497 1 d634206d497.htm VIRTUS OPPORTUNITIES TRUST Virtus Opportunities Trust
Table of Contents

 

LOGO

 

PROSPECTUS   
     TICKER SYMBOL BY CLASS
      A      C      I
Virtus Wealth Masters Fund    VWMAX      VWMCX      VWMIX

 

TRUST NAME:     January 31, 2013,
VIRTUS OPPORTUNITIES TRUST     as supplemented and revised June 11, 2013

 

Neither the Securities and Exchange Commission nor any state securities commission has approved or disapproved of these securities or determined if this prospectus is truthful or complete. Any representation to the contrary is a criminal offense. This prospectus contains important information that you should know before investing in Virtus mutual funds. Please read it carefully and retain it for future reference.      Not FDIC Insured No Bank Guarantee May Lose Value


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Virtus Wealth Masters Fund

 

 

Table of Contents

  

FUND SUMMARY

     1   

MORE INFORMATION ABOUT FUND EXPENSES

     4   

MORE INFORMATION ABOUT INVESTMENT OBJECTIVES AND PRINCIPAL INVESTMENT STRATEGIES

     5   

MORE INFORMATION ABOUT RISKS RELATED TO PRINCIPAL INVESTMENT STRATEGIES

     7   

MANAGEMENT OF THE FUND

     8   

ADDITIONAL INVESTMENT TECHNIQUES

     10   

PRICING OF FUND SHARES

     11   

SALES CHARGES

     13   

YOUR ACCOUNT

     17   

HOW TO BUY SHARES

     18   

HOW TO SELL SHARES

     19   

THINGS YOU SHOULD KNOW WHEN SELLING SHARES

     19   

ACCOUNT POLICIES

     20   

INVESTOR SERVICES AND OTHER INFORMATION

     23   

TAX STATUS OF DISTRIBUTIONS

     24   

FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS

     26   

Appendix A — Additional Information About The Horizon Kinetics ISE Wealth Index

     28   


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Virtus Wealth Masters Fund

 

Investment Objective

The fund has an investment objective of capital appreciation.

Fees and Expenses

The tables below illustrate all fees and expenses that you may pay if you buy and hold shares of the fund. You may qualify for sales charge discounts if you and your family invest, or agree to invest in the future, at least $50,000 in Virtus Mutual Funds. More information about these and other discounts is available from your financial advisor and under “Sales Charges” on page 13 of the fund’s prospectus and “Alternative Purchase Arrangements” on page 109 of the fund’s statement of additional information (the “SAI”).

 

Shareholder Fees (fees paid directly from your investment)    Class A      Class C      Class I  
Maximum Sales Charge (load) Imposed on Purchases (as a percentage of offering price)      5.75%         None         None   
Maximum Deferred Sales Charge (load) (as a percentage of the lesser of purchase price or redemption proceeds)      1.00% (a)       1.00% (b)       None   

 

Annual Fund Operating Expenses (expenses that you pay each year as a percentage of the value of your investment)    Class A      Class C      Class I  
Management Fees      0.85%         0.85%         0.85%   
Distribution and Shareholder Servicing (12b-1) Fees      0.25%         1.00%         None   
Other Expenses(c)      0.58%         0.58%         0.58%   
Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses      1.68%         2.43%         1.43%   
Less: Expense Reimbursement(d)      (0.23)%         (0.23)%         (0.23)%   
Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses After Expense Reimbursement      1.45%         2.20%         1.20%   

 

  (a) Generally, Class A Shares are not subject to any charges by the fund when redeemed; however, a contingent deferred sales charge may be imposed on certain redemptions (i) within 18 months on exchanges from a Virtus non-money market fund into a Virtus money market fund; and (ii) on purchases on which a finder’s fee has been paid. The 18-month period begins on the last day of the month preceding the month in which the purchase was made.

 

  (b) The deferred sales charge is imposed on Class C Shares redeemed during the first year only.

 

  (c) Estimated for current fiscal year.

 

  (d) The fund’s investment adviser has contractually agreed to limit the fund’s total operating expenses (excluding interest, taxes and extraordinary expenses) so that such expenses do not exceed 1.45% for Class A Shares, 2.20% for Class C Shares and 1.20% for Class I Shares through January 31, 2014. Following the contractual period, the adviser may discontinue these expense reimbursement arrangements at any time. Under certain conditions, the adviser may recapture operating expenses reimbursed under these arrangements for a period of three years following the fiscal year in which such reimbursement occurred.

Example

This example is intended to help you compare the cost of investing in the fund with the cost of investing in other mutual funds. The example assumes that you invest $10,000 in the fund for the time periods indicated and then redeem all of your shares at the end of those periods. The example also assumes that your investment has a 5% return each year and that the fund’s operating expenses remain the same and that the expense reimbursement arrangement remains in place only for the period indicated. Although your actual costs may be higher or lower, based on these assumptions your costs would be:

 

      Share Status    1 Year      3 Years  
Class A    Sold or Held      $714         $1,053   
Class C    Sold      $323         $736   
     Held      $223         $736   
Class I    Sold or Held      $122         $430   

 

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Portfolio Turnover

The fund pays transaction costs, such as commissions, when it buys and sells securities (or “turns over” its portfolio). A higher portfolio turnover rate may indicate higher transaction costs and may result in higher taxes when fund shares are held in a taxable account. These costs, which are not reflected in annual fund operating expenses or in the example, affect the fund’s performance. During the period from inception (September 5, 2012) through its fiscal year end (September 30, 2012), the fund’s portfolio turnover rate was 26% of the average value of its portfolio.

Investments, Risks and Performance

Principal Investment Strategies

The fund seeks to track the performance of the Horizon Kinetics ISE Wealth Index (Ticker: RCH), a public index maintained by Horizon Kinetics LLC, the parent company of the fund’s subadviser, and published by International Securities Exchange, LLC. The index is composed of U.S.-listed companies and equity REITs managed by executives who are among the wealthiest individuals in the United States and, in many cases, have accumulated a substantial amount of their personal wealth through the companies that they manage. The issuers have market capitalizations, at time of addition to the index, in excess of $100 million (as of June 30, 2012). The fund attempts to replicate the target index by investing all, or substantially all, of its assets in the stocks that make up the index, holding each stock in approximately the same proportion as its weighting in the index.

Principal Risks

The fund may not achieve its objective, and it is not intended to be a complete investment program. The value of the fund’s investments that supports your share value may decrease. If between the time you purchase shares and the time you sell shares the value of the fund’s investments decreases, you will lose money. Investment values can decrease for a number of reasons. Conditions affecting the overall economy, specific industries or companies in which the fund invests can be worse than expected, and investments may fail to perform as the subadviser expects. As a result, the value of your shares may decrease. The principal risks of investing in the fund are:

 

  >  

Correlation to Index. The risk that the performance of the fund and its index may vary somewhat due to factors such as fund flows, transaction costs, sample selection, and timing differences associated with additions to and deletions from its index.

 

  >  

Equity Real Estate Investment Trust (REIT) Securities Risk. The risk that, in addition to the risks associated with investing in the real estate industry, the value of the fund’s shares will be negatively affected by factors specific to investing through a pooled vehicle, such as through poor management of a REIT or REIT-like entity, concentration risk, or other risks typically associated with investing in small or medium market capitalization companies.

 

  >  

Equity Securities Risk. The risk that events negatively affecting issuers, industries or financial markets in which the fund invests will impact the value of the stocks held by the fund and thus, the value of the fund’s shares over short or extended periods. Investments in smaller companies, including microcap companies may be more volatile than investments in larger companies.

 

  >  

Market Volatility Risk. The risk that the value of the securities in which the fund invests may go up or down in response to the prospects of individual companies and/or general economic conditions. Price changes may be temporary or may last for extended periods.

 

  >  

Sector Focused Investing Risk. The risk that events negatively affecting a particular market sector in which the fund focuses its investments will cause the value of the fund’s shares to decrease, perhaps significantly. To the extent the fund focuses its assets in a particular market sector, the fund is more vulnerable to conditions that negatively affect such market sector as compared to a fund that does not focus holdings in such securities.

Performance Information

The fund has not had a full calendar year of operations; therefore, performance information is not shown.

Management

The fund’s investment adviser is Virtus Investment Advisers, Inc.

The fund’s subadviser is Horizon Asset Management, LLC (“Horizon”).

 

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Portfolio Management

 

  >  

Murray Stahl, Portfolio Manager, Chairman and Chief Investment Officer at Horizon. Mr. Stahl has served as a Portfolio Manager of the fund since inception in September 2012.

 

  >  

Matthew Houk, Portfolio Manager and Research Analyst at Horizon. Mr. Houk has served as a Portfolio Manager of the fund since inception in September 2012.

Purchase and Sale of Fund Shares

 

Purchase Minimums (except Class I Shares)      
Minimum Initial Purchase    $2,500

Individual Retirement Accounts (IRAs), systematic purchase or systematic exchange accounts

   $100

Defined contribution plans, asset-based fee programs, profit-sharing plans or employee benefit plans

   No minimum
Minimum Additional Purchase    $100

Defined contribution plans, asset-based fee programs, profit-sharing plans or employee benefit plans

   No minimum

For Class I Shares, the minimum initial purchase is $100,000; there is no minimum for additional purchases.

In general, you may buy or sell shares of the fund by mail or telephone on any business day. You also may buy and sell shares through a financial advisor.

Taxes

The fund’s distributions are taxable to you either as ordinary income or capital gains, except when your investment is through a tax-deferred arrangement, such as a 401(k) plan or an individual retirement account. Such tax-deferred arrangements may be taxed later upon withdrawal of monies from those arrangements.

Payments to Broker-Dealers and Other Financial Intermediaries

If you purchase the fund through a broker-dealer or other financial intermediary (such as a bank), the fund and its related companies may pay the intermediary for the sale of fund shares and related services. These payments may create a conflict of interest by influencing the broker-dealer or other intermediary and your financial advisor to recommend the fund over another investment. Ask your financial advisor or visit your financial intermediary’s Web site for more information.

 

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More Information About Fund Expenses

 

Virtus Investment Advisers, Inc. (“VIA”) has agreed to limit the total operating expenses (excluding interest, taxes, extraordinary expenses and acquired fund fees and expenses, if any) so that such expenses do not exceed, on an annualized basis, the amounts indicated in the following table.

 

      Class A
Shares
     Class C
Shares
     Class I
Shares
     Through Date    Type*

Virtus Wealth Masters Fund

     1.45%         2.20%         1.20%       January 31,

2014

   C

* V=Voluntary, C=Contractual

** Excludes leverage expenses, if any.

Following the contractual period, VIA may discontinue these arrangements at any time. Under certain conditions, VIA may recapture operating expenses waived or reimbursed under these expense limitation arrangements for a period of three years following the end of the fiscal period in which such waiver or reimbursement occurred.

For the last fiscal year, total (net) fund operating expenses, including acquired fund fees and expenses, if any, after effect of any expense reimbursement and/or fee waivers were:

 

      Class A
Shares
     Class C
Shares
     Class I
Shares
 

Virtus Wealth Masters Fund

     1.45%         2.25%         1.20%   

 

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More Information About Investment Objectives and Principal Investment Strategies

 

The fund’s investment objectives and principal strategies are described in this section. The fund has a non-fundamental investment objective. A non-fundamental investment objective may be changed by the Board of Trustees of the fund without shareholder approval. If the fund’s investment objective is changed, the prospectus will be supplemented to reflect the new investment objective and shareholders will be provided with at least 60 days advance notice of such change. There is no guarantee that the fund will achieve its objective(s).

Please see the SAI for additional information about the securities and investment strategies described in this prospectus and about additional securities and investment strategies that may be used by the fund.

 

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Virtus Wealth Masters Fund

 

Non-Fundamental Investment Objective:

The fund has an investment objective of capital appreciation.

Principal Investment Strategies:

The fund seeks to track the performance of the Horizon Kinetics ISE Wealth Index (ticker: RCH), a public index maintained by Horizon Kinetics LLC, an affiliate of the subadviser, and published by International Securities Exchange, LLC. The index is composed of U.S.-listed companies and equity REITs managed by executives who are among the wealthiest individuals in the United States and have accumulated a substantial amount of their personal wealth through the companies that they manage. The manager believes that companies managed or influenced by individuals who have created significant wealth in their companies will outperform other companies because those managers tend to prioritize creation of long-term shareholder value over the shorter-term considerations that are typical of other corporate management. The fund attempts to replicate the target index by investing all, or substantially all, of its assets in the stocks that make up the index, holding each stock in approximately the same proportion as its weighting in the index.

To be eligible for inclusion in the Index, companies must meet the following criteria:

 

  ·  

The company must have an individual with significant wealth in the company and in a control position that allows for substantial decision making authority (a wealthy individual is defined as a person whose level of personal assets generally exceeds $500 million, as measured by public data)

 

  ·  

The wealth individual must own at least $100 million of the common equity

 

  ·  

The company must be listed on a U.S. exchange

 

  ·  

The company must be an operating company and not a closed-end fund, ETF or limited partnership

 

  ·  

The market capitalization must be in excess of $200 million

 

  ·  

The trailing three month average daily value traded must be greater than $2 million

 

  ·  

In the case of initial public offerings, the component security must have been publicly listed for at least two years

The index is equally weighted and is reviewed and rebalanced quarterly.

Temporary Defensive Strategy: If the subadviser does not believe that market conditions are favorable to the fund’s principal investment strategies, the fund may take temporary defensive positions that are inconsistent with its principal strategies by investing in cash or money market instruments, including, but not limited to, U.S. Government obligations maturing within one year from the date of purchase. When this allocation happens, the fund may not achieve its investment objective.

Please see “More Information About Risks Related to Principal Investment Strategies” for information about the risks of investing in the fund. Please refer to “Additional Investment Techniques” for other investment techniques of the fund.

 

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More Information About Risks Related to Principal Investment Strategies

 

The fund may not achieve its objectives, and is not intended to be a complete investment program.

Generally, the value of a fund’s investments that supports your share value may decrease. If between the time you purchase shares and the time you sell shares the value of such fund’s investments decreases, you will lose money.

Investment values can decrease for a number of reasons. Conditions affecting the overall economy, specific industries or companies in which a fund invests can be worse than expected and investments may fail to perform as the adviser or subadviser expects. As a result, the value of your shares may decrease.

Specific risks of investing in the fund are identified and described in detail below.

Correlation to Index

The risk that the performance of the fund and its index may vary somewhat due to factors such as fund flows, transaction costs, sample selection, and timing differences associated with additions to and deletions from its index.

Equity REIT Securities Risk

REITs are financial vehicles that pool investor capital to purchase or finance real estate. Equity REITs invest primarily in direct ownership or lease of real property, and they derive most of their income from rents. Equity REITs can also realize capital gains by selling properties that have appreciated in value. Investing in equity REITs and REIT-like entities involves certain unique risks in addition to those risks associated with investing in the real estate industry in general. REITs and REIT-like entities are typically small or medium market capitalization companies, and they are subject to management fees and other expenses. A fund that invests in REITs and REIT-like entities will bear its proportionate share of the costs of the REITs’ and REIT-like entities’ operations. REITs and REIT-like entities are dependent upon management skill, may not be diversified, and are subject to heavy cash flow dependency and self- liquidation. REITs and REIT-like entities also are subject to the possibility of failing to qualify for tax-free pass-through of income. Also, because REITs and REIT-like entities typically are invested in a limited number of projects or in a particular market segment, these entities are more susceptible to adverse developments affecting a single project or market segment than more broadly diversified investments. In the event of a default by a borrower or lessee, a REIT may experience delays in enforcing its rights as a mortgagee or lessor and may incur substantial costs associated with protecting its investments. In addition, investment in REITs could cause the fund to possibly fail to qualify as a regulated investment company, depending upon the nature of dividends received by the fund.

Equity Securities Risk

Generally, prices of equity securities are more volatile than those of fixed income securities. The prices of equity securities will rise and fall in response to a number of different factors. In particular, equity securities will respond to events that affect entire financial markets or industries (such as changes in inflation or consumer demand) and to events that affect particular issuers (such as news about the success or failure of a new product). Equity securities also are subject to “stock market risk,” meaning that stock prices in general may decline over short or extended periods of time. When the value of the stocks held by a fund goes down, the value of a fund’s shares will be affected.

 

·  

Large Market Capitalization Companies. The value of investments in larger companies may not rise as much as smaller companies, or that larger companies may be unable to respond quickly to competitive challenges, such as changes in technology and consumer tastes.

 

·  

Small and Medium Market Capitalization Companies. Small-and medium-sized companies often have narrower markets, fewer products or services to offer, and more limited managerial and financial resources than larger, more established companies. As a result, the performance of small-and medium-sized companies may be more volatile, and may face a greater risk of business failure, which could increase the volatility and risk of loss to a fund.

 

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Market Volatility Risk

The risk that the value of the securities in which a fund invests may go up or down in response to the prospects of individual companies and/or general economic conditions. Price changes may be temporary or may last for extended periods.

Instability in the financial markets has led to volatile financial markets that expose a fund to greater market and liquidity risk and potential difficulty in valuing portfolio instruments that it holds. In response to financial markets that experienced extreme volatility, and in some cases a lack of liquidity, the U.S. Government has taken a number of unprecedented actions, including acquiring distressed assets from financial institutions and acquiring ownership interests in those institutions. The implications of government ownership and disposition of these assets are unclear. Additional legislation or government regulation may also change the way in which funds themselves are regulated, which could limit or preclude a fund’s ability to achieve its investment objective.

Sector Focused Investing Risk

The value of the investments of a fund that focuses its investments in a particular market sector will be highly sensitive to financial, economic, political and other developments affecting that market sector, and conditions that negatively impact that market sector will have a greater impact on the fund as compared with a fund that does not have its holdings similarly focused. Events negatively affecting the market sectors in which a fund has invested are therefore likely to cause the value of a fund’s shares to decrease, perhaps significantly.

Management of the Fund

 

The Adviser

Virtus Investment Advisers, Inc. (“VIA”) is the investment adviser to the fund and is located at 100 Pearl Street, Hartford, CT 06103. VIA acts as the investment adviser for over 50 mutual funds and as adviser to institutional clients. As of September 30, 2012, VIA had approximately $27.4 billion in assets under management. VIA has acted as an investment adviser for over 70 years and is an indirect wholly-owned subsidiary of Virtus Investment Partners, Inc. (“Virtus”), a publicly traded multi-manager asset management business.

Subject to the direction of the fund’s Board of Trustees, VIA is responsible for managing the fund’s investment programs and for the general operations of the fund, including oversight of the fund’s subadvisers, recommending their hiring, termination and replacement.

VIA has appointed Horizon Asset Management, LLC (“Horizon”) to manage the fund’s investments and to oversee the activities of the fund.

Management Fees

The fund pays VIA an investment management fee that is accrued daily against the value of the fund’s net assets at the annual rate of:

 

First $1 billion    Over $1 billion
0.85%    0.80%

The Subadviser

Horizon is located at 470 Park Avenue South, New York, NY 10016 and has been an investment adviser since 1994. Horizon is owned by Horizon Kinetics LLC (“Horizon Kinetics”), an independently owned and operated firm formed in May 2011. As of September 30, 2012, Horizon Kinetics had approximately $7.1 billion in assets under management.

VIA pays the Subadviser a subadvisory fee which is calculated on the fund’s average daily net assets at the annual rate of 50% of the net investment management fee.

 

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A discussion regarding the basis for the Board of Trustees approving the investment advisory and subadvisory agreements for the fund is available in the fund’s 2012 annual report, covering the period from inception on September 5, 2012 through September 30, 2012.

VIA and the fund, have received an exemptive order from the SEC that permits VIA, subject to certain conditions, and without the approval of shareholders, to: (a) employ a new unaffiliated subadviser for the fund pursuant to the terms of a new subadvisory agreement, in each case either as a replacement for an existing subadviser or as an additional subadviser; (b) change the terms of any subadvisory agreement; and (c) continue the employment of an existing subadviser on the same subadvisory agreement terms where an agreement has been assigned because of a change in control of the subadviser. In such circumstances, shareholders would receive notice of such action.

Portfolio Management

Murray Stahl and Matthew Houk are responsible for the day-to-day management of the fund’s portfolios since the fund’s inception in September 2012.

Murray Stahl. Mr. Stahl is Portfolio Manager at Horizon and serves as Chairman, Chief Investment Officer and Co-Founder of Horizon Kinetics. He has over thirty years of investing experience and is responsible for overseeing the Horizon Research Team. Murray also serves as Chairman of the firm’s Investment Committee, which is responsible for all portfolio management decisions. Previously, Murray spent 16 years at Bankers Trust Company (1978-1994) as a senior portfolio manager and research analyst, where he ultimately managed approximately $600 million in trust and fund assets and was deeply involved in new product development.

Matthew Houk. Mr. Houk is Portfolio Manager at Horizon. He also has portfolio management and research responsibilities at Horizon Kinetics and is Co-Portfolio Manager of a small-cap fund managed by an affiliate Horizon. Mr. Houk joined the firm in 2008; previously, Mr. Houk was with Goldman, Sachs & Co. (2005-2008).

Please refer to the SAI for additional information about the fund’s portfolio managers, including the structure of and method of computing compensation, other accounts they manage and their ownership of shares of the fund.

 

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Additional Investment Techniques

 

In addition to the Principal Investment Strategies and Risks Related to Principal Investment Strategies, the fund may engage in additional investment techniques that present additional risks as indicated below. Those additional investment techniques in which the fund is expected to engage as of the date of this prospectus are described below, although other techniques may be utilized from time to time. Many of the additional investment techniques that the fund may use, as well as other investment techniques that are relied upon to a lesser degree are more fully described in the SAI.

Derivatives

Derivative transactions are contracts whose value is derived from the value of an underlying asset, index or rate, including futures, options, non-deliverable forwards, forward foreign currency exchange contracts and swap agreements. A fund may use derivatives to hedge against factors that affect the value of its investments, such as interest rates and foreign currency exchange rates. A fund may also utilize derivatives as part of its overall investment technique to gain or lessen exposure to various securities, markets and currencies.

Derivatives typically involve greater risks than traditional investments. It is generally more difficult to ascertain the risk of, and to properly value, derivative contracts. The prices of derivatives may move in unexpected ways, especially in abnormal market conditions. Derivatives are usually less liquid than traditional securities and are subject to counterparty risk (the risk that the other party to the contract will default or otherwise not be able to perform its contractual obligations). In addition, some derivatives transactions may involve potentially unlimited losses. Derivative contracts entered into for hedging purposes may also subject a fund to losses if the contracts do not correlate with the assets, indexes or rates they were designed to hedge. Gains and losses derived from hedging transactions are, therefore, more dependent upon the subadviser’s ability to correctly predict the movement of the underlying asset prices, indexes or rates. A fund’s use of derivatives may also increase the amount of taxes payable by shareholders.

Exchange-Traded Funds (ETFs)

ETFs invest in a portfolio of securities designed to track a particular market segment or index. The risks associated with investing in ETFs generally reflect the risks of owning shares of the underlying securities the ETF is designed to track, although lack of liquidity in an ETF could result in its value being more volatile than the underlying portfolio of securities. Assets invested in ETFs incur a layering of expenses, including operating costs and advisory fees that fund shareholders indirectly bear; such expenses may exceed the expenses a fund would incur if it invested directly in the underlying portfolio of securities the ETF is designed to track. Shares of ETFs trade on a securities exchange and may trade at, above, or below their net asset value.

Foreign Investing

Investing in securities of non-U.S. companies involves special risks and considerations not typically associated with investing in U.S. companies, and the values of non-U.S. securities may be more volatile than those of U.S. securities. The values of non-U.S. securities are subject to economic and political developments in countries and regions where the issuers operate or are domiciled, or where the securities are traded, such as changes in economic or monetary policies, and to changes in currency exchange rates. Values may also be affected by restrictions on receiving the investment proceeds from a non-U.S. country.

In general, less information is publicly available about non-U.S. companies than about U.S. companies. Non-U.S. companies are generally not subject to the same accounting, auditing and financial reporting standards as are U.S. companies. Certain foreign issuers classified as passive foreign investment companies may be subject to additional taxation risk.

 

·  

Emerging Market Investing Risk. The risks of foreign investments are generally greater in countries whose markets are still developing than they are in more developed markets. Emerging market countries typically have economic and political systems that are less fully developed, and can be expected to be less stable than those of more developed countries. For example, the economies of such countries can be subject to rapid and unpredictable rates of inflation or deflation. Since these markets are often small, they may be more likely to suffer sharp and frequent price changes or long-term price depression because of adverse publicity, investor perceptions or the actions of a

 

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few large investors. They may also have policies that restrict investment by foreigners, or that prevent foreign investors from withdrawing their money at will. Certain emerging markets may also face other significant internal or external risks, including the risk of war and civil unrest. For all of these reasons, investments in emerging markets may be considered speculative.

To the extent that a fund invests a significant portion of its assets in a particular emerging market, the fund will be more vulnerable to financial, economic, political and other developments in that country, and conditions that negatively impact that country will have a greater impact on the fund as compared with a fund that does not have its holdings concentrated in a particular country.

Infrastructure-Related Investments

Infrastructure-related entities are subject to a variety of factors that may adversely affect their business or operations including high interest costs in connection with capital construction programs, costs associated with environmental and other regulations, the effects of economic slowdown and surplus capacity, increased competition from other providers of services, uncertainties concerning the availability of fuel at reasonable prices, the effects of energy conservation policies and other factors. Additionally, infrastructure-related entities may be subject to regulation by various governmental authorities and may also be affected by governmental regulation of rates charged to customers, service interruption due to environmental, operational or other mishaps and the imposition of special tariffs and changes in tax laws, regulatory policies and accounting standards.

Mutual Fund Investing

Through its investments in other mutual funds, a fund is exposed to not only to the risks of the underlying funds’ investments but also to certain additional risks. Assets invested in other mutual funds incur a layering of expenses, including operating costs, advisory fees and administrative fees that you, as a shareholder in the fund, indirectly bear. Such fees and expenses may exceed the fees and expenses the fund would have incurred if it invested in the underlying fund’s assets directly. To the extent that the expense ratio of an underlying fund changes, the weighted average operating expenses borne by the fund may increase or decrease. An underlying fund may change its investment objective or policies without the approval of the fund, and the fund might be forced to withdraw its investment from the underlying fund at a time that is unfavorable to the fund. If a fund invests in closed-end funds, it may incur added expenses such as additional management fees and trading costs and additional risks associated with trading at a discount to NAV and use of leverage.

Securities Lending

A fund may loan portfolio securities with a value up to one-third of its total assets to increase its investment returns. If the borrower is unwilling or unable to return the borrowed securities when due, a fund can suffer losses. In addition, there is a risk of delay in receiving additional collateral or in the recovery of the securities, and a risk of loss of rights in the collateral, in the event that the borrower fails financially. There is also a risk that the value of the investment of the collateral could decline, causing a loss to the fund.

The fund may buy other types of securities or employ other portfolio management techniques. Please refer to the SAI for more detailed information about these and other investment techniques of the fund.

Pricing of Fund Shares

 

How is the Share Price determined?

The fund calculates a share price for each class of its shares. The share price for each class is based on the net assets of the fund and the number of outstanding shares of that class. In general, the fund calculates a share price for each class by:

 

  ·  

adding the values of all securities and other assets of the fund;

 

  ·  

subtracting liabilities; and

 

  ·  

dividing the result by the total number of outstanding shares of that class.

 

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Assets: Equity securities are valued at the official closing price (typically last sale) on the exchange on which the securities are primarily traded, or if no closing price is available, at the last bid price. Shares of other investment companies are valued at such companies’ net asset values (“NAVs”). Debt securities (other than short-term investments) are valued on the basis of broker quotations or valuations provided by a pricing service, which in determining value utilizes information with respect to recent sales, market transactions in comparable securities, quotations from dealers, and various relationships between securities. Short-term investments having a remaining maturity of 60 days or less are valued at amortized cost, which approximates market value. Other assets, such as accrued interest, accrued dividends and cash are also included in determining a fund’s NAV. As required, some securities and assets are valued at fair value as determined in good faith by, or under the direction of, the Board of Trustees.

Liabilities: Accrued liabilities for class-specific expenses (if any), distribution fees, service fees and other liabilities are deducted from the assets of each class. Accrued expenses and liabilities that are not class specific (such as management fees) are allocated to each class in proportion to each class’s net assets except where an alternative allocation can be more appropriately made.

Net Asset Value: The liabilities allocated to a class are deducted from the proportionate interest of such class in the assets of the fund. The resulting amount for each class is then divided by the number of shares outstanding of that class to produce each class’s NAV per share.

The NAV per share of each class of the fund is determined as of the close of regular trading (normally 4:00 PM eastern time) on days when the New York Stock Exchange (“NYSE”) is open for trading. The fund will not calculate its NAV per share class on days when the NYSE is closed for trading. If the fund (or underlying fund, as applicable) holds securities that are traded on foreign exchanges that trade on weekends or other holidays when the fund does not price its shares, the NAV of the fund’s shares may change on days when shareholders will not be able to purchase or redeem the fund’s shares.

How are securities fair valued?

If market quotations are not readily available or available prices are not reliable, the fund (or underlying funds, as applicable) determines a “fair value” for an investment according to policies and procedures approved by the Board of Trustees. The types of assets for which such pricing might be required include (i) securities whose trading has been suspended; (ii) securities where the trading market is unusually thin or trades have been infrequent; (iii) debt securities that have recently gone into default and for which there is no current market quotation; (iv) a security whose market price is not available from an independent pricing source and for which otherwise reliable quotes are not available; (v) securities of an issuer that has entered into a restructuring; (vi) a security whose price as provided by any pricing source does not, in the opinion of the adviser/subadviser, reflect the security’s market value; (vii) foreign securities subject to trading collars for which no or limited trading takes place; and (viii) securities where the market quotations are not readily available as a result of “significant” events. This list is not inclusive of all situations that may require a security to be fair valued, nor is it intended to be conclusive in determining whether a specific event requires fair valuation.

The value of any portfolio security held by a fund for which market quotations are not readily available shall be determined in good faith and in a manner that assesses the security’s “fair value” on the valuation date (i.e., the amount that the fund might reasonably expect to receive for the security upon its current sale), based on a consideration of all available facts and all available information, including, but not limited to, the following: (i) the fundamental analytical data relating to the investment; (ii) an evaluation of the forces which influence the market in which these securities are purchased and sold (e.g., the existence of merger proposals or tender offers that might affect the value of the security); (iii) price quotes from dealers and/or pricing services; (iv) an analysis of the company’s financial statements; (v) trading volumes on markets, exchanges or among dealers; (vi) recent news about the security or issuer; (vii) changes in interest rates; (viii) information obtained from the issuer, analysts, other financial institutions and/or the appropriate stock exchange (for exchange traded securities); (ix) whether two or more dealers with whom the adviser/subadviser regularly effects trades are willing to purchase or sell the security at comparable prices; (x) other news events or relevant matters; and (xi) government (domestic or foreign) actions or pronouncements.

 

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Certain foreign common stocks may be fair valued in cases where closing prices are not readily available or are deemed not reflective of readily available market prices. For example, events (such as movement in the U.S. securities market, or other regional and local developments) may occur between the time that foreign markets close (where the security is principally traded) and the time that the fund calculates its NAV (generally, the close of regular trading on the NYSE) that may impact the value of securities traded in these foreign markets. In such cases, information from an external vendor may be utilized to adjust closing market prices of certain foreign common stocks to reflect their fair value. Because the frequency of significant events is not predictable, fair valuation of certain foreign common stocks may occur on a frequent basis.

The value of a security, as determined using the fund’s fair valuation procedures, may not reflect such security’s market value.

At what price are shares purchased?

All investments received by the fund’s authorized agents in good order prior to the close of regular trading on the NYSE (normally 4:00 PM eastern time) will be executed based on that day’s NAV. Shares credited to your account from the reinvestment of fund distributions will be in full and fractional shares that are purchased at the closing net asset value on the next business day on which the fund’s NAV is calculated following the dividend record date.

Sales Charges

 

What are the classes and how do they differ?

Presently, the fund offers three classes of shares. With the exception of Class I Shares, each class of shares has different sales and distribution charges. (See “Fees and Expenses” in the fund’s “Fund Summary,” previously in this prospectus.) For certain classes of shares, the fund has adopted distribution and service plans allowed under Rule 12b-1 of the 1940 Act (Rule 12b-1 Fees), as amended, that authorize the fund to pay distribution and service fees for the sale of their shares and for services provided to shareholders.

The Rule 12b-1 Fees for each class of the fund are as follows:

 

Class A    Class C    Class I
0.25%    1.00%    None

What arrangement is best for you?

The different classes of shares permit you to choose the method of purchasing shares that is most beneficial to you. In choosing a class of shares, consider the amount of your investment, the length of time you expect to hold the shares, whether you decide to receive distributions in cash or to reinvest them in additional shares, and any other personal circumstances. Depending upon these considerations, the accumulated distribution and service fees and contingent deferred sales charges of one class of shares may be more or less than the initial sales charge and accumulated distribution and service fees of another class of shares bought at the same time. Because distribution and service fees are paid out of a fund’s assets on an ongoing basis, over time these fees will increase the cost of your investment and may cost you more than paying other types of sales charges.

Your financial representative should recommend only those arrangements that are suitable for you based on known information. In certain instances, you may be entitled to a reduction or waiver of sales charges. For instance, you may be entitled to a sales charge discount on Class A Shares if you purchase more than certain breakpoint amounts. You should inform or inquire of your financial representative whether or not you may be entitled to a sales charge discount attributable to your total holdings in a fund or affiliated funds. To determine eligibility for a sales charge discount, you may aggregate all of your accounts (including joint accounts, retirement accounts such as IRAs, non-IRAs, etc.) and those of your spouse and minor children. The financial representative may request you to provide an account statement or other holdings information to determine your eligibility for a breakpoint and to make certain all involved parties have the necessary data. Additional information about the classes of shares offered, sales charges, breakpoints and discounts follows in this section and also may be found in the SAI in the section entitled “How to Buy Shares.” This

 

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information is available free of charge, and in a clear and prominent format, at the Individual Investors section of virtus.com. Please be sure that you fully understand these choices before investing. If you or your financial representative requires additional assistance, you may also contact Virtus Mutual Fund Services by calling toll-free 800-243-1574.

Class A Shares. If you purchase Class A Shares, you will pay a sales charge at the time of purchase equal to 5.75% of the offering price (6.10% of the amount invested). The sales charge may be reduced or waived under certain conditions. (See “Initial Sales Charge Alternative—Class A Shares” below.) Generally, Class A Shares are not subject to any charges by the fund when redeemed; however, a contingent deferred sales charge (“CDSC”) of 1.00% may be imposed on certain redemptions within 18 months on exchanges from a Virtus non-money market fund into a Virtus money market fund and purchases on which a finder’s fee has been paid. The 18-month period begins on the last day of the month preceding the month in which the purchase was made. Class A Shares have lower distribution and service fees (0.25%) and generally pay higher dividends than Class C Shares.

Class C Shares. If you purchase Class C Shares, you will not pay a sales charge at the time of purchase. If you sell your Class C Shares of the other funds within the first year after they are purchased, you will pay a deferred sales charge of 1%. (See “Deferred Sales Charge Alternative—Class C Shares” below.) Class C Shares of the fund have the same distribution and service fees (1.00%). Class C Shares do not convert to any other class of shares of the fund, so the higher distribution and service fees paid by Class C Shares continue for the life of the account.

Class I Shares. Class I shares are offered primarily to clients of financial intermediaries that (i) charge such clients an ongoing fee for advisory, investment, consulting or similar services, or (ii) have entered into an agreement with the fund’s distributor to offer Class I shares through a no-load network or platform. Such clients may include pension and profit sharing plans, other employee benefit trusts, endowments, foundations and corporations. Class I shares are also offered to private and institutional clients of, or referred by, the adviser, a subadviser or their affiliates, and to Trustees of the funds and trustees/directors of affiliated open- and closed-end funds, and directors, officers and employees of Virtus and its affiliates. If you are eligible to purchase and do purchase Class I Shares, you will pay no sales charge at any time. There are no distribution and service fees applicable to Class I Shares. For additional information about purchasing Class I Shares, please contact Virtus Mutual Fund Services by calling 800-243-1574.

Initial Sales Charge Alternative—Class A Shares

The public offering price of Class A Shares is the NAV plus a sales charge that varies depending on the size of your purchase. (See “Class A Shares—Reduced Initial Sales Charges” in the SAI.) Shares purchased based on the automatic reinvestment of income dividends or capital gain distributions are not subject to any sales charges. The sales charge is divided between your investment dealer and VP Distributors, LLC (“the Distributor.”)

Sales Charge you may pay to purchase Class A Shares

 

       Sales Charge as a Percentage of  
Amount of Transaction at Offering Price      Offering
Price
       Amount
Invested
 
Under $50,000        5.75        6.10
$50,000 but under $100,000        4.75           4.99   
$100,000 but under $250,000        3.75           3.90   
$250,000 but under $500,000        2.75           2.83   
$500,000 but under $1,000,000        2.00           2.04   
$1,000,000 or more        None           None   

Contingent Deferred Sales Charge you may pay on Class A Shares

Investors buying Class A Shares on which a finder’s fee has been paid may incur a CDSC if they redeem their shares within 18 months of purchase.

 

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Class A Sales Charge Reductions and Waivers

Investors may reduce or eliminate sales charges applicable to purchases of Class A Shares through utilization of Combination Purchase Privilege, Letter of Intent, Right of Accumulation, Purchase by Associations or the Account Reinstatement Privilege. These programs are summarized below and are described in greater detail in the SAI.

Combination Purchase Privilege. Your purchase of any class of shares of the fund or any other Virtus Mutual Fund (other than any Virtus money market fund), if made at the same time by the same person, will be added together with any existing Virtus Mutual Fund account values to determine whether the combined sum entitles you to an immediate reduction in sales charges. A “person” is defined in this and the following sections as (a) any individual, their spouse and minor children purchasing shares for his or their own account (including an IRA account) including his or their own trust; (b) a trustee or other fiduciary purchasing for a single trust, estate or single fiduciary account (even though more than one beneficiary may exist); (c) multiple employer trusts or certain Section 403(b) plans for the same employer; (d) multiple accounts (up to 200) under a qualified employee benefit plan or administered by a third party administrator; or (e) trust companies, bank trust departments, registered investment advisers, and similar entities placing orders or providing administrative services with respect to accounts over which they exercise discretionary investment authority and which are held in a fiduciary, agency, custodial or similar capacity, provided all shares are held of record in the name, or nominee name, of the entity placing the order.

Letter of Intent. If you sign a Letter of Intent, your purchase of any class of shares of the fund or any other Virtus Mutual Fund (other than any Virtus money market fund), if made by the same person within a 13-month period, will be added together to determine whether you are entitled to an immediate reduction in sales charges. Sales charges are reduced based on the overall amount you indicate that you will buy under the Letter of Intent. The Letter of Intent is a mutually non-binding arrangement between you and Virtus Mutual Funds. Shares worth 5% of the amount of each purchase will be held in escrow (while remaining registered in your name) to secure payment of the higher sales charges applicable to the shares actually purchased in the event the full intended amount is not purchased.

Right of Accumulation. The value of your account(s) in any class of shares of the fund or any other Virtus Mutual Fund (other than any Virtus money market fund) if made over time by the same person, may be added together at the time of each purchase to determine whether the combined sum entitles you to a prospective reduction in sales charges. You must provide certain account information to Virtus Mutual Funds or their agents at the time of purchase to exercise this right.

Purchase by Associations. Certain groups or associations may be treated as a “person” and qualify for reduced Class A Share sales charges. The group or association must: (1) have been in existence for at least six months; (2) have a legitimate purpose other than to purchase mutual fund shares at a reduced sales charge; (3) work through an investment dealer; and (4) not be a group whose sole reason for existing is to consist of members who are credit card holders of a particular company, policyholders of an insurance company, customers of a bank or a broker-dealer or clients of an investment adviser.

Account Reinstatement Privilege. Subject to the fund’s policies and procedures regarding market timing, for 180 days after you sell your Class A Shares on which you previously paid a sales charge, you may purchase Class A Shares of any Virtus Mutual Fund at NAV, with no sales charge, by reinvesting all or part of your proceeds, but not more.

Sales at Net Asset Value. In addition to the programs summarized above, the fund may sell its Class A Shares at NAV without an initial sales charge to certain types of accounts or account holders, including, but not limited to: trustees of the Virtus Mutual Funds; directors, officers, employees and sales representatives of the adviser, subadviser (if any) or Distributor or a corporate affiliate of the adviser, subadviser or Distributor; private clients of an adviser or subadviser to any of the Virtus Mutual Funds; registered representatives and employees of dealers with which the Distributor has sales agreements; and certain qualified employee benefit plans, endowment funds or foundations. Please see the SAI for more information about qualifying for purchases of Class A Shares at NAV.

Deferred Sales Charge Alternative—Class C Shares

Class C Shares are purchased without an initial sales charge; however, shares sold within a specified time period are subject to a declining CDSC at the rates listed below. The sales charge will be multiplied by the then current market value or the initial cost of the shares being redeemed, whichever is less. No sales charge will be imposed on increases

 

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in NAV or on shares purchased through the reinvestment of income dividends or capital gain distributions. To minimize the sales charge, shares not subject to any charge will be redeemed first, followed by shares held the longest time. To calculate the number of shares owned and time period held, all Class C Shares are considered purchased on the trade date.

Deferred Sales Charge you may pay to sell Class C Shares

 

Year    1        2+                                          
CDSC      1        0                         

Compensation to Dealers

Dealers with whom the Distributor has entered into sales agreements receive a discount or commission on Class A Shares as described below.

 

Amount of
Transaction
at Offering Price
   Sales Charge as a
Percentage of
Offering Price
     Sales Charge as a
Percentage of
Amount Invested
     Dealer Discount as a
Percentage of
Offering Price
 
Under $50,000      5.75      6.10      5.00
$50,000 but under $100,000      4.75         4.99         4.25   
$100,000 but under $250,000      3.75         3.90         3.25   
$250,000 but under $500,000      2.75         2.83         2.25   
$500,000 but under $1,000,000      2.00         2.04         1.75   
$1,000,000 or more      None         None         None   

With respect to Class C Shares, the Distributor intends to pay investment dealers a sales commission of 1% of the sale price of Class C Shares. (This sales commission will not be paid to dealers for sales of Class C Shares purchased by 401(k) participants of the Merrill Lynch Daily K Plan due to a waiver of the CDSC for these plan participants’ purchases.) Your broker, dealer or financial advisor may also charge you additional commissions or fees for their services in selling shares to you provided they notify the Distributor of their intention to do so.

Dealers and other entities that enter into special arrangements with the Distributor may receive compensation for the sale and promotion of shares of the fund and/or for providing other shareholder services. Such fees are in addition to the sales commissions referenced above and may be based upon the amount of sales of fund shares by a dealer; the provision of assistance in marketing of fund shares; access to sales personnel and information dissemination services; provision of recordkeeping and administrative services to qualified employee benefit plans; and other criteria as established by the Distributor. Depending on the nature of the services, these fees may be paid either from the fund through distribution fees, service fees or transfer agent fees or, in some cases, the Distributor may pay certain fees from its own profits and resources.

From its own profits and resources, the Distributor may, from time to time, make payments to qualified wholesalers, registered financial institutions and third party marketers for marketing support services and/or retention of assets. Among others, the Distributor has agreed to make such payments for marketing support services to AXA Advisors, LLC. Additionally, the Distributor may pay broker-dealers a finder’s fee in an amount equal to 1.00% of eligible Class A Share purchases from $1,000,000 to $3,000,000, 0.50% on amounts of $3,000,001 to $10,000,000, and 0.25% on amounts greater than $10,000,000. Purchases by an account in the name of a qualified employee benefit plan are eligible for a finder’s fee only if such plan has at least 100 eligible employees. A CDSC of 1.00% may be imposed on certain redemptions of such investments within 18 months of purchase. For purposes of determining the applicability of the CDSC, the 18-month period begins on the last day of the month preceding the month in which the purchase was made. The Distributor will also pay broker-dealers a service fee of 0.25% beginning in the thirteenth month following purchase of Class A Shares on which a finder’s fee has been paid. The Distributor reserves the right to discontinue or alter such fee payment plans at any time.

From its own resources or pursuant to the distribution and shareholder servicing plans, and subject to the dealers’ prior approval, the Distributor may provide additional compensation to registered representatives of dealers in the form of travel expenses, meals, and lodging associated with training and educational meetings sponsored by the Distributor.

 

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The Distributor may also provide gifts amounting in value to less than $100, and occasional meals or entertainment, to registered representatives of dealers. Any such travel expenses, meals, lodging, gifts or entertainment paid will not be preconditioned upon the registered representatives’ or dealers’ achievement of a sales target. The Distributor may, from time to time, re-allow the entire portion of the sales charge on Class A Shares which it normally retains to individual selling dealers. However, such additional reallowance generally will be made only when the selling dealer commits to substantial marketing support such as internal wholesaling through dedicated personnel, internal communications and mass mailings.

The Distributor has agreed to pay fees to certain distributors for preferred marketing opportunities. These arrangements may be viewed as creating a conflict of interest between these distributors and investors. Investors should make due inquiry of their selling agents to ensure that they are receiving the requisite point of sale disclosures and suitable recommendations free of any influence by reason of these arrangements.

A document containing information about sales charges, including breakpoint (volume) discounts, is available free of charge on the Virtus website at virtus.com. In the Individual Investors section, go to the tab “Investors Knowledge Base” and click on the link for Breakpoint (Volume) Discounts.

Your Account

 

Opening an Account

Your financial advisor can assist you with your initial purchase as well as all phases of your investment program. If you are opening an account by yourself, please follow the instructions outlined below. These procedures do not apply to purchases of Class I Shares. For information about purchasing Class I Shares, please contact Virtus Mutual Fund Services by calling 800-243-1574.

The fund has established the following preferred methods of payment for fund shares:

 

  ·  

Checks drawn on an account in the name of the investor and made payable to Virtus Mutual Funds;

 

  ·  

Checks drawn on an account in the name of the investor’s company or employer and made payable to Virtus Mutual Funds; or

 

  ·  

Wire transfers or Automated Clearing House (“ACH”) transfers from an account in the name of the investor, or the investor’s company or employer.

Payment in other forms may be accepted at the discretion of the fund; however, the fund generally does not accept such other forms of payment as cash equivalents (such as traveler’s checks, cashier’s checks, money orders or bank drafts), starter checks, credit card convenience checks, or certain third party checks. Please specify the name of the fund on the check or transfer instructions.

To help the government fight the funding of terrorism and money laundering activities, federal law requires all financial institutions to obtain, verify and record information that identifies each person who opens an account. Accordingly, when you open an account, we will ask for your name, address, date of birth and other information that will allow us to identify you. We may check the information you provide against publicly available databases, information obtained from consumer reporting agencies, other financial institutions or other sources. If, after reasonable effort, we cannot verify your identity, we reserve the right to close the account and redeem the shares at the NAV next calculated after the decision is made by us to close the account.

Step 1.

Your first choice will be the initial amount you intend to invest.

Minimum initial investments:

 

  >  

$100 for individual retirement accounts (IRAs), accounts that use the systematic exchange privilege or accounts that use the Systematic Purchase program. (See below for more information on the Systematic Purchase program.)

 

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  >  

There is no initial dollar requirement for defined contribution plans, asset-based fee programs, profit-sharing plans or employee benefit plans. There is also no minimum for reinvesting dividends and capital gains into another account. Additionally, shareholders who own Class B Shares of a fund may purchase Class A Shares or Class C Shares of the same fund without regard to the minimum initial investment requirements.

 

  >  

$2,500 for all other accounts.

Minimum additional investments:

 

  >  

$100 for any account.

 

  >  

There is no minimum additional investment requirement for defined contribution plans, asset-based fee programs, profit-sharing plans or employee benefit plans. There is also no minimum additional investment requirement for reinvesting dividends and capital gains into an existing account.

The fund reserves the right to refuse a purchase order for any reason.

Step 2.

Your second choice will be what class of shares to buy. Each share class has different sales and distribution charges. Because all future investments in your account will be made in the share class you choose when you open your account, you should make your decision carefully. Your financial advisor can help you pick the share class that makes the most sense for your situation.

Step 3.

Your next choice will be how you want to receive any dividends and capital gain distributions. Your options are:

 

  >  

Receive both dividends and capital gain distributions in additional shares;

 

  >  

Receive dividends in additional shares and capital gain distributions in cash;

 

  >  

Receive dividends in cash and capital gain distributions in additional shares; or

 

  >  

Receive both dividends and capital gain distributions in cash.

No interest will be paid on uncashed distribution checks.

How to Buy Shares

 

 

    

To Open An Account

(Class A and Class C Shares only)

Through a financial advisor   Contact your advisor. Some advisors may charge a fee and may set different minimum investments or limitations on buying shares.
Through the mail   Complete a New Account Application and send it with a check payable to the fund. Mail them to: Virtus Mutual Funds, P.O. Box 9874, Providence, RI 02940-8074.
Through express delivery   Complete a New Account Application and send it with a check payable to the fund. Send them to: Virtus Mutual Funds, 4400 Computer Drive, Westborough, MA 01581-1722.
By Federal Funds wire   Call us at 800-243-1574 (press 1, then 0).
By Systematic Purchase  

Complete the appropriate section on the application and send it with your initial investment payable to the fund. Mail them to: Virtus Mutual Funds, P.O. Box 9874, Providence,

RI 02940-8074.

By telephone exchange   Call us at 800-243-1574 (press 1, then 0).

 

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The price at which a purchase is effected is based on the NAV next determined after receipt of a purchase order in good order by the fund’s transfer agent, Virtus Fund Services, LLC (the “Transfer Agent”). A purchase order is generally in “good order” if an acceptable form of payment accompanies the purchase order and the order includes the appropriate application(s) and/or other form(s) and any supporting legal documentation required by the Transfer Agent, each in legible form.

The fund reserves the right to refuse any order that may disrupt the efficient management of the fund.

How to Sell Shares

 

You have the right to have the fund buy back shares at the NAV next determined after receipt of a redemption order by the fund’s Transfer Agent or an authorized agent. In the case of a Class C Share redemption and certain Class A Share redemptions, you will be subject to the applicable contingent deferred sales charge, if any, for such shares. Subject to certain restrictions, shares may be redeemed by telephone or in writing. In addition, shares may be sold through securities dealers, brokers or agents who may charge customary commissions or fees for their services. The fund does not charge any redemption fees. Payment for shares redeemed is generally made within seven days; however, redemption proceeds will not be disbursed until each check used for purchases of shares has been cleared for payment by your bank, which may take up to 15 days after receipt of the check.

 

    

To Sell Shares

(Class A and Class C Shares only)

Through a financial advisor   Contact your advisor. Some advisors may charge a fee and may set different minimums on redemptions of accounts.
Through the mail   Send a letter of instruction to: Virtus Mutual Funds, P.O. Box 9874, Providence, RI 02940-8074. Be sure to include the registered owner’s name, fund and account number and number of shares or dollar value you wish to sell.
Through express delivery   Send a letter of instruction to: Virtus Mutual Funds, 4400 Computer Drive, Westborough, MA 01581-1722. Be sure to include the registered owner’s name, fund and account number and number of shares or dollar value you wish to sell.
By telephone   For sales up to $50,000, requests can be made by calling 800-243-1574.
By telephone exchange   Call us at 800-243-1574 (press 1, then 0).

Things You Should Know When Selling Shares

 

You may realize a taxable gain or loss (for federal income tax purposes) if you redeem or exchange shares of the fund. The fund reserves the right to pay large redemptions “in kind” (i.e., in securities owned by the fund) rather than in cash. Large redemptions are those that exceed $250,000 or 1% of the fund’s net assets, whichever is less, over any 90-day period. Additional documentation will be required for redemptions by organizations, fiduciaries, or retirement plans, or if a redemption is requested by anyone but the shareholder(s) of record. Transfers between broker-dealer “street” accounts are governed by the accepting broker-dealer.

Questions regarding this type of transfer should be directed to your financial advisor. Redemption requests will not be honored until all required documents, in proper form, have been received. To avoid delay in redemption or transfer, shareholders having questions about specific requirements should contact the fund’s Transfer Agent at 800-243-1574.

 

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Redemptions by Mail

 

Þ  

If you are selling shares held individually, jointly, or as custodian under the Uniform Gifts to Minors Act or Uniform Transfers to Minors Act:

Send a clear letter of instruction if both of these apply:

 

  ·  

The proceeds do not exceed $50,000.

 

  ·  

The proceeds are payable to the registered owner at the address on record.

Send a clear letter of instruction with a signature guarantee when any of these apply:

 

  ·  

You are selling more than $50,000 worth of shares.

 

  ·  

The name or address on the account has changed within the last 30 days.

 

  ·  

You want the proceeds to go to a different name or address than on the account.

 

Þ  

If you are selling shares held in a corporate or fiduciary account, please contact the fund’s Transfer Agent at 800-243-1574.

If required, the signature guarantee must be a STAMP 2000 Medallion guarantee and be made by an eligible guarantor institution as defined by the fund’s Transfer Agent in accordance with its signature guarantee procedures. Guarantees using previous technology medallions will not be accepted. As of the date of the prospectus, the Transfer Agent’s signature guarantee procedures generally permit guarantees by banks, broker-dealers, credit unions, national securities exchanges, registered securities associations, clearing agencies and savings associations.

Selling Shares by Telephone

The Transfer Agent will use reasonable procedures to confirm that telephone instructions are genuine. Address and bank account information are verified, redemption instructions are taped, and all redemptions are confirmed in writing.

The individual investor bears the risk from instructions given by an unauthorized third-party that the Transfer Agent reasonably believed to be genuine.

The Transfer Agent may modify or terminate the telephone redemption privilege at any time with 60 days’ notice to shareholders, except for instances of disruptive trading or market timing; in such cases, the telephone redemption privilege may be suspended immediately, followed by written notice. (See “Disruptive Trading and Market Timing” in this prospectus.)

During times of drastic economic or market changes, telephone redemptions may be difficult to make or temporarily suspended; however, shareholders would be able to make redemptions through other methods described above.

Account Policies

 

Account Reinstatement Privilege

Subject to the fund’s policies and procedures regarding market timing, for 180 days after you sell your Class A Shares on which you have previously paid a sales charge, you may purchase Class A Shares of any Virtus Mutual Fund at NAV, with no sales charge, by reinvesting all or part of your proceeds, but not more. Send your written request to Virtus Mutual Funds, P.O. Box 9874, Providence, RI 02940-8074. You can call Virtus Mutual Fund Services at 800-243-1574 for more information.

Please remember, a redemption and reinvestment are considered to be a sale and purchase for tax-reporting purposes.

 

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Annual Fee on Small Accounts

To help offset the costs associated with maintaining small accounts, Virtus Mutual Funds reserve the right to assess an annual $25 small account fee on fund accounts with a balance below $2,500. The small account fee may be waived in certain circumstances, such as for accounts that have elected electronic delivery of statements/regulatory documents and accounts owned by shareholders having multiple accounts with a combined value of over $25,000. The small account fee does not apply to accounts held through a financial intermediary.

The small account fee will be collected through the automatic sale of shares in your account. We will send you written notice before we charge the $25 fee so that you may increase your account balance above the minimum, sign up for electronic delivery, consolidate your accounts or liquidate your account. You may take these actions at any time by contacting your investment professional of the Transfer Agent.

Redemption of Small Accounts

Due to the high cost of maintaining small accounts, if your redemption activity causes your account balance to fall below $200, you may receive a notice requesting you to bring the balance up to $200 within 60 days. If you do not, the shares in the account will be sold at NAV, and a check will be mailed to the address of record.

Distributions of Small Amounts

Distributions in amounts less than $10 will automatically be reinvested in additional shares of the fund.

Uncashed Checks

If any correspondence sent by the fund is returned by the postal or other delivery service as “undeliverable,” your dividends or any other distribution may be automatically reinvested in the fund.

If your distribution check is not cashed within six months, the distribution may be reinvested in the fund at the current NAV. You will not receive any interest on uncashed distribution or redemption checks. This provision may not apply to certain retirement or qualified accounts.

Inactive Accounts

As required by the laws of certain states, if no activity occurs in an account within the time period specified by your state law, the assets in your account may be transferred to the state.

Exchange Privileges

You should read a prospectus of the Virtus Mutual Fund(s) into which you want to make an exchange before deciding to make an exchange. You can obtain a prospectus from your financial advisor; by calling 800-243-4361; or on the Internet at virtus.com.

 

  ·  

You may exchange shares of one fund for the same class of shares of another Virtus Mutual Fund (e.g., Class A Shares for Class A Shares). Class C Shares are also exchangeable for Class T Shares of those Virtus Mutual Funds offering them. Exchange privileges may not be available for all Virtus Mutual Funds and may be rejected or suspended.

 

  ·  

On exchanges into Class A of a Virtus money market fund from Class A of a Virtus non-money market fund made within 18 months of a finder’s fee being paid on such Virtus non-money market fund shares, a CDSC of 1.00% may be assessed on exchange proceeds.

 

  ·  

Exchanges may be made by telephone (800-243-1574) or by mail (Virtus Mutual Funds, P.O. Box 9874, Providence, RI 02940-8074)).

 

  ·  

The amount of the exchange must be equal to or greater than the minimum initial investment required, unless the minimum has been waived (as described in the SAI).

 

  ·  

The exchange of shares is treated as a sale and a purchase for federal income tax purposes.

 

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  ·  

In certain circumstances, a fund or the Distributor may enter into an agreement with a financial intermediary to permit exchanges from one class of a fund into another class of the same fund, subject to certain conditions. Such exchanges will only be permitted if, among other things, the financial intermediary agrees to follow procedures established by the fund or Distributor, which generally will require that the exchanges be carried out (i) within accounts maintained and controlled by the intermediary, (ii) on behalf of all or a particular segment of beneficial owners holding shares of the affected fund within those accounts, and (iii) all at once or within a given time period, or as agreed upon in writing by the fund or the Distributor and the financial intermediary. A shareholder’s ability to make this type of exchange may be limited by operational or other limitations of his or her financial intermediary or the fund.

Disruptive Trading and Market Timing

The fund is not suitable for market timers and market timers are discouraged from becoming investors. Your ability to make exchanges among Virtus Mutual Funds is subject to modification if we determine, in our sole opinion, that your exercise of the exchange privilege may disadvantage or potentially harm the rights or interests of other shareholders.

Frequent purchases, redemptions and exchanges, programmed exchanges, exchanges into and then out of a fund in a short period of time, and exchanges of large amounts at one time may be indicative of market timing and otherwise disruptive trading (“Disruptive Trading”) which can have risks and harmful effects for other shareholders. These risks and harmful effects include:

 

  ·  

dilution of the interests of long-term investors, if market timers or others exchange into a fund at prices that are below the true value or exchange out of a fund at prices that are higher than the true value;

 

  ·  

an adverse effect on portfolio management, as determined by portfolio management in its sole discretion, such as causing the fund to maintain a higher level of cash than would otherwise be the case, or causing the fund to liquidate investments prematurely; and

 

  ·  

reducing returns to long-term shareholders through increased brokerage and administrative expenses.

In order to attempt to protect our shareholders from the potential harmful effects of Disruptive Trading, the fund’s Board of Trustees has adopted market timing policies and procedures designed to discourage Disruptive Trading. The Board has adopted these policies and procedures as a preventive measure to protect all shareholders from the potential effects of Disruptive Trading, while also abiding by any rights that shareholders may have to make exchanges and provide reasonable and convenient methods of making exchanges that do not have the potential to harm other shareholders.

Excessive trading activity is measured by the number of roundtrip transactions in an account. A roundtrip transaction is one where a shareholder buys and then sells, or sells and then buys, shares of a fund within 30 days. Shareholders of the fund are limited to one roundtrip transaction within any rolling 30-day period. Roundtrip transactions are counted at the shareholder level. In considering a shareholder’s trading activity, the fund may consider, among other factors, the shareholder’s trading history both directly and, if known, through financial intermediaries, in the fund, in other funds within the Virtus Mutual Fund complex, in non-Virtus mutual funds or in accounts under common control or ownership. We do not include exchanges made pursuant to the dollar cost averaging or other similar programs when applying our market timing policies. Systematic withdrawal and/or contribution programs, mandatory retirement distributions, and transactions initiated by a plan sponsor also will not count towards the roundtrip limits. The fund may permit exchanges that it believe, in the exercise of their judgment, are not disruptive. The size of the fund and the size of the requested transaction may be considered when determining whether or not the transaction would be disruptive.

Shareholders holding shares for at least 30 days following investment will ordinarily be in compliance with the fund’s policies regarding market timing. The fund may, however, take action if activity is deemed disruptive even if shares are held longer than 30 days, such as a request for a transaction of an unusually large size. The size of the fund and the size of the requested transaction may be considered when determining whether or not the transaction would be disruptive.

Under our market timing policies, we may modify your exchange privileges for some or all of the funds by not accepting an exchange request from you or from any person, asset allocation service, and/or market timing services made on

 

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your behalf. We may also limit the amount that may be exchanged into or out of any fund at any one time or could revoke your right to make Internet, telephone or facsimile exchanges. We may reinstate Internet, telephone and facsimile exchange privileges after they are revoked, but we will not reinstate these privileges if we have reason to believe that they might be used thereafter for Disruptive Trading.

The fund currently does not charge exchange or redemption fees, or any other administrative charges on fund exchanges. The fund reserves the right to impose such fees and/or charges in the future.

Orders for the purchase of fund shares are subject to acceptance by the fund. We reserve the right to reject, without prior notice, any exchange request into the fund if the purchase of shares in the corresponding fund is not accepted for any reason.

The fund does not have any arrangements with any person, organization or entity to permit frequent purchases and redemptions of fund shares.

We may, without prior notice, take whatever action we deem appropriate to comply with or take advantage of any state or federal regulatory requirement. The fund reserves the right to reject any purchase or exchange transaction at any time. If we reject a purchase or exchange for any reason, we will notify you of our decision in writing.

The fund cannot guarantee that its policies and procedures regarding market timing will be effective in detecting and deterring all Disruptive Trading.

Retirement Plans

Shares of the funds may be used as investments under the following retirement plans: traditional IRA, rollover IRA, SEP-IRA, SIMPLE IRA, Roth IRA, 401(k) plans, profit-sharing, money purchase plans, and certain 403(b) plans. For more information, call 800-243-4361.

Investor Services and Other Information

 

Systematic Purchase is a systematic investment plan that allows you to have a specified amount automatically deducted from your checking or savings account and then deposited into your mutual fund account. Just complete the Systematic Purchase Section on the application and include a voided check.

Systematic Exchange allows you to automatically move money from one Virtus Mutual Fund to another on a monthly, quarterly, semiannual or annual basis. Shares of one Virtus Mutual Fund will be exchanged for shares of the same class of another Virtus Mutual Fund at the interval you select. To sign up, just complete the Systematic Exchange Section on the application. Exchange privileges may not be available for all Virtus Mutual Funds, and may be rejected or suspended.

Telephone Exchange lets you exchange shares of one Virtus Mutual Fund for the same class of shares in another Virtus Mutual Fund, using our customer service telephone service. (See the “Telephone Exchange” section on the application.) Exchange privileges may not be available for all Virtus Mutual Funds, and may be rejected or suspended.

Systematic Withdrawal allows you to periodically redeem a portion of your account on a predetermined monthly, quarterly, semiannual, or annual basis. Sufficient shares from your account will be redeemed at the closing net asset value on the applicable payment date, with proceeds to be mailed to you or sent through ACH to your bank (at your selection). For payments to be mailed, shares will be redeemed on the 15th of the month so that the payment is made about the 20th of the month. For ACH payments, you may select the day of the month for the payments to be made; if no date is specified, the payments will occur on the 15th of the month. The minimum withdrawal is $25, and minimum account balance requirements continue to apply. Shareholders in the program must own Virtus Mutual Fund shares worth at least $5,000.

Disclosure of Fund Holdings. A description of the fund’s policies and procedures with respect to the disclosure of the fund’s portfolio securities is available in the SAI.

 

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Tax Status of Distributions

 

The fund plans to make distributions from net investment income at intervals stated in the table below and to distribute net realized capital gains, if any, at least annually.

 

Fund    Dividend Paid
Virtus Wealth Masters Fund    Semiannually

Distributions of short-term capital gains (gains on securities held for a year or less) and net investment income are taxable to shareholders as ordinary income. Certain distributions of long-term capital gains and certain dividends are taxable at a lower rate than ordinary income. Long-term capital gains, if any, distributed to shareholders and which are designated by a fund as capital gain distributions, are taxable to shareholders as long-term capital gain distributions regardless of the length of time you have owned your shares.

Unless you elect to receive distributions in cash, dividends and capital gain distributions are paid in additional shares. All distributions, cash or additional shares, are subject to federal income tax and may be subject to state, local and other taxes.

Generally, distribution rates or yields from month to month may be impacted by accruals of undistributed income, changes in the fund’s net asset value, changes in the number of accrual days, and adjustments for accounting purposes (including but not limited to changes in maturity dates of holdings and for currency gains or losses). The target rate of distribution is evaluated regularly and can change at any time. The target rate of distribution is not equivalent to the 30-day SEC yield of the fund.

 

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Financial Highlights

 

These tables are intended to help you understand the fund’s financial performance since inception. Some of the information reflects financial information for a single fund share. The total returns in the tables represent the rate that an investor would have earned or lost on an investment in the fund (assuming reinvestment of all dividends and distributions). This information has been audited by PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, the fund’s independent registered public accounting firm. Its report, together with the fund’s financial statements, is included in the fund’s most recent Annual Report, which is available upon request.

 

      Net
Asset
Value,
Beginning
of Period
     Net
Investment
Income
(Loss)(2)
    Net
Realized and
Unrealized
Gain (Loss)
     Total
from
Investment
Operations
     Dividends
from Net
Investment
Income
     Distributions
from Net
Realized
Gains
    

Total
Return
of

Capital

     Total
Distributions
 
Wealth Masters Fund                       
Class A                       
9/5/12(6) to 9/30/12    $ 10.00         0.01        0.21         0.22                                   
Class C                       
9/5/12(6) to 9/30/12    $ 10.00         (5)      0.21         0.21                                   
Class I                       
9/5/12(6) to 9/30/12    $ 10.00         0.01        0.21         0.22                                   

Footnote Legend

 

(1) 

Sales charges, where applicable, are not reflected in the total return calculation.

(2)

Computed using average shares outstanding.

(3)

Annualized.

(4)

Not annualized.

(5)

Amount is less than $0.005.

(6)

Inception date.

 

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Change in
Net Asset
Value
    Net
Asset
Value,
End of
Period
    Total
Return(1)
    Net
Assets,
End of
Period
(in thousands)
   

Ratio of
Net
Expenses to
Average Net

Assets(8)

    Ratio of Gross
Expenses to
Average
Net Assets
   

Ratio of Net
Investment
Income
to Average

Net Assets

    Portfolio
Turnover
Rate
 
             
             
  0.22      $ 10.22        2.20 %(4)    $ 106        1.45 %(3)      44.72 %(3)      0.78 %(3)      26 %(4) 
             
  0.21      $ 10.21        2.10 %(4)    $ 107        2.20 %(3)      45.67 %(3)      0.04 %(3)      26 %(4) 
             
  0.22      $ 10.22        2.20 %(4)    $ 818        1.20 %(3)      44.40 %(3)      1.04 %(3)      26 %(4) 

 

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Appendix A

Additional Information About The Horizon Kinetics ISE Wealth Index

 

The Horizon Kinetics ISE Wealth Index (the “Index”) is a public index maintained by Horizon Kinetics, LLC, the parent company of the subadviser, and published by International Securities Exchange, LLC. The Index includes companies whose senior management has demonstrated a track record of skill and specific industry knowledge that has translated into high levels of long-term shareholder value creation. In many cases, these individuals have also used their respective companies as the primary means for accumulating substantial personal wealth. Due to this vested interest factor, these management teams often prioritize the creation of long-term shareholder value and, as a result, outperform the markets. That vested interest factor provides a unique predictive index variable as compared to traditional index classifications.

To be eligible for inclusion in the Index, companies must meet the following criteria:

 

  ·  

an individual with significant wealth in the company and in a control position that allows for substantial decision making authority (a wealthy individual is defined as a person whose level of personal assets generally exceeds $500 million, as measured by public data),

 

  ·  

wealth individual must own at least $100 million of the common equity,

 

  ·  

listed on a U.S. exchange,

 

  ·  

an operating company and not a closed-end fund, ETF or limited partnership,

 

  ·  

market capitalization in excess of $200 million,

 

  ·  

trailing three month average daily value traded greater than $2 million, and

 

  ·  

in the case of initial public offerings, the component security must have been publicly listed for at least two years

The Index constituents are equally weighted and reviewed quarterly for eligibility with the weights reset accordingly.

The tables below show performance of the Horizon Kinetics ISE Wealth Index as compared with the performance of the S&P 500® Index. The Horizon Kinetics ISE Wealth Index and the S&P 500® Index are not available for direct investment and their performance does not reflect the fees, expenses or taxes associated with the active management of an actual portfolio. Both indexes are calculated on a total return basis with dividends reinvested. The performance shown below is not the performance of the fund.

 

     Horizon Kinetics ISE
Wealth Index
    S&P 500®
Index
 
Annual Returns (calendar year)             
2003      45.41     28.71
2004      17.97     10.86
2005      3.30     4.93
2006      22.61     15.78
2007      1.73     5.49
2008      -43.67     -37.00
2009      72.80     26.46
2010      31.51     15.06
2011      5.11     2.11
2012      13.53     16.00

 

     1 Year     5 Years     10 Years     Since Inception
of Horizon Kinetics ISE
Wealth Index (1/1/91)(1)
 
Average Annual Total Return (for the periods ended 12/31/12)                         
Horizon Kinetics ISE Wealth Index      13.53     8.84     12.94     12.66
S&P 500® Index      16.00     1.66     7.10     9.11

 

(1) The Horizon Kinetics ISE Wealth Index was created on August 8, 2011, and performance presented prior to the creation date has been back-tested. Back-tested performance is hypothetical (it does not reflect trading in actual accounts) and is provided for informational purposes to indicate historical performance had the index been available over the relevant period. Actual performance may be materially lower than that of the index or benchmark, as they do not include expenses and fees.

 

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LOGO

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

You can find more information about the fund in the following documents:

Annual and Semiannual Reports

Annual and semiannual reports contain more information about the fund’s investments. The annual report discusses the market conditions and investment strategies that significantly affected the fund’s performance during the last fiscal year.

Statement of Additional Information

The SAI contains more detailed information about the fund. It is incorporated by reference and is legally part of the prospectus.

To obtain free copies of these documents, you can download copies from the Individual Investors section of virtus.com, or you can request copies by calling Virtus Mutual Fund Services toll-free at 800-243-1574. You may also call this number to request other information about the funds or to make shareholder inquiries.

Information about the funds (including the SAI) can be reviewed and copied at the Securities and Exchange Commission’s (SEC) Public Reference Room in Washington, DC. For information about the operation of the Public Reference Room, call 202-551-8090. This information is also available on the SEC’s Internet site at sec.gov. You may also obtain copies upon payment of a duplicating fee by writing the Public Reference Section of the SEC, Washington, DC 20549-6009 or by electronic request at publicinfo@sec.gov.

Virtus Mutual Fund Services: 800-243-1574

 

Investment Company Act File No. 811-7455    6-13
8033