N-CSRS 1 a_incomencsr.htm FIRST INVESTORS INCOME FUNDS a_incomencsr.htm
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 811-3967 
 
FIRST INVESTORS INCOME FUNDS 
(Exact name of registrant as specified in charter) 
 
40 Wall Street 
New York, NY 10005 
(Address of principal executive offices) (Zip code) 
 
Joseph I. Benedek 
First Investors Management Company, Inc. 
Raritan Plaza I 
Edison, NJ 08837-3620 
(Name and address of agent for service) 
 
REGISTRANT'S TELEPHONE NUMBER, INCLUDING AREA CODE: 
1-212-858-8000 
 
DATE OF FISCAL YEAR END: SEPTEMBER 30 
 
DATE OF REPORTING PERIOD: MARCH 31, 2015 

 



Item 1.  Reports to Stockholders 
 
  The semi-annual report to stockholders follows 

 





FOREWORD

 

This report is for the information of the shareholders of the Funds. It is the policy of each Fund described in this report to mail only one copy of a Fund’s prospectus, annual report, semi-annual report and proxy statements to all shareholders who share the same mailing address and share the same last name and have invested in a Fund covered by the same document. You are deemed to consent to this policy unless you specifically revoke this policy and request that separate copies of such documents be mailed to you. In such case, you will begin to receive your own copies within 30 days after our receipt of the revocation. You may request that separate copies of these disclosure documents be mailed to you by writing to us at: Administrative Data Management Corp., Raritan Plaza I, Edison, NJ 08837-3620 or calling us at 1-800-423-4026.

You may obtain a free prospectus for any of the Funds by contacting your representative, calling 1-800-423-4026, writing to us at the following address: First Investors Corporation, 40 Wall Street, New York, NY 10005, or by visiting our website at www.firstinvestors.com. You should consider the investment objectives, risks, charges and expenses of a Fund carefully before investing. The prospectus contains this and other information about the Fund, and should be read carefully before investing.

An investment in a Fund is not a bank deposit and is not insured or guaranteed by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) or any other government agency. Although the Cash Management Fund seeks to preserve a net asset value at $1.00 per share, it is possible to lose money by investing in it, just as it is possible to lose money by investing in any of the other Funds. Past performance is no guarantee of future results.

A Statement of Additional Information (“SAI”) for any of the Funds may also be obtained, without charge, upon request by calling 1-800-423-4026, writing to us at our address or by visiting our website listed above. The SAI contains more detailed information about the Funds, including information about its Trustees.



Market Overview
FIRST INVESTORS INCOME FUNDS
FIRST INVESTORS EQUITY FUNDS

Dear Investor:

We are pleased to provide you with our report for the six-month period ended March 31, 2015.

Bond Markets

The U.S. economy slowed during the review period with fourth quarter growth of 2.2% and first quarter growth of only 0.2%. In a repeat of last year, weather appeared to be a significant factor in the first quarter’s weakness. Despite slower growth, the unemployment rate continued to decline, reaching a post-recession low of 5.5%. Wage growth, though, remained anemic, a factor holding back a broad-based recovery.

Inflation remained low, especially with the price of oil falling nearly in half and the U.S. dollar rising almost 15%. On a year-over-year basis, the consumer price index fell 0.1%. The Federal Reserve (the “Fed”) completed its quantitative easing program (of buying bonds to lower long-term interest rates) in the fourth quarter but appeared reluctant to raise interest rates due to the unexpected slowing in the economy and concerns over deflation. Consequently, the benchmark federal funds rate remained slightly above 0%, where it has been since 2009.

U.S. Treasury rates moved lower (and bond prices moved higher) during the review period, continuing a trend that began in the first quarter of last year. Numerous factors contributed to the bond market’s rally: slower than expected economic growth in the U.S. and overseas, deflation, easing of monetary policy by most major foreign central banks, and record low interest rates on foreign sovereign debt. For the review period, the benchmark 10-year U.S. Treasury note yield fell from 2.5% to 1.9%, only a half-percent above its all-time low yield of 1.4%. The 2-year U.S. Treasury note yield, which is very sensitive to changes in the Fed’s monetary policy, was virtually unchanged at 0.6%.

The broad U.S. bond market gained 3.5%, according to Bank of America Merrill Lynch. Given the large decline in long-term interest rates, sectors with the most sensitivity to changes in interest rates had the best returns. Consequently, the Treasury sector gained 4.1%. Long-term Treasury securities, in particular, had very strong returns with bonds maturing in 10+ years gaining 12.5%. Investment grade corporate bonds returned 3.7%. Long-term and higher rated corporate bonds had the best performance as 10+ year maturities and AAA-rated bonds returned 6.8% and 5.1%, respectively.

The mortgage-backed sector lagged the broad bond market, returning 2.8%. Increased prepayments by homeowners who took advantage of lower interest rates to refinance outstanding mortgages adversely affected the sector. High yield corporate bonds returned 1.5%. A return of –8.6% for the energy sector, the largest sector in the high yield market, was a substantial headwind as the decline in oil prices during the fourth quarter adversely affected energy companies. U.S. dollar appreciation was a significant drag on non-U.S. government bonds. Specifically, the 14.5% increase in the U.S. Dollar Index during the review period was the major factor in the sector’s –6.8% return. Lastly, money market rates remained close to zero as the Fed kept short-term interest rates at exceptionally low levels.

1

 



Market Overview (continued)
FIRST INVESTORS INCOME FUNDS
FIRST INVESTORS EQUITY FUNDS

Equity Markets

Equities posted solid performance during the reporting period. Investors pushed stocks higher in the fourth quarter of 2014, and despite some increased volatility, maintained solid momentum during the first quarter of 2015 to end the review period in solidly positive territory. Buoyed by signs of a strengthening U.S. economy, healthy corporate earnings and a lack of attractive opportunities elsewhere, domestic stocks plumbed new highs to finish the first half of the reporting period up +4.9%.

This was achieved despite international economic weakness, worries over the Ebola outbreak, a rapidly strengthening U.S. dollar, deflationary concerns, preoccupations with the timing of the Fed’s looming rate rise and a sudden, steep drop in oil prices. Investors additionally experienced a spike in volatility, as measured by the CBOE Volatility Index (“VIX”), increasing 40-50% from the historic low levels seen throughout the course of 2014. As 2015 unfolded, the equity markets remained marginally volatile, impacted by lower commodity prices, a continued drop in oil prices, and the strong dollar. The U.S. equity markets produced negative returns in January and March, but February’s 5.75% gain helped to reduce volatility and push the S&P 500 Index to 0.95% to end the quarter. Overall, stocks rallied +5.9% during the six month period.

Domestic equity news was mixed and uneven throughout the review period. While the first half indicated a resurgent economy, with GDP growth posting solid results of +2.2%, the first part of 2015 indicated weakness, perhaps even contraction, as harsh winter weather and other factors once again depressed economic activity. While employment posted gains, and automobile sales were brisk, the economy had weakness in factory orders, weaker exports — primarily energy products — along with sluggish retail sales and flat consumer retail spending. The housing market was strong with new home sales up about 8% in February, and consumer confidence remained high. The West Coast port labor disruption held back the flow of goods to some extent, as did the harsh winter weather on the East Coast. Gross domestic product (GDP) for the initial months of 2015 sputtered to a preliminary 0.2% growth rate — with thoughts that a revision may put that number into negative territory.

Oil prices, which continued to fall at the start of the year, ended the period relatively stable, at about $50/barrel, but still down more than 50% from last summer. While lower oil prices are positive for consumers, they depress the energy sector, along with many other sectors that rely on energy to operate, such as machinery, equipment providers, trucks, tractor trailers and companies that service these industries.

As the corporate earnings reporting season began in January, there were worries about the challenges U.S. multinational companies will face as the strong U.S. dollar erodes profits from overseas markets. Even though corporate earnings growth rates slowed, in part due to the dollar, expectations were positive with overall growth rates slightly better than anticipated when adjusted for the energy sector’s issues and compared on a constant currency basis. Share repurchase activity remained brisk, as companies deployed excess cash flow towards perceived undervalued equity prices.

2

 



Overall a review of sector performance of the equities market reflected these positive, but mixed, trends. Among sectors, the weakness in oil and gas commodities was reflected in shares performance as energy was the worst performing sector, –14.4%. Telecom and Materials also underperformed. Among better sectors, despite issues impacting spending, consumer discretionary stocks (retail, wholesale, apparel, travel & leisure) performed well, +13%. Additionally, health care continued to benefit from industry consolidation and increased merger activity, finishing the period as the top performer, +13.6%. Shares of consumer staples, technology and utilities stocks also finished well.

Thank you for placing your trust in First Investors. As always, we appreciate the opportunity to serve your investment needs.


This Market Overview is not part of the Funds’ financial report and is submitted for the general information of the shareholders of the Funds. It is not authorized for distribution to prospective investors in the Funds, unless preceded or accompanied by an effective prospectus. The Market Overview reflects conditions through the end of the period as stated on the cover. Market conditions are subject to change. This Market Overview may not be relied upon as investment advice or as an indication of current or future trading intent on behalf of any Fund.

There are a variety of risks associated with investing in mutual funds. For stock funds, the risks include market risk (the risk that the entire stock market will decline because of an event such as deterioration in the economy or a rise in interest rates), as well as special risks associated with investing in certain types of stock funds, such as small-cap, global and international funds. For bond funds, the risks include interest rate risk and credit risk. Interest rate risk is the risk that bonds will decrease in value as interest rates rise. As a general matter, longer-term bonds fluctuate more than shorter-term bonds in reaction to changes in interest rates. Credit risk is the risk that bonds will decline in value as the result of a decline in the credit rating of the bonds or the economy as a whole, or that the issuer will be unable to pay interest and/or principal when due. You should consult your prospectus for a precise explanation of the risks associated with your Fund.

3

 



Understanding Your Fund’s Expenses (unaudited)
FIRST INVESTORS INCOME FUNDS
FIRST INVESTORS EQUITY FUNDS

As a mutual fund shareholder, you incur two types of costs: (1) transaction costs, including a sales charge (load) on purchase payments (on Class A shares only) and a contingent deferred sales charge on redemptions (on Class B shares only); and (2) ongoing costs, including advisory fees; distribution and service fees (12b-1) (on Class A and Class B shares only); and other expenses. This example is intended to help you understand your ongoing costs (in dollars) of investing in the Funds and to compare these costs with the ongoing costs of investing in other mutual funds.

The examples are based on an investment of $1,000 in each Fund at the beginning of the period, October 1, 2014, and held for the entire six-month period ended March 31, 2015. The calculations assume that no shares were bought or sold during the period. Your actual costs may have been higher or lower, depending on the amount of your investment and the timing of any purchases or redemptions.

Actual Expenses Example:

These amounts help you to estimate the actual expenses that you paid over the period. The “Ending Account Value” shown is derived from the Fund’s actual return, and the “Expenses Paid During Period” shows the dollar amount that would have been paid by an investor who started with $1,000 in the Fund. You may use the information here, together with the amount you invested, to estimate the expenses that you paid over the period.

To estimate the expenses you paid on your account during this period, simply divide your ending account value by $1,000 (for example, an $8,600 account value divided by $1,000 = 8.60), then multiply the result by the number given for your Fund under the heading “Expenses Paid During Period”.

Hypothetical Expenses Example:

These amounts provide information about hypothetical account values and hypothetical expenses based on the Fund’s actual expense ratio for each class of shares of a Fund, and an assumed rate of return of 5% per year before expenses, which is not the Fund’s actual return. The hypothetical account values and expenses may not be used to estimate the actual ending account balance or expenses you paid for the period. You may use this information to compare the ongoing costs of investing in the Fund and other funds. To do so, compare this 5% hypothetical example with the 5% hypothetical examples that appear in the shareholder reports of the other funds.

Please note that the expenses shown in the table are meant to highlight and help you compare your ongoing costs only and do not reflect any transaction costs, such as front-end or contingent deferred sales charges (loads) or account fees that are charged to certain types of accounts, such as an annual custodial fee of $15 for certain IRA accounts and certain other retirement accounts or an annual custodial fee of $30 for 403(b) custodial accounts (subject to exceptions and certain waivers as described in the Funds’ Statement of Additional Information). Therefore, the hypothetical expenses example is useful in comparing ongoing costs only and will not help you determine the relative total costs of owning different funds. In addition, if these costs were included, your costs would have been higher.

4

 



Fund Expenses (unaudited)
CASH MANAGEMENT FUND

The examples below show the ongoing costs (in dollars) of investing in your Fund and will help you in comparing these costs with costs of other mutual funds. Please refer to page 4 for a detailed explanation of the information presented in these examples.

 
  Annualized Beginning Ending Expenses Paid
  Expense Account Value Account Value During Period
Expense Example Ratio (10/1/14) (3/31/15) (10/1/14–3/31/15)*
Class A Shares 0.09%      
Actual   $1,000.00 $1,000.00 $0.45
Hypothetical**   $1,000.00 $1,024.48 $0.45
Class B Shares 0.09%      
Actual   $1,000.00 $1,000.00 $0.45
Hypothetical**   $1,000.00 $1,024.48 $0.45
Institutional Class Shares 0.09%      
Actual   $1,000.00 $1,000.00 $0.45
Hypothetical**   $1,000.00 $1,024.48 $0.45

 

Expenses are equal to the annualized expense ratio, multiplied by the average account value over
the period, multiplied by 182/365 (to reflect the one-half year period). Expenses paid during the
period are net of expenses waived and/or assumed.
 
**  Assumed rate of return of 5% before expenses

 

Portfolio Composition
BY SECTOR


Portfolio holdings and allocations are subject to change. Percentages are as of March 31, 2015, and
are based on the total market value of investments.

 

5

 



Portfolio of Investments
CASH MANAGEMENT FUND
March 31, 2015

 
 
 
Principal   Interest    
Amount   Security     Rate * Value
  U.S. GOVERNMENT AGENCY      
  OBLIGATIONS—47.2%      
$3,300M Fannie Mae, 4/27/2015 0.16 % $     3,299,619
  Federal Farm Credit Bank:      
5,000M 5/28/2015 0.10   4,999,208
4,000M 7/15/2015 0.10   3,998,833
2,500M 7/27/2015 0.12   2,499,025
  Federal Home Loan Bank:      
1,273M 4/1/2015 0.12   1,273,000
1,900M 4/17/2015 0.13   1,899,894
2,000M 4/24/2015 0.12   1,999,847
2,335M 4/29/2015 0.08   2,334,855
2,300M 5/8/2015 0.08   2,299,811
2,500M 5/19/2015 0.10   2,499,670
2,686M 5/20/2015 0.07   2,685,744
4,000M 5/20/2015 0.08   3,999,592
1,900M 6/4/2015 0.07   1,899,780
5,000M 6/11/2015 0.09   4,999,162
4,900M 6/15/2015 0.07   4,899,285
1,000M 7/9/2015 0.09   999,753
3,100M   Freddie Mac, 4/9/2015     0.12   3,099,921
Total Value of U.S. Government Agency Obligations (cost $49,686,999)   49,686,999
  CORPORATE NOTES—28.9%      
4,000M Abbott Laboratories, 6/8/2015 (a) 0.12   3,999,093
  Apple, Inc.:      
3,000M 5/11/2015 (a) 0.09   2,999,700
2,000M 4/2/2015 (a) 0.07   1,999,996
3,000M Emerson Electric Co., 5/8/2015 (a) 0.12   2,999,630
5,000M ExxonMobil Corp., 4/13/2015 0.15   4,999,750
5,000M Google, Inc., 6/23/2015 (a) 0.09   4,998,963
4,000M Pfizer, Inc., 4/9/2015 (a) 0.10   3,999,911
4,500M   Philip Morris International, Inc., 6/18/2015 (a)     0.11   4,498,927
Total Value of Corporate Notes (cost $30,495,970)         30,495,970

 

6

 



 
 
 
Principal   Interest  
Amount   Security     Rate * Value
  VARIABLE AND FLOATING RATE NOTES—11.1%  
$3,000M Federal Farm Credit Bank, 11/20/2015 0.11 % $     2,999,900
  Federal Home Loan Bank:    
3,650M 10/16/2015 0.13 3,650,378
5,000M   4/16/2015     0.14   5,000,033
Total Value of Variable and Floating Rate Notes (cost $11,650,311)   11,650,311
  SHORT-TERM U.S. GOVERNMENT    
  OBLIGATIONS—11.7%    
  U.S. Treasury Bills:    
3,000M 4/30/2015 0.01 2,999,972
3,000M 7/23/2015 0.05 2,999,529
6,300M   8/27/2015     0.07   6,298,316
Total Value of Short-Term U.S. Government Obligations (cost $12,297,817)   12,297,817
Total Value of Investments (cost $104,131,097)** 98.9 % 104,131,097
Other Assets, Less Liabilities 1.1       1,175,186
Net Assets     100.0 %     $105,306,283

 

The interest rates shown are the effective rates at the time of purchase by the Fund. The interest
rates shown on floating rate notes are adjusted periodically; the rates shown are the rates in effect
at March 31, 2015.
 
**  Aggregate cost for federal income tax purposes is the same.
 
(a)  Security exempt from registration under Section 4(2) of the Securities Act of 1933 (see Note 4).

 

7

 



Portfolio of Investments (continued)
CASH MANAGEMENT FUND
March 31, 2015

The Fund’s assets and liabilities are classified into the following three levels based on the inputs used to value the assets or liabilities:

Level 1 — Unadjusted quoted prices in active markets for identical securities 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 assumption about the assumptions a market participant would use in valuing the asset or liability, and would be based on the best information available.

The inputs methodology used for valuing securities are not necessarily an indication of the risk associated with investing in those securities. For example, U.S. Government securities are reflected as Level 2 because the inputs used to determine fair value may not always be quoted prices in an active market.

The following is a summary, by category of Level, of inputs used to value the Fund’s investments as of March 31, 2015:

    Level 1   Level 2   Level 3   Total
U.S. Government Agency            
Obligations $ $ 49,686,999 $ $ 49,686,999
Corporate Notes   30,495,970   30,495,970
Variable and Floating Rate Notes:            
U.S. Government Agency            
Obligations   11,650,311   11,650,311
Short-Term U.S. Government            
Obligations     12,297,817     12,297,817
Total Investments in Securities $ $ 104,131,097 $ $ 104,131,097

 

There were no transfers into or from Level 1 or Level 2 by the Fund for the period ended March 31,
2015. Transfers, if any, between Levels are recognized at the end of the reporting period.

 

8 See notes to financial statements

 



Fund Expenses (unaudited)
LIMITED DURATION HIGH QUALITY BOND FUND

The examples below show the ongoing costs (in dollars) of investing in your Fund and will help you in comparing these costs with costs of other mutual funds. Please refer to page 4 for a detailed explanation of the information presented in these examples.

 
  Annualized Beginning Ending Expenses Paid
  Expense Account Value Account Value During Period
Expense Example Ratio (10/1/14) (3/31/15) (10/1/14–3/31/15)*
Class A Shares 1.05%      
Actual   $1,000.00 $1,014.58 $5.27
Hypothetical**   $1,000.00 $1,019.69 $5.29
Advisor Class Shares 0.75%      
Actual   $1,000.00 $1,011.05 $3.76
Hypothetical**   $1,000.00 $1,021.19 $3.78
Institutional Class Shares 0.60%      
Actual   $1,000.00 $1,010.63 $3.01
Hypothetical**   $1,000.00 $1,021.94 $3.02

 

Expenses are equal to the annualized expense ratio, multiplied by the average account value over
the period, multiplied by 182/365 (to reflect the one-half year period). Expenses paid during the
period are net of expenses waived.
 
**  Assumed rate of return of 5% before expenses.

 

Portfolio Composition
TOP TEN SECTORS


Portfolio holdings and allocations are subject to change. Percentages are as of March 31, 2015, and
are based on the total market value of investments.

 

9

 



Portfolio of Investments
LIMITED DURATION HIGH QUALITY BOND FUND
March 31, 2015

 
 
 
Principal      
Amount   Security   Value
  CORPORATE BONDS—52.1%    
  Agriculture—1.0%    
$   500M   Cargill, Inc., 6%, 11/27/2017 (a)    $     557,925
  Automotive—.9%    
500M   Toyota Motor Credit Corp., 2.125%, 7/18/2019   508,286
  Consumer Durables—.9%    
500M   Newell Rubbermaid, Inc., 2.875%, 12/1/2019   510,073
  Energy—.4%    
250M   CNOOC Nexen Finance 2014 ULC, 1.625%, 4/30/2017   249,549
  Financial Services—7.6%    
500M American Express Co., 7%, 3/19/2018   578,052
500M American International Group, Inc., 5.85%, 1/16/2018   558,932
500M BlackRock, Inc., 5%, 12/10/2019   569,609
500M ERAC USA Finance, LLC, 6.375%, 10/15/2017 (a)   560,588
600M Ford Motor Credit Co., LLC, 5%, 5/15/2018   654,755
700M General Electric Capital Corp., 5.625%, 5/1/2018   786,323
500M   Protective Life Corp., 7.375%, 10/15/2019   602,755
        4,311,014
  Financials—13.4%    
500M Bank of America Corp., 5.65%, 5/1/2018   555,028
700M Barclays Bank, PLC, 6.75%, 5/22/2019   830,574
500M Citigroup, Inc., 6.125%, 11/21/2017   555,884
500M Deutsche Bank AG, 1.875%, 2/13/2018   500,912
500M Goldman Sachs Group, Inc., 6.15%, 4/1/2018   562,353
500M JPMorgan Chase & Co., 6%, 1/15/2018   559,485
  Morgan Stanley:    
500M 5.95%, 12/28/2017   554,699
500M 1.875%, 1/5/2018   503,757
500M PNC Funding Corp., 5.25%, 11/15/2015   513,195
500M SunTrust Banks, Inc., 6%, 9/11/2017   553,262
600M UBS AG, 5.875%, 12/20/2017   666,461
500M U.S. Bank NA, 2.125%, 10/28/2019   506,816
700M   Wachovia Corp., 5.75%, 2/1/2018   783,282
        7,645,708

 

10

 



 
 
 
Principal      
Amount   Security   Value
  Food/Beverage/Tobacco—4.0%    
$   500M Anheuser-Busch InBev Worldwide, Inc., 6.875%, 11/15/2019 $     607,066
500M Diageo Capital, PLC, 5.75%, 10/23/2017   555,911
500M Dr. Pepper Snapple Group, Inc., 6.82%, 5/1/2018   576,990
500M   Philip Morris International, Inc., 5.65%, 5/16/2018   565,300
        2,305,267
  Health Care—4.7%    
500M Biogen IDEC, Inc., 6.875%, 3/1/2018   575,837
500M Laboratory Corporation of America Holdings, 2.2%, 8/23/2017   509,240
500M Merck & Co., Inc., 1.3%, 5/18/2018   500,778
500M Novartis Securities Investments, Ltd., 5.125%, 2/10/2019   564,779
  Quest Diagnostics, Inc.:    
250M 6.4%, 7/1/2017   281,218
250M   2.7%, 4/1/2019   254,595
        2,686,447
  Industrials—1.8%    
1,000M   PACCAR Financial Corp., 1.45%, 3/9/2018   1,005,185
  Information Technology—.9%    
500M   Apple, Inc., 2.1%, 5/6/2019   511,501
  Manufacturing—2.0%    
250M CRH America, Inc., 8.125%, 7/15/2018   297,955
500M Ingersoll-Rand Global Holdings Co., Ltd., 6.875%, 8/15/2018   581,451
250M   Tyco Electronics Group SA, 6.55%, 10/1/2017   280,445
        1,159,851
  Media-Broadcasting—1.0%    
500M   DirecTV Holdings, LLC, 5.875%, 10/1/2019   576,542
  Media-Diversified—1.1%    
550M   McGraw-Hill Financial, Inc., 5.9%, 11/15/2017   605,222
  Metals/Mining—.9%    
500M   Rio Tinto Finance USA, PLC, 1.625%, 8/21/2017   503,047

 

11

 



Portfolio of Investments (continued)
LIMITED DURATION HIGH QUALITY BOND FUND
March 31, 2015

 
 
 
Principal      
Amount   Security   Value
  Real Estate Investment Trusts—3.6%    
$   700M Boston Properties, LP, 5.875%, 10/15/2019 $     813,274
500M HCP, Inc., 6.7%, 1/30/2018   565,520
500M   Simon Property Group, LP, 10.35%, 4/1/2019   648,624
        2,027,418
  Retail-General Merchandise—.9%    
500M   Amazon.com, Inc., 2.6%, 12/5/2019   512,695
  Telecommunications—1.1%    
600M   Verizon Communications, Inc., 3.65%, 9/14/2018   638,320
  Utilities—5.9%    
500M Consolidated Edison Co., Inc. of New York, 7.125%, 12/1/2018   596,027
250M Electricite de France SA, 6.5%, 1/26/2019 (a)   292,640
500M Entergy Gulf States Lousiana, LLC, 6%, 5/1/2018   563,335
265M Great River Energy Co., 5.829%, 7/1/2017 (a)   279,166
500M Public Service Electric & Gas Co., 1.8%, 6/1/2019   503,461
500M San Diego Gas & Electric Co., 1.914%, 2/1/2022   503,417
500M   Sempra Energy, 9.8%, 2/15/2019   644,169
        3,382,215
Total Value of Corporate Bonds (cost $29,541,863)   29,696,265
  RESIDENTIAL MORTGAGE-BACKED    
  SECURITIES—15.8%    
  Fannie Mae—14.7%    
2,192M 2.5%, 5/1/2022 – 6/1/2023   2,273,322
2,812M 3%, 5/1/2021 – 8/1/2026 (b)   2,953,217
1,528M 3.5%, 3/1/2023 – 12/1/2023   1,622,457
1,442M   4%, 1/1/2022 – 9/1/2024   1,538,338
        8,387,334
  Freddie Mac—1.1%    
581M   3.5%, 12/1/2020   616,812
Total Value of Residential Mortgage-Backed Securities (cost $8,886,468)   9,004,146

 

12

 



 
 
 
Principal    
Amount   Security   Value
  U.S. GOVERNMENT OBLIGATIONS—12.4%  
  U.S. Treasury Notes:  
$1,680M 0.375%, 5/31/2016 $     1,680,657
645M 0.5%, 6/15/2016 646,109
930M 0.5%, 11/30/2016 930,509
2,005M 0.875%, 5/15/2017 2,016,435
1,760M   0.875%, 1/15/2018   1,761,925
Total Value of U.S. Government Obligations (cost $7,018,986)   7,035,635
  ASSET BACKED SECURITIES—11.7%  
  Fixed Autos—10.4%  
  Ford Credit Auto Owner Trust:  
1,050M 1%, 9/15/2017 1,052,818
855M 0.79% 5/15/2018 855,822
250M Ford Credit Floorplan Master Owner Trust, 1.42%, 1/15/2020 250,163
480M Honda Auto Receivables Owner Trust, 1.46%, 10/15/2020 482,388
1,125M Nissan Auto Receivables Owner Trust, 1%, 7/16/2018 1,127,984
1,425M Nissan Master Owner Trust, 1.44%, 2/15/2020 1,427,203
700M   Toyota Auto Receivables Owner Trust, 1.52%, 6/15/2020   702,915
        5,899,293
  Fixed Financials—1.3%  
770M   Chase Issuance Trust, 1.3%, 2/18/2020   770,122
Total Value of Asset Backed Securities (cost $6,655,412)   6,669,415
  U.S. GOVERNMENT AGENCY  
  OBLIGATIONS—3.6%  
  Federal Home Loan Bank:  
500M 0.5%, 9/28/2016 500,130
300M 1.04%, 5/19/2017 300,025
750M 0.875%, 5/24/2017 753,640
500M   Freddie Mac, 0.95%, 1/23/2017   500,183
Total Value of U.S. Government Agency Obligations (cost $2,048,761)   2,053,978
  VARIABLE AND FLOATING RATE NOTES†—1.8%  
  Financials  
400M Bank of America Corp., 1.335%, 3/22/2018 404,848
600M   U.S. Bank NA, 3.778%, 4/29/2020   601,093
Total Value of Variable and Floating Rate Notes (cost $1,007,048)   1,005,941

 

13

 



Portfolio of Investments (continued)
LIMITED DURATION HIGH QUALITY BOND FUND
March 31, 2015

 
  
 
Principal      
Amount   Security         Value
  SUPRANATIONALS—1.4%    
  Financials    
$   400M International Finance Corp., 2.125%, 11/17/2017 $     411,026
400M   Kreditanstalt Fuer Wiederaufbau, 0.875%, 12/15/2017       399,630
Total Value of Supranationals (cost $808,563)         810,656
Total Value of Investments (cost $55,967,101) 98.8 % 56,276,036
Other Assets, Less Liabilities 1.2       681,416
Net Assets     100.0 %     $56,957,452

 

(a)  Security exempt from registration under Rule 144A of the Securities Act of 1933 (see Note 4).
 
(b)  A portion or all of the security purchased on a when-issued or delayed delivery basis.
 
†  Interest rates are determined and reset periodically. The interest rates above are the rates in effect
at March 31, 2015.

 

14

 



The Fund’s assets and liabilities are classified into the following three levels based on the inputs used to value the assets or liabilities:

Level 1 — Unadjusted quoted prices in active markets for identical securities 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 assumption about the assumptions a market participant would use in valuing the asset or liability, and would be based on the best information available.

The inputs methodology used for valuing securities are not necessarily an indication of the risk associated with investing in those securities. For example, U.S. Government securities are reflected as Level 2 because the inputs used to determine fair value may not always be quoted prices in an active market.

The following is a summary, by category of Level, of inputs used to value the Fund’s investments as of March 31, 2015:

    Level 1   Level 2   Level 3   Total
Corporate Bonds $ $ 29,696,265 $ $ 29,696,265
Residential Mortgage-Backed            
Securities   9,004,146   9,004,146
U.S. Government Obligations   7,035,635   7,035,635
Asset Backed Securities   6,669,415   6,669,415
U.S. Government Agency            
Obligations   2,053,978   2,053,978
Variable and Floating            
Rate Notes   1,005,941   1,005,941
Supranationals     810,656     810,656
Total Investments in Securities* $ $ 56,276,036 $ $ 56,276,036

 

The Portfolio of Investments provides information on the industry categorization for corporate bonds,
asset backed securities, variable and floating rate notes and supranationals.
 
There were no transfers into or from Level 1 or Level 2 by the Fund for the period ended March 31,
2015. Transfers, if any, between Levels are recognized at the end of the reporting period.

 

See notes to financial statements 15

 



Fund Expenses (unaudited)
GOVERNMENT FUND

The examples below show the ongoing costs (in dollars) of investing in your Fund and will help you in comparing these costs with costs of other mutual funds. Please refer to page 4 for a detailed explanation of the information presented in these examples.

 
  Annualized Beginning Ending Expenses Paid
  Expense Account Value Account Value During Period
Expense Example Ratio (10/1/14) (3/31/15) (10/1/14–3/31/15)*
Class A Shares 1.08%      
Actual   $1,000.00 $1,021.70 $5.44
Hypothetical**   $1,000.00 $1,019.54 $5.44
Class B Shares 1.92%      
Actual   $1,000.00 $1,017.55 $9.66
Hypothetical**   $1,000.00 $1,015.36 $9.65
Advisor Class Shares 0.80%      
Actual   $1,000.00 $1,023.19 $4.04
Hypothetical**   $1,000.00 $1,020.94 $4.03
Institutional Class Shares 0.65%      
Actual   $1,000.00 $1,024.87 $3.28
Hypothetical**   $1,000.00 $1,021.69 $3.28

 

Expenses are equal to the annualized expense ratio, multiplied by the average account value over
the period, multiplied by 182/365 (to reflect the one-half year period). Expenses paid during the
period are net of expenses waived.
 
**  Assumed rate of return of 5% before expenses.

 

Portfolio Composition
BY SECTOR


Portfolio holdings and allocations are subject to change. Percentages are as of March 31, 2015, and
are based on the total market value of investments.

 

16

 



Portfolio of Investments
GOVERNMENT FUND
March 31, 2015

 
 
 
Principal    
Amount   Security   Value
  RESIDENTIAL MORTGAGE-BACKED  
  SECURITIES—63.5%  
  Fannie Mae—33.6%  
$24,654M 3%, 5/1/2023 – 2/1/2045 $     25,367,610
31,272M 3.5%, 8/1/2026 – 3/1/2045 32,982,851
35,194M 4%, 2/1/2024 – 8/1/2044 37,972,078
9,341M 4.5%, 11/1/2040 – 1/1/2042 10,293,845
3,467M 5%, 8/1/2039 – 11/1/2039 3,886,629
2,896M   5.5%, 7/1/2033 – 10/1/2039   3,307,289
        113,810,302
  Freddie Mac—8.6%  
626M 3%, 6/1/2021 655,841
12,931M 3.5%, 9/1/2032 – 10/1/2044 13,622,072
11,535M 4%, 11/1/2040 – 8/1/2044 12,405,828
1,955M   5%, 8/1/2039   2,221,820
        28,905,561
  Government National Mortgage Association I  
  Program—21.3%  
5,298M 4%, 11/15/2025 – 6/15/2042 5,747,352
15,182M 4.5%, 9/15/2033 – 6/15/2040 16,998,326
14,107M 5%, 6/15/2033 – 4/15/2040 16,007,588
12,033M 5.5%, 3/15/2033 – 10/15/2039 13,782,428
13,769M 6%, 2/15/2032 – 4/15/2040 16,031,386
1,361M 6.5%, 6/15/2034 – 3/15/2038 1,565,583
1,759M   7%, 6/15/2023 – 4/15/2034   1,940,115
        72,072,778
Total Value of Residential Mortgage-Backed Securities (cost $207,181,647)   214,788,641
  U.S. GOVERNMENT OBLIGATIONS—16.9%  
  U.S. Treasury Bonds:  
8,000M 2.5%, 2/15/2045 7,927,504
7,100M   3%, 11/15/2044   7,780,599

 

17

 



Portfolio of Investments (continued)
GOVERNMENT FUND
March 31, 2015

 
 
 
Principal    
Amount   Security   Value
  U.S. Treasury Notes:  
$13,800M 1.625%, 12/31/2019 $     13,976,806
2,760M 2%, 2/15/2025 2,777,681
7,360M 2.125%, 12/31/2021 7,577,922
6,000M 2.25%, 7/31/2021 6,222,654
4,600M 2.25%, 11/15/2024 4,729,375
6,000M   2.375%, 8/15/2024   6,237,654
Total Value of U.S. Government Obligations (cost $57,178,914)   57,230,195
  U.S. GOVERNMENT AGENCY  
  OBLIGATIONS—7.3%  
  Fannie Mae:  
9,800M 0.875%, 8/28/2017 9,815,739
1,700M 1.75%, 11/26/2019 1,726,180
4,300M 1.875%, 9/18/2018 4,409,585
3,025M 2.625%, 9/6/2024 3,138,099
5,000M   Freddie Mac, 3.75%, 3/27/2019   5,488,580
Total Value of U.S. Government Agency Obligations (cost $24,245,371)   24,578,183
  COLLATERALIZED MORTGAGE  
  OBLIGATIONS—5.3%  
  Fannie Mae—4.2%  
6,580M 3%, 2/25/2024 6,884,714
6,722M   4%, 2/25/2025   7,380,636
        14,265,350
  Freddie Mac—1.1%  
3,668M   3%, 8/15/2039   3,822,507
Total Value of Collateralized Mortgage Obligations (cost $18,093,317)   18,087,857
  COMMERCIAL MORTGAGE-BACKED  
  SECURITIES—5.1%  
  Fannie Mae—3.6%  
2,883M 2.27%, 1/1/2023 2,911,459
1,300M 2.96%, 11/1/2018 1,362,617
2,920M 3.76%, 4/1/2018 3,124,018
4,500M   3.84%, 5/1/2018   4,838,688
        12,236,782

 

18

 



 
 
 
Principal      
Amount   Security         Value
  Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation—1.5%  
$   5,000M   Multi-Family Structured Pass Through, 2.13%, 1/25/2019       $     5,128,370
Total Value of Commercial Mortgage-Backed Securities (cost $17,516,362)       17,365,152
  SHORT-TERM U.S. GOVERNMENT AGENCY  
  OBLIGATIONS—1.5%    
4,900M   Federal Home Loan Bank, 0.04%, 4/21/2015 (cost $4,899,891)       4,899,931
Total Value of Investments (cost $329,115,502) 99.6 % 336,949,959
Other Assets, Less Liabilities .4       1,507,255
Net Assets      100.0 %     $338,457,214

 

19

 



Portfolio of Investments (continued)
GOVERNMENT FUND
March 31, 2015

The Fund’s assets and liabilities are classified into the following three levels based on the inputs used to value the assets or liabilities:

Level 1 — Unadjusted quoted prices in active markets for identical securities 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 assumption about the assumptions a market participant would use in valuing the asset or liability, and would be based on the best information available.

The inputs methodology used for valuing securities are not necessarily an indication of the risk associated with investing in those securities. For example, U.S. Government securities are reflected as Level 2 because the inputs used to determine fair value may not always be quoted prices in an active market.

The following is a summary, by category of Level, of inputs used to value the Fund’s investments as of March 31, 2015:

    Level 1   Level 2   Level 3   Total
Residential Mortgage-Backed            
Securities $ $ 214,788,641 $ $ 214,788,641
U.S. Government Obligations   57,230,195   57,230,195
U.S. Government Agency            
Obligations   24,578,183   24,578,183
Collateralized Mortgage            
Obligations   18,087,857   18,087,857
Commercial Mortgage-Backed            
Securities   17,365,152   17,365,152
Short-Term U.S. Government            
Agency Obligations     4,899,931     4,899,931
Total Investments in Securities $ $ 336,949,959 $ $ 336,949,959

 

There were no transfers into or from Level 1 or Level 2 by the Fund for the period ended March 31,
2015. Transfers, if any, between Levels are recognized at the end of the reporting period.

 

20 See notes to financial statements

 



Fund Expenses (unaudited)
INVESTMENT GRADE FUND

The examples below show the ongoing costs (in dollars) of investing in your Fund and will help you in comparing these costs with costs of other mutual funds. Please refer to page 4 for a detailed explanation of the information presented in these examples.

 
  Annualized Beginning Ending Expenses Paid
  Expense Account Value Account Value During Period
Expense Example Ratio (10/1/14) (3/31/15) (10/1/14–3/31/15)*
Class A Shares 1.05%      
Actual   $1,000.00 $1,030.11 $5.31
Hypothetical**   $1,000.00 $1,019.69 $5.29
Class B Shares 1.92%      
Actual   $1,000.00 $1,025.94 $9.70
Hypothetical**   $1,000.00 $1,015.36 $9.65
Advisor Class Shares 0.74%      
Actual   $1,000.00 $1,032.61 $3.75
Hypothetical**   $1,000.00 $1,021.24 $3.73
Institutional Class Shares 0.64%      
Actual   $1,000.00 $1,031.88 $3.24
Hypothetical**   $1,000.00 $1,021.74 $3.23

 

Expenses are equal to the annualized expense ratio, multiplied by the average account value over
the period, multiplied by 182/365 (to reflect the one-half year period). Expenses paid during the
period are net of expenses waived.
 
**  Assumed rate of return of 5% before expenses.

 

Portfolio Composition
TOP TEN SECTORS


Portfolio holdings and allocations are subject to change. Percentages are as of March 31, 2015, and
are based on the total market value of investments.

 

21

 



Portfolio of Investments
INVESTMENT GRADE FUND
March 31, 2015

 
 
 
Principal      
Amount   Security   Value
  CORPORATE BONDS—95.7%    
  Agriculture—.7%    
$3,310M   Cargill, Inc., 6%, 11/27/2017 (a)   $     3,693,467
  Automotive—1.4%    
2,000M Daimler Finance NA, LLC, 2.95%, 1/11/2017 (a)   2,066,252
5,000M   Johnson Controls, Inc., 5%, 3/30/2020   5,592,255
        7,658,507
  Chemicals—3.4%    
4,000M Agrium, Inc., 3.375%, 3/15/2025   4,008,532
5,000M CF Industries, Inc., 3.45%, 6/1/2023   5,055,145
4,000M Dow Chemical Co., 4.25%, 11/15/2020   4,398,900
5,000M   LyondellBasell Industries NV, 6%, 11/15/2021   5,885,675
        19,348,252
  Consumer Durables—.8%    
  Newell Rubbermaid, Inc.:    
2,000M 2.875%, 12/1/2019   2,040,294
2,300M   4.7%, 8/15/2020   2,517,683
        4,557,977
  Energy—8.5%    
5,000M Canadian Oil Sands, Ltd., 7.75%, 5/15/2019 (a)   5,368,435
5,000M Continental Resources, Inc., 5%, 9/15/2022   4,937,500
3,000M DCP Midstream Operating, LP, 2.5%, 12/1/2017   2,836,440
5,000M Enbridge Energy Partners, LP, 4.2%, 9/15/2021   5,260,100
5,000M Kinder Morgan Energy Partners, LP, 3.45%, 2/15/2023   4,923,920
5,000M Nabors Industries, Inc., 6.15%, 2/15/2018   5,343,280
4,000M ONEOK Partners, LP, 3.375%, 10/1/2022   3,801,200
5,800M Spectra Energy Capital, LLC, 6.2%, 4/15/2018   6,446,741
4,000M Valero Energy Corp., 9.375%, 3/15/2019   5,014,576
4,000M   Weatherford International, LLC, 6.35%, 6/15/2017   4,237,360
        48,169,552
  Financial Services—16.1%    
1,250M Aflac, Inc., 8.5%, 5/15/2019   1,579,777
  American Express Co.:    
4,000M 7%, 3/19/2018   4,624,420
2,000M   4.05%, 12/3/2042   2,045,850

 

22

 



 
 
 
Principal      
Amount   Security   Value
  Financial Services (continued)    
  American International Group, Inc.:    
$1,200M 5.85%, 1/16/2018 $     1,341,437
3,100M 6.4%, 12/15/2020   3,759,674
4,000M Ameriprise Financial, Inc., 5.3%, 3/15/2020   4,606,028
6,400M Assured Guaranty US Holding, Inc., 5%, 7/1/2024   6,856,973
4,300M Berkshire Hathaway, Inc., 3.4%, 1/31/2022   4,610,731
1,000M BlackRock, Inc., 5%, 12/10/2019   1,139,218
4,000M CoBank ACB, 7.875%, 4/16/2018 (a)   4,677,992
2,400M Compass Bank, 6.4%, 10/1/2017   2,616,204
  ERAC USA Finance, LLC:    
3,750M 4.5%, 8/16/2021 (a)   4,125,799
3,000M 7%, 10/15/2037 (a)   4,058,421
6,200M Ford Motor Credit Co., LLC, 8.125%, 1/15/2020   7,754,855
  General Electric Capital Corp.:    
9,400M 4.65%, 10/17/2021   10,653,875
6,800M 6.75%, 3/15/2032   9,431,763
2,700M Harley-Davidson Financial Services, Inc., 2.4%, 9/15/2019 (a)   2,747,196
1,800M Harley-Davidson Funding Corp., 6.8%, 6/15/2018 (a)   2,087,026
4,000M Liberty Mutual Group, Inc., 4.95%, 5/1/2022 (a)   4,425,204
4,550M Protective Life Corp., 7.375%, 10/15/2019   5,485,070
2,000M   Prudential Financial, Inc., 7.375%, 6/15/2019   2,423,980
        91,051,493
  Financials—20.4%    
  Bank of America Corp.:    
3,250M 5.65%, 5/1/2018   3,607,685
5,925M 5%, 5/13/2021   6,696,921
4,625M 5.875%, 2/7/2042   5,905,727
  Barclays Bank, PLC:    
2,000M 5.125%, 1/8/2020   2,275,618
3,800M 3.75%, 5/15/2024   4,005,660
1,800M 3.65%, 3/16/2025   1,809,362
3,000M Capital One Financial Corp., 3.2%, 2/5/2025   2,981,328
  Citigroup, Inc.:    
4,200M 6.125%, 11/21/2017   4,669,430
2,000M 4.5%, 1/14/2022   2,211,448
3,000M Deutsche Bank AG London, 3.7%, 5/30/2024   3,078,675
1,000M   Fifth Third Bancorp, 3.5%, 3/15/2022   1,048,571

 

23

 



Portfolio of Investments (continued)
INVESTMENT GRADE FUND
March 31, 2015

 
 
 
Principal      
Amount   Security   Value
  Financials (continued)    
  Goldman Sachs Group, Inc.:    
$2,000M 5.375%, 3/15/2020 $     2,271,006
5,900M 5.75%, 1/24/2022   6,893,336
3,000M 3.625%, 1/22/2023   3,108,381
5,250M 6.125%, 2/15/2033   6,715,936
  JPMorgan Chase & Co.:    
9,200M 6%, 1/15/2018   10,294,524
4,000M 4.5%, 1/24/2022   4,427,892
  Morgan Stanley:    
4,050M 5.95%, 12/28/2017   4,493,062
5,500M 6.625%, 4/1/2018   6,259,737
6,000M 5.5%, 7/28/2021   6,969,834
4,000M SunTrust Banks, Inc., 6%, 9/11/2017   4,426,092
4,000M UBS AG, 4.875%, 8/4/2020   4,535,740
4,000M U.S. Bancorp., 3.6%, 9/11/2024   4,178,008
  Wells Fargo & Co.:    
2,900M 4.6%, 4/1/2021   3,259,490
8,600M   3.45%, 2/13/2023   8,808,610
        114,932,073
  Food/Beverage/Tobacco—5.6%    
5,000M Anheuser-Busch InBev SA/NV, 4.625%, 2/1/2044   5,555,905
1,000M Anheuser-Busch InBev Worldwide, Inc., 6.875%, 11/15/2019   1,214,132
5,225M Bunge Ltd. Finance Corp., 8.5%, 6/15/2019   6,450,179
4,200M Dr. Pepper Snapple Group, Inc., 6.82%, 5/1/2018   4,846,716
4,165M Ingredion, Inc., 4.625%, 11/1/2020   4,579,122
4,000M Philip Morris International, Inc., 5.65%, 5/16/2018   4,522,400
4,000M   SABMiller Holdings, Inc., 3.75%, 1/15/2022 (a)   4,214,136
        31,382,590
  Forest Products/Container—1.0%    
5,000M   Rock-Tenn Co., 4.9%, 3/1/2022   5,517,945
  Health Care—4.6%    
4,000M Biogen, Inc., 6.875%, 3/1/2018   4,606,696
  Express Scripts Holding Co.:    
4,050M 4.75%, 11/15/2021   4,563,220
1,800M 3.5%, 6/15/2024   1,856,695
4,000M Laboratory Corp. of America Holdings, 3.75%, 8/23/2022   4,182,356
4,000M   Mylan, Inc., 3.125%, 1/15/2023 (a)   3,956,488

 

24

 



 
 
 
Principal      
Amount   Security   Value
  Health Care (continued)    
$4,000M Novartis Capital Corp., 4.4%, 5/6/2044 $     4,626,752
1,400M Novartis Securities Investments, Ltd., 5.125%, 2/10/2019   1,581,380
460M   Roche Holdings, Inc., 6%, 3/1/2019 (a)   533,087
        25,906,674
  Information Technology—2.3%    
2,500M Apple, Inc., 2.5%, 2/9/2025   2,449,727
4,000M Harris Corp., 4.4%, 12/15/2020   4,325,596
1,800M Pitney Bowes, Inc., 5.75%, 9/15/2017   1,953,479
4,000M   Symantec Corp., 3.95%, 6/15/2022   4,154,008
        12,882,810
  Manufacturing—2.8%    
5,000M CRH America, Inc., 8.125%, 7/15/2018   5,959,100
4,000M Ingersoll-Rand Global Holdings Co., Ltd., 6.875%, 8/15/2018   4,651,612
4,550M   Tyco Electronics Group SA, 6.55%, 10/1/2017   5,104,099
        15,714,811
  Media-Broadcasting—3.8%    
1,800M ABC, Inc., 8.75%, 8/15/2021   2,414,713
3,950M British Sky Broadcasting Group, PLC, 9.5%, 11/15/2018 (a)   4,929,446
2,000M CBS Corp., 3.375%, 3/1/2022   2,037,770
4,000M Comcast Corp., 4.25%, 1/15/2033   4,304,392
3,000M DirecTV Holdings, LLC, 3.8%, 3/15/2022   3,114,195
4,000M   Time Warner Cable, Inc., 5%, 2/1/2020   4,468,656
        21,269,172
  Media-Diversified—1.4%    
  McGraw-Hill Financial, Inc.:    
5,000M 5.9%, 11/15/2017   5,502,015
2,300M   6.55%, 11/15/2037   2,597,781
        8,099,796

 

25

 



Portfolio of Investments (continued)
INVESTMENT GRADE FUND
March 31, 2015

 
 
 
Principal      
Amount   Security   Value
  Metals/Mining—5.0%    
$5,000M Alcoa, Inc., 6.15%, 8/15/2020 $     5,648,070
4,000M ArcelorMittal, 6.125%, 6/1/2018   4,308,000
4,000M Glencore Finance Canada, Ltd., 4.95%, 11/15/2021 (a)   4,327,940
4,200M Newmont Mining Corp., 5.125%, 10/1/2019   4,610,886
5,000M Rio Tinto Finance USA, Ltd., 3.75%, 9/20/2021   5,281,190
4,000M   Vale Overseas, Ltd., 5.625%, 9/15/2019   4,268,280
        28,444,366
  Real Estate Investment Trusts—4.7%    
4,000M Boston Properties, LP, 5.875%, 10/15/2019   4,647,280
4,000M Digital Realty Trust, LP, 5.25%, 3/15/2021   4,457,568
4,000M HCP, Inc., 5.375%, 2/1/2021   4,508,668
  ProLogis, LP:    
3,000M 4.5%, 8/15/2017   3,213,708
2,000M 3.35%, 2/1/2021   2,078,736
3,000M Simon Property Group, LP, 3.375%, 10/1/2024   3,081,873
4,000M   Ventas Realty, LP, 4.75%, 6/1/2021   4,421,628
        26,409,461
  Retail-General Merchandise—2.5%    
4,000M Amazon.com, Inc., 4.8%, 12/5/2034   4,400,756
6,000M GAP, Inc., 5.95%, 4/12/2021   6,892,974
2,000M   Home Depot, Inc., 5.875%, 12/16/2036   2,654,390
        13,948,120
  Telecommunications—.8%    
4,000M   Verizon Communications, Inc., 5.15%, 9/15/2023   4,589,128
  Transportation—3.0%    
4,000M Burlington North Santa Fe, LLC, 5.15%, 9/1/2043   4,684,264
4,000M Con-way, Inc., 7.25%, 1/15/2018   4,523,584
4,125M GATX Corp., 4.75%, 6/15/2022   4,569,456
3,000M   Penske Truck Leasing Co., LP, 4.875%, 7/11/2022 (a)   3,250,554
        17,027,858

 

26

 



 
 
 
Principal        
Amount   Security         Value
  Utilities—6.9%      
$3,000M Duke Energy Progress, Inc., 4.15%, 12/1/2044   $     3,285,570
3,000M E.ON International Finance BV, 5.8%, 4/30/2018 (a)   3,358,263
1,900M Electricite de France SA, 6.5%, 1/26/2019 (a)     2,224,066
3,000M Entergy Arkansas, Inc., 4.95%, 12/15/2044     3,159,510
4,000M Exelon Generation Co., LLC, 5.2%, 10/1/2019   4,489,408
  Great River Energy Co.:      
291M 5.829%, 7/1/2017 (a)     307,082
3,424M 4.478%, 7/1/2030 (a)     3,763,301
3,000M Ohio Power Co., 5.375%, 10/1/2021     3,544,992
4,550M Oklahoma Gas & Electric Co., 4%, 12/15/2044   4,842,742
4,000M Sempra Energy, 9.8%, 2/15/2019     5,153,352
4,000M   South Carolina Electric & Gas Co., 5.45%, 2/1/2041       5,015,688
              39,143,974
Total Value of Corporate Bonds (cost $508,479,619)         539,748,026
  U.S. GOVERNMENT OBLIGATIONS—1.6%    
  U.S. Treasury Bonds:      
4,000M 3%, 11/15/2044     4,383,436
4,575M   2.5%, 2/15/2045         4,533,541
Total Value of U.S. Government Obligations (cost $8,956,034)       8,916,977
Total Value of Investments (cost $517,435,653) 97.3 % 548,665,003
Other Assets, Less Liabilities 2.7       15,205,468
Net Assets   100.0 %       $563,870,471

 

(a)  Security exempt from registration under Rule 144A of the Securities Act of 1933 (see Note 4).

 

27

 



Portfolio of Investments (continued)
INVESTMENT GRADE FUND
March 31, 2015

The Fund’s assets and liabilities are classified into the following three levels based on the inputs used to value the assets or liabilities:

Level 1 — Unadjusted quoted prices in active markets for identical securities 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 assumption about the assumptions a market participant would use in valuing the asset or liability, and would be based on the best information available.

The inputs methodology used for valuing securities are not necessarily an indication of the risk associated with investing in those securities. For example, U.S. Government securities are reflected as Level 2 because the inputs used to determine fair value may not always be quoted prices in an active market.

The following is a summary, by category of Level, of inputs used to value the Fund’s investments as of March 31, 2015:

    Level 1   Level 2   Level 3   Total
Corporate Bonds* $ $ 539,748,026 $ $ 539,748,026
U.S. Government Agency            
Obligations     8,916,977     8,916,977
Total Investments in Securities $ $ 548,665,003 $ $ 548,665,003

 

The Portfolio of Investments provides information on the industry categorization for corporate bonds.
 
There were no transfers into or from Level 1 or Level 2 by the Fund for the period ended March 31,
2015. Transfers, if any, between Levels are recognized at the end of the reporting period.

 

28 See notes to financial statements

 



Fund Expenses (unaudited)
STRATEGIC INCOME FUND

The examples below show the ongoing costs (in dollars) of investing in your Fund and will help you in comparing these costs with costs of other mutual funds. Please refer to page 4 for a detailed explanation of the information presented in these examples.

 
  Annualized Beginning Ending Expenses Paid
  Expense Account Value Account Value During Period
Expense Example Ratio (4/3/14) (3/31/15) (10/1/14–3/31/15)*
Class A Shares 0.64%      
Actual   $1,000.00 $1,024.15 $3.23
Hypothetical**   $1,000.00 $1,021.74 $3.23
Advisor Class Shares 0.39%      
Actual   $1,000.00 $1,011.49 $1.96
Hypothetical**   $1,000.00 $1,022.99 $1.97

 

Expenses are equal to the annualized expense ratio, multiplied by the average account value over
the period, multiplied by 182/365 (to reflect the one-half year period).
 
**  Assumed rate of return of 5% before expenses.

 

Portfolio Composition
BY SECTOR


Portfolio holdings and allocations are subject to change. Percentages are as of March 31, 2015, and
are based on the total market value of investments.

 

29

 



Portfolio of Investments
STRATEGIC INCOME FUND
March 31, 2015

 
 
 
 
Shares   Security         Value
  MUTUAL FUNDS—97.7%    
  First Investors Income Funds—92.5%    
615,744 Floating Rate Fund – Institutional Class Shares $     5,978,873
17,920,181 Fund For Income – Institutional Class Shares   45,875,664
1,117,031 Government Fund – Institutional Class Shares 12,320,846
1,866,525 International Opportunities Bond Fund – Institutional Class Shares 17,713,324
2,476,355 Investment Grade Fund – Institutional Class Shares 24,862,608
606,494 Limited Duration High Quality Bond Fund – Institutional  
    Class Shares         6,016,417
              112,767,732
  First Investors Equity Funds—5.2%    
639,091   Equity Income Fund – Institutional Class Shares       6,314,223
Total Value of Mutual Funds (cost $121,503,439) 97.7 % 119,081,955
Other Assets, Less Liabilities 2.3       2,758,088
Net Assets     100.0 %     $121,840,043

 

30

 



The Fund’s assets and liabilities are classified into the following three levels based on the inputs used to value the assets or liabilities:

Level 1 — Unadjusted quoted prices in active markets for identical securities 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 assumption about the assumptions a market participant would use in valuing the asset or liability, and would be based on the best information available.

The inputs methodology used for valuing securities are not necessarily an indication of the risk associated with investing in those securities. For example, U.S. Government securities are reflected as Level 2 because the inputs used to determine fair value may not always be quoted prices in an active market.

The following is a summary, by category of Level, of inputs used to value the Fund’s investments as of March 31, 2015:

    Level 1   Level 2   Level 3   Total
Mutual Funds            
First Investors Income Funds $ 112,767,732 $ $ $ 112,767,732
First Investors Equity Funds   6,314,223       6,314,223
Total Investments in Securities $ 119,081,955 $ $ $ 119,081,955

 

There were no transfers into or from Level 1 or Level 2 by the Fund for the period ended March 31,
2015. Transfers, if any, between Levels are recognized at the end of the reporting period.

 

See notes to financial statements 31

 



Fund Expenses (unaudited)
INTERNATIONAL OPPORTUNITIES BOND FUND

The examples below show the ongoing costs (in dollars) of investing in your Fund and will help you in comparing these costs with costs of other mutual funds. Please refer to page 4 for a detailed explanation of the information presented in these examples.

 
  Annualized Beginning Ending Expenses Paid
  Expense Account Value Account Value During Period
Expense Example Ratio (10/1/14) (3/31/15) (10/1/14–3/31/15)*
Class A Shares 1.30%      
Actual   $1,000.00 $ 972.28 $6.39
Hypothetical**   $1,000.00 $1,018.45 $6.54
Advisor Class Shares 1.05%      
Actual   $1,000.00 $ 974.93 $5.17
Hypothetical**   $1,000.00 $1,019.69 $5.29
Institutional Class Shares 0.91%      
Actual   $1,000.00 $ 975.62 $4.48
Hypothetical**   $1,000.00 $1,020.39 $4.58

 

Expenses are equal to the annualized expense ratio, multiplied by the average account value over
the period, multiplied by 182/365 (to reflect the one-half year period). Expenses paid during the
period are net of expenses waived.
 
**  Assumed rate of return of 5% before expenses.

 

Portfolio Composition
BY SECTOR


Portfolio holdings and allocations are subject to change. Percentages are as of March 31, 2015, and
are based on the total market value of investments.

 

32

 



Portfolio of Investments
INTERNATIONAL OPPORTUNITIES BOND FUND
March 31, 2015

 
 
 
Principal      
Amount   Security   Value
  SOVEREIGN BONDS—61.2%    
  Mexico—13.0%    
  United Mexican States:    
742M MXN 8.5%, 5/31/2029 $     5,887,602
633M MXN 8.5%, 11/18/2038   5,186,261
927M MXN 7.75%, 11/13/2042   7,063,641
        18,137,504
  United Kingdom—8.9%    
  United Kingdom Gilt:    
5,960M GBP 2%, 1/22/2016   8,958,708
1,900M GBP 3.25%, 1/22/2044   3,373,174
        12,331,882
  Italy—7.7%    
6,305M EUR Buoni Poliennali Del Tesoro, 5%, 8/1/2039   10,675,749
  Portugal—5.5%    
  Obrigacoes Do Tesouro:    
2,780M EUR 4.95%, 10/25/2023   3,834,721
2,750M EUR 4.1%, 4/15/2037   3,889,244
        7,723,965
  South Korea—4.3%    
  Republic of Korea:    
4,699,500M KRW 5.75%, 9/10/2018   4,798,437
1,170,500M KRW 3.375%, 9/10/2023   1,160,326
        5,958,763
  South Africa—4.0%    
  Republic of South Africa:    
17,935M ZAR 6.75%, 3/31/2021   1,435,418
51,260M ZAR 6.5%, 2/28/2041   3,404,655
9,200M ZAR 8.75%, 2/28/2048   788,626
        5,628,699

 

33

 



Portfolio of Investments (continued)
INTERNATIONAL OPPORTUNITIES BOND FUND
March 31, 2015

 
 
 
Principal      
Amount   Security   Value
  New Zealand—3.4%    
  New Zealand Government Bonds:    
2,390M NZD 5%, 3/15/2019 $     1,911,893
3,270M NZD 5.5%, 4/15/2023   2,836,743
        4,748,636
  Malaysia—3.2%    
  Federation of Malaysia:    
2,950M MYR 4.048%, 9/30/2021   809,747
13,660M MYR 3.48%, 3/15/2023   3,593,460
        4,403,207
  Indonesia—3.0%    
52,000,000M IDR Indonesia Government Bond, 8.375%, 3/15/2034   4,240,185
  Brazil—3.0%    
  Nota Do Tesouro Nacional:    
1M BRL 9.71%, 1/1/2021   142,795
13M BRL 9.71%, 1/1/2023   3,575,072
2M BRL 9.71%, 1/1/2025   435,294
        4,153,161
  Hungary—2.9%    
  Hungary Government Bond:    
69,000M HUF 7.5%, 11/12/2020   307,788
860,000M HUF 6%, 11/24/2023   3,723,213
        4,031,001
  Poland—2.3%    
10,805M PLN Republic of Poland, 4%, 10/25/2023   3,254,582
Total Value of Sovereign Bonds (cost $91,115,447)   85,287,334

 

34

 



 
 
 
Principal      
Amount   Security   Value
U.S. GOVERNMENT OBLIGATIONS—24.2%     
  United States    
  U.S. Treasury Notes:    
7,010M USD 0.080%, 1/31/2016 (a) $     7,009,628
22,633M USD 0.105%, 7/31/2016 (a)   22,632,230
4,000M USD 0.119%, 1/31/2017 (a)   4,000,856
Total Value of U.S. Government Obligations (cost $33,647,733)   33,642,714
GOVERNMENT REGIONAL AGENCY—9.7%     
  Australia—8.1%    
4,105M AUD New South Wales Treasury Corp., 5%, 8/20/2024   3,751,457
  Queensland Treasury Corp.:    
6,215M AUD 6.25%, 2/21/2020   5,603,299
2,140M AUD 6%, 7/21/2022   1,998,667
        11,353,423
  Netherlands—.9%    
1,200M USD Bank Nederlanse Gemeenten, 0.5371%, 5/15/2018 (a)   1,207,810
  South Korea—.7%    
1,010M USD Export-Import Bank of Korea, 0.8821%, 8/14/2017 (a)(b)   1,010,204
Total Value of Government Regional Agency (cost $14,698,619)   13,571,437
  CORPORATE BONDS—2.9%    
  Australia—1.6%    
  Macquarie Group, Ltd.:    
1,160M USD 1.2546%, 1/31/2017 (a)(b)   1,166,753
1,030M USD 0.8861%, 10/27/2017 (a)(b)   1,030,624
        2,197,377
  Germany—.9%    
1,295M USD Deutsche Bank AG London, 0.8681%, 2/13/2017 (a)   1,299,347
  New Zealand—.4%    
470M USD ANZ New Zealand International, Ltd. of London, 0.7761%,    
    4/27/2017 (a)(b)   470,979
Total Value of Corporate Bonds (cost $3,958,986)   3,967,703

 

35

 



Portfolio of Investments (continued)
INTERNATIONAL OPPORTUNITIES BOND FUND
March 31, 2015

 
 
 
Principal      
Amount   Security         Value
  SUPRANATIONALS—.7%    
  Luxembourg    
1,015M USD European Investment Bank, 1.125%,    
    9/15/2017 (cost $1,012,776)         $     1,022,719
Total Value of Investments (cost $144,433,561) 98.7 % 137,491,907
Other Assets, Less Liabilities 1.3       1,815,923
Net Assets     100.0 %     $139,307,830

 

(a)  Interest rates are determined and reset periodically. The interest rates above are the rates in efffect
at March 31, 2015
 
(b)  Security exempt from registration under Rule 144A of the Securities Act of 1933 (see Note 4).
 
Abbreviations:
AUD Australian Dollar
BRL Brazilian Real
EUR Euro
GBP British Pound
HUF Hungarian Forint
IDR Indonesian Rupiah
KRW South Korean Won
MXN Mexican Peso
MYR Malaysian Ringgit
NZD New Zealand Dollar
PLN Polish Zloty
USD United States Dollar
ZAR South African Rand

 

36

 



The Fund’s assets and liabilities are classified into the following three levels based on the inputs used to value the assets or liabilities:

Level 1 — Unadjusted quoted prices in active markets for identical securities 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 assumption about the assumptions a market participant would use in valuing the asset or liability, and would be based on the best information available.

The inputs methodology used for valuing securities are not necessarily an indication of the risk associated with investing in those securities. For example, U.S. Government securities are reflected as Level 2 because the inputs used to determine fair value may not always be quoted prices in an active market.

37

 



Portfolio of Investments (continued)
INTERNATIONAL OPPORTUNITIES BOND FUND
March 31, 2015

The following is a summary, by category of Level, of inputs used to value the Fund’s investments as of March 31, 2015:

    Level 1   Level 2   Level 3   Total
Sovereign Bonds                
Mexico $ $ 18,137,504 $ $ 18,137,504
United Kingdom     12,331,882     12,331,882
Italy     10,675,749     10,675,749
Portugal     7,723,965     7,723,965
South Korea     5,958,763     5,958,763
South Africa     5,628,699     5,628,699
New Zealand     4,748,636     4,748,636
Malaysia     4,403,207     4,403,207
Indonesia     4,240,185     4,240,185
Brazil     4,153,161     4,153,161
Hungary     4,031,001     4,031,001
Poland     3,254,582     3,254,582
U.S. Government Obligations     33,642,714     33,642,714
Government Regional Agency                
Australia     11,353,423     11,353,423
Netherlands     1,207,810     1,207,810
South Korea     1,010,204     1,010,204
Corporate Bonds                
Australia     2,197,377     2,197,377
Germany     1,299,347     1,299,347
New Zealand     470,979     470,979
Supranationals                
Luxembourg     1,022,719     1,022,719
Total Investments in Securities $ $ 137,491,907 $ $ 137,491,907
Other Financial Instruments* $ $ 447,894 $ $ 447,894

 

Other financial instruments are foreign exchange contracts and are considered derivative instruments,
which are valued at the net unrealized appreciation on the instrument.
 
During the period ended March 31, 2015, there were no transfers between Level 1 investments and
Level 2 investments that had a material impact to the Fund. Transfers, if any, between Levels are
recognized at the end of the reporting period.

 

38 See notes to financial statements

 



Fund Expenses (unaudited)
FLOATING RATE FUND

The examples below show the ongoing costs (in dollars) of investing in your Fund and will help you in comparing these costs with costs of other mutual funds. Please refer to page 4 for a detailed explanation of the information presented in these examples.

 
  Annualized Beginning Ending Expenses Paid
  Expense Account Value Account Value During Period
Expense Example Ratio (10/1/14) (3/31/15) (10/1/14–3/31/15)*
Class A Shares 1.10%      
Actual   $1,000.00 $1,013.86 $5.52
Hypothetical**   $1,000.00 $1,019.45 $5.54
Advisor Class Shares 0.90%      
Actual   $1,000.00 $1,000.97 $4.49
Hypothetical**   $1,000.00 $1,020.44 $4.53
Institutional Class Shares 0.70%      
Actual   $1,000.00 $1,001.89 $3.49
Hypothetical**   $1,000.00 $1,021.44 $3.53

 

Expenses are equal to the annualized expense ratio, multiplied by the average account value over
the period, multiplied by 182/365 (to reflect the one-half year period). Expenses paid during the
period are net of expenses waived.
 
**  Assumed rate of return of 5% before expenses.

 

Portfolio Composition
BY SECTOR


Portfolio holdings and allocations are subject to change. Percentages are as of March 31, 2015, and
are based on the total market value of investments.

 

39

 



Portfolio of Investments
FLOATING RATE FUND
March 31, 2015

 
 
 
Principal      
Amount   Security   Value
  LOAN PARTICIPATIONS†—85.7%    
  Aerospace/Defense—1.5%    
$   574M B/E Aerospace, Inc., 4%, 12/16/2021 $     578,941
988M   TransDigm, Inc., 3.75%, 2/28/2020   986,916
        1,565,857
  Automotive—3.1%    
1,299M FCA US, LLC, 3.5%, 5/24/2017 (a)   1,300,535
1,042M CS Intermediate Holdco 2, LLC, 4%, 4/4/2021   1,042,125
896M   Key Safety Systems, Inc., 4.75%, 8/29/2021   900,723
        3,243,383
  Building Materials—.8%    
789M   USIC Holdings, Inc., 4%, 7/10/2020   779,839
  Chemicals—3.6%    
307M Ailnex Luxembourg & Cy SCA, Inc., 4.5%, 10/3/2019   308,565
160M Ailnex USA, Inc., 4.5%, 10/3/2019   160,099
756M Axalta Coating Systems Dutch Holdings BBV, 3.75%, 2/1/2020   751,833
762M Cyanco Intermediate Corp., 5.5%, 5/1/2020   753,336
995M Emerald Performance Materials LLC, 4.5%, 7/30/2021   996,865
796M   Solenis International, LP, 4.25%, 7/31/2021   791,688
        3,762,386
  Consumer Discretionary—.5%    
500M   Headwaters Incorporated, 4.5%, 3/24/2022 (a)   501,562
  Consumer Non-Durables—.7%    
729M   Reynolds Group Holdings, Inc., 4.5%, 12/1/2018   733,355
  Energy—2.0%    
898M Granite Acquisition, Inc., 5%, 12/17/2021   909,442
925M Jonah Energy, LLC, 7.5%, 5/12/2021   827,875
640M   Offshore Group Investment, Ltd., 5.75%, 3/28/2019   369,316
        2,106,633

 

40

 



 
 
 
Principal      
Amount   Security   Value
  Financial Services—3.6%    
$1,428M Delos Finance Sarl, 3.5%, 3/6/2021 $     1,431,391
987M HUB International, Ltd., 4.25%, 10/2/2020   980,121
500M Sedgwick Claims Management Services, Inc., 3.75%, 3/1/2021 (a)   494,323
980M   Sheridan Investment Partners II, LP, 4.25%, 12/16/2020   864,850
        3,770,685
  Food/Beverage/Tobacco—2.0%    
460M H.J. Heinz Co., 3.25%, 6/5/2020   460,791
941M JBS USA, LLC, 3.75%, 5/25/2018   931,799
742M   Pinnacle Foods Finance, LLC, 3%, 4/29/2020   739,892
        2,132,482
  Food/Drug—1.5%    
900M Rite Aid Corp., 4.875%, 6/21/2021   903,798
668M   Supervalu, Inc., 4.5%, 3/21/2019   671,148
        1,574,946
  Forest Products/Container—2.1%    
794M Ardagh Holdings USA, Inc., 4%, 12/17/2019   798,128
500M Berry Plastics Group, Inc., 3.5%, 2/8/2020 (a)   499,140
890M   Exopack Holdings SA, 5.25%, 5/8/2019   893,438
        2,190,706
  Gaming/Leisure—6.7%    
769M 24 Hour Fitness Worldwide, Inc., 4.75%, 5/28/2021   768,226
591M AMC Entertainment, Inc., 3.5%, 4/30/2020   591,324
950M ClubCorp Club Operations, Inc., 4.5%, 7/24/2020   954,948
892M Hilton Worldwide Finance, LLC, 3.5%, 10/26/2020   893,330
1,129M La Quinta Intermediate Holdings, LLC, 4%, 4/14/2021   1,135,287
396M Pinnacle Entertainment, Inc., 3.75%, 8/13/2020   396,544
898M Scientific Games International, Inc., 6%, 10/1/2021   901,304
481M SeaWorld Parks & Entertainment, Inc., 3%, 5/14/2020   469,467
887M   Seminole Hard Rock Entertainment, Inc., 3.5%, 5/14/2020   884,437
        6,994,867
  Health Care—9.7%    
274M Acadia Healthcare Co., Inc., 4.25%, 2/11/2022   277,227
990M Accellent, Inc, 4.5%, 3/12/2021   985,916
1,159M Biomet, Inc., 3.67%, 7/25/2017   1,159,325
652M   Community Health Systems, Inc., 4.25%, 1/27/2021 (a)   655,647

 

41

 



Portfolio of Investments (continued)
FLOATING RATE FUND
March 31, 2015

 
 
 
Principal      
Amount   Security   Value
  Health Care (continued)    
$1,315M Endo Luxembourg Finance Co. Sarl, 3.25%, 3/1/2021 $     1,313,379
267M Grifols Worldwide Operations USA, Inc., 3.178%, 2/27/2021   267,367
299M Medpace Holdings, Inc., 4.75%, 4/1/2021   299,589
587M MPH Acquisition Holdings, LLC, 3.75%, 3/31/2021   584,152
650M NBTY, Inc., 3.5%, 10/1/2017   642,281
436M Onex Carestream Health, Inc., 5%, 6/7/2019   437,794
1,397M Salix Pharmaceuticals, Ltd., 5.5%, 1/2/2020   1,399,463
554M Select Medical Corp., 3.75%, 6/1/2018   555,127
  Valeant Pharmaceuticals International, Inc.:    
280M 4%, 4/1/2022 (a)   281,881
1,276M   3.5%, 12/11/2019   1,277,704
        10,136,852
  Information Technology—7.4%    
2,217M Activision Blizzard, Inc., 3.25%, 10/12/2020 (a)   2,226,220
593M Applied Systems, Inc., 4.25%, 1/25/2021   593,519
331M ARRIS Enterprises, Inc., 3.25%, 4/17/2020   331,515
691M Avago Technologies Cayman, Ltd., 3.75%, 5/6/2021   693,044
343M DealerTrack Technologies, Inc., 3.25%, 2/28/2021   342,482
  Dell International, LLC:    
833M 3.75%, 10/29/2018   835,861
593M 4.5%, 4/29/2020   597,050
726M Infor (US), Inc., 3.75%, 6/3/2020   720,020
498M Kronos, Inc., 4.5%, 10/30/2019   499,545
904M   Zebra Technologies Corp., 4.75%, 10/27/2021   915,654
        7,754,910
  Manufacturing—8.1%    
491M Alliance Laundry Systems, LLC, 4.25%, 12/10/2018   492,502
889M Brand Energy & Infrastructure Services, Inc., 4.75%, 11/26/2020   867,198
499M Capital Safety North America Holdings, Inc., 3.75%, 3/29/2021   492,181
500M Custom Sensors & Technologies, Inc., 4.5%, 9/30/2021 (a)   501,250
497M Filtration Group Corporation, 4.5%, 11/20/2020   501,420
889M Gardner Denver, Inc., 4.25%, 7/30/2020   845,948
995M Gates Global, Inc., 4.25%, 7/5/2021   992,691
995M Husky Injection Molding System, 4.25%, 6/30/2021   994,254
1,034M Mirror BidCo Corp., 4.25%, 12/28/2019   1,034,024
450M Onex Wizard Acquisition Co, I Sarl, 5.25%, 3/11/2022   454,360
497M Rexnord, LLC/RBS Global, Inc., 4%, 8/21/2020   498,345
798M   U.S. Farathane, LLC, 6.75%, 12/23/2021   808,972
        8,483,145

 

42

 



 
 
 
Principal      
Amount   Security   Value
  Media-Cable TV—6.2%    
$1,318M Block Communications, Inc., 4.25%, 11/7/2021 $     1,324,967
1,415M Cequel Communications, LLC, 3.5%, 2/14/2019   1,418,551
1,150M Charter Communications, LLC, 4.25%, 9/10/2021   1,161,069
890M Gray Television, Inc., 3.75%, 6/13/2021   888,816
1,022M Numericable US, LLC, 4.5%, 5/21/2020   1,026,911
627M   Raycom TV Broadcasting, LLC, 3.75%, 8/4/2021   622,149
        6,442,463
  Media-Diversified—2.1%    
1,298M Media General, Inc., 4.25%, 7/31/2020   1,304,225
899M   Tribune Co., 4%, 12/27/2020   901,763
        2,205,988
  Metals/Mining—4.6%    
591M Alpha Natural Resources, Inc., 3.5%, 5/22/2020   412,824
591M FMG Resources (August 2006) Property, Ltd., 3.75%, 6/30/2019   539,821
690M McJunkin Red Man Corp., 5%, 11/8/2019   669,677
  Oxbow Carbon, LLC:    
231M 4.25%, 7/19/2019   223,408
250M 8%, 1/17/2020   207,917
887M Peabody Energy Corp., 4.25%, 9/24/2020   798,682
1,933M   TMS International Corp., 4.5%, 10/16/2020   1,932,484
        4,784,813
  Real Estate Investment Trusts—1.0%    
995M   Realogy Group, LLC, 3.75%, 3/5/2020   995,791
  Retail-General Merchandise—8.3%    
591M Academy, Ltd., 4.5%, 8/3/2018   592,140
496M Burger King Corp., 4.5%, 12/10/2021   500,789
425M Dollar Tree, Inc., 4.25%, 3/9/2022   429,958
597M General Nutrition Centers, Inc., 3.25%, 3/4/2019   592,618
743M Hertz Corp., 4%, 3/11/2018   743,372
730M Landry’s, Inc., 4%, 4/24/2018   731,874
975M Lands’ End, Inc., 4.25%, 4/4/2021   939,800
486M Libbey Glass, Inc., 3.75%, 4/9/2021   486,629
995M Michaels Stores, Inc., 4%, 1/28/2020   997,021
889M Neiman Marcus, Inc., 4.25%, 10/25/2020   886,995
1,000M PetSmart, Inc., 5%, 3/11/2022 (a)   1,008,867
742M   Wendy’s International, Inc., 3.25%, 5/15/2019   742,588
        8,652,651

 

43

 



Portfolio of Investments (continued)
FLOATING RATE FUND
March 31, 2015

 
 
 
Principal      
Amount   Security   Value
  Services—3.8%    
$   834M Allied Security Holdings, LLC, 4.25%, 2/12/2021 $     834,566
980M Brickman Group, Ltd., LLC, 4%, 12/18/2020   975,224
710M Doosan Infrascore International, Inc., 4.5%, 5/28/2021   718,442
991M Live Nation Entertainment, Inc., 3.5%, 8/17/2020   985,864
492M   Monitronics International, Inc., 4.25%, 3/23/2018   493,572
        4,007,668
  Telecommunications—1.2%    
  Level 3 Financing, Inc.:    
1,000M 4%, 8/1/2019   1,003,000
285M   4.5%, 1/31/2022   286,870
        1,289,870
  Utilities—1.9%    
995M Dynegy, Inc., 4%, 4/23/2020   997,839
970M   ExGen Texas Power, LLC, 5.75%, 9/18/2021   974,097
        1,971,936
  Wireless Communications—3.3%    
850M GCI Holdings, Inc., 4.75%, 2/2/2022   855,312
1,350M Intelsat Jackson Holdings, Ltd., 3.75%, 6/30/2019   1,344,305
1,195M   Telesat Canada, 3.5%, 3/28/2019   1,191,182
        3,390,799
Total Value of Loan Participations (cost $89,985,190)   89,473,587
  CORPORATE BONDS—7.5%    
  Automotive—.5%    
500M   Goodyear Tire & Rubber Co., 8.25%, 8/15/2020   531,250
  Consumer Non-Durables—1.0%    
500M Hanesbrands, Inc., 6.375%, 12/15/2020   533,125
500M   Reynolds Group Issuer, Inc., 7.125%, 4/15/2019   519,375
        1,052,500
  Energy—.4%    
25M Atlas Pipeline Partners, LP, 6.625%, 10/1/2020   25,875
450M   Linn Energy, LLC, 8.625%, 4/15/2020   385,875
        411,750

 

44

 



 
 
 
Principal      
Amount   Security   Value
  Financials—.6%    
$   626M   Consolidated Energy Finance SA, 6.75%, 10/15/2019 (b)   $     633,825
  Gaming/Leisure—.3%    
250M   National CineMedia, LLC, 7.875%, 7/15/2021   266,875
  Health Care—.9%    
575M Biomet, Inc., 6.5%, 8/1/2020   610,937
  Community Health Systems, Inc.:    
250M 5.125%, 8/15/2018   258,438
75M   8%, 11/15/2019   79,875
        949,250
  Media-Cable TV—1.0%    
  CCO Holdings, LLC:    
500M 7%, 1/15/2019   521,250
475M   8.125%, 4/30/2020   497,562
        1,018,812
  Metals/Mining—.7%    
750M   Novelis, Inc., 8.375%, 12/15/2017   784,688
  Retail-General Merchandise—.3%    
300M   Sally Holdings, LLC, 6.875%, 11/15/2019   318,750
  Services—.4%    
100M FTI Consulting, Inc., 6.75%, 10/1/2020   106,000
325M   Live Nation Entertainment, Inc., 7%, 9/1/2020 (b)   347,750
        453,750
  Telecommunications—.8%    
250M PAETEC Holding Corp., 9.875%, 12/1/2018   264,625
225M Wind Acquisition Finance SA, 4.75%, 7/15/2020 (b)   226,125
300M   Windstream Corp., 7.75%, 10/15/2020   308,625
        799,375
  Utilities—.3%    
305M   Calpine Corp., 6%, 1/15/2022 (b)   327,875
  Wireless Communications—.3%    
300M   MetroPCS Wireless, Inc., 6.625%, 11/15/2020   314,625
Total Value of Corporate Bonds (cost $7,923,139)   7,863,325

 

45

 



Portfolio of Investments (continued)
FLOATING RATE FUND
March 31, 2015

 
 
 
Principal      
Amount   Security         Value
  VARIABLE AND FLOATING RATE NOTES†—1.0%  
  Energy—.2%    
$   250M   Chesapeake Energy Corp., 3.5033%, 4/15/2019       $        241,250
  Utilities—.8%    
855M   AES Corp., 3.2616%, 6/1/2019         852,863
Total Value of Variable and Floating Rate Notes (cost $1,100,314)       1,094,113
Total Value of Investments (cost $99,008,643) 94.2 % 98,431,025
Other Assets, Less Liabilities 5.8       5,999,709
Net Assets     100.0 %       $104,430,734

 

†  Interest rates are determined and reset periodically. The interest rates above are the rates in effect
at March 31, 2015.
 
(a)  A portion or all of the security purchased on a when-issued or delayed delivery basis.
 
(b)  Security exempt from registration under Rule 144A of the Securities Act of 1933 (see Note 4).

 

46

 



The Fund’s assets and liabilities are classified into the following three levels based on the inputs used to value the assets or liabilities:

Level 1 — Unadjusted quoted prices in active markets for identical securities 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 assumption about the assumptions a market participant would use in valuing the asset or liability, and would be based on the best information available.

The inputs methodology used for valuing securities are not necessarily an indication of the risk associated with investing in those securities. For example, U.S. Government securities are reflected as Level 2 because the inputs used to determine fair value may not always be quoted prices in an active market.

The following is a summary, by category of Level, of inputs used to value the Fund’s investments as of March 31, 2015:

    Level 1   Level 2   Level 3   Total
Loan Participations $ $ 89,473,587 $ $ 89,473,587
Corporate Bonds   7,863,325   7,863,325
Variable and Floating Rate Notes     1,094,113     1,094,113
Total Investments in Securities* $ $ 98,431,025 $ $ 98,431,025

 

The Portfolio of Investments provides information on the industry categorization of loan participations,
corporate bonds and variable and floating rate notes.
 
There were no transfers into or from Level 1 and Level 2 by the Fund for the period ended March 31,
2015. Transfers, if any, between Levels are recognized at the end of the reporting period.

 

See notes to financial statements 47

 



Fund Expenses (unaudited)
FUND FOR INCOME

The examples below show the ongoing costs (in dollars) of investing in your Fund and will help you in comparing these costs with costs of other mutual funds. Please refer to page 4 for a detailed explanation of the information presented in these examples.

 
  Annualized Beginning Ending Expenses Paid
  Expense Account Value Account Value During Period
Expense Example Ratio (10/1/14) (3/31/15) (10/1/14–3/31/15)*
Class A Shares 1.21%      
Actual   $1,000.00 $1,010.07 $ 6.06
Hypothetical**   $1,000.00 $1,018.90 $ 6.09
Class B Shares 2.02%      
Actual   $1,000.00 $1,002.04 $10.08
Hypothetical**   $1,000.00 $1,014.86 $10.15
Advisor Class Shares 0.96%      
Actual   $1,000.00 $1,011.87 $ 4.82
Hypothetical**   $1,000.00 $1,020.14 $ 4.84
Institutional Class Shares 0.79%      
Actual   $1,000.00 $1,012.72 $ 3.96
Hypothetical**   $1,000.00 $1,020.99 $ 3.98

 

Expenses are equal to the annualized expense ratio, multiplied by the average account value over
the period, multiplied by 182/365 (to reflect the one-half year period). Expenses paid during the
period are net of expenses waived.
 
**  Assumed rate of return of 5% before expenses.

 

Portfolio Composition
BY SECTOR


Portfolio holdings and allocations are subject to change. Percentages are as of March 31, 2015, and
are based on the total market value of investments.

 

48

 



Portfolio of Investments
FUND FOR INCOME
March 31, 2015

 
 
 
Principal      
Amount   Security   Value
  CORPORATE BONDS—90.1%    
  Aerospace/Defense—.7%    
  Meccanica Holdings USA, Inc.:    
$3,725M 6.25%, 7/15/2019 (a) $     4,162,688
900M   7.375%, 7/15/2039 (a)   1,014,750
        5,177,438
  Automotive—2.0%    
  American Axle & Manufacturing, Inc.:    
2,750M 6.25%, 3/15/2021   2,908,125
1,175M 6.625%, 10/15/2022   1,266,062
1,275M Asbury Automotive Group, Inc., 6%, 12/15/2024   1,329,187
  General Motors Co.:    
1,425M 6.25%, 10/2/2043   1,752,126
875M 5.2%, 4/1/2045   953,408
3,300M Gestamp Funding Luxembourg SA, 5.625%, 5/31/2020 (a)   3,423,750
500M Oshkosh Corp., 5.375%, 3/1/2022   521,250
2,050M   Schaeffler Finance BV, 4.75%, 5/15/2021 (a)   2,080,750
        14,234,658
  Building Materials—1.6%    
  Building Materials Corp.:    
1,800M 6.75%, 5/1/2021 (a)   1,917,000
2,750M 5.375%, 11/15/2024 (a)   2,805,000
1,325M Cemex Finance, LLC, 9.375%, 10/12/2022 (a)   1,510,500
  Cemex SAB de CV:    
1,350M 9.5%, 6/15/2018 (a)   1,503,900
1,000M 6.5%, 12/10/2019 (a)   1,065,000
2,400M   Griffon Corp., 5.25%, 3/1/2022   2,376,840
        11,178,240
  Chemicals—1.2%    
2,250M Platform Specialty Products Corp., 6.5%, 2/1/2022 (a)   2,362,500
900M Rayonier AM Products, Inc., 5.5%, 6/1/2024 (a)   776,250
4,050M TPC Group, Inc., 8.75%, 12/15/2020 (a)   3,726,000
  W.R. Grace & Co.:    
1,250M 5.125%, 10/1/2021 (a)   1,300,000
525M   5.625%, 10/1/2024 (a)   562,406
        8,727,156

 

49

 



Portfolio of Investments (continued)
FUND FOR INCOME
March 31, 2015

 
  
  
Principal      
Amount   Security   Value
  Consumer Non-Durables—2.6%    
  Levi Strauss & Co.:    
$   925M 7.625%, 5/15/2020 $     966,625
2,925M 6.875%, 5/1/2022   3,210,187
  Reynolds Group Issuer, Inc.:    
500M 7.125%, 4/15/2019   519,375
6,550M 5.75%, 10/15/2020   6,787,438
  Spectrum Brands Escrow Corp.:    
1,375M 6.375%, 11/15/2020   1,464,375
1,480M 6.625%, 11/15/2022   1,591,000
3,200M   Wolverine World Wide, Inc., 6.125%, 10/15/2020   3,432,000
        17,971,000
  Energy—11.3%    
  AmeriGas Finance, LLC:    
500M 6.75%, 5/20/2020   528,750
1,250M 7%, 5/20/2022   1,346,875
  Antero Resources Finance Corp.:    
675M 6%, 12/1/2020   678,712
950M 5.375%, 11/1/2021   925,062
57M Atlas Pipeline Partners, LP, 6.625%, 10/1/2020   58,995
  Berry Petroleum Co.:    
675M 6.75%, 11/1/2020   551,812
2,275M 6.375%, 9/15/2022   1,780,187
625M Blue Racer Midstream, LLC, 6.125%, 11/15/2022 (a)   643,750
  California Resources Corp.:    
975M 5%, 1/15/2020 (a)   884,812
950M 5.5%, 9/15/2021 (a)   847,590
1,775M 6%, 11/15/2024 (a)   1,566,437
  Calumet Specialty Products Partners, LP:    
2,650M 9.625%, 8/1/2020   3,007,750
1,100M 6.5%, 4/15/2021 (a)   1,072,500
525M 7.625%, 1/15/2022   532,875
2,275M 7.75%, 4/15/2023 (a)   2,311,969
  Chesapeake Energy Corp.:    
2,025M 7.25%, 12/15/2018   2,197,125
950M 6.625%, 8/15/2020   985,625
2,000M 6.875%, 11/15/2020   2,100,000
1,375M 5.75%, 3/15/2023   1,347,500
  CONSOL Energy, Inc.:    
2,352M 8.25%, 4/1/2020   2,457,840
1,300M   5.875%, 4/15/2022   1,183,000

 

50

 



 
 
 
Principal      
Amount   Security   Value
  Energy (continued)    
$   950M Crestwood Midstream Partners, LP, 6.25%, 4/1/2023 (a) $     961,875
  Denbury Resources, Inc.:    
1,075M 6.375%, 8/15/2021   1,018,562
1,900M 5.5%, 5/1/2022   1,714,750
  Energy XXI Gulf Coast, Inc.:    
2,125M 11%, 3/15/2020 (a)   2,026,719
1,850M 7.5%, 12/15/2021   675,250
1,350M Exterran Partners, LP, 6%, 10/1/2022   1,242,000
1,850M Forum Energy Technologies, Inc., 6.25%, 10/1/2021   1,743,625
2,125M Gibson Energy, Inc., 6.75%, 7/15/2021 (a)   2,178,125
1,900M Laredo Petroleum, Inc., 5.625%, 1/15/2022   1,852,500
  Legacy Reserves, LP:    
3,175M 8%, 12/1/2020   2,619,375
2,750M 6.625%, 12/1/2021   2,186,250
  Linn Energy, LLC:    
625M 6.5%, 5/15/2019   528,516
1,850M 6.25%, 11/1/2019   1,470,750
1,500M MarkWest Energy Partners, LP, 4.875%, 12/1/2024   1,541,100
3,025M Memorial Production Partners, LP, 7.625%, 5/1/2021   2,767,875
2,180M Northern Blizzard Resources, Inc., 7.25%, 2/1/2022 (a)   2,005,600
  NuStar Logistics, LP:    
325M 4.8%, 9/1/2020   320,938
1,375M 6.75%, 2/1/2021   1,457,562
1,050M Offshore Group Investment, Ltd., 7.5%, 11/1/2019   603,750
2,675M Rain CII Carbon, LLC, 8.25%, 1/15/2021 (a)   2,507,813
  Rex Energy Corp.:    
1,100M 8.875%, 12/1/2020   863,500
2,250M 6.25%, 8/1/2022 (a)   1,524,375
750M Rice Energy, Inc., 7.25%, 5/1/2023 (a)   750,938
1,865M RKI Exploration and Production, LLC, 8.5%, 8/1/2021 (a)   1,781,075
  Sabine Pass Liquefaction, LLC:    
3,750M 6.25%, 3/15/2022   3,890,625
1,375M 5.625%, 4/15/2023   1,378,438
2,450M 5.75%, 5/15/2024   2,474,500
1,200M 5.625%, 3/1/2025 (a)   1,191,000
2,900M Samson Investment Co., 9.75%, 2/15/2020   812,000
1,175M SM Energy Co., 6.5%, 11/15/2021   1,198,500
433M Suburban Propane Partners, LP, 7.375%, 8/1/2021   467,640
675M Tesoro Logistics, LP, 6.25%, 10/15/2022 (a)   702,000
900M Ultra Petroleum Corp., 5.75%, 12/15/2018 (a)   816,750
2,875M   Unit Corp., 6.625%, 5/15/2021   2,716,875
        79,000,317

 

51

 



Portfolio of Investments (continued)
FUND FOR INCOME
March 31, 2015

 
 
 
Principal      
Amount   Security   Value
  Financials—4.9%    
  Ally Financial, Inc.:    
$3,000M 6.25%, 12/1/2017 $     3,202,500
1,350M 4.75%, 9/10/2018   1,392,187
3,084M 8%, 3/15/2020   3,685,380
1,375M 8%, 11/1/2031   1,723,906
2,400M Argos Merger Sub, Inc., 7.125%, 3/15/2023 (a)   2,493,000
4,266M Consolidated Energy Finance SA, 6.75%, 10/15/2019 (a)   4,319,325
  General Motors Financial Co., Inc.:    
575M 3.25%, 5/15/2018   587,219
1,675M 6.75%, 6/1/2018   1,888,562
1,125M 4.375%, 9/25/2021   1,196,257
1,550M 4.25%, 5/15/2023   1,609,613
  International Lease Finance Corp.:    
4,200M 8.75%, 3/15/2017   4,651,500
4,150M 8.25%, 12/15/2020   5,063,000
2,700M   Nielsen Co., (Luxembourg) Sarl, 5.5%, 10/1/2021 (a)   2,801,250
        34,613,699
  Food/Beverage/Tobacco—2.6%    
1,500M Barry Callebaut Services SA, 5.5%, 6/15/2023 (a)   1,600,875
900M Constellation Brands, Inc., 4.75%, 11/15/2024   954,000
2,725M Dean Foods Co., 6.5%, 3/15/2023 (a)   2,745,437
950M H.J. Heinz Co., 4.25%, 10/15/2020   975,887
  JBS Investments GmbH:    
1,000M 7.75%, 10/28/2020 (a)   1,062,500
2,100M 7.25%, 4/3/2024 (a)   2,147,250
  JBS USA, LLC:    
1,700M 7.25%, 6/1/2021 (a)   1,804,125
1,775M 5.875%, 7/15/2024 (a)   1,801,625
725M Pilgrim’s Pride Corp., 5.75%, 3/15/2025 (a)   743,125
2,587M Sun Merger Sub, Inc., 5.875%, 8/1/2021 (a)   2,719,584
1,475M   Treehouse Foods, Inc., 4.875%, 3/15/2022   1,508,188
        18,062,596
  Food/Drug—.4%    
1,475M BI-LO, LLC, 8.625%, 9/15/2018 (a)   1,312,750
1,675M   Rite Aid Corp., 6.125%, 4/1/2023 (a)   1,725,250
        3,038,000

 

52

 



 
 
 
Principal      
Amount   Security   Value
  Forest Products/Containers—4.0%    
$2,175M Ardagh Packaging Finance, PLC, 6%, 6/30/2021 (a) $     2,142,375
1,400M CROWN Americas, LLC, 4.5%, 1/15/2023   1,419,250
1,100M Graphic Packaging International, Inc., 4.875%, 11/15/2022   1,144,000
3,650M Greif, Inc., 7.75%, 8/1/2019   4,129,062
  Mercer International, Inc.:    
300M 7%, 12/1/2019   312,000
1,400M 7.75%, 12/1/2022   1,491,000
  Owens-Brockway Glass Container, Inc.:    
450M 5%, 1/15/2022 (a)   460,080
1,275M 5.375%, 1/15/2025 (a)   1,316,438
1,900M Resolute Forest Products, Inc., 5.875%, 5/15/2023   1,835,400
  Sealed Air Corp.:    
4,325M 6.5%, 12/1/2020 (a)   4,833,188
1,250M 8.375%, 9/15/2021 (a)   1,412,500
875M 4.875%, 12/1/2022 (a)   894,688
3,425M Silgan Holdings, Inc., 5%, 4/1/2020   3,536,313
2,710M   Tekni-Plex, Inc., 9.75%, 6/1/2019 (a)   2,926,800
        27,853,094
  Gaming/Leisure—3.2%    
2,800M 24 Hour Holdings III, LLC, 8%, 6/1/2022 (a)   2,394,000
1,500M GLP Capital, LP, 4.875%, 11/1/2020   1,545,000
1,350M Hilton Worldwide Finance, LLC, 5.625%, 10/15/2021   1,427,625
  International Game Technology, PLC:    
900M 5.625%, 2/15/2020 (a)   881,550
900M 6.25%, 2/15/2022 (a)   882,000
1,350M 6.5%, 2/15/2025 (a)   1,306,125
3,325M National CineMedia, LLC, 7.875%, 7/15/2021   3,549,438
1,900M NCL Corp., Ltd., 5.25%, 11/15/2019 (a)   1,957,000
1,700M Regal Entertainment Group, 5.75%, 3/15/2022   1,744,625
3,175M Scientific Games International, Inc., 6.625%, 5/15/2021 (a)   2,329,656
4,000M   Six Flags Entertainment Corp., 5.25%, 1/15/2021 (a)   4,130,000
        22,147,019
  Health Care—9.7%    
  Aviv Healthcare Properties, LP:    
850M 7.75%, 2/15/2019   889,312
825M 6%, 10/15/2021   885,844
5,349M   Biomet, Inc., 6.5%, 8/1/2020   5,683,312

 

53

 



Portfolio of Investments (continued)
FUND FOR INCOME
March 31, 2015

 
 
 
Principal      
Amount   Security   Value
  Health Care (continued)    
  Community Health Systems, Inc.:    
$1,275M 5.125%, 8/15/2018 $     1,318,031
3,050M 8%, 11/15/2019   3,248,250
3,050M 7.125%, 7/15/2020   3,236,812
  Endo Finance, LLC:    
5,175M 5.75%, 1/15/2022 (a)   5,317,312
1,150M 7.25%, 1/15/2022 (a)   1,226,187
  Fresenius Medical Care U.S. Finance II, Inc.:    
1,150M 5.625%, 7/31/2019 (a)   1,254,075
575M 4.125%, 10/15/2020 (a)   587,578
675M 4.75%, 10/15/2024 (a)   710,437
  HCA, Inc.:    
2,075M 8%, 10/1/2018   2,409,594
2,950M 6.5%, 2/15/2020   3,329,075
1,875M 6.25%, 2/15/2021   2,031,937
1,950M 7.75%, 5/15/2021   2,079,792
950M 7.5%, 2/15/2022   1,110,312
  HealthSouth Corp.:    
332M 8.125%, 2/15/2020   347,355
767M 7.75%, 9/15/2022   813,979
1,150M 5.125%, 3/15/2023   1,175,875
675M 5.75%, 11/1/2024   705,375
3,300M Kindred Escrow Corp. II, 8.75%, 1/15/2023 (a)   3,630,000
1,525M Mallinckrodt Finance SB, 5.75%, 8/1/2022 (a)   1,576,469
800M NBTY, Inc., 9%, 10/1/2018   836,000
  Omnicare, Inc.:    
600M 4.75%, 12/1/2022   622,500
375M 5%, 12/1/2024   393,750
  Tenet Healthcare Corp.:    
3,450M 6.75%, 2/1/2020   3,652,688
2,275M 6%, 10/1/2020   2,417,188
1,225M Universal Hospital Services, Inc., 7.625%, 8/15/2020   1,078,000
  Valeant Pharmaceuticals International, Inc.:    
5,200M 6.375%, 10/15/2020 (a)   5,421,000
1,100M 5.625%, 12/1/2021 (a)   1,119,250
700M 5.5%, 3/1/2023 (a)   708,750
2,375M 5.875%, 5/15/2023 (a)   2,440,313
2,100M 6.125%, 4/15/2025 (a)   2,178,750
3,000M   WellCare Health Plans, Inc., 5.75%, 11/15/2020   3,165,000
        67,600,102

 

54

 



 
 
 
Principal      
Amount   Security   Value
  Information Technology—4.3%    
$1,075M Activision Blizzard, Inc., 5.625%, 9/15/2021 (a) $     1,147,562
  Advanced Micro Devices, Inc.:    
1,000M 6.75%, 3/1/2019   975,000
2,450M 7.5%, 8/15/2022   2,358,125
700M 7%, 7/1/2024   607,250
725M Anixter, Inc., 5.125%, 10/1/2021   747,656
  Audatex North America, Inc.:    
4,725M 6%, 6/15/2021 (a)   5,020,312
1,600M 6.125%, 11/1/2023 (a)   1,698,000
2,492M Belden, Inc., 5.5%, 9/1/2022 (a)   2,566,760
4,525M Denali Borrower, LLC, 5.625%, 10/15/2020 (a)   4,794,237
1,800M IAC/InterActiveCorp, 4.875%, 11/30/2018   1,863,000
  Micron Technology, Inc.:    
1,150M 5.875%, 2/15/2022   1,218,149
2,525M 5.5%, 2/1/2025 (a)   2,550,250
1,625M Open Text Corp., 5.625%, 1/15/2023 (a)   1,690,000
2,150M Sensata Technologies BV, 5%, 10/1/2025 (a)   2,184,938
650M   Verisign, Inc., 5.25%, 4/1/2025 (a)   664,625
        30,085,864
  Manufacturing—3.7%    
2,300M Amkor Technology, Inc., 6.375%, 10/1/2022   2,380,500
3,425M Brand Energy & Infrastructure Services, Inc., 8.5%, 12/1/2021 (a)   3,228,062
3,850M Case New Holland, Inc., 7.875%, 12/1/2017   4,284,280
2,450M Dematic SA, 7.75%, 12/15/2020 (a)   2,572,500
  EDP Finance BV:    
1,650M 6%, 2/2/2018 (a)   1,798,533
200M 5.25%, 1/14/2021 (a)   217,288
1,575M EnPro Industries, Inc., 5.875%, 9/15/2022 (a)   1,647,844
3,700M H&E Equipment Services, Inc., 7%, 9/1/2022   3,829,500
  Rexel SA:    
5,475M 6.125%, 12/15/2019 (a)   5,762,438
550M   5.25%, 6/15/2020 (a)   579,563
        26,300,508
  Media-Broadcasting—2.4%    
  Belo Corp.:    
725M 7.75%, 6/1/2027   819,250
150M 7.25%, 9/15/2027   162,750
775M Media General Financial Sub, 5.875%, 11/15/2022 (a)   792,438
3,175M   Nexstar Broadcasting, Inc., 6.875%, 11/15/2020   3,365,500

 

55

 



Portfolio of Investments (continued)
FUND FOR INCOME
March 31, 2015

 
 
 
Principal      
Amount   Security   Value
  Media-Broadcasting (continued)    
  Sinclair Television Group, Inc.:    
$4,075M 5.375%, 4/1/2021 $     4,197,250
925M 6.375%, 11/1/2021   982,813
  Sirius XM Radio, Inc.:    
3,750M 5.75%, 8/1/2021 (a)   3,923,438
1,275M 6%, 7/15/2024 (a)   1,341,938
975M   5.375%, 4/15/2025 (a)   982,313
        16,567,690
  Media-Cable TV—7.8%    
  Altice Financing SA:    
2,225M 6.625%, 2/15/2023 (a)   2,302,875
275M 7.625%, 2/15/2025 (a)   283,250
275M Altice SA, 7.625%, 2/15/2025 (a)   276,891
  Cablevision Systems Corp.:    
2,000M 8.625%, 9/15/2017   2,255,000
3,100M 7.75%, 4/15/2018   3,452,625
  CCO Holdings, LLC:    
1,825M 7%, 1/15/2019   1,902,562
1,125M 8.125%, 4/30/2020   1,178,437
650M 5.25%, 3/15/2021   667,875
550M 6.5%, 4/30/2021   579,562
875M 5.125%, 2/15/2023   887,031
4,925M Cequel Communications Holdings I, LLC, 6.375%, 9/15/2020 (a)   5,214,344
  Clear Channel Worldwide Holdings, Inc.:    
200M 7.625%, 3/15/2020 Series “A”   208,000
4,850M 7.625%, 3/15/2020 Series “B”   5,128,875
1,025M 6.5%, 11/15/2022 Series “A”   1,068,562
2,375M 6.5%, 11/15/2022 Series “B”   2,511,562
  DISH DBS Corp.:    
5,475M 7.875%, 9/1/2019   6,132,000
950M 5%, 3/15/2023   926,060
1,325M 5.875%, 11/15/2024   1,329,969
3,025M Gray Television, Inc., 7.5%, 10/1/2020   3,198,937
5,650M Harron Communications, LP, 9.125%, 4/1/2020 (a)   6,207,937
875M Lynx II Corp., 6.375%, 4/15/2023 (a)   936,250
2,250M   Midcontinent Communications Corp., 6.25%, 8/1/2021 (a)   2,351,250

 

56

 



 
 
 
Principal      
Amount   Security   Value
  Media-Cable TV (continued)    
  Numericable Group SA:    
$2,975M 6%, 5/15/2022 (a) $     3,015,906
1,225M 6.25%, 5/15/2024 (a)   1,241,844
1,000M   VTR Finance BV, 6.875%, 1/15/2024 (a)   1,040,000
        54,297,604
  Media-Diversified—.5%    
  Gannett Co., Inc.:    
1,700M 5.125%, 7/15/2020   1,778,625
1,600M   6.375%, 10/15/2023   1,742,000
        3,520,625
  Metals/Mining—6.2%    
  Alcoa, Inc.:    
4,850M 6.15%, 8/15/2020   5,478,628
800M 5.125%, 10/1/2024   857,833
  Aleris International, Inc.:    
825M 7.625%, 2/15/2018   844,594
4,000M 7.875%, 11/1/2020   4,090,000
  ArcelorMittal:    
1,875M 6.125%, 6/1/2018   2,019,375
3,631M 10.6%, 6/1/2019   4,454,783
525M 6.25%, 3/1/2021   559,781
975M 7%, 2/25/2022   1,072,500
  Constellium NV:    
1,050M 8%, 1/15/2023 (a)   1,102,500
1,725M 5.75%, 5/15/2024 (a)   1,638,750
5,025M JMC Steel Group, 8.25%, 3/15/2018 (a)   4,239,844
1,000M Kaiser Aluminum Corp., 8.25%, 6/1/2020   1,095,000
  Novelis, Inc.:    
5,375M 8.375%, 12/15/2017   5,623,594
1,850M 8.75%, 12/15/2020   1,991,063
  Peabody Energy Corp.:    
4,225M 6.5%, 9/15/2020   2,640,625
775M 10%, 3/15/2022 (a)   693,625
800M   7.875%, 11/1/2026   486,000

 

57

 



Portfolio of Investments (continued)
FUND FOR INCOME
March 31, 2015

 
 
 
Principal      
Amount   Security   Value
  Metals/Mining (continued)    
  Steel Dynamics, Inc.:    
$ 650M 5.125%, 10/1/2021 (a) $     657,313
675M 6.375%, 8/15/2022   723,938
1,000M 5.5%, 10/1/2024 (a)   1,016,250
1,925M   Wise Metals Group, LLC, 8.75%, 12/15/2018 (a)   2,064,563
        43,350,559
  Real Estate Investment Trusts—.4%    
2,362M   Taylor Morrison Communities, Inc., 7.75%, 4/15/2020 (a)   2,515,530
  Retail-General Merchandise—2.1%    
100M Family Tree Escrow, LLC, 5.25%, 3/1/2020 (a)   105,250
2,375M Group 1 Automotive, Inc., 5%, 6/1/2022 (a)   2,392,812
3,575M Jo-Ann Stores, Inc., 8.125%, 3/15/2019 (a)   3,601,813
2,425M Limited Brands, Inc., 8.5%, 6/15/2019   2,921,397
  Netflix, Inc.:    
2,025M 5.5%, 2/15/2022 (a)   2,080,688
1,000M 5.875%, 2/15/2025 (a)   1,031,250
2,250M   Party City Holdings, Inc., 8.875%, 8/1/2020   2,435,625
        14,568,835
  Services—6.0%    
  ADT Corp.:    
4,050M 3.5%, 7/15/2022   3,695,625
650M 4.125%, 6/15/2023   609,375
  Aecom Technology Corp.:    
1,025M 5.75%, 10/15/2022 (a)   1,063,437
1,650M 5.875%, 10/15/2024 (a)   1,736,625
1,525M Ashtead Capital, Inc., 6.5%, 7/15/2022 (a)   1,631,750
2,425M CoreLogic, Inc., 7.25%, 6/1/2021   2,594,750
  Covanta Holding Corp.:    
1,200M 7.25%, 12/1/2020   1,281,000
2,225M 6.375%, 10/1/2022   2,391,875
  Geo Group, Inc.:    
1,450M 5.875%, 1/15/2022   1,537,000
675M 5.125%, 4/1/2023   691,875
1,450M 5.875%, 10/15/2024   1,515,250
600M IHS, Inc., 5%, 11/1/2022 (a)   605,640
  Iron Mountain, Inc.:    
1,525M 7.75%, 10/1/2019   1,629,844
4,625M   5.75%, 8/15/2024   4,700,156

 

58

 



 
 
 
Principal      
Amount   Security   Value
  Services (continued)    
$4,650M Live Nation Entertainment, Inc., 7%, 9/1/2020 (a) $     4,975,500
3,650M LKQ Corp., 4.75%, 5/15/2023   3,595,250
1,725M Monitronics International, Inc., 9.125%, 4/1/2020   1,696,969
1,975M PHH Corp., 7.375%, 9/1/2019   2,058,938
2,300M Reliance Intermediate Holdings, LP, 6.5%, 4/1/2023 (a)   2,360,375
1,900M   Safway Group Holding, LLC, 7%, 5/15/2018 (a)   1,890,500
        42,261,734
  Telecommunications—5.0%    
  CenturyLink, Inc.:    
400M 5.625%, 4/1/2020   421,500
4,475M 5.8%, 3/15/2022   4,681,969
1,250M 6.75%, 12/1/2023   1,381,250
  Citizens Communications Co.:    
4,175M 7.125%, 3/15/2019   4,561,187
1,400M 9%, 8/15/2031   1,505,000
1,800M Frontier Communications Corp., 8.5%, 4/15/2020   2,029,500
2,500M GCI, Inc., 8.625%, 11/15/2019   2,625,000
1,550M Inmarsat Finance, PLC, 4.875%, 5/15/2022 (a)   1,553,875
1,900M Intelsat Jackson Holdings SA, 7.25%, 4/1/2019   1,976,475
  Sprint Capital Corp.:    
1,300M 6.9%, 5/1/2019   1,350,375
2,125M 6.875%, 11/15/2028   1,960,313
  Wind Acquisition Finance SA:    
2,000M 4.75%, 7/15/2020 (a)   2,010,000
4,975M 7.375%, 4/23/2021 (a)   5,174,000
  Windstream Corp.:    
1,500M 7.875%, 11/1/2017   1,631,250
2,050M   7.75%, 10/15/2020   2,108,938
        34,970,632
  Transportation—1.3%    
  Aircastle, Ltd.:    
550M 4.625%, 12/15/2018   573,375
2,637M 6.25%, 12/1/2019   2,905,658
1,050M American Airlines Group, Inc., 5.5%, 10/1/2019 (a)   1,081,500
  Fly Leasing, Ltd.:    
2,150M 6.75%, 12/15/2020   2,201,062
1,900M 6.375%, 10/15/2021   1,885,750
225M   Mobile Mini, Inc., 7.875%, 12/1/2020   238,500
        8,885,845

 

59

 



Portfolio of Investments (continued)
FUND FOR INCOME
March 31, 2015

 
 
 
Principal      
Amount   Security   Value
  Utilities—2.6%    
  AES Corp.:    
$   525M 8%, 6/1/2020 $     602,437
2,525M 7.375%, 7/1/2021   2,815,375
1,375M 5.5%, 3/15/2024   1,378,437
1,275M ContourGlobal Power Holdings SA, 7.125%, 6/1/2019 (a)   1,306,875
2,100M Dynergy Finance I/II, Inc., 7.375%, 11/1/2022 (a)   2,215,500
794M Indiantown Cogeneration Utilities, LP, 9.77%, 12/15/2020   911,296
3,075M InterGen NV, 7%, 6/30/2023 (a)   2,990,437
1,425M NRG Energy, Inc., 6.25%, 5/1/2024   1,442,813
2,889M NSG Holdings, LLC, 7.75%, 12/15/2025 (a)   3,127,100
1,250M   Terraform Power Operating, LLC, 5.875%, 2/1/2023 (a)   1,300,000
        18,090,270
  Waste Management—.3%    
2,050M   ADS Waste Holdings, Inc., 8.25%, 10/1/2020   2,152,500
  Wireless Communications—3.3%    
1,588M Level 3 Financing, Inc., 6.125%, 1/15/2021   1,673,355
3,200M MetroPCS Wireless, Inc., 6.625%, 11/15/2020   3,356,000
  Sprint Nextel Corp.:    
925M 9.125%, 3/1/2017   1,012,875
1,250M 8.375%, 8/15/2017   1,360,938
4,350M 7%, 8/15/2020   4,439,719
2,200M 6%, 11/15/2022   2,098,250
  T-Mobile USA, Inc.:    
4,100M 6.25%, 4/1/2021   4,279,375
2,725M 6.625%, 4/1/2023   2,864,656
1,850M   UPCB Finance IV, Ltd., 5.375%, 1/15/2025 (a)(b)(c)   1,850,000
        22,935,168
Total Value of Corporate Bonds (cost $626,387,301)   630,106,683
  LOAN PARTICIPATIONS†—6.1%    
  Automotive—.2%    
1,514M   CS Intermediate Holdco 2, LLC, 4%, 4/4/2021   1,513,563
  Chemicals—.4%    
2,653M   Axalta Coating Systems Dutch Holdings BBV, 3.75%, 2/1/2020   2,639,141

 

60

 



 
 
 
Principal      
Amount   Security   Value
  Energy—.8%    
$3,500M EP Energy, LLC, 2.75%, 5/24/2018 (b) $     3,360,000
2,225M   Jonah Energy, LLC, 7.5%, 5/12/2021   1,991,375
        5,351,375
  Food/Drug—1.2%    
2,111M Albertson’s, Inc., 5.375%, 3/21/2019   2,129,343
3,215M Rite Aid Corp., 4.875%, 6/21/2021   3,228,564
2,829M   Supervalu, Inc., 4.5%, 3/21/2019   2,842,449
        8,200,356
  Gaming/Leisure—.2%    
1,543M   Seminole Hard Rock Entertainment, Inc., 3.5%, 5/14/2020   1,537,705
  Health Care—.2%    
1,725M   Community Health Systems, Inc., 4.25%, 1/27/2021 (b)   1,734,882
  Industrials—.5%    
3,500M   TransDigm, Inc., 3.75%, 2/28/2020 (b)   3,496,563
  Information Technology—.6%    
1,440M ARRIS Enterprises, Inc., 3.25%, 4/17/2020   1,441,479
2,979M   Avago Technologies Cayman, Ltd., 3.75%, 5/6/2021   2,988,753
        4,430,232
  Manufacturing—.5%    
3,630M   Gardner Denver, Inc., 4.25%, 7/30/2020   3,452,094
  Media-Diversified—.7%    
4,611M   Tribune Co., 4%, 12/27/2020   4,622,814
  Metals/Mining—.1%    
1,280M   Oxbow Carbon, LLC, 8%, 1/17/2020   1,064,534
  Retail-General Merchandise—.5%    
3,500M   Burger King Corp., 4.5%, 12/10/2021 (b)   3,536,750
  Services—.2%    
804M Allied Security Holdings, LLC, 4.25%, 2/12/2021   804,430
602M   Brickman Group, Ltd., LLC, 4%, 12/18/2020   599,374
        1,403,804
Total Value of Loan Participations (cost $43,386,107)   42,983,813

 

61

 



Portfolio of Investments (continued)
FUND FOR INCOME
March 31, 2015

 
 
 
Principal      
Amount   Security         Value
  PASS-THROUGH CERTIFICATES—.7%  
  Transportation    
$4,525M American Airlines 13-2 B PTT, 5.6%, 7/15/2020  
    (cost $4,601,163) (a)         $    4,728,137
Total Value of Investments (cost $674,374,571) 96.9 % 677,818,633
Other Assets, Less Liabilities 3.1       21,374,804
Net Assets     100.0 %     $699,193,437

 

(a)  Security exempt from registration under Rule 144A of the Securities Act of 1933 (see Note 4).
 
(b)  A portion or all of the security purchased on a when-issued or delayed delivery basis (see Note 1G).
 
(c)  Securities valued at fair value (see Note 1A)
 
†  Interest rates are determined and reset periodically. The interest rates above are the rates in efffect
at March 31, 2015
 
Summary of Abbreviations:
PTT Pass Through Trust
 

 

62

 



The Fund’s assets and liabilities are classified into the following three levels based on the inputs used to value the assets or liabilities:

Level 1 — Unadjusted quoted prices in active markets for identical securities 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 assumption about the assumptions a market participant would use in valuing the asset or liability, and would be based on the best information available.

The inputs methodology used for valuing securities are not necessarily an indication of the risk associated with investing in those securities. For example, U.S. Government securities are reflected as Level 2 because the inputs used to determine fair value may not always be quoted prices in an active market.

The following is a summary, by category of Level, of inputs used to value the Fund’s investments as of March 31, 2015:

    Level 1   Level 2   Level 3   Total
Corporate Bonds $ $ 630,106,683 $ $ 630,106,683
Loan Participations   42,983,813   42,983,813
Pass-Through Certificates     4,728,137     4,728,137
Total Investments in Securities* $ $ 677,818,633 $ $ 677,818,633

 

The Portfolio of Investments provides information on the industry categorization of corporate bonds,
loan participations and pass through certificates.
 
There were no transfers into or from Level 1 or Level 2 by the Fund for the period ended March 31,
2015. Transfers, if any, between Levels are recognized at the end of the reporting period.

 

See notes to financial statements 63

 



Fund Expenses (unaudited)
TOTAL RETURN FUND

The examples below show the ongoing costs (in dollars) of investing in your Fund and will help you in comparing these costs with costs of other mutual funds. Please refer to page 4 for a detailed explanation of the information presented in these examples.

         
  Annualized Beginning Ending Expenses Paid
  Expense Account Value Account Value During Period
Expense Example Ratio (10/1/14) (3/31/15) (10/1/14–3/31/15)*
Class A Shares 1.18%      
Actual   $1,000.00 $1,042.22 $6.01
Hypothetical**   $1,000.00 $1,019.05 $5.94
Class B Shares 1.96%      
Actual   $1,000.00 $1,038.57 $9.96
Hypothetical**   $1,000.00 $1,015.16 $9.85
Advisor Class Shares 0.81%      
Actual   $1,000.00 $1,044.73 $4.13
Hypothetical**   $1,000.00 $1,020.89 $4.08
Institutional Class Shares 0.76%      
Actual   $1,000.00 $1,044.79 $3.87
Hypothetical**   $1,000.00 $1,021.14 $3.83

 

Expenses are equal to the annualized expense ratio, multiplied by the average account value over
the period, multiplied by 182/365 (to reflect the one-half year period).
**  Assumed rate of return of 5% before expenses.

 

Portfolio Composition
TOP TEN SECTORS


Portfolio holdings and allocations are subject to change. Percentages are as of March 31, 2015, and
are based on the total market value of investments.

 

64

 



Portfolio of Investments (continued)
TOTAL RETURN FUND
March 31, 2015

         
 
 
    
Shares   Security   Value
  COMMON STOCKS—58.7%    
  Consumer Discretionary—9.7%    
71,730 BorgWarner, Inc. $    4,338,230
117,075 CBS Corporation – Class “B”   7,098,257
84,100 Delphi Automotive, PLC   6,706,134
68,260 Foot Locker, Inc.   4,300,380
164,650 Ford Motor Company   2,657,451
37,120 GNC Holdings, Inc. – Class “A”   1,821,478
27,460 Harman International Industries, Inc.   3,669,480
48,830 Home Depot, Inc.   5,547,576
111,912 * Jarden Corporation   5,920,145
90,500 Johnson Controls, Inc.   4,564,820
53,245 L Brands, Inc.   5,020,471
53,300 Lear Corporation   5,906,706
41,200 Magna International, Inc.   2,210,792
89,060 Newell Rubbermaid, Inc.   3,479,574
50,100 Penske Automotive Group, Inc.   2,579,649
89,600 Stein Mart, Inc.   1,115,520
29,880 * TRW Automotive Holdings Corporation   3,132,918
61,510 Tupperware Brands Corporation   4,245,420
43,800 Walt Disney Company   4,594,182
20,975 Whirlpool Corporation   4,238,209
14,990   Wyndham Worldwide Corporation   1,356,145
        84,503,537
  Consumer Staples—5.0%    
124,950 Altria Group, Inc.   6,249,999
69,995 Avon Products, Inc.   559,260
97,890 Coca-Cola Company   3,969,440
74,260 CVS Health Corporation   7,664,375
103,900 Nu Skin Enterprises, Inc. – Class “A”   6,255,819
45,360 PepsiCo, Inc.   4,337,323
75,410 Philip Morris International, Inc.   5,680,635
28,400 Procter & Gamble Company   2,327,096
61,700 Tyson Foods, Inc. – Class “A”   2,363,110
43,870   Wal-Mart Stores, Inc.   3,608,308
        43,015,365
  Energy—4.3%    
37,375 Anadarko Petroleum Corporation   3,095,024
9,400 Chevron Corporation   986,812
61,800   ConocoPhillips   3,847,668

 

65

 



Portfolio of Investments (continued)
TOTAL RETURN FUND
March 31, 2015

          
 
 
 
Shares   Security   Value
  Energy (continued)    
67,075 Devon Energy Corporation $    4,045,293
32,255 Ensco, PLC – Class “A”   679,613
54,302 ExxonMobil Corporation   4,615,670
26,500 Hess Corporation   1,798,555
1,997 Hugoton Royalty Trust   11,662
80,101 Marathon Oil Corporation   2,091,437
51,825 Marathon Petroleum Corporation   5,306,362
43,475 National Oilwell Varco, Inc.   2,173,315
25,230 Noble Corporation, PLC   360,284
26,150 Occidental Petroleum Corporation   1,908,950
31,250 Phillips 66   2,456,250
12,200 Schlumberger, Ltd.   1,017,968
94,860   Suncor Energy, Inc.   2,774,655
        37,169,518
  Financials—6.3%    
69,170 American Express Company   5,403,560
39,525 Ameriprise Financial, Inc.   5,171,451
146,325 Brixmor Property Group, Inc. (REIT)   3,884,929
29,800 Citizens Financial Group, Inc.   719,074
54,810 Discover Financial Services   3,088,544
25,300 Financial Select Sector SPDR Fund (ETF)   609,983
50,025 * Health Insurance Innovations, Inc. – Class “A”   390,695
15,600 iShares Core S&P Mid-Cap ETF (ETF)   2,370,888
33,000 iShares Russell 2000 ETF (ETF)   4,103,550
104,880 JPMorgan Chase & Company   6,353,630
15,730 Morgan Stanley   561,404
39,625 PNC Financial Services Group, Inc.   3,694,635
25,300 SPDR S&P 500 ETF Trust (ETF)   5,222,679
25,300 SPDR S&P Regional Banking (ETF)   1,032,999
108,967 Sunstone Hotel Investors, Inc. (REIT)   1,816,480
95,045 U.S. Bancorp   4,150,615
107,830 Urstadt Biddle Properties, Inc. – Class “A” (REIT)   2,486,560
62,620   Wells Fargo & Company   3,406,528
        54,468,204
  Health Care—10.7%    
109,560 Abbott Laboratories   5,075,915
91,000 AbbVie, Inc.   5,327,140
31,676 * Actavis, PLC   9,427,411
47,930   Baxter International, Inc.   3,283,205

 

66

 



         
 
 
 
Shares   Security   Value
  Health Care (continued)    
54,132 * Express Scripts Holding Company $    4,697,034
143,880 * Gilead Sciences, Inc.   14,118,944
74,400 Johnson & Johnson   7,484,640
2,791 * Mallinckrodt, PLC   353,480
19,550 McKesson Corporation   4,422,210
45,900 Medtronic, PLC   3,579,741
88,245 Merck & Company, Inc.   5,072,323
89,225 * Mylan NV   5,295,504
50,650 Omnicare, Inc.   3,903,089
228,029 Pfizer, Inc.   7,933,129
56,675 Phibro Animal Health Corporation – Class “A”   2,006,862
70,095 Thermo Fisher Scientific, Inc.   9,416,562
28,115   Zoetis, Inc.   1,301,443
        92,698,632
  Industrials—7.1%    
38,585 3M Company   6,364,596
34,370 ADT Corporation   1,427,042
73,960 Altra Industrial Motion Corporation   2,044,254
20,785 Caterpillar, Inc.   1,663,424
70,500 * Generac Holdings, Inc.   3,432,645
107,150 General Electric Company   2,658,392
70,425 Greenbrier Companies, Inc.   4,084,650
56,900 Honeywell International, Inc.   5,935,239
64,460 ITT Corporation   2,572,599
5,520 Lockheed Martin Corporation   1,120,339
24,900 Nielsen NV   1,109,793
45,700 PACCAR, Inc.   2,885,498
51,000 Ryder System, Inc.   4,839,390
24,730 Snap-On, Inc.   3,636,794
33,110 * TAL International Group, Inc.   1,348,570
28,555 Textainer Group Holdings, Ltd.   856,364
99,550 Textron, Inc.   4,413,052
75,875 Tyco International, Ltd.   3,267,178
26,660 * United Rentals, Inc.   2,430,326
45,530   United Technologies Corporation   5,336,116
        61,426,261

 

67

 



Portfolio of Investments (continued)
TOTAL RETURN FUND
March 31, 2015

           
  
  
  
Shares   Security   Value
  Information Technology—11.8%  
85,705 Apple, Inc. $  10,664,273
89,175 * ARRIS Group, Inc. 2,576,712
57,525 Avago Technologies, Ltd. 7,304,525
34,100 * Blackhawk Network Holdings, Inc. 1,219,757
67,975 CDW Corporation 2,531,389
240,300 Cisco Systems, Inc. 6,614,257
26,600 * eBay, Inc. 1,534,288
231,600 EMC Corporation 5,919,696
128,905 Hewlett-Packard Company 4,016,680
161,175 Intel Corporation 5,039,942
43,300 International Business Machines Corporation 6,949,650
138,885 Juniper Networks, Inc. 3,136,023
176,450 Mentor Graphics Corporation 4,240,094
97,180 Methode Electronics, Inc. 4,571,347
172,185 Microsoft Corporation 7,000,181
44,040 * NXP Semiconductors NV 4,419,854
95,690 Oracle Corporation 4,129,024
59,160 * PTC, Inc. 2,139,817
39,600 * Qorvo, Inc. 3,156,120
67,420 QUALCOMM, Inc. 4,674,903
125,050 Symantec Corporation 2,921,793
35,200 * Synaptics, Inc. 2,861,936
48,610 TE Connectivity, Ltd. 3,481,448
20,400 * Yahoo!, Inc.   906,474
        102,010,183
  Materials—2.1%  
66,210 Cytec Industries, Inc. 3,577,988
34,500 H.B. Fuller Company 1,479,015
74,500 International Paper Company 4,134,005
96,300 MeadWestvaco Corporation 4,802,481
10,730 Praxair, Inc. 1,295,540
36,810 RPM International, Inc. 1,766,512
86,085 * Trinseo SA   1,704,483
        18,760,024
  Telecommunication Services—1.1%  
130,500 AT&T, Inc. 4,260,825
116,225   Verizon Communications, Inc.   5,652,022
        9,912,847

 

68

 



          
  
Shares or      
Principal      
Amount   Security   Value
  Utilities—.6%    
2,600 AGL Resources, Inc. $       129,090
101,610 * Dynegy, Inc.   3,193,602
40,245   NiSource, Inc.   1,777,219
        5,099,911
Total Value of Common Stocks (cost $318,070,327)   509,064,482
  CORPORATE BONDS—23.8%    
  Agriculture—.1%    
$   1,100M   Cargill, Inc., 6%, 11/27/2017 (a)   1,227,436
  Automotive—.4%    
1,000M Daimler Finance NA, LLC, 2.95%, 1/11/2017 (a)   1,033,126
2,100M   Johnson Controls, Inc., 5%, 3/30/2020   2,348,747
        3,381,873
  Chemicals—1.1%    
2,000M Agrium, Inc., 3.375%, 3/15/2025   2,004,266
2,000M CF Industries, Inc., 3.45%, 6/1/2023   2,022,058
2,000M Dow Chemical Co., 4.25%, 11/15/2020   2,199,450
1,000M Lubrizol Corp., 8.875%, 2/1/2019   1,249,065
2,100M   LyondellBasell Industries NV, 6%, 11/15/2021   2,471,984
        9,946,823
  Consumer Durables—.2%    
1,500M   Newell Rubbermaid, Inc., 4.7%, 8/15/2020   1,641,968
  Energy—1.9%    
1,600M Canadian Oil Sands, Ltd., 7.75%, 5/15/2019 (a)   1,717,899
2,000M Continental Resources, Inc., 5%, 9/15/2022   1,975,000
1,000M DCP Midstream Operating, LP, 2.5%, 12/1/2017   945,480
2,000M Enbridge Energy Partners, LP, 4.2%, 9/15/2021   2,104,040
1,100M Kinder Morgan Energy Partners, LP, 3.45%, 2/15/2023   1,083,262
1,600M Nabors Industries, Inc., 6.15%, 2/15/2018   1,709,850
1,000M ONEOK Partners, LP, 3.375%, 10/1/2022   950,300
1,500M Spectra Energy Capital, LLC, 6.2%, 4/15/2018   1,667,261
1,000M Suncor Energy, Inc., 6.1%, 6/1/2018   1,127,294
1,600M Valero Energy Corp., 9.375%, 3/15/2019   2,005,830
1,500M   Weatherford International, LLC, 6.35%, 6/15/2017   1,589,010
        16,875,226

 

69

 



Portfolio of Investments (continued)
TOTAL RETURN FUND
March 31, 2015

          
 
 
Principal      
Amount   Security   Value
  Financial Services—4.0%    
$   1,500M Aflac, Inc., 8.5%, 5/15/2019 $    1,895,733
  American Express Co.:    
500M 6.15%, 8/28/2017   556,175
1,100M 7%, 3/19/2018   1,271,715
1,000M 4.05%, 12/3/2042   1,022,925
2,000M American International Group, Inc., 6.4%, 12/15/2020   2,425,596
1,500M Ameriprise Financial, Inc., 5.3%, 3/15/2020   1,727,260
2,500M Assured Guaranty US Holding, Inc., 5%, 7/1/2024   2,678,505
1,000M Berkshire Hathaway, Inc., 3.4%, 1/31/2022   1,072,263
2,100M BlackRock, Inc., 5%, 12/10/2019   2,392,358
1,000M CoBank ACB, 7.875%, 4/16/2018 (a)   1,169,498
  ERAC USA Finance, LLC:    
1,000M 6.375%, 10/15/2017 (a)   1,121,176
1,000M 4.5%, 8/16/2021 (a)   1,100,213
1,000M 3.3%, 10/15/2022 (a)   1,018,431
2,000M Ford Motor Credit Co., LLC, 8.125%, 1/15/2020   2,501,566
  General Electric Capital Corp.:    
1,000M 5.625%, 9/15/2017   1,106,177
2,000M 4.65%, 10/17/2021   2,266,782
1,500M 6.75%, 3/15/2032   2,080,536
2,000M Liberty Mutual Group, Inc., 4.95%, 5/1/2022 (a)   2,212,602
1,000M Protective Life Corp., 7.375%, 10/15/2019   1,205,510
2,000M Prudential Financial, Inc., 7.375%, 6/15/2019   2,423,980
1,000M   Siemens Financieringsmaatschappij NV, 5.75%, 10/17/2016 (a)   1,076,427
        34,325,428
  Financials—5.1%    
  Bank of America Corp.:    
3,600M 5.65%, 5/1/2018   3,996,205
1,000M 5%, 5/13/2021   1,130,282
1,000M 5.875%, 2/7/2042   1,276,914
  Barclays Bank, PLC:    
1,100M 6.75%, 5/22/2019   1,305,187
1,000M 5.125%, 1/8/2020   1,137,809
2,000M Capital One Financial Corp., 3.2%, 2/5/2025   1,987,552
3,600M Citigroup, Inc., 6.125%, 11/21/2017   4,002,368
2,500M Deutsche Bank AG London, 3.7%, 5/30/2024   2,565,562
2,000M Fifth Third Bancorp, 3.5%, 3/15/2022   2,097,142
  Goldman Sachs Group, Inc.:    
2,700M 5.375%, 3/15/2020   3,065,858
1,000M 3.625%, 1/22/2023   1,036,127
1,000M   6.125%, 2/15/2033   1,279,226

 

70

 



         
 
 
Principal      
Amount   Security   Value
  Financials (continued)    
  JPMorgan Chase & Co.:    
$   3,100M 6%, 1/15/2018 $    3,468,807
1,000M 4.5%, 1/24/2022   1,106,973
  Morgan Stanley:    
2,550M 6.625%, 4/1/2018   2,902,242
2,000M 5.5%, 7/28/2021   2,323,278
1,600M SunTrust Banks, Inc., 6%, 9/11/2017   1,770,437
2,000M U.S. Bancorp., 3.6%, 9/11/2024   2,089,004
1,000M UBS AG, 4.875%, 8/4/2020   1,133,935
  Wells Fargo & Co.:    
1,600M 4.6%, 4/1/2021   1,798,339
2,500M   3.45%, 2/13/2023   2,560,643
        44,033,890
  Food/Beverage/Tobacco—1.4%    
1,000M Altria Group, Inc., 5.375%, 1/31/2044   1,174,107
1,100M Anheuser-Busch InBev SA/NV, 4.625%, 2/1/2044   1,222,299
1,000M Anheuser-Busch InBev Worldwide, Inc., 6.875%, 11/15/2019   1,214,132
1,750M Bunge Ltd. Finance Corp., 8.5%, 6/15/2019   2,160,347
1,500M Diageo Capital, PLC, 5.75%, 10/23/2017   1,667,735
1,000M Dr. Pepper Snapple Group, Inc., 6.82%, 5/1/2018   1,153,980
1,000M Ingredion, Inc., 4.625%, 11/1/2020   1,099,429
1,000M Philip Morris International, Inc., 5.65%, 5/16/2018   1,130,600
1,500M   SABMiller Holdings, Inc., 3.75%, 1/15/2022 (a)   1,580,301
        12,402,930
  Forest Products/Container—.2%    
1,500M   Rock-Tenn Co., 4.9%, 3/1/2022   1,655,384
  Health Care—1.2%    
2,100M Biogen, Inc., 6.875%, 3/1/2018   2,418,515
1,600M Express Scripts Holding Co., 4.75%, 11/15/2021   1,802,754
1,000M Laboratory Corp. of America Holdings, 3.75%, 8/23/2022   1,045,589
1,000M Mylan, Inc., 3.125%, 1/15/2023 (a)   989,122
1,000M Novartis Capital Corp., 4.4%, 5/6/2044   1,156,688
1,100M Novartis Securities Investments, Ltd., 5.125%, 2/10/2019   1,242,513
1,000M Quest Diagnostics, Inc., 6.4%, 7/1/2017   1,124,871
443M   Roche Holdings, Inc., 6%, 3/1/2019 (a)   513,386
        10,293,438

 

71

 



Portfolio of Investments (continued)
TOTAL RETURN FUND
March 31, 2015

         
 
 
Principal      
Amount   Security   Value
  Healthcare—.3%    
$   1,000M Laboratory Corp. of America Holdings, 3.2%, 2/1/2022 $    1,013,903
1,500M   Quest Diagnostics, Inc., 3.5%, 3/30/2025   1,503,183
        2,517,086
  Information Technology—.5%    
2,500M Apple, Inc., 2.5%, 2/9/2025   2,449,727
1,500M   Harris Corp., 4.4%, 12/15/2020   1,622,099
        4,071,826
  Manufacturing—.5%    
1,000M CRH America, Inc., 8.125%, 7/15/2018   1,191,820
1,100M Ingersoll-Rand Global Holdings Co., Ltd., 6.875%, 8/15/2018   1,279,193
2,000M   Tyco Electronics Group SA, 6.55%, 10/1/2017   2,243,560
        4,714,573
  Media-Broadcasting—1.1%    
1,000M British Sky Broadcasting Group, PLC, 9.5%, 11/15/2018 (a)   1,247,961
1,850M CBS Corp., 3.375%, 3/1/2022   1,884,937
  Comcast Corp.:    
1,600M 5.15%, 3/1/2020   1,840,947
2,000M 4.25%, 1/15/2033   2,152,196
2,000M   DirecTV Holdings, LLC, 3.8%, 3/15/2022   2,076,130
        9,202,171
  Media-Diversified—.1%    
1,000M   McGraw-Hill Financial, Inc., 5.9%, 11/15/2017   1,100,403
  Metals/Mining—1.1%    
1,500M Alcoa, Inc., 6.15%, 8/15/2020   1,694,421
1,600M ArcelorMittal, 6.125%, 6/1/2018   1,723,200
1,000M Glencore Finance Canada, Ltd., 4.95%, 11/15/2021 (a)   1,081,985
1,500M Newmont Mining Corp., 5.125%, 10/1/2019   1,646,745
1,500M Rio Tinto Finance USA, Ltd., 3.75%, 9/20/2021   1,584,357
1,600M   Vale Overseas, Ltd., 5.625%, 9/15/2019   1,707,312
        9,438,020

 

72

 



         
 
 
Principal      
Amount   Security   Value
  Real Estate Investment Trusts—1.3%    
$   1,500M Boston Properties, LP, 5.875%, 10/15/2019 $    1,742,730
1,500M Digital Realty Trust, LP, 5.25%, 3/15/2021   1,671,588
2,000M HCP, Inc., 5.375%, 2/1/2021   2,254,334
2,000M ProLogis, LP, 3.35%, 2/1/2021   2,078,736
2,000M Simon Property Group, LP, 3.375%, 10/1/2024   2,054,582
1,600M   Ventas Realty, LP, 4.75%, 6/1/2021   1,768,651
        11,570,621
  Retail-General Merchandise—.5%    
1,000M Amazon.com, Inc., 4.8%, 12/5/2034   1,100,189
1,500M GAP, Inc., 5.95%, 4/12/2021   1,723,244
1,000M   Home Depot, Inc., 5.875%, 12/16/2036   1,327,195
        4,150,628
  Telecommunications—.3%    
2,100M   Verizon Communications, Inc., 5.15%, 9/15/2023   2,409,292
  Transportation—.8%    
2,000M Burlington North Santa Fe, LLC, 5.15%, 9/1/2043   2,342,132
1,000M Con-way, Inc., 7.25%, 1/15/2018   1,130,896
  GATX Corp.:    
1,000M 4.75%, 6/15/2022   1,107,747
1,000M 5.2%, 3/15/2044   1,125,869
1,000M   Penske Truck Leasing Co., LP, 4.875%, 7/11/2022 (a)   1,083,518
        6,790,162
  Utilities—1.7%    
2,000M Duke Energy Progress, Inc., 4.15%, 12/1/2044   2,190,380
1,000M E.ON International Finance BV, 5.8%, 4/30/2018 (a)   1,119,421
1,000M Electricite de France SA, 6.5%, 1/26/2019 (a)   1,170,561
1,000M Entergy Arkansas, Inc., 4.95%, 12/15/2044   1,053,170
1,500M Exelon Generation Co., LLC, 5.2%, 10/1/2019   1,683,528
2,000M Ohio Power Co., 5.375%, 10/1/2021   2,363,328
2,000M Oklahoma Gas & Electric Co., 4%, 12/15/2044   2,128,678
1,100M Sempra Energy, 9.8%, 2/15/2019   1,417,172
1,000M   South Carolina Electric & Gas Co., 5.45%, 2/1/2041   1,253,922
        14,380,160
Total Value of Corporate Bonds (cost $197,150,922)   206,129,338

 

73

 



Portfolio of Investments (continued)
TOTAL RETURN FUND
March 31, 2015

         
 
 
Principal      
Amount   Security   Value
  U.S. GOVERNMENT OBLIGATIONS—5.0%    
$   3,500M U.S. Treasury Bonds, 3.125%, 8/15/2044 $    3,921,914
  U.S. Treasury Notes:    
14,000M 0.080%, 1/31/2016 †   13,999,258
4,000M 0.119%, 1/31/2017 †   4,000,856
6,250M 1.375%, 12/31/2018   6,304,688
3,000M 2%, 2/15/2023   3,048,984
12,000M   0.625%, 1/15/2024 (TIPS)   12,533,891
Total Value of U.S. Government Obligations (cost $43,414,744)   43,809,591
  RESIDENTIAL MORTGAGE-BACKED    
  SECURITIES—3.4%    
  Fannie Mae—2.5%    
492M 2.5%, 2/1/2030   505,690
4,773M 3%, 3/1/2027 – 2/1/2045   4,942,437
4,770M 3.5%, 11/1/2028 – 3/1/2045   4,718,069
3,480M 4%, 12/1/2040 – 10/1/2041   3,745,113
1,724M 4.5%, 9/1/2040   1,914,114
1,939M 5%, 4/1/2040 – 11/1/2040   2,187,673
1,369M 5.5%, 5/1/2033 – 10/1/2039   1,554,079
410M 6%, 5/1/2036 – 8/1/2037   470,501
490M 6.5%, 11/1/2033 – 6/1/2036   564,555
642M   7%, 3/1/2032 – 8/1/2032   715,528
        21,317,759
  Freddie Mac—.9%    
2,209M 3.5%, 9/1/2032 – 7/1/2044   2,336,052
1,746M 4%, 11/1/2040 – 7/1/2044   1,878,472
1,564M 4.5%, 10/1/2040 – 5/1/2044   1,729,116
1,737M 5.5%, 5/1/2038 – 10/1/2039   1,987,211
88M   6%, 9/1/2032   99,433
        8,030,284
Total Value of Residential Mortgage-Backed Securities (cost $28,421,614)   29,348,043
  U.S. GOVERNMENT AGENCY    
  OBLIGATIONS—1.6%    
  Fannie Mae:    
6,000M 1.75%, 11/26/2019   6,092,400
2,250M   2.36%, 12/14/2022   2,240,777

 

74

 



               
 
 
Principal      
Amount   Security         Value
  U.S. GOVERNMENT AGENCY OBLIGATIONS (continued)  
  Federal Home Loan Bank:    
$   1,000M 1%, 3/30/2020   $    1,001,133
1,000M 1.25%, 7/30/2019   1,003,892
  Freddie Mac:    
1,000M 5.125%, 10/18/2016   1,072,208
1,000M 1.25%, 5/12/2017   1,012,245
1,500M   5.125%, 11/17/2017         1,667,304
Total Value of U.S. Government Agency Obligations (cost $13,876,721)       14,089,959
  MUNICIPAL BONDS—.2%    
1,750M   Yale University, Connecticut, 2.086%, 4/15/2019 (cost $1,750,000)       1,789,174
  SHORT-TERM U.S. GOVERNMENT AGENCY  
  OBLIGATIONS—6.7%    
  Federal Home Loan Bank:    
5,000M 0.045%, 4/6/2015   4,999,980
18,500M 0.045%, 4/8/2015   18,499,908
7,000M 0.05%, 4/10/2015   6,999,951
5,000M 0.04%, 4/16/2015   4,999,945
4,000M 0.04%, 4/20/2015   3,999,944
8,500M 0.075%, 5/1/2015   8,499,771
3,000M 0.055%, 5/5/2015   2,999,910
7,000M   0.06%, 5/29/2015         6,999,636
Total Value of Short-Term U.S. Government    
Agency Obligations (cost $57,998,188)         57,999,045
Total Value of Investments (cost $660,682,516) 99.4 % 862,229,632
Other Assets, Less Liabilities .6       4,849,952
Net Assets     100.0 %     $867,079,584

 

Non-income producing
(a)  Security exempt from registration under Rule 144A of the Securities Act of 1933 (see Note 4).
†  Interest rates on adjustable rate bonds are determined and reset periodically. The interest rates
shown are the rates in effect of March 31, 2015.
 
Summary of Abbreviations:
ETF Exchange Traded Fund
REIT Real Estate Investment Trust
TIPS Treasury Inflation-Protected Securities

 

 

75

 



Portfolio of Investments (continued)
TOTAL RETURN FUND
March 31, 2015

The Fund’s assets and liabilities are classified into the following three levels based on the inputs used to value the assets or liabilities:

Level 1 — Unadjusted quoted prices in active markets for identical securities 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 assumption about the assumptions a market participant would use in valuing the asset or liability, and would be based on the best information available.

The inputs methodology used for valuing securities are not necessarily an indication of the risk associated with investing in those securities. For example, U.S. Government securities are reflected as Level 2 because the inputs used to determine fair value may not always be quoted prices in an active market.

The following is a summary, by category of Level, of inputs used to value the Fund’s investments as of March 31, 2015:

  Level 1 Level 2 Level 3 Total
Common Stocks $ 509,064,482 $ $ $ 509,064,482
Corporate Bonds   206,129,338   206,129,338
U.S. Government Obligations   43,809,591   43,809,591
Residential Mortgage-Backed            
Securities   29,348,043   29,348,043
U.S. Government Agency            
Obligations   14,089,959   14,089,959
Municipal Bonds   1,789,174   1,789,174
Short-Term U.S. Government            
Agency Obligations     57,999,045     57,999,045
Total Investments in Securities* $ 509,064,482 $ 353,165,150 $ $ 862,229,632

 

The Portfolio of Investments provides information on the industry categorization for common
stocks and corporate bonds.
 
There were no transfers into or from Level 1 or Level 2 by the Fund for the period ended March 31,
2015. Transfers, if any, between Levels are recognized at the end of the reporting period.

 

76 See notes to financial statements

 



Fund Expenses (unaudited)
EQUITY INCOME FUND

The examples below show the ongoing costs (in dollars) of investing in your Fund and will help you in comparing these costs with costs of other mutual funds. Please refer to page 4 for a detailed explanation of the information presented in these examples.

         
  Annualized Beginning Ending Expenses Paid
  Expense Account Value Account Value During Period
Expense Example Ratio (10/1/14) (3/31/15) (10/1/14–3/31/15)*
Class A Shares 1.21%      
Actual   $1,000.00 $1,040.49 $ 6.16
Hypothetical**   $1,000.00 $1,018.90 $ 6.09
Class B Shares 2.05%      
Actual   $1,000.00 $1,035.92 $10.41
Hypothetical**   $1,000.00 $1,014.71 $10.30
Advisor Class Shares 0.84%      
Actual   $1,000.00 $1,043.03 $ 4.28
Hypothetical**   $1,000.00 $1,020.74 $ 4.23
Institutional Class Shares 0.81%      
Actual   $1,000.00 $1,041.98 $ 4.12
Hypothetical**   $1,000.00 $1,020.89 $ 4.08

 

Expenses are equal to the annualized expense ratio, multiplied by the average account value over
the period, multiplied by 182/365 (to reflect the one-half year period).
**  Assumed rate of return of 5% before expenses.

 

Portfolio Composition
BY SECTOR

Portfolio holdings and allocations are subject to change. Percentages are as of March 31, 2015, and
are based on the total market value of investments.

 

77

 



Portfolio of Investments (continued)
EQUITY INCOME FUND
March 31, 2015

         
 
  
 
Shares   Security   Value
  COMMON STOCKS—93.5%    
  Consumer Discretionary—11.9%    
30,000 BorgWarner, Inc. $     1,814,400
45,568 CBS Corporation – Class “B”   2,762,788
127,700 Comcast Corporation – Special Shares “A”   7,159,500
34,300 CST Brands, Inc.   1,503,369
50,000 Delphi Automotive, PLC   3,987,000
200,000 Ford Motor Company   3,228,000
180,000 Hanesbrands, Inc.   6,031,800
20,800 Harman International Industries, Inc.   2,779,504
42,200 Home Depot, Inc.   4,794,342
50,000 Johnson Controls, Inc.   2,522,000
45,000 Lear Corporation   4,986,900
36,100 McDonald’s Corporation   3,517,584
82,400 Newell Rubbermaid, Inc.   3,219,368
239,400 Regal Entertainment Group – Class “A”   5,467,896
67,133 Time Warner, Inc.   5,668,711
53,500 Tupperware Brands Corporation   3,692,570
26,900 Walt Disney Company   2,821,541
18,000   Whirlpool Corporation   3,637,080
        69,594,353
  Consumer Staples—9.0%    
185,000 Altria Group, Inc.   9,253,700
64,200 Coca-Cola Company   2,603,310
76,700 CVS Health Corporation   7,916,207
20,000 Dr. Pepper Snapple Group, Inc.   1,569,600
23,300 Kimberly-Clark Corporation   2,495,663
43,066 Kraft Foods Group, Inc.   3,751,695
65,000 Nu Skin Enterprises, Inc. – Class “A”   3,913,650
63,500 PepsiCo, Inc.   6,071,870
79,500 Philip Morris International, Inc.   5,988,735
72,900 Procter & Gamble Company   5,973,426
34,400   Wal-Mart Stores, Inc.   2,829,400
        52,367,256
  Energy—7.7%    
79,400 Chevron Corporation   8,335,412
4,200 * Columbia Pipeline Partners, LP   116,298
101,500 ConocoPhillips   6,319,390
48,000 Devon Energy Corporation   2,894,880
85,800   Enable Midstream Partners, LP   1,407,120

 

78

 



          
 
 
 
Shares   Security   Value
  Energy (continued)    
49,900 ExxonMobil Corporation $     4,241,500
49,600 Halliburton Company   2,176,448
79,600 Marathon Oil Corporation   2,078,356
32,700 Marathon Petroleum Corporation   3,348,153
64,500 Occidental Petroleum Corporation   4,708,500
65,500 Royal Dutch Shell, PLC – Class “A” (ADR)   3,907,075
86,300 Suncor Energy, Inc.   2,524,275
60,000   Williams Companies, Inc.   3,035,400
        45,092,807
  Financials—19.0%    
52,600 ACE, Ltd.   5,864,374
136,800 AllianceBernstein Holding, LP   4,223,016
35,000 American Express Company   2,734,200
16,300 Ameriprise Financial, Inc.   2,132,692
115,000 Bank of New York Mellon Corporation   4,627,600
151,900 Berkshire Hills Bancorp, Inc.   4,207,630
196,400 Brixmor Property Group, Inc. (REIT)   5,214,420
33,556 Chubb Corporation   3,392,512
65,000 Discover Financial Services   3,662,750
275,000 Financial Select Sector SPDR Fund (ETF)   6,630,250
54,600 Invesco, Ltd.   2,167,074
95,000 iShares S&P U.S. Preferred Stock Index Fund (ETF)   3,810,450
35,000 iShares U.S. Real Estate ETF (ETF)   2,776,200
127,800 JPMorgan Chase & Company   7,742,124
155,000 MetLife, Inc.   7,835,250
88,700 Oritani Financial Corporation   1,290,585
128,889 Outfront Media, Inc.   3,856,359
52,900 PNC Financial Services Group, Inc.   4,932,396
36,700 Select Income REIT (REIT)   917,133
4,500 SPDR S&P 500 ETF Trust (ETF)   928,935
60,000 SPDR S&P Regional Banking (ETF)   2,449,800
249,300 Sterling Bancorp   3,343,113
27,800 Travelers Companies, Inc.   3,006,014
103,300 U.S. Bancorp   4,511,111
148,900 Urstadt Biddle Properties, Inc. – Class “A” (REIT)   3,433,634
183,500 Wells Fargo & Company   9,982,400
304,900   WP GLIMCHER, Inc.   5,070,487
        110,742,509

 

79

 



Portfolio of Investments (continued)
EQUITY INCOME FUND
March 31, 2015

         
 
  
 
Shares   Security   Value
  Health Care—13.3%    
43,600 Abbott Laboratories $     2,019,988
101,100 AbbVie, Inc.   5,918,394
11,740 * Actavis, PLC   3,494,059
70,100 Baxter International, Inc.   4,801,850
20,000 * Gilead Sciences, Inc.   1,962,600
52,400 GlaxoSmithKline, PLC (ADR)   2,418,260
96,400 Johnson & Johnson   9,697,840
22,000 McKesson Corporation   4,976,400
50,094 Medtronic, PLC   3,906,831
185,211 Merck & Company, Inc.   10,645,928
65,000 Omnicare, Inc.   5,008,900
15,900 Perrigo Company, PLC   2,632,245
404,224 Pfizer, Inc.   14,062,953
3,400 Phibro Animal Health Corporation – Class “A”   120,394
25,500 Thermo Fisher Scientific, Inc.   3,425,670
51,952   Zoetis, Inc.   2,404,858
        77,497,170
  Industrials—11.3%    
28,600 3M Company   4,717,570
52,000 A.O. Smith Corporation   3,414,320
64,637 ADT Corporation   2,683,728
48,000 Altra Industrial Motion Corporation   1,326,720
40,000 Eaton Corporation, PLC   2,717,600
15,000 G&K Services, Inc. – Class “A”   1,087,950
30,000 * Generac Holdings, Inc.   1,460,700
17,800 General Dynamics Corporation   2,415,994
446,400 General Electric Company   11,075,184
50,800 Greenbrier Companies, Inc.   2,946,400
61,900 Honeywell International, Inc.   6,456,789
40,000 Industrial Select Sector SPDR Fund (ETF)   2,230,800
91,450 ITT Corporation   3,649,769
19,000 Lockheed Martin Corporation   3,856,240
40,000 Nielsen NV   1,782,800
20,000 Snap-On, Inc.   2,941,200
64,075 Tyco International, PLC   2,759,070
31,700 United Parcel Service, Inc. – Class “B”   3,072,998
47,500   United Technologies Corporation   5,567,000
        66,162,832

 

80

 



         
 
 
 
Shares   Security   Value
  Information Technology—9.8%    
69,900 Apple, Inc. $     8,697,657
21,600 Automatic Data Processing, Inc.   1,849,824
20,000 Avago Technologies, Ltd.   2,539,600
292,100 Cisco Systems, Inc.   8,040,052
90,000 EMC Corporation   2,300,400
264,700 Intel Corporation   8,277,169
71,700 Intersil Corporation – Class “A”   1,026,744
60,000 Juniper Networks, Inc.   1,354,800
144,100 Mentor Graphics Corporation   3,462,723
66,800 Methode Electronics, Inc.   3,142,272
40,000 Microchip Technology, Inc.   1,956,000
220,000 Microsoft Corporation   8,944,100
42,800 QUALCOMM, Inc.   2,967,752
39,200   TE Connectivity, Ltd.   2,807,504
        57,366,597
  Materials—3.7%    
26,600 Cytec Industries, Inc.   1,437,464
96,900 Dow Chemical Company   4,649,262
67,600 DuPont (E.I.) de Nemours & Company   4,831,372
95,900 International Paper Company   5,321,491
31,700 LyondellBasell Industries NV – Class “A”   2,783,260
55,000   MeadWestvaco Corporation   2,742,850
        21,765,699
  Telecommunication Services—3.1%    
210,730 AT&T, Inc.   6,880,334
226,800   Verizon Communications, Inc.   11,029,284
        17,909,618
  Utilities—4.7%    
64,500 American Electric Power Company, Inc.   3,628,125
135,000 CenterPoint Energy, Inc.   2,755,350
40,000 Dominion Resources, Inc.   2,834,800
40,000 Duke Energy Corporation   3,071,200
30,100 NextEra Energy, Inc.   3,131,905
20,900 NiSource, Inc.   922,944
69,000   Portland General Electric Company   2,559,210

 

81

 



Portfolio of Investments (continued)
EQUITY INCOME FUND
March 31, 2015

               
 
Shares or      
Principal      
Amount   Security         Value
  Utilities (continued)    
155,000 PPL Corporation   $     5,217,300
76,200   Vectren Corporation         3,363,468
              27,484,302
Total Value of Common Stocks (cost $390,676,733)         545,983,143
  PREFERRED STOCKS—1.5%    
  Financials—1.2%    
800 Citizens Financial Group, Inc., Series A, 5.5%, 2049 (a) 800,000
50,500 Digital Realty Trust, Inc., Series G, 5.875%, 2049 (REIT) 1,225,130
102,800 JPMorgan Chase & Co., Series Y, 6.125%, 2020 2,611,120
46,000 Urstadt Biddle Properties, Inc., Series F, 7.125%, 2049 (REIT) 1,219,460
49,000   Urstadt Biddle Properties, Inc., Series G, 6.75%, 2049 (REIT)       1,285,760
              7,141,470
  Health Care—.3%    
1,600   Actavis, PLC, Series A, 5.5%, 2018         1,619,200
Total Value of Preferred Stocks (cost $8,621,346)         8,760,670
  SHORT-TERM U.S. GOVERNMENT AGENCY  
  OBLIGATIONS—4.3%    
  Federal Home Loan Bank:    
$   2,000M 0.04%, 4/20/2015   1,999,972
23,000M   0.075%, 5/1/2015         22,999,379
Total Value of Short-Term U.S. Government Agency Obligations (cost $24,998,520)       24,999,351
Total Value of Investments (cost $424,296,599) 99.3 % 579,743,164
Other Assets, Less Liabilities .7       4,301,495
Net Assets     100.0 %     $584,044,659

 

Non-income producing
(a)  Securities valued at fair value (see Note 1A)
 
Summary of Abbreviations:
ADR American Depositary Receipts
ETF Exchange Traded Fund
REIT Real Estate Investment Trust

 

 

82

 



The Fund’s assets and liabilities are classified into the following three levels based on the inputs used to value the assets or liabilities:

Level 1 — Unadjusted quoted prices in active markets for identical securities 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 assumption about the assumptions a market participant would use in valuing the asset or liability, and would be based on the best information available.

The inputs methodology used for valuing securities are not necessarily an indication of the risk associated with investing in those securities. For example, U.S. Government securities are reflected as Level 2 because the inputs used to determine fair value may not always be quoted prices in an active market.

The following is a summary, by category of Level, of inputs used to value the Fund’s investments as of March 31, 2015:

  Level 1 Level 2 Level 3 Total
Common Stocks $ 545,983,143 $ $ $ 545,983,143
Preferred Stocks 7,960,670   800,000   8,760,670
Short-Term U.S. Government            
Agency Obligations     24,999,351     24,999,351
Total Investments in Securities* $ 553,943,813 $ 25,799,351 $ $ 579,743,164

 

The Portfolio of Investments provides information on the industry categorization for common stocks
and preferred stocks.
 
There were no transfers into or from Level 1 or Level 2 by the Fund for the period ended March 31,
2015. Transfers, if any, between Levels are recognized at the end of the reporting period.

 

See notes to financial statements 83

 



Fund Expenses (unaudited)
GROWTH & INCOME FUND

The examples below show the ongoing costs (in dollars) of investing in your Fund and will help you in comparing these costs with costs of other mutual funds. Please refer to page 4 for a detailed explanation of the information presented in these examples.

         
  Annualized Beginning Ending Expenses Paid
  Expense Account Value Account Value During Period
Expense Example Ratio (10/1/14) (3/31/15) (10/1/14–3/31/15)*
Class A Shares 1.15%      
Actual   $1,000.00 $1,055.41 $5.89
Hypothetical**   $1,000.00 $1,019.20 $5.79
Class B Shares 1.93%      
Actual   $1,000.00 $1,051.28 $9.87
Hypothetical**   $1,000.00 $1,015.31 $9.70
Advisor Class Shares 0.75%      
Actual   $1,000.00 $1,057.62 $3.85
Hypothetical**   $1,000.00 $1,021.19 $3.78
Institutional Class Shares 0.74%      
Actual   $1,000.00 $1,057.09 $3.80
Hypothetical**   $1,000.00 $1,021.24 $3.73

 

Expenses are equal to the annualized expense ratio, multiplied by the average account value over
the period, multiplied by 182/365 (to reflect the one-half year period).
**  Assumed rate of return of 5% before expenses.

 

Portfolio Composition
BY SECTOR


Portfolio holdings and allocations are subject to change. Percentages are as of March 31, 2015, and
are based on the total market value of investments.

 

84

 



Portfolio of Investments (continued)
GROWTH & INCOME FUND
March 31, 2015

         
 
 
 
Shares   Security   Value
  COMMON STOCKS—98.9%    
  Consumer Discretionary—16.4%    
260,000 BorgWarner, Inc. $       15,724,800
425,000 CBS Corporation – Class “B”   25,767,750
305,000 Delphi Automotive, PLC   24,320,700
250,000 Foot Locker, Inc.   15,750,000
600,000 Ford Motor Company   9,684,000
135,000 GNC Holdings, Inc. – Class “A”   6,624,450
100,000 Harman International Industries, Inc.   13,363,000
180,000 Home Depot, Inc.   20,449,800
405,600 * Jarden Corporation   21,456,240
330,000 Johnson Controls, Inc.   16,645,200
200,000 L Brands, Inc.   18,858,000
195,000 Lear Corporation   21,609,900
148,400 Magna International, Inc.   7,963,144
325,000 Newell Rubbermaid, Inc.   12,697,750
176,300 Penske Automotive Group, Inc.   9,077,687
323,100 Stein Mart, Inc.   4,022,595
110,000 * TRW Automotive Holdings Corporation   11,533,500
225,000 Tupperware Brands Corporation   15,529,500
160,000 Walt Disney Company   16,782,400
76,800 Whirlpool Corporation   15,518,208
55,000   Wyndham Worldwide Corporation   4,975,850
        308,354,474
  Consumer Staples—8.3%    
450,000 Altria Group, Inc.   22,509,000
250,000 Avon Products, Inc.   1,997,500
360,000 Coca-Cola Company   14,598,000
270,000 CVS Health Corporation   27,866,700
375,000 Nu Skin Enterprises, Inc. – Class “A”   22,578,750
165,000 PepsiCo, Inc.   15,777,300
275,000 Philip Morris International, Inc.   20,715,750
105,000 Procter & Gamble Company   8,603,700
225,000 Tyson Foods, Inc. – Class “A”   8,617,500
160,000   Wal-Mart Stores, Inc.   13,160,000
        156,424,200
  Energy—7.4%    
138,000 Anadarko Petroleum Corporation   11,427,780
35,000 Chevron Corporation   3,674,300
230,000   ConocoPhillips   14,319,800

 

85

 



Portfolio of Investments (continued)
GROWTH & INCOME FUND
March 31, 2015

         
 
 
 
Shares   Security   Value
  Energy (continued)    
245,000 Devon Energy Corporation $        14,775,950
125,000 Ensco, PLC – Class “A”   2,633,750
200,000 ExxonMobil Corporation   17,000,000
100,000 Hess Corporation   6,787,000
6,920 Hugoton Royalty Trust   40,413
300,000 Marathon Oil Corporation   7,833,000
189,999 Marathon Petroleum Corporation   19,453,998
160,000 National Oilwell Varco, Inc.   7,998,400
93,100 Noble Corporation, PLC   1,329,468
100,000 Occidental Petroleum Corporation   7,300,000
115,000 Phillips 66   9,039,000
48,300 Schlumberger, Ltd.   4,030,152
350,200   Suncor Energy, Inc.   10,243,350
        137,886,361
  Financials—10.7%    
250,000 American Express Company   19,530,000
140,000 Ameriprise Financial, Inc.   18,317,600
532,500 Brixmor Property Group, Inc. (REIT)   14,137,875
108,700 Citizens Financial Group, Inc.   2,622,931
200,000 Discover Financial Services   11,270,000
100,000 Financial Select Sector SPDR Fund (ETF)   2,411,000
187,500 * Health Insurance Innovations, Inc. – Class “A”   1,464,375
60,000 iShares Core S&P Mid-Cap ETF (ETF)   9,118,800
120,000 iShares Russell 2000 ETF (ETF)   14,922,000
396,730 JPMorgan Chase & Company   24,033,903
56,300 Morgan Stanley   2,009,347
150,000 PNC Financial Services Group, Inc.   13,986,000
96,000 SPDR S&P 500 ETF Trust (ETF)   19,817,280
100,000 SPDR S&P Regional Banking (ETF)   4,083,000
396,339 Sunstone Hotel Investors, Inc. (REIT)   6,606,971
355,000 U.S. Bancorp   15,502,850
385,100 Urstadt Biddle Properties, Inc. – Class “A” (REIT)   8,880,406
237,050   Wells Fargo & Company   12,895,520
        201,609,858
  Health Care—18.0%    
400,000 Abbott Laboratories   18,532,000
335,000 AbbVie, Inc.   19,610,900
115,000 * Actavis, PLC   34,226,300
175,000   Baxter International, Inc.   11,987,500

 

86

 



         
 
 
 
Shares   Security   Value
  Health Care (continued)    
200,000 * Express Scripts Holding Company $        17,354,000
520,000 * Gilead Sciences, Inc.   51,027,600
270,625 Johnson & Johnson   27,224,875
9,375 * Mallinckrodt, PLC   1,187,344
70,900 McKesson Corporation   16,037,580
167,960 Medtronic, PLC   13,099,200
325,000 Merck & Company, Inc.   18,681,000
330,000 * Mylan NV   19,585,500
185,000 Omnicare, Inc.   14,256,100
829,301 Pfizer, Inc.   28,851,382
207,800 Phibro Animal Health Corporation – Class “A”   7,358,198
260,000 Thermo Fisher Scientific, Inc.   34,928,400
103,905   Zoetis, Inc.   4,809,762
        338,757,641
  Industrials—11.9%    
140,000 3M Company   23,093,000
125,000 ADT Corporation   5,190,000
270,000 Altra Industrial Motion Corporation   7,462,800
77,000 Caterpillar, Inc.   6,162,310
255,000 * Generac Holdings, Inc.   12,415,950
385,000 General Electric Company   9,551,850
255,000 Greenbrier Companies, Inc.   14,790,000
209,700 Honeywell International, Inc.   21,873,807
225,000 ITT Corporation   8,979,750
20,000 Lockheed Martin Corporation   4,059,200
90,300 Nielsen NV   4,024,671
165,000 PACCAR, Inc.   10,418,100
185,000 Ryder System, Inc.   17,554,650
90,000 Snap-On, Inc.   13,235,400
125,100 * TAL International Group, Inc.   5,095,323
110,000 Textainer Group Holdings, Ltd.   3,298,900
361,200 Textron, Inc.   16,011,996
275,000 Tyco International, PLC   11,841,500
97,500 * United Rentals, Inc.   8,888,100
165,000   United Technologies Corporation   19,338,000
        223,285,307

 

87

 



Portfolio of Investments (continued)
GROWTH & INCOME FUND
March 31, 2015

         
 
 
 
Shares   Security   Value
  Information Technology—19.7%    
310,000 Apple, Inc. $        38,573,300
325,000 * ARRIS Group, Inc.   9,390,875
210,000 Avago Technologies, Ltd.   26,665,800
132,500 * Blackhawk Network Holdings, Inc.   4,739,525
245,000 CDW Corporation   9,123,800
875,000 Cisco Systems, Inc.   24,084,375
100,000 * eBay, Inc.   5,768,000
850,000 EMC Corporation   21,726,000
475,000 Hewlett-Packard Company   14,801,000
583,775 Intel Corporation   18,254,644
151,425 International Business Machines Corporation   24,303,713
500,000 Juniper Networks, Inc.   11,290,000
625,000 Mentor Graphics Corporation   15,018,750
350,000 Methode Electronics, Inc.   16,464,000
625,000 Microsoft Corporation   25,409,375
160,000 * NXP Semiconductors NV   16,057,600
350,000 Oracle Corporation   15,102,500
210,000 * PTC, Inc.   7,595,700
145,000 * Qorvo, Inc.   11,556,500
250,000 QUALCOMM, Inc.   17,335,000
455,500 Symantec Corporation   10,642,758
128,000 * Synaptics, Inc.   10,407,040
175,000 TE Connectivity, Ltd.   12,533,500
75,000 * Yahoo!, Inc.   3,332,625
        370,176,380
  Materials—3.6%    
244,700 Cytec Industries, Inc.   13,223,588
123,200 H.B. Fuller Company   5,281,584
270,000 International Paper Company   14,982,300
350,000 MeadWestvaco Corporation   17,454,500
40,000 Praxair, Inc.   4,829,600
135,000 RPM International, Inc.   6,478,650
300,000 * Trinseo SA   5,940,000
        68,190,222
  Telecommunication Services—1.9%    
475,000 AT&T, Inc.   15,508,750
425,000   Verizon Communications, Inc.   20,667,750
        36,176,500

 

88

 



               
 
Shares or        
Principal        
Amount   Security         Value
  Utilities—1.0%      
9,600 AGL Resources, Inc.   $             476,640
375,000 * Dynegy, Inc.     11,786,250
151,100   NiSource, Inc.          6,672,576
              18,935,466
Total Value of Common Stocks (cost $1,125,945,121)         1,859,796,409
  SHORT-TERM U.S. GOVERNMENT AGENCY    
  OBLIGATIONS—.8%      
  Federal Home Loan Bank:      
3,000M 0.045%, 4/8/2015     2,999,985
2,000M 0.055%, 5/5/2015     1,999,940
10,000M   0.06%, 5/29/2015         9,999,480
Total Value of Short-Term U.S. Government      
Agency Obligations (cost $14,998,903)         14,999,405
Total Value of Investments (cost $1,140,944,024) 99.7 %   1,874,795,814
Other Assets, Less Liabilities .3       5,847,840
Net Assets     100.0 % $1,880,643,654

 

Non-income producing
 
Summary of Abbreviations:
ETF Exchange Traded Fund
REIT Real Estate Investment Trust

 

 

89

 



Portfolio of Investments (continued)
GROWTH & INCOME FUND
March 31, 2015

The Fund’s assets and liabilities are classified into the following three levels based on the inputs used to value the assets or liabilities:

Level 1 — Unadjusted quoted prices in active markets for identical securities 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 assumption about the assumptions a market participant would use in valuing the asset or liability, and would be based on the best information available.

The inputs methodology used for valuing securities are not necessarily an indication of the risk associated with investing in those securities. For example, U.S. Government securities are reflected as Level 2 because the inputs used to determine fair value may not always be quoted prices in an active market.

The following is a summary, by category of Level, of inputs used to value the Fund’s investments as of March 31, 2015:

  Level 1 Level 2 Level 3 Total
Common Stocks $ 1,859,796,409 $ $ $ 1,859,796,409
Short-Term U.S. Government          
Agency Obligations     14,999,405     14,999,405
Total Investments in Securities* $ 1,859,796,409 $ 14,999,405 $ $ 1,874,795,814

 

The Portfolio of Investments provides information on the industry categorization for common stocks.

 

There were no transfers into or from Level 1 or Level 2 by the Fund for the period ended March 31,
2015. Transfers, if any, between Levels are recognized at the end of the reporting period.

 

90 See notes to financial statements

 



Fund Expenses (unaudited)
GLOBAL FUND

The examples below show the ongoing costs (in dollars) of investing in your Fund and will help you in comparing these costs with costs of other mutual funds. Please refer to page 4 for a detailed explanation of the information presented in these examples.

         
  Annualized Beginning Ending Expenses Paid
  Expense Account Value Account Value During Period
Expense Example Ratio (10/1/14) (3/31/15) (10/1/14–3/31/15)*
Class A Shares 1.50%      
Actual   $1,000.00 $1,080.95 $ 7.78
Hypothetical**   $1,000.00 $1,017.45 $ 7.54
Class B Shares 2.31%      
Actual   $1,000.00 $1,077.01 $11.96
Hypothetical**   $1,000.00 $1,013.41 $11.60
Advisor Class Shares 1.09%      
Actual   $1,000.00 $1,083.97 $ 5.66
Hypothetical**   $1,000.00 $1,019.49 $ 5.49
Institutional Class Shares 1.04%      
Actual   $1,000.00 $1,083.66 $ 5.40
Hypothetical**   $1,000.00 $1,019.74 $ 5.24

 

Expenses are equal to the annualized expense ratio, multiplied by the average account value over
the period, multiplied by 182/365 (to reflect the one-half year period). Expenses paid during the
period are net of expenses waived.
**  Assumed rate of return of 5% before expenses.

 

Portfolio Composition
BY SECTOR


Portfolio holdings and allocations are subject to change. Percentages are as of March 31, 2015, and
are based on the total market value of investments.

 

91

 



Portfolio of Investments (continued)
GLOBAL FUND
March 31, 2015

         
 
 
 
Shares   Security   Value
  COMMON STOCKS—97.3%    
  United States—59.7%    
70,260 Accenture, PLC – Class “A” $     6,582,659
33,520 * Actavis, PLC   9,976,222
22,040 Advance Auto Parts, Inc.   3,299,168
55,750 Aetna, Inc.   5,939,047
52,740 * Alkermes, PLC   3,215,558
11,840 * Alliance Data Systems Corporation   3,507,600
14,170 * Amazon.com, Inc.   5,272,657
61,670 American Airlines Group, Inc.   3,254,943
34,605 American International Group, Inc.   1,896,008
65,785 Anadarko Petroleum Corporation   5,447,656
56,540 Apple, Inc.   7,035,272
34,740 Becton, Dickinson & Company   4,988,317
10,950 * Biogen Idec, Inc.   4,623,528
24,137 BlackRock, Inc.   8,830,280
203,450 Bristol-Myers Squibb Company   13,122,525
126,400 * CBRE Group, Inc. – Class “A”   4,892,944
34,570 * Celgene Corporation   3,985,230
248,340 Cisco Systems, Inc.   6,835,558
58,860 Coca-Cola Company   2,386,773
62,370 Delphi Automotive, PLC   4,973,384
32,560 Dunkin’ Brands Group, Inc.   1,548,554
39,960 Edison International   2,496,301
51,750 Eli Lilly & Company   3,759,638
10,200 * Envestnet, Inc.   572,016
42,520 Equifax, Inc.   3,954,360
57,946 Estee Lauder Companies, Inc. – Class “A”   4,818,789
92,006 * Facebook, Inc. – Class “A”   7,564,273
18,346 * Google, Inc. – Class “C”   10,053,608
80,280 Halliburton Company   3,522,686
54,976 Harley-Davidson, Inc.   3,339,242
36,510 * HCA, Inc.   2,746,647
187,150 * Hilton Worldwide Holdings Inc.   5,543,383
77,960 Invesco, Ltd.   3,094,232
31,400 L Brands, Inc.   2,960,706
55,130 Legg Mason, Inc.   3,043,176
52,300 Lincoln National Corporation   3,005,158
15,635 McKesson Corporation   3,536,637
89,890 Merck & Company, Inc.   5,166,877
203,890 Microsoft Corporation   8,289,148
160,830 Mondelez International, Inc. – Class “A”   5,804,355
48,350 * Monster Beverage Corporation   6,691,398

 

92

 



         
 
 
 
Shares   Security   Value
  United States (continued)    
69,999 Nielsen NV $     3,119,855
45,700 Norfolk Southern Corporation   4,703,444
47,690 Northern Trust Corporation   3,321,609
2,661 * Priceline.com, Inc.   3,097,803
38,850 Raytheon Company   4,244,363
10,680 * Regeneron Pharmaceuticals, Inc.   4,821,806
48,684 Robert Half International, Inc.   2,946,356
76,680 * Salesforce.com, Inc.   5,122,991
40,170 * SBA Communications Corporation – Class “A”   4,703,907
36,960 Solera Holdings, Inc.   1,909,354
27,725 * Teledyne Technologies, Inc.   2,959,089
121,070 Twenty-First Century Fox, Inc. – Class “A”   4,097,009
38,280 VF Corporation   2,882,867
39,423 Vulcan Materials Company   3,323,359
44,075 * WABCO Holdings, Inc.   5,415,936
41,330 Western Digital Corporation   3,761,443
131,300 WisdomTree Investments, Inc.   2,817,698
44,554   Zoetis, Inc.   2,062,405
        266,887,807
  Japan—8.6%    
91,000 Asics Corporation   2,481,094
136,800 Daiwa House Industry Company, Ltd.   2,704,405
226,000 Hitachi, Ltd.   1,551,200
148,600 Honda Motor Company, Ltd.   4,835,834
135,000 Isuzu Motors, Ltd.   1,798,162
85,100 M3, Inc.   1,810,065
221,190 Mitsubishi UFJ Financial Group, Inc.   1,371,568
169,240 Mitsui Fudosan Company, Ltd.   4,980,469
91,700 * Olympus Corporation   3,413,853
19,700 Rakuten, Inc.   347,976
117,930 Seven & I Holdings Company, Ltd.   4,968,527
48,400 Takeda Pharmaceutical Company, Ltd.   2,420,908
150,800   Tokio Marine Holdings, Inc.   5,706,473
        38,390,534

 

93

 



Portfolio of Investments (continued)
GLOBAL FUND
March 31, 2015

         
 
 
 
Shares   Security   Value
  United Kingdom—4.3%    
93,210 AstraZeneca, PLC $     6,396,927
69,585 * Markit, Ltd.   1,871,837
257,380 Sky, PLC   3,791,232
52,558 Standard Chartered, PLC   852,538
274,696   WPP, PLC   6,238,553
        19,151,087
  Sweden—3.3%    
66,898 Assa Abloy AB – Class “B”   3,992,682
138,956 Electrolux AB – Series “B”   3,988,542
79,981 Hennes & Mauritz AB – B Shares   3,245,805
140,229   SKF AB – B Shares   3,627,784
        14,854,813
  Germany—3.2%    
39,324 Brenntag AG   2,357,698
22,750 Continental AG   5,388,943
198,924   Deutsche Annington Immobilien   6,716,214
        14,462,855
  China—3.0%    
33,463 * Alibaba Group Holding, Ltd. (ADR)   2,785,460
21,272 * Baidu.com, Inc. (ADR)   4,433,085
3,253,000 China Construction Bank Corporation   2,702,214
256,000 ENN Energy Holdings, Ltd.   1,570,147
1,000,000   PICC Property and Casualty Company, Ltd.   1,976,098
        13,467,004
  France—2.6%    
59,587 Airbus Group NV   3,872,431
85,659 Legrand SA   4,636,539
182,450   Orange SA   2,935,812
        11,444,782
  Netherlands—2.3%    
457,620 * ING Groep NV – CVA   6,714,076
35,041 * NXP Semiconductors NV   3,516,715
        10,230,791

 

94

 



         
 
 
 
Shares   Security   Value
  Belgium—2.3%  
82,871   Anheuser-Busch InBev NV   $    10,140,341
  India—2.1%  
18,560 HDFC Bank, Ltd. (ADR) 1,092,998
1,173,404 ICICI Bank, Ltd. 5,915,653
520,260   State Bank of India   2,220,081
        9,228,732
  Hong Kong—1.3%  
235,000   Hong Kong Exchanges & Clearing, Ltd.   5,759,321
  Italy—1.0%  
65,850 Banca Generali SpA 2,065,380
323,469 * FinecoBank Banca Fineco SpA   2,234,671
        4,300,051
  South Korea—.9%  
103,678   SK Hynix, Inc.   4,256,643
  Switzerland—.9%  
81,031   Julius Baer Group, Ltd.   4,065,725
  Canada—.7%  
80,355   Imperial Oil, Ltd.   3,207,729
  Ireland—.6%  
104,797   CRH, PLC   2,720,466
  Spain—.3%  
171,104 * International Consolidated Airlines Group SA   1,530,502
  Mexico—.2%  
464,500   Corporacion Inmobiliaria Vesta SAB de CV   858,747
Total Value of Common Stocks (cost $382,076,482)   434,957,930
  PREFERRED STOCKS—.8%  
  Germany  
13,488   Volkswagen AG (cost $3,311,480)   3,594,547

 

95

 



Portfolio of Investments (continued)
GLOBAL FUND
March 31, 2015

               
 
 
Principal        
Amount   Security         Value
  SHORT-TERM U.S. GOVERNMENT AGENCY    
  OBLIGATIONS—1.1%      
  United States      
  Federal Home Loan Bank:      
$     3,000M 0.045%, 4/8/2015   $      2,999,985
2,000M   0.04%, 4/16/2015         1,999,978
Total Value of Short-Term U.S. Government Agency Obligations (cost $4,999,940) 4,999,963
Total Value of Investments (cost $390,387,902) 99.2 %   443,552,440
Other Assets, Less Liabilities .8       3,773,188
Net Assets     100.0 %   $447,325,628

 

Non-income producing
 
Summary of Abbreviations:
ADR American Depositary Receipts

The Fund’s assets and liabilities are classified into the following three levels based on the inputs used to value the assets or liabilities:

Level 1 — Unadjusted quoted prices in active markets for identical securities 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 assumption about the assumptions a market participant would use in valuing the asset or liability, and would be based on the best information available.

The inputs methodology used for valuing securities are not necessarily an indication of the risk associated with investing in those securities. For example, U.S. Government securities are reflected as Level 2 because the inputs used to determine fair value may not always be quoted prices in an active market.

96

 



The following is a summary, by category of Level, of inputs used to value the Fund’s investments as of March 31, 2015:

  Level 1 Level 2 Level 3 Total
Common Stocks            
United States $ 266,887,807 $ $ $ 266,887,807
Japan 38,390,534     38,390,534
United Kingdom 19,151,087     19,151,087
Sweden 14,854,813     14,854,813
Germany 14,462,855     14,462,855
China 13,467,004     13,467,004
France 11,444,782     11,444,782
Netherlands 10,230,791     10,230,791
Belgium 10,140,341     10,140,341
India 9,228,732     9,228,732
Hong Kong 5,759,321     5,759,321
Italy 4,300,051     4,300,051
South Korea 4,256,643     4,256,643
Switzerland 4,065,725     4,065,725
Canada 3,207,729     3,207,729
Ireland 2,720,466     2,720,466
Spain 1,530,502     1,530,502
Mexico 858,747     858,747
Preferred Stocks            
Germany 3,594,547     3,594,547
Short-Term U.S. Government            
Agency Obligations     4,999,963     4,999,963
Total Investments in Securities $ 438,552,477 $ 4,999,963 $ $ 443,552,440

 

During the period ended March 31, 2015, there were no transfers between Level 1 investments and
Level 2 investments that had a material inpact to the Fund. This does not include transfers between
Level 1 investments and Level 2 investments due to the Fund utilizing international fair value pricing
during the period (see Note 1A). Transfers, if any, between Levels are recognized at the end of the
reporting period.

 

See notes to financial statements 97

 



Fund Expenses (unaudited)
SELECT GROWTH FUND

The examples below show the ongoing costs (in dollars) of investing in your Fund and will help you in comparing these costs with costs of other mutual funds. Please refer to page 4 for a detailed explanation of the information presented in these examples.

         
  Annualized Beginning Ending Expenses Paid
  Expense Account Value Account Value During Period
Expense Example Ratio (10/1/14) (3/31/15) (10/1/14–3/31/15)*
Class A Shares 1.25%      
Actual   $1,000.00 $1,124.99 $ 6.62
Hypothetical**   $1,000.00 $1,018.70 $ 6.29
Class B Shares 2.03%      
Actual   $1,000.00 $1,120.16 $10.73
Hypothetical**   $1,000.00 $1,014.81 $10.20
Advisor Class Shares 0.84%      
Actual   $1,000.00 $1,126.97 $ 4.45
Hypothetical**   $1,000.00 $1,020.74 $ 4.23
Institutional Class Shares 0.82%      
Actual   $1,000.00 $1,126.21 $ 4.35
Hypothetical**   $1,000.00 $1,020.84 $ 4.13

 

Expenses are equal to the annualized expense ratio, multiplied by the average account value over
the period, multiplied by 182/365 (to reflect the one-half year period).
**  Assumed rate of return of 5% before expenses.

 

Portfolio Composition
BY SECTOR


Portfolio holdings and allocations are subject to change. Percentages are as of March 31, 2015, and
are based on the total market value of investments.

 

98

 



Portfolio of Investments (continued)
SELECT GROWTH FUND
March 31, 2015

         
 
 
 
Shares   Security   Value
  COMMON STOCKS—97.7%    
  Consumer Discretionary—13.6%    
167,800 Garmin, Ltd. $     7,973,856
594,800 Gentex Corporation   10,884,840
133,800 Home Depot, Inc.   15,201,018
127,200 Starbucks Corporation   12,045,840
119,000   Wyndham Worldwide Corporation   10,765,930
        56,871,484
  Consumer Staples—12.0%    
92,900 Clorox Company   10,255,231
67,900 Costco Wholesale Corporation   10,286,510
95,700 Kimberly-Clark Corporation   10,250,427
252,700   Kroger Company   19,371,982
        50,164,150
  Energy—5.5%    
43,000 Chevron Corporation   4,514,140
46,400 ExxonMobil Corporation   3,944,000
70,600 Helmerich & Payne, Inc.   4,805,742
191,200   SM Energy Company   9,881,216
        23,145,098
  Financials—9.2%    
112,800 Comerica, Inc.   5,090,664
125,200 Discover Financial Services   7,055,020
42,800 IntercontinentalExchange, Inc.   9,983,956
53,800 Travelers Companies, Inc.   5,817,394
248,900   Voya Financial, Inc.   10,730,079
        38,677,113
  Health Care—19.5%    
65,800 * Actavis, PLC   19,583,396
44,900 C.R. Bard, Inc.   7,514,015
121,000 * Gilead Sciences, Inc.   11,873,730
321,000 * Hologic, Inc.   10,601,025
55,900 Johnson & Johnson   5,623,540
68,600 McKesson Corporation   15,517,320
165,700 * Quintiles Transnational Holdings, Inc.   11,096,929
        81,809,955

 

99

 



Portfolio of Investments (continued)
SELECT GROWTH FUND
March 31, 2015

               
 
Shares or      
Principal      
Amount   Security         Value
  Industrials—13.8%    
209,900 Alaska Air Group, Inc.   $     13,891,182
87,400 Boeing Company   13,116,992
122,100 Cintas Corporation   9,967,023
91,700 Rockwell Automation, Inc.   10,636,283
94,900   Union Pacific Corporation         10,278,619
              57,890,099
  Information Technology—24.1%    
142,300 Amdocs, Ltd.   7,741,120
84,700 * ANSYS, Inc.   7,469,693
191,200 Apple, Inc.   23,791,016
326,900 * Aspen Technology, Inc.   12,582,381
359,000 Cisco Systems, Inc.   9,881,475
93,700 DST Systems, Inc.   10,373,527
76,700 * F5 Networks, Inc.   8,815,898
80,500 FactSet Research Systems, Inc.   12,815,600
235,200   Hewlett-Packard Company         7,328,832
              100,799,542
Total Value of Common Stocks (cost $291,978,277)         409,357,441
  SHORT-TERM U.S. GOVERNMENT AGENCY  
  OBLIGATIONS—1.7%    
  Federal Home Loan Bank:    
$4,000M 0.04%, 4/20/2015   3,999,944
2,000M 0.045%, 4/7/2015   1,999,992
1,000M   0.075%, 5/1/2015         999,973
Total Value of Short-Term U.S. Government Agency Obligations (cost $6,999,838) 6,999,909
Total Value of Investments (cost $298,978,115) 99.4 % 416,357,350
Other Assets, Less Liabilities .6       2,653,694
Net Assets     100.0 %     $419,011,044

 

* Non-income producing

 

100

 



The Fund’s assets and liabilities are classified into the following three levels based on the inputs used to value the assets or liabilities:

Level 1 — Unadjusted quoted prices in active markets for identical securities 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 assumption about the assumptions a market participant would use in valuing the asset or liability, and would be based on the best information available.

The inputs methodology used for valuing securities are not necessarily an indication of the risk associated with investing in those securities. For example, U.S. Government securities are reflected as Level 2 because the inputs used to determine fair value may not always be quoted prices in an active market.

The following is a summary, by category of Level, of inputs used to value the Fund’s investments as of March 31, 2015:

  Level 1 Level 2 Level 3 Total
Common Stocks $ 409,357,441 $ $ $ 409,357,441
Short-Term U.S. Government            
Agency Obligations     6,999,909     6,999,909
Total Investments in Securities* $ 409,357,441 $ 6,999,909 $ $ 416,357,350

 

The Portfolio of Investments provides information on the industry categorization for common stocks.
 
There were no transfers into or from Level 1 and Level 2 by the Fund for the period ended March 31,
2015. Transfers, if any, between Levels are recognized at the end of the reporting period.

 

See notes to financial statements 101

 



Fund Expenses (unaudited)
OPPORTUNITY FUND

The examples below show the ongoing costs (in dollars) of investing in your Fund and will help you in comparing these costs with costs of other mutual funds. Please refer to page 4 for a detailed explanation of the information presented in these examples.

         
  Annualized Beginning Ending Expenses Paid
  Expense Account Value Account Value During Period
Expense Example Ratio (10/1/14) (3/31/15) (10/1/14–3/31/15)*
Class A Shares 1.20%      
Actual   $1,000.00 $1,098.99 $ 6.28
Hypothetical**   $1,000.00 $1,018.95 $ 6.04
Class B Shares 1.98%      
Actual   $1,000.00 $1,094.63 $10.34
Hypothetical**   $1,000.00 $1,015.06 $ 9.95
Advisor Class Shares 0.92%      
Actual   $1,000.00 $1,100.61 $ 4.82
Hypothetical**   $1,000.00 $1,020.34 $ 4.63
Institutional Class Shares 0.78%      
Actual   $1,000.00 $1,101.28 $ 4.09
Hypothetical**   $1,000.00 $1,021.04 $ 3.93

 

Expenses are equal to the annualized expense ratio, multiplied by the average account value over
the period, multiplied by 182/365 (to reflect the one-half year period).
**  Assumed rate of return of 5% before expenses.

 

Portfolio Composition
BY SECTOR


Portfolio holdings and allocations are subject to change. Percentages are as of March 31, 2015, and
are based on the total market value of investments.

 

102

 



Portfolio of Investments (continued)
OPPORTUNITY FUND
March 31, 2015

         
 
 
 
Shares   Security   Value
  COMMON STOCKS—95.8%    
  Consumer Discretionary—20.9%    
175,000 * Belmond, Ltd. – Class “A” $     2,149,000
160,000 BorgWarner, Inc.   9,676,800
207,500 CST Brands, Inc.   9,094,725
235,000 Delphi Automotive, PLC   18,738,900
1,000 * El Pollo Loco Holdings, Inc.   25,610
137,000 Ethan Allen Interiors, Inc.   3,786,680
174,500 Foot Locker, Inc.   10,993,500
60,200 GNC Holdings, Inc. – Class “A”   2,954,014
60,000 Harman International Industries, Inc.   8,017,800
7,400 * Helen of Troy, Ltd.   603,026
255,600 * Jarden Corporation   13,521,240
90,000 L Brands, Inc.   8,486,100
115,000 Lear Corporation   12,744,300
14,700 * Metaldyne Performance Group, Inc.   264,894
185,000 Newell Rubbermaid, Inc.   7,227,950
50,000 Nordstrom, Inc.   4,016,000
171,200 Penske Automotive Group, Inc.   8,815,088
25,000 Ralph Lauren Corporation   3,287,500
410,000 Ruth’s Hospitality Group, Inc.   6,510,800
260,000 * ServiceMaster Global Holdings, Inc.   8,775,000
221,700 Stein Mart, Inc.   2,760,165
135,000 * TRW Automotive Holdings Corporation   14,154,750
160,000 Tupperware Brands Corporation   11,043,200
60,000 Whirlpool Corporation   12,123,600
410,000 * William Lyon Homes – Class “A”   10,586,200
335,000 Winnebago Industries, Inc.   7,122,100
25,000   Wyndham Worldwide Corporation   2,261,750
        199,740,692
  Consumer Staples—3.7%    
150,000 Avon Products, Inc.   1,198,500
20,000 McCormick & Company, Inc.   1,542,200
235,000 Nu Skin Enterprises, Inc. – Class “A”   14,149,350
217,500 Pinnacle Foods, Inc.   8,876,175
94,234 Tootsie Roll Industries, Inc.   3,196,406
185,000   Tyson Foods, Inc.   7,085,500
        36,048,131

 

103

 



Portfolio of Investments (continued)
OPPORTUNITY FUND
March 31, 2015

         
 
 
 
Shares   Security   Value
  Energy—3.7%    
30,000 * Dril-Quip, Inc. $     2,051,700
82,500 Ensco, PLC – Class “A”   1,738,275
80,000 EOG Resources, Inc.   7,335,200
90,000 EQT Corporation   7,458,300
144,000 * Helix Energy Solutions Group, Inc.   2,154,240
85,000 Hess Corporation   5,768,950
139,700 National Oilwell Varco, Inc.   6,983,603
152,500   RPC, Inc.   1,953,525
        35,443,793
  Financials—11.8%    
60,000 Ameriprise Financial, Inc.   7,850,400
220,000 Berkshire Hills Bancorp, Inc.   6,094,000
308,600 Brixmor Property Group, Inc. (REIT)   8,193,330
88,500 Citizens Financial Group, Inc.   2,135,505
170,000 Discover Financial Services   9,579,500
150,000 Douglas Emmett, Inc. (REIT)   4,471,500
45,000 Federal Realty Investment Trust (REIT)   6,624,450
90,000 Financial Select Sector SPDR Fund (ETF)   2,169,900
115,000 First Republic Bank   6,565,350
171,000 * Health Insurance Innovations, Inc. – Class “A”   1,335,510
100,000 iShares Core S&P Mid-Cap ETF (ETF)   15,198,000
116,000 iShares Russell 2000 ETF (ETF)   14,424,600
120,000 NASDAQ OMX Group, Inc.   6,112,800
150,000 * Realogy Holdings Corporation   6,822,000
92,000 SPDR S&P Regional Banking (ETF)   3,756,360
210,600 Sterling Bancorp   2,824,146
175,000   Waddell & Reed Financial, Inc. – Class “A”   8,669,500
        112,826,851
  Health Care—17.2%    
105,000 * Actavis, PLC   31,250,100
100,000 * Centene Corporation   7,069,000
75,000 DENTSPLY International, Inc.   3,816,750
185,000 * Gilead Sciences, Inc.   18,154,050
183,000 * Lannett Company, Inc.   12,390,930
80,000 McKesson Corporation   18,096,000
135,000 Omnicare, Inc.   10,403,100
75,000 Perrigo Company, PLC   12,416,250
250,200   Phibro Animal Health Corporation – Class “A”   8,859,582

 

104

 



         
 
 
 
Shares   Security   Value
  Health Care (continued)  
424,600 * Prestige Brands Holdings, Inc. $    18,211,094
125,000 Thermo Fisher Scientific, Inc. 16,792,500
300,000 * VWR Corporation   7,797,000
        165,256,356
  Industrials—14.9%  
160,000 A.O. Smith Corporation 10,505,600
90,000 ADT Corporation 3,736,800
279,200 Advanced Drainage Systems, Inc. 8,359,248
230,000 Altra Industrial Motion Corporation 6,357,200
50,000 G&K Services, Inc. – Class “A” 3,626,500
175,000 * Generac Holdings, Inc. 8,520,750
173,000 Greenbrier Companies, Inc. 10,034,000
60,000 IDEX Corporation 4,549,800
220,000 ITT Corporation 8,780,200
82,500 J.B. Hunt Transport Services, Inc. 7,045,088
85,200 Nielsen NV 3,797,364
145,000 Regal-Beloit Corporation 11,588,400
40,000 Roper Industries, Inc. 6,880,000
135,000 Ryder System, Inc. 12,810,150
75,000 Snap-On, Inc. 11,029,500
40,100 * TAL International Group, Inc. 1,633,273
60,000 Textainer Group Holdings, Ltd. 1,799,400
162,200 Textron, Inc. 7,190,326
160,000 * United Rentals, Inc.   14,585,600
        142,829,199
  Information Technology—13.7%  
240,000 * ARRIS Group, Inc. 6,934,800
145,000 Avago Technologies, Ltd. 18,412,100
180,800 * Blackhawk Network Holdings, Inc. 6,467,216
130,000 CDW Corporation 4,841,200
90,000 * Fiserv, Inc. 7,146,000
300,000 Juniper Networks, Inc. 6,774,000
400,000 Mentor Graphics Corporation 9,612,000
297,200 Methode Electronics, Inc. 13,980,288
285,000 * PTC, Inc. 10,308,450
125,000 * Qorvo, Inc. 9,962,500
275,000   Symantec Corporation   6,425,375

 

105

 



Portfolio of Investments (continued)
OPPORTUNITY FUND
March 31, 2015

         
 
 
 
Shares   Security   Value
  Information Technology (continued)  
125,000 * Synaptics, Inc. $ 10,163,125
120,000 TE Connectivity, Ltd. 8,594,400
275,000   Technology Select Sector SPDR Fund (ETF)   11,396,000
        131,017,454
  Materials—5.3%  
146,700 Cytec Industries, Inc. 7,927,668
72,400 H.B. Fuller Company 3,103,788
160,000 International Paper Company 8,878,400
245,000 MeadWestvaco Corporation 12,218,150
40,000 Praxair, Inc. 4,829,600
55,000 Sigma-Aldrich Corporation 7,603,750
311,900 * Trinseo SA   6,175,620
        50,736,976
  Utilities—4.6%  
154,500 AGL Resources, Inc. 7,670,925
260,000 * Dynegy, Inc. 8,171,800
120,800 NiSource, Inc. 5,334,528
144,800 Portland General Electric Company 5,370,632
135,000 SCANA Corporation 7,423,650
200,000   Wisconsin Energy Corporation   9,900,000
        43,871,535
Total Value of Common Stocks (cost $560,553,409)   917,770,987

 

106

 



               
 
 
Principal      
Amount   Security         Value
  SHORT-TERM U.S. GOVERNMENT AGENCY  
  OBLIGATIONS—4.1%    
$  7,000M Fannie Mae, 0.035%, 4/29/2015   $      6,999,860
  Federal Home Loan Bank:    
3,000M 0.045%, 4/6/2015   2,999,988
8,000M 0.04%, 4/20/2015   7,999,888
5,000M 0.06%, 4/24/2015   4,999,915
10,000M 0.075%, 5/1/2015   9,999,730
6,000M   0.06%, 5/29/2015         5,999,688
Total Value of Short-Term U.S. Government    
Agency Obligations (cost $38,998,225)         38,999,069
Total Value of Investments (cost $599,551,634) 99.9 % 956,770,056
Other Assets, Less Liabilities .1       732,475
Net Assets     100.0 %     $957,502,531

 

Non-income producing
 
Summary of Abbreviations:
ETF Exchange Traded Fund
REIT Real Estate Investment Trust

 

 

107

 



Portfolio of Investments (continued)
OPPORTUNITY FUND
March 31, 2015

The Fund’s assets and liabilities are classified into the following three levels based on the inputs used to value the assets or liabilities:

Level 1 — Unadjusted quoted prices in active markets for identical securities 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 assumption about the assumptions a market participant would use in valuing the asset or liability, and would be based on the best information available.

The inputs methodology used for valuing securities are not necessarily an indication of the risk associated with investing in those securities. For example, U.S. Government securities are reflected as Level 2 because the inputs used to determine fair value may not always be quoted prices in an active market.

The following is a summary, by category of Level, of inputs used to value the Fund’s investments as of March 31, 2015:

  Level 1 Level 2 Level 3 Total
Common Stocks $ 917,770,987 $ $ $ 917,770,987
Short-Term U.S. Government            
Agency Obligations     38,999,069     38,999,069
Total Investments in Securities* $ 917,770,987 $ 38,999,069 $ $ 956,770,056

 

The Portfolio of Investments provides information on the industry categorization for common stocks.
There were no transfers into or from Level 1 or Level 2 by the Fund for the period ended March 31,
2015. Transfers, if any, between Levels are recognized at the end of the reporting period.

 

108 See notes to financial statements

 



Fund Expenses (unaudited)
SPECIAL SITUATIONS FUND

The examples below show the ongoing costs (in dollars) of investing in your Fund and will help you in comparing these costs with costs of other mutual funds. Please refer to page 4 for a detailed explanation of the information presented in these examples.

         
  Annualized Beginning Ending Expenses Paid
  Expense Account Value Account Value During Period
Expense Example Ratio (10/1/14) (3/31/15) (10/1/14–3/31/15)*
Class A Shares 1.33%      
Actual   $1,000.00 $1,111.34 $ 7.00
Hypothetical**   $1,000.00 $1,018.30 $ 6.69
Class B Shares 2.16%      
Actual   $1,000.00 $1,106.71 $11.35
Hypothetical**   $1,000.00 $1,014.16 $10.85
Advisor Class Shares 1.05%      
Actual   $1,000.00 $1,113.07 $ 5.53
Hypothetical**   $1,000.00 $1,019.69 $ 5.29
Institutional Class Shares 0.89%      
Actual   $1,000.00 $1,113.79 $ 4.69
Hypothetical**   $1,000.00 $1,020.49 $ 4.48

 

Expenses are equal to the annualized expense ratio, multiplied by the average account value over
the period, multiplied by 182/365 (to reflect the one-half year period). Expenses paid during the
period are net of expenses waived.
**  Assumed rate of return of 5% before expenses.

 

Portfolio Composition
BY SECTOR


Portfolio holdings and allocations are subject to change. Percentages are as of March 31, 2015, and
are based on the total market value of investments.

 

109

 



Portfolio of Investments (continued)
SPECIAL SITUATIONS FUND
March 31, 2015

         
 
 
 
Shares   Security   Value
  COMMON STOCKS—96.8%    
  Consumer Discretionary—17.2%    
174,800 * Belmond, Ltd. – Class “A” $     2,146,544
196,000 CST Brands, Inc.   8,590,680
58,500 Ethan Allen Interiors, Inc.   1,616,940
263,950 * Fox Factory Holding Corporation   4,048,993
168,000 Hanesbrands, Inc.   5,629,680
36,500 Harman International Industries, Inc.   4,877,495
152,325 * Jarden Corporation   8,057,993
129,500 * Live Nation Entertainment, Inc.   3,267,285
10,200 * Metaldyne Performance Group, Inc.   183,804
45,500 Oxford Industries, Inc.   3,432,975
93,500 Penske Automotive Group, Inc.   4,814,315
92,000 * Performance Sports Group, Ltd.   1,794,000
216,450 Regal Entertainment Group – Class “A”   4,943,718
290,000 Ruth’s Hospitality Group, Inc.   4,605,200
188,500 * ServiceMaster Global Holdings, Inc.   6,361,875
99,000 * Starz – Class “A”   3,406,590
75,000 Tupperware Brands Corporation   5,176,500
84,000 * Visteon Corporation   8,097,600
173,300 * William Lyon Homes – Class “A”   4,474,606
192,200   Winnebago Industries, Inc.   4,086,172
        89,612,965
    Consumer Staples—2.3%    
338,000 * Inventure Foods, Inc.   3,782,220
16,100 Nu Skin Enterprises, Inc. – Class “A”   969,381
106,950 Pinnacle Foods, Inc.   4,364,630
77,200   Tootsie Roll Industries, Inc.   2,618,607
        11,734,838
  Energy—3.1%    
34,500 * Dril-Quip, Inc.   2,359,455
117,200 * Helix Energy Solutions Group, Inc.   1,753,312
187,500 * Matrix Service Company   3,292,500
134,000 Western Refining, Inc.   6,618,260
63,200 * Whiting Petroleum Corporation   1,952,880
        15,976,407

 

110

 



         
 
 
 
Shares   Security   Value
  Financials—18.9%    
141,200 American Financial Group, Inc. $     9,057,980
86,500 Aspen Insurance Holdings, Ltd.   4,085,395
83,700 * Atlas Financial Holdings, Inc.   1,478,979
187,500 Berkshire Hills Bancorp, Inc.   5,193,750
198,500 Brixmor Property Group, Inc. (REIT)   5,270,175
103,500 Brown & Brown, Inc.   3,426,885
157,000 Douglas Emmett, Inc. (REIT)   4,680,170
107,000 * FCB Financial Holdings, Inc. – Class “A”   2,928,590
41,200 Federal Realty Investment Trust (REIT)   6,065,052
327,000 Financial Select Sector SPDR Fund (ETF)   7,883,970
124,000 * Green Bancorp, Inc.   1,386,320
25,000 iShares Russell 2000 ETF (ETF)   3,108,750
106,500 Montpelier Re Holdings, Ltd.   4,093,860
158,150 OceanFirst Financial Corporation   2,731,251
51,500 Prosperity Bancshares, Inc.   2,702,720
64,500 Simmons First National Corporation – Class “A”   2,932,815
211,000 SPDR S&P Regional Banking (ETF)   8,615,130
405,925 Sterling Bancorp   5,443,454
284,500 * Strategic Hotels & Resorts, Inc. (REIT)   3,536,335
143,500 Sunstone Hotel Investors, Inc. (REIT)   2,392,145
258,000 TCF Financial Corporation   4,055,760
81,200 Urstadt Biddle Properties, Inc. – Class “A” (REIT)   1,872,472
57,000 Waddell & Reed Financial, Inc. – Class “A”   2,823,780
178,000   WP Glimcher, Inc.   2,960,140
        98,725,878
  Health Care—13.3%    
70,500 * ANI Pharmaceuticals, Inc.   4,409,775
173,500 * Centene Corporation   12,264,715
224,000 * DepoMed, Inc.   5,019,840
148,525 * Exactech, Inc.   3,806,696
288,200 * Horizon Pharma, PLC   7,484,554
61,000 * ICON, PLC   4,302,330
108,300 * Lannett Company, Inc.   7,332,993
103,000 Omnicare, Inc.   7,937,180
91,500 PerkinElmer, Inc.   4,679,310
148,000 Phibro Animal Health Corporation – Class “A”   5,240,680
76,500 * Surgical Care Affilates, Inc.   2,626,245
169,200 * VWR Corporation   4,397,508
        69,501,826

 

111

 



Portfolio of Investments (continued)
SPECIAL SITUATIONS FUND
March 31, 2015

         
 
 
 
Shares   Security   Value
  Industrials—18.2%    
100,200 A.O. Smith Corporation $     6,579,132
169,200 Advanced Drainage Systems, Inc.   5,065,848
120,500 Altra Industrial Motion Corporation   3,330,620
45,500 Applied Industrial Technologies, Inc.   2,062,970
35,500 G&K Services, Inc. – Class “A”   2,574,815
103,700 * Generac Holdings, Inc.   5,049,153
86,500 Greenbrier Companies, Inc.   5,017,000
58,500 Industrial Select Sector SPDR Fund (ETF)   3,262,545
152,500 ITT Corporation   6,086,275
172,000 Kforce, Inc.   3,837,320
330,200 * NCI Building Systems, Inc.   5,705,856
59,000 Orbital ATK, Inc.   4,521,170
56,200 * Patrick Industries, Inc.   3,499,574
10,450 Precision Castparts Corporation   2,194,500
79,500 Regal-Beloit Corporation   6,353,640
125,000 Ryder System, Inc.   11,861,250
47,000 Snap-On, Inc.   6,911,820
34,500 Standex International Corporation   2,833,485
88,700 * United Rentals, Inc.   8,085,892
        94,832,865
  Information Technology—16.6%    
98,875 * Advanced Energy Industries, Inc.   2,537,132
145,200 * ARRIS Group, Inc.   4,195,554
140,500 Avnet, Inc.   6,252,250
149,750 * Blackhawk Network Holdings, Inc.   5,356,557
143,000 CDW Corporation   5,325,320
144,500 * CommScope Holding Company, Inc.   4,124,030
282,500 * Entegris, Inc.   3,867,425
39,500 IAC/InterActiveCorp   2,665,065
182,500 * JDS Uniphase Corporation   2,394,400
239,775 Mentor Graphics Corporation   5,761,793
167,800 Methode Electronics, Inc.   7,893,312
124,300 * Microsemi Corporation   4,400,220
146,500 * Newport Corporation   2,792,290
235,500 * Orbotech, Ltd.   3,775,065
75,200 * OSI Systems, Inc.   5,584,352
157,000 * PTC, Inc.   5,678,690
187,500 * QLogic Corporation   2,763,750

 

112

 



               
 
Shares or        
Principal        
Amount   Security         Value
  Information Technology (continued)      
35,000 * Qorvo, Inc.   $     2,789,500
54,000 * Synaptics, Inc.     4,390,470
67,000 * Verint Systems, Inc.         4,149,310
              86,696,485
  Materials—3.9%      
93,000 AptarGroup, Inc.     5,907,360
281,200 * Ferro Corporation     3,529,060
47,000 Huntsman Corporation     1,041,990
52,500 MeadWestvaco Corporation     2,618,175
47,300 Sensient Technologies Corporation     3,258,024
164,200 * Trinseo SA     3,251,160
11,500   Westlake Chemical Corporation         827,310
              20,433,079
  Utilities—3.3%      
58,500 AGL Resources, Inc.     2,904,525
133,800 * Dynegy, Inc.     4,205,334
94,000 Portland General Electric Company     3,486,460
58,500 SCANA Corporation     3,216,915
68,000   Wisconsin Energy Corporation         3,366,000
              17,179,234
Total Value of Common Stocks (cost $387,324,504)         504,693,577
  SHORT-TERM U.S. GOVERNMENT AGENCY    
  OBLIGATIONS—2.2%      
$4,000M Fannie Mae, 0.035%, 4/29/2015     3,999,920
  Federal Home Loan Bank:      
1,300M 0.075%, 5/1/2015     1,299,965
4,000M 0.05%, 5/12/2015     3,999,856
2,000M   0.06%, 5/29/2015         1,999,896
Total Value of Short-Term U.S. Government Agency Obligations    
(cost $11,299,389)         11,299,637
Total Value of Investments (cost $398,623,893) 99.0 %   515,993,214
Other Assets, Less Liabilities 1.0       5,066,777
Net Assets     100.0 %   $521,059,991

 

Non-income producing

 

113

 



Portfolio of Investments (continued)
SPECIAL SITUATIONS FUND
March 31, 2015

Summary of Abbreviations:
ETF Exchange Traded Fund
REIT Real Estate Investment Trust

 

The Fund’s assets and liabilities are classified into the following three levels based on the inputs used to value the assets or liabilities:

Level 1 — Unadjusted quoted prices in active markets for identical securities 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 assumption about the assumptions a market participant would use in valuing the asset or liability, and would be based on the best information available.

The inputs methodology used for valuing securities are not necessarily an indication of the risk associated with investing in those securities. For example, U.S. Government securities are reflected as Level 2 because the inputs used to determine fair value may not always be quoted prices in an active market.

The following is a summary, by category of Level, of inputs used to value the Fund’s investments as of March 31, 2015:

  Level 1 Level 2 Level 3 Total
Common Stocks $ 504,693,577 $ $ $ 504,693,577
Short-Term U.S. Government          
Agency Obligations     11,299,637     11,299,637
Total Investments in Securities* $ 504,693,577 $ 11,299,637 $ $ 515,993,214

 

The Portfolio of Investments provides information on the industry categorization for common stocks.
There were no transfers into or from Level 1 or Level 2 by the Fund for the period ended March 31,
2015. Transfers, if any, between Levels are recognized at the end of the reporting period.

 

114 See notes to financial statements

 



Fund Expenses (unaudited)
INTERNATIONAL FUND

The examples below show the ongoing costs (in dollars) of investing in your Fund and will help you in comparing these costs with costs of other mutual funds. Please refer to page 4 for a detailed explanation of the information presented in these examples.

 
         
  Annualized Beginning Ending Expenses Paid
  Expense Account Value Account Value During Period
Expense Example Ratio (10/1/14) (3/31/15) (10/1/14–3/31/15)*
Class A Shares 1.68%      
Actual   $1,000.00 $1,011.39 $ 8.42
Hypothetical**   $1,000.00 $1,016.55 $ 8.45
Class B Shares 2.50%      
Actual   $1,000.00 $1,007.26 $12.51
Hypothetical**   $1,000.00 $1,012.46 $12.54
Advisor Class Shares 1.31%      
Actual   $1,000.00 $1,012.99 $ 6.57
Hypothetical**   $1,000.00 $1,018.40 $ 6.59
Institutional Class Shares 1.17%      
Actual   $1,000.00 $1,013.36 $ 5.87
Hypothetical**   $1,000.00 $1,019.10 $ 5.89

 

Expenses are equal to the annualized expense ratio, multiplied by the average account value over
the period, multiplied by 182/365 (to reflect the one-half year period).
**  Assumed rate of return of 5% before expenses.

 

Portfolio Composition
BY SECTOR


Portfolio holdings and allocations are subject to change. Percentages are as of March 31, 2015, and
are based on the total market value of investments.

 

115

 



Portfolio of Investments (continued)
INTERNATIONAL FUND
March 31, 2015

         
 
 
 
Shares   Security   Value
  COMMON STOCKS—94.6%  
  United Kingdom—17.5%  
263,971 British American Tobacco, PLC $   13,660,019
165,426 Diageo, PLC 4,563,061
227,037 Domino’s Pizza Group, PLC 2,611,769
2,096,916 * Lloyds Banking Group, PLC 2,434,940
137,599 * Persimmon, PLC 3,394,407
109,254 Reckitt Benckiser Group, PLC 9,399,866
134,869   SABMiller, PLC   7,082,258
        43,146,320
  Switzerland—15.9%  
703 Chocoladefabriken Lindt & Spruengli AG 3,772,530
52,742 Compagnie Financiere Richemont SA 4,249,535
31,483 DKSH Holding, Ltd. 2,572,289
125,742 Nestle SA – Registered 9,497,286
39,261 Roche Holding AG – Genusscheine 10,831,317
2,205 SGS SA – Registered 4,220,313
208,455 * UBS Group AG   3,929,713
        39,072,983
  India—11.9%  
599,889 HDFC Bank, Ltd. 9,803,359
8,095 HDFC Bank, Ltd. (ADR) 476,715
639,728 Housing Development Finance Corporation 13,449,558
30,991 ICICI Bank Limited 156,239
1,061,058   ITC, Ltd.   5,524,750
        29,410,621
  France—8.1%  
25,985 Air Liquide SA 3,347,243
176,999 Bureau Veritas SA 3,804,445
35,538 Essilor International SA 4,081,050
8,175 Hermes International 2,886,680
18,832 L’Oreal SA 3,469,671
19,463   Pernod Ricard SA   2,305,165
        19,894,254

 

116

 



         
 
 
 
Shares   Security   Value
  Canada—5.8%    
83,420 Alimentation Couche-Tard – Class “B” $     3,338,644
75,058 Bank of Nova Scotia   3,769,049
106,728 Enbridge, Inc.   5,177,347
101,354   Silver Wheaton Corporation   1,927,771
        14,212,811
  United States—5.5%    
110,345 Philip Morris International, Inc.   8,312,289
4,558 * Priceline.com, Inc.   5,306,196
        13,618,485
  Netherlands—4.5%    
9,030 Core Laboratories NV   943,545
240,849   Unilever NV-CVA   10,077,890
        11,021,435
  Australia—4.0%    
74,146 CSL, Ltd.   5,202,317
92,771   Ramsay Health Care, Ltd.   4,751,110
        9,953,427
  China—4.0%    
26,150 * Alibaba Group Holding, Ltd. (ADR)   2,176,726
20,285 * Baidu.com, Inc. (ADR)   4,227,394
185,410   Tencent Holdings, Ltd.   3,520,390
        9,924,510
  Denmark—3.9%    
17,204 Coloplast A/S – Series “B”   1,302,311
155,363   Novo Nordisk A/S – Series “B”   8,317,448
        9,619,759
  Hong Kong—3.0%    
172,403 Cheung Kong Infrastructure Holdings, Ltd.   1,482,159
240,601 Galaxy Entertainment Group, Ltd.   1,095,524
317,614 Link REIT (REIT)   1,958,292
677,995   Sands China, Ltd.   2,807,252
        7,343,227

 

117

 



Portfolio of Investments (continued)
INTERNATIONAL FUND
March 31, 2015

               
 
Shares or      
Principal      
Amount   Security         Value
  Spain—2.5%    
252,100 Banco Bilbao Vizcaya Argentaria SA   $     2,550,221
85,937   Grifols SA         3,694,287
              6,244,508
  Germany—2.4%    
22,432 Bayer AG   3,375,582
30,200   Fresenius Medical Care AG & Co.         2,515,314
              5,890,896
  Brazil—1.8%    
176,766 Cielo SA   2,530,569
164,537   Itau Unibanco Holding SA (ADR)         1,819,779
              4,350,348
  South Africa—1.5%    
24,441   Naspers, Ltd.         3,768,214
  Japan—1.2%    
26,000   Daito Trust Construction Company, Ltd.         2,910,326
  Ireland—1.1%    
31,777   Paddy Power, PLC         2,723,538
Total Value of Common Stocks (cost $179,280,005)         233,105,662
  RIGHTS—.0%    
  Spain    
252,100 * Banco Bilbao Vizcaya Argentaria SA (expires 4/14/2015) (cost $0)       36,323
  SHORT-TERM U.S. GOVERNMENT AGENCY  
  OBLIGATIONS—4.1%    
  United States    
$10,000M   Federal Home Loan Bank, 0.055%, 5/5/2015 (cost ($9,999,481)       9,999,700
Total Value of Investments (cost $189,279,486) 98.7 % 243,141,685
Other Assets, Less Liabilities 1.3       3,216,010
Net Assets     100.0 %     $246,357,695

 

Non-income producing

 

118

 



Summary of Abbreviations:
ADR American Depositary Receipts
REIT Real Estate Investment Trust

 

The Fund’s assets and liabilities are classified into the following three levels based on the inputs used to value the assets or liabilities:

Level 1 — Unadjusted quoted prices in active markets for identical securities 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 assumption about the assumptions a market participant would use in valuing the asset or liability, and would be based on the best information available.

The inputs methodology used for valuing securities are not necessarily an indication of the risk associated with investing in those securities. For example, U.S. Government securities are reflected as Level 2 because the inputs used to determine fair value may not always be quoted prices in an active market.

119

 



Portfolio of Investments (continued)
INTERNATIONAL FUND
March 31, 2015

The following is a summary, by category of Level, of inputs used to value the Fund’s investments as of March 31, 2015:

  Level 1 Level 2 Level 3 Total
Common Stocks            
United Kingdom $  43,146,320 $ $ $  43,146,320
Switzerland 39,072,983     39,072,983
India 29,410,621     29,410,621
France 19,894,254     19,894,254
Canada 14,212,811     14,212,811
United States 13,618,485     13,618,485
Netherlands 11,021,435     11,021,435
Australia 9,953,427     9,953,427
China 9,924,510     9,924,510
Denmark 9,619,759     9,619,759
Hong Kong 7,343,227     7,343,227
Spain 6,244,508     6,244,508
Germany 5,890,896     5,890,896
Brazil 4,350,348     4,350,348
South Africa 3,768,214     3,768,214
Japan 2,910,326     2,910,326
Ireland 2,723,538     2,723,538
Rights            
Spain 36,323     36,323
Short-Term U.S. Government            
Agency Obligations     9,999,700     9,999,700
Total Investments in Securities            
  $ 233,141,985 $ 9,999,700 $ $ 243,141,685

 

During the period ended March 31, 2015, there were no transfers between Level 1 investments and
Level 2 investments that had a material impact to the Fund. This does not include transfers between
Level 1 investments and Level 2 investments due to the Fund utilizing international fair value pricing
during the period (see Note 1A). Transfers, if any, between Levels are recognized at the end of the
reporting period.

 

120 See notes to financial statements

 


 

 

 

 


 

This page left intentionally blank.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

 

121

 



Statements of Assets and Liabilities
FIRST INVESTORS INCOME FUNDS
March 31, 2015

   
        LIMITED              
    CASH   DURATION HIGH           INVESTMENT  
    MANAGEMENT   QUALITY BOND      GOVERNMENT     GRADE  
 
Assets                      
Investments in securities:                      
At identified cost $ 104,131,097 $ 55,967,101   $ 329,115,502   $ 517,435,653  
At value (Note 1A) $ 104,131,097 $ 56,276,036   $ 336,949,959   $ 548,665,003  
 
Cash   2,415,381   853,128     1,055,414     8,857,139  
Receivables:                      
Investment securities sold     857,585         7,922,422  
Interest   625   475,677     1,136,257     6,688,669  
Shares sold     150,563     174,299     513,756  
Other assets   11,502   3,929     35,891     55,697  
Total Assets   106,558,605   58,616,918     339,351,820     572,702,686  
 
Liabilities                      
Payables:                      
Investment securities purchased     1,558,295         7,366,422  
Shares redeemed   1,197,124   44,575     616,087     974,641  
Dividends payable     805     32,117     108,467  
Accrued advisory fees     15,123     162,675     269,901  
Accrued shareholder servicing costs   38,638   12,095     51,991     72,166  
Accrued expenses   16,560   28,573     31,736     40,618  
Total Liabilities   1,252,322   1,659,466     894,606     8,832,215  
 
Net Assets $ 105,306,283 $ 56,957,452   $ 338,457,214   $ 563,870,471  
 
Net Assets Consist of:                      
Capital paid in $ 105,306,283 $ 57,145,244   $ 345,114,302   $ 544,936,095  
Undistributed net investment deficit     (476,484 )   (873,132 )   (10,172,628 )
Accumulated net realized loss on investments     (20,243 )   (13,618,413 )   (2,122,346 )
Net unrealized appreciation in value of investments     308,935     7,834,457     31,229,350  
Total $ 105,306,283 $ 56,957,452   $ 338,457,214   $ 563,870,471  

 

122 See notes to financial statements 123

 



Statements of Assets and Liabilities
FIRST INVESTORS INCOME FUNDS
March 31, 2015

   
          LIMITED        
    CASH     DURATION HIGH       INVESTMENT
    MANAGEMENT     QUALITY BOND   GOVERNMENT   GRADE
 
Net Assets:                  
Class A $101,760,826   $18,387,885 $281,842,781 $480,481,782
Class B $391,909     N/A $2,825,497 $4,094,657
Advisor Class   N/A   $32,449,513 $40,866,158 $52,598,115
Institutional Class $3,153,548   $6,120,054 $12,922,778 $26,695,917
 
Shares outstanding (Note 8):                  
Class A   101,760,826     1,861,019   25,671,280   47,941,543
Class B   391,909     N/A   258,076   411,087
Advisor Class   N/A     3,272,527   3,720,853   5,240,623
Institutional Class   3,153,548     616,862   1,172,033   2,657,823
 
Net asset value and redemption price                  
per share – Class A $ 1.00 # $ 9.88 $ 10.98 $ 10.02
 
Maximum offering price per share – Class A                  
(Net asset value/.9425)*   N/A   $ 10.48 $ 11.65 $ 10.63
 
Net asset value and offering price per share –                  
Class B** $ 1.00     N/A $ 10.95 $ 9.96
 
Net asset value, offering price and redemption price                  
per share – Advisor Class   N/A   $ 9.92 $ 10.98 $ 10.04
 
Net asset value, offering price and redemption price                  
per share – Institutional Class $ 1.00   $ 9.92 $ 11.03 $ 10.04

# Also maximum offering price per share.

* On purchases of $100,000 or more, the sales charge is reduced (Note 8).

** Redemption price is equal to net asset value less contingent deferred sales charges, if applicable (Note 8).

124 See notes to financial statements 125

 



Statements of Assets and Liabilities
FIRST INVESTORS INCOME FUNDS
March 31, 2015

   
 
          INTERNATIONAL              
    STRATEGIC     OPPORTUNITIES     FLOATING     FUND FOR  
    INCOME      BOND     RATE     INCOME  
 
Assets                        
Investments in securities:                        
Cost — Unaffiliated issuers $   $ 144,433,561   $ 99,008,643   $ 674,374,571  
Cost — Affiliated issuers (Note 2)   121,503,439              
Total cost of investments $ 121,503,439   $ 144,433,561   $ 99,008,643   $ 674,374,571  
 
Value — Unaffiliated issuers (Note 1A) $   $ 137,491,907   $ 98,431,025   $ 677,818,633  
Value — Affiliated issuers (Note 2)   119,081,955              
Total value of investments   119,081,955     137,491,907     98,431,025     677,818,633  
 
Cash   2,748,790     4,669,784     9,602,505     26,995,422  
Receivables:                        
Investment securities sold           679,719     886,301  
Dividends and interest       1,096,213     440,816     11,418,666  
Shares sold   259,258     134,069     158,225     472,690  
Unrealized gain on foreign exchange contracts (Note 7)       595,894          
Other assets   10,072     13,803     9,304     72,032  
Total Assets   122,100,075     144,001,670     109,321,594     717,663,744  
 
Liabilities                        
Payables:                        
Investment securities purchased       4,252,693     4,734,100     16,419,242  
Shares redeemed   197,979     141,810     51,644     1,110,441  
Dividends payable   12,508     8,125     4,639     366,999  
Unrealized loss on foreign exchange contracts (Note 7)       148,000          
Accrued advisory fees   5,267     81,872     35,020     428,492  
Accrued shareholder servicing costs   12,579     22,794     18,473     99,719  
Accrued expenses   31,699     38,546     46,984     45,414  
Total Liabilities   260,032     4,693,840     4,890,860     18,470,307  
 
Net Assets $ 121,840,043   $ 139,307,830   $ 104,430,734   $ 699,193,437  
 
Net Assets Consist of:                        
Capital paid in $ 123,661,999   $ 148,681,506   $ 106,970,466   $ 872,774,805  
Undistributed net investment income (deficit)   301,826     (2,644,743 )   (323,168 )   (6,362,510 )
Accumulated net realized gain (loss) on investments and                        
foreign currency transactions   297,702     (128,195 )   (1,638,946 )   (170,662,920 )
Net unrealized appreciation (depreciation) in value of                        
investments and foreign currency transactions   (2,421,484 )   (6,600,738 )   (577,618 )   3,444,062  
Total $ 121,840,043   $ 139,307,830   $ 104,430,734   $ 699,193,437  

 

126 See notes to financial statements 127

 



Statements of Assets and Liabilities
FIRST INVESTORS INCOME FUNDS
March 31, 2015

   
        INTERNATIONAL        
    STRATEGIC   OPPORTUNITIES   FLOATING   FUND FOR
    INCOME   BOND   RATE   INCOME
 
Net Assets:                
Class A $121,469,345 $78,131,032 $55,530,905 $610,389,617
Class B   N/A   N/A   N/A $4,005,050
Advisor Class $370,698 $42,811,885 $42,682,123 $35,993,912
Institutional Class   N/A $18,364,913 $6,217,706 $48,804,858
 
Shares outstanding (Note 8):                
Class A   12,405,748   8,272,263   5,706,652   239,412,601
Class B   N/A   N/A   N/A   1,575,094
Advisor Class   37,940   4,527,424   4,386,442   14,119,901
Institutional Class   N/A   1,935,523   640,108   19,062,354
 
Net asset value and redemption price                
per share — Class A $ 9.79 $ 9.44 $ 9.73 $ 2.55
 
Maximum offering price per share — Class A                
(Net asset value/.9425)* $ 10.39 $ 10.02 $ 10.32 $ 2.71
 
Net asset value and offering price per share —                
Class B**   N/A   N/A   N/A $ 2.54
 
Net asset value, offering price and redemption price                
per share — Advisor Class $ 9.77 $ 9.46 $ 9.73 $ 2.55
 
Net asset value, offering price and redemption price                
per share — Institutional Class   N/A $ 9.49 $ 9.71 $ 2.56

* On purchases of $100,000 or more, the sales charge is reduced (Note 8).

** Redemption price is equal to net asset value less contingent deferred sales charges, if applicable (Note 8).

128 See notes to financial statements 129

 



Statements of Assets and Liabilities
FIRST INVESTORS EQUITY FUNDS
March 31, 2015

 
    TOTAL     EQUITY   GROWTH &      
RETURN     INCOME   INCOME   GLOBAL  
 
Assets                    
Investments in securities:                    
At identified cost $ 660,682,516   $ 424,296,599 $ 1,140,944,024 $ 390,387,902  
At value (Note 1A) $ 862,229,632   $ 579,743,164 $ 1,874,795,814 $ 443,552,440  
Cash   994,001     1,832,594   1,808,776   1,935,781  
Receivables:                    
Investment securities sold   3,147,024     3,413,870   6,188,614   3,267,064  
Dividends and interest   3,381,295     993,406   2,232,506   862,352  
Shares sold   885,572     453,504   1,082,567   414,408  
Other assets   79,805     56,235   179,943   41,502  
Total Assets   870,717,329     586,492,773   1,886,288,220   450,073,547  
 
Liabilities                    
Payables:                    
Investment securities purchased   1,685,040     800,000   490,003   1,788,339  
Shares redeemed   1,298,509     1,187,652   3,773,136   492,118  
Accrued advisory fees   527,424     374,303   1,117,709   352,667  
Accrued shareholder servicing costs   97,244     65,178   203,276   68,471  
Accrued expenses   29,528     20,981   60,442   46,324  
Total Liabilities   3,637,745     2,448,114   5,644,566   2,747,919  
 
Net Assets $ 867,079,584   $ 584,044,659 $ 1,880,643,654 $ 447,325,628  
 
Net Assets Consist of:                    
Capital paid in $ 660,689,193   $ 415,758,969 $ 1,102,609,353 $ 388,837,587  
Undistributed net investment income (deficit)   (5,968,322 )   1,703,837   4,218,818   (432,755 )
Accumulated net realized gain on investments and                    
foreign currency transactions   10,811,597     11,135,288   39,963,693   5,768,113  
Net unrealized appreciation in value of investments and                    
foreign currency transactions   201,547,116     155,446,565   733,851,790   53,152,683  
Total $ 867,079,584   $ 584,044,659 $ 1,880,643,654 $ 447,325,628  

 

130 See notes to financial statements 131

 



Statements of Assets and Liabilities
FIRST INVESTORS EQUITY FUNDS
March 31, 2015

 
    TOTAL   EQUITY   GROWTH &    
    RETURN     INCOME     INCOME     GLOBAL
 
Net Assets:                
Class A $823,813,180 $532,119,552 $1,699,345,663 $356,541,773
Class B $9,610,564 $4,813,275 $24,010,054 $4,030,868
Advisor Class $1,381,107 $38,507,826 $146,667,001 $83,518,623
Institutional Class $32,274,733 $8,604,006 $10,620,936 $3,234,364
 
Shares outstanding (Note 8):                
Class A   41,961,848   54,074,534   74,442,768   45,822,003
Class B   498,330   498,231   1,127,843   632,908
Advisor Class   70,231   3,910,610   6,397,599   10,614,782
Institutional Class   1,637,688   870,524   464,584   409,337
 
Net asset value and redemption price per share — Class A $ 19.63 $ 9.84 $ 22.83 $ 7.78
 
Maximum offering price per share — Class A                
(Net asset value/.9425)* $ 20.83 $ 10.44 $ 24.22 $ 8.25
 
Net asset value and offering price per share — Class B** $ 19.29 $ 9.66 $ 21.29 $ 6.37
 
Net asset value, offering price and redemption price                
per share — Advisor Class $ 19.67 $ 9.85 $ 22.93 $ 7.87
 
Net asset value, offering price and redemption price                
per share — Institutional Class $ 19.71 $ 9.88 $ 22.86 $ 7.90

* On purchases of $100,000 or more, the sales charge is reduced (Note 8).

** Redemption price is equal to net asset value less contingent deferred sales charges, if applicable (Note 8).

132 See notes to financial statements 133

 



Statements of Assets and Liabilities
FIRST INVESTORS EQUITY FUNDS
March 31, 2015

 
    SELECT       SPECIAL        
    GROWTH    OPPORTUNITY   SITUATIONS     INTERNATIONAL  
 
Assets                    
Investments in securities:                    
At identified cost $ 298,978,115 $ 599,551,634 $ 398,623,893   $ 189,279,486  
At value (Note 1A) $ 416,357,350 $ 956,770,056 $ 515,993,214   $ 243,141,685  
Cash   2,809,377   2,272,144   914,827     2,247,944  
Receivables:                    
Investment securities sold     2,686,535   5,225,002     164,673  
Dividends and interest   268,799   569,049   348,239     1,243,297  
Shares sold   529,142   781,690   286,799     278,086  
Other assets   37,154   86,385   46,938     23,658  
Total Assets   420,001,822   963,165,859   522,815,019     247,099,343  
 
Liabilities                    
Payables:                    
Investment securities purchased     3,214,168   475,981      
Shares redeemed   647,377   1,719,721   814,746     433,656  
Accrued advisory fees   271,863   587,977   359,088     211,584  
Accrued shareholder servicing costs   54,240   116,782   77,960     47,786  
Accrued expenses   17,298   24,680   27,253     48,622  
Total Liabilities   990,778   5,663,328   1,755,028     741,648  
 
Net Assets $ 419,011,044 $ 957,502,531 $ 521,059,991   $ 246,357,695  
 
Net Assets Consist of:                    
Capital paid in $ 264,568,246 $ 557,828,365 $ 389,641,026   $ 216,124,389  
Undistributed net investment income (deficit)   526,156   1,070,814   (127,007 )   310,917  
Accumulated net realized gain (loss) on investments                    
and foreign currency transactions   36,537,407   41,384,930   14,176,651     (23,924,314 )
Net unrealized appreciation in value of investments                    
and foreign currency transactions   117,379,235   357,218,422   117,369,321     53,846,703  
Total $ 419,011,044 $ 957,502,531 $ 521,059,991   $ 246,357,695  

 

134 See notes to financial statements 135

 



Statements of Assets and Liabilities
FIRST INVESTORS EQUITY FUNDS
March 31, 2015

 
    SELECT       SPECIAL    
    GROWTH   OPPORTUNITY   SITUATIONS   INTERNATIONAL
 
Net Assets:                
Class A $370,963,222 $895,226,976 $476,434,605 $199,580,341
Class B $4,909,740 $11,893,419 $4,421,316 $2,446,484
Advisor Class $39,431,301 $46,116,603 $33,795,250 $42,029,236
Institutional Class $3,706,781 $4,265,533 $6,408,820 $2,301,634
 
Shares outstanding (Note 8):                
Class A   30,073,794   21,305,377   16,987,629   15,169,563
Class B   446,391   345,029   200,525   195,898
Advisor Class   3,179,797   1,087,936   1,201,965   3,172,778
Institutional Class   297,858   100,986   227,231   173,560
 
Net asset value and redemption price per share — Class A $ 12.34 $ 42.02 $ 28.05 $ 13.16
 
Maximum offering price per share — Class A                
(Net asset value/.9425)* $ 13.09 $ 44.58 $ 29.76 $ 13.96
 
Net asset value and offering price per share — Class B** $ 11.00 $ 34.47 $ 22.05 $ 12.49
 
Net asset value, offering price and redemption price                
per share — Advisor Class $ 12.40 $ 42.39 $ 28.12 $ 13.25
 
Net asset value, offering price and redemption price                
per share — Institutional Class $ 12.44 $ 42.24 $ 28.20 $ 13.26

* On purchases of $100,000 or more, the sales charge is reduced (Note 8).

** Redemption price is equal to net asset value less contingent deferred sales charges, if applicable (Note 8).

136 See notes to financial statements 137

 



Statements of Operations
FIRST INVESTORS INCOME FUNDS
Year Ended March 31, 2015

   
          LIMITED              
    CASH     DURATION HIGH           INVESTMENT  
    MANAGEMENT     QUALITY BOND     GOVERNMENT     GRADE  
 
Investment Income                        
Interest $ 46,321   $ 280,144   $ 4,578,879   $ 10,813,873  
Expenses (Notes 1 and 3):                        
Advisory fees   268,753     159,127     1,104,960     1,820,715  
Distribution plan expenses – Class A       21,788     428,497     714,653  
Distribution plan expenses – Class B   1,505     N/A     15,342     22,055  
Shareholder servicing costs – Class A   231,393     11,419     229,335     345,665  
Shareholder servicing costs – Class B   683     N/A     4,513     7,035  
Shareholder servicing costs – Advisor Class   N/A     31,036     31,690     32,765  
Shareholder servicing costs – Institutional Class   404     784     1,249     3,613  
Professional fees   16,678     16,323     28,189     42,249  
Custodian fees   9,662     7,963     20,430     21,214  
Registration fees   34,999     25,124     27,349     42,052  
Reports to shareholders   8,349     3,560     9,708     12,670  
Trustees' fees   2,869     823     8,392     13,913  
Other expenses   4,630     11,231     30,206     25,147  
 
Total expenses   579,925     289,178     1,939,860     3,103,746  
Less: Expenses waived (Note 3)   (533,422 )   (90,432 )   (184,160 )   (298,889 )
Expenses paid indirectly (Note 1G)   (182 )   (82 )   (568 )   (339 )
Net expenses   46,321     198,664     1,755,132     2,804,518  
Net investment income       81,480     2,823,747     8,009,355  
 
Realized and Unrealized Gain (Loss) on Investments (Note 2):                        
Net realized gain (loss) on investments       (5,507 )   1,911,825     2,337,210  
Net unrealized gain on investments       401,918     2,690,078     6,318,835  
Net gain on investments       396,411     4,601,903     8,656,045  
 
Net Increase in Net Assets Resulting from Operations $   $ 477,891   $ 7,425,650   $ 16,665,400  

 

138 See notes to financial statements 139

 



Statements of Operations
FIRST INVESTORS INCOME FUNDS
Year Ended March 31, 2015

   
          INTERNATIONAL              
    STRATEGIC     OPPORTUNITIES     FLOATING     FUND FOR  
    INCOME     BOND     RATE     INCOME  
 
Investment Income                        
Interest $   $ 980,853 (a) $ 1,868,606   $ 20,484,127  
Dividends from affiliate (Note 2)   2,336,732              
Total income   2,336,732     980,853     1,868,606     20,484,127  
Expenses (Notes 1 and 3):                        
Advisory fees   28,017     502,250     289,834     2,501,187  
Distribution plan expenses – Class A   167,602     119,253     79,399     914,642  
Distribution plan expenses – Class B   N/A     N/A     N/A     21,282  
Shareholder servicing costs – Class A   66,622     80,373     46,601     473,467  
Shareholder servicing costs – Class B   N/A     N/A     N/A     5,622  
Shareholder servicing costs – Advisor Class   283     31,966     32,262     32,839  
Shareholder servicing costs – Institutional Class   N/A     2,557     848     6,708  
Professional fees   42,442     4,340     23,697     50,654  
Custodian fees   3,058     38,652     40,009     23,456  
Registration fees   28,362     21,050     23,623     38,275  
Reports to shareholders   7,632     6,188     5,151     16,971  
Trustees’ fees   2,910     2,905     2,002     17,596  
Other expenses   9,191     12,392     39,722     52,988  
Total expenses   356,119     821,926     583,148     4,155,687  
Less: Expenses waived (Note 3)       (31,122 )   (99,651 )   (77,568 )
Expenses paid indirectly (Note 1G)           (785 )   (907 )
Net expenses   356,119     790,804     482,712     4,077,212  
Net investment income   1,980,613     190,049     1,385,894     16,406,915  
 
Realized and Unrealized Gain (Loss) on Investments, Affiliate and                        
Foreign Currency Transactions (Notes 2 and 7):                        
Net realized gain (loss) on:                        
Investments       240,864     (1,599,128 )   (8,427,540 )
Affiliate   30,582              
Capital gain distribution from affiliate   274,361              
Foreign currency transactions       11,009          
Net realized gain (loss) on investments, affiliate and                        
foreign currency transactions   304,943     251,873     (1,599,128 )   (8,427,540 )
Net unrealized gain (loss) on:                        
Investments       (4,274,111 )   346,654     (1,768,263 )
Affiliate   (1,155,839 )            
Foreign currency transactions       266,497          
 
Net unrealized gain (loss) on investments, affiliate and                        
foreign currency transactions   (1,155,839 )   (4,007,614 )   346,654     (1,768,263 )
 
Net loss on investments, affiliate and                        
foreign currency transactions   (850,896 )   (3,755,741 )   (1,252,474 )   (10,195,803 )
 
Net Increase (Decrease) in Net Assets Resulting                        
from Operations $ 1,129,717   $ (3,565,692 ) $ 133,420   $ 6,211,112  

(a) Net of $21,810 foreign taxes withheld.

140 See notes to financial statements 141

 



Statements of Operations
FIRST INVESTORS EQUITY FUNDS
Year Ended March 31, 2015

 
    TOTAL     EQUITY     GROWTH &        
    RETURN     INCOME     INCOME     GLOBAL  
Investment Income                        
Dividends $ 5,172,556 (a) $ 7,759,481 (b) $ 19,550,086 (c) $ 2,640,393 (d)
Interest   3,901,780     8,345     3,133     1,241  
 
Total income   9,074,336     7,767,826     19,553,219     2,641,634  
 
Expenses (Notes 1 and 3):                        
Advisory fees   2,838,599     2,081,333     6,195,219     2,018,650  
Distribution plan expenses – Class A   1,188,718     781,466     2,486,482     514,315  
Distribution plan expenses – Class B   48,317     26,499     122,795     20,008  
Shareholder servicing costs – Class A   532,133     346,141     1,094,037     320,028  
Shareholder servicing costs – Class B   10,366     7,260     26,855     5,925  
Shareholder servicing costs – Advisor Class   489     9,693     23,804     31,147  
Shareholder servicing costs – Institutional Class   543     1,296     1,249     472  
Professional fees   38,333     26,910     73,832     29,206  
Custodian fees   24,339     10,950     31,246     100,322  
Registration fees   42,049     39,888     41,937     33,186  
Reports to shareholders   21,094     13,124     43,973     13,048  
Trustees’ fees   21,278     14,547     46,657     10,229  
Other expenses   49,222     26,633     84,440     44,610  
 
Total expenses   4,815,480     3,385,740     10,272,526     3,141,146  
Less: Expenses waived (Note 3)               (106,245 )
Expenses paid indirectly (Note 1G)   (2,903 )   (2,067 )   (6,664 )    
 
Net expenses   4,812,577     3,383,673     10,265,862     3,034,901  
 
Net investment income (loss)   4,261,759     4,384,153     9,287,357     (393,267 )
 
Realized and Unrealized Gain (Loss) on Investments                        
and Foreign Currency Transactions (Note 2):                        
Net realized gain (loss) on:                        
Investments   17,981,607     12,358,732     61,333,579     6,697,783  
Foreign currency transactions               (70,109 )
 
Net realized gain on investments and                        
foreign currency transactions   17,981,607     12,358,732     61,333,579     6,627,674  
 
Net unrealized appreciation of investments and                        
foreign currency transactions   10,979,633     5,737,553     28,072,557     27,270,723  
Net gain on investments and foreign currency transactions   28,961,240     18,096,285     89,406,136     33,898,397  
 
Net Increase in Net Assets Resulting from Operations $ 33,222,999   $ 22,480,438   $ 98,693,493   $ 33,505,130  



(a) Net of $10,048 foreign taxes withheld


(b) Net of $18,553 foreign taxes withheld


(c) Net of $37,708 foreign taxes withheld


(d) Net of $114,340 foreign taxes withheld

142 See notes to financial statements 143

 



Statements of Operations
FIRST INVESTORS EQUITY FUNDS
Year Ended March 31, 2015

 
    SELECT         SPECIAL        
    GROWTH   OPPORTUNITY     SITUATIONS      INTERNATIONAL  
Investment Income                      
Dividends $ 2,950,159 $ 6,383,729   $ 3,465,693   $ 2,268,471 (e)
Interest   1,338   7,960     1,373     1,140  
 
Total income   2,951,497   6,391,689     3,467,066     2,269,611  
 
Expenses (Notes 1 and 3):                      
Advisory fees   1,472,150   3,173,152     1,953,753     1,165,903  
Distribution plan expenses – Class A   528,360   1,254,144     662,177     293,505  
Distribution plan expenses – Class B   24,509   58,932     21,580     13,154  
Shareholder servicing costs – Class A   293,481   612,717     385,660     230,567  
Shareholder servicing costs – Class B   6,078   13,321     6,485     4,769  
Shareholder servicing costs – Advisor Class   9,762   33,117     27,798     31,209  
Shareholder servicing costs – Institutional Class   519   604     887     353  
Professional fees   19,996   37,715     27,247     22,091  
Custodian fees   6,334   16,699     14,387     103,694  
Registration fees   27,026   32,248     39,000     26,876  
Reports to shareholders   11,618   24,086     15,559     12,091  
Trustees’ fees   9,929   22,880     12,196     5,829  
Other expenses   15,001   44,326     29,904     20,494  
 
Total expenses   2,424,763   5,323,941     3,196,633     1,930,535  
Less: Expenses waived (Note 3)         (29,283 )    
Expenses paid indirectly (Note 1G)     (3,201 )   (1,736 )    
 
Net expenses   2,424,763   5,320,740     3,165,614     1,930,535  
 
Net investment income   526,734   1,070,949     301,452     339,076  
 
Realized and Unrealized Gain (Loss) on Investments                      
and Foreign Currency Transactions (Note 2):                      
Net realized gain (loss) on:                      
Investments   43,233,922   45,163,998     16,752,896     (1,314,000 )
Foreign currency transactions             7,071  
 
Net realized gain (loss) on investments                      
and foreign currency transactions   43,233,922   45,163,998     16,752,896     (1,306,929 )
 
Net unrealized appreciation of investments and                      
foreign currency transactions   2,283,354   39,446,940     35,041,243     3,664,117  
 
Net gain on investments and foreign currency transactions   45,517,276   84,610,938     51,794,139     2,357,188  
 
Net Increase in Net Assets Resulting from Operations $ 46,044,010 $ 85,681,887   $ 52,095,591   $ 2,696,264  

(e) Net of $254,349 foreign taxes withheld

144 See notes to financial statements 145

 



Statements of Changes in Net Assets
FIRST INVESTORS INCOME FUNDS

 
                LIMITED DURATION HIGH                          
    CASH MANAGEMENT     QUALITY BOND     GOVERNMENT     INVESTMENT GRADE  
    10/1/2014 to   10/1/2013 to   10/1/2014 to   5/19/2014 to   10/1/2014 to   10/1/2013 to   10/1/2014 to   10/1/2013 to
    3/31/2015     9/30/2014     3/31/2015     9/30/2014 *   3/31/2015     9/30/2014     3/31/2015     9/30/2014  
 
Increase (Decrease) in Net Assets From Operations                                                
Net investment income $   $   $ 81,480   $ 28,328   $ 2,823,747   $ 6,379,840   $ 8,009,355   $ 17,649,460  
Net realized gain (loss) on investments           (5,507 )   1,982     1,911,825     (19,344 )   2,337,210     13,046,431  
Net unrealized appreciation (depreciation) of investments           401,918     (92,983 )   2,690,078     (259,062 )   6,318,835     (206,910 )
 
Net increase (decrease) in net assets resulting                                                
from operations           477,891     (62,673 )   7,425,650     6,101,434     16,665,400     30,488,981  
Dividends to Shareholders                                                
Net investment income – Class A           (138,595 )   (30,500 )   (3,271,920 )   (7,662,961 )   (9,411,855 )   (20,331,273 )
Net investment income – Class B           N/A     N/A     (22,499 )   (62,062 )   (73,454 )   (179,088 )
Net investment income – Advisor Class   N/A     N/A     (288,342 )   (28,533 )   (443,513 )   (480,975 )   (970,890 )   (1,094,669 )
Net investment income – Institutional Class           (52,353 )   (64,687 )   (116,435 )   (198,725 )   (527,839 )   (750,388 )
 
Total dividends           (479,290 )   (123,720 )   (3,854,367 )   (8,404,723 )   (10,984,038 )   (22,355,418 )
 
Share Transactions                                                
Class A:                                                
Proceeds from shares sold   87,082,041     211,817,957     10,591,352     13,237,212     11,248,523     45,726,997     32,265,938     81,171,489  
Reinvestment of dividends           136,864     30,054     3,085,193     7,192,044     8,786,400     18,921,205  
Cost of shares redeemed   (93,408,909 )   (234,002,418 )   (1,237,113 )   (4,316,496 )   (25,398,627 )   (116,060,110 )   (40,513,394 )   (176,833,988 )
 
    (6,326,868 )   (22,184,461 )   9,491,103     8,950,770     (11,064,911 )   (63,141,069 )   538,944     (76,741,294 )
Class B:                                                
Proceeds from shares sold   267,333     697,875     N/A     N/A     151,612     276,364     300,936     479,354  
Reinvestment of dividends           N/A     N/A     21,459     58,547     71,091     171,931  
Cost of shares redeemed   (279,451 )   (864,912 )   N/A     N/A     (635,854 )   (1,768,116 )   (1,045,981 )   (2,158,463 )
 
    (12,118 )   (167,037 )   N/A     N/A     (462,783 )   (1,433,205 )   (673,954 )   (1,507,178 )
 
Advisor Class:                                                
Proceeds from shares sold   N/A     N/A     7,373,404     25,824,235     9,339,425     52,153,063     12,472,056     71,243,411  
Reinvestment of dividends   N/A     N/A     287,977     28,441     441,169     474,247     963,274     1,078,449  
Cost of shares redeemed   N/A     N/A     (872,407 )   (146,922 )   (3,021,138 )   (18,897,640 )   (5,720,544 )   (27,970,711 )
 
    N/A     N/A     6,788,974     25,705,754     6,759,456     33,729,670     7,714,786     44,351,149  
 
Institutional Class:                                                
Proceeds from shares sold   750,310     3,463,169     3,912,717     11,067,703     7,546,457     9,215,018     4,079,410     16,142,663  
Reinvestment of dividends           8,576     29,424     33,665     16,394     125,226     70,885  
Cost of shares redeemed   (192,139 )   (868,792 )   (2,927,339 )   (5,882,438 )   (5,561,397 )   (3,085,830 )   (31,415 )   (3,456,464 )
 
    558,171     2,594,377     993,954     5,214,689     2,018,725     6,145,582     4,173,221     12,757,084  
 
Net increase (decrease) from share transactions   (5,780,815 )   (19,757,121 )   17,274,031     39,871,213     (2,749,513 )   (24,699,022 )   11,752,997     (21,140,239 )
 
Net increase (decrease) in net assets   (5,780,815 )   (19,757,121 )   17,272,632     39,684,820     821,770     (27,002,311 )   17,434,359     (13,006,676 )
 
Net Assets                                                
Beginning of period   111,087,098     130,844,219     39,684,820         337,635,444     364,637,755     546,436,112     559,442,788  
 
End of period† $ 105,306,283   $ 111,087,098   $ 56,957,452   $ 39,684,820   $ 338,457,214   $ 337,635,444   $ 563,870,471   $ 546,436,112  
 
†includes undistributed net investment income (deficit) of $   $   $ (476,484 ) $ (78,674 ) $ (873,132 ) $ 157,488   $ (10,172,628 ) $ (7,197,945 )

*From May 19, 2014 (commencement of operations) to September 30, 2014.

146 See notes to financial statements 147

 



Statements of Changes in Net Assets
FIRST INVESTORS INCOME FUNDS

 
          LIMITED DURATION HIGH                  
  CASH MANAGEMENT   QUALITY BOND   GOVERNMENT   INVESTMENT GRADE  
  10/1/2014 to 10/1/2013 to 10/1/2014 to 5/19/2014 to 10/1/2014 to 10/1/2013 to 10/1/2014 to 10/1/2013 to
  3/31/2015   9/30/2014   3/31/2015   9/30/2014 * 3/31/2015   9/30/2014   3/31/2015   9/30/2014  
 
Shares Issued and Redeemed                                
Class A:                                
Sold 87,082,041   211,817,957   1,070,923   1,329,865   1,027,962   4,190,804   3,229,915   8,191,662  
Issued for dividends reinvested     13,841   3,032   281,499   659,440   877,354   1,903,981  
Redeemed (93,408,909 ) (234,002,418 ) (125,159 ) (431,483 ) (2,321,155 ) (10,645,942 ) (4,054,937 ) (17,813,078 )
 
Net increase (decrease) in Class A shares outstanding (6,326,868 ) (22,184,461 ) 959,605   901,414   (1,011,694 ) (5,795,698 ) 52,332   (7,717,435 )
 
Class B:                                
Sold 267,333   697,875   N/A   N/A   13,843   25,432   30,355   48,509  
Issued for dividends reinvested     N/A   N/A   1,963   5,382   7,140   17,366  
Redeemed (279,451 ) (864,912 ) N/A   N/A   (58,158 ) (162,492 ) (105,174 ) (218,455 )
 
Net decrease in Class B shares outstanding (12,118 ) (167,037 ) N/A   N/A   (42,352 ) (131,678 ) (67,679 ) (152,580 )
 
Advisor Class:                                
Sold N/A   N/A   743,695   2,599,761   853,680   4,795,733   1,247,733   7,160,663  
Issued for dividends reinvested N/A   N/A   29,022   2,870   40,255   43,538   96,082   107,780  
Redeemed N/A   N/A   (88,006 ) (14,815 ) (276,145 ) (1,736,298 ) (572,270 ) (2,799,465 )
 
Net increase in Advisor Class shares outstanding N/A   N/A   684,711   2,587,816   617,790   3,102,973   771,545   4,468,978  
 
Institutional Class:                                
Sold 750,310   3,463,169   394,633   1,106,791   688,867   842,500   408,023   1,630,886  
Issued for dividends reinvested     864   2,954   3,054   1,499   12,475   7,117  
Redeemed (192,139 ) (868,792 ) (295,392 ) (592,988 ) (506,054 ) (282,544 ) (3,132 ) (349,768 )
 
Net increase in Institutional Class shares outstanding 558,171   2,594,377   100,105   516,757   185,867   561,455   417,366   1,288,235  

*From May 19, 2014 (commencement of operations) to September 30, 2014.

148 See notes to financial statements 149

 



Statements of Changes in Net Assets
FIRST INVESTORS INCOME FUNDS

 
                INTERNATIONAL     FLOATING     FUND FOR  
    STRATEGIC INCOME     OPPORTUNITIES BOND     RATE     INCOME  
    10/1/2014 to   10/1/2013 to   10/1/2014 to   10/1/2013 to   10/1/2014 to   10/21/2013 to   10/1/2014 to   10/1/2013 to
    3/31/2015     9/30/2014     3/31/2015     9/30/2014     3/31/2015     9/30/2014 *   3/31/2015     9/30/2014  
Increase (Decrease) in Net Assets From Operations                                                
Net investment income $ 1,980,613   $ 2,423,869   $ 190,049   $ 2,313,398   $ 1,385,894   $ 1,492,165   $ 16,406,915   $ 33,051,834  
Net realized gain (loss) on investments, affiliate and                                                
foreign currency transactions   30,582     697,928     251,873     (270,864 )   (1,599,128 )   (7,835 )   (8,427,540 )   6,767,267  
Capital gain distributions from affiliate (Note 2)   274,361     100,350                          
Net unrealized appreciation (depreciation) of investments, affiliate                                                
and foreign currency transactions   (1,155,839 )   (665,576 )   (4,007,614 )   535,302     346,654     (924,272 )   (1,768,263 )   (3,544,808 )
Net increase (decrease) in net assets resulting                                                
from operations   1,129,717     2,556,571     (3,565,692 )   2,577,836     133,420     560,058     6,211,112     36,274,293  
Distributions to Shareholders                                                
Net investment income – Class A   (1,982,968 )   (2,130,034 )   (1,150,963 )   (2,397,230 )   (793,290 )   (1,126,276 )   (15,691,737 )   (34,202,186 )
Net investment income – Class B   N/A     N/A     N/A     N/A     N/A     N/A     (92,323 )   (227,682 )
Net investment income – Advisor Class   (6,567 )   (7,391 )   (560,823 )   (280,534 )   (619,425 )   (486,626 )   (905,154 )   (807,661 )
Net investment income – Institutional Class   N/A     N/A     (270,798 )   (289,799 )   (99,081 )   (108,512 )   (1,292,430 )   (1,802,302 )
Net realized gains – Class A   (801,079 )   (22,344 )                        
Net realized gains – Class B   N/A     N/A     N/A     N/A     N/A     N/A          
Net realized gains – Advisor Class   (2,497 )   (63 )                        
Net realized gains – Institutional Class   N/A     N/A                          
Total distributions   (2,793,111 )   (2,159,832 )   (1,982,584 )   (2,967,563 )   (1,511,796 )   (1,721,414 )   (17,981,644 )   (37,039,831 )
Share Transactions                                                
Class A:                                                
Proceeds from shares sold   25,776,370     61,761,010     6,607,537     22,197,260     9,107,572     84,453,964     31,770,067     88,358,374  
Reinvestment of distributions   2,706,883     2,063,899     1,107,905     2,306,579     770,493     1,080,800     13,498,692     29,346,065  
Cost of shares redeemed   (6,895,735 )   (10,026,335 )   (6,460,984 )   (43,936,569 )   (3,945,671 )   (34,565,629 )   (46,131,982 )   (144,333,701 )
    21,587,518     53,798,574     1,254,458     (19,432,730 )   5,932,394     50,969,135     (863,223 )   (26,629,262 )
Class B:                                                
Proceeds from shares sold   N/A     N/A     N/A     N/A     N/A     N/A     197,750     920,956  
Reinvestment of dividends   N/A     N/A     N/A     N/A     N/A     N/A     71,972     182,565  
Cost of shares redeemed   N/A     N/A     N/A     N/A     N/A     N/A     (882,191 )   (1,414,505 )
    N/A     N/A     N/A     N/A     N/A     N/A     (612,469 )   (310,984 )
Advisor Class:                                                
Proceeds from shares sold   143,561     455,009     11,682,531     37,423,299     9,759,635     39,741,189     8,935,014     41,261,269  
Reinvestment of distributions   9,033     7,328     558,550     276,872     616,793     478,322     881,330     784,845  
Cost of shares redeemed   (99,406 )   (140,379 )   (1,768,114 )   (3,255,720 )   (2,101,568 )   (4,793,984 )   (4,403,384 )   (9,955,691 )
    53,188     321,958     10,472,967     34,444,451     8,274,860     35,425,527     5,412,960     32,090,423  
Institutional Class:                                                
Proceeds from shares sold   N/A     N/A     3,051,439     12,728,446     1,016,939     5,506,088     6,493,709     25,179,719  
Reinvestment of dividends   N/A     N/A     56,784     15,013     21,248     6,590     294,317     157,410  
Cost of shares redeemed   N/A     N/A     (42,658 )   (3,462,799 )   (68,892 )   (113,423 )   (141,218 )   (521,931 )
    N/A     N/A     3,065,565     9,280,660     969,295     5,399,255     6,646,808     24,815,198  
Net increase from share transactions   21,640,706     54,120,532     14,792,990     24,292,381     15,176,549     91,793,917     10,584,076     29,965,375  
Net increase (decrease) in net assets   19,977,312     54,517,271     9,244,714     23,902,654     13,798,173     90,632,561     (1,186,456 )   29,199,837  
Net Assets                                                
Beginning of period   101,862,731     47,345,460     130,063,116     106,160,462     90,632,561         700,379,893     671,180,056  
End of period† $ 121,840,043   $ 101,862,731   $ 139,307,830   $ 130,063,116   $ 104,430,734   $ 90,632,561   $ 699,193,437   $ 700,379,893  
 
†Includes undistributed net investment income (deficit) of $ 301,826   $ 310,748   $ (2,644,743 ) $ (852,208 ) $ (323,168 ) $ (197,266 ) $ (6,362,510 ) $ (4,787,781 )

*From October 21, 2013 (commencement of operations) to September 30, 2014.

150 See notes to financial statements 151

 



Statements of Changes in Net Assets
FIRST INVESTORS INCOME FUNDS

 
          INTERNATIONAL           FUND FOR  
  STRATEGIC INCOME   OPPORTUNITIES BOND    FLOATING RATE    INCOME  
  10/1/2014 to 10/1/2013 to 10/1/2014 to 10/1/2013 to 10/1/2014 to 10/21/2013 to 10/1/2014 to 10/1/2013 to
  3/31/2015   9/30/2014    3/31/2015   9/30/2014   3/31/2015    9/30/2014 * 3/31/2015   9/30/2014  
 
Shares Issued and Redeemed                                
Class A:                                
Sold 2,612,693   6,172,502   682,491   2,244,112   933,433   8,442,630   12,422,196   33,280,697  
Issued for distributions reinvested 275,483   205,859   114,347   232,553   79,162   108,155   5,275,963   11,057,224  
Redeemed (699,905 ) (1,001,182 ) (668,835 ) (4,410,954 ) (405,582 ) (3,451,146 ) (18,054,305 ) (54,349,959 )
 
Net increase (decrease) in Class A shares outstanding 2,188,271   5,377,179   128,003   (1,934,289 ) 607,013   5,099,639   (356,146 ) (10,012,038 )
 
Class B:                                
Proceeds from shares sold N/A   N/A   N/A   N/A   N/A   N/A   78,104   347,575  
Issued for dividends reinvested N/A   N/A   N/A   N/A   N/A   N/A   28,175   68,849  
Cost of shares redeemed N/A   N/A   N/A   N/A   N/A   N/A   (344,803 ) (533,762 )
 
Net decrease in Class B shares outstanding N/A   N/A   N/A   N/A   N/A   N/A   (238,524 ) (117,338 )
 
Advisor Class:                                
Proceeds from shares sold 14,547   45,636   1,216,303   3,729,318   1,001,358   3,969,777   3,489,025   15,465,806  
Issued for distributions reinvested 921   731   57,633   27,485   63,362   47,955   344,433   295,797  
Cost of shares redeemed (10,048 ) (13,949 ) (182,386 ) (321,028 ) (215,569 ) (480,441 ) (1,717,489 ) (3,758,058 )
 
Net increase in Advisor Class shares outstanding 5,420   32,418   1,091,550   3,435,775   849,151   3,537,291   2,115,969   12,003,545  
 
Institutional Class:                                
Sold N/A   N/A   313,807   1,267,310   104,523   551,165   2,516,732   9,477,561  
Issued for dividends reinvested N/A   N/A   5,957   1,506   2,187   661   114,811   59,086  
Redeemed N/A   N/A   (4,368 ) (359,024 ) (7,052 ) (11,376 ) (55,105 ) (195,720 )
 
Net increase in Institutional Class shares outstanding N/A   N/A   315,396   909,792   99,658   540,450   2,576,438   9,340,927  

*From October 21, 2013 (commencement of operations) to September 30, 2014.

152 See notes to financial statements 153

 



Statements of Changes in Net Assets
FIRST INVESTORS EQUITY FUNDS

 
    TOTAL RETURN     EQUITY INCOME     GROWTH & INCOME     GLOBAL  
    10/1/2014 to   10/1/2013 to   10/1/2014 to   10/1/2013 to   10/1/2014 to   10/1/2013 to   10/1/2014 to   10/1/2013 to
    3/31/2015     9/30/2014     3/31/2015     9/30/2014     3/31/2015     9/30/2014     3/31/2015     9/30/2014  
 
Increase (Decrease) in Net Assets From Operations                                                
Net investment income (loss) $ 4,261,759   $ 8,407,620   $ 4,384,153   $ 7,244,968   $ 9,287,357   $ 14,016,507   $ (393,267 ) $ 239,972  
Net realized gain on investments and                                                
foreign currency transactions   17,981,607     25,772,693     12,358,732     30,301,068     61,333,579     70,159,616     6,627,674     79,139,149  
Net unrealized appreciation (depreciation) of investments and                                                
foreign currency transactions   10,979,633     35,444,536     5,737,553     33,659,925     28,072,557     156,112,611     27,270,723     (46,358,367 )
Net increase in net assets resulting                                                
from operations   33,222,999     69,624,849     22,480,438     71,205,961     98,693,493     240,288,734     33,505,130     33,020,754  
Distributions to Shareholders                                                
Net investment income – Class A   (5,908,026 )   (11,589,796 )   (4,425,754 )   (7,308,606 )   (8,390,324 )   (14,693,099 )       (1,571,087 )
Net investment income – Class B   (21,089 )   (84,218 )   (23,809 )   (33,822 )   (47,198 )            
Net investment income – Advisor Class   (11,293 )   (16,709 )   (350,412 )   (215,775 )   (895,726 )   (443,703 )        
Net investment income – Institutional Class   (82,990 )   (50,101 )   (83,040 )   (152,607 )   (63,335 )   (116,706 )        
Net realized gains – Class A   (26,531,506 )   (15,149,081 )   (23,687,499 )   (8,100,460 )   (74,526,500 )   (51,578,337 )   (57,930,649 )   (4,253,988 )
Net realized gains – Class B   (334,083 )   (229,503 )   (250,819 )   (105,356 )   (1,191,667 )   (937,957 )   (798,140 )   (67,698 )
Net realized gains – Advisor Class   (45,598 )   (24 )   (1,557,015 )   (18 )   (6,144,693 )   (37 )   (12,698,968 )   (15 )
Net realized gains – Institutional Class   (97,905 )   (53,776 )   (368,685 )   (129,941 )   (449,195 )   (270,881 )   (522,230 )   (35,709 )
Total distributions   (33,032,490 )   (27,173,208 )   (30,747,033 )   (16,046,585 )   (91,708,638 )   (68,040,720 )   (71,949,987 )   (5,928,497 )
 
Share Transactions                                                
Class A:                                                
Proceeds from shares sold   73,106,373     144,374,381     38,101,893     85,872,353     89,538,057     230,925,355     17,913,456     88,234,191  
Reinvestment of distributions   32,137,442     26,449,062     27,864,108     15,249,050     82,420,728     65,872,831     57,247,510     5,753,231  
Cost of shares redeemed   (49,274,460 )   (109,213,517 )   (37,256,401 )   (117,865,104 )   (112,002,724 )   (365,688,742 )   (20,030,988 )   (102,920,706 )
    55,969,355     61,609,926     28,709,600     (16,743,701 )   59,956,061     (68,890,556 )   55,129,978     (8,933,284 )
Class B:                                                
Proceeds from shares sold   511,214     1,484,620     267,587     623,623     891,838     2,413,322     315,453     441,711  
Reinvestment of distributions   355,159     313,625     273,435     139,178     1,236,146     936,712     796,759     67,598  
Cost of shares redeemed   (1,277,725 )   (2,589,358 )   (1,370,160 )   (2,039,550 )   (3,606,261 )   (8,384,142 )   (604,457 )   (1,222,951 )
    (411,352 )   (791,113 )   (829,138 )   (1,276,749 )   (1,478,277 )   (5,034,108 )   507,755     (713,642 )
Advisor Class:                                                
Proceeds from shares sold   286,070     2,798,827     10,743,044     38,036,716     31,432,727     133,528,089     18,485,254     73,936,631  
Reinvestment of distributions   55,393     15,483     1,899,859     214,429     7,015,324     440,632     12,687,159     15  
Cost of shares redeemed   (1,066,285 )   (733,664 )   (5,796,807 )   (7,273,987 )   (15,293,215 )   (16,342,521 )   (7,569,922 )   (9,881,401 )
    (724,822 )   2,080,646     6,846,096     30,977,158     23,154,836     117,626,200     23,602,491     64,055,245  
Institutional Class:                                                
Proceeds from shares sold   29,794,724     3,082,826     1,223,276     7,047,542     627,247     9,598,181     180,552     2,976,002  
Reinvestment of distributions   180,865     103,878     138,766     62,617     512,530     387,588     522,230     35,709  
Cost of shares redeemed   (281,156 )   (439,595 )   (39,094 )   (5,441,217 )   (315,733 )   (1,078,926 )   (203,484 )   (231,983 )
    29,694,433     2,747,109     1,322,948     1,668,942     824,044     8,906,843     499,298     2,779,728  
 
Net increase from share transactions   84,527,614     65,646,568     36,049,506     14,625,650     82,456,664     52,608,379     79,739,522     57,188,047  
Net increase in net assets   84,718,123     108,098,209     27,782,911     69,785,026     89,441,519     224,856,393     41,294,665     84,280,304  
 
Net Assets                                                
Beginning of period   782,361,461     674,263,252     556,261,748     486,476,722     1,791,202,135     1,566,345,742     406,030,963     321,750,659  
End of period† $ 867,079,584   $ 782,361,461   $ 584,044,659   $ 556,261,748   $ 1,880,643,654   $ 1,791,202,135   $ 447,325,628   $ 406,030,963  
 
†Includes undistributed net investment income (deficit) of $ (5,968,322 ) $ (4,206,683 ) $ 1,703,837   $ 2,202,699   $ 4,218,818   $ 4,328,044   $ (432,755 ) $ (39,488 )

 

154 See notes to financial statements 155

 



Statements of Changes in Net Assets
FIRST INVESTORS EQUITY FUNDS

 
  TOTAL RETURN   EQUITY INCOME   GROWTH & INCOME   GLOBAL  
  10/1/2014 to 10/1/2013 to 10/1/2014 to 10/1/2013 to 10/1/2014 to 10/1/2013 to 10/1/2014 to 10/1/2013 to
  3/31/2015   9/30/2014   3/31/2015   9/30/2014   3/31/2015   9/30/2014   3/31/2015   9/30/2014  
 
Shares Issued and Redeemed                                
Class A:                                
Sold 3,719,871   7,452,842   3,824,337   8,880,010   3,938,047   10,508,710   2,198,215   10,363,103  
Issued for distributions reinvested 1,663,882   1,370,681   2,857,022   1,572,760   3,697,341   2,994,974   7,684,229   669,759  
Redeemed (2,511,882 ) (5,641,693 ) (3,747,215 ) (12,182,540 ) (4,926,749 ) (16,660,016 ) (2,459,523 ) (12,264,036 )
 
Net increase (decrease) in Class A shares outstanding 2,871,871   3,181,830   2,934,144   (1,729,770 ) 2,708,639   (3,156,332 ) 7,422,921   (1,231,174 )
 
Class B:                                
Sold 26,556   78,340   27,522   65,461   42,037   117,647   44,939   60,567  
Issued for distributions reinvested 18,759   16,587   28,540   14,671   59,459   45,560   130,402   9,184  
Redeemed (66,730 ) (136,994 ) (140,446 ) (214,501 ) (169,888 ) (408,507 ) (87,768 ) (168,404 )
 
Net increase (decrease) in Class B shares outstanding (21,415 ) (42,067 ) (84,384 ) (134,369 ) (68,392 ) (245,300 ) 87,573   (98,653 )
 
Advisor Class:                                
Sold 14,564   143,455   1,079,732   3,918,285   1,373,730   6,074,233   2,229,655   8,758,177  
Issued for distributions reinvested 2,865   784   194,787   21,322   313,516   19,212   1,684,882   2  
Redeemed (54,418 ) (37,076 ) (581,831 ) (721,805 ) (675,801 ) (707,345 ) (935,709 ) (1,122,362 )
 
Net increase (decrease) in Advisor Class shares outstanding (36,989 ) 107,163   692,688   3,217,802   1,011,445   5,386,100   2,978,828   7,635,817  
 
Institutional Class:                                
Sold 1,495,912   164,468   122,583   742,515   27,809   458,273   22,468   365,617  
Issued for distributions reinvested 9,305   5,378   14,158   6,432   22,969   17,604   69,078   4,128  
Redeemed (14,332 ) (23,100 ) (3,974 ) (534,328 ) (14,062 ) (48,063 ) (25,253 ) (26,838 )
 
Net increase in Institutional Class shares outstanding 1,490,885   146,746   132,767   214,619   36,716   427,814   66,293   342,907  

 

156 See notes to financial statements 157

 



Statements of Changes in Net Assets
FIRST INVESTORS EQUITY FUNDS

    SELECT GROWTH     OPPORTUNITY     SPECIAL SITUATIONS     INTERNATIONAL  
    10/1/2014 to   10/1/2013 to   10/1/2014 to   10/1/2013 to   10/1/2014 to   10/1/2013 to   10/1/2014 to   10/1/2013 to
    3/31/2015     9/30/2014     3/31/2015     9/30/2014     3/31/2015     9/30/2014     3/31/2015     9/30/2014  
 
Increase (Decrease) in Net Assets From Operations                                                
Net investment income $ 526,734   $ 151,237   $ 1,070,949   $ 1,327,725   $ 301,452   $ 303,663   $ 339,076   $ 996,055  
Net realized gain (loss) on investments and                                                
foreign currency transactions   43,233,922     24,549,198     45,163,998     54,891,351     16,752,896     23,112,572     (1,306,929 )   4,446,110  

Net unrealized appreciation of investments and

                                               
foreign currency transactions   2,283,354     35,452,488     39,446,940     49,674,327     35,041,243     25,222,633     3,664,117     4,414,390  
Net increase in net assets resulting                                                
from operations   46,044,010     60,152,923     85,681,887     105,893,403     52,095,591     48,638,868     2,696,264     9,856,555  
Distributions to Shareholders                                                
Net investment income – Class A   (33,918 )   (137,030 )   (1,230,423 )   (3,087,350 )   (614,851 )       (712,515 )   (446,680 )
Net investment income – Class B                                
Net investment income – Advisor Class   (23,472 )       (78,489 )       (83,726 )       (140,252 )    
Net investment income – Institutional Class   (4,324 )       (18,948 )   (13,000 )   (33,545 )       (18,281 )    
Net realized gains – Class A           (53,444,769 )   (46,623,738 )   (22,889,551 )   (66,745,164 )        
Net realized gains – Class B           (913,751 )   (963,735 )   (282,955 )   (931,080 )        
Net realized gains – Advisor Class           (2,495,521 )   (73 )   (1,540,363 )   (179 )        
Net realized gains – Institutional Class           (255,417 )   (184,762 )   (307,598 )   (841,692 )        
 
Total distributions   (61,714 )   (137,030 )   (58,437,318 )   (50,872,658 )   (25,752,589 )   (68,518,115 )   (871,048 )   (446,680 )
 
Share Transactions                                                
Class A:                                                
Proceeds from shares sold   25,601,607     53,114,679     62,347,146     122,773,450     29,909,881     58,194,508     17,606,113     56,437,318  
Reinvestment of distributions   33,809     136,182     54,304,871     49,375,149     23,373,326     66,412,691     707,912     444,022  
Cost of shares redeemed   (26,142,377 )   (95,715,532 )   (52,269,887 )   (146,548,697 )   (27,016,823 )   (90,955,373 )   (13,353,927 )   (89,103,615 )
 
    (506,961 )   (42,464,671 )   64,382,130     25,599,902     26,266,384     33,651,826     4,960,098     (32,222,275 )
Class B:                                                
Proceeds from shares sold   277,273     386,548     466,277     1,414,422     214,396     380,874     99,497     324,644  
Reinvestment of distributions           913,334     960,343     282,325     930,707          
Cost of shares redeemed   (787,900 )   (1,717,261 )   (1,788,811 )   (4,831,017 )   (672,009 )   (1,382,358 )   (564,340 )   (755,235 )
 
    (510,627 )   (1,330,713 )   (409,200 )   (2,456,252 )   (175,288 )   (70,777 )   (464,843 )   (430,591 )
 
Advisor Class:                                                
Proceeds from shares sold   10,553,923     37,235,367     12,719,811     38,736,137     7,328,806     30,546,664     10,655,736     40,013,722  
Reinvestment of distributions   23,442         2,559,289     73     1,621,689     179     139,818      
Cost of shares redeemed   (7,201,608 )   (6,791,191 )   (6,123,913 )   (4,324,733 )   (3,270,383 )   (4,688,154 )   (4,361,850 )   (4,422,545 )
 
    3,375,757     30,444,176     9,155,187     34,411,477     5,680,112     25,858,689     6,433,704     35,591,177  
 
Institutional Class:                                                
Proceeds from shares sold   465,419     2,935,532     415,064     3,896,239     368,010     6,063,035     197,443     2,538,693  
Reinvestment of distributions   4,324         274,365     197,762     341,142     841,692     18,281      
Cost of shares redeemed   (221,386 )   (321,723 )   (388,798 )   (461,518 )   (369,783 )   (895,279 )   (284,827 )   (289,287 )
 
    248,357     2,613,809     300,631     3,632,483     339,369     6,009,448     (69,103 )   2,249,406  
 
Net increase (decrease) from share transactions   2,606,526     (10,737,399 )   73,428,748     61,187,610     32,110,577     65,449,186     10,859,856     5,187,717  
 
Net increase in net assets   48,588,822     49,278,494     100,673,317     116,208,355     58,453,579     45,569,939     12,685,072     14,597,592  
 
Net Assets                                                
Beginning of period   370,422,222     321,143,728     856,829,214     740,620,859     462,606,412     417,036,473     233,672,623     219,075,031  
 
End of period† $ 419,011,044   $ 370,422,222   $ 957,502,531   $ 856,829,214   $ 521,059,991   $ 462,606,412   $ 246,357,695   $ 233,672,623  
 
†Includes undistributed net investment income (deficit) of $ 526,156   $ 61,136   $ 1,070,814   $ 1,327,725   $ (127,007 ) $ 303,663   $ 310,917   $ 842,889  

 

158 See notes to financial statements 159

 



Statements of Changes in Net Assets
FIRST INVESTORS EQUITY FUNDS

 
  SELECT GROWTH   OPPORTUNITY   SPECIAL SITUATIONS   INTERNATIONAL  
  10/1/2014 to 10/1/2013 to 10/1/2014 to 10/1/2013 to 10/1/2014 to 10/1/2013 to 10/1/2014 to 10/1/2013 to
  3/31/2015   9/30/2014   3/31/2015   9/30/2014   3/31/2015   9/30/2014   3/31/2015   9/30/2014  
 
Shares Issued and Redeemed                                
Class A:                                
Sold 2,173,862   5,061,027   1,526,377   3,041,896   1,115,424   2,135,234   1,342,067   4,368,338  
Issued for distributions reinvested 2,865   13,057   1,372,375   1,233,146   892,453   2,538,712   54,835   34,908  
Redeemed (2,231,459 ) (9,110,597 ) (1,279,726 ) (3,653,483 ) (1,005,302 ) (3,369,616 ) (1,018,547 ) (6,840,847 )
 
Net increase (decrease) in Class A shares outstanding (54,732 ) (4,036,513 ) 1,619,026   621,559   1,002,575   1,304,330   378,355   (2,437,601 )
 
Class B:                                
Proceeds from shares sold 26,511   41,564   13,773   41,918   10,126   17,126   8,022   26,251  
Issued for distributions reinvested     28,077   28,599   13,685   44,235      
Cost of shares redeemed (75,736 ) (182,682 ) (53,015 ) (138,149 ) (31,798 ) (63,202 ) (45,405 ) (60,153 )
 
Net decrease in Class B shares outstanding (49,225 ) (141,118 ) (11,165 ) (67,632 ) (7,987 ) (1,841 ) (37,383 ) (33,902 )
 
Advisor Class:                                
Proceeds from shares sold 893,652   3,509,456   305,917   970,944   271,307   1,162,137   808,456   3,011,540  
Issued for distributions reinvested 1,978     64,159   2   61,802   7   10,772    
Cost of shares redeemed (612,295 ) (613,112 ) (149,449 ) (103,667 ) (121,682 ) (171,645 ) (331,595 ) (326,473 )
 
Net increase in Advisor Class shares outstanding 283,335   2,896,344   220,627   867,279   211,427   990,499   487,633   2,685,067  
 
Institutional Class:                                
Sold 39,202   307,236   10,208   99,807   13,708   214,447   14,990   200,933  
Issued for distributions reinvested 364     6,904   4,925   12,966   32,040   1,407    
Redeemed (18,167 ) (30,895 ) (9,400 ) (11,488 ) (13,641 ) (32,328 ) (21,546 ) (22,302 )
 
Net increase (decrease) in Institutional Class                                
shares outstanding 21,399   276,341   7,712   93,244   13,033   214,159   (5,149 ) 178,631  

 

160 See notes to financial statements 161

 



Notes to Financial Statements
FIRST INVESTORS INCOME FUNDS
FIRST INVESTORS EQUITY FUNDS
March 31, 2015

1. Significant Accounting Policies— First Investors Income Funds (“Income Funds”) and First Investors Equity Funds (“Equity Funds”), each a Delaware statutory trust (each a “Trust”, collectively, “the Trusts”), are registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940 (the “1940 Act”) as open-end management investment companies and operate as series funds. The Income Funds issue shares of beneficial interest in the Cash Management Fund, Limited Duration High Quality Bond Fund, Government Fund, Investment Grade Fund, Strategic Income Fund, International Opportunities Bond Fund, Floating Rate Fund and Fund For Income. The Equity Funds issue shares of beneficial interest in the Total Return Fund, Equity Income Fund (formerly Value Fund), Growth & Income Fund, Global Fund, Select Growth Fund, Opportunity Fund, Special Situations Fund and International Fund (each a “Fund”, collectively, “the Funds”). The Trusts account separately for the assets, liabilities and operations of each Fund. The objective of each Fund as of March 31, 2015, is as follows:

Cash Management Fund seeks to earn a high rate of current income consistent with the preservation of capital and maintenance of liquidity.

Limited Duration High Quality Bond Fund seeks current income consistent with low volatility of principal.

Government Fund seeks to achieve a significant level of current income which is consistent with security and liquidity of principal.

Investment Grade Fund seeks to generate a maximum level of income consistent with investment in investment grade debt securities.

Strategic Income Fund seeks a high level of current income.

International Opportunities Bond Fund seeks total return consisting of income and capital appreciation.

Floating Rate Fund seeks a high level of current income.

Fund For Income seeks high current income.

Total Return Fund seeks high, long-term total investment return consistent with moderate investment risk.

Equity Income Fund seeks total return.

Growth & Income Fund seeks long-term growth of capital and current income.

Global Fund seeks long-term capital growth.

Select Growth Fund seeks long-term growth of capital.

162

 



Opportunity Fund seeks long-term capital growth.

Special Situations Fund seeks long-term growth of capital.

International Fund primarily seeks long-term capital growth.

A. Security Valuation—Except as provided below, a security listed or traded on an exchange or the Nasdaq Stock Market is valued at its last sale price on the exchange or market where the security is principally traded, and lacking any sales, the security is valued at the mean between the closing bid and asked prices. Securities traded in the over-the-counter (“OTC”) market (including securities listed on exchanges whose primary market is believed to be OTC) are valued at the mean between the last bid and asked prices based on quotes furnished by a market maker for such securities or an authorized pricing service. Fixed income securities, other than short-term debt securities held by the Cash Management Fund, are priced based upon valuations that are provided by a pricing service. Other securities may also be priced based upon valuations that are provided by pricing services approved by the Trusts’ Board of Trustees (the “Board”). The pricing services consider security type, rating, market condition and yield data as well as market quotations, prices provided by market makers and other available information in determining value. The net asset value of the Strategic Income Fund is derived from the net asset values of the underlying Funds in which it invests.

The Funds monitor for significant events occurring prior to the close of trading on the New York Stock Exchange that could have a material impact on the value of any securities that are held by the Funds. Examples of such events include trading halts, natural disasters, political events and issuer-specific developments. If the Valuation Committee of First Investors Management Company, Inc. (“FIMCO”) decides that such events warrant using fair value estimates, it will take such events into consideration in determining the fair values of such securities. If market quotations or prices are not readily available or determined to be unreliable, the securities will be valued at fair value as determined in good faith pursuant to procedures adopted by the Board. The Funds also use estimates from a pricing service to fair value foreign equity securities in the event that fluctuation in U.S. securities markets exceed a predetermined level or if a foreign market is closed. For valuation purposes, where applicable, quotations of foreign securities in foreign currencies are translated to U.S. dollar equivalents using the foreign exchange quotation in effect. As of March 31, 2015, the Fund For Income held one security that was fair valued by FIMCO’s Valuation Committee with a value of $1,850,000 representing .26% of the Fund’s net assets and the Equity Income Fund held one security that was fair valued by FIMCO’s Valuation Committee with a value of $800,000 representing .14% of the Fund’s net assets.

163

 



Notes to Financial Statements (continued)
FIRST INVESTORS INCOME FUNDS
FIRST INVESTORS EQUITY FUNDS
March 31, 2015

The Cash Management Fund values its portfolio securities in accordance with the amortized cost method of valuation under Rule 2a-7 of the 1940 Act. Amortized cost is an approximation of market value of an instrument, whereby the difference between its acquisition cost and market value at maturity is amortized on a straight-line basis over the remaining life of the instrument. The effect of changes in the market value of a security as a result of fluctuating interest rates is not taken into account and thus the amortized cost method of valuation may result in the value of a security being higher or lower than its actual market value.

In accordance with Accounting Standards Codification 820 “Fair Value Measurements and Disclosures” (“ASC 820”), investments held by the Funds are carried at “fair value”. As defined by ASC 820, fair value is the price that a fund would receive upon selling an investment in an orderly transaction to an independent buyer in the principal or most advantageous market for the investment under current market conditions. Various inputs are used in determining the value of the fund’s investments.

In addition to defining fair value, ASC 820 established a three-tier hierarchy of inputs to establish a classification of fair value measurements for disclosure purposes. The three-tier hierarchy of inputs is summarized in the three broad Levels listed below:

Level 1 — Unadjusted quoted prices in active markets for identical securities 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 assumption about the assumptions a market participant would use in valuing the asset or liability, and would be based on the best information available.

Equity securities traded on an exchange or the Nasdaq Stock Market are categorized in Level 1 of the fair value hierarchy to the extent that they are actively traded and valuation adjustments are not applied. The underlying Funds in which Strategic Income Fund invests are also categorized in Level 1. Foreign securities that are fair valued in the event that fluctuations in U.S. securities markets exceed a predetermined level or if a foreign market is closed are categorized in Level 2. Variable and floating rate, corporate, sovereign and municipal bonds, asset backed,

164

 



U.S. Government and U.S. Government Agency securities, pass-through certificates and loan participations are categorized in Level 2 to the extent that the inputs are observable and timely, otherwise they would be categorized in Level 3. Short-term notes that are valued at amortized cost by the Cash Management Fund are categorized in Level 2. Foreign exchange contracts that are considered derivative instruments and are valued at the net unrealized appreciation or depreciation on the instruments are categorized in Level 2. Restricted securities and securities that are fair valued by the Valuation Committee may be categorized in either Level 2 or Level 3 of the fair value hierarchy depending on the relative significance of the unobservable valuation inputs.

The aggregate value by input level, as of March 31, 2015, for each Fund’s investments is included following each Fund’s portfolio of investments.

B. Federal Income Taxes—No provision has been made for federal income taxes on net income or capital gains since it is the policy of each Fund to continue to comply with the special provisions of the Internal Revenue Code applicable to investment companies, and to make sufficient distributions of income and capital gains (in excess of any available capital loss carryovers) to relieve it from all, or substantially all, such taxes. At September 30, 2014, capital loss carryovers were as follows:

                            Capital Loss Carryovers
                            Not Subject
        Year Capital Loss Carryovers Expire   to Expiration
                            Long   Short
Fund   Total   2015   2016   2017   2018   2019   Term   Term
Limited Duration High                                
Quality Bond $ 14,313 $ $ $ $ $ $ $ 14,313
Government   13,380,639   1,909,473   1,063,550       40,595     10,367,021
Investment Grade   4,459,556       4,459,556        
International                                
Opportunities Bond   305,637               305,637
Fund For Income   162,249,813   22,644,089   5,033,118   23,949,720   110,622,886      
Select Growth   6,696,515         6,696,515      
International   21,818,565         19,627,323   2,191,242    

As a result of the passage of the Regulated Investment Company Modernization Act of 2010 (“the Modernization Act of 2010”), losses incurred in fiscal year 2010 and beyond retain their character as short-term or long-term, have no expiration date and are utilized prior to capital loss carryovers occurring prior to the enactment of the Modernization Act of 2010.

The Funds recognize the tax benefits of uncertain tax positions only where the position is “more likely than not” to be sustained assuming examination by tax

165

 



Notes to Financial Statements (continued)
FIRST INVESTORS INCOME FUNDS
FIRST INVESTORS EQUITY FUNDS
March 31, 2015

authorities. Management has analyzed the Funds’ tax positions and has concluded that no liability for unrecognized tax benefits should be recorded related to uncertain tax positions taken on returns filed for open tax years 2012–2014, or expected to be taken in the Funds’ 2015 tax returns. The Funds identify their major tax jurisdictions as U.S. Federal, New York State, New York City and foreign jurisdictions where the Funds make significant investments; however, the Funds are not aware of any tax position for which it is reasonably possible that the total amounts of unrecognized tax benefits will change materially in the next twelve months.

C. Distributions to Shareholders—Dividends from net investment income of the Limited Duration High Quality Bond Fund, Government Fund, Investment Grade Fund, Strategic Income Fund, International Opportunities Bond Fund, Floating Rate Fund and Fund For Income are generally declared daily and paid monthly. The Cash Management Fund declares distributions, if any, daily and pays distributions monthly. Distributions are declared from the total of net investment income plus or minus all realized short-term gains and losses on investments. Dividends from net investment income, if any, of Total Return Fund, Equity Income Fund and Growth & Income Fund are declared and paid quarterly. Dividends from net investment income, if any, of Global Fund, Select Growth Fund, Opportunity Fund, Special Situations Fund and International Fund are declared and paid annually. Distributions from net realized capital gains, if any, of each of the Funds are normally declared and paid annually. Income dividends and capital gain distributions are determined in accordance with income tax regulations which may differ from accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America. These differences are primarily due to differing treatments for capital loss carryforwards, deferral of wash sales losses, post-October capital losses, late loss deferrals, net operating losses and foreign currency transactions.

D. Expense Allocation—Expenses directly charged or attributable to a Fund are paid from the assets of that Fund. General expenses of the Trusts are allocated among and charged to the assets of each Fund on a fair and equitable basis, which may be based on the relative assets of each Fund or the nature of the services performed and relative applicability to each Fund.

E. Use of Estimates—The preparation of the financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenue and expense during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates.

166

 



F. Foreign Currency Translations—The accounting records of International Opportunities Bond Fund, Global Fund and International Fund are maintained in U.S. dollars. Portfolio securities and other assets and liabilities denominated in foreign currencies are translated to U.S. dollars at the date of valuation. Purchases and sales of investment securities, dividend income and certain expenses are translated to U.S. dollars at the rates of exchange prevailing on the respective dates of such transactions.

International Opportunities Bond Fund, Global Fund and International Fund do not isolate that portion of gains and losses on investments which is due to changes in foreign exchange rates from that which is due to changes in market prices of the investments. These changes are included with the net realized and unrealized gains and losses from investments.

Net realized and unrealized gains and losses on foreign currency transactions include gains and losses from the sales of foreign currency and gains and losses on accrued foreign dividends and related withholding taxes.

G. Other—Security transactions are generally accounted for on the first business day following the date the securities are purchased or sold, except for financial reporting purposes, which is trade date. Investments in securities issued on a when-issued or delayed delivery basis are generally reflected in the assets of the Funds on the first business day following the date the securities are purchased and the Funds segregate assets for these transactions. Cost of securities is determined and gains and losses are based on the identified cost basis for both financial statement and federal income tax purposes. Dividend income is recorded on the ex-dividend date or for certain foreign dividends, as soon as the Fund becomes aware of the dividends. Interest income and estimated expenses are accrued daily. Bond discounts and premiums are accreted or amortized using the interest method. Withholding taxes on foreign dividends have been provided in accordance with the Funds’ understanding of the applicable country’s tax rules and rates. The Bank of New York Mellon serves as custodian for the Funds and may provide credits against custodian charges based on uninvested cash balance of the Funds. For the six months ended March 31, 2015, the Funds received credits in the amount of $2,863. For the period October 1, 2014 through March 15, 2015, Brown Brothers Harriman & Co. served as custodian for the Strategic Income Fund, the International Opportunities Bond Fund, Total Return Fund, Equity Income Fund, Growth & Income Fund, Global Fund, Select Growth Fund, Opportunity Fund, Special Situations Fund and International Fund. As of March 16, 2015, The Bank of New York Mellon serves as custodian for all the Funds. Certain of the Equity Funds reduced expenses through brokerage service arrangements. For the six months ended March 31, 2015, expenses were reduced by a total of $16,571 for certain of the Equity Funds under these arrangements.

167

 



Notes to Financial Statements (continued)
FIRST INVESTORS INCOME FUNDS
FIRST INVESTORS EQUITY FUNDS
March 31, 2015

2. Security Transactions—For the six months ended March 31, 2015, purchases and sales of securities and long-term U.S. Government obligations (excluding U.S. Treasury bills, short-term securities and foreign currencies) were as follows:

            Long-Term U.S.
    Securities   Government Obligations
    Cost of   Proceeds   Cost of   Proceeds
Fund   Purchases   of Sales   Purchases   of Sales
Limited Duration                
High Quality Bond $ 26,150,372 $ 9,390,021 $ 4,286,825 $ 1,853,523
Government   88,067,875   127,247,598   55,391,183   18,358,839
Investment Grade   89,544,336   90,231,560   8,956,152  
Strategic Income   32,969,101   14,375,383    
International Opportunities Bond   34,710,859   22,043,813   12,388,737   7,354,505
Floating Rate   38,535,975   23,911,499    
Fund For Income   172,079,982   159,076,691    
Total Return   193,576,243   143,611,407   25,985,546   14,468,618
Equity Income   87,897,504   71,983,796    
Growth & Income   223,773,336   239,976,808    
Global   226,341,138   220,358,007    
Select Growth   126,271,668   126,421,744    
Opportunity   169,161,375   176,068,706    
Special Situations   109,830,331   104,553,741    
International   33,915,278   23,597,349    

 

168

 



At March 31, 2015, aggregate cost and net unrealized appreciation (depreciation) of securities for federal income tax purposes were as follows:

        Gross   Gross   Net Unrealized  
    Aggregate   Unrealized   Unrealized   Appreciation  
Fund   Cost   Appreciation   Depreciation   (Depreciation)  
 
Limited Duration                  
High Quality Bond $ 56,416,249 $ 123,274 $ 263,487 $ (140,213 )
Government   329,187,522   8,808,491   1,046,053   7,762,438  
Investment Grade   526,445,913   24,528,374   2,309,284   22,219,090  
Strategic Income   121,510,043   306,445   2,734,533   (2,428,088 )
International                  
Opportunities Bond   145,450,287   1,857,199   9,815,579   (7,958,380 )
Floating Rate   99,331,680   553,792   1,454,447   (900,655 )
Fund For Income   679,701,934   15,469,438   17,352,739   (1,883,301 )
Total Return   666,713,564   202,059,954   6,543,885   195,516,069  
Equity Income   424,371,878   161,246,763   5,875,477   155,371,286  
Growth & Income   1,146,973,439   746,640,347   18,817,972   727,822,375  
Global   390,652,478   57,719,413   4,819,451   52,899,962  
Select Growth   298,978,115   120,241,297   2,862,061   117,379,236  
Opportunity   599,551,634   369,584,505   12,366,083   357,218,422  
Special Situations   398,955,348   125,861,196   8,823,330   117,037,866  
International   189,698,998   58,753,696   5,311,009   53,442,687  

 

169

 



Notes to Financial Statements (continued)
FIRST INVESTORS INCOME FUNDS
FIRST INVESTORS EQUITY FUNDS
March 31, 2015

The Strategic Income Fund may invest in Institutional Class shares of the Cash Management Fund, Limited Duration High Quality Bond Fund, Government Fund, Investment Grade Fund, International Opportunities Bond Fund, Floating Rate Fund, Fund For Income, Equity Income Fund, Tax Exempt Income Fund and Tax Exempt Opportunities Fund. During the six months ended March 31, 2015, purchases and sales of shares, dividends, capital gain distributions received and realized gains (losses) recognized by Strategic Income Fund from investments in these Funds were as follows:

  Balance       Balance               Realized  
  of Shares       of Shares               Gain (Loss)  
  Held Purchases/ Sales/   Held   Value   Dividend   Capital Gain   on Security  
Fund 9/30/2014 Additions   Reductions   3/31/2015   3/31/2015   Income    Distributions   Transactions  
Equity Income 537,395 101,696   639,091 $ 6,314,223 $ 61,521 $ 274,361 $  
Floating Rate 511,753 103,991   615,744   5,978,873   94,888      
Fund For Income 15,394,099 2,526,082   17,920,181   45,875,664   1,212,377      
Government 930,033 685,087 (498,089 ) 1,117,031   12,320,846   108,776     33,825  
International                            
Opportunities Bond   1,554,759 311,766   1,866,525   17,713,324   260,757      
Investment Grade 2,069,648 406,707   2,476,355   24,862,608   490,320      
Limited Duration High                            
Quality Bond 512,318 389,534 (295,358 ) 606,494   6,016,417   51,354     (19,003 )
Tax Exempt Income 595,057 (595,057 )     56,739     15,760  
21,510,005 5,119,920  (1,388,504) 25,241,421 $ 119,081,955 $ 2,336,732 $  274,361 $ 30,582

The financial statements of each of the Funds in which Strategic Income Fund had investments as of March 31, 2015, are included within this report.

3. Advisory Fee and Other Transactions With Affiliates—Certain officers of the Trusts are officers of the Trusts’ investment adviser, FIMCO, their underwriter, First Investors Corporation (“FIC”) and their transfer agent, Administrative Data Management Corp. (“ADM”). Trustees of the Trusts who are not officers or directors of FIMCO or its affiliates are remunerated by the Funds. For the six months ended March 31, 2015, total trustees fees accrued by the Income Funds and Equity Funds amounted to $51,410 and $143,545, respectively.

The Investment Advisory Agreements provide as compensation to FIMCO for each Fund, an annual fee, payable monthly, at the following rates:

Cash Management Fund—.50% of the Fund’s average daily net assets. For the six months ended March 31, 2015, FIMCO has voluntarily waived the Fund’s entire advisory fee of $268,753 and assumed $242,829 of other Fund expenses to prevent a negative yield on the Fund’s shares.

170

 



Limited Duration High Quality Bond, Government and Investment Grade Funds—.66% on the first $500 million of each Fund’s average daily net assets, declining by .02% on each $500 million thereafter, down to .60% on average daily net assets over $1.5 billion. For the period six months ended March 31, 2015, FIMCO has waived, pursuant to an expense limitation agreement, $90,432 in advisory fees to limit the Limited Duration High Quality Bond Fund’s overall expense ratio (exclusive of certain expenses) to 1.05% on Class A shares, .75% on Advisor Class shares and .60% on Institutional Class shares. For the six months ended March 31, 2015, FIMCO has voluntarily waived $184,160, in advisory fees on Government Fund to limit the advisory fee to .55% of its average daily net assets. For the six months ended March 31, 2015, FIMCO has voluntarily waived $298,889 in advisory fees on Investment Grade Fund to limit the advisory fee to .55% of its average daily net assets.

Strategic Income Fund—.05% of the Fund’s average daily net assets.

Floating Rate Fund—.60% on the first $250 million of the Fund’s average daily net assets, .55% on the next $250 million, .50% on the next $500 million and .45% on the next $1 billion and .40% on average daily net assets over $2 billion. For the six months ended March 31, 2015, FIMCO has waived, pursuant to an expense limitation agreement, $99,651 in advisory fees to limit the Fund’s overall expense ratio (exclusive of certain expenses) to 1.10% on Class A shares, .90% on Advisor Class shares and .70% on Institutional Class shares.

International Opportunities Bond Fund and Fund For Income—.75% on the first $250 million of each Fund’s average daily net assets, .72% on the next $250 million, .69% on the next $250 million, .66% on the next $500 million, declining by .02% on each $500 million thereafter, down to .60% on average daily net assets over $2.25 billion. For the six months ended March 31, 2015, FIMCO has assumed, pursuant to an expense limitation agreement, $31,122 of expenses to limit the International Opportunities Bond Fund’s overall expense ratio (exclusive of certain expenses) to 1.30% on Class A shares. For the six months ended March 31, 2015, FIMCO has voluntarily waived $77,568 in advisory fees on Fund For Income to limit the advisory fee to .70% of its average daily net assets.

Total Return Fund—.75% on the first $300 million of the Fund’s average daily net assets, .70% on the next $200 million, .65% on the next $500 million, .60% on the next $1 billion, .55% on the next $1 billion, down to .50% on average daily net assets over $3 billion.

171

 



Notes to Financial Statements (continued)
FIRST INVESTORS INCOME FUNDS
FIRST INVESTORS EQUITY FUNDS
March 31, 2015

Equity Income, Growth & Income, Select Growth, and Opportunity Funds—.75% on the first $300 million of each Fund’s average daily net assets, .72% on the next $200 million, .69% on the next $250 million, .66% on the next $500 million, declining by .02% on each $500 million thereafter, down to .60% on average daily net assets over $2.25 billion.

Global Fund—.95% on the first $600 million, .92% on the next $400 million, .90% on the next $500 million and .88% on average daily net assets over $1.5 billion. For the six months ended March 31, 2015, FIMCO has voluntarily waived $106,245 in advisory fees to limit the advisory fee to .90% of the Fund’s average daily net assets.

Special Situations Fund—.90% on the first $200 million of the Fund’s average daily net assets, .75% on the next $300 million, .72% on the next $250 million, .69% on the next $250 million, .66% on the next $500 million and .64% on average daily net assets over $1.5 billion. For the six months ended March 31, 2015, FIMCO has voluntarily waived $29,283 in advisory fees to limit the advisory fee to .80% of the Fund’s average daily net assets.

International Fund—.98% on the first $300 million of the Fund’s average daily net assets, .95% on the next $300 million, .92% on the next $400 million, .90% on the next $500 million and .88% on average daily net assets over $1.5 billion.

For the six months ended March 31, 2015, total advisory fees accrued to FIMCO by the Income Funds and Equity Funds were $6,674,843 and $20,898,759, respectively, of which $1,050,575 and $135,528, respectively, was voluntarily waived by FIMCO as noted above.

FIMCO has entered into an expense limitation agreement with the Limited Duration High Quality Bond Fund (“LDHQ”) to limit LDHQ’s total annual fund operating expenses (exclusive of interest expenses, taxes, brokerage commissions, acquired fund fees and expenses, dividend costs related to short sales, and extraordinary expenses, such as litigation expenses, if any) to 1.05% of the average daily net assets on Class A shares, .75% of the average daily net assets on Advisor Class shares and .60% of the average daily net assets on Institutional Class shares. The agreement expires on January 31, 2016. For the six months ended March 31, 2015, FIMCO assumed $90,432, under the terms of the agreement. FIMCO and LDHQ have agreed that any expenses of LDHQ assumed by FIMCO pursuant to this agreement be repaid to FIMCO by LDHQ within three years after the date the fee limitation and/or expense reimbursement has been made by FIMCO, provided that such repayment does not cause the expenses of LDHQ’s Class A shares, Advisor Class shares and Institutional Class shares to exceed the foregoing limits. For the period May 19, 2014 (commencement

172

 



of operations) to March 31, 2015, FIMCO assumed $233,580 under the terms of the agreement, of which $143,148 expires on September 30, 2017 and $90,432 expires on September 30, 2018. The expense limitation agreement may be terminated or amended prior to January 31, 2016, with the approval of the Board.

FIMCO had entered into an expense limitation agreement with the Strategic Income Fund (“SIF”) to limit SIF’s total annual fund operating expenses (exclusive of interest expenses, taxes, brokerage commissions, acquired fund fees and expenses, dividend costs related to short sales, and extraordinary expenses, such as litigation expenses, if any) to 1.30% of the average daily net assets on Class A shares and 1.00% of the average daily net assets on Advisor Class shares. The agreement expired on January 31, 2015. For the period October 1, 2014 through January 31, 2015, FIMCO did not have to assume any expenses of SIF.

FIMCO has entered into an expense limitation agreement with the International Opportunities Bond Fund (“IOBF”) to limit IOBF’s total annual fund operating expenses (exclusive of interest expenses, taxes, brokerage commissions, acquired fund fees and expenses, dividend costs related to short sales, and extraordinary expenses, such as litigation expenses, if any) to 1.30% of the average daily net assets on the Class A shares. The agreement expires on January 31, 2016. For the six months ended March 31, 2015, FIMCO assumed $31,122 under the terms of the agreement. FIMCO and IOBF have agreed that any expenses of IOBF assumed by FIMCO pursuant to this agreement be repaid to FIMCO by IOBF within three years after the date the fee limitation and/or expense reimbursement has been made by FIMCO, provided that such repayment does not cause the expenses of IOBF’s Class A shares to exceed the foregoing limits. For the period August 20, 2012 (commencement of operations) to March 31, 2015, the total organizational expenses and expenses incurred in excess of the above stated limitation was $632,359, of which $278,248 expires on September 30, 2015, $228,243 expires on September 30, 2016, $94,746 expires on September 30, 2017 and $31,122 expires on September 30, 2018. The expense limitation agreement may be terminated or amended prior to January 31, 2016, with the approval of the Board.

FIMCO has entered into an expense limitation agreement with the Floating Rate Fund (“FRF”) to limit FRF’s total annual fund operating expenses (exclusive of interest expenses, taxes, brokerage commissions, acquired fund fees and expenses, dividend costs related to short sales, and extraordinary expenses, such as litigation expenses, if any) to 1.10% of the average daily net assets on the Class A shares, .90% of the average daily net assets on Advisor Class shares and .70% of the average daily net assets on Institutional Class shares. The agreement expires on January 31,

173

 



Notes to Financial Statements (continued)
FIRST INVESTORS INCOME FUNDS
FIRST INVESTORS EQUITY FUNDS
March 31, 2015

2016. For the six months ended March 31, 2015, FIMCO assumed $99,651 under the terms of the agreement. FIMCO and FRF have agreed that any expenses of FRF assumed by FIMCO pursuant to this agreement be repaid to FIMCO by FRF within three years after the date the fee limitation and/or expense reimbursement has been made by FIMCO, provided that such repayment does not cause the expenses of FRF’s Class A shares, Advisor Class shares and Institutional Class shares to exceed the foregoing limits. For the period October 21, 2013 (commencement of operations) through March 31, 2015, FIMCO assumed $323,186 under the terms of the agreement, of which $223,535 expires on September 30, 2017 and $99,651 expires on September 30, 2018. The expense limitation agreement may be terminated or amended prior to January 31, 2016, with the approval of the Board.

For the six months ended March 31, 2015, FIC, as underwriter, received from the Income Funds and Equity Funds $3,210,512 and $11,672,534, respectively, in commissions in connection with the sale of shares of the Funds, after allowing $8,552 and $39,025, respectively, to other dealers. For the six months ended March 31, 2015, shareholder servicing costs for the Income Funds and Equity Funds included $1,444,116 and $3,646,503, respectively, in transfer agent fees accrued to ADM, of which $21,840 was voluntarily waived by ADM on the Cash Management Fund.

Pursuant to Distribution Plans adopted under Rule 12b-1 of the 1940 Act, each Fund, other than the Cash Management Fund, is authorized to pay FIC a fee up to .30% of the average daily net assets of the Class A shares and 1% of the average daily net assets of the Class B shares on an annualized basis each fiscal year, payable monthly. The Cash Management Fund is authorized to pay FIC a fee up to 1% of the average daily net assets of the Class B shares. The fee consists of a distribution fee and a service fee. The service fee is paid for the ongoing servicing of clients who are shareholders of that Fund. For the six months ended March 31, 2015, total distribution plan fees accrued to FIC by the Income Funds and Equity Funds amounted to $2,506,018 and $8,044,961, respectively.

Brandywine Global Investment Management, LLC, serves as investment subadviser to International Opportunities Bond Fund. Muzinich & Co., Inc., serves as investment subadviser to Floating Rate Fund and Fund For Income. Wellington Management Company, LLP serves as investment subadviser to Global Fund. Smith Asset Management Group, L.P. serves as investment subadviser to Select Growth Fund. Vontobel Asset Management, Inc. serves as investment subadviser to International Fund. The subadvisers are paid by FIMCO and not by the Funds.

174

 



4. Restricted Securities—Certain restricted securities are exempt from the registration requirements under Rule 144A of the Securities Act of 1933 and may only be sold to qualified institutional investors. Unless otherwise noted, these 144A securities are deemed to be liquid. At March 31, 2015, Limited Duration High Quality Bond Fund held four 144A securities with an aggregate value of $1,690,319 representing 3.0% of the Fund’s net assets, Investment Grade Fund held nineteen 144A securities with an aggregate value of $64,114,155 representing 11.4% of the Fund’s net assets, International Opportunities Bond Fund held four 144A securities with an aggregate value of $3,678,560 representing 2.6% of the Fund’s net assets, Floating Rate Fund held four 144A securities with an aggregate value of $1,535,575 representing 1.5% of the Fund’s net assets, Fund For Income held one hundred thirty-one 144A securities with an aggregate value of $266,071,464 representing 38.1% of the Fund’s net assets and Total Return Fund held seventeen 144A securities with an aggregate value of $20,463,063 representing 2.4% of the Fund’s net assets. Certain restricted securities are exempt from the registration requirements under Section 4(2) of the Securities Act of 1933 and may only be sold to qualified investors. Unless otherwise noted, these Section 4(2) securities are deemed to be liquid. At March 31, 2015, Cash Management Fund held seven Section 4(2) securities with an aggregate value of $25,496,220 representing 24.2% of the Fund’s net assets. These securities are valued as set forth in Note 1A.

5. Derivatives—Some of Funds may invest in derivatives such as futures contracts and options on futures contracts (“options”), to increase income, hedge against changes in interest rates or enhance potential return.

The Funds may enter into interest rate futures contracts on U.S. Treasury obligations and options thereon that are traded on a U.S. exchange. An interest rate futures contract provides for the future sale by one party and the purchase by another party of a specified amount of a particular financial instrument (debt security) at a specified price, date, time and place. Such investments may be used for, among other purposes, the purpose of hedging against changes in the value of a Fund’s portfolio securities due to anticipated changes in interest rates and market conditions. A public market exists for interest rate futures contracts covering a number of debt securities, including long-term U.S. Treasury Bonds, 10-year U.S. Treasury Notes and three-month U.S. Treasury Bills. No price is paid upon entering into futures contracts. Instead, upon entering into a futures contract, the Funds are required to deposit with their custodian in a segregated account in the name of the futures broker through which the transaction is effected an amount of cash or U.S. Government securities generally equal to 3%-5% or less of the contract value. This amount is known as “initial margin.”

175

 



Notes to Financial Statements (continued)
FIRST INVESTORS INCOME FUNDS
FIRST INVESTORS EQUITY FUNDS
March 31, 2015

An option on an interest rate futures contract generally gives the purchaser the right, in return for the premium paid, to assume a position in a futures contract at a specified exercise price at any time prior to the expiration date of the option. The Funds may purchase put and call options on interest rate futures contracts on U.S. Treasury obligations which are traded on a U.S. exchange as a hedge against changes in interest rates, and may enter into closing transactions with respect to such options to terminate existing positions. There is no guarantee such closing transactions can be effected. When writing a call or put option on a futures contract, margin also must be deposited in accordance with applicable exchange rules. Initial margin on futures contracts is in the nature of a performance bond or good-faith deposit that is returned to a Fund upon termination of the transaction, assuming all obligations have been satisfied. Under certain circumstances, such as periods of high volatility, a Fund may be required by an exchange to increase the level of its initial margin payment. Subsequent payments, called “variation margin,” to and from the broker, are made on a daily basis as the value of the futures position varies, a process known as “marking to market.” Variation margin does not involve borrowing to finance the futures transactions, but rather represents a daily settlement of a Fund’s obligation to or from a clearing organization. A Fund is also obligated to make initial and variation margin payments when it writes options on futures contracts.

To the extent that a Fund participates in the futures or options markets, it will incur investment risks and transaction costs to which it would not be subject absent the use of these strategies. The use of these strategies involves certain special risks, including: (1) dependence on the ability of the Funds’ investment adviser, FIMCO to predict correctly movements in the direction of interest rates and securities prices; (2) imperfect correlation between the price of futures contracts and options thereon and movements in the prices of the securities or currencies being hedged; (3) the fact that skills needed to use these strategies are different from those needed to select portfolio securities; (4) the leverage (if any) that is created by investing in the option or futures contract; and (5) the possible absence of a liquid secondary market for any particular instrument at any time. If FIMCO’s prediction of movements in the direction of the securities and interest rate markets is inaccurate, the adverse consequences to that Fund may leave it in a worse position than if such strategies were not used.

For the six months ended March 31, 2015, the Funds had no open investments in futures contracts or options.

6. High Yield Credit Risk—The investments of Floating Rate Fund and Fund For Income in high yield securities, whether rated or unrated, may be considered speculative and subject to greater market fluctuations and risks of loss of income and principal than lower-yielding, higher-rated, fixed-income securities. The risk of loss

176

 



due to default by the issuer may be significantly greater for holders of high-yielding securities, because such securities are generally unsecured and are often subordinated to other creditors of the issuer.

7. Foreign Exchange Contracts—The International Opportunities Bond Fund may enter into foreign exchange contracts for the purchase or sale of foreign currencies at negotiated rates at future dates. These contracts are considered derivative instruments and the Fund may invest in them in order to hedge its currency exposure in bond positions or to gain currency exposure held by the Fund. The Fund could be exposed to risk if counterparties to the contracts are unable to meet the terms of their contracts or if the value of the foreign currency changes unfavorably. Foreign exchange contracts are “marked-to-market” daily at the applicable translation rate and the resulting unrealized gains and losses are reflected in the Fund’s assets.

The International Opportunities Bond Fund had the following foreign exchange contracts open at March 31, 2015:

                  Unrealized  
  Settlement Foreign Receive           Appreciation  
Counterparty Date Currency (Deliver)   Asset   Liability   (Depreciation)  
 
HSBC 4/13/15 CLP 1,429,000,000   $2,288,231 $2,288,296 $         (65 )
Citibank 4/16/15 NZD (5,780,000 ) 4,433,260   4,321,140   112,120  
J.P. Morgan 4/23/15 IDR 57,120,000,000   4,368,642   4,469,581   (100,939 )
HSBC 5/8/15 CLP 1,840,900,000   2,947,798   2,913,739   34,059  
Citibank 5/12/15 EUR (3,150,000 ) 3,586,433   3,387,024   199,409  
Barclays Capital 5/13/15 KRW 6,266,000,000   5,647,844   5,673,238   (25,394 )
Barclays Capital 5/13/15 KRW (6,266,000,000 ) 5,706,740   5,647,844   58,896  
Morgan Stanley 5/14/15 AUD 990,000   754,033   775,635   (21,602 )
Morgan Stanley 5/14/15 AUD (990,000 ) 770,715   754,033   16,682  
HSBC 5/29/15 CLP 930,400,000   1,489,832   1,467,508   22,324  
Barclays Capital 6/17/15 INR 370,000,000   5,912,314   5,818,068   94,246  
HSBC 6/22/15 CLP 662,000,000   1,060,048   1,056,917   3,131  
HSBC 7/24/15 CLP 1,335,000,000   2,137,710   2,082,683   55,027  
    Net Unrealized gain on open foreign exchange contracts $447,894  

A summary of abbreviations for foreign currency appears at the end of the International Opportunities Bond Fund’s portfolio of investments.

  177

 



Notes to Financial Statements (continued)
FIRST INVESTORS INCOME FUNDS
FIRST INVESTORS EQUITY FUNDS
March 31, 2015

Fair Value of Derivative Instruments—The fair value of derivative instruments on the International Opportunities Bond Fund as of March 31, 2015, was as follows:

  Assets Derivatives Liability Derivatives  
 
Derivatives not accounted for              
as hedging instruments under Statements of Assets     Statements of Assets      
ASC 815 and Liabilities Location   Value and Liabilities Location   Value  
Foreign exchange contracts: Unrealized appreciation     Unrealized depreciation      
  of foreign exchange     of foreign exchange      
  contracts $595,894 contracts $(148,000 )
 
The effect of International Opportunities Bond Fund’s derivative instruments on the Statement of Operations are as follows:  
           
 
Amount of Realized Gain or Loss Recognized on Derivatives          
Derivatives not accounted       Net Realized Gain      
for as hedging instruments       on Foreign Exchange  
under ASC 815         Transactions      
Foreign exchange transactions            
International Opportunities Bond Fund       $323,435  
 
Amount of Change in Unrealized Appreciation or Depreciation Recognized on Derivatives  
Derivatives not accounted       Net Unrealized Appreciation  
for as hedging instruments       on Foreign Exchange  
under ASC 815         Transactions      
Foreign exchange transactions            
International Opportunities Bond Fund       $266,497  

8. Capital—The Trusts are authorized to issue an unlimited number of shares of beneficial interest without par value. The Trusts consist of the Funds listed on the cover page, each of which is a separate and distinct series of the Trusts. Each Fund has designated four classes of shares, Class A, Class B, Advisor Class and Institutional Class shares (each, a “Class”) except for Cash Management Fund which has designated only Class A, Class B and Institutional Class shares, Strategic Income Fund which has designated only Class A and Advisor Class shares and Limited Duration High Quality Bond Fund, International Opportunities Bond Fund and Floating Rate Fund which have designated only Class A, Advisor Class and Institutional Class shares. Advisor Class and Institutional Class shares became available for sale to the public in May 2013 and October 2013, respectively. Not all classes of shares of each Fund may be available in all jurisdictions. Each share of each Class has an equal beneficial interest in the assets, has identical voting, dividend, liquidation and

178

 



other rights and is subject to the same terms and conditions except that expenses allocated to a Class may be borne solely by that Class as determined by the Board and a Class may have exclusive voting rights with respect to matters affecting only that Class. Cash Management Fund’s Class A, Class B and Institutional Class shares are sold without an initial sales charge; however, its Class B shares may only be acquired through an exchange of Class B shares from another First Investors eligible Fund or through the reinvestment of dividends on Class B shares and are generally subject to a contingent deferred sales charge at the rate of 4% in the first year and declining to 0% over a six-year period, which is payable to FIC as underwriter of the Trusts. The shares sold by the other Funds have a public offering price that reflects different sales charges and expense levels. Class A shares are sold with an initial sales charge of up to 5.75% of the amount invested and together with the Class B shares are subject to distribution plan fees as described in Note 3. Class B shares are sold without an initial sales charge, but are generally subject to a contingent deferred sales charge which declines in steps from 4% to 0% over a six-year period. Class B shares automatically convert into Class A shares after eight years. There are no sales charges associated with the purchase of Advisor Class and Institutional Class shares. Realized and unrealized gains or losses, investment income and expenses (other than distribution plan fees and shareholder servicing costs) are allocated daily to each class of shares based upon the relative proportion of net assets to each class.

9. Litigation—The Blue Chip and Equity Income Funds have been named, and have received notice that they may be putative members of the proposed defendant class of shareholders, in a lawsuit filed in the United States Bankruptcy Court for the District of Delaware on November 1, 2010, by the Official Committee of Unsecured Creditors of Tribune Company (the “Committee”). The Committee is seeking to recover all payments made to beneficial owners of common stock in connection with a leveraged buyout of the Tribune Company (“LBO”), including payments made in connection with a 2007 tender offer into which the Blue Chip and Equity Income Funds tendered their shares of common stock of the Tribune Company. On December 9, 2011, the Blue Chip Fund was reorganized into the Growth & Income Fund pursuant to a Plan of Reorganization and Termination, whereby all of the assets of the Blue Chip Fund were transferred to the Growth & Income Fund, the Growth & Income Fund assumed all of the liabilities of the Blue Chip Fund, including any contingent liabilities with respect to pending or threatened litigation or actions, and shareholders of Blue Chip Fund became shareholders of Growth & Income Fund. The adversary proceeding brought by the Committee has been transferred to the Southern District of New York and administratively consolidated with other similar suits as discussed below. In addition, on June 2, 2011, the Blue Chip and Equity Income Funds were named as defendants in a lawsuit brought in connection with the Tribune Company’s LBO by Deutsche Bank Trust Company Americas, in its

179

 



Notes to Financial Statements (continued)
FIRST INVESTORS INCOME FUNDS
FIRST INVESTORS EQUITY FUNDS
March 31, 2015

capacity as successor indenture trustee for a certain series of Senior Notes, Law Debenture Trust Company of New York, in its capacity as successor indenture trustee for a certain series of Senior Notes, and Wilmington Trust Company, in its capacity as successor indenture trustee for the PHONES Notes (together, the “Bondholder Plaintiffs”) in the Supreme Court of the State of New York. The Blue Chip and Equity Income Funds have also been named in a similar suit filed on behalf of participants in Tribune defined-compensation plans (the “Retiree Plaintiffs”). That suit was also initially filed in the Supreme Court of New York but later removed and consolidated in the Southern District of New York with the other Tribune suits. As with the Bondholder Plaintiffs and the Committee, the Retiree Plaintiffs seek to recover payments of the proceeds of the LBO. (Both of these suits have been removed to the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York and administratively consolidated with other substantially similar suits against other former Tribune shareholders (the “MDL Proceeding”). On September 23, 2013, the Judge in the MDL Proceeding dismissed various state law constructive fraudulent transfer suits, resulting in the Funds being dismissed from the Bondholder and Retiree Plaintiffs’ actions. On September 30, 2013, counsel for the plaintiffs in those suits appealed the MDL Judge’s dismissal ruling to the Second Circuit. The extent of the Funds’ potential liability in any such actions has not been determined. The Funds have been advised by counsel that the Funds could be held liable to return all or part of the proceeds received in any of these actions, as well as interest and court costs, even though the Funds had no knowledge of, or participation in, any misconduct. The Equity Income Fund received proceeds of $1,526,566 in connection with the LBO, representing 0.26% of its net assets as of March 31, 2015. The Blue Chip Fund received proceeds of $790,772 in connection with the LBO, representing 0.04% of the net assets of Growth & Income Fund as of March 31, 2015. The Equity Income and Growth & Income Funds cannot predict the outcomes of these proceedings, and thus have not accrued any of the amounts sought in the various actions in the accompanying financial statements.

10. New Fund—On November 20, 2014, the Board approved the establishment of a new series of the First Investors Equity Funds, First Investors Real Estate Fund (the “Real Estate Fund”). The Real Estate Fund is registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940 as a non-diversified fund and is authorized to issue an unlimited number of shares of beneficial interest of Class A, Advisor Class and Institutional Class. The investment objective of the Fund is to seek total return. The Fund commenced operations on April 6, 2015.

11. Subsequent Events—Subsequent events occurring after March 31, 2015 have been evaluated for potential impact to this report through the date the financial statements were issued. There were no subsequent events to report that would have a material impact on the Funds’ financial statements.

180

 


 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 


 

This page left intentionally blank.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

181

 



Financial Highlights
FIRST INVESTORS INCOME FUNDS

The following table sets forth the per share operating performance data for a share outstanding,
total return, ratios to average net assets and other supplemental data for each fiscal year ended
September 30 unless otherwise indicated.

                                                     
                P E R  S H A R E  D A T A                         R A T I O S / S U P P L E M E N T A L  D A T A          
                                                        Ratio to Average Net      
                        Less Distributions                 Ratio to Average   Assets Before Expenses      
          Investment Operations   from                 Net Assets**   Waived or Assumed  
      Net Asset   Net     Net Realized                 Net Asset                         Net      
      Value,   Investment     and Unrealized   Total from   Net Net       Value,       Net Assets Net Expenses   Net Expenses   Net       Investment   Portfolio  
      Beginning   Income     Gain (Loss) on   Investment   Investment Realized   Total   End of Total     End of Period After Fee   Before Fee   Investment       Income   Turnover  
      of Period   (Loss)     Investments   Operations   Income   Gain   Distributions    Period     Return*        (in thousands)   Credits   Credits(a)    Income    Expenses(a)    (Loss)   Rate  
CASH MANAGEMENT FUND                                                        
Class A                                                                  
2010   $ 1.00             $ 1.00 0.00 % $134,103 .30 % .30 % .00 % 1.08 % (.78 )% N/A  
2011     1.00               1.00 0.00     148,171 .17   .17   .00   1.06   (.89 ) N/A  
2012     1.00               1.00 0.00     135,028 .12   .12   .00   1.02   (.90 ) N/A  
2013     1.00               1.00 0.00     130,272 .11   .11   .00   .97   (.86 ) N/A  
2014     1.00               1.00 0.00     108,088 .08   .08   .00   1.02   (.94 ) N/A  
2015 ^   1.00               1.00 0.00     101,761 .09 †† .09 †† .00 †† 1.09 †† (1.00 )†† N/A  
Class B                                                                  
2010     1.00               1.00 0.00     1,739 .30   .30   .00   1.83   (1.53 ) N/A  
2011     1.00               1.00 0.00     1,519 .17   .17   .00   1.81   (1.64 ) N/A  
2012     1.00               1.00 0.00     896 .12   .12   .00   1.77   (1.65 ) N/A  
2013     1.00               1.00 0.00     571 .12   .12   .00   1.72   (1.60 ) N/A  
2014     1.00               1.00 0.00     404 .08   .08   .00   1.64   (1.56 ) N/A  
2015 ^   1.00               1.00 0.00     392 .09 †† .09 †† .00 †† 1.74 †† (1.65 )†† N/A  
Institutional Class                                                            
2013

  1.00               1.00 0.00   1 .15 †† .15 †† .00 †† 2.60 †† (2.45 )†† N/A  
2014     1.00               1.00 0.00     2,595 .08   .08   .00   .66   (.58 ) N/A  
2015 ^   1.00                 1.00   0.00   3,154   .09 †† .09 †† .00 †† .68 †† (.59 )†† N/A  
LIMITED DURATION HIGH QUALITY BOND FUND                                              
Class A                                                                  
2014 )( $10.00 $— $(.05 ) $(.05 ) $ .06 $.06 $9.89 (.50 )%†   $ 8,911 1.05 %††   1.05 %†† .15 %†† 3.37 %†† (2.17 )%†† 19 %†
2015 ^   9.89   .01

 

  .07   .08   .09   .09   9.88 .85   18,388 1.05 †† 1.05 †† .13 †† 1.39 †† (.21 )†† 24
Advisor Class                                                            
2014 )(   10.00   .02 (.05 ) (.03 ) .06 .06 9.91 (.28 )† 25,649 .75 †† .75 †† .46 †† 1.02 †† .19 †† 19
2015 ^   9.91   .02   .09   .11   .10   .10   9.92 1.11   32,450 .75 †† .75 †† .41 †† 1.15 †† .01 †† 24
Institutional Class                                                            
2014 )(   10.00   .02   (.03 ) (.01 ) .07   .07   9.92 (.14 )†   5,125 .60 †† .60 †† .53 †† 3.32 †† (2.19 )†† 19
2015 ^   9.92   .03   .08   .11   .11     .11   9.92   1.06   6,120   .60 †† .60 †† .54 †† .96 †† .18 †† 24

 

182 183

 



Financial Highlights (continued)
FIRST INVESTORS INCOME FUNDS

                                                       
                P E R  S H A R E  D A T A                           R A T I O S / S U P P L E M E N T A L  D A T A          
                                                      Ratio to Average Net      
                          Less Distributions             Ratio to Average   Assets Before Expenses      
          Investment Operations   from             Net Assets**   Waived or Assumed      
      Net Asset         Net Realized                 Net Asset                       Net    
      Value,   Net     and Unrealized     Total from   Net Net     Value,     Net Assets Net Expenses   Net Expenses   Net     Investment Portfolio  
      Beginning   Investment     Gain (Loss) on     Investment   Investment Realized   Total End of Total   End of Period  After Fee Before Fee Investment    Income  Turnover
      of Period   Income     Investments     Operations   Income   Gain     Distributions   Period    Return*      (in thousands)   Credits    Credits(a)   Income   Expenses(a)   (Loss)   Rate
GOVERNMENT FUND                                                      
Class A                                                                
2010   $11.20 $ .43   $ .16   $ .59   $ .43 $ .43 $ 11.36 5.39 % $325,979 1.13 % 1.13 % 3.44 % 1.24 % 3.33 % 42 %
2011     11.36   .36     .28     .64   .41   .41 11.59 5.73   346,828 1.12   1.12   3.12   1.23   3.01   35  
2012     11.59   .27     .04     .31   .38   .38 11.52 2.71   382,064 1.10   1.10   2.28   1.21   2.17   36  
2013     11.52   .17     (.43 )   (.26 ) .32   .32 10.94 (2.29 ) 355,264 1.10   1.10   1.57   1.21   1.46   101  
2014     10.94   .19       .19   .26   .26 10.87 1.71   289,928 1.07   1.07   1.76   1.18   1.65   138  
2015 ^   10.87   .09   .15     .24   .13   .13 10.98 2.17 281,843 1.08 †† 1.08 †† 1.65 †† 1.19 †† 1.54 †† 43
Class B                                                                
2010     11.19   .35     .17     .52   .36   .36 11.35 4.70   10,860 1.83   1.83   2.74   1.94   2.63   42  
2011     11.35   .26     .29     .55   .33   .33 11.57 4.94   7,284 1.82   1.82   2.42   1.93   2.31   35  
2012     11.57   .17     .07     .24   .30   .30 11.51 2.11   6,393 1.80   1.80   1.59   1.91   1.47   36  
2013     11.51   .07     (.42 )   (.35 ) .24   .24 10.92 (3.06 ) 4,717 1.84   1.84   .82   1.95   .71   101  
2014     10.92   .10   (.01 )   .09   .17   .17 10.84 .86   3,255 1.89   1.89   .94   2.00   .83   138  
2015 ^   10.84   .04   .15     .19   .08   .08 10.95 1.76 2,825 1.92 †† 1.92 †† .82 †† 2.03 †† .71 †† 43
Advisor Class                                                          
2013

  11.29   .10     (.30 )   (.20 ) .15   .15 10.94 (1.75 )† 1 .95 †† .95 †† 1.68 †† 5.17 †† (2.54 )†† 101  
2014     10.94   .23   (.04 )   .19   .27   .27 10.86 1.73   33,699 .73   .73   2.06   .84   1.95   138  
2015 ^   10.86   .11   .14     .25   .13   .13 10.98 2.32 40,866 .80 †† .80 †† 1.94 †† .91 †† 1.83 †† 43
Institutional Class                                                          
2013

  11.29   .14     (.31 )   (.17 ) .16   .16 10.96 (1.54 )† 4,656 .68 †† .68 †† 2.14 †† .81 †† 2.01 †† 101  
2014     10.96   .24   (.01 )   .23   .29   .29 10.90 2.08   10,753 .65   .65   2.17   .76   2.06   138  
2015 ^   10.90   .11    .16      .27   .14       .14    11.03   2.49   12,923   .65 †† .65 †† 2.09 †† .76 †† 1.98 †† 43

 

184 185

 



Financial Highlights (continued)
FIRST INVESTORS INCOME FUNDS

                                               
              P E R  S H A R E  D A T A                       R A T I O S / S U P P L E M E N T A L  D A T A          
                                                            Ratio to Average Net      
                          Less Distributions               Ratio to Average   Assets Before Expenses      
        Investment Operations     from               Net Assets**   Waived or Assumed      
    Net Asset         Net Realized                         Net Asset                       Net      
    Value,   Net     and Unrealized     Total from     Net   Net         Value,     Net Assets Net Expenses   Net Expenses   Net   Investment   Portfolio  
    Beginning   Investment     Gain (Loss) on     Investment     Investment   Realized     Total   End of Total   End of Period  After Fee   Before Fee   Investment        Income Turnover  
    of Period   Income     Investments     Operations     Income   Gain     Distributions   Period     Return*   (in thousands) Credits   Credits(a)   Income   Expenses(a)   (Loss)   Rate  
INVESTMENT GRADE FUND                                                              
Class A                                                                      
2010   $ 9.10 $ .44   $ .72   $ 1.16   $ .45     $ .45 $ 9.81 13.09 % $ 404,841 1.12 % 1.12 % 4.75 % 1.23 % 4.64 % 56 %
2011   9.81   .40     (.16 )   .24     .43       .43   9.62 2.48   437,094 1.11   1.11   3.94   1.22   3.83   34  
2012   9.62   .38     .68     1.06     .41       .41   10.27 11.22   531,896 1.08   1.08   3.54   1.19   3.43   40  
2013   10.27   .35     (.46 )   (.11 )   .38       .38   9.78 (1.10 ) 543,955 1.07   1.07   3.20   1.18   3.09   33  
2014   9.78   .31   .22     .53     .39       .39   9.92 5.50   475,090 1.05   1.05   3.11   1.16   3.00   49  
2015 ^ 9.92   .14   .16     .30     .20       .20   10.02 3.01 480,482 1.05 †† 1.05 †† 2.86 †† 1.16 †† 2.75 †† 17
Class B                                                                      
2010   9.11   .39     .70     1.09     .39       .39   9.81 12.20   13,855 1.82   1.82   4.05   1.93   3.94   56  
2011   9.81   .33     (.16 )   .17     .36       .36   9.62 1.81   9,976 1.81   1.81   3.24   1.92   3.13   34  
2012   9.62   .32     .66     .98     .34       .34   10.26 10.41   8,036 1.78   1.78   2.84   1.89   2.74   40  
2013   10.26   .27     (.45 )   (.18 )   .32       .32   9.76 (1.82 ) 6,161 1.84   1.84   2.42   1.94   2.32   33  
2014   9.76   .22   .22     .44     .33       .33   9.87 4.53   4,727 1.92   1.92   2.24   2.03   2.13   49  
2015 ^ 9.87   .10   .16     .26     .17       .17   9.96 2.59 4,095 1.92 †† 1.92 †† 1.98 †† 2.03 †† 1.87 †† 17
Advisor Class                                                                  
2013

10.23   .08     (.34 )   (.26 )   .19       .19   9.78 (2.53 )† 1 .95 †† .95 †† 2.64 †† 5.17 †† (1.58 )†† 33  
2014   9.78   .34   .20     .54     .40       .40   9.92 5.61   44,351 .69   .69   3.38   .80   3.27   49  
2015 ^ 9.92   .16   .16     .32     .20       .20   10.04 3.26 52,598 .74 †† .74 †† 3.16 †† .85 †† 3.05 †† 17
Institutional Class                                                                  
2013

10.23   .14     (.38 )   (.24 )   .20       .20   9.79 (2.37 )† 9,326 .66 †† .66 †† 3.06 †† .77 †† 2.95 †† 33  
2014   9.79   .35   .23     .58     .43       .43   9.94 5.98   22,269 .63   .63   3.51   .74   3.40   49  
2015 ^ 9.94   .16   .15     .31     .21       .21   10.04   3.19 26,696 .64 †† .64 †† 3.27 †† .75 †† 3.16 †† 17
STRATEGIC INCOME FUND                                                              
Class A                                                                      
2013 $10.00 $ .14 $(.23 ) $(.09 ) $ .13 $— $ .13 $ 9.78 (.87 )%† $ 47,344 1.30 %†† 1.30 %†† 2.88 %†† 2.10 %†† 2.08 %††◂ 19 %†
2014   9.78   .32   .12     .44     .28   .00   .28   9.94 4.55   101,540 .80 .80 3.18 .68 3.30 20  
2015 ^ 9.94   .17 ◂⌘   (.08 )   .09     .17   .07     .24   9.79 .96 121,469 .64 †† .64 †† 3.53 †† N/A   N/A   13
Advisor Class                                                                  
2013

10.00   .14   (.22 )   (.08 )   .15       .15   9.77 (.79 )† 1 1.00 †† 1.00 †† 2.89 †† 14.79 ††‣    (10.90 )††  19
2014   9.77   .36 ◂⌘   .11     .47     .32   .00   .32   9.92 4.82   323 .36 .36 3.62 .29 3.69 20  
2015 ^ 9.92   .19 ◂⌘   (.08 )   .11     .19   .07     .26   9.77   1.15 371 .39 †† .39 †† 3.78 †† N/A   N/A   13

 

186 187

 



Financial Highlights (continued)
FIRST INVESTORS INCOME FUNDS

 
          P E R  S H A R E  D A T A         R A T I O S / S U P P L E M E N T A L  D A T A      
                                                            Ratio to Average Net      
                            Less Distributions               Ratio to Average   Assets Before Expenses      
          Investment Operations     from               Net Assets**   Waived or Assumed      
      Net Asset         Net Realized                       Net Asset               Net       Net      
      Value,   Net     and Unrealized     Total from     Net   Net       Value,     Net Assets Net Expenses   Net Expenses    Investment   Investment   Portfolio  
      Beginning   Investment     Gain (Loss) on     Investment     Investment   Realized   Total   End of Total    End of Period After Fee   Before Fee    Income       Income   Turnover  
      of Period   Income     Investments     Operations     Income   Gain   Distributions    Period   Return*     (in thousands) Credits   Credits(a)   (Loss)   Expenses(a)   (Loss)   Rate  
INTERNATIONAL OPPORTUNITIES BOND FUND                                                
Class A                                                                      
2012 $10.00 $.01   $.23   $.24   $.02 $— $.02 $10.22 2.35 %† $19,563 1.30 %†† 1.30 %†† 1.10 %†† 9.76 %†† (6.12 )%†† 5 %†
2013     10.22   .25     (.32 )   (.07 )   .30   .01   .31   9.84 (.72 ) 99,161 1.30   1.30   .68   1.83   .15   53  
2014     9.84   .21   .07     .28     .27     .27   9.85 2.84   80,197 1.30   1.30   2.06   1.41   1.95   76  
2015 ^   9.85   .01   (.28 )   (.27 )   .14     .14   9.44 (2.77 )† 78,131 1.30 †† 1.30 †† .16 †† 1.38 †† .08 †† 23
Advisor Class                                                                
2013   10.23   .08     (.31 )   (.23 )   .15     .15   9.85 (2.26 )† 1 1.07 †† 1.07 †† (1.43 )†† 5.23 †† (5.59 )†† 53  
2014     9.85   .24   .04     .28     .28     .28   9.85 2.81   33,851 1.10   1.10   2.21   N/A   N/A   76  
2015 ^   9.85   .02   (.26 )   (.24 )   .15     .15   9.46 (2.51 )† 42,812 1.05 †† 1.05 †† .41 †† N/A   N/A   23
Institutional Class                                                                
2013   10.23   .12     (.35 )   (.23 )   .15     .15   9.85 (2.26 )† 6,998 .96 †† .96 †† (1.31 )†† .96 †† (1.31 )†† 53  
2014     9.85   .25   .06     .31     .28     .28   9.88 3.19   16,014 .93   .93   2.43   N/A   N/A   76  
2015 ^   9.88   .03   (.27 )   (.24 )   .15     .15   9.49   (2.44 )† 18,365 .91 †† .91 †† .55 †† N/A   N/A   23
FLOATING RATE FUND                                                            
Class A                                                                      
2014 $10.00 $.21 $(.10 ) $.11   $.23   $.23 $9.88 1.12 %† $50,361 1.10 %†† 1.10 %†† 2.21 %†† 1.58 %†† 1.73 %†† 26 %†
2015 ^   9.88   .14   (.14 )       .15     .15   9.73 (.04 )† 55,531 1.10 †† 1.10 †† 2.77 †† 1.35 †† 2.52 †† 26
Advisor Class                                                                
2014   10.00   .25   (.11 )   .14     .26     .26   9.88 1.43 34,942 .90 †† .90 †† 2.63 †† .95 †† 2.58 †† 26
2015 ^   9.88   .15   (.14 )   .01     .16     .16   9.73 .10 42,682 .90 †† .90 †† 2.97 †† 1.05 †† 2.82 †† 26
Institutional Class                                                                
2014   10.00   .27   (.13 )   .14     .28     .28   9.86 1.36 5,329 .70 †† .70 †† 2.76 †† 1.06 †† 2.40 †† 26
2015 ^   9.86   .16   (.14 )   .02     .17     .17   9.71   (.04 )† 6,218 .70 †† .70 †† 3.17 †† .91 †† 2.96 †† 26

 

188 189

 



Financial Highlights (continued)
FIRST INVESTORS INCOME FUNDS

  
 
          P E R  S H A R E  D A T A                   R A T I O S / S U P P L E M E N T A L  D A T A      
                                                            Ratio to Average Net      
                          Less Distributions                 Ratio to Average   Assets Before Expenses      
          Investment Operations   from                 Net Assets**   Waived or Assumed      
      Net Asset         Net Realized                   Net Asset                                
      Value,   Net     and Unrealized     Total from   Net Net       Value,       Net Assets  Net Expenses   Net Expenses   Net       Net   Portfolio  
      Beginning   Investment     Gain (Loss) on     Investment   Investment Realized   Total   End of Total      End of Period After Fee   Before Fee   Investment       Investment   Turnover  
      of Period   Income     Investments     Operations   Income Gain   Distributions     Period    Return*         (in thousands) Credits   Credits(a)   Income   Expenses(a)   Income   Rate  
FUND FOR INCOME                                                              
Class A                                                                    
2010   $2.32 $.17   $.18   $.35 $.18 $.18 $2.49 15.68 % $504,507 1.29 % 1.29 % 7.32 % 1.33 % 7.28 % 78 %
2011     2.49   .17     (.14 )   .03   .17   .17   2.35 1.00     504,839 1.27   1.27   6.43   1.30   6.40   75  
2012     2.35   .16     .25     .41   .16   .16   2.60 17.79     602,370 1.26   1.26   6.01   1.29   5.98   54  
2013     2.60   .15     (.01 )   .14   .15   .15   2.59 5.55     647,603 1.23   1.23   5.17   1.25   5.15   60  
2014     2.59   .12   .02     .14   .14   .14   2.59 5.38     621,618 1.21   1.21   4.67   1.23   4.65   47  
2015 ^   2.59   .06   (.03 )   .03   .07   .07   2.55 1.01   610,390 1.21 †† 1.21 †† 4.71 †† 1.23 †† 4.69 †† 24
Class B                                                                    
2010     2.33   .16     .16     .32   .16   .16   2.49 14.43     10,891 1.99   1.99   6.62   2.03   6.58   78  
2011     2.49   .15     (.13 )   .02   .16   .16   2.35 .38     7,580 1.97   1.97   5.75   2.00   5.72   75  
2012     2.35   .13     .26     .39   .14   .14   2.60 17.01     5,659 1.96   1.96   5.31   1.99   5.28   54  
2013     2.60   .13     (.01 )   .12   .13   .13   2.59 4.84     5,001 1.99   1.99   4.42   2.01   4.40   60  
2014     2.59   .10   .02     .12   .12   .12   2.59 4.67     4,690 2.02   2.02   3.86   2.04   3.84   47  
2015 ^   2.59   .05   (.04 )   .01   .06   .06   2.54 .21   4,005 2.02 †† 2.02 †† 3.90 †† 2.04 †† 3.88 †† 24
Advisor Class                                                              
2013   2.66   .06     (.05 )   .01   .08   .08   2.59 .23   1 1.03 †† 1.03 †† 4.59 †† 5.13 †† .49 †† 60  
2014     2.59   .12   .02     .14   .14   .14   2.59 5.42     31,132 .91   .91   4.83   .93   4.81   47  
2015 ^   2.59   .06   (.03 )   .03   .07   .07   2.55 1.19   35,994 .96 †† .96 †† 4.96 †† .98 †† 4.94 †† 24
Institutional Class                                                              
2013   2.66   .03     (.01 )   .02   .08   .08   2.60 .66   18,575 .81 †† .81 †† 4.93 †† .83 †† 4.91 †† 60  
2014     2.60   .13   .02     .15   .15   .15   2.60 5.59     42,941 .78   .78   5.07   .80   5.05   47  
2015 ^   2.60   .06   (.03 )   .03   .07     .07   2.56   1.27   48,805 .79 †† .79 †† 5.13 †† .81 †† 5.11 †† 24

 

* Calculated without sales charges.
 
** Net of expenses waived or assumed (Note 3).
 
(a) The ratios do not include a reduction of expenses from cash balances maintained with the custodian
or from brokerage service arrangements (Note 1G).
 
Based on average shares during the period.
 
For the period April 1, 2013 (commencement of operations) to September 30, 2013.
 
)( For the period May 19, 2014 (commencement of operations) to September 30, 2014.
 
† Not annualized
 
†† Annualized
 
For the period April 3, 2013 (commencement of operations) to September 30, 2013.
 
Recognition of net investment income by the Fund is affected by the timing of the declaration
of dividends by the underlying investment companies in which the Fund invests. The ratio does not
include net investment income of the investment companies in which the Fund invests.
 
Does not include expenses of the investment companies in which the Fund invests.
 
For the period August 20, 2012 (commencement of operations) to September 30, 2012.
 
❖   For the period October 21, 2013 (commencement of operations) to September 30, 2014.
 
‡  Due to rounding, amount is less than .005 per share.
 
^  For the period October 1, 2014 to March 31, 2015.

 

190 See notes to financial statements 191

 



Financial Highlights
FIRST INVESTORS EQUITY FUNDS

The following table sets forth the per share operating performance data for a share outstanding,
total return, ratios to average net assets and other supplemental data for each fiscal year ended
September 30, except as otherwise indicated.

 
 
          P E R  S H A R E  D A T A                  R A T I O S / S U P P L E M E N T A L  D A T A      
                                                            Ratio to Average Net      
                          Less Distributions                 Ratio to Average   Assets Before Expenses      
          Investment Operations   from                 Net Assets**   Waived or Assumed      
      Net Asset         Net Realized                     Net Asset                                
      Value,   Net     and Unrealized     Total from   Net   Net       Value,       Net Assets Net Expenses   Net Expenses   Net       Net   Portfolio  
      Beginning   Investment     Gain (Loss) on     Investment   Investment   Realized   Total   End of Total       End of Period After Fee   Before Fee   Investment   Investment   Turnover  
      of Period   Income     Investments     Operations   Income   Gain   Distributions    Period Return*         (in thousands)   Credits   Credits(a)   Income   Expenses(a)   Loss   Rate  
TOTAL RETURN FUND                                                            
Class A                                                                      
2010   $13.25 $.28   $  .95   $1.23 $.29 $— $.29 $14.19 9.38 % $360,843 1.37 % 1.37 % 2.02 % N/A   N/A   40 %
2011     14.19   .31     (.06 )   .25   .34     .34   14.10 1.65     384,720 1.33   1.33   1.97   N/A   N/A   36  
2012     14.10   .30     2.71     3.01   .30     .30   16.81 21.46     532,551 1.32   1.32   1.79   N/A   N/A   32  
2013     16.81   .27     1.99     2.26   .34   .24   .58   18.49 13.77     664,054 1.26   1.26   1.45   N/A   N/A   32  
2014     18.49   .22   1.65     1.87   .31   .42   .73   19.63 10.18     767,354 1.19   1.19   1.14   N/A   N/A   44  
2015 ^   19.63   .10   .72     .82   .15   .67   .82   19.63 4.22   823,813 1.18 †† 1.18 †† 1.06 †† N/A   N/A   21
Class B                                                                      
2010     13.04   .18     .94     1.12   .20     .20   13.96 8.62     16,982 2.07   2.07   1.32   N/A   N/A   40  
2011     13.96   .19     (.04 )   .15   .23     .23   13.88 1.01     12,961 2.03   2.03   1.30   N/A   N/A   36  
2012     13.88   .18     2.65     2.83   .18     .18   16.53 20.49     10,872 2.02   2.02   1.09   N/A   N/A   32  
2013     16.53   .15     1.95     2.10   .22   .24   .46   18.17 12.98     10,207 2.01   2.01   .71   N/A   N/A   32  
2014     18.17   .07   1.61     1.68   .16   .42   .58   19.27 9.29     10,016 1.97   1.97   .36   N/A   N/A   44  
2015 ^   19.27   .02   .71     .73   .04   .67   .71   19.29 3.86   9,611 1.96 †† 1.96 †† .27 †† N/A   N/A   21
Advisor Class                                                                
2013   17.62   .09     .95     1.04   .17     .17   18.49 5.89   1 1.01 †† 1.01 †† 1.40 †† 4.76 %†† (2.35 )%†† 32  
2014     18.49   .29   1.60     1.89   .32   .42   .74   19.64 10.34     2,106 .78   .78   1.46   N/A   N/A   44  
2015 ^   19.64   .14   .72     .86   .16   .67   .83   19.67 4.47   1,381 .81 †† .81 †† 1.41 †† N/A   N/A   21
Institutional Class                                                                
2013   17.62   .10     .95     1.05   .17     .17   18.50 5.98   1 .82 †† .82 †† 1.48 †† 4.35 †† (2.05 )†† 32  
2014     18.50   .30   1.63     1.93   .36   .42   .78   19.65 10.55     2,885 .78   .78   1.55   N/A   N/A   44  
2015 ^   19.65   .16   .70     .86   .13   .67   .80   19.71   4.48   32,275   .76 †† .76 †† 1.66 †† N/A   N/A   21

 

192 193

 



Financial Highlights (continued)
FIRST INVESTORS EQUITY FUNDS

  
 
          P E R  S H A R E  D A T A                    R A T I O S / S U P P L E M E N T A L  D A T A      
                                                              Ratio to Average Net      
                            Less Distributions                 Ratio to Average   Assets Before Expenses      
          Investment Operations     from                 Net Assets**    Waived or Assumed      
      Net Asset         Net Realized                       Net Asset                         Net      
      Value,   Net     and Unrealized     Total from     Net   Net       Value,       Net Assets   Net Expenses    Net Expenses   Net   Investment   Portfolio  
      Beginning   Investment     Gain (Loss) on     Investment     Investment   Realized   Total   End of Total       End of Period After Fee   Before Fee   Investment       Income   Turnover  
      of Period   Income     Investments     Operations     Income   Gain   Distributions    Period   Return*        (in thousands)   Credits   Credits(a)   Income   Expenses(a)   (Loss)   Rate  
EQUITY INCOME FUND(b)                                                              
Class A                                                                        
2010   $6.01 $.09   $  .49   $  .58   $.09 $— $.09 $6.50 9.76 % $335,725 1.38 % 1.38 % 1.45 % N/A   N/A   21 %
2011     6.50   .11     (.30 )   (.19 )   .11     .11   6.20 (3.12 )   317,550 1.35   1.35   1.60   N/A   N/A   29  
2012     6.20   .13     1.44     1.57     .10     .10   7.67 25.36     392,001 1.33   1.33   1.75   N/A   N/A   38  
2013     7.67   .14     1.32     1.46     .14     .14   8.99 19.14     475,422 1.28   1.28   1.66   N/A   N/A   32  
2014     8.99   .13   1.16     1.29     .14   .15   .29   9.99 14.48     510,981 1.21   1.22   1.33   N/A   N/A   27  
2015 ^   9.99   .08   .31     .39     .08   .46   .54   9.84 4.05   532,120 1.21 †† 1.21 †† 1.52 †† N/A   N/A   13
Class B                                                                        
2010     5.92   .05     .48     .53     .05     .05   6.40 8.97     11,133 2.08   2.08   .75   N/A   N/A   21  
2011     6.40   .06     (.30 )   (.24 )   .06     .06   6.10 (3.87 )   7,947 2.05   2.05   .90   N/A   N/A   29  
2012     6.10   .08     1.42     1.50     .05     .05   7.55 24.56     6,939 2.03   2.03   1.02   N/A   N/A   38  
2013     7.55   .09     1.28     1.37     .08     .08   8.84 18.21     6,337 2.05   2.05   .90   N/A   N/A   32  
2014     8.84   .05   1.13     1.18     .05   .15   .20   9.82 13.49     5,721 2.06   2.06   .49   N/A   N/A   27  
2015 ^   9.82   .03   .31     .34     .04   .46   .50   9.66 3.59   4,813 2.05 †† 2.05 †† .68 †† N/A   N/A   13
Advisor Class                                                                  
2013   8.40   .08     .58     .66     .07     .07   8.99 7.87   1 1.01 †† 1.01 †† 1.78 †† 4.68 %†† (1.89 )%††  32  
2014     8.99   .17   1.13     1.30     .15   .15   .30   9.99 14.57     32,160 .81   .81   1.71   N/A   N/A   27  
2015 ^   9.99   .09   .33     .42     .10   .46   .56   9.85 4.30   38,508 .84 †† .84 †† 1.89 †† N/A   N/A   13
Institutional Class                                                                  
2013   8.40   .04     .63     .67     .05     .05   9.02 7.95   4,717 .86 †† .86 †† 1.74 †† .86 †† 1.74 †† 32  
2014     9.02   .17   1.16     1.33     .17   .15   .32   10.03 14.88     7,399 .80   .80   1.76   N/A   N/A   27  
2015 ^   10.03   .10   .31     .41     .10   .46   .56   9.88   4.20     8,604   .81 †† .81 †† 1.93 †† N/A   N/A   13

 

194 195

 



Financial Highlights (continued)
FIRST INVESTORS EQUITY FUNDS

 
 
          P E R  S H A R E  D A T A                       R A T I O S / S U P P L E M E N T A L  D A T A      
                                                              Ratio to Average Net      
                            Less Distributions                 Ratio to Average   Assets Before Expenses      
          Investment  Operations     from                 Net Assets**   Waived or Assumed      
      Net Asset   Net     Net Realized                       Net Asset                 Net              
      Value,    Investment     and Unrealized     Total from     Net   Net       Value,       Net Assets  Net Expenses    Net Expenses   Investment       Net Portfolio  
      Beginning   Income     Gain (Loss) on     Investment     Investment   Realized   Total   End of Total      End of Period After Fee   Before Fee   Income       Investment Turnover  
      of Period   (Loss)     Investments     Operations     Income   Gain   Distributions   Period       Return*         (in thousands)    Credits   Credits(a)   (Loss)   Expenses(a)   Loss   Rate  
GROWTH & INCOME FUND                                                              
Class A                                                                        
2010   $11.91 $.09   $.98   $1.07   $.07 $   — $.07 $12.91 9.01 % $626,370 1.39 % 1.39 % .68 % N/A   N/A   25 %
2011     12.91   .19     (.14 )   .05     .18     .18   12.78 .25     625,562 1.34   1.34   1.33   N/A   N/A   24  
2012     12.78   .21     3.81     4.02     .14     .14   16.66 31.60     1,225,684 1.29   1.29   1.35   N/A   N/A   22  
2013     16.66   .20     3.90     4.10     .22     .22   20.54 24.86     1,538,582 1.22   1.22   1.11   N/A   N/A   20  
2014     20.54   .18   2.92     3.10     .20   .68   .88   22.76 15.26     1,632,920 1.15   1.15   .80   N/A   N/A   22  
2015 ^   22.76   .11   1.13     1.24     .12   1.05   1.17   22.83 5.54   1,699,346 1.15 †† 1.15 †† 1.00 †† N/A   N/A   12
Class B                                                                        
2010     11.22   (.03 )   .95     .92           12.14 8.23     26,160 2.09   2.09   (.02 ) N/A   N/A   25  
2011     12.14   .08     (.12 )   (.04 )   .09     .09   12.01 (.44 )   19,635 2.04   2.04   .66   N/A   N/A   24  
2012     12.01   .10     3.58     3.68     .05     .05   15.64 30.71     27,306 1.99   1.99   .63   N/A   N/A   22  
2013     15.64   .06     3.67     3.73     .11     .11   19.26 24.02     27,762 1.96   1.96   .37   N/A   N/A   20  
2014     19.26       2.73     2.73       .68   .68   21.31 14.32     25,497 1.93   1.93   .02   N/A   N/A   22  
2015 ^   21.31   .02   1.05     1.07     .04   1.05   1.09   21.29 5.13   24,010 1.93 †† 1.93 †† .20 †† N/A   N/A   12
Advisor Class                                                                  
2013   18.49   .13     2.00     2.13     .08     .08   20.54 11.53   1 .97 †† .97 †† 1.31 †† 4.60 %†† (2.32 )%†† 20  
2014     20.54   .27   2.91     3.18     .20   .68   .88   22.84 15.67     123,039 .74   .74   1.17   N/A   N/A   22  
2015 ^   22.84   .16   1.13     1.29     .15   1.05   1.20   22.93 5.76   146,667 .75 †† .75 †† 1.40 †† N/A   N/A   12
Institutional Class                                                                  
2013   18.49   .15     2.00     2.15     .09     .09   20.55 11.64   1 .78 †† .78 †† 1.50 †† 4.19 †† (1.91 )†† 20  
2014     20.55   .27   2.92     3.19     .28   .68   .96   22.78 15.75     9,746 .74   .74   1.21   N/A   N/A   22  
2015 ^   22.78   .16   1.11     1.27     .14   1.05   1.19   22.86   5.71   10,621   .74 †† .74 †† 1.40 †† N/A   N/A   12

 

196 197

 



Financial Highlights (continued)
FIRST INVESTORS EQUITY FUNDS

        
 
                P E R  S H A R E  D A T A                         R A T I O S / S U P P L E M E N T A L   D A T A          
                                                              Ratio to Average Net      
                      Less Distributions                 Ratio to Average   Assets Before Expenses      
          Investment Operations     from                 Net Assets**   Waived or Assumed      
      Net Asset   Net     Net Realized                       Net Asset                 Net       Net      
      Value,    Investment     and Unrealized     Total from     Net   Net       Value,       Net Assets    Net Expenses    Net Expenses   Investment       Investment   Portfolio  
      Beginning   Income     Gain (Loss) on     Investment     Investment   Realized   Total   End of Total     End of Period After Fee   Before Fee   Income       Income   Turnover  
      of Period   (Loss)     Investments     Operations     Income   Gain   Distributions   Period    Return*       (in thousands)      Credits   Credits(a)   (Loss)   Expenses(a)   (Loss)   Rate  
GLOBAL FUND                                                                  
Class A                                                                        
2010   $5.73 $—   $ .42   $ .42   $.01 $   — $ .01 $6.14 7.33 % $269,075 1.72 % 1.72   .04 % 1.75 % .01 % 92 %
2011     6.14   .01     (.61 )   (.60 )         5.54 (9.77 )   241,494 1.67   1.67   .18   1.70   .15   103  
2012     5.54   .03     1.24     1.27     .02     .02   6.79 22.88     283,328 1.68   1.69   .44   1.70   .42   94  
2013     6.79   .05     1.20     1.25     .03     .03   8.01 18.56     317,329 1.60   1.61   .66   1.62   .65   92  
2014     8.01       .80     .80     .04   .11   .15   8.66 10.00     332,416 1.49   1.49   .03   1.54   (.02 ) 154  
2015 ^   8.66   (.01 )   .64     .63       1.51   1.51   7.78 8.10   356,542 1.50 †† 1.50 †† (.26 )†† 1.55 †† (.31 )†† 52
Class B                                                                        
2010     5.03   (.06 )   .39     .33           5.36 6.56     6,551 2.42   2.42   (.66 ) 2.45   (.69 ) 92  
2011     5.36   (.09 )   (.46 )   (.55 )         4.81 (10.26 )   4,515 2.37   2.37   (.55 ) 2.40   (.58 ) 103  
2012     4.81   (.09 )   1.15     1.06     .01     .01   5.86 21.99     4,388 2.38   2.39   (.27 ) 2.40   (.29 ) 94  
2013     5.86   (.07 )   1.09     1.02     .02     .02   6.86 17.55     4,419 2.36   2.36   (.10 ) 2.38   (.12 ) 92  
2014     6.86   (.06 )   .69     .63       .11   .11   7.38 9.18     4,023 2.31   2.31   (.79 ) 2.36   (.84 ) 154  
2015 ^   7.38   (.04 )   .54     .50       1.51   1.51   6.37 7.70   4,031 2.31 †† 2.31 †† (1.08 )†† 2.36 †† (1.13 )†† 52
Advisor Class                                                                  
2013   7.28   .06     .67     .73           8.01 10.03   1 1.27 †† 1.27 †† 1.46 †† 4.88 †† (2.15 )†† 92  
2014     8.01       .82     .82       .11   .11   8.72 10.24     66,590 1.06   1.06   .53   1.11   .48   154  
2015 ^   8.72   .01   .65     .66       1.51   1.51   7.87 8.40   83,519 1.09 †† 1.09 †† .17 †† 1.14 †† .12 †† 52
Institutional Class                                                                  
2013   7.28   .06     .68     .74           8.02 10.17   1 1.14 †† 1.14 †† 1.55 †† 4.59 †† (1.90 )†† 92  
2014     8.02       .84     .84       .11   .11   8.75 10.48     3,001 1.03   1.03   .48   1.08   .43   154  
2015 ^   8.75   .01   .65     .66       1.51   1.51   7.90     8.37   3,234   1.04 †† 1.04 †† .20 †† 1.09 †† .15 †† 52

 

198 199

 



Financial Highlights (continued)
FIRST INVESTORS EQUITY FUNDS

 
      P E R  S H A R E  D A T A             R A T I O S / S U P P L E M E N T A L  D A T A        
                                                            Ratio to Average Net        
                        Less Distributions                   Ratio to Average   Assets Before Expenses        
          Investment Operations   from                   Net Assets**   Waived or Assumed        
      Net Asset   Net     Net Realized                     Net Asset                 Net                
      Value,   Investment     and Unrealized   Total from   Net   Net         Value,       Net Assets  Net Expenses    Net Expenses   Investment       Net Portfolio  
      Beginning   Income     Gain on   Investment   Investment   Realized   Total     End of Total      End of Period After Fee   Before Fee   Income      Investment Turnover  
      of Period   (Loss)     Investments   Operations   Income   Gain   Distributions     Period   Return*     (in thousands)   Credits   Credits(a)   (Loss)   Expenses(a)   Loss     Rate  
SELECT GROWTH FUND                                                              
Class A                                                                        
2010   $5.33 $(.03 ) $ .49 $ .46 $—   $—   $ 5.79 8.63 % $183,556 1.56 % 1.56 % (.48 )% N/A   N/A     98 %
2011     5.79   (.02 )   .54   .52           6.31 8.98     203,243 1.45   1.45   (.28 ) N/A   N/A     62  
2012     6.31   (.03 )   1.70   1.67           7.98 26.47     271,019 1.42   1.42   (.35 ) N/A   N/A     53  
2013     7.98   .02     1.24   1.26           9.24 15.79     315,833 1.35   1.35   .25   N/A   N/A     71  
2014     9.24       1.73   1.73   .00   .00   10.97 18.77     330,595 1.27   1.27   .03   N/A   N/A     33  
2015 ^   10.97   .01   1.36   1.37   .00   .00   12.34 12.50   370,963 1.25 †† 1.25 †† .23 †† N/A   N/A     32
Class B                                                                        
2010     4.94   (.07 )   .46   .39           5.33 7.90     8,423 2.26   2.26   (1.18 ) N/A   N/A     98  
2011     5.33   (.07 )   .51   .44           5.77 8.26     6,692 2.15   2.15   (.98 ) N/A   N/A     62  
2012     5.77   (.09 )   1.57   1.48           7.25 25.65     5,853 2.12   2.12   (1.07 ) N/A   N/A     53  
2013     7.25   (.06 )   1.15   1.09           8.34 15.03     5,308 2.10   2.10   (.48 ) N/A   N/A     71  
2014     8.34   (.07 )   1.55   1.48           9.82 17.75     4,868 2.06   2.06   (.76 ) N/A   N/A     33  
2015 ^   9.82   (.03 )   1.21   1.18           11.00 12.02   4,910 2.03 †† 2.03 †† (.56 )†† N/A   N/A     32
Advisor Class                                                                  
2013   8.46   .01     .79   .80           9.26 9.46   1 1.02 †† 1.02 †† .25 †† 4.63 %†† (3.36 )%††   71  
2014     9.26   .06   1.69   1.75           11.01 18.90     31,902 .83   .83   .51   N/A   N/A     33  
2015 ^   11.01   .04   1.36   1.40   .01     .01     12.40 12.70   39,431 .84 †† .84 †† .66 †† N/A   N/A     32
Institutional Class                                                                  
2013   8.46   .02     .79   .81           9.27 9.57   1 .89 †† .89 †† .39 †† 4.32 †† (3.04 )††   71  
2014     9.27   .05   1.74   1.79           11.06 19.31     3,057 .83   .83   .48   N/A   N/A     33  
2015 ^   11.06   .04   1.36   1.40   .02     .02     12.44   12.62   3,707   .82 †† .82 †† .68 †† N/A   N/A     32

 

200 201

 



Financial Highlights (continued)
FIRST INVESTORS EQUITY FUNDS

 
        P E R  S H A R E  D A T A              R A T I O S / S U P P L E M E N T A L   D A T A        
                                                          Ratio to Average Net        
                        Less Distributions                 Ratio to Average   Assets Before Expenses        
          Investment Operations   from                 Net Assets**   Waived or Assumed        
      Net Asset   Net     Net Realized                   Net Asset                 Net                
      Value,   Investment     and Unrealized   Total from   Net   Net       Value,     Net Assets  Net Expenses    Net Expenses   Investment       Net Portfolio  
      Beginning   Income     Gain on   Investment   Investment   Realized   Total   End of Total      End of Period After Fee   Before Fee   Income   Investment Turnover  
      of Period   (Loss)     Investments   Operations   Income   Gain   Distributions     Period    Return*         (in thousands)   Credits   Credits(a)   (Loss)   Expenses(a)   Loss     Rate  
OPPORTUNITY FUND                                                            
Class A                                                                      
2010   $20.76 $.05   $2.65 $2.70 $— $   — $   — $23.46 13.01 % $402,117 1.44 % 1.44 % .24 % N/A   N/A     40 %
2011     23.46   .17     .49   .66   .05     .05   24.07 2.77     415,392 1.36   1.36   .62   N/A   N/A     37  
2012     24.07   .26     6.10   6.36   .17   .89   1.06   29.37 26.99     529,886 1.35   1.35   .94   N/A   N/A     36  
2013     29.37   .18     9.64   9.82   .26   .80   1.06   38.13 34.47     726,942 1.28   1.28   .56   N/A   N/A     40  
2014     38.13   .07   5.29   5.36   .16   2.43   2.59   40.90 14.20     805,113 1.20   1.20   .16   N/A   N/A     34  
2015 ^   40.90   .05   3.83   3.88   .06   2.70   2.76   42.02 9.90   895,227 1.20 †† 1.20 †† .24 †† N/A   N/A     19
Class B                                                                      
2010     18.21   (.14 )   2.37   2.23         20.44 12.25     20,130 2.14   2.14   (.52 ) N/A   N/A     40  
2011     20.44   (.10 )   .52   .42   .01     .01   20.85 2.04     15,025 2.06   2.06   (.04 ) N/A   N/A     37  
2012     20.85   .01     5.31   5.32   .13   .89   1.02   25.15 26.12     13,129 2.05   2.05   .15   N/A   N/A     36  
2013     25.15   (.12 )   8.26   8.14   .22   .80   1.02   32.27 33.49     13,677 2.02   2.02   (.18 ) N/A   N/A     40  
2014     32.27   (.21 )   4.47   4.26     2.43   2.43   34.10 13.32     12,145 1.99   1.99   (.63 ) N/A   N/A     34  
2015 ^   34.10   (.09 )   3.16   3.07     2.70   2.70   34.47 9.46   11,893 1.98 †† 1.98 †† (.56 )†† N/A   N/A     19
Advisor Class                                                                
2013   33.13   .16     4.89   5.05         38.18 15.24   1 .98 †† .98 †† .91 †† 4.48 %†† (2.59 )%†† 40  
2014     38.18   .23   5.22   5.45     2.43   2.43   41.20 14.43     35,733 .90   .90   .51   N/A   N/A     34  
2015 ^   41.20   .11   3.86   3.97   .08   2.70   2.78   42.39 10.06   46,117 .92 †† .92 †† .53 †† N/A   N/A     19
Institutional Class                                                                
2013   33.13   .19     4.89   5.08         38.21 15.33   1 .85 †† .85 †† 1.06 †† 4.17 †† (2.26 )†† 40  
2014     38.21   .24   5.30   5.54   .17   2.43   2.60   41.15 14.66     3,838 .79   .79   .58   N/A   N/A     34  
2015 ^   41.15   .13   3.86   3.99   .20   2.70   2.90   42.24   10.13   4,266   .78 †† .78 †† .65 †† N/A   N/A     19

 

202 203

 



Financial Highlights (continued)
FIRST INVESTORS EQUITY FUNDS

 
      P E R  S H A R E  D A T A                 R A T I O S / S U P P L E M E N T A L  D A T A      
                                                           Ratio to Average Net      
                        Less Distributions                 Ratio to Average   Assets Before Expenses      
          Investment Operations   from                 Net Assets**   Waived or Assumed      
      Net Asset   Net     Net Realized                   Net Asset                 Net       Net      
      Value,   Investment     and Unrealized   Total from   Net   Net       Value,       Net Assets  Net Expenses    Net Expenses   Investment       Investment   Portfolio  
      Beginning   Income     Gain on   Investment   Investment   Realized   Total    End of Total       End of Period After Fee   Before Fee   Income       Income   Turnover  
      of Period   (Loss)     Investments   Operations   Income   Gain   Distributions      Period    Return*       (in thousands)   Credits   Credits(a)   (Loss)   Expenses(a)   (Loss)   Rate  
SPECIAL SITUATIONS FUND                                                          
Class A                                                                    
2010   $18.40 $(.05 ) $2.31 $2.26 $— $   — $   — $20.66 12.28 % $274,074 1.52 % 1.52 % (.28 )% 1.65 % (.41 )% 64 %
2011     20.66   .03     1.03   1.06         21.72 5.13     285,220 1.44   1.44   .13   1.54   .03   73  
2012     21.72   .01     4.46   4.47   .03   1.76   1.79   24.40 21.19     342,939 1.43   1.43   .03   1.53   (.07 ) 41  
2013     24.40   .11     4.68   4.79   .12   1.00   1.12   28.07 20.47     412,102 1.39   1.39   .42   1.47   .34   110  
2014     28.07   .02   3.16   3.18     4.60   4.60   26.65 11.65     425,957 1.33   1.33   .06   1.38   .01   55  
2015 ^   26.65   .01   2.86   2.87   .04   1.43   1.47   28.05 11.13   476,435 1.33 †† 1.33 †† .11 †† 1.34 †† .10 †† 22
Class B                                                                    
2010     16.09   (.25 )   2.11   1.86         17.95 11.56     7,577 2.22   2.22   (.94 ) 2.35   (1.07 ) 64  
2011     17.95   (.13 )   .92   .79         18.74 4.40     5,884 2.14   2.14   (.55 ) 2.24   (.65 ) 73  
2012     18.74   (.15 )   3.84   3.69     1.76   1.76   20.67 20.33     5,085 2.13   2.13   (.67 ) 2.23   (.77 ) 41  
2013     20.67   (.10 )   3.96   3.86   .08   1.00   1.08   23.45 19.62     4,932 2.13   2.13   (.29 ) 2.21   (.37 ) 110  
2014     23.45   (.17 )   2.62   2.45     4.60   4.60   21.30 10.71     4,441 2.16   2.16   (.77 ) 2.21   (.82 ) 55  
2015 ^   21.30   (.08 )   2.26   2.18     1.43   1.43   22.05 10.67   4,421 2.16 †† 2.16 †† (.71 )†† 2.17 †† (.72 )†† 22
Advisor Class                                                              
2013   25.71   .01     2.37   2.38         28.09 9.26   1 1.16 †† 1.16 †† .08 †† 4.82 †† (3.58 )†† 110  
2014     28.09   .12   3.10   3.22     4.60   4.60   26.71 11.82     26,458 1.01   1.01   .39   1.06   .34   55  
2015 ^   26.71   .05   2.87   2.92   .08   1.43   1.51   28.12 11.31   33,795 1.05 †† 1.05 †† .39 †† 1.06 †† .38 †† 22
Institutional Class                                                              
2013   25.71    .06     2.37   2.43         28.14 9.45   1 .84 †† .84 †† .42 †† 4.43 †† (3.17 )†† 110  
2014     28.14   .14   3.16   3.30     4.60   4.60   26.84 12.10     5,750 .89   .89   .51   .94   .46   55  
2015 ^   26.84   .07   2.88   2.95   .16   1.43   1.59   28.20      11.38   6,409   .89 †† .89 †† .56 †† .90 †† .55 †† 22

 

204 205

 



Financial Highlights (continued)
FIRST INVESTORS EQUITY FUNDS

  
                                                       
          P E R  S H A R E  D A T A                     R A T I O  S / S U P P L E M E N T A L  D A T A         
                                                            Ratio to Average Net        
                      Less Distributions                 Ratio to Average   Assets Before Expenses        
          Investment Operations     from                 Net Assets**   Waived or Assumed        
      Net Asset   Net     Net Realized                     Net Asset                 Net                
      Value,   Investment     and Unrealized     Total from     Net Net       Value,       Net Assets  Net Expenses    Net Expenses   Investment       Net Portfolio  
      Beginning   Income     Gain (Loss) on     Investment     Investment Realized   Total   End of Total       End of Period After Fee   Before Fee   Income   Investment Turnover  
      of Period   (Loss)     Investments     Operations     Income Gain   Distributions    Period    Return*        (in thousands)    Credits    Credits(a)   (Loss)   Expenses(a)   Loss     Rate  
INTERNATIONAL FUND                                                              
Class A                                                                        
2010   $8.90 $.15   $1.15   $1.30   $.02 $.02 $10.18 14.63 % $129,570 1.97 % 1.97 % 1.33 % N/A   N/A     32 %
2011     10.18   .12     (.59 )   (.47 )   .17   .17   9.54 (4.70 )   128,479 1.88   1.88   1.20   N/A   N/A     30  
2012     9.54   .10     2.20     2.30     .16   .16   11.68 24.34     165,797 1.82   1.82   .86   N/A   N/A     41  
2013     11.68   .04     .81     .85         12.53 7.28     215,873 1.71   1.71   .34   N/A   N/A     31  
2014     12.53   .05   .50     .55     .02   .02   13.06 4.43     193,174 1.66   1.66   .39   N/A   N/A     34  
2015 ^   13.06   .01   .14     .15     .05   .05   13.16 1.14   199,580 1.68 †† 1.68 †† .22 †† N/A   N/A     10
Class B                                                                        
2010     8.71   .08     1.12     1.20         9.91 13.78     3,569 2.67   2.67   .59   N/A   N/A     32  
2011     9.91   .01     (.52 )   (.51 )   .16   .16   9.24 (5.30 )   2,983 2.58   2.58   .30   N/A   N/A     30  
2012     9.24   (.04 )   2.19     2.15     .14   .14   11.25 23.50     3,328 2.52   2.52   (.02 ) N/A   N/A     41  
2013     11.25   (.11 )   .84     .73         11.98 6.49     3,200 2.46   2.46   (.45 ) N/A   N/A     31  
2014     11.98   (.05 )   .47     .42         12.40 3.51     2,893 2.49   2.49   (.42 ) N/A   N/A     34  
2015 ^   12.40   (.04 )   .13     .09         12.49 0.73   2,446 2.50 †† 2.50 †† (.69 )†† N/A   N/A     10
Advisor Class                                                                  
2013   12.79   .06     (.30 )   (.24 )       12.55 (1.88 )†   1 1.45 †† 1.45 †† .97 †† 5.30 %†† (2.88 )%†† 31  
2014     12.55   .14   .44     .58         13.13 4.62     35,249 1.27   1.27   .98   N/A   N/A     34  
2015 ^   13.13   .04   .13     .17     .05   .05   13.25 1.30   42,029 1.31 †† 1.31 †† .66 †† N/A   N/A     10
Institutional Class                                                                  
2013   12.79   .08     (.31 )   (.23 )       12.56 (1.80 )†   1 1.19 †† 1.19 †† 1.23 †† 4.84 †† (2.42 )†† 31  
2014     12.56   .12   .51     .63         13.19 5.02     2,357 1.17   1.17   .93   N/A   N/A     34  
2015 ^   13.19   .05   .12     .17     .10   .10   13.26     1.34   2,302   1.17 †† 1.17 †† .71 †† N/A   N/A     10

 

* Calculated without sales charges.
 
** Net of expenses waived or assumed (Note 3).
 
Based on average shares during the period.
 
† Not annualized
 
†† Annualized
 
For the period April 1, 2013 (commencement of operations) to September 30, 2013.
 
(a) The ratios do not include a reduction of expenses from cash balances maintained with the custodian or from
brokerage service arrangements (Note 1G).
 
(b) Prior to September 4, 2012, known as Value Fund.
 
Due to rounding, amount is less than .005 per share.
 
^ For the period October 1, 2014 to March 31, 2015.

 

206 See notes to financial statements 207

 



Report of Independent Registered Public
Accounting Firm

To the Shareholders and Board of Trustees of
First Investors Income Funds and First Investors Equity Funds

We have audited the accompanying statements of assets and liabilities, including the portfolios of investments of the Cash Management Fund, Limited Duration High Quality Bond Fund, Government Fund, Investment Grade Fund, Strategic Income Fund, International Opportunities Bond Fund, Floating Rate Fund and Fund For Income (each a series of First Investors Income Funds), and the Total Return Fund, Equity Income Fund, Growth & Income Fund, Global Fund, Select Growth Fund, Opportunity Fund, Special Situations Fund, and International Fund (each a series of First Investors Equity Funds), as of March 31, 2015, the related statements of operations, the statements of changes in net assets, and the financial highlights for each of the periods indicated thereon. These financial statements and financial highlights are the responsibility of the Funds’ management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these financial statements and financial highlights based on our audits.

We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements and financial highlights are free of material misstatement. The Funds are not required to have, nor were we engaged to perform an audit of the Funds’ internal control over financial reporting. Our audits included consideration of internal control over financial reporting as a basis for designing audit procedures that are appropriate in the circumstances, but not for the purpose of expressing an opinion on the effectiveness of the Funds’ internal control over financial reporting. Accordingly, we express no such opinion. An audit includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. Our procedures included confirmation of securities owned as of March 31, 2015, by correspondence with the custodian and brokers. Where brokers have not replied to our confirmation requests, we have carried out other appropriate auditing procedures. An audit also includes assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall financial statement presentation. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.

208

 



In our opinion, the financial statements and financial highlights referred to above present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of the Cash Management Fund, Limited Duration High Quality Bond Fund, Government Fund, Investment Grade Fund, Strategic Income Fund, International Opportunities Bond Fund, Floating Rate Fund, Fund For Income, Total Return Fund, Equity Income Fund, Growth & Income Fund, Global Fund, Select Growth Fund, Opportunity Fund, Special Situations Fund and International Fund, as of March 31, 2015, and the results of their operations, changes in their net assets, and their financial highlights for the periods presented, in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America.

Tait, Weller & Baker LLP

 

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
May 28, 2015

209

 



Board Considerations of Advisory Contracts and Fees
(unaudited)
REAL ESTATE FUND

Consideration of the Investment Advisory Agreement with respect to the First Investors Real Estate Fund

At the November 20, 2014 meeting (the “November Meeting”) of the Board of Trustees (the “Board”) of the First Investors Equity Funds (the “Trust”), the Board, including a majority of the Independent Trustees, discussed and approved, for the new First Investors Real Estate Fund (the “New Fund”), the investment advisory agreement (the “Advisory Agreement”) with First Investors Management Company, Inc. (“FIMCO”).

The Trustees were provided with detailed materials relating to the New Fund and FIMCO in advance of and at the November Meeting. The material factors and conclusions that formed the basis for the approval of the Advisory Agreement are discussed below. In addition, the Trustees met in person with FIMCO, Trust counsel, independent legal counsel to the Independent Trustees (“Independent Legal Counsel”) and others to receive information on, and discuss the approval of, the Advisory Agreement. The Trustees also met in person with the portfolio manager from The Independent Order of Foresters (“Foresters”), the ultimate parent company of FIMCO, who would be managing the New Fund as well as with the Chief Investment Officer of Foresters, who had previously managed Foresters’ real estate strategy.

In making their determinations, the Trustees took into account management style, investment strategies, investment philosophy and process, FIMCO’s and Foresters’ past performance, FIMCO’s and Foresters’ personnel that would be serving the New Fund, and prevailing market conditions. In evaluating the Advisory Agreement, the Trustees also reviewed information provided by FIMCO, including the terms of the Advisory Agreement and information regarding fee arrangements, including the structure of the advisory fee, the method of computing fees, and the frequency of payment of fees. Among other things, the Trustees also reviewed information comparing the New Fund’s advisory fee and total expenses with a peer group (the “Peer Group”) of other similar funds compiled by Lipper, Inc., an independent provider of investment company data.

210

 



After extensive discussion and consideration among themselves, and with FIMCO, Foresters, Trust counsel and Independent Legal Counsel, including during an executive session with Independent Legal Counsel held the previous day as well as during the November Meeting, the Trustees concluded the following with respect to the New Fund:

• The nature and extent of the investment advisory services to be provided to the New Fund by FIMCO were consistent with the terms of the Advisory Agreement.

• The prospects for satisfactory investment performance of the New Fund were reasonable;

• Shareholders of the New Fund may benefit from economies of scale in the future as assets grow due to breakpoints included in the fee schedule for the Advisory Agreement;

• The advisory fee and total expense ratio were at or below the median of the funds included in the Peer Group;

• Total expenses of the New Fund would be capped under an expense limitation agreement pursuant to which FIMCO or the New Fund’s transfer agent, an affiliate of FIMCO, will limit total annual operating expenses to a certain level for each class of shares of the New Fund;

• The cost of services to be provided by FIMCO to the New Fund and the profits to be realized by FIMCO and its affiliates from their relationship with the New Fund would be assessed after a reasonable period of New Fund operations; and

• FIMCO may receive certain “fall out” or ancillary benefits by obtaining research and other services from broker-dealers that execute brokerage transactions for the New Fund.

* * *

 

Based on all relevant information and factors, none of which was individually determinative of the outcome, the Board, including a majority of the Independent Trustees, concluded that the approval of the Advisory Agreement was in the best interests of the New Fund and its shareholders and unanimously approved such Advisory Agreement.

211

 



FIRST INVESTORS INCOME FUNDS
FIRST INVESTORS EQUITY FUNDS

Trustees  
Susan E. Artmann
 
Mary J. Barneby
 
Charles R. Barton, III
 
Arthur M. Scutro, Jr.
 
Mark R. Ward
 
Officers  
William Lipkus
President
 
Marc S. Milgram
Chief Compliance Officer
 
Joseph I. Benedek
Treasurer
 
Mark S. Spencer
Assistant Treasurer
 
Mary C. Carty
Secretary
 
Carol Lerner Brown
Assistant Secretary

 

212

 



Shareholder Information    
 
Investment Adviser Subadviser
First Investors Management (International Fund)
Company, Inc. Vontobel Asset Management, Inc.
40 Wall Street 1540 Broadway
New York, NY 10005 New York, NY 10036
 
Subadviser Underwriter
(International Opportunities Bond Fund) First Investors Corporation
Brandywine Global Investment 40 Wall Street
Management, LLC New York, NY 10005
2929 Arch Street  
Philadelphia, PA 19104 Custodian
  The Bank of New York Mellon
Subadviser One Wall Street
(Floating Rate Fund and Fund For Income) New York, NY 10286
Muzinich & Co., Inc.  
450 Park Avenue Transfer Agent
New York, NY 10022 Administrative Data Management Corp.
  Raritan Plaza I – 8th Floor
Subadviser Edison, NJ 08837-3620
(Global Fund)  
Wellington Management Company, LLP Independent Registered Public
280 Congress Street Accounting Firm
Boston, MA 02210 Tait, Weller & Baker LLP
  1818 Market Street
Subadviser Philadelphia, PA 19103
(Select Growth Fund)  
Smith Asset Management Group, L.P. Legal Counsel
100 Crescent Court K&L Gates LLP
Dallas, TX 75201 1601 K Street, N.W.
  Washington, D.C. 20006

 

213

 



A description of the policies and procedures that the Funds use to vote proxies relating to a portfolio’s securities is available, without charge, upon request by calling toll free 1-800-423-4026 or can be viewed online or downloaded from the EDGAR database on the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission’s (“SEC”) internet website at http://www.sec.gov. In addition, information regarding how the Funds voted proxies relating to portfolio securities during the most recent 12-month period ended June 30, is available, without charge, upon request in writing or by calling 1-800-423-4026 and on the SEC’s internet website at http://www.sec.gov.

The Funds file their complete schedule of portfolio holdings with the SEC on Form N-Q for the first and third quarters of each fiscal year. The Funds’ Form N-Q is available on the SEC’s website at http://www.sec.gov; and may also be reviewed and copied at the SEC’s Public Reference Room in Washington D.C. Information on the operation of the Public Reference Room may be obtained by calling 1-800-SEC-0330. The schedule of portfolio holdings is available, without charge, upon request in writing or by calling 1-800-423-4026.

214

 



NOTES

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

215

 



NOTES

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

216

 



NOTES

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

217

 






Item 2. Code of Ethics

Not applicable for semi-annual report

Item 3. Audit Committee Financial Expert

Not applicable for semi-annual report

Item 4. Principal Accountant Fees and Services

Not applicable for semi-annual report

Item 5. Audit Committee of Listed Registrants

Not applicable

Item 6. Schedule of Investments

(a) Schedule of investments is included as part of the report to shareholders filed under Item 1 of this Form.

(b) Not applicable

Item 7. Disclosure of Proxy Voting Policies & Procedures for Closed-End Management Investment Companies

Not applicable

Item 8. Portfolio Managers of Closed-End Management Investment Companies

Not applicable

Item 9. Purchases of Equity Securities by Closed-End Management Investment Companies and Affiliated Purchasers

Not applicable

Item 10. Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders

There were no material changes to the procedure by which shareholders may recommend nominees to the Registrant's Board of Trustees.

Item 11. Controls and Procedures

(a) The Registrant's Principal Executive Officer and Principal Financial Officer have concluded that the Registrant's disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rule 30a-3(c) under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended) are effective, based on their evaluation of these disclosure controls and procedures as of a date within 90 days of the filing date of this report.



(b) There were no changes in the Registrant's internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Rule 30a-3(d) under the Investment Company Act of 1940 as amended) that occurred during the second fiscal quarter of 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 12. Exhibits

(a)(1) Code of Ethics - Not applicable for semi-annual report

(a)(2) Certifications pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 - Filed herewith

(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.

First Investors Income Funds 
 
 
By  /S/  WILLIAM LIPKUS 
  William Lipkus 
  President and Principal Executive Officer 
 
Date:  May 28, 2015 

 

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  /S/  WILLIAM LIPKUS 
  William Lipkus 
  President and Principal Executive Officer 
 
By  /S/  JOSEPH I. BENEDEK 
  Joseph I. Benedek 
  Treasurer and Principal Financial Officer 
 
Date:  May 28, 2015