58 %4      0.58     0.58     0.58

Expenses, prior to expense waivers

    0.58 %4      0.58 %4      0.58     0.58     0.58

Net investment income

    3.86 %4      4.71 %4      5.18     5.42     4.25

Portfolio turnover rate6

    27     31     68     46     25

 

1 

This information reflects the investment objective and strategy of the WisdomTree Pacific ex-Japan Total Dividend Fund through June 19, 2011 and the investment objective and strategy of the WisdomTree Asia Pacific ex-Japan Fund thereafter.

 

2 

Based on average shares outstanding.

 

3 

Total return is calculated assuming an initial investment made at the net asset value at the beginning of the period, reinvestment of all dividends and distributions at net asset value during the period and redemption on the last day of the period. Total return calculated for a period of less than one year is not annualized. The total return would have been lower if certain expenses had not been reimbursed/waived by the investment adviser.

 

4 

Annualized.

 

5 

The ratios to average net assets do not include net investment income (loss) or expenses of other Funds in which the Fund invests.

 

6 

Portfolio turnover rate is not annualized and excludes the value of portfolio securities received or delivered as a result of in-kind creations or redemptions of the Fund’s capital shares.

 

7 

This information reflects the investment objective and strategy of the WisdomTree Pacific ex-Japan Equity Income Fund through June 19, 2011 and the investment objective and strategy of the WisdomTree Australia Dividend Fund thereafter.

 

 

WisdomTree Trust Prospectus      187   


Table of Contents

Financial Highlights

WisdomTree International Dividend and Sector Funds

Selected data for a share of beneficial interest outstanding throughout the period is presented below:

 

WisdomTree International LargeCap
Dividend Fund
  For the
Period Ended
March 31, 2014
    For the
Period Ended
March 28, 2013
    For the
Year Ended
March 31, 2012
    For the
Year Ended
March 31, 2011
    For the
Year Ended
March 31, 2010
 

Net asset value, beginning of year or period

  $ 45.77      $ 42.89      $ 47.68      $ 45.34      $ 31.57   

Investment operations:

         

Net investment income2

    2.35        1.59        1.86        1.56        1.50   

Net realized and unrealized gain (loss)

    5.79        2.84        (4.75     2.37        13.91   

Total from investment operations

    8.14        4.43        (2.89     3.93        15.41   

Dividends to shareholders:

         

Net investment income

    (2.23     (1.55     (1.90     (1.59     (1.64

Net asset value, end of year or period

  $ 51.68      $ 45.77      $ 42.89      $ 47.68      $ 45.34   

TOTAL RETURN3

    18.35     10.80     (6.02 )%      9.21     49.56

RATIOS/SUPPLEMENTAL DATA:

         

Net assets, end of year or period (000’s omitted)

  $ 315,276      $ 210,541      $ 167,253      $ 164,489      $ 149,624   

Ratios to average net assets of:

         

Expenses, net of expense waivers

    0.48 %4      0.48 %4      0.48     0.48     0.48

Expenses, prior to expense waivers

    0.48 %4      0.48 %4      0.48     0.48     0.48

Net investment income

    4.77 %4      3.77 %4      4.34     3.56     3.54

Portfolio turnover rate5

    15     19     23     22     26
         
WisdomTree International Dividend
ex-Financials Fund
  For the
Period Ended
March 31, 2014
    For the
Period Ended
March 28, 2013
    For the
Year Ended
March 31, 2012
    For the
Year Ended
March 31, 2011
    For the
Year Ended
March 31, 20101
 

Net asset value, beginning of year or period

  $ 42.13      $ 41.64      $ 46.85      $ 42.69      $ 28.46   

Investment operations:

         

Net investment income2

    2.06        1.82        1.74        1.83        1.50   

Net realized and unrealized gain (loss)

    7.11        0.45        (5.11     4.21        14.24   

Total from investment operations

    9.17        2.27        (3.37     6.04        15.74   

Dividends to shareholders:

         

Net investment income

    (2.07     (1.78     (1.84     (1.88     (1.51

Net asset value, end of year or period

  $ 49.23      $ 42.13      $ 41.64      $ 46.85      $ 42.69   

TOTAL RETURN3

    22.58     5.98     (7.24 )%      14.93     56.27

RATIOS/SUPPLEMENTAL DATA:

         

Net assets, end of year or period (000’s omitted)

  $ 349,545      $ 349,681      $ 355,992      $ 149,929      $ 164,338   

Ratios to average net assets of:

         

Expenses, net of expense waivers

    0.58 %4      0.58 %4      0.58     0.58     0.58

Expenses, prior to expense waivers

    0.58 %4      0.58 %4      0.58     0.58     0.58

Net investment income

    4.54 %4      4.58 %4      4.20     4.30     3.81

Portfolio turnover rate5

    36     50     28     52     69

 

1 

This information reflects the investment objective and strategy of the WisdomTree International Dividend Top 100 Fund through May 8, 2009 and the investment objective and strategy of the WisdomTree International Dividend ex-Financials Fund thereafter.

 

2 

Based on average shares outstanding.

 

3 

Total return is calculated assuming an initial investment made at the net asset value at the beginning of the period, reinvestment of all dividends and distributions at net asset value during the period and redemption on the last day of the period. Total return calculated for a period of less than one year is not annualized. The total return would have been lower if certain expenses had not been reimbursed/waived by the investment adviser.

 

4 

Annualized.

 

5 

Portfolio turnover rate is not annualized and excludes the value of portfolio securities received or delivered as a result of in-kind creations or redemptions of the Fund’s capital shares.

 

 

188   WisdomTree Trust Prospectus


Table of Contents

Financial Highlights

WisdomTree International Dividend and Sector Funds

Selected data for a share of beneficial interest outstanding throughout the period is presented below:

 

WisdomTree International MidCap
Dividend Fund
  For the
Period Ended
March 31, 2014
    For the
Period Ended
March 28, 2013
    For the
Year Ended
March 31, 2012
    For the
Year Ended
March 31, 2011
    For the
Year Ended
March 31, 2010
 

Net asset value, beginning of year or period

  $ 51.77      $ 48.10      $ 53.80      $ 48.69      $ 31.55   

Investment operations:

         

Net investment income1

    1.83        1.51        1.79        1.53        1.26   

Net realized and unrealized gain (loss)

    8.31        3.68        (5.69     5.19        17.27   

Total from investment operations

    10.14        5.19        (3.90     6.72        18.53   

Dividends to shareholders:

         

Net investment income

    (1.88     (1.52     (1.80     (1.61     (1.39

Net asset value, end of year or period

  $ 60.03      $ 51.77      $ 48.10      $ 53.80      $ 48.69   

TOTAL RETURN2

    20.22     11.32     (7.21 )%      14.38     59.59

RATIOS/SUPPLEMENTAL DATA:

         

Net assets, end of year or period (000’s omitted)

  $ 141,082      $ 119,069      $ 105,823      $ 156,006      $ 146,069   

Ratios to average net assets of:

         

Expenses, net of expense waivers

    0.58 %3      0.58 %3      0.58     0.58     0.58

Expenses, prior to expense waivers

    0.58 %3      0.58 %3      0.58     0.58     0.58

Net investment income

    3.27 %3      3.23 %3      3.69     3.14     2.88

Portfolio turnover rate4

    22     38     47     40     49
         
WisdomTree International SmallCap
Dividend Fund
  For the
Period Ended
March 31, 2014
    For the
Period Ended
March 28, 2013
    For the
Year Ended
March 31, 2012
    For the
Year Ended
March 31, 2011
    For the
Year Ended
March 31, 2010
 

Net asset value, beginning of year or period

  $ 55.38      $ 49.33      $ 53.15      $ 46.98      $ 29.08   

Investment operations:

         

Net investment income1

    1.91        1.82        1.77        1.43        1.20   

Net realized and unrealized gain (loss)

    9.97        6.09        (3.66     6.14        17.91   

Total from investment operations

    11.88        7.91        (1.89     7.57        19.11   

Dividends to shareholders:

         

Net investment income

    (2.42     (1.86     (1.93     (1.40     (1.21

Net asset value, end of year or period

  $ 64.84      $ 55.38      $ 49.33      $ 53.15      $ 46.98   

TOTAL RETURN2

    22.26     16.78     (3.41 )%      16.64     66.50

RATIOS/SUPPLEMENTAL DATA:

         

Net assets, end of year or period (000’s omitted)

  $ 923,997      $ 562,133      $ 424,264      $ 475,703      $ 429,870   

Ratios to average net assets of:

         

Expenses, net of expense waivers

    0.58 %3      0.58 %3      0.58     0.58     0.58

Expenses, prior to expense waivers

    0.58 %3      0.58 %3      0.58     0.58     0.58

Net investment income

    3.20 %3      3.76 %3      3.65     2.99     2.87

Portfolio turnover rate4

    42     56     52     55     63

 

1 

Based on average shares outstanding.

 

2 

Total return is calculated assuming an initial investment made at the net asset value at the beginning of the period, reinvestment of all dividends and distributions at net asset value during the period and redemption on the last day of the period. Total return calculated for a period of less than one year is not annualized. The total return would have been lower if certain expenses had not been reimbursed/waived by the investment adviser.

 

3 

Annualized.

 

4 

Portfolio turnover rate is not annualized and excludes the value of portfolio securities received or delivered as a result of in-kind creations or redemptions of the Fund’s capital shares.

 

 

WisdomTree Trust Prospectus      189   


Table of Contents

Financial Highlights

WisdomTree International Dividend and Sector Funds

Selected data for a share of beneficial interest outstanding throughout the period is presented below:

 

WisdomTree Emerging Markets
Equity Income Fund
  For the
Period Ended
March 31, 2014
    For the
Period Ended
March 28, 2013
    For the
Year Ended
March 31, 2012
    For the
Year Ended
March 31, 2011
    For the
Year Ended
March 31, 2010
 

Net asset value, beginning of year or period

  $ 54.81      $ 57.34      $ 60.51      $ 52.02      $ 31.11   

Investment operations:

         

Net investment income1

    2.16        1.78        2.25        1.89        1.48   

Net realized and unrealized gain (loss)

    (5.60     (2.50     (3.11     8.55        21.00   

Total from investment operations

    (3.44     (0.72     (0.86     10.44        22.48   

Dividends to shareholders:

         

Net investment income

    (2.14     (1.81     (2.31     (1.95     (1.57

Net asset value, end of year or period

  $ 49.23      $ 54.81      $ 57.34      $ 60.51      $ 52.02   

TOTAL RETURN2

    (6.22 )%      (1.05 )%      (1.03 )%      20.75     73.33

RATIOS/SUPPLEMENTAL DATA:

         

Net assets, end of year or period (000’s omitted)

  $ 3,888,854      $ 5,475,068      $ 3,640,891      $ 1,325,257      $ 540,990   

Ratios to average net assets3 of:

         

Expenses, net of expense waivers

    0.63 %4      0.63 %4      0.63     0.63     0.63

Expenses, prior to expense waivers

    0.63 %4      0.63 %4      0.63     0.63     0.63

Net investment income

    4.20 %4      3.32 %4      4.12     3.47     3.26

Portfolio turnover rate5

    39     47     37     33     44

 

1 

Based on average shares outstanding.

 

2 

Total return is calculated assuming an initial investment made at the net asset value at the beginning of the period, reinvestment of all dividends and distributions at net asset value during the period and redemption on the last day of the period. Total return calculated for a period of less than one year is not annualized. The total return would have been lower if certain expenses had not been waived by the investment adviser.

 

3 

The ratios to average net assets do not include net investment income (loss) or expenses of other funds in which the Fund invests.

 

4 

Annualized.

 

5 

Portfolio turnover rate is not annualized and excludes the value of portfolio securities received or delivered as a result of in-kind creations or redemptions of the Fund’s capital shares.

 

WisdomTree Emerging Markets Dividend Growth Fund    For the Period
August 1, 2013*
through
March 31,  2014
 

Net asset value, beginning of period

   $ 25.22   

Investment operations:

  

Net investment income1

     0.33   

Net realized and unrealized loss

     (0.42

Total from investment operations

     (0.09

Dividends to shareholders:

  

Net investment income

     (0.21

Net asset value, end of period

   $ 24.92   

TOTAL RETURN2

     (0.33 )% 

RATIOS/SUPPLEMENTAL DATA:

  

Net assets, end of period (000’s omitted)

   $ 19,939   

Ratios to average net assets of:

  

Expenses

     0.63 %3 

Net investment income

     2.03 %3 

Portfolio turnover rate4

     3
* Commencement of operations.

 

1 

Based on average shares outstanding.

 

2 

Total return is calculated assuming an initial investment made at the net asset value at the beginning of the period, reinvestment of all dividends and distributions at net asset value during the period and redemption on the last day of the period. Total return calculated for a period of less than one year is not annualized.

 

3 

Annualized.

 

4 

Portfolio turnover rate is not annualized and excludes the value of portfolio securities received or delivered as a result of in-kind creations or redemptions of the Fund’s capital shares.

 

 

190   WisdomTree Trust Prospectus


Table of Contents

Financial Highlights

WisdomTree International Dividend and Sector Funds

Selected data for a share of beneficial interest outstanding throughout the period is presented below:

 

WisdomTree Emerging Markets Consumer Growth Fund    For the Period
September 27, 2013*
through
March 31, 2014
 

Net asset value, beginning of period

   $ 24.79   

Investment operations:

  

Net investment income1

     0.17   

Net realized and unrealized loss

     (0.33

Total from investment operations

     (0.16

Dividends to shareholders:

  

Net investment income

     (0.07

Net asset value, end of period

   $ 24.56   

TOTAL RETURN2

     (0.63 )% 

RATIOS/SUPPLEMENTAL DATA:

  

Net assets, end of period (000’s omitted)

   $ 19,647   

Ratios to average net assets of:

  

Expenses

     0.63 %3 

Net investment income

     1.46 %3 

Portfolio turnover rate4

     7

 

* Commencement of operations.

 

1 

Based on average shares outstanding.

 

2 

Total return is calculated assuming an initial investment made at the net asset value at the beginning of the period, reinvestment of all dividends and distributions at net asset value during the period and redemption on the last day of the period. Total return calculated for a period of less than one year is not annualized.

 

3 

Annualized.

 

4 

Portfolio turnover rate is not annualized and excludes the value of portfolio securities received or delivered as a result of in-kind creations or redemptions of the Fund’s capital shares.

 

WisdomTree Trust Prospectus      191   


Table of Contents

Financial Highlights

WisdomTree International Dividend and Sector Funds

Selected data for a share of beneficial interest outstanding throughout the period is presented below:

 

WisdomTree Emerging Markets
SmallCap Dividend Fund
  For the
Period Ended
March 31, 2014
    For the
Period Ended
March 28, 2013
    For the
Year Ended
March 31, 2012
    For the
Year Ended
March 31, 2011
    For the
Year Ended
March 31, 2010
 

Net asset value, beginning of year or period

  $ 51.18      $ 47.80      $ 53.30      $ 44.51      $ 24.62   

Investment operations:

         

Net investment income1

    1.40        1.15        1.47        1.32        1.02   

Net realized and unrealized gain (loss)

    (4.57     3.69        (5.31     8.86        20.00   

Total from investment operations

    (3.17     4.84        (3.84     10.18        21.02   

Dividends to shareholders:

         

Net investment income

    (1.61     (1.46     (1.66     (1.39     (1.13

Net asset value, end of year or period

  $ 46.40      $ 51.18      $ 47.80      $ 53.30      $ 44.51   

TOTAL RETURN2

    (6.08 )%      10.58     (6.88 )%      23.38     86.26

RATIOS/SUPPLEMENTAL DATA:

         

Net assets, end of year or period (000’s omitted)

  $ 1,814,327      $ 1,474,099      $ 1,022,868      $ 927,463      $ 342,754   

Ratios to average net assets3 of:

         

Expenses, net of expense waivers

    0.63 %4      0.63 %4      0.63 %5      0.63 %5      0.63 %5 

Expenses, prior to expense waivers

    0.63 %4      0.63 %4      0.63     0.63     0.63

Net investment income

    2.96 %4      2.49 %4      3.13     2.68     2.59

Portfolio turnover rate6

    26     44     53     35     38
         
WisdomTree Middle East
Dividend Fund
  For the
Period Ended
March 31, 2014
    For the
Period Ended
March 28, 2013
    For the
Year Ended
March 31, 2012
    For the
Year Ended
March 31, 2011
    For the
Year Ended
March 31, 2010
 

Net asset value, beginning of year or period

  $ 16.11      $ 15.60      $ 16.31      $ 15.64      $ 12.13   

Investment operations:

         

Net investment income1

    1.28        0.63        0.83        0.68        0.53   

Net realized and unrealized gain (loss)

    5.71        0.59        (0.61     0.49        3.68   

Total from investment operations

    6.99        1.22        0.22        1.17        4.21   

Dividends to shareholders:

         

Net investment income

    (0.72     (0.71     (0.93     (0.50     (0.70

Net asset value, end of year or period

  $ 22.38      $ 16.11      $ 15.60      $ 16.31      $ 15.64   

TOTAL RETURN2

    44.12     8.46     1.35     7.95     35.25

RATIOS/SUPPLEMENTAL DATA:

         

Net assets, end of year or period (000’s omitted)

  $ 53,717      $ 14,498      $ 14,038      $ 19,571      $ 12,515   

Ratios to average net assets3 of:

         

Expenses, net of expense waivers

    0.88 %4      0.88 %4      0.88     0.88     0.88

Expenses, prior to expense waivers

    0.88 %4      1.35 %4      1.83     2.17     1.30

Net investment income

    6.61 %4      4.26 %4      5.31     4.33     3.63

Portfolio turnover rate6

    26     52     37     50     96

 

1 

Based on average shares outstanding.

 

2 

Total return is calculated assuming an initial investment made at the net asset value at the beginning of the period, reinvestment of all dividends and distributions at net asset value during the period and redemption on the last day of the period. Total return calculated for a period of less than one year is not annualized. The total return would have been lower if certain expenses had not been waived by the investment adviser.

 

3 

The ratios to average net assets do not include net investment income (loss) or expenses of other funds in which the Fund invests.

 

4 

Annualized.

 

5 

Reflects the Fund’s advisory fees, after waiver, and the fees and expenses of the WisdomTree India Earnings Fund that were paid indirectly by the Fund. The Fund invests a portion of its assets in the WisdomTree India Earnings Fund in order to acheve exposure to securities in India.

 

6 

Portfolio turnover rate is not annualized and excludes the value of portfolio securities received or delivered as a result of in-kind creations or redemptions of the Fund’s capital shares.

 

 

192   WisdomTree Trust Prospectus


Table of Contents

Financial Highlights

WisdomTree International Dividend and Sector Funds

Selected data for a share of beneficial interest outstanding throughout the period is presented below:

 

WisdomTree Europe Hedged
Equity Fund
  For the
Period Ended
March 31, 2014
    For the
Period Ended
March 28, 2013**
    For the
Year Ended
March 31, 2012
    For the
Year Ended
March 31, 2011
    For the Period
December 31, 2009*
through
March 31, 2010
 

Net asset value, beginning of year or period

  $ 49.86      $ 43.93      $ 47.61      $ 47.72      $ 46.92   

Investment operations:

         

Net investment income1

    1.31        0.89        1.73        1.43        0.29   

Net realized and unrealized gain (loss)

    6.35        5.96        (3.84     (0.02     0.64   

Total from investment operations

    7.66        6.85        (2.11     1.41        0.93   

Dividends and distributions to shareholders:

         

Net investment income

    (1.12     (0.92     (1.57     (1.52     (0.13

Capital gains

                                (0.00 )2 

Total dividends and distributions to shareholders

    (1.12     (0.92     (1.57     (1.52     (0.13

Net asset value, end of year or period

  $ 56.40      $ 49.86      $ 43.93      $ 47.61      $ 47.72   

TOTAL RETURN3

    15.73     16.06     (4.41 )%      3.27     1.98

RATIOS/SUPPLEMENTAL DATA:

         

Net assets, end of year or period (000’s omitted)

  $ 1,060,319      $ 164,527      $ 21,963      $ 21,425      $ 9,545   

Ratios to average net assets7 of:

         

Expenses, net of expense waivers

    0.58 %4      0.58 %4      0.58     0.58     0.47 %4,5 

Expenses, prior to expense waivers

    0.58 %4      0.73 %4      1.25     1.65     0.58 %4 

Net investment income

    2.43 %4      2.01 %4      3.99     3.11     2.53 %4 

Portfolio turnover rate6

    28     43     42     38     79
* Commencement of operations.

 

** This information reflects the investment objective and strategy of the WisdomTree International Hedged Equity Fund through August 29, 2012 and the investment objective and strategy of the WisdomTree Europe Hedged Equity Fund thereafter.

 

1 

Based on average shares outstanding.

 

2 

Amount is less than $0.005.

 

3 

Total return is calculated assuming an initial investment made at the net asset value at the beginning of the period, reinvestment of all dividends and distributions at net asset value during the period and redemption on the last day of the period. Total return calculated for a period of less than one year is not annualized. The total return would have been lower if certain expenses had not been waived by the investment adviser.

 

4 

Annualized.

 

5 

Reflects the Fund’s advisory fees, after waiver, and the fees and expenses of the underlying funds that were paid indirectly by the Fund during the period when the Fund operated as a “fund of funds”.

 

6 

Portfolio turnover rate is not annualized and excludes the value of portfolio securities received or delivered as a result of in-kind creations or redemptions of the Fund’s capital shares.

 

7 

The ratios to average net assets do not include net investment income (loss) or expenses of other funds in which the Fund invests.

 

WisdomTree United Kingdom Hedged Equity Fund    For the Period
June 28, 2013*
through
March 31,  2014
 

Net asset value, beginning of period

   $ 24.99   

Investment operations:

  

Net investment income1

     1.40   

Net realized and unrealized gain

     0.91   

Total from investment operations

     2.31   

Dividends to shareholders:

  

Net investment income

     (1.78

Net asset value, end of period

   $ 25.52   

TOTAL RETURN2

     9.36

RATIOS/SUPPLEMENTAL DATA:

  

Net assets, end of period (000’s omitted)

   $ 16,590   

Ratios to average net assets of:

  

Expenses

     0.48 %3 

Net investment income

     6.98 %3 

Portfolio turnover rate4

     12
* Commencement of operations.

 

1 

Based on average shares outstanding.

 

2 

Total return is calculated assuming an initial investment made at the net asset value at the beginning of the period, reinvestment of all dividends and distributions at net asset value during the period and redemption on the last day of the period. Total return calculated for a period of less than one year is not annualized.

 

3 

Annualized.

 

4 

Portfolio turnover rate is not annualized and excludes the value of portfolio securities received or delivered as a result of in-kind creations or redemptions of the Fund’s capital shares.

 

WisdomTree Trust Prospectus      193   


Table of Contents

Financial Highlights

WisdomTree International Dividend and Sector Funds

Selected data for a share of beneficial interest outstanding throughout the period is presented below:

 

WisdomTree Germany Hedged Equity Fund    For the Period
October 17, 2013*
through
March  31, 2014
 

Net asset value, beginning of period

   $ 25.01   

Investment operations:

  

Net investment loss1

     (0.00 )2 

Net realized and unrealized gain

     1.97   

Total from investment operations

     1.97   

Net asset value, end of period

   $ 26.98   

TOTAL RETURN3

     7.88

RATIOS/SUPPLEMENTAL DATA:

  

Net assets, end of period (000’s omitted)

   $ 9,443   

Ratios to average net assets of:

  

Expenses

     0.48 %4 

Net investment loss

     (0.00 )%4,6 

Portfolio turnover rate5

     4
* Commencement of operations.

 

1 

Based on average shares outstanding.

 

2 

Amount is less than $0.005.

 

3 

Total return is calculated assuming an initial investment made at the net asset value at the beginning of the period, reinvestment of all dividends and distributions at net asset value during the period and redemption on the last day of the period. Total return calculated for a period of less than one year is not annualized.

 

4 

Annualized.

 

5 

Portfolio turnover rate is not annualized and excludes the value of portfolio securities received or delivered as a result of in-kind creations or redemptions of the Fund’s capital shares.

 

6 

Amount is less than 0.005%.

 

WisdomTree Korea Hedged Equity Fund    For the Period
November 7, 2013*
through
March 31, 2014
 

Net asset value, beginning of period

   $ 25.01   

Investment operations:

  

Net investment income1

     0.06   

Net realized and unrealized loss

     (1.55

Total from investment operations

     (1.49

Dividends to shareholders:

  

Net investment income

     (0.23

Net asset value, end of period

   $ 23.29   

TOTAL RETURN2

     (5.97 )% 

RATIOS/SUPPLEMENTAL DATA:

  

Net assets, end of period (000’s omitted)

   $ 8,151   

Ratios to average net assets of:

  

Expenses

     0.58 %3 

Net investment income

     0.64 %3 

Portfolio turnover rate4

     37
* Commencement of operations.

 

1 

Based on average shares outstanding.

 

2 

Total return is calculated assuming an initial investment made at the net asset value at the beginning of the period, reinvestment of all dividends and distributions at net asset value during the period and redemption on the last day of the period. Total return calculated for a period of less than one year is not annualized.

 

3 

Annualized.

 

4 

Portfolio turnover rate is not annualized and excludes the value of portfolio securities received or delivered as a result of in-kind creations or redemptions of the Fund’s capital shares.

 

 

194   WisdomTree Trust Prospectus


Table of Contents

Financial Highlights

WisdomTree International Dividend and Sector Funds

Selected data for a share of beneficial interest outstanding throughout the period is presented below:

 

WisdomTree Commodity Country Equity
Fund
  For the
Period Ended
March 31, 2014
    For the
Period Ended
March 28, 2013
    For the
Year Ended
March 31, 20121
    For the
Year Ended
March 31, 2011
    For the
Year Ended
March 31, 2010
 

Net asset value, beginning of year or period

  $ 32.00      $ 31.44      $ 33.21      $ 28.90      $ 16.04   

Investment operations:

         

Net investment income2

    1.14        1.13        1.09        0.53        0.47   

Net realized and unrealized gain (loss)

    (1.29     0.56        (1.76     4.33        12.80   

Total from investment operations

    (0.15     1.69        (0.67     4.86        13.27   

Dividends to shareholders:

         

Net investment income

    (1.10     (1.13     (1.10     (0.55     (0.41

Net asset value, end of year or period

  $ 30.75      $ 32.00      $ 31.44      $ 33.21      $ 28.90   

TOTAL RETURN3

    (0.22 )%      5.72     (1.77 )%      17.31     83.44

RATIOS/SUPPLEMENTAL DATA:

         

Net assets, end of year or period (000’s omitted)

  $ 21,522      $ 23,999      $ 31,439      $ 43,172      $ 49,137   

Ratios to average net assets5 of:

         

Expenses, net of expense waivers

    0.58 %4      0.58 %4      0.58     0.58     0.58

Expenses, prior to expense waivers

    0.58 %4      0.58 %4      0.58     0.58     0.58

Net investment income

    3.75 %4      3.71 %4      3.52     1.86     1.91

Portfolio turnover rate6

    23     22     116     35     25

 

1 

This information reflects the investment objective and strategy of the WisdomTree International Basic Materials Sector Fund through June 19, 2011 and the investment objective and strategy of the WisdomTree Commodity Country Equity Fund thereafter.

 

2 

Based on average shares outstanding.

 

3 

Total return is calculated assuming an initial investment made at the net asset value at the beginning of the period, reinvestment of all dividends and distributions at net asset value during the period and redemption on the last day of the period. Total return calculated for a period of less than one year is not annualized. The total return would have been lower if certain expenses had not been waived by the investment adviser.

 

4 

Annualized.

 

5 

The ratios to average net assets do not include net investment income (loss) or expenses of other funds in which the Fund invests.

 

6 

Portfolio turnover rate is not annualized and excludes the value of portfolio securities received or delivered as a result of in-kind creations or redemptions of the Fund’s capital shares.

 

WisdomTree Trust Prospectus      195   


Table of Contents

Financial Highlights

WisdomTree International Dividend and Sector Funds

Selected data for a share of beneficial interest outstanding throughout the period is presented below:

 

WisdomTree Global Natural
Resources Fund
  For the
Period Ended
March 31, 2014
    For the
Period Ended
March 28, 2013
    For the
Year Ended
March 31, 20121
    For the
Year Ended
March 31, 2011
    For the
Year Ended
March 31, 2010
 

Net asset value, beginning of year or period

  $ 22.69      $ 25.16      $ 29.86      $ 24.63      $ 18.61   

Investment operations:

         

Net investment income2

    0.74        0.80        0.93        0.72        0.80   

Net realized and unrealized gain (loss)

    (1.39     (2.45     (4.74     5.19        6.07   

Total from investment operations

    (0.65     (1.65     (3.81     5.91        6.87   

Dividends and distributions to shareholders:

         

Net investment income

    (0.72     (0.82     (0.89     (0.68     (0.85

Return of capital

           (0.00 )8                      

Total dividends and distributions to shareholders

    (0.72     (0.82     (0.89     (0.68     (0.85

Net asset value, end of year or period

  $ 21.32      $ 22.69      $ 25.16      $ 29.86      $ 24.63   

TOTAL RETURN3

    (2.72 )%      (6.55 )%      (12.70 )%      24.74     37.29

RATIOS/SUPPLEMENTAL DATA:

         

Net assets, end of year or period (000’s omitted)

  $ 22,383      $ 24,964      $ 31,452      $ 49,273      $ 45,569   

Ratios to average net assets4 of:

         

Expenses, net of expense waivers

    0.58 %5      0.58 %5      0.58     0.58     0.58

Expenses, prior to expense waivers

    0.58 %5      0.58 %5      0.58     0.58     0.58

Net investment income

    3.45 %5      3.45 %5      3.54     2.90     3.36

Portfolio turnover rate6

    30     38     99     32     16
         
WisdomTree Global ex-U.S.
Utilities Fund
  For the
Period Ended
March 31, 2014
    For the
Period Ended
March 28, 2013
    For the
Year Ended
March 31, 20127
    For the
Year Ended
March 31, 2011
    For the
Year Ended
March 31, 2010
 

Net asset value, beginning of year or period

  $ 17.83      $ 18.90      $ 21.33      $ 21.46      $ 17.78   

Investment operations:

         

Net investment income2

    0.76        0.74        0.87        0.84        0.87   

Net realized and unrealized gain (loss)

    1.69        (1.07     (2.45     (0.06     3.77   

Total from investment operations

    2.45        (0.33     (1.58     0.78        4.64   

Dividends to shareholders:

         

Net investment income

    (0.77     (0.74     (0.85     (0.91     (0.96

Net asset value, end of year or period

  $ 19.51      $ 17.83      $ 18.90      $ 21.33      $ 21.46   

TOTAL RETURN3

    14.34     (1.54 )%      (7.41 )%      4.27     26.42

RATIOS/SUPPLEMENTAL DATA:

         

Net assets, end of year or period (000’s omitted)

  $ 30,247      $ 37,434      $ 30,241      $ 37,335      $ 49,348   

Ratios to average net assets4 of:

         

Expenses, net of expense waivers

    0.58 %5      0.58 %5      0.58     0.58     0.58

Expenses, prior to expense waivers

    0.58 %5      0.58 %5      0.58     0.58     0.58

Net investment income

    4.18 %5      4.21 %5      4.48     4.22     4.17

Portfolio turnover rate6

    37     33     66     19     17

 

1 

This information reflects the investment objective and strategy of the WisdomTree International Energy Sector Fund through June 19, 2011 and the investment objective and strategy of the WisdomTree Global Natural Resources Fund thereafter.

 

2 

Based on average shares outstanding.

 

3 

Total return is calculated assuming an initial investment made at the net asset value at the beginning of the period, reinvestment of all dividends and distributions at net asset value during the period and redemption on the last day of the period. Total return calculated for a period of less than one year is not annualized. The total return would have been lower if certain expenses had not been waived by the investment adviser.

 

4 

The ratios to average net assets do not include net investment income (loss) or expenses of other funds in which the Fund invests.

 

5 

Annualized.

 

6 

Portfolio turnover rate is not annualized and excludes the value of portfolio securities received or delivered as a result of in-kind creations or redemptions of the Fund’s capital shares.

 

7 

This information reflects the investment objective and strategy of the WisdomTree International Utilities Sector Fund through June 19, 2011 and the investment objective and strategy of the WisdomTree Global ex-U.S. Utilities Fund thereafter.

 

8 

Amount is less than $0.005.

 

 

196   WisdomTree Trust Prospectus


Table of Contents

Financial Highlights

WisdomTree International Dividend and Sector Funds

Selected data for a share of beneficial interest outstanding throughout the period is presented below:

 

WisdomTree Global ex-U.S. Real
Estate Fund

  For the
Period Ended
March 31, 2014
    For the
Period Ended
March 28, 2013
    For the
Year Ended
March 31, 20121
    For the
Year Ended
March 31, 2011
    For the
Year Ended
March 31, 2010
 

Net asset value, beginning of year or period

  $ 29.90      $ 26.40      $ 28.86      $ 26.75      $ 16.92   

Investment operations:

         

Net investment income2

    0.96        0.97        1.15        0.96        0.96   

Net realized and unrealized gain (loss)

    (1.84     4.87        (2.32     3.83        11.39   

Total from investment operations

    (0.88     5.84        (1.17     4.79        12.35   

Dividends and distributions to shareholders:

         

Net investment income

    (1.17     (2.34     (1.21     (2.68     (2.52

Return of capital

    (0.08            (0.08              

Total dividends and distributions to shareholders

    (1.25     (2.34     (1.29     (2.68     (2.52

Net asset value, end of year or period

  $ 27.77      $ 29.90      $ 26.40      $ 28.86      $ 26.75   

TOTAL RETURN3

    (2.70 )%      22.62     (3.99 )%      18.81     74.20

RATIOS/SUPPLEMENTAL DATA:

         

Net assets, end of year or period (000’s omitted)

  $ 127,724      $ 113,631      $ 108,221      $ 122,670      $ 84,276   

Ratios to average net assets4 of:

         

Expenses, net of expense waivers

    0.58 %5      0.58 %5      0.58     0.58     0.58

Expenses, prior to expense waivers

    0.58 %5      0.58 %5      0.58     0.58     0.58

Net investment income

    3.37 %5      3.42 %5      4.36     3.48     3.76

Portfolio turnover rate6

    18     23     43     18     19

 

1 

This information reflects the investment objective and strategy of the WisdomTree International Real Estate Fund through June 19, 2011 and the investment objective and strategy of the WisdomTree Global ex-U.S. Real Estate Fund thereafter.

 

2 

Based on average shares outstanding.

 

3 

Total return is calculated assuming an initial investment made at the net asset value at the beginning of the period, reinvestment of all dividends and distributions at net asset value during the period and redemption on the last day of the period. Total return calculated for a period of less than one year is not annualized. The total return would have been lower if certain expenses had not been waived by the investment adviser.

 

4 

The ratios to average net assets do not include net investment income (loss) or expenses of other funds in which the Fund invests.

 

5 

Annualized.

 

6 

Portfolio turnover rate is not annualized and excludes the value of portfolio securities received or delivered as a result of in-kind creations or redemptions of the Fund’s capital shares.

 

 

WisdomTree Trust Prospectus      197   


Table of Contents

Financial Highlights

WisdomTree International Dividend and Sector Funds

Selected data for a share of beneficial interest outstanding throughout the period is presented below:

 

WisdomTree China Dividend ex-Financials Fund    For the
Period Ended
March 31, 2014
     For the Period
September 19, 2012*
through
March 28, 2013
 

Net asset value, beginning of period

   $ 51.90       $ 50.02   

Investment operations:

     

Net investment income (loss)1

     1.39         (0.14

Net realized and unrealized gain (loss)

     (2.15      2.02   

Total from investment operations

     (0.76      1.88   

Dividends to shareholders:

     

Net investment income

     (1.44        

Net asset value, end of period

   $ 49.70       $ 51.90   

TOTAL RETURN2

     (1.32 )%       3.76

RATIOS/SUPPLEMENTAL DATA:

     

Net assets, end of period (000’s omitted)

   $ 17,396       $ 36,331   

Ratios to average net assets of:

     

Expenses

     0.63 %3       0.63 %3 

Net investment income (loss)

     2.75 %3       (0.51 )%3 

Portfolio turnover rate4

     21      0

 

* Commencement of operations.

 

1 

Based on average shares outstanding.

 

2 

Total return is calculated assuming an initial investment made at the net asset value at the beginning of the period, reinvestment of all dividends and distributions at net asset value during the period and redemption on the last day of the period. Total return calculated for a period of less than one year is not annualized.

 

3 

Annualized.

 

4 

Portfolio turnover rate is not annualized and excludes the value of portfolio securities received or delivered as a result of in-kind creations or redemptions of the Fund’s capital shares.

 

198   WisdomTree Trust Prospectus


Table of Contents

Financial Highlights

WisdomTree International Earnings Funds

Selected data for a share of beneficial interest outstanding throughout the period is presented below:

 

 

WisdomTree India Earnings Fund

(consolidated)

  For the
Year Ended
March 31, 2014
    For the
Year Ended
March 31, 2013
    For the
Year Ended
March 31, 2012
    For the
Year Ended
March 31, 2011
    For the
Year Ended
March 31, 2010
 

Net asset value, beginning of year

  $ 17.97      $ 19.24      $ 24.87     $ 23.25      $ 10.99   

Investment operations:

         

Net investment income1

    0.25        0.17        0.19        0.09        0.04   

Net realized and unrealized gain (loss)

    0.94        (1.29     (5.65     1.67        12.27   

Total from investment operations

    1.19        (1.12     (5.46 )     1.76        12.31   

Dividends to shareholders:

         

Net investment income

    (0.23     (0.15     (0.17     (0.14     (0.05

Net asset value, end of year

  $ 18.93      $ 17.97      $ 19.24     $ 24.87      $ 23.25   

TOTAL RETURN2

    6.81     (5.80 )%      (21.96 )%     7.59     112.11

RATIOS/SUPPLEMENTAL DATA:

         

Net assets, end of year (000’s omitted)

  $ 939,064      $ 1,071,074      $ 916,024      $ 1,487,089      $ 841,533   

Ratios to average net assets of:

         

Expenses, net of expense reimbursements

    0.84 %6      0.84 %4      0.76 %4,5      0.88 %4      0.88 %4 

Expenses, prior to expense reimbursements

    0.84 %6      0.86 %4      0.82 %4      0.88 %4      0.88 %4 

Net investment income

    1.49     0.91     0.91     0.36     0.19

Portfolio turnover rate3

    43     27     32 %     38     33

 

1 

Based on average shares outstanding.

 

2 

Total return is calculated assuming an initial investment made at the net asset value at the beginning of the period, reinvestment of all dividends and distributions at net asset value during the period and redemption on the last day of the period. Total return calculated for a period of less than one year is not annualized. The total return would have been lower if certain expenses had not been reimbursed/waived by the investment adviser.

 

3 

Portfolio turnover rate is not annualized and excludes the value of portfolio securities received or delivered as a result of in-kind creations or redemptions of the Fund’s capital shares.

 

4 

Excludes Mauritius income tax expense. If Mauritius income tax expense had been included, the Fund’s expense ratios (before and after expense reimbursements) would have been higher by: 0.02%, 0.06%, 0.04%, and 0.03% for the fiscal years ended 2013, 2012, 2011 and 2010.

 

5 

During the period, the Fund was reimbursed for certain expenses that occurred during the previous fiscal year.

 

6 

Includes interest expense of 0.01% for the fiscal year ended 2014.

 

WisdomTree Trust Prospectus      199   


Table of Contents

WisdomTree Trust

245 Park Avenue, 35th Floor

New York, NY 10167

 

LOGO

 

LOGO

 

The Trust’s current SAI provides additional detailed information about the Funds. The Trust has electronically filed the SAI with the SEC. It is incorporated by reference in this Prospectus.

Additional information about the Funds’ investments is available in the Funds’ annual and semi-annual reports to shareholders. In the annual report you will find a discussion of the market conditions and investment strategies that significantly affected the Funds’ performance during the last fiscal year.

To make shareholder inquiries, for more detailed information on the Funds, or to request the SAI or annual or semi-annual shareholder reports, as applicable, free of charge, please:

 

Call:  

1-866-909-9473

Monday through Friday

8:00 a.m. – 8:00 p.m. (Eastern time)

   Write:  

WisdomTree Trust

c/o ALPS Distributors, Inc.

1290 Broadway, Suite 1100 Denver, Colorado 80203

      
Visit:   www.wisdomtree.com     

Information about the Funds (including the SAI) can be reviewed and copied at the SEC’s Public Reference Room in Washington, D.C., and information on the operation of the Public Reference Room may be obtained by calling the SEC at 1-202-551-8090. Reports and other information about the Funds are available on the EDGAR Database on the SEC’s Internet site at www.sec.gov, and copies of this information may be obtained, after paying a duplicating fee, by electronic request at the following e-mail address: publicinfo@sec.gov, or by writing the SEC’s Public Reference Section, Washington, D.C. 20549-1520.

No person is authorized to give any information or to make any representations about any Fund and its shares not contained in this Prospectus and you should not rely on any other information. Read and keep this Prospectus for future reference.

©2014 WisdomTree Trust

WisdomTree Funds are distributed by

ALPS Distributors, Inc.

1290 Broadway, Suite 1100

Denver, Colorado 80203

WisdomTree® is a registered mark of WisdomTree Investments, Inc.

INVESTMENT COMPANY ACT FILE NO. 811-21864

WIS-PR-002-0814


Table of Contents

PROSPECTUS

[            ], 2014

 

International Equity ETFs

 

LOGO

 

WisdomTree Trust

 

 

WisdomTree

International Equity ETFs*

WisdomTree Japan Dividend Growth Fund (            )

 

* Principal U.S. Listing Exchange: [            ]

 

SHARES OF THE FUND ARE NOT CURRENTLY AVAILABLE FOR PURCHASE ON THE SECONDARY MARKET.

THE U.S. SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION (“SEC”) HAS NOT APPROVED OR DISAPPROVED THESE SECURITIES OR PASSED UPON THE ADEQUACY OF THIS PROSPECTUS. ANY REPRESENTATION TO THE CONTRARY IS A CRIMINAL OFFENSE.


Table of Contents

WisdomTree Trust

 

Table of Contents

 

Fund Summary      2   

WisdomTree Japan Dividend Growth Fund

     2   
Additional Information About the Fund      6   

Additional Information About the Fund’s Investment Objective

     6   

Additional Information About the Fund’s Investment Strategy

     6   

Other Investment Information

     6   
Additional Principal Risk Information About the Fund      6   
Additional Non-Principal Risk Information      9   
Portfolio Holdings Information      9   
Management      10   

Investment Adviser

     10   

Sub-Adviser

     10   

Portfolio Managers

     10   
Additional Information on Buying and Selling Fund Shares      11   

Share Trading Prices

     11   

Determination of Net Asset Value

     11   

Dividends and Distributions

     11   

Book Entry

     11   

Delivery of Shareholder Documents – Householding

     12   

Frequent Purchases and Redemptions of Fund Shares

     12   

Investments by Registered Investment Companies

     12   
Additional Tax Information      12   

Taxes on Distributions

     12   

Taxes When Fund Shares Are Sold

     13   

Taxes on Creation and Redemption of Creation Units

     13   

Foreign Investments by the Fund

     13   
Distribution      14   
Premium/Discount and NAV Information      14   
Additional Notices      14   
Financial Highlights      14   
 

 

INVESTMENT PRODUCTS: n ARE NOT FDIC INSURED n MAY LOSE VALUE n ARE NOT BANK GUARANTEED

 

 

WisdomTree Trust Prospectus      1   


Table of Contents

WisdomTree Japan Dividend Growth Fund

 

Fund Summary

Investment Objective

The WisdomTree Japan Dividend Growth Fund (the “Fund”) seeks to track the price and yield performance, before fees and expenses, of the WisdomTree Japan Dividend Growth Index (the “Index”).

Fees and Expenses of the Fund

The following table describes the fees and expenses you may pay if you buy and hold shares of the Fund. The fees are expressed as a percentage of the Fund’s average net assets.

 

Shareholder Fees (fees paid directly from your investment)     None   

Annual Fund Operating Expenses (expenses that you pay each year as a percentage of the value of your investment)

       

Management Fees

    [    ]

Distribution and/or Service (12b-1) Fees

    None   

Other Expenses*

    0.00
Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses     [    ]
* “Other Expenses” are based on estimated amounts for the current fiscal year.

Example

The following example is intended to help retail investors compare the cost of investing in the Fund with the cost of investing in other funds. It illustrates the hypothetical expenses that such investors would incur over various periods if they were to invest $10,000 in the Fund for the time periods indicated and then redeem all of the shares at the end of those periods. This example assumes that the Fund provides a return of 5% a year and that operating expenses remain the same. This example does not include the brokerage commissions that retail investors may pay to buy and sell shares of the Fund. Although your actual costs may be higher or lower, based on these assumptions, your costs would be:

 

     1 Year     3 Years  
    $ [           $ [         

Portfolio Turnover

The Fund pays transaction costs, such as commissions, when it buys and sells securities (or “turns over” its portfolio). A higher portfolio turnover rate may indicate higher transaction costs and may result in higher taxes when Fund shares are held in a taxable account. These costs, which are not reflected in annual fund operating expenses or in the example, affect the Fund’s performance. Because the Fund is newly organized, portfolio turnover information is not yet available.

Principal Investment Strategies of the Fund

The Fund employs a “passive management” – or indexing – investment approach designed to track the performance of the Index. The Fund generally uses a representative sampling strategy to achieve its investment objective, meaning it generally will invest in a sample of the securities in the Index whose risk, return and other characteristics resemble the risk, return and other characteristics of the Index as a whole. Under normal circumstances, at least 80% of the Fund’s total assets (exclusive of collateral held from securities lending) will be invested in the component securities of the Index and investments that have economic characteristics that are substantially identical to the economic characteristics of such component securities.

The Index is designed to provide exposure to dividend-paying common stocks of companies with growth characteristics that are incorporated in Japan and listed on the Tokyo Stock Exchange. The Index is a fundamentally weighted index that is generally comprised of the 300 companies with the best combined rank of certain growth and quality factors: specifically long-term earnings growth expectations, return on equity, and return on assets. The starting universe screening requirements include: (i) payment of at least $5 million in cash dividends on common shares in the annual cycle prior to the annual Index screening date; (ii) market capitalization of at least $1 billion as of the Index screening date; (iii) average daily dollar volume of at least $100,000 for each of the three months preceding the Index screening date; (iv) a calculated volume factor (the average daily dollar volume for three months preceding the Index screening date divided by the weight of the security in the Index) that is greater than $200 million; and (v) trading of at least 250,000 shares per month for each of the six months preceding the Index screening date. Securities are weighted in the Index based on dividends paid over the prior annual cycle. Companies that pay more total dollar amount of dividends are more heavily weighted. At the time of the

 

2   WisdomTree Trust Prospectus


Table of Contents

Index’s annual screening date, the maximum weight of any security in the Index is capped at 5% and the maximum weight of any one sector in the Index is capped at 20%, subject to the following volume factor. In the event that a company has a calculated volume factor that is less than $400 million as of the annual Index screening date, the company’s weight in the Index will be reduced such that its weight equals its weight prior to the adjustment multiplied by a fraction of its calculated volume factor divided by $400 million. In response to market conditions, security and sector weights may fluctuate above the specified cap between annual Index screening dates.

WisdomTree Investments, Inc. (“WisdomTree Investments”), as index provider, currently uses Standard & Poor’s Global Industry Classification Standards (“S&P GICS”) to define companies within a sector. The following sectors are included in the Index: consumer discretionary, consumer staples, energy, financials, health care, industrials, information technology, materials, telecommunication services, and utilities. A sector is comprised of multiple industries. For example, the energy sector is comprised of companies in, among others, the natural gas, oil and petroleum industries. As of [June 30, 2014], a significant portion of the Index is comprised of companies in the [consumer discretionary and industrial sectors].

To the extent the Index concentrates (i.e., holds 25% or more of its total assets) in the securities of a particular industry or group of industries, the Fund will concentrate its investments to approximately the same extent as its Index.

Principal Risks of Investing in the Fund

You can lose money on your investment in the Fund. The Fund is subject to the risks described below. Some or all of these risks may adversely affect the Fund’s net asset value per share (“NAV”), trading price, yield, total return and/or ability to meet its objectives. For more information about the risks of investing in the Fund, see the sections in the Fund’s Prospectus, titled “Additional Principal Risk Information About the Fund” and “Additional Non-Principal Risk Information.”

 

n  

Investment Risk. As with all investments, an investment in the Fund is subject to investment risk. Investors in the Fund could lose money, including the possible loss of the entire principal amount of an investment, over short or long periods of time.

 

n  

Market Risk. The trading prices of equity securities and other instruments fluctuate in response to a variety of factors. The Fund’s NAV and market price may fluctuate significantly in response to these and other factors. As a result, an investor could lose money over short or long periods of time.

 

n  

Shares of the Fund May Trade at Prices Other Than NAV. As with all exchange-traded funds (“ETFs”), Fund shares may be bought and sold in the secondary market at market prices. The trading prices of the Fund’s shares in the secondary market generally differ from the Fund’s daily NAV, and there may be times when the market price of the shares is more than the NAV (premium) or less than the NAV (discount). This risk is heightened in times of market volatility or periods of steep market declines.

 

n  

Cash Redemption Risk. The Fund’s investment strategy will require it to redeem shares for cash or to otherwise include cash as part of its redemption proceeds. The Fund may be required to sell or unwind portfolio investments in order to obtain the cash needed to distribute redemption proceeds. This may cause the Fund to recognize a capital gain that it might not have recognized if it had made a redemption in-kind. As a result, the Fund may pay out higher annual capital gain distributions than if the in-kind redemption process was used.

 

n  

Consumer Discretionary Sector Risk. The Fund invests a relatively large percentage of its assets in companies in the consumer discretionary sector. This sector consists of, for example, automobile, retail and media companies. The consumer discretionary sector of the economy can be significantly affected by, among other things, economic growth, worldwide demand and consumers’ disposable income levels and propensity to spend.

 

n  

Currency Exchange Rate Risk. The Fund invests a relatively large percentage of its assets in investments denominated in non-U.S. currencies or in securities that provide exposure to such currencies. Changes in currency exchange rates and the relative value of non-U.S. currencies will affect the value of the Fund’s investment and the value of your Fund shares. Currency exchange rates can be very volatile and can change quickly and unpredictably. As a result, the value of an investment in the Fund may change quickly and without warning and you may lose money.

 

n  

Foreign Securities Risk. Investments in non-U.S. securities involve certain risks that may not be present with investments in U.S. securities. For example, investments in non-U.S. securities may be subject to risk of loss due to foreign currency fluctuations or to political or economic instability. Investments in non-U.S. securities also may be subject to withholding or other taxes and may be subject to additional trading, settlement, custodial, and operational risks. These and other factors can make investments in the Fund more volatile and potentially less liquid than other types of investments and may be heightened in connection with investments in developing or emerging markets countries.

 

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Geographic Concentration in Japan. Because the Fund invests primarily in the securities of companies in Japan, the Fund’s performance is expected to be closely tied to social, political, and economic conditions within Japan and to be more volatile than the performance of more geographically diversified funds. The Japanese economy has only recently emerged from a prolonged economic downturn. Since the year 2000, Japan’s economic growth rate has remained relatively low. The economy is characterized by government intervention and protectionism, an unstable financial services sector, and relatively high unemployment. Economic growth is heavily dependent on international trade, government support of the financial services sector and other troubled sectors, and consistent government policy. The United States is Japan’s largest single trading partner, but close to half of Japan’s trade is conducted with developing nations, almost all of which are in Southeast Asia. Slowdowns in the U.S. and China could have a negative impact on Japan. Exposure to China, in terms of both imports and exports, has been increasing in recent years. These and other factors could have a negative impact on the Fund’s performance and increase the volatility of an investment in the Fund.

 

n  

Industrial Sector Risk. The Fund invests a relatively large percentage of its assets in companies in the industrial sector. The industrial sector can be significantly affected by, among other things, worldwide economy growth, supply and demand for specific products and services, rapid technological developments, and government regulation.

 

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Investment Style Risk. The Fund invests in the securities included in, or representative of, its Index regardless of their investment merit. The Fund does not attempt to outperform its Index or take defensive positions in declining markets. As a result, the Fund’s performance may be adversely affected by a general decline in the market segments relating to its Index.

 

n  

Issuer-Specific Risk. Issuer-specific events, including changes in the financial condition of an issuer, can have a negative impact on the value of the Fund.

 

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Large-Capitalization Investing. The Fund invests a relatively large percentage of its assets in the securities of large-capitalization companies. As a result, the Fund’s performance may be adversely affected if securities of large-capitalization companies underperform securities of smaller-capitalization companies or the market as a whole. The securities of large-capitalization companies may be relatively mature compared to smaller companies and therefore subject to slower growth during times of economic expansion.

 

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Mid-Capitalization Investing. The Fund may invest in the securities of mid-capitalization companies. As a result, the Fund’s performance may be adversely affected if securities of mid-capitalization companies underperform securities of other capitalization ranges or the market as a whole. Securities of smaller companies are often more vulnerable to market volatility than securities of larger companies.

 

n  

Non-Correlation Risk. As with all index funds, the performance of the Fund and its Index may differ from each other for a variety of reasons.

 

n  

Non-Diversification Risk. Although the Fund intends to invest in a variety of securities and instruments, the Fund will be considered to be non-diversified, which means that it may invest more of its assets in the securities of a single issuer or a smaller number of issuers than if it were a diversified fund. As a result, the Fund may be more exposed to the risks associated with and developments affecting an individual issuer or a smaller number of issuers than a fund that invests more widely. This may increase the Fund’s volatility and cause the performance of a relatively smaller number of issuers to have a greater impact on the Fund’s performance.

Fund Performance

The Fund is new and therefore does not have a performance history.

Management

Investment Adviser and Sub-Adviser

WisdomTree Asset Management, Inc. serves as investment adviser to the Fund. [                ] serves as sub-adviser to the Fund.

Portfolio Managers

[                ], has been a portfolio manager of the Fund since its inception in [                ].

[                ], has been a portfolio manager of the Fund since its inception in [                ].

[                ], has been a portfolio manager of the Fund since its inception in [                ].

 

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Buying and Selling Fund Shares

The Fund is an ETF. This means that shares of the Fund are listed on a national securities exchange, such as NASDAQ, and trade at market prices. Most investors will buy and sell shares of the Fund through brokers. Because Fund shares trade at market prices rather than NAV, shares may trade at a price greater than NAV (premium) or less than NAV (discount).

The Fund issues and redeems shares at NAV only in large blocks of shares (“Creation Units”), which only certain institutions or large investors (typically market makers or other broker-dealers) may purchase or redeem. Currently, Creation Units generally consist of 50,000 shares, though this may change from time to time. Creation Units are not expected to consist of less than 50,000 shares. The Fund generally issues and redeems Creation Units in exchange for a portfolio of securities closely approximating the holdings of the Fund and/or a designated amount of U.S. cash.

Tax Information

The Fund intends to make distributions that may be taxed as ordinary income, qualified dividend income, or capital gains.

Payments to Broker-Dealers and Other Financial Intermediaries

If you purchase shares of the Fund through a broker-dealer or other financial intermediary (such as a bank) (an “Intermediary”), WisdomTree Asset Management, Inc. or its affiliates may pay Intermediaries for certain activities related to the Fund, including participation in activities that are designed to make Intermediaries more knowledgeable about exchange traded products, including the Fund, or for other activities, such as marketing, educational training or other initiatives related to the sale or promotion of Fund shares. These payments may create a conflict of interest by influencing the Intermediary and your salesperson to recommend the Fund over another investment. Any such arrangements do not result in increased Fund expenses. Ask your salesperson or visit the Intermediary’s website for more information.

 

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Additional Information About the Fund

Additional Information About the Fund’s Investment Objective. The Fund seeks to track the price and yield performance, before fees and expenses, of the Index developed by WisdomTree Investments. The Index consists of securities in the market suggested by its name that meet specific criteria developed by WisdomTree Investments. Since the Fund’s investment objective has been adopted as a non-fundamental investment policy, the Fund’s investment objective may be changed without a vote of shareholders upon 60 days’ written notice to shareholders.

Additional Information About the Fund’s Investment Strategy. The Fund will normally invest at least 80% of its net assets, plus the amount of any borrowings for investment purposes, in the types of securities suggested by its name (i.e., investments connoted by its Index). The Fund anticipates meeting this policy because, under normal circumstances, at least 80% of the Fund’s total assets (exclusive of collateral held from securities lending) will be invested in the component securities of its underlying Index and investments that have economic characteristics that are substantially identical to the economic characteristics of such component securities. WisdomTree Asset Management, Inc. (“WisdomTree Asset Management” or the “Adviser”) expects that, over time, the correlation between the Fund’s performance and that of the Index, before fees and expenses, will be 95% or better. A number of factors may affect the Fund’s ability to achieve a high degree of correlation with its Index, and there can be no guarantee that the Fund will achieve a high degree of correlation.

The quantity of holdings in the Fund using a representative sampling strategy will be based on a number of factors, including asset size of the Fund. In addition, from time to time, securities are added to or removed from the Index and consequently the attributes of the Index, such as sectors or industries represented in the Index and weightings, may change. The Fund may sell securities that are represented in the Index, or purchase securities that are not yet represented in the Index, in anticipation of their removal from or addition to the Index or to reflect various corporate actions or other changes to the Index. Further, the Fund may overweight or underweight securities in the Index, purchase or sell securities not in the Index, or utilize various combinations of other available techniques, in seeking to track the Index.

Index. The Index is “fundamentally weighted” and differs from most traditional indexes in that the proportion, or “weighting,” of the securities in the Index is based on cash dividends, a measure of fundamental value. Most traditional indexes and index funds weight their securities by looking simply at the market capitalization of such securities.

The Index is weighted based on dividends paid over the prior annual cycle. This means that securities of companies that pay a higher total dollar amount of dividends are more heavily weighted in the Index and the Fund. Only regular dividends (i.e., established or quarterly dividends as opposed to non-recurring or special dividends) are included in the determination of dividends paid over the prior annual cycle.

Other Investment Information. The Fund may invest in other investments that the Fund believes will help it track its Index, including cash and cash equivalents, as well as in shares of other investment companies (including affiliated investment companies), forward contracts, futures contracts, options on futures contracts, options and swaps.

The Fund may lend its portfolio securities in an amount not to exceed one third (33 1/3%) of the value of its total assets via a securities lending program through its securities lending agent, State Street Bank and Trust Company, to brokers, dealers and other financial institutions desiring to borrow securities to complete transactions and for other purposes. A securities lending program allows the Fund to receive a portion of the income generated by lending its securities and investing the respective collateral. The Fund will receive collateral for each loaned security which is at least equal to the market value of that security, marked to market each trading day. In the securities lending program, the borrower generally has the right to vote the loaned securities, however the Fund may call loans to vote proxies if a material issue affecting the Fund’s economic interest in the investment is to be voted upon. Security loans may be terminated at any time by the Fund.

Additional Principal Risk Information About the Fund

This section provides additional information regarding the principal risks described under “Principal Risks of Investing in the Fund” in the Fund Summary. Each of the factors below could have a negative impact on Fund performance and trading prices.

Cash Redemption Risk

When the Fund’s investment strategy requires it to redeem shares for cash or to otherwise include cash as part of its redemption proceeds, it may be required to sell or unwind portfolio investments in order to obtain the cash needed to distribute redemption proceeds. This may cause the Fund to recognize a capital gain that it might not have recognized if it had made a redemption in-kind (i.e., distribute securities as payment of redemption proceeds). As a result, the Fund may pay out higher annual capital gain distributions than if the in-kind redemption process was used.

 

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Currency Exchange Rate Risk

Changes in currency exchange rates and the relative value of non-U.S. currencies will affect the value of the Fund’s investments and the value of your Fund shares. Because the Fund’s NAV is determined on the basis of U.S. dollars, the U.S. dollar value of your investment in the Fund may go down if the value of the local currency of the non-U.S. markets in which the Fund invests depreciates against the U.S. dollar. This is true even if the local currency value of securities in the Fund’s holdings goes up. Conversely, the dollar value of your investment in the Fund may go up if the value of the local currency appreciates against the U.S. dollar.

The value of the U.S. dollar measured against other currencies is influenced by a variety of factors. These factors include: national debt levels and trade deficits, changes in balances of payments and trade, domestic and foreign interest and inflation rates, global or regional political, economic or financial events, monetary policies of governments, actual or potential government intervention, and global energy prices. Political instability, the possibility of government intervention and restrictive or opaque business and investment policies may also reduce the value of a country’s currency. Government monetary policies and the buying or selling of currency by a country’s government may also influence exchange rates. Currency exchange rates can be very volatile and can change quickly and unpredictably. As a result, the value of an investment in the Fund may change quickly and without warning, and you may lose money.

Foreign Securities Risk

Investments in non-U.S. securities involve certain risks that may not be present with investments in U.S. securities. For example, investments in non-U.S. securities may be subject to risk of loss due to foreign currency fluctuations or to political or economic instability. There may be less information publicly available about a non-U.S. issuer than a U.S. issuer. Non-U.S. issuers may be subject to different accounting, auditing, financial reporting and investor protection standards than U.S. issuers. Investments in non-U.S. securities may be subject to withholding or other taxes and may be subject to additional trading, settlement, custodial, and operational risks. With respect to certain countries, there is the possibility of government intervention and expropriation or nationalization of assets. Because legal systems differ, there is also the possibility that it will be difficult to obtain or enforce legal judgments in certain countries. Since foreign exchanges may be open on days when the Fund does not price its shares, the value of the securities in the Fund’s portfolio may change on days when shareholders will not be able to purchase or sell the Fund’s shares. Conversely, Fund shares may trade on days when foreign exchanges are closed. Each of these factors can make investments in the Fund more volatile and potentially less liquid than other types of investments and may be heightened in connection with investments in developing or emerging market countries. Foreign securities also include American Depositary Receipts (“ADRs”) which are U.S. dollar-denominated receipts representing shares of foreign-based corporations. ADRs are issued by U.S. banks or trust companies and entitle the holder to all dividends and capital gains that are paid out on the underlying foreign shares. Global Depositary Receipts (“GDRs”), which are similar to ADRs, but are shares to foreign-based corporations generally issued by international banks in one or more markets around the world. Investments in ADRs and GDRs may be less liquid and more volatile than underlying shares in their primary trading markets.

Geographic Concentration in Japan

The Fund invests primarily in the securities of companies in Japan, it is more likely to be impacted by events or conditions affecting Japan. For example, political and economic conditions and changes in regulatory, tax, or economic policy in Japan could significantly affect the market in that country and in surrounding or related countries and have a negative impact on the Fund’s performance. Currency developments or restrictions, political and social instability, and changing economic conditions may result in significant market volatility. Further, economic growth in Japan is heavily dependent on international trade, government support, and consistent government policy. Slowdowns in the economies of key trading partners such as the United States, China and countries in Southeast Asia could have a negative impact on the Japanese economy as a whole.

Investment Risk

As with all investments, an investment in the Fund is subject to investment risk. Investors in the Fund could lose money, including the possible loss of the entire principal amount of an investment, over short or long periods of time. An investment in the Fund is not a bank deposit and it is not insured or guaranteed by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation or any other government agency.

Investment Style Risk

The Fund invests in the securities included in, or representative of, its Index regardless of their investment merit. The Fund does not attempt to outperform its Index or take defensive positions in declining markets. As a result, the Fund’s performance may be adversely affected by a general decline in the market segments relating to its Index. The returns from the types of securities in which the Fund invests may underperform returns from the various general securities markets or different asset classes. This may cause the Fund to underperform other investment vehicles that invest in different asset classes. Different types of securities (for example, large-, mid- and small-capitalization stocks) tend to go through cycles of doing better – or worse – than the general securities markets. In the past, these periods have lasted for as long as several years.

 

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Issuer-Specific Risk

Changes in the financial condition of an issuer or counterparty, changes in specific economic or political conditions that affect a particular type of security or issuer, and changes in general economic or political conditions can affect a security’s or instrument’s value. The value of securities of smaller, less well-known issuers can be more volatile than that of larger issuers. Issuer-specific events can have a negative impact on the value of the Fund.

Market Risk

The trading prices of equity securities, fixed income securities, currencies, commodities, and other instruments fluctuate in response to a variety of factors. These factors include events impacting the entire market or specific market segments, such as political, market and economic developments, as well as events that impact specific issuers. The Fund’s NAV and market price, like security and commodity prices generally, may fluctuate significantly in response to these and other factors. As a result, an investor could lose money over short or long periods of time.

Market Capitalization Risk

Large-Capitalization Investing

The securities of large-capitalization companies may be relatively mature compared to smaller companies and therefore subject to slower growth during times of economic expansion. Large-capitalization companies may also be unable to respond quickly to new competitive challenges, such as changes in technology and consumer tastes.

Mid-Capitalization Investing

The securities of mid-capitalization companies may be more vulnerable to adverse issuer, market, political, or economic developments than securities of large-capitalization companies. The securities of mid-capitalization companies generally trade in lower volumes and are subject to greater and more unpredictable price changes than large capitalization stocks or the stock market as a whole. Some medium capitalization companies have limited product lines, markets, financial resources, and management personnel and tend to concentrate on fewer geographical markets relative to large-capitalization companies.

Non-Correlation Risk

As with all index funds, the performance of the Fund and its Index may vary somewhat for a variety of reasons. For example, the Fund incurs operating expenses and portfolio transaction costs, while also managing cash flows and potential operational inefficiencies, not incurred by its Index. In addition, the Fund may not be fully invested in the securities of its Index at all times or may hold securities not included in its Index and may be subject to pricing differences, differences in the timing of dividend accruals, operational inefficiencies and the need to meet various new or existing regulatory requirements. For example, it may take several business days for additions and deletions to the Index to be reflected in the portfolio composition of the Fund. The use of sampling techniques may affect the Fund’s ability to achieve close correlation with its Index. The Fund uses a representative sampling strategy and generally can be expected to have a greater non-correlation risk and this risk may be heightened during times of market volatility or other unusual market conditions.

Non-Diversification Risk

Although the Fund intends to invest in a variety of securities and instruments, the Fund will be considered to be non-diversified. This means that the Fund may invest more of its assets in the securities of a single issuer or a smaller number of issuers than if it was a diversified fund. As a result, the Fund may be more exposed to the risks associated with and developments affecting an individual issuer or a smaller number of issuers than a fund that invests more widely. This may increase the Fund’s volatility and cause the performance of a relatively smaller number of issuers to have a greater impact on the Fund’s performance.

Sector Risks

Consumer Discretionary Investing

The consumer discretionary sector consists of, for example, automobile, retail and media companies. The consumer discretionary sector may be affected by changes in domestic and international economies, exchange and interest rates, worldwide demand, competition, consumers’ disposable income levels, propensity to spend and consumer preferences, social trends and marketing campaigns. Companies in the consumer discretionary sector have historically been characterized as relatively cyclical and therefore more volatile in times of change.

Industrial Investing

The industrial sector can be significantly affected by, among other things, worldwide economic growth, supply and demand for specific products and services, rapid technological developments, international political and economic developments, environmental issues, and tax and governmental regulatory policies. As the demand for, or prices of,

 

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industrials increase, the value of a Fund’s investments generally would be expected to also increase. Conversely, declines in the demand for, or prices of, industrials generally would be expected to contribute to declines in the value of such securities. Such declines may occur quickly and without warning and may negatively impact the value of a Fund and your investment.

Shares of the Fund May Trade at Prices Other Than NAV

As with all ETFs, Fund shares may be bought and sold in the secondary market at market prices. Although it is expected that the market price of the shares of the Fund will approximate the Fund’s NAV, there may be times when the market price and the NAV vary significantly, including due to supply and demand of the Fund’s shares and/or during periods of market volatility. Thus, you may pay more (or less) than NAV when you buy shares of the Fund in the secondary market, and you may receive more (or less) than NAV when you sell those shares in the secondary market. If an investor purchases Fund shares at a time when the market price is at a premium to the NAV of the Fund’s shares or sells at a time when the market price is at a discount to the NAV of the Fund’s shares, an investor may sustain losses.

Additional Non-Principal Risk Information

Trading. Although the Fund’s shares are listed for trading on (the “Listing Exchange”) and may be listed or traded on U.S. and non-U.S. stock exchanges other than the Listing Exchange, there can be no assurance that an active trading market for such shares will develop or be maintained. Trading in shares may be halted due to market conditions or for reasons that, in the view of the Listing Exchange, make trading in shares inadvisable. In addition, trading in shares on the Listing Exchange is subject to trading halts caused by extraordinary market volatility pursuant to Listing Exchange “circuit breaker” rules. There can be no assurance that the requirements of the Listing Exchange necessary to maintain the listing of the Fund will continue to be met or will remain unchanged or that Fund shares will trade with any volume, or at all, on any stock exchange.

Costs of Buying or Selling Shares. Investors buying or selling Fund shares in the secondary market will pay brokerage commissions or other charges imposed by brokers, as determined by that broker. Brokerage commissions are often a fixed amount and may be a significant proportional cost for investors seeking to buy or sell relatively small amounts of Fund shares. In addition, secondary market investors will also incur the cost of the difference between the price at which an investor is willing to buy shares (the “bid” price) and the price at which an investor is willing to sell shares (the “ask” price). This difference in bid and ask prices is often referred to as the “spread” or “bid/ask spread.” The bid/ask spread varies over time for shares based on trading volume and market liquidity, and is generally lower if the Fund’s shares have more trading volume and market liquidity and higher if the Fund’s shares have little trading volume and market liquidity. Further, increased market volatility may cause increased bid/ask spreads. Due to the costs of buying or selling Fund shares, including bid/ask spreads, frequent trading of Fund shares may significantly reduce investment results and an investment in shares may not be advisable for investors who anticipate regularly making small investments.

Securities Lending. Although the Fund is indemnified by the Fund’s lending agent for losses incurred in connection with a borrower’s default with respect to a loan, the Fund bears the risk of loss of investing cash collateral and may be required to make payments to a borrower upon return of loaned securities if invested collateral has declined in value. Furthermore, because of the risks in delay of recovery, the Fund may lose the opportunity to sell the securities at a desirable price, and the Fund will generally not have the right to vote securities while they are being loaned. These events could also trigger negative tax consequences for the Fund.

Portfolio Holdings Information

Information about the Fund’s daily portfolio holdings is available at www.wisdomtree.com. In addition, the Fund will disclose its complete portfolio holdings as of the end of its fiscal year (March 31) and its second fiscal quarter (September 30) in its reports to shareholders. The Fund files its complete portfolio holdings as of the end of its first and third fiscal quarters (June 30 and December 31, respectively) with the SEC on Form N-Q no later than 60 days after the relevant fiscal period. You can find the SEC filings on the SEC’s website, www.sec.gov. A summarized description of the Fund’s policies and procedures with respect to the disclosure of the Fund’s portfolio holdings is available in the Fund’s Statement of Additional Information (“SAI”).

 

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Management

Investment Adviser

As investment adviser, WisdomTree Asset Management has overall responsibility for the general management and administration of WisdomTree Trust (the “Trust”) and each of its separate investment portfolios called “Funds.” WisdomTree Asset Management is a registered investment adviser with offices located at 245 Park Avenue, 35th Floor, New York, New York 10167, and is a leader in ETF management. As of June 30, 2014, WisdomTree Asset Management had assets under management totaling approximately $35.5 billion. WisdomTree Investments* is the parent company of WisdomTree Asset Management. WisdomTree Asset Management provides an investment program for the Fund. The Adviser provides proactive oversight of the Sub-Adviser, defined below, daily monitoring of the Sub-Adviser’s buying and selling of securities for the Fund, and regular review of the Sub-Adviser’s performance. In addition, the Adviser also arranges for sub-advisory, transfer agency, custody, fund administration, securities lending, and all other non-distribution related services necessary for the Fund to operate. For its services, WisdomTree Asset Management expects to receive fees from the Fund, based on a percentage of the Fund’s average daily net assets, as shown in the following table:

 

Name of Fund   Management Fee  
WisdomTree Japan Dividend Growth Fund     [              ]% 

Under the Investment Advisory Agreement for the Fund, WisdomTree Asset Management has agreed to pay generally all expenses of the Fund, subject to certain exceptions. For a detailed description of the Investment Advisory Agreement for the Fund, please see the “Management of the Trust” section of the SAI. Pursuant to a separate contractual arrangement, WisdomTree Asset Management arranges for the provision of chief compliance officer (“CCO”) services with respect to the Fund, and is liable and responsible for, and administers, payments to the CCO, the Independent Trustees and counsel to the Independent Trustees. WisdomTree Asset Management receives a fee of up to 0.0044% of the Fund’s average daily net assets for providing such services and paying such expenses. WisdomTree Asset Management provides CCO services to the Trust.

The basis for the Board of Trustees’ approval of the Fund’s Investment Advisory Agreement will be available in the Trust’s Semi-Annual Report to Shareholders for the period ended September 30, 2014.

Sub-Adviser

[            ] (“[            ]”) is responsible for the day-to-day management of the Fund. [            ], a registered investment adviser, is a leading innovator in the investment industry and manages global quantitative-based investment strategies for institutional and private investors. Its principal office is located at [            ]. As of [            ], 2014, [            ] had assets under management totaling approximately $[            ] billion. [            ] is a wholly-owned indirect subsidiary of [            ], a publicly traded financial holding company. [            ] chooses the portfolio investments of the Fund and places orders to buy and sell the portfolio investments. WisdomTree Asset Management pays [            ] for providing sub-advisory services to the Fund.

The basis for the Board of Trustees’ approval of the investment Sub-Advisory Agreement will be available in the Trust’s Semi-Annual Report to Shareholders for the period ended September 30, 2014.

WisdomTree Asset Management, as the investment adviser for the Fund, may hire one or more sub-advisers to oversee the day-to-day activities of the Fund. The sub-advisers are subject to oversight by WisdomTree Asset Management. WisdomTree Asset Management and the Trust have received an exemptive order from the SEC that permits WisdomTree Asset Management, with the approval of the Independent Trustees of the Trust, to retain unaffiliated investment sub-advisers for the Fund without submitting the sub-advisory agreement to a vote of the Fund’s shareholders. The Trust will notify shareholders in the event of any change in the identity of such sub-adviser or sub-advisers. WisdomTree Asset Management has ultimate responsibility for the investment performance of the Fund due to its responsibility to oversee each sub-adviser and recommend their hiring, termination and replacement. WisdomTree Asset Management is not required to disclose fees paid to any sub-adviser retained pursuant to the order.

Portfolio Managers

The Fund is managed by [            ]’s Portfolio management team. The individual members of the team responsible for the day-to-day management of the Fund’s portfolio are described below.

[PM bios to be provided by amendment]

The Fund’s SAI provides additional information about the Portfolio Managers’ compensation, other accounts managed by the Portfolio Managers, and the Portfolio Managers’ ownership of shares in the Fund.

* “WisdomTree” is a registered mark of WisdomTree Investments and has been licensed for use by the Trust. WisdomTree Investments has patent applications pending on the methodology and operation of its Indexes and the Funds.

 

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Additional Information on Buying and Selling Fund Shares

Most investors will buy and sell shares of the Fund through brokers. Shares of the Fund trade on the Listing Exchange and elsewhere during the trading day and can be bought and sold throughout the trading day like other shares of publicly traded securities. When buying or selling shares through a broker, most investors will incur customary brokerage commissions and charges. Shares of the Fund trade under the trading symbol listed on the cover of this Prospectus.

Share Trading Prices

Transactions in Fund shares will be priced at NAV only if you are an institutional investor (e.g., broker-dealer) that has signed an agreement with the Distributor (as defined below) and you thereafter purchase or redeem shares directly from the Fund in Creation Units. As with other types of securities, the trading prices of shares in the secondary market can be affected by market forces such as supply and demand, economic conditions and other factors. The price you pay or receive when you buy or sell your shares in the secondary market may be more or less than the NAV of such shares.

The approximate value of shares of the Fund is disseminated every 15 seconds throughout the trading day by the Listing Exchange or by other information providers. This approximate value should not be viewed as a “real-time” update of the Fund’s NAV, because the approximate value may not be calculated in the same manner as the NAV, which is computed once per day. The approximate value generally is determined by using current market quotations, price quotations obtained from broker-dealers that may trade in the portfolio securities and instruments held by the Fund, and/or amortized cost for securities with remaining maturities of 60 days or less. The Fund, the adviser and their affiliates are not involved in, or responsible for, the calculation or dissemination of the approximate value and makes no warranty as to its accuracy.

Determination of Net Asset Value

The NAV of the Fund’s shares is calculated each day the national securities exchanges are open for trading as of the close of regular trading on the Listing Exchange, generally 4:00 p.m. New York time (the “NAV Calculation Time”). NAV per share is calculated by dividing the Fund’s net assets by the number of Fund shares outstanding.

In calculating its NAV, the Fund generally values its assets on the basis of market quotations, last sale prices, or estimates of value furnished by a pricing service or brokers who make markets in such instruments. Debt obligations with maturities of 60 days or less are valued at amortized cost.

Fair value pricing is used by the Fund when reliable market valuations are not readily available or are not deemed to reflect current market values. Securities that may be valued using “fair value” pricing may include, but are not limited to, securities for which there are no current market quotations or whose issuer is in default or bankruptcy, securities subject to corporate actions (such as mergers or reorganizations), securities subject to non-U.S. investment limits or currency controls, and securities affected by “significant events.” An example of a significant event is an event occurring after the close of the market in which a security trades but before the Fund’s next NAV Calculation Time that may materially affect the value of the Fund’s investment (e.g., government action, natural disaster, or significant market fluctuation). When fair-value pricing is employed, the prices of securities used by the Fund to calculate its NAV may differ from quoted or published prices for the same securities.

Dividends and Distributions

The Fund intends to pay out dividends on a quarterly basis. Nonetheless, the Fund may not make a dividend payment every quarter. The Fund intends to distribute its net realized capital gains to investors annually. The Fund occasionally may be required to make supplemental distributions at some other time during the year. Distributions in cash may be reinvested automatically in additional whole shares only if the broker through whom you purchased shares makes such option available. Your broker is responsible for distributing the income and capital gain distributions to you.

Book Entry

Shares of the Fund are held in book-entry form, which means that no stock certificates are issued. The Depository Trust Company (“DTC”) or its nominee is the record owner of all outstanding shares of the Fund.

Investors owning shares of the Fund are beneficial owners as shown on the records of DTC or its participants. DTC serves as the securities depository for all shares of the Fund. Participants include DTC, securities brokers and dealers, banks, trust companies, clearing corporations, and other institutions that directly or indirectly maintain a custodial relationship with DTC. As a beneficial owner of shares, you are not entitled to receive physical delivery of stock certificates or to have shares registered in your name, and you are not considered a registered owner of shares. Therefore, to exercise any right as an owner of shares, you must rely upon the procedures of DTC and its participants. These procedures are the same as those that apply to any securities that you hold in book-entry or “street name” form. Your broker will provide you with account statements, confirmations of your purchases and sales, and tax information.

 

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Delivery of Shareholder Documents – Householding

Householding is an option available to certain investors of the Fund. Householding is a method of delivery, based on the preference of the individual investor, in which a single copy of certain shareholder documents can be delivered to investors who share the same address, even if their accounts are registered under different names. Householding for the Fund is available through certain broker-dealers. If you are interested in enrolling in householding and receiving a single copy of prospectuses and other shareholder documents, please contact your broker-dealer. If you are currently enrolled in householding and wish to change your householding status, please contact your broker-dealer.

Frequent Purchases and Redemptions of Fund Shares

The Fund has adopted policies and procedures with respect to frequent purchases and redemptions of Creation Units of Fund shares. Since the Fund is an ETF, only a few institutional investors (known as “Authorized Participants”) are authorized to purchase and redeem shares directly from the Fund. Because purchase and redemption transactions with Authorized Participants are an essential part of the ETF process and may help keep ETF trading prices in line with NAV, the Fund accommodates frequent purchases and redemptions by Authorized Participants. Frequent purchases and redemptions for cash may increase index tracking error and portfolio transaction costs and may lead to the realization of capital gains. Frequent in-kind creations and redemptions generally do not give rise to these concerns. The Fund reserves the right to reject any purchase order at any time. The Fund reserves the right to impose restrictions on disruptive, excessive, or short-term trading.

Investments by Registered Investment Companies

Section 12(d)(1) of the Investment Company Act of 1940 restricts investments by registered investment companies in the securities of other investment companies, including shares of the Fund. Registered investment companies are permitted to invest in the Fund beyond the limits set forth in section 12(d)(1), subject to certain terms and conditions set forth in an SEC exemptive order issued to the Trust, including that such investment companies enter into an agreement with the Fund.

Additional Tax Information

The following discussion is a summary of some important U.S. federal income tax considerations generally applicable to investments in the Fund. Your investment in the Fund may have other tax implications. Please consult your tax advisor about the tax consequences of an investment in Fund shares, including the possible application of foreign, state, and local tax laws.

The Fund intends to qualify each year for treatment as a regulated investment company. If it meets certain minimum distribution requirements, a regulated investment company is not subject to tax at the fund level on income and gains from investments that are timely distributed to shareholders. However, the Fund’s failure to qualify as a regulated investment company or to meet minimum distribution requirements would result (if certain relief provisions were not available) in fund-level taxation and, consequently, a reduction in income available for distribution to shareholders.

Unless your investment in Fund shares is made through a tax-exempt entity or tax-deferred retirement account, such as an individual retirement account, you need to be aware of the possible tax consequences when:

 

  n  

The Fund makes distributions;

 

  n  

You sell Fund shares; and

 

  n  

You purchase or redeem Creation Units (institutional investors only).

Taxes on Distributions

For federal income tax purposes, distributions of investment income are generally taxable as ordinary income or qualified dividend income. Taxes on distributions of capital gains (if any) are determined by how long the Fund owned the investments that generated them, rather than how long a shareholder has owned his or her Fund shares. Sales of assets held by the Fund for more than one year generally result in long-term capital gains and losses, and sales of assets held by the Fund for one year or less generally result in short-term capital gains and losses. Distributions of the Fund’s net capital gain (the excess of net long-term capital gains over net short-term capital losses) that are properly reported by the Fund as capital gain dividends (“Capital Gain Dividends”) will be taxable as long-term capital gains. For noncorporate shareholders, long-term capital gains are generally subject to tax at reduced rates. Distributions of short-term capital gain will generally be taxable as ordinary income. Distributions of investment income reported by the Fund as “qualified dividend income” are generally taxed to noncorporate shareholders at rates applicable to long-term capital gains, provided holding period and other requirements are met.

In general, your distributions are subject to federal income tax for the year in which they are paid. Certain distributions paid in January, however, may be treated as paid on December 31 of the prior year. Distributions are generally taxable even if they are paid from income or gains earned by the Fund before your investment (and thus were included in the price you paid for your shares).

 

12   WisdomTree Trust Prospectus


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Dividends and distributions from the Fund and capital gain on the sale of Fund shares are generally taken into account in determining a shareholder’s “net investment income” for purposes of the Medicare contribution tax applicable to certain individuals, estates and trusts.

Unlike many ETFs, the redemption of Creation Units of the Fund generally incorporates a payment of cash by the Fund in addition to, or in place of, the delivery of a basket of securities. To meet this requirement, the Fund may be required to sell portfolio securities in order to obtain the cash needed to distribute redemption proceeds. This may cause the Fund to recognize income and/or capital gains or losses that it might not have recognized if it had completely satisfied the redemption in-kind. As a result, the Fund may be less tax efficient than if the in-kind redemption process was used.

Distributions (other than Capital Gain Dividends) paid to individual shareholders that are neither citizens nor residents of the U.S. or to foreign entities will generally be subject to a U.S. withholding tax at the rate of 30%, unless a lower treaty rate applies.

The Fund (or financial intermediaries, such as brokers, through which shareholders own Fund shares) generally is required to withhold and to remit to the U.S. Treasury a percentage of the taxable distributions and the sale or redemption proceeds paid to any shareholder who fails to properly furnish a correct taxpayer identification number, who has under-reported dividend or interest income, or who fails to certify that he, she or it is not subject to such withholding.

Taxes When Fund Shares Are Sold

Any capital gain or loss realized upon a sale of Fund shares is generally treated as a long-term gain or loss if the shares have been held for more than one year. Any capital gain or loss realized upon a sale of Fund shares held for one year or less is generally treated as a short-term gain or loss, except that any capital loss on a sale of shares held for six months or less is treated as long-term capital loss to the extent that Capital Gain Dividends were paid with respect to such shares. The ability to deduct capital losses may be limited depending on your circumstances.

Taxes on Creation and Redemption of Creation Units

An Authorized Participant having the U.S. dollar as its functional currency for U.S. federal tax purposes that exchanges securities for Creation Units generally will recognize a gain or loss equal to the difference between (i) the sum of the market value of the Creation Units at the time of the exchange and any amount of cash received by the Authorized Participant in the exchange and (ii) the sum of the exchanger’s aggregate basis in the securities surrendered and any amount of cash paid for such Creation Units. A person who redeems Creation Units for securities will generally recognize a gain or loss equal to the difference between the exchanger’s basis in the Creation Units and the sum of the aggregate U.S. dollar market value of the securities plus the amount of any cash received for such Creation Units. The Internal Revenue Service, however, may assert that a loss that is realized by an Authorized Participant upon an exchange of securities for Creation Units cannot be currently deducted under the rules governing “wash sales,” or on the basis that there has been no significant change in economic position.

Gain or loss recognized by an Authorized Participant upon an issuance of Creation Units in exchange for non-U.S. currency will generally be treated as ordinary income or loss. Gain or loss recognized by an Authorized Participant upon an issuance of Creation Units in exchange for securities, or upon a redemption of Creation Units, may be capital or ordinary gain or loss depending on the circumstances. Any capital gain or loss realized upon an issuance of Creation Units in exchange for securities will generally be treated as long-term capital gain or loss if the securities have been held for more than one year. Any capital gain or loss realized upon the redemption of a Creation Unit will generally be treated as long-term capital gain or loss if the Fund shares comprising the Creation Unit have been held for more than one year. Otherwise, such capital gains or losses are treated as short-term capital gains or losses.

A person subject to U.S. federal income tax who receives non-U.S. currency upon a redemption of Creation Units and does not immediately convert the non-U.S. currency into U.S. dollars may, upon a later conversion of the non-U.S. currency into U.S. dollars, recognize as ordinary gains or losses any gains or losses resulting from fluctuations in the value of the non-U.S. currency relative to the U.S. dollar since the date of the redemption.

Persons exchanging securities or non-U.S. currency for Creation Units should consult their own tax advisors with respect to the tax treatment of any creation or redemption transaction. If you purchase or redeem Creation Units, you will be sent a confirmation statement showing how many Fund shares you purchased or redeemed and at what price.

Foreign Investments by the Fund

Interest and other income received by the Fund with respect to foreign securities may give rise to withholding and other taxes imposed by foreign countries. Tax conventions between certain countries and the United States may reduce or eliminate such taxes. The Fund may need to file a special claim for refund to secure the benefit of a reduced rate. For instance, the income tax treaty between the U.S. and Japan generally reduces to 5% or 10% the rate of Japanese tax on dividends paid from a

 

WisdomTree Trust Prospectus      13   


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Japanese corporation to a U.S. shareholder. If as of the close of a taxable year more than 50% of the total assets of the Fund consist of stock or securities of foreign corporations, the Fund intends to elect to “pass through” to investors the amount of foreign income and similar taxes (including withholding taxes) paid by the Fund during that taxable year. If the Fund elects to “pass through” such foreign taxes, then investors will be considered to have received as additional income their respective shares of such foreign taxes, but may be entitled to either a corresponding tax deduction in calculating taxable income, or, subject to certain limitations, a credit in calculating federal income tax.

Distribution

ALPS Distributors, Inc. (the “Distributor”) serves as the distributor of Creation Units for the Fund on an agency basis. The Distributor does not maintain a secondary market in shares of the Fund. The Distributor’s principal address is 1290 Broadway, Suite 1100, Denver, Colorado 80203. The Distributor has no role in determining the policies of the Fund or the securities that are purchased or sold by the Fund.

Premium/Discount and NAV Information

Information regarding the Fund’s NAV and how often shares of the Fund traded on the Listing Exchange at a price above (i.e., at a premium) or below (i.e., at a discount) the NAV of the Fund during the past calendar year and most recent calendar quarter will be able to be found at www.wisdomtree.com.

Additional Notices

Listing Exchange

Shares of the Fund are not sponsored, endorsed, or promoted by the Listing Exchange. The Listing Exchange makes no representation or warranty, express or implied, to the owners of the shares of the Fund or any member of the public regarding the ability of the Fund to track the total return performance of the Index or the ability of the Index identified herein to track stock market performance. The Listing Exchange is not responsible for, nor has it participated in, the determination of the compilation or the calculation of the Index, nor in the determination of the timing of, prices of, or quantities of the shares of the Fund to be issued, nor in the determination or calculation of the equation by which the shares are redeemable. The Listing Exchange has no obligation or liability to owners of the shares of the Fund in connection with the administration, marketing, or trading of the shares of the Fund.

The Listing Exchange does not guarantee the accuracy and/or the completeness of the Index or the data included therein. The Listing Exchange makes no warranty, express or implied, as to results to be obtained by the Trust on behalf of the Fund, owners of the shares, or any other person or entity from the use of the Index or the data included therein. The Listing Exchange makes no express or implied warranties, and hereby expressly disclaims all warranties of merchantability or fitness for a particular purpose with respect to the Index or the data included therein. Without limiting any of the foregoing, in no event shall the Listing Exchange have any liability for any lost profits or indirect, punitive, special, or consequential damages even if notified of the possibility thereof.

WisdomTree and the Fund

WisdomTree Investments and WisdomTree Asset Management (together, “WisdomTree”) and the Fund make no representation or warranty, express or implied, to the owners of shares of the Fund or any member of the public regarding the advisability of investing in securities generally or in the Fund particularly or the ability of the Index to track general stock market performance. WisdomTree Investments is the licensor of certain trademarks, service marks and trade names of the Fund. WisdomTree Investments has no obligation to take the needs of the Fund or the owners of shares of the Fund into consideration in determining, composing, or calculating the Index. WisdomTree Investments is not responsible for, and has not participated in, the determination of the timing of, prices of, or quantities of shares of the Fund to be issued or in the determination or calculation of the equation by which the shares of the Fund are redeemable. WisdomTree and the Fund do not guarantee the accuracy, completeness, or performance of the Index or the data included therein and shall have no liability in connection with the Index or Index calculation. WisdomTree Investments has contracted with Standard & Poor’s (“S&P”) to maintain and calculate the Index used by the Fund. S&P shall have no liability for any errors or omissions in calculating the Index.

Financial Highlights

Financial information for the Fund will be available after the Fund has completed a fiscal year of operations.

 

14   WisdomTree Trust Prospectus


Table of Contents

WisdomTree Trust

245 Park Avenue, 35th Floor

New York, NY 10167

 

LOGO

 

LOGO

 

The Trust’s current SAI provides additional detailed information about the Fund. The Trust has electronically filed the SAI with the SEC. It is incorporated by reference in this Prospectus.

Additional information about the Fund’s investments will be available in the Fund’s annual and semi-annual reports to shareholders. In the annual report you will find a discussion of the market conditions and investment strategies that significantly affected the Fund’s performance after the first fiscal year the Fund is in operation.

To make shareholder inquiries, for more detailed information on the Fund, or to request the SAI or annual or semi-annual shareholder reports (once available) free of charge, please:

 

Call:  

1-866-909-9473

Monday through Friday

8:00 a.m. – 8:00 p.m. (Eastern time)

   Write:  

WisdomTree Trust

c/o ALPS Distributors, Inc.

1290 Broadway, Suite 1100

Denver, Colorado 80203

      
Visit:   www.wisdomtree.com     

Information about the Fund (including the SAI) can be reviewed and copied at the SEC’s Public Reference Room in Washington, D.C., and information on the operation of the Public Reference Room may be obtained by calling the SEC at 1-202-551-8090. Reports and other information about the Fund are available on the EDGAR Database on the SEC’s Internet site at www.sec.gov, and copies of this information may be obtained, after paying a duplicating fee, by electronic request at the following e-mail address: publicinfo@sec.gov, or by writing the SEC’s Public Reference Section, Washington, D.C. 20549-1520.

No person is authorized to give any information or to make any representations about the Fund and its shares not contained in this Prospectus and you should not rely on any other information. Read and keep this Prospectus for future reference.

 

©2014 WisdomTree Trust

WisdomTree Funds are distributed by

ALPS Distributors, Inc.

1290 Broadway, Suite 1100

Denver, Colorado 80203

WisdomTree® is a registered mark of WisdomTree Investments, Inc.

INVESTMENT COMPANY ACT FILE NO. 811-21864

WIS-PR-050-0714


Table of Contents

PROSPECTUS

[            ], 2014

 

International Equity ETFs

 

LOGO

 

WisdomTree Trust

 

WisdomTree
International Equity ETFs*
  
WisdomTree Japan Hedged Dividend Growth Fund (            )   

 

* Principal U.S. Listing Exchange: [            ]

 

SHARES OF THE FUND ARE NOT CURRENTLY AVAILABLE FOR PURCHASE ON THE SECONDARY MARKET.

THE U.S. SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION (“SEC”) HAS NOT APPROVED OR DISAPPROVED THESE SECURITIES OR PASSED UPON THE ADEQUACY OF THIS PROSPECTUS. ANY REPRESENTATION TO THE CONTRARY IS A CRIMINAL OFFENSE.


Table of Contents

WisdomTree Trust

 

Table of Contents

 

 

Fund Summary      2   

WisdomTree Japan Hedged Dividend Growth Fund

     2   
Additional Information About the Fund      6   

Additional Information About the Fund’s Investment Objective

     6   

Additional Information About the Fund’s Investment Strategy

     6   

Other Investment Information

     6   
Additional Principal Risk Information About the Fund      6   
Additional Non-Principal Risk Information      9   
Portfolio Holdings Information      10   
Management      11   

Investment Adviser

     11   

Sub-Adviser

     11   

Portfolio Managers

     11   
Additional Information on Buying and Selling Shares      12   

Share Trading Prices

     12   

Determination of Net Asset Value

     12   

Dividends and Distributions

     12   

Book Entry

     12   

Delivery of Shareholder Documents – Householding

     13   

Frequent Purchases and Redemptions of Fund Shares

     13   

Investments by Registered Investment Companies

     13   
Additional Tax Information      13   

Taxes on Distributions

     13   

Taxes When Fund Shares Are Sold

     14   

Taxes on Creation and Redemption of Creation Units

     14   

Foreign Investments by the Fund

     14   
Distribution      15   
Premium/Discount and NAV Information      15   
Additional Notices      15   
Financial Highlights      15   
 

 

INVESTMENT PRODUCTS: n ARE NOT FDIC INSURED n MAY LOSE VALUE n ARE NOT BANK GUARANTEED

 

 

WisdomTree Trust Prospectus      1   


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WisdomTree Japan Hedged Dividend Growth Fund

 

Fund Summary

Investment Objective

The WisdomTree Japan Hedged Dividend Growth Fund (the “Fund”) seeks to track the price and yield performance, before fees and expenses, of the WisdomTree Japan Hedged Dividend Growth Index (the “Index”).

Fees and Expenses of the Fund

The following table describes the fees and expenses you may pay if you buy and hold shares of the Fund. The fees are expressed as a percentage of the Fund’s average net assets.

 

Shareholder Fees (fees paid directly from your investment)     None   

Annual Fund Operating Expenses (expenses that you pay each year as a percentage of the value of your investment)

       

Management Fees

    [    ]

Distribution and/or Service (12b-1) Fees

    None   

Other Expenses*

    0.00
Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses     [    ]
* “Other Expenses” are based on estimated amounts for the current fiscal year.

Example

The following example is intended to help retail investors compare the cost of investing in the Fund with the cost of investing in other funds. It illustrates the hypothetical expenses that such investors would incur over various periods if they were to invest $10,000 in the Fund for the time periods indicated and then redeem all of the shares at the end of those periods. This example assumes that the Fund provides a return of 5% a year and that operating expenses remain the same. This example does not include the brokerage commissions that retail investors may pay to buy and sell shares of the Fund. Although your actual costs may be higher or lower, based on these assumptions, your costs would be:

 

     1 Year     3 Years  
      $[        ]        $[        ]   

Portfolio Turnover

The Fund pays transaction costs, such as commissions, when it buys and sells securities (or “turns over” its portfolio). A higher portfolio turnover rate may indicate higher transaction costs and may result in higher taxes when Fund shares are held in a taxable account. These costs, which are not reflected in annual fund operating expenses or in the example, affect the Fund’s performance. Because the Fund is newly organized, portfolio turnover information is not yet available.

Principal Investment Strategies of the Fund

The Fund employs a “passive management” – or indexing – investment approach designed to track the performance of the Index. The Fund generally uses a representative sampling strategy to achieve its investment objective, meaning it generally will invest in a sample of the securities in the Index whose risk, return and other characteristics resemble the risk, return and other characteristics of the Index as a whole. Under normal circumstances, at least 80% of the Fund’s total assets (exclusive of collateral held from securities lending) will be invested in the component securities of the Index and investments that have economic characteristics that are substantially identical to the economic characteristics of such component securities.

The Index is designed to provide exposure to dividend-paying common stocks of companies with growth characteristics that are incorporated in Japan and listed on the Tokyo Stock Exchange while at the same time neutralizing exposure to fluctuations of the value of foreign currencies relative to the U.S. dollar.

The Index is a fundamentally weighted index that is generally comprised of the 300 companies with the best combined rank of certain growth and quality factors: specifically long-term earnings growth expectations, return on equity, and return on assets. The starting universe screening requirements include: (i) payment of at least $5 million in cash dividends on common shares in the annual cycle prior to the annual Index screening date; (ii) market capitalization of at least $1 billion as of the Index screening date; (iii) average daily dollar volume of at least $100,000 for each of the three months preceding the Index screening date; (iv) a calculated volume factor (the average daily dollar volume for three months preceding the Index screening date divided by the weight of the security in the Index) that is greater than $200 million; and (v) trading of at least 250,000 shares per month for each of the six months preceding the Index screening date. Securities are weighted in the Index

 

2   WisdomTree Trust Prospectus


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based on dividends paid over the prior annual cycle. Companies that pay more total dollar amount of dividends are more heavily weighted. At the time of the Index’s annual screening date, the maximum weight of any security in the Index is capped at 5% and the maximum weight of any one sector or country in the Index is capped at 20%, subject to the following volume factor. In the event that a company has a calculated volume factor that is less than $400 million as of the annual Index screening date, the company’s weight in the Index will be reduced such that its weight equals its weight prior to the adjustment multiplied by a fraction of its calculated volume factor divided by $400 million. In response to market conditions, security, sector and country weights may fluctuate above the specified cap between annual Index screening dates.

The Index “hedges” against fluctuations in the relative value of the Japanese yen against the U.S. dollar. The Index is designed to have higher returns than an equivalent unhedged investment when the yen is weakening relative to the U.S. dollar. Conversely, the Index is designed to have lower returns than an equivalent unhedged investment when the yen is rising relative to the U.S. dollar. The Index applies an applicable published one-month currency forward rate to the total equity exposure to Japan to adjust the value of the Japanese yen against the U.S. dollar.

The Fund intends to enter into forward currency contracts or futures contracts designed to offset the Fund’s exposure to the Japanese yen. A forward currency contract is a contract between two parties to buy or sell a specific currency in the future at an agreed upon exchange rate. A currency futures contract is a contract to exchange one currency for another at a specified date in the future at an agreed upon exchange rate. The amount of forward contracts and futures contracts in the Fund is based on the aggregate exposure of the Fund and Index to the Japanese yen. While this approach is designed to minimize the impact of currency fluctuations on Fund returns, it does not necessarily eliminate the Fund’s exposure to the yen. The return of the forward currency contracts and currency futures contracts may not perfectly offset the actual fluctuations between the yen and the U.S. dollar.

WisdomTree Investments, Inc. (“WisdomTree Investments”), as index provider, currently uses Standard & Poor’s Global Industry Classification Standards (“S&P GICS”) to define companies within a sector. The following sectors are included in the Index: consumer discretionary, consumer staples, energy, financials, health care, industrials, information technology, materials, telecommunication services, and utilities. A sector is comprised of multiple industries. For example, the energy sector is comprised of companies in, among others, the natural gas, oil and petroleum industries. As of [June 30, 2014], a significant portion of the Index is comprised of companies in the [derivatives sector].

To the extent the Index concentrates (i.e., holds 25% or more of its total assets) in the securities of a particular industry or group of industries, the Fund will concentrate its investments to approximately the same extent as its Index.

Principal Risks of Investing in the Fund

You can lose money on your investment in the Fund. The Fund is subject to the risks described below. Some or all of these risks may adversely affect the Fund’s net asset value per share (“NAV”), trading price, yield, total return and/or ability to meet its objectives. For more information about the risks of investing in the Fund, see the sections in the Fund’s Prospectus, titled “Additional Principal Risk Information About the Fund” and “Additional Non-Principal Risk Information.”

 

n  

Investment Risk. As with all investments, an investment in the Fund is subject to investment risk. Investors in the Fund could lose money, including the possible loss of the entire principal amount of an investment, over short or long periods of time.

 

n Market Risk. The trading prices of equity securities and other instruments fluctuate in response to a variety of factors. The Fund’s NAV and market price may fluctuate significantly in response to these and other factors. As a result, an investor could lose money over short or long periods of time.

 

n  

Shares of the Fund May Trade at Prices Other Than NAV. As with all exchange-traded funds (“ETFs”), Fund shares may be bought and sold in the secondary market at market prices. The trading prices of the Fund’s shares in the secondary market generally differ from the Fund’s daily NAV, and there may be times when the market price of the shares is more than the NAV (premium) or less than the NAV (discount). This risk is heightened in times of market volatility or periods of steep market declines.

 

n  

Cash Redemption Risk. The Fund’s investment strategy will require it to redeem shares for cash or to otherwise include cash as part of its redemption proceeds. The Fund may be required to sell or unwind portfolio investments in order to obtain the cash needed to distribute redemption proceeds. This may cause the Fund to recognize a capital gain that it might not have recognized if it had made a redemption in-kind. As a result, the Fund may pay out higher annual capital gain distributions than if the in-kind redemption process was used.

 

n  

Currency Exchange Rate Risk. The Fund uses various strategies to attempt to minimize the impact of changes in the value of the Japanese yen against the U.S. dollar. These strategies may not be successful. In order to minimize transaction costs, or for other reasons, the Fund’s exposure to the yen may not be fully hedged at all times. Currency exchange rates

 

WisdomTree Trust Prospectus      3   


Table of Contents
 

can be very volatile and can change quickly and unpredictably. Therefore, the value of an investment in the Fund may also go up or down quickly and unpredictably and investors may lose money.

 

n  

Derivatives Risk. The Fund currently invests a large percentage of its assets in derivatives. Derivatives are financial instruments that derive their performance from an underlying reference asset, such as a commodity, index, interest rate or inflation rate. The return on a derivative instrument may not correlate with the return of its underlying reference asset. Derivatives are subject to a number of risks described elsewhere in the Fund’s Prospectus, such as market risk and issuer-specific risk. Derivatives can be volatile and may be less liquid than other securities. As a result, the value of an investment in the Fund may change quickly and without warning and you may lose money. In addition to the other risks associated with the use of derivatives described elsewhere in this Prospectus, there are risks associated with the Fund’s use of forward currency contracts and futures contracts. With respect to forward currency contracts, these risks include but are not limited to the risk that the counterparty will default on its obligations. With respect to futures contracts, these risks include but are not limited to: (1) the success of the adviser’s and sub-adviser’s ability to predict movements in the prices of individual currencies or securities, fluctuations in markets and movements in interest rates; (2) an imperfect or no correlation between the changes in market value of the currencies or securities and the prices of futures contracts; and (3) no guarantee that an active market will exist for the contracts at any particular time.

 

n  

Foreign Securities Risk. Investments in non-U.S. securities involve certain risks that may not be present with investments in U.S. securities. For example, investments in non-U.S. securities may be subject to risk of loss due to foreign currency fluctuations or to political or economic instability. Investments in non-U.S. securities also may be subject to withholding or other taxes and may be subject to additional trading, settlement, custodial, and operational risks. These and other factors can make investments in the Fund more volatile and potentially less liquid than other types of investments and may be heightened in connection with investments in developing or emerging markets countries.

 

n  

Geographic Concentration in Japan. Because the Fund invests primarily in the securities of companies in Japan, the Fund’s performance is expected to be closely tied to social, political, and economic conditions within Japan and to be more volatile than the performance of more geographically diversified funds. The Japanese economy has only recently emerged from a prolonged economic downturn. Since the year 2000, Japan’s economic growth rate has remained relatively low. The economy is characterized by government intervention and protectionism, an unstable financial services sector, and relatively high unemployment. Economic growth is heavily dependent on international trade, government support of the financial services sector and other troubled sectors, and consistent government policy. The United States is Japan’s largest single trading partner, but close to half of Japan’s trade is conducted with developing nations, almost all of which are in Southeast Asia. Slowdowns in the U.S. and China could have a negative impact on Japan. Exposure to China, in terms of both imports and exports, has been increasing in recent years. These and other factors could have a negative impact on the Fund’s performance and increase the volatility of an investment in the Fund.

 

n  

Investment Style Risk. The Fund invests in the securities included in, or representative of, its Index regardless of their investment merit. The Fund does not attempt to outperform its Index or take defensive positions in declining markets. As a result, the Fund’s performance may be adversely affected by a general decline in the market segments relating to its Index.

 

n  

Issuer-Specific Risk. Issuer-specific events, including changes in the financial condition of an issuer, can have a negative impact on the value of the Fund.

 

n  

Large-Capitalization Investing. The Fund invests a relatively large percentage of its assets in the securities of large-capitalization companies. As a result, the Fund’s performance may be adversely affected if securities of large-capitalization companies underperform securities of smaller-capitalization companies or the market as a whole. The securities of large-capitalization companies may be relatively mature compared to smaller companies and therefore subject to slower growth during times of economic expansion.

 

n  

Mid-Capitalization Investing. The Fund may invest in the securities of mid-capitalization companies. As a result, the Fund’s performance may be adversely affected if securities of mid-capitalization companies underperform securities of other capitalization ranges or the market as a whole. Securities of smaller companies are often more vulnerable to market volatility than securities of larger companies.

 

n  

Non-Correlation Risk. As with all index funds, the performance of the Fund and its Index may differ from each other for a variety of reasons.

 

n  

Non-Diversification Risk. Although the Fund intends to invest in a variety of securities and instruments, the Fund will be considered to be non-diversified, which means that it may invest more of its assets in the securities of a single issuer or a smaller number of issuers than if it were a diversified fund. As a result, the Fund may be more exposed to the risks associated with and developments affecting an individual issuer or a smaller number of issuers than a fund that invests more widely. This may increase the Fund’s volatility and cause the performance of a relatively smaller number of issuers to have a greater impact on the Fund’s performance.

 

4   WisdomTree Trust Prospectus


Table of Contents

Fund Performance

The Fund is new and therefore does not have a performance history.

Management

Investment Adviser and Sub-Adviser

WisdomTree Asset Management, Inc. serves as investment adviser to the Fund. [                ] serves as sub-adviser to the Fund.

Portfolio Managers

[                ], has been a portfolio manager of the Fund since its inception in [                ].

[                ], has been a portfolio manager of the Fund since its inception in [                ].

[                ], has been a portfolio manager of the Fund since its inception in [                ].

Buying and Selling Fund Shares

The Fund is an ETF. This means that shares of the Fund are listed on a national securities exchange, such as NASDAQ, and trade at market prices. Most investors will buy and sell shares of the Fund through brokers. Because Fund shares trade at market prices rather than NAV, shares may trade at a price greater than NAV (premium) or less than NAV (discount).

The Fund issues and redeems shares at NAV only in large blocks of shares (“Creation Units”), which only certain institutions or large investors (typically market makers or other broker-dealers) may purchase or redeem. Currently, Creation Units generally consist of 50,000 shares, though this may change from time to time. Creation Units are not expected to consist of less than 50,000 shares. The Fund generally issues and redeems Creation Units in exchange for a portfolio of securities closely approximating the holdings of the Fund and/or a designated amount of U.S. cash.

Tax Information

The Fund intends to make distributions that may be taxed as ordinary income, qualified dividend income, or capital gains.

Payments to Broker-Dealers and Other Financial Intermediaries

If you purchase shares of the Fund through a broker-dealer or other financial intermediary (such as a bank) (an “Intermediary”), WisdomTree Asset Management, Inc. or its affiliates may pay Intermediaries for certain activities related to the Fund, including participation in activities that are designed to make Intermediaries more knowledgeable about exchange traded products, including the Fund, or for other activities, such as marketing, educational training or other initiatives related to the sale or promotion of Fund shares. These payments may create a conflict of interest by influencing the Intermediary and your salesperson to recommend the Fund over another investment. Any such arrangements do not result in increased Fund expenses. Ask your salesperson or visit the Intermediary’s website for more information.

 

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Additional Information About the Fund

Additional Information About the Fund’s Investment Objective. The Fund seeks to track the price and yield performance, before fees and expenses, of the Index developed by WisdomTree Investments. The Index consists of securities in the market suggested by its name that meet specific criteria developed by WisdomTree Investments. Since the Fund’s investment objective has been adopted as a non-fundamental investment policy, the Fund’s investment objective may be changed without a vote of shareholders upon 60 days’ written notice to shareholders.

Additional Information About the Fund’s Investment Strategy. The Fund will normally invest at least 80% of its net assets, plus the amount of any borrowings for investment purposes, in the types of securities suggested by its name (i.e., investments connoted by its Index). The Fund anticipates meeting this policy because, under normal circumstances, at least 80% of the Fund’s total assets (exclusive of collateral held from securities lending) will be invested in the component securities of its underlying Index and investments that have economic characteristics that are substantially identical to the economic characteristics of such component securities. WisdomTree Asset Management, Inc. (“WisdomTree Asset Management” or the “Adviser”) expects that, over time, the correlation between the Fund’s performance and that of the Index, before fees and expenses, will be 95% or better. A number of factors may affect the Fund’s ability to achieve a high degree of correlation with its Index, and there can be no guarantee that the Fund will achieve a high degree of correlation.

The quantity of holdings in the Fund using a representative sampling strategy will be based on a number of factors, including asset size of the Fund. In addition, from time to time, securities are added to or removed from the Index and consequently the attributes of the Index, such as sectors or industries represented in the Index and weightings, may change. The Fund may sell securities that are represented in the Index, or purchase securities that are not yet represented in the Index, in anticipation of their removal from or addition to the Index or to reflect various corporate actions or other changes to the Index. Further, the Fund may overweight or underweight securities in the Index, purchase or sell securities not in the Index, or utilize various combinations of other available techniques, in seeking to track the Index.

The Index is designed to provide exposure to dividend-paying common stocks of companies with growth characteristics that are incorporated in Japan and listed on the Tokyo Stock Exchange while at the same time “hedging” against fluctuations in the relative value of the yen against the U.S. dollar. For U.S. investors, international equity investments include two components of return. The first is the return attributable to stock prices in the non-U.S. market or markets in which an investment is made. The second is the return attributable to the value of non-U.S. currencies in these markets relative to the U.S. dollar. The Index seeks to track the performance of its Japanese equity investments that is attributable solely to stock prices.

Index. The Index is “fundamentally weighted” and differs from most traditional indexes in that the proportion, or “weighting,” of the securities in the Index is based on cash dividends, a measure of fundamental value. Most traditional indexes and index funds weight their securities by looking simply at the market capitalization of such securities.

The Index is weighted based on dividends paid over the prior annual cycle. This means that securities of companies that pay a higher total dollar amount of dividends are more heavily weighted in the Index and the Fund. Only regular dividends (i.e., established or quarterly dividends as opposed to non-recurring or special dividends) are included in the determination of dividends paid over the prior annual cycle.

Other Investment Information. The Fund may invest in other investments that the Fund believes will help it track its Index, including cash and cash equivalents, as well as in shares of other investment companies (including affiliated investment companies), forward contracts, futures contracts, options on futures contracts, options and swaps.

The Fund may lend its portfolio securities in an amount not to exceed one third (33 1/3%) of the value of its total assets via a securities lending program through its securities lending agent, State Street Bank and Trust Company, to brokers, dealers and other financial institutions desiring to borrow securities to complete transactions and for other purposes. A securities lending program allows the Fund to receive a portion of the income generated by lending its securities and investing the respective collateral. The Fund will receive collateral for each loaned security which is at least equal to the market value of that security, marked to market each trading day. In the securities lending program, the borrower generally has the right to vote the loaned securities, however the Fund may call loans to vote proxies if a material issue affecting the Fund’s economic interest in the investment is to be voted upon. Security loans may be terminated at any time by the Fund.

Additional Principal Risk Information About the Fund

This section provides additional information regarding the principal risks described under “Principal Risks of Investing in the Fund” in the Fund Summary. Each of the factors below could have a negative impact on Fund performance and trading prices.

 

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Cash Redemption Risk

When the Fund’s investment strategy requires it to redeem shares for cash or to otherwise include cash as part of its redemption proceeds, it may be required to sell or unwind portfolio investments in order to obtain the cash needed to distribute redemption proceeds. This may cause the Fund to recognize a capital gain that it might not have recognized if it had made a redemption in-kind (i.e., distribute securities as payment of redemption proceeds). As a result, the Fund may pay out higher annual capital gain distributions than if the in-kind redemption process was used.

Currency Exchange Rate Risk

Changes in currency exchange rates and the relative value of non-U.S. currencies will affect the value of the Fund’s investments and the value of your Fund shares. Because the Fund’s NAV is determined on the basis of U.S. dollars, the U.S. dollar value of your investment in the Fund may go down if the value of the local currency of the non-U.S. markets in which the Fund invests depreciates against the U.S. dollar. This is true even if the local currency value of securities in the Fund’s holdings goes up. Conversely, the dollar value of your investment in the Fund may go up if the value of the local currency appreciates against the U.S. dollar.

The value of the U.S. dollar measured against other currencies is influenced by a variety of factors. These factors include: national debt levels and trade deficits, changes in balances of payments and trade, domestic and foreign interest and inflation rates, global or regional political, economic or financial events, monetary policies of governments, actual or potential government intervention, and global energy prices. Political instability, the possibility of government intervention and restrictive or opaque business and investment policies may also reduce the value of a country’s currency. Government monetary policies and the buying or selling of currency by a country’s government may also influence exchange rates. Currency exchange rates can be very volatile and can change quickly and unpredictably. As a result, the value of an investment in the Fund may change quickly and without warning, and you may lose money.

The Fund also employs various strategies to minimize the impact of changes in the value of the yen against the U.S. dollar. However, these strategies may not be successful. In addition, the Fund may not be fully hedged at all times in order to minimize transaction costs or for other reasons.

Derivatives Risk

Derivatives are financial instruments that derive their performance from an underlying reference asset, such as a commodity, index, interest rate or currency exchange rate. Derivatives include forward currency contracts, futures contracts, currency swaps, interest rate swaps, total return swaps and credit linked notes. A forward currency contract is an agreement to buy or sell a specific currency at a future date at a price set at the time of the contract. A non-deliverable forward currency contract is a contract where there is no physical settlement of two currencies at maturity. Rather, based on the movement of the currencies, a net cash settlement will be made by one party to the other. The risks of forward currency contracts include but are not limited to the risk that the counterparty will default on its obligations. A futures contract may generally be described as an agreement for the future sale by one party and the purchase by another of a specified security or instrument at a specified price and time. A currency futures contract is a contract to exchange one currency for another at a specified date in the future at an agreed upon exchange rate. The risks of futures contracts include but are not limited to: (1) the success of the adviser’s and sub-adviser’s ability to predict movements in the prices of individual currencies or securities, fluctuations in markets and movements in interest rates; (2) an imperfect or no correlation between the changes in market value of the currencies or securities and the prices of futures contracts; and (3) no guarantee that an active market will exist for the contracts at any particular time. A currency swap is an agreement between two parties to exchange one currency for another at a future rate. An interest rate swap typically involves the exchange of a floating interest rate payment for a fixed interest payment. A total return swap is an agreement between two parties in which one party agrees to make payments of the total return of a reference asset in return for payments equal to a rate of interest on another reference asset. The risks of swaps include but are not limited to the potential to increase or decrease the overall volatility of the Fund’s investments and its share price. A credit linked note is a type of structured note whose value is linked to an underlying reference asset or entity. Credit linked notes typically provide periodic payments of interest as well as payment of principal upon maturity. The risks of credit linked notes include but are not limited to default by the issuer and the underlying reference asset or entity. Derivatives are subject to a number of risks described elsewhere in this Prospectus, such as market risk and issuer-specific risk. They also involve the risk that changes in the value of the derivative may not correlate perfectly with the underlying asset, rate or index, or that the counterparty to a derivative contract might default on its obligations. Derivatives can be volatile and may be less liquid than other securities. As a result, the value of an investment in the Fund may change quickly and without warning, and you may lose money.

Foreign Securities Risk

Investments in non-U.S. securities involve certain risks that may not be present with investments in U.S. securities. For example, investments in non-U.S. securities may be subject to risk of loss due to foreign currency fluctuations or to political or

 

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economic instability. There may be less information publicly available about a non-U.S. issuer than a U.S. issuer. Non-U.S. issuers may be subject to different accounting, auditing, financial reporting and investor protection standards than U.S. issuers. Investments in non-U.S. securities may be subject to withholding or other taxes and may be subject to additional trading, settlement, custodial, and operational risks. With respect to certain countries, there is the possibility of government intervention and expropriation or nationalization of assets. Because legal systems differ, there is also the possibility that it will be difficult to obtain or enforce legal judgments in certain countries. Since foreign exchanges may be open on days when the Fund does not price its shares, the value of the securities in the Fund’s portfolio may change on days when shareholders will not be able to purchase or sell the Fund’s shares. Conversely, Fund shares may trade on days when foreign exchanges are closed. Each of these factors can make investments in the Fund more volatile and potentially less liquid than other types of investments and may be heightened in connection with investments in developing or emerging market countries. Foreign securities also include American Depositary Receipts (“ADRs”) which are U.S. dollar-denominated receipts representing shares of foreign-based corporations. ADRs are issued by U.S. banks or trust companies and entitle the holder to all dividends and capital gains that are paid out on the underlying foreign shares. Global Depositary Receipts (“GDRs”), which are similar to ADRs, but are shares to foreign-based corporations generally issued by international banks in one or more markets around the world. Investments in ADRs and GDRs may be less liquid and more volatile than underlying shares in their primary trading markets.

Geographic Concentration in Japan

The Fund invests primarily in the securities of companies in Japan, it is more likely to be impacted by events or conditions affecting Japan. For example, political and economic conditions and changes in regulatory, tax, or economic policy in Japan could significantly affect the market in that country and in surrounding or related countries and have a negative impact on the Fund’s performance. Currency developments or restrictions, political and social instability, and changing economic conditions may result in significant market volatility. Further, economic growth in Japan is heavily dependent on international trade, government support, and consistent government policy. Slowdowns in the economies of key trading partners such as the United States, China and countries in Southeast Asia could have a negative impact on the Japanese economy as a whole.

Investment Risk

As with all investments, an investment in the Fund is subject to investment risk. Investors in the Fund could lose money, including the possible loss of the entire principal amount of an investment, over short or long periods of time. An investment in the Fund is not a bank deposit and it is not insured or guaranteed by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation or any other government agency.

Investment Style Risk

The Fund invests in the securities included in, or representative of, its Index regardless of their investment merit. The Fund does not attempt to outperform its Index or take defensive positions in declining markets. As a result, the Fund’s performance may be adversely affected by a general decline in the market segments relating to its Index. The returns from the types of securities in which the Fund invests may underperform returns from the various general securities markets or different asset classes. This may cause the Fund to underperform other investment vehicles that invest in different asset classes. Different types of securities (for example, large-, mid- and small-capitalization stocks) tend to go through cycles of doing better – or worse – than the general securities markets. In the past, these periods have lasted for as long as several years.

Issuer-Specific Risk

Changes in the financial condition of an issuer or counterparty, changes in specific economic or political conditions that affect a particular type of security or issuer, and changes in general economic or political conditions can affect a security’s or instrument’s value. The value of securities of smaller, less well-known issuers can be more volatile than that of larger issuers. Issuer-specific events can have a negative impact on the value of the Fund.

Market Risk

The trading prices of equity securities, fixed income securities, currencies, commodities, and other instruments fluctuate in response to a variety of factors. These factors include events impacting the entire market or specific market segments, such as political, market and economic developments, as well as events that impact specific issuers. The Fund’s NAV and market price, like security and commodity prices generally, may fluctuate significantly in response to these and other factors. As a result, an investor could lose money over short or long periods of time.

Market Capitalization Risk

Large-Capitalization Investing

The securities of large-capitalization companies may be relatively mature compared to smaller companies and therefore subject to slower growth during times of economic expansion. Large-capitalization companies may also be unable to respond quickly to new competitive challenges, such as changes in technology and consumer tastes.

 

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Mid-Capitalization Investing

The securities of mid-capitalization companies may be more vulnerable to adverse issuer, market, political, or economic developments than securities of large-capitalization companies. The securities of mid-capitalization companies generally trade in lower volumes and are subject to greater and more unpredictable price changes than large capitalization stocks or the stock market as a whole. Some medium capitalization companies have limited product lines, markets, financial resources, and management personnel and tend to concentrate on fewer geographical markets relative to large-capitalization companies.

Non-Correlation Risk

As with all index funds, the performance of the Fund and its Index may vary somewhat for a variety of reasons. For example, the Fund incurs operating expenses and portfolio transaction costs, while also managing cash flows and potential operational inefficiencies, not incurred by its Index. In addition, the Fund may not be fully invested in the securities of its Index at all times or may hold securities not included in its Index and may be subject to pricing differences, differences in the timing of dividend accruals, operational inefficiencies and the need to meet various new or existing regulatory requirements. For example, it may take several business days for additions and deletions to the Index to be reflected in the portfolio composition of the Fund. The use of sampling techniques may affect the Fund’s ability to achieve close correlation with its Index. The Fund uses a representative sampling strategy and generally can be expected to have a greater non-correlation risk and this risk may be heightened during times of market volatility or other unusual market conditions.

Non-Diversification Risk

Although the Fund intends to invest in a variety of securities and instruments, the Fund will be considered to be non-diversified. This means that the Fund may invest more of its assets in the securities of a single issuer or a smaller number of issuers than if it was a diversified fund. As a result, the Fund may be more exposed to the risks associated with and developments affecting an individual issuer or a smaller number of issuers than a fund that invests more widely. This may increase the Fund’s volatility and cause the performance of a relatively smaller number of issuers to have a greater impact on the Fund’s performance.

Shares of the Fund May Trade at Prices Other Than NAV

As with all ETFs, Fund shares may be bought and sold in the secondary market at market prices. Although it is expected that the market price of the shares of the Fund will approximate the Fund’s NAV, there may be times when the market price and the NAV vary significantly, including due to supply and demand of the Fund’s shares and/or during periods of market volatility. Thus, you may pay more (or less) than NAV when you buy shares of the Fund in the secondary market, and you may receive more (or less) than NAV when you sell those shares in the secondary market. If an investor purchases Fund shares at a time when the market price is at a premium to the NAV of the Fund’s shares or sells at a time when the market price is at a discount to the NAV of the Fund’s shares, an investor may sustain losses.

Additional Non-Principal Risk Information

Trading. Although the Fund’s shares are listed for trading on (the “Listing Exchange”) and may be listed or traded on U.S. and non-U.S. stock exchanges other than the Listing Exchange, there can be no assurance that an active trading market for such shares will develop or be maintained. Trading in shares may be halted due to market conditions or for reasons that, in the view of the Listing Exchange, make trading in shares inadvisable. In addition, trading in shares on the Listing Exchange is subject to trading halts caused by extraordinary market volatility pursuant to Listing Exchange “circuit breaker” rules. There can be no assurance that the requirements of the Listing Exchange necessary to maintain the listing of the Fund will continue to be met or will remain unchanged or that Fund shares will trade with any volume, or at all, on any stock exchange.

Costs of Buying or Selling Shares. Investors buying or selling Fund shares in the secondary market will pay brokerage commissions or other charges imposed by brokers, as determined by that broker. Brokerage commissions are often a fixed amount and may be a significant proportional cost for investors seeking to buy or sell relatively small amounts of Fund shares. In addition, secondary market investors will also incur the cost of the difference between the price at which an investor is willing to buy shares (the “bid” price) and the price at which an investor is willing to sell shares (the “ask” price). This difference in bid and ask prices is often referred to as the “spread” or “bid/ask spread.” The bid/ask spread varies over time for shares based on trading volume and market liquidity, and is generally lower if the Fund’s shares have more trading volume and market liquidity and higher if the Fund’s shares have little trading volume and market liquidity. Further, increased market volatility may cause increased bid/ask spreads. Due to the costs of buying or selling Fund shares, including bid/ask spreads, frequent trading of Fund shares may significantly reduce investment results and an investment in shares may not be advisable for investors who anticipate regularly making small investments.

 

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Securities Lending. Although the Fund is indemnified by the Fund’s lending agent for losses incurred in connection with a borrower’s default with respect to a loan, the Fund bears the risk of loss of investing cash collateral and may be required to make payments to a borrower upon return of loaned securities if invested collateral has declined in value. Furthermore, because of the risks in delay of recovery, the Fund may lose the opportunity to sell the securities at a desirable price, and the Fund will generally not have the right to vote securities while they are being loaned. These events could also trigger negative tax consequences for the Fund.

Portfolio Holdings Information

Information about the Fund’s daily portfolio holdings is available at www.wisdomtree.com. In addition, the Fund will disclose its complete portfolio holdings as of the end of its fiscal year (March 31) and its second fiscal quarter (September 30) in its reports to shareholders. The Fund files its complete portfolio holdings as of the end of its first and third fiscal quarters (June 30 and December 31, respectively) with the SEC on Form N-Q no later than 60 days after the relevant fiscal period. You can find the SEC filings on the SEC’s website, www.sec.gov. A summarized description of the Fund’s policies and procedures with respect to the disclosure of the Fund’s portfolio holdings is available in the Fund’s Statement of Additional Information (“SAI”).

 

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Management

Investment Adviser

As investment adviser, WisdomTree Asset Management has overall responsibility for the general management and administration of WisdomTree Trust (the “Trust”) and each of its separate investment portfolios called “Funds.” WisdomTree Asset Management is a registered investment adviser with offices located at 245 Park Avenue, 35th Floor, New York, NY 10167 and is a leader in ETF management. As of June 30, 2014, WisdomTree Asset Management had assets under management totaling approximately $35.5 billion. WisdomTree Investments* is the parent company of WisdomTree Asset Management. WisdomTree Asset Management provides an investment program for the Fund. The Adviser provides proactive oversight of the Sub-Adviser, defined below, daily monitoring of the Sub-Adviser’s buying and selling of securities for the Fund, and regular review of the Sub-Adviser’s performance. In addition, the Adviser also arranges for sub-advisory, transfer agency, custody, fund administration, securities lending, and all other non-distribution related services necessary for the Fund to operate. For its services, WisdomTree Asset Management expects to receive fees from the Fund, based on a percentage of the Fund’s average daily net assets, as shown in the following table:

 

Name of Fund   Management Fee  
WisdomTree Japan Hedged Dividend Growth Fund     [             ]% 

Under the Investment Advisory Agreement for the Fund, WisdomTree Asset Management has agreed to pay generally all expenses of the Fund, subject to certain exceptions. For a detailed description of the Investment Advisory Agreement for the Fund, please see the “Management of the Trust” section of the SAI. Pursuant to a separate contractual arrangement, WisdomTree Asset Management arranges for the provision of chief compliance officer (“CCO”) services with respect to the Fund, and is liable and responsible for, and administers, payments to the CCO, the Independent Trustees and counsel to the Independent Trustees. WisdomTree Asset Management receives a fee of up to 0.0044% of the Fund’s average daily net assets for providing such services and paying such expenses. WisdomTree Asset Management provides CCO services to the Trust.

The basis for the Board of Trustees’ approval of the Fund’s Investment Advisory Agreement will be available in the Trust’s Semi-Annual Report to Shareholders for the period ended September 30, 2014.

Sub-Adviser

[                 ] (“[                 ]”) is responsible for the day-to-day management of the Fund. [                 ], a registered investment adviser, is a leading innovator in the investment industry and manages global quantitative-based investment strategies for institutional and private investors. Its principal office is located at [                 ]. As of [                 ], 2014, [                 ] had assets under management totaling approximately $[            ] billion. [                 ] is a wholly-owned indirect subsidiary of [                 ], a publicly traded financial holding company. [                 ] chooses the portfolio investments of the Fund and places orders to buy and sell the portfolio investments. WisdomTree Asset Management pays [                 ] for providing sub-advisory services to the Fund.

The basis for the Board of Trustees’ approval of the investment Sub-Advisory Agreement will be available in the Trust’s Semi-Annual Report to Shareholders for the period ended September 30, 2014.

WisdomTree Asset Management, as the investment adviser for the Fund, may hire one or more sub-advisers to oversee the day-to-day activities of the Fund. The sub-advisers are subject to oversight by WisdomTree Asset Management. WisdomTree Asset Management and the Trust have received an exemptive order from the SEC that permits WisdomTree Asset Management, with the approval of the Independent Trustees of the Trust, to retain unaffiliated investment sub-advisers for the Fund without submitting the sub-advisory agreement to a vote of the Fund’s shareholders. The Trust will notify shareholders in the event of any change in the identity of such sub-adviser or sub-advisers. WisdomTree Asset Management has ultimate responsibility for the investment performance of the Fund due to its responsibility to oversee each sub-adviser and recommend their hiring, termination and replacement. WisdomTree Asset Management is not required to disclose fees paid to any sub-adviser retained pursuant to the order.

Portfolio Managers

The Fund is managed by [            ]’s Portfolio management team. The individual members of the team responsible for the day-to-day management of the Fund’s portfolio are described below.

[PM bios to be provided by amendment]

The Fund’s SAI provides additional information about the Portfolio Managers’ compensation, other accounts managed by the Portfolio Managers, and the Portfolio Managers’ ownership of shares in the Fund.

* “WisdomTree” is a registered mark of WisdomTree Investments and has been licensed for use by the Trust. WisdomTree Investments has patent applications pending on the methodology and operation of its Indexes and the Funds.

 

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Additional Information on Buying and Selling Fund Shares

Most investors will buy and sell shares of the Fund through brokers. Shares of the Fund trade on the Listing Exchange and elsewhere during the trading day and can be bought and sold throughout the trading day like other shares of publicly traded securities. When buying or selling shares through a broker, most investors will incur customary brokerage commissions and charges. Shares of the Fund trade under the trading symbol listed on the cover of this Prospectus.

Share Trading Prices

Transactions in Fund shares will be priced at NAV only if you are an institutional investor (e.g., broker-dealer) that has signed an agreement with the Distributor (as defined below) and you thereafter purchase or redeem shares directly from the Fund in Creation Units. As with other types of securities, the trading prices of shares in the secondary market can be affected by market forces such as supply and demand, economic conditions and other factors. The price you pay or receive when you buy or sell your shares in the secondary market may be more or less than the NAV of such shares.

The approximate value of shares of the Fund is disseminated every 15 seconds throughout the trading day by the Listing Exchange or by other information providers. This approximate value should not be viewed as a “real-time” update of the Fund’s NAV, because the approximate value may not be calculated in the same manner as the NAV, which is computed once per day. The approximate value generally is determined by using current market quotations, price quotations obtained from broker-dealers that may trade in the portfolio securities and instruments held by the Fund, and/or amortized cost for securities with remaining maturities of 60 days or less. The Fund, the adviser and their affiliates are not involved in, or responsible for, the calculation or dissemination of the approximate value and makes no warranty as to its accuracy.

Determination of Net Asset Value

The NAV of the Fund’s shares is calculated each day the national securities exchanges are open for trading as of the close of regular trading on the Listing Exchange, generally 4:00 p.m. New York time (the “NAV Calculation Time”). NAV per share is calculated by dividing the Fund’s net assets by the number of Fund shares outstanding.

In calculating its NAV, the Fund generally values its assets on the basis of market quotations, last sale prices, or estimates of value furnished by a pricing service or brokers who make markets in such instruments. Debt obligations with maturities of 60 days or less are valued at amortized cost.

Fair value pricing is used by the Fund when reliable market valuations are not readily available or are not deemed to reflect current market values. Securities that may be valued using “fair value” pricing may include, but are not limited to, securities for which there are no current market quotations or whose issuer is in default or bankruptcy, securities subject to corporate actions (such as mergers or reorganizations), securities subject to non-U.S. investment limits or currency controls, and securities affected by “significant events.” An example of a significant event is an event occurring after the close of the market in which a security trades but before the Fund’s next NAV Calculation Time that may materially affect the value of the Fund’s investment (e.g., government action, natural disaster, or significant market fluctuation). When fair-value pricing is employed, the prices of securities used by the Fund to calculate its NAV may differ from quoted or published prices for the same securities.

Dividends and Distributions

The Fund intends to pay out dividends on a quarterly basis. Nonetheless, the Fund may not make a dividend payment every quarter. The Fund intends to distribute its net realized capital gains to investors annually. The Fund occasionally may be required to make supplemental distributions at some other time during the year. Distributions in cash may be reinvested automatically in additional whole shares only if the broker through whom you purchased shares makes such option available. Your broker is responsible for distributing the income and capital gain distributions to you.

Book Entry

Shares of the Fund are held in book-entry form, which means that no stock certificates are issued. The Depository Trust Company (“DTC”) or its nominee is the record owner of all outstanding shares of the Fund.

Investors owning shares of the Fund are beneficial owners as shown on the records of DTC or its participants. DTC serves as the securities depository for all shares of the Fund. Participants include DTC, securities brokers and dealers, banks, trust companies, clearing corporations, and other institutions that directly or indirectly maintain a custodial relationship with DTC. As a beneficial owner of shares, you are not entitled to receive physical delivery of stock certificates or to have shares registered in your name, and you are not considered a registered owner of shares. Therefore, to exercise any right as an owner of shares, you must rely upon the procedures of DTC and its participants. These procedures are the same as those that apply to any securities that you hold in book-entry or “street name” form. Your broker will provide you with account statements, confirmations of your purchases and sales, and tax information.

 

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Delivery of Shareholder Documents – Householding

Householding is an option available to certain investors of the Fund. Householding is a method of delivery, based on the preference of the individual investor, in which a single copy of certain shareholder documents can be delivered to investors who share the same address, even if their accounts are registered under different names. Householding for the Fund is available through certain broker-dealers. If you are interested in enrolling in householding and receiving a single copy of prospectuses and other shareholder documents, please contact your broker-dealer. If you are currently enrolled in householding and wish to change your householding status, please contact your broker-dealer.

Frequent Purchases and Redemptions of Fund Shares

The Fund has adopted policies and procedures with respect to frequent purchases and redemptions of Creation Units of Fund shares. Since the Fund is an ETF, only a few institutional investors (known as “Authorized Participants”) are authorized to purchase and redeem shares directly from the Fund. Because purchase and redemption transactions with Authorized Participants are an essential part of the ETF process and may help keep ETF trading prices in line with NAV, the Fund accommodates frequent purchases and redemptions by Authorized Participants. Frequent purchases and redemptions for cash may increase index tracking error and portfolio transaction costs and may lead to the realization of capital gains. Frequent in-kind creations and redemptions generally do not give rise to these concerns. The Fund reserves the right to reject any purchase order at any time. The Fund reserves the right to impose restrictions on disruptive, excessive, or short-term trading.

Investments by Registered Investment Companies

Section 12(d)(1) of the Investment Company Act of 1940 restricts investments by registered investment companies in the securities of other investment companies, including shares of the Fund. Registered investment companies are permitted to invest in the Fund beyond the limits set forth in section 12(d)(1), subject to certain terms and conditions set forth in an SEC exemptive order issued to the Trust, including that such investment companies enter into an agreement with the Fund.

Additional Tax Information

The following discussion is a summary of some important U.S. federal income tax considerations generally applicable to investments in the Fund. Your investment in the Fund may have other tax implications. Please consult your tax advisor about the tax consequences of an investment in Fund shares, including the possible application of foreign, state, and local tax laws.

The Fund intends to qualify each year for treatment as a regulated investment company. If it meets certain minimum distribution requirements, a regulated investment company is not subject to tax at the fund level on income and gains from investments that are timely distributed to shareholders. However, the Fund’s failure to qualify as a regulated investment company or to meet minimum distribution requirements would result (if certain relief provisions were not available) in fund-level taxation and, consequently, a reduction in income available for distribution to shareholders.

Unless your investment in Fund shares is made through a tax-exempt entity or tax-deferred retirement account, such as an individual retirement account, you need to be aware of the possible tax consequences when:

 

  n  

The Fund makes distributions;

 

  n  

You sell Fund shares; and

 

  n  

You purchase or redeem Creation Units (institutional investors only).

Taxes on Distributions

For federal income tax purposes, distributions of investment income are generally taxable as ordinary income or qualified dividend income. Taxes on distributions of capital gains (if any) are determined by how long the Fund owned the investments that generated them, rather than how long a shareholder has owned his or her Fund shares. Sales of assets held by the Fund for more than one year generally result in long-term capital gains and losses, and sales of assets held by the Fund for one year or less generally result in short-term capital gains and losses. Distributions of the Fund’s net capital gain (the excess of net long-term capital gains over net short-term capital losses) that are properly reported by the Fund as capital gain dividends (“Capital Gain Dividends”) will be taxable as long-term capital gains. For noncorporate shareholders, long-term capital gains are generally subject to tax at reduced rates. Distributions of short-term capital gain will generally be taxable as ordinary income. Distributions of investment income reported by the Fund as “qualified dividend income” are generally taxed to noncorporate shareholders at rates applicable to long-term capital gains, provided holding period and other requirements are met.

In general, your distributions are subject to federal income tax for the year in which they are paid. Certain distributions paid in January, however, may be treated as paid on December 31 of the prior year. Distributions are generally taxable even if they are paid from income or gains earned by the Fund before your investment (and thus were included in the price you paid for your shares).

 

WisdomTree Trust Prospectus      13   


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Dividends and distributions from the Fund and capital gain on the sale of Fund shares are generally taken into account in determining a shareholder’s “net investment income” for purposes of the Medicare contribution tax applicable to certain individuals, estates and trusts.

Unlike many ETFs, the redemption of Creation Units of the Fund generally incorporates a payment of cash by the Fund in addition to, or in place of, the delivery of a basket of securities. To meet this requirement, the Fund may be required to sell portfolio securities in order to obtain the cash needed to distribute redemption proceeds. This may cause the Fund to recognize income and/or capital gains or losses that it might not have recognized if it had completely satisfied the redemption in-kind. As a result, the Fund may be less tax efficient than if the in-kind redemption process was used.

Distributions (other than Capital Gain Dividends) paid to individual shareholders that are neither citizens nor residents of the U.S. or to foreign entities will generally be subject to a U.S. withholding tax at the rate of 30%, unless a lower treaty rate applies.

The Fund (or financial intermediaries, such as brokers, through which shareholders own Fund shares) generally is required to withhold and to remit to the U.S. Treasury a percentage of the taxable distributions and the sale or redemption proceeds paid to any shareholder who fails to properly furnish a correct taxpayer identification number, who has under-reported dividend or interest income, or who fails to certify that he, she or it is not subject to such withholding.

Taxes When Fund Shares Are Sold

Any capital gain or loss realized upon a sale of Fund shares is generally treated as a long-term gain or loss if the shares have been held for more than one year. Any capital gain or loss realized upon a sale of Fund shares held for one year or less is generally treated as a short-term gain or loss, except that any capital loss on a sale of shares held for six months or less is treated as long-term capital loss to the extent that Capital Gain Dividends were paid with respect to such shares. The ability to deduct capital losses may be limited depending on your circumstances.

Taxes on Creation and Redemption of Creation Units

An Authorized Participant having the U.S. dollar as its functional currency for U.S. federal tax purposes that exchanges securities for Creation Units generally will recognize a gain or loss equal to the difference between (i) the sum of the market value of the Creation Units at the time of the exchange and any amount of cash received by the Authorized Participant in the exchange and (ii) the sum of the exchanger’s aggregate basis in the securities surrendered and any amount of cash paid for such Creation Units. A person who redeems Creation Units for securities will generally recognize a gain or loss equal to the difference between the exchanger’s basis in the Creation Units and the sum of the aggregate U.S. dollar market value of the securities plus the amount of any cash received for such Creation Units. The Internal Revenue Service, however, may assert that a loss that is realized by an Authorized Participant upon an exchange of securities for Creation Units cannot be currently deducted under the rules governing “wash sales,” or on the basis that there has been no significant change in economic position.

Gain or loss recognized by an Authorized Participant upon an issuance of Creation Units in exchange for non-U.S. currency will generally be treated as ordinary income or loss. Gain or loss recognized by an Authorized Participant upon an issuance of Creation Units in exchange for securities, or upon a redemption of Creation Units, may be capital or ordinary gain or loss depending on the circumstances. Any capital gain or loss realized upon an issuance of Creation Units in exchange for securities will generally be treated as long-term capital gain or loss if the securities have been held for more than one year. Any capital gain or loss realized upon the redemption of a Creation Unit will generally be treated as long-term capital gain or loss if the Fund shares comprising the Creation Unit have been held for more than one year. Otherwise, such capital gains or losses are treated as short-term capital gains or losses.

A person subject to U.S. federal income tax who receives non-U.S. currency upon a redemption of Creation Units and does not immediately convert the non-U.S. currency into U.S. dollars may, upon a later conversion of the non-U.S. currency into U.S. dollars, recognize as ordinary gains or losses any gains or losses resulting from fluctuations in the value of the non-U.S. currency relative to the U.S. dollar since the date of the redemption.

Persons exchanging securities or non-U.S. currency for Creation Units should consult their own tax advisors with respect to the tax treatment of any creation or redemption transaction. If you purchase or redeem Creation Units, you will be sent a confirmation statement showing how many Fund shares you purchased or redeemed and at what price.

Foreign Investments by the Fund

Interest and other income received by the Fund with respect to foreign securities may give rise to withholding and other taxes imposed by foreign countries. Tax conventions between certain countries and the United States may reduce or eliminate such taxes. The Fund may need to file a special claim for refund to secure the benefit of a reduced rate. For instance, the income tax treaty between the U.S. and Japan generally reduces to 5% or 10% the rate of Japanese tax on dividends paid from a

 

14   WisdomTree Trust Prospectus


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Japanese corporation to a U.S. shareholder. If as of the close of a taxable year more than 50% of the total assets of the Fund consist of stock or securities of foreign corporations, the Fund intends to elect to “pass through” to investors the amount of foreign income and similar taxes (including withholding taxes) paid by the Fund during that taxable year. If the Fund elects to “pass through” such foreign taxes, then investors will be considered to have received as additional income their respective shares of such foreign taxes, but may be entitled to either a corresponding tax deduction in calculating taxable income, or, subject to certain limitations, a credit in calculating federal income tax.

Distribution

ALPS Distributors, Inc. (the “Distributor”) serves as the distributor of Creation Units for the Fund on an agency basis. The Distributor does not maintain a secondary market in shares of the Fund. The Distributor’s principal address is 1290 Broadway, Suite 1100, Denver, Colorado 80203. The Distributor has no role in determining the policies of the Fund or the securities that are purchased or sold by the Fund.

Premium/Discount and NAV Information

Information regarding the Fund’s NAV and how often shares of the Fund traded on the Listing Exchange at a price above (i.e., at a premium) or below (i.e., at a discount) the NAV of the Fund during the past calendar year and most recent calendar quarter will be able to be found at www.wisdomtree.com.

Additional Notices

Listing Exchange

Shares of the Fund are not sponsored, endorsed, or promoted by the Listing Exchange. The Listing Exchange makes no representation or warranty, express or implied, to the owners of the shares of the Fund or any member of the public regarding the ability of the Fund to track the total return performance of the Index or the ability of the Index identified herein to track stock market performance. The Listing Exchange is not responsible for, nor has it participated in, the determination of the compilation or the calculation of the Index, nor in the determination of the timing of, prices of, or quantities of the shares of the Fund to be issued, nor in the determination or calculation of the equation by which the shares are redeemable. The Listing Exchange has no obligation or liability to owners of the shares of the Fund in connection with the administration, marketing, or trading of the shares of the Fund.

The Listing Exchange does not guarantee the accuracy and/or the completeness of the Index or the data included therein. The Listing Exchange makes no warranty, express or implied, as to results to be obtained by the Trust on behalf of the Fund, owners of the shares, or any other person or entity from the use of the Index or the data included therein. The Listing Exchange makes no express or implied warranties, and hereby expressly disclaims all warranties of merchantability or fitness for a particular purpose with respect to the Index or the data included therein. Without limiting any of the foregoing, in no event shall the Listing Exchange have any liability for any lost profits or indirect, punitive, special, or consequential damages even if notified of the possibility thereof.

WisdomTree and the Fund

WisdomTree Investments and WisdomTree Asset Management (together, “WisdomTree”) and the Fund make no representation or warranty, express or implied, to the owners of shares of the Fund or any member of the public regarding the advisability of investing in securities generally or in the Fund particularly or the ability of the Index to track general stock market performance. WisdomTree Investments is the licensor of certain trademarks, service marks and trade names of the Fund. WisdomTree Investments has no obligation to take the needs of the Fund or the owners of shares of the Fund into consideration in determining, composing, or calculating the Index. WisdomTree Investments is not responsible for, and has not participated in, the determination of the timing of, prices of, or quantities of shares of the Fund to be issued or in the determination or calculation of the equation by which the shares of the Fund are redeemable. WisdomTree and the Fund do not guarantee the accuracy, completeness, or performance of the Index or the data included therein and shall have no liability in connection with the Index or Index calculation. WisdomTree Investments has contracted with Standard & Poor’s (“S&P”) to maintain and calculate the Index used by the Fund. S&P shall have no liability for any errors or omissions in calculating the Index.

Financial Highlights

Financial information for the Fund will be available after the Fund has completed a fiscal year of operations.

 

WisdomTree Trust Prospectus      15   


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WisdomTree Trust

245 Park Avenue, 35th Floor

New York, NY 10167

 

LOGO

 

LOGO

 

The Trust’s current SAI provides additional detailed information about the Fund. The Trust has electronically filed the SAI with the SEC. It is incorporated by reference in this Prospectus.

Additional information about the Fund’s investments will be available in the Fund’s annual and semi-annual reports to shareholders. In the annual report you will find a discussion of the market conditions and investment strategies that significantly affected the Fund’s performance after the first fiscal year the Fund is in operation.

To make shareholder inquiries, for more detailed information on the Fund, or to request the SAI or annual or semi-annual shareholder reports (once available) free of charge, please:

 

Call:  

1-866-909-9473

Monday through Friday

8:00 a.m. – 8:00 p.m. (Eastern time)

   Write:  

WisdomTree Trust

c/o ALPS Distributors, Inc.

1290 Broadway, Suite 1100

Denver, Colorado 80203

      
Visit:   www.wisdomtree.com     

Information about the Fund (including the SAI) can be reviewed and copied at the SEC’s Public Reference Room in Washington, D.C., and information on the operation of the Public Reference Room may be obtained by calling the SEC at 1-202-551-8090. Reports and other information about the Fund are available on the EDGAR Database on the SEC’s Internet site at www.sec.gov, and copies of this information may be obtained, after paying a duplicating fee, by electronic request at the following e-mail address: publicinfo@sec.gov, or by writing the SEC’s Public Reference Section, Washington, D.C. 20549-1520.

No person is authorized to give any information or to make any representations about the Fund and its shares not contained in this Prospectus and you should not rely on any other information. Read and keep this Prospectus for future reference.

 

©2014 WisdomTree Trust

WisdomTree Funds are distributed by

ALPS Distributors, Inc.

1290 Broadway, Suite 1100

Denver, Colorado 80203

WisdomTree® is a registered mark of WisdomTree Investments, Inc.

INVESTMENT COMPANY ACT FILE NO. 811-21864

WIS-PR-048-0714


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WISDOMTREE® TRUST

STATEMENT OF ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

August 1, 2014

This Statement of Additional Information (“SAI”) is not a prospectus. It should be read in conjunction with the current prospectus (the “Prospectus”) for the following separate investment portfolios (each, a “Fund”) of WisdomTree Trust (the “Trust”), as each such Prospectus may be revised from time to time:

WISDOMTREE U.S. EQUITY ETFs*

 

Dividends    Earnings
Total Dividend Fund (DTD)    Total Earnings Fund (EXT)
LargeCap Dividend Fund (DLN)    Earnings 500 Fund (EPS)
MidCap Dividend Fund (DON)    MidCap Earnings Fund (EZM)
SmallCap Dividend Fund (DES)    SmallCap Earnings Fund (EES)
Equity Income Fund (DHS)    LargeCap Value Fund (EZY)

Dividend ex-Financials Fund (DTN)

U.S. Dividend Growth Fund (DGRW)

U.S. SmallCap Dividend Growth Fund (DGRS)

  

WISDOMTREE INTERNATIONAL EQUITY ETFs*

 

Developed World ex-U.S.

 

DEFA Fund (DWM)

DEFA Equity Income Fund (DTH)

International LargeCap Dividend Fund (DOL)

International MidCap Dividend Fund (DIM)

International SmallCap Dividend Fund (DLS)

International Dividend ex-Financials Fund (DOO)

Europe Dividend Growth Fund (EUDG)

Europe SmallCap Dividend Fund (DFE)

Japan SmallCap Dividend Fund (DFJ)

Australia Dividend Fund (AUSE)

 

Currency Hedged Equity

 

Japan Hedged Equity Fund (DXJ)

Japan Hedged SmallCap Equity Fund (DXJS)

Europe Hedged Equity Fund (HEDJ)

United Kingdom Hedged Equity Fund (DXPS

Germany Hedged Equity Fund (DXGE)

Korea Hedged Equity Fund (DXKW)

Japan Hedged Financials Fund (DXJF)

Japan Hedged Real Estate Fund (DXJR)

  

Japan Hedged Capital Goods Fund (DXJC)

Japan Hedged Health Care Fund (DXJH)

Japan Hedged Tech, Media and Telecom Fund (DXJT)

International Hedged Dividend Growth Fund (IHDG)

 

Global/Global ex-U.S.

 

Global Equity Income Fund (DEW)

Global Natural Resources Fund (GNAT)

Global ex-U.S. Dividend Growth Fund (DNL)

Global ex-U.S. Utilities Fund (DBU)

Global ex-U.S. Real Estate Fund (DRW)

Asia Pacific ex-Japan Fund (AXJL)

Commodity Country Equity Fund (CCXE)

 

Emerging/Frontier Markets

 

Emerging Markets Equity Income Fund (DEM)

Emerging Markets SmallCap Dividend Fund (DGS)

Emerging Markets Consumer Growth Fund (EMCG)

Emerging Markets Dividend Growth Fund (DGRE)

India Earnings Fund (EPI)

Middle East Dividend Fund (GULF)

China Dividend ex-Financials Fund (CHXF)

The current Prospectus for each of the WisdomTree U.S. Equity ETFs is dated August 1, 2014 and the current Prospectus for each of the WisdomTree International Equity ETFs is dated August 1, 2014. Capitalized terms used herein that are not defined have the same meaning as in the Prospectus, unless otherwise noted. The Funds’ audited financial statements for the most recent fiscal year (when available) are incorporated in this SAI by reference to the Funds’ most recent Annual Reports to Shareholders (File No. 811-21864). When available, you may obtain a copy of the Funds’ Annual Reports at no charge by request to the Fund at the address or phone number noted below.

THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION (“SEC”) HAS NOT APPROVED OR DISAPPROVED THESE SECURITIES OR PASSED UPON THE ADEQUACY OF THIS SAI. ANY REPRESENTATION TO THE CONTRARY IS A CRIMINAL OFFENSE.

A copy of the Prospectus for each Fund may be obtained, without charge, by calling 1-866-909-9473, visiting www.wisdomtree.com, or writing to WisdomTree Trust, c/o ALPS Distributors, Inc., 1290 Broadway, Suite 1100, Denver, Colorado 80203.

 

*  Principal U.S. Listing Exchange: NYSE Arca, Inc. (except DGRW, DGRS, GULF, DXPS, DXJS, DXGE, DXKW, EMCG, CHXF and DGRE are listed on NASDAQ)


Table of Contents

TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

General Description of the Trust and the Funds

     3   

WisdomTree U.S. Equity ETFs

     3   

WisdomTree International Equity ETFs

     3   

Investment Strategies and Risks

     4   

General Risks

     4   

Specific Investment Strategies

     6   

Proxy Voting Policy

     15   

Portfolio Holdings Disclosure Policies and Procedures

     16   

WisdomTree Index Description

     17   

Investment Limitations

     20   

Continuous Offering

     21   

Management of the Trust

     21   

Brokerage Transactions

     50   

Additional Information Concerning the Trust

     54   

Creation and Redemption of Creation Unit Aggregations

     55   

Regular Holidays

     60   

Taxes

     63   

Determination of NAV

     69   

Dividends and Distributions

     69   

Financial Statements

     69   

Miscellaneous Information

     70   


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GENERAL DESCRIPTION OF THE TRUST AND THE FUNDS

The Trust was organized as a Delaware statutory trust on December 15, 2005 and is authorized to issue multiple series or portfolios. The Trust is an open-end management investment company, registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the “1940 Act”). The offering of the Trust’s shares is registered under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”). This SAI relates to the following Funds:

WISDOMTREE U.S. EQUITY ETFS

 

Dividends    Earnings
Total Dividend Fund    Total Earnings Fund
LargeCap Dividend Fund    Earnings 500 Fund
MidCap Dividend Fund    MidCap Earnings Fund
SmallCap Dividend Fund    SmallCap Earnings Fund
Equity Income Fund    LargeCap Value Fund

Dividend ex-Financials Fund

U.S. Dividend Growth Fund

U.S. SmallCap Dividend Growth Fund

  

WISDOMTREE INTERNATIONAL EQUITY ETFS

 

Developed World ex-U.S.

 

DEFA Fund

DEFA Equity Income Fund

International LargeCap Dividend Fund

International MidCap Dividend Fund

International SmallCap Dividend Fund

International Dividend ex-Financials Fund

Europe Dividend Growth Fund

Europe SmallCap Dividend Fund

Japan SmallCap Dividend Fund

Australia Dividend Fund

 

Currency Hedged Equity

 

Japan Hedged Equity Fund

Japan Hedged SmallCap Equity Fund

Europe Hedged Equity Fund

United Kingdom Hedged Equity Fund

Germany Hedged Equity Fund

Korea Hedged Equity Fund

Japan Hedged Financials Fund

Japan Hedged Real Estate Fund

Japan Hedged Capital Goods Fund

  

Japan Hedged Health Care Fund

Japan Hedged Tech, Media and Telecom Fund

International Hedged Dividend Growth Fund

 

Global/Global ex-U.S.

 

Global Equity Income Fund

Global Natural Resources Fund

Global ex-U.S. Dividend Growth Fund

Global ex-U.S. Utilities Fund

Global ex-U.S. Real Estate Fund

Asia Pacific ex-Japan Fund

Commodity Country Equity Fund

 

Emerging/Frontier Markets

 

Emerging Markets Equity Income Fund

Emerging Markets SmallCap Dividend Fund

Emerging Markets Consumer Growth Fund

Emerging Markets Dividend Growth Fund

India Earnings Fund

Middle East Dividend Fund

China Dividend ex-Financials Fund

Each Fund described in this SAI seeks to track the price and yield performance, before fees and expenses, of a particular index (“Index”) that defines a specific segment of the U.S. or international stock markets. The Indexes are created using proprietary methodology developed by WisdomTree Investments, Inc. (“WisdomTree Investments”). WisdomTree Investments is the parent company of WisdomTree Asset Management, Inc. (“WisdomTree Asset Management” or the “Adviser”), the investment adviser to each Fund. Mellon Capital Management Corporation (“Mellon Capital” or the “Sub-Adviser”) is the investment sub-adviser to each Fund. The Adviser and the Sub-Adviser may be referred to together as the “Advisers”. ALPS Distributors, Inc. serves as the distributor (the “Distributor”) of the shares of each Fund.

Each Fund issues and redeems shares at net asset value per share (“NAV”) only in large blocks of shares, typically 50,000 shares or more (“Creation Units” or “Creation Unit Aggregations”). Currently, Creation Units generally consist of 50,000 shares, though this may change from time to time. Creation Units are not expected to consist of less than 50,000 shares. These transactions are usually in exchange for a basket of securities and an amount of cash. As a practical matter, only institutions or large investors purchase or redeem Creation Units. Except when aggregated in Creation Units, shares of each Fund are not redeemable securities.

Shares of each Fund are listed on a national securities exchange, such as NYSE Arca, Inc. or the NASDAQ Stock Market (“NASDAQ”) (each, a “Listing Exchange”), and trade throughout the day on the Listing Exchange and other secondary markets at market prices that may differ from NAV. As in the case of other publicly traded securities, brokers’ commissions on transactions will be based on commission rates charged by the applicable broker.

 

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The Trust reserves the right to adjust the prices of shares in the future to maintain convenient trading ranges for investors. Any adjustments would be accomplished through stock splits or reverse stock splits, which would have no effect on the net assets of the applicable Fund. “WisdomTree” is a registered mark of WisdomTree Investments and has been licensed for use by the Trust. WisdomTree Investments has patent applications pending on the methodology and operation of its Indexes and the Funds.

INVESTMENT STRATEGIES AND RISKS

Each Fund’s investment objective, principal investment strategies and associated risks are described in the Fund’s Prospectus. The sections below supplement these principal investment strategies and risks and describe the Funds’ additional investment policies and the different types of investments that may be made by a Fund as a part of its non-principal investment strategies. With respect to each Fund’s investments, unless otherwise noted, if a percentage limitation on investment is adhered to at the time of investment or contract, a subsequent increase or decrease as a result of market movement or redemption will not result in a violation of such investment limitation.

Each Fund intends to qualify each year for treatment as a regulated investment company (a “RIC”) under Subchapter M of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”), so that it will not be subject to federal income tax on income and gains that are timely distributed to Fund shareholders. Each Fund will invest its assets, and otherwise conduct its operations, in a manner that is intended to satisfy the qualifying income, diversification and distribution requirements necessary to establish and maintain eligibility for such treatment.

Each Fund is considered “non-diversified,” as such term is used in the 1940 Act.

This investment strategy, known as “indexing,” may eliminate some of the risks of active portfolio management, such as poor security selection. In addition, indexing may also help increase after-tax investment performance by keeping portfolio turnover low in comparison to more actively managed investment strategies.

Each International Equity ETF, from time to time, may have less than 95% (80% with respect to the Japan Hedged Equity Fund, Emerging Markets Dividend Growth Fund, United Kingdom Hedged Equity Fund, Japan Hedged SmallCap Equity Fund, Europe Dividend Growth Fund, Germany Hedged Equity Fund, Korea Hedged Equity Fund, Japan Hedged Financials Fund, Japan Hedged Real Estate Fund, Japan Hedged Capital Good Fund, Japan Hedged Health Care Fund, Japan Hedged Tech, Media and Telecom Fund, International Hedged Dividend Growth Fund, and Emerging Markets Consumer Growth Fund) of its total assets (exclusive of collateral held from securities lending) invested in the component securities of its underlying Index and investments that have economic characteristics that are substantially identical to the economic characteristics of such component securities, such as depositary receipts based on component securities and TBA Transactions, in order to comply with the requirements of the Code, to meet regulatory requirements in non-U.S. jurisdictions or to manage major Index changes. In these situations, which are expected to be infrequent and of limited duration, an International Equity ETF may not have less than 90% (80% with respect to the of Japan Hedged Equity Fund, Emerging Markets Dividend Growth Fund, United Kingdom Hedged Equity Fund, Japan Hedged SmallCap Equity Fund, Europe Dividend Growth Fund, Germany Hedged Equity Fund, Korea Hedged Equity Fund, Japan Hedged Financials Fund, Japan Hedged Real Estate Fund, Japan Hedged Capital Good Fund, Japan Hedged Health Care Fund, Japan Hedged Tech, Media and Telecom Fund, International Hedged Dividend Growth Fund, and Emerging Markets Consumer Growth Fund) its total assets invested in securities of its underlying Index and investments that have economic characteristics that are substantially identical to the economic characteristics of such component securities.

The India Earnings Fund attempts to achieve its investment objective by investing in securities through the WisdomTree India Investment Portfolio, Inc. (the “India Portfolio”), a wholly-owned subsidiary of the India Earnings Fund. References to the investment strategies and other policies of the India Earnings Fund should be understood to also refer to the strategies and policies of the India Portfolio. The India Portfolio is advised by WisdomTree Asset Management and sub-advised by Mellon Capital.

GENERAL RISKS

An investment in a Fund should be made with an understanding that the value of a Fund’s portfolio securities may fluctuate in accordance with changes in the financial condition of an issuer or counterparty, changes in specific economic or political conditions that affect a particular security or issuer and changes in general economic or political conditions. An investor in a Fund could lose money over short or long periods of time.

An investment in a Fund should also be made with an understanding of the risks inherent in an investment in equity securities, including the risk that the financial condition of issuers may become impaired or that the general condition of the stock market may deteriorate (either of which may cause a decrease in the value of a Fund’s portfolio securities and therefore a decrease in the value of shares of the Fund). Common stocks are susceptible to general stock market fluctuations and to volatile increases and decreases in value as market confidence and perceptions change. These investor perceptions are based on various and unpredictable factors, including expectations regarding government, economic, monetary and fiscal policies; inflation and interest rates; economic expansion or contraction; and global or regional political, economic or banking crises.

 

4


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Holders of common stocks incur more risk than holders of preferred stocks and debt obligations because common stockholders, as owners of the issuer, generally have inferior rights to receive payments from the issuer in comparison with the rights of creditors or holders of debt obligations or preferred stocks. Further, unlike debt securities, which typically have a stated principal amount payable at maturity (whose value, however, is subject to market fluctuations prior thereto), or preferred stocks, which typically have a liquidation preference and which may have stated optional or mandatory redemption provisions, common stocks have neither a fixed principal amount nor a maturity. Common stock values are subject to market fluctuations as long as the common stock remains outstanding.

An investment in the Europe Hedged Equity Fund, United Kingdom Hedged Equity Fund, Japan Hedged Equity Fund, Japan Hedged SmallCap Equity Fund, Germany Hedged Equity Fund, Korea Hedged Equity Fund, Japan Hedged Financials Fund, Japan Hedged Real Estate Fund, Japan Hedged Capital Goods Fund, Japan Hedged Health Care Fund, Japan Hedged Tech, Media and Telecom Fund or the International Hedged Dividend Growth Fund (collectively, the “Hedged Equity Funds”) should be made with the understanding that these Funds attempt to minimize or “hedge” against changes in the value of the U.S. dollar against the euro, British pound, Korean won and Japanese yen, as applicable. The other International Equity ETFs do not seek to hedge against such fluctuations.

Although all of the securities in the Indexes are generally listed on one or more major U.S. or non-U.S. stock exchanges, there can be no guarantee that a liquid market for such securities will be maintained. The existence of a liquid trading market for certain securities may depend on whether dealers will make a market in such securities. There can be no assurance that a market will be made or maintained or that any such market will be or remain liquid. The price at which securities may be sold and the value of a Fund’s shares will be adversely affected if trading markets for a Fund’s portfolio securities are limited or absent, or if bid/ask spreads are wide.

Events in the financial sector have resulted, and may continue to result, in an unusually high degree of volatility in the financial markets, both domestic and foreign. Domestic and foreign fixed income and equity markets experienced extreme volatility and turmoil starting in late 2008 and volatility has continued to be experienced in the markets. Issuers that have exposure to the real estate, mortgage and credit markets have been particularly affected, and well-known financial institutions have experienced significant liquidity and other problems. Some of these institutions have declared bankruptcy or defaulted on their debt. It is uncertain whether or for how long these conditions will continue. These events and possible continuing market turbulence may have an adverse effect on Fund performance.

BORROWING. Although the Fund does not intend to borrow money, the Fund may do so to the extent permitted by the 1940 Act. Under the 1940 Act, a fund may borrow up to 33% of its net assets. The Fund will borrow only for short-term or emergency purposes. Borrowing will tend to exaggerate the effect on net asset value of any increase or decrease in the market value of a Fund’s portfolio. Money borrowed will be subject to interest costs that may or may not be recovered by earnings on the securities purchased. The Fund also may be required to maintain minimum average balances in connection with a borrowing or to pay a commitment or other fee to maintain a line of credit; either of these requirements would increase the cost of borrowing over the stated interest rate.

CAPITAL CONTROLS AND SANCTIONS RISK. Economic conditions, such as volatile currency exchange rates and interest rates, political events, military action and other conditions may, without prior warning, lead to government intervention (including intervention by the U.S. government with respect to foreign governments, economic sectors, foreign companies and related securities and interests) and the imposition of capital controls and/or sanctions, which may also include retaliatory actions of one government against another government, such as seizure of assets. Capital controls and/or sanctions include the prohibition of, or restrictions on, the ability to own or transfer currency, securities or other assets, which may potentially include derivative instruments related thereto. Countries use these controls to, among other reasons, restrict movements of capital entering (inflows) and exiting (outflows) their country to respond to certain economic or political conditions. By way of example, such controls may be applied to short-term capital transactions to counter speculative flows that threaten to undermine the stability of the exchange trade and deplete foreign exchange reserves. Levies maybe placed on profits repatriated by foreign entities (such as the Funds). Capital controls and/or sanctions may also impact the ability of the Fund to buy, sell, transfer, receive, deliver (i.e., create and redeem Creation Units) or otherwise obtain exposure to, foreign securities or currency, negatively impact the value and/or liquidity of such instruments, adversely affect the trading market and price for shares of the Fund (e.g., cause a Fund to trade at prices materially different from its NAV), and cause the Fund to decline in value. A Fund may change its creation and or redemption procedures without notice in response to the imposition of capital controls or sanctions. There can be no assurance a country in which a Fund invests or the U.S. will not impose a form of capital control or sanction to the possible detriment of a Fund and its shareholders.

CURRENCY EXCHANGE RATE RISK. Investments denominated in non-U.S. currencies and investments in securities or derivatives that provide exposure to such currencies, currency exchange rates or interest rates are subject to non-U.S. currency risk. Changes in currency exchange rates and the relative value of non-U.S. currencies will affect the value of a Fund’s investment and the value of your Fund shares. Because the Fund’s NAV is determined on the basis of U.S. dollars, the U.S. dollar value of your investment in the Fund may go down if the value of the local currency of the non-U.S. markets in which the Fund invests depreciates against the U.S. dollar. This is true even if the local currency value of securities in the Fund’s holdings goes up. Conversely, the U.S. dollar value of your investment in the Fund may go up if the value of the local currency appreciates against the U.S. dollar. The value of the U.S. dollar against other currencies is influenced by a variety of factors. These factors include national debt levels and trade deficits, changes in balances of payments and trade, domestic and foreign interest and inflation rates, global or regional political, economic or financial events, monetary policies of governments, actual or potential government intervention, and global energy

 

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prices. Political instability, the possibility of government intervention and restrictive or opaque business and investment policies may also reduce the value of a country’s currency. Government monetary policies and the buying or selling of currency by a country’s government may also influence exchange rates. Currencies of emerging or developing market countries may be subject to significantly greater risks than currencies of developed countries. Many developing market countries have experienced steady declines or even sudden devaluations of their currencies relative to the U.S. dollar. Some non-U.S. market currencies may not be traded internationally, may be subject to strict limitations on foreign investment and may be subject to frequent and unannounced government intervention. Government intervention and currency controls can decrease the value and significantly increase the volatility of an investment in non-U.S. currency. Although the currencies of some developing market countries may be convertible into U.S. dollars, the achievable rates may differ from those experienced by domestic investors because of foreign investment restrictions, withholding taxes, lack of liquidity or other reasons.

LACK OF DIVERSIFICATION. Each Fund is considered to be “non-diversified.” A “non-diversified” classification means that a Fund is not limited by the 1940 Act with regard to the percentage of its total assets that may be invested in the securities of a single issuer. As a result, each of the Funds may invest more of its total assets in the securities of a single issuer or a smaller number of issuers than if it were classified as a diversified fund. Therefore, each Fund may be more exposed to the risks associated with and developments affecting an individual issuer or a small number of issuers than a fund that invests more widely, which may have a greater impact on the Fund’s volatility and performance.

TAX RISK. To qualify for the favorable U.S. federal income tax treatment accorded to RICs, the Fund must, among other things, derive in each taxable year at least 90% of its gross income from certain prescribed sources. The U.S. Treasury Department has authority to issue regulations that would exclude foreign currency gains from qualifying income if such gains are not directly related to the Fund’s business of investing in stock or securities. Accordingly, regulations may be issued in the future that could treat some or all of the Fund’s foreign currency gains as nonqualifying income, which might jeopardize the Fund’s status as a RIC for all years to which the regulations are applicable. If for any taxable year the Fund does not qualify as a RIC, all of its taxable income (including its net capital gain) for that year would be subject to tax at regular corporate rates without any deduction for distributions to shareholders, and such distributions would be taxable to shareholders as dividend income to the extent of the Fund’s current and accumulated earnings and profits.

A discussion of some of the other risks associated with an investment in a Fund is contained in each Fund’s Prospectus.

SPECIFIC INVESTMENT STRATEGIES

A description of certain investment strategies and types of investments used by some or all of the Funds is set forth below.

CURRENCY TRANSACTIONS. The International Equity ETFs may enter into foreign currency forward and foreign currency futures contracts to facilitate local securities settlements or to protect against currency exposure in connection with distributions to shareholders. The Funds, other than the Hedged Equity Funds, do not expect to engage in currency transactions for the purpose of hedging against declines in the value of a Fund’s total assets that are denominated in one or more foreign currencies. Each Hedged Equity Fund invests in various types of currency contracts to hedge against changes in the value of the U.S. dollar against the euro, the British pound, and the Japanese yen, as applicable.

Forward Foreign Currency Contracts. A forward foreign currency exchange contract (“forward contract”) involves an obligation to purchase or sell a specific currency at a future date, which may be any fixed number of days from the date of the contract agreed upon by the parties, at a price set at the time of the contract. These contracts are principally traded in the interbank market conducted directly between currency traders (usually large commercial banks) and their customers. Forward contracts are contracts between parties in which one party agrees to make a payment to the other party (the counterparty) based on the market value or level of a specified currency. In return, the counterparty agrees to make payment to the first party based on the return of a different specified currency. A forward contract generally has no margin deposit requirement, and no commissions are charged at any stage for trades. These contracts typically are settled by physical delivery of the underlying currency or currencies in the amount of the full contract value.

A non-deliverable forward contract is a forward contract where there is no physical settlement of two currencies at maturity. Non-deliverable forward contracts will usually be done on a net basis, with a Fund receiving or paying only the net amount of the two payments. The net amount of the excess, if any, of each Fund’s obligations over its entitlements with respect to each non-deliverable forward contract is accrued on a daily basis and an amount of cash or highly liquid securities having an aggregate value at least equal to the accrued excess is maintained in an account at the Fund’s custodian bank. The risk of loss with respect to non-deliverable forward contracts generally is limited to the net amount of payments that a Fund is contractually obligated to make or receive.

Foreign Currency Futures Contracts. A foreign currency futures contract is a contract involving an obligation to deliver or acquire the specified amount of a specific currency, at a specified price and at a specified future time. Futures contracts may be settled on a net cash payment basis rather than by the sale and delivery of the underlying currency.

Currency exchange transactions involve a significant degree of risk and the markets in which currency exchange transactions are effected are highly volatile, highly specialized and highly technical. Significant changes, including changes in liquidity and prices, can

 

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occur in such markets within very short periods of time, often within minutes. Currency exchange trading risks include, but are not limited to, exchange rate risk, maturity gap, interest rate risk, and potential interference by foreign governments through regulation of local exchange markets, foreign investment or particular transactions in foreign currency. If a Fund utilizes foreign currency transactions at an inappropriate time, such transactions may not serve their intended purpose of improving the correlation of a Fund’s return with the performance of its underlying Index and may lower the Fund’s return. A Fund could experience losses if the value of any currency forwards and futures positions is poorly correlated with its other investments or if it could not close out its positions because of an illiquid market. Such contracts are subject to the risk that the counterparty will default on its obligations. In addition, each Fund will incur transaction costs, including trading commissions, in connection with certain foreign currency transactions.

DEPOSITARY RECEIPTS. To the extent a Fund invests in stocks of foreign corporations, a Fund’s investment in such stocks may be in the form of Depositary Receipts or other similar securities convertible into securities of foreign issuers. Depositary Receipts may not necessarily be denominated in the same currency as the underlying securities into which they may be converted. American Depositary Receipts (“ADRs”) are receipts typically issued by an American bank or trust company that evidence ownership of underlying securities issued by a foreign corporation. European Depositary Receipts (“EDRs”) are receipts issued in Europe that evidence a similar ownership arrangement. Global Depositary Receipts (“GDRs”) are receipts issued throughout the world that evidence a similar arrangement. Non-Voting Depository Receipts (“NVDRs”) are receipts issued in Thailand that evidence a similar arrangement. Generally, ADRs, in registered form, are designed for use in the U.S. securities markets, and EDRs, in bearer form, are designed for use in European securities markets. GDRs are tradable both in the United States and in Europe and are designed for use throughout the world. NVDRs are tradable on the Stock Exchange of Thailand.

A Fund will not invest in any unlisted Depositary Receipts or any Depositary Receipt that WisdomTree Asset Management or the Sub-Adviser deems to be illiquid or for which pricing information is not readily available. In addition, all Depositary Receipts generally must be sponsored; however, a Fund may invest in unsponsored Depositary Receipts under certain limited circumstances. The issuers of unsponsored Depositary Receipts are not obligated to disclose material information in the United States, and, therefore, there may be less information available regarding such issuers and there may not be a correlation between such information and the market value of the Depositary Receipts. The use of Depositary Receipts may increase tracking error relative to an underlying Index.

DERIVATIVES. Each Fund may use derivative instruments as part of its investment strategies. Each Fund will not use derivatives to increase leverage, and each Fund will provide margin or collateral, as applicable, with respect to investments in derivatives in such amounts as determined under applicable law, regulatory guidance or related interpretations. Generally, derivatives are financial contracts whose value depend upon, or are derived from, the value of an underlying asset, reference rate or index, and may relate to bonds, interest rates, currencies, commodities, and related indexes. Examples of derivative instruments include forward contracts, currency and interest rate swaps, currency options, futures contracts, options on futures contracts and swap agreements. A Fund’s use of derivative instruments will be underpinned by investments in short-term, high-quality instruments, such as U.S. money market securities.

With respect to certain kinds of derivative transactions that involve obligations to make future payments to third parties, including, but not limited to, futures contracts, forward contracts, swap contracts, the purchase of securities on a when-issued or delayed delivery basis, or reverse repurchase agreements, under applicable federal securities laws, rules, and interpretations thereof, a Fund must “set aside” liquid assets, or engage in other measures to “cover” open positions with respect to such transactions. For example, with respect to forward contracts and futures contracts that are not contractually required to “cash-settle,” the Fund must cover its open positions by setting aside liquid assets equal to the contracts’ full, notional value. The Funds treat deliverable forward contracts for currencies that are liquid as the equivalent of “cash-settled” contracts. As such, a Fund may set aside liquid assets in an amount equal to the Fund’s daily marked-to-market (net) obligation (i.e., the Fund’s daily net liability if any) rather than the full notional amount under such deliverable forward contracts. Similarly, with respect to futures contracts that are contractually required to “cash-settle” the Fund may set aside liquid assets in an amount equal to the Fund’s daily marked-to-market (net) obligation rather than the notional value. The Fund reserves the right to modify these policies in the future.

Effective April 24, 2012, the U.S. Commodity Futures Trading Commission (“CFTC”) revised, among other things, CFTC Rule 4.5 and rescinded CFTC Rule 4.13(a)(4). The CFTC has adopted amendments to its regulations of commodity pool operators (“CPOs”) managing funds registered under the 1940 Act that “harmonize” the SEC’s and the CFTC’s regulatory schemes. The adopted amendments to the CFTC regulations allow CPOs to registered investment companies to satisfy certain recordkeeping, reporting and disclosure requirements that would otherwise apply to them under Part 4 of the CFTC’s regulations by continuing to comply with comparable SEC requirements. To the extent that the CFTC recordkeeping, disclosure and reporting requirements deviate from the comparable SEC requirements, such deviations are not expected to materially adversely affect the ability of the Funds to continue to operate and achieve their investment objectives. If, however, these requirements or future regulatory changes result in a Fund having difficulty in achieving its investment objectives, the Trust may determine to reorganize or close the Fund, materially change the Fund’s investment objectives and strategies, or operate the Fund as a regulated commodity pool pursuant to WisdomTree Asset Management’s CPO registration.

With regard to each Fund, WisdomTree Asset Management will continue to claim relief from the definition of CPO under revised CFTC Rule 4.5. Specifically, pursuant to CFTC Rule 4.5, WisdomTree Asset Management may claim exclusion from the definition of CPO, and thus from having to register as a CPO, with regard to a Fund that enters into commodity futures, commodity options or

 

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swaps solely for “bona fide hedging purposes,” or that limits its investment in commodities to a “de minimis” amount, as defined in CFTC rules, so long as the shares of such Fund are not marketed as interests in a commodity pool or other vehicle for trading in commodity futures, commodity options or swaps.

Swap Agreements. Each Fund may enter into swap agreements, including interest rate swaps and currency swaps. A typical interest rate swap involves the exchange of a floating interest rate payment for a fixed interest payment. A typical foreign currency swap involves the exchange of cash flows based on the notional differences among two or more currencies (e.g., the U.S. dollar and the Brazilian Real). Swap agreements may be used to hedge or achieve exposure to, for example, currencies, interest rates, and money market securities without actually purchasing such currencies or securities. Each Fund may use swap agreements to invest in a market without owning or taking physical custody of the underlying securities in circumstances in which direct investment is restricted for legal reasons or is otherwise impracticable. Swap agreements will tend to shift a Fund’s investment exposure from one type of investment to another or from one payment stream to another. Depending on their structure, swap agreements may increase or decrease a Fund’s exposure to long- or short-term interest rates (in the United States or abroad), foreign currencies, corporate borrowing rates, or other factors, and may increase or decrease the overall volatility of a Fund’s investments and its share price.

Futures, Options and Options on Futures Contracts. Each Fund may enter into U.S. or foreign futures contracts, options and options on futures contracts. When a Fund purchases a futures contract, it agrees to purchase a specified underlying instrument at a specified future date. When a Fund sells a futures contract, it agrees to sell the underlying instrument at a specified future date. The price at which the purchase and sale will take place is fixed when the Fund enters into the contract. Futures can be held until their delivery dates, or can be closed out before then if a liquid secondary market is available.

The risk of loss in trading futures contracts or uncovered call options in some strategies (e.g., selling uncovered stock index futures contracts) is potentially unlimited. The Funds do not plan to use futures and options contracts in this way. The risk of a futures position may still be large as traditionally measured due to the low margin deposits required. In many cases, a relatively small price movement in a futures contract may result in immediate and substantial loss or gain to the investor relative to the size of a required margin deposit. The Funds, however, intend to utilize futures and options contracts in a manner designed to limit their risk exposure to levels comparable to direct investment in stocks.

Utilization of futures and options on futures by a Fund involves the risk of imperfect or even negative correlation to the underlying Index if the index underlying the futures contract differs from a Fund’s underlying Index. There is also the risk of loss by a Fund of margin deposits in the event of bankruptcy of a broker with whom a Fund has an open position in the futures contract or option. The purchase of put or call options will be based upon predictions by the Fund as to anticipated trends, which predictions could prove to be incorrect.

The potential for loss related to the purchase of an option on a futures contract is limited to the premium paid for the option plus transaction costs. Because the value of the option is fixed at the point of sale, there are no daily cash payments by the purchaser to reflect changes in the value of the underlying contract; however, the value of the option changes daily and that change would be reflected in the NAV of each Fund. The potential for loss related to writing options is unlimited.

Although each Fund intends to enter into futures contracts only if there is an active market for such contracts, there is no assurance that an active market will exist for the contracts at any particular time.

EQUITY SECURITIES. Equity securities, such as the common stocks of an issuer, are subject to stock market fluctuations and therefore may experience volatile changes in value as market conditions, consumer sentiment or the financial condition of the issuers change. A decrease in value of the equity securities in a Fund’s portfolio may also cause the value of a Fund’s shares to decline.

EXCHANGE-TRADED NOTES. Each Fund may invest in exchange-traded notes (“ETNs”). ETNs generally are senior, unsecured, unsubordinated debt securities issued by a sponsor, such as an investment bank. ETNs are traded on exchanges and the returns are linked to the performance of market indexes. In addition to trading ETNs on exchanges, investors may redeem ETNs directly with the issuer on a periodic basis, typically in a minimum amount of 50,000 units, or hold the ETNs until maturity. The value of an ETN may be influenced by time to maturity, level of supply and demand for the ETN, volatility and lack of liquidity in the underlying market, changes in the applicable interest rates, and economic, legal, political or geographic events that affect the referenced market. Because ETNs are debt securities, they are subject to credit risk. If the issuer has financial difficulties or goes bankrupt, a Fund may not receive the return it was promised. If a rating agency lowers an issuer’s credit rating, the value of the ETN may decline and a lower credit rating reflects a greater risk that the issuer will default on its obligation. There may be restrictions on a Fund’s right to redeem its investment in an ETN. There are no periodic interest payments for ETNs, and principal is not protected. A Fund’s decision to sell its ETN holdings may be limited by the availability of a secondary market.

ILLIQUID SECURITIES. Each Fund may invest up to an aggregate amount of 15% of its net assets in illiquid securities. Illiquid securities include securities subject to contractual or other restrictions on resale and other instruments that lack readily available markets to the extent not deemed liquid by the Adviser or Sub-Adviser. The inability of a Fund to dispose of illiquid or not readily marketable investments readily or at a reasonable price could impair a Fund’s ability to raise cash for redemptions or other purposes. The liquidity of securities purchased by a Fund which are eligible for resale pursuant to Rule 144A, except for certain 144A bonds, will be monitored by each Fund on an ongoing basis. In the event that such a security is deemed to be no longer liquid, a Fund’s holdings will be reviewed to determine what action, if any, is required to ensure that the retention of such security does not result in a Fund having more than 15% of its net assets invested in illiquid securities.

 

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INVESTMENT COMPANY SECURITIES. Each Fund may invest in the securities of other investment companies. The 1940 Act generally prohibits a fund from acquiring more than 3% of the outstanding voting shares of an investment company and limits such investments to no more than 5% of the fund’s total assets in any single investment company and no more than 10% in any combination of two or more investment companies. Each Fund may purchase or otherwise invest in shares of affiliated exchange-traded funds (“ETFs”) and affiliated money market funds.

MONEY MARKET INSTRUMENTS. Each Fund may invest a portion of its assets in high-quality money market instruments on an ongoing basis to provide liquidity or for other reasons. The instruments in which a Fund may invest include: (i) short-term obligations issued by the U.S. Government; (ii) negotiable certificates of deposit (“CDs”), fixed time deposits and bankers’ acceptances of U.S. and foreign banks and similar institutions; (iii) commercial paper rated at the date of purchase “Prime-1” by Moody’s or “A-1+” or “A-1” by Standard & Poor’s (“S&P”) or, if unrated, of comparable quality as determined by the Fund; and (iv) repurchase agreements. CDs are short-term negotiable obligations of commercial banks. Time deposits are non-negotiable deposits maintained in banking institutions for specified periods of time at stated interest rates. Banker’s acceptances are time drafts drawn on commercial banks by borrowers, usually in connection with international transactions.

NON-U.S. SECURITIES. The International Equity ETFs invest primarily in non-U.S. equity securities. Investments in non-U.S. equity securities involve certain risks that may not be present in investments in U.S. securities. For example, non-U.S. securities may be subject to currency risks or to foreign government taxes. There may be less information publicly available about a non-U.S. issuer than about a U.S. issuer, and a foreign issuer may or may not be subject to uniform accounting, auditing and financial reporting standards and practices comparable to those in the U.S. Other risks of investing in such securities include political or economic instability in the country involved, the difficulty of predicting international trade patterns and the possibility of imposition of exchange controls. The prices of such securities may be more volatile than those of domestic securities. With respect to certain foreign countries, there is a possibility of expropriation of assets or nationalization, imposition of withholding taxes on dividend or interest payments, difficulty in obtaining and enforcing judgments against foreign entities or diplomatic developments which could affect investment in these countries. Losses and other expenses may be incurred in converting between various currencies in connection with purchases and sales of foreign securities.

Non-U.S. stock markets may not be as developed or efficient as, and may be more volatile than, those in the U.S. While the volume of shares traded on non-U.S. stock markets generally has been growing, such markets usually have substantially less volume than U.S. markets. Therefore, a Fund’s investment in non-U.S. equity securities may be less liquid and subject to more rapid and erratic price movements than comparable securities listed for trading on U.S. exchanges. Non-U.S. equity securities may trade at price/earnings multiples higher than comparable U.S. securities and such levels may not be sustainable. There may be less government supervision and regulation of foreign stock exchanges, brokers, banks and listed companies abroad than in the U.S. Moreover, settlement practices for transactions in foreign markets may differ from those in U.S. markets. Such differences may include delays beyond periods customary in the U.S. and practices, such as delivery of securities prior to receipt of payment, that increase the likelihood of a failed settlement, which can result in losses to a Fund. The value of non-U.S. investments and the investment income derived from them may also be affected unfavorably by changes in currency exchange control regulations. Foreign brokerage commissions, custodial expenses and other fees are also generally higher than for securities traded in the U.S. This may cause the International Equity ETFs to incur higher portfolio transaction costs than domestic equity funds. Fluctuations in exchange rates may also affect the earning power and asset value of the foreign entity issuing a security, even one denominated in U.S. dollars. Dividend and interest payments may be repatriated based on the exchange rate at the time of disbursement, and restrictions on capital flows may be imposed.

Set forth below for certain markets in which the Funds may invest are brief descriptions of some of the conditions and risks in each such market.

Investments in Emerging Markets Securities. The China Dividend ex-Financials Fund, Emerging Markets Dividend Growth Fund, Emerging Markets SmallCap Dividend Fund, Emerging Markets Equity Income Fund, India Earnings Fund, Middle East Dividend Fund, Korea Hedged Equity Fund, and Emerging Markets Consumer Growth Fund invest primarily in markets that are considered to be “emerging.” In addition, all of the Global Funds may invest in companies organized in emerging market nations. Investments in securities listed and traded in emerging markets are subject to additional risks that may not be present for U.S. investments or investments in more developed non-U.S. markets. Such risks may include: (i) greater market volatility; (ii) lower trading volume; (iii) greater social, political and economic uncertainty; (iv) governmental controls on foreign investments and limitations on repatriation of invested capital; (v) the risk that companies may be held to lower disclosure, corporate governance, auditing and financial reporting standards than companies in more developed markets; and (vi) the risk that there may be less protection of property rights than in other countries. Emerging markets are generally less liquid and less efficient than developed securities markets.

Investments in Frontier Markets Securities. The Middle East Dividend Fund invests primarily in countries that are generally considered to be “frontier markets.” The economies of frontier markets included in the WisdomTree Middle East Dividend Index (i.e., Bahrain, Egypt, Jordan, Kuwait, Morocco, Oman, Qatar and the United Arab Emirates) generally have lower trading volumes and greater potential for illiquidity and price volatility than more developed markets. These markets have a smaller

 

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number of issuers and participants and therefore may also be affected to a greater extent by the actions of a small number of issuers and investors. A significant change in cash flows investing in these markets could have a substantial effect on local stock prices and, therefore, prices of Fund shares. Investments in certain frontier market countries are restricted or controlled to varying extents. At times, these restrictions or controls may limit or prevent foreign investment and/or increase the investment costs and expenses of the Fund. Frontier markets may be subject to greater political instability, threat of war or terrorism and government intervention than more developed markets, including many emerging market economies. Frontier markets generally are not as correlated to global economic cycles as those of more developed countries. These and other factors make investing in the frontier market countries significantly riskier than investing in developed market and emerging market countries.

Certain frontier countries impose additional restrictions, such as requiring governmental approval prior to investments by foreign persons, limiting the amount of investments by foreign persons in a particular issuer, limiting investments by foreign persons to a particular class of securities of an issuer that may have less advantageous rights than other classes, and imposing additional taxes. For countries that require prior government approval, delays in obtaining such approval would delay investments, and consequently the Fund may be unable to invest in all of the securities included in the Index until such approval is final. This could increase Index tracking error. Some frontier countries may also limit investment in issuers in industries considered essential to national interests and may require governmental approval for the repatriation of investment income, capital or the proceeds of security sales by foreign investors, including the Fund. Some frontier country governments may levy certain taxes on dividend and interest income. Although in some countries a portion of these taxes are recoverable, the non-recovered portion of foreign withholding taxes will decrease the income generated from investments in such countries.

Some banks that are eligible foreign sub-custodians in frontier markets may have been organized only recently or may otherwise not have extensive operating experience. There may also be legal restrictions or limitations on the ability of the Fund to recover assets held in custody by a foreign sub-custodian, such as in cases where the sub-custodian becomes bankrupt. Settlement systems may not be as established as in developed markets or even emerging markets. As a result, settlements may be delayed and cash or Fund securities may be jeopardized because of system defects. In addition, the laws of certain countries in which the Fund invests may require the Fund to release local shares before receiving cash payment, or to make cash payment before receiving local shares. This increases the risk of loss to the Fund.

The Fund invests in some frontier countries that use share blocking. “Share blocking” refers to the practice of predicating voting rights related to an issuer’s securities on those securities being blocked from trading at the custodian or sub-custodian level for a period of time near the date of a shareholder meeting. Such restrictions have the potential to effectively prevent securities from being voted and from trading within a specified number of days before, and in some cases after, the shareholder meeting. Share blocking may preclude the Fund from purchasing or selling securities for a period of time. During the time that shares are blocked, trades in such securities will not settle. Although practices may vary by market, a blocking period may last from one day to several weeks. Once blocked, the block may be removed only by withdrawing a previously cast vote or abstaining from voting completely, a process that may be burdensome. In certain countries, the block cannot be removed. Share blocking may impose operational difficulties on the Fund, including the potential effect that a block would have on pending trades. Share blocking may cause pending trades to fail or remain unsettled for an extended period of time. Trade failures may also expose the transfer agent and the Fund to situations in which a counterparty may have the right to go to market, buy a security at the current market price and have any additional expense borne by the Fund or transfer agent if the counterparty is unable to deliver shares after a certain period of time. The Adviser, on behalf of the Fund, reserves the right to abstain from voting proxies in share blocking proxy markets. These and other factors could have a negative impact on Fund performance.

Investments in Australia. The Australia Dividend Fund invests primarily in companies organized in Australia. Certain International Equity ETFs, such as the Asia Pacific ex-Japan Fund, DEFA Equity Income Fund, International SmallCap Dividend Fund, and Global ex-U.S. Real Estate Fund, currently invest a significant portion of their assets in companies organized and listed in Australia. The economy of Australia is heavily dependent on the demand for natural resources and agricultural products. Conditions that weaken demand for such products worldwide could have a negative impact on the Australian economy as a whole. These and other factors could have a negative impact on a Fund’s performance.

Investments in Brazil. Certain International Equity ETFs, such as the Emerging Markets Dividend Growth Fund, currently invest a significant portion of their assets in companies organized and listed in Brazil. Investing in securities of Brazilian companies involves certain considerations not typically associated with investing in securities of U.S. companies or the U.S. Government. These risks include (i) investment and repatriation controls, which could make it harder for a Fund to track its underlying Index and decrease a Fund’s tax efficiency; (ii) fluctuations in the rate of exchange between the Brazilian Real and the U.S. dollar; (iii) the generally greater price volatility and lesser liquidity that characterize Brazilian securities markets, as compared with U.S. markets; (iv) the effect that a trade deficit could have on economic stability and the Brazilian government’s economic policy; (v) high rates of inflation; (vi) governmental involvement in and influence on the private sector; (vii) Brazilian accounting, auditing and financial standards and requirements, which differ from those in the United States; and (viii) political and other considerations, including changes in applicable Brazilian tax laws. These and other factors could have a negative impact on a Fund’s performance.

 

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Investments in Canada. The U.S. is Canada’s largest trading partner and foreign investor. As a result, changes to the U.S. economy may significantly affect the Canadian economy. The economy of Canada is also heavily dependent on the demand for natural resources and agricultural products. Conditions that weaken demand for such products worldwide could have a negative impact on the Canadian economy as a whole. These and other factors could have a negative impact on a Fund’s performance.

Investments in China and Hong Kong. The China Dividend ex-Financials Fund invests primarily in securities organized under the laws of China and listed and traded on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange. In addition, certain other International Equity ETFs, such as the Emerging Markets Equity Income Fund and Emerging Markets Consumer Growth Fund currently invest a significant portion of their assets in securities listed and traded on the Chinese Stock Exchange. Furthermore, certain International Equity ETFs, such as the Global ex-U.S. Real Estate Fund and the Asia Pacific ex-Japan Fund, currently invest a significant portion of their assets in securities listed and traded on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange. In addition to the aforementioned risks of investing in non-U.S. securities, investing in securities listed and traded in Hong Kong involves special considerations not typically associated with investing in countries with more democratic governments or more established economies or securities markets. Such risks may include: (i) the risk of nationalization or expropriation of assets or confiscatory taxation; (ii) greater social, economic and political uncertainty (including the risk of war); (iii) dependency on exports and the corresponding importance of international trade; (iv) increasing competition from Asia’s other low-cost emerging economies; (v) currency exchange rate fluctuations and the lack of available currency hedging instruments; (vi) higher rates of inflation; (vii) controls on foreign investment and limitations on repatriation of invested capital and on the Fund’s ability to exchange local currencies for U.S. dollars; (viii) greater governmental involvement in and control over the economy; (ix) the risk that the Chinese government may decide not to continue to support the economic reform programs implemented since 1978 and could return to the prior, completely centrally planned, economy; (x) the fact that Chinese companies, particularly those located in China, may be smaller, less seasoned and newly organized; (xi) the differences in, or lack of, auditing and financial reporting standards which may result in unavailability of material information about issuers, particularly in China; (xii) the fact that statistical information regarding the economy of China may be inaccurate or not comparable to statistical information regarding the U.S. or other economies; (xiii) the less extensive, and still developing, regulation of the securities markets, business entities and commercial transactions; (xiv) the fact that the settlement period of securities transactions in foreign markets may be longer; (xv) the fact that the willingness and ability of the Chinese government to support the Chinese and Hong Kong economies and markets is uncertain; (xvi) the risk that it may be more difficult, or impossible, to obtain and/or enforce a judgment than in other countries; (xvii) the rapid and erratic nature of growth, particularly in China, resulting in inefficiencies and dislocations; (xviii) the risk that, because of the degree of interconnectivity between the economies and financial markets of China and Hong Kong, any sizable reduction in the demand for goods from China, or an economic downturn in China, could negatively affect the economy and financial market of Hong Kong as well; and (xix) the risk that certain companies in a Fund’s Index may have dealings with countries subject to sanctions or embargoes imposed by the U.S. Government or identified as state sponsors of terrorism.

Investments in Hong Kong are also subject to certain political risks not associated with other investments. Following the establishment of the People’s Republic of China by the Communist Party in 1949, the Chinese government renounced various debt obligations incurred by China’s predecessor governments, which obligations remain in default, and expropriated assets without compensation. There can be no assurance that the Chinese government will not take similar action in the future. Investments in China and Hong Kong involve risk of a total loss due to government action or inaction. China has committed by treaty to preserve Hong Kong’s autonomy and its economic, political and social freedoms for 50 years from the July 1, 1997 transfer of sovereignty from Great Britain to China. However, if China would exert its authority so as to alter the economic, political or legal structures or the existing social policy of Hong Kong, investor and business confidence in Hong Kong could be negatively affected, which in turn could negatively affect markets and business performance. These and other factors could have a negative impact on a Fund’s performance.

Investments in Europe. The Europe Hedged Equity Fund, Europe SmallCap Dividend Fund and the Europe Dividend Growth Fund invest primarily in companies organized in Europe. Most developed countries in Western Europe are members of the European Union (“EU”), and many are also members of the European Economic and Monetary Union (“EMU”), which requires compliance with restrictions on inflation rates, deficits, and debt levels. Unemployment in certain European nations is historically high and several countries face significant debt problems. These conditions can significantly affect every country in Europe. The euro is the official currency of the EU. Funds that invest in Europe may have significant exposure to the euro and events affecting the euro. Recent market events affecting several of the EU member countries have adversely affected the sovereign debt issued by those countries, and ultimately may lead to a decline in the value of the euro. A significant decline in the value of the euro may produce unpredictable effects on trade and commerce generally and could lead to increased volatility in financial markets worldwide.

Investments in France. Certain International Equity ETFs, such as the Europe Hedged Equity Fund, currently invest a significant portion of their assets in companies organized and listed in France. France is a member of the EMU. EMU member countries share coordinated economic policies and a common currency. As a result, the economy of France may be significantly affected by changes in the economies of the EMU members or other European countries. These and other factors could have a negative impact on a Fund’s performance.

 

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Investments in Germany. The Germany Hedged Equity Fund and certain International Equity ETFs, such as the Europe Dividend Growth Fund and Europe Hedged Equity Fund, currently invest a significant portion of their assets in companies organized and listed in Germany. Germany is a member of the EMU. EMU member countries share coordinated economic policies and a common currency. As a result, the economy of Germany may be significantly affected by changes in the economies of the EMU members or other European countries. Challenges related to the rebuilding of infrastructure and unemployment in the former area of East Germany may also impact the economy of Germany. These and other factors could have a negative impact on a Fund’s performance.

Investments in India. The India Earnings Fund invests primarily in companies organized in India. Investments in India may be more volatile and less liquid and may offer higher potential for gains and losses than investments in more developed markets. Economic and political structures in India may lack the stability of those of more developed nations. Unanticipated political or social developments in India and surrounding regions may affect the value of a Fund’s investments and the value of Fund shares. Although the government has recently begun to institute economic reform policies, there can be no assurance that it will continue to pursue such policies or, if it does, that such policies will succeed. Monsoons and other natural disasters in India and surrounding regions also can affect the value of Fund investments.

The laws relating to limited liability of corporate shareholders, fiduciary duties of officers and directors, and the bankruptcy of state enterprises are generally less well developed than or different from such laws in the United States. In the past year there have been several significant proposals to tax regulations that could significantly increase the level of taxes on investment. It may be more difficult to obtain a judgment in Indian courts than it is in the United States.

The market for securities in India may be less liquid and transparent than the markets in more developed countries. In addition, strict restrictions on foreign investment may decrease the liquidity of a Fund’s portfolio or inhibit a Fund’s ability to achieve its investment objective. A Fund may be unable to buy or sell securities or receive full value for such securities. Settlement of securities transactions in the Indian subcontinent are subject to risk of loss, may be delayed and are generally less efficient than in the United States. In addition, disruptions due to work stoppages and trading improprieties in these securities markets have caused such markets to close. If extended closings were to occur in stock markets where the Fund was heavily invested, a Fund’s ability to redeem Fund shares could become correspondingly impaired. Each of these events could have a negative impact on the liquidity and value of the Fund’s investments. To mitigate these risks, a Fund may maintain a higher cash position than it otherwise would, or a Fund may have to sell more liquid securities which it would not otherwise choose to sell, possibly diluting its return and inhibiting its ability to track its Index.

In recent years, exchange-listed companies in the technology sector and related sectors (such as software) have grown so as to represent a significant portion of the total capitalization of the Indian market. The value of these companies will generally fluctuate in response to technological and regulatory developments. The stock markets in the region are undergoing a period of growth and change, which may result in trading or price volatility and difficulties in the settlement and recording of transactions, and in interpreting and applying the relevant laws and regulations. The securities industry in India is comparatively underdeveloped, and stockbrokers and other intermediaries may not perform as well as their counterparts in the United States and other more developed securities markets. In some cases, physical delivery of securities in small lots has been required in India and a shortage of vault capacity and trained personnel has existed among qualified custodial Indian banks. These and other factors could have a negative impact on a Fund’s performance.

Investments in Japan. The Japan Hedged Equity Fund, Japan Hedged SmallCap Equity Fund, Japan SmallCap Dividend Fund, Japan Hedged Financials Fund, Japan Hedged Real Estate Fund, Japan Hedged Capital Goods Fund, Japan Hedged Health Care Fund, and Japan Hedged Tech, Media and Telecom Fund invest primarily in companies organized in Japan, and certain International Equity ETFs, such as the International MidCap Dividend Fund and International SmallCap Dividend Fund, currently invest a significant portion of their assets in companies organized and listed in Japan. The Japanese economy is characterized by government intervention and protectionism, an unstable financial services sector, and relatively high unemployment. Economic growth is heavily dependent on international trade, government support and consistent government policy. Slowdowns in the economies of key trading partners such as the United States, China and countries in Southeast Asia could have a negative impact on the Japanese economy as a whole. These and other factors could have a negative impact on a Fund’s performance.

Investments in the Middle East. The Middle East Dividend Fund invests in companies organized and listed in various countries in the Middle East. Countries in the Middle East may be affected by political instability, war or the threat of war, regional instability, terrorist activities and religious, ethnic and/or socioeconomic unrest. Markets in the Middle East generally have lower trading volumes and greater potential for illiquidity and price volatility than more developed markets. These markets also have a smaller number of issuers and participants and therefore may also be affected to a greater extent by the actions of a small number of issuers and investors. A significant change in cash flows investing in these markets could have a substantial effect on local stock prices. Some Middle Eastern countries prohibit or impose substantial restrictions on investments in their capital markets, particularly their equity markets, by foreign entities such as the Fund. For example, certain countries may require governmental approval prior to investment by foreign persons or limit the amount of investment by foreign persons in a particular issuer. They may also limit the investment by foreign persons to only a specific class of securities of an issuer that

 

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may have less advantageous terms (including price) than securities of the issuer available for purchase by nationals. The manner in which foreign investors may invest in companies in certain Middle Eastern countries, as well as limitations on those investments, may have an adverse impact on the operations of the Fund. For example, the Fund may be required in certain of these countries to invest initially through a local broker or other entity and then have the shares that were purchased re-registered in the name of the Fund. Re-registration in some instances may not be possible on a timely basis. This may result in a delay during which the Fund may be denied certain of its rights as an investor, including rights as to dividends or to be made aware of certain corporate actions. The legal systems in certain Middle Eastern countries may have an adverse impact on the Fund. For example, the potential liability of a shareholder in a U.S. corporation with respect to acts of the corporation generally is limited to the amount of the shareholder’s investment. However, the notion of limited liability is less clear in certain Middle Eastern countries. The Fund therefore may be liable in certain Middle Eastern countries for the acts of a corporation in which it invests for an amount greater than the Fund’s actual investment in that corporation. Similarly, the rights of investors in Middle Eastern issuers may be more limited than those of shareholders of a U.S. corporation. It may be difficult or impossible to obtain and/or enforce a judgment in a Middle Eastern country. These and other factors could have a negative impact on a Fund’s performance.

Investments in the Netherlands. Certain International Equity ETFs, such as the Europe Hedged Equity Fund, currently invest a significant portion of their assets in companies organized and listed in the Netherlands. The Netherlands is a member of the EMU. EMU member countries share coordinated policies and a common currency. As a result, the economy of the Netherlands may be significantly affected by changes in the economies of the EMU members or other European countries. These and other factors could have a negative impact on a Fund’s performance.

Investments in Russia. Certain International Equity ETFs, such as the Emerging Markets Equity Income Fund, currently invest a significant portion of their assets in companies organized in Russia. Investing in securities of Russian companies involves certain considerations not typically associated with investing in securities of U.S. companies or the U.S. Government. These risks include: (i) investment and repatriation controls, which could make it harder for a Fund to track its underlying Index and decrease a Fund’s tax efficiency; (ii) unfavorable action by the Russian government, such as expropriation, dilution, devaluation, or default from excessive taxation; (iii) fluctuations in the currency rate exchange between the Russian ruble and the U.S. dollar; (iv) smaller securities markets with greater price volatility, less liquidity, and fewer issuers with a larger percentage of market capitalization or trading volume than in U.S. markets; (v) continued governmental involvement in and influence over the private sector as Russia undergoes a transition from central control to market-oriented democracy; (vi) less reliable financial information available concerning Russian issuers that may not be prepared and audited in accordance with U.S. or Western European generally accepted accounting principles and auditing standards; and (vii) unfavorable political and economic developments, social instability, and changes in government policies. In addition, investing in Russian securities involves risks of delayed settlement of portfolio transactions and the loss of a Fund’s ownership rights in its securities due to the Russian system of custody and share registration. Lastly, investments in Russia are subject to the risk that a natural disaster, such as an earthquake, drought, flood, fire or tsunami, could cause a significant adverse impact on the Russian economy. These and other factors could have a negative impact on a Fund’s performance.

Investments in Singapore. The economy of Singapore is heavily dependent on international trade and export. Conditions that weaken demand for such products worldwide or in the Asian region could have a negative and significant impact on the Singaporean economy as a whole. In addition, the economy of Singapore may be particularly vulnerable to external market changes because of its smaller size. These and other factors could have a negative impact on a Fund’s performance.

Investments in South Africa. Although South Africa is a developing country with a solid economic infrastructure (in some regards rivaling other developed countries), certain issues, such as unemployment, access to health care, limited economic opportunity, and other financial constraints, continue to present obstacles to full economic development. There can be no assurance that initiatives by the government to address these issues will achieve the desired results. South Africa’s economy is heavily dependent on natural resources and commodity prices. South Africa’s currency may be vulnerable to devaluation. These and other factors could have a negative impact on a Fund’s performance.

Investments in South Korea. The Korea Hedged Equity Fund invests primarily in the securities of companies organized in Korea. The economy of South Korea is heavily dependent on exports and the demand for certain finished goods. South Korea’s main industries include electronics, automobile production, chemicals, shipbuilding, steel, textiles, clothing, footwear, and food processing. Conditions that weaken demand for such products worldwide or in other Asian countries could have a negative impact on the South Korean economy as a whole. Relations with North Korea could also have a significant impact on the economy of South Korea. These and other factors could have a negative impact on a Fund’s performance.

Investments in Spain. Certain International Equity ETFs, such as the Europe Hedged Equity Fund, currently invest a significant portion of their assets in companies organized and listed in Spain. Spain is a member of the EMU. EMU member countries share coordinated economic policies and a common currency. As a result, the economy of Spain may be significantly affected by changes in the economies of the EMU members or other European countries. Spain, along with certain other EU economies, experienced a significant economic slowdown during the recent financial crisis. The Spanish economy has been characterized by slow growth in recent years due to factors such as low housing sales, construction declines, and the

 

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international credit crisis. The rate of unemployment, inflation and productivity in Spain is relatively lower than other European countries. As a result, the Spanish government has introduced austerity reforms to reduce the fiscal deficit. While these reforms may stimulate the Spanish economy in the long term, they could have negative short-term effects on the Spanish financial market. Moreover, the Spanish government is involved in a long-running campaign against terrorism. Therefore acts of terrorism on Spanish soil or against Spanish interests abroad may cause uncertainty in the Spanish financial markets. These and other factors could have a negative impact on a Fund’s performance.

Investments in Sweden. Sweden’s largest trading partners include the United States, Germany and certain other Western European nations. As a result, the economy of Sweden may be significantly affected by changes in the economies, trade regulations, currency exchange rates, and monetary policies of these trading partners. In addition, Sweden maintains a robust social welfare system, and Sweden’s workforce is highly unionized. As a result, Sweden’s economy may experience, among other things, increased government spending, higher production costs, and lower productivity. These and other factors could have a negative impact on a Fund’s performance.

Investments in Switzerland. Certain International Equity ETFs, such as the Europe Dividend Growth Fund, currently invest a significant portion of their assets in companies organized and listed in Switzerland. Although Switzerland is not a member of the EU, the Swiss economy is heavily dependent on the economies of the United State and other European nations as key trading partners. In particular, Switzerland depends on international trade and exports to generate economic growth. As a result, future changes in the price or the demand for Swiss products or services by these trading partners, or changes in these countries’ economies, trade regulations or currency exchange rates could adversely impact the Swiss economy. In addition, due to Switzerland’s limited natural resources, the economy of Switzerland may be impacted by extreme price fluctuations in the price of certain raw materials. Moreover, the Swiss economy relies heavily on the banking sector. Recent allegations that certain Swiss banking institutions marketed and sold offshore tax evasion services to U.S. citizens may adversely impact the Swiss economy. These and other factors could have a negative impact on a Fund’s performance.

Investments in Taiwan. Certain International Equity ETFs, such as the Emerging Markets SmallCap Dividend Fund, currently invest a significant portion of their assets in companies organized and listed in Taiwan. The economy of Taiwan is heavily dependent on exports. Currency fluctuations, increasing competition from Asia’s other emerge economies, and conditions that weaken demand for Taiwan’s export products worldwide could have a negative impact on the Taiwanese economy as a whole. Concerns over Taiwan’s history of political contention and its current relationship with China may also have a significant impact on the economy of Taiwan. These and other factors could have a negative impact on a Fund’s performance.

Investments in the United Kingdom. The United Kingdom Hedged Equity Fund invests primarily in companies organized in the United Kingdom, and certain International Equity ETFs, such as the Europe SmallCap Dividend Fund, DEFA Fund, DEFA Equity Income Fund, International Dividend ex-Financials Fund, International LargeCap Dividend Fund, International MidCap Dividend Fund, Europe Dividend Growth Fund, Global ex-U.S. Dividend Growth Fund, International Hedged Dividend Growth Fund, currently invest a significant portion of their assets in companies organized and listed in the United Kingdom. The United Kingdom has one of the largest economies in Europe and trades heavily with other European countries. The economy of the United Kingdom may be impacted by changes to the economic health of other European countries. These and other factors could have a negative impact on a Fund’s performance.

PARTICIPATION CERTIFICATES. The Middle East Dividend Fund may invest in participation certificates (“Participation Certificates”) as a substitute for investing directly in securities. These instruments are also referred to as “Participation Notes.” Participation Certificates are certificates or notes issued by banks or broker-dealers and are designed to provide returns corresponding to the performance of an underlying equity security or market. Participation Certificates are subject to the risk that the issuer of the note will default on its obligation, in which case the Fund could lose the entire value of its investment. The use of Participation Certificates can increase tracking error relative to an Index. A holder of a Participation Certificate that is linked to an underlying security may receive any dividends paid in connection with the underlying security. However, a holder of a Participation Certificate does not have voting rights, as the holder would if it owned the underlying security directly. Investing in a Participation Certificate may subject the Fund to counterparty risk. In addition, there can be no assurance that the trading price of a Participation Certificate will be equal to the underlying value of the company or market that it seeks to replicate. The Fund will be relying on the creditworthiness of the counterparty issuing the Participation Certificate and would lose its investment if such counterparty became insolvent. The Fund will have no rights against the issuer of the underlying security. A Participation Certificate may also include transaction costs in addition to those applicable to a direct investment in securities. The markets on which the Participation Certificates are traded may be less liquid than the markets for other securities due to liquidity and transfer restrictions. The markets for Participation Certificates typically are “over the counter” and may be less transparent than the markets for listed securities. This may limit the availability of pricing information and may make it more difficult for the Fund to accurately value its investments in Participation Certificates. This may increase tracking error relative to the Index.

REAL ESTATE INVESTMENT TRUSTS. Each Fund may invest in the securities of real estate investment trusts (“REITs”) to the extent allowed by law. The Global ex-U.S. Real Estate Fund generally invests a significant percentage of its assets in REITs. Risks associated with investments in securities of REITs include decline in the value of real estate, risks related to general and local economic conditions, overbuilding and increased competition, increases in property taxes and operating expenses, changes in zoning

 

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laws, casualty or condemnation losses, variations in rental income, changes in neighborhood values, the appeal of properties to tenants, and increases in interest rates. In addition, equity REITs may be affected by changes in the values of the underlying property owned by the trusts, while mortgage REITs may be affected by the quality of credit extended. REITs are dependent upon management skills, may not be diversified and are subject to the risks of financing projects. REITs are also subject to heavy cash-flow dependency, defaults by borrowers, self-liquidation and the possibility of failing to maintain exemption from the 1940 Act. If an issuer of debt securities collateralized by real estate defaults, it is conceivable that the REITs could end up holding the underlying real estate.

REPURCHASE AGREEMENTS. Each Fund may enter into repurchase agreements with counterparties that are deemed to present acceptable credit risks. A repurchase agreement is a transaction in which a Fund purchases securities or other obligations from a bank or securities dealer (or its affiliate) and simultaneously commits to resell them to a counterparty at an agreed-upon date or upon demand and at a price reflecting a market rate of interest unrelated to the coupon rate or maturity of the purchased obligations. A Fund maintains custody of the underlying obligations prior to their repurchase, either through its regular custodian or through a special “triparty” custodian or sub-custodian that maintains separate accounts for both the Fund and its counterparty. Thus, the obligation of the counterparty to pay the repurchase price on the date agreed to or upon demand is, in effect, secured by such obligations.

Repurchase agreements carry certain risks not associated with direct investments in securities, including a possible decline in the market value of the underlying obligations. If their value becomes less than the repurchase price, plus any agreed-upon additional amount, the counterparty must provide additional collateral so that at all times the collateral is at least equal to the repurchase price plus any agreed-upon additional amount. The difference between the total amount to be received upon repurchase of the obligations and the price that was paid by a Fund upon acquisition is accrued as interest and included in its net investment income. Repurchase agreements involving obligations other than U.S. Government securities (such as commercial paper and corporate bonds) may be subject to special risks and may not have the benefit of certain protections in the event of the counterparty’s insolvency. If the seller or guarantor becomes insolvent, the Fund may suffer delays, costs and possible losses in connection with the disposition of collateral.

REVERSE REPURCHASE AGREEMENTS. Each Fund may enter into reverse repurchase agreements, which involve the sale of securities held by a Fund subject to its agreement to repurchase the securities at an agreed-upon date or upon demand and at a price reflecting a market rate of interest. Reverse repurchase agreements are subject to each Fund’s limitation on borrowings and may be entered into only with banks or securities dealers or their affiliates. While a reverse repurchase agreement is outstanding, a Fund will maintain the segregation, either on its records or with the Trust’s custodian, of cash or other liquid securities, marked-to-market daily, in an amount at least equal to its obligations under the reverse repurchase agreement.

Reverse repurchase agreements involve the risk that the buyer of the securities sold by a Fund might be unable to deliver them when that Fund seeks to repurchase. If the buyer of securities under a reverse repurchase agreement files for bankruptcy or becomes insolvent, the buyer or trustee or receiver may receive an extension of time to determine whether to enforce a Fund’s obligation to repurchase the securities, and the Fund’s use of the proceeds of the reverse repurchase agreement may effectively be restricted pending such decision.

SECURITIES LENDING. Each Fund may lend portfolio securities to certain creditworthy borrowers, including the Fund’s securities lending agent. Loans of portfolio securities provide the Funds with the opportunity to earn additional income on the Fund’s portfolio securities. All securities loans will be made pursuant to agreements requiring the loans to be continuously secured by collateral in cash, or money market instruments, money market funds or U.S. government securities at least equal at all times to the market value of the loaned securities. The borrower pays to the Funds an amount equal to any dividends or interest received on loaned securities. The Funds retain all or a portion of the interest received on investment of cash collateral or receive a fee from the borrower. Lending portfolio securities involves risks of delay in recovery of the loaned securities or in some cases loss of rights in the collateral should the borrower fail financially. Furthermore, because of the risks of delay in recovery, the Fund may lose the opportunity to sell the securities at a desirable price. A Fund will generally not have the right to vote securities while they are being loaned.

TRACKING STOCKS. Each Fund may invest in tracking stocks. A tracking stock is a separate class of common stock whose value is linked to a specific business unit or operating division within a larger company and which is designed to “track” the performance of such business unit or division. The tracking stock may pay dividends to shareholders independent of the parent company. The parent company, rather than the business unit or division, generally is the issuer of tracking stock. However, holders of the tracking stock may not have the same rights as holders of the company’s common stock.

FUTURE DEVELOPMENTS. The Trust’s Board of Trustees (the “Board”) may, in the future, authorize each Fund to invest in securities contracts and investments other than those listed in this SAI and in each Fund’s Prospectus, provided they are consistent with the Fund’s investment objective and do not violate any investment restrictions or policies.

PROXY VOTING POLICY

The Trust has adopted as its proxy voting policies for each Fund the proxy voting guidelines of Mellon Capital. The Trust has delegated to Mellon Capital the authority and responsibility for voting proxies on the portfolio securities held by each Fund. The remainder of this section discusses each Fund’s proxy voting guidelines and the Sub-Adviser’s role in implementing such guidelines.

Mellon Capital, through its participation on The Bank of New York Mellon (“BNY Mellon”) Corporation’s Proxy Policy Committee (“PPC”), has adopted a proxy voting policy, related procedures, and voting guidelines which are applied to those client accounts over

 

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which it has been delegated the authority to vote proxies. In voting proxies, Mellon Capital seeks to act solely in the best financial and economic interest of the applicable client. Mellon Capital will carefully review proposals that would limit shareholder control or could affect the value of a client’s investment. It will generally oppose proposals designed to insulate an issuer’s management unnecessarily from the wishes of a majority of shareholders. It will generally support proposals designed to provide management with short-term insulation from outside influences so as to enable management to negotiate effectively and otherwise achieve long-term goals. On questions of social responsibility where economic performance does not appear to be an issue, Mellon Capital will attempt to ensure that management reasonably responds to the social issues. Responsiveness will be measured by management’s efforts to address the proposal including, where appropriate, assessment of the implications of the proposal to the ongoing operations of the company. The PPC will pay particular attention to repeat issues where management has failed in its commitment in the intervening period to take action on issues. Mellon Capital recognizes its duty to vote proxies in the best interests of its clients. Mellon Capital seeks to avoid material conflicts of interest through its participation in the PPC, which applies detailed, predetermined proxy voting guidelines in an objective and consistent manner across client accounts, based on internal and external research and recommendations provided by a third-party vendor, and without consideration of any client relationship factors. Further, Mellon Capital and its affiliates engage a third party as an independent fiduciary to vote all proxies for BNY Mellon securities and affiliated mutual fund securities.

Proxy voting proposals are reviewed, categorized, analyzed and voted in accordance with Mellon Capital’s voting guidelines. These guidelines are reviewed periodically and updated as necessary to reflect new issues and any changes in policies on specific issues. Items that can be categorized under these voting guidelines will be voted in accordance with any applicable guidelines or referred to the PPC, if the applicable guidelines so require. Proposals that cannot be categorized under these voting guidelines will be referred to the PPC for discussion and vote. Additionally, the PPC may review any proposal where it has identified a particular company, industry or issue for special scrutiny. With regard to voting proxies of foreign companies, Mellon Capital may weigh the cost of voting, and potential inability to sell the securities (which may occur during the voting process), against the benefit of voting the proxies to determine whether or not to vote.

In evaluating proposals regarding incentive plans and restricted stock plans, the PPC typically employs a shareholder value transfer model. This model seeks to assess the amount of shareholder equity flowing out of the company to executives as options are exercised. After determining the cost of the plan, the PPC evaluates whether the cost is reasonable based on a number of factors, including industry classification and historical performance information. The PPC generally votes against proposals that permit the repricing or replacement of stock options without shareholder approval.

A complete copy of the Sub-Adviser’s proxy voting policy may be obtained by calling 1-866-909-9473 or by writing to: WisdomTree Trust, c/o ALPS Distributors, Inc., 1290 Broadway, Suite 1100, Denver, Colorado 80203.

The Trust is required to disclose annually the Funds’ complete proxy voting record on Form N-PX covering the period from July 1 of one year through June 30 of the next and to file Form N-PX with the SEC no later than August 31 of each year. The current Form N-PX for the Funds and, when filed, the Form N-PX for the U.S. SmallCap Dividend Growth Fund, Japan Hedged SmallCap Equity Fund, United Kingdom Hedged Equity Fund, Emerging Markets Dividend Growth Fund, Emerging Markets Consumer Growth Fund, Germany Hedged Equity Fund, Korea Hedged Equity Fund, Japan Hedged Financials Fund, Japan Hedged Real Estate Fund, Japan Hedged Capital Goods Fund, Japan Hedged Health Care Fund, Japan Hedged Tech, Media and Telecom Fund, Europe Dividend Growth Fund and International Hedged Dividend Growth Fund may be obtained at no charge upon request by calling 1-866-909-9473 or by visiting the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov.

PORTFOLIO HOLDINGS DISCLOSURE POLICIES AND PROCEDURES

The Trust has adopted a Portfolio Holdings Policy (the “Policy”) designed to govern the disclosure of Fund portfolio holdings and the use of material non-public information about Fund holdings. The Policy applies to all officers, employees, and agents of the Funds, including the Advisers. The Policy is designed to ensure that the disclosure of information about each Fund’s portfolio holdings is consistent with applicable legal requirements and otherwise in the best interest of each Fund.

As exchange-traded funds, information about each Fund’s portfolio holdings is made available on a daily basis in accordance with the provisions of any Order of the SEC applicable to the Funds, regulations of the Funds’ Listing Exchange and other applicable SEC regulations, orders and no-action relief. Such information typically reflects all or a portion of a Fund’s anticipated portfolio holdings as of the next Business Day. A “Business Day” with respect to each Fund is any day on which its respective Listing Exchange is open for business. As of the date of this SAI, each Listing Exchange observes the following holidays: New Year’s Day, Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, Presidents’ Day, Good Friday, Memorial Day (observed), Independence Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving Day, and Christmas Day. This information is used in connection with the creation and redemption process and is disseminated on a daily basis through the facilities of the Listing Exchange, the National Securities Clearing Corporation (“NSCC”) and/or third-party service providers.

Each Fund may disclose on the Fund’s website at the start of each Business Day the identities and quantities of the securities and other assets held by each Fund that will form the basis of the Fund’s calculation of its NAV on that Business Day. The portfolio holdings so disclosed will be based on information as of the close of business on the prior Business Day and/or trades that have been completed prior to the opening of business on that Business Day and that are expected to settle on that Business Day.

 

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Daily access to each Fund’s portfolio holdings with no lag time is permitted to personnel of the Advisers, the Fund’s distributor and the Fund’s administrator, custodian and accountant and other agents or service providers of the Trust who have need of such information in connection with the ordinary course of their respective duties to the Fund. The Funds’ Chief Compliance Officer (“CCO”) may authorize disclosure of portfolio holdings.

Each Fund may disclose its complete portfolio holdings or a portion of its portfolio holdings online at www.wisdomtree.com. Online disclosure of such holdings is publicly available at no charge.

Each Fund will disclose its complete portfolio holdings schedule in public filings with the SEC on a quarterly basis, based on the Fund’s fiscal year, within sixty (60) days of the end of the quarter, and will provide that information to shareholders, as required by federal securities laws and regulations thereunder.

No person is authorized to disclose a Fund’s portfolio holdings or other investment positions except in accordance with the Policy. The Board reviews the implementation of the Policy on a periodic basis.

WISDOMTREE INDEX DESCRIPTION

A description of each WisdomTree Index on which a Fund is based is provided in the relevant Fund’s Prospectus under “Principal Investment Strategies of the Fund” with certain additional details provided below. Additional information about each Index, including the components and weightings of the Indexes, as well as the rules that govern inclusion and weighting in each of the Indexes, is available at www.wisdomtree.com.

WisdomTree Indexes are generally based on selection processes that draw from one of the following five comprehensive, fundamental indexes: (i) the WisdomTree Dividend Index; (ii) the WisdomTree Earnings Index; (iii) the WisdomTree DEFA Index; (iv) the WisdomTree Emerging Markets Dividend Index; and (v) the WisdomTree Global Dividend Index. Eligibility for inclusion in these broad-based baskets is detailed below.

Component Selection Criteria.

WisdomTree U.S. Dividend Indexes: Each WisdomTree U.S. Dividend Index is derived from the WisdomTree Dividend Index. Eligibility requirements for inclusion within the WisdomTree Dividend Index generally includes: (i) incorporation in the United States; (ii) listing on the NYSE, NASDAQ Global Market or related exchanges; (iii) payment of regular cash dividends on shares of common stock in the 12 months preceding the annual screening date, which takes place in December; (iv) market capitalization of at least $100 million as of the Index screening date; (v) average daily dollar volume of at least $100,000 for three months preceding the Index screening date; and (vi) companies need to have a calculated volume factor (the average daily dollar volume for three months preceding the Index screening date divided by the weight of the security in the Index) that is greater than $200 million. In the event that a company has a calculated volume factor that is less than $400 million as of the annual Index screening date, its weight in the Index will be reduced such that its weight equals its weight prior to the adjustment multiplied by a fraction of its calculated volume factor divided by $400 million. Common stocks, REITs, tracking stocks, and holding companies are eligible for inclusion in each Index. Limited partnerships, limited liability companies, mortgage REITS, royalty trusts, preferred stocks, closed-end funds, ETFs, and derivative securities, such as warrants and rights, are not eligible.

WisdomTree U.S. Earnings Indexes: Each WisdomTree U.S. Earnings Index is derived from the WisdomTree Earnings Index. Eligibility requirements for inclusion within the WisdomTree Earnings Index generally includes: (i) incorporation in the United States; (ii) listing on the NYSE, NASDAQ Global Market or related exchanges; (iii) market capitalization of at least $100 million as of the Index screening date; (iv) average daily dollar volume of at least $200,000 for each of the six months preceding the Index screening date; (v) a calculated volume factor (the average daily dollar volume for three months preceding the Index screening date divided by the weight of the security in the Index) that is greater than $200 million; (vi) a P/E ratio of at least 2x as of the Index screening date; and (vii) generation of positive earnings on a cumulative basis in the most recent four quarters preceding the annual Index screening date. In the event that a company has a calculated volume factor that is less than $400 million as of the annual Index screening date, its weight in the Index will be reduced such that its weight equals its weight prior to the adjustment multiplied by a fraction of its calculated volume factor divided by $400 million. For these purposes, “earnings” are determined using a company’s “Core Earnings.” Core Earnings is a standardized calculation of earnings developed by S&P that is designed to include expenses, incomes and activities that reflect the actual profitability of a company’s ongoing operations. Common stocks, tracking stocks, and holding companies are eligible for inclusion. REITs, ADRs, GDRs, EDRs and NVDRs are excluded, as are limited partnerships, limited liability companies, royalty trusts, preferred stocks, closed-end funds and ETFs. Derivative securities, such as warrants and rights, are not eligible.

WisdomTree Developed International Dividend Indexes: Each WisdomTree Developed International Dividend Index is derived from the WisdomTree DEFA Index. Eligibility requirements for inclusion within the WisdomTree DEFA Index generally includes: (i) incorporation in one of 15 developed European countries (Austria, Belgium, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Ireland, Italy, Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, or the United Kingdom), Israel, Japan, Australia, New Zealand, Hong Kong or Singapore; (ii) payment of at least $5 million in cash dividends on shares of common stock in the annual cycle prior to the annual Index screening date; (iii) market capitalization of at least $100 million as of the Index screening date; (iv) average daily dollar volume of at least $100,000 for three months preceding the Index screening date; (v) a calculated volume factor (the average daily dollar volume for three months preceding the Index screening date divided by the weight of the security in the Index) that is greater

 

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than $200 million; and (vi) trading of at least 250,000 shares per month for each of the six months preceding the Index screening date. In the event that a company has a calculated volume factor that is less than $400 million as of the annual Index screening date, its weight in the Index will be reduced such that its weight equals its weight prior to the adjustment multiplied by a fraction of its calculated volume factor divided by $400 million. Common stocks, REITs, tracking stocks, and holding companies are eligible for inclusion in each Index. Limited partnerships, limited liability companies, mortgage REITS, royalty trusts, preferred stocks, closed-end funds, ETFs, and derivative securities, such as warrants and rights, are not eligible.

WisdomTree Emerging Markets Dividend Indexes: Each of the WisdomTree Emerging Markets Indexes is derived from the WisdomTree Emerging Markets Dividend Index. Eligibility requirements for inclusion within the WisdomTree Emerging Markets Dividend Index generally includes: (i) payment of at least $5 million in cash dividends on common shares in the annual cycle prior to the annual screening date in June; (ii) market capitalization of at least $200 million as of the Index screening date; (iii) average daily dollar volume of at least $200,000 for each of the six months preceding the Index screening date; (iv) a calculated volume factor (the average daily dollar volume for three months preceding the Index screening date divided by the weight of the security in the Index) that is greater than $200 million; (v) incorporation within one of 17 emerging market nations (Brazil, Chile, China, Czech Republic, Hungary, India, Indonesia, Korea, Malaysia, Mexico, Philippines, Poland, Russia, South Africa, Taiwan, Thailand, and Turkey); and (vi) trading of at least 250,000 shares per month for each of the six months preceding the annual Index screening date. In the event that a company has a calculated volume factor that is less than $400 million as of the annual Index screening date, its weight in the Index will be reduced such that its weight equals its weight prior to the adjustment multiplied by a fraction of its calculated volume factor divided by $400 million. Specific country restrictions include: (i) with respect to China, only companies incorporated in China and that trade on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange are eligible for inclusion; (ii) in India, only securities whose foreign ownership restrictions have yet to be breached are eligible for inclusion within the Index; and (iii) Russia: ADRs or GDRs are used. ADRs and GDRs are not used for companies within any other countries. Passive foreign investment companies, limited partnerships, limited liability companies, royalty trusts, preferred stock, rights, and other derivative securities are all excluded.

WisdomTree Global Dividend Indexes: Each WisdomTree Global Index is derived from the WisdomTree Global Dividend Index. The WisdomTree Global Dividend Index consists of companies included in WisdomTree’s three primary dividend indexes: in the United States, the WisdomTree Dividend Index; in the developed world, the WisdomTree DEFA Index; and in the emerging markets, the WisdomTree Emerging Markets Dividend Index. Companies are weighted in the Index based on annual cash dividends paid. As of the annual Index screening date, companies with market capitalizations of at least $2 billion are ranked by dividend yield and those companies in the top 30% by dividend yield are selected for inclusion in the WisdomTree Global Dividend Index. If a company currently in the Index is no longer ranked in the top 30% by dividend yield at the time of the annual Index screening date but remains ranked in the top 35% by dividend yield, the company will remain in the Index. Companies in the Index must have a calculated volume factor (the average daily dollar volume for three months preceding the Index screening date divided by the weight of the security in the Index) that is greater than $200 million. In the event that a company has a calculated volume factor that is less than $400 million as of the annual Index screening date, its weight in the Index will be reduced such that its weight equals its weight prior to the adjustment multiplied by a fraction of its calculated volume factor divided by $400 million.

Annual Index Screening Date. The WisdomTree Indexes are “rebalanced” or “reconstituted” on an annual basis. New securities are added to the Indexes only during the annual screening date. The annual screening date of the U.S. Dividend and Earnings Indexes takes place in December of each year, except that the annual screening date of the WisdomTree LargeCap Value Index takes place in April. The annual screening date of the International Indexes (except for those holding emerging markets securities and the Japan hedged sector Funds) takes place in June of each year. The annual screening date of the Japan hedged sector Funds takes place in August of each year. The annual screening date of the International Indexes holding emerging market securities takes place in September of each year. The Indexes are rebalanced in the month following the screening date.

During the annual screening date, securities are screened to determine whether they comply with WisdomTree’s proprietary Index methodology and are eligible to be included in an Index. This date is sometimes referred to as the “Index measurement date” or the “Screening Point.” Based on this screening, securities that meet Index requirements are added to the applicable Index, and securities that do not meet such requirements are dropped from the applicable Index. In response to market conditions, security and sector weights may fluctuate above or below a specified cap between annual Index screening dates.

The approximate number of components of each Index is disclosed herein as of June 30, 2014.

 

Name of WisdomTree Index

   Approximate Number of
Components
 

WisdomTree Dividend Index

     1,372   

WisdomTree LargeCap Dividend Index

     298   

WisdomTree MidCap Dividend Index

     389   

WisdomTree SmallCap Dividend Index

     681   

WisdomTree Equity Income Index

     403   

WisdomTree Dividend ex-Financials Index

     84   

WisdomTree U.S. Dividend Growth Index

     297   

WisdomTree U.S. SmallCap Dividend Growth Index

     259   

 

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Name of WisdomTree Index

   Approximate Number of
Components
 

WisdomTree Earnings Index

     2,006   

WisdomTree Earnings 500 Index

     504   

WisdomTree MidCap Earnings Index

     607   

WisdomTree SmallCap Earnings Index

     877   

WisdomTree LargeCap Value Index

     299   

WisdomTree DEFA Index

     2,366   

WisdomTree DEFA Equity Income Index

     696   

WisdomTree International LargeCap Dividend Index

     300   

WisdomTree International MidCap Dividend Index

     687   

WisdomTree International SmallCap Dividend Index

     1,366   

 

Name of WisdomTree Index

   Approximate Number of
Components
 

WisdomTree International Dividend ex-Financials Index

     90   

WisdomTree Europe Dividend Growth Index

     300   

WisdomTree Europe SmallCap Dividend Index

     353   

WisdomTree Japan SmallCap Dividend Index

     692   

WisdomTree Australia Dividend Index

     68   

WisdomTree Japan Hedged Equity Index

     387   

WisdomTree Japan Hedged SmallCap Equity Index

     692   

WisdomTree Europe Hedged Equity Index

     129   

WisdomTree United Kingdom Hedged Equity Index

     158   

WisdomTree Germany Hedged Equity Index

     76   

WisdomTree Korea Hedged Equity Index

     45   

WisdomTree Japan Hedged Financials Index

     82   

WisdomTree Japan Hedged Real Estate Index

     84   

WisdomTree Japan Hedged Capital Goods Index

     140   

WisdomTree Japan Hedged Health Care Index

     53   

WisdomTree Japan Hedged Tech, Media and Telecom Index

     98   

WisdomTree International Hedged Dividend Growth Index

     300   

WisdomTree Global Equity Income Index

     736   

WisdomTree Global Natural Resources Index

     97   

WisdomTree Global ex-U.S. Dividend Growth Index

     297   

WisdomTree Global ex-U.S. Utilities Index

     97   

WisdomTree Global ex-U.S. Real Estate Index

     201   

WisdomTree Asia Pacific ex-Japan Index

     295   

WisdomTree Commodity Country Equity Index

     157   

WisdomTree Emerging Markets Equity Income Index

     371   

WisdomTree Emerging Markets SmallCap Dividend Index

     675   

WisdomTree Emerging Markets Consumer Growth Index

     248   

WisdomTree Emerging Markets Dividend Growth Index

     247   

WisdomTree India Earnings Index

     189   

WisdomTree Middle East Dividend Index

     73   

WisdomTree China Dividend ex-Financials Index

     69   

Index Maintenance. Index maintenance occurs throughout the year and includes monitoring and implementing the adjustments for company additions and deletions, stock splits, corporate restructurings and other corporate actions. Corporate actions are generally implemented after the close of trading on the day prior to the ex-date of such corporate actions. To the extent reasonably practicable, such changes will be announced at least two days prior to their implementation.

For each Index, except the WisdomTree China Dividend ex-Financials Index, should any company achieve a weighting equal to or greater than 24% of the Index, its weighting will be reduced at the close of the current calendar quarter, and other components in the Index will be rebalanced. Should any company achieve a weighting equal to or greater than 20% of the WisdomTree China Dividend ex-Financials Index, its weighting will be reduced at the close of the current calendar quarter to the initial 10% cap, and other components in the Index will be rebalanced. Moreover, for each Index, should the collective weight of Index component securities whose individual current weights equal or exceed 5% of an Index, when added together, exceed 50% of such Index, the weightings in those component securities will be reduced so that their collective weight equals 40% of the Index as of the close of the current calendar quarter, and other components in the Index will be rebalanced.

 

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Index Availability: Although most WisdomTree Indexes are calculated and disseminated throughout each day the NYSE is open for trading, certain Funds’ Indexes are calculated only on an end-of-day basis due to differences in time zone and the fact that these markets are not open during the NYSE’s market hours. These specific exceptions include: (i) WisdomTree Asia Pacific ex-Japan Index; (ii) WisdomTree Australia Dividend Index; (iii) WisdomTree Middle East Dividend Index; (iv) WisdomTree India Earnings Index (v) WisdomTree Japan Hedged Equity Index; (vi) WisdomTree Japan SmallCap Dividend Index; and (vii) WisdomTree China Dividend ex-Financials Index.

Changes to the Index Methodology. The WisdomTree Indexes are governed by published, rules-based methodologies. Changes to a methodology will be publicly disclosed at www.wisdomtree.com/etfs/index-notices.aspx prior to implementation. Sixty days’ notice will be given prior to the implementation of any such change.

Index Calculation Agent. In order to minimize any potential for conflicts caused by the fact that WisdomTree Investments and its affiliates act as Index provider and investment adviser to the Funds, WisdomTree Investments has retained an unaffiliated third party to calculate each Index (the “Calculation Agent”). The Calculation Agent, using the applicable rules-based methodology, will calculate, maintain and disseminate the Indexes on a daily basis. WisdomTree Investments will monitor the results produced by the Calculation Agent to help ensure that the Indexes are being calculated in accordance with the applicable rules-based methodology. In addition, WisdomTree Investments and WisdomTree Asset Management have established policies and procedures designed to prevent non-public information about pending changes to the Indexes from being used or disseminated in an improper manner. Furthermore, WisdomTree Investments and WisdomTree Asset Management have established policies and procedures designed to prevent improper use and dissemination of non-public information about the Funds’ portfolio strategies and to prevent the Funds’ portfolio managers from having any influence on the construction of the Index methodologies.

INVESTMENT LIMITATIONS

The following fundamental investment policies and limitations supplement those set forth in each Fund’s Prospectus. Unless otherwise noted, whenever a fundamental investment policy or limitation states a maximum percentage of a Fund’s assets that may be invested in any security or other asset, or sets forth a policy regarding quality standards, such standard or percentage limitation will be determined immediately after and as a result of the Fund’s acquisition of such security or other asset. Accordingly, other than with respect to a Fund’s limitations on borrowings, any subsequent change in values, net assets, or other circumstances will not be considered when determining whether the investment complies with a Fund’s investment policies and limitations.

Each Fund’s fundamental investment policies cannot be changed without the approval of the holders of a majority of that Fund’s outstanding voting securities as defined under the 1940 Act. Each Fund, however, may change the non-fundamental investment policies described below, its investment objective, and its underlying Index without a shareholder vote provided that it obtains Board approval and notifies its shareholders with at least sixty (60) days’ prior written notice of any such change.

Fundamental Policies. The following investment policies and limitations are fundamental and may NOT be changed without shareholder approval.

Each Fund, as a fundamental investment policy, may not:

Senior Securities

Issue senior securities, except as permitted under the 1940 Act.

Borrowing

Borrow money, except as permitted under the 1940 Act.

Underwriting

Act as an underwriter of another issuer’s securities, except to the extent that each Fund may be considered an underwriter within the meaning of the Securities Act of 1933 in the disposition of portfolio securities.

Concentration

Purchase the securities of any issuer (other than securities issued or guaranteed by the U.S. Government or any of its agencies or instrumentalities) if, as a result, more than 25% of the Fund’s total assets would be invested in the securities of companies whose principal business activities are in the same industry, except that each Fund will invest more than 25% of its total assets in securities of the same industry to approximately the same extent that each Fund’s underlying Index concentrates in the securities of a particular industry or group of industries.

Real Estate

Purchase or sell real estate unless acquired as a result of ownership of securities or other instruments (but this shall not prevent the Fund from investing in securities or other instruments backed by real estate, real estate investment trusts or securities of companies engaged in the real estate business).

 

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Commodities

Purchase or sell physical commodities unless acquired as a result of ownership of securities or other instruments (but this shall not prevent each Fund from purchasing or selling options and futures contracts or from investing in securities or other instruments backed by physical commodities).

Loans

Lend any security or make any other loan except as permitted under the 1940 Act.

This means that no more than 33 1/3% of the Fund’s total assets would be lent to other parties. This limitation does not apply to purchases of debt securities or to repurchase agreements, or to acquisitions of loans, loan participations or other forms of debt instruments, permissible under each Fund’s investment policies.

Non-Fundamental Policies. The following investment policy is not fundamental and may be changed without shareholder approval.

Each applicable Fund has adopted a non-fundamental investment policy in accordance with Rule 35d-1 under the 1940 Act to invest, under normal circumstances, at least 80% of the value of its net assets, plus the amount of any borrowings for investment purposes, in the types of securities suggested by the Fund’s name, including investments that are tied economically to the particular country or geographic region suggested by the Fund’s name. If, subsequent to an investment, the 80% requirement is no longer met, such Fund’s future investments will be made in a manner that will bring the Fund into compliance with this policy.

CONTINUOUS OFFERING

The method by which Creation Unit Aggregations of shares are created and traded may raise certain issues under applicable securities laws. Because new Creation Unit Aggregations of shares are issued and sold by the Funds on an ongoing basis, at any point a “distribution,” as such term is used in the Securities Act, may occur. Broker-dealers and other persons are cautioned that some activities on their part may, depending on the circumstances, result in their being deemed participants in a distribution in a manner which could render them statutory underwriters and subject them to the prospectus delivery requirement and liability provisions of the Securities Act.

For example, a broker-dealer firm or its client may be deemed a statutory underwriter if it takes Creation Unit Aggregations after placing an order with the Funds’ distributor, breaks them down into constituent shares, and sells such shares directly to 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 shares. A determination of whether one is an underwriter for purposes of the Securities Act 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 could lead to a categorization as an underwriter.

Broker-dealer firms should also note that dealers who are not “underwriters” but are effecting transactions in shares, whether or not participating in the distribution of shares, generally are required to deliver a prospectus. This is because the prospectus delivery exemption in Section 4(3) of the Securities Act is not available in respect of such transactions as a result of Section 24(d) of the 1940 Act. Firms that incur a prospectus delivery obligation with respect to shares of the Funds are reminded that, pursuant to Rule 153 under the Securities Act, a prospectus delivery obligation under Section 5(b)(2) of the Securities Act owed to an exchange member in connection with the sale on the Listing Exchange is satisfied by the fact that the prospectus is available at the Listing Exchange upon request. The prospectus delivery mechanism provided in Rule 153 is only available with respect to transactions on an exchange.

MANAGEMENT OF THE TRUST

Board Responsibilities. The Board is responsible for overseeing the management and affairs of the Funds and the Trust. The Board has considered and approved contracts, as described herein, under which certain companies provide essential management and administrative services to the Trust. Like most ETFs, the day-to-day business of the Trust, including the day-to-day management of risk, is performed by third-party service providers, such as the Advisers, Distributor and Administrator. The Board is responsible for overseeing the Trust’s service providers and, thus, has oversight responsibility with respect to the risk management performed by those service providers. Risk management seeks to identify and eliminate or mitigate the potential effects of risks, i.e., events or circumstances that could have material adverse effects on the business, operations, shareholder services, investment performance or reputation of the Trust or the Funds. Under the overall supervision of the Board and the Audit Committee (discussed in more detail below), the service providers to the Funds employ a variety of processes, procedures and controls to identify risks relevant to the operations of the Trust and the Funds to lessen the probability of their occurrence and/or to mitigate the effects of such events or circumstances if they do occur. Each service provider is responsible for one or more discrete aspects of the Trust’s business (e.g., the Advisers are responsible for the day-to-day management of the Funds’ portfolio investments) and, consequently, for managing the risks associated with that activity.

The Board’s role in risk management oversight begins before the inception of a Fund, at which time the Fund’s Adviser presents the Board with information concerning the investment objectives, strategies and risks of the Fund. Additionally, the Fund’s Adviser and Sub-Adviser provide the Board with an overview of, among other things, its investment philosophy, brokerage practices and compliance infrastructure. Thereafter, the Board oversees the risk management of the Fund’s operations, in part, by requesting periodic reports from and otherwise communicating with various personnel of the Fund and its service providers, including the Trust’s CCO and the Fund’s independent accountants. The Board and, with respect to identified risks that relate to its scope of expertise, the Audit Committee, oversee efforts by management and service providers to manage risks to which the Fund may be exposed.

 

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The Board is responsible for overseeing the nature, extent and quality of the services provided to the Funds by the Adviser and receives information about those services at its regular meetings. In addition, on at least an annual basis, in connection with its consideration of whether to renew any Advisory Agreements and Sub-Advisory Agreements with the Adviser and Sub-Adviser, respectively, the Board meets with the Adviser and Sub-Adviser to review such services. Among other things, the Board regularly considers the Adviser’s and Sub-Adviser’s adherence to each Fund’s investment restrictions and compliance with various Fund policies and procedures and with applicable securities regulations. The Board also reviews information about each Fund’s performance and investments.

The Trust’s CCO meets regularly with the Board to review and discuss compliance and other issues. At least annually, the Trust’s CCO provides the Board with a report reviewing the adequacy and effectiveness of the Trust’s policies and procedures and those of its service providers, including the Adviser and Sub-Adviser. The report addresses the operation of the policies and procedures of the Trust and each service provider since the date of the last report; material changes to the policies and procedures since the date of the last report; any recommendations for material changes to the policies and procedures; and material compliance matters since the date of the last report.

The Board receives reports from the Trust’s service providers regarding operational risks, portfolio valuation and other matters. Annually, an independent registered public accounting firm reviews with the Audit Committee its audit of the Trust’s financial statements, focusing on major areas of risk encountered by the Trust and noting any significant deficiencies or material weaknesses in the Trust’s internal controls.

The Board recognizes that not all risks that may affect a Fund can be identified, that it may not be practical or cost-effective to eliminate or mitigate certain risks, that it may be necessary to bear certain risks (such as investment-related risks) to achieve the Fund’s goals, and that the processes, procedures and controls employed to address certain risks may be limited in their effectiveness. Moreover, despite the periodic reports the Board receives and the Board’s discussions with the service providers to a Fund, it may not be made aware of all of the relevant information of a particular risk. Most of the Trust’s investment management and business affairs are carried out by or through the Funds’ Adviser, Sub-Adviser and other service providers, each of which has an independent interest in risk management but whose policies and the methods by which one or more risk management functions are carried out may differ from the Trust’s and each other’s in the setting of priorities, the resources available or the effectiveness of relevant controls. As a result of the foregoing and other factors, the Board’s risk management oversight is subject to substantial limitations.

Members of the Board and Officers of the Trust. Set forth below are the names, birth years, positions with the Trust, term of office, number of portfolios overseen, and the principal occupations and other directorships for a minimum of the last five years of each of the persons currently serving as members of the Board and as Executive Officers of the Trust. Also included below is the term of office for each of the Executive Officers of the Trust. The members of the Board serve as Trustees for the life of the Trust or until retirement, removal, or their office is terminated pursuant to the Trust’s Declaration of Trust. The address of each Trustee and Officer is c/o WisdomTree Asset Management, Inc., 245 Park Avenue, 35th Floor, New York, New York 10167.

The Chairman of the Board, Victor Ugolyn, is not an interested person of the Funds as that term is defined in the 1940 Act. The Board is composed of a super-majority (83.3%) of Trustees who are not interested persons of the Funds (i.e., “Independent Trustees”). There is an Audit Committee, Governance and Nominating Committee, and Contracts Review Committee of the Board, each of which is chaired by an Independent Trustee and comprised solely of Independent Trustees. The Committee chair for each is responsible for running the Committee meeting, formulating agendas for those meetings, and coordinating with management to serve as a liaison between the Independent Trustees and management on matters within the scope of the responsibilities of the Committee as set forth in its Board-approved charter. The Funds have determined that this leadership structure is appropriate given the specific characteristics and circumstances of the Funds. The Funds made this determination in consideration of, among other things, the fact that the Independent Trustees of the Funds constitute a super-majority of the Board, the assets under management of the Funds, the number of Funds overseen by the Board, the total number of Trustees on the Board, and the fact that an Independent Trustee serves as Chair of the Board.

 

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Name and
Year of Birth of

Trustee/Officer

  

Position(s)

Held with

the Trust,

Term of

Office and

Length of

Time Served

  

Principal Occupation(s) During Past 5 Years

   Number of
Portfolios
in Fund
Complex
Overseen
by Trustee/

Officer+
   Other
Directorships
Held by
Trustee
During Past
5 Years

Trustees Who Are Interested Persons of the Trust

Jonathan Steinberg

(1964)

   Trustee, 2005 – present; President, 2005 – present    President, WisdomTree Trust since 2005; President, WisdomTree Investments, Inc. and WisdomTree Asset Management, Inc.; Chief Executive Officer, WisdomTree Investments, Inc. and WisdomTree Asset Management, Inc.    69    Director,

WisdomTree

Investments,
Inc. and
WisdomTree
Asset
Management

Trustees Who Are Not Interested Persons of the Trust

David G. Chrencik*

(1948)

   Trustee, 2014 – present    Chief Financial Officer of GeoGreen BioFuels, Inc. (biodiesel fuel producer) since 2010; Chief Financial Officer of Sarus Indochina Select LP Hedge Fund since 2012; Audit Partner at PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP (public accounting firm) from 1972-2009 (includes positions prior to becoming Audit Partner and predecessor firms).    69    Trustee,
Vericimetry
Funds

Joel Goldberg**

(1945)

   Trustee, 2012 – present    Attorney, Of Counsel/Partner at Stroock & Stroock & Lavan LLP, 2010 to present; Attorney, Partner at Willkie Farr & Gallagher LLP, 2006 to 2010.    69    None

Toni Massaro***

(1955)

   Trustee, 2006 – present    Dean Emerita at the University of Arizona James E. Rogers College of Law (“Rogers College of Law”) since 2009 (distinguished Emerita in July 2009); Dean of the Rogers College of Law from 1999 to 2009; Regents’ Professor since 2006; Milton O. Riepe Chair in Constitutional Law since 1997; Professor at the Rogers College of Law since 1990.    69    None

Melinda A. Raso Kirstein

(1955)

   Trustee, 2014 – present    Retired, Merrill Lynch Investment Management, Vice President; Senior Manager, Fixed Income Management; Director, Tax Exempt Fund Management    69    Associate
Alumnae of
Douglass
College,
Member of
Investment
Committee

Victor Ugolyn

(1947)

   Trustee, 2006 – present; Chairman of the Board of Trustees, 2006 – present    Private Investor, 2005 to present; President and Chief Executive Officer of William D. Witter, Inc. from 2005 to 2006; Consultant to AXA Enterprise in 2004; Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer of Enterprise Capital Management (subsidiary of The MONY Group, Inc.) and Enterprise Group of Funds, Chairman of MONY Securities Corporation, and Chairman of the Fund Board of Enterprise Group of Funds from 1991 to 2004.    69    Member of
the Board of
Governors
of Naismith
Memorial
Basketball
Hall of
Fame.

Officers of the Trust

Jonathan Steinberg****

(1964)

   President, 2005 – present; Trustee, 2005 – present    President, WisdomTree Trust since 2005; President, WisdomTree Investments, Inc. and WisdomTree Asset Management, Inc.; Chief Executive Officer, WisdomTree Investments, Inc. and WisdomTree Asset Management, Inc.    69   

 

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Name and
Year of Birth of

Trustee/Officer

  

Position(s)

Held with

the Trust,

Term of

Office and

Length of

Time Served

  

Principal Occupation(s) During Past 5 Years

   Number of
Portfolios
in Fund
Complex
Overseen
by Trustee/
Officer+
   Other
Directorships
Held by
Trustee
During Past
5 Years

David Castano****

(1971)

   Treasurer, 2013 – present    Director of Fund Accounting & Administration, WisdomTree Asset Management, Inc., since 2011; Vice President of Legg Mason & Co. and served as Treasurer from 2010 to 2011 and Controller from 2006 to 2010 of certain mutual funds associated with Legg Mason & Co.; Assistant Treasurer of Lord Abbett mutual funds from 2004 to 2006.    69   

Ryan Louvar****

(1972)

   Secretary and Chief Legal Officer, 2013 – present    General Counsel, WisdomTree Asset Management, Inc. since 2013; Vice President and Senior Managing Counsel, State Street, 2005 to 2013.    69   

Sarah English****

(1977)

   Assistant Secretary, 2013 – present    Counsel, WisdomTree Asset Management, Inc. since 2010; Attorney, NYFIX, Inc. 2006 to 2009.    69   

Terry Jane Feld****

(1960)

   Chief Compliance Officer, 2012 – present    Chief Compliance Officer WisdomTree Asset Management, Inc. since 2012; Senior Compliance Officer, WisdomTree Asset Management, Inc. since 2011; Senior Compliance Officer, TIAA-CREF, 2007 to 2010; Vice President/NASD-SEC Compliance, Mutual of America Life Insurance Co., 2004 to 2007.    69   

 

* Chair of the Audit Committee.
** Chair of the Contracts Review Committee.
*** Chair of the Governance and Nominating Committee.
**** Elected by and serves at the pleasure of the Board.
+ As of July 31, 2014.

Audit Committee. Ms. Raso Kirstein and Messrs. Chrencik and Ugolyn, each an Independent Trustee, are members of the Trust’s Audit Committee (the “Audit Committee”). The principal responsibilities of the Audit Committee are the appointment, compensation and oversight of the Trust’s independent registered public accounting firm, including the resolution of disagreements regarding financial reporting between Trust management and such independent registered public accounting firm. The Audit Committee’s responsibilities include, without limitation, to (i) oversee the accounting and financial reporting processes of the Trust and its internal control over financial reporting and, as the Committee deems appropriate, to inquire into the internal control over financial reporting of certain third-party service providers; (ii) oversee the quality and integrity of the Funds’ financial statements and the independent audits thereof; (iii) oversee, or, as appropriate, assist Board oversight of, the Trust’s compliance with legal and regulatory requirements that relate to the Trust’s accounting and financial reporting, internal control over financial reporting and independent audits; (iv) approve prior to appointment the engagement of the Trust’s independent registered public accounting firm and, in connection therewith, to review and evaluate the qualifications, independence and performance of the Trust’s independent registered public accounting firm; and (v) act as a liaison between the Trust’s independent auditors and the full Board. The Board of the Trust has adopted a written charter for the Audit Committee. The Independent Trustees’ independent legal counsel assists the Audit Committee in connection with these duties. During the fiscal year ended March 31, 2014, the Audit Committee held seven meetings.

Governance and Nominating Committee. Ms. Massaro and Messrs. Goldberg and Ugolyn, each an independent Trustee are members of the Trust’s Governance and Nominating Committee. The principal responsibilities of the Governance and Nominating Committee are to (i) oversee Fund governance matters and (ii) identify individuals qualified to serve as Independent Trustees of the Trust and to recommend its nominees for consideration by the full Board. While the Governance and Nominating Committee is solely responsible for the selection and nomination of the Trust’s Independent Trustees, the Governance and Nominating Committee may consider nominations for the office of Trustee made by Trust stockholders as it deems appropriate. The Governance and Nominating Committee considers nominees recommended by shareholders if such nominees are submitted in accordance with Rule 14a-8 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (the “1934 Act”), in conjunction with a shareholder meeting to consider the election of Trustees. Trust stockholders who wish to recommend a nominee should send nominations to the Secretary of the Trust that include biographical information and set forth the qualifications of the proposed nominee. During the fiscal year ended March 31, 2014, the Governance and Nominating Committee held four meetings.

Contracts Review Committee. Ms. Massaro and Messrs. Goldberg and Ugolyn, each an Independent Trustee, are members of the Trust’s Contracts Review Committee. The principal responsibilities of the Contracts Review Committee are to provide assistance to the Board of Trustees of the Trust in fulfilling its responsibilities under Section 15 of the 1940 Act, and other applicable Sections, rules and interpretative guidance related thereto, with respect to reviewing the performance of, and reasonableness of fees paid to, the Adviser, Sub-Advisers, and core service providers for each series of the Trust, and to make recommendations to the Board regarding the contractual arrangements for such services. The Board has adopted a written charter for the Contracts Review Committee. On March 12, 2014, the Board created the Contracts Review Committee. During the fiscal year ended March 31, 2014, the Contracts Review Committee held one meeting.

 

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Individual Trustee Qualifications

The Trust has concluded that each of the Trustees should serve on the Board because of his or her ability to review and understand information about the Trust and the Funds provided by management, to identify and request other information he or she may deem relevant to the performance of the Trustees’ duties, to question management and other service providers regarding material factors bearing on the management and administration of the Funds, and to exercise his or her business judgment in a manner that serves the best interests of the Funds’ shareholders. The Trust has concluded that each of the Trustees should serve as a Trustee based on his or her own experience, qualifications, attributes and skills as described below.

The Trust has concluded that Mr. Steinberg should serve as Trustee of the Funds because of the experience he has gained as President, Chief Executive Officer and director of WisdomTree Investments, his knowledge of and experience in the financial services industry, and the experience he has gained serving as Trustee of the Trust since 2005.

The Trust has concluded that Mr. Chrencik should serve as Trustee of the Funds because of the experience he gained as an audit partner of a public accounting firm as well as his experience in and knowledge of the financial services industry, including his service as chief financial officer for a hedge fund.

The Trust has concluded that Mr. Goldberg should serve as Trustee of the Funds because of the experience he has gained as a member of the staff of the SEC, including his service as Director of the SEC’s Division of Investment Management, his experience as legal counsel for many mutual funds, investment advisers, and independent directors as well as the experience he has gained serving as an Independent Trustee of the Trust since 2012.

The Trust has concluded that Ms. Kirstein should serve as Trustee of the Funds because of her experience in and knowledge of the financial services industry, including her service as a vice president, senior portfolio manager of fixed income management and director of tax exempt fund research of an investment advisory firm.

The Trust has concluded that Ms. Massaro should serve as Trustee of the Funds because of the experience she has gained as a law professor, dean and advisor at various universities, and the experience she has gained serving as Trustee of the Trust since 2006.

The Trust has concluded that Mr. Ugolyn should serve as Trustee of the Funds because of the experience he gained as chief executive officer of a firm specializing in financial services, his experience in and knowledge of the financial services industry, his service as chairman for another mutual fund family, and the experience he has gained serving as Trustee of the Trust since 2006.

Fund Shares Owned by Board Members. The following table shows the dollar amount range of each Trustee’s “beneficial ownership” of shares of the Funds and each series of the Trust as of the end of the most recently completed calendar year. Dollar amount ranges disclosed are established by the SEC. “Beneficial ownership” is determined in accordance with Rule 16a-1(a)(2) under the 1934 Act. The Trustees and officers of the Trust collectively own less than 1% of the outstanding shares of the Trust.

 

Name of Trustee

  

Name of Fund

  

Dollar Range of Equity
Securities in the Funds*

  

Aggregate Dollar Range of
Equity Securities in All Registered
Investment Companies  Overseen
by Trustee in Family of
Investment Companies*

Interested Trustee
Jonathan L. Steinberg    Emerging Markets SmallCap Dividend Fund    $10,001 – $50,000    Over $100,000
   SmallCap Earnings Fund    Over $100,000   
   Global Equity Income Fund    $50,001 – $100,000   
   Emerging Markets Equity Income Fund    $50,001 – $100,000   
Independent Trustees
David G. Chrencik**    None    None    None
Joel H. Goldberg    Commodity Country Equity Fund    $50,001 – $100,000    Over $100,000
Toni M. Massaro    U.S. Dividend Growth Fund    $1 – $10,000    Over $100,000
   Japan Hedged Equity Fund    $10,001 – $50,000   
   Commodity Country Equity Fund    $10,001 – $50,000   
   LargeCap Dividend Fund    $10,001 – $50,000   
   Equity Income Fund    $10,001 – $50,000   
Melinda A. Raso Kirstein**    None    None    None
Victor Ugolyn    LargeCap Dividend Fund    $50,001 – $100,000    $50,001 – $100,000
   International LargeCap Dividend Fund    $10,001 – $50,000   

 

* These values are based on the Trustees’ ownership as of December 31, 2013.
** David Chrencik and Melinda A. Raso Kirstein were appointed to the Board on March 11, 2014.

Board Compensation. The following table sets forth the compensation paid by the Trust to each Trustee for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2014.

 

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Table of Contents

Name of Interested

Trustee

   Aggregate
Compensation
from the Trust
     Pension or Retirement
Benefits Accrued As
Part of Company
Expenses
     Estimated Annual
Benefits upon
Retirement
     Total Compensation
from the Funds and
Fund Complex*
 

Jonathan Steinberg

   $ 0         None         None       $ 0   

 

Name of Independent

Trustee

   Aggregate
Compensation
from the Trust
     Pension or Retirement
Benefits Accrued As
Part of Company
Expenses
     Estimated Annual
Benefits upon
Retirement
     Total Compensation
from the Funds and
Fund Complex*
 

David G. Chrencik**

   $ 18,883         None         None       $ 18,883   

Joel Goldberg

   $ 190,300         None         None       $ 190,300   

Toni Massaro

   $ 190,300         None         None       $ 190,300   

Melinda A. Raso Kirstein**

   $ 17,167         None         None       $ 17,167   

Victor Ugolyn

   $ 259,500         None         None       $ 259,500   

 

* The Trust is the only trust in the “Fund Complex.”
** David G. Chrencik and Melinda A. Raso Kirstein were appointed to the Board on March 11, 2014.

Trustees and officers of the Trust collectively owned less than 1% of each of the Trust’s outstanding shares as of June 30, 2014.

Control Persons and Principal Holders of Securities.

Although the Trust does not have information concerning the beneficial ownership of shares held in the names of Depository Trust Company participants (“DTC Participants”), as of June 30, 2014, the name and percentage ownership of each DTC Participant that owned of record 5% or more of the outstanding shares of a Fund is set forth in the table below:

 

Fund Name

  

Participant Name

   Percentage of
Ownership
 

WisdomTree Total Dividend Fund

  

Charles Schwab & Co., Inc.

101 Montgomery Street

San Francisco, CA 94104

     13.60
  

National Financial Services Corporation

200 Liberty Street

New York, NY 10281

     11.75
  

Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Inc.

1 Bryant Park

New York, NY 10036

     10.84
  

TD Ameritrade Clearing, Inc.

4211 South 102nd Street

Omaha, NE 68127

     6.90
  

Pershing LLC

One Pershing Plaza

Jersey City, NJ 07399

     5.78
    

LPL Financial Corporation

4707 Executive Drive

San Diego, CA 92121

 

     5.60

WisdomTree LargeCap Dividend Fund

  

Charles Schwab & Co., Inc.

101 Montgomery Street

San Francisco, CA 94104

     12.70
  

Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC

1 Harborside Financial Center, Plaza II

Jersey City, NJ 07311

     12.21
  

National Financial Services Corporation

200 Liberty Street

New York, NY 10281

     10.11

 

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Table of Contents

Fund Name

  

Participant Name

   Percentage of
Ownership
 
  

PNC Bank, N.A.

8800 Tinicum Boulevard

Philadelphia, PA 19153

     9.25
  

Robert W. Baird & Co.

777 East Wisconsin Avenue

Milwaukee, WI 53202

     7.31
  

First Clearing LLC

1 North Jefferson Avenue

St. Louis, MO 63103

     5.55
    

Raymond James & Associates, Inc.

880 Carillon Parkway

St. Petersburg, FL 33733

 

     5.28

WisdomTree MidCap Dividend Fund

  

Charles Schwab & Co., Inc.

101 Montgomery Street

San Francisco, CA 94104

     19.49
  

Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC

1 Harborside Financial Center, Plaza II

Jersey City, NJ 07311

     12.07
  

National Financial Services Corporation

200 Liberty Street

New York, NY 10281

     10.99
  

First Clearing LLC

1 North Jefferson Avenue

St. Louis, MO 63103

     8.97
  

Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Inc.

1 Bryant Park

New York, NY 10036

     7.37
  

TD Ameritrade Clearing, Inc.

4211 South 102nd Street

Omaha, NE 68127

     7.23
  

UBS Financial Services Inc.

1200 Harbor Boulevard

Weehawken, NJ 07086

     5.62
  

Pershing LLC

One Pershing Plaza

Jersey City, NJ 07399

     5.56
    

American Enterprise Investment Services Inc.

2723 Ameriprise Financial Center

Minneapolis, MN 55474

 

     5.06

WisdomTree SmallCap Dividend Fund

  

Charles Schwab & Co., Inc.

101 Montgomery Street

San Francisco, CA 94104

     25.16
  

National Financial Services Corporation

200 Liberty Street

New York, NY 10281

     14.11
  

First Clearing LLC

1 North Jefferson Avenue

St. Louis, MO 63103

     7.90

 

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Table of Contents

Fund Name

  

Participant Name

   Percentage of
Ownership
 
  

Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Inc.

1 Bryant Park

New York, NY 10036

     5.75
  

Pershing LLC

One Pershing Plaza

Jersey City, NJ 07399

     5.65
  

TD Ameritrade Clearing, Inc.

4211 South 102nd Street

Omaha, NE 68127

     5.62
    

UBS Financial Services Inc.

1000 Harbor Boulevard

Weehawken, NJ 07086

 

     5.62

WisdomTree Equity Income Fund

  

Charles Schwab & Co., Inc.

101 Montgomery Street

San Francisco, CA 94104

     21.55
  

National Financial Services Corporation

200 Liberty Street

New York, NY 10281

     13.55
  

Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC

1 Harborside Financial Center, Plaza II

Jersey City, NJ 07311

     10.14
  

First Clearing LLC

1 North Jefferson Avenue

St. Louis, MO 63103

     10.03
  

Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Inc.

1 Bryant Park

New York, NY 10036

     8.22
  

TD Ameritrade Clearing, Inc.

4211 South 102nd Street

Omaha, NE 68127

     7.08
    

Pershing LLC

One Pershing Plaza

Jersey City, NJ 07399

 

     6.42

WisdomTree Dividend ex-Financials Fund

  

Charles Schwab & Co., Inc.

101 Montgomery Street

San Francisco, CA 94104

     22.77
  

Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC

1 Harborside Financial Center, Plaza II

Jersey City, NJ 07311

     8.88
  

Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Inc.

1 Bryant Park

New York, NY 10036

     7.06
  

First Clearing LLC

1 North Jefferson Avenue

St. Louis, MO 63103

     6.43
  

Pershing LLC

One Pershing Plaza

Jersey City, NJ 07399

     6.29

 

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Table of Contents

Fund Name

  

Participant Name

   Percentage of
Ownership
 
  

UBS Financial Services Inc.

1000 Harbor Boulevard

Weehawken, NJ 07086

     5.29
    

TD Ameritrade Clearing, Inc.

4211 South 102nd Street

Omaha, NE 68127

 

     5.09

WisdomTree U.S. Dividend Growth Fund

  

Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Inc.

1 Bryant Park

New York, NY 10036

     15.23
  

Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC

1 Harborside Financial Center, Plaza II

Jersey City, NJ 07311

     12.90
  

National Financial Services Corporation

200 Liberty Street

New York, NY 10281

     12.59
  

LPL Financial Corporation

4707 Executive Drive

San Diego, CA 92121

     12.09
  

Charles Schwab & Co., Inc.

101 Montgomery Street

San Francisco, CA 94104

     10.78
  

UBS Financial Services Inc.

1000 Harbor Boulevard

Weehawken, NJ 07086

     5.89
    

TD Ameritrade Clearing, Inc.

4211 South 102nd Street

Omaha, NE 68127

 

     5.79

WisdomTree U.S. SmallCap Dividend Growth Fund

  

Charles Schwab & Co., Inc.

101 Montgomery Street

San Francisco, CA 94104

     15.29
  

Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Inc.

1 Bryant Park

New York, NY 10036

     12.95
  

Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC

1 Harborside Financial Center, Plaza II

Jersey City, NJ 07311

     12.29
  

LPL Financial Corporation

4707 Executive Drive

San Diego, CA 92121

     11.75
  

National Financial Services Corporation

200 Liberty Street

New York, NY 10281

     10.26
    

RBC Dominion Securities Inc./CDS

Commerce Court South

Toronto, ON M5J 2W7

CANADA

 

     8.90

 

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Table of Contents

Fund Name

  

Participant Name

   Percentage of
Ownership
 

WisdomTree Total Earnings Fund

  

National Financial Services Corporation

200 Liberty Street

New York, NY 10281

     26.14
  

The Bank of New York Mellon/ Mellon

Trust of New England,

National Association

Three Mellon Bank Center

Pittsburgh, PA 15259

     15.40
  

Charles Schwab & Co., Inc.

101 Montgomery Street

San Francisco, CA 94104

     15.21
  

First Clearing LLC

1 North Jefferson Avenue

St. Louis, MO 63103

     6.19
    

Pershing LLC

One Pershing Plaza

Jersey City, NJ 07399

 

     5.90

WisdomTree Earnings 500 Fund

  

TD Ameritrade Clearing, Inc.

4211 South 102nd Street

Omaha, NE 68127

     14.36
  

Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC

1 Harborside Financial Center, Plaza II

Jersey City, NJ 07311

     12.55
  

National Financial Services Corporation

200 Liberty Street

New York, NY 10281

     11.62
  

Charles Schwab & Co., Inc.

101 Montgomery Street

San Francisco, CA 94104

     11.44
    

Regions Bank

315 Deaderick Street

Nashville, TN 37237

 

     6.07

WisdomTree MidCap Earnings Fund

  

Charles Schwab & Co., Inc.

101 Montgomery Street

San Francisco, CA 94104

     28.35
  

National Financial Services Corporation

200 Liberty Street

New York, NY 10281

     15.48
  

Pershing LLC

One Pershing Plaza

Jersey City, NJ 07399

     7.70
  

TD Ameritrade Clearing, Inc.

4211 South 102nd Street

Omaha, NE 68127

     5.59
    

Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC

1 Harborside Financial Center, Plaza II

Jersey City, NJ 07311

 

     5.54

 

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Table of Contents

Fund Name

  

Participant Name

   Percentage of
Ownership
 

WisdomTree SmallCap Earnings Fund

  

Charles Schwab & Co., Inc.

101 Montgomery Street

San Francisco, CA 94104

     28.18
  

National Financial Services Corporation

200 Liberty Street

New York, NY 10281

     12.46
  

TD Ameritrade Clearing, Inc.

4211 South 102nd Street

Omaha, NE 68127

     12.13
  

Pershing LLC

One Pershing Plaza

Jersey City, NJ 07399

     7.00
  

UBS Financial Services Inc.

1000 Harbor Boulevard

Weehawken, NJ 07086

     6.31
  

First Clearing LLC

1 North Jefferson Avenue

St. Louis, MO 63103

     5.27
    

Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC

1 Harborside Financial Center, Plaza II

Jersey City, NJ 07311

 

     5.17

WisdomTree LargeCap Value Fund

  

Charles Schwab & Co., Inc.

101 Montgomery Street

San Francisco, CA 94104

     15.19
  

TD Ameritrade Clearing, Inc.

4211 South 102nd Street

Omaha, NE 68127

     11.86
  

Merrill Lynch Professional Clearing Corp.

101 Hudson Street

Jersey City, NJ 07302

     9.30
  

American Enterprise Investment Services Inc.

2723 Ameriprise Financial Center

Minneapolis, MN 55474

     8.84
  

Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Inc.

1 Bryant Park

New York, NY 10036

     8.04
  

Pershing LLC

One Pershing Plaza

Jersey City, NJ 07399

     7.64
  

National Financial Services Corporation

200 Liberty Street

New York, NY 10281

     6.49
  

Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC

1 Harborside Financial Center, Plaza II

Jersey City, NJ 07311

     5.67
    

RBC Capital Markets Corporation

200 Vesey Street

New York, NY 10281

 

     5.21

 

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Table of Contents

Fund Name

  

Participant Name

   Percentage of
Ownership
 

WisdomTree Global Equity Income Fund

  

Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Inc.

1 Bryant Park

New York, NY 10036

     18.00
  

National Financial Services Corporation

200 Liberty Street

New York, NY 10281

     14.96
  

Charles Schwab & Co., Inc.

101 Montgomery Street

San Francisco, CA 94104

     8.38
  

Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC

1 Harborside Financial Center, Plaza II

Jersey City, NJ 07311

     8.35
  

Brown Brothers Harriman & Co.

525 Washington Blvd.

Jersey City, NJ 07310

     7.55
    

First Clearing LLC

1 North Jefferson Avenue

St. Louis, MO 63103

 

     7.45

WisdomTree Global Natural Resources Fund

  

National Financial Services Corporation

200 Liberty Street

New York, NY 10281

     12.26
  

Charles Schwab & Co., Inc.

101 Montgomery Street

San Francisco, CA 94104

     11.75
  

First Clearing LLC

1 North Jefferson Avenue

St. Louis, MO 63103

     11.45
  

Merrill Lynch Professional Clearing Corp.

101 Hudson Street

Jersey City, NJ 07302

     9.89
  

Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC

1 Harborside Financial Center, Plaza II

Jersey City, NJ 07311

     8.90
  

TD Ameritrade Clearing, Inc.

4211 South 102nd Street

Omaha, NE 68127

     6.69
    

Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Inc.

1 Bryant Park

New York, NY 10036

 

     5.02

WisdomTree Global ex-U.S. Dividend Growth Fund

  

National Financial Services Corporation

200 Liberty Street

New York, NY 10281

     20.74
  

TD Ameritrade Clearing, Inc.

4211 South 102nd Street

Omaha, NE 68127

     10.97

 

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Table of Contents

Fund Name

  

Participant Name

   Percentage of
Ownership
 
  

Charles Schwab & Co., Inc.

101 Montgomery Street

San Francisco, CA 94104

     10.27
  

Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Inc.

1 Bryant Park

New York, NY 10036

     8.43
  

LPL Financial Corporation

4707 Executive Drive

San Diego, CA 92121

     7.46
  

Fifth Third Bank (The)

38 Fountain Saure Plaza, MD 116311

Cincinnati, OH 45263

     7.05
    

J.P. Morgan Clearing Corp.

245 Park Avenue

New York, NY 10167

 

     6.25

WisdomTree Global ex-U.S. Utilities Fund

  

Charles Schwab & Co., Inc.

101 Montgomery Street

San Francisco, CA 94104

     16.23
  

National Financial Services Corporation

200 Liberty Street

New York, NY 10281

     14.48
  

First Clearing LLC

1 North Jefferson Avenue

St. Louis, MO 63103

     10.22
  

Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC

1 Harborside Financial Center, Plaza II

Jersey City, NJ 07311

     9.93
  

TD Ameritrade Clearing, Inc.

4211 South 102nd Street

Omaha, NE 68127

     6.91
  

Pershing LLC

One Pershing Plaza

Jersey City, NJ 07399

     6.47
    

Interactive Brokers, LLC/Retail Clearance

Two Pickwick Plaza, 2nd Floor

Greenwich, CT 06830

 

     5.38

WisdomTree Global ex-U.S. Real Estate Fund

  

National Financial Services Corporation

200 Liberty Street

New York, NY 10281

     15.34
  

Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC

1 Harborside Financial Center, Plaza II

Jersey City, NJ 07311

     13.13
  

Charles Schwab & Co., Inc.

101 Montgomery Street

San Francisco, CA 94104

     12.88

 

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Table of Contents

Fund Name

  

Participant Name

   Percentage of
Ownership
 
  

TD Ameritrade Clearing, Inc.

4211 South 102nd Street

Omaha, NE 68127

     7.96
  

Janney Montgomery Scott LLC

1801 Market Street, 9th Floor

Philadelphia, PA 19103

     6.70
    

Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Inc.

1 Bryant Park

New York, NY 10036

 

     5.52

WisdomTree Asia Pacific ex-Japan Fund

  

Charles Schwab & Co., Inc.

101 Montgomery Street

San Francisco, CA 94104

     18.18
  

National Financial Services Corporation

200 Liberty Street

New York, NY 10281

     14.72
  

First Clearing LLC

1 North Jefferson Avenue

St. Louis, MO 63103

     8.48
  

Pershing LLC

One Pershing Plaza

Jersey City, NJ 07399

     8.03
  

Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC

1 Harborside Financial Center, Plaza II

Jersey City, NJ 07311

     7.55
  

TD Ameritrade Clearing, Inc.

4211 South 102nd Street

Omaha, NE 68127

     7.39
    

Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Inc.

1 Bryant Park

New York, NY 10036

 

     5.71

WisdomTree Commodity Country Equity Fund

  

National Financial Services Corporation

200 Liberty Street

New York, NY 10281

     17.08
  

Merrill Lynch Professional Clearing Corp.

101 Hudson Street

Jersey City, NJ 07302

     15.18
  

First Clearing LLC

1 North Jefferson Avenue

St. Louis, MO 63103

     10.90
  

Charles Schwab & Co., Inc.

101 Montgomery Street

San Francisco, CA 94104

     9.70
  

Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC

1 Harborside Financial Center, Plaza II

Jersey City, NJ 07311

     6.30
    

TD Ameritrade Clearing, Inc.

4211 South 102nd Street

Omaha, NE 68127

 

     5.14

 

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Table of Contents

Fund Name

  

Participant Name

   Percentage of
Ownership
 

WisdomTree Emerging Markets Equity Income Fund

  

Charles Schwab & Co., Inc.

101 Montgomery Street

San Francisco, CA 94104

     16.05
  

Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC

1 Harborside Financial Center, Plaza II

Jersey City, NJ 07311

     13.15
  

National Financial Services Corporation

200 Liberty Street

New York, NY 10281

     8.31
  

Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Inc.

1 Bryant Park

New York, NY 10036

     6.34
  

First Clearing LLC

1 North Jefferson Avenue

St. Louis, MO 63103

     5.78
    

TD Ameritrade Clearing, Inc.

4211 South 102nd Street

Omaha, NE 68127

 

     5.56

WisdomTree Emerging Markets SmallCap Dividend Fund

  

National Financial Services Corporation

200 Liberty Street

New York, NY 10281

     15.56
  

Charles Schwab & Co., Inc.

101 Montgomery Street

San Francisco, CA 94104

     14.14
  

TD Ameritrade Clearing, Inc.

4211 South 102nd Street

Omaha, NE 68127

     6.84
  

Bank of America N.A./ GWIM TRUST

OPERATIONS

414 N. Akard Street, 5th Floor

Dallas, TX 75201

     6.11
    

State Street Bank & Trust Company

1776 Heritage Drive

North Quincy, MA 02171

 

     5.50

WisdomTree Emerging Markets Consumer Growth Fund

  

Charles Schwab & Co., Inc.

101 Montgomery Street

San Francisco, CA 94104

     41.39
  

PNC Bank, N.A.

8800 Tinicum Boulevard

Philadelphia, PA 19153

     12.16
    

Merrill Lynch Professional Clearing Corp.

101 Hudson Street

Jersey City, NJ 07302

 

     11.50

 

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Table of Contents

Fund Name

  

Participant Name

   Percentage of
Ownership
 

WisdomTree Emerging Markets Dividend Growth Fund

  

Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Inc.

1 Bryant Park

New York, NY 10036

     26.05
  

LPL Financial Corporation

4707 Executive Drive

San Diego, CA 92121

     22.27
  

Charles Schwab & Co., Inc.

101 Montgomery Street

San Francisco, CA 94104

     14.58
    

National Financial Services Corporation

200 Liberty Street

New York, NY 10281

 

     8.27

WisdomTree India Earnings Fund

  

Brown Brothers Harriman & Co.

525 Washington Blvd.

Jersey City, NJ 07310

     11.66
  

JPMorgan Chase Bank, National Association

14201 Dallas Parkway

Chase International Plaza

Dallas, TX 75254

     8.50
  

State Street Bank And Trust Company

1776 Heritage Drive

North Quincy, MA 02171

     6.18
  

The Bank of New York Mellon

One Wall Street, 5th Floor

New York, NY 10286

     6.14
    

National Financial Services Corporation

200 Liberty Street

New York, NY 10281

 

     6.10

WisdomTree Middle East Dividend Fund

  

Charles Schwab & Co., Inc.

101 Montgomery Street

San Francisco, CA 94104

     15.97
  

National Financial Services Corporation

200 Liberty Street

New York, NY 10281

     12.33
  

Brown Brothers Harriman & Co.

525 Washington Blvd.

Jersey City, NJ 07310

     10.10
  

TD Ameritrade Clearing, Inc.

4211 South 102nd Street

Omaha, NE 68127

     8.86
  

Citibank, N.A.

3800 Citigroup Center Tampa

Tampa, FL 33610

     7.85
  

Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Inc.

1 Bryant Park

New York, NY 10036

     5.97
    

Merrill Lynch Professional Clearing Corp.

101 Hudson Street

Jersey City, NJ 07302

 

     5.32

 

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Table of Contents

Fund Name

  

Participant Name

   Percentage of
Ownership
 

WisdomTree China Dividend ex-Financials Fund

  

Merrill Lynch Professional Clearing Corp.

101 Hudson Street

Jersey City, NJ 07302

     17.36
  

Charles Schwab & Co., Inc.

101 Montgomery Street

San Francisco, CA 94104

     15.80
  

National Financial Services Corporation

200 Liberty Street

New York, NY 10281

     14.38
    

The Bank of New York Mellon

One Wall Street, 5th Floor

New York, NY 10286

 

     5.35

WisdomTree DEFA Fund

  

Charles Schwab & Co., Inc.

101 Montgomery Street

San Francisco, CA 94104

     14.83
  

UBS Financial Services Inc.

1200 Harbor Boulevard

Weehawken, NJ 07086

     13.60
  

TD Ameritrade Clearing, Inc.

4211 South 102nd Street

Omaha, NE 68127

     8.87
  

National Financial Services Corporation

200 Liberty Street

New York, NY 10281

     8.87
  

First Clearing LLC

1 North Jefferson Avenue

St. Louis, MO 63103

     6.28
    

Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Inc.

1 Bryant Park

New York, NY 10036

 

     6.25

WisdomTree DEFA Equity Income Fund

  

Charles Schwab & Co., Inc.

101 Montgomery Street

San Francisco, CA 94104

     16.85
  

Bank of America N.A./ GWIM

TRUST OPERATIONS

414 N. Akard Street, 5th Floor

Dallas, TX 75201

     13.82
  

Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Inc.

1 Bryant Park

New York, NY 10036

     9.93
  

Fifth Third Bank (The)

38 Fountain Saure Plaza, MD 116311

Cincinnati, OH 45263

     9.59

 

37


Table of Contents

Fund Name

  

Participant Name

   Percentage of
Ownership
 
  

National Financial Services Corporation

200 Liberty Street

New York, NY 10281

     7.99
  

Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC

1 Harborside Financial Center, Plaza II

Jersey City, NJ 07311

     7.36
  

First Clearing LLC

1 North Jefferson Avenue

St. Louis, MO 63103

     5.72
    

TD Ameritrade Clearing, Inc.

4211 South 102nd Street

Omaha, NE 68127

 

     5.66

WisdomTree International LargeCap Dividend Fund

  

TD Ameritrade Clearing, Inc.

4211 South 102nd Street

Omaha, NE 68127

     21.82
  

Charles Schwab & Co., Inc.

101 Montgomery Street

San Francisco, CA 94104

     14.01
  

Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC

1 Harborside Financial Center, Plaza II

Jersey City, NJ 07311

     12.85
  

National Financial Services Corporation

200 Liberty Street

New York, NY 10281

     8.63
  

First Clearing LLC

1 North Jefferson Avenue

St. Louis, MO 63103

     6.95
    

Pershing LLC

One Pershing Plaza

Jersey City, NJ 07399

 

     5.81

WisdomTree International MidCap Dividend Fund

  

Charles Schwab & Co., Inc.

101 Montgomery Street

San Francisco, CA 94104

     24.09
  

National Financial Services Corporation

200 Liberty Street

New York, NY 10281

     20.82
  

Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC

1 Harborside Financial Center, Plaza II

Jersey City, NJ 07311

     6.90
  

TD Ameritrade Clearing, Inc.

4211 South 102nd Street

Omaha, NE 68127

     6.75
    

Northern Trust Company (The)

50 South LaSalle Street

Chicago, IL 60675

 

     6.44

WisdomTree International SmallCap Dividend Fund

  

Charles Schwab & Co., Inc.

101 Montgomery Street

San Francisco, CA 94104

     26.30

 

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Table of Contents

Fund Name

  

Participant Name

   Percentage of
Ownership
 
  

National Financial Services Corporation

200 Liberty Street

New York, NY 10281

     15.69
  

TD Ameritrade Clearing, Inc.

4211 South 102nd Street

Omaha, NE 68127

     10.69
  

SEI Private Trust Company

1 Freedom Valley Drive

Oaks, PA 19456

     6.80
    

Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC

1 Harborside Financial Center, Plaza II

Jersey City, NJ 07311

 

     5.77

WisdomTree International Dividend ex-Financials Fund

  

Charles Schwab & Co., Inc.

101 Montgomery Street

San Francisco, CA 94104

     32.25
  

Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC

1 Harborside Financial Center, Plaza II

Jersey City, NJ 07311

     11.00
  

National Financial Services Corporation

200 Liberty Street

New York, NY 10281

     9.14
  

Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Inc.

1 Bryant Park

New York, NY 10036

     8.18
    

First Clearing LLC

1 North Jefferson Avenue

St. Louis, MO 63103

 

     7.51

WisdomTree Europe Dividend Growth Fund

  

Pershing LLC

One Pershing Plaza

Jersey City, NJ 07399

 

     84.15

WisdomTree Europe SmallCap Dividend Fund

  

State Street Bank & Trust Company

1776 Heritage Drive

North Quincy, MA 02171

     15.84
  

Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC

1 Harborside Financial Center, Plaza II

Jersey City, NJ 07311

     10.85
  

Charles Schwab & Co., Inc.

101 Montgomery Street

San Francisco, CA 94104

     10.42
  

UBS Financial Services Inc.

1200 Harbor Boulevard

Weehawken, NJ 07086

     7.98
  

National Financial Services Corporation

200 Liberty Street

New York, NY 10281

     7.69
    

Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Inc.

1 Bryant Park

New York, NY 10036

 

     7.58

 

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Table of Contents

Fund Name

  

Participant Name

   Percentage of
Ownership
 

WisdomTree Japan SmallCap Dividend Fund

  

Citibank, N.A.

3800 Citigroup Center Tampa

Tampa, FL 33610

     18.79
  

Charles Schwab & Co., Inc.

101 Montgomery Street

San Francisco, CA 94104

     11.45
  

National Financial Services Corporation

200 Liberty Street

New York, NY 10281

     10.85
  

LPL Financial Corporation

4707 Executive Drive

San Diego, CA 92121

     9.90
    

Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC

1 Harborside Financial Center, Plaza II

Jersey City, NJ 07311

 

     8.45

WisdomTree Australia Dividend Fund

  

Charles Schwab & Co., Inc.

101 Montgomery Street

San Francisco, CA 94104

     16.58
  

National Financial Services Corporation

200 Liberty Street

New York, NY 10281

     11.48
  

Janney Montgomery Scott LLC

1801 Market Street, 9th Floor

Philadelphia, PA 19103

     8.09
  

TD Ameritrade Clearing, Inc.

4211 South 102nd Street

Omaha, NE 68127

     7.97
  

Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC

1 Harborside Financial Center, Plaza II

Jersey City, NJ 07311

     7.77
  

First Clearing LLC

1 North Jefferson Avenue

St. Louis, MO 63103

     7.24
    

Pershing LLC

One Pershing Plaza

Jersey City, NJ 07399

 

     5.20

WisdomTree Japan Hedged Equity Fund

  

Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC

1 Harborside Financial Center, Plaza II

Jersey City, NJ 07311

     13.08
  

The Bank of New York Mellon

One Wall Street, 5th Floor

New York, NY 10286

     9.06
  

Charles Schwab & Co., Inc.

101 Montgomery Street

San Francisco, CA 94104

     8.86
  

Brown Brothers Harriman & Co.

525 Washington Blvd.

Jersey City, NJ 07310

     8.70

 

40


Table of Contents

Fund Name

  

Participant Name

   Percentage of
Ownership
 
  

Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Inc.

1 Bryant Park

New York, NY 10036

     6.79
    

National Financial Services Corporation

200 Liberty Street

New York, NY 10281

 

     5.36

WisdomTree Japan Hedged SmallCap Equity Fund

  

Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Inc.

1 Bryant Park

New York, NY 10036

     22.61
  

Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC

1 Harborside Financial Center, Plaza II

Jersey City, NJ 07311

     19.26
  

National Financial Services Corporation

200 Liberty Street

New York, NY 10281

     16.37
    

The Bank of New York Mellon

One Wall Street, 5th Floor

New York, NY 10286

 

     5.55

WisdomTree Europe Hedged Equity Fund

  

Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Inc.

1 Bryant Park

New York, NY 10036

     13.21
  

Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC

1 Harborside Financial Center, Plaza II

Jersey City, NJ 07311

     9.60
  

UBS Financial Services Inc.

1200 Harbor Boulevard

Weehawken, NJ 07086

     8.14
  

Brown Brothers Harriman & Co.

525 Washington Blvd.

Jersey City, NJ 07310

     8.03
  

Goldman, Sachs & Co.

180 Maiden Lane

New York, NY 10038

     5.74
    

Pershing LLC

One Pershing Plaza

Jersey City, NJ 07399

 

     5.52

WisdomTree United Kingdom Hedged Equity Fund

  

Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Inc.

1 Bryant Park

New York, NY 10036

     26.79
  

J.P. Morgan Clearing Corp.

245 Park Avenue

New York, NY 10167

     9.93
  

Brown Brothers Harriman & Co.

525 Washington Blvd.

Jersey City, NJ 07310

     9.32

 

41


Table of Contents

Fund Name

  

Participant Name

   Percentage of
Ownership
 
  

Goldman, Sachs & Co.

180 Maiden Lane

New York, NY 10038

     8.99
  

Desjardins Securities Inc./CDS

2 Complexe Desjardins

East Tower, Basilaire 1 Level

Montreal, Quebec CANADA

     8.73
  

Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC

1 Harborside Financial Center, Plaza II

Jersey City, NJ 07311

     7.16
    

Merrill Lynch Professional Clearing Corp.

101 Hudson Street

Jersey City, NJ 07302

 

     6.30

WisdomTree Germany Hedged Equity Fund

  

Brown Brothers Harriman & Co.

525 Washington Blvd.

Jersey City, NJ 07310

     17.95
  

The Bank of New York Mellon

One Wall Street, 5th Floor

New York, NY 10286

     16.06
  

Charles Schwab & Co., Inc.

101 Montgomery Street

San Francisco, CA 94104

     11.27
  

National Financial Services Corporation

200 Liberty Street

New York, NY 10281

     9.62
  

Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Inc.

1 Bryant Park

New York, NY 10036

     9.10
    

Pershing LLC

One Pershing Plaza

Jersey City, NJ 07399

 

     5.44

WisdomTree Korea Hedged Equity Fund

  

Charles Schwab & Co., Inc.

101 Montgomery Street

San Francisco, CA 94104

     31.02
  

First Clearing LLC

1 North Jefferson Avenue

St. Louis, MO 63103

     16.94
  

Merrill Lynch Professional Clearing Corp.

101 Hudson Street

Jersey City, NJ 07302

     15.59
  

TD Ameritrade Clearing, Inc.

4211 South 102nd Street

Omaha, NE 68127

     10.82
    

National Financial Services Corporation

200 Liberty Street

New York, NY 10281

 

     5.17

 

42


Table of Contents

Fund Name

  

Participant Name

   Percentage of
Ownership
 

WisdomTree Japan Hedged Financials Fund

  

Merrill Lynch Professional Clearing Corp.

101 Hudson Street

Jersey City, NJ 07302

     39.89
  

J.P. Morgan Clearing Corp.

245 Park Avenue

New York, NY 10167

     31.08
  

Pershing LLC

One Pershing Plaza

Jersey City, NJ 07399

     6.83
    

NBCN, Inc./CDS

130 Adelaide Street, West – Suite 1400

Toronto, Ontario M5H 3P5

CANADA

 

     5.97

WisdomTree Japan Hedged Real Estate Fund

  

National Financial Services Corporation

200 Liberty Street

New York, NY 10281

     80.72
    

State Street Bank & Trust Company

1776 Heritage Drive

North Quincy, MA 02171

 

     6.67

WisdomTree Japan Hedged Capital Goods Fund

  

J.P. Morgan Clearing Corp.

245 Park Avenue

New York, NY 10167

 

     91.74

WisdomTree Japan Hedged Health Care Fund

  

J.P. Morgan Clearing Corp.

245 Park Avenue

New York, NY 10167

 

     94.05

WisdomTree Japan Hedged Tech, Media and Telecom Fund

  

J.P. Morgan Clearing Corp.

245 Park Avenue

New York, NY 10167

 

     85.07

WisdomTree International Hedged Dividend Growth Fund

  

Canaccord Genuity Corp.CDS

2100-609 Granville Street

Vancouver, BC V7H 1H2

CANADA

     37.11
  

Raymond James Ltd./CDS

880 Carillon Parkway

St. Petersburg, FL 33733

     26.90
  

J.P. Morgan Clearing Corp.

245 Park Avenue

New York, NY 10167

     12.26
  

TD Ameritrade Clearing, Inc.

4211 South 102nd Street

Omaha, NE 68127

     5.42

Investment Adviser. WisdomTree Asset Management serves as investment adviser to each Fund pursuant to an investment advisory agreement between the Trust and WisdomTree Asset Management (the “Investment Advisory Agreement”). WisdomTree Asset Management is a Delaware corporation registered as an investment adviser under the Investment Advisers Act of 1940, as amended (the “Advisers Act”), and has offices located at 245 Park Avenue, 35th Floor, New York, New York 10167.

Under the Investment Advisory Agreement, WisdomTree Asset Management has overall responsibility for the overall management and administration of the Trust. WisdomTree Asset Management provides an investment program for each Fund. The Adviser also provides proactive oversight of the Sub-Adviser, defined below, daily monitoring of the Sub-Adviser’s buying and selling of securities

 

43


Table of Contents

for each Fund, and regular review of the Sub-Adviser’s performance. In addition, the Adviser arranges for sub-advisory, transfer agency, custody, fund administration, securities lending, and all other non-distribution related services necessary for the Funds to operate.

Each Fund pays WisdomTree Asset Management the Management Fee, based on a percentage of the Fund’s average daily net assets, indicated below.

 

Name of Fund

   Management Fee  

Total Dividend Fund

     0.28

LargeCap Dividend Fund

     0.28

MidCap Dividend Fund

     0.38

SmallCap Dividend Fund

     0.38

Equity Income Fund

     0.38

Dividend ex-Financials Fund

     0.38

U.S. Dividend Growth Fund

     0.28

U.S. SmallCap Dividend Growth Fund

     0.38

Total Earnings Fund

     0.28

Earnings 500 Fund

     0.28

MidCap Earnings Fund

     0.38

SmallCap Earnings Fund

     0.38

LargeCap Value Fund

     0.38

Global Equity Income Fund

     0.58

Global Natural Resources Fund

     0.58

Global ex-U.S. Dividend Growth Fund

     0.58

Global ex-U.S. Utilities Fund

     0.58

Global ex-U.S. Real Estate Fund

     0.58

Asia Pacific ex-Japan Fund

     0.48

Commodity Country Equity Fund

     0.58

DEFA Fund

     0.48

DEFA Equity Income Fund

     0.58

International LargeCap Dividend Fund

     0.48

International MidCap Dividend Fund

     0.58

International SmallCap Dividend Fund

     0.58

International Dividend ex-Financials Fund

     0.58

Europe Dividend Growth Fund

     0.58

Europe SmallCap Dividend Fund

     0.58

Japan SmallCap Dividend Fund

     0.58

Australia Dividend Fund

     0.58

Japan Hedged Equity Fund

     0.48

Japan Hedged SmallCap Equity Fund

     0.58

Europe Hedged Equity Fund

     0.58

United Kingdom Hedged Equity Fund

     0.48

Germany Hedged Equity Fund

     0.48

Korea Hedged Equity Fund

     0.58

Japan Hedged Financials Fund

     0.43 %* 

Japan Hedged Real Estate Fund

     0.43 %* 

Japan Hedged Capital Goods Fund

     0.43 %* 

Japan Hedged Health Care Fund

     0.43 %* 

Japan Hedged Tech, Media and Telecom Fund

     0.43 %* 

International Hedged Dividend Growth Fund

     0.58

 

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Table of Contents

Name of Fund

   Management Fee  

Emerging Markets Equity Income Fund

     0.63

Emerging Markets SmallCap Dividend Fund

     0.63

Emerging Markets Consumer Growth Fund

     0.63

Emerging Markets Dividend Growth Fund

     0.63

India Earnings Fund

     0.83

Middle East Dividend Fund

     0.88

China Dividend ex-Financials Fund

     0.63

 

* Reflects a contractual expense limitation in place through at least July 31, 2015.

Pursuant to the investment advisory agreement, except for the U.S. Dividend Growth Fund, U.S. SmallCap Dividend Growth Fund, Japan Hedged SmallCap Equity Fund, United Kingdom Hedged Equity Fund, Emerging Markets Dividend Growth Fund, Emerging Markets Consumer Growth Fund, Germany Hedged Equity Fund, Korea Hedged Equity Fund, Japan Hedged Financials Fund, Japan Hedged Real Estate Fund, Japan Hedged Capital Goods Fund, Japan Hedged Health Care Fund, Japan Hedged Tech, Media and Telecom Fund, Europe Dividend Growth Fund, and the International Hedged Dividend Growth Fund (together, the “New Investment Advisory Agreement Funds”) WisdomTree Asset Management has agreed to pay all expenses of the Trust, except for: (i) brokerage expenses and other expenses (such as stamp taxes) connected with the execution of portfolio transactions or in connection with creation and redemption transactions; (ii) legal fees or expenses in connection with any arbitration, litigation or pending or threatened arbitration or litigation, including any settlements in connection therewith; (iii) compensation and expenses of each Independent Trustee; (iv) compensation and expenses of counsel to the Independent Trustees; (v) compensation and expenses of the Trust’s CCO; (vi) extraordinary expenses; (vii) distribution fees and expenses paid by the Trust under any distribution plan adopted pursuant to Rule 12b-1 under the 1940 Act; and (viii) the advisory fee payable to WisdomTree Asset Management. The internal expenses of pooled investment vehicles in which a Fund may invest (acquired fund fees and expenses) are not expenses of the Fund and are not paid by WisdomTree Asset Management.

With respect to the New Investment Advisory Agreement Funds, pursuant to the investment advisory agreement, WisdomTree Asset Management has agreed to pay all expenses of the Trust, except for: (i) brokerage expenses and other fees, charges, taxes, levies or expenses (such as stamp taxes) incurred in connection with the execution of portfolio transactions or in connection with creation and redemption transactions (including without limitation any fees, charges, taxes, levies or expenses related to the purchase or sale of an amount of any currency, or the patriation or repatriation of any security or other asset, related to the execution of portfolio transactions or any creation or redemption transactions); (ii) legal fees or expenses in connection with any arbitration, litigation or pending or threatened arbitration or litigation, including any settlements in connection therewith; (iii) compensation and expenses of each Independent Trustee; (iv) compensation and expenses of counsel to the Independent Trustees; (v) compensation and expenses of the Trust’s CCO; (vi) extraordinary expenses (in each case as determined by a majority of the Independent Trustees); (vii) distribution fees and expenses paid by the Trust under any distribution plan adopted pursuant to Rule 12b-1 under the 1940 Act; (viii) interest and taxes of any kind or nature (including, but not limited to, income, excise, transfer and withholding taxes); (ix) fees and expenses related to the provision of securities lending services; and (x) the advisory fee payable to WisdomTree Asset Management. The internal expenses of pooled investment vehicles in which the Fund may invest (acquired fund fees and expenses) are not expenses of the Fund and are not paid by WisdomTree Asset Management.

Pursuant to a separate contractual arrangement, WisdomTree Asset Management arranges for the provision of CCO services with respect to each Fund, and is liable and responsible for, and administers, payments to the CCO, the Independent Trustees and counsel to the Independent Trustees. WisdomTree Asset Management receives a fee of up to 0.0044% of the Fund’s average daily net assets for providing such services and paying such expenses. WisdomTree Asset Management provides CCO services to the Trust.

The India Portfolio, a wholly-owned subsidiary of the India Earnings Fund through which the Fund invests a portion of its assets, is advised by WisdomTree Asset Management. WisdomTree Asset Management does not receive any additional compensation for advising the India Portfolio.

For the following periods, the Adviser received the following fees:

 

Name

   Commencement
of Operations
     Advisory Fee
Period Ended
March 31, 2012
     Advisory Fee
Period Ended
March 31, 2013
     Advisory Fee
Period Ended
March 31, 2014
 

Total Dividend Fund

     6/16/06       $ 528,147       $ 800,414       $ 1,018,060   

Equity Income Fund

     6/16/06         1,073,575         2,013,065         2,791,298   

DEFA Fund

     6/16/06         1,900,693         1, 948,316         2,450,320   

DEFA Equity Income Fund

     6/16/06         830,776         1,017,704         1,483,258   

Australia Dividend Fund

     6/16/06         332,196         382,591         359,700   

Asia Pacific ex-Japan Fund

     6/16/06         364,607         424,706         362,028   

Global Equity Income Fund

     6/16/06         443,128         532,235         657,084   

 

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Table of Contents

Name

   Commencement
of Operations
     Advisory Fee
Period Ended
March 31, 2012
     Advisory Fee
Period Ended
March 31, 2013
     Advisory Fee
Period Ended
March 31, 2014
 

Europe SmallCap Dividend Fund

     6/16/06       $ 145,341       $ 190,581       $ 2,321,837   

Japan Hedged Equity Fund

     6/16/06         2,347,008         6,005,779         51,291,770   

Global ex-U.S. Dividend Growth Fund

     6/16/06         332,537         385,477         399,512   

Japan SmallCap Dividend Fund

     6/16/06         1,240,122         975,328         1,570,910   

Dividend ex-Financials Fund

     6/16/06         2,715,230         4,293,005         4,301,027   

LargeCap Dividend Fund

     6/16/06         2,368,823         3,559,615         4,717,506   

MidCap Dividend Fund

     6/16/06         1,050,687         1, 470,242         2,989,051   

SmallCap Dividend Fund

     6/16/06         936,911         1,440,193         3,255,558   

International LargeCap Dividend Fund

     6/16/06         670,975         870,877         1,245,021   

International Dividend ex-Financials Fund

     6/16/06         1,283,015         1, 948,817         2,030,632   

International MidCap Dividend Fund

     6/16/06         752,251         585,282         751,986   

International SmallCap Dividend Fund

     6/16/06         2,412,430         2, 526,895         4,080,190   

Commodity Country Equity Fund

     10/13/06         204,834         155,019         130,198   

Global Natural Resources Fund

     10/13/06         232,339         157,901         136,282   

Global ex-U.S. Utilities Fund

     10/13/06         189,502         188,239         194,188   

Total Earnings Fund

     2/23/07         128,191         130,516         167,827   

Earnings 500 Fund

     2/23/07         174,606         169,138         231,477   

MidCap Earnings Fund

     2/23/07         466,483         613,527         1,286,778   

SmallCap Earnings Fund

     2/23/07         490,548         571,270         1,122,626   

LargeCap Value Fund

     2/23/07         104,209         106,337         99,305   

Global ex-U.S. Real Estate Fund

     6/5/07         694,902         622,628         729,040   

Emerging Markets Equity Income Fund

     7/13/07         12,679,378         27,287,985         30,847,673   

Emerging Markets SmallCap Dividend Fund

     10/30/07         5,387,984         6,777,556         10,490,721   

India Earnings Fund

     2/22/08         7,255,521         7, 853,445         7,570,915   

Middle East Dividend Fund

     7/16/08         118,125         105,839         221,436   

Europe Hedged Equity Fund

     12/31/09         94,307         150,684         2,836,405   

China Dividend ex-Financials Fund

     9/19/12         n/a         91,557         159,501   

U.S. Dividend Growth Fund

     5/22/13         n/a         n/a         149,672   

United Kingdom Hedged Equity Fund

     6/28/13         n/a         n/a         87,526   

Japan Hedged SmallCap Equity Fund

     6/28/13         n/a         n/a         147,559   

U.S. SmallCap Dividend Growth Fund

     7/25/13         n/a         n/a         43,869   

Emerging Markets Dividend Growth Fund

     8/1/13         n/a         n/a         67,098   

Emerging Markets Consumer Growth Fund

     9/27/13         n/a         n/a         37,530   

Europe Dividend Growth Fund

     5/7/14         n/a         n/a         n/a   

Germany Hedged Equity Fund

     10/17/13         n/a         n/a         15,604   

Korea Hedged Equity Fund

     11/7/13         n/a         n/a         10,344   

Japan Hedged Financials Fund

     4/8/14         n/a         n/a         n/a   

Japan Hedged Real Estate Fund

     4/8/14         n/a         n/a         n/a   

Japan Hedged Capital Goods Fund

     4/8/14         n/a         n/a         n/a   

Japan Hedged Health Care Fund

     4/8/14         n/a         n/a         n/a   

Japan Hedged Tech, Media and Telecom Fund

     4/8/14         n/a         n/a         n/a   

International Hedged Dividend Growth Fund

     5/7/14         n/a         n/a         n/a   

The Adviser, from its own resources, including profits from advisory fees received from the Funds, provided such fees are legitimate and not excessive, may make payments to broker-dealers and other financial institutions for their expenses in connection with the distribution of Fund shares, and otherwise currently pays all distribution costs for Fund shares.

The Investment Advisory Agreement with respect to each Fund continues in effect for two years from its effective date, and thereafter is subject to annual approval by (i) the Board or (ii) the vote of a majority of the outstanding voting securities (as defined in the 1940 Act) of the Fund, provided that in either event such continuance also is approved by a vote of a majority of the Trustees of the Trust who are not interested persons (as defined in the 1940 Act) of the Fund, by a vote cast in person at a meeting called for the purpose of voting on such approval. If the shareholders of any Fund fail to approve the Investment Advisory Agreement, WisdomTree Asset Management may continue to serve in the manner and to the extent permitted by the 1940 Act and rules and regulations thereunder.

 

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The Investment Advisory Agreement with respect to any Fund is terminable without any penalty, by vote of the Board or by vote of a majority of the outstanding voting securities (as defined in the 1940 Act) of that Fund, or by WisdomTree Asset Management, in each case on not less than thirty (30) days’ nor more than sixty (60) days’ prior written notice to the other party; provided that a shorter notice period shall be permitted for a Fund in the event its shares are no longer listed on a national securities exchange. The Investment Advisory Agreement will terminate automatically and immediately in the event of its “assignment” (as defined in the 1940 Act).

Sub-Adviser. Mellon Capital, a registered investment adviser, with its principal office located at 50 Fremont Street, Suite 3900, San Francisco, California 94105, serves as Sub-Adviser for, and is responsible for the day-to-day management of each Fund. Mellon Capital manages global quantitative-based investment strategies for institutional and private investors. Mellon Capital is a wholly-owned indirect subsidiary of BNY Mellon, a publicly traded financial holding company. Mellon Capital chooses each Fund’s portfolio investments and places orders to buy and sell the Fund’s portfolio investments. WisdomTree Asset Management pays Mellon Capital for providing sub-advisory services to these Funds.

The India Portfolio, a wholly-owned subsidiary of the India Earnings Fund through which the Fund invests a portion of its assets, is sub-advised by Mellon Capital. Mellon Capital does not receive any additional compensation for sub-advising the India Portfolio.

For the following periods, the Sub-Adviser received the following fees:

 

Name

   Commencement
of Operations
     Sub-Advisory Fee for
Period Ended
March 31, 2012
     Sub-Advisory Fee for
Period Ended
March 31, 2013
     Sub-Advisory Fee
for Period Ended
March 31, 2014
 

Total Dividend Fund

     6/16/06       $ 50,769       $ 69,970       $ 80,048   

Equity Income Fund

     6/16/06         75,481         129,700         162,027   

DEFA Fund

     6/16/06         148,300         129,502         127,918   

DEFA Equity Income Fund

     6/16/06         53,602         55,947         64,102   

Australia Dividend Fund

     6/16/06         50,000         50,000         50,000   

Asia Pacific ex-Japan Fund

     6/16/06         50,000         50,000         50,000   

Global Equity Income Fund

     6/16/06         50,000         50,000         50,000   

Europe SmallCap Dividend Fund

     6/16/06         50,000         50,000         115,677   

Japan Hedged Equity Fund

     6/16/06         183,051         391,686         2,685,468   

Global ex-U.S. Dividend Growth Fund

     6/16/06         50,000         50,000         50,000   

Japan SmallCap Dividend Fund

     6/16/06         80,113         54,370         67,989   

Dividend ex-Financials Fund

     6/16/06         189,970         276,304         249,820   

LargeCap Dividend Fund

     6/16/06         226,996         311,076         371,474   

MidCap Dividend Fund

     6/16/06         74,429         94,728         172,942   

SmallCap Dividend Fund

     6/16/06         66,429         92,796         188,181   

International LargeCap Dividend Fund

     6/16/06         52,753         57,790         65,007   

International Dividend ex-Financials Fund

     6/16/06         82,858         107,352         87,715   

International MidCap Dividend Fund

     6/16/06         52,095         50,000         50,000   

International SmallCap Dividend Fund

     6/16/06         155,645         138,504         176,304   

Commodity Country Equity Fund

     10/13/06         50,000         50,000         50,000   

Global Natural Resources Fund

     10/13/06         50,000         50,000         50,000   

Global ex-U.S. Utilities Fund

     10/13/06         50,000         50,000         50,000   

Total Earnings Fund

     2/23/07         25,000         25,000         25,000   

Earnings 500 Fund

     2/23/07         25,000         25,000         25,000   

MidCap Earnings Fund

     2/23/07         34,114         39,528         74,228   

SmallCap Earnings Fund

     2/23/07         35,882         36,808         64,738   

LargeCap Value Fund

     2/23/07         25,000         25,000         25,000   

Global ex-U.S. Real Estate Fund

     6/5/07         50,000         50,000         50,000   

Emerging Markets Equity Income Fund

     7/13/07         750,635         1,377,165         1,226,302   

Emerging Markets SmallCap Dividend Fund

     10/30/07         319,474         342,143         417,460   

India Earnings Fund

     2/22/08         398,442         314,034         230,397   

Middle East Dividend Fund

     7/16/08         50,000         50,000         50,000   

Europe Hedged Equity Fund

     12/31/09         50,000         50,000         123,034   

China Dividend ex-Financials Fund1

     9/19/12         n/a         n/a         8,254   

U.S. Dividend Growth Fund

     5/22/13         n/a         n/a         21,497   

United Kingdom Hedged Equity Fund

     6/28/13         n/a         n/a         37,912   

Japan Hedged SmallCap Equity Fund

     6/28/13         n/a         n/a         37,912   

U.S. SmallCap Dividend Growth Fund

     7/25/13         n/a         n/a         17,120   

Emerging Markets Dividend Growth Fund

     8/1/13         n/a         n/a         33,288   

Emerging Markets Consumer Growth Fund

     9/27/13         n/a         n/a         25,543   

Europe Dividend Growth Fund

     5/7/14         n/a         n/a         n/a   

Germany Hedged Equity Fund

     10/17/13         n/a         n/a         22,826   

Korea Hedged Equity Fund

     11/7/13         n/a         n/a         19,973   

Japan Hedged Financials Fund

     4/8/14         n/a         n/a         n/a   

Japan Hedged Real Estate Fund

     4/8/14         n/a         n/a         n/a   

Japan Hedged Capital Goods Fund

     4/8/14         n/a         n/a         n/a   

Japan Hedged Health Care Fund

     4/8/14         n/a         n/a         n/a   

Japan Hedged Tech, Media and Telecom Fund

     4/8/14         n/a         n/a         n/a   

International Hedged Dividend Growth Fund

     5/7/14         n/a         n/a         n/a   

 

1  For the period February 1, 2014 through March 31, 2014.

For the following periods, the Adviser paid Old Mutual Global Index Trackers (Proprietary) Limited (“Old Mutual”)* the following fees:

 

Name

   Commencement
of Operations
     Sub-Advisory Fee
for Period Ended
March 31, 2012
     Sub-Advisory Fee
for Period Ended
March 31, 2013
     Sub-Advisory Fee
for Period Ended
January 31, 2014
 

China Dividend ex-Financials Fund

     9/19/12         n/a       $ 45,141       $ 58,315   

 

* Old Mutual served as sub-adviser to the China Dividend ex-Financials Fund for the periods indicated above. As of February 1, 2014, Old Mutual no longer serves as sub-adviser to this Fund.

Mellon Capital believes that it may perform sub-advisory and related services for the Trust without violating applicable banking laws or regulations. However, the legal requirements and interpretations about the permissible activities of banks and their affiliates may change in the future. These changes could prevent Mellon Capital from continuing to perform services for the Trust. If this happens, the Board would consider selecting other qualified firms. Any new investment sub-advisory agreement would be subject to shareholder approval.

The Mellon Capital Sub-Advisory Agreement (the “Sub-Advisory Agreement”), with respect to the Funds, continues in effect for two years from its effective date, and thereafter is subject to annual approval by (i) the Board of Trustees of the Trust or (ii) the vote of a majority of the outstanding voting securities (as defined in the 1940 Act) of the applicable Fund, provided that in either event such continuance is also approved by a vote of a majority of the Trustees of the Trust who are not interested persons (as defined in the 1940 Act) of the Fund, by a vote cast in person at a meeting called for the purpose of voting on such approval. If the shareholders of a Fund fail to approve that Fund’s Sub-Advisory Agreement, WisdomTree Asset Management may continue to serve in the manner and to the extent permitted by the 1940 Act and rules and regulations thereunder. The Sub-Advisory Agreement is terminable without any penalty, by vote of the Board of Trustees of the Trust or by vote of a majority of the outstanding voting securities (as defined in the 1940 Act) of the Fund, or by WisdomTree Asset Management, in each case on not less than thirty (30) days’ nor more than sixty (60) days’ prior written notice to the other party; provided that a shorter notice period shall be permitted for the Funds in the event its shares are no longer listed on a national securities exchange. The Sub-Advisory Agreement will terminate automatically and immediately in the event of its “assignment” (as defined in the 1940 Act).

Portfolio Managers. Each Fund is managed by Mellon Capital’s Equity Index Strategies portfolio management team. The individual members of the team responsible for the day-to-day management of each Fund’s portfolio are Karen Q. Wong, Richard A. Brown, and Thomas J. Durante.

Including the WisdomTree ETFs, as of June 30, 2013, the Mellon Capital Index Fund Management team managed 90 registered investment companies with approximately $66.4 billion in assets; 98 pooled investment vehicles with approximately $73.1 billion in assets and 76 other accounts with approximately $99.9 billion in assets.

Portfolio Manager Fund Ownership

As of March 31, 2014, the dollar range of securities beneficially owned by the following Mellon Capital portfolio managers in the Funds sub-advised by Mellon Capital is as follows:

 

Portfolio Manager

   Dollar Range of Securities
Beneficially Owned
 

Karen Q. Wong

     None   

Richard A. Brown

     None   

Thomas J. Durante

     None   

Portfolio Manager Compensation

Mellon Capital. The primary objectives of the Mellon Capital compensation plans are to:

 

    Motivate and reward superior investment and business performance

 

    Motivate and reward continued growth and profitability

 

    Attract and retain high-performing individuals critical to the on-going success of Mellon Capital

 

    Create an ownership mentality for all plan participants

 

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Cash compensation is comprised primarily of a market-based base salary and variable incentives (cash and deferred). Base salary is determined by the employees’ experience and performance in the role, taking into account the ongoing compensation benchmark analyses. Base salary is generally a fixed amount that may change as a result of an annual review, upon assumption of new duties, or when a market adjustment of the position occurs. Funding for the Mellon Capital Annual and Long Term Incentive Plan is through a pre-determined fixed percentage of overall Mellon Capital profitability. Therefore, all bonus awards are based initially on Mellon Capital’s financial performance. Annual incentive opportunities are pre-established for each individual, expressed as a percentage of base salary (“target awards”). These targets are derived based on a review of competitive market data for each position annually. Annual awards are determined by applying multiples to this target award. Awards are 100% discretionary. Factors considered in awards include individual performance, team performance, investment performance of the associated portfolio(s) (including both short and long term returns) and qualitative behavioral factors. Other factors considered in determining the award are the asset size and revenue growth/retention of the products managed (if applicable). Awards are paid partially in cash with the balance deferred through the Long Term Incentive Plan.

Participants in the Long Term Incentive Plan have a high level of accountability and a large impact on the success of the business due to the position’s scope and overall responsibility. This plan provides for an annual award, payable in cash after a three-year cliff vesting period as well as a grant of BNY Mellon Restricted Stock for senior level roles.

Mellon Capital’s portfolio managers responsible for managing mutual funds are paid by Mellon Capital and not by the mutual funds. The same methodology described above is used to determine portfolio manager compensation with respect to the management of mutual funds and other accounts. Mutual fund portfolio managers are also eligible for the standard retirement benefits and health and welfare benefits available to all Mellon Capital employees. Certain portfolio managers may be eligible for additional retirement benefits under several supplemental retirement plans that Mellon Capital provides to restore dollar-for-dollar the benefits of management employees that had been cut back solely as a result of certain limits due to the tax laws. These plans are structured to provide the same retirement benefits as the standard retirement benefits. In addition, mutual fund portfolio managers whose compensation exceeds certain limits may elect to defer a portion of their salary and/or bonus under The Bank of New York Mellon Corporation Deferred Compensation Plan for Employees.

Description of Material Conflicts of Interest

Because the Mellon Capital portfolio managers manage multiple portfolios for multiple clients, the potential for conflicts of interest exists. Each portfolio manager generally manages portfolios having substantially the same investment style as the Funds sub-advised by Mellon Capital. However, the portfolios managed by a portfolio manager may not have portfolio compositions identical to those of the Funds managed by the portfolio manager due, for example, to specific investment limitations or guidelines present in some portfolios or accounts, but not others. The portfolio managers may purchase securities for one portfolio and not another portfolio, and the performance of securities purchased for one portfolio may vary from the performance of securities purchased for other portfolios. A portfolio manager may place transactions on behalf of other accounts that are directly or indirectly contrary to investment decisions made on behalf of the Funds, or make investment decisions that are similar to those made for the Funds, both of which have the potential to adversely impact the Funds depending on market conditions. For example, a portfolio manager may purchase a security in one portfolio while appropriately selling that same security in another portfolio. In addition, some of these portfolios have fee structures that are or have the potential to be higher than the advisory fees paid by the Funds, which can cause potential conflicts in the allocation of investment opportunities between the Funds and the other accounts. However, the compensation structure for portfolio managers does not generally provide incentive to favor one account over another because that part of a manager’s bonus based on performance is not based on the performance of one account to the exclusion of others. There are many other factors considered in determining the portfolio manager’s bonus and there is no formula that is applied to weight the factors listed (see “Portfolio Manager Compensation”). Mellon Capital has a fiduciary duty to manage all client accounts in a fair and equitable manner. To accomplish this, Mellon Capital has adopted various policies and procedures (including, but not limited to, policies relating to trading operations, best execution, trade order aggregation and allocation, short sales, cross-trading, code of conduct, personal securities trading and purchases of securities from affiliate underwriters). These procedures are intended to help employees identify and mitigate potential side by side conflicts of interest. Mellon Capital has also developed a conflicts matrix listing potential side by side conflicts and compliance policies and procedures reasonably designed to mitigate such potential conflicts of interest.

Codes of Ethics. The Trust, the Advisers and the Distributor have each adopted a Code of Ethics pursuant to Rule 17j-1 under the 1940 Act and Rule 204A-1 under the Advisers Act, where applicable. Each Code of Ethics permits personnel subject to that Code of Ethics to invest in securities for their personal investment accounts, subject to certain limitations, including securities that may be purchased or held by the Funds. Each Code of Ethics is on public file with, and is available from, the SEC.

Administrator, Custodian, Transfer Agent and Securities Lending Agent. State Street Bank and Trust Company (“State Street”) serves as administrator, custodian, transfer agent and securities lending agent for the Funds. State Street’s principal address is One Lincoln Street, Boston, Massachusetts 02110. Under the Fund Administration Agreement with the Trust, State Street provides certain administrative, legal, tax, and financial reporting services for the maintenance and operations of the Trust and each Fund. Under the Master Custodian Agreement with the Trust, State Street acts as custodian of assets of the Trust, including securities which the Trust, on behalf of each Fund, desires to be held in places within the United States and securities it desires to be held outside the United States, and provides accounting and other services. State Street is required, upon the order of the Trust, to deliver securities held by

 

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State Street and to make payments for securities purchased by the Trust and for each Fund. Also, under the Master Custodian Agreement, State Street is authorized to appoint certain foreign custodians or foreign custody managers for Fund investments outside the United States. Pursuant to a Transfer Agency and Service Agreement with the Trust, State Street acts as transfer agent for the authorized and issued shares of beneficial interest for the Funds, and as dividend disbursing agent of the Trust. State Street also provides services, as applicable, for any wholly-owned subsidiary of a WisdomTree Fund. As compensation for the foregoing services, State Street receives certain out-of-pocket costs, transaction fees and asset-based fees which are accrued daily and paid monthly by the Trust. State Street also serves as the Fund’s securities lending agent. As compensation for providing such services, State Street receives a portion of the income earned by the Funds in connection with the lending program. With respect to the foregoing agreements, the Trust has agreed to limitation of liability for State Street and/or to indemnify State Street for certain liabilities.

Prior to April 1, 2014, The Bank of New York Mellon (“BNY Mellon”) served as Administrator for the Funds and provided substantially the same services to the Funds as State Street.

Distributor. ALPS Distributors, Inc. serves as Distributor for the Trust and its principal address is 1290 Broadway, Suite 1100, Denver, Colorado 80203. The Distributor has entered into a Distribution Agreement with the Trust pursuant to which it distributes shares of each Fund. The Distribution Agreement will continue for two years from its effective date and is renewable annually. Shares are continuously offered for sale by the Funds through the Distributor only in Creation Unit Aggregations, as described in the applicable Prospectus and below in the Creation and Redemption of Creation Unit Aggregations section. Shares in less than Creation Unit Aggregations are not distributed by the Distributor. The Distributor will deliver the applicable Prospectus and, upon request, this SAI to persons purchasing Creation Unit Aggregations and will maintain records of both orders placed with it and confirmations of acceptance furnished by it. The Distributor is a broker-dealer registered under the 1934 Act and a member of the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (“FINRA”). The Distributor is not affiliated with WisdomTree Investments, WisdomTree Asset Management, or any stock exchange.

The Distribution Agreement for each Fund will provide that it may be terminated at any time, without the payment of any penalty, on at least sixty (60) days’ prior written notice to the other party (i) by vote of a majority of the Independent Trustees or (ii) by vote of a majority of the outstanding voting securities (as defined in the 1940 Act) of the relevant Fund. The Distribution Agreement will terminate automatically in the event of its “assignment” (as defined in the 1940 Act).

The Distributor may also enter into agreements with securities dealers (“Soliciting Dealers”) who will solicit purchases of Creation Unit Aggregations of shares. Such Soliciting Dealers may also be Authorized Participants (as defined below) or DTC Participants (as defined below).

Intermediary Compensation. WisdomTree Asset Management or its affiliates, out of their own resources and not out of Fund assets (i.e., without additional cost to a Fund or its shareholders), may pay certain broker-dealers, banks and other financial intermediaries (“Intermediaries”) for certain activities related to the Funds, including participation in activities that are designed to make Intermediaries more knowledgeable about exchange traded products, including the Funds, or for other activities, such as marketing and educational training or support. In addition, WisdomTree Asset Management and E*Trade Securities LLC (“ETS”) have entered into an agreement whereby ETS has agreed not to charge its customers any transaction fee or brokerage commission for the purchase of shares of applicable Funds made through ETS’ distribution system and to disclose that such Funds are sold with the fee waiver, and WisdomTree Asset Management has agreed to pay ETS during the term of the agreement an amount based on net purchases and sales of such Funds in the ETS distribution system. These arrangements are not financed by the Funds, and, thus, do not result in increased Fund expenses. They are not reflected in the fees and expenses listed in the fees and expenses sections of the Funds’ Prospectuses and they do not change the price paid by investors for the purchase of the Funds’ shares or the amount received by a shareholder as proceeds from the redemption of Fund shares.

Such compensation may be paid to Intermediaries that provide services to the Funds, including marketing and education support (such as through conferences, webinars and printed communications). WisdomTree Asset Management periodically assesses the advisability of continuing to make these payments.

Payments to an Intermediary may be significant to the Intermediary, and amounts that Intermediaries pay to your adviser, broker or other investment professional, if any, may also be significant to such adviser, broker or investment professional. Because an Intermediary may make decisions about what investment options it will make available or recommend, and what services to provide in connection with various products, based on payments it receives or is eligible to receive, such payments create conflicts of interest between the Intermediary and its clients. For example, these financial incentives may cause the Intermediary to recommend the Fund over other investments. The same conflict of interest exists with respect to your financial adviser, broker or investment professionals if he or she receives similar payments from his or her Intermediary firm.

Intermediary information is current only as of the date of this SAI. Please contact your adviser, broker or other investment professional for more information regarding any payments his or her Intermediary firm may receive. Any payments made by WisdomTree Asset Management or its affiliates to an Intermediary may create the incentive for an Intermediary to encourage customers to buy shares of WisdomTree Funds.

If you have any additional questions, please call 1-866-909-9473.

 

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BROKERAGE TRANSACTIONS

Each Sub-Adviser assumes general supervision over placing orders on behalf of each Fund that it sub-advises for the purchase and sale of portfolio securities. In selecting the brokers or dealers for any transaction in portfolio securities, each Sub-Adviser’s policy is to make such selection based on factors deemed relevant, including but not limited to the breadth of the market in the security; the price of the security; the reasonableness of the commission or mark-up or mark-down, if any; execution capability; settlement capability; back office efficiency and the financial condition of the broker or dealer, both for the specific transaction and on a continuing basis. The overall reasonableness of brokerage commissions paid is evaluated by each Sub-Adviser based upon its knowledge of available information as to the general level of commissions paid by other institutional investors for comparable services. Brokers may also be selected because of their ability to handle special or difficult executions, such as may be involved in large block trades, less liquid securities, broad distributions, or other circumstances. The Sub-Adviser does not consider the provision or value of research, products or services a broker or dealer may provide, if any, as a factor in the selection of a broker or dealer or the determination of the reasonableness of commissions paid in connection with portfolio transactions. The Trust has adopted policies and procedures that prohibit the consideration of sales of a Fund’s shares as a factor in the selection of a broker or a dealer to execute its portfolio transactions. To the extent creation or redemption transactions are conducted on a cash or “cash in lieu” basis, a Fund may contemporaneously transact with broker-dealers for the purchase or sale of portfolio securities in connection with such transactions (see “Creation and Redemption of Creation Unit Aggregations” herein). Such orders may be placed with an Authorized Participant in its capacity as broker-dealer or with an affiliated broker-dealer of such Authorized Participant. In such cases, a Fund will require such broker-dealer to achieve execution at a price that is at least as favorable to the Fund as the value of such securities used to calculate the Fund’s NAV. The broker-dealer will be required to reimburse the Fund for, among other things, any difference between the price (including applicable brokerage commissions, taxes and transaction costs) at which such securities were bought or sold and the value of such securities used to calculate the Fund’s NAV. This amount will vary depending on the quality of the execution and may be capped at amounts determined by WisdomTree Asset Management in its sole discretion.

Brokerage Commissions.

The table below sets forth the brokerage commissions paid by each Fund for the fiscal years ended March 31, 2012, 2013, and 2014.

 

Name

   Commissions Paid
for Fiscal Year Ended
March 31, 2012
     Commissions Paid
for Fiscal Year Ended
March 31, 2013
     Commissions Paid
for Fiscal Year Ended
March 31, 2014
 

Total Dividend Fund

   $ 8,553       $ 8,390       $ 1,904   

LargeCap Dividend Fund

     37,039         36,914         7,811   

MidCap Dividend Fund

     30,272         26,090         6,096   

SmallCap Dividend Fund

     44,193         60,228         20,419   

Equity Income Fund

     21,165         24,626         5,321   

Dividend ex-Financials Fund

     82,109         79,748         6,614   

U.S. Dividend Growth Fund2

     n/a         n/a         100   

U.S. SmallCap Dividend Growth Fund2

     n/a         n/a         200   

Total Earnings Fund

     1,879         1,480         307   

Earnings 500 Fund

     2,988         1,443         237   

MidCap Earnings Fund

     14,975         12,055         2,416   

SmallCap Earnings Fund

     31,538         24,545         5,582   

LargeCap Value Fund

     3,708         3,671         1,954   

Global Equity Income Fund

     7,936         7,761         15,411   

Global Natural Resources Fund

     9,539         2,933         3,918   

Global ex-U.S. Dividend Growth Fund

     16,123         15,772         40,770   

Global ex-U.S. Utilities Fund

     10,487         5,465         10,577   

Global ex-U.S. Real Estate Fund

     17,522         9,219         14,453   

Asia Pacific ex-Japan Fund

     28,347         12,252         19,286   

Commodity Country Equity Fund

     11,767         4,294         3,788   

Emerging Markets Equity Income Fund

     1,989,658         1,877,764         3,744,773   

Emerging Markets SmallCap Dividend Fund

     577,034         572,661         1,093,140   

Emerging Markets Consumer Growth Fund2

     n/a         n/a         5,305   

Emerging Markets Dividend Growth Fund2

     n/a         n/a         4,539   

India Earnings Fund

     505,482         469,154         631,071   

Middle East Dividend Fund

     26,950         20,201         33,450   

China Dividend ex-Financials Fund1

     n/a         94         8,510   

DEFA Fund

     24,667         26,887         44,138   

DEFA Equity Income Fund

     8,889         12,097         27,218   

International LargeCap Dividend Fund

     5,470         9,713         14,624   

International MidCap Dividend Fund

     9,705         6,334         12,613   

 

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Name

   Commissions Paid
for Fiscal Year Ended
March 31, 2012
     Commissions Paid
for Fiscal Year Ended
March 31, 2013
     Commissions Paid
for Fiscal Year Ended
March 31, 2014
 

International SmallCap Dividend Fund

   $ 40,142       $ 57,524       $ 149,738   

International Dividend ex-Financials Fund

     15,638         24,666         51,596   

Europe Dividend Growth Fund3

     n/a         n/a         n/a   

Europe SmallCap Dividend Fund

     2,764         4,892         74,149   

Japan SmallCap Dividend Fund

     9,067         15,351         21,239   

Australia Dividend Fund

     4,976         3,264         7,245   

Japan Hedged Equity Fund

     61,044         269,732         1,118,528   

Japan Hedged SmallCap Equity Fund2

     n/a         n/a         4,531   

Europe Hedged Equity Fund

     3,806         6,888         82,565   

United Kingdom Hedged Equity Fund2

     n/a         n/a         2,048   

Germany Hedged Equity Fund2

     n/a         n/a         189   

Korea Hedged Equity Fund2

     n/a         n/a         9,705   

Japan Hedged Financials Fund3

     n/a         n/a         n/a   

Japan Hedged Real Estate Fund3

     n/a         n/a         n/a   

Japan Hedged Capital Goods Fund3

     n/a         n/a         n/a   

Japan Hedged Health Care Fund3

     n/a         n/a         n/a   

Japan Hedged Tech, Media and Telecom Fund3

     n/a         n/a         n/a   

International Hedged Dividend Growth Fund3

     n/a         n/a         n/a   

 

1  The China Dividend ex-Financials Fund commenced operations on September 19, 2012 and, therefore, did not pay any brokerage commissions for the fiscal years ended March 31, 2012.
2  The Fund commenced operations in the fiscal year ended March 31, 2014 and, therefore, did not pay any brokerage commissions for the fiscal years ended March 31, 2012 and 2013.
3  The Fund commenced operations after the fiscal year ended March 31, 2014 and, therefore, did not pay any brokerage commissions for any of the fiscal years noted.

The higher brokerage commissions paid in 2014 for the Japan Hedged Equity Fund, Emerging Markets Equity Income Fund, Emerging Markets SmallCap Dividend Fund, International SmallCap Dividend Fund, Europe SmallCap Dividend Fund, and Europe Hedged Equity Fund were caused primarily by an increase in each Fund’s assets and the related increase in brokerage activity along with Fund rebalancing activities.

Affiliated Brokers

During the fiscal period ended March 31, 2014, the Funds did not pay any commissions to any affiliated brokers.

Regular Broker-Dealers

The following table lists each Fund’s acquisitions of securities of its regular brokers or dealers (as defined in the 1940 Act) or of their parents during the fiscal year ended March 31, 2014, the name of each such broker or dealer and the value of each Fund’s aggregate holdings of the securities of each issuer as of March 31, 2014.

 

Name of Fund

  

Name of Broker or Dealer

   Aggregate Value of
Holdings as of
March 31, 2014
 

Total Dividend Fund

   Citigroup, Inc.    $ 113,518   
   Goldman Sachs Group, Inc. (The)      1,030,617   
   JPMorgan Chase & Co.      6,673,729   
   Morgan Stanley      434,728   

LargeCap Dividend Fund

   Citigroup, Inc.      636,840   
   Goldman Sachs Group, Inc. (The)      5,390,174   
   JPMorgan Chase & Co.      34,480,912   
   Morgan Stanley      2,223,387   

MidCap Dividend Fund

   None   

SmallCap Dividend Fund

   None   

Equity Income Fund

   JPMorgan Chase & Co.      23,228,253   

Dividend ex-Financials Fund

   None   

U.S. Dividend Growth Fund

   None   

U.S. SmallCap Dividend Growth Fund

   None   

Total Earnings Fund

   Citigroup, Inc.      707,955   
   Goldman Sachs Group, Inc. (The)      470,741   
   JPMorgan Chase & Co.      1,594,062   
   Morgan Stanley      196,714   

Earnings 500 Fund

   Citigroup, Inc.    $ 1,149,683   

 

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Name of Fund

  

Name of Broker or Dealer

   Aggregate Value of
Holdings as of
March 31, 2014
 
   Goldman Sachs Group, Inc. (The)      778,451   
   JPMorgan Chase & Co.      2,592,074   
   Morgan Stanley      333,457   

MidCap Earnings Fund

   None   

SmallCap Earnings Fund

   None   

LargeCap Value Fund

   Bank of America Corp.      717,515   
   Citigroup, Inc.      1,146,065   

Global Equity Income Fund

   None   

Global Natural Resources Fund

   None   

Global ex-U.S. Dividend Growth Fund

   None   

Global ex-U.S. Utilities Fund

   None   

Global ex-U.S. Real Estate Fund

   None   

Asia Pacific ex-Japan Fund

   None   

Commodity Country Equity Fund

   None   

Emerging Markets Equity Income Fund

   None   

Emerging Markets SmallCap Dividend Fund

   None   

Emerging Markets Consumer Growth Fund

   None   

Emerging Markets Dividend Growth Fund

   None   

India Earnings Fund

   None   

Middle East Dividend Fund

   None   

China Dividend ex-Financials Fund

   None   

DEFA Fund

   Barclays PLC      1,297,182   
   Deutsche Bank AG      758,659   
   HSBC Holdings PLC      8,427,406   
   Nomura Holdings, Inc.      201,843   
   UBS AG      621,586   

DEFA Equity Income Fund

   HSBC Holdings PLC      6,037,233   

International Large Cap Dividend Fund

   Deutsche Bank AG      503,893   

International MidCap Dividend Fund

   None   

International SmallCap Dividend Fund

   None   

International Dividend ex-Financials Fund

   None   

Europe Dividend Growth Fund1

   None   

Europe SmallCap Dividend Fund

   None   

Japan SmallCap Dividend Fund

   None   

Australia Dividend Fund

   None   

Japan Hedged Equity Fund

   Nomura Holdings, Inc.      86,018,899   

Japan Hedged SmallCap Equity Fund

   None   

Europe Hedged Equity Fund

   None   

United Kingdom Hedged Equity Fund

   None   

Germany Hedged Equity Fund

   None   

Korea Hedged Equity Fund

   None   

Japan Hedged Financials Fund1

   None   

Japan Hedged Real Estate Fund1

   None   

Japan Hedged Capital Goods Fund1

   None   

Japan Hedged Health Care Fund1

   None   

Japan Hedged Tech, Media and Telecom Fund1

   None   

International Hedged Dividend Growth Fund1

   None   

 

1  The Fund commenced operations after the fiscal year ended March 31, 2014 and, therefore, did not acquire securities of its regular brokers or dealers (as defined in the 1940 Act) or of their parents during the fiscal year ended March 31, 2014.

Portfolio Turnover

Portfolio turnover rates for each Fund are disclosed in each Fund’s Prospectus. Portfolio turnover may vary from year to year, as well as within a year. High turnover rates are likely to result in comparatively greater brokerage expenses. The overall reasonableness of brokerage commissions is evaluated by each Sub-Adviser based upon its knowledge of available information as to the general level of commissions paid by the other institutional investors for comparable services.

 

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There has been no significant variation in the portfolio turnover rates of any Fund over the two fiscal years ended March 31, 2013 and March 31, 2014. Each of the following Funds commenced operations during or after the fiscal year ended March 31, 2013 and therefore do not have portfolio turnover information for two fiscal years: U.S. Dividend Growth Fund, U.S. SmallCap Dividend Growth Fund, Emerging Markets Dividend Growth Fund, Emerging Markets Consumer Growth Fund, Europe Dividend Growth Fund, Japan Hedged SmallCap Equity Fund, United Kingdom Hedged Equity Fund, Germany Hedged Equity Fund, Korea Hedged Equity Fund, Japan Hedged Real Estate Fund, Japan Hedged Financials Fund, Japan Hedged Capital Goods Fund, Japan Hedged Health Care Fund, Japan Hedged Tech, Media and Telecom Fund, and International Hedged Dividend Growth Fund.

The table below sets forth the portfolio turnover rates of each Fund for the fiscal years ended March 31, 2013 and 2014.

 

Name

   Portfolio Turnover Rate
for Fiscal Year Ended
March 31, 2013
    Portfolio Turnover Rate
for Fiscal Year Ended
March 31, 2014
 

Total Dividend Fund

     13     12

LargeCap Dividend Fund

     14        11   

MidCap Dividend Fund

     33        32   

SmallCap Dividend Fund

     49        42   

Equity Income Fund

     28        30   

Dividend ex-Financials Fund

     34        35   

U.S. Dividend Growth Fund1

     n/a        31   

U.S. SmallCap Dividend Growth Fund3

     n/a        71   

Total Earnings Fund

     13        13   

Earnings 500 Fund

     13        15   

MidCap Earnings Fund

     39        41   

SmallCap Earnings Fund

     50        61   

LargeCap Value Fund

     65        67   

Global Equity Income Fund

     32        25   

Global Natural Resources Fund

     38        30   

Global ex-U.S. Dividend Growth Fund

     59        93   

Global ex-U.S. Utilities Fund

     33        37   

Global ex-U.S. Real Estate Fund

     23        18   

Asia Pacific ex-Japan Fund

     26        21   

Commodity Country Equity Fund

     22        23   

Emerging Markets Equity Income Fund

     47        39   

Emerging Markets SmallCap Dividend Fund

     44        26   

Emerging Markets Consumer Growth Fund5

     n/a        7   

Emerging Markets Dividend Growth Fund4

     n/a        3   

India Earnings Fund

     27        43   

Middle East Dividend Fund

     52        26   

China Dividend ex-Financials Fund

     0        21   

DEFA Fund

     20        21   

DEFA Equity Income Fund

     31        26   

International LargeCap Dividend Fund

     19        15   

International MidCap Dividend Fund

     38        22   

International SmallCap Dividend Fund

     56        42   

International Dividend ex-Financials Fund

     50        36   

Europe Dividend Growth Fund7

     n/a        n/a   

Europe SmallCap Dividend Fund

     48        24   

Japan SmallCap Dividend Fund

     41        21   

Australia Dividend Fund

     31        27   

Japan Hedged Equity Fund

     36        24   

Japan Hedged SmallCap Equity Fund2

     n/a        19   

Europe Hedged Equity Fund

     43        28   

United Kingdom Hedged Equity Fund2

     n/a        12   

Germany Hedged Equity Fund

     n/a        4   

Korea Hedged Equity Fund

     n/a        37   

Japan Hedged Financials Fund6

     n/a        n/a   

Japan Hedged Real Estate Fund6

     n/a        n/a   

 

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Name

   Portfolio Turnover Rate
for Fiscal Year Ended
March 31, 2013
     Portfolio Turnover Rate
for Fiscal Year Ended
March 31, 2014
 

Japan Hedged Capital Goods Fund6

     n/a         n/a   

Japan Hedged Health Care Fund6

     n/a         n/a   

Japan Hedged Tech, Media and Telecom Fund6

     n/a         n/a   

International Hedged Dividend Growth Fund7

     n/a         n/a   

 

1  The U.S. Dividend Growth Fund commenced operations on May 22, 2013 and, therefore, did not have a portfolio turnover rate for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2013.
2  The United Kingdom Hedged Equity Fund and Japan Hedged SmallCap Equity Fund commenced operations on June 28, 2013 and, therefore, did not have a portfolio turnover rate for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2013.
3  The U.S. SmallCap Dividend Growth Fund commenced operations on July 25, 2013 and, therefore, did not have a portfolio turnover rate for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2013.
4  The Emerging Markets Dividend Growth Fund commenced operations on August 1, 2013 and, therefore, did not have a portfolio turnover rate for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2013.
5  The Emerging Markets Consumer Growth Fund commenced operations on September 26, 2013 and, therefore, did not have a portfolio turnover rate for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2013.
6  The Japan Hedged Financials Fund, Japan Hedged Real Estate Fund, Japan Hedged Capital Goods Fund, Japan Hedged Health Care Fund, and Japan Hedged Tech, Media and Telecom Fund commenced operations on April 8, 2014 and, therefore, did not have a portfolio turnover rate for the fiscal years ended March 31, 2013 or 2014.
7  The Europe Dividend Growth Fund and International Hedged Dividend Growth Fund commenced operations on May 7, 2014 and, therefore, did not have a portfolio turnover rate for the fiscal years ended March 31, 2013 or 2014.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION CONCERNING THE TRUST

Shares. The Trust was established as a Delaware statutory trust on December 15, 2005, and consists of multiple series of funds. Each Fund issues shares of beneficial interest, with $0.001 par value. The Board may establish additional funds. The Trust is registered with the SEC as an open-end management investment company.

Each share issued by a Fund has a pro rata interest in the assets of that Fund. Shares have no preemptive, exchange, subscription or conversion rights and are freely transferable. Each share is entitled to participate equally in dividends and distributions declared by the Board with respect to the relevant Fund, and in the net distributable assets of such Fund on liquidation.

Each share has one vote with respect to matters upon which a shareholder vote is required consistent with the requirements of the 1940 Act and the rules promulgated thereunder. Shares of all Funds within the Trust vote together as a single class except that if the matter being voted on affects only a particular fund or if a matter affects a particular fund differently from other funds, that fund will vote separately on such matter.

Under Delaware law, the Trust is not required to hold an annual meeting of shareholders unless required to do so under the 1940 Act. The policy of the Trust is not to hold an annual meeting of shareholders unless required to do so under the 1940 Act. All shares (regardless of the Fund) have non-cumulative voting rights for the Board. Under Delaware law, Trustees of the Trust may be removed by vote of the shareholders.

Following the creation of the initial Creation Unit Aggregation(s) of shares of a Fund and immediately prior to the commencement of trading in such Fund’s shares, a holder of shares may be a “control person” of the Fund, as defined in the 1940 Act. A Fund cannot accurately predict the length of time for which one or more shareholders may remain a control person or persons of the Fund.

Shareholders may make inquiries by writing to the Trust, c/o ALPS Distributors, Inc., 1290 Broadway, Suite 1100, Denver, Colorado 80203.

Absent an applicable exemption or other relief from the SEC or its staff, beneficial owners of more than 5% of the shares of a Fund may be subject to the reporting provisions of Section 13 of the 1934 Act and the SEC’s rules promulgated thereunder. In addition, absent an applicable exemption or other relief from the SEC staff, officers and Trustees of a Fund and beneficial owners of 10% of the shares of a Fund (“Insiders”) may be subject to the insider reporting, short-swing profit and short-sale provisions of Section 16 of the 1934 Act and the SEC’s rules promulgated thereunder. Beneficial owners and Insiders should consult with their own legal counsel concerning their obligations under Sections 13 and 16 of the 1934 Act.

Termination of the Trust or a Fund. The Trust or a Fund may be terminated by a majority vote of the Board of Trustees or the affirmative vote of a super-majority of the holders of the Trust or the Fund entitled to vote on termination. Although the shares are not automatically redeemable upon the occurrence of any specific event, the Trust’s organizational documents provide that the Board will have the unrestricted power to alter the number of shares in a Creation Unit Aggregation. In the event of a termination of the Trust or a Fund, the Board, in its sole discretion, could determine to permit the shares to be redeemable in aggregations smaller than Creation Unit Aggregations or to be individually redeemable. In such circumstances, the Trust may make redemptions in-kind, for cash, or for a combination of cash and securities.

Role of the Depositary Trust Company (“DTC”). DTC acts as Securities Depository for the shares of the Trust. Shares of each Fund are represented by securities registered in the name of DTC or its nominee and deposited with, or on behalf of, DTC.

DTC, a limited-purpose trust company, was created to hold securities of its participants (“DTC Participants”) and to facilitate the clearance and settlement of securities transactions among the DTC Participants in such securities through electronic book-entry

 

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changes in accounts of the DTC Participants, thereby eliminating the need for physical movement of securities’ certificates. DTC Participants include securities brokers and dealers, banks, trust companies, clearing corporations and certain other organizations, some of which (and/or their representatives) own DTC. More specifically, DTC is owned by a number of DTC Participants and by the NYSE, the AMEX and FINRA. Access to the DTC system is also available to others such as banks, brokers, dealers and trust companies that clear through or maintain a custodial relationship with a DTC Participant, either directly or indirectly (“Indirect Participants”).

Beneficial ownership of shares is limited to DTC Participants, Indirect Participants and persons holding interests through DTC Participants and Indirect Participants. Ownership of beneficial interests in shares (owners of such beneficial interests are referred to herein as “Beneficial Owners”) is shown on, and the transfer of ownership is effected only through, records maintained by DTC (with respect to DTC Participants) and on the records of DTC Participants (with respect to Indirect Participants and Beneficial Owners that are not DTC Participants). Beneficial Owners will receive from or through the DTC Participant a written confirmation relating to their purchase of shares. No Beneficial Owner shall have the right to receive a certificate representing such shares.

Conveyance of all notices, statements and other communications to Beneficial Owners is effected as follows. Pursuant to the Depositary Agreement between the Trust and DTC, DTC is required to make available to the Trust upon request and for a fee to be charged to the Trust a listing of the shares of each Fund held by each DTC Participant. The Trust shall inquire of each such DTC Participant as to the number of Beneficial Owners holding shares, directly or indirectly, through such DTC Participant. The Trust shall provide each such DTC Participant with copies of such notice, statement or other communication, in such form and number and at such place as such DTC Participant may reasonably request, in order that such notice, statement or communication may be transmitted by such DTC Participant, directly or indirectly, to such Beneficial Owners. In addition, the Trust shall pay to each such DTC Participant a fair and reasonable amount as reimbursement for the expenses attendant to such transmittal, all subject to applicable statutory and regulatory requirements.

Share distributions shall be made to DTC or its nominee, Cede & Co., as the registered holder of all shares of the Trust. DTC or its nominee, upon receipt of any such distributions, shall immediately credit DTC Participants’ accounts with payments in amounts proportionate to their respective beneficial interests in shares of each Fund as shown on the records of DTC or its nominee. Payments by DTC Participants to Indirect Participants and Beneficial Owners of shares held through such DTC Participants will be governed by standing instructions and customary practices, as is now the case with securities held for the accounts of customers in bearer form or registered in a “street name,” and will be the responsibility of such DTC Participants.

The Trust has no responsibility or liability for any aspect of the records relating to or notices to Beneficial Owners, or payments made on account of beneficial ownership interests in such shares, or for maintaining, supervising or reviewing any records relating to such beneficial ownership interests, or for any other aspect of the relationship between DTC and the DTC Participants or the relationship between such DTC Participants and the Indirect Participants and Beneficial Owners owning through such DTC Participants. DTC may decide to discontinue its service with respect to shares of the Trust at any time by giving reasonable notice to the Trust and discharging its responsibilities with respect thereto under applicable law. Under such circumstances, the Trust shall take action to find a replacement for DTC to perform its functions at a comparable cost.

CREATION AND REDEMPTION OF CREATION UNIT AGGREGATIONS

Creation. The Trust issues and sells shares of each Fund only in Creation Unit Aggregations on a continuous basis through the Distributor, without a sales load, at the NAV next determined after receipt, on any Business Day, of an order in proper form.

Fund Deposit. The consideration for purchase of Creation Unit Aggregations of a Fund generally consists of (i) the in-kind deposit of a designated portfolio of equity securities closely approximating the holdings of the Fund, and (ii) U.S. cash and/or non-U.S. currency (together, the “Deposit Securities”) and an amount of cash denominated in U.S. dollars (the “Cash Component”) computed as described below. Together, the Deposit Securities and the Cash Component constitute the “Fund Deposit,” which represents the minimum initial and subsequent investment amount for a Creation Unit Aggregation of any Fund.

The Fund may permit or require the submission of a basket of equity securities, non-U.S. currency or cash denominated in U.S. dollars that differs from the composition of the published basket. The Fund may permit or require the consideration for Creation Unit Aggregations to consist solely of cash or non-U.S. currency. The Fund reserves the right to permit or require the substitution of an amount of cash denominated in U.S. dollars or non-U.S. currency (i.e., a “cash in lieu” amount) to be added, at its discretion, to the Cash Component to replace any Deposit Security (typically 102%-110% of the value of any missing Deposit Security). For example, cash may be substituted to replace any Deposit Security that may not be available in sufficient quantity for delivery or that may not be eligible for transfer through the systems of DTC or the Clearing Process (discussed below). The Trust reserves the right to permit or require a “cash in lieu” amount where the delivery of the Deposit Security by the Authorized Participant (as described below) would be prohibited or restricted under applicable securities laws, or in certain other situations at the sole discretion of the Trust.

The Cash Component is sometimes also referred to as the “Balancing Amount.” The Cash Component is an amount equal to the difference between the NAV of the shares (per Creation Unit Aggregation) and the value of Deposit Securities. If the Cash Component is a positive number, the Authorized Participant will deliver the Cash Component. If the Cash Component is a negative number, the Authorized Participant will receive the Cash Component. The Cash Component does not include any stamp duty tax or other similar fees and expenses payable upon transfer of beneficial ownership of the Deposit Securities. These are the sole responsibility of the Authorized Participant.

 

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Each Fund, through the National Securities Clearing Corporation (“NSCC”), makes available on each Business Day, immediately prior to the opening of business on the applicable Listing Exchange (currently 9:30 a.m., Eastern time), the list of the names and the required number of shares of each Deposit Security to be included in the current Fund Deposit (based on information at the end of the previous Business Day) for each Fund.

Such Deposit Securities are applicable, subject to any adjustments as described below, in order to effect creations of Creation Unit Aggregations of a given Fund until such time as the next-announced composition of the Deposit Securities is made available.

The identity and number of shares of the Deposit Securities required for a Fund Deposit for each Fund changes from time to time based on changes to a Fund’s Underlying Index and other factors.

Procedures for Creation of Creation Unit Aggregations. To be eligible to place orders with the Distributor and to create a Creation Unit Aggregation of a Fund, an entity must be: (i) a “Participating Party,” i.e., a broker-dealer or other participant in the clearing process through the Continuous Net Settlement System of the NSCC (the “Clearing Process”), a clearing agency that is registered with the SEC; or (ii) a DTC Participant. In each case, such entity must have executed an agreement with the Distributor with respect to creations and redemptions of Creation Unit Aggregations (a “Participant Agreement”). A Participating Party or DTC Participant that has entered a Participant Agreement is referred to as an “Authorized Participant.” Investors should contact the Distributor for the names of Authorized Participants that have signed a Participant Agreement. All shares of a Fund, however created, will be entered on the records of DTC in the name of Cede & Co. for the account of a DTC Participant.

All orders to create shares must be placed for one or more Creation Unit Aggregations. All orders to create Creation Unit Aggregations must be received by the Distributor no later than the closing time of the regular trading session on the applicable Listing Exchange (“Closing Time”) (ordinarily 4:00 p.m., Eastern time) on the date such orders are placed in order to receive that day’s NAV. All orders must be received in proper form. The date on which an order to create Creation Unit Aggregations is placed is referred to as the “Transmittal Date.” Orders must be transmitted by an Authorized Participant by telephone or other transmission method acceptable to the Distributor pursuant to procedures set forth in the Participant Agreement, as described below, which procedures may change from time to time without notice at the discretion of the Trust. Economic or market disruptions or changes, or telephone or other communication failure, may impede the ability to reach the Distributor or an Authorized Participant. On days when the Listing Exchange or U.S. markets close earlier than normal, the Fund may require purchase orders to be placed earlier in the day. All questions as to the number of Deposit Securities to be delivered, and the validity, form and eligibility (including time of receipt) for the deposit of any tendered securities, will be determined by the Trust, whose determination shall be final and binding.

All orders to create Creation Unit Aggregations through an Authorized Participant shall be placed with an Authorized Participant, in the form required by such Authorized Participant. In addition, the Authorized Participant may require an investor to make certain representations or enter into agreements with respect to the order, e.g., to provide for payments of cash, when required. Investors should be aware that their particular broker may not have executed a Participant Agreement and, in that case, orders to create Creation Unit Aggregations of a Fund have to be placed by each investor’s broker through an Authorized Participant that has executed a Participant Agreement. In such cases, there may be additional charges to such investor. At any given time, there may be only a limited number of broker-dealers that have executed a Participant Agreement and only a small number of such Authorized Participants may have international capabilities.

Those placing orders for Creation Unit Aggregations through the Clearing Process should afford sufficient time to permit proper submission of the order to the Distributor prior to the Closing Time on the Transmittal Date. Orders for Creation Unit Aggregations that are effected outside the Clearing Process are likely to require transmittal by the DTC Participant earlier on the Transmittal Date than orders effected using the Clearing Process. Those persons placing orders outside the Clearing Process should ascertain the deadlines applicable to DTC and the Federal Reserve Bank wire system by contacting the operations department of the broker or depository institution effectuating such transfer of Deposit Securities and the Cash Component.

Placement of Creation Orders Using the Clearing Process. Fund Deposits made through the Clearing Process must be delivered through a Participating Party that has executed a Participant Agreement. The Participant Agreement authorizes the Distributor to transmit through State Street to NSCC, on behalf of the Participating Party, such trade instructions as are necessary to effect the Participating Party’s creation order. Pursuant to such trade instructions to NSCC, the Participating Party agrees to deliver the requisite Deposit Securities and the Cash Component to the Trust, together with such additional information as may be required by the Distributor. An order to create Creation Unit Aggregations through the Clearing Process is deemed received by the Distributor on the Transmittal Date if: (i) such order is received by the Distributor not later than the Closing Time on such Transmittal Date; and (ii) all other procedures set forth in the Participant Agreement are properly followed.

Placement of Creation Orders Outside the Clearing Process. Fund Deposits made outside the Clearing Process must be delivered through a DTC Participant that has executed a Participant Agreement. A DTC Participant who wishes to place an order creating Creation Unit Aggregations to be effected outside the Clearing Process does not need to be a Participating Party, but such orders must state that the DTC Participant is not using the Clearing Process and that the creation of Creation Unit Aggregations will instead be effected through a transfer of securities and cash directly through DTC. The Fund Deposit transfer must be ordered by the DTC

 

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Participant on the Transmittal Date in a timely fashion so as to ensure the delivery of the requisite number of Deposit Securities through DTC to the account of the Fund by no later than 2:00 p.m., Eastern time, on the “Settlement Date.” The Settlement Date is typically the third Business Day following the Transmittal Date. Each Fund reserves the right to settle transactions on a basis other than “T” plus three Business Days (i.e., days on which the NYSE is open) (“T+3”). In certain cases Authorized Participants will create and redeem Creation Unit Aggregations of the same Fund on the same trade date. In these instances, the Trust reserves the right to settle these transactions on a net basis.

On days when the Listing Exchange or U.S. markets close earlier than normal, the Fund may require purchase orders to be placed in the day. All questions as to the number of Deposit Securities to be delivered, and the validity, form and eligibility (including time of receipt) for the deposit of any tendered securities, will be determined by the Trust, whose determination shall be final and binding. The amount of cash equal to the Cash Component must be transferred directly to State Street through the Federal Reserve Bank wire transfer system in a timely manner so as to be received by State Street no later than 2:00 p.m., Eastern time, on the Settlement Date. An order to create Creation Unit Aggregations outside the Clearing Process is deemed received by the Distributor on the Transmittal Date if: (i) such order is received by the Distributor not later than the Closing Time on such Transmittal Date; and (ii) all other procedures set forth in the Participant Agreement are properly followed. However, if State Street does not receive both the required Deposit Securities and the Cash Component by the specified time on the Settlement Date, the Trust may cancel or revoke acceptance of such order. Upon written notice to the Distributor, such canceled or revoked order may be resubmitted the following Business Day using a Fund Deposit as newly constituted to reflect the then-current NAV of the Funds. The delivery of Creation Unit Aggregations so created generally will occur no later than the Settlement Date.

Creation Unit Aggregations may be created in advance of receipt by the Trust of all or a portion of the applicable Deposit Securities as described below. In these circumstances, the initial deposit will have a value greater than the NAV of the shares on the date the order is placed in proper form since, in addition to available Deposit Securities, U.S. cash must be deposited in an amount equal to the sum of (i) the Cash Component, plus (ii) at least 102%, which the Trust may change from time to time, of the market value of the undelivered Deposit Securities (the “Additional Cash Deposit”) with the Fund pending delivery of any missing Deposit Securities.

If an Authorized Participant determines to post an Additional Cash Deposit as collateral for any undelivered Deposit Securities, such Authorized Participant must deposit with State Street the appropriate amount of federal funds by 2:00 p.m., Eastern time (or such other time as specified by the Trust), Settlement Date. If the Authorized Participant does not place its purchase order by the closing time or State Street does not receive federal funds in the appropriate amount by such time, then the order may be deemed to be rejected and the Authorized Participant shall be liable to the Fund for losses, if any, resulting therefrom. An additional amount of cash shall be required to be deposited with State Street, pending delivery of the missing Deposit Securities to the extent necessary to maintain the Additional Cash Deposit with the Trust in an amount at least equal to 102%, which the Trust may change from time to time, of the daily marked-to-market value of the missing Deposit Securities. To the extent that missing Deposit Securities are not received by the specified time, on the Settlement Date or in the event a marked-to-market payment is not made within one Business Day following notification by the Distributor that such a payment is required, the Trust may use the Additional Cash Deposit to purchase the missing Deposit Securities.

The Authorized Participant will be liable to the Trust for the costs incurred by the Trust in connection with any such purchases. These costs will be deemed to include the amount by which the actual purchase price of the Deposit Securities exceeds the market value of such Deposit Securities on the Transmittal Date plus the brokerage and related transaction costs associated with such purchases. The Trust will return any unused portion of the Additional Cash Deposit once all of the missing Deposit Securities have been properly received by State Street or purchased by the Trust and deposited into the Trust. In addition, a Transaction Fee, as listed below, will be charged in all cases. The delivery of Creation Unit Aggregations so created generally will occur no later than the Settlement Date.

Cash Purchases. When, in the sole discretion of the Trust, cash purchases of Creation Unit Aggregations of shares are available or specified for a Fund, such purchases shall be effected in essentially the same manner as in-kind purchases thereof. In the case of a cash purchase, the Authorized Participant must pay the cash equivalent of the Deposit Securities it would otherwise be required to provide through an in-kind purchase, plus the same Cash Component required to be paid by an in-kind purchaser. In addition, to offset brokerage and other costs associated with using cash to purchase the requisite Deposit Securities, the Authorized Participant must pay the Transaction Fees required by each Fund. If the Authorized Participant acts as a broker for the Fund in connection with the purchase of Deposit Securities, the Authorized Participant will also be required to pay certain brokerage commissions, taxes, and transaction and market impact costs as discussed under the heading “Brokerage Transactions” herein. The Trust requires purchases of Creation Units of Shares of the India Earnings Fund and the Middle East Dividend Fund to be paid in cash.

Acceptance of Orders for Creation Unit Aggregations. The Trust reserves the absolute right to reject or revoke acceptance of a creation order transmitted to it by the Distributor with respect to any Fund. Orders may be rejected and acceptance may be revoked if, for example: (i) the order is not in proper form; (ii) the investor(s), upon obtaining the shares ordered, would own 80% or more of the currently outstanding shares of any Fund; (iii) the Deposit Securities delivered are not the same as those disseminated through the facilities of the NSCC for that date by the Fund as described above; (iv) acceptance of the Deposit Securities would have certain adverse tax consequences to the Fund; (v) acceptance of the Fund Deposit would, in the opinion of counsel, be unlawful; (vi) acceptance of the Fund Deposit would otherwise, in the discretion of the Trust or WisdomTree Asset Management, have an adverse effect on the Trust or the rights of beneficial owners; or (vii) in the event that circumstances outside the control of the Trust,

 

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State Street, the Distributor or WisdomTree Asset Management make it for all practical purposes impossible to process creation orders. Examples of such circumstances include acts of God; public service or utility problems such as fires, floods, extreme weather conditions and power outages resulting in telephone, telecopy and computer failures; market conditions or activities causing trading halts; systems failures involving computer or other information systems affecting the Trust, WisdomTree Asset Management, the Distributor, DTC, NSCC, State Street or a sub-custodian or any other participant in the creation process and similar extraordinary events. The Distributor shall notify a prospective creator of a Creation Unit and/or the Authorized Participant acting on behalf of the creator of a Creation Unit Aggregation of its rejection of the order of such person. The Trust, State Street, a sub-custodian and the Distributor are under no duty, however, to give notification of any defects or irregularities in the delivery of Fund Deposits nor shall any of them incur any liability for the failure to give any such notification.

All questions as to the number of shares of each security in the Deposit Securities and the validity, form, eligibility and acceptance for deposit of any securities to be delivered shall be determined by the Trust, and the Trust’s determination shall be final and binding.

Creation/Redemption Transaction Fee. Each Fund imposes a “Transaction Fee” on investors purchasing or redeeming Creation Units. The purpose of the Transaction Fee is to protect the existing shareholders of the Fund from the dilutive costs associated with the purchase and redemption of Creation Units. Where a Fund permits cash creations (or redemptions) or cash in lieu of depositing one or more Deposit Securities, the purchaser (or redeemer) may be assessed a higher Transaction Fee to offset the transaction cost to the Fund of buying (or selling) those particular Deposit Securities. Transaction Fees for each Fund will differ from Transaction Fees for other WisdomTree Funds, depending on the transaction expenses related to each Fund’s portfolio securities, and will be limited to amounts that have been determined by WisdomTree Asset Management to be appropriate. The maximum Transaction Fee, as set forth in the table below for each Fund, may be charged in cases where a Fund permits cash or cash in lieu of Deposit Securities. Investors purchasing or redeeming through the DTC process generally will pay a higher Transaction Fee than will investors doing so through the NSCC process. Also, investors who use the services of a broker or other such intermediary may be charged a fee for such services, in addition to the Transaction Fee imposed by a Fund.

The following table sets forth the standard and maximum creation and redemption Transaction Fee for each of the Funds. These fees may be changed by the Trust.

 

Fund
Ticker

  

Fund Name

   CU Fee*      Maximum
CU* Fee
 

AUSE

   WisdomTree Australia Dividend Fund      1,000         4,000   

AXJL

   WisdomTree Asia-Pacific ex-Japan Fund      2,000         8,000   

CCXE

   WisdomTree Commodity Country Equity Fund      1,250         5,000   

CEW

   WisdomTree Emerging Currency Strategy Fund      200         800   

CHXF

   WisdomTree China Dividend ex-Financials Fund      1,000         4,000   

DBU

   WisdomTree Global ex-U.S. Utility Fund      1,000         4,000   

DEM

   WisdomTree Emerging Markets Equity Income Fund      5,000         20,000   

DES

   WisdomTree SmallCap Dividend Fund      1,500         6,000   

DEW

   WisdomTree Global Equity Income Fund      4,000         16,000   

DFE

   WisdomTree Europe SmallCap Dividend Fund      3,000         12,000   

DFJ

   WisdomTree Japan SmallCap Dividend Fund      3,000         12,000   

DGRE

   WisdomTree Emerging Markets Dividend Growth Fund      4,000         16,000   

DGRS

   WisdomTree U.S. SmallCap Dividend Growth Fund      500         2,000   

DGRW

   WisdomTree U.S. Dividend Growth Fund      500         2,000   

DGS

   WisdomTree Emerging Markets SmallCap Dividend Fund      7,000         28,000   

DHS

   WisdomTree Equity Income Fund      1,000         4,000   

DIM

   WisdomTree International MidCap Dividend Fund      5,000         20,000   

DLN

   WisdomTree LargeCap Dividend Fund      500         2,000   

DLS

   WisdomTree International SmallCap Dividend Fund      7,000         28,000   

DNL

   WisdomTree Global ex-U.S. Dividend Growth Fund      2,500         10,000   

DOL

   WisdomTree International LargeCap Dividend Fund      2,500         10,000   

DON

   WisdomTree MidCap Dividend Fund      1,000         4,000   

DOO

   WisdomTree International Dividend ex-Financials Fund      1,500         6,000   

DRW

   WisdomTree Global ex-U.S. Real Estate Fund      1,500         6,000   

DTD

   WisdomTree Total Dividend Fund      2,500         10,000   

DTH

   WisdomTree DEFA Equity Income Fund      3,250         13,000   

DTN

   WisdomTree Dividend ex-Financials Fund      250         1,000   

DWM

   WisdomTree DEFA Fund      5,500         22,000   

DXGE

   WisdomTree Germany Hedged Equity Fund      750         3,000   

DXJ

   WisdomTree Japan Hedged Equity Fund      2,100         8,400   

DXJC

   WisdomTree Japan Hedged Capital Goods Fund      1,250         5,000   

DXJF

   WisdomTree Japan Hedged Financials Fund      800         3,200   

 

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Fund
Ticker

  

Fund Name

   CU Fee*      Maximum
CU* Fee
 

DXJH

   WisdomTree Japan Hedged Health Care Fund      500         2,000   

DXJR

   WisdomTree Japan Hedged Real Estate Fund      800         3,200   

DXJS

   WisdomTree Japan Hedged SmallCap Equity Fund      5,000         20,000   

DXJT

   WisdomTree Japan Hedged Tech, Media & Telecom Fund      900         3,600   

DXKW

   WisdomTree Korea Hedged Equity Fund      1,000         4,000   

DXPS

   WisdomTree United Kingdom Hedged Equity Fund      900         3,600   

EES

   WisdomTree SmallCap Earnings Fund      2,500         10,000   

EMCG

   WisdomTree Emerging Markets Consumer Growth Fund      4,500         18,000   

EPI

   WisdomTree India Earnings Fund      5,000         20,000   

EPS

   WisdomTree Earnings 500 Fund      1,000         4,000   

EUDG

   WisdomTree Europe Dividend Growth Fund      1,800         7,200   

EXT

   WisdomTree Total Earnings Fund      3,000         12,000   

EZM

   WisdomTree MidCap Earnings Fund      1,500         6,000   

EZY

   WisdomTree LargeCap Value Fund      500         2,000   

GNAT

   WisdomTree Global Natural Resources Fund      750         3,000   

GULF

   WisdomTree Middle East Dividend Fund      5,000         20,000   

HEDJ

   WisdomTree Europe Hedged Equity Fund      1,000         4,000   

IHDG

   WisdomTree International Hedged Dividend Growth Fund      1,800         7,200   

 

* Each Fund may charge, either in lieu of or in addition to the Transaction Fees, in the sole discretion of the Trust, a variable fee for creations and redemptions in order to cover certain brokerage, tax, foreign exchange, execution, market impact and other costs and expenses related to the execution of trades resulting from such transaction, up to a maximum of 2.0% of the net asset value per Creation Unit, inclusive of any Transaction Fees charged (if applicable).

Placement of Redemption Orders for Using the Clearing Process. Orders to redeem Creation Unit Aggregations through the Clearing Process must be delivered through a Participating Party that has executed the Participant Agreement. Except as described herein, an order to redeem Creation Unit Aggregations using the Clearing Process is deemed received by the Trust on the Transmittal Date if: (i) such order is received by State Street (in its capacity as Transfer Agent) not later than the Closing Time on such Transmittal Date, and (ii) all other procedures set forth in the Participant Agreement are properly followed. Such order will be effected based on the NAV of the Fund as next determined. The consideration for redemption of Creation Unit Aggregations of a Fund generally consists of (i) a designated portfolio of equity securities that closely approximate the holdings of the Fund (the “Fund Securities”) and (ii) an amount of cash denominated in U.S. dollars (the “Cash Redemption Amount”) as described below. The requisite Fund Securities and the Cash Redemption Amount generally will be transferred by the third NSCC Business Day following the date on which such request for redemption is deemed received.

Placement of Redemption Orders Outside the Clearing Process. Orders to redeem Creation Unit Aggregations outside the Clearing Process must be delivered through a DTC Participant that has executed the Participant Agreement. An order to redeem Creation Unit Aggregations outside the Clearing Process is deemed received by the Trust on the Transmittal Date if: (i) such order is received by State Street (in its capacity as Transfer Agent) not later than the Closing Time on such Transmittal Date; (ii) such order is accompanied or followed by the requisite number of shares of the Fund specified in such order, which delivery must be made through DTC to State Street no later than 11:00 a.m., Eastern time, on the contracted settlement date; and (iii) all other procedures set forth in the Participant Agreement are properly followed. After the Trust has deemed an order for redemption outside the Clearing Process received, the Trust will initiate procedures to transfer the requisite Fund Securities which are expected to be delivered within three Business Days and the Cash Redemption Amount to the Authorized Participant on behalf of the redeeming Beneficial Owner by the Settlement Date. In certain cases Authorized Participants will redeem and create Creation Unit Aggregations of the same Fund on the same trade date. In these instances, the Trust reserves the right to settle these transactions on a net basis.

If the requisite number of shares of the Fund is not delivered on the Transmittal Date as described above, the Fund may reject or revoke acceptance of the redemption request because the Authorized Participant has not satisfied all of the settlement requirements.

The current procedures for collateralization of missing shares require, among other things, that any cash collateral shall be in the form of U.S. dollars in immediately available funds and shall be held by State Street and marked-to-market daily, and that the fees of State Street and any sub-custodians in respect of the delivery, maintenance and redelivery of the cash collateral shall be payable by the Authorized Participant. The Authorized Participant’s agreement will permit the Trust, on behalf of the affected Fund, to purchase the missing shares or acquire the Deposit Securities and the Cash Component underlying such shares at any time and will subject the Authorized Participant to liability for any shortfall between the cost to the Trust of purchasing such shares, Deposit Securities or Cash Component and the value of the collateral.

The calculation of the value of the Fund Securities and the Cash Redemption Amount to be delivered upon redemption will be made by State Street according to the procedures set forth under “Determination of NAV” computed on the Business Day on which a

 

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redemption order is deemed received by the Trust. Therefore, if a redemption order in proper form is submitted to State Street by a DTC Participant not later than the Closing Time on the Transmittal Date, and the requisite number of shares of the Fund are delivered to State Street prior to the DTC cut-off time, then the value of the Fund Securities and the Cash Redemption Amount to be delivered will be determined by State Street on such Transmittal Date. If, however, a redemption order is submitted to State Street by a DTC Participant not later than the Closing Time on the Transmittal Date but either (i) the requisite number of shares of the relevant Fund are not delivered by the DTC cut-off-time on such Transmittal Date, or (ii) the redemption order is not submitted in proper form, then the redemption order will not be deemed received as of the Transmittal Date. In such case, the value of the Fund Securities and the Cash Redemption Amount to be delivered will be computed on the Business Day that such order is deemed received by the Trust on which the shares of the relevant Fund are delivered through DTC to State Street by the DTC cut-off-time on such Business Day pursuant to a properly submitted redemption order.

A Fund may also, in its sole discretion, upon request of a shareholder, provide such redeemer a portfolio of securities that differs from the exact composition of the Fund Securities but does not differ in NAV.

Redemptions of shares for Fund Securities will be subject to compliance with applicable federal and state securities laws and each Fund (whether or not it otherwise permits cash redemptions) reserves the right to redeem Creation Unit Aggregations for cash to the extent that the Trust could not lawfully deliver specific Fund Securities upon redemptions or could not do so without first registering the Fund Securities under such laws. An Authorized Participant or an investor for which it is acting subject to a legal restriction with respect to a particular security included in the Fund Securities applicable to the redemption of a Creation Unit Aggregation may be paid an equivalent amount of cash. The Authorized Participant may request the redeeming Beneficial Owner of the shares to complete an order form or to enter into agreements with respect to such matters as compensating cash payment.

Because the portfolio securities of an International Fund may trade on the relevant exchange(s) on days that the Listing Exchange for the International Fund is closed or that are otherwise not Business Days for such International Fund, stockholders may not be able to redeem their shares of such International Fund, or to purchase and sell shares of such International Fund on the Listing Exchange for the International Fund, on days when the NAV of such International Fund could be significantly affected by events in the relevant foreign markets.

Cash Redemptions. A Fund may pay out the proceeds of redemptions of Creation Unit Aggregations solely in cash or through any combination of cash or securities. In addition, an investor may request a redemption in cash that the Fund may, in its sole discretion, permit. In either case, the investor will receive a cash payment equal to the NAV of its shares based on the NAV of shares of the Fund next determined after the redemption request is received in proper form (minus a redemption transaction fee and additional charge for requested cash redemptions specified above, to offset the Trust’s brokerage and other transaction costs associated with the disposition of Fund Securities). Proceeds will be paid to the Authorized Participant redeeming shares on behalf of the redeeming investor as soon as practicable after the date of redemption. If the Authorized Participant acts as a broker for the Fund in connection with the sale of Fund Securities, the Authorized Participant will also be required to pay certain brokerage commissions, taxes, and transaction and market impact costs as discussed under the heading “Brokerage Transactions” herein. The Trust intends to pay redemptions of Creation Unit Aggregations of shares of the India Earnings Fund and the Middle East Dividend Fund in cash.

Redemptions of shares for Fund Securities will be subject to compliance with applicable federal and state securities laws and the Fund (whether or not it otherwise permits cash redemptions) reserves the right to redeem Creation Unit Aggregations for cash to the extent that the Trust could not lawfully deliver specific Fund Securities upon redemptions or could not do so without first registering the Fund Securities under such laws.

In-Kind Redemptions. The ability of the Trust to effect in-kind creations and redemptions is subject, among other things, to the condition that, within the time period from the date of the order to the date of delivery of the securities, there are no days that are holidays in the applicable foreign market. For every occurrence of one or more intervening holidays in the applicable foreign market that are not holidays observed in the U.S. equity market, the redemption settlement cycle may be extended by the number of such intervening holidays. In addition to holidays, other unforeseeable closings in a foreign market due to emergencies may also prevent the Trust from delivering securities within the normal settlement period. The Funds will not suspend or postpone redemption beyond seven days, except as permitted under Section 22(e) of the 1940 Act. Section 22(e) provides that the right of redemption may be suspended or the date of payment postponed with respect to any Fund (1) for any period during which the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) is closed (other than customary weekend and holiday closings); (2) for any period during which trading on the NYSE is suspended or restricted; (3) for any period during which an emergency exists as a result of which disposal of the shares of the Fund’s portfolio securities or determination of its net asset value is not reasonably practicable; or (4) in such other circumstance as is permitted by the SEC.

REGULAR HOLIDAYS

Each Fund generally intends to effect deliveries of Creation Unit Aggregations and portfolio securities on a basis of T+3. Each Fund may effect deliveries of Creation Unit Aggregations and portfolio securities on a basis other than T+3 in order to accommodate local holiday schedules, to account for different treatment among foreign and U.S. markets of dividend record dates and ex-dividend dates, or under certain other circumstances. The ability of the Trust to effect in-kind creations and redemptions within three Business Days of receipt of an order in good form is subject, among other things, to the condition that, within the time period from the date of the

 

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order to the date of delivery of the securities, there are no days that are holidays in the applicable foreign market. For every occurrence of one or more intervening holidays in the applicable foreign market that are not holidays observed in the U.S. equity market, the redemption settlement cycle will be extended by the number of such intervening holidays. In addition to holidays, other unforeseeable closings in a foreign market due to emergencies may also prevent the Trust from delivering securities within the normal settlement period.

The securities delivery cycles currently practicable for transferring portfolio securities to redeeming investors, coupled with foreign market holiday schedules, will require a delivery process longer than seven calendar days for some funds, in certain circumstances. The holidays applicable to each Fund during such periods are listed below, as are instances where more than seven days will be needed to deliver redemption proceeds. Although certain holidays may occur on different dates in subsequent years, the number of days required to deliver redemption proceeds in any given year is not expected to exceed the maximum number of days listed below for each Fund. The proclamation of new holidays, the treatment by market participants of certain days as “informal holidays” (e.g., days on which no or limited securities transactions occur, as a result of substantially shortened trading hours), the elimination of existing holidays, or changes in local securities delivery practices could affect the accuracy of information set forth herein.

Listed below are the dates in calendar year 2014 in which the regular holidays in non-U.S. markets may impact Fund settlement. This list is based on information available to the Fund. The list may not be accurate or complete and is subject to change:

 

Argentina

 

Australia

 

Austria

 

Bahrain

 

Belgium

 

Brazil

January 1

March 3-4, 24

April 2, 17, 18

May 1

June 20

July 9

August 18

October 13

November 6, 24

December 25

 

January 1, 27

March 3, 10

April 18, 21,25

June 9

December 25, 26

 

January 1

April 18, 21

May 1

December 25-26

 

January 1, 13

May 1

July 28-30

October 5-6

November 2

December 16-17

 

January 1

April 18, 21

May 1

December 25-26

 

January 1

March 3-4

April 18, 21

May 1

June 19

July 9

November 20

December 25, 31

 

Canada

 

Chile

 

China

 

Columbia

 

Czech Republic

 

Denmark

January 1

February 17

April 18

September 1

October 13

December 25

 

January 1

April 18

May 1, 21

July 16

August 15

September 18-19

October 31

December 8,

25, 31

 

January 1

January 31

February 3-6

April 7

May 1-2

June 2

September 8

October 1-3, 6-7

 

January 1, 6

March 24

April 17-18

May 1

June 2, 23, 30

August 7, 18

October 13

November 3, 17

December 8, 25

 

January 1

April 21

May 1, 8

October 28

November 17

 

January 1

April 17-18, 21

May 16, 29, 30

June 5, 9

December 24-26, 31

 

Egypt

 

Finland

 

France

 

Germany

 

Greece

 

Hong Kong

January 1, 7, 14

April 20-21

May 1

July 1, 23, 29-31

October 5-6

 

January 1, 6

April 18, 21

May 1, 29

June 20

December 25-26

 

January 1

April 18, 21

May 1

December 25-26

 

January 1

April 18, 21

May 1

December 25-26

 

January 1, 6

March 3, 25

April 18, 21

May 1

June 9

August 15

October 28

December 25-26

 

January 1, 31

February 3

April 18, 21

May 1, 6

June 2

July 1

September 9

 

Hungary

 

India

 

Indonesia

 

Ireland

 

Israel

 

Italy

January 1

April 21

May 1-2

June 9

August 20

October 23-24

December 24-26

 

January 14

February 19, 27

March 17, 31

April 1, 8, 14, 18, 24

May 1, 14

July 1, 29

August 15, 18, 29

September 30

October 2-3, 6, 23-24

November 4, 6

December 25

 

January 1, 14, 31

March 31

April 18

May 1, 15, 27, 29

July 28, 29, 30, 31

August 1

December 25-26, 31

 

January 1

April 18, 21

May 5

June 2

December 25-26

 

March 16

April 14-15,

20-21

May 5-6

June 3-4

August 5

September 24-26

October 3, 8-9,

15-16

 

January 1

April 18, 21

May 1

December 25-26

 

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Japan

 

Jordan

 

Kuwait

 

Lebanon

 

Malaysia

 

Mauritius

January 1-3, 13

February 11

March 21

April 29

May 5-6

July 21

September 15, 23

October 13

November 3, 24

December 23, 31

 

January 1, 14

May 1, 25

July 29-31

October 5-8

December 25

 

January 1, 13

February 25-26

May 27

July 28-30

October 5-8, 26

 

January 1, 6, 13

March 25

April 18-19

May 1

July 28-29

August 15

October 4, 25

November 3, 22

December 25

 

January 1, 14, 17, 31

May 1, 13

July 28-29

September 1, 16

October 6, 23

December 25

 

January 1-2, 17, 31

February 27

March 12, 31

May 1

July 29

August 15

October 23, 25

 

Mexico

 

Morocco

 

Netherlands

 

New Zealand

 

Norway

 

Oman

January 1

February 3

March 17

April 17-18

May 1

September 16

November 17

December 12, 25

 

January 1, 13

May 1

July 29-30

August 14, 20-21

October 6

November 6, 18

 

January 1

April 18, 21

May 1

December 25-26

 

January 1-2, 20,27

February 6

April 18, 21, 25

June 2

October 27

December 25-26

 

January 1

April 16-18, 21

May 1, 29

June 9

December 24-26, 31

 

January 14

May 26

July 23, 29-30

October 5-7

November 18-19

 

Peru

 

Philippines

 

Poland

 

Portugal

 

Qatar

 

Russia

January 1

April 17-18

May 1

July 28, 29

October 8

December 8, 25

 

January 1, 31

April 9, 17-18

May 1

June 12

August 21, 25

December 24-26,

30, 31

 

January 1, 6

April 18, 21

May 1

June 19

August 15

November 11

December 24-26, 31

 

January 1

April 18, 21, 25

May 1

June 10, 13

August 15

December 8, 24-26, 31

 

January 1

February 11

March 2

July 27, 29, 30

October 5-7

December 18

 

January 1-3, 6-8

March 7, 10

April 30

May 1-2, 8-9

June 11-13

November 3-4

December 31

 

Singapore

 

South Africa

 

South Korea

 

Spain

 

Sweden

 

Switzerland

January 1, 31

April 18

May 1, 13

July 28

October 6, 23

December 25

 

January 1

March 21

April 18, 21, 28

May 1

June 16

September 24

December 16, 25-26

 

January 1, 30-31

May 1, 5-6

June 6

August 15

September 8-10

October 3, 9

December 25, 31

 

January 1, 6

April 18, 21

May 1

December 24-26, 31

 

January 1, 6

April 17-18, 21,30

May 1, 28-29

June 6, 20

October 31

December 24-26, 31

 

January 1-2

April 18, 21

May 1, 29

June 9

August 1

December 24-26, 31

 

Taiwan

 

Thailand

 

Turkey

 

U.A.E.

 

United Kingdom

 

 

January 1, 28-33

February 3-4, 28

April 4

May 1

June 2

September 8

October 10

 

January 1

February 14

April 7, 14-15

May 1, 5, 13

July 1, 11

August 12

October 23

December 5, 10, 31

 

January 1

April 23

May 1

July 28-30

October 6-7, 28-29

 

January 1, 13, 20

February 17

May 26-27

July 28-30

September 1

October 5-8, 26

November 11, 27

December 2-3, 25

 

January 1, 20

April 18, 21

May 1, 5, 26

August 25

December 25-26

 

 

* Early Close

 

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TAXES

The following discussion of certain U.S. federal income tax consequences of investing in the Funds is based on the Code, U.S. Treasury regulations, and other applicable authority, all as in effect as of the date of the filing of this SAI. These authorities are subject to change by legislative or administrative action, possibly with retroactive effect. The following discussion is only a summary of some of the important U.S. federal income tax considerations generally applicable to investments in the Funds. There may be other tax considerations applicable to particular shareholders. Shareholders should consult their own tax advisors regarding their particular situation and the possible application of foreign, state, and local tax laws.

Qualification as a Regulated Investment Company. Each Fund has elected or intends to elect to be treated, and intends to qualify each year, as a RIC under Subchapter M of the Code. In order to qualify for the special tax treatment accorded RICs and their shareholders, each Fund must, among other things:

(a) derive at least 90% of its gross income each year from (i) dividends, interest, payments with respect to certain securities loans, gains from the sale or other disposition of stock or securities or foreign currencies, or other income (including but not limited to gains from options, futures or forward contracts) derived with respect to its business of investing in such stock, securities or currencies, and (ii) net income derived from interests in “qualified publicly traded partnerships” (as defined below);

(b) diversify its holdings so that, at the end of each quarter of its taxable year, (i) at least 50% of the market value of the Fund’s total assets consists of cash and cash items, U.S. government securities, securities of other RICs and other securities, with investments in such other securities limited with respect to any one issuer to an amount not greater than 5% of the value of the Fund’s total assets and not greater than 10% of the outstanding voting securities of such issuer, and (ii) not more than 25% of the value of the Fund’s total assets is invested in (1) the securities (other than those of the U.S. government or other RICs) of any one issuer or two or more issuers that are controlled by the Fund and that are engaged in the same, similar or related trades or businesses or (2) the securities of one or more qualified publicly traded partnerships; and

(c) distribute with respect to each taxable year an amount equal to or greater than the sum of 90% of its investment company taxable income (as that term is defined in the Code without regard to the deduction for dividends paid – generally taxable ordinary income and the excess, if any, of net short-term capital gains over net long-term capital losses) and 90% of its net tax-exempt interest income.

In general, for purposes of the 90% test described in (a) above, income derived from a partnership will be treated as qualifying income only to the extent such income is attributable to items of income of the partnership that would be qualifying income if realized directly by a Fund. However, 100% of the net income derived from an interest in a “qualified publicly traded partnership” (generally, a partnership (i) interests in which are traded on an established securities market or are readily tradable on a secondary market or the substantial equivalent thereof and (ii) that derives less than 90% of its income from the qualifying income described in (a)(i) of the description of the 90% test applicable to RICs, above) will be treated as qualifying income. In addition, although in general the passive loss rules of the Code do not apply to RICs, such rules do apply to a RIC with respect to items attributable to an interest in a qualified publicly traded partnership.

Taxation of the Funds. If a Fund qualifies for treatment as a RIC, that Fund will not be subject to federal income tax on income and gains that are distributed in a timely manner to its shareholders in the form of dividends.

If, for any taxable year, a Fund were to fail to qualify as a RIC or were to fail to meet the distribution requirement, it would be taxed in the same manner as an ordinary corporation and distributions to its shareholders would not be deductible by the Fund in computing its taxable income. In addition, the Fund’s distributions, to the extent derived from the Fund’s current and accumulated earnings and profits, including any distributions of net long-term capital gains, would be taxable to shareholders as ordinary dividend income for federal income tax purposes. However, such dividends would be eligible, subject to any generally applicable limitations, (i) to be treated as qualified dividend income in the case of shareholders taxed as individuals and (ii) for the dividends-received deduction in the case of corporate shareholders. Moreover, the Fund would be required to pay out its earnings and profits accumulated in that year in order to qualify for treatment as a RIC in a subsequent year. Under certain circumstances, a Fund may be able to cure a failure to qualify as a RIC, but in order to do so the Fund may incur significant Fund-level taxes and may be forced to dispose of certain assets. If a Fund failed to qualify as a RIC for a period greater than two taxable years, the Fund would generally be required to recognize any net built-in gains with respect to certain of its assets upon a disposition of such assets within ten years of qualifying as a RIC in a subsequent year.

Each Fund intends to distribute at least annually to its shareholders substantially all of its investment company taxable income and its net capital gain (the excess of the Fund’s net long-term capital gain over its net short-term capital loss). Investment company taxable income that is retained by a Fund will be subject to tax at regular corporate rates. If a Fund retains any net capital gain, that gain will be subject to tax at corporate rates, but the Fund may designate the retained amount as undistributed capital gains in a notice to its shareholders who (i) will be required to include in income for federal income tax purposes, as long-term capital gain, their shares of such undistributed amount, (ii) will be deemed to have paid their proportionate shares of the tax paid by the Fund on such undistributed amount against their federal income tax liabilities, if any, and (iii) will be entitled to claim refunds on a properly filed U.S. tax returns to the extent the credit exceeds such liabilities. For federal income tax purposes, the tax basis of shares owned by a shareholder of that Fund will be increased by an amount equal to the difference between the amount of undistributed capital gains included in the shareholder’s gross income and the tax deemed paid by the shareholder.

 

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If a Fund fails to distribute in a calendar year an amount at least equal to the sum of 98% of its ordinary income for such year and 98.2% of its capital gain net income for the one-year period ending October 31 of such year, plus any retained amount from the prior year, the Fund will be subject to a non-deductible 4% excise tax on the undistributed amount. For these purposes, a Fund will be treated as having distributed any amount on which it has been subject to corporate income tax for the taxable year ending within the calendar year. Each Fund intends to declare and pay dividends and distributions in the amounts and at the times necessary to avoid the application of the 4% excise tax, although there can be no assurance that it will be able to do so.

A Fund may elect to treat part or all of any “qualified late year loss” as if it had been incurred in the succeeding taxable year in determining such Fund’s taxable income, net capital gain, net short-term capital gain, and earnings and profits. A “qualified late year loss” generally includes net capital loss, net long-term capital loss, or net short-term capital loss incurred after October 31 of the current taxable year, and certain other late-year losses.

If a Fund has a “net capital loss” (that is, capital losses in excess of capital gains) for a taxable year beginning after December 22, 2010 (a “Post-2010 Loss”), the excess of the Fund’s net short-term capital losses over its net long-term capital gains is treated as a short-term capital loss arising on the first day of the Fund’s next taxable year, and the excess (if any) of the Fund’s net long-term capital losses over its net short-term capital gains is treated as a long-term capital loss arising on the first day of the Fund’s next taxable year. A Fund’s unused capital loss carryforwards that arose in tax years that began on or before December 22, 2010 (“Pre-2011 Losses”) are available to be applied against future capital gains, if any, realized by the Fund prior to the expiration of those carryforwards, generally eight taxable years after the year in which they arose. A Fund’s Post-2010 Losses must be fully utilized before the Fund will be permitted to utilize any carryforwards of Pre-2011 Losses.

Fund Distributions. Distributions are generally taxable whether shareholders receive them in cash or reinvest them in additional shares. Moreover, distributions on the Funds’ shares are generally subject to federal income tax as described herein to the extent they do not exceed the Funds’ realized income and gains, even though such distributions may economically represent a return of a particular shareholder’s investment. Investors may therefore wish to avoid purchasing shares at a time when a Fund’s NAV reflects gains that are either unrealized, or realized but not distributed. Realized income and gains must generally be distributed even when a Fund’s NAV also reflects unrealized losses.

Dividends and other distributions by a Fund are generally treated under the Code as received by the shareholders at the time the dividend or distribution is made. However, if any dividend or distribution is declared by a Fund in October, November or December of any calendar year and payable to its shareholders of record on a specified date in such a month but is actually paid during the following January, such dividend or distribution will be deemed to have been received by each shareholder on December 31 of the year in which the dividend was declared.

Distributions by the Funds of investment income are generally taxable as ordinary income. Taxes on distributions of capital gains are determined by how long a Fund owned the investments that generated those gains, rather than how long a shareholder has owned his or her Fund shares. Sales of assets held by a Fund for more than one year generally result in long-term capital gains and losses, and sales of assets held by a Fund for one year or less generally result in short-term capital gains and losses. Distributions from a Fund’s net capital gain that are properly reported by the Fund as capital gain dividends (“Capital Gain Dividends”) will be taxable as long-term capital gains. For individuals, long-term capital gains are subject to tax at reduced maximum tax rates. Distributions of gains from the sale of investments that the Fund owned for one year or less will be taxable as ordinary income.

For noncorporate shareholders, distributions of investment income reported by a Fund as derived from “qualified dividend income” will be taxed at the rates applicable to long-term capital gain, provided holding period and other requirements are met at both the shareholder and Fund level. In order for some portion of the dividends received by a Fund shareholder to be “qualified dividend income,” the Fund making the distribution must meet holding period and other requirements with respect to some portion of the dividend-paying stocks in its portfolio and the shareholder must meet holding period and other requirements with respect to the Fund’s shares. A dividend will not be treated as qualified dividend income (at either the Fund or shareholder level) (1) if the dividend is received with respect to any share of stock held for fewer than 61 days during the 121-day period beginning on the date that is 60 days before the date on which such share becomes ex-dividend with respect to such dividend (or, in the case of certain preferred stock, 91 days during the 181-day period beginning 90 days before the ex-dividend date), (2) to the extent that the recipient is under an obligation (whether pursuant to a short sale or otherwise) to make related payments with respect to positions in substantially similar or related property, (3) if the recipient elects to have the dividend income treated as investment income for purposes of the limitation on deductibility of investment interest, or (4) if the dividend is received from a foreign corporation that is (a) not eligible for the benefits of a comprehensive income tax treaty with the United States (with the exception of dividends paid on stock of such a foreign corporation that is readily tradable on an established securities market in the United States) or (b) treated as a passive foreign investment company.

In general, distributions of investment income reported by a Fund as derived from qualified dividend income will be treated as qualified dividend income by a shareholder taxed as an individual, provided the shareholder meets the holding period and other requirements described above with respect to the Fund’s shares. If the aggregate qualified dividend income received by a Fund during any taxable year represents 95% or more of its gross income (excluding net long-term capital gain over net short-term capital loss), then 100% of the Fund’s dividends (other than Capital Gain Dividends) will be eligible to be reported as qualified dividend income.

 

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Dividends of net investment income received by corporate shareholders of a Fund will qualify for the 70% dividends-received deduction generally available to corporations to the extent of the amount of qualifying dividends received by the Fund from U.S. corporations for the taxable year. A dividend received by the Fund will not be treated as a qualifying dividend (1) if the stock on which the dividend is paid is considered to be “debt-financed” (generally, acquired with borrowed funds), (2) if it has been received with respect to any share of stock that the Fund has held for less than 46 days during the 91-day period beginning on the date that is 45 days before the date on which the share becomes ex-dividend with respect to such dividend (91 days during the 181-day period beginning 90 days before the ex-dividend date in the case of certain preferred stock) or (3) to the extent that the Fund is under an obligation (pursuant to a short sale or otherwise) to make related payments with respect to positions in substantially similar or related property. Moreover, the dividends-received deduction may be disallowed or reduced (1) if the corporate shareholder fails to satisfy the foregoing requirements with respect to its shares of the Fund or (2) by application of the Code. Since the International Equity ETFs will invest primarily in investments other than stock of U.S. corporations, their dividends generally are not expected to qualify for the dividends-received deduction available to corporate shareholders.

To the extent that a Fund makes a distribution of income received by the Fund in lieu of dividends (a “substitute payment”) with respect to securities on loan pursuant to a securities lending transaction, such income will not constitute qualified dividend income to individual shareholders and will not be eligible for the dividends-received deduction for corporate shareholders.

Dividends and distributions from a Fund and capital gain on the sale of Fund shares are generally taken into account in determining a shareholder’s “net investment income” for purposes of the Medicare contribution tax applicable to certain individuals, estates and trusts.

If a Fund makes distributions in excess of the Fund’s current and accumulated earnings and profits in any taxable year, the excess distribution to each shareholder will be treated as a return of capital to the extent of the shareholder’s tax basis in its shares, and, after the shareholder’s basis has been reduced to zero, as capital gain, assuming the shareholder holds his or her shares as capital assets. A return of capital is not taxable, but reduces a shareholder’s tax basis in its shares, thus reducing any loss or increasing any gain on a subsequent taxable disposition by the shareholder of its shares.

Sale or Exchange of Shares. A sale or exchange of shares in a Fund may give rise to a gain or loss. In general, any gain or loss realized upon a taxable disposition of shares will be treated as long-term capital gain or loss if the shares have been held for more than 12 months. Otherwise, the gain or loss on the taxable disposition of shares will be treated as short-term capital gain or loss. However, any loss realized upon a taxable disposition of shares held for six months or less will be treated as long-term, rather than short-term, to the extent of any long-term capital gain distributions received (or deemed received) by the shareholder with respect to the shares. All or a portion of any loss realized upon a taxable disposition of shares will be disallowed if substantially identical shares of a Fund are purchased within 30 days before or after the disposition. In such a case, the basis of the newly purchased shares will be adjusted to reflect the disallowed loss.

Backup Withholding. The Funds (or financial intermediaries, such as brokers, through which a shareholder holds Fund shares) generally are required to withhold and to remit to the U.S. Treasury a percentage of the taxable distributions and sale or redemption proceeds paid to any shareholder who fails to properly furnish a correct taxpayer identification number, who has under-reported dividend or interest income, or who fails to certify that he, she or it is not subject to such withholding. The backup withholding tax rate is currently 28%.

Federal Tax Treatment of Certain Fund Investments. Transactions of the Funds in options, futures contracts, hedging transactions, forward contracts, swap agreements, participation certificates (the Middle East Dividend Fund only), straddles and foreign currencies may be subject to various special and complex tax rules, including mark-to-market, constructive-sale, straddle, wash-sale and short-sale rules. These rules could affect whether gains and losses recognized by a Fund are treated as ordinary income or capital gain, accelerate the recognition of income to a Fund, or defer a Fund’s ability to recognize losses. These rules may in turn affect the amount, timing or character of the income distributed to shareholders by a Fund.

Certain Foreign Currency Tax Issues. A Fund’s gain or loss on foreign currency denominated debt securities and on certain other financial instruments, such as forward currency contracts and currency swaps, that is attributable to fluctuations in exchange rates occurring between the date of acquisition and the date of settlement or disposition of such securities or instruments generally will be treated under Section 988 of the Code as ordinary income or loss. A Fund may elect out of the application of Section 988 of the Code with respect to the tax treatment of each of its foreign currency forward contracts to the extent that (i) such contract is a capital asset in the hands of the Fund and is not part of a straddle transaction and (ii) the Fund makes an election by the close of the day the contract is entered into to treat the gain or loss attributable to such contract as capital gain or loss.

A Fund’s forward contracts may qualify as so-called “Section 1256 contracts” if the underlying currencies are currencies for which there are futures contracts that are traded on and subject to the rules of a qualified board or exchange. However, a forward currency contract that is a Section 1256 contract would, absent an election out of Section 988 of the Code as described in the preceding paragraph, be subject to Section 988. Accordingly, although such a forward currency contract would be marked to market annually like other Section 1256 contracts, the resulting gain or loss would be ordinary. If a Fund were to elect out of Section 988 with respect

 

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to forward currency contracts that qualify as Section 1256 contracts, the tax treatment generally applicable to Section 1256 contracts would apply to those forward currency contracts: that is, the contracts would be marked to market annually and gains and losses with respect to the contracts would be treated as long-term capital gains or losses to the extent of 60% thereof and short-term capital gains or losses to the extent of 40% thereof. If a Fund were to elect out of Section 988 with respect to any of its forward currency contracts that do not qualify as Section 1256 contracts, such contracts would not be marked to market annually and the Fund would recognize short-term or long-term capital gain or loss depending on the Fund’s holding period therein. A Fund may elect out of Section 988 with respect to some, all or none of its forward currency contracts.

Finally, regulated futures contracts and non-equity options that qualify as Section 1256 contracts and are entered into by a Fund with respect to foreign currencies or foreign currency denominated debt instruments will be subject to the tax treatment generally applicable to Section 1256 contracts unless the Fund elects to have Section 988 apply to determine the character of gains and losses from all such regulated futures contracts and non-equity options held or later acquired by the Fund.

Foreign Investments. Income received by a Fund from sources within foreign countries (including, for example, dividends or interest on stock or securities of non-U.S. issuers) may be subject to withholding and other taxes imposed by such countries. Tax treaties between such countries and the U.S. may reduce or eliminate such taxes. If more than 50% of the value of a Fund’s assets at the close of any taxable year consists of stock or securities of foreign corporations, which for this purpose may include obligations of foreign governmental issuers, the Fund may elect, for U.S. federal income tax purposes, to treat any foreign income or withholding taxes paid by the Fund as paid by its shareholders. For any year that a Fund is eligible for and makes such an election, each shareholder of that Fund will be required to include in income an amount equal to his or her allocable share of qualified foreign income taxes paid by the Fund, and shareholders will be entitled, subject to certain holding period requirements and other limitations, to credit their portions of these amounts against their U.S. federal income tax due, if any, or to deduct their portions from their U.S. taxable income, if any. No deductions for foreign taxes paid by a Fund may be claimed, however, by non-corporate shareholders who do not itemize deductions. Foreign taxes paid by a Fund will reduce the return from the Fund’s investments.

If a Fund holds shares in a “passive foreign investment company” (“PFIC”), it may be subject to U.S. federal income tax on a portion of any “excess distribution” or gain from the disposition of such shares even if such income is distributed as a taxable dividend by the Fund to its shareholders. Additional charges in the nature of interest may be imposed on the Fund in respect of deferred taxes arising from such distributions or gains.

A Fund may be eligible to treat a PFIC as a “qualified electing fund” under the Code in which case, in lieu of the foregoing requirements, such Fund will be required to include in income each year a portion of the ordinary earnings and net capital gains of the qualified electing fund, even if not distributed to the Fund, and such amounts will be subject to the 90% and excise tax distribution requirements described above. In order to make this election, a Fund would be required to obtain certain annual information from the PFICs in which it invests, which may be difficult or impossible to obtain. Alternatively, a Fund may make a mark-to-market election that will result in such Fund being treated as if it had sold and repurchased its PFIC stock at the end of each year. In such case, the Fund would report any gains resulting from such deemed sales as ordinary income and would deduct any losses resulting from such deemed sales as ordinary losses to the extent of previously recognized gains. The election must be made separately for each PFIC owned by the Fund and, once made, is effective for all subsequent taxable years, unless revoked with the consent of the Internal Revenue Service (the “IRS”). By making the election, a Fund could potentially ameliorate the adverse tax consequences with respect to its ownership of shares in a PFIC, but in any particular year may be required to recognize income in excess of the distributions it receives from PFICs and its proceeds from dispositions of PFIC stock. A Fund may have to distribute this excess income to satisfy the 90% distribution requirement and to avoid imposition of the 4% excise tax. In order to distribute this income and avoid a tax at the Fund level, a Fund might be required to liquidate portfolio securities that it might otherwise have continued to hold, potentially resulting in additional taxable gain or loss.

Foreign Currency Transactions. Under the Code, gains or losses attributable to fluctuations in exchange rates which occur between the time a Fund accrues income or other receivables or accrues expenses or other liabilities denominated in a foreign currency and the time the Fund actually collects such income or receivables or pays such expenses or liabilities generally are treated as ordinary income or loss. Similarly, on disposition of debt securities denominated in a foreign currency and on disposition of certain other instruments, gains or losses attributable to fluctuations in the value of the foreign currency between the date of acquisition of the security or contract and the date of disposition are also treated as ordinary gain or loss. The gains and losses may increase or decrease the amount of a Fund’s income to be distributed to its shareholders as ordinary income.

Additional Tax Information Concerning REITs. Certain Funds may invest in entities treated as REITs for U.S. federal income tax purposes. A Fund’s investments in REIT equity securities may at times result in the Fund’s receipt of cash in excess of the REIT’s earnings; if the Fund distributes these amounts, these distributions could constitute a return of capital to Fund shareholders for federal income tax purposes. Dividends received by a Fund from a REIT generally will not constitute qualified dividend income.

A Fund may invest in REITs that hold residual interests in real estate mortgage investment conduits (“REMICs”) or which are, or have certain wholly-owned subsidiaries that are, “taxable mortgage pools” (“TMPs”). Under certain Treasury guidance, a portion of a Fund’s income from a REIT that is attributable to the REIT’s residual interest in a REMIC or equity interests in a TMP (referred to in the Code as an “excess inclusion”) will be subject to federal income tax in all events. This guidance provides that excess inclusion income of a RIC, such as a Fund, must generally be allocated to shareholders of the RIC in proportion to the dividends received by

 

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such shareholders, with the same consequences as if the shareholders held the related REMIC residual interest or TMP interests directly. In general, excess inclusion income allocated to shareholders (i) cannot be offset by net operating losses (subject to a limited exception for certain thrift institutions), (ii) will constitute unrelated business taxable income to entities (including a qualified pension plan, an individual retirement account, a 401(k) plan, a Keogh plan or other tax-exempt entity) subject to tax on unrelated business income, thereby potentially requiring such an entity, which otherwise might not be required to file a tax return, to file a tax return and pay tax on such income (see “Taxes – Tax-Exempt Shareholders” below), and (iii) in the case of a foreign shareholder, will not qualify for any reduction in U.S. federal withholding tax. No Fund intends to invest a substantial portion of its assets in REITs which generate excess inclusion income.

Tax-Exempt Shareholders. Under current law, income of a RIC that would be treated as unrelated business taxable income (“UBTI”) if earned directly by a tax-exempt entity generally will not be attributed as UBTI to a tax-exempt entity that is a shareholder in the RIC. Notwithstanding this “blocking” effect, a tax-exempt shareholder could realize UBTI by virtue of its investment in a Fund if shares in that Fund constitute debt-financed property in the hands of the tax-exempt shareholder within the meaning of Code Section 514(b) or if the Fund invests in REITs that hold residual interests in REMICs.

In addition, special tax consequences apply to charitable remainder trusts (“CRTs”) that invest in RICs that invest directly or indirectly in residual interests in REMICs or TMPs. A CRT (as defined in Section 664 of the Code) that realizes any UBTI for a taxable year must pay an excise tax annually of an amount equal to such UBTI. Under IRS guidance issued in October 2006, a CRT will not recognize UBTI as a result of investing in a Fund that recognizes “excess inclusion income.” Rather, if at any time during a taxable year a CRT (or one of certain other tax-exempt shareholders, such as the United States, a state or political subdivision, or an agency or instrumentality thereof, and certain energy cooperatives) is a record holder of a share in a Fund that recognizes “excess inclusion income,” then that Fund will be subject to a tax on that portion of its “excess inclusion income” for the taxable year that is allocable to such CRT at the highest federal corporate income tax rate. The extent to which this IRS guidance remains applicable in light of the December 2006 legislation is unclear. To the extent permitted under the 1940 Act, each Fund may elect to specially allocate any such tax to the applicable CRT, or other shareholder, and thus reduce such shareholder’s distributions for the year by an amount of the tax that relates to that shareholder’s interest in a Fund. The Funds have not yet determined whether such an election will be made. CRTs are urged to consult their tax advisors concerning the consequences of investing in the Funds. The Funds do not intend to invest directly or indirectly in residual interests in REMICs.

Non-U.S. Shareholders. In general, dividends other than Capital Gain Dividends paid by a Fund to a shareholder that is not a “U.S. person” within the meaning of the Code are subject to withholding of U.S. federal income tax at a rate of 30% (or lower applicable treaty rate) even if they are funded by income or gains (such as portfolio interest, short-term capital gains, or foreign-source dividend and interest income) that, if paid to a non-U.S. person directly, would not be subject to withholding.

A beneficial holder of shares who is a non-U.S. person is not, in general, subject to U.S. federal income tax on gains (and is not allowed a U.S. income tax deduction for losses) realized on a sale of shares of a Fund or on Capital Gain Dividends unless (i) such gain or dividend is effectively connected with the conduct of a trade or business carried on by such holder within the United States or (ii) in the case of an individual holder, the holder is present in the United States for a period or periods aggregating 183 days or more during the year of the sale or the receipt of the Capital Gain Dividend and certain other conditions are met.

Ordinary dividends, redemption payments and certain capital gain dividends paid after June 30, 2014 to a non-U.S. shareholder fails to make certain required certifications, or that is a “foreign financial institution” as defined in Section 1471 of the Code and that does not meet the requirements imposed on foreign financial institutions by Section 1471, are generally subject to withholding tax at a 30% rate. Under current IRS guidance, withholding on such payments will begin at different times depending on the type of payment, the type of payee, and when the shareholder’s account is opened. Withholding with respect to ordinary dividends is scheduled to begin on July 1, 2014 (or, in certain cases, on later dates). Withholding on redemption payments and certain Capital Gain Dividends is currently scheduled to begin on January 1, 2017. The extent, if any, to which such withholding tax may be reduced or eliminated by an applicable tax treaty is unclear. A non-U.S. shareholder may be exempt from the withholding described in this paragraph under an intergovernmental agreement between the U.S. and a foreign government, provided that the shareholder and the applicable foreign government comply with the terms of such agreement.

In order for a non-U.S. investor to qualify for an exemption from backup withholding, the non-U.S. investor must comply with special certification and filing requirements. Non-U.S. investors in the Funds should consult their tax advisors in this regard. Backup withholding is not an additional tax. Any amounts withheld may be credited against the shareholder’s U.S. federal income tax liability, provided the appropriate information is furnished to the IRS.

A beneficial holder of shares who is a non-U.S. person may be subject to state and local tax and to the U.S. federal estate tax in addition to the federal income tax consequences referred to above. If a shareholder is eligible for the benefits of a tax treaty, any effectively connected income or gain will generally be subject to U.S. federal income tax on a net basis only if it is also attributable to a permanent establishment maintained by the shareholder in the United States.

Creation and Redemption of Creation Units. An Authorized Participant having the U.S. dollar as its functional currency for U.S. federal income tax purposes that exchanges securities or non-U.S. currency for Creation Units generally will recognize a gain or loss equal to the difference between (i) the sum of the market value of the Creation Units at the time of the exchange and any cash received

 

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by the Authorized Participant in the exchange and (ii) the sum of the exchanger’s aggregate basis in the securities or non-U.S. currency surrendered and any cash paid for such Creation Units. All or a portion of any gain or loss recognized by an Authorized Participant exchanging a currency other than its functional currency for Creation Units may be treated as ordinary income or loss. A person who redeems Creation Units for securities or non-U.S. currency will generally recognize a gain or loss equal to the difference between the exchanger’s basis in the Creation Units and the sum of the aggregate U.S. dollar market value of any securities or non-U.S. currency received plus the amount of any cash received for such Creation Units. The IRS, however, may assert that a loss that is realized by an Authorized Participant upon an exchange of securities or non-U.S. currency for Creation Units cannot be currently deducted under the rules governing “wash sales,” or on the basis that there has been no significant change in economic position. All or some portion of any capital gain or loss realized upon the creation of Creation Units will generally be treated as long-term capital gain or loss if securities exchanged for such Creation Units have been held for more than one year.

Any capital gain or loss realized upon the redemption of Creation Units will generally be treated as long-term capital gain or loss if the Creation Units have been held for more than one year. Otherwise, such capital gains or losses will be treated as short-term capital gains or losses.

A person subject to U.S. federal income tax who receives non-U.S. currency upon a redemption of Creation Units and does not immediately convert the non-U.S. currency into U.S. dollars may, upon a later conversion of the non-U.S. currency into U.S. dollars, or upon the use of the non-U.S. currency to pay expenses or acquire assets, recognize as ordinary gains or losses any gains or losses resulting from fluctuations in the value of the non-U.S. currency relative to the U.S. dollar since the date of the redemption.

Persons exchanging securities or non-U.S. currency for Creation Units should consult their own tax advisors with respect to the tax treatment of any creation or redemption transaction.

Section 351. The Trust on behalf of each Fund has the right to reject an order for a purchase of shares of the Trust if the purchaser (or any group of purchasers) would, upon obtaining the shares so ordered, own 80% or more of the outstanding shares of a given Fund and if, pursuant to Section 351 of the Code, that Fund would have a basis in the securities different from the market value of such securities on the date of deposit. The Trust also has the right to require information necessary to determine beneficial share ownership for purposes of the 80% determination.

Certain Reporting Regulations. Under U.S. Treasury regulations, generally, if a shareholder recognizes a loss of $2 million or more for an individual shareholder or $10 million or more for a corporate shareholder, the shareholder must file with the IRS a disclosure statement on Form 8886. Direct shareholders of portfolio securities are in many cases excepted from this reporting requirement, but under current guidance shareholders of a RIC are not excepted. The fact that a loss is reportable under these regulations does not affect the legal determination of whether the taxpayer’s treatment of the loss is proper. Shareholders should consult their tax advisors to determine the applicability of these regulations in light of their individual circumstances.

General Considerations. The federal income tax discussion set forth above is for general information only. Prospective investors should consult their tax advisors regarding the specific federal income tax consequences of purchasing, holding and disposing of shares of the Funds, as well as the effect of state, local and foreign tax law and any proposed tax law changes.

Taxation of the India Portfolio

As discussed under the “Principal Investment Strategy” section herein, the India Earnings Fund invests in Indian securities through WisdomTree India Investment Portfolio, Inc. (previously defined as the India Portfolio), a wholly-owned subsidiary organized under Mauritius law, which has made an election to be treated as a disregarded entity for US federal income tax purposes. Investors should note that taxation in India of the income of the India Portfolio arising from its investments in India shall be as per the provisions of the India-Mauritius Double Tax Avoidance Treaty (the “Treaty”) read with the Indian Income Tax Act. While the validity of the Treaty and its applicability to entities such as the Fund were recently upheld by the Supreme Court of India in the Hutchinson – Vodafone transaction, no assurance can be given that the terms of the Treaty will not be subject to re-interpretation and re-negotiation in the future. Any change in the Treaty’s application could have a material adverse effect on the tax status of the India Portfolio and therefore the returns of the India Portfolio and the returns of the India Earnings Fund. Further, it is possible that the Indian tax authorities may seek to take the position that the India Portfolio is not entitled to the benefits of the Treaty.

As mentioned above, in order to claim the benefits of the Treaty, the India Portfolio must be a tax resident of Mauritius. The India Portfolio is incorporated in Mauritius, has been issued a certificate of Mauritian tax residence by the tax authorities in Mauritius, and has been granted a Tax Residency Certificate. Under the Treaty, capital gains from investment in Indian securities, global depositary receipts, or American depositary receipts issued with respect to Indian companies are exempt from tax. Similarly, business income is also exempt from taxation under the Treaty so long as the India Portfolio does not have a permanent establishment in India. However, if the India Portfolio were deemed to have a permanent establishment, income attributable to that permanent establishment could be taxable in India at a rate of 42.024%.1 Since the India Portfolio holds a valid Tax Residency Certificate issued by the Mauritius tax authorities, and is effectively managed in Mauritius, it should be regarded as a tax resident of Mauritius and may be eligible to claim the benefits of the Treaty.

Regardless of the application of the Treaty, all transactions entered on a recognized stock exchange in India are subject to the Securities Transaction Tax (“STT”). As per the Finance Bill, 2012, it is proposed that with effect from April 1, 2012, STT of 0.1% of

 

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the value of the transaction is payable by each of the purchaser / seller where the contract is settled by the actual delivery or transfer of such shares and STT of 0.025% of the value of the transaction is payable by the seller where the contract for sale is settled otherwise than by the actual delivery or transfer of such shares. The STT can be claimed as a deductible expense from the business income under the Indian Income Tax Act, 1961.

It is currently not entirely clear whether the Indian Minimum Alternate Tax (“MAT”) applies to the India Portfolio as a beneficiary of the Treaty. Although the Treaty should override the provisions of the Indian Income Tax Act and thus the application of the MAT, this is not certain. If the MAT does apply, and the Indian income tax payable by the India Portfolio is less than 18.5% of its book profits, then the India Portfolio would be deemed to owe taxes of 18.5% of book profits.

Please note that the above description is based on current provisions of Indian law, and any change or modification made by subsequent legislation, regulation, or administrative or judicial decision could increase the Indian tax liability of the India Portfolio and thus reduce the return to Fund shareholders.

DETERMINATION OF NAV

The NAV of each Fund’s shares is calculated each day the national securities exchanges are open for trading as of the close of regular trading on the Listing Exchange, generally 4:00 p.m. New York time (the “NAV Calculation Time”). NAV per share is calculated by dividing a Fund’s net assets by the number of Fund shares outstanding.

In calculating a Fund’s NAV, Fund investments generally are valued using market valuations. Short-term debt securities with remaining maturities of sixty (60) days or less generally are valued on the basis of amortized cost, which approximates fair value. U.S. fixed income assets may be valued as of the announced closing time for such securities on any day that the Securities Industry and Financial Markets Association announces an early closing time. The values of any assets or liabilities of a Fund that are denominated in a currency other than the U.S. dollar are converted into U.S. dollars using an exchange rate deemed appropriate by the Fund.

In certain instances, such as when reliable market valuations are not readily available or are not deemed to reflect current market values, a Fund’s investments will be valued in accordance with the Fund’s pricing policy and procedures. Securities that may be valued using “fair value” pricing may include, but are not limited to, securities for which there are no current market quotations or whose issuer is in default or bankruptcy, securities subject to corporate actions (such as mergers or reorganizations), securities subject to non-U.S. investment limits or currency controls, and securities affected by “significant events.” An example of a significant event is an event occurring after the close of the market in which a security trades but before a Fund’s next NAV Calculation Time that may materially affect the value of a Fund’s investment (e.g., government action, natural disaster, or significant market fluctuation). Price movements in U.S. markets that are deemed to affect the value of foreign securities, or reflect changes to the value of such securities, also may cause securities to be “fair valued.”

When fair-value pricing is employed, the prices of securities used by a Fund to calculate its NAV may differ from quoted or published prices for the same securities.

Fund shares are purchased or sold on a national securities exchange at market prices, which may be higher or lower than NAV. No secondary sales will be made to brokers or dealers at a concession by the Distributor or by a Fund. Purchases and sales of shares in the secondary market, which will not involve a Fund, will be subject to customary brokerage commissions and charges. Transactions in Fund shares will be priced at NAV only if you purchase or redeem shares directly from a Fund in Creation Units.

 

1  The tax rate is inclusive of the base rate of 40% and a further surcharge at the rate of 2% of non-resident companies (5% applicable only to Indian companies) and education cess at the rate of 3% applicable to surcharge and tax payable thereon.

DIVIDENDS AND DISTRIBUTIONS

The Total Dividend Fund, Equity Income Fund, Dividend ex-Financials Fund, LargeCap Dividend Fund, MidCap Dividend Fund, SmallCap Dividend Fund, U.S. Dividend Growth Fund, and U.S. SmallCap Dividend Growth Fund intend to pay out dividends on a monthly basis. The remaining Funds intend to pay out dividends, if any, on a quarterly basis but in any event no less frequently than annually. Nonetheless, a Fund might not make a dividend payment every quarter. Each Fund intends to distribute its net realized capital gains, if any, to investors annually. The Funds may occasionally be required to make supplemental distributions at some other time during the year. Distributions in cash may be reinvested automatically in additional whole shares only if the broker through whom you purchased shares makes such option available. Your broker is responsible for distributing the income and capital gain distributions to you.

The Trust reserves the right to declare special distributions if, in its reasonable discretion, such action is necessary or advisable to preserve the status of each Fund as a RIC or to avoid imposition of income or excise taxes on undistributed income.

FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

The audited financial statements, including the financial highlights appearing in the Trust’s Annual Report to Shareholders for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2014 and filed electronically with the SEC, are incorporated by reference and made part of this SAI. Financial Statements and Annual Reports of the Japan Hedged Financials Fund, Japan Hedged Financials Fund, Japan Hedged Capital Goods Fund, Japan Hedged Health Care Fund, Japan Hedged Tech, Media and Telecom Fund, Europe Dividend Growth Fund, and

 

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International Hedged Dividend Growth Fund will be available after the Funds have completed a fiscal year of operations. You may request a copy of the Trust’s Annual Report at no charge by calling 866-909-9473 or through the Trust’s website at www.wisdomtree.com.

MISCELLANEOUS INFORMATION

Counsel. Bingham McCutchen LLP, with offices located at 2020 K Street, NW, Washington, DC 20006, serves as legal counsel to the Trust.

Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm. Ernst & Young LLP, with offices located at 5 Times Square, New York, New York 10036, serves as the independent registered public accounting firm to the Trust.

WIS-SAI-002-0214

 

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WISDOMTREE® TRUST

WisdomTree Japan Dividend Growth Fund

Ticker:

Principal U.S. Listing Exchange: [            ]

STATEMENT OF ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

, 2014

This Statement of Additional Information (“SAI”) is not a prospectus. It should be read in conjunction with the current prospectus (the “Prospectus”) for the WisdomTree Japan Dividend Growth Fund (the “Fund”), a separate investment portfolio of WisdomTree Trust (the “Trust”), as the Prospectus may be revised from time to time.

The current Prospectus for the Fund is dated [                 ], 2014. Capitalized terms used herein that are not defined have the same meaning as in the Prospectus, unless otherwise noted. The Fund’s audited financial statements for the most recent fiscal year (when available) are incorporated in this SAI by reference to the Fund’s most recent Annual Report to Shareholders (File No. 811-21864). When available, you may obtain a copy of the Fund’s Annual Report at no charge by request to the Fund at the address or phone number noted below.

THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION (“SEC”) HAS NOT APPROVED OR DISAPPROVED THESE SECURITIES OR PASSED UPON THE ADEQUACY OF THIS SAI. ANY REPRESENTATION TO THE CONTRARY IS A CRIMINAL OFFENSE.

SHARES OF THE FUND ARE NOT CURRENTLY AVAILABLE FOR PURCHASE ON THE SECONDARY MARKET.

A copy of the Prospectus for the Fund may be obtained, without charge, by calling 1-866-909-9473, visiting www.wisdomtree.com, or writing to WisdomTree Trust, c/o ALPS Distributors, Inc., 1290 Broadway, Suite 1100, Denver, Colorado 80203.

 

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TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

General Description of the Trust and the Fund

     3   

Investment Strategies and Risks

     3   

General Risks

     3   

Specific Investment Strategies

     5   

Proxy Voting Policy

     10   

Portfolio Holdings Disclosure Policies and Procedures

     10   

WisdomTree Index Description

     11   

Investment Limitations

     12   

Continuous Offering

     13   

Management of the Trust

     13   

Brokerage Transactions

     22   

Additional Information Concerning the Trust

     22   

Creation and Redemption of Creation Unit Aggregations

     24   

Regular Holidays

     28   

Taxes

     30   

Determination of NAV

     36   

Dividends and Distributions

     37   

Financial Statements

     37   

Miscellaneous Information

     37   

 

 

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GENERAL DESCRIPTION OF THE TRUST AND THE FUND

The Trust was organized as a Delaware statutory trust on December 15, 2005 and is authorized to issue multiple series or portfolios. The Trust is an open-end management investment company, registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the “1940 Act”). The offering of the Trust’s shares is registered under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”).

The Fund described in this SAI seeks to track the price and yield performance, before fees and expenses, of the WisdomTree Japan Dividend Growth Index (the “Index”). The Index is created using proprietary methodology developed by WisdomTree Investments, Inc. (“WisdomTree Investments”). WisdomTree Investments is the parent company of WisdomTree Asset Management, Inc. (“WisdomTree Asset Management” or the “Adviser”), the investment adviser to the Fund. [             ] (“[             ]” or the “Sub-Adviser”) is the investment sub-adviser to the Fund. The Adviser and the Sub-Adviser may be referred to together as the “Advisers”. ALPS Distributors, Inc. serves as the distributor (the “Distributor”) of the shares of the Fund.

The Fund issues and redeems shares at net asset value per share (“NAV”) only in large blocks of shares, typically 50,000 shares or more (“Creation Units” or “Creation Unit Aggregations”). Currently, Creation Units generally consist of 50,000 shares, though this may change from time to time. Creation Units are not expected to consist of less than 50,000 shares. These transactions are usually in exchange for a basket of securities and an amount of cash. As a practical matter, only institutions or large investors purchase or redeem Creation Units. Except when aggregated in Creation Units, shares of the Fund are not redeemable securities.

Shares of the Fund are listed on a national securities exchange, such as [            ] (“[            ]” or the “Listing Exchange”), and trade throughout the day on the Listing Exchange and other secondary markets at market prices that may differ from NAV. As in the case of other publicly traded securities, brokers’ commissions on transactions will be based on commission rates charged by the applicable broker.

The Trust reserves the right to adjust the prices of shares in the future to maintain convenient trading ranges for investors. Any adjustments would be accomplished through stock splits or reverse stock splits, which would have no effect on the net assets of the Fund.

“WisdomTree” is a registered mark of WisdomTree Investments and has been licensed for use by the Trust. WisdomTree Investments has patent applications pending on the methodology and operation of its Index and the Fund.

INVESTMENT STRATEGIES AND RISKS

The Fund’s investment objective, principal investment strategies and associated risks are described in the Fund’s Prospectus. The sections below supplement these principal investment strategies and risks and describe the Fund’s additional investment policies and the different types of investments that may be made by the Fund as a part of its non-principal investment strategies. With respect to the Fund’s investments, unless otherwise noted, if a percentage limitation on investment is adhered to at the time of investment or contract, a subsequent increase or decrease as a result of market movement or redemption will not result in a violation of such investment limitation. The Fund is new and therefore portfolio turnover information is not yet available.

The Fund intends to qualify each year for treatment as a regulated investment company (a “RIC”) under Subchapter M of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”), so that it will not be subject to federal income tax on income and gains that are timely distributed to Fund shareholders. The Fund will invest its assets, and otherwise conduct its operations, in a manner that is intended to satisfy the qualifying income, diversification and distribution requirements necessary to establish and maintain eligibility for such treatment.

The Fund is considered “non-diversified,” as such term is used in the 1940 Act.

The Fund’s investment strategy, known as “indexing,” may eliminate some of the risks of active portfolio management, such as poor security selection. In addition, indexing may also help increase after-tax investment performance by keeping portfolio turnover low in comparison to more actively managed investment strategies.

GENERAL RISKS

An investment in the Fund should be made with an understanding that the value of the Fund’s portfolio securities may fluctuate in accordance with changes in the financial condition of an issuer or counterparty, changes in specific economic or political conditions that affect a particular security or issuer and changes in general economic or political conditions. An investor in the Fund could lose money over short or long periods of time.

 

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An investment in the Fund should also be made with an understanding of the risks inherent in an investment in equity securities, including the risk that the financial condition of issuers may become impaired or that the general condition of the stock market may deteriorate (either of which may cause a decrease in the value of the Fund’s portfolio securities and therefore a decrease in the value of shares of the Fund). Common stocks are susceptible to general stock market fluctuations and to volatile increases and decreases in value as market confidence and perceptions change. These investor perceptions are based on various and unpredictable factors, including expectations regarding government, economic, monetary and fiscal policies; inflation and interest rates; economic expansion or contraction; and global or regional political, economic or banking crises.

Holders of common stocks incur more risk than holders of preferred stocks and debt obligations because common stockholders, as owners of the issuer, generally have inferior rights to receive payments from the issuer in comparison with the rights of creditors or holders of debt obligations or preferred stocks. Further, unlike debt securities, which typically have a stated principal amount payable at maturity (whose value, however, is subject to market fluctuations prior thereto), or preferred stocks, which typically have a liquidation preference and which may have stated optional or mandatory redemption provisions, common stocks have neither a fixed principal amount nor a maturity. Common stock values are subject to market fluctuations as long as the common stock remains outstanding.

Although all of the securities in the Index are generally listed on the Tokyo Stock Exchange, there can be no guarantee that a liquid market for such securities will be maintained. The existence of a liquid trading market for certain securities may depend on whether dealers will make a market in such securities. There can be no assurance that a market will be made or maintained or that any such market will be or remain liquid. The price at which securities may be sold and the value of the Fund’s shares will be adversely affected if trading markets for the Fund’s portfolio securities are limited or absent, or if bid/ask spreads are wide.

Events in the financial sector have resulted, and may continue to result, in an unusually high degree of volatility in the financial markets, both domestic and foreign. Domestic and foreign fixed income and equity markets experienced extreme volatility and turmoil starting in late 2008 and volatility has continued to be experienced in the markets. Issuers that have exposure to the real estate, mortgage and credit markets have been particularly affected, and well-known financial institutions have experienced significant liquidity and other problems. Some of these institutions have declared bankruptcy or defaulted on their debt. It is uncertain whether or for how long these conditions will continue. These events and possible continuing market turbulence may have an adverse effect on Fund performance.

BORROWING. Although the Fund does not intend to borrow money, the Fund may do so to the extent permitted by the 1940 Act. Under the 1940 Act, a fund may borrow up to 33% of its net assets. The Fund will borrow only for short-term or emergency purposes. Borrowing will tend to exaggerate the effect on net asset value of any increase or decrease in the market value of the Fund’s portfolio. Money borrowed will be subject to interest costs that may or may not be recovered by earnings on the securities purchased. The Fund also may be required to maintain minimum average balances in connection with a borrowing or to pay a commitment or other fee to maintain a line of credit; either of these requirements would increase the cost of borrowing over the stated interest rate.

CAPITAL CONTROLS AND SANCTIONS RISK. Economic conditions, such as volatile currency exchange rates and interest rates, political events, military action and other conditions may, without prior warning, lead to government intervention (including intervention by the U.S. government with respect to foreign governments, economic sectors, foreign companies and related securities and interests) and the imposition of capital controls and/or sanctions, which may also include retaliatory actions of one government against another government, such as seizure of assets. Capital controls and/or sanctions include the prohibition of, or restrictions on, the ability to own or transfer currency, securities or other assets, which may potentially include derivative instruments related thereto. Countries use these controls to, among other reasons, restrict movements of capital entering (inflows) and exiting (outflows) their country to respond to certain economic or political conditions. By way of example, such controls may be applied to short-term capital transactions to counter speculative flows that threaten to undermine the stability of the exchange trade and deplete foreign exchange reserves. Levies maybe placed on profits repatriated by foreign entities (such as the Fund). Capital controls and/or sanctions may also impact the ability of the Fund to buy, sell, transfer, receive, deliver (i.e., create and redeem Creation Units) or otherwise obtain exposure to, foreign securities or currency, negatively impact the value and/or liquidity of such instruments, adversely affect the trading market and price for shares of the Fund (e.g., cause the Fund to trade at prices materially different from its NAV), and cause the Fund to decline in value. The Fund may change its creation and or redemption procedures without notice in response to the imposition of capital controls or sanctions. There can be no assurance a country in which the Fund invests or the U.S. will not impose a form of capital control or sanction to the possible detriment of the Fund and its shareholders.

CURRENCY EXCHANGE RATE RISK. Investments denominated in non-U.S. currencies and investments in securities or derivatives that provide exposure to such currencies, currency exchange rates or interest rates are subject to non-U.S. currency risk. Changes in currency exchange rates and the relative value of non-U.S. currencies will affect the value of the Fund’s investment and the value of your Fund shares. Because the Fund’s NAV is determined on the basis of U.S. dollars, the U.S. dollar value of your investment in the Fund may go down if the value of the local currency of the non-U.S. markets in which the Fund invests depreciates against the U.S. dollar. This is true even if the local currency value of securities in the Fund’s holdings goes up. Conversely, the U.S. dollar value of your investment in the Fund may go up if the value of the local currency appreciates against the U.S. dollar. The value of the U.S. dollar against other currencies is influenced by a variety of factors. These factors include national debt levels and trade

 

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deficits, changes in balances of payments and trade, domestic and foreign interest and inflation rates, global or regional political, economic or financial events, monetary policies of governments, actual or potential government intervention, and global energy prices. Political instability, the possibility of government intervention and restrictive or opaque business and investment policies may also reduce the value of a country’s currency. Government monetary policies and the buying or selling of currency by a country’s government may also influence exchange rates. Currencies of emerging or developing market countries may be subject to significantly greater risks than currencies of developed countries. Many developing market countries have experienced steady declines or even sudden devaluations of their currencies relative to the U.S. dollar. Some non-U.S. market currencies may not be traded internationally, may be subject to strict limitations on foreign investment and may be subject to frequent and unannounced government intervention. Government intervention and currency controls can decrease the value and significantly increase the volatility of an investment in non-U.S. currency. Although the currencies of some developing market countries may be convertible into U.S. dollars, the achievable rates may differ from those experienced by domestic investors because of foreign investment restrictions, withholding taxes, lack of liquidity or other reasons.

LACK OF DIVERSIFICATION. The Fund is considered to be “non-diversified.” A “non-diversified” classification means that the Fund is not limited by the 1940 Act with regard to the percentage of its total assets that may be invested in the securities of a single issuer. As a result, the Fund may invest more of its total assets in the securities of a single issuer or a smaller number of issuers than if it were classified as a diversified fund. Therefore, the Fund may be more exposed to the risks associated with and developments affecting an individual issuer or a small number of issuers than a fund that invests more widely, which may have a greater impact on the Fund’s volatility and performance.

TAX RISK. To qualify for the favorable U.S. federal income tax treatment accorded to RICs, the Fund must, among other things, derive in each taxable year at least 90% of its gross income from certain prescribed sources. The U.S. Treasury Department has authority to issue regulations that would exclude foreign currency gains from qualifying income if such gains are not directly related to the Fund’s business of investing in stock or securities. Accordingly, regulations may be issued in the future that could treat some or all of the Fund’s foreign currency gains as nonqualifying income, which might jeopardize the Fund’s status as a RIC for all years to which the regulations are applicable. If for any taxable year the Fund does not qualify as a RIC, all of its taxable income (including its net capital gain) for that year would be subject to tax at regular corporate rates without any deduction for distributions to shareholders, and such distributions would be taxable to shareholders as dividend income to the extent of the Fund’s current and accumulated earnings and profits.

A discussion of some of the other risks associated with an investment in the Fund is contained in the Fund’s Prospectus.

SPECIFIC INVESTMENT STRATEGIES

A description of certain investment strategies and types of investments used by the Fund is set forth below.

CURRENCY TRANSACTIONS. The Fund may enter into foreign currency forward and foreign currency futures contracts to facilitate local securities settlements or to protect against currency exposure in connection with distributions to shareholders. The Fund does not expect to engage in currency transactions for the purpose of hedging against declines in the value of the Fund’s total assets that are denominated in one or more foreign currencies.

Forward Foreign Currency Contracts. A forward foreign currency exchange contract (“forward contract”) involves an obligation to purchase or sell a specific currency at a future date, which may be any fixed number of days from the date of the contract agreed upon by the parties, at a price set at the time of the contract. These contracts are principally traded in the interbank market conducted directly between currency traders (usually large commercial banks) and their customers. Forward contracts are contracts between parties in which one party agrees to make a payment to the other party (the counterparty) based on the market value or level of a specified currency. In return, the counterparty agrees to make payment to the first party based on the return of a different specified currency. A forward contract generally has no margin deposit requirement, and no commissions are charged at any stage for trades. These contracts typically are settled by physical delivery of the underlying currency or currencies in the amount of the full contract value.

A non-deliverable forward contract is a forward contract where there is no physical settlement of two currencies at maturity. Non-deliverable forward contracts will usually be done on a net basis, with the Fund receiving or paying only the net amount of the two payments. The net amount of the excess, if any, of the Fund’s obligations over its entitlements with respect to each non-deliverable forward contract is accrued on a daily basis and an amount of cash or highly liquid securities having an aggregate value at least equal to the accrued excess is maintained in an account at the Fund’s custodian bank. The risk of loss with respect to non-deliverable forward contracts generally is limited to the net amount of payments that the Fund is contractually obligated to make or receive.

Foreign Currency Futures Contracts. A foreign currency futures contract is a contract involving an obligation to deliver or acquire the specified amount of a specific currency, at a specified price and at a specified future time. Futures contracts may be settled on a net cash payment basis rather than by the sale and delivery of the underlying currency.

 

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Currency exchange transactions involve a significant degree of risk and the markets in which currency exchange transactions are effected are highly volatile, highly specialized and highly technical. Significant changes, including changes in liquidity and prices, can occur in such markets within very short periods of time, often within minutes. Currency exchange trading risks include, but are not limited to, exchange rate risk, maturity gap, interest rate risk, and potential interference by foreign governments through regulation of local exchange markets, foreign investment or particular transactions in foreign currency. If the Fund utilizes foreign currency transactions at an inappropriate time, such transactions may not serve their intended purpose of improving the correlation of the Fund’s return with the performance of its underlying Index and may lower the Fund’s return. The Fund could experience losses if the value of any currency forwards and futures positions is poorly correlated with its other investments or if it could not close out its positions because of an illiquid market. Such contracts are subject to the risk that the counterparty will default on its obligations. In addition, the Fund will incur transaction costs, including trading commissions, in connection with certain foreign currency transactions.

DEPOSITARY RECEIPTS. To the extent the Fund invests in stocks of foreign corporations, the Fund’s investment in such stocks may be in the form of Depositary Receipts or other similar securities convertible into securities of foreign issuers. Depositary Receipts may not necessarily be denominated in the same currency as the underlying securities into which they may be converted. American Depositary Receipts (“ADRs”) are receipts typically issued by an American bank or trust company that evidence ownership of underlying securities issued by a foreign corporation. European Depositary Receipts (“EDRs”) are receipts issued in Europe that evidence a similar ownership arrangement. Global Depositary Receipts (“GDRs”) are receipts issued throughout the world that evidence a similar arrangement. Non-Voting Depository Receipts (“NVDRs”) are receipts issued in Thailand that evidence a similar arrangement. Generally, ADRs, in registered form, are designed for use in the U.S. securities markets, and EDRs, in bearer form, are designed for use in European securities markets. GDRs are tradable both in the United States and in Europe and are designed for use throughout the world. NVDRs are tradable on the Stock Exchange of Thailand.

The Fund will not invest in any unlisted Depositary Receipts or any Depositary Receipt that WisdomTree Asset Management or the Sub-Adviser deems to be illiquid or for which pricing information is not readily available. In addition, all Depositary Receipts generally must be sponsored; however, the Fund may invest in unsponsored Depositary Receipts under certain limited circumstances. The issuers of unsponsored Depositary Receipts are not obligated to disclose material information in the United States, and, therefore, there may be less information available regarding such issuers and there may not be a correlation between such information and the market value of the Depositary Receipts. The use of Depositary Receipts may increase tracking error relative to an underlying Index.

DERIVATIVES. The Fund may use derivative instruments as part of its investment strategies. The Fund will not use derivatives to increase leverage and the Fund will provide margin or collateral, as applicable, with respect to investments in derivatives in such amounts as determined under applicable law, regulatory guidance or related interpretations.

Generally, derivatives are financial contracts whose value depend upon, or are derived from, the value of an underlying asset, reference rate or index, and may relate to bonds, interest rates, currencies, commodities, and related indexes. Examples of derivative instruments include forward contracts, currency and interest rate swaps, currency options, futures contracts, options on futures contracts and swap agreements. The Fund’s use of derivative instruments will be underpinned by investments in short-term, high-quality instruments, such as U.S. money market securities.

With respect to certain kinds of derivative transactions that involve obligations to make future payments to third parties, including, but not limited to, futures contracts, forward contracts, swap contracts, the purchase of securities on a when-issued or delayed delivery basis, or reverse repurchase agreements, under applicable federal securities laws, rules, and interpretations thereof, the Fund must “set aside” liquid assets, or engage in other measures to “cover” open positions with respect to such transactions.

For example, with respect to forward contracts and futures contracts that are not contractually required to “cash-settle,” the Fund must cover its open positions by setting aside liquid assets equal to the contracts’ full, notional value. The Fund treats deliverable forward contracts for currencies that are liquid as the equivalent of “cash-settled” contracts. As such, the Fund may set aside liquid assets in an amount equal to the Fund’s daily marked-to-market (net) obligation (i.e., the Fund’s daily net liability if any) rather than the full notional amount under such deliverable forward contracts. Similarly, with respect to futures contracts that are contractually required to “cash-settle” the Fund may set aside liquid assets in an amount equal to the Fund’s daily marked-to-market (net) obligation rather than the notional value. The Fund reserves the right to modify these policies in the future.

Effective April 24, 2012, the U.S. Commodity Futures Trading Commission (“CFTC”) revised, among other things, CFTC Rule 4.5 and rescinded CFTC Rule 4.13(a)(4). The CFTC has adopted amendments to its regulations of commodity pool operators (“CPOs”) managing funds registered under the 1940 Act that “harmonize” the SEC’s and the CFTC’s regulatory schemes. The adopted amendments to the CFTC regulations allow CPOs to registered investment companies to satisfy certain recordkeeping, reporting and disclosure requirements that would otherwise apply to them under Part 4 of the CFTC’s regulations by continuing to comply with comparable SEC requirements. To the extent that the CFTC recordkeeping, disclosure and reporting requirements deviate from the comparable SEC requirements, such deviations are not expected to materially adversely affect the ability of the Fund to continue to operate and achieve its investment objective. If, however, these requirements or future regulatory changes result in the Fund having difficulty in achieving its investment objective, the Trust may determine to reorganize or close the Fund, materially change the Fund’s investment objective and strategies, or operate the Fund as a regulated commodity pool pursuant to WisdomTree Asset Management’s CPO registration.

 

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With regard to the Fund, WisdomTree Asset Management will continue to claim relief from the definition of CPO under revised CFTC Rule 4.5. Specifically, pursuant to CFTC Rule 4.5, WisdomTree Asset Management may claim exclusion from the definition of CPO, and thus from having to register as a CPO, with regard to a Fund that enters into commodity futures, commodity options or swaps solely for “bona fide hedging purposes,” or that limits its investment in commodities to a “de minimis” amount, as defined in CFTC rules, so long as the shares of such Fund are not marketed as interests in a commodity pool or other vehicle for trading in commodity futures, commodity options or swaps.

Swap Agreements. The Fund may enter into swap agreements, including interest rate swaps and currency swaps. A typical interest rate swap involves the exchange of a floating interest rate payment for a fixed interest payment. A typical foreign currency swap involves the exchange of cash flows based on the notional differences among two or more currencies (e.g., the U.S. dollar and the Brazilian Real). Swap agreements may be used to hedge or achieve exposure to, for example, currencies, interest rates, and money market securities without actually purchasing such currencies or securities. The Fund may use swap agreements to invest in a market without owning or taking physical custody of the underlying securities in circumstances in which direct investment is restricted for legal reasons or is otherwise impracticable. Swap agreements will tend to shift the Fund’s investment exposure from one type of investment to another or from one payment stream to another. Depending on their structure, swap agreements may increase or decrease the Fund’s exposure to long- or short-term interest rates (in the United States or abroad), foreign currencies, corporate borrowing rates, or other factors, and may increase or decrease the overall volatility of a Fund’s investments and its share price.

Futures, Options and Options on Futures Contracts. The Fund may enter into U.S. or foreign futures contracts, options and options on futures contracts. When the Fund purchases a futures contract, it agrees to purchase a specified underlying instrument at a specified future date. When the Fund sells a futures contract, it agrees to sell the underlying instrument at a specified future date. The price at which the purchase and sale will take place is fixed when the Fund enters into the contract. Futures can be held until their delivery dates, or can be closed out before then if a liquid secondary market is available.

The risk of loss in trading futures contracts or uncovered call options in some strategies (e.g., selling uncovered stock index futures contracts) is potentially unlimited. The Fund does not plan to use futures and options contracts in this way. The risk of a futures position may still be large as traditionally measured due to the low margin deposits required. In many cases, a relatively small price movement in a futures contract may result in immediate and substantial loss or gain to the investor relative to the size of a required margin deposit. The Fund, however, intends to utilize futures and options contracts in a manner designed to limit its risk exposure to levels comparable to direct investment in stocks.

Utilization of futures and options on futures by the Fund involves the risk of imperfect or even negative correlation to the underlying Index if the index underlying the futures contract differs from the Fund’s underlying Index. There is also the risk of loss by the Fund of margin deposits in the event of bankruptcy of a broker with whom the Fund has an open position in the futures contract or option. The purchase of put or call options will be based upon predictions by the Fund as to anticipated trends, which predictions could prove to be incorrect.

The potential for loss related to the purchase of an option on a futures contract is limited to the premium paid for the option plus transaction costs. Because the value of the option is fixed at the point of sale, there are no daily cash payments by the purchaser to reflect changes in the value of the underlying contract; however, the value of the option changes daily and that change would be reflected in the NAV of the Fund. The potential for loss related to writing options is unlimited.

Although the Fund intends to enter into options contracts only if there is an active market for such contracts, there is no assurance that an active market will exist for the contracts at any particular time.

EQUITY SECURITIES. Equity securities, such as the common stocks of an issuer, are subject to stock market fluctuations and therefore may experience volatile changes in value as market conditions, consumer sentiment or the financial condition of the issuers change. A decrease in value of the equity securities in the Fund’s portfolio may also cause the value of the Fund’s shares to decline.

EXCHANGE-TRADED NOTES. The Fund may invest in exchange-traded notes (“ETNs”). ETNs generally are senior, unsecured, unsubordinated debt securities issued by a sponsor, such as an investment bank. ETNs are traded on exchanges and the returns are linked to the performance of market indexes. In addition to trading ETNs on exchanges, investors may redeem ETNs directly with the issuer on a periodic basis, typically in a minimum amount of 50,000 units, or hold the ETNs until maturity. The value of an ETN may be influenced by time to maturity, level of supply and demand for the ETN, volatility and lack of liquidity in the underlying market, changes in the applicable interest rates, and economic, legal, political or geographic events that affect the referenced market. Because ETNs are debt securities, they are subject to credit risk. If the issuer has financial difficulties or goes bankrupt, the Fund may not receive the return it was promised. If a rating agency lowers an issuer’s credit rating, the value of the ETN may decline and a lower credit rating reflects a greater risk that the issuer will default on its obligation. There may be restrictions on the Fund’s right to redeem its investment in an ETN. There are no periodic interest payments for ETNs, and principal is not protected. The Fund’s decision to sell its ETN holdings may be limited by the availability of a secondary market.

 

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ILLIQUID SECURITIES. The Fund may invest up to an aggregate amount of 15% of its net assets in illiquid securities. Illiquid securities include securities subject to contractual or other restrictions on resale and other instruments that lack readily available markets to the extent not deemed liquid by the Adviser or Sub-Adviser. The inability of the Fund to dispose of illiquid or not readily marketable investments readily or at a reasonable price could impair the Fund’s ability to raise cash for redemptions or other purposes. The liquidity of securities purchased by the Fund which are eligible for resale pursuant to Rule 144A, except for certain 144A bonds, will be monitored by the Fund on an ongoing basis. In the event that such a security is deemed to be no longer liquid, the Fund’s holdings will be reviewed to determine what action, if any, is required to ensure that the retention of such security does not result in the Fund having more than 15% of its net assets invested in illiquid securities.

INVESTMENT COMPANY SECURITIES. The Fund may invest in the securities of other investment companies. The 1940 Act generally prohibits a fund from acquiring more than 3% of the outstanding voting shares of an investment company and limits such investments to no more than 5% of the fund’s total assets in any single investment company and no more than 10% in any combination of two or more investment companies. The Fund may purchase or otherwise invest in shares of affiliated exchange-traded funds (“ETFs”) and affiliated money market funds.

MONEY MARKET INSTRUMENTS. The Fund may invest a portion of its assets in high-quality money market instruments on an ongoing basis to provide liquidity or for other reasons. The instruments in which the Fund may invest include: (i) short-term obligations issued by the U.S. Government; (ii) negotiable certificates of deposit (“CDs”), fixed time deposits and bankers’ acceptances of U.S. and foreign banks and similar institutions; (iii) commercial paper rated at the date of purchase “Prime-1” by Moody’s or “A-1+” or “A-1” by Standard & Poor’s (“S&P”) or, if unrated, of comparable quality as determined by the Fund; and (iv) repurchase agreements. CDs are short-term negotiable obligations of commercial banks. Time deposits are non-negotiable deposits maintained in banking institutions for specified periods of time at stated interest rates. Banker’s acceptances are time drafts drawn on commercial banks by borrowers, usually in connection with international transactions.

NON-U.S. SECURITIES. The Fund invests primarily in non-U.S. equity securities. Investments in non-U.S. equity securities involve certain risks that may not be present in investments in U.S. securities. For example, non-U.S. securities may be subject to currency risks or to foreign government taxes. There may be less information publicly available about a non-U.S. issuer than about a U.S. issuer, and a foreign issuer may or may not be subject to uniform accounting, auditing and financial reporting standards and practices comparable to those in the U.S. Other risks of investing in such securities include political or economic instability in the country involved, the difficulty of predicting international trade patterns and the possibility of imposition of exchange controls. The prices of such securities may be more volatile than those of domestic securities. With respect to certain foreign countries, there is a possibility of expropriation of assets or nationalization, imposition of withholding taxes on dividend or interest payments, difficulty in obtaining and enforcing judgments against foreign entities or diplomatic developments which could affect investment in these countries. Losses and other expenses may be incurred in converting between various currencies in connection with purchases and sales of foreign securities.

Non-U.S. stock markets may not be as developed or efficient as, and may be more volatile than, those in the U.S. While the volume of shares traded on non-U.S. stock markets generally has been growing, such markets usually have substantially less volume than U.S. markets. Therefore, the Fund’s investment in non-U.S. equity securities may be less liquid and subject to more rapid and erratic price movements than comparable securities listed for trading on U.S. exchanges. Non-U.S. equity securities may trade at price/earnings multiples higher than comparable U.S. securities and such levels may not be sustainable. There may be less government supervision and regulation of foreign stock exchanges, brokers, banks and listed companies abroad than in the U.S. Moreover, settlement practices for transactions in foreign markets may differ from those in U.S. markets. Such differences may include delays beyond periods customary in the U.S. and practices, such as delivery of securities prior to receipt of payment, that increase the likelihood of a failed settlement, which can result in losses to the Fund. The value of non-U.S. investments and the investment income derived from them may also be affected unfavorably by changes in currency exchange control regulations. Foreign brokerage commissions, custodial expenses and other fees are also generally higher than for securities traded in the U.S. This may cause the Fund to incur higher portfolio transaction costs than domestic equity funds. Fluctuations in exchange rates may also affect the earning power and asset value of the foreign entity issuing a security, even one denominated in U.S. dollars. Dividend and interest payments may be repatriated based on the exchange rate at the time of disbursement, and restrictions on capital flows may be imposed.

Set forth below for certain markets in which the Fund may invest are brief descriptions of some of the conditions and risks in each such market.

Investments in Japan. The Fund invests primarily in companies organized in Japan. The Japanese economy is characterized by government intervention and protectionism, an unstable financial services sector, and relatively high unemployment. Economic growth is heavily dependent on international trade, government support and consistent government policy. Slowdowns in the economies of key trading partners such as the United States, China and countries in Southeast Asia could have a negative impact on the Japanese economy as a whole. These and other factors could have a negative impact on a Fund’s performance.

 

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REAL ESTATE INVESTMENT TRUSTS. The Fund may invest in the securities of real estate investment trusts (“REITs”) to the extent allowed by law. Risks associated with investments in securities of REITs include decline in the value of real estate, risks related to general and local economic conditions, overbuilding and increased competition, increases in property taxes and operating expenses, changes in zoning laws, casualty or condemnation losses, variations in rental income, changes in neighborhood values, the appeal of properties to tenants, and increases in interest rates. In addition, equity REITs may be affected by changes in the values of the underlying property owned by the trusts, while mortgage REITs may be affected by the quality of credit extended. REITs are dependent upon management skills, may not be diversified and are subject to the risks of financing projects. REITs are also subject to heavy cash-flow dependency, defaults by borrowers, self-liquidation, the possibility of failing to maintain exemption from the 1940 Act. If an issuer of debt securities collateralized by real estate defaults, it is conceivable that the REITs could end up holding the underlying real estate.

REPURCHASE AGREEMENTS. The Fund may enter into repurchase agreements with counterparties that are deemed to present acceptable credit risks. A repurchase agreement is a transaction in which the Fund purchases securities or other obligations from a bank or securities dealer (or its affiliate) and simultaneously commits to resell them to a counterparty at an agreed-upon date or upon demand and at a price reflecting a market rate of interest unrelated to the coupon rate or maturity of the purchased obligations. The Fund maintains custody of the underlying obligations prior to their repurchase, either through its regular custodian or through a special “triparty” custodian or sub-custodian that maintains separate accounts for both the Fund and its counterparty. Thus, the obligation of the counterparty to pay the repurchase price on the date agreed to or upon demand is, in effect, secured by such obligations.

Repurchase agreements carry certain risks not associated with direct investments in securities, including a possible decline in the market value of the underlying obligations. If their value becomes less than the repurchase price, plus any agreed-upon additional amount, the counterparty must provide additional collateral so that at all times the collateral is at least equal to the repurchase price plus any agreed-upon additional amount. The difference between the total amount to be received upon repurchase of the obligations and the price that was paid by the Fund upon acquisition is accrued as interest and included in its net investment income. Repurchase agreements involving obligations other than U.S. Government securities (such as commercial paper and corporate bonds) may be subject to special risks and may not have the benefit of certain protections in the event of the counterparty’s insolvency. If the seller or guarantor becomes insolvent, the Fund may suffer delays, costs and possible losses in connection with the disposition of collateral.

REVERSE REPURCHASE AGREEMENTS. The Fund may enter into reverse repurchase agreements, which involve the sale of securities held by the Fund subject to its agreement to repurchase the securities at an agreed-upon date or upon demand and at a price reflecting a market rate of interest. Reverse repurchase agreements are subject to the Fund’s limitation on borrowings and may be entered into only with banks or securities dealers or their affiliates. While a reverse repurchase agreement is outstanding, the Fund will maintain the segregation, either on its records or with the Trust’s custodian, of cash or other liquid securities, marked-to-market daily, in an amount at least equal to its obligations under the reverse repurchase agreement.

Reverse repurchase agreements involve the risk that the buyer of the securities sold by the Fund might be unable to deliver them when that Fund seeks to repurchase. If the buyer of securities under a reverse repurchase agreement files for bankruptcy or becomes insolvent, the buyer or trustee or receiver may receive an extension of time to determine whether to enforce the Fund’s obligation to repurchase the securities, and the Fund’s use of the proceeds of the reverse repurchase agreement may effectively be restricted pending such decision.

SECURITIES LENDING. The Fund may lend portfolio securities to certain creditworthy borrowers, including the Fund’s securities lending agent. Loans of portfolio securities provide the Fund with the opportunity to earn additional income on the Fund’s portfolio securities. All securities loans will be made pursuant to agreements requiring the loans to be continuously secured by collateral in cash, or money market instruments, money market funds or U.S. government securities at least equal at all times to the market value of the loaned securities. The borrower pays to the Fund an amount equal to any dividends or interest received on loaned securities. The Fund retains all or a portion of the interest received on investment of cash collateral or receives a fee from the borrower. Lending portfolio securities involves risks of delay in recovery of the loaned securities or in some cases loss of rights in the collateral should the borrower fail financially. Furthermore, because of the risks of delay in recovery, the Fund may lose the opportunity to sell the securities at a desirable price. The Fund will generally not have the right to vote securities while they are being loaned.

TRACKING STOCKS. The Fund may invest in tracking stocks. A tracking stock is a separate class of common stock whose value is linked to a specific business unit or operating division within a larger company and which is designed to “track” the performance of such business unit or division. The tracking stock may pay dividends to shareholders independent of the parent company. The parent company, rather than the business unit or division, generally is the issuer of tracking stock. However, holders of the tracking stock may not have the same rights as holders of the company’s common stock.

FUTURE DEVELOPMENTS. The Trust’s Board of Trustees (the “Board”) may, in the future, authorize the Fund to invest in securities contracts and investments other than those listed in this SAI and in the Fund’s Prospectus, provided they are consistent with the Fund’s investment objective and do not violate any investment restrictions or policies.

 

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PROXY VOTING POLICY

The Trust has adopted as its proxy voting policies for the Fund the proxy voting guidelines of the Sub-Adviser. The Trust has delegated to the Sub-Adviser the authority and responsibility for voting proxies on the portfolio securities held by the Fund. The remainder of this section discusses the Fund’s proxy voting guidelines and the Sub-Adviser’s role in implementing such guidelines.

The Sub-Adviser, through its participation on [                             ] (“[                 ]”) Corporation’s Proxy Policy Committee (“PPC”), has adopted a proxy voting policy, related procedures, and voting guidelines which are applied to those client accounts over which it has been delegated the authority to vote proxies. In voting proxies, the Sub-Adviser seeks to act solely in the best financial and economic interest of the applicable client. The Sub-Adviser will carefully review proposals that would limit shareholder control or could affect the value of a client’s investment. It will generally oppose proposals designed to insulate an issuer’s management unnecessarily from the wishes of a majority of shareholders. It will generally support proposals designed to provide management with short-term insulation from outside influences so as to enable management to negotiate effectively and otherwise achieve long-term goals. On questions of social responsibility where economic performance does not appear to be an issue, the Sub-Adviser will attempt to ensure that management reasonably responds to the social issues. Responsiveness will be measured by management’s efforts to address the proposal including, where appropriate, assessment of the implications of the proposal to the ongoing operations of the company. The PPC will pay particular attention to repeat issues where management has failed in its commitment in the intervening period to take action on issues. The Sub-Adviser recognizes its duty to vote proxies in the best interests of its clients. The Sub-Adviser seeks to avoid material conflicts of interest through its participation in the PPC, which applies detailed, predetermined proxy voting guidelines in an objective and consistent manner across client accounts, based on internal and external research and recommendations provided by a third-party vendor, and without consideration of any client relationship factors. Further, the Sub-Adviser and its affiliates engage a third party as an independent fiduciary to vote all proxies for [                 ] securities and affiliated mutual fund securities.

Proxy voting proposals are reviewed, categorized, analyzed and voted in accordance with the Sub-Adviser’s voting guidelines. These guidelines are reviewed periodically and updated as necessary to reflect new issues and any changes in policies on specific issues. Items that can be categorized under these voting guidelines will be voted in accordance with any applicable guidelines or referred to the PPC, if the applicable guidelines so require. Proposals that cannot be categorized under these voting guidelines will be referred to the PPC for discussion and vote. Additionally, the PPC may review any proposal where it has identified a particular company, industry or issue for special scrutiny. With regard to voting proxies of foreign companies, the Sub-Adviser may weigh the cost of voting, and potential inability to sell the securities (which may occur during the voting process), against the benefit of voting the proxies to determine whether or not to vote.

In evaluating proposals regarding incentive plans and restricted stock plans, the PPC typically employs a shareholder value transfer model. This model seeks to assess the amount of shareholder equity flowing out of the company to executives as options are exercised. After determining the cost of the plan, the PPC evaluates whether the cost is reasonable based on a number of factors, including industry classification and historical performance information. The PPC generally votes against proposals that permit the repricing or replacement of stock options without shareholder approval.

A complete copy of the Sub-Adviser’s proxy voting policy may be obtained by calling 1-866-909-9473 or by writing to: WisdomTree Trust, c/o ALPS Distributors, Inc., 1290 Broadway, Suite 1100, Denver, Colorado 80203.

The Trust is required to disclose annually the Fund’s complete proxy voting record on Form N-PX covering the period from July 1 of one year through June 30 of the next and to file Form N-PX with the SEC no later than August 31 of each year. The current Form N-PX for the Fund, when filed, may be obtained at no charge upon request by calling 1-866-909-9473 or by visiting the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov.

PORTFOLIO HOLDINGS DISCLOSURE POLICIES AND PROCEDURES

The Trust has adopted a Portfolio Holdings Policy (the “Policy”) designed to govern the disclosure of Fund portfolio holdings and the use of material non-public information about Fund holdings. The Policy applies to all officers, employees, and agents of the Fund, including the Advisers. The Policy is designed to ensure that the disclosure of information about the Fund’s portfolio holdings is consistent with applicable legal requirements and otherwise in the best interest of the Fund.

As an exchange-traded fund, information about the Fund’s portfolio holdings is made available on a daily basis in accordance with the provisions of any Order of the SEC applicable to the Fund, regulations of the Fund’s Listing Exchange and other applicable SEC regulations, orders and no-action relief. Such information typically reflects all or a portion of the Fund’s anticipated portfolio holdings as of the next Business Day. A “Business Day” with respect to the Fund is any day on which the Fund’s Listing Exchange is open for business. As of the date of this SAI, the Listing Exchange observes the following holidays: New Year’s Day, Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, Presidents’ Day, Good Friday, Memorial Day (observed), Independence Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving Day, and Christmas Day. This information is used in connection with the creation and redemption process and is disseminated on a daily basis through the facilities of the Listing Exchange, the National Securities Clearing Corporation (“NSCC”) and/or third-party service providers.

 

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The Fund may disclose on the Fund’s website at the start of each Business Day the identities and quantities of the securities and other assets held by the Fund that will form the basis of the Fund’s calculation of its NAV on that Business Day. The portfolio holdings so disclosed will be based on information as of the close of business on the prior Business Day and/or trades that have been completed prior to the opening of business on that Business Day and that are expected to settle on that Business Day.

Daily access to the Fund’s portfolio holdings with no lag time is permitted to personnel of the Advisers, the Fund’s distributor and the Fund’s administrator, custodian and accountant and other agents or service providers of the Trust who have need of such information in connection with the ordinary course of their respective duties to the Fund. The Fund’s Chief Compliance Officer (“CCO”) may authorize disclosure of portfolio holdings.

The Fund may disclose its complete portfolio holdings or a portion of its portfolio holdings online at www.wisdomtree.com. Online disclosure of such holdings is publicly available at no charge.

The Fund will disclose its complete portfolio holdings schedule in public filings with the SEC on a quarterly basis, based on the Fund’s fiscal year, within sixty (60) days of the end of the quarter, and will provide that information to shareholders, as required by federal securities laws and regulations thereunder.

No person is authorized to disclose the Fund’s portfolio holdings or other investment positions except in accordance with the Policy. The Board reviews the implementation of the Policy on a periodic basis.

WISDOMTREE INDEX DESCRIPTION

A description of the WisdomTree Index on which the Fund is based is provided in the Prospectus under “Principal Investment Strategies of the Fund” with certain additional details provided below. Additional information about the Index, including the components and weightings of the Index, as well as the rules that govern inclusion and weighting in the Index, is available at www.wisdomtree.com.

Annual Index Screening Date. The WisdomTree Index is “rebalanced” or “reconstituted” on an annual basis. New securities are added to the Index only during the annual screening date. The annual rebalance of the Index takes place in [    ] of each year.

During the annual screening date, securities are screened to determine whether they comply with WisdomTree’s proprietary Index methodology and are eligible to be included in the Index. This date is sometimes referred to as the “Index measurement date” or the “Screening Point.” Based on this screening, securities that meet Index requirements are added to the Index, and securities that do not meet such requirements are dropped from the Index.

In response to market conditions, security and sector weights may fluctuate above or below a specified cap between annual Index screening dates.

The approximate number of components of the Index as of [            ] was [            ].

Index Maintenance. Index maintenance occurs throughout the year and includes monitoring and implementing the adjustments for company additions and deletions, stock splits, corporate restructurings and other corporate actions. Corporate actions are generally implemented after the close of trading on the day prior to the ex-date of such corporate actions. To the extent reasonably practicable, such changes will be announced at least two days prior to their implementation.

 

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Should any company achieve a weighting equal to or greater than 24% of the Index, its weighting will be reduced at the close of the current calendar quarter, and other components in the Index will be rebalanced. Moreover, should the collective weight of Index component securities whose individual current weights equal or exceed 5% of the Index, when added together, exceed 50% of the Index, the weightings in those component securities will be reduced so that their collective weight equals 40% of the Index as of the close of the current calendar quarter, and other components in the Index will be rebalanced.

Index Availability: The Index is calculated and disseminated throughout each day the Listing Exchange is open for trading.

Changes to the Index Methodology. The WisdomTree Index is governed by a published, rules-based methodology. Changes to the methodology will be publicly disclosed at www.wisdomtree.com/etfs/index-notices.aspx prior to implementation. Sixty days’ notice will be given prior to the implementation of any such change.

Index Calculation Agent. In order to minimize any potential for conflicts caused by the fact that WisdomTree Investments and its affiliates act as Index provider and investment adviser to the Fund, WisdomTree Investments has retained an unaffiliated third party to calculate the Index (the “Calculation Agent”). The Calculation Agent, using the rules-based methodology, will calculate, maintain and disseminate the Index on a daily basis. WisdomTree Investments will monitor the results produced by the Calculation Agent to help ensure that the Index is being calculated in accordance with the rules-based methodology. In addition, WisdomTree Investments and WisdomTree Asset Management have established policies and procedures designed to prevent non-public information about pending changes to the Index from being used or disseminated in an improper manner. Furthermore, WisdomTree Investments and WisdomTree Asset Management have established policies and procedures designed to prevent improper use and dissemination of non-public information about the Fund’s portfolio strategies and to prevent the Fund’s portfolio managers from having any influence on the construction of the Index methodology.

INVESTMENT LIMITATIONS

The following fundamental investment policies and limitations supplement those set forth in the Fund’s Prospectus. Unless otherwise noted, whenever a fundamental investment policy or limitation states a maximum percentage of the Fund’s assets that may be invested in any security or other asset, or sets forth a policy regarding quality standards, such standard or percentage limitation will be determined immediately after and as a result of the Fund’s acquisition of such security or other asset. Accordingly, other than with respect to the Fund’s limitations on borrowings, any subsequent change in values, net assets, or other circumstances will not be considered when determining whether the investment complies with the Fund’s investment policies and limitations.

The Fund’s fundamental investment policies cannot be changed without the approval of the holders of a majority of the Fund’s outstanding voting securities as defined under the 1940 Act. The Fund, however, may change the non-fundamental investment policies described below, its investment objective, and its underlying Index without a shareholder vote provided that it obtains Board approval and notifies its shareholders with at least sixty (60) days’ prior written notice of any such change.

Fundamental Policies. The following investment policies and limitations are fundamental and may NOT be changed without shareholder approval.

The Fund, as a fundamental investment policy, may not:

Senior Securities

Issue senior securities, except as permitted under the 1940 Act.

Borrowing

Borrow money, except as permitted under the 1940 Act.

Underwriting

Act as an underwriter of another issuer’s securities, except to the extent that the Fund may be considered an underwriter within the meaning of the Securities Act of 1933 in the disposition of portfolio securities.

Concentration

Purchase the securities of any issuer (other than securities issued or guaranteed by the U.S. Government or any of its agencies or instrumentalities) if, as a result, more than 25% of the Fund’s total assets would be invested in the securities of companies whose principal business activities are in the same industry, except that the Fund will invest more than 25% of its total assets in securities of the same industry to approximately the same extent that the Fund’s underlying Index concentrates in the securities of a particular industry or group of industries.

 

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Real Estate

Purchase or sell real estate unless acquired as a result of ownership of securities or other instruments (but this shall not prevent the Fund from investing in securities or other instruments backed by real estate, real estate investment trusts or securities of companies engaged in the real estate business).

Commodities

Purchase or sell physical commodities unless acquired as a result of ownership of securities or other instruments (but this shall not prevent the Fund from purchasing or selling options and futures contracts or from investing in securities or other instruments backed by physical commodities).

Loans

Lend any security or make any other loan except as permitted under the 1940 Act.

This means that no more than 33 1/3% of the Fund’s total assets would be lent to other parties. This limitation does not apply to purchases of debt securities or to repurchase agreements, or to acquisitions of loans, loan participations or other forms of debt instruments, permissible under the Fund’s investment policies.

Non-Fundamental Policies. The following investment policy is not fundamental and may be changed without shareholder approval.

The Fund has adopted a non-fundamental investment policy in accordance with Rule 35d-1 under the 1940 Act to invest, under normal circumstances, at least 80% of the value of its net assets, plus the amount of any borrowings for investment purposes, in the types of securities suggested by the Fund’s name, including investments that are tied economically to the particular country or geographic region suggested by the Fund’s name. If, subsequent to an investment, the 80% requirement is no longer met, the Fund’s future investments will be made in a manner that will bring the Fund into compliance with this policy.

CONTINUOUS OFFERING

The method by which Creation Unit Aggregations of shares are created and traded may raise certain issues under applicable securities laws. Because new Creation Unit Aggregations of shares are issued and sold by the Fund on an ongoing basis, at any point a “distribution,” as such term is used in the Securities Act, may occur. Broker-dealers and other persons are cautioned that some activities on their part may, depending on the circumstances, result in their being deemed participants in a distribution in a manner which could render them statutory underwriters and subject them to the prospectus delivery requirement and liability provisions of the Securities Act.

For example, a broker-dealer firm or its client may be deemed a statutory underwriter if it takes Creation Unit Aggregations after placing an order with the Fund’s distributor, breaks them down into constituent shares, and sells such shares directly to 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 shares. A determination of whether one is an underwriter for purposes of the Securities Act 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 could lead to a categorization as an underwriter.

Broker-dealer firms should also note that dealers who are not “underwriters” but are effecting transactions in shares, whether or not participating in the distribution of shares, generally are required to deliver a prospectus. This is because the prospectus delivery exemption in Section 4(3) of the Securities Act is not available in respect of such transactions as a result of Section 24(d) of the 1940 Act. Firms that incur a prospectus delivery obligation with respect to shares of the Fund are reminded that, pursuant to Rule 153 under the Securities Act, a prospectus delivery obligation under Section 5(b)(2) of the Securities Act owed to an exchange member in connection with the sale on the Listing Exchange is satisfied by the fact that the prospectus is available at the Listing Exchange upon request. The prospectus delivery mechanism provided in Rule 153 is only available with respect to transactions on an exchange.

MANAGEMENT OF THE TRUST

Board Responsibilities. The Board is responsible for overseeing the management and affairs of the Fund and the Trust. The Board has considered and approved contracts, as described herein, under which certain companies provide essential management and administrative services to the Trust. Like most ETFs, the day-to-day business of the Trust, including the day-to-day management of risk, is performed by third-party service providers, such as the Advisers, Distributor and Administrator. The Board is responsible for overseeing the Trust’s service providers and, thus, has oversight responsibility with respect to the risk management performed by those service providers. Risk management seeks to identify and eliminate or mitigate the potential effects of risks, i.e., events or circumstances that could have material adverse effects on the business, operations, shareholder services, investment performance or reputation of the Trust or the Fund. Under the overall supervision of the Board and the Audit Committee (discussed in more detail below), the service providers to the Fund employ a variety of processes, procedures and controls to identify risks relevant to the

 

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operations of the Trust and the Fund to lessen the probability of their occurrence and/or to mitigate the effects of such events or circumstances if they do occur. Each service provider is responsible for one or more discrete aspects of the Trust’s business (e.g., the Advisers are responsible for the day-to-day management of the Fund’s portfolio investments) and, consequently, for managing the risks associated with that activity.

The Board’s role in risk management oversight begins before the inception of the Fund, at which time the Fund’s Adviser presents the Board with information concerning the investment objectives, strategies and risks of the Fund. Additionally, the Fund’s Adviser and Sub-Adviser provide the Board with an overview of, among other things, its investment philosophy, brokerage practices and compliance infrastructure. Thereafter, the Board oversees the risk management of the Fund’s operations, in part, by requesting periodic reports from and otherwise communicating with various personnel of the Fund and its service providers, including the Trust’s CCO and the Fund’s independent accountants. The Board and, with respect to identified risks that relate to its scope of expertise, the Audit Committee, oversee efforts by management and service providers to manage risks to which the Fund may be exposed.

The Board is responsible for overseeing the nature, extent and quality of the services provided to the Fund by the Adviser and receives information about those services at its regular meetings. In addition, on at least an annual basis, in connection with its consideration of whether to renew any Advisory Agreements and Sub-Advisory Agreements with the Adviser and Sub-Adviser, respectively, the Board meets with the Adviser and Sub-Adviser to review such services. Among other things, the Board regularly considers the Adviser’s and Sub-Adviser’s adherence to the Fund’s investment restrictions and compliance with various Fund policies and procedures and with applicable securities regulations. The Board also reviews information about the Fund’s performance and investments.

The Trust’s CCO meets regularly with the Board to review and discuss compliance and other issues. At least annually, the Trust’s CCO provides the Board with a report reviewing the adequacy and effectiveness of the Trust’s policies and procedures and those of its service providers, including the Adviser and Sub-Adviser. The report addresses the operation of the policies and procedures of the Trust and each service provider since the date of the last report; material changes to the policies and procedures since the date of the last report; any recommendations for material changes to the policies and procedures; and material compliance matters since the date of the last report.

The Board receives reports from the Trust’s service providers regarding operational risks, portfolio valuation and other matters. Annually, an independent registered public accounting firm reviews with the Audit Committee its audit of the Trust’s financial statements, focusing on major areas of risk encountered by the Trust and noting any significant deficiencies or material weaknesses in the Trust’s internal controls.

The Board recognizes that not all risks that may affect the Fund can be identified, that it may not be practical or cost-effective to eliminate or mitigate certain risks, that it may be necessary to bear certain risks (such as investment-related risks) to achieve the Fund’s goals, and that the processes, procedures and controls employed to address certain risks may be limited in their effectiveness. Moreover, despite the periodic reports the Board receives and the Board’s discussions with the service providers to the Fund, it may not be made aware of all of the relevant information of a particular risk. Most of the Trust’s investment management and business affairs are carried out by or through the Fund’s Adviser, Sub-Adviser and other service providers, each of which has an independent interest in risk management but whose policies and the methods by which one or more risk management functions are carried out may differ from the Trust’s and each other’s in the setting of priorities, the resources available or the effectiveness of relevant controls. As a result of the foregoing and other factors, the Board’s risk management oversight is subject to substantial limitations.

Members of the Board and Officers of the Trust. Set forth below are the names, birth years, positions with the Trust, term of office, number of portfolios overseen, and the principal occupations and other directorships for a minimum of the last five years of each of the persons currently serving as members of the Board and as Executive Officers of the Trust. Also included below is the term of office for each of the Executive Officers of the Trust. The members of the Board serve as Trustees for the life of the Trust or until retirement, removal, or their office is terminated pursuant to the Trust’s Declaration of Trust. The address of each Trustee and Officer is c/o WisdomTree Asset Management, Inc., 245 Park Avenue, 35th Floor, New York, New York 10167.

The Chairman of the Board, Victor Ugolyn, is not an interested person of the Fund as that term is defined in the 1940 Act. The Board is composed of a super-majority (83.3%) of Trustees who are not interested persons of the Fund (i.e., “Independent Trustees”). There is an Audit Committee, Governance and Nominating Committee, and Contracts Review Committee of the Board, each of which is chaired by an Independent Trustee and comprised solely of Independent Trustees. The Committee chair for each is responsible for running the Committee meeting, formulating agendas for those meetings, and coordinating with management to serve as a liaison between the Independent Trustees and management on matters within the scope of the responsibilities of the Committee as set forth in its Board-approved charter. The Fund has determined that this leadership structure is appropriate given the specific characteristics and circumstances of the Fund. The Fund made this determination in consideration of, among other things, the fact that the Independent Trustees of the Fund constitute a super-majority of the Board, the assets under management of the Fund, the number of Funds overseen by the Board, the total number of Trustees on the Board, and the fact that an Independent Trustee serves as Chair of the Board.

 

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Name and Year of

Birth of

Trustee/Officer

  

Position(s)

Held with

the Trust,

Term of

Office and

Length of

Time Served

  

Principal Occupation(s)

During Past 5 Years

   Number of
Portfolios in
Fund
Complex
Overseen
by Trustee/
Officer+
 

Other Directorships Held
by Trustee During Past 5
Years

Trustees Who Are Interested Persons of the Trust

Jonathan Steinberg
(1964)

  

Trustee,

2005 - present;

President,

2005 - present

   President, WisdomTree Trust since 2005; President, WisdomTree Investments, Inc. and WisdomTree Asset Management, Inc.; Chief Executive Officer, WisdomTree Investments, Inc. and WisdomTree Asset Management, Inc.    [69]  

Director,

WisdomTree Investments, Inc. and WisdomTree Asset Management

Trustees Who Are Not Interested Persons of the Trust

David G. Chrencik*
(1948)

  

Trustee,

2014 - present

   Chief Financial Officer of GeoGreen BioFuels, Inc. (biodiesel fuel producer) since 2010; Chief Financial Officer of Sarus Indochina Select LP Hedge Fund since 2012; Audit Partner at PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP (public accounting firm) from 1972-2009 (includes positions prior to becoming Audit Partner and predecessor firms).    [69]   Trustee, Vericimetry Funds

Joel Goldberg**
(1945)

  

Trustee,

2012 - present

   Attorney, Of Counsel/Partner at Stroock & Stroock & Lavan LLP, 2010 to present; Attorney, Partner at Willkie Farr & Gallagher LLP, 2006 to 2010.    [69]   None

Toni Massaro***
(1955)

  

Trustee,

2006 - present

   Dean Emerita at the University of Arizona James E. Rogers College of Law (“Rogers College of Law”) since 2009 (distinguished Emerita in July 2009); Dean of the Rogers College of Law from 1999 to 2009; Regents’ Professor since 2006; Milton O. Riepe Chair in Constitutional Law since 1997; Professor at the Rogers College of Law since 1990.    [69]   None

Melinda A. Raso Kirstein (1955)

  

Trustee,

2014 - present

   Retired, Merrill Lynch Investment Management, Vice President; Senior Manager, Fixed Income Management; Director, Tax Exempt Fund Management.    [69]   Associate Alumnae of Douglass College, Member of Investment Committee

Victor Ugolyn
(1947)

  

Trustee,

2006 - present;

Chairman of

the Board of

Trustees,

2006 - present

   Private Investor, 2005 to present; President and Chief Executive Officer of William D. Witter, Inc. from 2005 to 2006; Consultant to AXA Enterprise in 2004; Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer of Enterprise Capital Management (subsidiary of The MONY Group, Inc.) and Enterprise Group of Funds, Chairman of MONY Securities Corporation, and Chairman of the Fund Board of Enterprise Group of Funds from 1991 to 2004.    [69]   Member of the Board of Governors of Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame.

Officers of the Trust

Jonathan Steinberg**** (1964)

  

President,

2005 - present;

Trustee,

2005 - present

   President, WisdomTree Trust since 2005; President, WisdomTree Investments, Inc. and WisdomTree Asset Management, Inc.; Chief Executive Officer, WisdomTree Investments, Inc. and WisdomTree Asset Management, Inc.    [69]  

David Castano****
(1971)

  

Treasurer,

2013 - present

   Director of Fund Accounting & Administration, WisdomTree Asset Management, Inc., since 2011; Vice President of Legg Mason & Co. and served as Treasurer from 2010 to 2011 and Controller from 2006 to 2010 of certain mutual funds associated with Legg Mason & Co.; Assistant Treasurer of Lord Abbett mutual funds from 2004 to 2006.    [69]  

 

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Name and Year of

Birth of

Trustee/Officer

  

Position(s)

Held with

the Trust,

Term of

Office and

Length of

Time Served

  

Principal Occupation(s)

During Past 5 Years

   Number of
Portfolios in
Fund
Complex
Overseen
by Trustee/
Officer+
 

Other Directorships Held
by Trustee During Past 5
Years

Ryan Louvar****
(1972)

  

Secretary and Chief Legal Officer,

2013 - present

   General Counsel, WisdomTree Asset Management, Inc. since 2013; Vice President and Senior Managing Counsel, State Street, 2005 to 2013.    [69]  

Sarah English****
(1977)

  

Assistant Secretary,

2013 - present

   Counsel, WisdomTree Asset Management, Inc. since 2010; Attorney, NYFIX, Inc. 2006 to 2009.    [69]  

Terry Jane Feld****
(1960)

  

Chief Compliance Officer,

2012 - present

   Chief Compliance Officer WisdomTree Asset Management, Inc. since 2012; Senior Compliance Officer, WisdomTree Asset Management, Inc. since 2011; Senior Compliance Officer, TIAA-CREF, 2007 to 2010; Vice President/NASD-SEC Compliance, Mutual of America Life Insurance Co., 2004 to 2007.    [69]  

 

* Chair of the Audit Committee.
** Chair of the Contracts Review Committee.
*** Chair of the Governance and Nominating Committee.
**** Elected by and serves at the pleasure of the Board.
+ As of [                ], 2014.

Audit Committee. Ms. Raso Kirstein and Messrs. Chrencik and Ugolyn, each an Independent Trustee, are members of the Trust’s Audit Committee (the “Audit Committee”). The principal responsibilities of the Audit Committee are the appointment, compensation and oversight of the Trust’s independent registered public accounting firm, including the resolution of disagreements regarding financial reporting between Trust management and such independent registered public accounting firm. The Audit Committee’s responsibilities include, without limitation, to (i) oversee the accounting and financial reporting processes of the Trust and its internal control over financial reporting and, as the Committee deems appropriate, to inquire into the internal control over financial reporting of certain third-party service providers; (ii) oversee the quality and integrity of the Fund’s financial statements and the independent audits thereof; (iii) oversee, or, as appropriate, assist Board oversight of, the Trust’s compliance with legal and regulatory requirements that relate to the Trust’s accounting and financial reporting, internal control over financial reporting and independent audits; (iv) approve prior to appointment the engagement of the Trust’s independent registered public accounting firm and, in connection therewith, to review and evaluate the qualifications, independence and performance of the Trust’s independent registered public accounting firm; and (v) act as a liaison between the Trust’s independent auditorsand the full Board. The Board of the Trust has adopted a written charter for the Audit Committee. The Independent Trustees’ independent legal counsel assists the Audit Committee in connection with these duties. During the fiscal year ended March 31, 2014, the Audit Committee held seven meetings.

Governance and Nominating Committee. Ms. Massaro and Messrs. Goldberg and Ugolyn, each an Independent Trustee, are members of the Trust’s Governance and Nominating Committee. The principal responsibilities of the Governance and Nominating Committee are to (i) oversee Fund governance matters and (ii) identify individuals qualified to serve as Independent Trustees of the Trust and to recommend its nominees for consideration by the full Board. While the Governance and Nominating Committee is solely responsible for the selection and nomination of the Trust’s Independent Trustees, the Governance and Nominating Committee may consider nominations for the office of Trustee made by Trust stockholders as it deems appropriate. The Governance and Nominating Committee considers nominees recommended by shareholders if such nominees are submitted in accordance with Rule 14a-8 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (the “1934 Act”), in conjunction with a shareholder meeting to consider the election of Trustees. Trust stockholders who wish to recommend a nominee should send nominations to the Secretary of the Trust that include biographical information and set forth the qualifications of the proposed nominee. During the fiscal year ended March 31, 2014, the Governance and Nominating Committee held four meetings.

Contracts Review Committee. Ms. Massaro and Messrs. Goldberg and Ugolyn, each an Independent Trustee, are members of the Trust’s Contracts Review Committee. The principal responsibilities of the Contracts Review Committee are to provide assistance to

 

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the Board of Trustees of the Trust in fulfilling its responsibilities under Section 15 of the 1940 Act, and other applicable Sections, rules and interpretative guidance related thereto, with respect to reviewing the performance of, and reasonableness of fees paid to, the Adviser, Sub-Advisers, and core service providers for each series of the Trust, and to make recommendations to the Board regarding the contractual arrangements for such services. The Board has adopted a written charter for the Contracts Review Committee. On March 12, 2014, the Board created the Contracts Review Committee. During the fiscal year ended March 31, 2014, the Contracts Review Committee held one meeting.

Individual Trustee Qualifications. The Trust has concluded that each of the Trustees should serve on the Board because of his or her ability to review and understand information about the Trust and the Fund provided by management, to identify and request other information he or she may deem relevant to the performance of the Trustees’ duties, to question management and other service providers regarding material factors bearing on the management and administration of the Fund, and to exercise his or her business judgment in a manner that serves the best interests of the Fund’s shareholders. The Trust has concluded that each of the Trustees should serve as a Trustee based on his or her own experience, qualifications, attributes and skills as described below.

The Trust has concluded that Mr. Steinberg should serve as Trustee of the Fund because of the experience he has gained as President, Chief Executive Officer and director of WisdomTree Investments, his knowledge of and experience in the financial services industry, and the experience he has gained serving as Trustee of the Trust since 2005.

The Trust has concluded that Mr. Chrencik should serve as Trustee of the Fund because of the experience he gained as an audit partner of a public accounting firm as well as his experience in and knowledge of the financial services industry, including his service as chief financial officer for a hedge fund.

The Trust has concluded that Mr. Goldberg should serve as Trustee of the Fund because of the experience he has gained as a member of the staff of the SEC, including his service as Director of the SEC’s Division of Investment Management, his experience as legal counsel for many mutual funds, investment advisers, and independent directors, as well as the experience he has gained serving as an Independent Trustee of the Trust since 2012.

The Trust has concluded that Ms. Raso Kirstein should serve as Trustee of the Fund because of her experience in and knowledge of the financial services industry, including her service as a vice president, senior portfolio manager of fixed income management, and director of tax exempt fund research of an investment advisory firm.

The Trust has concluded that Ms. Massaro should serve as Trustee of the Fund because of the experience she has gained as a law professor, dean and advisor at various universities, and the experience she has gained serving as Trustee of the Trust since 2006.

The Trust has concluded that Mr. Ugolyn should serve as Trustee of the Fund because of the experience he gained as chief executive officer of a firm specializing in financial services, his experience in and knowledge of the financial services industry, his service as chairman for another mutual fund family, and the experience he has gained serving as Trustee of the Trust since 2006.

Fund Shares Owned by Board Members. The following table shows the dollar amount range of each Trustee’s “beneficial ownership” of shares of the Fund and each other series of the Trust as of the end of the most recently completed calendar year. Dollar amount ranges disclosed are established by the SEC. “Beneficial ownership” is determined in accordance with Rule 16a-1(a)(2) under the 1934 Act. The Trustees and officers of the Trust collectively own less than 1% of the outstanding shares of the Trust.

 

Name of Trustee

  

Name of Fund

   Dollar Range of
Equity Securities in
the Fund*
   Aggregate Dollar Range of
Equity Securities in All Registered
Investment Companies Overseen by
Trustee in Family of

Investment Companies**

Interested Trustee

Jonathan L. Steinberg

   WisdomTree Japan Dividend Growth Fund    None    Over $100,000

Independent Trustees

David G. Chrencik***

   WisdomTree Japan Dividend Growth Fund    None    None

Joel H. Goldberg

   WisdomTree Japan Dividend Growth Fund    None    Over $100,000

Toni M. Massaro

   WisdomTree Japan Dividend Growth Fund    None    Over $100,000

Melinda A. Raso Kirstein***

   WisdomTree Japan Dividend Growth Fund    None    None

Victor Ugolyn

   WisdomTree Japan Dividend Growth Fund    None    $50,001-$100,000

 

* Values based on Trustees’ ownership as of date of this SAI.
** These values are based on the Trustees’ ownership as of December 31, 2013.
*** David G. Chrencik and Melinda A. Raso Kirstein were appointed to the Board on March 11, 2014.

 

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Board Compensation. The following table sets forth the compensation paid by the Trust to each Trustee for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2014.

 

Name of Interested Trustee

   Aggregate
Compensation
from the Trust
   Pension or
Retirement
Benefits
Accrued as
Part of
Company
Expenses
   Estimated
Annual
Benefits
upon
Retirement
   Total Compensation
from the Funds and
Fund Complex*

Jonathan Steinberg

     $             0          None          None        $             0  

Name of Independent Trustee

   Aggregate
Compensation
from the Trust
   Pension or
Retirement
Benefits
Accrued as
Part of
Company
Expenses
   Estimated
Annual
Benefits
upon
Retirement
   Total Compensation
from the Funds and
Fund Complex*

David G. Chrencik**

     $ 18,833          None          None        $ 18,833  

Joel Goldberg

     $ 190,300          None          None        $ 190,300  

Melinda A. Raso Kirstein**

     $ 17,167          None          None        $ 17,167  

Toni Massaro

     $ 190,300          None          None        $ 190,300  

Victor Ugolyn

     $ 259,500          None          None        $ 259,500  

 

* The Trust is the only trust in the “Fund Complex.”
** David G. Chrencik and Melinda A. Raso Kirstein were appointed to the Board on March 11, 2014.

Control Persons and Principal Holders of Securities. Because the Fund is new there were no beneficial owners as of the date of this SAI.

Investment Adviser. WisdomTree Asset Management serves as investment adviser to the Fund pursuant to an investment advisory agreement between the Trust and WisdomTree Asset Management (the “Investment Advisory Agreement”). WisdomTree Asset Management is a Delaware corporation registered as an investment adviser under the Investment Advisers Act of 1940, as amended (the “Advisers Act”), and has offices located at 245 Park Avenue, 35th Floor, New York, New York 10167.

Under the Investment Advisory Agreement, WisdomTree Asset Management has overall responsibility for the overall management and administration of the Trust. WisdomTree Asset Management provides an investment program for the Fund. The Adviser also provides proactive oversight of the Sub-Adviser, defined below, daily monitoring of the Sub-Adviser’s buying and selling of securities for the Fund, and regular review of the Sub-Adviser’s performance. In addition, the Adviser also arranges for sub-advisory, transfer agency, custody, fund administration, securities lending, and all other non-distribution-related services necessary for the Fund to operate. The Fund pays WisdomTree Asset Management a fee equal to [    ]% of the Fund’s average daily net assets.

Pursuant to the Investment Advisory Agreement, WisdomTree Asset Management has agreed to pay all expenses of the Trust, except for: (i) brokerage expenses and other fees, charges, taxes, levies or expenses (such as stamp taxes) incurred in connection with the execution of portfolio transactions or in connection with creation and redemption transactions (including without limitation any fees, charges, taxes, levies or expenses related to the purchase or sale of an amount of any currency, or the patriation or repatriation of any security or other asset, related to the execution of portfolio transactions or any creation or redemption transactions); (ii) legal fees or expenses in connection with any arbitration, litigation or pending or threatened arbitration or litigation, including any settlements in connection therewith; (iii) compensation and expenses of each Independent Trustee; (iv) compensation and expenses of counsel to the Independent Trustees; (v) compensation and expenses of the Trust’s CCO; (vi) extraordinary expenses (in each case as determined by a majority of the Independent Trustees); (vii) distribution fees and expenses paid by the Trust under any distribution plan adopted pursuant to Rule 12b-1 under the 1940 Act; (viii) interest and taxes of any kind or nature (including, but not limited to, income, excise, transfer and withholding taxes); (ix) fees and expenses related to the provision of securities lending services; and (x) the advisory fee payable to WisdomTree Asset Management. The internal expenses of pooled investment vehicles in which the Fund may invest (acquired fund fees and expenses) are not expenses of the Fund and are not paid by WisdomTree Asset Management.

Pursuant to a separate contractual arrangement, WisdomTree Asset Management arranges for the provision of CCO services with respect to the Fund, and is liable and responsible for, and administers, payments to the CCO, the Independent Trustees and counsel to the Independent Trustees. WisdomTree Asset Management receives a fee of up to 0.0044% of the Fund’s average daily net assets for providing such services and paying such expenses. WisdomTree Asset Management provides CCO services to the Trust.

 

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The Adviser, from its own resources, including profits from advisory fees received from the Fund, provided such fees are legitimate and not excessive, may make payments to broker-dealers and other financial institutions for their expenses in connection with the distribution of Fund shares, and otherwise currently pays all distribution costs for Fund shares.

The Investment Advisory Agreement with respect to the Fund continues in effect for two years from its effective date, and thereafter is subject to annual approval by (i) the Board or (ii) the vote of a majority of the outstanding voting securities (as defined in the 1940 Act) of the Fund, provided that in either event such continuance also is approved by a vote of a majority of the Trustees of the Trust who are not interested persons (as defined in the 1940 Act) of the Fund, by a vote cast in person at a meeting called for the purpose of voting on such approval. If the shareholders of the Fund fail to approve the Investment Advisory Agreement, WisdomTree Asset Management may continue to serve in the manner and to the extent permitted by the 1940 Act and rules and regulations thereunder.

The Investment Advisory Agreement with respect to the Fund is terminable without any penalty, by vote of the Board or by vote of a majority of the outstanding voting securities (as defined in the 1940 Act) of the Fund, or by WisdomTree Asset Management, in each case on not less than thirty (30) days’ nor more than sixty (60) days’ prior written notice to the other party; provided that a shorter notice period shall be permitted for the Fund in the event its shares are no longer listed on a national securities exchange. The Investment Advisory Agreement will terminate automatically and immediately in the event of its “assignment” (as defined in the 1940 Act).

Sub-Adviser. [                        ] (“[                        ]”) a registered investment adviser, with its principal office located at [                    ] serves as Sub-Adviser for, and is responsible for the day-to-day management of the Fund. [                        ] manages global quantitative-based investment strategies for institutional and private investors. [                        ] is a wholly-owned indirect subsidiary of [                        ], a publicly traded financial holding company. [                        ] chooses the Fund’s portfolio investments and places orders to buy and sell the Fund’s portfolio investments. WisdomTree Asset Management pays [                        ] for providing sub-advisory services to the Fund.

The Sub-Adviser believes that it may perform sub-advisory and related services for the Trust without violating applicable banking laws or regulations. However, the legal requirements and interpretations about the permissible activities of banks and their affiliates may change in the future. These changes could prevent the Sub-Adviser from continuing to perform services for the Trust. If this happens, the Board would consider selecting other qualified firms. Any new investment sub-advisory agreement would be subject to shareholder approval.

The Sub-Advisory Agreement with respect to the Fund continues in effect for two years from its effective date, and thereafter is subject to annual approval by (i) the Board of Trustees of the Trust or (ii) the vote of a majority of the outstanding voting securities (as defined in the 1940 Act) of the Fund, provided that in either event such continuance is also approved by a vote of a majority of the Trustees of the Trust who are not interested persons (as defined in the 1940 Act) of the Fund, by a vote cast in person at a meeting called for the purpose of voting on such approval. If the shareholders of the Fund fail to approve the Fund’s Sub-Advisory Agreement, WisdomTree Asset Management may continue to serve in the manner and to the extent permitted by the 1940 Act and rules and regulations thereunder. The Sub-Advisory Agreement is terminable without any penalty, by vote of the Board of Trustees of the Trust or by vote of a majority of the outstanding voting securities (as defined in the 1940 Act) of the Fund, or by WisdomTree Asset Management, in each case on not less than thirty (30) days’ nor more than sixty (60) days’ prior written notice to the other party; provided that a shorter notice period shall be permitted for the Fund in the event its shares are no longer listed on a national securities exchange. The Sub-Advisory Agreement will terminate automatically and immediately in the event of its “assignment” (as defined in the 1940 Act).

Portfolio Managers. The Fund is managed by the Sub-Adviser’s portfolio management team. The individual members of the team responsible for the day-to-day management of the Fund’s portfolio are [                        ].

Including the WisdomTree ETFs, as of [            ], 2014, the Sub-Adviser’s Index Fund Management team managed [            ] registered investment companies with approximately $[            ] billion in assets; [            ] pooled investment vehicles with approximately $[            ] billion in assets; and [            ] other accounts with approximately $[            ] billion in assets.

Portfolio Manager Fund Ownership. As of the date of this SAI, none of the portfolio managers owned shares of the Fund.

Portfolio Manager Compensation. The primary objectives of the Sub-Adviser’s compensation plans are to:

 

    Motivate and reward superior investment and business performance

 

    Motivate and reward continued growth and profitability

 

    Attract and retain high-performing individuals critical to the on-going success of the Sub-Adviser

 

    Create an ownership mentality for all plan participants

Cash compensation is comprised primarily of a market-based base salary and variable incentives (cash and deferred). Base salary is determined by the employees’ experience and performance in the role, taking into account the ongoing compensation benchmark

 

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analyses. Base salary is generally a fixed amount that may change as a result of an annual review, upon assumption of new duties, or when a market adjustment of the position occurs. Funding for the Sub-Adviser’s Annual and Long Term Incentive Plan is through a pre-determined fixed percentage of overall Sub-Adviser profitability. Therefore, all bonus awards are based initially on the Sub-Adviser’s financial performance. Annual incentive opportunities are pre-established for each individual, expressed as a percentage of base salary (“target awards”). These targets are derived based on a review of competitive market data for each position annually.

Annual awards are determined by applying multiples to this target award. Awards are 100% discretionary. Factors considered in awards include individual performance, team performance, investment performance of the associated portfolio(s) (including both short and long term returns) and qualitative behavioral factors. Other factors considered in determining the award are the asset size and revenue growth/retention of the products managed (if applicable). Awards are paid partially in cash with the balance deferred through the Long Term Incentive Plan.

Participants in the Long Term Incentive Plan have a high level of accountability and a large impact on the success of the business due to the position’s scope and overall responsibility. This plan provides for an annual award, payable in cash after a three-year cliff vesting period as well as a grant of [                            ] Restricted Stock for senior level roles.

The Sub-Adviser’s portfolio managers responsible for managing mutual funds are paid by the Sub-Adviser and not by the mutual funds. The same methodology described above is used to determine portfolio manager compensation with respect to the management of mutual funds and other accounts. Mutual fund portfolio managers are also eligible for the standard retirement benefits and health and welfare benefits available to all Sub-Adviser employees. Certain portfolio managers may be eligible for additional retirement benefits under several supplemental retirement plans that the Sub-Adviser provides to restore dollar-for-dollar the benefits of management employees that had been cut back solely as a result of certain limits due to the tax laws. These plans are structured to provide the same retirement benefits as the standard retirement benefits. In addition, mutual fund portfolio managers whose compensation exceeds certain limits may elect to defer a portion of their salary and/or bonus under the [                        ] Corporation Deferred Compensation Plan for Employees.

Description of Material Conflicts of Interest. Because the Sub-Adviser’s portfolio managers manage multiple portfolios for multiple clients, the potential for conflicts of interest exists. Each portfolio manager generally manages portfolios having substantially the same investment style as the Fund. However, the portfolios managed by a portfolio manager may not have portfolio compositions identical to those of the Fund due, for example, to specific investment limitations or guidelines present in some portfolios or accounts, but not others. The portfolio managers may purchase securities for one portfolio and not another portfolio, and the performance of securities purchased for one portfolio may vary from the performance of securities purchased for other portfolios. A portfolio manager may place transactions on behalf of other accounts that are directly or indirectly contrary to investment decisions made on behalf of the Fund, or make investment decisions that are similar to those made for the Fund, both of which have the potential to adversely impact the Fund depending on market conditions. For example, a portfolio manager may purchase a security in one portfolio while appropriately selling that same security in another portfolio. In addition, some of these portfolios have fee structures that are or have the potential to be higher than the advisory fees paid by the Fund, which can cause potential conflicts in the allocation of investment opportunities between the Fund and the other accounts. However, the compensation structure for portfolio managers does not generally provide incentive to favor one account over another because that part of a manager’s bonus based on performance is not based on the performance of one account to the exclusion of others. There are many other factors considered in determining the portfolio manager’s bonus and there is no formula that is applied to weight the factors listed (see “Portfolio Manager Compensation”). The Sub-Adviser has a fiduciary duty to manage all client accounts in a fair and equitable manner. To accomplish this, the Sub-Adviser has adopted various policies and procedures (including, but not limited to, policies relating to trading operations, best execution, trade order aggregation and allocation, short sales, cross-trading, code of conduct, personal securities trading and purchases of securities from affiliate underwriters). These procedures are intended to help employees identify and mitigate potential side by side conflicts of interest. The Sub-Adviser has also developed a conflicts matrix listing potential side by side conflicts and compliance policies and procedures reasonably designed to mitigate such potential conflicts of interest.

Codes of Ethics. The Trust, the Advisers and the Distributor have each adopted a Code of Ethics pursuant to Rule 17j-1 under the 1940 Act and Rule 204A-1 under the Advisers Act, where applicable. Each Code of Ethics permits personnel subject to that Code of Ethics to invest in securities for their personal investment accounts, subject to certain limitations, including securities that may be purchased or held by the Fund. Each Code of Ethics is on public file with, and is available from, the SEC.

Administrator, Custodian, Transfer Agent and Securities Lending Agent. State Street Bank and Trust Company (“State Street”) serves as administrator, custodian, transfer agent and securities lending agent for the Fund. State Street’s principal address is One Lincoln Street, Boston, Massachusetts 02110. Under the Fund Administration Agreement with the Trust, State Street provides certain administrative, legal, tax, and financial reporting services for the maintenance and operations of the Trust and the Fund. Under the Master Custodian Agreement with the Trust, State Street acts as custodian of assets of the Trust, including securities which the Trust, on behalf of the Fund, desires to be held in places within the United States and securities it desires to be held outside the United States, and provides accounting and other services. State Street is required, upon the order of the Trust, to deliver securities held by State Street and to make payments for securities purchased by the Trust and for the Fund. Also, under the Master Custodian Agreement,

 

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State Street is authorized to appoint certain foreign custodians or foreign custody managers for Fund investments outside the United States. Pursuant to a Transfer Agency and Service Agreement with the Trust, State Street acts as transfer agent for the authorized and issued shares of beneficial interest for the Fund, and as dividend disbursing agent of the Trust. State Street also provides services, as applicable, for any wholly-owned subsidiary of a WisdomTree Fund. As compensation for the foregoing services, State Street receives certain out-of-pocket costs, transaction fees and asset-based fees which are accrued daily and paid monthly by the Trust. State Street also serves as the Fund’s securities lending agent. As compensation for providing such services, State Street receives a portion of the income earned by the Funds in connection with the lending program. With respect to the foregoing agreements, the Trust has agreed to limitation of liability for State Street and/or to indemnify State Street for certain liabilities. The Fund is new and the Adviser had not paid State Street any fees for services to the Fund as of the fiscal year ended March 31, 2014.

Distributor. ALPS Distributors, Inc. serves as Distributor for the Trust and its principal address is 1290 Broadway, Suite 1100, Denver, Colorado 80203. The Distributor has entered into a Distribution Agreement with the Trust pursuant to which it distributes shares of the Fund. The Distribution Agreement will continue for two years from its effective date and is renewable annually. Shares are continuously offered for sale by the Fund through the Distributor only in Creation Unit Aggregations, as described in the applicable Prospectus and below in the Creation and Redemption of Creation Unit Aggregations section. Shares in less than Creation Unit Aggregations are not distributed by the Distributor. The Distributor will deliver the applicable Prospectus and, upon request, this SAI to persons purchasing Creation Unit Aggregations and will maintain records of both orders placed with it and confirmations of acceptance furnished by it. The Distributor is a broker-dealer registered under the 1934 Act and a member of the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (“FINRA”). The Distributor is not affiliated with WisdomTree Investments, WisdomTree Asset Management, or any stock exchange.

The Distribution Agreement for the Fund will provide that it may be terminated at any time, without the payment of any penalty, on at least sixty (60) days’ prior written notice to the other party (i) by vote of a majority of the Independent Trustees or (ii) by vote of a majority of the outstanding voting securities (as defined in the 1940 Act) of the Fund. The Distribution Agreement will terminate automatically in the event of its “assignment” (as defined in the 1940 Act).

The Distributor may also enter into agreements with securities dealers (“Soliciting Dealers”) who will solicit purchases of Creation Unit Aggregations of shares. Such Soliciting Dealers may also be Authorized Participants (as defined below) or DTC Participants (as defined below).

Intermediary Compensation. WisdomTree Asset Management or its affiliates, out of their own resources and not out of Fund assets (i.e., without additional cost to the Fund or its shareholders), may pay certain broker dealers, banks and other financial intermediaries (“Intermediaries”) for certain activities related to the Fund, including participation in activities that are designed to make Intermediaries more knowledgeable about exchange traded products, including the Fund, or for other activities, such as marketing and educational training or support. In addition, WisdomTree Asset Management and E*Trade Securities LLC (“ETS”) have entered into an agreement whereby ETS has agreed not to charge its customers any transaction fee or brokerage commission for the purchase of shares of applicable Funds made through ETS’ distribution system and to disclose that such Funds are sold with the fee waiver, and WisdomTree Asset Management has agreed to pay ETS during the term of the agreement an amount based on net purchases and sales of such Funds in the ETS distribution system. These arrangements are not financed by the Fund and, thus, do not result in increased Fund expenses. They are not reflected in the fees and expenses listed in the fees and expenses sections of the Fund’s Prospectus and they do not change the price paid by investors for the purchase of the Fund’s shares or the amount received by a shareholder as proceeds from the redemption of Fund shares.

Such compensation may be paid to Intermediaries that provide services to the Fund, including marketing and education support (such as through conferences, webinars and printed communications). WisdomTree Asset Management periodically assesses the advisability of continuing to make these payments. Payments to an Intermediary may be significant to the Intermediary, and amounts that Intermediaries pay to your adviser, broker or other investment professional, if any, may also be significant to such adviser, broker or investment professional. Because an Intermediary may make decisions about what investment options it will make available or recommend, and what services to provide in connection with various products, based on payments it receives or is eligible to receive, such payments create conflicts of interest between the Intermediary and its clients. For example, these financial incentives may cause the Intermediary to recommend the Fund over other investments. The same conflict of interest exists with respect to your financial adviser, broker or investment professionals if he or she receives similar payments from his or her Intermediary firm.

Intermediary information is current only as of the date of this SAI. Please contact your adviser, broker or other investment professional for more information regarding any payments his or her Intermediary firm may receive. Any payments made by WisdomTree Asset Management or its affiliates to an Intermediary may create the incentive for an Intermediary to encourage customers to buy shares of WisdomTree Funds.

If you have any additional questions, please call 1-866-909-9473.

 

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BROKERAGE TRANSACTIONS

The Sub-Adviser assumes general supervision over placing orders on behalf of the Fund for the purchase and sale of portfolio securities. In selecting the brokers or dealers for any transaction in portfolio securities, the Sub-Adviser’s policy is to make such selection based on factors deemed relevant, including but not limited to, the breadth of the market in the security; the price of the security; the reasonableness of the commission or mark-up or mark-down, if any; execution capability; settlement capability; back office efficiency; and the financial condition of the broker or dealer, both for the specific transaction and on a continuing basis. The overall reasonableness of brokerage commissions paid is evaluated by the Sub-Adviser based upon its knowledge of available information as to the general level of commissions paid by other institutional investors for comparable services. Brokers may also be selected because of their ability to handle special or difficult executions, such as may be involved in large block trades, less liquid securities, broad distributions, or other circumstances. The Sub-Adviser does not consider the provision or value of research, products or services a broker or dealer may provide, if any, as a factor in the selection of a broker or dealer or the determination of the reasonableness of commissions paid in connection with portfolio transactions. The Trust has adopted policies and procedures that prohibit the consideration of sales of the Fund’s shares as a factor in the selection of a broker or a dealer to execute its portfolio transactions. To the extent creation or redemption transactions are conducted on a cash or “cash in lieu” basis, the Fund may contemporaneously transact with broker-dealers for the purchase or sale of portfolio securities in connection with such transactions (see “Creation and Redemption of Creation Unit Aggregations” herein). Such orders may be placed with an Authorized Participant in its capacity as broker-dealer or with an affiliated broker-dealer of such Authorized Participant. In such cases, the Fund will require such broker-dealer to achieve execution at a price that is at least as favorable to the Fund as the value of such securities used to calculate the Fund’s NAV. The broker-dealer will be required to reimburse the Fund for, among other things, any difference between the price (including applicable brokerage commissions, taxes and transaction costs) at which such securities were bought or sold and the value of such securities used to calculate the Fund’s NAV. This amount will vary depending on the quality of the execution and may be capped at amounts determined by WisdomTree Asset Management in its sole discretion.

Brokerage Commissions. The Fund is new and had not paid any brokerage commissions as of the fiscal year ended March 31, 2014.

Affiliated Brokers. The Fund is new and had not paid any commissions to any affiliated brokers as of the fiscal year ended March 31, 2014.

Regular Broker-Dealers. The Fund is new and did not acquire securities of its regular brokers or dealers (as defined in the 1940 Act) or of their parents during the fiscal year ended March 31, 2014.

Portfolio Turnover. Portfolio turnover may vary from year to year, as well as within a year. High turnover rates are likely to result in comparatively greater brokerage expenses. The overall reasonableness of brokerage commissions is evaluated by the Sub-Adviser based upon its knowledge of available information as to the general level of commissions paid by the other institutional investors for comparable services.

The Fund is new and therefore did not have a portfolio turnover rate for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2014.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION CONCERNING THE TRUST

Shares. The Trust was established as a Delaware statutory trust on December 15, 2005, and consists of multiple series of funds (“Funds”). The Fund issues shares of beneficial interest, with $0.001 par value. The Board may establish additional funds. The Trust is registered with the SEC as an open-end management investment company.

Each share issued by the Fund has a pro rata interest in the assets of the Fund. Shares have no preemptive, exchange, subscription or conversion rights and are freely transferable. Each share is entitled to participate equally in dividends and distributions declared by the Board with respect to the Fund, and in the net distributable assets of the Fund on liquidation.

Each share has one vote with respect to matters upon which a shareholder vote is required consistent with the requirements of the 1940 Act and the rules promulgated thereunder. Shares of all Funds within the Trust vote together as a single class except that if the matter being voted on affects only a particular fund or if a matter affects a particular fund differently from other funds, that fund will vote separately on such matter.

Under Delaware law, the Trust is not required to hold an annual meeting of shareholders unless required to do so under the 1940 Act. The policy of the Trust is not to hold an annual meeting of shareholders unless required to do so under the 1940 Act. All shares (regardless of the Fund) have non-cumulative voting rights for the Board. Under Delaware law, Trustees of the Trust may be removed by vote of the shareholders.

Following the creation of the initial Creation Unit Aggregation(s) of shares of the Fund and immediately prior to the commencement of trading in such Fund’s shares, a holder of shares may be a “control person” of the Fund, as defined in the 1940 Act. The Fund cannot accurately predict the length of time for which one or more shareholders may remain a control person or persons of the Fund.

 

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Shareholders may make inquiries by writing to the Trust, c/o ALPS Distributors, Inc., 1290 Broadway, Suite 1100, Denver, Colorado 80203.

Absent an applicable exemption or other relief from the SEC or its staff, beneficial owners of more than 5% of the shares of the Fund may be subject to the reporting provisions of Section 13 of the 1934 Act and the SEC’s rules promulgated thereunder. In addition, absent an applicable exemption or other relief from the SEC staff, officers and Trustees of the Fund and beneficial owners of 10% of the shares of the Fund (“Insiders”) may be subject to the insider reporting, short-swing profit and short-sale provisions of Section 16 of the 1934 Act and the SEC’s rules promulgated thereunder. Beneficial owners and Insiders should consult with their own legal counsel concerning their obligations under Sections 13 and 16 of the 1934 Act.

Termination of the Trust or the Fund. The Trust or the Fund may be terminated by a majority vote of the Board of Trustees or the affirmative vote of a super-majority of the holders of the Trust or the Fund entitled to vote on termination. Although the shares are not automatically redeemable upon the occurrence of any specific event, the Trust’s organizational documents provide that the Board will have the unrestricted power to alter the number of shares in a Creation Unit Aggregation. In the event of a termination of the Trust or the Fund, the Board, in its sole discretion, could determine to permit the shares to be redeemable in aggregations smaller than Creation Unit Aggregations or to be individually redeemable. In such circumstances, the Trust may make redemptions in-kind, for cash, or for a combination of cash and securities.

Role of the Depositary Trust Company (“DTC”). DTC acts as Securities Depository for the shares of the Trust. Shares of the Fund are represented by securities registered in the name of DTC or its nominee and deposited with, or on behalf of, DTC.

DTC, a limited-purpose trust company, was created to hold securities of its participants (“DTC Participants”) and to facilitate the clearance and settlement of securities transactions among the DTC Participants in such securities through electronic book-entry changes in accounts of the DTC Participants, thereby eliminating the need for physical movement of securities’ certificates. DTC Participants include securities brokers and dealers, banks, trust companies, clearing corporations and certain other organizations, some of which (and/or their representatives) own DTC. More specifically, DTC is owned by a number of DTC Participants and by the NYSE, the AMEX and FINRA. Access to the DTC system is also available to others such as banks, brokers, dealers and trust companies that clear through or maintain a custodial relationship with a DTC Participant, either directly or indirectly (“Indirect Participants”).

Beneficial ownership of shares is limited to DTC Participants, Indirect Participants and persons holding interests through DTC Participants and Indirect Participants. Ownership of beneficial interests in shares (owners of such beneficial interests are referred to herein as “Beneficial Owners”) is shown on, and the transfer of ownership is effected only through, records maintained by DTC (with respect to DTC Participants) and on the records of DTC Participants (with respect to Indirect Participants and Beneficial Owners that are not DTC Participants). Beneficial Owners will receive from or through the DTC Participant a written confirmation relating to their purchase of shares. No Beneficial Owner shall have the right to receive a certificate representing such shares.

Conveyance of all notices, statements and other communications to Beneficial Owners is effected as follows. Pursuant to the Depositary Agreement between the Trust and DTC, DTC is required to make available to the Trust upon request and for a fee to be charged to the Trust a listing of the shares of the Fund held by each DTC Participant. The Trust shall inquire of each such DTC Participant as to the number of Beneficial Owners holding shares, directly or indirectly, through such DTC Participant. The Trust shall provide each such DTC Participant with copies of such notice, statement or other communication, in such form and number and at such place as such DTC Participant may reasonably request, in order that such notice, statement or communication may be transmitted by such DTC Participant, directly or indirectly, to such Beneficial Owners. In addition, the Trust shall pay to each such DTC Participant a fair and reasonable amount as reimbursement for the expenses attendant to such transmittal, all subject to applicable statutory and regulatory requirements.

Share distributions shall be made to DTC or its nominee, Cede & Co., as the registered holder of all shares of the Trust. DTC or its nominee, upon receipt of any such distributions, shall immediately credit DTC Participants’ accounts with payments in amounts proportionate to their respective beneficial interests in shares of the Fund as shown on the records of DTC or its nominee. Payments by DTC Participants to Indirect Participants and Beneficial Owners of shares held through such DTC Participants will be governed by standing instructions and customary practices, as is now the case with securities held for the accounts of customers in bearer form or registered in a “street name,” and will be the responsibility of such DTC Participants.

The Trust has no responsibility or liability for any aspect of the records relating to or notices to Beneficial Owners, or payments made on account of beneficial ownership interests in such shares, or for maintaining, supervising or reviewing any records relating to such beneficial ownership interests, or for any other aspect of the relationship between DTC and the DTC Participants or the relationship between such DTC Participants and the Indirect Participants and Beneficial Owners owning through such DTC Participants. DTC may decide to discontinue its service with respect to shares of the Trust at any time by giving reasonable notice to the Trust and discharging its responsibilities with respect thereto under applicable law. Under such circumstances, the Trust shall take action to find a replacement for DTC to perform its functions at a comparable cost.

 

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CREATION AND REDEMPTION OF CREATION UNIT AGGREGATIONS

Creation. The Trust issues and sells shares of the Fund only in Creation Unit Aggregations on a continuous basis through the Distributor, without a sales load, at the NAV next determined after receipt, on any Business Day, of an order in proper form.

Fund Deposit. The consideration for purchase of Creation Unit Aggregations of the Fund generally consists of (i) the in-kind deposit of a designated portfolio of equity securities closely approximating the holdings of the Fund, and (ii) U.S. cash and/or non-U.S. currency (together, the “Deposit Securities”) and an amount of cash denominated in U.S. dollars (the “Cash Component”) computed as described below. Together, the Deposit Securities and the Cash Component constitute the “Fund Deposit,” which represents the minimum initial and subsequent investment amount for a Creation Unit Aggregation of the Fund.

The Fund may permit or require the submission of a basket of equity securities, non-U.S. currency or cash denominated in U.S. dollars that differs from the composition of the published basket. The Fund may permit or require the consideration for Creation Unit Aggregations to consist solely of cash or non-U.S. currency. The Fund reserves the right to permit or require the substitution of an amount of cash denominated in U.S. dollars or non-U.S. currency (i.e., a “cash in lieu” amount) to be added, at its discretion, to the Cash Component to replace any Deposit Security (typically 102%-110% of the value of any missing Deposit Security). For example, cash may be substituted to replace any Deposit Security that may not be available in sufficient quantity for delivery or that may not be eligible for transfer through the systems of DTC or the Clearing Process (discussed below). The Trust reserves the right to permit or require a “cash in lieu” amount where the delivery of the Deposit Security by the Authorized Participant (as described below) would be prohibited or restricted under applicable securities laws, or in certain other situations at the sole discretion of the Trust.

The Cash Component is sometimes also referred to as the “Balancing Amount.” The Cash Component is an amount equal to the difference between the NAV of the shares (per Creation Unit Aggregation) and the value of Deposit Securities. If the Cash Component is a positive number, the Authorized Participant will deliver the Cash Component. If the Cash Component is a negative number, the Authorized Participant will receive the Cash Component. The Cash Component does not include any stamp duty tax or other similar fees and expenses payable upon transfer of beneficial ownership of the Deposit Securities. These are the sole responsibility of the Authorized Participant.

The Fund, through the National Securities Clearing Corporation (“NSCC”), makes available on each Business Day, immediately prior to the opening of business on the Listing Exchange (currently 9:30 a.m., Eastern time), the list of the names and the required number of shares of each Deposit Security to be included in the current Fund Deposit (based on information at the end of the previous Business Day) for the Fund. Such Deposit Securities are applicable, subject to any adjustments, as described below, in order to effect creations of Creation Unit Aggregations of the Fund until such time as the next-announced composition of the Deposit Securities is made available.

The identity and number of shares of the Deposit Securities required for a Fund Deposit for the Fund changes from time to time based on changes to the Fund’s Underlying Index and other factors.

Procedures for Creation of Creation Unit Aggregations. To be eligible to place orders with the Distributor and to create a Creation Unit Aggregation of the Fund, an entity must be: (i) a “Participating Party,” i.e., a broker-dealer or other participant in the clearing process through the Continuous Net Settlement System of the NSCC (the “Clearing Process”), a clearing agency that is registered with the SEC; or (ii) a DTC Participant. In each case, such entity must have executed an agreement with the Distributor with respect to creations and redemptions of Creation Unit Aggregations (a “Participant Agreement”). A Participating Party or DTC Participant that has entered a Participant Agreement is referred to as an “Authorized Participant.” Investors should contact the Distributor for the names of Authorized Participants that have signed a Participant Agreement. All shares of the Fund, however created, will be entered on the records of DTC in the name of Cede & Co. for the account of a DTC Participant.

All orders to create shares must be placed for one or more Creation Unit Aggregations. All orders to create Creation Unit Aggregations must be received by the Distributor no later than the closing time of the regular trading session on the Listing Exchange (“Closing Time”) (ordinarily 4:00 p.m., Eastern time) on the date such orders are placed in order to receive that day’s NAV. All orders must be received in proper form. The date on which an order to create Creation Unit Aggregations is placed is referred to as the “Transmittal Date.” Orders must be transmitted by an Authorized Participant by telephone or other transmission method acceptable to the Distributor pursuant to procedures set forth in the Participant Agreement, as described below, which procedures may change from time to time without notice at the discretion of the Trust. Economic or market disruptions or changes, or telephone or other communication failure, may impede the ability to reach the Distributor or an Authorized Participant. On days when the Listing Exchange or U.S. markets close earlier than normal, the Fund may require purchase orders to be placed earlier in the day. All questions as to the number of Deposit Securities to be delivered, and the validity, form and eligibility (including time of receipt) for the deposit of any tendered securities, will be determined by the Trust, whose determination shall be final and binding.

All orders to create Creation Unit Aggregations through an Authorized Participant shall be placed with an Authorized Participant, in the form required by such Authorized Participant. In addition, the Authorized Participant may require an investor to make certain representations or enter into agreements with respect to the order, e.g., to provide for payments of cash, when required. Investors should be aware that their particular broker may not have executed a Participant Agreement and, in that case, orders to create Creation

 

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Unit Aggregations of the Fund have to be placed by each investor’s broker through an Authorized Participant that has executed a Participant Agreement. In such cases, there may be additional charges to such investor. At any given time, there may be only a limited number of broker-dealers that have executed a Participant Agreement and only a small number of such Authorized Participants may have international capabilities.

Those placing orders for Creation Unit Aggregations through the Clearing Process should afford sufficient time to permit proper submission of the order to the Distributor prior to the Closing Time on the Transmittal Date. Orders for Creation Unit Aggregations that are effected outside the Clearing Process are likely to require transmittal by the DTC Participant earlier on the Transmittal Date than orders effected using the Clearing Process. Those persons placing orders outside the Clearing Process should ascertain the deadlines applicable to DTC and the Federal Reserve Bank wire system by contacting the operations department of the broker or depository institution effectuating such transfer of Deposit Securities and the Cash Component.

Placement of Creation Orders Using the Clearing Process. Fund Deposits made through the Clearing Process must be delivered through a Participating Party that has executed a Participant Agreement. The Participant Agreement authorizes the Distributor to transmit through State Street to NSCC, on behalf of the Participating Party, such trade instructions as are necessary to effect the Participating Party’s creation order. Pursuant to such trade instructions to NSCC, the Participating Party agrees to deliver the requisite Deposit Securities and the Cash Component to the Trust, together with such additional information as may be required by the Distributor. An order to create Creation Unit Aggregations through the Clearing Process is deemed received by the Distributor on the Transmittal Date if: (i) such order is received by the Distributor not later than the Closing Time on such Transmittal Date; and (ii) all other procedures set forth in the Participant Agreement are properly followed.

Placement of Creation Orders Outside the Clearing Process. Fund Deposits made outside the Clearing Process must be delivered through a DTC Participant that has executed a Participant Agreement. A DTC Participant who wishes to place an order creating Creation Unit Aggregations to be effected outside the Clearing Process does not need to be a Participating Party, but such orders must state that the DTC Participant is not using the Clearing Process and that the creation of Creation Unit Aggregations will instead be effected through a transfer of securities and cash directly through DTC. The Fund Deposit transfer must be ordered by the DTC Participant on the Transmittal Date in a timely fashion so as to ensure the delivery of the requisite number of Deposit Securities through DTC to the account of the Fund by no later than 2:00 p.m., Eastern time, on the “Settlement Date.” The Settlement Date is typically the third Business Day following the Transmittal Date. The Fund reserves the right to settle transactions on a basis other than “T” plus three Business Days (i.e., days on which the NYSE is open) (“T+3”). In certain cases Authorized Participants will create and redeem Creation Unit Aggregations of the same Fund on the same trade date. In these instances, the Trust reserves the right to settle these transactions on a net basis.

On days when the Listing Exchange or U.S. markets close earlier than normal, the Fund may require purchase orders to be placed earlier in the day. All questions as to the number of Deposit Securities to be delivered, and the validity, form and eligibility (including time of receipt) for the deposit of any tendered securities, will be determined by the Trust, whose determination shall be final and binding. The amount of cash equal to the Cash Component must be transferred directly to State Street through the Federal Reserve Bank wire transfer system in a timely manner so as to be received by State Street no later than 2:00 p.m., Eastern time, on the Settlement Date. An order to create Creation Unit Aggregations outside the Clearing Process is deemed received by the Distributor on the Transmittal Date if: (i) such order is received by the Distributor not later than the Closing Time on such Transmittal Date; and (ii) all other procedures set forth in the Participant Agreement are properly followed. However, if State Street does not receive both the required Deposit Securities and the Cash Component by the specified time on the Settlement Date, the Trust may cancel or revoke acceptance of such order. Upon written notice to the Distributor, such canceled or revoked order may be resubmitted the following Business Day using a Fund Deposit as newly constituted to reflect the then current NAV of the Fund. The delivery of Creation Unit Aggregations so created generally will occur no later than the Settlement Date.

Creation Unit Aggregations may be created in advance of receipt by the Trust of all or a portion of the applicable Deposit Securities as described below. In these circumstances, the initial deposit will have a value greater than the NAV of the shares on the date the order is placed in proper form since, in addition to available Deposit Securities, U.S. cash must be deposited in an amount equal to the sum of (i) the Cash Component, plus (ii) at least 102%, which the Trust may change from time to time, of the market value of the undelivered Deposit Securities (the “Additional Cash Deposit”) with the Fund pending delivery of any missing Deposit Securities.

If an Authorized Participant determines to post an Additional Cash Deposit as collateral for any undelivered Deposit Securities, such Authorized Participant must deposit with State Street the appropriate amount of federal funds by 2:00 p.m., Eastern time (or such other time as specified by the Trust), on the Settlement Date. If the Authorized Participant does not place its purchase order by the closing time or State Street does not receive federal funds in the appropriate amount by such time, then the order may be deemed to be rejected and the Authorized Participant shall be liable to the Fund for losses, if any, resulting therefrom. An additional amount of cash shall be required to be deposited with State Street, pending delivery of the missing Deposit Securities to the extent necessary to maintain the Additional Cash Deposit with the Trust in an amount at least equal to 102%, which the Trust may change from time to time, of the daily marked-to-market value of the missing Deposit Securities. To the extent that missing Deposit Securities are not received by the specified time on the Settlement Date, or in the event a marked-to-market payment is not made within one Business Day following notification by the Distributor that such a payment is required, the Trust may use the Additional Cash Deposit to purchase the missing Deposit Securities.

 

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The Authorized Participant will be liable to the Trust for the costs incurred by the Trust in connection with any such purchases. These costs will be deemed to include the amount by which the actual purchase price of the Deposit Securities exceeds the market value of such Deposit Securities on the Transmittal Date plus the brokerage and related transaction costs associated with such purchases. The Trust will return any unused portion of the Additional Cash Deposit once all of the missing Deposit Securities have been properly received by State Street or purchased by the Trust and deposited into the Trust. In addition, a Transaction Fee, as listed below, will be charged in all cases. The delivery of Creation Unit Aggregations so created generally will occur no later than the Settlement Date.

Cash Purchases. When, in the sole discretion of the Trust, cash purchases of Creation Unit Aggregations of shares are available or specified for the Fund, such purchases shall be effected in essentially the same manner as in-kind purchases thereof. In the case of a cash purchase, the Authorized Participant must pay the cash equivalent of the Deposit Securities it would otherwise be required to provide through an in-kind purchase, plus the same Cash Component required to be paid by an in-kind purchaser. In addition, to offset brokerage and other costs associated with using cash to purchase the requisite Deposit Securities, the Authorized Participant must pay the Transaction Fees required by the Fund. If the Authorized Participant acts as a broker for the Fund in connection with the purchase of Deposit Securities, the Authorized Participant will also be required to pay certain brokerage commissions, taxes, and transaction and market impact costs as discussed under the heading “Brokerage Transactions” herein.

Acceptance of Orders for Creation Unit Aggregations. The Trust reserves the absolute right to reject or revoke acceptance of a creation order transmitted to it by the Distributor with respect to the Fund. Orders may be rejected and acceptance may be revoked if, for example: (i) the order is not in proper form; (ii) the investor(s), upon obtaining the shares ordered, would own 80% or more of the currently outstanding shares of the Fund; (iii) the Deposit Securities delivered are not the same as those disseminated through the facilities of the NSCC for that date by the Fund as described above; (iv) acceptance of the Deposit Securities would have certain adverse tax consequences to the Fund; (v) acceptance of the Fund Deposit would, in the opinion of counsel, be unlawful; (vi) acceptance of the Fund Deposit would otherwise, in the discretion of the Trust or WisdomTree Asset Management, have an adverse effect on the Trust or the rights of beneficial owners; or (vii) in the event that circumstances outside the control of the Trust, State Street, the Distributor or WisdomTree Asset Management make it for all practical purposes impossible to process creation orders. Examples of such circumstances include acts of God; public service or utility problems such as fires, floods, extreme weather conditions and power outages resulting in telephone, telecopy and computer failures; market conditions or activities causing trading halts; systems failures involving computer or other information systems affecting the Trust, WisdomTree Asset Management, the Distributor, DTC, NSCC, State Street or a sub-custodian or any other participant in the creation process and similar extraordinary events. The Distributor shall notify a prospective creator of a Creation Unit and/or the Authorized Participant acting on behalf of the creator of a Creation Unit Aggregation of its rejection of the order of such person. The Trust, State Street, a sub-custodian and the Distributor are under no duty, however, to give notification of any defects or irregularities in the delivery of Fund Deposits nor shall any of them incur any liability for the failure to give any such notification.

All questions as to the number of shares of each security in the Deposit Securities and the validity, form, eligibility and acceptance for deposit of any securities to be delivered shall be determined by the Trust, and the Trust’s determination shall be final and binding.

Creation/Redemption Transaction Fee. The Fund imposes a “Transaction Fee” on investors purchasing or redeeming Creation Units. The purpose of the Transaction Fee is to protect the existing shareholders of the Fund from the dilutive costs associated with the purchase and redemption of Creation Units. Where the Fund permits cash creations (or redemptions) or cash in lieu of depositing one or more Deposit Securities, the purchaser (or redeemer) may be assessed a higher Transaction Fee to offset the transaction cost to the Fund of buying (or selling) those particular Deposit Securities. Transaction Fees for the Fund will differ from Transaction Fees for other WisdomTree Funds, depending on the transaction expenses related to the Fund’s portfolio securities, and will be limited to amounts that have been determined by WisdomTree Asset Management to be appropriate. The maximum Transaction Fee, as set forth in the table below for the Fund, may be charged in cases where the Fund permits cash or cash in lieu of Deposit Securities. Investors purchasing or redeeming through the DTC process generally will pay a higher Transaction Fee than will investors doing so through the NSCC process. Also, investors who use the services of a broker or other such intermediary may be charged a fee for such services, in addition to the Transaction Fee imposed by the Fund.

The following table sets forth the standard and maximum creation and redemption Transaction Fee for the Fund. These fees may be changed by the Trust.

 

Fund

   CU Fee*     Maximum
CU* Fee
 

WisdomTree Japan Dividend Growth Fund

   $ [XXX   $ [XXX

 

  * The Fund may charge, either in lieu of or in addition to the Transaction Fees, in the sole discretion of the Trust, a variable fee for creations and redemptions in order to cover certain brokerage, tax, foreign exchange, execution, market impact and other costs and expenses related to the execution of trades resulting from such transaction, up to a maximum of 2.0% of the net asset value per Creation Unit, inclusive of any Transaction Fees charged (if applicable).

 

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Placement of Redemption Orders for Using the Clearing Process. Orders to redeem Creation Unit Aggregations through the Clearing Process must be delivered through a Participating Party that has executed the Participant Agreement. Except as described herein, an order to redeem Creation Unit Aggregations using the Clearing Process is deemed received by the Trust on the Transmittal Date if: (i) such order is received by State Street (in its capacity as Transfer Agent) not later than the Closing Time on such Transmittal Date, and (ii) all other procedures set forth in the Participant Agreement are properly followed. Such order will be effected based on the NAV of the Fund as next determined. The consideration for redemption of Creation Unit Aggregations of the Fund generally consists of (i) a designated portfolio of equity securities that closely approximate the holdings of the Fund (the “Fund Securities”) and (ii) an amount of cash denominated in U.S. dollars (the “Cash Redemption Amount”) as described below. The requisite Fund Securities and the Cash Redemption Amount generally will be transferred by the third NSCC Business Day following the date on which such request for redemption is deemed received.

Placement of Redemption Orders Outside the Clearing Process. Orders to redeem Creation Unit Aggregations outside the Clearing Process must be delivered through a DTC Participant that has executed the Participant Agreement. An order to redeem Creation Unit Aggregations outside the Clearing Process is deemed received by the Trust on the Transmittal Date if: (i) such order is received by State Street (in its capacity as Transfer Agent) not later than the Closing Time on such Transmittal Date; (ii) such order is accompanied or followed by the requisite number of shares of the Fund specified in such order, which delivery must be made through DTC to State Street no later than 11:00 a.m., Eastern time, on the contracted settlement date; and (iii) all other procedures set forth in the Participant Agreement are properly followed. After the Trust has deemed an order for redemption outside the Clearing Process received, the Trust will initiate procedures to transfer the requisite Fund Securities which are expected to be delivered within three Business Days and the Cash Redemption Amount to the Authorized Participant on behalf of the redeeming Beneficial Owner by the Settlement Date. In certain cases Authorized Participants will redeem and create Creation Unit Aggregations of the same Fund on the same trade date. In these instances, the Trust reserves the right to settle these transactions on a net basis.

If the requisite number of shares of the Fund is not delivered on the Transmittal Date as described above, the Fund may reject or revoke acceptance of the redemption request because the Authorized Participant has not satisfied all of the settlement requirements.

The current procedures for collateralization of missing shares require, among other things, that any cash collateral shall be in the form of U.S. dollars in immediately available funds and shall be held by State Street and marked-to-market daily, and that the fees of State Street and any sub-custodians in respect of the delivery, maintenance and redelivery of the cash collateral shall be payable by the Authorized Participant. The Authorized Participant’s agreement will permit the Trust, on behalf of the Fund, to purchase the missing shares or acquire the Deposit Securities and the Cash Component underlying such shares at any time and will subject the Authorized Participant to liability for any shortfall between the cost to the Trust of purchasing such shares, Deposit Securities or Cash Component and the value of the collateral.

The calculation of the value of the Fund Securities and the Cash Redemption Amount to be delivered upon redemption will be made by State Street according to the procedures set forth under “Determination of NAV” computed on the Business Day on which a redemption order is deemed received by the Trust. Therefore, if a redemption order in proper form is submitted to State Street by a DTC Participant not later than the Closing Time on the Transmittal Date, and the requisite number of shares of the Fund are delivered to State Street prior to the DTC cut-off time, then the value of the Fund Securities and the Cash Redemption Amount to be delivered will be determined by State Street on such Transmittal Date. If, however, a redemption order is submitted to State Street by a DTC Participant not later than the Closing Time on the Transmittal Date but either (i) the requisite number of shares of the Fund are not delivered by the DTC cut-off-time on such Transmittal Date, or (ii) the redemption order is not submitted in proper form, then the redemption order will not be deemed received as of the Transmittal Date. In such case, the value of the Fund Securities and the Cash Redemption Amount to be delivered will be computed on the Business Day that such order is deemed received by the Trust on which the shares of the Fund are delivered through DTC to State Street by the DTC cut-off-time on such Business Day pursuant to a properly submitted redemption order.

The Fund may also, in its sole discretion, upon request of a shareholder, provide such redeemer a portfolio of securities that differs from the exact composition of the Fund Securities but does not differ in NAV.

Redemptions of shares for Fund Securities will be subject to compliance with applicable federal and state securities laws and the Fund (whether or not it otherwise permits cash redemptions) reserves the right to redeem Creation Unit Aggregations for cash to the extent that the Trust could not lawfully deliver specific Fund Securities upon redemptions or could not do so without first registering the Fund Securities under such laws. An Authorized Participant or an investor for which it is acting subject to a legal restriction with respect to a particular security included in the Fund Securities applicable to the redemption of a Creation Unit Aggregation may be paid an equivalent amount of cash. The Authorized Participant may request the redeeming Beneficial Owner of the shares to complete an order form or to enter into agreements with respect to such matters as compensating cash payment.

 

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Because the portfolio securities of an International Fund may trade on the relevant exchange(s) on days that the Listing Exchange for the International Fund is closed or that are otherwise not Business Days for such International Fund, stockholders may not be able to redeem their shares of such International Fund, or to purchase and sell shares of such International Fund on the Listing Exchange for the International Fund, on days when the NAV of such International Fund could be significantly affected by events in the relevant foreign markets.

Cash Redemptions. The Fund may pay out the proceeds of redemptions of Creation Unit Aggregations solely in cash or through any combination of cash or securities. In addition, an investor may request a redemption in cash that the Fund may, in its sole discretion, permit. In either case, the investor will receive a cash payment equal to the NAV of its shares based on the NAV of shares of the Fund next determined after the redemption request is received in proper form (minus a redemption transaction fee and additional charge for requested cash redemptions specified above, to offset the Trust’s brokerage and other transaction costs associated with the disposition of Fund Securities). Proceeds will be paid to the Authorized Participant redeeming shares on behalf of the redeeming investor as soon as practicable after the date of redemption. If the Authorized Participant acts as a broker for the Fund in connection with the sale of Fund Securities, the Authorized Participant will also be required to pay certain brokerage commissions, taxes, and transaction and market impact costs as discussed under the heading “Brokerage Transactions” herein.

Redemptions of shares for Fund Securities will be subject to compliance with applicable federal and state securities laws and the Fund (whether or not it otherwise permits cash redemptions) reserves the right to redeem Creation Unit Aggregations for cash to the extent that the Trust could not lawfully deliver specific Fund Securities upon redemptions or could not do so without first registering the Fund Securities under such laws.

In-Kind Redemptions. The ability of the Trust to effect in-kind creations and redemptions is subject, among other things, to the condition that, within the time period from the date of the order to the date of delivery of the securities, there are no days that are holidays in the applicable foreign market. For every occurrence of one or more intervening holidays in the applicable foreign market that are not holidays observed in the U.S. equity market, the redemption settlement cycle may be extended by the number of such intervening holidays. In addition to holidays, other unforeseeable closings in a foreign market due to emergencies may also prevent the Trust from delivering securities within the normal settlement period. The Fund will not suspend or postpone redemption beyond seven days, except as permitted under Section 22(e) of the 1940 Act. Section 22(e) provides that the right of redemption may be suspended or the date of payment postponed with respect to the Fund (1) for any period during which the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) is closed (other than customary weekend and holiday closings); (2) for any period during which trading on the NYSE is suspended or restricted; (3) for any period during which an emergency exists as a result of which disposal of the shares of the Fund’s portfolio securities or determination of its net asset value is not reasonably practicable; or (4) in such other circumstance as is permitted by the SEC.

REGULAR HOLIDAYS

The Fund generally intends to effect deliveries of Creation Unit Aggregations and portfolio securities on a basis of T+3. The Fund may effect deliveries of Creation Unit Aggregations and portfolio securities on a basis other than T+3 in order to accommodate local holiday schedules, to account for different treatment among foreign and U.S. markets of dividend record dates and ex-dividend dates, or under certain other circumstances. The ability of the Trust to effect in-kind creations and redemptions within three Business Days of receipt of an order in good form is subject, among other things, to the condition that, within the time period from the date of the order to the date of delivery of the securities, there are no days that are holidays in the applicable foreign market. For every occurrence of one or more intervening holidays in the applicable foreign market that are not holidays observed in the U.S. equity market, the redemption settlement cycle will be extended by the number of such intervening holidays. In addition to holidays, other unforeseeable closings in a foreign market due to emergencies may also prevent the Trust from delivering securities within the normal settlement period.

The securities delivery cycles currently practicable for transferring portfolio securities to redeeming investors, coupled with foreign market holiday schedules, will require a delivery process longer than seven calendar days for some Funds, in certain circumstances. The holidays applicable to the Fund during such periods are listed below, as are instances where more than seven days will be needed to deliver redemption proceeds. Although certain holidays may occur on different dates in subsequent years, the number of days required to deliver redemption proceeds in any given year is not expected to exceed the maximum number of days listed below for the Fund. The proclamation of new holidays, the treatment by market participants of certain days as “informal holidays” (e.g., days on which no or limited securities transactions occur, as a result of substantially shortened trading hours), the elimination of existing holidays, or changes in local securities delivery practices could affect the accuracy of information set forth herein.

 

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Listed below are the dates in calendar year 2014 in which the regular holidays in non-U.S. markets may impact Fund settlement. This list is based on information available to the Fund. The list may not be accurate or complete and is subject to change:

 

Argentina

  

Australia

  

Austria

  

Bahrain

  

Belgium

  

Brazil

January 1

March 3-4, 24

April 2, 17, 18

May 1

June 20

July 9

August 18

October 13

November 6, 24

December 25

  

January 1, 27

March 3, 10

April 18, 21,25

June 9

December 25, 26

  

January 1

April 18, 21

May 1

December 25-26

  

January 1, 13

May 1

July 28-30

October 5-6

November 2

December 16-17

  

January 1

April 18, 21

May 1

December 25-26

  

January 1

March 3-4

April 18, 21

May 1

June 19

July 9

November 20

December 25, 31

 

Canada

  

Chile

  

China

  

Columbia

  

Czech Republic

  

Denmark

January 1

February 17

April 18

September 1

October 13

December 25

  

January 1

April 18

May 1, 21

July 16

August 15

September 18-19

October 31

December 8, 25, 31

  

January 1

January 31

February 3-6

April 7

May 1-2

June 2

September 8

October 1-3, 6-7

  

January 1, 6

March 24

April 17-18

May 1

June 2, 23, 30

August 7, 18

October 13

November 3, 17

December 8, 25

  

January 1

April 21

May 1, 8

October 28

November 17

  

January 1

April 17-18, 21

May 16, 29, 30

June 5, 9

December 24-26, 31

 

Egypt

  

Finland

  

France

  

Germany

  

Greece

  

Hong Kong

January 1, 7, 14

April 20-21

May 1

July 1, 23, 29-31

October 5-6

  

January 1, 6

April 18, 21

May 1, 29

June 20

December 25-26

  

January 1

April 18, 21

May 1

December 25-26

  

January 1

April 18, 21

May 1

December 25-26

  

January 1, 6

March 3, 25

April 18, 21

May 1

June 9

August 15

October 28

December 25-26

  

January 1, 31

February 3

April 18, 21

May 1, 6

June 2

July 1

September 9

 

Hungary

  

India

  

Indonesia

  

Ireland

  

Israel

  

Italy

January 1

April 21

May 1-2

June 9

August 20

October 23-24

December 24-26

  

January 14

February 19, 27

March 17, 31

April 1, 8, 14, 18, 24

May 1, 14

July 1, 29

August 15, 18, 29

September 30

October 2-3, 6, 23-24

November 4, 6

December 25

  

January 1, 14, 31

March 31

April 18

May 1, 15, 27, 29

July 28, 29, 30, 31

August 1

December 25-26, 31

  

January 1

April 18, 21

May 5

June 2

December 25-26

  

March 16

April 14-15, 20-21

May 5-6

June 3-4

August 5

September 24-26

October 3, 8-9, 15-16

  

January 1

April 18, 21

May 1

December 25-26

 

Japan

  

Jordan

  

Kuwait

  

Lebanon

  

Malaysia

  

Mauritius

January 1-3, 13

February 11

March 21

April 29

May 5-6

July 21

September 15, 23

October 13

November 3, 24

December 23, 31

  

January 1, 14

May 1, 25

July 29-31

October 5-8

December 25

  

January 1, 13

February 25-26

May 27

July 28-30

October 5-8, 26

  

January 1, 6, 13

March 25

April 18-19

May 1

July 28-29

August 15

October 4, 25

November 3, 22

December 25

  

January 1, 14, 17, 31

May 1, 13

July 28-29

September 1, 16

October 6, 23

December 25

  

January 1-2, 17, 31

February 27

March 12, 31

May 1

July 29

August 15

October 23, 25

 

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Mexico

  

Morocco

  

Netherlands

  

New Zealand

  

Norway

  

Oman

January 1

February 3

March 17

April 17-18

May 1

September 16

November 17

December 12, 25

  

January 1, 13

May 1

July 29-30

August 14, 20-21

October 6

November 6, 18

  

January 1

April 18, 21

May 1

December 25-26

  

January 1-2, 20,27

February 6

April 18, 21, 25

June 2

October 27 December 25-26

  

January 1

April 16-18, 21

May 1, 29

June 9

December 24-26, 31

  

January 14

May 26

July 23, 29-30

October 5-7

November 18-19

 

Peru

  

Philippines

  

Poland

  

Portugal

  

Qatar

  

Russia

January 1

April 17-18

May 1

July 28, 29

October 8

December 8, 25

  

January 1, 31

April 9, 17-18

May 1

June 12

August 21, 25

December 24-26,

30, 31

  

January 1, 6

April 18, 21

May 1

June 19

August 15

November 11

December 24-26, 31

  

January 1

April 18, 21, 25

May 1

June 10, 13

August 15

December 8, 24-26, 31

  

January 1

February 11

March 2

July 27, 29, 30

October 5-7

December 18

  

January 1-3, 6-8

March 7, 10

April 30

May 1-2, 8-9

June 11-13

November 3-4

December 31

 

Singapore

  

South Africa

  

South Korea

  

Spain

  

Sweden

  

Switzerland

January 1, 31

April 18

May 1, 13

July 28

October 6, 23

December 25

  

January 1

March 21

April 18, 21, 28

May 1

June 16

September 24

December 16, 25-26

  

January 1, 30-31

May 1, 5-6

June 6

August 15

September 8-10

October 3, 9

December 25, 31

  

January 1, 6

April 18, 21

May 1

December 24-26, 31

  

January 1, 6

April 17-18, 21,30

May 1, 28-29

June 6, 20

October 31

December 24-26, 31

  

January 1-2

April 18, 21

May 1, 29

June 9

August 1

December 24-26, 31

 

Taiwan

  

Thailand

  

Turkey

  

U.A.E.

  

United Kingdom

  

 

January 1, 28-33

February 3-4, 28

April 4

May 1

June 2

September 8

October 10

  

January 1

February 14

April 7, 14-15

May 1, 5, 13

July 1, 11

August 12

October 23

December 5, 10, 31

  

January 1

April 23

May 1

July 28-30

October 6-7, 28-29

  

January 1, 13, 20

February 17

May 26-27

July 28-30

September 1

October 5-8, 26

November 11, 27

December 2-3, 25

  

January 1, 20

April 18, 21

May 1, 5, 26

August 25

December 25-26

  
* Early Close

TAXES

The following discussion of certain U.S. federal income tax consequences of investing in the Fund is based on the Code, U.S. Treasury regulations, and other applicable authority, all as in effect as of the date of the filing of this SAI. These authorities are subject to change by legislative or administrative action, possibly with retroactive effect. The following discussion is only a summary of some of the important U.S. federal income tax considerations generally applicable to investments in the Fund. There may be other tax considerations applicable to particular shareholders. Shareholders should consult their own tax advisors regarding their particular situation and the possible application of foreign, state, and local tax laws.

Qualification as a Regulated Investment Company. The Fund has elected or intends to elect to be treated, and intends to qualify each year, as a RIC under Subchapter M of the Code. In order to qualify for the special tax treatment accorded RICs and their shareholders, the Fund must, among other things:

(a) derive at least 90% of its gross income each year from (i) dividends, interest, payments with respect to certain securities loans, gains from the sale or other disposition of stock or securities or foreign currencies, or other income (including but not limited to gains from options, futures or forward contracts) derived with respect to its business of investing in such stock, securities or currencies, and (ii) net income derived from interests in “qualified publicly traded partnerships” (as defined below);

 

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(b) diversify its holdings so that, at the end of each quarter of its taxable year, (i) at least 50% of the market value of the Fund’s total assets consists of cash and cash items, U.S. government securities, securities of other RICs and other securities, with investments in such other securities limited with respect to any one issuer to an amount not greater than 5% of the value of the Fund’s total assets and not greater than 10% of the outstanding voting securities of such issuer, and (ii) not more than 25% of the value of the Fund’s total assets is invested in (1) the securities (other than those of the U.S. government or other RICs) of any one issuer or two or more issuers that are controlled by the Fund and that are engaged in the same, similar or related trades or businesses or (2) the securities of one or more qualified publicly traded partnerships; and

(c) distribute with respect to each taxable year an amount equal to or greater than the sum of 90% of its investment company taxable income (as that term is defined in the Code without regard to the deduction for dividends paid – generally taxable ordinary income and the excess, if any, of net short-term capital gains over net long-term capital losses) and 90% of its net tax-exempt interest income.

In general, for purposes of the 90% test described in (a) above, income derived from a partnership will be treated as qualifying income only to the extent such income is attributable to items of income of the partnership that would be qualifying income if realized directly by the Fund. However, 100% of the net income derived from an interest in a “qualified publicly traded partnership” (generally, a partnership (i) interests in which are traded on an established securities market or are readily tradable on a secondary market or the substantial equivalent thereof, and (ii) that derives less than 90% of its income from the qualifying income described in (a)(i) of the description of the 90% test applicable to RICs, above) will be treated as qualifying income. In addition, although in general the passive loss rules of the Code do not apply to RICs, such rules do apply to a RIC with respect to items attributable to an interest in a qualified publicly traded partnership.

Taxation of the Fund. If the Fund qualifies for treatment as a RIC, the Fund will not be subject to federal income tax on income and gains that are distributed in a timely manner to its shareholders in the form of dividends.

If, for any taxable year, the Fund were to fail to qualify as a RIC or were to fail to meet the distribution requirement, it would be taxed in the same manner as an ordinary corporation and distributions to its shareholders would not be deductible by the Fund in computing its taxable income. In addition, the Fund’s distributions, to the extent derived from the Fund’s current and accumulated earnings and profits, including any distributions of net long-term capital gains, would be taxable to shareholders as ordinary dividend income for federal income tax purposes. However, such dividends would be eligible, subject to any generally applicable limitations, (i) to be treated as qualified dividend income in the case of shareholders taxed as individuals and (ii) for the dividends-received deduction in the case of corporate shareholders. Moreover, the Fund would be required to pay out its earnings and profits accumulated in that year in order to qualify for treatment as a RIC in a subsequent year. Under certain circumstances, the Fund may be able to cure a failure to qualify as a RIC, but in order to do so the Fund may incur significant Fund-level taxes and may be forced to dispose of certain assets. If the Fund failed to qualify as a RIC for a period greater than two taxable years, the Fund would generally be required to recognize any net built-in gains with respect to certain of its assets upon a disposition of such assets within ten years of qualifying as a RIC in a subsequent year.

The Fund intends to distribute at least annually to its shareholders substantially all of its investment company taxable income and net capital gain (the excess of the Fund’s net long-term capital gain over its net short-term capital loss). Investment company taxable income that is retained by the Fund will be subject to tax at regular corporate rates. If the Fund retains any net capital gain, that gain will be subject to tax at corporate rates, but the Fund may designate the retained amount as undistributed capital gains in a notice to its shareholders who (i) will be required to include in income for federal income tax purposes, as long-term capital gain, their shares of such undistributed amount, (ii) will be deemed to have paid their proportionate shares of the tax paid by the Fund on such undistributed amount against their federal income tax liabilities, if any, and (iii) will be entitled to claim refunds on a properly filed U.S. tax returns to the extent the credit exceeds such liabilities. For federal income tax purposes, the tax basis of shares owned by a shareholder of the Fund will be increased by an amount equal to the difference between the amount of undistributed capital gains included in the shareholder’s gross income and the tax deemed paid by the shareholder.

If the Fund fails to distribute in a calendar year an amount at least equal to the sum of 98% of its ordinary income for such year and 98.2% of its capital gain net income for the one-year period ending October 31 of such year, plus any retained amount from the prior year, the Fund will be subject to a non-deductible 4% excise tax on the undistributed amount. For these purposes, the Fund will be treated as having distributed any amount on which it has been subject to corporate income tax for the taxable year ending within the calendar year. The Fund intends to declare and pay dividends and distributions in the amounts and at the times necessary to avoid the application of the 4% excise tax, although there can be no assurance that it will be able to do so.

The Fund may elect to treat part or all of any “qualified late year loss” as if it had been incurred in the succeeding taxable year in determining the Fund’s taxable income, net capital gain, net short-term capital gain, and earnings and profits. A “qualified late year loss” generally includes net capital loss, net long-term capital loss, or net short-term capital loss incurred after October 31 of the current taxable year, and certain other late-year losses.

 

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If the Fund has a “net capital loss” (that is, capital losses in excess of capital gains) for a taxable year beginning after December 22, 2010 (a “Post-2010 Loss”), the excess of the Fund’s net short-term capital losses over its net long-term capital gains is treated as a short-term capital loss arising on the first day of the Fund’s next taxable year, and the excess (if any) of the Fund’s net long-term capital losses over its net short-term capital gains is treated as a long-term capital loss arising on the first day of the Fund’s next taxable year. The Fund’s unused capital loss carryforwards that arose in tax years that began on or before December 22, 2010 (“Pre-2011 Losses”) are available to be applied against future capital gains, if any, realized by the Fund prior to the expiration of those carryforwards, generally eight taxable years after the year in which they arose. The Fund’s Post-2010 Losses must be fully utilized before the Fund will be permitted to utilize any carryforwards of Pre-2011 Losses.

Fund Distributions. Distributions are generally taxable whether shareholders receive them in cash or reinvest them in additional shares. Moreover, distributions on the Fund’s shares are generally subject to federal income tax as described herein to the extent they do not exceed the Fund’s realized income and gains, even though such distributions may economically represent a return of a particular shareholder’s investment. Investors may therefore wish to avoid purchasing shares at a time when the Fund’s NAV reflects gains that are either unrealized, or realized but not distributed. Realized income and gains must generally be distributed even when the Fund’s NAV also reflects unrealized losses.

Dividends and other distributions by the Fund are generally treated under the Code as received by the shareholders at the time the dividend or distribution is made. However, if any dividend or distribution is declared by the Fund in October, November or December of any calendar year and payable to its shareholders of record on a specified date in such a month but is actually paid during the following January, such dividend or distribution will be deemed to have been received by each shareholder on December 31 of the year in which the dividend was declared.

Distributions by the Fund of investment income are generally taxable as ordinary income. Taxes on distributions of capital gains are determined by how long the Fund owned the investments that generated those gains, rather than how long a shareholder has owned his or her Fund shares. Sales of assets held by the Fund for more than one year generally result in long-term capital gains and losses, and sales of assets held by the Fund for one year or less generally result in short-term capital gains and losses. Distributions from the Fund’s net capital gain that are properly reported by the Fund as capital gain dividends (“Capital Gain Dividends”) will be taxable as long-term capital gains. For individuals, long-term capital gains are subject to tax at reduced maximum tax rates. Distributions of gains from the sale of investments that the Fund owned for one year or less will be taxable as ordinary income.

For noncorporate shareholders, distributions of investment income reported by the Fund as derived from “qualified dividend income” will be taxed at the rates applicable to long-term capital gain, provided holding period and other requirements are met at both the shareholder and Fund level. In order for some portion of the dividends received by a Fund shareholder to be “qualified dividend income,” the Fund making the distribution must meet holding period and other requirements with respect to some portion of the dividend-paying stocks in its portfolio and the shareholder must meet holding period and other requirements with respect to the Fund’s shares. A dividend will not be treated as qualified dividend income (at either the Fund or shareholder level) (1) if the dividend is received with respect to any share of stock held for fewer than 61 days during the 121-day period beginning on the date that is 60 days before the date on which such share becomes ex-dividend with respect to such dividend (or, in the case of certain preferred stock, 91 days during the 181-day period beginning 90 days before the ex-dividend date), (2) to the extent that the recipient is under an obligation (whether pursuant to a short sale or otherwise) to make related payments with respect to positions in substantially similar or related property, (3) if the recipient elects to have the dividend income treated as investment income for purposes of the limitation on deductibility of investment interest, or (4) if the dividend is received from a foreign corporation that is (a) not eligible for the benefits of a comprehensive income tax treaty with the United States (with the exception of dividends paid on stock of such a foreign corporation that is readily tradable on an established securities market in the United States) or (b) treated as a passive foreign investment company. In general, dividends received on equity investments in Japanese entities treated as corporations for U.S. federal income tax purposes are eligible to be treated as qualified dividend income.

In general, distributions of investment income reported by the Fund as derived from qualified dividend income will be treated as qualified dividend income by a shareholder taxed as an individual, provided the shareholder meets the holding period and other requirements described above with respect to the Fund’s shares. If the aggregate qualified dividend income received by the Fund during any taxable year represents 95% or more of its gross income (excluding net long-term capital gain over net short-term capital loss), then 100% of the Fund’s dividends (other than Capital Gain Dividends) will be eligible to be reported as qualified dividend income. To the extent that the Fund makes a distribution of income received by the Fund in lieu of dividends (a “substitute payment”) with respect to securities on loan pursuant to a securities lending transaction, such income will not constitute qualified dividend income.

Since the Fund will invest primarily in investments other than stock of the U.S. corporations, the Fund does not expect a substantial portion of its dividends will qualify for the dividends-received deduction available to corporate shareholders.

Dividends and distributions from the Fund and capital gain on the sale of Fund shares are generally taken into account in determining a shareholder’s “net investment income” for purposes of the Medicare contribution tax applicable to certain individuals, estates and trusts.

 

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If the Fund makes distributions in excess of the Fund’s current and accumulated earnings and profits in any taxable year, the excess distribution to each shareholder will be treated as a return of capital to the extent of the shareholder’s tax basis in its shares, and, after the shareholder’s basis has been reduced to zero, as capital gain, assuming the shareholder holds his or her shares as capital assets. A return of capital is not taxable, but reduces a shareholder’s tax basis in its shares, thus reducing any loss or increasing any gain on a subsequent taxable disposition by the shareholder of its shares.

Sale or Exchange of Shares. A sale or exchange of shares in the Fund may give rise to a gain or loss. In general, any gain or loss realized upon a taxable disposition of shares will be treated as long-term capital gain or loss if the shares have been held for more than 12 months. Otherwise, the gain or loss on the taxable disposition of shares will be treated as short-term capital gain or loss. However, any loss realized upon a taxable disposition of shares held for six months or less will be treated as long-term, rather than short-term, to the extent of any long-term capital gain distributions received (or deemed received) by the shareholder with respect to the shares. All or a portion of any loss realized upon a taxable disposition of shares will be disallowed if other substantially identical shares of the Fund are purchased within 30 days before or after the disposition. In such a case, the basis of the newly purchased shares will be adjusted to reflect the disallowed loss.

Backup Withholding. The Fund (or financial intermediaries, such as brokers, through which a shareholder holds Fund shares) generally is required to withhold and to remit to the U.S. Treasury a percentage of the taxable distributions and sale or redemption proceeds paid to any shareholder who fails to properly furnish a correct taxpayer identification number, who has under-reported dividend or interest income, or who fails to certify that he, she or it is not subject to such withholding. The backup withholding tax rate is currently 28%.

Federal Tax Treatment of Certain Fund Investments. Transactions of the Fund in options, futures contracts, hedging transactions, forward contracts, swap agreements, straddles and foreign currencies may be subject to various special and complex tax rules, including mark-to-market, constructive sale, straddle, wash sale and short sale rules. These rules could affect whether gains and losses recognized by the Fund are treated as ordinary income or capital gain, accelerate the recognition of income to the Fund, or defer the Fund’s ability to recognize losses. These rules may in turn affect the amount, timing or character of the income distributed to shareholders by the Fund.

Certain Foreign Currency Tax Issues. The Fund’s gain or loss on foreign currency denominated debt securities and on certain other financial instruments, such as forward currency contracts and currency swaps, that is attributable to fluctuations in exchange rates occurring between the date of acquisition and the date of settlement or disposition of such securities or instruments generally will be treated under Section 988 of the Code as ordinary income or loss. The Fund may elect out of the application of Section 988 of the Code with respect to the tax treatment of each of its foreign currency forward contracts to the extent that (i) such contract is a capital asset in the hands of the Fund and is not part of a straddle transaction and (ii) the Fund makes an election by the close of the day the contract is entered into to treat the gain or loss attributable to such contract as capital gain or loss.

The Fund’s forward contracts may qualify as so-called “Section 1256 contracts” if the underlying currencies are currencies for which there are futures contracts that are traded on and subject to the rules of a qualified board or exchange. However, a forward currency contract that is a Section 1256 contract would, absent an election out of Section 988 of the Code as described in the preceding paragraph, be subject to Section 988. Accordingly, although such a forward currency contract would be marked to market annually like other Section 1256 contracts, the resulting gain or loss would be ordinary. If the Fund were to elect out of Section 988 with respect to forward currency contracts that qualify as Section 1256 contracts, the tax treatment generally applicable to Section 1256 contracts would apply to those forward currency contracts: that is, the contracts would be marked to market annually and gains and losses with respect to the contracts would be treated as long-term capital gains or losses to the extent of 60% thereof and short-term capital gains or losses to the extent of 40% thereof. If the Fund were to elect out of Section 988 with respect to any of its forward currency contracts that do not qualify as Section 1256 contracts, such contracts would not be marked to market annually and the Fund would recognize short-term or long-term capital gain or loss depending on the Fund’s holding period therein. The Fund may elect out of Section 988 with respect to some, all or none of its forward currency contracts.

Finally, regulated futures contracts and non-equity options that qualify as Section 1256 contracts and are entered into by the Fund with respect to foreign currencies or foreign currency denominated debt instruments will be subject to the tax treatment generally applicable to Section 1256 contracts unless the Fund elects to have Section 988 apply to determine the character of gains and losses from all such regulated futures contracts and non-equity options held or later acquired by the Fund.

Foreign Investments. Income received by the Fund from sources within foreign countries (including, for example, dividends or interest on stock or securities of non-U.S. issuers) may be subject to withholding and other taxes imposed by such countries. Tax treaties between such countries and the U.S. may reduce or eliminate such taxes. For instance, the income tax treaty between the U.S. and Japan generally reduces to 5% or 10% the rate of Japanese tax on dividends paid from a Japanese corporation to a U.S. shareholder. If more than 50% of the value of the Fund’s assets at the close of any taxable year consists of stock or securities of foreign corporations, which for this purpose may include obligations of foreign governmental issuers, the Fund may elect, for U.S. federal income tax purposes, to treat any foreign income or withholding taxes paid by the Fund as paid by its shareholders. For any year that the Fund is eligible for and makes such an election, each shareholder of the Fund will be required to include in income an

 

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amount equal to his or her allocable share of qualified foreign income taxes paid by the Fund, and shareholders will be entitled, subject to certain holding period requirements and other limitations, to credit their portions of these amounts against their U.S. federal income tax due, if any, or to deduct their portions from their U.S. taxable income, if any. No deductions for foreign taxes paid by the Fund may be claimed, however, by non-corporate shareholders who do not itemize deductions. Foreign taxes paid by the Fund will reduce the return from the Fund’s investments.

If the Fund holds shares in a “passive foreign investment company” (“PFIC”), it may be subject to U.S. federal income tax on a portion of any “excess distribution” or gain from the disposition of such shares even if such income is distributed as a taxable dividend by the Fund to its shareholders. Additional charges in the nature of interest may be imposed on the Fund in respect of deferred taxes arising from such distributions or gains.

The Fund may be eligible to treat a PFIC as a “qualified electing fund” under the Code in which case, in lieu of the foregoing requirements, such Fund will be required to include in income each year a portion of the ordinary earnings and net capital gains of the qualified electing fund, even if not distributed to the Fund, and such amounts will be subject to the 90% and excise tax distribution requirements described above. In order to make this election, the Fund would be required to obtain certain annual information from the PFICs in which it invests, which may be difficult or impossible to obtain. Alternatively, the Fund may make a mark-to-market election that will result in such Fund being treated as if it had sold and repurchased its PFIC stock at the end of each year. In such case, the Fund would report any gains resulting from such deemed sales as ordinary income and would deduct any losses resulting from such deemed sales as ordinary losses to the extent of previously recognized gains. The election must be made separately for each PFIC owned by the Fund and, once made, is effective for all subsequent taxable years, unless revoked with the consent of the Internal Revenue Service (the “IRS”). By making the election, the Fund could potentially ameliorate the adverse tax consequences with respect to its ownership of shares in a PFIC, but in any particular year may be required to recognize income in excess of the distributions it receives from PFICs and its proceeds from dispositions of PFIC stock. The Fund may have to distribute this excess income to satisfy the 90% distribution requirement and to avoid imposition of the 4% excise tax. In order to distribute this income and avoid a tax at the Fund level, the Fund might be required to liquidate portfolio securities that it might otherwise have continued to hold, potentially resulting in additional taxable gain or loss.

Foreign Currency Transactions. Under the Code, gains or losses attributable to fluctuations in exchange rates which occur between the time the Fund accrues income or other receivables or accrues expenses or other liabilities denominated in a foreign currency and the time the Fund actually collects such income or receivables or pays such expenses or liabilities generally are treated as ordinary income or loss. Similarly, on disposition of debt securities denominated in a foreign currency and on disposition of certain other instruments, gains or losses attributable to fluctuations in the value of the foreign currency between the date of acquisition of the security or contract and the date of disposition are also treated as ordinary gain or loss. The gains and losses may increase or decrease the amount of the Fund’s income to be distributed to its shareholders as ordinary income.

Additional Tax Information Concerning REITs. The Fund may invest in entities treated as REITs for U.S. federal income tax purposes. The Fund’s investments in REIT equity securities may at times result in the Fund’s receipt of cash in excess of the REIT’s earnings; if the Fund distributes these amounts, these distributions could constitute a return of capital to Fund shareholders for federal income tax purposes. Dividends received by the Fund from a REIT generally will not constitute qualified dividend income.

The Fund may invest in REITs that hold residual interests in real estate mortgage investment conduits (“REMICs”) or which are, or have certain wholly-owned subsidiaries that are, “taxable mortgage pools” (“TMPs”). Under certain Treasury guidance, a portion of the Fund’s income from a REIT that is attributable to the REIT’s residual interest in a REMIC or equity interests in a TMP (referred to in the Code as an “excess inclusion”) will be subject to federal income tax in all events. This guidance provides that excess inclusion income of a RIC, such as the Fund, must generally be allocated to shareholders of the RIC in proportion to the dividends received by such shareholders, with the same consequences as if the shareholders held the related REMIC residual interest or TMP interests directly. In general, excess inclusion income allocated to shareholders (i) cannot be offset by net operating losses (subject to a limited exception for certain thrift institutions), (ii) will constitute unrelated business taxable income to entities (including a qualified pension plan, an individual retirement account, a 401(k) plan, a Keogh plan or other tax-exempt entity) subject to tax on unrelated business income, thereby potentially requiring such an entity, which otherwise might not be required to file a tax return, to file a tax return and pay tax on such income (see “Taxes – Tax-Exempt Shareholders” below), and (iii) in the case of a foreign shareholder, will not qualify for any reduction in U.S. federal withholding tax. The Fund does not intend to invest a substantial portion of its assets in REITs which generate excess inclusion income.

Tax-Exempt Shareholders. Under current law, income of a RIC that would be treated as unrelated business taxable income (“UBTI”) if earned directly by a tax-exempt entity generally will not be attributed as UBTI to a tax-exempt entity that is a shareholder in the RIC. Notwithstanding this “blocking” effect, a tax-exempt shareholder could realize UBTI by virtue of its investment in the Fund if shares in the Fund constitute debt-financed property in the hands of the tax-exempt shareholder within the meaning of Code Section 514(b) or if the Fund invests in REITs that hold residual interests in REMICs.

 

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In addition, special tax consequences apply to charitable remainder trusts (“CRTs”) that invest in RICs that invest directly or indirectly in residual interests in REMICs or TMPs. A CRT (as defined in Section 664 of the Code) that realizes any UBTI for a taxable year must pay an excise tax annually of an amount equal to such UBTI. Under IRS guidance issued in October 2006, a CRT will not recognize UBTI as a result of investing in a fund that recognizes “excess inclusion income.” Rather, if at any time during a taxable year a CRT (or one of certain other tax-exempt shareholders, such as the United States, a state or political subdivision, or an agency or instrumentality thereof, and certain energy cooperatives) is a record holder of a share in a fund that recognizes “excess inclusion income,” then that fund will be subject to a tax on that portion of its “excess inclusion income” for the taxable year that is allocable to such CRT at the highest federal corporate income tax rate. The extent to which this IRS guidance remains applicable in light of the December 2006 legislation is unclear. To the extent permitted under the 1940 Act, the Fund may elect to specially allocate any such tax to the applicable CRT, or other shareholder, and thus reduce such shareholder’s distributions for the year by an amount of the tax that relates to that shareholder’s interest in the Fund. The Fund has not yet determined whether such an election will be made. CRTs are urged to consult their tax advisors concerning the consequences of investing in the Fund. The Fund does not intend to invest directly or indirectly in residual interests in REMICs.

Non-U.S. Shareholders. In general, dividends other than Capital Gain Dividends paid by the Fund to a shareholder that is not a “U.S. person” within the meaning of the Code are subject to withholding of U.S. federal income tax at a rate of 30% (or lower applicable treaty rate) even if they are funded by income or gains (such as portfolio interest, short-term capital gains, or foreign-source dividend and interest income) that, if paid to a non-U.S. person directly, would not be subject to withholding.

A beneficial holder of shares who is a non-U.S. person is not, in general, subject to U.S. federal income tax on gains (and is not allowed a U.S. income tax deduction for losses) realized on a sale of shares of the Fund or on Capital Gain Dividends unless (i) such gain or dividend is effectively connected with the conduct of a trade or business carried on by such holder within the United States or (ii) in the case of an individual holder, the holder is present in the United States for a period or periods aggregating 183 days or more during the year of the sale or the receipt of the Capital Gain Dividend and certain other conditions are met.

Ordinary dividends, redemption payments and certain capital gain dividends paid after June 30, 2014 to a non-U.S. shareholder fails to make certain required certifications, or that is a “foreign financial institution” as defined in Section 1471 of the Code and that does not meet the requirements imposed on foreign financial institutions by Section 1471, are generally subject to withholding tax at a 30% rate. Under current IRS guidance, withholding on such payments will begin at different times depending on the type of payment, the type of payee, and when the shareholder’s account is opened. Withholding with respect to ordinary dividends is scheduled to begin on July 1, 2014 (or in certain cases, on later dates). Withholding on redemption payments and certain Capital Gain Dividends is currently scheduled to begin on January 1, 2017. The extent, if any, to which such withholding tax may be reduced or eliminated by an applicable tax treaty is unclear. A non-U.S. shareholder may be exempt from the withholding described in this paragraph under an intergovernmental agreement between the U.S. and a foreign government, provided that the shareholder and the applicable foreign government comply with the terms of such agreement.

In order for a non-U.S. investor to qualify for an exemption from backup withholding, the non-U.S. investor must comply with special certification and filing requirements. Non-U.S. investors in the Fund should consult their tax advisors in this regard. Backup withholding is not an additional tax. Any amounts withheld may be credited against the shareholder’s U.S. federal income tax liability, provided the appropriate information is furnished to the IRS.

A beneficial holder of shares who is a non-U.S. person may be subject to the state and local tax and to U.S. federal estate tax in addition to the federal income tax consequences referred to above. If a shareholder is eligible for the benefits of a tax treaty, any effectively connected income or gain will generally be subject to U.S. federal income tax on a net basis only if it is also attributable to a permanent establishment maintained by the shareholder in the United States.

Creation and Redemption of Creation Units. An Authorized Participant having the U.S. dollar as its functional currency for U.S. federal income tax purposes that exchanges securities or non-U.S. currency for Creation Units generally will recognize a gain or loss equal to the difference between (i) the sum of the market value of the Creation Units at the time of the exchange and any cash received by the Authorized Participant in the exchange, and (ii) the sum of the exchanger’s aggregate basis in the securities or non-U.S. currency surrendered and any cash paid for such Creation Units. All or a portion of any gain or loss recognized by an Authorized Participant exchanging a currency other than its functional currency for Creation Units may be treated as ordinary income or loss. A person who redeems Creation Units for securities or non-U.S. currency will generally recognize a gain or loss equal to the difference between the exchanger’s basis in the Creation Units and the sum of the aggregate U.S. dollar market value of any securities or non-U.S. currency received plus the amount of any cash received for such Creation Units. The IRS, however, may assert that a loss that is realized by an Authorized Participant upon an exchange of securities or non-U.S. currency for Creation Units cannot be currently deducted under the rules governing “wash sales,” or on the basis that there has been no significant change in economic position. All or some portion of any capital gain or loss realized upon the creation of Creation Units will generally be treated as long-term capital gain or loss if securities exchanged for such Creation Units have been held for more than one year.

 

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Any capital gain or loss realized upon the redemption of Creation Units will generally be treated as long-term capital gain or loss if the Creation Units have been held for more than one year. Otherwise, such capital gains or losses will be treated as short-term capital gains or losses.

A person subject to U.S. federal income tax who receives non-U.S. currency upon a redemption of Creation Units and does not immediately convert the non-U.S. currency into U.S. dollars may, upon a later conversion of the non-U.S. currency into U.S. dollars, or upon the use of the non-U.S. currency to pay expenses or acquire assets, recognize as ordinary gains or losses any gains or losses resulting from fluctuations in the value of the non-U.S. currency relative to the U.S. dollar since the date of the redemption.

Persons exchanging securities or non-U.S. currency for Creation Units should consult their own tax advisors with respect to the tax treatment of any creation or redemption transaction.

Section 351. The Trust on behalf of the Fund has the right to reject an order for a purchase of shares of the Trust if the purchaser (or any group of purchasers) would, upon obtaining the shares so ordered, own 80% or more of the outstanding shares of the Fund and if, pursuant to Section 351 of the Code, the Fund would have a basis in the securities different from the market value of such securities on the date of deposit. The Trust also has the right to require information necessary to determine beneficial share ownership for purposes of the 80% determination.

Certain Reporting Regulations. Under U.S. Treasury regulations, generally, if a shareholder recognizes a loss of $2 million or more for an individual shareholder or $10 million or more for a corporate shareholder, the shareholder must file with the IRS a disclosure statement on Form 8886. Direct shareholders of portfolio securities are in many cases excepted from this reporting requirement, but under current guidance, shareholders of a RIC are not excepted. The fact that a loss is reportable under these regulations does not affect the legal determination of whether the taxpayer’s treatment of the loss is proper. Shareholders should consult their tax advisors to determine the applicability of these regulations in light of their individual circumstances.

General Considerations. The federal income tax discussion set forth above is for general information only. Prospective investors should consult their tax advisors regarding the specific federal income tax consequences of purchasing, holding and disposing of shares of the Fund, as well as the effect of state, local and foreign tax law and any proposed tax law changes.

DETERMINATION OF NAV

The NAV of the Fund’s shares is calculated each day the national securities exchanges are open for trading as of the close of regular trading on the Listing Exchange, generally 4:00 p.m. New York time (the “NAV Calculation Time”). NAV per share is calculated by dividing the Fund’s net assets by the number of Fund shares outstanding.

In calculating the Fund’s NAV, Fund investments generally are valued using market valuations. Short-term debt securities with remaining maturities of sixty (60) days or less generally are valued on the basis of amortized cost, which approximates fair value. U.S. fixed income assets may be valued as of the announced closing time for such securities on any day that the Securities Industry and Financial Markets Association announces an early closing time. The values of any assets or liabilities of the Fund that are denominated in a currency other than the U.S. dollar are converted into U.S. dollars using an exchange rate deemed appropriate by the Fund.

In certain instances, such as when reliable market valuations are not readily available or are not deemed to reflect current market values, the Fund’s investments will be valued in accordance with the Fund’s pricing policy and procedures. Securities that may be valued using “fair value” pricing may include, but are not limited to, securities for which there are no current market quotations or whose issuer is in default or bankruptcy, securities subject to corporate actions (such as mergers or reorganizations), securities subject to non-U.S. investment limits or currency controls, and securities affected by “significant events.” An example of a significant event is an event occurring after the close of the market in which a security trades but before the Fund’s next NAV Calculation Time that may materially affect the value of the Fund’s investment (e.g., government action, natural disaster, or significant market fluctuation). Price movements in U.S. markets that are deemed to affect the value of foreign securities, or reflect changes to the value of such securities, also may cause securities to be “fair valued.”

When fair-value pricing is employed, the prices of securities used by the Fund to calculate its NAV may differ from quoted or published prices for the same securities.

Fund shares are purchased or sold on a national securities exchange at market prices, which may be higher or lower than NAV. No secondary sales will be made to brokers or dealers at a concession by the Distributor or by the Fund. Purchases and sales of shares in the secondary market, which will not involve the Fund, will be subject to customary brokerage commissions and charges. Transactions in Fund shares will be priced at NAV only if you purchase or redeem shares directly from the Fund in Creation Units.

 

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DIVIDENDS AND DISTRIBUTIONS

The Fund intends to pay out dividends, if any, on a quarterly basis but in any event no less frequently than annually. Nonetheless, the Fund might not make a dividend payment every quarter. The Fund intends to distribute its net realized capital gains, if any, to investors annually. The Fund may occasionally be required to make supplemental distributions at some other time during the year. Distributions in cash may be reinvested automatically in additional whole shares only if the broker through whom you purchased shares makes such option available. Your broker is responsible for distributing the income and capital gain distributions to you.

The Trust reserves the right to declare special distributions if, in its reasonable discretion, such action is necessary or advisable to preserve the status of the Fund as a RIC or to avoid imposition of income or excise taxes on undistributed income.

FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

Financial Statements and Annual Reports will be available after the Fund has completed a fiscal year of operations. When available, you may request a copy of the Trust’s Annual Report at no charge by calling 866-909-9473 or through the Trust’s website at www.wisdomtree.com.

MISCELLANEOUS INFORMATION

Counsel. Bingham McCutchen LLP, with offices located at 2020 K Street, NW, Washington, DC 20006, serves as legal counsel to the Trust.

Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm. Ernst & Young LLP, with offices located at 5 Times Square, New York, New York 10036, serves as the independent registered public accounting firm to the Trust.

WIS-SAI-050-0714

 

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WISDOMTREE® TRUST

WisdomTree Japan Hedged Dividend Growth Fund

Ticker:

Principal U.S. Listing Exchange: [            ]

STATEMENT OF ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

            , 2014

This Statement of Additional Information (“SAI”) is not a prospectus. It should be read in conjunction with the current prospectus (the “Prospectus”) for the WisdomTree Japan Hedged Dividend Growth Fund (the “Fund”), a separate investment portfolio of WisdomTree Trust (the “Trust”), as the Prospectus may be revised from time to time.

The current Prospectus for the Fund is dated [            ], 2014. Capitalized terms used herein that are not defined have the same meaning as in the Prospectus, unless otherwise noted. The Fund’s audited financial statements for the most recent fiscal year (when available) are incorporated in this SAI by reference to the Fund’s most recent Annual Report to Shareholders (File No. 811-21864). When available, you may obtain a copy of the Fund’s Annual Report at no charge by request to the Fund at the address or phone number noted below.

THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION (“SEC”) HAS NOT APPROVED OR DISAPPROVED THESE SECURITIES OR PASSED UPON THE ADEQUACY OF THIS SAI. ANY REPRESENTATION TO THE CONTRARY IS A CRIMINAL OFFENSE.

SHARES OF THE FUND ARE NOT CURRENTLY AVAILABLE FOR PURCHASE ON THE SECONDARY MARKET.

A copy of the Prospectus for the Fund may be obtained, without charge, by calling 1-866-909-9473, visiting www.wisdomtree.com, or writing to WisdomTree Trust, c/o ALPS Distributors, Inc., 1290 Broadway, Suite 1100, Denver, Colorado 80203.

 

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TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

General Description of the Trust and the Fund

     3   

Investment Strategies and Risks

     3   

General Risks

     3   

Specific Investment Strategies

     5   

Proxy Voting Policy

     10   

Portfolio Holdings Disclosure Policies and Procedures

     10   

WisdomTree Index Description

     11   

Investment Limitations

     12   

Continuous Offering

     13   

Management of the Trust

     14   

Brokerage Transactions

     23   

Additional Information Concerning the Trust

     24   

Creation and Redemption of Creation Unit Aggregations

     25   

Regular Holidays

     30   

Taxes

     32   

Determination of NAV

     38   

Dividends and Distributions

     39   

Financial Statements

     39   

Miscellaneous Information

     39   

 

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GENERAL DESCRIPTION OF THE TRUST AND THE FUND

The Trust was organized as a Delaware statutory trust on December 15, 2005 and is authorized to issue multiple series or portfolios. The Trust is an open-end management investment company, registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the “1940 Act”). The offering of the Trust’s shares is registered under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”).

The Fund described in this SAI seeks to track the price and yield performance, before fees and expenses, of the WisdomTree Japan Hedged Dividend Growth Index (the “Index”). The Index is created using proprietary methodology developed by WisdomTree Investments, Inc. (“WisdomTree Investments”). WisdomTree Investments is the parent company of WisdomTree Asset Management, Inc. (“WisdomTree Asset Management” or the “Adviser”), the investment adviser to the Fund. [            ] (“[            ]” or the “Sub-Adviser”) is the investment sub-adviser to the Fund. The Adviser and the Sub-Adviser may be referred to together as the “Advisers”. ALPS Distributors, Inc. serves as the distributor (the “Distributor”) of the shares of the Fund.

The Fund issues and redeems shares at net asset value per share (“NAV”) only in large blocks of shares, typically 50,000 shares or more (“Creation Units” or “Creation Unit Aggregations”). Currently, Creation Units generally consist of 50,000 shares, though this may change from time to time. Creation Units are not expected to consist of less than 50,000 shares. These transactions are usually in exchange for a basket of securities and an amount of cash. As a practical matter, only institutions or large investors purchase or redeem Creation Units. Except when aggregated in Creation Units, shares of the Fund are not redeemable securities.

Shares of the Fund are listed on a national securities exchange, such as [            ] (“[            ]” or the “Listing Exchange”), and trade throughout the day on the Listing Exchange and other secondary markets at market prices that may differ from NAV. As in the case of other publicly traded securities, brokers’ commissions on transactions will be based on commission rates charged by the applicable broker.

The Trust reserves the right to adjust the prices of shares in the future to maintain convenient trading ranges for investors. Any adjustments would be accomplished through stock splits or reverse stock splits, which would have no effect on the net assets of the Fund.

“WisdomTree” is a registered mark of WisdomTree Investments and has been licensed for use by the Trust. WisdomTree Investments has patent applications pending on the methodology and operation of its Index and the Fund.

INVESTMENT STRATEGIES AND RISKS

The Fund’s investment objective, principal investment strategies and associated risks are described in the Fund’s Prospectus. The sections below supplement these principal investment strategies and risks and describe the Fund’s additional investment policies and the different types of investments that may be made by the Fund as a part of its non-principal investment strategies. With respect to the Fund’s investments, unless otherwise noted, if a percentage limitation on investment is adhered to at the time of investment or contract, a subsequent increase or decrease as a result of market movement or redemption will not result in a violation of such investment limitation. The Fund is new and therefore portfolio turnover information is not yet available.

The Fund intends to qualify each year for treatment as a regulated investment company (a “RIC”) under Subchapter M of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”), so that it will not be subject to federal income tax on income and gains that are timely distributed to Fund shareholders. The Fund will invest its assets, and otherwise conduct its operations, in a manner that is intended to satisfy the qualifying income, diversification and distribution requirements necessary to establish and maintain eligibility for such treatment.

The Fund is considered “non-diversified,” as such term is used in the 1940 Act.

The Fund’s investment strategy, known as “indexing,” may eliminate some of the risks of active portfolio management, such as poor security selection. In addition, indexing may also help increase after-tax investment performance by keeping portfolio turnover low in comparison to more actively managed investment strategies.

GENERAL RISKS

An investment in the Fund should be made with an understanding that the value of the Fund’s portfolio securities may fluctuate in accordance with changes in the financial condition of an issuer or counterparty, changes in specific economic or political conditions that affect a particular security or issuer and changes in general economic or political conditions. An investor in the Fund could lose money over short or long periods of time.

 

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An investment in the Fund should also be made with an understanding of the risks inherent in an investment in equity securities, including the risk that the financial condition of issuers may become impaired or that the general condition of the stock market may deteriorate (either of which may cause a decrease in the value of the Fund’s portfolio securities and therefore a decrease in the value of shares of the Fund). Common stocks are susceptible to general stock market fluctuations and to volatile increases and decreases in value as market confidence and perceptions change. These investor perceptions are based on various and unpredictable factors, including expectations regarding government, economic, monetary and fiscal policies; inflation and interest rates; economic expansion or contraction; and global or regional political, economic or banking crises.

Holders of common stocks incur more risk than holders of preferred stocks and debt obligations because common stockholders, as owners of the issuer, generally have inferior rights to receive payments from the issuer in comparison with the rights of creditors or holders of debt obligations or preferred stocks. Further, unlike debt securities, which typically have a stated principal amount payable at maturity (whose value, however, is subject to market fluctuations prior thereto), or preferred stocks, which typically have a liquidation preference and which may have stated optional or mandatory redemption provisions, common stocks have neither a fixed principal amount nor a maturity. Common stock values are subject to market fluctuations as long as the common stock remains outstanding.

An investment in the Fund should be made with the understanding that the Fund attempts to minimize or “hedge” against changes in the value of the U.S. dollar against the Japanese yen.

Although all of the securities in the Index are generally listed on the Tokyo Stock Exchange, there can be no guarantee that a liquid market for such securities will be maintained. The existence of a liquid trading market for certain securities may depend on whether dealers will make a market in such securities. There can be no assurance that a market will be made or maintained or that any such market will be or remain liquid. The price at which securities may be sold and the value of the Fund’s shares will be adversely affected if trading markets for the Fund’s portfolio securities are limited or absent, or if bid/ask spreads are wide.

Events in the financial sector have resulted, and may continue to result, in an unusually high degree of volatility in the financial markets, both domestic and foreign. Domestic and foreign fixed income and equity markets experienced extreme volatility and turmoil starting in late 2008 and volatility has continued to be experienced in the markets. Issuers that have exposure to the real estate, mortgage and credit markets have been particularly affected, and well-known financial institutions have experienced significant liquidity and other problems. Some of these institutions have declared bankruptcy or defaulted on their debt. It is uncertain whether or for how long these conditions will continue. These events and possible continuing market turbulence may have an adverse effect on Fund performance.

BORROWING. Although the Fund does not intend to borrow money, the Fund may do so to the extent permitted by the 1940 Act. Under the 1940 Act, a fund may borrow up to 33% of its net assets. The Fund will borrow only for short-term or emergency purposes. Borrowing will tend to exaggerate the effect on net asset value of any increase or decrease in the market value of the Fund’s portfolio. Money borrowed will be subject to interest costs that may or may not be recovered by earnings on the securities purchased. The Fund also may be required to maintain minimum average balances in connection with a borrowing or to pay a commitment or other fee to maintain a line of credit; either of these requirements would increase the cost of borrowing over the stated interest rate.

CAPITAL CONTROLS AND SANCTIONS RISK. Economic conditions, such as volatile currency exchange rates and interest rates, political events, military action and other conditions may, without prior warning, lead to government intervention (including intervention by the U.S. government with respect to foreign governments, economic sectors, foreign companies and related securities and interests) and the imposition of capital controls and/or sanctions, which may also include retaliatory actions of one government against another government, such as seizure of assets. Capital controls and/or sanctions include the prohibition of, or restrictions on, the ability to own or transfer currency, securities or other assets, which may potentially include derivative instruments related thereto. Countries use these controls to, among other reasons, restrict movements of capital entering (inflows) and exiting (outflows) their country to respond to certain economic or political conditions. By way of example, such controls may be applied to short-term capital transactions to counter speculative flows that threaten to undermine the stability of the exchange trade and deplete foreign exchange reserves. Levies maybe placed on profits repatriated by foreign entities (such as the Fund). Capital controls and/or sanctions may also impact the ability of the Fund to buy, sell, transfer, receive, deliver (i.e., create and redeem Creation Units) or otherwise obtain exposure to, foreign securities or currency, negatively impact the value and/or liquidity of such instruments, adversely affect the trading market and price for shares of the Fund (e.g., cause the Fund to trade at prices materially different from its NAV), and cause the Fund to decline in value. The Fund may change its creation and or redemption procedures without notice in response to the imposition of capital controls or sanctions. There can be no assurance a country in which the Fund invests or the U.S. will not impose a form of capital control or sanction to the possible detriment of the Fund and its shareholders.

CURRENCY EXCHANGE RATE RISK. Investments denominated in non-U.S. currencies and investments in securities or derivatives that provide exposure to such currencies, currency exchange rates or interest rates are subject to non-U.S. currency risk. Changes in currency exchange rates and the relative value of non-U.S. currencies will affect the value of the Fund’s investment and the value of your Fund shares. Because the Fund’s NAV is determined on the basis of U.S. dollars, the U.S. dollar value of your

 

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investment in the Fund may go down if the value of the local currency of the non-U.S. markets in which the Fund invests depreciates against the U.S. dollar. This is true even if the local currency value of securities in the Fund’s holdings goes up. Conversely, the U.S. dollar value of your investment in the Fund may go up if the value of the local currency appreciates against the U.S. dollar. The value of the U.S. dollar against other currencies is influenced by a variety of factors. These factors include national debt levels and trade deficits, changes in balances of payments and trade, domestic and foreign interest and inflation rates, global or regional political, economic or financial events, monetary policies of governments, actual or potential government intervention, and global energy prices. Political instability, the possibility of government intervention and restrictive or opaque business and investment policies may also reduce the value of a country’s currency. Government monetary policies and the buying or selling of currency by a country’s government may also influence exchange rates. Currencies of emerging or developing market countries may be subject to significantly greater risks than currencies of developed countries. Many developing market countries have experienced steady declines or even sudden devaluations of their currencies relative to the U.S. dollar. Some non-U.S. market currencies may not be traded internationally, may be subject to strict limitations on foreign investment and may be subject to frequent and unannounced government intervention. Government intervention and currency controls can decrease the value and significantly increase the volatility of an investment in non-U.S. currency. Although the currencies of some developing market countries may be convertible into U.S. dollars, the achievable rates may differ from those experienced by domestic investors because of foreign investment restrictions, withholding taxes, lack of liquidity or other reasons.

LACK OF DIVERSIFICATION. The Fund is considered to be “non-diversified.” A “non-diversified” classification means that the Fund is not limited by the 1940 Act with regard to the percentage of its total assets that may be invested in the securities of a single issuer. As a result, the Fund may invest more of its total assets in the securities of a single issuer or a smaller number of issuers than if it were classified as a diversified fund. Therefore, the Fund may be more exposed to the risks associated with and developments affecting an individual issuer or a small number of issuers than a fund that invests more widely, which may have a greater impact on the Fund’s volatility and performance.

TAX RISK. To qualify for the favorable U.S. federal income tax treatment accorded to RICs, the Fund must, among other things, derive in each taxable year at least 90% of its gross income from certain prescribed sources. The U.S. Treasury Department has authority to issue regulations that would exclude foreign currency gains from qualifying income if such gains are not directly related to the Fund’s business of investing in stock or securities. Accordingly, regulations may be issued in the future that could treat some or all of the Fund’s foreign currency gains as nonqualifying income, which might jeopardize the Fund’s status as a RIC for all years to which the regulations are applicable. If for any taxable year the Fund does not qualify as a RIC, all of its taxable income (including its net capital gain) for that year would be subject to tax at regular corporate rates without any deduction for distributions to shareholders, and such distributions would be taxable to shareholders as dividend income to the extent of the Fund’s current and accumulated earnings and profits.

A discussion of some of the other risks associated with an investment in the Fund is contained in the Fund’s Prospectus.

SPECIFIC INVESTMENT STRATEGIES

A description of certain investment strategies and types of investments used by the Fund is set forth below.

CURRENCY TRANSACTIONS. The Fund may enter into foreign currency forward and foreign currency futures contracts to facilitate local securities settlements or to protect against currency exposure in connection with distributions to shareholders. The Fund invests in various types of currency contracts to hedge against changes in the value of the U.S. dollar against the Japanese yen.

Forward Foreign Currency Contracts. A forward foreign currency exchange contract (“forward contract”) involves an obligation to purchase or sell a specific currency at a future date, which may be any fixed number of days from the date of the contract agreed upon by the parties, at a price set at the time of the contract. These contracts are principally traded in the interbank market conducted directly between currency traders (usually large commercial banks) and their customers. Forward contracts are contracts between parties in which one party agrees to make a payment to the other party (the counterparty) based on the market value or level of a specified currency. In return, the counterparty agrees to make payment to the first party based on the return of a different specified currency. A forward contract generally has no margin deposit requirement, and no commissions are charged at any stage for trades. These contracts typically are settled by physical delivery of the underlying currency or currencies in the amount of the full contract value.

A non-deliverable forward contract is a forward contract where there is no physical settlement of two currencies at maturity. Non-deliverable forward contracts will usually be done on a net basis, with the Fund receiving or paying only the net amount of the two payments. The net amount of the excess, if any, of the Fund’s obligations over its entitlements with respect to each non-deliverable forward contract is accrued on a daily basis and an amount of cash or highly liquid securities having an aggregate value at least equal to the accrued excess is maintained in an account at the Fund’s custodian bank. The risk of loss with respect to non-deliverable forward contracts generally is limited to the net amount of payments that the Fund is contractually obligated to make or receive.

 

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Foreign Currency Futures Contracts. A foreign currency futures contract is a contract involving an obligation to deliver or acquire the specified amount of a specific currency, at a specified price and at a specified future time. Futures contracts may be settled on a net cash payment basis rather than by the sale and delivery of the underlying currency.

Currency exchange transactions involve a significant degree of risk and the markets in which currency exchange transactions are effected are highly volatile, highly specialized and highly technical. Significant changes, including changes in liquidity and prices, can occur in such markets within very short periods of time, often within minutes. Currency exchange trading risks include, but are not limited to, exchange rate risk, maturity gap, interest rate risk, and potential interference by foreign governments through regulation of local exchange markets, foreign investment or particular transactions in foreign currency. If the Fund utilizes foreign currency transactions at an inappropriate time, such transactions may not serve their intended purpose of improving the correlation of the Fund’s return with the performance of its underlying Index and may lower the Fund’s return. The Fund could experience losses if the value of any currency forwards and futures positions is poorly correlated with its other investments or if it could not close out its positions because of an illiquid market. Such contracts are subject to the risk that the counterparty will default on its obligations. In addition, the Fund will incur transaction costs, including trading commissions, in connection with certain foreign currency transactions.

DEPOSITARY RECEIPTS. To the extent the Fund invests in stocks of foreign corporations, the Fund’s investment in such stocks may be in the form of Depositary Receipts or other similar securities convertible into securities of foreign issuers. Depositary Receipts may not necessarily be denominated in the same currency as the underlying securities into which they may be converted. American Depositary Receipts (“ADRs”) are receipts typically issued by an American bank or trust company that evidence ownership of underlying securities issued by a foreign corporation. European Depositary Receipts (“EDRs”) are receipts issued in Europe that evidence a similar ownership arrangement. Global Depositary Receipts (“GDRs”) are receipts issued throughout the world that evidence a similar arrangement. Non-Voting Depository Receipts (“NVDRs”) are receipts issued in Thailand that evidence a similar arrangement. Generally, ADRs, in registered form, are designed for use in the U.S. securities markets, and EDRs, in bearer form, are designed for use in European securities markets. GDRs are tradable both in the United States and in Europe and are designed for use throughout the world. NVDRs are tradable on the Stock Exchange of Thailand.

The Fund will not invest in any unlisted Depositary Receipts or any Depositary Receipt that WisdomTree Asset Management or the Sub-Adviser deems to be illiquid or for which pricing information is not readily available. In addition, all Depositary Receipts generally must be sponsored; however, the Fund may invest in unsponsored Depositary Receipts under certain limited circumstances. The issuers of unsponsored Depositary Receipts are not obligated to disclose material information in the United States, and, therefore, there may be less information available regarding such issuers and there may not be a correlation between such information and the market value of the Depositary Receipts. The use of Depositary Receipts may increase tracking error relative to an underlying Index.

DERIVATIVES. The Fund may use derivative instruments as part of its investment strategies. The Fund will not use derivatives to increase leverage and the Fund will provide margin or collateral, as applicable, with respect to investments in derivatives in such amounts as determined under applicable law, regulatory guidance or related interpretations.

Generally, derivatives are financial contracts whose value depend upon, or are derived from, the value of an underlying asset, reference rate or index, and may relate to bonds, interest rates, currencies, commodities, and related indexes. Examples of derivative instruments include forward contracts, currency and interest rate swaps, currency options, futures contracts, options on futures contracts and swap agreements. The Fund’s use of derivative instruments will be underpinned by investments in short-term, high-quality instruments, such as U.S. money market securities.

With respect to certain kinds of derivative transactions that involve obligations to make future payments to third parties, including, but not limited to, futures contracts, forward contracts, swap contracts, the purchase of securities on a when-issued or delayed delivery basis, or reverse repurchase agreements, under applicable federal securities laws, rules, and interpretations thereof, the Fund must “set aside” liquid assets, or engage in other measures to “cover” open positions with respect to such transactions in a manner consistent with the 1940 Act.

For example, with respect to forward contracts and futures contracts that are not contractually required to “cash-settle,” the Fund must cover its open positions by setting aside liquid assets equal to the contracts’ full, notional value. The Fund treats deliverable forward contracts for currencies that are liquid as the equivalent of “cash-settled” contracts. As such, the Fund may set aside liquid assets in an amount equal to the Fund’s daily marked-to-market (net) obligation (i.e., the Fund’s daily net liability if any) rather than the full notional amount under such deliverable forward contracts. Similarly, with respect to futures contracts that are contractually required to “cash-settle” the Fund may set aside liquid assets in an amount equal to the Fund’s daily marked-to-market (net) obligation rather than the notional value. The Fund reserves the right to modify these policies in the future.

Effective April 24, 2012, the U.S. Commodity Futures Trading Commission (“CFTC”) revised, among other things, CFTC Rule 4.5 and rescinded CFTC Rule 4.13(a)(4). The CFTC has adopted amendments to its regulations of commodity pool operators (“CPOs”) managing funds registered under the 1940 Act that “harmonize” the SEC’s and the CFTC’s regulatory schemes. The adopted

 

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amendments to the CFTC regulations allow CPOs to registered investment companies to satisfy certain recordkeeping, reporting and disclosure requirements that would otherwise apply to them under Part 4 of the CFTC’s regulations by continuing to comply with comparable SEC requirements. To the extent that the CFTC recordkeeping, disclosure and reporting requirements deviate from the comparable SEC requirements, such deviations are not expected to materially adversely affect the ability of the Fund to continue to operate and achieve its investment objective. If, however, these requirements or future regulatory changes result in the Fund having difficulty in achieving its investment objective, the Trust may determine to reorganize or close the Fund, materially change the Fund’s investment objective and strategies, or operate the Fund as a regulated commodity pool pursuant to WisdomTree Asset Management’s CPO registration.

With regard to the Fund, WisdomTree Asset Management will continue to claim relief from the definition of CPO under revised CFTC Rule 4.5. Specifically, pursuant to CFTC Rule 4.5, WisdomTree Asset Management may claim exclusion from the definition of CPO, and thus from having to register as a CPO, with regard to a Fund that enters into commodity futures, commodity options or swaps solely for “bona fide hedging purposes,” or that limits its investment in commodities to a “de minimis” amount, as defined in CFTC rules, so long as the shares of such Fund are not marketed as interests in a commodity pool or other vehicle for trading in commodity futures, commodity options or swaps.

Swap Agreements. The Fund may enter into swap agreements, including interest rate swaps and currency swaps. A typical interest rate swap involves the exchange of a floating interest rate payment for a fixed interest payment. A typical foreign currency swap involves the exchange of cash flows based on the notional differences among two or more currencies (e.g., the U.S. dollar and the Brazilian Real). Swap agreements may be used to hedge or achieve exposure to, for example, currencies, interest rates, and money market securities without actually purchasing such currencies or securities. The Fund may use swap agreements to invest in a market without owning or taking physical custody of the underlying securities in circumstances in which direct investment is restricted for legal reasons or is otherwise impracticable. Swap agreements will tend to shift the Fund’s investment exposure from one type of investment to another or from one payment stream to another. Depending on their structure, swap agreements may increase or decrease the Fund’s exposure to long- or short-term interest rates (in the United States or abroad), foreign currencies, corporate borrowing rates, or other factors, and may increase or decrease the overall volatility of a Fund’s investments and its share price.

Futures, Options and Options on Futures Contracts. The Fund may enter into U.S. or foreign futures contracts, options and options on futures contracts. When the Fund purchases a futures contract, it agrees to purchase a specified underlying instrument at a specified future date. When the Fund sells a futures contract, it agrees to sell the underlying instrument at a specified future date. The price at which the purchase and sale will take place is fixed when the Fund enters into the contract. Futures can be held until their delivery dates, or can be closed out before then if a liquid secondary market is available.

The risk of loss in trading futures contracts or uncovered call options in some strategies (e.g., selling uncovered stock index futures contracts) is potentially unlimited. The Fund does not plan to use futures and options contracts in this way. The risk of a futures position may still be large as traditionally measured due to the low margin deposits required. In many cases, a relatively small price movement in a futures contract may result in immediate and substantial loss or gain to the investor relative to the size of a required margin deposit. The Fund, however, intends to utilize futures and options contracts in a manner designed to limit its risk exposure to levels comparable to direct investment in stocks.

Utilization of futures and options on futures by the Fund involves the risk of imperfect or even negative correlation to the underlying Index if the index underlying the futures contract differs from the Fund’s underlying Index. There is also the risk of loss by the Fund of margin deposits in the event of bankruptcy of a broker with whom the Fund has an open position in the futures contract or option. The purchase of put or call options will be based upon predictions by the Fund as to anticipated trends, which predictions could prove to be incorrect.

The potential for loss related to the purchase of an option on a futures contract is limited to the premium paid for the option plus transaction costs. Because the value of the option is fixed at the point of sale, there are no daily cash payments by the purchaser to reflect changes in the value of the underlying contract; however, the value of the option changes daily and that change would be reflected in the NAV of the Fund. The potential for loss related to writing options is unlimited.

Although the Fund intends to enter into options contracts only if there is an active market for such contracts, there is no assurance that an active market will exist for the contracts at any particular time.

EQUITY SECURITIES. Equity securities, such as the common stocks of an issuer, are subject to stock market fluctuations and therefore may experience volatile changes in value as market conditions, consumer sentiment or the financial condition of the issuers change. A decrease in value of the equity securities in the Fund’s portfolio may also cause the value of the Fund’s shares to decline.

EXCHANGE-TRADED NOTES. The Fund may invest in exchange-traded notes (“ETNs”). ETNs generally are senior, unsecured, unsubordinated debt securities issued by a sponsor, such as an investment bank. ETNs are traded on exchanges and the returns are linked to the performance of market indexes. In addition to trading ETNs on exchanges, investors may redeem ETNs directly with the issuer on a periodic basis, typically in a minimum amount of 50,000 units, or hold the ETNs until maturity. The value of an ETN may

 

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be influenced by time to maturity, level of supply and demand for the ETN, volatility and lack of liquidity in the underlying market, changes in the applicable interest rates, and economic, legal, political or geographic events that affect the referenced market. Because ETNs are debt securities, they are subject to credit risk. If the issuer has financial difficulties or goes bankrupt, the Fund may not receive the return it was promised. If a rating agency lowers an issuer’s credit rating, the value of the ETN may decline and a lower credit rating reflects a greater risk that the issuer will default on its obligation. There may be restrictions on the Fund’s right to redeem its investment in an ETN. There are no periodic interest payments for ETNs, and principal is not protected. The Fund’s decision to sell its ETN holdings may be limited by the availability of a secondary market.

ILLIQUID SECURITIES. The Fund may invest up to an aggregate amount of 15% of its net assets in illiquid securities. Illiquid securities include securities subject to contractual or other restrictions on resale and other instruments that lack readily available markets to the extent not deemed liquid by the Adviser or Sub-Adviser. The inability of the Fund to dispose of illiquid or not readily marketable investments readily or at a reasonable price could impair the Fund’s ability to raise cash for redemptions or other purposes. The liquidity of securities purchased by the Fund which are eligible for resale pursuant to Rule 144A, except for certain 144A bonds, will be monitored by the Fund on an ongoing basis. In the event that such a security is deemed to be no longer liquid, the Fund’s holdings will be reviewed to determine what action, if any, is required to ensure that the retention of such security does not result in the Fund having more than 15% of its net assets invested in illiquid securities.

INVESTMENT COMPANY SECURITIES. The Fund may invest in the securities of other investment companies. The 1940 Act generally prohibits a fund from acquiring more than 3% of the outstanding voting shares of an investment company and limits such investments to no more than 5% of the fund’s total assets in any single investment company and no more than 10% in any combination of two or more investment companies. The Fund may purchase or otherwise invest in shares of affiliated exchange-traded funds (“ETFs”) and affiliated money market funds.

MONEY MARKET INSTRUMENTS. The Fund may invest a portion of its assets in high-quality money market instruments on an ongoing basis to provide liquidity or for other reasons. The instruments in which the Fund may invest include: (i) short-term obligations issued by the U.S. Government; (ii) negotiable certificates of deposit (“CDs”), fixed time deposits and bankers’ acceptances of U.S. and foreign banks and similar institutions; (iii) commercial paper rated at the date of purchase “Prime-1” by Moody’s or “A-1+” or “A-1” by Standard & Poor’s (“S&P”) or, if unrated, of comparable quality as determined by the Fund; and (iv) repurchase agreements. CDs are short-term negotiable obligations of commercial banks. Time deposits are non-negotiable deposits maintained in banking institutions for specified periods of time at stated interest rates. Banker’s acceptances are time drafts drawn on commercial banks by borrowers, usually in connection with international transactions.

NON-U.S. SECURITIES. The Fund invests primarily in non-U.S. equity securities. Investments in non-U.S. equity securities involve certain risks that may not be present in investments in U.S. securities. For example, non-U.S. securities may be subject to currency risks or to foreign government taxes. There may be less information publicly available about a non-U.S. issuer than about a U.S. issuer, and a foreign issuer may or may not be subject to uniform accounting, auditing and financial reporting standards and practices comparable to those in the U.S. Other risks of investing in such securities include political or economic instability in the country involved, the difficulty of predicting international trade patterns and the possibility of imposition of exchange controls. The prices of such securities may be more volatile than those of domestic securities. With respect to certain foreign countries, there is a possibility of expropriation of assets or nationalization, imposition of withholding taxes on dividend or interest payments, difficulty in obtaining and enforcing judgments against foreign entities or diplomatic developments which could affect investment in these countries. Losses and other expenses may be incurred in converting between various currencies in connection with purchases and sales of foreign securities.

Non-U.S. stock markets may not be as developed or efficient as, and may be more volatile than, those in the U.S. While the volume of shares traded on non-U.S. stock markets generally has been growing, such markets usually have substantially less volume than U.S. markets. Therefore, the Fund’s investment in non-U.S. equity securities may be less liquid and subject to more rapid and erratic price movements than comparable securities listed for trading on U.S. exchanges. Non-U.S. equity securities may trade at price/earnings multiples higher than comparable U.S. securities and such levels may not be sustainable. There may be less government supervision and regulation of foreign stock exchanges, brokers, banks and listed companies abroad than in the U.S. Moreover, settlement practices for transactions in foreign markets may differ from those in U.S. markets. Such differences may include delays beyond periods customary in the U.S. and practices, such as delivery of securities prior to receipt of payment, that increase the likelihood of a failed settlement, which can result in losses to the Fund. The value of non-U.S. investments and the investment income derived from them may also be affected unfavorably by changes in currency exchange control regulations. Foreign brokerage commissions, custodial expenses and other fees are also generally higher than for securities traded in the U.S. This may cause the Fund to incur higher portfolio transaction costs than domestic equity funds. Fluctuations in exchange rates may also affect the earning power and asset value of the foreign entity issuing a security, even one denominated in U.S. dollars. Dividend and interest payments may be repatriated based on the exchange rate at the time of disbursement, and restrictions on capital flows may be imposed.

Set forth below for certain markets in which the Fund may invest are brief descriptions of some of the conditions and risks in each such market.

 

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Investments in Japan. The Fund invests primarily in companies organized in Japan. The Japanese economy is characterized by government intervention and protectionism, an unstable financial services sector, and relatively high unemployment. Economic growth is heavily dependent on international trade, government support and consistent government policy. Slowdowns in the economies of key trading partners such as the United States, China and countries in Southeast Asia could have a negative impact on the Japanese economy as a whole. These and other factors could have a negative impact on a Fund’s performance.

REAL ESTATE INVESTMENT TRUSTS. The Fund may invest in the securities of real estate investment trusts (“REITs”) to the extent allowed by law. Risks associated with investments in securities of REITs include decline in the value of real estate, risks related to general and local economic conditions, overbuilding and increased competition, increases in property taxes and operating expenses, changes in zoning laws, casualty or condemnation losses, variations in rental income, changes in neighborhood values, the appeal of properties to tenants, and increases in interest rates. In addition, equity REITs may be affected by changes in the values of the underlying property owned by the trusts, while mortgage REITs may be affected by the quality of credit extended. REITs are dependent upon management skills, may not be diversified and are subject to the risks of financing projects. REITs are also subject to heavy cash-flow dependency, defaults by borrowers, self-liquidation, the possibility of failing to maintain exemption from the 1940 Act. If an issuer of debt securities collateralized by real estate defaults, it is conceivable that the REITs could end up holding the underlying real estate.

REPURCHASE AGREEMENTS. The Fund may enter into repurchase agreements with counterparties that are deemed to present acceptable credit risks. A repurchase agreement is a transaction in which the Fund purchases securities or other obligations from a bank or securities dealer (or its affiliate) and simultaneously commits to resell them to a counterparty at an agreed-upon date or upon demand and at a price reflecting a market rate of interest unrelated to the coupon rate or maturity of the purchased obligations. The Fund maintains custody of the underlying obligations prior to their repurchase, either through its regular custodian or through a special “triparty” custodian or sub-custodian that maintains separate accounts for both the Fund and its counterparty. Thus, the obligation of the counterparty to pay the repurchase price on the date agreed to or upon demand is, in effect, secured by such obligations.

Repurchase agreements carry certain risks not associated with direct investments in securities, including a possible decline in the market value of the underlying obligations. If their value becomes less than the repurchase price, plus any agreed-upon additional amount, the counterparty must provide additional collateral so that at all times the collateral is at least equal to the repurchase price plus any agreed-upon additional amount. The difference between the total amount to be received upon repurchase of the obligations and the price that was paid by the Fund upon acquisition is accrued as interest and included in its net investment income. Repurchase agreements involving obligations other than U.S. Government securities (such as commercial paper and corporate bonds) may be subject to special risks and may not have the benefit of certain protections in the event of the counterparty’s insolvency. If the seller or guarantor becomes insolvent, the Fund may suffer delays, costs and possible losses in connection with the disposition of collateral.

REVERSE REPURCHASE AGREEMENTS. The Fund may enter into reverse repurchase agreements, which involve the sale of securities held by the Fund subject to its agreement to repurchase the securities at an agreed-upon date or upon demand and at a price reflecting a market rate of interest. Reverse repurchase agreements are subject to the Fund’s limitation on borrowings and may be entered into only with banks or securities dealers or their affiliates. While a reverse repurchase agreement is outstanding, the Fund will maintain the segregation, either on its records or with the Trust’s custodian, of cash or other liquid securities, marked-to-market daily, in an amount at least equal to its obligations under the reverse repurchase agreement.

Reverse repurchase agreements involve the risk that the buyer of the securities sold by the Fund might be unable to deliver them when that Fund seeks to repurchase. If the buyer of securities under a reverse repurchase agreement files for bankruptcy or becomes insolvent, the buyer or trustee or receiver may receive an extension of time to determine whether to enforce the Fund’s obligation to repurchase the securities, and the Fund’s use of the proceeds of the reverse repurchase agreement may effectively be restricted pending such decision.

SECURITIES LENDING. The Fund may lend portfolio securities to certain creditworthy borrowers, including the Fund’s securities lending agent. Loans of portfolio securities provide the Fund with the opportunity to earn additional income on the Fund’s portfolio securities. All securities loans will be made pursuant to agreements requiring the loans to be continuously secured by collateral in cash, or money market instruments, money market funds or U.S. government securities at least equal at all times to the market value of the loaned securities. The borrower pays to the Fund an amount equal to any dividends or interest received on loaned securities. The Fund retains all or a portion of the interest received on investment of cash collateral or receives a fee from the borrower. Lending portfolio securities involves risks of delay in recovery of the loaned securities or in some cases loss of rights in the collateral should the borrower fail financially. Furthermore, because of the risks of delay in recovery, the Fund may lose the opportunity to sell the securities at a desirable price. The Fund will generally not have the right to vote securities while they are being loaned.

TRACKING STOCKS. The Fund may invest in tracking stocks. A tracking stock is a separate class of common stock whose value is linked to a specific business unit or operating division within a larger company and which is designed to “track” the performance of

 

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such business unit or division. The tracking stock may pay dividends to shareholders independent of the parent company. The parent company, rather than the business unit or division, generally is the issuer of tracking stock. However, holders of the tracking stock may not have the same rights as holders of the company’s common stock.

FUTURE DEVELOPMENTS. The Trust’s Board of Trustees (the “Board”) may, in the future, authorize the Fund to invest in securities contracts and investments other than those listed in this SAI and in the Fund’s Prospectus, provided they are consistent with the Fund’s investment objective and do not violate any investment restrictions or policies.

PROXY VOTING POLICY

The Trust has adopted as its proxy voting policies for the Fund the proxy voting guidelines of the Sub-Adviser. The Trust has delegated to the Sub-Adviser the authority and responsibility for voting proxies on the portfolio securities held by the Fund. The remainder of this section discusses the Fund’s proxy voting guidelines and the Sub-Adviser’s role in implementing such guidelines.

The Sub-Adviser, through its participation on [                        ] (“[                ]”) Corporation’s Proxy Policy Committee (“PPC”), has adopted a proxy voting policy, related procedures, and voting guidelines which are applied to those client accounts over which it has been delegated the authority to vote proxies. In voting proxies, the Sub-Adviser seeks to act solely in the best financial and economic interest of the applicable client. The Sub-Adviser will carefully review proposals that would limit shareholder control or could affect the value of a client’s investment. It will generally oppose proposals designed to insulate an issuer’s management unnecessarily from the wishes of a majority of shareholders. It will generally support proposals designed to provide management with short-term insulation from outside influences so as to enable management to negotiate effectively and otherwise achieve long-term goals. On questions of social responsibility where economic performance does not appear to be an issue, the Sub-Adviser will attempt to ensure that management reasonably responds to the social issues. Responsiveness will be measured by management’s efforts to address the proposal including, where appropriate, assessment of the implications of the proposal to the ongoing operations of the company. The PPC will pay particular attention to repeat issues where management has failed in its commitment in the intervening period to take action on issues. The Sub-Adviser recognizes its duty to vote proxies in the best interests of its clients. The Sub-Adviser seeks to avoid material conflicts of interest through its participation in the PPC, which applies detailed, predetermined proxy voting guidelines in an objective and consistent manner across client accounts, based on internal and external research and recommendations provided by a third-party vendor, and without consideration of any client relationship factors. Further, the Sub-Adviser and its affiliates engage a third party as an independent fiduciary to vote all proxies for [                ] securities and affiliated mutual fund securities.

Proxy voting proposals are reviewed, categorized, analyzed and voted in accordance with the Sub-Adviser’s voting guidelines. These guidelines are reviewed periodically and updated as necessary to reflect new issues and any changes in policies on specific issues. Items that can be categorized under these voting guidelines will be voted in accordance with any applicable guidelines or referred to the PPC, if the applicable guidelines so require. Proposals that cannot be categorized under these voting guidelines will be referred to the PPC for discussion and vote. Additionally, the PPC may review any proposal where it has identified a particular company, industry or issue for special scrutiny. With regard to voting proxies of foreign companies, the Sub-Adviser may weigh the cost of voting, and potential inability to sell the securities (which may occur during the voting process), against the benefit of voting the proxies to determine whether or not to vote.

In evaluating proposals regarding incentive plans and restricted stock plans, the PPC typically employs a shareholder value transfer model. This model seeks to assess the amount of shareholder equity flowing out of the company to executives as options are exercised. After determining the cost of the plan, the PPC evaluates whether the cost is reasonable based on a number of factors, including industry classification and historical performance information. The PPC generally votes against proposals that permit the repricing or replacement of stock options without shareholder approval.

A complete copy of the Sub-Adviser’s proxy voting policy may be obtained by calling 1-866-909-9473 or by writing to: WisdomTree Trust, c/o ALPS Distributors, Inc., 1290 Broadway, Suite 1100, Denver, Colorado 80203.

The Trust is required to disclose annually the Fund’s complete proxy voting record on Form N-PX covering the period from July 1 of one year through June 30 of the next and to file Form N-PX with the SEC no later than August 31 of each year. The current Form N-PX for the Fund, when filed, may be obtained at no charge upon request by calling 1-866-909-9473 or by visiting the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov.

PORTFOLIO HOLDINGS DISCLOSURE POLICIES AND PROCEDURES

The Trust has adopted a Portfolio Holdings Policy (the “Policy”) designed to govern the disclosure of Fund portfolio holdings and the use of material non-public information about Fund holdings. The Policy applies to all officers, employees, and agents of the Fund, including the Advisers. The Policy is designed to ensure that the disclosure of information about the Fund’s portfolio holdings is consistent with applicable legal requirements and otherwise in the best interest of the Fund.

 

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As an exchange-traded fund, information about the Fund’s portfolio holdings is made available on a daily basis in accordance with the provisions of any Order of the SEC applicable to the Fund, regulations of the Fund’s Listing Exchange and other applicable SEC regulations, orders and no-action relief. Such information typically reflects all or a portion of the Fund’s anticipated portfolio holdings as of the next Business Day. A “Business Day” with respect to the Fund is any day on which the Fund’s Listing Exchange is open for business. As of the date of this SAI, the Listing Exchange observes the following holidays: New Year’s Day, Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, Presidents’ Day, Good Friday, Memorial Day (observed), Independence Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving Day, and Christmas Day. This information is used in connection with the creation and redemption process and is disseminated on a daily basis through the facilities of the Listing Exchange, the National Securities Clearing Corporation (“NSCC”) and/or third-party service providers.

The Fund may disclose on the Fund’s website at the start of each Business Day the identities and quantities of the securities and other assets held by the Fund that will form the basis of the Fund’s calculation of its NAV on that Business Day. The portfolio holdings so disclosed will be based on information as of the close of business on the prior Business Day and/or trades that have been completed prior to the opening of business on that Business Day and that are expected to settle on that Business Day.

Daily access to the Fund’s portfolio holdings with no lag time is permitted to personnel of the Advisers, the Fund’s distributor and the Fund’s administrator, custodian and accountant and other agents or service providers of the Trust who have need of such information in connection with the ordinary course of their respective duties to the Fund. The Fund’s Chief Compliance Officer (“CCO”) may authorize disclosure of portfolio holdings.

The Fund may disclose its complete portfolio holdings or a portion of its portfolio holdings online at www.wisdomtree.com. Online disclosure of such holdings is publicly available at no charge.

The Fund will disclose its complete portfolio holdings schedule in public filings with the SEC on a quarterly basis, based on the Fund’s fiscal year, within sixty (60) days of the end of the quarter, and will provide that information to shareholders, as required by federal securities laws and regulations thereunder.

No person is authorized to disclose the Fund’s portfolio holdings or other investment positions except in accordance with the Policy. The Board reviews the implementation of the Policy on a periodic basis.

WISDOMTREE INDEX DESCRIPTION

A description of the WisdomTree Index on which the Fund is based is provided in the Prospectus under “Principal Investment Strategies of the Fund” with certain additional details provided below. Additional information about the Index, including the components and weightings of the Index, as well as the rules that govern inclusion and weighting in the Index, is available at www.wisdomtree.com.

Annual Index Screening Date. The WisdomTree Index is “rebalanced” or “reconstituted” on an annual basis. New securities are added to the Index only during the annual screening date. The annual rebalance of the Index takes place in [    ] of each year.

During the annual screening date, securities are screened to determine whether they comply with WisdomTree’s proprietary Index methodology and are eligible to be included in the Index. This date is sometimes referred to as the “Index measurement date” or the “Screening Point.” Based on this screening, securities that meet Index requirements are added to the Index, and securities that do not meet such requirements are dropped from the Index.

 

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In response to market conditions, security and sector weights may fluctuate above or below a specified cap between annual Index screening dates.

The approximate number of components of the Index as of [            ] was [            ].

Index Maintenance. Index maintenance occurs throughout the year and includes monitoring and implementing the adjustments for company additions and deletions, stock splits, corporate restructurings and other corporate actions. Corporate actions are generally implemented after the close of trading on the day prior to the ex-date of such corporate actions. To the extent reasonably practicable, such changes will be announced at least two days prior to their implementation.

Should any company achieve a weighting equal to or greater than 24% of the Index, its weighting will be reduced at the close of the current calendar quarter, and other components in the Index will be rebalanced. Moreover, should the collective weight of Index component securities whose individual current weights equal or exceed 5% of the Index, when added together, exceed 50% of the Index, the weightings in those component securities will be reduced so that their collective weight equals 40% of the Index as of the close of the current calendar quarter, and other components in the Index will be rebalanced.

Index Availability: The Index is calculated and disseminated throughout each day the Listing Exchange is open for trading.

Changes to the Index Methodology. The WisdomTree Index is governed by a published, rules-based methodology. Changes to the methodology will be publicly disclosed at www.wisdomtree.com/etfs/index-notices.aspx prior to implementation. Sixty days’ notice will be given prior to the implementation of any such change.

Index Calculation Agent. In order to minimize any potential for conflicts caused by the fact that WisdomTree Investments and its affiliates act as Index provider and investment adviser to the Fund, WisdomTree Investments has retained an unaffiliated third party to calculate the Index (the “Calculation Agent”). The Calculation Agent, using the rules-based methodology, will calculate, maintain and disseminate the Index on a daily basis. WisdomTree Investments will monitor the results produced by the Calculation Agent to help ensure that the Index is being calculated in accordance with the rules-based methodology. In addition, WisdomTree Investments and WisdomTree Asset Management have established policies and procedures designed to prevent non-public information about pending changes to the Index from being used or disseminated in an improper manner. Furthermore, WisdomTree Investments and WisdomTree Asset Management have established policies and procedures designed to prevent improper use and dissemination of non-public information about the Fund’s portfolio strategies and to prevent the Fund’s portfolio managers from having any influence on the construction of the Index methodology.

INVESTMENT LIMITATIONS

The following fundamental investment policies and limitations supplement those set forth in the Fund’s Prospectus. Unless otherwise noted, whenever a fundamental investment policy or limitation states a maximum percentage of the Fund’s assets that may be invested in any security or other asset, or sets forth a policy regarding quality standards, such standard or percentage limitation will be determined immediately after and as a result of the Fund’s acquisition of such security or other asset. Accordingly, other than with respect to the Fund’s limitations on borrowings, any subsequent change in values, net assets, or other circumstances will not be considered when determining whether the investment complies with the Fund’s investment policies and limitations.

The Fund’s fundamental investment policies cannot be changed without the approval of the holders of a majority of the Fund’s outstanding voting securities as defined under the 1940 Act. The Fund, however, may change the non-fundamental investment policies described below, its investment objective, and its underlying Index without a shareholder vote provided that it obtains Board approval and notifies its shareholders with at least sixty (60) days’ prior written notice of any such change.

Fundamental Policies. The following investment policies and limitations are fundamental and may NOT be changed without shareholder approval.

The Fund, as a fundamental investment policy, may not:

Senior Securities

Issue senior securities, except as permitted under the 1940 Act.

Borrowing

Borrow money, except as permitted under the 1940 Act.

Underwriting

Act as an underwriter of another issuer’s securities, except to the extent that the Fund may be considered an underwriter within the meaning of the Securities Act of 1933 in the disposition of portfolio securities.

 

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Concentration

Purchase the securities of any issuer (other than securities issued or guaranteed by the U.S. Government or any of its agencies or instrumentalities) if, as a result, more than 25% of the Fund’s total assets would be invested in the securities of companies whose principal business activities are in the same industry, except that the Fund will invest more than 25% of its total assets in securities of the same industry to approximately the same extent that the Fund’s underlying Index concentrates in the securities of a particular industry or group of industries.

Real Estate

Purchase or sell real estate unless acquired as a result of ownership of securities or other instruments (but this shall not prevent the Fund from investing in securities or other instruments backed by real estate, real estate investment trusts or securities of companies engaged in the real estate business).

Commodities

Purchase or sell physical commodities unless acquired as a result of ownership of securities or other instruments (but this shall not prevent the Fund from purchasing or selling options and futures contracts or from investing in securities or other instruments backed by physical commodities).

Loans

Lend any security or make any other loan except as permitted under the 1940 Act.

This means that no more than 33 1/3% of the Fund’s total assets would be lent to other parties. This limitation does not apply to purchases of debt securities or to repurchase agreements, or to acquisitions of loans, loan participations or other forms of debt instruments, permissible under the Fund’s investment policies.

Non-Fundamental Policies. The following investment policy is not fundamental and may be changed without shareholder approval.

The Fund has adopted a non-fundamental investment policy in accordance with Rule 35d-1 under the 1940 Act to invest, under normal circumstances, at least 80% of the value of its net assets, plus the amount of any borrowings for investment purposes, in the types of securities suggested by the Fund’s name, including investments that are tied economically to the particular country or geographic region suggested by the Fund’s name. If, subsequent to an investment, the 80% requirement is no longer met, the Fund’s future investments will be made in a manner that will bring the Fund into compliance with this policy.

CONTINUOUS OFFERING

The method by which Creation Unit Aggregations of shares are created and traded may raise certain issues under applicable securities laws. Because new Creation Unit Aggregations of shares are issued and sold by the Fund on an ongoing basis, at any point a “distribution,” as such term is used in the Securities Act, may occur. Broker-dealers and other persons are cautioned that some activities on their part may, depending on the circumstances, result in their being deemed participants in a distribution in a manner which could render them statutory underwriters and subject them to the prospectus delivery requirement and liability provisions of the Securities Act.

For example, a broker-dealer firm or its client may be deemed a statutory underwriter if it takes Creation Unit Aggregations after placing an order with the Fund’s distributor, breaks them down into constituent shares, and sells such shares directly to 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 shares. A determination of whether one is an underwriter for purposes of the Securities Act 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 could lead to a categorization as an underwriter.

Broker-dealer firms should also note that dealers who are not “underwriters” but are effecting transactions in shares, whether or not participating in the distribution of shares, generally are required to deliver a prospectus. This is because the prospectus delivery exemption in Section 4(3) of the Securities Act is not available in respect of such transactions as a result of Section 24(d) of the 1940 Act. Firms that incur a prospectus delivery obligation with respect to shares of the Fund are reminded that, pursuant to Rule 153 under the Securities Act, a prospectus delivery obligation under Section 5(b)(2) of the Securities Act owed to an exchange member in connection with the sale on the Listing Exchange is satisfied by the fact that the prospectus is available at the Listing Exchange upon request. The prospectus delivery mechanism provided in Rule 153 is only available with respect to transactions on an exchange.

 

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MANAGEMENT OF THE TRUST

Board Responsibilities. The Board is responsible for overseeing the management and affairs of the Fund and the Trust. The Board has considered and approved contracts, as described herein, under which certain companies provide essential management and administrative services to the Trust. Like most ETFs, the day-to-day business of the Trust, including the day-to-day management of risk, is performed by third-party service providers, such as the Advisers, Distributor and Administrator. The Board is responsible for overseeing the Trust’s service providers and, thus, has oversight responsibility with respect to the risk management performed by those service providers. Risk management seeks to identify and eliminate or mitigate the potential effects of risks, i.e., events or circumstances that could have material adverse effects on the business, operations, shareholder services, investment performance or reputation of the Trust or the Fund. Under the overall supervision of the Board and the Audit Committee (discussed in more detail below), the service providers to the Fund employ a variety of processes, procedures and controls to identify risks relevant to the operations of the Trust and the Fund to lessen the probability of their occurrence and/or to mitigate the effects of such events or circumstances if they do occur. Each service provider is responsible for one or more discrete aspects of the Trust’s business (e.g., the Advisers are responsible for the day-to-day management of the Fund’s portfolio investments) and, consequently, for managing the risks associated with that activity.

The Board’s role in risk management oversight begins before the inception of the Fund, at which time the Fund’s Adviser presents the Board with information concerning the investment objectives, strategies and risks of the Fund. Additionally, the Fund’s Adviser and Sub-Adviser provide the Board with an overview of, among other things, its investment philosophy, brokerage practices and compliance infrastructure. Thereafter, the Board oversees the risk management of the Fund’s operations, in part, by requesting periodic reports from and otherwise communicating with various personnel of the Fund and its service providers, including the Trust’s CCO and the Fund’s independent accountants. The Board and, with respect to identified risks that relate to its scope of expertise, the Audit Committee oversee efforts by management and service providers to manage risks to which the Fund may be exposed.

The Board is responsible for overseeing the nature, extent and quality of the services provided to the Fund by the Adviser and receives information about those services at its regular meetings. In addition, on at least an annual basis, in connection with its consideration of whether to renew any Advisory Agreements and Sub-Advisory Agreements with the Adviser and Sub-Adviser, respectively, the Board meets with the Adviser and Sub-Adviser to review such services. Among other things, the Board regularly considers the Adviser’s and Sub-Adviser’s adherence to the Fund’s investment restrictions and compliance with various Fund policies and procedures and with applicable securities regulations. The Board also reviews information about the Fund’s performance and investments.

The Trust’s CCO meets regularly with the Board to review and discuss compliance and other issues. At least annually, the Trust’s CCO provides the Board with a report reviewing the adequacy and effectiveness of the Trust’s policies and procedures and those of its service providers, including the Adviser and Sub-Adviser. The report addresses the operation of the policies and procedures of the Trust and each service provider since the date of the last report; material changes to the policies and procedures since the date of the last report; any recommendations for material changes to the policies and procedures; and material compliance matters since the date of the last report.

The Board receives reports from the Trust’s service providers regarding operational risks, portfolio valuation and other matters. Annually, an independent registered public accounting firm reviews with the Audit Committee its audit of the Trust’s financial statements, focusing on major areas of risk encountered by the Trust and noting any significant deficiencies or material weaknesses in the Trust’s internal controls.

The Board recognizes that not all risks that may affect the Fund can be identified, that it may not be practical or cost-effective to eliminate or mitigate certain risks, that it may be necessary to bear certain risks (such as investment-related risks) to achieve the Fund’s goals, and that the processes, procedures and controls employed to address certain risks may be limited in their effectiveness. Moreover, despite the periodic reports the Board receives and the Board’s discussions with the service providers to the Fund, it may not be made aware of all of the relevant information of a particular risk. Most of the Trust’s investment management and business affairs are carried out by or through the Fund’s Adviser, Sub-Adviser and other service providers, each of which has an independent interest in risk management but whose policies and the methods by which one or more risk management functions are carried out may differ from the Trust’s and each other’s in the setting of priorities, the resources available or the effectiveness of relevant controls. As a result of the foregoing and other factors, the Board’s risk management oversight is subject to substantial limitations.

Members of the Board and Officers of the Trust. Set forth below are the names, birth years, positions with the Trust, term of office, number of portfolios overseen, and the principal occupations and other directorships for a minimum of the last five years of each of the persons currently serving as members of the Board and as Executive Officers of the Trust. Also included below is the term of office for each of the Executive Officers of the Trust. The members of the Board serve as Trustees for the life of the Trust or until retirement, removal, or their office is terminated pursuant to the Trust’s Declaration of Trust. The address of each Trustee and Officer is c/o WisdomTree Asset Management, Inc., 245 Park Avenue, 35th Floor, New York, New York 10167.

 

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The Chairman of the Board, Victor Ugolyn, is not an interested person of the Fund as that term is defined in the 1940 Act. The Board is composed of a super-majority (83.3%) of Trustees who are not interested persons of the Fund (i.e., “Independent Trustees”). There is an Audit Committee, Governance and Nominating Committee, and Contracts Review Committee of the Board, each of which is chaired by an Independent Trustee and comprised solely of Independent Trustees. The Committee chair for each is responsible for running the Committee meeting, formulating agendas for those meetings, and coordinating with management to serve as a liaison between the Independent Trustees and management on matters within the scope of the responsibilities of the Committee as set forth in its Board-approved charter. The Fund has determined that this leadership structure is appropriate given the specific characteristics and circumstances of the Fund. The Fund made this determination in consideration of, among other things, the fact that the Independent Trustees of the Fund constitute a super-majority of the Board, the assets under management of the Fund, the number of Funds overseen by the Board, the total number of Trustees on the Board, and the fact that an Independent Trustee serves as Chair of the Board.

 

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Name and Year of

Birth of

Trustee/Officer

  

Position(s)

Held with

the Trust,

Term of

Office and

Length of

Time Served

  

Principal Occupation(s)

During Past 5 Years

   Number of
Portfolios in
Fund
Complex
Overseen
by Trustee/
Officer+
 

Other Directorships Held
by Trustee During Past 5
Years

      Trustees Who Are Interested Persons of the Trust     

Jonathan Steinberg
(1964)

  

Trustee,

2005 - present; President,

2005 -present

   President, WisdomTree Trust since 2005; President, WisdomTree Investments, Inc. and WisdomTree Asset Management, Inc.; Chief Executive Officer, WisdomTree Investments, Inc. and WisdomTree Asset Management, Inc.    [69]  

Director,

WisdomTree Investments, Inc. and WisdomTree Asset Management

Trustees Who Are Not Interested Persons of the Trust

David G. Chrencik*
(1948)

  

Trustee,

2014 - present

   Chief Financial Officer of GeoGreen BioFuels, Inc. (biodiesel fuel producer) since 2010; Chief Financial Officer of Sarus Indochina Select LP Hedge Fund since 2012; Audit Partner at PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP (public accounting firm) from 1972-2009 (includes positions prior to becoming Audit Partner and predecessor firms).    [69]   Trustee, Vericimetry Funds

Joel Goldberg**
(1945)

  

Trustee,

2012 - present

   Attorney, Of Counsel/Partner at Stroock & Stroock & Lavan LLP, 2010 to present; Attorney, Partner at Willkie Farr & Gallagher LLP, 2006 to 2010.    [69]   None

Toni Massaro***
(1955)

  

Trustee,

2006 - present

   Dean Emerita at the University of Arizona James E. Rogers College of Law (“Rogers College of Law”) since 2009 (distinguished Emerita in July 2009); Dean of the Rogers College of Law from 1999 to 2009; Regents’ Professor since 2006; Milton O. Riepe Chair in Constitutional Law since 1997; Professor at the Rogers College of Law since 1990.    [69]   None

Melinda A. Raso Kirstein
(1955)

  

Trustee,

2014 - present

   Retired, Merrill Lynch Investment Management, Vice President; Senior Manager, Fixed Income Management; Director, Tax Exempt Fund Management.    [69]   Associate Alumnae of Douglass College, Member of Investment Committee

Victor Ugolyn
(1947)

  

Trustee,

2006 - present; Chairman of the Board of Trustees,

2006 - present

   Private Investor, 2005 to present; President and Chief Executive Officer of William D. Witter, Inc. from 2005 to 2006; Consultant to AXA Enterprise in 2004; Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer of Enterprise Capital Management (subsidiary of The MONY Group, Inc.) and Enterprise Group of Funds, Chairman of MONY Securities Corporation, and Chairman of the Fund Board of Enterprise Group of Funds from 1991 to 2004.    [69]   Member of the Board of Governors of Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame.

Officers of the Trust

Jonathan Steinberg****
(1964)

  

President,

2005 - present;

Trustee,

2005 - present

   President, WisdomTree Trust since 2005; President, WisdomTree Investments, Inc. and WisdomTree Asset Management, Inc.; Chief Executive Officer, WisdomTree Investments, Inc. and WisdomTree Asset Management, Inc.    [69]  

David Castano****
(1971)

  

Treasurer,

2013 - present

   Director of Fund Accounting & Administration, WisdomTree Asset Management, Inc., since 2011; Vice President of Legg Mason & Co. and served as Treasurer from 2010 to 2011 and Controller from 2006 to 2010 of certain mutual funds associated with Legg Mason & Co.; Assistant Treasurer of Lord Abbett mutual funds from 2004 to 2006.    [69]  

 

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Name and Year of

Birth of

Trustee/Officer

   Position(s)
Held with
the Trust,
Term of
Office and
Length of
Time Served
  

Principal Occupation(s)

During Past 5 Years

   Number of
Portfolios in
Fund
Complex
Overseen
by Trustee/
Officer+
 

Other Directorships Held
by Trustee During Past 5
Years

Ryan Louvar****
(1972)

   Secretary and
Chief Legal
Officer,

2013 - present

   General Counsel, WisdomTree Asset Management, Inc. since 2013; Vice President and Senior Managing Counsel, State Street, 2005 to 2013.    [69]  

Sarah English****
(1977)

   Assistant
Secretary,

2013 - present

   Counsel, WisdomTree Asset Management, Inc. since 2010; Attorney, NYFIX, Inc. 2006 to 2009.    [69]  

Terry Jane Feld****
(1960)

   Chief
Compliance
Officer,

2012 - present

   Chief Compliance Officer WisdomTree Asset Management, Inc. since 2012; Senior Compliance Officer, WisdomTree Asset Management, Inc. since 2011; Senior Compliance Officer, TIAA-CREF, 2007 to 2010; Vice President/NASD-SEC Compliance, Mutual of America Life Insurance Co., 2004 to 2007.    [69]  

 

* Chair of the Audit Committee.
** Chair of the Contracts Review Committee.
*** Chair of the Governance and Nominating Committee.
**** Elected by and serves at the pleasure of the Board.
+ As of [            ], 2014.

Audit Committee. Ms. Raso Kirstein and Messrs. Chrencik and Ugolyn, each an Independent Trustee, are members of the Trust’s Audit Committee (the “Audit Committee”). The principal responsibilities of the Audit Committee are the appointment, compensation and oversight of the Trust’s independent registered public accounting firm, including the resolution of disagreements regarding financial reporting between Trust management and such independent registered public accounting firm. The Audit Committee’s responsibilities include, without limitation, to (i) oversee the accounting and financial reporting processes of the Trust and its internal control over financial reporting and, as the Committee deems appropriate, to inquire into the internal control over financial reporting of certain third-party service providers; (ii) oversee the quality and integrity of the Fund’s financial statements and the independent audits thereof; (iii) oversee, or, as appropriate, assist Board oversight of, the Trust’s compliance with legal and regulatory requirements that relate to the Trust’s accounting and financial reporting, internal control over financial reporting and independent audits; (iv) approve prior to appointment the engagement of the Trust’s independent registered public accounting firm and, in connection therewith, to review and evaluate the qualifications, independence and performance of the Trust’s independent registered public accounting firm; and (v) act as a liaison between the Trust’s independent auditors and the full Board. The Board of the Trust has adopted a written charter for the Audit Committee. The Independent Trustees’ independent legal counsel assists the Audit Committee in connection with these duties. During the fiscal year ended March 31, 2014, the Audit Committee held seven meetings.

 

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Governance and Nominating Committee. Ms. Massaro and Messrs. Goldberg and Ugolyn, each an Independent Trustee are members of the Trust’s Governance and Nominating Committee. The principal responsibilities of the Governance and Nominating Committee are to (i) oversee Fund governance matters and (ii) identify individuals qualified to serve as Independent Trustees of the Trust and to recommend its nominees for consideration by the full Board. While the Governance and Nominating Committee is solely responsible for the selection and nomination of the Trust’s Independent Trustees, the Governance and Nominating Committee may consider nominations for the office of Trustee made by Trust stockholders as it deems appropriate. The Governance and Nominating Committee considers nominees recommended by shareholders if such nominees are submitted in accordance with Rule 14a-8 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (the “1934 Act”), in conjunction with a shareholder meeting to consider the election of Trustees. Trust stockholders who wish to recommend a nominee should send nominations to the Secretary of the Trust that include biographical information and set forth the qualifications of the proposed nominee. During the fiscal year ended March 31, 2014, the Governance and Nominating Committee held four meetings.

Contracts Review Committee. Ms. Massaro and Messrs. Goldberg and Ugolyn, each an Independent Trustee, are members of the Trust’s Contracts Review Committee. The principal responsibilities of the Contracts Review Committee are to provide assistance to the Board of Trustees of the Trust in fulfilling its responsibilities under Section 15 of the 1940 Act, and other applicable Sections, rules and interpretative guidance related thereto, with respect to reviewing the performance of, and reasonableness of fees paid to, the Adviser, Sub-Adviser, and core service providers for each series of the Trust, and to make recommendations to the Board regarding the contractual arrangements for such services. The Board has adopted a written charter for the Contracts Review Committee. On March 12, 2014, the Board created the Contracts Review Committee. During the fiscal year ended March 31, 2014, the Contracts Review Committee held one meeting.

Individual Trustee Qualifications. The Trust has concluded that each of the Trustees should serve on the Board because of his or her ability to review and understand information about the Trust and the Fund provided by management, to identify and request other information he or she may deem relevant to the performance of the Trustees’ duties, to question management and other service providers regarding material factors bearing on the management and administration of the Fund, and to exercise his or her business judgment in a manner that serves the best interests of the Fund’s shareholders. The Trust has concluded that each of the Trustees should serve as a Trustee based on his or her own experience, qualifications, attributes and skills as described below.

The Trust has concluded that Mr. Steinberg should serve as Trustee of the Fund because of the experience he has gained as President, Chief Executive Officer and director of WisdomTree Investments, his knowledge of and experience in the financial services industry, and the experience he has gained serving as Trustee of the Trust since 2005.

The Trust has concluded that Mr. Chrencik should serve as Trustee of the Fund because of the experience he gained as an audit partner of a public accounting firm as well as his experience in and knowledge of the financial services industry, including his service as chief financial officer for a hedge fund.

The Trust has concluded that Mr. Goldberg should serve as Trustee of the Fund because of the experience he has gained as a member of the staff of the SEC, including his service as Director of the SEC’s Division of Investment Management, his experience as legal counsel for many mutual funds, investment advisers, and independent directors as well as the experience he has gained serving as an Independent Trustee of the Trust since 2012.

The Trust has concluded that Ms. Raso Kirstein should serve as Trustee of the Fund because of her experience in and knowledge of the financial services industry, including her service as a vice president, senior portfolio manager of fixed income management and director of tax exempt fund research of an investment advisory firm.

The Trust has concluded that Ms. Massaro should serve as Trustee of the Fund because of the experience she has gained as a law professor, dean and advisor at various universities, and the experience she has gained serving as Trustee of the Trust since 2006.

The Trust has concluded that Mr. Ugolyn should serve as Trustee of the Fund because of the experience he gained as chief executive officer of a firm specializing in financial services, his experience in and knowledge of the financial services industry, his service as chairman for another mutual fund family, and the experience he has gained serving as Trustee of the Trust since 2006.

 

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Fund Shares Owned by Board Members. The following table shows the dollar amount range of each Trustee’s “beneficial ownership” of shares of the Fund and each series of the Trust as of the end of the most recently completed calendar year. Dollar amount ranges disclosed are established by the SEC. “Beneficial ownership” is determined in accordance with Rule 16a-1(a)(2) under the 1934 Act. The Trustees and officers of the Trust collectively own less than 1% of the outstanding shares of the Trust.

 

Name of Trustee

  

Name of Fund

   Dollar Range of
Equity Securities
in the Fund*
   Aggregate Dollar Range of
Equity Securities in All Registered
Investment Companies Overseen
by Trustee in Family of
Investment Companies**
Interested Trustee

Jonathan L. Steinberg

   WisdomTree Japan Hedged Dividend Growth Fund    None    Over $100,000
Independent Trustees

David G. Chrencik***

   WisdomTree Japan Hedged Dividend Growth Fund    None    None

Joel H. Goldberg

   WisdomTree Japan Hedged Dividend Growth Fund    None    Over $100,000

Toni M. Massaro

   WisdomTree Japan Hedged Dividend Growth Fund    None    Over $100,000

Melinda A. Raso Kirstein***

   WisdomTree Japan Hedged Dividend Growth Fund    None    None

Victor Ugolyn

   WisdomTree Japan Hedged Dividend Growth Fund    None    $50,001-$100,000

 

    * Values based on Trustees’ ownership as of date of this SAI.
  ** These values are based on the Trustees’ ownership as of December 31, 2013.
*** David G. Chrencik and Melinda A. Raso Kirstein were appointed to the Board on March 11, 2014.

Board Compensation. The following table sets forth the compensation paid by the Trust to each Trustee for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2014.

 

Name of Interested Trustee

   Aggregate
Compensation
from the Trust
   Pension or
Retirement
Benefits
Accrued As
Part of
Company
Expenses
   Estimated Annual
Benefits upon
Retirement
   Total Compensation
from the Funds and
Fund Complex*

Jonathan Steinberg

   $0    None    None    $0

 

Name of Independent Trustee

   Aggregate
Compensation
from the Trust
   Pension or
Retirement
Benefits
Accrued as
Part of
Company
Expenses
   Estimated Annual
Benefits upon
Retirement
   Total Compensation
from the Funds and
Fund Complex*

David G. Chrencik**

   $18,833    None    None    $18,833

Joel Goldberg

   $190,300    None    None    $190,300

Melinda A. Raso Kirstein**

   $17,167    None    None    $17,167

Toni Massaro

   $190,300    None    None    $190,300

Victor Ugolyn

   $259,500    None    None    $259,500

 

  * The Trust is the only trust in the “Fund Complex.”
** David G. Chrencik and Melinda A. Raso Kirstein were appointed to the Board on March 11, 2014.

Control Persons and Principal Holders of Securities. Because the Fund is new there were no beneficial owners as of the date of this SAI.

Investment Adviser. WisdomTree Asset Management serves as investment adviser to the Fund pursuant to an investment advisory agreement between the Trust and WisdomTree Asset Management (the “Investment Advisory Agreement”). WisdomTree Asset Management is a Delaware corporation registered as an investment adviser under the Investment Advisers Act of 1940, as amended (the “Advisers Act”), and has offices located at 245 Park Avenue, 35th Floor, New York, New York 10167.

 

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Under the Investment Advisory Agreement, WisdomTree Asset Management has overall responsibility for the overall management and administration of the Trust. WisdomTree Asset Management provides an investment program for the Fund. The Adviser also provides proactive oversight of the Sub-Adviser, defined below, daily monitoring of the Sub-Adviser’s buying and selling of securities for the Fund, and regular review of the Sub-Adviser’s performance. In addition, the Adviser also arranges for sub-advisory, transfer agency, custody, fund administration, securities lending, and all other non-distribution-related services necessary for the Fund to operate. The Fund pays WisdomTree Asset Management a fee equal to [            ]% of the Fund’s average daily net assets.

Pursuant to the Investment Advisory Agreement, WisdomTree Asset Management has agreed to pay all expenses of the Trust, except for: (i) brokerage expenses and other fees, charges, taxes, levies or expenses (such as stamp taxes) incurred in connection with the execution of portfolio transactions or in connection with creation and redemption transactions (including without limitation any fees, charges, taxes, levies or expenses related to the purchase or sale of an amount of any currency, or the patriation or repatriation of any security or other asset, related to the execution of portfolio transactions or any creation or redemption transactions); (ii) legal fees or expenses in connection with any arbitration, litigation or pending or threatened arbitration or litigation, including any settlements in connection therewith; (iii) compensation and expenses of each Independent Trustee; (iv) compensation and expenses of counsel to the Independent Trustees; (v) compensation and expenses of the Trust’s CCO; (vi) extraordinary expenses (in each case as determined by a majority of the Independent Trustees); (vii) distribution fees and expenses paid by the Trust under any distribution plan adopted pursuant to Rule 12b-1 under the 1940 Act; (viii) interest and taxes of any kind or nature (including, but not limited to, income, excise, transfer and withholding taxes); (ix) fees and expenses related to the provision of securities lending services; and (x) the advisory fee payable to WisdomTree Asset Management. The internal expenses of pooled investment vehicles in which the Fund may invest (acquired fund fees and expenses) are not expenses of the Fund and are not paid by WisdomTree Asset Management.

Pursuant to a separate contractual arrangement, WisdomTree Asset Management arranges for the provision of CCO services with respect to the Fund, and is liable and responsible for, and administers, payments to the CCO, the Independent Trustees and counsel to the Independent Trustees. WisdomTree Asset Management receives a fee of up to 0.0044% of the Fund’s average daily net assets for providing such services and paying such expenses. WisdomTree Asset Management provides CCO services to the Trust.

The Adviser, from its own resources, including profits from advisory fees received from the Fund, provided such fees are legitimate and not excessive, may make payments to broker-dealers and other financial institutions for their expenses in connection with the distribution of Fund shares, and otherwise currently pays all distribution costs for Fund shares.

The Investment Advisory Agreement with respect to the Fund continues in effect for two years from its effective date, and thereafter is subject to annual approval by (i) the Board of Trustees or (ii) the vote of a majority of the outstanding voting securities (as defined in the 1940 Act) of the Fund, provided that in either event such continuance also is approved by a vote of a majority of the Trustees of the Trust who are not interested persons (as defined in the 1940 Act) of the Fund, by a vote cast in person at a meeting called for the purpose of voting on such approval. If the shareholders of the Fund fail to approve the Investment Advisory Agreement, WisdomTree Asset Management may continue to serve in the manner and to the extent permitted by the 1940 Act and rules and regulations thereunder.

The Investment Advisory Agreement with respect to the Fund is terminable without any penalty, by vote of the Board or by vote of a majority of the outstanding voting securities (as defined in the 1940 Act) of the Fund, or by WisdomTree Asset Management, in each case on not less than thirty (30) days’ nor more than sixty (60) days’ prior written notice to the other party; provided that a shorter notice period shall be permitted for the Fund in the event its shares are no longer listed on a national securities exchange. The Investment Advisory Agreement will terminate automatically and immediately in the event of its “assignment” (as defined in the 1940 Act).

Sub-Adviser. [                     ] (“[                     ]”) a registered investment adviser, with its principal office located at [                    ] serves as Sub-Adviser for, and is responsible for the day-to-day management of the Fund. [                     ] manages global quantitative-based investment strategies for institutional and private investors. [                     ] is a wholly-owned indirect subsidiary of [                     ], a publicly traded financial holding company. [                     ] chooses the Fund’s portfolio investments and places orders to buy and sell the Fund’s portfolio investments. WisdomTree Asset Management pays [                     ] for providing sub-advisory services to the Fund.

The Sub-Adviser believes that it may perform sub-advisory and related services for the Trust without violating applicable banking laws or regulations. However, the legal requirements and interpretations about the permissible activities of banks and their affiliates may change in the future. These changes could prevent the Sub-Adviser from continuing to perform services for the Trust. If this happens, the Board would consider selecting other qualified firms. Any new investment sub-advisory agreement would be subject to shareholder approval.

The Sub-Advisory Agreement with respect to the Fund continues in effect for two years from its effective date, and thereafter is subject to annual approval by (i) the Board of Trustees of the Trust or (ii) the vote of a majority of the outstanding voting securities (as

 

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defined in the 1940 Act) of the Fund, provided that in either event such continuance is also approved by a vote of a majority of the Trustees of the Trust who are not interested persons (as defined in the 1940 Act) of the Fund, by a vote cast in person at a meeting called for the purpose of voting on such approval. If the shareholders of the Fund fail to approve the Fund’s Sub-Advisory Agreement, WisdomTree Asset Management may continue to serve in the manner and to the extent permitted by the 1940 Act and rules and regulations thereunder. The Sub-Advisory Agreement is terminable without any penalty, by vote of the Board of Trustees of the Trust or by vote of a majority of the outstanding voting securities (as defined in the 1940 Act) of the Fund, or by WisdomTree Asset Management, in each case on not less than thirty (30) days’ nor more than sixty (60) days’ prior written notice to the other party; provided that a shorter notice period shall be permitted for the Fund in the event its shares are no longer listed on a national securities exchange. The Sub-Advisory Agreement will terminate automatically and immediately in the event of its “assignment” (as defined in the 1940 Act).

Portfolio Managers. The Fund is managed by the Sub-Adviser’s portfolio management team. The individual members of the team responsible for the day-to-day management of the Fund’s portfolio are [                     ].

Including the WisdomTree ETFs, as of [                     ], 2014, the Sub-Adviser’s Index Fund Management team managed [                    ] registered investment companies with approximately $[        ] billion in assets; [                    ] pooled investment vehicles with approximately $[        ] billion in assets; and [                    ] other accounts with approximately $[        ] billion in assets.

Portfolio Manager Fund Ownership. As of the date of this SAI, none of the portfolio managers owned shares of the Fund.

Portfolio Manager Compensation. The primary objectives of the Sub-Adviser’s compensation plans are to:

 

    Motivate and reward superior investment and business performance

 

    Motivate and reward continued growth and profitability

 

    Attract and retain high-performing individuals critical to the on-going success of the Sub-Adviser

 

    Create an ownership mentality for all plan participants

Cash compensation is comprised primarily of a market-based base salary and variable incentives (cash and deferred). Base salary is determined by the employees’ experience and performance in the role, taking into account the ongoing compensation benchmark analyses. Base salary is generally a fixed amount that may change as a result of an annual review, upon assumption of new duties, or when a market adjustment of the position occurs. Funding for the Sub-Adviser’s Annual and Long Term Incentive Plan is through a pre-determined fixed percentage of overall Sub-Adviser profitability. Therefore, all bonus awards are based initially on the Sub-Adviser’s financial performance. Annual incentive opportunities are pre-established for each individual, expressed as a percentage of base salary (“target awards”). These targets are derived based on a review of competitive market data for each position annually.

Annual awards are determined by applying multiples to this target award. Awards are 100% discretionary. Factors considered in awards include individual performance, team performance, investment performance of the associated portfolio(s) (including both short and long term returns) and qualitative behavioral factors. Other factors considered in determining the award are the asset size and revenue growth/retention of the products managed (if applicable). Awards are paid partially in cash with the balance deferred through the Long Term Incentive Plan.

Participants in the Long Term Incentive Plan have a high level of accountability and a large impact on the success of the business due to the position’s scope and overall responsibility. This plan provides for an annual award, payable in cash after a three-year cliff vesting period as well as a grant of [                     ] Restricted Stock for senior level roles. The Sub-Adviser’s portfolio managers responsible for managing mutual funds are paid by the Sub-Adviser and not by the mutual funds.

The same methodology described above is used to determine portfolio manager compensation with respect to the management of mutual funds and other accounts. Mutual fund portfolio managers are also eligible for the standard retirement benefits and health and welfare benefits available to all Sub-Adviser employees. Certain portfolio managers may be eligible for additional retirement benefits under several supplemental retirement plans that the Sub-Adviser provides to restore dollar-for-dollar the benefits of management employees that had been cut back solely as a result of certain limits due to the tax laws. These plans are structured to provide the same retirement benefits as the standard retirement benefits. In addition, mutual fund portfolio managers whose compensation exceeds certain limits may elect to defer a portion of their salary and/or bonus under the [                     ] Corporation Deferred Compensation Plan for Employees.

Description of Material Conflicts of Interest. Because the Sub-Adviser’s portfolio managers manage multiple portfolios for multiple clients, the potential for conflicts of interest exists. Each portfolio manager generally manages portfolios having substantially the same investment style as the Fund. However, the portfolios managed by a portfolio manager may not have portfolio compositions identical to those of the Fund due, for example, to specific investment limitations or guidelines present in some portfolios or accounts, but not others. The portfolio managers may purchase securities for one portfolio and not another portfolio, and the performance of securities purchased for one portfolio may vary from the performance of securities purchased for other portfolios. A portfolio manager may

 

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place transactions on behalf of other accounts that are directly or indirectly contrary to investment decisions made on behalf of the Fund, or make investment decisions that are similar to those made for the Fund, both of which have the potential to adversely impact the Fund depending on market conditions. For example, a portfolio manager may purchase a security in one portfolio while appropriately selling that same security in another portfolio. In addition, some of these portfolios have fee structures that are or have the potential to be higher than the advisory fees paid by the Fund, which can cause potential conflicts in the allocation of investment opportunities between the Fund and the other accounts. However, the compensation structure for portfolio managers does not generally provide incentive to favor one account over another because that part of a manager’s bonus based on performance is not based on the performance of one account to the exclusion of others. There are many other factors considered in determining the portfolio manager’s bonus and there is no formula that is applied to weight the factors listed (see “Portfolio Manager Compensation”). The Sub-Adviser has a fiduciary duty to manage all client accounts in a fair and equitable manner. To accomplish this, the Sub-Adviser has adopted various policies and procedures (including, but not limited to, policies relating to trading operations, best execution, trade order aggregation and allocation, short sales, cross-trading, code of conduct, personal securities trading and purchases of securities from affiliate underwriters). These procedures are intended to help employees identify and mitigate potential side by side conflicts of interest. The Sub-Adviser has also developed a conflicts matrix listing potential side by side conflicts and compliance policies and procedures reasonably designed to mitigate such potential conflicts of interest.

Codes of Ethics. The Trust, the Advisers and the Distributor have each adopted a Code of Ethics pursuant to Rule 17j-1 under the 1940 Act and Rule 204A-1 under the Advisers Act, where applicable. Each Code of Ethics permits personnel subject to that Code of Ethics to invest in securities for their personal investment accounts, subject to certain limitations, including securities that may be purchased or held by the Fund. Each Code of Ethics is on public file with, and is available from, the SEC.

Administrator, Custodian, Transfer Agent and Securities Lending Agent. State Street Bank and Trust Company (“State Street”) serves as administrator, custodian, transfer agent and securities lending agent for the Fund. State Street’s principal address is One Lincoln Street, Boston, Massachusetts 02110. Under the Fund Administration Agreement with the Trust, State Street provides certain administrative, legal, tax, and financial reporting services for the maintenance and operations of the Trust and the Fund. Under the Master Custodian Agreement with the Trust, State Street acts as custodian of assets of the Trust, including securities which the Trust, on behalf of the Fund, desires to be held in places within the United States and securities it desires to be held outside the United States, and provides accounting and other services. State Street is required, upon the order of the Trust, to deliver securities held by State Street and to make payments for securities purchased by the Trust and for the Fund. Also, under the Master Custodian Agreement, State Street is authorized to appoint certain foreign custodians or foreign custody managers for Fund investments outside the United States. Pursuant to a Transfer Agency and Service Agreement with the Trust, State Street acts as transfer agent for the authorized and issued shares of beneficial interest for the Fund, and as dividend disbursing agent of the Trust. State Street also provides services, as applicable, for any wholly-owned subsidiary of a WisdomTree Fund. As compensation for the foregoing services, State Street receives certain out-of-pocket costs, transaction fees and asset-based fees which are accrued daily and paid monthly by the Trust. State Street also serves as the Fund’s securities lending agent. As compensation for providing such services, State Street receives a portion of the income earned by the Funds in connection with the lending program. With respect to the foregoing agreements, the Trust has agreed to limitation of liability for State Street and/or to indemnify State Street for certain liabilities. The Fund is new and the Adviser had not paid State Street any fees for services to the Fund as of the fiscal year ended March 31, 2014.

Distributor. ALPS Distributors, Inc. serves as Distributor for the Trust and its principal address is 1290 Broadway, Suite 1100, Denver, Colorado 80203. The Distributor has entered into a Distribution Agreement with the Trust pursuant to which it distributes shares of the Fund. The Distribution Agreement will continue for two years from its effective date and is renewable annually. Shares are continuously offered for sale by the Fund through the Distributor only in Creation Unit Aggregations, as described in the applicable Prospectus and below in the Creation and Redemption of Creation Unit Aggregations section. Shares in less than Creation Unit Aggregations are not distributed by the Distributor. The Distributor will deliver the applicable Prospectus and, upon request, this SAI to persons purchasing Creation Unit Aggregations and will maintain records of both orders placed with it and confirmations of acceptance furnished by it. The Distributor is a broker-dealer registered under the 1934 Act and a member of the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (“FINRA”). The Distributor is not affiliated with WisdomTree Investments, WisdomTree Asset Management, or any stock exchange.

The Distribution Agreement for the Fund will provide that it may be terminated at any time, without the payment of any penalty, on at least sixty (60) days’ prior written notice to the other party (i) by vote of a majority of the Independent Trustees or (ii) by vote of a majority of the outstanding voting securities (as defined in the 1940 Act) of the Fund. The Distribution Agreement will terminate automatically in the event of its “assignment” (as defined in the 1940 Act).

The Distributor may also enter into agreements with securities dealers (“Soliciting Dealers”) who will solicit purchases of Creation Unit Aggregations of shares. Such Soliciting Dealers may also be Authorized Participants (as defined below) or DTC Participants (as defined below).

Intermediary Compensation. WisdomTree Asset Management or its affiliates, out of their own resources and not out of Fund assets (i.e., without additional cost to the Fund or its shareholders), may pay certain broker dealers, banks and other financial intermediaries

 

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(“Intermediaries”) for certain activities related to the Fund, including participation in activities that are designed to make Intermediaries more knowledgeable about exchange traded products, including the Fund, or for other activities, such as marketing and educational training or support. In addition, WisdomTree Asset Management and E*Trade Securities LLC (“ETS”) have entered into an agreement whereby ETS has agreed not to charge its customers any transaction fee or brokerage commission for the purchase of shares of applicable Funds made through ETS distribution system and to disclose that such Funds are sold with the fee waiver, and WisdomTree Asset Management has agreed to pay ETS during the term of the agreement an amount based on net purchases and sales of such Funds in the ETS distribution system. These arrangements are not financed by the Fund and, thus, do not result in increased Fund expenses. They are not reflected in the fees and expenses listed in the fees and expenses sections of the Fund’s Prospectus and they do not change the price paid by investors for the purchase of the Fund’s shares or the amount received by a shareholder as proceeds from the redemption of Fund shares.

Such compensation may be paid to Intermediaries that provide services to the Fund, including marketing and education support (such as through conferences, webinars and printed communications). WisdomTree Asset Management periodically assesses the advisability of continuing to make these payments. Payments to an Intermediary may be significant to the Intermediary, and amounts that Intermediaries pay to your adviser, broker or other investment professional, if any, may also be significant to such adviser, broker or investment professional. Because an Intermediary may make decisions about what investment options it will make available or recommend, and what services to provide in connection with various products, based on payments it receives or is eligible to receive, such payments create conflicts of interest between the Intermediary and its clients. For example, these financial incentives may cause the Intermediary to recommend the Fund over other investments. The same conflict of interest exists with respect to your financial adviser, broker or investment professionals if he or she receives similar payments from his or her Intermediary firm.

Intermediary information is current only as of the date of this SAI. Please contact your adviser, broker or other investment professional for more information regarding any payments his or her Intermediary firm may receive. Any payments made by WisdomTree Asset Management or its affiliates to an Intermediary may create the incentive for an Intermediary to encourage customers to buy shares of WisdomTree Funds.

If you have any additional questions, please call 1-866-909-9473.

BROKERAGE TRANSACTIONS

The Sub-Adviser assumes general supervision over placing orders on behalf of the Fund for the purchase and sale of portfolio securities. In selecting the brokers or dealers for any transaction in portfolio securities, the Sub-Adviser’s policy is to make such selection based on factors deemed relevant, including but not limited to, the breadth of the market in the security; the price of the security; the reasonableness of the commission or mark-up or mark-down, if any; execution capability; settlement capability; back office efficiency; and the financial condition of the broker or dealer, both for the specific transaction and on a continuing basis. The overall reasonableness of brokerage commissions paid is evaluated by the Sub-Adviser based upon its knowledge of available information as to the general level of commissions paid by other institutional investors for comparable services. Brokers may also be selected because of their ability to handle special or difficult executions, such as may be involved in large block trades, less liquid securities, broad distributions, or other circumstances. The Sub-Adviser does not consider the provision or value of research, products or services a broker or dealer may provide, if any, as a factor in the selection of a broker or dealer or the determination of the reasonableness of commissions paid in connection with portfolio transactions. The Trust has adopted policies and procedures that prohibit the consideration of sales of the Fund’s shares as a factor in the selection of a broker or a dealer to execute its portfolio transactions. To the extent creation or redemption transactions are conducted on a cash or “cash in lieu” basis, the Fund may contemporaneously transact with broker-dealers for the purchase or sale of portfolio securities in connection with such transactions (see “Creation and Redemption of Creation Unit Aggregations” herein). Such orders may be placed with an Authorized Participant in its capacity as broker-dealer or with an affiliated broker-dealer of such Authorized Participant. In such cases, the Fund will require such broker-dealer to achieve execution at a price that is at least as favorable to the Fund as the value of such securities used to calculate the Fund’s NAV. The broker-dealer will be required to reimburse the Fund for, among other things, any difference between the price (including applicable brokerage commissions, taxes and transaction costs) at which such securities were bought or sold and the value of such securities used to calculate the Fund’s NAV. This amount will vary depending on the quality of the execution and may be capped at amounts determined by WisdomTree Asset Management in its sole discretion.

 

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Brokerage Commissions. The Fund is new and had not paid any brokerage commissions as of the fiscal year ended March 31, 2013.

Affiliated Brokers. The Fund is new and had not paid any commissions to any affiliated brokers as of the fiscal year ended March 31, 2013.

Regular Broker-Dealers. The Fund is new and did not acquire securities of its regular brokers or dealers (as defined in the 1940 Act) or of their parents during the fiscal year ended March 31, 2013.

Portfolio Turnover. Portfolio turnover may vary from year to year, as well as within a year. High turnover rates are likely to result in comparatively greater brokerage expenses. The overall reasonableness of brokerage commissions is evaluated by the Sub-Adviser based upon its knowledge of available information as to the general level of commissions paid by the other institutional investors for comparable services.

The Fund is new and therefore did not have a portfolio turnover rate for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2013.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION CONCERNING THE TRUST

Shares. The Trust was established as a Delaware statutory trust on December 15, 2005, and consists of multiple series of funds (“Funds”). The Fund issues shares of beneficial interest, with $0.001 par value. The Board may establish additional funds. The Trust is registered with the SEC as an open-end management investment company.

Each share issued by the Fund has a pro rata interest in the assets of the Fund. Shares have no preemptive, exchange, subscription or conversion rights and are freely transferable. Each share is entitled to participate equally in dividends and distributions declared by the Board with respect to the Fund, and in the net distributable assets of the Fund on liquidation.

Each share has one vote with respect to matters upon which a shareholder vote is required consistent with the requirements of the 1940 Act and the rules promulgated thereunder. Shares of all Funds within the Trust vote together as a single class except that if the matter being voted on affects only a particular fund or if a matter affects a particular fund differently from other funds, that fund will vote separately on such matter.

Under Delaware law, the Trust is not required to hold an annual meeting of shareholders unless required to do so under the 1940 Act. The policy of the Trust is not to hold an annual meeting of shareholders unless required to do so under the 1940 Act. All shares (regardless of the Fund) have non-cumulative voting rights for the Board. Under Delaware law, Trustees of the Trust may be removed by vote of the shareholders.

Following the creation of the initial Creation Unit Aggregation(s) of shares of the Fund and immediately prior to the commencement of trading in such Fund’s shares, a holder of shares may be a “control person” of the Fund, as defined in the 1940 Act. The Fund cannot accurately predict the length of time for which one or more shareholders may remain a control person or persons of the Fund.

Shareholders may make inquiries by writing to the Trust, c/o ALPS Distributors, Inc., 1290 Broadway, Suite 1100, Denver, Colorado 80203.

Absent an applicable exemption or other relief from the SEC or its staff, beneficial owners of more than 5% of the shares of the Fund may be subject to the reporting provisions of Section 13 of the 1934 Act and the SEC’s rules promulgated thereunder. In addition, absent an applicable exemption or other relief from the SEC staff, officers and Trustees of the Fund and beneficial owners of 10% of the shares of the Fund (“Insiders”) may be subject to the insider reporting, short-swing profit and short-sale provisions of Section 16 of the 1934 Act and the SEC’s rules promulgated thereunder. Beneficial owners and Insiders should consult with their own legal counsel concerning their obligations under Sections 13 and 16 of the 1934 Act.

Termination of the Trust or the Fund. The Trust or the Fund may be terminated by a majority vote of the Board of Trustees or the affirmative vote of a super-majority of the holders of the Trust or the Fund entitled to vote on termination. Although the shares are not automatically redeemable upon the occurrence of any specific event, the Trust’s organizational documents provide that the Board will have the unrestricted power to alter the number of shares in a Creation Unit Aggregation. In the event of a termination of the Trust or the Fund, the Board, in its sole discretion, could determine to permit the shares to be redeemable in aggregations smaller than Creation Unit Aggregations or to be individually redeemable. In such circumstances, the Trust may make redemptions in-kind, for cash, or for a combination of cash and securities.

Role of the Depositary Trust Company (“DTC”). DTC acts as Securities Depository for the shares of the Trust. Shares of the Fund are represented by securities registered in the name of DTC or its nominee and deposited with, or on behalf of, DTC.

 

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DTC, a limited-purpose trust company, was created to hold securities of its participants (“DTC Participants”) and to facilitate the clearance and settlement of securities transactions among the DTC Participants in such securities through electronic book-entry changes in accounts of the DTC Participants, thereby eliminating the need for physical movement of securities’ certificates. DTC Participants include securities brokers and dealers, banks, trust companies, clearing corporations and certain other organizations, some of which (and/or their representatives) own DTC. More specifically, DTC is owned by a number of DTC Participants and by the NYSE, the AMEX and FINRA. Access to the DTC system is also available to others such as banks, brokers, dealers and trust companies that clear through or maintain a custodial relationship with a DTC Participant, either directly or indirectly (“Indirect Participants”).

Beneficial ownership of shares is limited to DTC Participants, Indirect Participants and persons holding interests through DTC Participants and Indirect Participants. Ownership of beneficial interests in shares (owners of such beneficial interests are referred to herein as “Beneficial Owners”) is shown on, and the transfer of ownership is effected only through, records maintained by DTC (with respect to DTC Participants) and on the records of DTC Participants (with respect to Indirect Participants and Beneficial Owners that are not DTC Participants). Beneficial Owners will receive from or through the DTC Participant a written confirmation relating to their purchase of shares. No Beneficial Owner shall have the right to receive a certificate representing such shares.

Conveyance of all notices, statements and other communications to Beneficial Owners is effected as follows. Pursuant to the Depositary Agreement between the Trust and DTC, DTC is required to make available to the Trust upon request and for a fee to be charged to the Trust a listing of the shares of the Fund held by each DTC Participant. The Trust shall inquire of each such DTC Participant as to the number of Beneficial Owners holding shares, directly or indirectly, through such DTC Participant. The Trust shall provide each such DTC Participant with copies of such notice, statement or other communication, in such form and number and at such place as such DTC Participant may reasonably request, in order that such notice, statement or communication may be transmitted by such DTC Participant, directly or indirectly, to such Beneficial Owners. In addition, the Trust shall pay to each such DTC Participant a fair and reasonable amount as reimbursement for the expenses attendant to such transmittal, all subject to applicable statutory and regulatory requirements.

Share distributions shall be made to DTC or its nominee, Cede & Co., as the registered holder of all shares of the Trust. DTC or its nominee, upon receipt of any such distributions, shall immediately credit DTC Participants’ accounts with payments in amounts proportionate to their respective beneficial interests in shares of the Fund as shown on the records of DTC or its nominee. Payments by DTC Participants to Indirect Participants and Beneficial Owners of shares held through such DTC Participants will be governed by standing instructions and customary practices, as is now the case with securities held for the accounts of customers in bearer form or registered in a “street name,” and will be the responsibility of such DTC Participants.

The Trust has no responsibility or liability for any aspect of the records relating to or notices to Beneficial Owners, or payments made on account of beneficial ownership interests in such shares, or for maintaining, supervising or reviewing any records relating to such beneficial ownership interests, or for any other aspect of the relationship between DTC and the DTC Participants or the relationship between such DTC Participants and the Indirect Participants and Beneficial Owners owning through such DTC Participants. DTC may decide to discontinue its service with respect to shares of the Trust at any time by giving reasonable notice to the Trust and discharging its responsibilities with respect thereto under applicable law. Under such circumstances, the Trust shall take action to find a replacement for DTC to perform its functions at a comparable cost.

CREATION AND REDEMPTION OF CREATION UNIT AGGREGATIONS

Creation. The Trust issues and sells shares of the Fund only in Creation Unit Aggregations on a continuous basis through the Distributor, without a sales load, at the NAV next determined after receipt, on any Business Day, of an order in proper form.

Fund Deposit. The consideration for purchase of Creation Unit Aggregations of the Fund generally consists of (i) the in-kind deposit of a designated portfolio of equity securities closely approximating the holdings of the Fund, and (ii) U.S. cash and/or non-U.S. currency (together, the “Deposit Securities”) and an amount of cash denominated in U.S. dollars (the “Cash Component”) computed as described below. Together, the Deposit Securities and the Cash Component constitute the “Fund Deposit,” which represents the minimum initial and subsequent investment amount for a Creation Unit Aggregation of the Fund.

The Fund may permit or require the submission of a basket of equity securities, non-U.S. currency or cash denominated in U.S. dollars that differs from the composition of the published basket. The Fund may permit or require the consideration for Creation Unit Aggregations to consist solely of cash or non-U.S. currency. The Fund reserves the right to permit or require the substitution of an amount of cash denominated in U.S. dollars or non-U.S. currency (i.e., a “cash in lieu” amount) to be added, at its discretion, to the Cash Component to replace any Deposit Security (typically 102%-110% of the value of any missing Deposit Security). For example, cash may be substituted to replace any Deposit Security that may not be available in sufficient quantity for delivery or that may not be eligible for transfer through the systems of DTC or the Clearing Process (discussed below). The Trust reserves the right to permit or require a “cash in lieu” amount where the delivery of the Deposit Security by the Authorized Participant (as described below) would be prohibited or restricted under applicable securities laws, or in certain other situations at the sole discretion of the Trust.

 

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The Cash Component is sometimes also referred to as the “Balancing Amount.” The Cash Component is an amount equal to the difference between the NAV of the shares (per Creation Unit Aggregation) and the value of Deposit Securities. If the Cash Component is a positive number, the Authorized Participant will deliver the Cash Component. If the Cash Component is a negative number, the Authorized Participant will receive the Cash Component. The Cash Component does not include any stamp duty tax or other similar fees and expenses payable upon transfer of beneficial ownership of the Deposit Securities. These are the sole responsibility of the Authorized Participant.

The Fund, through the National Securities Clearing Corporation (“NSCC”), makes available on each Business Day, immediately prior to the opening of business on the Listing Exchange (currently 9:30 a.m., Eastern time), the list of the names and the required number of shares of each Deposit Security to be included in the current Fund Deposit (based on information at the end of the previous Business Day) for the Fund. Such Deposit Securities are applicable, subject to any adjustments, as described below, in order to effect creations of Creation Unit Aggregations of the Fund until such time as the next-announced composition of the Deposit Securities is made available.

The identity and number of shares of the Deposit Securities required for a Fund Deposit for the Fund changes from time to time based on changes to the Fund’s Underlying Index and other factors.

Procedures for Creation of Creation Unit Aggregations. To be eligible to place orders with the Distributor and to create a Creation Unit Aggregation of the Fund, an entity must be: (i) a “Participating Party,” i.e., a broker-dealer or other participant in the clearing process through the Continuous Net Settlement System of the NSCC (the “Clearing Process”), a clearing agency that is registered with the SEC; or (ii) a DTC Participant. In each case, such entity must have executed an agreement with the Distributor with respect to creations and redemptions of Creation Unit Aggregations (a “Participant Agreement”). A Participating Party or DTC Participant that has entered a Participant Agreement is referred to as an “Authorized Participant.” Investors should contact the Distributor for the names of Authorized Participants that have signed a Participant Agreement. All shares of the Fund, however created, will be entered on the records of DTC in the name of Cede & Co. for the account of a DTC Participant.

All orders to create shares must be placed for one or more Creation Unit Aggregations. All orders to create Creation Unit Aggregations must be received by the Distributor no later than the closing time of the regular trading session on the Listing Exchange (“Closing Time”) (ordinarily 4:00 p.m., Eastern time) on the date such orders are placed in order to receive that day’s NAV. All orders must be received in proper form. The date on which an order to create Creation Unit Aggregations is placed is referred to as the “Transmittal Date.” Orders must be transmitted by an Authorized Participant by telephone or other transmission method acceptable to the Distributor pursuant to procedures set forth in the Participant Agreement, as described below, which procedures may change from time to time without notice at the discretion of the Trust. Economic or market disruptions or changes, or telephone or other communication failure, may impede the ability to reach the Distributor or an Authorized Participant. On days when the Listing Exchange or U.S. markets close earlier than normal, the Fund may require purchase orders to be placed earlier in the day. All questions as to the number of Deposit Securities to be delivered, and the validity, form and eligibility (including time of receipt) for the deposit of any tendered securities, will be determined by the Trust, whose determination shall be final and binding.

All orders to create Creation Unit Aggregations through an Authorized Participant shall be placed with an Authorized Participant, in the form required by such Authorized Participant. In addition, the Authorized Participant may require an investor to make certain representations or enter into agreements with respect to the order, e.g., to provide for payments of cash, when required. Investors should be aware that their particular broker may not have executed a Participant Agreement and, in that case, orders to create Creation Unit Aggregations of the Fund have to be placed by each investor’s broker through an Authorized Participant that has executed a Participant Agreement. In such cases, there may be additional charges to such investor. At any given time, there may be only a limited number of broker-dealers that have executed a Participant Agreement and only a small number of such Authorized Participants may have international capabilities.

Those placing orders for Creation Unit Aggregations through the Clearing Process should afford sufficient time to permit proper submission of the order to the Distributor prior to the Closing Time on the Transmittal Date. Orders for Creation Unit Aggregations that are effected outside the Clearing Process are likely to require transmittal by the DTC Participant earlier on the Transmittal Date than orders effected using the Clearing Process. Those persons placing orders outside the Clearing Process should ascertain the deadlines applicable to DTC and the Federal Reserve Bank wire system by contacting the operations department of the broker or depository institution effectuating such transfer of Deposit Securities and the Cash Component.

Placement of Creation Orders Using the Clearing Process. Fund Deposits made through the Clearing Process must be delivered through a Participating Party that has executed a Participant Agreement. The Participant Agreement authorizes the Distributor to transmit through State Street to NSCC, on behalf of the Participating Party, such trade instructions as are necessary to effect the Participating Party’s creation order. Pursuant to such trade instructions to NSCC, the Participating Party agrees to deliver the requisite Deposit Securities and the Cash Component to the Trust, together with such additional information as may be required by the

 

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Distributor. An order to create Creation Unit Aggregations through the Clearing Process is deemed received by the Distributor on the Transmittal Date if: (i) such order is received by the Distributor not later than the Closing Time on such Transmittal Date; and (ii) all other procedures set forth in the Participant Agreement are properly followed.

Placement of Creation Orders Outside the Clearing Process. Fund Deposits made outside the Clearing Process must be delivered through a DTC Participant that has executed a Participant Agreement. A DTC Participant who wishes to place an order creating Creation Unit Aggregations to be effected outside the Clearing Process does not need to be a Participating Party, but such orders must state that the DTC Participant is not using the Clearing Process and that the creation of Creation Unit Aggregations will instead be effected through a transfer of securities and cash directly through DTC. The Fund Deposit transfer must be ordered by the DTC Participant on the Transmittal Date in a timely fashion so as to ensure the delivery of the requisite number of Deposit Securities through DTC to the account of the Fund by no later than 2:00 p.m., Eastern time, on the “Settlement Date.” The Settlement Date is typically the third Business Day following the Transmittal Date. The Fund reserves the right to settle transactions on a basis other than “T” plus three Business Days (i.e., days on which the NYSE is open) (“T+3”). In certain cases Authorized Participants will create and redeem Creation Unit Aggregations of the same Fund on the same trade date. In these instances, the Trust reserves the right to settle these transactions on a net basis. On days when the Listing Exchange or U.S. markets close earlier than normal, the Fund may require purchase orders to be placed earlier in the day. All questions as to the number of Deposit Securities to be delivered, and the validity, form and eligibility (including time of receipt) for the deposit of any tendered securities, will be determined by the Trust, whose determination shall be final and binding. The amount of cash equal to the Cash Component must be transferred directly to State Street through the Federal Reserve Bank wire transfer system in a timely manner so as to be received by State Street no later than 2:00 p.m., Eastern time, on the Settlement Date. An order to create Creation Unit Aggregations outside the Clearing Process is deemed received by the Distributor on the Transmittal Date if: (i) such order is received by the Distributor not later than the Closing Time on such Transmittal Date; and (ii) all other procedures set forth in the Participant Agreement are properly followed. However, if State Street does not receive both the required Deposit Securities and the Cash Component by the specified time on the Settlement Date, the Trust may cancel or revoke acceptance of such order. Upon written notice to the Distributor, such canceled or revoked order may be resubmitted the following Business Day using a Fund Deposit as newly constituted to reflect the then current NAV of the Fund. The delivery of Creation Unit Aggregations so created generally will occur no later than the Settlement Date.

Creation Unit Aggregations may be created in advance of receipt by the Trust of all or a portion of the applicable Deposit Securities as described below. In these circumstances, the initial deposit will have a value greater than the NAV of the shares on the date the order is placed in proper form since, in addition to available Deposit Securities, U.S. cash must be deposited in an amount equal to the sum of (i) the Cash Component, plus (ii) at least 102%, which the Trust may change from time to time, of the market value of the undelivered Deposit Securities (the “Additional Cash Deposit”) with the Fund pending delivery of any missing Deposit Securities.

If an Authorized Participant determines to post an Additional Cash Deposit as collateral for any undelivered Deposit Securities, such Authorized Participant must deposit with State Street the appropriate amount of federal funds by 2:00 p.m., Eastern time (or such other time as specified by the Trust), on the Settlement Date. If the Authorized Participant does not place its purchase order by the closing time or State Street does not receive federal funds in the appropriate amount by such time, then the order may be deemed to be rejected and the Authorized Participant shall be liable to the Fund for losses, if any, resulting therefrom. An additional amount of cash shall be required to be deposited with State Street, pending delivery of the missing Deposit Securities to the extent necessary to maintain the Additional Cash Deposit with the Trust in an amount at least equal to 102%, which the Trust may change from time to time, of the daily marked-to-market value of the missing Deposit Securities. To the extent that missing Deposit Securities are not received by the specified time on the Settlement Date, or in the event a marked-to-market payment is not made within one Business Day following notification by the Distributor that such a payment is required, the Trust may use the Additional Cash Deposit to purchase the missing Deposit Securities.

The Authorized Participant will be liable to the Trust for the costs incurred by the Trust in connection with any such purchases. These costs will be deemed to include the amount by which the actual purchase price of the Deposit Securities exceeds the market value of such Deposit Securities on the Transmittal Date plus the brokerage and related transaction costs associated with such purchases. The Trust will return any unused portion of the Additional Cash Deposit once all of the missing Deposit Securities have been properly received by State Street or purchased by the Trust and deposited into the Trust. In addition, a Transaction Fee, as listed below, will be charged in all cases. The delivery of Creation Unit Aggregations so created generally will occur no later than the Settlement Date.

Cash Purchases. When, in the sole discretion of the Trust, cash purchases of Creation Unit Aggregations of shares are available or specified for the Fund, such purchases shall be effected in essentially the same manner as in-kind purchases thereof. In the case of a cash purchase, the Authorized Participant must pay the cash equivalent of the Deposit Securities it would otherwise be required to provide through an in-kind purchase, plus the same Cash Component required to be paid by an in-kind purchaser. In addition, to offset brokerage and other costs associated with using cash to purchase the requisite Deposit Securities, the Authorized Participant must pay the Transaction Fees required by the Fund. If the Authorized Participant acts as a broker for the Fund in connection with the purchase of Deposit Securities, the Authorized Participant will also be required to pay certain brokerage commissions, taxes, and transaction and market impact costs as discussed under the heading “Brokerage Transactions” herein.

 

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Acceptance of Orders for Creation Unit Aggregations. The Trust reserves the absolute right to reject or revoke acceptance of a creation order transmitted to it by the Distributor with respect to the Fund. Orders may be rejected and acceptance may be revoked if, for example: (i) the order is not in proper form; (ii) the investor(s), upon obtaining the shares ordered, would own 80% or more of the currently outstanding shares of the Fund; (iii) the Deposit Securities delivered are not the same as those disseminated through the facilities of the NSCC for that date by the Fund as described above; (iv) acceptance of the Deposit Securities would have certain adverse tax consequences to the Fund; (v) acceptance of the Fund Deposit would, in the opinion of counsel, be unlawful; (vi) acceptance of the Fund Deposit would otherwise, in the discretion of the Trust or WisdomTree Asset Management, have an adverse effect on the Trust or the rights of beneficial owners; or (vii) in the event that circumstances outside the control of the Trust, State Street, the Distributor or WisdomTree Asset Management make it for all practical purposes impossible to process creation orders. Examples of such circumstances include acts of God; public service or utility problems such as fires, floods, extreme weather conditions and power outages resulting in telephone, telecopy and computer failures; market conditions or activities causing trading halts; systems failures involving computer or other information systems affecting the Trust, WisdomTree Asset Management, the Distributor, DTC, NSCC, State Street or a sub-custodian or any other participant in the creation process and similar extraordinary events. The Distributor shall notify a prospective creator of a Creation Unit and/or the Authorized Participant acting on behalf of the creator of a Creation Unit Aggregation of its rejection of the order of such person. The Trust, State Street, a sub-custodian and the Distributor are under no duty, however, to give notification of any defects or irregularities in the delivery of Fund Deposits nor shall any of them incur any liability for the failure to give any such notification.

All questions as to the number of shares of each security in the Deposit Securities and the validity, form, eligibility and acceptance for deposit of any securities to be delivered shall be determined by the Trust, and the Trust’s determination shall be final and binding.

Creation/Redemption Transaction Fee. The Fund imposes a “Transaction Fee” on investors purchasing or redeeming Creation Units. The purpose of the Transaction Fee is to protect the existing shareholders of the Fund from the dilutive costs associated with the purchase and redemption of Creation Units. Where the Fund permits cash creations (or redemptions) or cash in lieu of depositing one or more Deposit Securities, the purchaser (or redeemer) may be assessed a higher Transaction Fee to offset the transaction cost to the Fund of buying (or selling) those particular Deposit Securities. Transaction Fees for the Fund will differ from Transaction Fees for other WisdomTree Funds, depending on the transaction expenses related to the Fund’s portfolio securities, and will be limited to amounts that have been determined by WisdomTree Asset Management to be appropriate. The maximum Transaction Fee, as set forth in the table below for the Fund, may be charged in cases where the Fund permits cash or cash in lieu of Deposit Securities. Investors purchasing or redeeming through the DTC process generally will pay a higher Transaction Fee than will investors doing so through the NSCC process. Also, investors who use the services of a broker or other such intermediary may be charged a fee for such services, in addition to the Transaction Fee imposed by the Fund.

The following table sets forth the standard and maximum creation and redemption Transaction Fee for the Fund. These fees may be changed by the Trust.

 

Fund

   CU Fee*     Maximum
CU* Fee
 

WisdomTree Japan Hedged Dividend Growth Fund

   $     [XXX   $     [XXX

 

  * The Fund may charge, either in lieu of or in addition to the Transaction Fees, in the sole discretion of the Trust, a variable fee for creations and redemptions in order to cover certain brokerage, tax, foreign exchange, execution, market impact and other costs and expenses related to the execution of trades resulting from such transaction, up to a maximum of 2.0% of the net asset value per Creation Unit, inclusive of any Transaction Fees charged (if applicable).

Placement of Redemption Orders for Using the Clearing Process. Orders to redeem Creation Unit Aggregations through the Clearing Process must be delivered through a Participating Party that has executed the Participant Agreement. Except as described herein, an order to redeem Creation Unit Aggregations using the Clearing Process is deemed received by the Trust on the Transmittal Date if: (i) such order is received by State Street (in its capacity as Transfer Agent) not later than the Closing Time on such Transmittal Date, and (ii) all other procedures set forth in the Participant Agreement are properly followed. Such order will be effected based on the NAV of the Fund as next determined. The consideration for redemption of Creation Unit Aggregations of the Fund generally consists of (i) a designated portfolio of equity securities that closely approximate the holdings of the Fund (the “Fund Securities”) and (ii) an amount of cash denominated in U.S. dollars (the “Cash Redemption Amount”) as described below. The requisite Fund Securities and the Cash Redemption Amount generally will be transferred by the third NSCC Business Day following the date on which such request for redemption is deemed received.

Placement of Redemption Orders Outside the Clearing Process. Orders to redeem Creation Unit Aggregations outside the Clearing Process must be delivered through a DTC Participant that has executed the Participant Agreement. An order to redeem Creation Unit Aggregations outside the Clearing Process is deemed received by the Trust on the Transmittal Date if: (i) such order is received by

 

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State Street (in its capacity as Transfer Agent) not later than the Closing Time on such Transmittal Date; (ii) such order is accompanied or followed by the requisite number of shares of the Fund specified in such order, which delivery must be made through DTC to State Street no later than 11:00 a.m., Eastern time, on the contracted settlement date; and (iii) all other procedures set forth in the Participant Agreement are properly followed. After the Trust has deemed an order for redemption outside the Clearing Process received, the Trust will initiate procedures to transfer the requisite Fund Securities which are expected to be delivered within three Business Days and the Cash Redemption Amount to the Authorized Participant on behalf of the redeeming Beneficial Owner by the Settlement Date. In certain cases Authorized Participants will redeem and create Creation Unit Aggregations of the same Fund on the same trade date. In these instances, the Trust reserves the right to settle these transactions on a net basis.

If the requisite number of shares of the Fund is not delivered on the Transmittal Date as described above, the Fund may reject or revoke acceptance of the redemption request because the Authorized Participant has not satisfied all of the settlement requirements.

The current procedures for collateralization of missing shares require, among other things, that any cash collateral shall be in the form of U.S. dollars in immediately available funds and shall be held by State Street and marked-to-market daily, and that the fees of State Street and any sub-custodians in respect of the delivery, maintenance and redelivery of the cash collateral shall be payable by the Authorized Participant. The Authorized Participant’s agreement will permit the Trust, on behalf of the Fund, to purchase the missing shares or acquire the Deposit Securities and the Cash Component underlying such shares at any time and will subject the Authorized Participant to liability for any shortfall between the cost to the Trust of purchasing such shares, Deposit Securities or Cash Component and the value of the collateral.

The calculation of the value of the Fund Securities and the Cash Redemption Amount to be delivered upon redemption will be made by State Street according to the procedures set forth under “Determination of NAV” computed on the Business Day on which a redemption order is deemed received by the Trust. Therefore, if a redemption order in proper form is submitted to State Street by a DTC Participant not later than the Closing Time on the Transmittal Date, and the requisite number of shares of the Fund are delivered to State Street prior to the DTC cut-off time, then the value of the Fund Securities and the Cash Redemption Amount to be delivered will be determined by State Street on such Transmittal Date. If, however, a redemption order is submitted to State Street by a DTC Participant not later than the Closing Time on the Transmittal Date but either (i) the requisite number of shares of the Fund are not delivered by the DTC cut-off-time on such Transmittal Date, or (ii) the redemption order is not submitted in proper form, then the redemption order will not be deemed received as of the Transmittal Date. In such case, the value of the Fund Securities and the Cash Redemption Amount to be delivered will be computed on the Business Day that such order is deemed received by the Trust on which the shares of the Fund are delivered through DTC to State Street by the DTC cut-off-time on such Business Day pursuant to a properly submitted redemption order.

The Fund may also, in its sole discretion, upon request of a shareholder, provide such redeemer a portfolio of securities that differs from the exact composition of the Fund Securities but does not differ in NAV.

Redemptions of shares for Fund Securities will be subject to compliance with applicable federal and state securities laws and the Fund (whether or not it otherwise permits cash redemptions) reserves the right to redeem Creation Unit Aggregations for cash to the extent that the Trust could not lawfully deliver specific Fund Securities upon redemptions or could not do so without first registering the Fund Securities under such laws. An Authorized Participant or an investor for which it is acting subject to a legal restriction with respect to a particular security included in the Fund Securities applicable to the redemption of a Creation Unit Aggregation may be paid an equivalent amount of cash. The Authorized Participant may request the redeeming Beneficial Owner of the shares to complete an order form or to enter into agreements with respect to such matters as compensating cash payment.

Because the portfolio securities of an International Fund may trade on the relevant exchange(s) on days that the Listing Exchange for the International Fund is closed or that are otherwise not Business Days for such International Fund, stockholders may not be able to redeem their shares of such International Fund, or to purchase and sell shares of such International Fund on the Listing Exchange for the International Fund, on days when the NAV of such International Fund could be significantly affected by events in the relevant foreign markets.

Cash Redemptions. The Fund may pay out the proceeds of redemptions of Creation Unit Aggregations solely in cash or through any combination of cash or securities. In addition, an investor may request a redemption in cash that the Fund may, in its sole discretion, permit. In either case, the investor will receive a cash payment equal to the NAV of its shares based on the NAV of shares of the Fund next determined after the redemption request is received in proper form (minus a redemption transaction fee and additional charge for requested cash redemptions specified above, to offset the Trust’s brokerage and other transaction costs associated with the disposition of Fund Securities). Proceeds will be paid to the Authorized Participant redeeming shares on behalf of the redeeming investor as soon as practicable after the date of redemption. If the Authorized Participant acts as a broker for the Fund in connection with the sale of Fund Securities, the Authorized Participant will also be required to pay certain brokerage commissions, taxes, and transaction and market impact costs as discussed under the heading “Brokerage Transactions” herein.

 

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Redemptions of shares for Fund Securities will be subject to compliance with applicable federal and state securities laws and the Fund (whether or not it otherwise permits cash redemptions) reserves the right to redeem Creation Unit Aggregations for cash to the extent that the Trust could not lawfully deliver specific Fund Securities upon redemptions or could not do so without first registering the Fund Securities under such laws.

In-Kind Redemptions. The ability of the Trust to effect in-kind creations and redemptions is subject, among other things, to the condition that, within the time period from the date of the order to the date of delivery of the securities, there are no days that are holidays in the applicable foreign market. For every occurrence of one or more intervening holidays in the applicable foreign market that are not holidays observed in the U.S. equity market, the redemption settlement cycle may be extended by the number of such intervening holidays. In addition to holidays, other unforeseeable closings in a foreign market due to emergencies may also prevent the Trust from delivering securities within the normal settlement period. The Fund will not suspend or postpone redemption beyond seven days, except as permitted under Section 22(e) of the 1940 Act. Section 22(e) provides that the right of redemption may be suspended or the date of payment postponed with respect to the Fund (1) for any period during which the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) is closed (other than customary weekend and holiday closings); (2) for any period during which trading on the NYSE is suspended or restricted; (3) for any period during which an emergency exists as a result of which disposal of the shares of the Fund’s portfolio securities or determination of its net asset value is not reasonably practicable; or (4) in such other circumstance as is permitted by the SEC.

REGULAR HOLIDAYS

The Fund generally intends to effect deliveries of Creation Unit Aggregations and portfolio securities on a basis of T+3. The Fund may effect deliveries of Creation Unit Aggregations and portfolio securities on a basis other than T+3 in order to accommodate local holiday schedules, to account for different treatment among foreign and U.S. markets of dividend record dates and ex-dividend dates, or under certain other circumstances. The ability of the Trust to effect in-kind creations and redemptions within three Business Days of receipt of an order in good form is subject, among other things, to the condition that, within the time period from the date of the order to the date of delivery of the securities, there are no days that are holidays in the applicable foreign market. For every occurrence of one or more intervening holidays in the applicable foreign market that are not holidays observed in the U.S. equity market, the redemption settlement cycle will be extended by the number of such intervening holidays. In addition to holidays, other unforeseeable closings in a foreign market due to emergencies may also prevent the Trust from delivering securities within the normal settlement period.

The securities delivery cycles currently practicable for transferring portfolio securities to redeeming investors, coupled with foreign market holiday schedules, will require a delivery process longer than seven calendar days for some Funds, in certain circumstances. The holidays applicable to the Fund during such periods are listed below, as are instances where more than seven days will be needed to deliver redemption proceeds. Although certain holidays may occur on different dates in subsequent years, the number of days required to deliver redemption proceeds in any given year is not expected to exceed the maximum number of days listed below for the Fund. The proclamation of new holidays, the treatment by market participants of certain days as “informal holidays” (e.g., days on which no or limited securities transactions occur, as a result of substantially shortened trading hours), the elimination of existing holidays, or changes in local securities delivery practices could affect the accuracy of information set forth herein.

Listed below are the dates in calendar year 2014 in which the regular holidays in non-U.S. markets may impact Fund settlement. This list is based on information available to the Fund. The list may not be accurate or complete and is subject to change:

 

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Argentina

 

Australia

  Austria   Bahrain   Belgium   Brazil

January 1

March 3-4, 24

April 2, 17, 18

May 1

June 20

July 9

August 18

October 13

November 6, 24

December 25

 

January 1, 27

March 3, 10

April 18, 21,25

June 9

December 25, 26

  January 1

April 18, 21

May 1

December 25-26

  January 1, 13

May 1

July 28-30

October 5-6

November 2

December 16-17

  January 1

April 18, 21

May 1

December 25-26

  January 1

March 3-4

April 18, 21

May 1

June 19

July 9

November 20

December 25, 31

Canada

 

Chile

  China   Columbia   Czech Republic   Denmark

January 1

February 17

April 18

September 1

October 13

December 25

 

January 1

April 18

May 1, 21

July 16

August 15

September 18-19

October 31

December 8, 25, 31

  January 1

January 31

February 3-6

April 7

May 1-2

June 2

September 8

October 1-3, 6-7

  January 1, 6

March 24

April 17-18

May 1

June 2, 23, 30

August 7, 18

October 13

November 3, 17

December 8, 25

  January 1

April 21

May 1, 8

October 28

November 17

  January 1

April 17-18, 21

May 16, 29, 30

June 5, 9

December 24-26, 31

Egypt

 

Finland

  France   Germany   Greece   Hong Kong

January 1, 7, 14

April 20-21

May 1

July 1, 23, 29-31

October 5-6

 

January 1, 6

April 18, 21

May 1, 29

June 20

December 25-26

  January 1

April 18, 21

May 1

December 25-26

  January 1

April 18, 21

May 1

December 25-26

  January 1, 6

March 3, 25

April 18, 21

May 1

June 9

August 15

October 28

December 25-26

  January 1, 31

February 3

April 18, 21

May 1, 6

June 2

July 1

September 9

Hungary

 

India

  Indonesia   Ireland   Israel   Italy

January 1

April 21

May 1-2

June 9

August 20

October 23-24

December 24-26

 

January 14

February 19, 27

March 17, 31

April 1, 8, 14, 18, 24

May 1, 14

July 1, 29

August 15, 18, 29

September 30

October 2-3, 6, 23-24

November 4, 6

December 25

  January 1, 14, 31

March 31

April 18

May 1, 15, 27, 29

July 28, 29, 30, 31

August 1

December 25-26, 31

  January 1

April 18, 21

May 5

June 2

December 25-26

  March 16

April 14-15,

20-21

May 5-6

June 3-4

August 5

September 24-26

October 3, 8-9, 15-16

  January 1

April 18, 21

May 1

December 25-26

Japan

 

Jordan

  Kuwait   Lebanon   Malaysia   Mauritius

January 1-3, 13

February 11

March 21

April 29

May 5-6

July 21

September 15, 23

October 13

November 3, 24

December 23, 31

 

January 1, 14

May 1, 25

July 29-31

October 5-8

December 25

  January 1, 13

February 25-26

May 27

July 28-30

October 5-8, 26

  January 1, 6, 13

March 25

April 18-19

May 1

July 28-29

August 15

October 4, 25

November 3, 22

December 25

  January 1, 14, 17, 31

May 1, 13

July 28-29

September 1, 16

October 6, 23

December 25

  January 1-2, 17, 31

February 27

March 12, 31

May 1

July 29

August 15

October 23, 25

 

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Mexico

 

Morocco

  Netherlands   New Zealand   Norway   Oman

January 1

February 3

March 17

April 17-18

May 1

September 16

November 17

December 12, 25

 

January 1, 13

May 1

July 29-30

August 14, 20-21

October 6

November 6, 18

  January 1

April 18, 21

May 1

December 25-26

  January 1-2, 20,27

February 6

April 18, 21, 25

June 2

October 27

December 25-26

  January 1

April 16-18, 21

May 1, 29

June 9

December 24-26, 31

  January 14

May 26

July 23, 29-30

October 5-7

November 18-19

Peru

 

Philippines

  Poland   Portugal   Qatar   Russia

January 1

April 17-18

May 1

July 28, 29

October 8

December 8, 25

 

January 1, 31

April 9, 17-18

May 1

June 12

August 21, 25

December 24-26,

30, 31

  January 1, 6

April 18, 21

May 1

June 19

August 15

November 11

December 24-26, 31

  January 1

April 18, 21, 25

May 1

June 10, 13

August 15

December 8, 24-26, 31

  January 1

February 11

March 2

July 27, 29, 30

October 5-7

December 18

  January 1-3, 6-8

March 7, 10

April 30

May 1-2, 8-9

June 11-13

November 3-4

December 31

Singapore

 

South Africa

  South Korea   Spain   Sweden   Switzerland

January 1, 31

April 18

May 1, 13

July 28

October 6, 23

December 25

 

January 1

March 21

April 18, 21, 28

May 1

June 16

September 24

December 16, 25-26

  January 1, 30-31

May 1, 5-6

June 6

August 15

September 8-10

October 3, 9

December 25, 31

  January 1, 6

April 18, 21

May 1

December 24-26, 31

  January 1, 6

April 17-18, 21,30

May 1, 28-29

June 6, 20

October 31

December 24-26, 31

  January 1-2

April 18, 21

May 1, 29

June 9

August 1

December 24-26, 31

Taiwan

 

Thailand

  Turkey   U.A.E.   United Kingdom    

January 1, 28-33

February 3-4, 28

April 4

May 1

June 2

September 8

October 10

 

January 1

February 14

April 7, 14-15

May 1, 5, 13

July 1, 11

August 12

October 23

December 5, 10, 31

  January 1

April 23

May 1

July 28-30

October 6-7, 28-29

  January 1, 13, 20

February 17

May 26-27

July 28-30

September 1

October 5-8, 26

November 11, 27

December 2-3, 25

  January 1, 20

April 18, 21

May 1, 5, 26

August 25

December 25-26

 

 

* Early Close

TAXES

The following discussion of certain U.S. federal income tax consequences of investing in the Fund is based on the Code, U.S. Treasury regulations, and other applicable authority, all as in effect as of the date of the filing of this SAI. These authorities are subject to change by legislative or administrative action, possibly with retroactive effect. The following discussion is only a summary of some of the important U.S. federal income tax considerations generally applicable to investments in the Fund. There may be other tax considerations applicable to particular shareholders. Shareholders should consult their own tax advisors regarding their particular situation and the possible application of foreign, state, and local tax laws.

Qualification as a Regulated Investment Company. The Fund has elected or intends to elect to be treated, and intends to qualify each year, as a RIC under Subchapter M of the Code. In order to qualify for the special tax treatment accorded RICs and their shareholders, the Fund must, among other things:

(a) derive at least 90% of its gross income each year from (i) dividends, interest, payments with respect to certain securities loans, gains from the sale or other disposition of stock or securities or foreign currencies, or other income (including but not limited to gains from options, futures or forward contracts) derived with respect to its business of investing in such stock, securities or currencies, and (ii) net income derived from interests in “qualified publicly traded partnerships” (as defined below);

 

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(b) diversify its holdings so that, at the end of each quarter of its taxable year, (i) at least 50% of the market value of the Fund’s total assets consists of cash and cash items, U.S. government securities, securities of other RICs and other securities, with investments in such other securities limited with respect to any one issuer to an amount not greater than 5% of the value of the Fund’s total assets and not greater than 10% of the outstanding voting securities of such issuer, and (ii) not more than 25% of the value of the Fund’s total assets is invested in (1) the securities (other than those of the U.S. government or other RICs) of any one issuer or two or more issuers that are controlled by the Fund and that are engaged in the same, similar or related trades or businesses or (2) the securities of one or more qualified publicly traded partnerships; and

(c) distribute with respect to each taxable year an amount equal to or greater than the sum of 90% of its investment company taxable income (as that term is defined in the Code without regard to the deduction for dividends paid – generally taxable ordinary income and the excess, if any, of net short-term capital gains over net long-term capital losses) and 90% of its net tax-exempt interest income.

In general, for purposes of the 90% test described in (a) above, income derived from a partnership will be treated as qualifying income only to the extent such income is attributable to items of income of the partnership that would be qualifying income if realized directly by the Fund. However, 100% of the net income derived from an interest in a “qualified publicly traded partnership” (generally, a partnership (i) interests in which are traded on an established securities market or are readily tradable on a secondary market or the substantial equivalent thereof, and (ii) that derives less than 90% of its income from the qualifying income described in (a)(i) of the description of the 90% test applicable to RICs, above) will be treated as qualifying income. In addition, although in general the passive loss rules of the Code do not apply to RICs, such rules do apply to a RIC with respect to items attributable to an interest in a qualified publicly traded partnership.

Taxation of the Fund. If the Fund qualifies for treatment as a RIC, the Fund will not be subject to federal income tax on income and gains that are distributed in a timely manner to its shareholders in the form of dividends.

If, for any taxable year, the Fund were to fail to qualify as a RIC or were to fail to meet the distribution requirement, it would be taxed in the same manner as an ordinary corporation and distributions to its shareholders would not be deductible by the Fund in computing its taxable income. In addition, the Fund’s distributions, to the extent derived from the Fund’s current and accumulated earnings and profits, including any distributions of net long-term capital gains, would be taxable to shareholders as ordinary dividend income for federal income tax purposes. However, such dividends would be eligible, subject to any generally applicable limitations, (i) to be treated as qualified dividend income in the case of shareholders taxed as individuals and (ii) for the dividends-received deduction in the case of corporate shareholders. Moreover, the Fund would be required to pay out its earnings and profits accumulated in that year in order to qualify for treatment as a RIC in a subsequent year. Under certain circumstances, the Fund may be able to cure a failure to qualify as a RIC, but in order to do so the Fund may incur significant Fund-level taxes and may be forced to dispose of certain assets. If the Fund failed to qualify as a RIC for a period greater than two taxable years, the Fund would generally be required to recognize any net built-in gains with respect to certain of its assets upon a disposition of such assets within ten years of qualifying as a RIC in a subsequent year.

The Fund intends to distribute at least annually to its shareholders substantially all of its investment company taxable income and net capital gain (the excess of the Fund’s net long-term capital gain over its net short-term capital loss). Investment company taxable income that is retained by the Fund will be subject to tax at regular corporate rates. If the Fund retains any net capital gain, that gain will be subject to tax at corporate rates, but the Fund may designate the retained amount as undistributed capital gains in a notice to its shareholders who (i) will be required to include in income for federal income tax purposes, as long-term capital gain, their shares of such undistributed amount, (ii) will be deemed to have paid their proportionate shares of the tax paid by the Fund on such undistributed amount against their federal income tax liabilities, if any, and (iii) will be entitled to claim refunds on a properly filed U.S. tax returns to the extent the credit exceeds such liabilities. For federal income tax purposes, the tax basis of shares owned by a shareholder of the Fund will be increased by an amount equal to the difference between the amount of undistributed capital gains included in the shareholder’s gross income and the tax deemed paid by the shareholder.

If the Fund fails to distribute in a calendar year an amount at least equal to the sum of 98% of its ordinary income for such year and 98.2% of its capital gain net income for the one-year period ending October 31 of such year, plus any retained amount from the prior year, the Fund will be subject to a non-deductible 4% excise tax on the undistributed amount. For these purposes, the Fund will be treated as having distributed any amount on which it has been subject to corporate income tax for the taxable year ending within the calendar year. The Fund intends to declare and pay dividends and distributions in the amounts and at the times necessary to avoid the application of the 4% excise tax, although there can be no assurance that it will be able to do so.

The Fund may elect to treat part or all of any “qualified late year loss” as if it had been incurred in the succeeding taxable year in determining the Fund’s taxable income, net capital gain, net short-term capital gain, and earnings and profits. A “qualified late year loss” generally includes net capital loss, net long-term capital loss, or net short-term capital loss incurred after October 31 of the current taxable year, and certain other late-year losses.

 

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If the Fund has a “net capital loss” (that is, capital losses in excess of capital gains) for a taxable year beginning after December 22, 2010 (a “Post-2010 Loss”), the excess of the Fund’s net short-term capital losses over its net long-term capital gains is treated as a short-term capital loss arising on the first day of the Fund’s next taxable year, and the excess (if any) of the Fund’s net long-term capital losses over its net short-term capital gains is treated as a long-term capital loss arising on the first day of the Fund’s next taxable year. The Fund’s unused capital loss carryforwards that arose in tax years that began on or before December 22, 2010 (“Pre-2011 Losses”) are available to be applied against future capital gains, if any, realized by the Fund prior to the expiration of those carryforwards, generally eight taxable years after the year in which they arose. The Fund’s Post-2010 Losses must be fully utilized before the Fund will be permitted to utilize any carryforwards of Pre-2011 Losses.

Fund Distributions. Distributions are generally taxable whether shareholders receive them in cash or reinvest them in additional shares. Moreover, distributions on the Fund’s shares are generally subject to federal income tax as described herein to the extent they do not exceed the Fund’s realized income and gains, even though such distributions may economically represent a return of a particular shareholder’s investment. Investors may therefore wish to avoid purchasing shares at a time when the Fund’s NAV reflects gains that are either unrealized, or realized but not distributed. Realized income and gains must generally be distributed even when the Fund’s NAV also reflects unrealized losses.

Dividends and other distributions by the Fund are generally treated under the Code as received by the shareholders at the time the dividend or distribution is made. However, if any dividend or distribution is declared by the Fund in October, November or December of any calendar year and payable to its shareholders of record on a specified date in such a month but is actually paid during the following January, such dividend or distribution will be deemed to have been received by each shareholder on December 31 of the year in which the dividend was declared.

Distributions by the Fund of investment income are generally taxable as ordinary income. Taxes on distributions of capital gains are determined by how long the Fund owned the investments that generated those gains, rather than how long a shareholder has owned his or her Fund shares. Sales of assets held by the Fund for more than one year generally result in long-term capital gains and losses, and sales of assets held by the Fund for one year or less generally result in short-term capital gains and losses. Distributions from the Fund’s net capital gain that are properly reported by the Fund as capital gain dividends (“Capital Gain Dividends”) will be taxable as long-term capital gains. For individuals, long-term capital gains are subject to tax at reduced maximum tax rates. Distributions of gains from the sale of investments that the Fund owned for one year or less will be taxable as ordinary income.

For noncorporate shareholders, distributions of investment income reported by the Fund as derived from “qualified dividend income” will be taxed at the rates applicable to long-term capital gain, provided holding period and other requirements are met at both the shareholder and Fund level. In order for some portion of the dividends received by a Fund shareholder to be “qualified dividend income,” the Fund making the distribution must meet holding period and other requirements with respect to some portion of the dividend-paying stocks in its portfolio and the shareholder must meet holding period and other requirements with respect to the Fund’s shares. A dividend will not be treated as qualified dividend income (at either the Fund or shareholder level) (1) if the dividend is received with respect to any share of stock held for fewer than 61 days during the 121-day period beginning on the date that is 60 days before the date on which such share becomes ex-dividend with respect to such dividend (or, in the case of certain preferred stock, 91 days during the 181-day period beginning 90 days before the ex-dividend date), (2) to the extent that the recipient is under an obligation (whether pursuant to a short sale or otherwise) to make related payments with respect to positions in substantially similar or related property, (3) if the recipient elects to have the dividend income treated as investment income for purposes of the limitation on deductibility of investment interest, or (4) if the dividend is received from a foreign corporation that is (a) not eligible for the benefits of a comprehensive income tax treaty with the United States (with the exception of dividends paid on stock of such a foreign corporation that is readily tradable on an established securities market in the United States) or (b) treated as a passive foreign investment company. In general, dividends received on equity investments in Japanese entities treated as corporations for U.S. federal income tax purposes are eligible to be treated as qualified dividend income.

In general, distributions of investment income reported by the Fund as derived from qualified dividend income will be treated as qualified dividend income by a shareholder taxed as an individual, provided the shareholder meets the holding period and other requirements described above with respect to the Fund’s shares. If the aggregate qualified dividend income received by the Fund during any taxable year represents 95% or more of its gross income (excluding net long-term capital gain over net short-term capital loss), then 100% of the Fund’s dividends (other than Capital Gain Dividends) will be eligible to be reported as qualified dividend income.

To the extent that the Fund makes a distribution of income received by the Fund in lieu of dividends (a “substitute payment”) with respect to securities on loan pursuant to a securities lending transaction, such income will not constitute qualified dividend income.

Since the Fund will invest primarily in investments other than stock of the U.S. corporations, the Fund does not expect a substantial portion of its dividends will qualify for the dividends-received deduction available to corporate shareholders.

 

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Dividends and distributions from the Fund and capital gain on the sale of Fund shares are generally taken into account in determining a shareholder’s “net investment income” for purposes of the Medicare contribution tax applicable to certain individuals, estates and trusts.

If the Fund makes distributions in excess of the Fund’s current and accumulated earnings and profits in any taxable year, the excess distribution to each shareholder will be treated as a return of capital to the extent of the shareholder’s tax basis in its shares, and, after the shareholder’s basis has been reduced to zero, as capital gain, assuming the shareholder holds his or her shares as capital assets. A return of capital is not taxable, but reduces a shareholder’s tax basis in its shares, thus reducing any loss or increasing any gain on a subsequent taxable disposition by the shareholder of its shares.

Sale or Exchange of Shares. A sale or exchange of shares in the Fund may give rise to a gain or loss. In general, any gain or loss realized upon a taxable disposition of shares will be treated as long-term capital gain or loss if the shares have been held for more than 12 months. Otherwise, the gain or loss on the taxable disposition of shares will be treated as short-term capital gain or loss. However, any loss realized upon a taxable disposition of shares held for six months or less will be treated as long-term, rather than short-term, to the extent of any long-term capital gain distributions received (or deemed received) by the shareholder with respect to the shares. All or a portion of any loss realized upon a taxable disposition of shares will be disallowed if other substantially identical shares of the Fund are purchased within 30 days before or after the disposition. In such a case, the basis of the newly purchased shares will be adjusted to reflect the disallowed loss.

Backup Withholding. The Fund (or financial intermediaries, such as brokers, through which a shareholder holds Fund shares) generally is required to withhold and to remit to the U.S. Treasury a percentage of the taxable distributions and sale or redemption proceeds paid to any shareholder who fails to properly furnish a correct taxpayer identification number, who has under-reported dividend or interest income, or who fails to certify that he, she or it is not subject to such withholding. The backup withholding tax rate is currently 28%.

Federal Tax Treatment of Certain Fund Investments. Transactions of the Fund in options, futures contracts, hedging transactions, forward contracts, swap agreements, straddles and foreign currencies may be subject to various special and complex tax rules, including mark-to-market, constructive sale, straddle, wash sale and short sale rules. These rules could affect whether gains and losses recognized by the Fund are treated as ordinary income or capital gain, accelerate the recognition of income to the Fund, or defer the Fund’s ability to recognize losses. These rules may in turn affect the amount, timing or character of the income distributed to shareholders by the Fund.

Certain Foreign Currency Tax Issues. The Fund’s gain or loss on foreign currency denominated debt securities and on certain other financial instruments, such as forward currency contracts and currency swaps, that is attributable to fluctuations in exchange rates occurring between the date of acquisition and the date of settlement or disposition of such securities or instruments generally will be treated under Section 988 of the Code as ordinary income or loss. The Fund may elect out of the application of Section 988 of the Code with respect to the tax treatment of each of its foreign currency forward contracts to the extent that (i) such contract is a capital asset in the hands of the Fund and is not part of a straddle transaction and (ii) the Fund makes an election by the close of the day the contract is entered into to treat the gain or loss attributable to such contract as capital gain or loss.

The Fund’s forward contracts may qualify as so-called “Section 1256 contracts” if the underlying currencies are currencies for which there are futures contracts that are traded on and subject to the rules of a qualified board or exchange. However, a forward currency contract that is a Section 1256 contract would, absent an election out of Section 988 of the Code as described in the preceding paragraph, be subject to Section 988. Accordingly, although such a forward currency contract would be marked to market annually like other Section 1256 contracts, the resulting gain or loss would be ordinary. If the Fund were to elect out of Section 988 with respect to forward currency contracts that qualify as Section 1256 contracts, the tax treatment generally applicable to Section 1256 contracts would apply to those forward currency contracts: that is, the contracts would be marked to market annually and gains and losses with respect to the contracts would be treated as long-term capital gains or losses to the extent of 60% thereof and short-term capital gains or losses to the extent of 40% thereof. If the Fund were to elect out of Section 988 with respect to any of its forward currency contracts that do not qualify as Section 1256 contracts, such contracts would not be marked to market annually and the Fund would recognize short-term or long-term capital gain or loss depending on the Fund’s holding period therein. The Fund may elect out of Section 988 with respect to some, all or none of its forward currency contracts.

Finally, regulated futures contracts and non-equity options that qualify as Section 1256 contracts and are entered into by the Fund with respect to foreign currencies or foreign currency denominated debt instruments will be subject to the tax treatment generally applicable to Section 1256 contracts unless the Fund elects to have Section 988 apply to determine the character of gains and losses from all such regulated futures contracts and non-equity options held or later acquired by the Fund.

Foreign Investments. Income received by the Fund from sources within foreign countries (including, for example, dividends or interest on stock or securities of non-U.S. issuers) may be subject to withholding and other taxes imposed by such countries. Tax treaties between such countries and the U.S. may reduce or eliminate such taxes. For instance, the income tax treaty between the U.S.

 

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and Japan generally reduces to 5% or 10% the rate of Japanese tax on dividends paid from a Japanese corporation to a U.S. shareholder. If more than 50% of the value of the Fund’s assets at the close of any taxable year consists of stock or securities of foreign corporations, which for this purpose may include obligations of foreign governmental issuers, the Fund may elect, for U.S. federal income tax purposes, to treat any foreign income or withholding taxes paid by the Fund as paid by its shareholders. For any year that the Fund is eligible for and makes such an election, each shareholder of the Fund will be required to include in income an amount equal to his or her allocable share of qualified foreign income taxes paid by the Fund, and shareholders will be entitled, subject to certain holding period requirements and other limitations, to credit their portions of these amounts against their U.S. federal income tax due, if any, or to deduct their portions from their U.S. taxable income, if any. No deductions for foreign taxes paid by the Fund may be claimed, however, by non-corporate shareholders who do not itemize deductions. Foreign taxes paid by the Fund will reduce the return from the Fund’s investments.

If the Fund holds shares in a “passive foreign investment company” (“PFIC”), it may be subject to U.S. federal income tax on a portion of any “excess distribution” or gain from the disposition of such shares even if such income is distributed as a taxable dividend by the Fund to its shareholders. Additional charges in the nature of interest may be imposed on the Fund in respect of deferred taxes arising from such distributions or gains.

The Fund may be eligible to treat a PFIC as a “qualified electing fund” under the Code in which case, in lieu of the foregoing requirements, such Fund will be required to include in income each year a portion of the ordinary earnings and net capital gains of the qualified electing fund, even if not distributed to the Fund, and such amounts will be subject to the 90% and excise tax distribution requirements described above. In order to make this election, the Fund would be required to obtain certain annual information from the PFICs in which it invests, which may be difficult or impossible to obtain. Alternatively, the Fund may make a mark-to-market election that will result in such Fund being treated as if it had sold and repurchased its PFIC stock at the end of each year. In such case, the Fund would report any gains resulting from such deemed sales as ordinary income and would deduct any losses resulting from such deemed sales as ordinary losses to the extent of previously recognized gains. The election must be made separately for each PFIC owned by the Fund and, once made, is effective for all subsequent taxable years, unless revoked with the consent of the Internal Revenue Service (the “IRS”). By making the election, the Fund could potentially ameliorate the adverse tax consequences with respect to its ownership of shares in a PFIC, but in any particular year may be required to recognize income in excess of the distributions it receives from PFICs and its proceeds from dispositions of PFIC stock. The Fund may have to distribute this excess income to satisfy the 90% distribution requirement and to avoid imposition of the 4% excise tax. In order to distribute this income and avoid a tax at the Fund level, the Fund might be required to liquidate portfolio securities that it might otherwise have continued to hold, potentially resulting in additional taxable gain or loss.

Foreign Currency Transactions. Under the Code, gains or losses attributable to fluctuations in exchange rates which occur between the time the Fund accrues income or other receivables or accrues expenses or other liabilities denominated in a foreign currency and the time the Fund actually collects such income or receivables or pays such expenses or liabilities generally are treated as ordinary income or loss. Similarly, on disposition of debt securities denominated in a foreign currency and on disposition of certain other instruments, gains or losses attributable to fluctuations in the value of the foreign currency between the date of acquisition of the security or contract and the date of disposition are also treated as ordinary gain or loss. The gains and losses may increase or decrease the amount of the Fund’s income to be distributed to its shareholders as ordinary income.

Additional Tax Information Concerning REITs. The Fund may invest in entities treated as REITs for U.S. federal income tax purposes. The Fund’s investments in REIT equity securities may at times result in the Fund’s receipt of cash in excess of the REIT’s earnings; if the Fund distributes these amounts, these distributions could constitute a return of capital to Fund shareholders for federal income tax purposes. Dividends received by the Fund from a REIT generally will not constitute qualified dividend income.

The Fund may invest in REITs that hold residual interests in real estate mortgage investment conduits (“REMICs”) or which are, or have certain wholly-owned subsidiaries that are, “taxable mortgage pools” (“TMPs”). Under certain Treasury guidance, a portion of the Fund’s income from a REIT that is attributable to the REIT’s residual interest in a REMIC or equity interests in a TMP (referred to in the Code as an “excess inclusion”) will be subject to federal income tax in all events. This guidance provides that excess inclusion income of a RIC, such as the Fund, must generally be allocated to shareholders of the RIC in proportion to the dividends received by such shareholders, with the same consequences as if the shareholders held the related REMIC residual interest or TMP interests directly. In general, excess inclusion income allocated to shareholders (i) cannot be offset by net operating losses (subject to a limited exception for certain thrift institutions), (ii) will constitute unrelated business taxable income to entities (including a qualified pension plan, an individual retirement account, a 401(k) plan, a Keogh plan or other tax-exempt entity) subject to tax on unrelated business income, thereby potentially requiring such an entity, which otherwise might not be required to file a tax return, to file a tax return and pay tax on such income (see “Taxes – Tax-Exempt Shareholders” below), and (iii) in the case of a foreign shareholder, will not qualify for any reduction in U.S. federal withholding tax. The Fund does not intend to invest a substantial portion of its assets in REITs which generate excess inclusion income.

 

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Tax-Exempt Shareholders. Under current law, income of a RIC that would be treated as unrelated business taxable income (“UBTI”) if earned directly by a tax-exempt entity generally will not be attributed as UBTI to a tax-exempt entity that is a shareholder in the RIC. Notwithstanding this “blocking” effect, a tax-exempt shareholder could realize UBTI by virtue of its investment in the Fund if shares in the Fund constitute debt-financed property in the hands of the tax-exempt shareholder within the meaning of Code Section 514(b) or if the Fund invests in REITs that hold residual interests in REMICs.

In addition, special tax consequences apply to charitable remainder trusts (“CRTs”) that invest in RICs that invest directly or indirectly in residual interests in REMICs or TMPs. A CRT (as defined in Section 664 of the Code) that realizes any UBTI for a taxable year must pay an excise tax annually of an amount equal to such UBTI. Under IRS guidance issued in October 2006, a CRT will not recognize UBTI as a result of investing in a fund that recognizes “excess inclusion income.” Rather, if at any time during a taxable year a CRT (or one of certain other tax-exempt shareholders, such as the United States, a state or political subdivision, or an agency or instrumentality thereof, and certain energy cooperatives) is a record holder of a share in a fund that recognizes “excess inclusion income,” then that fund will be subject to a tax on that portion of its “excess inclusion income” for the taxable year that is allocable to such CRT at the highest federal corporate income tax rate. The extent to which this IRS guidance remains applicable in light of the December 2006 legislation is unclear. To the extent permitted under the 1940 Act, the Fund may elect to specially allocate any such tax to the applicable CRT, or other shareholder, and thus reduce such shareholder’s distributions for the year by an amount of the tax that relates to that shareholder’s interest in the Fund. The Fund has not yet determined whether such an election will be made. CRTs are urged to consult their tax advisors concerning the consequences of investing in the Fund. The Fund does not intend to invest directly or indirectly in residual interests in REMICs.

Non-U.S. Shareholders. In general, dividends other than Capital Gain Dividends paid by the Fund to a shareholder that is not a “U.S. person” within the meaning of the Code are subject to withholding of U.S. federal income tax at a rate of 30% (or lower applicable treaty rate) even if they are funded by income or gains (such as portfolio interest, short-term capital gains, or foreign-source dividend and interest income) that, if paid to a non-U.S. person directly, would not be subject to withholding.

A beneficial holder of shares who is a non-U.S. person is not, in general, subject to U.S. federal income tax on gains (and is not allowed a U.S. income tax deduction for losses) realized on a sale of shares of the Fund or on Capital Gain Dividends unless (i) such gain or dividend is effectively connected with the conduct of a trade or business carried on by such holder within the United States or (ii) in the case of an individual holder, the holder is present in the United States for a period or periods aggregating 183 days or more during the year of the sale or the receipt of the Capital Gain Dividend and certain other conditions are met.

Ordinary dividends, redemption payments and certain capital gain dividends paid after June 30, 2014 to a non-U.S. shareholder fails to make certain required certifications, or that is a “foreign financial institution” as defined in Section 1471 of the Code and that does not meet the requirements imposed on foreign financial institutions by Section 1471, are generally subject to withholding tax at a 30% rate. Under current IRS guidance, withholding on such payments will begin at different times depending on the type of payment, the type of payee, and when the shareholder’s account is opened. Withholding with respect to ordinary dividends is scheduled to begin on July 1, 2014 (or in certain cases, on later dates). Withholding on redemption payments and certain Capital Gain Dividends is currently scheduled to begin on January 1, 2017. The extent, if any, to which such withholding tax may be reduced or eliminated by an applicable tax treaty is unclear. A non-U.S. shareholder may be exempt from the withholding described in this paragraph under an intergovernmental agreement between the U.S. and a foreign government, provided that the shareholder and the applicable foreign government comply with the terms of such agreement.

In order for a non-U.S. investor to qualify for an exemption from backup withholding, the non-U.S. investor must comply with special certification and filing requirements. Non-U.S. investors in the Fund should consult their tax advisors in this regard. Backup withholding is not an additional tax. Any amounts withheld may be credited against the shareholder’s U.S. federal income tax liability, provided the appropriate information is furnished to the IRS.

A beneficial holder of shares who is a non-U.S. person may be subject to state and local tax and to the U.S. federal estate tax in addition to the federal income tax consequences referred to above. If a shareholder is eligible for the benefits of a tax treaty, any effectively connected income or gain will generally be subject to U.S. federal income tax on a net basis only if it is also attributable to a permanent establishment maintained by the shareholder in the United States.

Creation and Redemption of Creation Units. An Authorized Participant having the U.S. dollar as its functional currency for U.S. federal tax purposes that exchanges securities or non-U.S. currency for Creation Units generally will recognize a gain or loss equal to the difference between (i) the sum of the market value of the Creation Units at the time of the exchange and any cash received by the Authorized Participant in the exchange, and (ii) the sum of the exchanger’s aggregate basis in the securities or non-U.S. currency surrendered and any cash paid for such Creation Units. All or a portion of any gain or loss recognized by an Authorized Participant exchanging a currency other than its functional currency for Creation Units may be treated as ordinary income or loss. A person who redeems Creation Units for securities or non-U.S. currency will generally recognize a gain or loss equal to the difference between the exchanger’s basis in the Creation Units and the sum of the aggregate U.S. dollar market value of any securities or non-U.S. currency

 

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received plus the amount of any cash received for such Creation Units. The IRS, however, may assert that a loss that is realized by an Authorized Participant upon an exchange of securities or non-U.S. currency for Creation Units cannot be currently deducted under the rules governing “wash sales,” or on the basis that there has been no significant change in economic position. All or some portion of any capital gain or loss realized upon the creation of Creation Units will generally be treated as long-term capital gain or loss if securities exchanged for such Creation Units have been held for more than one year.

Any capital gain or loss realized upon the redemption of Creation Units will generally be treated as long-term capital gain or loss if the Creation Units have been held for more than one year. Otherwise, such capital gains or losses will be treated as short-term capital gains or losses.

A person subject to U.S. federal income tax who receives non-U.S. currency upon a redemption of Creation Units and does not immediately convert the non-U.S. currency into U.S. dollars may, upon a later conversion of the non-U.S. currency into U.S. dollars, or upon the use of the non-U.S. currency to pay expenses or acquire assets, recognize as ordinary gains or losses any gains or losses resulting from fluctuations in the value of the non-U.S. currency relative to the U.S. dollar since the date of the redemption.

Persons exchanging securities or non-U.S. currency for Creation Units should consult their own tax advisors with respect to the tax treatment of any creation or redemption transaction.

Section 351. The Trust on behalf of the Fund has the right to reject an order for a purchase of shares of the Trust if the purchaser (or any group of purchasers) would, upon obtaining the shares so ordered, own 80% or more of the outstanding shares of the Fund and if, pursuant to Section 351 of the Code, the Fund would have a basis in the securities different from the market value of such securities on the date of deposit. The Trust also has the right to require information necessary to determine beneficial share ownership for purposes of the 80% determination.

Certain Reporting Regulations. Under U.S. Treasury regulations, generally, if a shareholder recognizes a loss of $2 million or more for an individual shareholder or $10 million or more for a corporate shareholder, the shareholder must file with the IRS a disclosure statement on Form 8886. Direct shareholders of portfolio securities are in many cases excepted from this reporting requirement, but under current guidance, shareholders of a RIC are not excepted. The fact that a loss is reportable under these regulations does not affect the legal determination of whether the taxpayer’s treatment of the loss is proper. Shareholders should consult their tax advisors to determine the applicability of these regulations in light of their individual circumstances.

General Considerations. The federal income tax discussion set forth above is for general information only. Prospective investors should consult their tax advisors regarding the specific federal income tax consequences of purchasing, holding and disposing of shares of the Fund, as well as the effect of state, local and foreign tax law and any proposed tax law changes.

DETERMINATION OF NAV

The NAV of the Fund’s shares is calculated each day the national securities exchanges are open for trading as of the close of regular trading on the Listing Exchange, generally 4:00 p.m. New York time (the “NAV Calculation Time”). NAV per share is calculated by dividing the Fund’s net assets by the number of Fund shares outstanding.

In calculating the Fund’s NAV, Fund investments generally are valued using market valuations. Short-term debt securities with remaining maturities of sixty (60) days or less generally are valued on the basis of amortized cost, which approximates fair value. U.S. fixed income assets may be valued as of the announced closing time for such securities on any day that the Securities Industry and Financial Markets Association announces an early closing time. The values of any assets or liabilities of the Fund that are denominated in a currency other than the U.S. dollar are converted into U.S. dollars using an exchange rate deemed appropriate by the Fund.

In certain instances, such as when reliable market valuations are not readily available or are not deemed to reflect current market values, the Fund’s investments will be valued in accordance with the Fund’s pricing policy and procedures. Securities that may be valued using “fair value” pricing may include, but are not limited to, securities for which there are no current market quotations or whose issuer is in default or bankruptcy, securities subject to corporate actions (such as mergers or reorganizations), securities subject to non-U.S. investment limits or currency controls, and securities affected by “significant events.” An example of a significant event is an event occurring after the close of the market in which a security trades but before the Fund’s next NAV Calculation Time that may materially affect the value of the Fund’s investment (e.g., government action, natural disaster, or significant market fluctuation). Price movements in U.S. markets that are deemed to affect the value of foreign securities, or reflect changes to the value of such securities, also may cause securities to be “fair valued.”

When fair-value pricing is employed, the prices of securities used by the Fund to calculate its NAV may differ from quoted or published prices for the same securities.

 

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Fund shares are purchased or sold on a national securities exchange at market prices, which may be higher or lower than NAV. No secondary sales will be made to brokers or dealers at a concession by the Distributor or by the Fund. Purchases and sales of shares in the secondary market, which will not involve the Fund, will be subject to customary brokerage commissions and charges. Transactions in Fund shares will be priced at NAV only if you purchase or redeem shares directly from the Fund in Creation Units.

DIVIDENDS AND DISTRIBUTIONS

The Fund intends to pay out dividends, if any, on a quarterly basis but in any event no less frequently than annually. Nonetheless, the Fund might not make a dividend payment every quarter. The Fund intends to distribute its net realized capital gains, if any, to investors annually. The Fund may occasionally be required to make supplemental distributions at some other time during the year. Distributions in cash may be reinvested automatically in additional whole shares only if the broker through whom you purchased shares makes such option available. Your broker is responsible for distributing the income and capital gain distributions to you.

The Trust reserves the right to declare special distributions if, in its reasonable discretion, such action is necessary or advisable to preserve the status of the Fund as a RIC or to avoid imposition of income or excise taxes on undistributed income.

FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

Financial Statements and Annual Reports will be available after the Fund has completed a fiscal year of operations. When available, you may request a copy of the Trust’s Annual Report at no charge by calling 866-909-9473 or through the Trust’s website at www.wisdomtree.com.

MISCELLANEOUS INFORMATION

Counsel. Bingham McCutchen LLP, with offices located at 2020 K Street, NW, Washington, DC 20006, serves as legal counsel to the Trust.

Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm. Ernst & Young LLP, with offices located at 5 Times Square, New York, New York 10036, serves as the independent registered public accounting firm to the Trust.

WIS-SAI-048-0714

 

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PART C. Other Information

Item 28. Exhibits

 

(a)(1)   Trust Instrument of WisdomTree Trust (the “Trust” or the “Registrant”) dated December 15, 2005 is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit (a) of the Registrant’s Initial Registration Statement on Form N-1A, as filed with the U.S. Securities Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) on March 13, 2006.
    (2)   Schedule A, as last revised April 28, 2014, to the Trust Instrument dated December 15, 2005 is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit (a)(2) of the Registrant’s Post-Effective Amendment No. 361 filing, as filed with the SEC on April 30, 2014.
    (3)   Revised Schedule A, reflecting the addition of WisdomTree Japan Hedged Dividend Growth Fund, WisdomTree Japan Dividend Growth Fund and WisdomTree Emerging Markets ex-State-Owned Enterprises Fund, to the Trust Instrument dated December 15, 2005, to be filed by amendment.
    (4)   Certificate of Trust, as filed with the State of Delaware on December 15, 2005, is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit (a)(2) of the Registrant’s Initial Registration Statement on Form N-1A, as filed with the SEC on March 13, 2006.
(b)   Registrant’s By-Laws are incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit (b) of the Registrant’s Initial Registration Statement on Form N-1A, as filed with the SEC on March 13, 2006.
(c)   Portions of the Registrant’s Trust Instrument and By-Laws defining the rights of holders of shares of the Registrant are incorporated herein by reference to Article II, Sections 2, 3 and 8, and Articles III, IV, V, VI, VII, VIII, IX and X of the Registrant’s Trust Instrument dated December 15, 2005, filed as Exhibit (a)(1) to the Registrant’s Initial Registration Statement on Form N-1A, as filed with the SEC on March 13, 2006; and to Articles I, V, and VI of the Registrant’s By-Laws, filed as Exhibit (b) to the Registrant’s Initial Registration Statement on Form N-1A, as filed with SEC on March 13, 2006.
(d)(1)   Investment Advisory Agreement dated November 20, 2012 between the Registrant and WisdomTree Asset Management, Inc. is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit (d)(1) of the Registrant’s Post-Effective Amendment No. 142 filing, as filed with the SEC on December 28, 2012.
    (2)   Schedule A, as revised January 31, 2013, to the Investment Advisory Agreement dated November 20, 2012 between the Registrant and WisdomTree Asset Management, Inc. is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit (d)(2) of the Registrant’s Post-Effective Amendment No. 198 filing, as filed with the SEC on July 29, 2013.
    (3)   Investment Advisory Agreement dated March 26, 2013 between the Registrant and WisdomTree Asset Management, Inc. is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit (d)(3) of the Registrant’s Post-Effective Amendment No. 198 filing, as filed with the SEC on July 29, 2013.
    (4)   Schedule A, as last revised April 28, 2014, to the Investment Advisory Agreement dated March 26, 2013 between the Registrant and WisdomTree Asset Management, Inc. is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit (d)(4) of the Registrant’s Post-Effective Amendment No. 361 filing, as filed with the SEC on April 30, 2014.
    (5)   Revised Schedule A to the Investment Advisory Agreement between the Registrant and WisdomTree Asset Management, Inc., reflecting the addition of WisdomTree Japan Hedged Dividend Growth Fund, WisdomTree Japan Dividend Growth Fund and WisdomTree Emerging Markets ex-State-Owned Enterprises Fund, to be filed by amendment.


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    (6)   Amended and Restated Sub-Advisory Agreement dated January 1, 2013 between WisdomTree Asset Management, Inc. and Mellon Capital Management Corporation is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit (d)(6) of the Registrant’s Post-Effective Amendment No. 144 filing, as filed with the SEC on January 11, 2013.
    (7)   Appendix A, as last amended April 8, 2014, to the Amended and Restated Sub-Advisory Agreement dated January 1, 2013 between WisdomTree Asset Management, Inc. and Mellon Capital Management Corporation is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit (d)(7) to the Registrant’s Post-Effective Amendment No. 361 filing, as filed with the SEC on April 30, 2014.
    (8)   Amended and Restated Investment Sub-Advisory Agreement dated December 5, 2012 between WisdomTree Asset Management, Inc. and Western Asset Management Company, Western Asset Management Company Ltd., and Western Asset Management Company Pte., Ltd. is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit (d)(8) of the Registrant’s Post-Effective Amendment No. 144 filing, as filed with the SEC on January 11, 2013.
    (9)   Form of Letter Agreement adding Appendix C to the Amended and Restated Investment Sub-Advisory Agreement dated December 5, 2012 between WisdomTree Asset Management, Inc. and Western Asset Management Company, Western Asset Management Company Ltd., Western Asset Management Company Pte., Ltd, and Western Asset Management Company Ltd. (Japan) is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit (d)(33) of the Registrant’s Post-Effective Amendment No. 266 filing, as filed with the SEC on December 12, 2013.
    (10)   Sub-Advisory Agreement between WisdomTree Asset Management, Inc., on behalf of the WisdomTree Japan Hedged Dividend Growth Fund, and [SUB-ADVISER], to be filed by amendment.
    (11)   Sub-Advisory Agreement between WisdomTree Asset Management, Inc., on behalf of the WisdomTree Japan Dividend Growth Fund, and [SUB-ADVISER], to be filed by amendment.
    (12)   Sub-Advisory Agreement between WisdomTree Asset Management, Inc., on behalf of the WisdomTree Emerging Markets ex-State-Owned Enterprises Fund, and [SUB-ADVISER], to be filed by amendment.
    (13)   Investment Advisory Agreement dated February 14, 2008 between WisdomTree Asset Management, Inc. and WisdomTree India Investment Portfolio, Inc. is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit (d)(7) of the Registrant’s Post-Effective Amendment No. 14 filing, as filed with the SEC on April 4, 2008.
    (14)   Form of Sub-Advisory Agreement dated November 20, 2012 between WisdomTree Asset Management, Inc., on behalf of the WisdomTree India Investment Portfolio Inc., and Mellon Capital Management Corporation is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit (d)(10) of the Registrant’s Post-Effective Amendment No. 142 filing, as filed with the SEC on December 28, 2012.
(e)(1)   Distribution Agreement dated November 1, 2011 between the Registrant and ALPS Distributors, Inc. is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit (e)(1) of the Registrant’s Post-Effective Amendment No. 198 filing, as filed with the SEC on July 29, 2013.


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    (2)   Amendment and revised Exhibit A, dated May 1, 2014, to the Distribution Agreement dated November 1, 2011 between the Registrant and ALPS Distributors, Inc. is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit (e)(2) of the Registrant’s Post-Effective Amendment No. 361 filing, as filed with the SEC on April 30, 2014.
    (3)   Amendment and revised Exhibit A, reflecting the addition of the WisdomTree Japan Hedged Dividend Growth Fund, WisdomTree Japan Dividend Growth Fund and WisdomTree Emerging Markets ex-State-Owned Enterprises Fund, to the Distribution Agreement dated November 1, 2011 between the Registrant and ALPS Distributors, Inc., to be filed by amendment.
    (4)   Form of Authorized Participant Agreement is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit (e)(2) of the Registrant’s Initial Registration Statement on Form N-1A, as filed with the SEC on March 13, 2006.
(f)   Not applicable.
(g)(1)   Master Custodian Agreement dated September 27, 2013, between the Registrant and State Street Bank and Trust Company is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit (g)(1) of the Registrant’s Post-Effective Amendment No. 346 filing, as filed with the SEC on March 31, 2014.
    (2)   Form of Appendix A, as last revised April 2014, to the Master Custodian Agreement dated September 27, 2013 between the Registrant and State Street Bank and Trust Company is filed herewith.
    (3)   Revised Appendix A, reflecting the addition of the WisdomTree Japan Hedged Dividend Growth Fund, WisdomTree Japan Dividend Growth Fund, and WisdomTree Emerging Markets ex-State-Owned Enterprises Fund to the Master Custodian Agreement dated September 27, 2013, between the Registrant and State Street Bank and Trust Company, to be filed by amendment.
(h)(1)   Administration Agreement dated September 27, 2013, between the Registrant and State Street Bank and Trust Company is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit (h)(1) of the Registrant’s Post-Effective Amendment No. 346 filing, as filed with the SEC on March 31, 2014.
    (2)   Form of Schedule A, as last revised April 2014, to the Administration Agreement dated September 27, 2013 between the Registrant and State Street Bank and Trust Company is filed herewith.
    (3)   Revised Schedule A, reflecting the addition of the WisdomTree Japan Hedged Dividend Growth Fund, WisdomTree Japan Dividend Growth Fund, and WisdomTree Emerging Markets ex-State-Owned Enterprises Fund to the Administration Agreement dated September 27, 2013, between the Registrant and State Street Bank and Trust Company, to be filed by amendment.
    (4)   Transfer Agency and Service Agreement dated September 27, 2013, between the Registrant and State Street Bank and Trust Company is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit (h)(5) of the Registrant’s Post-Effective Amendment No. 346 filing, as filed with the SEC on March 31, 2014.
    (5)   Form of Appendix A, as last revised April 2014, to the Transfer Agency and Service Agreement dated September 27, 2013 between the Registrant and State Street Bank and Trust Company is filed herewith.


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    (6)   Revised Appendix A, reflecting the addition of the WisdomTree Japan Hedged Dividend Growth Fund, WisdomTree Japan Dividend Growth Fund, and WisdomTree Emerging Markets ex-State-Owned Enterprises Fund to the Transfer Agency and Service Agreement dated September 27, 2013, between the Registrant and State Street Bank and Trust Company, to be filed by amendment.
    (7)   License Agreement dated March 21, 2006 between the Registrant and WisdomTree Investments, Inc. is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit (h)(3) of the Registrant’s Post-Effective Amendment No. 2 filing, as filed with the SEC on September 29, 2006.
    (8)   Exhibit A, as last revised April 28,2014, to the License Agreement dated March 21, 2006 between the Registrant and WisdomTree Investments, Inc. is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit (h)(6) of the Registrant’s Post-Effective Amendment No. 361 filing, as filed with the SEC on April 30, 2014.
    (9)   Revised Exhibit A, reflecting the addition of the WisdomTree Japan Hedged Dividend Growth Fund, WisdomTree Japan Dividend Growth Fund and WisdomTree Emerging Markets ex-State-Owned Enterprises Fund, to the License Agreement dated March 21, 2006 between the Registrant and WisdomTree Investments, Inc., to be filed by amendment.
    (10)   Form of Schedule B, as last revised April 2014, to the Securities Lending Authorization Agreement dated September 27, 2013, between the Registrant and State Street Bank and Trust Company is filed herewith.
    (11)   Securities Lending Authorization Agreement dated September 27, 2013, between the Registrant and State Street Bank and Trust Company is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit (h)(8) of the Registrant’s Post-Effective Amendment No. 346 filing, as filed with the SEC on March 31, 2014.
    (12)   Chief Compliance Officer Services Agreement dated October 1, 2009 between the Registrant and WisdomTree Asset Management, Inc. is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit (h)(10) of the Registrant’s Post-Effective Amendment No. 27 filing, as filed with the SEC on October 15, 2009.
    (13)   Exhibit C, as last revised April 28, 2014, to the Chief Compliance Officer Services Agreement dated October 1, 2009 between the Registrant and WisdomTree Asset Management, Inc. is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit (h)(10) of the Registrant’s Post-Effective Amendment No. 361 filing, as filed with the SEC on April 30, 2014.
    (14)   Revised Exhibit C, reflecting the addition of WisdomTree Japan Hedged Dividend Growth Fund, WisdomTree Japan Dividend Growth Fund and WisdomTree Emerging Markets ex-State-Owned Enterprises Fund, to the Chief Compliance Officer Services Agreement dated October 1, 2009 between the Registrant and WisdomTree Asset Management, Inc., to be filed by amendment.
    (15)   Fund Services Agreement dated June 15, 2009 between the Registrant and WisdomTree Asset Management, Inc. is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit (h)(11) of the Registrant’s Post-Effective Amendment No. 131 filing, as filed with the SEC on September 10, 2012.
    (16)   WisdomTree Rules-Based Earnings-Weighted Methodology, dated June 2014, is filed herewith.
    (17)   WisdomTree Rules-Based Methodology (Domestic and International Dividend Indexes), dated June 2014, is filed herewith.


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    (18)   WisdomTree Rules-Based Methodology (Hedged Equity Indexes), dated June 2014, is filed herewith.
    (19)   WisdomTree Rules-Based Methodology (Global and Global ex-US Dividend Indexes), dated June 2014, is filed herewith.
    (20)   WisdomTree Rules-Based Methodology (Emerging Market Earnings Indexes), dated June 2014, is filed herewith.
    (21)   WisdomTree Rules-Based Methodology (Emerging Market Dividend Indexes), dated June 2014, is filed herewith.
    (22)   WisdomTree Rules-Based Methodology (Global ex-US Dividend Growth Index), dated June 2014, is filed herewith.
    (23)   WisdomTree Rules-Based Earnings-Weighted Value Index Methodology, dated June 2014, is filed herewith.
    (24)   WisdomTree Rules-Based Methodology (Middle East Dividend Index), dated June 2014, is filed herewith.
    (25)   WisdomTree Rules-Based Methodology (Emerging Market Consumer Growth Index), dated June 2014, is filed herewith.
    (26)   WisdomTree Index Methodology (WisdomTree Japan Interest Rate Strategy Index), dated December 2013, is hereby incorporated by reference to Exhibit (h)(31) of the Registrant’s Post-Effective Amendment No.272 filing, as filed with the SEC on December 16, 2013.
    (27)   WisdomTree Rules-Based Methodology (WisdomTree China Dividend ex-Financials Index), dated June 2014, is filed herewith.
    (28)   WisdomTree Index Methodology (WisdomTree Japan Hedged Sector Index Funds), dated June 2014 is filed herewith.
    (29)   WisdomTree Index Methodology (WisdomTree Japan Hedged Dividend Growth Fund), to be filed by amendment.
    (30)   WisdomTree Index Methodology (WisdomTree Japan Dividend Growth Fund), to be filed by amendment.
    (31)   WisdomTree Index Methodology (WisdomTree Emerging Markets ex-State-Owned Enterprises Fund), to be filed by amendment.
(i)(1)   Opinion of counsel, Bingham McCutchen LLP, relating to the WisdomTree Currency Income Funds, WisdomTree Fixed Income Funds and WisdomTree Alternative Funds is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit (i)(1) of the Registrant’s Post-Effective Amendment No. 283 filing, as filed with the SEC on December 23, 2013.
    (2)   Opinion of counsel, Bingham McCutchen LLP, relating to the WisdomTree International Equity ETFs and WisdomTree U.S. Equity ETFs, is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit (i)(2) of the Registrant’s Post-Effective Amendment No. 198 filing, as filed with the SEC on July 29, 2013.


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    (3)   Opinion of counsel, Bingham McCutchen LLP, relating to the WisdomTree Emerging Markets Consumer Growth Fund, is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit (i)(3) of the Registrant’s Post-Effective Amendment No. 221 filing, as filed with the SEC on September 19, 2013.
    (4)   Opinion of counsel, Bingham McCutchen LLP, relating to the WisdomTree Germany Hedged Equity Fund, is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit (i)(4) of the Registrant’s Post-Effective Amendment No. 234 filing, as filed with the SEC on October 3, 2013.
    (5)   Opinion of counsel, Bingham McCutchen LLP, relating to the WisdomTree Korea Hedged Equity Fund, is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit (i)(5) of the Registrant’s Post-Effective Amendment No. 243 filing, as filed with the SEC on October 25, 2013.
    (6)   Opinion of counsel, Bingham McCutchen LLP, relating to the WisdomTree Bloomberg U.S. Dollar Bullish Fund, is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit (i)(6) of the Registrant’s Post-Effective Amendment No. 271 filing, as filed with the SEC on December 13, 2013.
    (7)   Opinion of counsel, Bingham McCutchen LLP, relating to the WisdomTree BofA Merrill Lynch High Yield Bond Zero Duration Fund (formerly the WisdomTree Short-Term High Yield Corporate Bond Zero Duration Fund) is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit (i)(7) of the Registrant’s Post-Effective Amendment No. 272 filing, as filed with the SEC on December 16, 2013.
    (8)   Opinion of counsel, Bingham McCutchen LLP, relating to the WisdomTree BofA Merrill Lynch High Yield Bond Negative Duration Fund (formerly the WisdomTree Short-Term High Yield Corporate Bond Negative Duration Fund) is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit (i)(8) of the Registrant’s Post-Effective Amendment No. 273 filing, as filed with the SEC on December 16, 2013.
    (9)   Opinion of counsel, Bingham McCutchen LLP, relating to the WisdomTree Barclays U.S. Aggregate Bond Zero Duration Fund (formerly the WisdomTree Government/Corporate Bond Zero Duration Fund) is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit (i)(9) of the Registrant’s Post-Effective Amendment No. 274 filing, as filed with the SEC on December 16, 2013.
    (10)   Opinion of counsel, Bingham McCutchen LLP, relating to the WisdomTree Barclays U.S. Aggregate Bond Negative Duration Fund (formerly the WisdomTree Government/Corporate Bond Negative Duration Fund) is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit (i)(10) of the Registrant’s Post-Effective Amendment No. 275 filing, as filed with the SEC on December 16, 2013.
    (11)   Opinion of counsel, Bingham McCutchen LLP, relating to the WisdomTree Japan Interest Rate Strategy Fund, is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit (i)(7) of the Registrant’s Post-Effective Amendment No. 266 filing, as filed with the SEC on December 12, 2013.
    (12)   Opinion of counsel, Bingham McCutchen LLP, relating to the WisdomTree Japan Hedged Real Estate Fund, is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit (i)(12) of the Registrant’s Post-Effective Amendment No. 304 filing, as filed with the SEC on January 22, 2014.
    (13)   Opinion of counsel, Bingham McCutchen LLP, relating to the WisdomTree Japan Hedged Financials Fund, is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit (i)(13) of the Registrant’s Post-Effective Amendment No. 305 filing, as filed with the SEC on January 22, 2014.


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    (14)   Opinion of counsel, Bingham McCutchen LLP, relating to the WisdomTree Japan Hedged Tech, Media and Telecom Fund, is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit (i)(14) of the Registrant’s Post-Effective Amendment No. 306 filing, as filed with the SEC on January 22, 2014.
    (15)   Opinion of counsel, Bingham McCutchen LLP, relating to the WisdomTree Japan Hedged Capital Goods Fund, is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit (i)(15) of the Registrant’s Post-Effective Amendment No. 307 filing, as filed with the SEC on January 22, 2014.
    (16)   Opinion of counsel, Bingham McCutchen LLP, relating to the WisdomTree Japan Hedged Health Care Fund, is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit (i)(16) of the Registrant’s Post-Effective Amendment No. 308 filing, as filed with the SEC on January 22, 2014.
    (17)   Opinion of counsel, Bingham McCutchen LLP, relating to the WisdomTree Bloomberg Floating Rate Treasury Fund, is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit (i)(17) of the Registrant’s Post-Effective Amendment No. 310 filing, as filed with the SEC on January 28, 2014.
    (18)   Opinion of counsel, Bingham McCutchen LLP, relating to the WisdomTree Europe Dividend Growth Fund, is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit (i)(18) of the Registrant’s Post-Effective Amendment No. 361 filing, as filed with the SEC on April 30, 2014.
    (19)   Opinion of counsel, Bingham McCutchen LLP, relating to the WisdomTree International Hedged Dividend Growth Fund, is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit (i)(18) of the Registrant’s Post-Effective Amendment No. 362 filing, as filed with the SEC on April 30, 2014.
    (20)   Opinion of counsel, Bingham McCutchen LLP, relating to the WisdomTree Japan Hedged Dividend Growth Fund, to be filed by amendment.
    (21)   Opinion of counsel, Bingham McCutchen LLP, relating to the WisdomTree Japan Dividend Growth Fund, to be filed by amendment.
    (22)   Opinion of counsel, Bingham McCutchen LLP, relating to the WisdomTree Emerging Markets ex-State-Owned Enterprises Fund, to be filed by amendment.
(j)   Consent of independent registered public accounting firm, Ernst & Young, LLP, is filed herewith.
(k)   Not applicable.
(l)   Form of Letter of Representations between the Registrant and The Depository Trust Company is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit (l) of the Registrant’s Pre-Effective Amendment No. 2 filing, as filed with the SEC on June 9, 2006.
(m)   Not applicable.
(n)   Not applicable.
(o)   Not applicable.


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(p)(1)   Code of Ethics of the Registrant is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit (p)(1) of the Registrant’s Post-Effective Amendment No. 27 filing, as filed with the SEC on October 15, 2009.
    (2)   Code of Ethics of WisdomTree Asset Management, Inc. is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit (p)(2) of the Registrant’s Post-Effective Amendment No. 124 filing, as filed with the SEC on July 27, 2012.
    (3)   Code of Ethics of BNY Mellon is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit (p)(3) of the Registrant’s Post-Effective Amendment No. 124 filing, as filed with the SEC on July 27, 2012.
    (4)   Code of Ethics of ALPS Distributors, Inc. is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit (p)(4) of the Registrant’s Post-Effective Amendment No. 124 filing, as filed with the SEC on July 27, 2012.
    (5)   Code of Ethics of Western Asset Management Company is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit (p)(5) of the Registrant’s Post-Effective Amendment No. 97 filing, as filed with the SEC on February 9, 2012.
    (6)   Code of Ethics of [SUB-ADVISER], sub-adviser to the WisdomTree Japan Hedged Dividend Growth Fund, to be filed by amendment.
    (7)   Code of Ethics of [SUB-ADVISER], sub-adviser to the WisdomTree Japan Dividend Growth Fund, to be filed by amendment.
    (8)   Code of Ethics of [SUB-ADVISER], sub-adviser to the WisdomTree Emerging Markets ex-State-Owned Enterprises Fund, to be filed by amendment.
(q)(1)   Powers of Attorney for David Castano, Joel Goldberg, Toni Massaro, Jonathan Steinberg and Victor Ugolyn are incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit (q) of the Registrant’s Post-Effective Amendment No. 222 filing, as filed with the SEC on September 24, 2013.
    (2)   Powers of Attorney for David Chrencik and Melinda Raso Kirstein are incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit (q)(1) of the Registrant’s Post-Effective Amendment No. 346 filing, as filed with the SEC on March 31, 2014.
    (3)   Secretary’s Certificate related to certain signatory authority is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit (r) of the Registrant’s Post-Effective Amendment No. 222 filing, as filed with the SEC on September 24, 2013.

Item 29. Persons Controlled by or Under Common Control with the Registrant

Not applicable.

Item 30. Indemnification

Reference is made to Article IX of the Registrant’s Trust Instrument included as Exhibit (a)(1) to this Registration Statement with respect to the indemnification of the Registrant’s trustees and officers, which is set forth below:

Section 1. Limitation of Liability.

All Persons contracting with or having any claim against the Trust or a particular Series shall look only to the assets of the Trust or Assets belonging to such Series, respectively, for payment under such contract or claim; and neither the Trustees nor any of the Trust’s officers, employees, or agents, whether past, present, or future, shall be personally liable therefor. Every written instrument or


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obligation on behalf of the Trust or any Series shall contain a statement to the foregoing effect, but the absence of such statement shall not operate to make any Trustee or officer of the Trust liable thereunder. Provided they have exercised reasonable care and have acted under the reasonable belief that their actions are in the best interest of the Trust, the Trustees and officers of the Trust shall not be responsible or liable for any act or omission or for neglect or wrongdoing of them or any officer, agent, employee, Investment Adviser, or independent contractor of the Trust, but nothing contained in this Trust Instrument or in the Delaware Act shall protect any Trustee or officer of the Trust against liability to the Trust or to Shareholders to which he would otherwise be subject by reason of willful misfeasance, bad faith, gross negligence, or reckless disregard of the duties involved in the conduct of his office.

Section 2. Indemnification.

(a) Subject to the exceptions and limitations contained in subsection (b) below:

(i) every Person who is, or has been, a Trustee or an officer, employee, or agent of the Trust (“Covered Person”) shall be indemnified by the Trust or the appropriate Series (out of Assets belonging to that Series) to the fullest extent permitted by law against liability and against all expenses reasonably incurred or paid by him in connection with any claim, action, suit, or proceeding in which he becomes involved as a party or otherwise by virtue of his being or having been a Covered Person and against amounts paid or incurred by him in the settlement thereof; provided that the transfer agent of the Trust or any Series shall not be considered an agent for these purposes unless expressly deemed to be such by the Trustees in a resolution referring to this Article.

(ii) as used herein, the words “claim,” “action,” “suit,” or “proceeding” shall apply to all claims, actions, suits, or proceedings (civil, criminal, or other, including appeals), actual or threatened, and the words “liability” and “expenses” shall include attorney’s fees, costs, judgments, amounts paid in settlement, fines, penalties, and other liabilities.

(b) No indemnification shall be provided hereunder to a Covered Person:

(i) who has been adjudicated by a court or body before which the proceeding was brought:

(A) to be liable to the Trust or its Shareholders by reason of willful misfeasance, bad faith, gross negligence, or reckless disregard of the duties involved in the conduct of his office or

(B) not to have acted in good faith in the reasonable belief that his action was in the best interest of the Trust; or

(ii) in the event of a settlement, unless there has been a determination that such Covered Person did not engage in willful misfeasance, bad faith, gross negligence, or reckless disregard of the duties involved in the conduct of his office (A) by the court or other body approving the settlement, (B) by at least a majority of those Trustees who are neither Interested Persons of the Trust nor are parties to the matter based on a review of readily available facts (as opposed to a full trial-type inquiry), or (C) by written opinion of independent legal counsel based on a review of readily available facts (as opposed to a full trial-type inquiry).

(c) The rights of indemnification herein provided may be insured against by policies maintained by the Trust, shall be severable, shall not be exclusive of or affect any other rights to which any Covered Person may now or hereafter be entitled, and shall inure to the benefit of the heirs, executors, and administrators of a Covered Person.

(d) To the maximum extent permitted by applicable law, expenses in connection with the preparation and presentation of a defense to any claim, action, suit, or proceeding of the character described in


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subsection (a) of this Section shall be paid by the Trust or applicable Series from time to time prior to final disposition thereof on receipt of an undertaking by or on behalf of such Covered Person that such amount will be paid over by him to the Trust or applicable Series if it is ultimately determined that he is not entitled to indemnification under this Section, provided that either (i) such Covered Person has provided appropriate security for such undertaking, (ii) the Trust is insured against losses arising out of any such advance payments, or (iii) either a majority of the Trustees who are neither Interested Persons of the Trust nor parties to the matter, or independent legal counsel in a written opinion, has determined, based on a review of readily available facts (as opposed to a full trial-type inquiry) that there is reason to believe that such Covered Person will not be disqualified from indemnification under this Section.

(e) Any repeal or modification of this Article IX by the Shareholders, or adoption or modification of any other provision of this Trust Instrument or the By-laws inconsistent with this Article, shall be prospective only, to the extent that such repeal, modification, or adoption would, if applied retrospectively, adversely affect any limitation on the liability of any Covered Person or indemnification available to any Covered Person with respect to any act or omission that occurred prior to such repeal, modification, or adoption.

Reference is made to Article VI of the Registrant’s By-Laws included as Exhibit (b) to this Registration Statement with respect to the indemnification of the Registrant’s trustees and officers, which is set forth below:

Section 6.2. Limitation of Liability.

The Declaration refers to the Trustees as Trustees, but not as individuals or personally; and no Trustee, officer, employee or agent of the Trust shall be held to any personal liability, nor shall resort be had to their private property for the satisfaction of any obligation or claim or otherwise in connection with the affairs of the Trust; provided, that nothing contained in the Declaration or the By-Laws shall protect any Trustee or officer of the Trust from any liability to the Trust or its Shareholders to which he would otherwise be subject by reason of willful misfeasance, bad faith, gross negligence or reckless disregard of the duties involved in the conduct of his office.

Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, may be provided to trustees, officers and controlling persons of the Trust, pursuant to the foregoing provisions or otherwise, the Trust has been advised that in the opinion of the Securities and Exchange Commission such indemnification is against public policy as expressed in the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and is, therefore, unenforceable. In the event that a claim for indemnification against such liabilities (other than the payment by the Trust of expenses incurred or paid by a trustee, officer or controlling person of the Trust in connection with the successful defense of any action, suit or proceeding or payment pursuant to any insurance policy) is asserted against the Trust by such trustee, officer or controlling person in connection with the securities being registered, the Trust will, unless in the opinion of its counsel the matter has been settled by controlling precedent, submit to a court of appropriate jurisdiction the question whether such indemnification by it is against public policy as expressed in the Act and will be governed by the final adjudication of such issue.

Item 31. Business and Other Connections of the Investment Adviser

WisdomTree Asset Management, Inc. (“WTAM”), 245 Park Avenue, 35th Floor, New York, NY 10167, a wholly-owned subsidiary of WisdomTree Investments, Inc., is a registered investment adviser and serves as investment adviser for each series of the Trust. The description of WTAM under the caption of “Management-Investment Adviser” in the Prospectus and under the caption “Management of the Trust” in the Statement of Additional Information constituting Parts A and B, respectively, of this Registration Statement are incorporated herein by reference.

Each of the directors and officers of WTAM will also generally have substantial responsibilities (as noted below) as directors and/or officers of WisdomTree Investments, Inc., 245 Park Avenue, 35th Floor, New York, NY 10167. To the knowledge of the Registrant, except as set forth below or otherwise disclosed in the Prospectus or Statement of Additional Information as noted above, none of the directors or executive


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officers of WTAM is or has been at any time during the past two fiscal years engaged in any other business, profession, vocation or employment of a substantial nature.

 

Name

  

Position with WTAM

  

Principal Business(es)

During Last Two Fiscal Years

Jonathan Steinberg

  

Chief Executive Officer,

President, and Director

   Dual officer/director of WisdomTree Investments, Inc.

Bruce Lavine

   Director and Vice Chairman    Dual officer/director of WisdomTree Investments, Inc.

Peter Ziemba

  

Chief Legal Officer and EVP of

Business and Legal Affairs

   Dual officer of WisdomTree Investments, Inc.

Amit Muni

   Chief Financial Officer and EVP of Finance    Dual officer of WisdomTree Investments, Inc.

Luciano Siracusano

   Chief Investment Strategist and EVP of Sales    Dual officer of WisdomTree Investments, Inc.

Gregory Barton

   Chief Operating Officer and EVP of Operations    Dual officer of WisdomTree Investments, Inc.

Terry Feld

   Chief Compliance Officer    None

Ryan Louvar

   General Counsel    None

WTAM, with the approval of the Trust’s Board of Trustees, selects the sub-adviser for each of the Trust’s series, as applicable. Western Asset Management Company serves as sub-adviser for the Trust’s WisdomTree Emerging Markets Corporate Bond Fund, WisdomTree Strategic Corporate Bond Fund, WisdomTree Brazil Real Fund, and WisdomTree Global Real Return Fund. Mellon Capital Management Corporation serves as sub-adviser for each other series of the Trust.

To the knowledge of the Registrant, except as set forth below, none of the directors or executive officers of the sub-advisers is or has been at any time during the past two fiscal years engaged in any other business, profession, vocation or employment of a substantial nature.

Mellon Capital Management Corporation

 

Name

  

Position Held with Mellon

Capital Management Corporation

  

Principal Business(es)

During the Last Two Fiscal Years

William Fouse

   Board of Directors and Chairman Emeritus    Dual officer of The Bank of New York

Thomas Hazuka

   Board of Directors    None

David Kwan

   Managing Director, Head of Fixed Income Management    Dual officer of The Bank of New York, employee of The Dreyfus Corporation

Thomas Loeb

   Board of Directors and Chairman Emeritus    Dual officer of The Bank of New York

Gabriella Parcella

   Board of Directors, Chairman, and Chief Executive Officer    Dual officer of The Bank of New York, employee of The Dreyfus Corporation


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Name

  

Position Held with Mellon

Capital Management Corporation

  

Principal Business(es)

During the Last Two Fiscal Years

Linda Lillard

   Executive Vice President, Chief Operating Officer    Dual officer of The Bank of New York

Warren Chiang

   Managing Director, Head of Active Equity Strategies    Dual officer of The Bank of New York, employee of The Dreyfus Corporation

Chris Appler

   Managing Director, Chief Compliance Officer    Dual officer of The Bank of New York

Sinead Colton

   Managing Director, Global Investment Strategist    None

William S. Cazalet

   Managing Director, Global Investment Strategist    None

Ronald P. Gala

   Managing Director, Senior Portfolio Manager    Dual officer of The Bank of New York, employee of The Dreyfus Corporation

Keiko Kai

   Managing Director, Head of International Consumer, Institutional and Sovereign Wealth    Dual officer of The Bank of New York

Eric Goodbar

   Managing Director, Global Investment Strategist    Dual officer of The Bank of New York

Andrew Pellegrino

   Managing Director, Head of Global Consultant Relations, Product Development and Product Management    Dual officer of The Bank of New York

Karen Wong

   Managing Director, Head of Equity Portfolio Management    Dual officer of The Bank of New York, employee of The Dreyfus Corporation

Jeffrey Zhang

   Executive Vice President, Chief Investment Officer, Active Strategies and Board of Directors.    Dual officer of The Bank of New York, employee of The Dreyfus Corporation

David Manuel

   Director, Chief Financial Officer    None


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Name

  

Position Held with Mellon

Capital Management Corporation

  

Principal Business(es)

During the Last Two Fiscal Years

Rose Huening-Clark

   Managing Director, Head of Global Client Experience and Solutions Delivery    None

Mitchell Harris

   Board of Directors   

Alcentra Investments Limited – Director, President, Alcentra NY, LLC – Manager (Board)

Alcentra US, Inc. – Director

Alternative Holdings I, LLC – Manager (Board), President

BNY Alcentra Group Holdings, Inc. – Director

BNY Mellon Asset Management Operations LLC – Executive Chairman, Manager (Board)

BNY Mellon International Asset Management (Holdings) Limited – Director

BNY Mellon International Asset Management (Holdings) No. 1 Limited – Director

BNY Mellon International Asset Management Group Limited – Director

 

BNY Mellon Investment Management Holdings (Germany) Limited – Director

BNY Mellon National Association – Senior Executive Vice President

EACM Advisors LLC – Manager (Board) Insight Investment Funds Management Limited – Director

Insight Investment Management (Global) Limited – Director

Insight Investment Management Limited – Director

MAM (MA) Holding Trust – President, Trustee

Newton Management Limited – Director/Chair

Pareto Investment Management Limited – Director

Pareto New York LLC – Manager (Board)

Standish Mellon Asset Management Company LLC – Manager (Board)

The Bank of New York Mellon – Senior Executive Vice President

The Bank of New York Mellon Corporation – Senior Executive Vice President

The Boston Company Asset Management, LLC – Manager (Board)

The Dreyfus Corporation – Director

Walter Scott & Partners Limited – Director

Meriten Investment Management GmbH – Director

David Dirks

   Managing Director, Head of North American Institutional    Dual officer of The Bank of New York

Alexander Huberts

   President, Board of Directors    Dual officer of The Bank of New York

Vassilis Dagioglu

   Managing Director, Head of Asset Allocation Portfolio Management    Dual officer of The Bank of New York, employee of The Dreyfus Corporation


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Name

  

Position Held with Mellon

Capital Management Corporation

  

Principal Business(es)

During the Last Two Fiscal Years

Anjun Zhou

   Managing Director, Head of Multi-Asset Research    None

Nicholas Fohl

   Managing Director, Chief Administrative Officer, IT Infrastructure and Office Management    None

Richard Watson

   Executive Vice President, Head of Global Distribution    Dual officer of The Bank of New York

Sheryl Linck

   Managing Director, Head of North American Consumer Solutions    Dual officer of The Bank of New York

Cynthia Fryer Steer

   Board of Directors    None

Janine O’Neill

   Managing Director, Head of Human Resources    None

Brett Thunstrom

   Managing Director, Head of Global Trading    Dual officer of The Bank of New York

Thomas Durante

   Managing Director, Senior Portfolio Manager    Dual officer of The Bank of New York, employee of The Dreyfus Corporation

Western Asset Management Company (“Western Asset Management”)

 

Name

 

Position Held with Western Asset

Management

 

Principal Business(es)

During the Last Two Fiscal Years

James W. Hirschmann III

  Director, President and Chief Executive Officer   None

Jeffery A. Nattans

  Director  

Executive Vice President, Legg Mason, Inc.

Director, Barrett Associates, Inc.

Director, Legg Mason Fund Asset Management, Inc.

Director, Legg Mason Investment Counsel & Trust Company, N.A.

Director, LMOBC, INC.

Director, LMREC

Director, LMREC II

Manager, Pelican Holdings I, LLC

Manager, Pelican Holdings II, LLC

Director, Permal Group Limited

Manager, Clearbridge Investments, LLC

Manager, Legg Mason Investment Counsel, LLC

Manager, Legg Mason Private Portfolio Group, LLC

Manager, Royce & Associates, LLC

Francis B. Bilson

  Director  

Senior Vice President, Legg Mason, Inc.

Director, Permal Group Limited

Manager, Royce & Associates, LLC


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Name

  

Position Held with Western Asset

Management

  

Principal Business(es)

During the Last Two Fiscal Years

Bruce D. Alberts

   Chief Financial Officer    None

Brett B. Canon

   Director of Risk Management and Operations    None

Daniel E. Giddings

   Assistant Secretary    None

James J. Flick

   Director of Global Client Service and Marketing    None

Name

  

Position Held with Western Asset

Management

  

Principal Business(es)

During the Last Two Fiscal Years

Gavin L. James

   Director of Portfolio Operations    None

Charles A. Ruys de Perez

   Secretary, General Counsel and Head of Legal and Compliance   

Director, Western Asset Holdings (Australia) Pty Ltd

Director, Western Asset Management Company Pty Ltd

Director, Western Asset Management Company Limited

Director, Western Asset Management Company Ltd

Director, Western Asset Management Company Pte Ltd

Western Asset Management Company Limited (“Western Asset London”)

 

Name

  

Position Held with Western

Asset London

  

Principal Business(es)

During the Last Two Fiscal Years

Michael B. Zelouf

   Director and Director of London Operations    Director, Western Asset Management Company (UK) Holdings Limited

Charles A. Ruys de Perez

   Director   

General Counsel and Head of Legal and Compliance, Western Asset Management

Director, Western Asset Holdings (Australia) Pty Ltd

Director, Western Asset Management Company Pty Ltd

Director, Western Asset Management Company Ltd

Director, Western Asset Management Company Pte Ltd

Officer, Western Asset Management Company

Thomas Merchant

   Director   

General Counsel – Legg Mason

Member, Legg Mason Political Action Committee

Kate Blackledge

   Secretary    Officer, Western Asset Management Company (UK) Holdings Limited

Western Asset Management Company Pte. Ltd. in Singapore (“Western Asset Singapore”)

 

Name

  

Position Held with Western

Asset Singapore

  

Principal Business(es)

During the Last Two Fiscal Years

Charles A. Ruys de Perez

   Director    General Counsel and Head of Legal and Compliance, Western Asset Management


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Director, Western Asset Holdings (Australia) Pty Ltd

Director, Western Asset Management Company Pty Ltd

Director, Western Asset Management Company Limited

Director, Western Asset Management Company Ltd

Officer, Western Asset Management Company

 

Alvin Lee Lip Sin

   Director and Secretary    None

Henry H. Hamrock

   Head of Singapore Operations    None

Hui Kwoon Thor

   Finance Manager    None

Western Asset Management Company Pte. Ltd. (“Western Asset Japan”)

 

Name

  

Position Held with Western Asset Japan

  

Principal Business(es)

During the Last Two Fiscal Years

Takashi Komatsu

   Director, Head of Legal and Compliance (Japan)    None

Naoya Orime

   Director, Head of Tokyo Operations    Officer, Western Asset Management Company Ltd (Japan)

Charles A. Ruys de Perez

   Director, General Counsel and Head of Legal and Compliance   

Director, Western Asset Holdings (Australia) Pty Ltd (WAMCO Hldgs Australia)

Director, Western Asset Management Company Pty Ltd (Australia)

Director, Western Asset Management Company Limited (WAMCL)

Director, Western Asset Management Company Pte Ltd (Singapore)

Officer, Western Asset Management Company (WAM)

Yasuaki Sudo

   Finance Manager    None

Joseph P. LaRocque

   Director   

Managing Director – Legg Mason & Company

Director, Legg Mason Asset Management Hong Kong Limited

Director, Legg Mason Asset Management Australia Limited

Director, Legg Mason Asset Management Singapore Pte. Limited

Director, Legg Mason Asset Canada Inc.

Director, Legg Mason International Equities (Hong Kong) Limited

Director, Legg Mason Investments (Ireland) Limited

Director, Legg Mason Investments (Luxembourg) S.A.

Director, Legg Mason Towarzystwo Funduszy Inwestycyjnych Spolka Akcyjna

Director, Legg Mason Canada Holdings Ltd.

Director, Brandywine Global Investment Management (Europe) Limited


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Director, Brandywine Global Investment Management (Asia) Pte. Ltd.

Director Legg Mason Investment Counsel & Trust Company, N.A.

Director, Batterymarch Financial Management, Inc.

Director, Legg Mason Investment Funds Limited

[Item 31 information for WisdomTree Japan Hedged Dividend Growth Fund and WisdomTree Japan Dividend Growth Fund, to be filed by amendment].

Item 32. Principal Underwriters

 

  (a) ALPS Distributors, Inc. acts as the distributor for the Registrant and the following investment companies: 13D Activist Fund, ALPS Series Trust, Arbitrage Funds, AQR Funds, Babson Capital Funds Trust, BBH Trust, BLDRS Index Funds Trust, BPV Family of Funds, Broadview Funds Trust, Brown Management Funds, Caldwell & Orkin Funds, Inc., Campbell Multi-Strategy Trust, Centaur Mutual Funds Trust, Century Capital Management Trust, Columbia ETF Trust, CornerCap Group of Funds, Cortina Funds, Inc., CRM Mutual Fund Trust, Cullen Funds, DBX ETF TRUST, db-X Exchange-Traded Funds Inc., Centre Funds, EGA Emerging Global Shares Trust, EGA Frontier Diversified Core Fund, Financial Investors Trust, Firsthand Funds, Griffin Institutional Access Real Estate Fund, Heartland Group, Inc., Henssler Funds, Inc., Holland Balanced Fund, IndexIQ Trust, Index IQ ETF Trust, James Advantage Funds, Laudus Trust, Laudus Institutional Trust, Longleaf Partners Funds Trust, Mairs & Power Funds Trust, Oak Associates Funds, Pax World Series Trust I, Pax World Funds Trust III, PowerShares QQQ 100 Trust Series 1, RiverNorth Funds, Russell Exchange Traded Funds Trust, SPDR Dow Jones Industrial Average ETF Trust, SPDR S&P 500 ETF Trust, SPDR S&P MidCap 400 ETF Trust, Stadion Investment Trust, Stone Harbor Investment Funds, Transparent Value Trust, Wakefield Alternative Series Trust, Wasatch Funds, WesMark Funds, Westcore Trust, Whitebox Mutual Funds, Williams Capital Liquid Assets Fund, and Wilmington Funds.

 

  (b) To the best of the Registrant’s knowledge, the directors and executive officers of ALPS Distributors, Inc., are as follows:

 

Name*

  

Position with Underwriter

   Positions with Fund

Edmund J. Burke

   Director    None

Jeremy O. May

   President, Director    None

Thomas A. Carter

   Executive Vice President, Director    None

Bradley J. Swenson

   Senior Vice President, Chief Compliance Officer    None

Robert J. Szydlowski

   Senior Vice President, Chief Technology Officer    None

Eric Parsons

   Vice President, Controller and Assistant Treasurer    None

Randall D. Young

   Secretary    None

Gregg Wm. Givens

   Vice President, Treasurer and Assistant Secretary    None

 

* The principal business address for each of the above directors and executive officers is 1290 Broadway, Suite 1100, Denver, Colorado 80203.

 

  (c) Not applicable.


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Item 33. Location of Accounts and Records

 

  (a) The Registrant maintains accounts, books and other documents required by Section 31(a) of the Investment Company Act of 1940 and the rules thereunder (collectively, “Records”) at its offices at 245 Park Avenue, 35th Floor, New York, NY 10167.

 

  (b) WTAM maintains all Records relating to its services as investment adviser to the Registrant at 245 Park Avenue, 35th Floor, New York, New York 10167.

 

  (c) Mellon Capital Management Corporation maintains all Records relating to its services as sub-adviser at 50 Fremont Street, Suite 3900, San Francisco, California 94105.

 

  (d) Western Asset Management Company maintains all Records relating to its services as sub-adviser at 385 E. Colorado Boulevard, Pasadena, California 91101 and at local offices, as applicable, identified in Item 31.

 

  (e) ALPS Distributors, Inc. maintains all Records relating to its services as Distributor of the Registrant at 1290 Broadway, Suite 1100, Denver, Colorado 80203.

 

  (f) State Street Bank and Trust Company maintains all Records relating to its services as administrator, transfer agent and custodian of the Registrant at 200 Clarendon Street, 16th Floor, Boston, Massachusetts 02116 and 1200 Crown Colony Drive, Quincy, Massachusetts 02189.

[Location of Accounts and Records for WisdomTree Japan Hedged Dividend Growth Fund, WisdomTree Japan Dividend Growth Fund and WisdomTree Emerging Markets ex-State-Owned Enterprises Fund Sub-Advisers to be included by amendment].

Item 34. Management Services

Not applicable.

Item 35. Undertakings

Not applicable.


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SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933 and the Investment Company Act of 1940, the Registrant certifies that it meets all of the requirements for effectiveness of this Registration Statement under Rule 485(b) under the Securities Act of 1933 and has duly caused this Post-Effective Amendment No. 372 to Registration Statement No. 333-132380 to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, in the City of New York, State of New York, on the 29th day of July, 2014.

 

WISDOMTREE TRUST

(Registrant)

By:

 

/s/ Jonathan Steinberg*

  Jonathan Steinberg
  President (Principal Executive Officer)

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, this Post-Effective Amendment No. 372 to the Registration Statement has been signed below by the following persons in the capacity and on the dates indicated.

 

Signatures

  

Title

 

Date

/s/ Jonathan Steinberg*

Jonathan Steinberg

  

President (Principal Executive Officer) and Trustee

  July 29, 2014

/s/ David Castano*

David Castano

  

Treasurer (Principal Financial and Accounting Officer)

  July 29, 2014

/s/ David Chrencik*

David Chrencik

  

Trustee

  July 29, 2014

/s/ Joel Goldberg*

Joel Goldberg

  

Trustee

  July 29, 2014

/s/ Toni Massaro*

Toni Massaro

  

Trustee

  July 29, 2014

/s/ Melinda Raso Kirstein*

Melinda Raso Kirstein

  

Trustee

  July 29, 2014

/s/ Victor Ugolyn*

Victor Ugolyn

  

Trustee

  July 29, 2014

 

*By:

 

/s/ Ryan Louvar

  Ryan Louvar
  (Attorney-in-Fact)


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EXHIBIT INDEX

 

Exhibit
Number

 

Exhibit

(g)(2)   Form of Appendix A, as last revised April 2014, to the Master Custodian Agreement dated September 27, 2013 between the Registrant and State Street Bank and Trust Company
(h)(2)   Form of Schedule A, as last revised April 2014, to the Administration Agreement dated September 27, 2013 between the Registrant and State Street Bank and Trust Company
(h)(5)   Form of Schedule A, as last revised April 2014, to the Transfer Agency and Service Agreement dated September 27, 2013 between the Registrant and State Street Bank and Trust Company
(h)(10)   Form of Schedule B, as last revised April 2014, to the Securities Lending Authorization Agreement dated September 27, 2013, between the Registrant and State Street Bank and Trust Company
(h)(16)   WisdomTree Rules-Based Earnings-Weighted Methodology, dated June 2014
(h)(17)   WisdomTree Rules-Based Methodology (Domestic and International Dividend Indexes), dated June 2014
(h)(18)   WisdomTree Rules-Based Methodology (Hedged Equity Indexes), dated June 2014
(h)(19)   WisdomTree Rules-Based Methodology (Global and Global ex-US Dividend Indexes), dated June 2014
(h)(20)   WisdomTree Rules-Based Methodology (Emerging Market Earnings Indexes), dated June 2014
(h)(21)   WisdomTree Rules-Based Methodology (Emerging Market Dividend Indexes), dated June 2014
(h)(22)   WisdomTree Rules-Based Methodology (Global ex-US Dividend Growth Index), dated June 2014
(h)(23)   WisdomTree Rules-Based Earnings-Weighted Value Index Methodology, dated June 2014
(h)(24)   WisdomTree Rules-Based Methodology (Middle East Dividend Index), dated June 2014
(h)(25)   WisdomTree Rules-Based Methodology (Emerging Market Consumer Growth Index), dated June 2014
(h)(27)   WisdomTree Rules-Based Methodology (WisdomTree China Dividend ex-Financials Index), dated June 2014
(h)(28)   WisdomTree Index Methodology (WisdomTree Japan Hedged Sector Index Funds), dated June 2014
(j)   Consent of independent registered public accounting firm, Ernst & Young, LLP