Alpha Architect ETF Trust

01/30/2026 | Press release | Distributed by Public on 01/30/2026 10:25

Semi-Annual Report by Investment Company (Form N-CSRS)

UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
FORM N-CSR
CERTIFIED SHAREHOLDER REPORT OF REGISTERED
MANAGEMENT INVESTMENT COMPANIES
Investment Company Act file number 811-22961
EA Series Trust
(Exact name of registrant as specified in charter)
3803 West Chester Pike, Suite 150
Newtown Square, PA 19073
(Address of principal executive offices) (Zip code)
3803 West Chester Pike, Suite 150
Newtown Square, PA 19073
(Name and address of agent for service)
(215) 330-4476
Registrant's telephone number, including area code
Date of fiscal year end: May 31, 2026
Date of reporting period: November 30, 2025
Item 1. Report to Stockholders.
(a)
AOT Growth and Innovation ETF
Ticker: AOTG
Listed on: The Nasdaq Stock Market LLC
November 30, 2025
Semi-Annual Shareholder Report
https://aotetf.com/aotg/
This semi-annual shareholder report contains important information about the AOT Growth and Innovation ETF (the "Fund") for the period of June 1, 2025 to November 30, 2025 (the "Period"). You can find additional information about the Fund at https://aotetf.com/aotg/. You can also request this information by contacting us at (215) 330-4476.
WHAT WERE THE FUND COSTS FOR THE PERIOD?
(based on a hypothetical $10,000 investment)
COST OF $10,000 INVESTMENT COST PAID AS A PERCENTAGE OF $10,000 INVESTMENT
$42 0.75%
KEY FUND STATISTICS (as of Period End)
Net Assets $88,845,761 Advisory Fees $265,624
# of Portfolio Holdings 47 Fees Waived and/or Expenses Reimbursed $78
Portfolio Turnover Rate* 9% Net Advisory Fees Paid $265,546
*Portfolio turnover is not annualized and is calculated without regard to short-term securities having a maturity of less than one year. Excludes impact of in-kind transactions.
SECTOR WEIGHTING
(as a % of Net Assets)
Information Technology 53.9%
Financials 26.0%
Communication Services 10.7%
Consumer Discretionary 8.7%
Health Care 0.3%
Cash and Cash Equivalents 0.4%
TOP 10 HOLDINGS
(as a % of Net Assets)
NVIDIA Corp. 10.4%
Advanced Micro Devices Inc 7.7%
Alphabet, Inc. - Class A 6.9%
Robinhood Markets, Inc. - Class A 5.7%
Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co. Ltd. - ADR 5.6%
Toast, Inc. - Class A 5.3%
NU Holdings Ltd. - Class A 5.0%
Amazon.com, Inc. 4.6%
Microsoft Corp. 4.4%
AppLovin Corp. - Class A 4.4%
Availability of Additional Information
For additional information about the Fund, including its prospectus, financial information, holdings, and proxy information, visit https://aotetf.com/aotg/. You can also request information by calling (215) 330-4476.
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 or you are currently enrolled in householding and wish to change your householding status, please contact your broker-dealer.
Semi-Annual Shareholder Report: November 30, 2025
(b) Not applicable.
Item 2. Code of Ethics.
Not applicable for semi-annual reports.
Item 3. Audit Committee Financial Expert.
Not applicable for semi-annual reports.
Item 4. Principal Accountant Fees and Services.
Not applicable for semi-annual reports.
Item 5. Audit Committee of Listed Registrants.
Not applicable for semi-annual reports.
Item 6. Investments.
(a)
AOT GROWTH AND INNOVATION ETF
SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS
November 30, 2025 (Unaudited)
COMMON STOCKS - 99.6%
Shares
Value
Communication Services- 10.7%
Advertising - 0.5%
Trade Desk, Inc. - Class A (a)
11,234
$ 444,417
Interactive Media & Services - 8.4%
Alphabet, Inc. - Class A
19,263
6,167,627
Meta Platforms, Inc. - Class A
1,978
1,281,645
7,449,272
Movies & Entertainment - 1.8%
Netflix, Inc. (a)
13,440
1,445,875
Spotify Technology SA (a)
274
164,091
1,609,966
Total Communication Services
9,503,655
Consumer Discretionary- 8.7%
Automobile Manufacturers - 2.1%
Tesla, Inc. (a)
4,285
1,843,279
Broadline Retail - 6.6%
Amazon.com, Inc. (a)
17,612
4,107,470
MercadoLibre, Inc. (a)
865
1,792,090
5,899,560
Total Consumer Discretionary
7,742,839
Financials- 26.0%(b)
Consumer Finance - 1.2%
SoFi Technologies, Inc. (a)
35,987
1,069,534
Diversified Banks - 5.0%
NU Holdings Ltd. - Class A (a)
254,921
4,433,076
Financial Exchanges & Data - 2.4%
Cboe Global Markets, Inc.
1,384
357,307
Coinbase Global, Inc. - Class A (a)
835
227,805
Nasdaq, Inc.
17,459
1,587,372
2,172,484
Investment Banking & Brokerage - 7.8%
Charles Schwab Corp.
8,512
789,318
LPL Financial Holdings, Inc.
664
236,411
Robinhood Markets, Inc. - Class A (a)
39,105
5,024,601
Virtu Financial, Inc. - Class A
24,836
888,135
6,938,465
AOT GROWTH AND INNOVATION ETF
SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS (CONTINUED)
November 30, 2025 (Unaudited)
COMMON STOCKS - 99.6% (CONTINUED)
Shares
Value
Transaction & Payment Processing Services - 9.6%
Adyen NV - ADR (a)
36,063
$ 559,698
Mastercard, Inc. - Class A
352
193,787
Remitly Global, Inc. (a)
31,243
423,186
Toast, Inc. - Class A (a)
137,621
4,705,262
Visa, Inc. - Class A
7,773
2,599,602
8,481,535
Total Financials
23,095,094
Health Care- 0.3%
Health Care Technology - 0.3%
Veeva Systems, Inc. - Class A (a)
1,426
342,653
Information Technology- 53.9%(b)
Application Software - 14.1%
Adobe, Inc. (a)
5,319
1,702,772
AppLovin Corp. - Class A (a)
6,489
3,890,026
Autodesk, Inc. (a)
1,642
498,084
Datadog, Inc. - Class A (a)
4,363
698,124
Docusign, Inc. (a)
4,875
338,081
Salesforce, Inc.
13,002
2,997,481
Samsara, Inc. - Class A (a)
9,108
346,377
Tyler Technologies, Inc. (a)
1,600
751,392
Workday, Inc. - Class A (a)
5,910
1,274,314
12,496,651
Communications Equipment - 0.3%
Arista Networks, Inc. (a)
2,430
317,552
Internet Services & Infrastructure - 6.1%
DigitalOcean Holdings, Inc. (a)
20,273
902,554
Okta, Inc. (a)
3,760
302,041
Shopify, Inc. - Class A (a)
23,395
3,711,383
Snowflake, Inc. - Class A (a)
1,954
490,923
5,406,901
Semiconductors - 27.3%(b)
Advanced Micro Devices, Inc. (a)
31,395
6,829,355
Broadcom, Inc.
3,946
1,590,080
Micron Technology, Inc.
5,836
1,380,097
NVIDIA Corp.
52,204
9,240,108
QUALCOMM, Inc.
1,287
216,332
Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co. Ltd. - ADR
17,057
4,972,286
24,228,258
AOT GROWTH AND INNOVATION ETF
SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS (CONTINUED)
November 30, 2025 (Unaudited)
COMMON STOCKS - 99.6% (CONTINUED)
Shares
Value
Systems Software - 6.1%
Microsoft Corp.
8,008
$ 3,940,016
Palo Alto Networks, Inc. (a)
2,242
426,271
ServiceNow, Inc. (a)
1,316
1,069,132
5,435,419
Total Information Technology
47,884,781
TOTAL COMMON STOCKS(Cost $61,389,329)
88,569,022
SHORT-TERM INVESTMENTS
MONEY MARKET FUNDS - 0.4%
First American Government Obligations Fund - Class X, 3.92% (c)
316,155
316,155
TOTAL MONEY MARKET FUNDS(Cost $316,155)
316,155
TOTAL INVESTMENTS - 100.0% (Cost $61,705,484)
$ 88,885,177
Liabilities in Excess of Other Assets - (0.0)% (d)
(39,416)
TOTAL NET ASSETS - 100.0%
$ 88,845,761
Percentages are stated as a percent of net assets.
ADR - American Depositary Receipt
(a)
Non-income producing security.
(b)
To the extent that the Fund invests more heavily in particular industries or sectors of the economy, its performance will be especially sensitive to developments that significantly affect those industries or sectors.
(c)
The rate shown represents the 7-day annualized yield as of November 30, 2025.
(d)
Represents less than 0.05% of net assets.
The Global Industry Classification Standard ("GICS®") was developed by and/or is the exclusive property of MSCI, Inc. ("MSCI") and Standard & Poor's Financial Services LLC ("S&P"). GICS® is a service mark of MSCI and S&P and has been licensed for use by U.S. Bank Global Fund Services.
(b) Not applicable.
AOT GROWTH AND INNOVATION ETF
Item 7. Financial Statements and Financial Highlights for Open-End Management Investment
Companies.
STATEMENT OF ASSETS AND LIABILITIES
November 30, 2025 (Unaudited)
Assets:
Investments, at value (See Note 2) $ 88,885,177
Dividends receivable 14,493
Total assets 88,899,670
Liabilities:
Payable to adviser (See Note 3) 53,909
Total liabilities 53,909
Net Assets $ 88,845,761
Net Assets Consist of:
Paid-in capital $ 60,517,000
Total distributable earnings 28,328,761
Total net assets $ 88,845,761
Net assets $ 88,845,761
Shares issued and outstanding(a)
1,600,000
Net asset value per share $ 55.53
COST:
Investments, at cost $ 61,705,484
(a) Unlimited shares authorized.
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.
1
AOT GROWTH AND INNOVATION ETF
STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS
For the Period Ended November 30, 2025 (Unaudited)
INVESTMENT INCOME:
Dividend income $ 86,644
Less: Issuance fees (24)
Less: Dividend withholding taxes, net (4,927)
Securities lending income (See Note 4) 71
Total investment income 81,764
EXPENSES:
Investment advisory fees (See Note 3) 265,624
Total expenses 265,624
Expense reimbursement by Adviser (See Note 3) (78)
Net expenses 265,546
NET INVESTMENT INCOME (LOSS) (183,782)
REALIZED AND UNREALIZED GAIN (LOSS)
Net realized gain (loss) from:
Investments (340,005)
In-kind redemptions 3,958,808
Net realized gain (loss) 3,618,803
Net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on:
Investments 8,739,466
Net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation) 8,739,466
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) 12,358,269
NET INCREASE (DECREASE) IN NET ASSETS RESULTING FROM OPERATIONS $ 12,174,487
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.
2
AOT GROWTH AND INNOVATION ETF
STATEMENT OF CHANGES IN NET ASSETS
Period ended November 30, 2025 (Unaudited)
Year ended May 31, 2025
OPERATIONS:
Net investment income (loss) $ (183,782) $ (212,229)
Net realized gain (loss) 3,618,803 870,440
Net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation) 8,739,466 8,847,026
Net increase (decrease) in net assets from operations 12,174,487 9,505,237
CAPITAL TRANSACTIONS:
Shares sold 29,404,506 14,887,867
Shares redeemed (7,173,977) (5,949,382)
ETF transaction fees (See Note 1) 5 -
Net increase (decrease) in net assets from capital transactions 22,230,534 8,938,485
NET INCREASE (DECREASE) IN NET ASSETS 34,405,021 18,443,722
NET ASSETS:
Beginning of the period 54,440,740 35,997,018
End of the period $ 88,845,761 $ 54,440,740
SHARES TRANSACTIONS
Shares sold 545,000 360,000
Shares redeemed (135,000) (140,000)
Total increase (decrease) in shares outstanding 410,000 220,000
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.
3
AOT GROWTH AND INNOVATION ETF
FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS
INVESTMENT OPERATIONS:
SUPPLEMENTAL DATA AND RATIOS:
For the period ended
Net asset value, beginning of period
Net investment income (loss)(a)
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) on investments(b)
Total from investment operations
ETF transaction fees per share
Net asset value, end of period
Total return(c)
Net assets, end of period (in thousands)
Ratio of expenses to average net assets before expense reimbursement / recoupment(d)
Ratio of expenses to average net assets after expense reimbursement / recoupment(d)
Ratio of net investment income (loss) to average net assets(d)
Portfolio turnover rate(c)(e)
AOT Growth and Innovation ETF
11/30/2025(f)
$45.75 (0.14) 9.92 9.78
0.00(g)
$55.53 21.38% $88,846 0.75% 0.75% (0.52)% 9%
5/31/2025 $37.11 (0.19) 8.83 8.64 - $45.75 23.28% $54,441 0.75% 0.75% (0.45)% 17%
5/31/2024 $29.50 (0.18) 7.79 7.61 - $37.11 25.80% $35,997 0.75% 0.75% (0.55)% 10%
5/31/2023(h)
$25.00 (0.11) 4.61 4.50 - $29.50 18.00% $24,190 0.75% -% (0.48)% 9%
(a)
Net investment income per share has been calculated based on average shares outstanding during the periods.
(b)
Realized and unrealized gains and losses per share in the caption are balancing amounts necessary to reconcile the change in net asset value per share for the periods, and may not reconcile with the aggregate gains and losses in the Statement of Operations due to share transactions for the periods.
(c)
Not annualized for periods less than one year.
(d)
Annualized for periods less than one year.
(e)
Portfolio turnover rate excludes in-kind transactions.
(f)
Unaudited.
(g)
Amount represents less than $0.005 per share.
(h)
Inception date of the Fund was June 28, 2022.
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.
4
AOT GROWTH AND INNOVATION ETF
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
November 30, 2025 (Unaudited)
NOTE 1 - ORGANIZATION
AOT Growth and Innovation ETF (the "Fund") (the "Fund") is a series of the EA Series Trust (the "Trust"), which was organized as a Delaware statutory trust on October 11, 2013. The Trust is registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC") under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the "1940 Act"), as an open-end management investment company and the offering of the Fund's shares ("Shares") is registered under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "Securities Act"). The Fund is considered non-diversified under the 1940 Act. Prior to January 20, 2026, the Fund was considered diversified. The Fund commenced operations on June 28, 2022. The Fund qualifies as an investment company as defined in the Financial Accounting Standards Codification Topic 946-Financial Services- Investment Companies. The Fund's investment objective is to seek long-term capital appreciation. See the Fund's Prospectus and Statement of Additional Information regarding the risks of investing in shares of the Fund.
Shares of the Fund are listed and traded on The Nasdaq Stock Market LLC (the "Exchange"). Market prices for the shares may be different from their net asset value ("NAV"). The Fund issues and redeems shares on a continuous basis at NAV only in blocks of 5,000 shares, called "Creation Units." Creation Units are issued and redeemed principally in-kind for securities included in a specified universe. Once created, shares generally trade in the secondary market at market prices that change throughout the day in share amounts less than a Creation Unit. Except when aggregated in Creation Units, shares are not redeemable securities of the Fund. Shares of the Fund may only be purchased or redeemed by certain financial institutions ("Authorized Participants"). An Authorized Participant is a participant of a clearing agency registered with the SEC, which has a written agreement with the Trust or one of its service providers that allows the authorized participant to place orders for the purchase and redemption of creation units. Most retail investors do not qualify as Authorized Participants nor have the resources to buy and sell whole Creation Units. Therefore, they are unable to purchase or redeem the shares directly from a Fund. Rather, most retail investors may purchase Shares in the secondary market with the assistance of a broker and are subject to customary brokerage commissions or fees.
Authorized Participants may be required to pay a transaction fee to compensate the Trust or its custodian for costs incurred in connection with creation and redemption transactions. Certain transactions consisting all or partially of cash may also be subject to a variable charge, which is payable to the relevant Fund, of up to 2.00% of the value of the order in addition to the transaction fee. A Fund may determine to waive the variable charge on certain orders when such waiver is determined to be in the best interests of Fund shareholders. Transaction fees received by a Fund, if any, are displayed in the Capital Share Transactions sections of the Statements of Changes in Net Assets.
The end of the reporting period for the Fund is November 30, 2025, and the period covered by these Notes to Financial Statements is from June 1, 2025 to November 30, 2025 (the "current fiscal period").
NOTE 2 - SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES
The following is a summary of significant accounting policies consistently followed by the Fund. These policies are in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America ("GAAP").
A.Security Valuation.Equity securities that are traded on a national securities exchange, except those listed on the NASDAQ Global Market® ("NASDAQ") are valued at the last reported sale price on the exchange on which the security is principally traded. Securities traded on NASDAQ will be valued at the NASDAQ Official Closing Price ("NOCP"). If, on a particular day, an exchange-traded or NASDAQ security does not trade, then the most recent quoted bid for exchange-traded or the mean between the most recent quoted bid and ask price for NASDAQ securities will be used. Equity securities that are not traded on a listed exchange are generally valued at the last sale price in the over-the-counter market. If a non-exchange traded security does not trade on a particular day, then the mean between the last quoted closing bid and asked price will be used. Prices denominated in foreign currencies are converted to U.S. dollar equivalents at the current exchange rate, which approximates fair value. Redeemable securities issued by open-end investment companies are valued at the investment company's applicable net asset value, with the exception of exchange-traded open-end investment companies which are priced as equity securities. Fair values for debt securities, including asset-backed securities ("ABS"), collateralized loan obligations ("CLO"), collateralized mortgage obligations ("CMO"), corporate obligations, whole loans, and mortgage-backed securities
5
AOT GROWTH AND INNOVATION ETF
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
November 30, 2025 (Unaudited)
("MBS") are normally determined on the basis of valuations provided by independent pricing services. Vendors typically value such securities based on one or more inputs, including but not limited to, benchmark yields, transactions, bids, offers, quotations from dealers and trading systems, new issues, spreads and other relationships observed in the markets among comparable securities; and pricing models such as yield measurers calculated using factors such as cash flows, financial or collateral performance and other reference data. In addition to these inputs, MBS and ABS may utilize cash flows, prepayment information, default rates, delinquency and loss assumptions, collateral characteristics, credit enhancements and specific deal information. Reverse repurchase agreements are priced at their acquisition cost, and assessed for credit adjustments, which represents fair value. Futures contracts are carried at fair value using the primary exchange's closing (settlement) price.
Subject to its oversight, the Trust's Board of Trustees (the "Board") has delegated primary responsibility for determining or causing to be determined the value of the Fund's investments to Empowered Funds, LLC dba EA Advisers (the "Adviser"), pursuant to the Trust's valuation policy and procedures, which have been adopted by the Trust and approved by the Board. In accordance with Rule 2a-5 under the 1940 Act, the Board designated the Adviser as the "valuation designee" of the Fund. If the Adviser, as valuation designee, determines that reliable market quotations are not readily available for an investment, the investment is valued at fair value as determined in good faith by the Adviser in accordance with the Trust's fair valuation policy and procedures. The Adviser will provide the Board with periodic reports, no less frequently than quarterly, that discuss the functioning of the valuation process, if applicable, and that identify issues and valuation problems that have arisen, if any. As appropriate, the Adviser and the Board will review any securities valued by the Adviser in accordance with the Trust's valuation policies during these periodic reports. The use of fair value pricing by the Fund may cause the net asset value of its shares to differ significantly from the net asset value that would be calculated without regard to such considerations. For the current fiscal period, the Fund did not hold any securities that required fair valuation due to unobservable inputs.
As described above, the Fund may use various methods to measure the fair value of their investments on a recurring basis. GAAP establishes a hierarchy that prioritizes inputs to valuation methods. The three levels of inputs are:
Level 1 - Unadjusted quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities that the Fund has the ability to access.
Level 2 - Observable inputs other than quoted prices included in Level 1 that are observable for the asset or liability, either directly or indirectly. These inputs may include quoted prices for the identical instrument on an inactive market, prices for similar instruments, interest rates, prepayment speeds, credit risk, yield curves, default rates and similar data.
Level 3 - Unobservable inputs for the asset or liability, to the extent relevant observable inputs are not available; representing the Fund's own assumptions about the assumptions a market participant would use in valuing the asset or liability and would be based on the best information available.
The availability of observable inputs can vary from security to security and is affected by a wide variety of factors, including, for example, the type of security, whether the security is new and not yet established in the marketplace, the liquidity of markets, and other characteristics particular to the security. To the extent that valuation is based on models or inputs that are less observable or unobservable in the market, the determination of fair value requires more judgment. Accordingly, the degree of judgment exercised in determining fair value is greatest for instruments categorized in Level 3.
The inputs used to measure fair value may fall into different levels of the fair value hierarchy. In such cases, for disclosure purposes, the level in the fair value hierarchy within which the fair value measurement falls in its entirety, is determined based on the lowest level input that is significant to the fair value measurement in its entirety.
6
AOT GROWTH AND INNOVATION ETF
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
November 30, 2025 (Unaudited)
The following is a summary of the fair value classification of the Fund's investments as of the current fiscal period end:
DESCRIPTION LEVEL 1 LEVEL 2 LEVEL 3 TOTAL
Investments
Common Stocks $ 88,569,022 $ - $ - $ 88,569,022
Money Market Funds 316,155 - - 316,155
Total Investments $ 88,885,177 $ - $ - $ 88,885,177
Refer to the Schedule of Investments for further disaggregation of investment categories.
During the current fiscal period, the Fund did not invest in any Level 3 investments and recognized no transfers to/from Level 3. Transfers between levels are recognized at the end of the reporting period.
B.Federal Income Taxes.The Fund's policy is to comply with the provisions of Subchapter M of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, applicable to regulated investment companies and to distribute substantially all of their net investment income and net capital gains to shareholders. Therefore, no federal income tax provision is required. Each Fund plans to file U.S. Federal and various state and local tax returns.
The Fund recognizes the tax benefits of uncertain tax positions only when the position is more likely than not to be sustained. Management has analyzed the Fund's uncertain tax positions and concluded that no liability for unrecognized tax benefits should be recorded related to uncertain tax positions. Management is not aware of any tax positions for which it is reasonably possible that the total amounts of unrecognized tax benefits will change materially in the next 12 months. Income and capital gain distributions are determined in accordance with federal income tax regulations, which may differ from U.S. GAAP. The Fund recognizes interest and penalties, if any, related to unrecognized tax benefits on uncertain tax positions as income tax expenses in the Statements of Operations. During the current fiscal period, the Fund did not incur any interest or penalties.
C.Security Transactions and Investment Income. Investment securities transactions are accounted for on the trade date. Gains and losses realized on sales of securities are determined on a specific identification basis. Dividend income is recorded on the ex-dividend date, net of any foreign taxes withheld at source. Interest income is recorded on an accrual basis. Withholding taxes on foreign dividends have been provided for in accordance with the Fund's understanding of the applicable tax rules and regulations.
Distributions to shareholders from net investment income for the Fund are declared and paid on an annual basis and distributions to shareholders from net realized gains on securities normally are declared and paid on an annual basis. Distributions are recorded on the ex-dividend date. The Fund may distribute more frequently, if necessary, for tax purposes.
D.Use of Estimates. The preparation of financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements, as well as the reported amounts of increases and decreases in net assets from operations during the period. Actual results could differ from those estimates.
E.Share Valuation. The NAV per share of the Fund is calculated by dividing the sum of the value of the securities held by the Fund, plus cash and other assets, minus all liabilities (including estimated accrued expenses) by the total number of shares outstanding for the Fund, rounded to the nearest cent. The Fund's shares will not be priced on the days on which the New York Stock Exchange ("NYSE") is closed for regular trading. The offering and redemption price per share for the Fund is equal to the Fund's net asset value per share.
F.Guarantees and Indemnifications. In the normal course of business, the Fund enters into contracts with service providers that contain general indemnification clauses. Additionally, as is customary, the Trust's organizational
7
AOT GROWTH AND INNOVATION ETF
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
November 30, 2025 (Unaudited)
documents permit the Trust to indemnify its officers and trustees against certain liabilities under certain circumstances. The Fund's maximum exposure under these arrangements is unknown as this would involve future claims that may be against the Fund that have not yet occurred. As of the date of this report, no claim has been made for indemnification pursuant to any such agreement of the Fund.
G.Reclassification of Capital Accounts. GAAP requires that certain components of net assets relating to permanent differences be reclassified between financial and tax reporting. These reclassifications have no effect on net assets or net asset value per share. The Fund's realized net capital gains resulting from in-kind redemptions, in which shareholders exchanged Fund shares for securities held by the Fund rather than for cash, are not taxable to the Fund and are not distributed to shareholders. As such, they have been reclassified from distributable earnings to paid-in capital. For the fiscal year ended May 31, 2025, the following table shows the reclassifications made:
Distributable
Earnings 		Paid-in
Capital
$ (1,935,287) $ 1,935,287
H.New Accounting Pronouncement: In December 2023, the FASB issued ASU 2023-09 Income Taxes (Topic 740): Improvements to Income Tax Disclosures. Effective for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2024, the amendments require greater disaggregation of disclosures related to income taxes paid. The ASU has been adopted by the Fund as of the reporting period end. Management has evaluated the impact of the ASU and determined it does not materially impact the financial statements.
NOTE 3 - COMMITMENTS AND OTHER RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS.
Empowered Funds, LLC dba EA Advisers (the "Adviser") serves as the investment adviser to the Fund. Pursuant to an investment advisory agreement (the "Advisory Agreement") between the Trust, on behalf of the Fund, and the Adviser, the Adviser provides investment advice to the Fund and oversees the day-to-day operations of the Fund, subject to the direction and control of the Board and the officers of the Trust. Under the Advisory Agreement, the Adviser is also responsible for arranging transfer agency, custody, fund administration and accounting, and other non-distribution related services necessary for the Fund to operate. The Adviser administers the Fund's business affairs, provides office facilities and equipment and certain clerical, bookkeeping and administrative services. The Adviser agrees to pay all expenses incurred by the Fund except for the fee paid to the Adviser pursuant to the Advisory Agreement, payments under any distribution plan adopted pursuant to Rule 12b-1, brokerage expenses, acquired fund fees and expenses, taxes (including tax-related services), interest (including borrowing costs), litigation expense (including class action-related services) and other non-routine or extraordinary expenses. The Adviser contractually agreed to waive all or portion of its management fee for the Fund, to the extent necessary to offset all or a portion of acquired fund fees and expenses through October 31, 2025. The Adviser waived $78 of its advisory fee to offset the acquired fund fees and expenses incurred by the Fund. Per the Advisory Agreement, the Fund pays an annual rate of 0.75% to the Adviser monthly based on average daily net assets.
AOT Invest, LLC (the "Sub-Adviser"), serves as an investment sub-adviser to the Fund. Pursuant to an investment sub-advisory agreement (the "Sub-Advisory Agreement") among the Trust, the Adviser and the Sub-Adviser, the Sub-Adviser is responsible for determining the investment exposures for the Fund, subject to the overall supervision and oversight of the Adviser and the Board.
U.S. Bancorp Fund Services, LLC ("Fund Services" or "Administrator"), doing business as U.S. Bank Global Fund Services, acts as the Fund's Administrator and, in that capacity, performs various administrative and accounting services for the Fund. The Administrator prepares various federal and state regulatory filings, reports and returns for the Fund, including regulatory compliance monitoring and financial reporting; prepares reports and materials to be supplied to the trustees; monitors the activities of the Fund's Custodian, transfer agent and fund accountant. Fund Services also serves as the transfer agent and fund accountant to the Fund. U.S. Bank N.A. (the "Custodian"), an affiliate of the Administrator, serves as the Fund's Custodian.
8
AOT GROWTH AND INNOVATION ETF
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
November 30, 2025 (Unaudited)
The Custodian acts as the securities lending agent (the "Securities Lending Agent") for the Funds.
NOTE 4 - SECURITIES LENDING
The Fund may lend up to 331/3% of the value of the securities in its portfolio to brokers, dealers and financial institutions (but not individuals) under terms of participation in a securities lending program administered by the Securities Lending Agent. The securities lending agreement requires that loans are collateralized at all times in an amount equal to at least 102% of the value of any domestic loaned securities at the time of the loan, plus accrued interest. The use of loans of foreign securities, which are denominated and payable in U.S. dollars, shall be collateralized in an amount equal to 105% of the value of any loaned securities at the time of the loan plus accrued interest. The Fund receives compensation in the form of fees and earns interest on the cash collateral. The amount of fees depends on a number of factors including the type of security and length of the loan. The Fund continues to receive interest payments or dividends on the securities loaned during the borrowing period. Gain or loss on the value of securities loaned that may occur during the term of the loan will be for the account of the Fund. The Fund has the right under the terms of the securities lending agreement to recall the securities from the borrower on demand.
The securities lending agreement provides that, in the event of a borrower's material default, the Securities Lending Agent shall take all actions the Securities Lending Agent deems appropriate to liquidate the collateral, purchase replacement securities at the Securities Lending Agent's expense or pay the Fund an amount equal to the market value of the loaned securities, subject to certain limitations which are set forth in detail in the securities lending agreement between the Fund and the Securities Lending Agent.
During the current fiscal period, the Fund had loaned securities and received cash collateral for the loans. The cash collateral was invested by the Securities Lending Agent in accordance with the Trust approved investment guidelines. Those guidelines require the cash collateral to be invested in readily marketable, high quality, short-term obligations; however, such investments are subject to risk of payment delays or default on the part of the issuer or counterparty or otherwise may not generate sufficient interest to support the costs associated with securities lending. The Fund could also experience delays in recovering its securities and possible loss of income or value if the borrower fails to return the borrowed securities, although the Fund is indemnified from this risk by contract with the Securities Lending Agent. As of the end of the current fiscal period, there were no securities of the Fund out to loan.
The interest income earned by the Fund on the investment of cash collateral received from borrowers for the securities loaned to them ("Securities Lending Income, Net") is reflected in the Fund's Statement of Operations. Net securities lending income earned on collateral investments and recognized by the Fund during the current fiscal period was $71.
Due to the absence of a master netting agreement related to the Fund's participation in securities lending, no additional offsetting disclosures have been made on behalf of the Fund for the total borrowings listed above.
NOTE 5 - PURCHASES AND SALES OF SECURITIES
For the current fiscal period, purchases and sales of securities for the Fund, excluding short-term securities and in-kind transactions, were as follows:
Purchases Sales
$ 6,821,998 $ 6,745,510
For the current fiscal period, in-kind transactions associated with creations and redemptions were as follows:
Purchases Sales
$ 28,899,946 $ 7,043,003
There were no purchases or sales of U.S. Government securities during the current fiscal period.
9
AOT GROWTH AND INNOVATION ETF
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
November 30, 2025 (Unaudited)
NOTE 6 - TAX INFORMATION
The components of tax basis cost of investments and net unrealized appreciation (depreciation) for federal income tax purposes for the fiscal year ended May 31, 2025, were as follows:
Tax cost of Investments $ 36,196,285
Gross tax unrealized appreciation 19,146,897
Gross tax unrealized depreciation (776,406)
Net tax unrealized appreciation (depreciation) $ 18,370,491
Undistributed ordinary income -
Undistributed long-term gain -
Total distributable earnings -
Other accumulated gain (loss) (2,216,217)
Total accumulated gain (loss) $ 16,154,274
Under tax law, certain capital and foreign currency losses realized after October 31st and within the taxable year are deemed to arise on the first business day of the Fund's next taxable year.
For the fiscal year ended May 31, 2025, the Fund did not defer any post-October capital losses and the Fund deferred, on a tax basis, qualified late year losses of:
Post-October Late Year Loss Deferral
$ 79,119
At the fiscal year ended May 31, 2025, the Fund had the following capital loss carryforwards that do not expire:
Unlimited
Short-Term 		Unlimited
Long-Term
$ 960,878 $ 1,176,220
NOTE 7 - SUBSEQUENT EVENTS
In preparing these financial statements, management of the Fund has evaluated events and transactions for potential recognition or disclosure through the date the financial statements were issued. There were no transactions that occurred during the period subsequent to current fiscal period, that materially impacted the amounts or disclosures in the Fund's financial statements except for the below:
Effective January 20, 2026, the Fund is classified as "non-diversified" under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, which means the Fund may take larger positions in a fewer number of issuers.
10
AOT GROWTH AND INNOVATION ETF
FEDERAL TAX INFORMATION (UNAUDITED)
For the fiscal year ended May 31, 2025, certain dividends paid by the Fund may be subject to a maximum tax rate of 23.8%, as provided for by the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017. The percentage of dividends declared from ordinary income designated as qualified dividend income for the Fund was 0.00%.
For corporate shareholders, the percent of ordinary income distributions qualifying for the corporate dividends received deduction for the fiscal year ended May 31, 2025, for the Fund was 0.00%.
The percentage of taxable ordinary income distributions that are designated as short-term capital gain distributions under the Internal Revenue Section 871(k)(2)(C) for the Fund was 0.00%.
11
Item 8. Changes in and Disagreements with Accountants for Open-End Management Investment
Companies.
There were no matters concerning changes in and disagreements with Accountants on accounting and financial disclosures required by Item 304 of Regulation S-K.
Item 9. Proxy Disclosures for Open-End Management Investment Companies.
There were no matters submitted during the period covered by the report to a vote of shareholders.
Item 10. Remuneration Paid to Directors, Officers, and Others of Open-End Management
Investment Companies
Not applicable. The Independent Trustees are paid by the Adviser out of the advisory fee. See Note 3 to the Financial Statements under Item 7.
Item 11. Statement Regarding Basis for Approval of Investment Advisory Contracts.
Not applicable.
Item 12. Disclosure of Proxy Voting Policies and Procedures for Closed-End Management Investment Companies.
Not applicable to open-end investment companies.
Item 13. Portfolio Managers of Closed-End Management Investment Companies.
Not applicable to open-end investment companies.
Item 14. Purchases of Equity Securities by Closed-End Management Investment Company and Affiliated Purchasers.
Not applicable to open-end investment companies.
Item 15. Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders.
There have been no material changes to the procedures by which shareholders may recommend nominees to the registrant's board of trustees.
Item 16. Controls and Procedures.
(a) The Registrant's President (principal executive officer) and Treasurer (principal financial officer) have reviewed the Registrant's disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rule 30a-3(c) under the Investment Company Act of 1940 (the "Act")) as of a date within 90 days of the filing of this report, as required by Rule 30a-3(b) under the Act and Rules 13a-15(b) or 15d-15(b) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. Based on their review, such officers have concluded that the disclosure controls and procedures are effective in ensuring that information required to be disclosed in this report is appropriately recorded, processed, summarized and reported and made known to them by others within the Registrant and by the Registrant's service provider.
(b) There were no changes in the Registrant's internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Rule 30a-3(d) under the Act) that occurred during the period covered by this report that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, the Registrant's internal control over financial reporting.
Item 17. Disclosure of Securities Lending Activities for Closed-End Management Investment Companies
Not applicable to open-end investment companies.
Item 18. Recovery of Erroneously Awarded Compensation.
There have been no required recovery of erroneously awarded incentive based compensation to an executive officer from the registrant that required an accounting restatement.
Item 19. Exhibits.
(a)
(1) Any code of ethics or amendment thereto, that is the subject of the disclosure required by Item 2, to the extent that the registrant intends to satisfy Item 2 requirements through filing an exhibit. Not Applicable.
(2) Any policy required by the listing standards adopted pursuant to Rule 10D-1 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.10D-1) by the registered national securities exchange or registered national securities association upon which the registrant's securities are listed. Not Applicable.
(3) A separate certification for each principal executive and principal financial officer of the registrant as required by Rule 30a-2(a) under the Investment Company Act of 1940 (17 CFR 270.30a-2(a)). Filed herewith.
(4) Any written solicitation to purchase securities under Rule 23c-1 under the Act sent or given during the period covered by the report by or on behalf of the registrant to 10 or more persons.Not Applicable to open-end investment companies.
(5) Change in the registrant's independent public accountant. Not Applicable.
(b)
Certifications pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002. Filed herewith.
SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and the Investment Company Act of 1940, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.
(Registrant) EA Series Trust
By (Signature and Title) /s/ Wesley R. Gray, PhD.
Wesley R. Gray, PhD., President (principal executive officer)
Date: January 28, 2026
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and the Investment Company Act of 1940, this report has been signed below by the following persons on behalf of the registrant and in the capacities and on the dates indicated.
By (Signature and Title) /s/ Wesley R. Gray, PhD.
Wesley R. Gray, PhD., President (principal executive officer)
Date: January 28, 2026
By (Signature and Title) /s/ Sean R. Hegarty, CPA
Sean R. Hegarty, CPA, Treasurer (principal financial officer)
Date: January 28, 2026
Alpha Architect ETF Trust published this content on January 30, 2026, and is solely responsible for the information contained herein. Distributed via EDGAR on January 30, 2026 at 16:26 UTC. If you believe the information included in the content is inaccurate or outdated and requires editing or removal, please contact us at [email protected]