Newtown Square, Pa. – September 12, 2026 -- Empowered Funds, LLC will liquidate two emerging-market exchange-traded funds on or about September 28, 2026, closing out the Sophus Capital Emerging Market ETF (NASDAQ: EMEM) and the Sophus Capital Emerging Market Small Cap ETF (NASDAQ: EMSC).
Two emerging-market ETFs will stop trading on NASDAQ September 25, 2026
Both funds will cease trading and close to new purchases immediately after the close of regular trading on September 25, 2026. Empowered Funds, doing business as ETF Architect, confirmed the funds will no longer accept creation or redemption orders after that date. Shareholders can sell holdings ahead of the liquidation date, though customary brokerage charges apply and the company warned that a liquid market for the shares during this window is not guaranteed. In the run-up to liquidation, the funds may hold elevated cash positions and deviate from their stated investment strategies.
Shareholders face capital gains taxation after cash payout
Following the liquidation date, each fund will distribute cash pro rata to shareholders of record, subject to withholding requirements. The payout will be treated as a taxable event, generating capital gains or losses depending on each shareholder's cost basis, and may include distributions of accrued capital gains and dividends. Final net asset value calculations on the liquidation date will reflect fund-closing costs before the funds formally terminate.
Sophus Capital LLC serves as the funds' sponsor under a sponsorship agreement with ETF Architect, while Consilium Investment Management, LLC, doing business as Sophus Capital, acts as sub-adviser. PINE Distributors LLC, which distributes the funds, is not affiliated with ETF Architect, Sophus Capital LLC or Consilium Investment Management.