OWNERSHIP/ADVISORY HISTORY
Invest in Vol LLC (IIV) became registered as an investment adviser in April 2017. Dr. Stuart Barton
and Justin Young are the managing members.
ADVISORY SERVICES OFFERED
IIV offers investment management services that involve assisting with the ongoing
management of a client’s investment accounts. IIV works with clients to determine a strategy
most suitable based upon his or her objectives, time frame, risk parameters, and other
investment considerations.
IIV offers its own separately managed accounts and separately managed accounts from select
advisers. Strategies offered include:
• Balanced Short Vol
• Opportunistic Long Vol
• AlphaVol: The AlphaVol Strategy is managed in conjunction with Vaucluse Management,
LLC, a Massachusetts state registered investment adviser.
• AlphaVol Long Bias: The AlphaVol Long Bias is managed in conjunction with Vaucluse
Management, LLC, a Massachusetts state registered investment adviser.
• Global Equity
• Customized Portfolios
IIV also provides investment management services under sub-advisory or other agreements to
other investment advisors, investment management companies, funds, partnerships or
institutions, and provides the same or other type of services to such entities as provided to other
clients. Additionally, IIV is sub-advisor to one private, hedge fund: Vaucluse Partners I-A.
If agreed upon in the investment advisory agreement, IIV offers investment management services
to high net-worth “qualified clients” for a base fee plus an incentive fee to be determined by
investment performance. As with the investment management service, IIV provides custom
tailored advice to meet the individualized needs and investment objectives of the client.
IIV structures any performance or incentive fee arrangement subject to Section 205(a)(1) of the
Investment Advisors Act of 1940 (The Advisors Act) in accordance with the available exemptions
thereunder, including the exemption set forth in Rule 205-3.
Performance based fee arrangements may create an incentive for IIV to recommend investments
that may be riskier or more speculative than those which would be recommended under a
different fee arrangement. Such fee arrangements also create an incentive to favor higher fee
paying accounts over other accounts in the allocation of investment opportunities. IIV has
procedures designed and implemented to ensure that all clients are treated fairly and equally,
and to prevent this conflict from influencing the allocation of investment opportunities among
clients.
IIV offers performance based fees only to "qualified clients".
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The definition of "qualified clients" can be found in SEC Section 275.205-3.
"Qualified Client" pursuant to SEC 275.205-3 means:
(i) A natural person who or a company that immediately after entering into the contract
has at least $1,000,000 under the management of the investment adviser;
(ii) A natural person who or a company that the investment adviser entering into the
contract (and any person acting on his behalf) reasonably believes, immediately prior to
entering into the contract, either:
(A) Has a net worth (together, in the case of a natural person, with assets held
jointly with a spouse) of more than $2,100,000, at the time the contract is entered
into; or
(B) Is a qualified purchaser as defined in section 2(a)(51)(AA) of the Investment
Company Act of 1940 (15U.S.C. 80a-2(51)(A)) at the time the contract is entered
into; or
(iii) A natural person who immediately prior to entering into the contract is:
(A) An executive officer, director, trustee, general partner or person serving in
similar capacity, of the investment adviser; or
(B) An employee of the investment adviser (other than an employee performing
solely clerical, secretarially or administrative functions with regard to the
investment adviser) who, in connection with his or her regular functions or duties,
participates in the investment activities of such investment adviser, provided that
such employee has been performing such functions and duties for or on behalf of
the investment adviser, or substantially similar functions or duties for or on behalf
of another company for at least 12 months.
IIV regularly monitors the client’s portfolio and adjusts it as determined by the stock market and
world events.
TAILORED SERVICES
The goals and objectives of each client are documented before any investing takes place. Each
client is given a financial survey which covers the facets of a person’s financial life. Goals and
objectives are summarized in a Client Investment Profile determined from this survey. Clients
may impose restrictions on investing in certain securities or types of securities.
WRAP PROGRAM
IIV does not sponsor a wrap program. This section is not applicable.
CLIENT ASSETS MANAGED
As of January 16, 2020, IIV managed approximately $38.86M USD.
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Portfolio Management Services
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IIV charges a management fee based on the assets under management in the client’s account. The
annual management fee is 3.00%. The fee is negotiable. The management fee is charged and
collected quarterly in arrears. The fee is calculated using the Custodian reported account value. The
fee is calculated by the Adviser or the Custodian by multiplying the value of the Account at the end
of each period by the annual management fee, then dividing the result by the number of trading
days in the year, and multiplying the result by the number of trading days in that period.
IIV also offers performance based fees for qualified clients, which are equal to 25% of net returns
on the account (investment returns less the management fee charged). The performance fee is
charged quarterly in arrears. In determining the return on client accounts, a “high water mark”
is typically not considered although may be considered by negotiation.
Performance Based Management Fee Example: Client A is a qualified client who contracts Invest
In Vol for management of his or her portfolio. Assuming Client A has a $2,000,000 portfolio. The
performance fee charged to Client A would be assessed at the end of each quarter. The
performance fee is payable only if and to the extent that Client A’s account has appreciated in
value. For example, Client A’s $2,000,000 account achieves a 10% return for a full quarter of
management, which equates to a $200,000 return. Adviser’s performance fee would be
calculated as follows: the entire gain of $200,000 multiplied by 25% equals a performance fee
due to Adviser of $50,000. Pro-rated performance fees would be charged during the first quarter
of management.
Fee Deduction Practices
The client will be asked to authorize their Custodian to have fees deducted directly from their
account. When deducting either the management fee or the performance fee the Custodian will
report the notional fee in the client’s monthly or quarterly statement. The client may terminate
this authorization at any time by giving IIV or the client’s Custodian written notice. The client’s
Custodian will make a statement available at least once a quarter indicating the amount of fees
withdrawn from the client’s account.
Other Fees Paid by Client
In addition to the management fee and performance fee (when applicable), the client may also
incur certain charges imposed by unaffiliated third parties. Such charges include, but are not
limited to, custodial fees, brokerage commissions, transaction fees, charges imposed directly by
a mutual fund, index fund, or exchange traded fund purchased for the account which shall be
disclosed in the fund’s prospectus (i.e., fund management fees and other fund expenses), wire
transfer fees and other fees and taxes on brokerage accounts and securities transactions. IIV
does not share in any portion of the brokerage fees/transaction charges imposed by the
Custodian holding the client funds or securities.
Additionally, advice offered by IIV may involve investments in money market funds. Clients are
hereby advised that all fees paid to IIV for investment advisory services are separate and distinct
from the fees and expenses charged by money market funds (described in each fund’s prospectus)
to their shareholders. The client should review all fees charged by money market funds, IIV, and
others to fully understand the total amount of fees to be paid by the client.
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Termination of Advisory Services
A client may terminate services for any reason within the first five (5) calendar days after signing
the contract without any cost or penalty. Thereafter, the contract may be terminated according
to the Investment Management Agreement by giving written notice to IIV at 100 South Bedford
Road, Suite 340; Mt. Kisco, NY 10549.
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IIV offers performance-based fees to qualified clients. This is described in Item 4 and 5 above.
Performance based fee arrangements may create an incentive for IIV to recommend investments
that may be riskier or more speculative than those that would be recommended under a different
fee arrangement. Such fee arrangements also create an incentive to favor higher fee-paying
accounts over other accounts in the allocation of investment opportunities. IIV has policies and
procedures designed and implemented to ensure that all clients are treated fairly and equally,
and to prevent this conflict from influencing the allocation of investment opportunities among
clients. These policies and procedures include:
• All accounts are managed according to the strategy agreed to with each client.
• IIV performs a periodic review of each client’s account. In this review, performance
account trades are reviewed and compared with non-performance account trades to
ensure favoritism was not exercised.
• IIV has trade allocation policies and procedures designed to ensure that all clients are
treated fairly and equally and to prevent this conflict from influencing the allocation of
investment opportunities among clients.
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IIV offers services to individuals, including high net worth individuals, advisors, and institutions.
IIV requires a minimum account size of $100,000; this requirement may be waived at the
discretion of IIV.
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METHODS OF ANALYSIS AND INVESTMENT STRATEGIES
Invest In Vol’s investment approach utilizes the construction and active management of
portfolios chosen by each client to gain exposure to the equity, fixed income, and volatility
markets. Portfolio holdings consist largely of exchange-traded products (ETPs) with holdings in
alternative investment classes including commodities, currencies, managed futures, and
volatility.
Active portfolio management is a critical component of IIV’s investment approach. All
investments are reviewed on a daily basis and new opportunities are constantly evaluated.
The methods and strategies used in the management of client portfolios are proprietary and
draw upon technical and fundamental analysis of the stock market, and on macroeconomic
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analysis. Other sources of information include financial newspapers and magazines, inspections
of corporate activities, research materials prepared by others, corporate rating services, timing
and signal services, annual reports, prospectuses, filings with the Securities and Exchange
Commission, and company press releases.
IIV focuses its management efforts on strategies linked to the CBOE Volatility
Index® (VIX® Index). The VIX® Index is a leading measure of market expectations of near-term
volatility conveyed by S&P 500® Index option prices.
The investment strategies offered by IIV represent IIV’s current intentions, are general in nature
and are not exhaustive. There are no limits on the types of securities in which IIV may take
positions on behalf of its clients, the types of positions that it may take, the concentration of its
investments or the amount of leverage that it may use. IIV may use any trading or investment
techniques, whether or not contemplated by the expected investment strategies. In addition,
there are limitations in describing any investment strategy due to its complexity, confidentiality
and indefinite nature.
INVESTMENT RISKS
All investment programs have certain risks that are borne by the client and investing in securities
involves risk of loss that a client should be prepared to bear. IIV’s goal is to reduce the risk of
loss, but not at the expense of portfolio growth. Recommended investment strategies seek to
balance risks and rewards to achieve investment objectives. To manage risk, IIV rebalances
portfolios on an as-needed basis to bring the asset allocations to their intended balances. The
client should feel free to ask questions about risks that he or she does not understand.
RECOMMENDED SECURITIES
Invest In Vol uses exchange-traded products (ETPs) [exchange-traded funds (ETFs) and exchange-
traded notes(ETNs)] including inverse and leverage funds in client portfolios. Some of the risks
associated with using exchange-traded products are the following:
Market Risk. Since the ETF invests most or a substantial portion of its assets in stocks, it is subject
to stock market risk. Market risk involves the possibility that the value of the ETF’s investments
in stocks will decline due to drops in the stock market. In general, the value of the ETF will move
in the same direction as the overall stock market in which the ETF invests, which will vary from
day to day in response to the activities of individual companies, as well as general market,
regulatory, political and economic conditions.
Trading Risk. Although ETFs will be listed on the Exchange, there can be no assurance that an
active or liquid trading market for them will develop or be maintained. In addition, trading in the
ETF on the Exchange may be halted due to market conditions or for reasons that, in the view of
the Exchange, make trading in the ETF inadvisable. Further, trading in the ETF on the Exchange is
subject to trading halts caused by extraordinary market volatility under the Exchange “circuit
breaker” rules. There can be no assurance that the requirements of the Exchange necessary to
maintain the listing of the ETF will continue to be met or will remain unchanged.
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Value Stock Risk. Value stocks are subject to the risk that their intrinsic value may never be
realized by the market or that their prices may go down. While the ETF’s investments in value
stocks may limit its downside risk over time, the ETF may produce more modest gains than riskier
stock funds as a trade-off for this potentially lower risk.
Leveraged ETF Risk. A leveraged ETP seeks to generate a return that is a multiple (usually 2X or
3X or -2X or -3X) of its benchmark index's performance over a specific, pre-set time period
indicated in the fund’s prospectus. That time period is also referred to as the "rebalancing
period", and it is generally only one day, although it could be for a longer time period such as a
month. As a result, the returns for these types of ETPs can differ significantly from that of their
benchmark index, over periods lasting longer than the rebalancing period because of the
compounding of returns. Generally, the longer the security is held, the more likely the returns of
the Leveraged product will differ from the long term return of the index. Although potential
returns are increased by leveraging, so are the potential losses, so these securities carry significant risk. As a result, leveraged and inverse ETPs are intended only for sophisticated
investors with an aggressive tolerance for risk.
Inverse ETF Risk. An inverse ETP attempts to mimic the inverse, or opposite, of its stated
benchmark. For example, an inverse S&P 500 ETP would attempt to deliver the opposite of the
S&P 500's daily performance, net of fees. These funds, also called "short ETPs or Bear ETPs" are
often in an attempt to profit from a downturn in a given market, sector, or index, or to hedge
against a potential loss in their portfolio. Although an inverse ETF does not explicitly use leverage
to magnify the intended return, they can suffer from the same compounding effects as the
leveraged long and leveraged short ETPs.
Credit Risk: ETNs are unsecured debt obligations of the issuer. If the issuer defaults on the note,
investors may lose some or all of their investment.
Liquidity Risk: Although ETPs are exchange-traded, they do carry liquidity risk. As with other ETPs,
a trading market may not develop. In addition, under some circumstances, issuers can delist an
ETN. If this happens, the market for the ETN can dry up or evaporate entirely.
Price-Tracking Risk: An ETP market price may vary significantly from its intra-day indicative value
and its closing indicative or net asset value.
Holding-Period Risk: Some ETPs, particularly some leveraged, inverse and inverse leveraged
ETPs, are designed to be short-term trading tools (with holding periods as short as one day) rather
than buy-and-hold investments. Because of the effects of compounding, the performance of
these products over long periods can differ significantly from the stated multiple of the
performance (or inverse of the performance) of the underlying index or benchmark during the
same period.
Call, Early Redemption and Acceleration Risk: Some ETNs are callable at the issuer's discretion.
In some instances ETNs can be subject to early redemption or an "accelerated" maturity date at
the discretion of the issuer or one of its affiliates. Since ETNs may be called at any time, their
value when called may be less than the market price that you paid or even zero, resulting in a
partial or total loss of an investment.
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Conflicts of Interest: There are a number of potential conflicts of interest between investors and
the issuer of ETNs. For example, the issuer of the notes may engage in trading activities that are
at odds with investors who hold the notes (shorting strategies, for instance). Please carefully read
the ETN prospectus for any mention of "conflicts of interest" and evaluate whether these
conflicts are worth the risk.
Invest In Vol also recommends securities to gain exposure to the equity, fixed income, and
volatility markets.
All investment programs have certain risks that are borne by the client and investing in securities
involves risk of loss that clients should be prepared to bear. IIV’s strategies attempt to balance
risk with reward by cutting losses short and allowing gains to run. Clients should ask questions
about risks that he or she does not understand.
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Registered investment advisers are required to disclose all material facts regarding any legal or
disciplinary events within the past 10-years that would be material to a client's evaluation of the
adviser or the integrity of its management. IIV does not have any information applicable to this
Item because IIV has not been the subject of any administrative, civil, criminal, regulatory (SEC
or State) or self-regulatory proceedings.
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BROKER-DEALER AFFILIATIONS
IIV is not associated with a broker-dealer.
FUTURES/COMMODITIES FIRM AFFILIATION
IIV owns a controlling interest in Volatility Shares LLC. Volatility Shares LLC is registered with the
NFA as a Commodity Pool Operator. Both entities share supervised persons and a physical
location.
OTHER INDUSTRY AFFILIATIONS
IIV does not have any other industry affiliations.
SELECTION OF THIRD PARTY INVESTMENT ADVISERS
IIV offers Separately Managed Accounts from third-party investment advisers.
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DESCRIPTION
IIV’s Code of Ethics establishes ideals for ethical conduct based upon fundamental principles of
openness, integrity, honesty, and trust. IIV will provide a copy of their Code of Ethics to any client
or prospective client upon request.
IIV’s Code of Ethics covers all supervised persons and it describes their high standard of business
conduct and fiduciary duty to their clients. The Code of Ethics includes, among other things,
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provisions relating to the confidentiality of client information, a prohibition on insider trading, a
prohibition on rumor mongering, restrictions on the acceptance of significant gifts and the
reporting of certain gifts and business entertainment items, and personal securities trading
procedures. All supervised persons must acknowledge the terms of the Code of Ethics annually
or as amended.
MATERIAL INTEREST IN SECURITIES
IIV does not have material interest in any securities.
INVESTING IN OR RECOMMENDING THE SAME SECURITIES
IIV owners may buy or sell for their own accounts the same securities that they recommend or
purchase for client accounts.
A conflict of interest may exist because they can trade ahead of client trades. IIV mitigates any
conflict of interest in two ways. First, IIV’s Code of Ethics requires employees to report personal
securities transactions on at least a quarterly basis and provide a detailed summary of certain
holdings (both initially upon commencement of employment and quarterly thereafter) in which
employees have a direct or indirect beneficial interest. The reports are reviewed to ensure IIV
does not trade ahead of client accounts. Second, IIV requires client transactions to be placed
ahead of IIV’s associates’ personal trades, or IIV associates can place personal trades as part of a
block trade (Please see Item 12 for details on IIV’s block trading practices). The records of all
associates’ personal and client trading activities are reviewed and made available to regulators
to review on the premises.
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OVERVIEW
Invest In Vol (IIV) has established trade allocation policies and procedures designed to ensure
that all clients are treated fairly and equally and to prevent a conflict from influencing the
allocation of investment opportunities among clients. IIV performs a quarterly review of each
client’s account. In this review, performance account trades are reviewed and compared with
non-performance account trades to ensure favoritism was not exercised. Additionally, trades are
compared across Custodians to ensure best execution is continuously met. Lastly, all employee
trades are reviewed to ensure they were not traded ahead of any client accounts.
Typically, under a sub-advisory arrangement, the entity that has retained IIV to act in a sub-
advisory capacity directs the broker/dealer through which trades are executed. If this is the case,
IIV does not assume responsibility for that selection or for the quality of the execution provided
by the chosen broker/dealer and does not have the authority to negotiate commission levels. IIV
may also place orders for sub-advisory clients after it has placed orders for other clients.
RESEARCH AND SOFT DOLLARS
“Soft dollars” are defined as a form of payment investment firms can use to pay for goods and
services such as news subscriptions or research. When an investment firm gives its business to a
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particular brokerage firm, the brokerage firm in return can agree to use some of its revenue to
pay for these types of services. IIV does not receive any soft dollars.
BROKERAGE FOR CLIENT REFERRALS
IIV does not receive client referrals or any other incentive from any broker-dealer or Custodian.
DIRECTED BROKERAGE
Some clients may direct IIV to a specific broker-dealer to execute securities transactions for their
accounts. When so directed, IIV may not be able to effectively negotiate lower brokerage
commissions or achieve best execution on those clients’ transactions. This can result in
substantially higher fees, charges or dealer concessions in one or more transactions for the
clients’ accounts because IIV cannot negotiate favorable prices.
TRADE AGGREGATION
The aggregation or blocking of client transactions allows an adviser to execute transactions in a
more timely, equitable, and efficient manner and seeks to reduce overall commission charges to
clients. IIV’s policy is to aggregate client transactions where possible and when advantageous to
clients. In these instances clients participating in any aggregated transactions will receive an
average share price and transaction costs will be shared equally and on a pro-rata basis.
IIV may determine not to aggregate transactions, for example, based on the size of the trades,
the number of client accounts, the timing of the trades, the liquidity of the securities and the
discretionary nature of the trades. If IIV does not aggregate orders, some clients purchasing
securities around the same time may receive a less favorable price than other clients. This means
that this practice of not aggregating may cost clients more money.
Typically, under a sub-advisory arrangement, the entity that has retained IIV to act in a sub-
advisory capacity directs the broker/dealer through which trades are executed. If this is the
case, IIV does not assume responsibility for that selection or for the quality of the execution
provided by the chosen broker/dealer and does not have the authority to negotiate
commission levels. IIV may also place orders for sub-advisory clients after it has placed orders
for other clients.
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PERIODIC REVIEWS
Dr. Barton or Mr. Young, Managing Partners, review each client account at least annually.
OTHER REVIEWS
Reviews may also be triggered by events within clients' lives, as well as pertinent news events,
changes in federal and state regulatory or tax regimes, and overall economic events.
REPORTS
Investment management clients receive at least quarterly statements from their account’s
Custodian.
Invest in Vol LLC Page 13 ADV Part 2A – 01/16/2020
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OTHER COMPENSATION
IIV does not receive extra compensation or any other economic benefit for providing investment
advice or other advisory services to clients.
CLIENT REFERRALS
IIV does not pay for client referrals or use solicitors.
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All client funds, securities and accounts are held by a qualified Custodian. IIV does not take
possession of a client’s securities. However, clients are asked to authorize IIV with the ability to
deduct the management fee directly from their accounts. This authorization applies to IIV’s
management fee and performance fee only. The client may cancel the authorization at any time
by notifying IIV or the account’s Custodian. When the Custodian withdraws the management fee
and/or performance fee the Custodian will make available a quarterly account statement that
indicates the fee amount withdrawn. Invest In Vol urges clients to carefully review their
statements and notify them of any discrepancies as soon as possible.
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IIV provides discretionary and non-discretionary investment management services. In order to
grant IIV with discretionary authority over the account the client must sign the Investment
Management Agreement. The investment management agreement contains a limited power of
attorney that allows IIV to select the securities and their amount to be bought and sold in the
client’s account. It also allows IIV to place each such trade without the client’s prior approval.
Also, the client’s Custodian may request the client to sign the Custodian’s limited power of
attorney. This varies with each Custodian. IIV discusses all limited powers of attorney prior to
execution of the Investment Management Agreement. In all cases, however, such discretion is to
be exercised in a manner consistent with the stated investment objectives for the client’s
account, and any other investment policies, limitation, or restrictions.
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Invest In Vol does not do proxy votes for any client. Any proxy solicitation materials received by
IIV will be forwarded to the client for response and voting. In the event a client has a question
about a proxy solicitation, the client should contact IIV.
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BALANCE SHEET
Invest In Vol does not require or solicit prepayment of more than $500 in fees per client six
months or more in advance. Therefore, IIV is not required to provide a balance sheet.
FINANCIAL CONDITION
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Invest In Vol is required in this Item to provide a client with certain financial information or
disclosures about their financial condition if they have a financial commitment that impairs their
ability to service that client. IIV does not have a financial commitment that impairs their ability
to service clients.
BANKRUPTCY
Invest In Vol has not been the subject of a bankruptcy proceeding.
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