XML 46 R15.htm IDEA: XBRL DOCUMENT

ETF shareholder proxy solicitation	9 Months Ended
Sep. 30, 2012
ETF Shareholder Proxy Solicitation [Abstract]
ETF shareholder proxy solicitation	10. ETF shareholder proxy solicitation In the third quarter of 2012 the Company completed its solicitation from the WisdomTree ETF shareholders to obtain approval for the Company to continue as investment advisor for the WisdomTree ETFs if the Company’s largest stockholder, Michael Steinhardt, who beneficially owns 25.1% of the Company’s common stock, were to sell or otherwise transfer shares of the Company’s common stock resulting in his beneficial ownership falling below 25%. The Investment Company Act presumes a change in control of the Company if Mr. Steinhardt’s ownership falls below the 25% threshold, which would trigger an automatic termination of the Company’s investment advisory agreements with the WisdomTree Trust and require approval of the WisdomTree ETF shareholders to continue the agreements. Thus, this pre-approval eliminates the need for further shareholder action. In addition, the Company received approval from the WisdomTree ETF shareholders to allow the Company to change sub-advisors in the future from BNY-Mellon. For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2012 the Company incurred proxy related expense of $0 and $3,264, respectively.

ETF shareholder proxy solicitation

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2012

ETF Shareholder Proxy Solicitation [Abstract]

10. ETF shareholder proxy solicitation

In the third quarter of 2012 the Company completed its solicitation from the WisdomTree ETF shareholders to obtain approval for the Company to continue as investment advisor for the WisdomTree ETFs if the Company’s largest stockholder, Michael Steinhardt, who beneficially owns 25.1% of the Company’s common stock, were to sell or otherwise transfer shares of the Company’s common stock resulting in his beneficial ownership falling below 25%. The Investment Company Act presumes a change in control of the Company if Mr. Steinhardt’s ownership falls below the 25% threshold, which would trigger an automatic termination of the Company’s investment advisory agreements with the WisdomTree Trust and require approval of the WisdomTree ETF shareholders to continue the agreements. Thus, this pre-approval eliminates the need for further shareholder action. In addition, the Company received approval from the WisdomTree ETF shareholders to allow the Company to change sub-advisors in the future from BNY-Mellon. For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2012 the Company incurred proxy related expense of $0 and $3,264, respectively.