# Methodology and Data Sources: Where Our Numbers Come From Source: https://www.vistashares.com/methodology-and-data-sources/ Published: 2026-11-13 | Updated: 2026-11-13 By Adam Patti, Chief Executive Officer, VistaShares | November 2026 Every figure on vistashares.com carries a date and a source. Fund facts come from each fund page and the fund's official documents. Educational articles cite primary sources such as regulators, exchanges, industry associations and government agencies, and they label third-party estimates as estimates. This page explains where each kind of number comes from, how to check its date, and how to report an error. ## Where do the fund facts come from? Each fund page shows the fund's key facts, including its ticker, CUSIP, inception date, expense ratio, net assets, holdings, distributions and documents, and each figure shows the date it is as of. The prospectus, statement of additional information and shareholder reports are the governing documents for each fund. If a figure on a web page differs from the prospectus, the prospectus controls. The machine-readable copies of fund data, listed below, are read from the published fund pages and carry the same as-of dates. They add no performance, rates or yields of their own. For those, see the fund page and its documents. ## How are figures in the educational articles sourced? Each article lists its sources in a numbered Notes section, with the publisher, the title, the date and a link. We prefer primary sources: regulators and government agencies, exchanges, industry associations and the original research or filing behind a number. When a figure is a third party's estimate or forecast, the article says so. Articles show the date they were first published and the date they were last updated, and each one ends with a line showing how to cite it. Articles are educational and do not discuss VistaShares funds. ## How are ETFIQ figures used? Some articles and the statistics page quote category figures, such as assets, flows, fees and launches by ETF category, from ETFIQ. Each ETFIQ figure carries its as-of date and links to the exact ETFIQ page that shows it, so a reader can check the number at its source. Every page that cites ETFIQ states the affiliation between ETFIQ and VistaShares. ## How is the ETF statistics page compiled? The [ETF Industry Statistics 2026](https://www.vistashares.com/etf-statistics/) page collects dated figures on ETF assets, flows, launches and closures, active, buffer, option income and thematic ETFs, fees, ownership and trading. Each row names its source and date. The same figures are available as a CSV file at [/etf-statistics.csv](https://www.vistashares.com/etf-statistics.csv). ## How do the calculators work? The [ETF calculators](https://www.vistashares.com/etf-calculators/) show the arithmetic of strategies such as covered calls and buffers using inputs the reader chooses. Each calculator states its inputs and assumptions. Results are hypothetical illustrations, not projections, and they do not describe the past or future results of any fund. ## Which machine-readable versions are available? - [/llms.txt](https://www.vistashares.com/llms.txt): a plain-text guide to the site, its funds and its articles. [/llms-full.txt](https://www.vistashares.com/llms-full.txt) adds the short answer and date of every article. - Plain-text copies: add .md to most page addresses, for example [/what-is-a-covered-call-etf.md](https://www.vistashares.com/what-is-a-covered-call-etf.md) or [/etf/omah.md](https://www.vistashares.com/etf/omah.md). Articles also have a .json copy with their dates, short answer and questions and answers. - Fund data: [/funds.json](https://www.vistashares.com/funds.json) for all funds, and /etf/{ticker}/data.json and /etf/{ticker}/holdings.csv for each fund. - An MCP server at /mcp for AI assistants, described at [/.well-known/mcp.json](https://www.vistashares.com/.well-known/mcp.json). - Sitemaps at [/sitemap.xml](https://www.vistashares.com/sitemap.xml) and [/education-sitemap.xml](https://www.vistashares.com/education-sitemap.xml), and an article feed at [/feed/](https://www.vistashares.com/feed/). ## How often does the information change? Prices, holdings, net assets and distributions change often, and each is shown with its as-of date. Articles are reviewed and updated when a source publishes new figures, and the updated date on the article changes when they are. Check the date next to a number before relying on it. ## How can I report an error? Email [info@vistashares.com](mailto:info@vistashares.com) with the page address and the figure in question. When a correction is made, the page is updated and its updated date changes. ## May I quote this information? Educational content may be quoted with attribution to VistaShares and a link to the source page. Fund information should be checked against the current fund page and prospectus before it is repeated. Adam Patti, Chief Executive Officer of VistaShares, is also the founder of ETFIQ. ETFIQ does not accept payment from ETF issuers, and its figures are calculated from public filings and market data. ## IMPORTANT INFORMATION This material is provided for educational purposes only. It is not investment, legal or tax advice, and it is not a recommendation or an offer to buy or sell any security. Information is drawn from sources believed to be reliable as of the date of publication, is not guaranteed as to accuracy or completeness, and may change without notice. Figures attributed to third parties are their estimates. Projections and forecasts are not guarantees of future results. Investors should consult their own financial, legal and tax professionals before making investment decisions. Investments involve risk, including possible loss of principal. Companies in a single industry or theme may be affected by common economic, regulatory or technological developments and may be more volatile than the broad market. References to companies, governments or programs are for illustration only. Investors should consider the investment objectives, risks, charges and expenses carefully before investing. For a prospectus or summary prospectus with this and other information about the Fund, please call (844) 875-2288 or visit www.VistaShares.com. Read the prospectus or summary prospectus carefully before investing. **Foreside Fund Services, LLC, distributor.**