497 1 d273108d497.htm AQR FUNDS AQR Funds

 

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AQR Funds Prospectus

December 12, 2016

Class I Shares and Class N Shares

 

     Class      Ticker Symbol

AQR Large Cap Relaxed Constraint Equity Fund

  I      QLRIX
  N      QLRNX

AQR Small Cap Relaxed Constraint Equity Fund

  I      QSRIX
  N      QSRNX

AQR International Relaxed Constraint Equity Fund

  I      QIRIX
  N      QIRNX

AQR Emerging Relaxed Constraint Equity Fund

  I      QERIX
    N      QERNX

This prospectus contains important information about each Fund, including its investment objective, fees and expenses. For your benefit and protection, please read it before you invest and keep it for future reference. This prospectus relates to the Class I Shares and Class N Shares of each Fund, as applicable.

The Securities and Exchange Commission and the Commodity Futures Trading Commission have not approved or disapproved these securities or determined if this prospectus is truthful or complete. Any representation to the contrary is a criminal offense. In addition, your investment in any of the Funds is not a deposit in a bank and is not insured or guaranteed by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation or any other government agency. You may lose money by investing in any of the Funds. The likelihood of loss may be greater if you invest for a shorter period of time.


 

AQR Funds—Prospectus

Table of Contents       
  

FUND SUMMARY: AQR LARGE CAP RELAXED CONSTRAINT EQUITY FUND

     2   

FUND SUMMARY: AQR SMALL CAP RELAXED CONSTRAINT EQUITY FUND

     6   

FUND SUMMARY: AQR INTERNATIONAL RELAXED CONSTRAINT EQUITY FUND

     10   

FUND SUMMARY: AQR EMERGING RELAXED CONSTRAINT EQUITY FUND

     15   

IMPORTANT ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

     20   

DETAILS ABOUT THE FUNDS

     21   

HOW THE FUNDS PURSUE THEIR INVESTMENT OBJECTIVES

     26   

RISK FACTORS

     27   

PORTFOLIO HOLDINGS DISCLOSURE

     31   

CHANGE IN OBJECTIVE

     31   

MANAGEMENT OF THE FUNDS

     32   

PERFORMANCE OF RELATED FUNDS AND ACCOUNTS

     34   

INVESTING WITH THE AQR FUNDS

     35   

HOW TO BUY CLASS I SHARES AND CLASS N SHARES

     39   

HOW TO REDEEM CLASS I SHARES AND CLASS N SHARES

     41   

HOW TO EXCHANGE CLASS I SHARES AND CLASS N SHARES

     43   

RULE 12B-1 PLAN (CLASS N SHARES)

     45   

CERTAIN ADDITIONAL PAYMENTS

     45   

DISTRIBUTIONS AND TAXES

     46   

FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS

     48   

GLOSSARY OF TERMS

     49   


 

 

  AQR Funds—Prospectus   2

AQR Large Cap Relaxed Constraint Equity Fund

Fund Summary — December 12, 2016

Investment Objective

The AQR Large Cap Relaxed Constraint Equity Fund (the “Fund”) seeks long-term capital appreciation.

Fees and Expenses of the Fund

This table describes the fees and expenses that you may pay if you buy and hold shares of the Fund.

Annual Fund Operating Expenses (expenses that you pay each year as a percentage of the value of your investment)

 

     Class I               Class N  

Management Fee

    0.60%             0.60%   

Distribution (12b-1) Fee

    None             0.25%   

Other Expenses1

        

Dividends on short sales

    0.75%                          0.75%                

All other expenses

    0.27%                          0.27%   
 

 

 

        

 

 

 

Total Other Expenses

    1.02%             1.02%   

Acquired Fund Fees and Expenses1

    0.03%             0.03%   
 

 

 

        

 

 

 

Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses

    1.65%             1.90%   

Less: Fee Waivers and/or Expense Reimbursements2

    0.07%             0.07%   
 

 

 

        

 

 

 

Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses after Fee Waivers and/or Expense Reimbursements

    1.58%                   1.83%   

1  Other Expenses and Acquired Fund Fees and Expenses are estimated for the current fiscal year because the Fund has not commenced operations as of the date of this prospectus.

2  The Adviser has contractually agreed to waive its management fee and/or to reimburse expenses of the Fund to the extent necessary to maintain the total annual fund operating expenses (excluding interest, taxes, dividends on short sales, borrowing costs, acquired fund fees and expenses, interest expense relating to short sales and extraordinary expenses) at no more than 0.80% for Class I Shares and 1.05% for Class N Shares (the “Fee Waiver Agreement”). This arrangement will continue at least through January 28, 2018. The Fee Waiver Agreement may only be terminated with the consent of the Board of Trustees, including a majority of the Trustees of the Trust who are not “interested persons” of the Trust within the meaning of the 1940 Act. Under the Fee Waiver Agreement, the Adviser is entitled to recapture the fees waived and/or expenses reimbursed, only to the extent that the recapture can be made during the thirty-six months following the applicable period during which the Adviser waived fees or reimbursed expenses. In no case will the Adviser recapture any amount that would cause the aggregate operating expenses of the Fund attributable to a share class during a year in which a repayment is made to exceed the lesser of (i) the applicable limits in effect at the time of the waiver and/or reimbursement, or (ii) the applicable limits in effect at the time of recapture.

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 takes into account the effect of the Fee Waiver Agreement through January 28, 2018, as discussed in Footnote No. 2 to the Fee Table. Although your actual costs may be higher or lower, based on these assumptions your costs would be:

 

        1 Year      3 Years

Class I Shares

       $ 161          $ 513  

Class N Shares

       $ 186          $ 589  

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 may indicate higher transaction costs and may result in higher taxes when 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. The Fund has not commenced operations as of the date of this prospectus.

Principal Investment Strategies of the Fund

The Fund seeks to outperform, after expenses, the Russell 1000® Index while seeking to control its tracking error relative to this benchmark. The Fund will target a long-term average forecasted tracking error of 3% to 4% relative to the Russell 1000® Index. Actual realized tracking error will vary based on market conditions and other factors.


 

 

  AQR Funds—Prospectus   3

The Fund pursues its investment objective by investing, under normal market conditions, at least 80% of its net assets (including borrowings for investment purposes) in equity securities or equity-related instruments (together, “equity securities”) of large-cap companies. Equity securities include, but are not limited to, common stocks, exchange-traded funds and similar pooled investment vehicles, equity index futures and depositary receipts.

The Fund’s portfolio will be managed by both overweighting and underweighting securities, industries, and sectors relative to the Russell 1000® Index. “Relaxed Constraint” in the Fund’s name reflects the Fund’s strategy to take long as well as short positions in the equity securities in which it invests, as opposed to a traditional “long-only” portfolio which does not establish short positions (i.e., relaxing the “long-only” constraint). Selling securities short allows the Fund to reflect to a greater extent, compared to a long-only approach, the Adviser’s views on securities it expects to underperform. Selling securities short also allows the Fund to establish additional long positions using the short sale proceeds, and thereby take greater advantage, compared to a long-only approach, of the Adviser’s views on securities it expects to outperform. Through the reinvestment of the short sale proceeds, the Fund generally intends to target a long exposure of 130% of the Fund’s net assets with a short exposure of 30% of the Fund’s net assets. Actual long and short exposures, however, will vary according to market conditions. The Fund’s long exposures are expected to range between 120% and 140% of the Fund’s net assets. The Fund’s short exposures are expected to range between 20% and 40% of the Fund’s net assets.

The Fund, when taking a “long” equity position, will purchase a security that will benefit from an increase in the price of that security. When taking a “short” equity position, the Fund borrows the security from a third party and sells it at the then current market price. A “short” equity position will benefit from a decrease in price of the security and will lose value if the price of the security increases.

In constructing the Fund’s portfolio, the Adviser utilizes a quantitative investment process. A quantitative investment process is a systematic method of evaluating securities and other assets by analyzing a variety of data through the use of models—or processes—to generate an investment opinion. The models consider a wide range of factors, including, but not limited to, value and momentum.

 

 

Value strategies favor securities that appear cheap based on fundamental measures, often as a result of distress or lack of favor. Examples of value strategies include using price-to-earnings and price-to-book ratios.

 

 

Momentum strategies favor securities with strong recent performance and positive changes in fundamentals.

In addition to these two main factors, the Adviser may use a number of additional factors based on the Adviser’s proprietary research, including but not limited to, quality, stability, investor sentiment and management signaling. The Adviser may add to or modify the factors employed in selecting investments.

The Adviser determines the long or short weight of each equity security in the portfolio using portfolio optimization techniques, taking into account the Adviser’s assessment of attractiveness of the equity security based on various factors, including those described above, stock weights in the benchmark index, estimated transaction costs associated with trading each equity security, and additional criteria that form part of the Adviser’s security selection process.

The Fund generally invests in large-cap U.S. companies, which the Adviser generally considers to be those companies with market capitalizations within the range of the Russell 1000® Index at the time of purchase. The Fund may also invest in mid-cap securities.

The Fund invests significantly in equity securities. The Fund may also invest in or use financial futures contracts as well as exchange-traded funds and similar pooled investment vehicles, for hedging purposes, to gain exposure to the equity market and to maintain liquidity to pay for redemptions. A portion of the Fund’s assets may be held in cash or cash-equivalent investments, including, but not limited to, short-term investment funds.

As with equity positions, the Fund may also take “long” and “short” positions in derivative instruments, such as equity index futures contracts. A “long” position in a derivative instrument will benefit from an increase in the price of the underlying instrument. A “short” position in a derivative instrument will benefit from a decrease in price of the underlying instrument and will lose value if the price of the underlying instrument increases.

Principal Risks of Investing in the Fund

Risk is inherent in all investing. The value of your investment in the Fund, as well as the amount of return you receive on your investment, may fluctuate significantly from day to day and over time. You may lose part or all of your investment in the Fund or your investment may not perform as well as other similar investments. The Fund is not a complete investment program and should be considered only as one part of an investment portfolio. The Fund is more appropriate for long-term investors who can bear the risk of short-term NAV fluctuations, which at times, may be significant and rapid, however, all investments long- or short-term are subject to risk of loss. The following is a summary description of certain risks of investing in the Fund.

Common Stock Risk: The Fund may invest in, or have exposure to, common stocks. Common stocks are subject to greater fluctuations in market value than certain other asset classes as a result of such factors as a company’s business performance, investor perceptions, stock market trends and general economic conditions.


 

 

  AQR Funds—Prospectus   4

Counterparty Risk: The Fund may enter into various types of derivative contracts. Many of these derivative contracts will be privately negotiated in the over-the-counter market. These contracts also involve exposure to credit risk, since contract performance depends in part on the financial condition of the counterparty. If a privately negotiated over-the-counter contract calls for payments by the Fund, the Fund must be prepared to make such payments when due. In addition, if a counterparty’s creditworthiness declines, the Fund may not receive payments owed under the contract, or such payments may be delayed under such circumstances and the value of agreements with such counterparty can be expected to decline, potentially resulting in losses to the Fund.

Derivatives Risk: In general, a derivative instrument typically involves leverage, i.e., it provides exposure to potential gain or loss from a change in the level of the market price of the underlying security, currency or commodity (or a basket or index) in a notional amount that exceeds the amount of cash or assets required to establish or maintain the derivative instrument. Adverse changes in the value or level of the underlying asset or index, which the Fund may not directly own, can result in a loss to the Fund substantially greater than the amount invested in the derivative itself. The use of derivative instruments also exposes the Fund to additional risks and transaction costs. These instruments come in many varieties and have a wide range of potential risks and rewards, and may include, as further described in the section entitled “Principal Investment Strategies of the Fund,” futures contracts. A risk of the Fund’s use of derivatives is that the fluctuations in their values may not correlate perfectly with the overall securities markets. Additionally, to the extent the Fund is required to segregate or “set aside” (often referred to as “asset segregation”) liquid assets or otherwise cover open positions with respect to certain derivative instruments, the Fund may be required to sell portfolio instruments to meet these asset segregation requirements. There is a possibility that segregation involving a large percentage of the Fund’s assets could impede portfolio management or the Fund’s ability to meet redemption requests or other current obligations.

Futures Contract Risk: The successful use of futures contracts draws upon the Adviser’s skill and experience with respect to such instruments and are subject to special risk considerations. The primary risks associated with the use of futures contracts, which may adversely affect the Fund’s NAV and total return, are (a) the imperfect correlation between the change in market value of the instruments held by the Fund and the price of the futures contract; (b) possible lack of a liquid secondary market for a futures contract and the resulting inability to close a futures contract when desired; (c) losses caused by unanticipated market movements, which are potentially unlimited; (d) the Adviser’s inability to predict correctly the direction of securities prices, interest rates, currency exchange rates and other economic factors; (e) the possibility that the counterparty will default in the performance of its obligations; and (f) if the Fund has insufficient cash, it may have to sell securities from its portfolio to meet daily variation margin requirements, and the Fund may have to sell securities at a time when it may be disadvantageous to do so.

High Portfolio Turnover Risk: The investment techniques and strategies utilized by the Fund, including investments made on a shorter-term basis or in derivative instruments or instruments with a maturity of one year or less at the time of acquisition, may result in frequent portfolio trading and high portfolio turnover. High portfolio turnover rates will cause the Fund to incur higher levels of brokerage fees and commissions, which may reduce performance, and may cause higher levels of current tax liability to shareholders in the Fund.

Investment in Other Investment Companies Risk: As with other investments, investments in other investment companies, including exchange-traded funds (“ETFs”), are subject to market and manager risk. In addition, if the Fund acquires shares of investment companies, shareholders bear both their proportionate share of expenses in the Fund (including management and advisory fees) and, indirectly, the expenses of the investment companies. The Fund may invest in money market mutual funds. An investment in a money market mutual fund is not insured or guaranteed by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation or any other government agency. Although money market mutual funds that invest in U.S. government securities seek to preserve the value of the Fund’s investment at $1.00 per share, it is possible to lose money by investing in a stable NAV money market mutual fund. Moreover, recent SEC rule amendments require prime money market mutual funds to use floating NAVs that do not preserve the value of the Fund’s investment at $1.00 per share. These rule amendments may impact the Fund’s use of prime money market mutual funds for capital preservation purposes.

Leverage Risk: As part of the Fund’s principal investment strategy, the Fund will enter into short sales and will make investments in futures contracts and other derivative instruments. These investment activities provide the economic effect of financial leverage by creating additional investment exposure to the underlying instrument, as well as the potential for greater loss. If the Fund uses leverage through activities such as entering into short sales or purchasing derivative instruments, the Fund has the risk that losses may exceed the net assets of the Fund. The net asset value of the Fund while employing leverage will be more volatile and sensitive to market movements.

Manager Risk: If the Adviser makes poor investment decisions, it will negatively affect the Fund’s investment performance.

Market Risk: Market risk is the risk that the markets on which the Fund’s investments trade will increase or decrease in value. Prices may fluctuate widely over short or extended periods in response to company, market or economic news. Markets also tend to move in cycles, with periods of rising and falling prices. If there is a general decline in the securities and other markets, your investment in the Fund may lose value, regardless of the individual results of the securities and other instruments in which the Fund invests.

Mid-Cap Securities Risk: The Fund may invest in, or have exposure to, the securities of mid-cap companies. The prices of securities of mid-cap companies generally are more volatile than those of large capitalization companies and are more likely to be adversely affected than large-cap companies by changes in earnings results and investor expectations or poor economic or market conditions, including those experienced during a recession.


 

 

  AQR Funds—Prospectus   5

Model and Data Risk: Given the complexity of the investments and strategies of the Fund, the Adviser relies heavily on quantitative models and information and data supplied by third parties (“Models and Data”). Models and Data are used to construct sets of transactions and investments, to provide risk management insights, and to assist in hedging the Fund’s investments.

When Models and Data prove to be incorrect or incomplete, any decisions made in reliance thereon expose the Fund to potential risks. Similarly, any hedging based on faulty Models and Data may prove to be unsuccessful. Some of the models used by the Adviser for the Fund are predictive in nature. The use of predictive models has inherent risks. Because predictive models are usually constructed based on historical data supplied by third parties, the success of relying on such models may depend heavily on the accuracy and reliability of the supplied historical data. The Fund bears the risk that the quantitative models used by the Adviser will not be successful in selecting companies for investment or in determining the weighting of investment positions that will enable the Fund to achieve its investment objective.

All models rely on correct market data inputs. If incorrect market data is entered into even a well-founded model, the resulting information will be incorrect. However, even if market data is input correctly, “model prices” will often differ substantially from market prices, especially for instruments with complex characteristics, such as derivative instruments.

Momentum Style Risk: Investing in or having exposure to securities with positive momentum entails investing in securities that have had above-average recent returns. These securities may be more volatile than a broad cross-section of securities. In addition, there may be periods during which the investment performance of the Fund while using a momentum strategy may suffer.

New Fund Risk: The Fund is newly-formed. Accordingly, investors in the Fund bear the risk that the Fund may not be successful in implementing its investment strategy, and may not employ a successful investment strategy, either of which could result in the Fund being liquidated at any time without shareholder approval and/or at a time that may not be favorable for all shareholders. Such a liquidation could have negative tax consequences for shareholders.

Short Sale Risk: The Fund enters into a short sale by selling a security it has borrowed (typically from a broker or other institution). If the market price of a security increases after the Fund borrows the security, the Fund will suffer a (potentially unlimited) loss when it replaces the borrowed security at the higher price. In certain cases, purchasing a security to cover a short position can itself cause the price of the security to rise further, thereby exacerbating the loss. In addition, the Fund may not always be able to borrow the security at a particular time or at an acceptable price. The Fund may also take a short position in a derivative instrument, such as a future, forward or swap. A short position in a derivative instrument involves the risk of a theoretically unlimited increase in the value of the underlying instrument which could cause the Fund to suffer a (potentially unlimited) loss. Short sales also involve transaction and financing costs that will reduce potential Fund gains and increase potential Fund losses.

Value Style Risk: Investing in or having exposure to “value” stocks presents the risk that the stocks may never reach what the Adviser believes are their full market values, either because the market fails to recognize what the Adviser considers to be the companies’ true business values or because the Adviser misjudged those values. In addition, there may be periods during which the investment performance of the Fund while using a value strategy may suffer.

Volatility Risk: The Fund may have investments that appreciate or decrease significantly in value over short periods of time. This may cause the Fund’s net asset value per share to experience significant increases or declines in value over short periods of time, however, all investments long- or short-term are subject to risk of loss.

Performance Information

Performance history will be available for the Fund after it has been in operation for a full calendar year. Updated information on the Fund’s performance, including its current NAV per share, can be obtained by visiting https://funds.aqr.com.

Investment Manager

The Fund’s investment manager is AQR Capital Management, LLC.

Portfolio Managers

 

Name   Portfolio Manager
of the Fund Since
     Title

Michele L. Aghassi, Ph.D.

  Since 2016      Principal of the Adviser

Andrea Frazzini, Ph.D., M.S.

  Since 2016      Principal of the Adviser

Jacques A. Friedman, M.S.

  Since 2016      Principal of the Adviser

Hoon Kim, Ph.D., M.B.A., CFA

  Since 2016      Principal of the Adviser

For important information about purchase and sale of Fund shares, tax information, and financial intermediary compensation, please turn to “Important Additional Information” on page 20 of the prospectus.


 

 

  AQR Funds—Prospectus   6

AQR Small Cap Relaxed Constraint Equity Fund

Fund Summary — December 12, 2016

Investment Objective

The AQR Small Cap Relaxed Constraint Equity Fund (the “Fund”) seeks long-term capital appreciation.

Fees and Expenses of the Fund

This table describes the fees and expenses that you may pay if you buy and hold shares of the Fund.

Annual Fund Operating Expenses (expenses that you pay each year as a percentage of the value of your investment)

 

     Class I               Class N  

Management Fee

    0.80%             0.80%   

Distribution (12b-1) Fee

    None             0.25%   

Other Expenses1

        

Dividends on short sales

    0.43%                          0.43%                

All other expenses

    0.26%                          0.26%                
 

 

 

        

 

 

 

Total Other Expenses

    0.69%             0.69%   

Acquired Fund Fees and Expenses1

    0.03%             0.03%   
 

 

 

        

 

 

 

Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses

    1.52%             1.77%   

Less: Fee Waivers and/or Expense Reimbursements2

    0.06%             0.06%   
 

 

 

        

 

 

 

Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses after Fee Waivers and/or Expense Reimbursements

    1.46%                   1.71%   

1  Other Expenses and Acquired Fund Fees and Expenses are estimated for the current fiscal year because the Fund has not commenced operations as of the date of this prospectus.

2  The Adviser has contractually agreed to waive its management fee and/or to reimburse expenses of the Fund to the extent necessary to maintain the total annual fund operating expenses (excluding interest, taxes, dividends on short sales, borrowing costs, acquired fund fees and expenses, interest expense relating to short sales and extraordinary expenses) at no more than 1.00% for Class I Shares and 1.25% for Class N Shares (the “Fee Waiver Agreement”). This arrangement will continue at least through January 28, 2018. The Fee Waiver Agreement may only be terminated with the consent of the Board of Trustees, including a majority of the Trustees of the Trust who are not “interested persons” of the Trust within the meaning of the 1940 Act. Under the Fee Waiver Agreement, the Adviser is entitled to recapture the fees waived and/or expenses reimbursed, only to the extent that the recapture can be made during the thirty-six months following the applicable period during which the Adviser waived fees or reimbursed expenses. In no case will the Adviser recapture any amount that would cause the aggregate operating expenses of the Fund attributable to a share class during a year in which a repayment is made to exceed the lesser of (i) the applicable limits in effect at the time of the waiver and/or reimbursement, or (ii) the applicable limits in effect at the time of recapture.

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 takes into account the effect of the Fee Waiver Agreement through January 28, 2018, as discussed in Footnote No. 2 to the Fee Table. Although your actual costs may be higher or lower, based on these assumptions your costs would be:

 

        1 Year      3 Years

Class I Shares

       $ 149          $ 474  

Class N Shares

       $ 174          $ 551  

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 may indicate higher transaction costs and may result in higher taxes when 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. The Fund has not commenced operations as of the date of this prospectus.

Principal Investment Strategies of the Fund

The Fund seeks to outperform, after expenses, the Russell 2000® Index while seeking to control its tracking error relative to this benchmark. The Fund will target a long-term average forecasted tracking error of 4% to 5% relative to the Russell 2000® Index. Actual realized tracking error will vary based on market conditions and other factors.


 

 

  AQR Funds—Prospectus   7

The Fund pursues its investment objective by investing, under normal market conditions, at least 80% of its net assets (including borrowings for investment purposes) in equity securities or equity-related instruments (together, “equity securities”) of small-cap companies. Equity securities include, but are not limited to, common stocks, exchange-traded funds and similar pooled investment vehicles, equity index futures and depositary receipts.

The Fund’s portfolio will be managed by both overweighting and underweighting securities, industries, and sectors relative to the Russell 2000® Index. “Relaxed Constraint” in the Fund’s name reflects the Fund’s strategy to take long as well as short positions in the equity securities in which it invests, as opposed to a traditional “long-only” portfolio which does not establish short positions (i.e., relaxing the “long-only” constraint). Selling securities short allows the Fund to reflect to a greater extent, compared to a long-only approach, the Adviser’s views on securities it expects to underperform. Selling securities short also allows the Fund to establish additional long positions using the short sale proceeds, and thereby take greater advantage, compared to a long-only approach, of the Adviser’s views on securities it expects to outperform. Through the reinvestment of the short sale proceeds, the Fund generally intends to target a long exposure of 130% of the Fund’s net assets with a short exposure of 30% of the Fund’s net assets. Actual long and short exposures, however, will vary according to market conditions. The Fund’s long exposures are expected to range between 120% and 140% of the Fund’s net assets. The Fund’s short exposures are expected to range between 20% and 40% of the Fund’s net assets.

The Fund, when taking a “long” equity position, will purchase a security that will benefit from an increase in the price of that security. When taking a “short” equity position, the Fund borrows the security from a third party and sells it at the then current market price. A “short” equity position will benefit from a decrease in price of the security and will lose value if the price of the security increases.

In constructing the Fund’s portfolio, the Adviser utilizes a quantitative investment process. A quantitative investment process is a systematic method of evaluating securities and other assets by analyzing a variety of data through the use of models—or processes—to generate an investment opinion. The models consider a wide range of factors, including, but not limited to, value and momentum.

 

 

Value strategies favor securities that appear cheap based on fundamental measures, often as a result of distress or lack of favor. Examples of value strategies include using price-to-earnings and price-to-book ratios.

 

 

Momentum strategies favor securities with strong recent performance and positive changes in fundamentals.

In addition to these two main factors, the Adviser may use a number of additional factors based on the Adviser’s proprietary research, including but not limited to, quality, stability, investor sentiment and management signaling. The Adviser may add to or modify the factors employed in selecting investments.

The Adviser determines the long or short weight of each equity security in the portfolio using portfolio optimization techniques, taking into account the Adviser’s assessment of attractiveness of the equity security based on various factors, including those described above, stock weights in the benchmark index, estimated transaction costs associated with trading each equity security, and additional criteria that form part of the Adviser’s security selection process.

The Fund generally invests in small-cap U.S. companies, which the Adviser generally considers to be those companies with market capitalizations within the range of the Russell 2000® Index at the time of purchase.

The Fund invests significantly in equity securities. The Fund may also invest in or use financial futures contracts as well as exchange-traded funds and similar pooled investment vehicles, for hedging purposes, to gain exposure to the equity market and to maintain liquidity to pay for redemptions. A portion of the Fund’s assets may be held in cash or cash-equivalent investments, including, but not limited to, short-term investment funds.

As with equity positions, the Fund may also take “long” and “short” positions in derivative instruments, such as equity index futures contracts. A “long” position in a derivative instrument will benefit from an increase in the price of the underlying instrument. A “short” position in a derivative instrument will benefit from a decrease in price of the underlying instrument and will lose value if the price of the underlying instrument increases.

Principal Risks of Investing in the Fund

Risk is inherent in all investing. The value of your investment in the Fund, as well as the amount of return you receive on your investment, may fluctuate significantly from day to day and over time. You may lose part or all of your investment in the Fund or your investment may not perform as well as other similar investments. The Fund is not a complete investment program and should be considered only as one part of an investment portfolio. The Fund is more appropriate for long-term investors who can bear the risk of short-term NAV fluctuations, which at times, may be significant and rapid, however, all investments long- or short-term are subject to risk of loss. The following is a summary description of certain risks of investing in the Fund.

Common Stock Risk: The Fund may invest in, or have exposure to, common stocks. Common stocks are subject to greater fluctuations in market value than certain other asset classes as a result of such factors as a company’s business performance, investor perceptions, stock market trends and general economic conditions.


 

 

  AQR Funds—Prospectus   8

Counterparty Risk: The Fund may enter into various types of derivative contracts. Many of these derivative contracts will be privately negotiated in the over-the-counter market. These contracts also involve exposure to credit risk, since contract performance depends in part on the financial condition of the counterparty. If a privately negotiated over-the-counter contract calls for payments by the Fund, the Fund must be prepared to make such payments when due. In addition, if a counterparty’s creditworthiness declines, the Fund may not receive payments owed under the contract, or such payments may be delayed under such circumstances and the value of agreements with such counterparty can be expected to decline, potentially resulting in losses to the Fund.

Derivatives Risk: In general, a derivative instrument typically involves leverage, i.e., it provides exposure to potential gain or loss from a change in the level of the market price of the underlying security, currency or commodity (or a basket or index) in a notional amount that exceeds the amount of cash or assets required to establish or maintain the derivative instrument. Adverse changes in the value or level of the underlying asset or index, which the Fund may not directly own, can result in a loss to the Fund substantially greater than the amount invested in the derivative itself. The use of derivative instruments also exposes the Fund to additional risks and transaction costs. These instruments come in many varieties and have a wide range of potential risks and rewards, and may include, as further described in the section entitled “Principal Investment Strategies of the Fund,” futures contracts. A risk of the Fund’s use of derivatives is that the fluctuations in their values may not correlate perfectly with the overall securities markets. Additionally, to the extent the Fund is required to segregate or “set aside” (often referred to as “asset segregation”) liquid assets or otherwise cover open positions with respect to certain derivative instruments, the Fund may be required to sell portfolio instruments to meet these asset segregation requirements. There is a possibility that segregation involving a large percentage of the Fund’s assets could impede portfolio management or the Fund’s ability to meet redemption requests or other current obligations.

Futures Contract Risk: The successful use of futures contracts draws upon the Adviser’s skill and experience with respect to such instruments and are subject to special risk considerations. The primary risks associated with the use of futures contracts, which may adversely affect the Fund’s NAV and total return, are (a) the imperfect correlation between the change in market value of the instruments held by the Fund and the price of the futures contract; (b) possible lack of a liquid secondary market for a futures contract and the resulting inability to close a futures contract when desired; (c) losses caused by unanticipated market movements, which are potentially unlimited; (d) the Adviser’s inability to predict correctly the direction of securities prices, interest rates, currency exchange rates and other economic factors; (e) the possibility that the counterparty will default in the performance of its obligations; and (f) if the Fund has insufficient cash, it may have to sell securities from its portfolio to meet daily variation margin requirements, and the Fund may have to sell securities at a time when it may be disadvantageous to do so.

High Portfolio Turnover Risk: The investment techniques and strategies utilized by the Fund, including investments made on a shorter-term basis or in derivative instruments or instruments with a maturity of one year or less at the time of acquisition, may result in frequent portfolio trading and high portfolio turnover. High portfolio turnover rates will cause the Fund to incur higher levels of brokerage fees and commissions, which may reduce performance, and may cause higher levels of current tax liability to shareholders in the Fund.

Investment in Other Investment Companies Risk: As with other investments, investments in other investment companies, including exchange-traded funds (“ETFs”), are subject to market and manager risk. In addition, if the Fund acquires shares of investment companies, shareholders bear both their proportionate share of expenses in the Fund (including management and advisory fees) and, indirectly, the expenses of the investment companies. The Fund may invest in money market mutual funds. An investment in a money market mutual fund is not insured or guaranteed by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation or any other government agency. Although money market mutual funds that invest in U.S. government securities seek to preserve the value of the Fund’s investment at $1.00 per share, it is possible to lose money by investing in a stable NAV money market mutual fund. Moreover, recent SEC rule amendments require prime money market mutual funds to use floating NAVs that do not preserve the value of the Fund’s investment at $1.00 per share. These rule amendments may impact the Fund’s use of prime money market mutual funds for capital preservation purposes.

Leverage Risk: As part of the Fund’s principal investment strategy, the Fund will enter into short sales and will make investments in futures contracts and other derivative instruments. These investment activities provide the economic effect of financial leverage by creating additional investment exposure to the underlying instrument, as well as the potential for greater loss. If the Fund uses leverage through activities such as entering into short sales or purchasing derivative instruments, the Fund has the risk that losses may exceed the net assets of the Fund. The net asset value of the Fund while employing leverage will be more volatile and sensitive to market movements.

Manager Risk: If the Adviser makes poor investment decisions, it will negatively affect the Fund’s investment performance.

Market Risk: Market risk is the risk that the markets on which the Fund’s investments trade will increase or decrease in value. Prices may fluctuate widely over short or extended periods in response to company, market or economic news. Markets also tend to move in cycles, with periods of rising and falling prices. If there is a general decline in the securities and other markets, your investment in the Fund may lose value, regardless of the individual results of the securities and other instruments in which the Fund invests.

Model and Data Risk: Given the complexity of the investments and strategies of the Fund, the Adviser relies heavily on quantitative models and information and data supplied by third parties (“Models and Data”). Models and Data are used to construct sets of transactions and investments, to provide risk management insights, and to assist in hedging the Fund’s investments.


 

 

  AQR Funds—Prospectus   9

When Models and Data prove to be incorrect or incomplete, any decisions made in reliance thereon expose the Fund to potential risks. Similarly, any hedging based on faulty Models and Data may prove to be unsuccessful. Some of the models used by the Adviser for the Fund are predictive in nature. The use of predictive models has inherent risks. Because predictive models are usually constructed based on historical data supplied by third parties, the success of relying on such models may depend heavily on the accuracy and reliability of the supplied historical data. The Fund bears the risk that the quantitative models used by the Adviser will not be successful in selecting companies for investment or in determining the weighting of investment positions that will enable the Fund to achieve its investment objective.

All models rely on correct market data inputs. If incorrect market data is entered into even a well-founded model, the resulting information will be incorrect. However, even if market data is input correctly, “model prices” will often differ substantially from market prices, especially for instruments with complex characteristics, such as derivative instruments.

Momentum Style Risk: Investing in or having exposure to securities with positive momentum entails investing in securities that have had above-average recent returns. These securities may be more volatile than a broad cross-section of securities. In addition, there may be periods during which the investment performance of the Fund while using a momentum strategy may suffer.

New Fund Risk: The Fund is newly-formed. Accordingly, investors in the Fund bear the risk that the Fund may not be successful in implementing its investment strategy, and may not employ a successful investment strategy, either of which could result in the Fund being liquidated at any time without shareholder approval and/or at a time that may not be favorable for all shareholders. Such a liquidation could have negative tax consequences for shareholders.

Short Sale Risk: The Fund enters into a short sale by selling a security it has borrowed (typically from a broker or other institution). If the market price of a security increases after the Fund borrows the security, the Fund will suffer a (potentially unlimited) loss when it replaces the borrowed security at the higher price. In certain cases, purchasing a security to cover a short position can itself cause the price of the security to rise further, thereby exacerbating the loss. In addition, the Fund may not always be able to borrow the security at a particular time or at an acceptable price. The Fund may also take a short position in a derivative instrument, such as a future, forward or swap. A short position in a derivative instrument involves the risk of a theoretically unlimited increase in the value of the underlying instrument which could cause the Fund to suffer a (potentially unlimited) loss. Short sales also involve transaction and financing costs that will reduce potential Fund gains and increase potential Fund losses.

Small-Cap Securities Risk: Investments in or exposure to the stocks of companies with smaller market capitalizations involve higher risks in some respects than do investments in stocks of larger companies. For example, prices of such stocks are often more volatile than prices of large capitalization stocks. In addition, due to thin trading in some such stocks, an investment in these stocks may be more illiquid (i.e., harder to sell) than that of larger capitalization stocks. Smaller capitalization companies also fail more often than larger companies and may have more limited management and financial resources than larger companies.

Value Style Risk: Investing in or having exposure to “value” stocks presents the risk that the stocks may never reach what the Adviser believes are their full market values, either because the market fails to recognize what the Adviser considers to be the companies’ true business values or because the Adviser misjudged those values. In addition, there may be periods during which the investment performance of the Fund while using a value strategy may suffer.

Volatility Risk: The Fund may have investments that appreciate or decrease significantly in value over short periods of time. This may cause the Fund’s net asset value per share to experience significant increases or declines in value over short periods of time, however, all investments long- or short-term are subject to risk of loss.

Performance Information

Performance history will be available for the Fund after it has been in operation for a full calendar year. Updated information on the Fund’s performance, including its current NAV per share, can be obtained by visiting https://funds.aqr.com.

Investment Manager

The Fund’s investment manager is AQR Capital Management, LLC.

Portfolio Managers

 

Name   Portfolio Manager
of the Fund Since
     Title

Michele L. Aghassi, Ph.D.

  Since 2016      Principal of the Adviser

Andrea Frazzini, Ph.D., M.S.

  Since 2016      Principal of the Adviser

Jacques A. Friedman, M.S.

  Since 2016      Principal of the Adviser

Hoon Kim, Ph.D., M.B.A., CFA

  Since 2016      Principal of the Adviser

For important information about purchase and sale of Fund shares, tax information, and financial intermediary compensation, please turn to “Important Additional Information” on page 20 of the prospectus.


 

 

  AQR Funds—Prospectus   10

AQR International Relaxed Constraint Equity Fund

Fund Summary — December 12, 2016

Investment Objective

The AQR International Relaxed Constraint Equity Fund (the “Fund”) seeks long-term capital appreciation.

Fees and Expenses of the Fund

This table describes the fees and expenses that you may pay if you buy and hold shares of the Fund.

Annual Fund Operating Expenses (expenses that you pay each year as a percentage of the value of your investment)

 

     Class I               Class N  

Management Fee

    0.75%             0.75%   

Distribution (12b-1) Fee

    None             0.25%   

Other Expenses1

        

Dividends on short sales

    0.80%                          0.80%                

All other expenses

    0.28%                          0.28%                
 

 

 

        

 

 

 

Total Other Expenses

    1.08%             1.08%   

Acquired Fund Fees and Expenses1

    0.03%             0.03%   
 

 

 

        

 

 

 

Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses

    1.86%             2.11%   

Less: Fee Waivers and/or Expense Reimbursements2

    0.08%             0.08%   
 

 

 

        

 

 

 

Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses after Fee Waivers and/or Expense Reimbursements

    1.78%                   2.03%   

1  Other Expenses and Acquired Fund Fees and Expenses are estimated for the current fiscal year because the Fund has not commenced operations as of the date of this prospectus.

2  The Adviser has contractually agreed to waive its management fee and/or to reimburse expenses of the Fund to the extent necessary to maintain the total annual fund operating expenses (excluding interest, taxes, dividends on short sales, borrowing costs, acquired fund fees and expenses, interest expense relating to short sales and extraordinary expenses) at no more than 0.95% for Class I Shares and 1.20% for Class N Shares (the “Fee Waiver Agreement”). This arrangement will continue at least through January 28, 2018. The Fee Waiver Agreement may only be terminated with the consent of the Board of Trustees, including a majority of the Trustees of the Trust who are not “interested persons” of the Trust within the meaning of the 1940 Act. Under the Fee Waiver Agreement, the Adviser is entitled to recapture the fees waived and/or expenses reimbursed, only to the extent that the recapture can be made during the thirty-six months following the applicable period during which the Adviser waived fees or reimbursed expenses. In no case will the Adviser recapture any amount that would cause the aggregate operating expenses of the Fund attributable to a share class during a year in which a repayment is made to exceed the lesser of (i) the applicable limits in effect at the time of the waiver and/or reimbursement, or (ii) the applicable limits in effect at the time of recapture.

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 takes into account the effect of the Fee Waiver Agreement through January 28, 2018, as discussed in Footnote No. 2 to the Fee Table. Although your actual costs may be higher or lower, based on these assumptions your costs would be:

 

        1 Year      3 Years

Class I Shares

       $ 181          $ 576  

Class N Shares

       $ 206          $ 652  

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 may indicate higher transaction costs and may result in higher taxes when 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. The Fund has not commenced operations as of the date of this prospectus.

Principal Investment Strategies of the Fund

The Fund seeks to outperform, after expenses, the MSCI EAFE Index while seeking to control its tracking error relative to this benchmark. The Fund will target a long-term average forecasted tracking error of 3% to 4% relative to the MSCI EAFE Index. Actual realized tracking error will vary based on market conditions and other factors.


 

 

  AQR Funds—Prospectus   11

The Fund pursues its investment objective by investing, under normal market conditions, at least 80% of its net assets (including borrowings for investment purposes) in equity securities or equity-related instruments (together, “equity securities”) of non-U.S. companies. Equity securities include, but are not limited to, common stocks, exchange-traded funds and similar pooled investment vehicles, equity index futures and depositary receipts.

The Fund’s portfolio will be managed by both overweighting and underweighting securities, industries, and sectors relative to the MSCI EAFE Index. “Relaxed Constraint” in the Fund’s name reflects the Fund’s strategy to take long as well as short positions in the equity securities in which it invests, as opposed to a traditional “long-only” portfolio which does not establish short positions (i.e., relaxing the “long-only” constraint). Selling securities short allows the Fund to reflect to a greater extent, compared to a long-only approach, the Adviser’s views on securities it expects to underperform. Selling securities short also allows the Fund to establish additional long positions using the short sale proceeds, and thereby take greater advantage, compared to a long-only approach, of the Adviser’s views on securities it expects to outperform. Through the reinvestment of the short sale proceeds, the Fund generally intends to target a long exposure of 130% of the Fund’s net assets with a short exposure of 30% of the Fund’s net assets. Actual long and short exposures, however, will vary according to market conditions. The Fund’s long exposures are expected to range between 120% and 140% of the Fund’s net assets. The Fund’s short exposures are expected to range between 20% and 40% of the Fund’s net assets.

The Fund, when taking a “long” equity position, will purchase a security that will benefit from an increase in the price of that security. When taking a “short” equity position, the Fund borrows the security from a third party and sells it at the then current market price. A “short” equity position will benefit from a decrease in price of the security and will lose value if the price of the security increases.

In constructing the Fund’s portfolio, the Adviser utilizes a quantitative investment process. A quantitative investment process is a systematic method of evaluating securities and other assets by analyzing a variety of data through the use of models—or processes—to generate an investment opinion. The models consider a wide range of factors, including, but not limited to, value and momentum.

 

 

Value strategies favor securities that appear cheap based on fundamental measures, often as a result of distress or lack of favor. Examples of value strategies include using price-to-earnings and price-to-book ratios.

 

 

Momentum strategies favor securities with strong recent performance and positive changes in fundamentals.

In addition to these two main factors, the Adviser may use a number of additional factors based on the Adviser’s proprietary research, including but not limited to, quality, stability, investor sentiment and management signaling. The Adviser may add to or modify the factors employed in selecting investments.

The Adviser determines the long or short weight of each equity security in the portfolio using portfolio optimization techniques, taking into account the Adviser’s assessment of attractiveness of the equity security based on various factors, including those described above, stock weights in the benchmark index, estimated transaction costs associated with trading each equity security, and additional criteria that form part of the Adviser’s security selection process.

The Fund generally invests in large- and mid-cap companies included in the MSCI EAFE Index or located in countries included in the MSCI EAFE Index at the time of purchase. The Fund considers large- and mid-cap companies to be companies with market capitalizations within the range of the constituents of the MSCI EAFE Index at the time of purchase.

The Fund invests significantly in equity securities. The Fund may also invest in or use financial futures contracts, forward foreign currency contracts as well as foreign currencies, exchange-traded funds and similar pooled investment vehicles, for hedging purposes, to gain exposure to the equity market and to maintain liquidity to pay for redemptions. A portion of the Fund’s assets may be held in cash or cash-equivalent investments, including, but not limited to, short-term investment funds.

As with equity positions, the Fund may also take “long” and “short” positions in derivative instruments, such as equity index futures contracts or forward foreign currency contracts. A “long” position in a derivative instrument will benefit from an increase in the price of the underlying instrument. A “short” position in a derivative instrument will benefit from a decrease in price of the underlying instrument and will lose value if the price of the underlying instrument increases.

Principal Risks of Investing in the Fund

Risk is inherent in all investing. The value of your investment in the Fund, as well as the amount of return you receive on your investment, may fluctuate significantly from day to day and over time. You may lose part or all of your investment in the Fund or your investment may not perform as well as other similar investments. The Fund is not a complete investment program and should be considered only as one part of an investment portfolio. The Fund is more appropriate for long-term investors who can bear the risk of short-term NAV fluctuations, which at times, may be significant and rapid, however, all investments long- or short-term are subject to risk of loss. The following is a summary description of certain risks of investing in the Fund.

Common Stock Risk: The Fund may invest in, or have exposure to, common stocks. Common stocks are subject to greater fluctuations in market value than certain other asset classes as a result of such factors as a company’s business performance, investor perceptions, stock market trends and general economic conditions.


 

 

  AQR Funds—Prospectus   12

Counterparty Risk: The Fund may enter into various types of derivative contracts. Many of these derivative contracts will be privately negotiated in the over-the-counter market. These contracts also involve exposure to credit risk, since contract performance depends in part on the financial condition of the counterparty. If a privately negotiated over-the-counter contract calls for payments by the Fund, the Fund must be prepared to make such payments when due. In addition, if a counterparty’s creditworthiness declines, the Fund may not receive payments owed under the contract, or such payments may be delayed under such circumstances and the value of agreements with such counterparty can be expected to decline, potentially resulting in losses to the Fund.

Currency Risk: Currency risk is the risk that changes in currency exchange rates will negatively affect securities denominated in, and/or receiving revenues in, foreign currencies. The liquidity and trading value of foreign currencies could be affected by global economic factors, such as inflation, interest rate levels, and trade balances among countries, as well as the actions of sovereign governments and central banks. Adverse changes in currency exchange rates (relative to the U.S. dollar) may erode or reverse any potential gains from the Fund’s investments in securities denominated in a foreign currency or may widen existing losses.

Derivatives Risk: In general, a derivative instrument typically involves leverage, i.e., it provides exposure to potential gain or loss from a change in the level of the market price of the underlying security, currency or commodity (or a basket or index) in a notional amount that exceeds the amount of cash or assets required to establish or maintain the derivative instrument. Adverse changes in the value or level of the underlying asset or index, which the Fund may not directly own, can result in a loss to the Fund substantially greater than the amount invested in the derivative itself. The use of derivative instruments also exposes the Fund to additional risks and transaction costs. These instruments come in many varieties and have a wide range of potential risks and rewards, and may include, as further described in the section entitled “Principal Investment Strategies of the Fund,” futures contracts and forward foreign currency contracts. A risk of the Fund’s use of derivatives is that the fluctuations in their values may not correlate perfectly with the overall securities markets. Additionally, to the extent the Fund is required to segregate or “set aside” (often referred to as “asset segregation”) liquid assets or otherwise cover open positions with respect to certain derivative instruments, the Fund may be required to sell portfolio instruments to meet these asset segregation requirements. There is a possibility that segregation involving a large percentage of the Fund’s assets could impede portfolio management or the Fund’s ability to meet redemption requests or other current obligations.

Foreign Investments Risk: Foreign investments often involve special risks not present in U.S. investments that can increase the chances that the Fund will lose money. These risks include:

 

 

The Fund generally holds its foreign instruments and cash in foreign banks and securities depositories, which may be recently organized or new to the foreign custody business and may be subject to only limited or no regulatory oversight.

 

 

Changes in foreign currency exchange rates can affect the value of the Fund’s portfolio.

 

 

The economies of certain foreign markets may not compare favorably with the economy of the United States with respect to such issues as growth of gross national product, reinvestment of capital, resources and balance of payments position.

 

 

The governments of certain countries may prohibit or impose substantial restrictions on foreign investments in their capital markets or in certain industries.

 

 

Many foreign governments do not supervise and regulate stock exchanges, brokers and the sale of securities to the same extent as does the United States and may not have laws to protect investors that are comparable to U.S. securities laws.

 

 

Settlement and clearance procedures in certain foreign markets may result in delays in payment for or delivery of securities not typically associated with settlement and clearance of U.S. investments.

Forward and Futures Contract Risk: The successful use of forward and futures contracts draws upon the Adviser’s skill and experience with respect to such instruments and are subject to special risk considerations. The primary risks associated with the use of forward and futures contracts, which may adversely affect the Fund’s NAV and total return, are (a) the imperfect correlation between the change in market value of the instruments held by the Fund and the price of the forward or futures contract; (b) possible lack of a liquid secondary market for a forward or futures contract and the resulting inability to close a forward or futures contract when desired; (c) losses caused by unanticipated market movements, which are potentially unlimited; (d) the Adviser’s inability to predict correctly the direction of securities prices, interest rates, currency exchange rates and other economic factors; (e) the possibility that the counterparty will default in the performance of its obligations; and (f) if the Fund has insufficient cash, it may have to sell securities from its portfolio to meet daily variation margin requirements, and the Fund may have to sell securities at a time when it may be disadvantageous to do so.

High Portfolio Turnover Risk: The investment techniques and strategies utilized by the Fund, including investments made on a shorter-term basis or in derivative instruments or instruments with a maturity of one year or less at the time of acquisition, may result in frequent portfolio trading and high portfolio turnover. High portfolio turnover rates will cause the Fund to incur higher levels of brokerage fees and commissions, which may reduce performance, and may cause higher levels of current tax liability to shareholders in the Fund.

Investment in Other Investment Companies Risk: As with other investments, investments in other investment companies, including exchange-traded funds (“ETFs”), are subject to market and manager risk. In addition, if the Fund acquires shares of investment companies, shareholders bear both their proportionate share of expenses in the Fund (including management and


 

 

  AQR Funds—Prospectus   13

advisory fees) and, indirectly, the expenses of the investment companies. The Fund may invest in money market mutual funds. An investment in a money market mutual fund is not insured or guaranteed by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation or any other government agency. Although money market mutual funds that invest in U.S. government securities seek to preserve the value of the Fund’s investment at $1.00 per share, it is possible to lose money by investing in a stable NAV money market mutual fund. Moreover, recent SEC rule amendments require prime money market mutual funds to use floating NAVs that do not preserve the value of the Fund’s investment at $1.00 per share. These rule amendments may impact the Fund’s use of prime money market mutual funds for capital preservation purposes.

Leverage Risk: As part of the Fund’s principal investment strategy, the Fund will enter into short sales and will make investments in futures contracts, forward foreign currency contracts and other derivative instruments. These investment activities provide the economic effect of financial leverage by creating additional investment exposure to the underlying instrument, as well as the potential for greater loss. If the Fund uses leverage through activities such as entering into short sales or purchasing derivative instruments, the Fund has the risk that losses may exceed the net assets of the Fund. The net asset value of the Fund while employing leverage will be more volatile and sensitive to market movements.

Manager Risk: If the Adviser makes poor investment decisions, it will negatively affect the Fund’s investment performance.

Market Risk: Market risk is the risk that the markets on which the Fund’s investments trade will increase or decrease in value. Prices may fluctuate widely over short or extended periods in response to company, market or economic news. Markets also tend to move in cycles, with periods of rising and falling prices. If there is a general decline in the securities and other markets, your investment in the Fund may lose value, regardless of the individual results of the securities and other instruments in which the Fund invests.

Mid-Cap Securities Risk: The Fund may invest in, or have exposure to, the securities of mid-cap companies. The prices of securities of mid-cap companies generally are more volatile than those of large capitalization companies and are more likely to be adversely affected than large-cap companies by changes in earnings results and investor expectations or poor economic or market conditions, including those experienced during a recession.

Model and Data Risk: Given the complexity of the investments and strategies of the Fund, the Adviser relies heavily on quantitative models and information and data supplied by third parties (“Models and Data”). Models and Data are used to construct sets of transactions and investments, to provide risk management insights, and to assist in hedging the Fund’s investments.

When Models and Data prove to be incorrect or incomplete, any decisions made in reliance thereon expose the Fund to potential risks. Similarly, any hedging based on faulty Models and Data may prove to be unsuccessful. Some of the models used by the Adviser for the Fund are predictive in nature. The use of predictive models has inherent risks. Because predictive models are usually constructed based on historical data supplied by third parties, the success of relying on such models may depend heavily on the accuracy and reliability of the supplied historical data. The Fund bears the risk that the quantitative models used by the Adviser will not be successful in selecting companies for investment or in determining the weighting of investment positions that will enable the Fund to achieve its investment objective.

All models rely on correct market data inputs. If incorrect market data is entered into even a well-founded model, the resulting information will be incorrect. However, even if market data is input correctly, “model prices” will often differ substantially from market prices, especially for instruments with complex characteristics, such as derivative instruments.

Momentum Style Risk: Investing in or having exposure to securities with positive momentum entails investing in securities that have had above-average recent returns. These securities may be more volatile than a broad cross-section of securities. In addition, there may be periods during which the investment performance of the Fund while using a momentum strategy may suffer.

New Fund Risk: The Fund is newly-formed. Accordingly, investors in the Fund bear the risk that the Fund may not be successful in implementing its investment strategy, and may not employ a successful investment strategy, either of which could result in the Fund being liquidated at any time without shareholder approval and/or at a time that may not be favorable for all shareholders. Such a liquidation could have negative tax consequences for shareholders.

Short Sale Risk: The Fund enters into a short sale by selling a security it has borrowed (typically from a broker or other institution). If the market price of a security increases after the Fund borrows the security, the Fund will suffer a (potentially unlimited) loss when it replaces the borrowed security at the higher price. In certain cases, purchasing a security to cover a short position can itself cause the price of the security to rise further, thereby exacerbating the loss. In addition, the Fund may not always be able to borrow the security at a particular time or at an acceptable price. The Fund may also take a short position in a derivative instrument, such as a future, forward or swap. A short position in a derivative instrument involves the risk of a theoretically unlimited increase in the value of the underlying instrument which could cause the Fund to suffer a (potentially unlimited) loss. Short sales also involve transaction and financing costs that will reduce potential Fund gains and increase potential Fund losses.

Value Style Risk: Investing in or having exposure to “value” stocks presents the risk that the stocks may never reach what the Adviser believes are their full market values, either because the market fails to recognize what the Adviser considers to be the companies’ true business values or because the Adviser misjudged those values. In addition, there may be periods during which the investment performance of the Fund while using a value strategy may suffer.


 

 

  AQR Funds—Prospectus   14

Volatility Risk: The Fund may have investments that appreciate or decrease significantly in value over short periods of time. This may cause the Fund’s net asset value per share to experience significant increases or declines in value over short periods of time, however, all investments long- or short-term are subject to risk of loss.

Performance Information

Performance history will be available for the Fund after it has been in operation for a full calendar year. Updated information on the Fund’s performance, including its current NAV per share, can be obtained by visiting https://funds.aqr.com.

Investment Manager

The Fund’s investment manager is AQR Capital Management, LLC.

Portfolio Managers

 

Name   Portfolio Manager
of the Fund Since
     Title

Michele L. Aghassi, Ph.D.

  Since 2016      Principal of the Adviser

Andrea Frazzini, Ph.D., M.S.

  Since 2016      Principal of the Adviser

Jacques A. Friedman, M.S.

  Since 2016      Principal of the Adviser

Hoon Kim, Ph.D., M.B.A., CFA

  Since 2016      Principal of the Adviser

For important information about purchase and sale of Fund shares, tax information, and financial intermediary compensation, please turn to “Important Additional Information” on page 20 of the prospectus.


 

 

  AQR Funds—Prospectus   15

AQR Emerging Relaxed Constraint Equity Fund

Fund Summary — December 12, 2016

Investment Objective

The AQR Emerging Relaxed Constraint Equity Fund (the “Fund”) seeks long-term capital appreciation.

Fees and Expenses of the Fund

This table describes the fees and expenses that you may pay if you buy and hold shares of the Fund.

Annual Fund Operating Expenses (expenses that you pay each year as a percentage of the value of your investment)

 

     Class I               Class N  

Management Fee

    0.95%             0.95%   

Distribution (12b-1) Fee

    None             0.25%   

Other Expenses1

    0.30%             0.30%   

Acquired Fund Fees and Expenses1

    0.05%             0.05%   
 

 

 

        

 

 

 

Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses

    1.30%             1.55%   

Less: Fee Waivers and/or Expense Reimbursements2

    0.10%             0.10%   
 

 

 

        

 

 

 

Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses after Fee Waivers and/or Expense Reimbursements

    1.20%                   1.45%   

1  Other Expenses and Acquired Fund Fees and Expenses are estimated for the current fiscal year because the Fund has not commenced operations as of the date of this prospectus.

2  The Adviser has contractually agreed to waive its management fee and/or to reimburse expenses of the Fund to the extent necessary to maintain the total annual fund operating expenses (excluding interest, taxes, dividends on short sales, borrowing costs, acquired fund fees and expenses, interest expense relating to short sales and extraordinary expenses) at no more than 1.15% for Class I Shares and 1.40% for Class N Shares (the “Fee Waiver Agreement”). This arrangement will continue at least through January 28, 2018. The Fee Waiver Agreement may only be terminated with the consent of the Board of Trustees, including a majority of the Trustees of the Trust who are not “interested persons” of the Trust within the meaning of the 1940 Act. Under the Fee Waiver Agreement, the Adviser is entitled to recapture the fees waived and/or expenses reimbursed, only to the extent that the recapture can be made during the thirty-six months following the applicable period during which the Adviser waived fees or reimbursed expenses. In no case will the Adviser recapture any amount that would cause the aggregate operating expenses of the Fund attributable to a share class during a year in which a repayment is made to exceed the lesser of (i) the applicable limits in effect at the time of the waiver and/or reimbursement, or (ii) the applicable limits in effect at the time of recapture.

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 takes into account the effect of the Fee Waiver Agreement through January 28, 2018, as discussed in Footnote No. 2 to the Fee Table. Although your actual costs may be higher or lower, based on these assumptions your costs would be:

 

        1 Year      3 Years

Class I Shares

       $ 122          $ 401  

Class N Shares

       $ 148          $ 478  

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 may indicate higher transaction costs and may result in higher taxes when 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. The Fund has not commenced operations as of the date of this prospectus.

Principal Investment Strategies of the Fund

The Fund seeks to outperform, after expenses, the MSCI Emerging Markets Index while seeking to control its tracking error relative to this benchmark. The Fund will target a long-term average forecasted tracking error of 4% to 6% relative to the MSCI Emerging Markets Index. Actual realized tracking error will vary based on market conditions and other factors.

The Fund pursues its investment objective by investing, under normal market conditions, at least 80% of its net assets (including borrowings for investment purposes) in equity securities or equity-related instruments (together, “equity securities”) of


 

 

  AQR Funds—Prospectus   16

emerging market companies. Equity securities include, but are not limited to, common stocks, exchange-traded funds and similar pooled investment vehicles, equity index futures, equity swaps and depositary receipts.

The Fund’s portfolio will be managed by both overweighting and underweighting securities, industries, and sectors relative to the MSCI Emerging Markets Index. “Relaxed Constraint” in the Fund’s name reflects the Fund’s strategy to take long as well as short positions in the equity securities in which it invests, as opposed to a traditional “long-only” portfolio which does not establish short positions (i.e., relaxing the “long-only” constraint). Selling securities short allows the Fund to reflect to a greater extent, compared to a long-only approach, the Adviser’s views on securities it expects to underperform. Selling securities short also allows the Fund to establish additional long positions using the short sale proceeds, and thereby take greater advantage, compared to a long-only approach, of the Adviser’s views on securities it expects to outperform. Through the reinvestment of the short sale proceeds, the Fund generally intends to target a long exposure of 130% of the Fund’s net assets with a short exposure of 30% of the Fund’s net assets. Actual long and short exposures, however, will vary according to market conditions. The Fund’s long exposures are expected to range between 120% and 140% of the Fund’s net assets. The Fund’s short exposures are expected to range between 20% and 40% of the Fund’s net assets.

The Fund, when taking a “long” equity position, will purchase a security that will benefit from an increase in the price of that security. When taking a “short” equity position, the Fund borrows the security from a third party and sells it at the then current market price. A “short” equity position will benefit from a decrease in price of the security and will lose value if the price of the security increases.

In constructing the Fund’s portfolio, the Adviser utilizes a quantitative investment process. A quantitative investment process is a systematic method of evaluating securities and other assets by analyzing a variety of data through the use of models—or processes—to generate an investment opinion. The models consider a wide range of factors, including, but not limited to, value and momentum.

 

 

Value strategies favor securities that appear cheap based on fundamental measures, often as a result of distress or lack of favor. Examples of value strategies include using price-to-earnings and price-to-book ratios.

 

 

Momentum strategies favor securities with strong recent performance and positive changes in fundamentals.

In addition to these two main factors, the Adviser may use a number of additional factors based on the Adviser’s proprietary research, including but not limited to, quality, stability, investor sentiment and management signaling. The Adviser may add to or modify the factors employed in selecting investments.

The Adviser determines the long or short weight of each equity security in the portfolio using portfolio optimization techniques, taking into account the Adviser’s assessment of attractiveness of the equity security based on various factors, including those described above, stock weights in the benchmark index, estimated transaction costs associated with trading each equity security, and additional criteria that form part of the Adviser’s security selection process.

The Fund generally invests in large- and mid-cap companies included in the MSCI Emerging Markets Index or located in countries included in the MSCI Emerging Markets Index at the time of purchase. The Fund considers large- and mid-cap companies to be companies with market capitalizations within the range of the constituents of the MSCI Emerging Markets Index at the time of purchase.

The Fund invests significantly in equity securities. The Fund may also invest in or use financial futures contracts, forward foreign currency contracts, equity swaps as well as foreign currencies, exchange-traded funds and similar pooled investment vehicles, for hedging purposes, to gain exposure to the equity market and to maintain liquidity to pay for redemptions. A portion of the Fund’s assets may be held in cash or cash-equivalent investments, including, but not limited to, short-term investment funds.

As with equity positions, the Fund may also take “long” and “short” positions in derivative instruments, such as equity index futures contracts, forward foreign currency contracts or equity swaps. A “long” position in a derivative instrument will benefit from an increase in the price of the underlying instrument. A “short” position in a derivative instrument will benefit from a decrease in price of the underlying instrument and will lose value if the price of the underlying instrument increases.

Principal Risks of Investing in the Fund

Risk is inherent in all investing. The value of your investment in the Fund, as well as the amount of return you receive on your investment, may fluctuate significantly from day to day and over time. You may lose part or all of your investment in the Fund or your investment may not perform as well as other similar investments. The Fund is not a complete investment program and should be considered only as one part of an investment portfolio. The Fund is more appropriate for long-term investors who can bear the risk of short-term NAV fluctuations, which at times, may be significant and rapid, however, all investments long- or short-term are subject to risk of loss. The following is a summary description of certain risks of investing in the Fund.

Common Stock Risk: The Fund may invest in, or have exposure to, common stocks. Common stocks are subject to greater fluctuations in market value than certain other asset classes as a result of such factors as a company’s business performance, investor perceptions, stock market trends and general economic conditions.


 

 

  AQR Funds—Prospectus   17

Counterparty Risk: The Fund may enter into various types of derivative contracts. Many of these derivative contracts will be privately negotiated in the over-the-counter market. These contracts also involve exposure to credit risk, since contract performance depends in part on the financial condition of the counterparty. If a privately negotiated over-the-counter contract calls for payments by the Fund, the Fund must be prepared to make such payments when due. In addition, if a counterparty’s creditworthiness declines, the Fund may not receive payments owed under the contract, or such payments may be delayed under such circumstances and the value of agreements with such counterparty can be expected to decline, potentially resulting in losses to the Fund.

Currency Risk: Currency risk is the risk that changes in currency exchange rates will negatively affect securities denominated in, and/or receiving revenues in, foreign currencies. The liquidity and trading value of foreign currencies could be affected by global economic factors, such as inflation, interest rate levels, and trade balances among countries, as well as the actions of sovereign governments and central banks. Adverse changes in currency exchange rates (relative to the U.S. dollar) may erode or reverse any potential gains from the Fund’s investments in securities denominated in a foreign currency or may widen existing losses.

Derivatives Risk: In general, a derivative instrument typically involves leverage, i.e., it provides exposure to potential gain or loss from a change in the level of the market price of the underlying security, currency or commodity (or a basket or index) in a notional amount that exceeds the amount of cash or assets required to establish or maintain the derivative instrument. Adverse changes in the value or level of the underlying asset or index, which the Fund may not directly own, can result in a loss to the Fund substantially greater than the amount invested in the derivative itself. The use of derivative instruments also exposes the Fund to additional risks and transaction costs. These instruments come in many varieties and have a wide range of potential risks and rewards, and may include, as further described in the section entitled “Principal Investment Strategies of the Fund,” futures contracts, forward foreign currency contracts and swaps. A risk of the Fund’s use of derivatives is that the fluctuations in their values may not correlate perfectly with the overall securities markets. Additionally, to the extent the Fund is required to segregate or “set aside” (often referred to as “asset segregation”) liquid assets or otherwise cover open positions with respect to certain derivative instruments, the Fund may be required to sell portfolio instruments to meet these asset segregation requirements. There is a possibility that segregation involving a large percentage of the Fund’s assets could impede portfolio management or the Fund’s ability to meet redemption requests or other current obligations.

Emerging Market Risk: The Fund intends to have exposure to emerging markets. Emerging markets are riskier than more developed markets because they tend to develop unevenly and may never fully develop. Investments in emerging markets may be considered speculative. Emerging markets are more likely to experience hyperinflation and currency devaluations, which adversely affect returns to U.S. investors. In addition, many emerging securities markets have far lower trading volumes and less liquidity than developed markets.

Foreign Investments Risk: Foreign investments often involve special risks not present in U.S. investments that can increase the chances that the Fund will lose money. These risks include:

 

 

The Fund generally holds its foreign instruments and cash in foreign banks and securities depositories, which may be recently organized or new to the foreign custody business and may be subject to only limited or no regulatory oversight.

 

 

Changes in foreign currency exchange rates can affect the value of the Fund’s portfolio.

 

 

The economies of certain foreign markets may not compare favorably with the economy of the United States with respect to such issues as growth of gross national product, reinvestment of capital, resources and balance of payments position.

 

 

The governments of certain countries may prohibit or impose substantial restrictions on foreign investments in their capital markets or in certain industries.

 

 

Many foreign governments do not supervise and regulate stock exchanges, brokers and the sale of securities to the same extent as does the United States and may not have laws to protect investors that are comparable to U.S. securities laws.

 

 

Settlement and clearance procedures in certain foreign markets may result in delays in payment for or delivery of securities not typically associated with settlement and clearance of U.S. investments.

Forward and Futures Contract Risk: The successful use of forward and futures contracts draws upon the Adviser’s skill and experience with respect to such instruments and are subject to special risk considerations. The primary risks associated with the use of forward and futures contracts, which may adversely affect the Fund’s NAV and total return, are (a) the imperfect correlation between the change in market value of the instruments held by the Fund and the price of the forward or futures contract; (b) possible lack of a liquid secondary market for a forward or futures contract and the resulting inability to close a forward or futures contract when desired; (c) losses caused by unanticipated market movements, which are potentially unlimited; (d) the Adviser’s inability to predict correctly the direction of securities prices, interest rates, currency exchange rates and other economic factors; (e) the possibility that the counterparty will default in the performance of its obligations; and (f) if the Fund has insufficient cash, it may have to sell securities from its portfolio to meet daily variation margin requirements, and the Fund may have to sell securities at a time when it may be disadvantageous to do so.

High Portfolio Turnover Risk: The investment techniques and strategies utilized by the Fund, including investments made on a shorter-term basis or in derivative instruments or instruments with a maturity of one year or less at the time of acquisition, may result in frequent portfolio trading and high portfolio turnover. High portfolio turnover rates will cause the Fund to incur higher


 

 

  AQR Funds—Prospectus   18

levels of brokerage fees and commissions, which may reduce performance, and may cause higher levels of current tax liability to shareholders in the Fund.

Investment in Other Investment Companies Risk: As with other investments, investments in other investment companies, including exchange-traded funds (“ETFs”), are subject to market and manager risk. In addition, if the Fund acquires shares of investment companies, shareholders bear both their proportionate share of expenses in the Fund (including management and advisory fees) and, indirectly, the expenses of the investment companies. The Fund may invest in money market mutual funds. An investment in a money market mutual fund is not insured or guaranteed by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation or any other government agency. Although money market mutual funds that invest in U.S. government securities seek to preserve the value of the Fund’s investment at $1.00 per share, it is possible to lose money by investing in a stable NAV money market mutual fund. Moreover, recent SEC rule amendments require prime money market mutual funds to use floating NAVs that do not preserve the value of the Fund’s investment at $1.00 per share. These rule amendments may impact the Fund’s use of prime money market mutual funds for capital preservation purposes.

Leverage Risk: As part of the Fund’s principal investment strategy, the Fund will enter into short sales and will make investments in futures contracts, forward foreign currency contracts, swaps and other derivative instruments. These investment activities provide the economic effect of financial leverage by creating additional investment exposure to the underlying instrument, as well as the potential for greater loss. If the Fund uses leverage through activities such as entering into short sales or purchasing derivative instruments, the Fund has the risk that losses may exceed the net assets of the Fund. The net asset value of the Fund while employing leverage will be more volatile and sensitive to market movements.

Manager Risk: If the Adviser makes poor investment decisions, it will negatively affect the Fund’s investment performance.

Market Risk: Market risk is the risk that the markets on which the Fund’s investments trade will increase or decrease in value. Prices may fluctuate widely over short or extended periods in response to company, market or economic news. Markets also tend to move in cycles, with periods of rising and falling prices. If there is a general decline in the securities and other markets, your investment in the Fund may lose value, regardless of the individual results of the securities and other instruments in which the Fund invests.

Mid-Cap Securities Risk: The Fund may invest in, or have exposure to, the securities of mid-cap companies. The prices of securities of mid-cap companies generally are more volatile than those of large capitalization companies and are more likely to be adversely affected than large-cap companies by changes in earnings results and investor expectations or poor economic or market conditions, including those experienced during a recession.

Model and Data Risk: Given the complexity of the investments and strategies of the Fund, the Adviser relies heavily on quantitative models and information and data supplied by third parties (“Models and Data”). Models and Data are used to construct sets of transactions and investments, to provide risk management insights, and to assist in hedging the Fund’s investments.

When Models and Data prove to be incorrect or incomplete, any decisions made in reliance thereon expose the Fund to potential risks. Similarly, any hedging based on faulty Models and Data may prove to be unsuccessful. Some of the models used by the Adviser for the Fund are predictive in nature. The use of predictive models has inherent risks. Because predictive models are usually constructed based on historical data supplied by third parties, the success of relying on such models may depend heavily on the accuracy and reliability of the supplied historical data. The Fund bears the risk that the quantitative models used by the Adviser will not be successful in selecting companies for investment or in determining the weighting of investment positions that will enable the Fund to achieve its investment objective.

All models rely on correct market data inputs. If incorrect market data is entered into even a well-founded model, the resulting information will be incorrect. However, even if market data is input correctly, “model prices” will often differ substantially from market prices, especially for instruments with complex characteristics, such as derivative instruments.

Momentum Style Risk: Investing in or having exposure to securities with positive momentum entails investing in securities that have had above-average recent returns. These securities may be more volatile than a broad cross-section of securities. In addition, there may be periods during which the investment performance of the Fund while using a momentum strategy may suffer.

New Fund Risk: The Fund is newly-formed. Accordingly, investors in the Fund bear the risk that the Fund may not be successful in implementing its investment strategy, and may not employ a successful investment strategy, either of which could result in the Fund being liquidated at any time without shareholder approval and/or at a time that may not be favorable for all shareholders. Such a liquidation could have negative tax consequences for shareholders.

Short Sale Risk: The Fund enters into a short sale by selling a security it has borrowed (typically from a broker or other institution). If the market price of a security increases after the Fund borrows the security, the Fund will suffer a (potentially unlimited) loss when it replaces the borrowed security at the higher price. In certain cases, purchasing a security to cover a short position can itself cause the price of the security to rise further, thereby exacerbating the loss. In addition, the Fund may not always be able to borrow the security at a particular time or at an acceptable price. The Fund may also take a short position in a derivative instrument, such as a future, forward or swap. A short position in a derivative instrument involves the risk of a theoretically unlimited increase in the value of the underlying instrument which could cause the Fund to suffer a (potentially


 

 

  AQR Funds—Prospectus   19

unlimited) loss. Short sales also involve transaction and financing costs that will reduce potential Fund gains and increase potential Fund losses.

Swap Agreements Risk: Swap agreements involve the risk that the party with whom the Fund has entered into the swap will default on its obligation to pay the Fund. Additionally, certain unexpected market events or significant adverse market movements could result in the Fund not holding enough assets to be able to meet its obligations under the agreement. Such occurrences may negatively impact the Fund’s ability to implement its principal investment strategies and could result in losses to the Fund.

Value Style Risk: Investing in or having exposure to “value” stocks presents the risk that the stocks may never reach what the Adviser believes are their full market values, either because the market fails to recognize what the Adviser considers to be the companies’ true business values or because the Adviser misjudged those values. In addition, there may be periods during which the investment performance of the Fund while using a value strategy may suffer.

Volatility Risk: The Fund may have investments that appreciate or decrease significantly in value over short periods of time. This may cause the Fund’s net asset value per share to experience significant increases or declines in value over short periods of time, however, all investments long- or short-term are subject to risk of loss.

Performance Information

Performance history will be available for the Fund after it has been in operation for a full calendar year. Updated information on the Fund’s performance, including its current NAV per share, can be obtained by visiting https://funds.aqr.com.

Investment Manager

The Fund’s investment manager is AQR Capital Management, LLC.

Portfolio Managers

 

Name   Portfolio Manager
of the Fund Since
     Title

Michele L. Aghassi, Ph.D.

  Since 2016      Principal of the Adviser

Andrea Frazzini, Ph.D., M.S.

  Since 2016      Principal of the Adviser

Jacques A. Friedman, M.S.

  Since 2016      Principal of the Adviser

Hoon Kim, Ph.D., M.B.A., CFA

  Since 2016      Principal of the Adviser

For important information about purchase and sale of Fund shares, tax information, and financial intermediary compensation, please turn to “Important Additional Information” on page 20 of the prospectus.


 

  AQR Funds—Prospectus   20

Important Additional Information

PURCHASE AND SALE OF FUND SHARES

You may purchase or redeem Class I Shares and Class N Shares of each Fund, as applicable, each day the NYSE is open. To purchase or redeem shares you should contact your financial intermediary, or, if you hold your shares through the Fund, you should contact the Fund by phone at (866) 290-2688, by mail (c/o AQR Funds, P.O. Box 2248, Denver, CO 80201-2248), or by the Internet at https://funds.aqr.com. Each Fund’s initial and subsequent investment minimums for Class I Shares and Class N Shares, as applicable, generally are as follows.

 

        Class I Shares      Class N Shares

Minimum Initial Investment

       $ 5,000,000 1        $ 1,000,000 1

Minimum Subsequent Investment

         None            None  

1  Reductions apply to certain eligibility groups. See “Investing with the AQR Funds” in the Funds’ prospectus.

TAX INFORMATION

Each Fund’s dividends and distributions may be subject to federal income taxes and may be taxed as ordinary income or capital gains, unless you are a tax-exempt investor or are investing through a retirement plan, in which case you may be subject to federal income tax upon withdrawal from such tax deferred arrangements.

PAYMENTS TO BROKER/DEALERS AND OTHER FINANCIAL INTERMEDIARIES

If you purchase shares of a Fund through a broker-dealer or other financial intermediary, the Fund and the Adviser, or its affiliates may pay the intermediary for the sale of Fund shares and other services. These payments may create a conflict of interest by influencing the broker-dealer or other financial intermediary and your individual financial professional to recommend the Fund over another investment. Ask your individual financial professional or visit your financial intermediary’s website for more information.


 

 

  AQR Funds—Prospectus   21

Details About the Funds

Glossary. To keep things simple, we have defined and explained a number of terms and concepts in a Glossary at the back of this prospectus. Terms that are in italics have definitions or explanations in the Glossary.

Included in this prospectus are sections that tell you about buying and selling shares, management information, shareholder features of the Funds and your rights as a shareholder.


 

 

  AQR Funds—Prospectus   22

Details About the AQR Large Cap Relaxed Constraint Equity Fund

INVESTMENT OBJECTIVE

The AQR Large Cap Relaxed Constraint Equity Fund seeks long-term capital appreciation.

There can be no assurance that the Fund will be successful in achieving its investment objective.

PRINCIPAL INVESTMENT STRATEGIES

The Fund seeks to outperform, after expenses, the Russell 1000® Index while seeking to control its tracking error relative to this benchmark. The Fund will target a long-term average forecasted tracking error of 3% to 4% relative to the Russell 1000® Index. Actual realized tracking error will vary based on market conditions and other factors.

The Fund pursues its investment objective by investing, under normal market conditions, at least 80% of its net assets (including borrowings for investment purposes) in equity securities or equity-related instruments (together, “equity securities”) of large-cap companies. Equity securities include, but are not limited to, common stocks, exchange-traded funds and similar pooled investment vehicles, equity index futures and depositary receipts.

The Fund’s portfolio will be managed by both overweighting and underweighting securities, industries, and sectors relative to the Russell 1000® Index. “Relaxed Constraint” in the Fund’s name reflects the Fund’s strategy to take long as well as short positions in the equity securities in which it invests, as opposed to a traditional “long-only” portfolio which does not establish short positions (i.e., relaxing the “long-only” constraint). Selling securities short allows the Fund to reflect to a greater extent, compared to a long-only approach, the Adviser’s views on securities it expects to underperform. Selling securities short also allows the Fund to establish additional long positions using the short sale proceeds, and thereby take greater advantage, compared to a long-only approach, of the Adviser’s views on securities it expects to outperform. Through the reinvestment of the short sale proceeds, the Fund generally intends to target a long exposure of 130% of the Fund’s net assets with a short exposure of 30% of the Fund’s net assets. Actual long and short exposures, however, will vary according to market conditions. The Fund’s long exposures are expected to range between 120% and 140% of the Fund’s net assets. The Fund’s short exposures are expected to range between 20% and 40% of the Fund’s net assets.

The Fund, when taking a “long” equity position, will purchase a security that will benefit from an increase in the price of that security. When taking a “short” equity position, the Fund borrows the security from a third party and sells it at the then current market price. A “short” equity position will benefit from a decrease in price of the security and will lose value if the price of the security increases.

In constructing the Fund’s portfolio, the Adviser utilizes a quantitative investment process. A quantitative investment process is a systematic method of evaluating securities and other assets by analyzing a variety of data through the use of models—or processes—to generate an investment opinion. The models consider a wide range of factors, including, but not limited to, value and momentum.

 

 

Value strategies favor securities that appear cheap based on fundamental measures, often as a result of distress or lack of favor. Examples of value strategies include using price-to-earnings and price-to-book ratios.

 

 

Momentum strategies favor securities with strong recent performance and positive changes in fundamentals.

In addition to these two main factors, the Adviser may use a number of additional factors based on the Adviser’s proprietary research, including but not limited to, quality, stability, investor sentiment and management signaling. The Adviser may add to or modify the factors employed in selecting investments.

The Adviser determines the long or short weight of each equity security in the portfolio using portfolio optimization techniques, taking into account the Adviser’s assessment of attractiveness of the equity security based on various factors, including those described above, stock weights in the benchmark index, estimated transaction costs associated with trading each equity security, and additional criteria that form part of the Adviser’s security selection process.

The Fund generally invests in large-cap U.S. companies, which the Adviser generally considers to be those companies with market capitalizations within the range of the Russell 1000® Index at the time of purchase. As of September 30, 2016, the market capitalization of the companies comprising the Russell 1000® Index ranged from $670 million to $604 billion. The Fund may also invest in mid-cap securities.

The Fund invests significantly in equity securities. The Fund may also invest in or use financial futures contracts as well as exchange-traded funds and similar pooled investment vehicles, for hedging purposes, to gain exposure to the equity market and to maintain liquidity to pay for redemptions. A portion of the Fund’s assets may be held in cash or cash-equivalent investments, including, but not limited to, short-term investment funds.

As with equity positions, the Fund may also take “long” and “short” positions in derivative instruments, such as equity index futures contracts. A “long” position in a derivative instrument will benefit from an increase in the price of the underlying instrument. A “short” position in a derivative instrument will benefit from a decrease in price of the underlying instrument and will lose value if the price of the underlying instrument increases.

The Fund is not a complete investment program and should be considered only as one part of an investment portfolio. The Fund is more appropriate for long-term investors who can bear the risk of short-term NAV fluctuations, which at times may be significant and rapid, however, all investments long- or short-term are subject to risk of loss.


 

 

  AQR Funds—Prospectus   23

Details About the AQR Small Cap Relaxed Constraint Equity Fund

INVESTMENT OBJECTIVE

The AQR Small Cap Relaxed Constraint Equity Fund seeks long-term capital appreciation.

There can be no assurance that the Fund will be successful in achieving its investment objective.

PRINCIPAL INVESTMENT STRATEGIES

The Fund seeks to outperform, after expenses, the Russell 2000® Index while seeking to control its tracking error relative to this benchmark. The Fund will target a long-term average forecasted tracking error of 4% to 5% relative to the Russell 2000® Index. Actual realized tracking error will vary based on market conditions and other factors.

The Fund pursues its investment objective by investing, under normal market conditions, at least 80% of its net assets (including borrowings for investment purposes) in equity securities or equity-related instruments (together, “equity securities”) of small-cap companies. Equity securities include, but are not limited to, common stocks, exchange-traded funds and similar pooled investment vehicles, equity index futures and depositary receipts.

The Fund’s portfolio will be managed by both overweighting and underweighting securities, industries, and sectors relative to the Russell 2000® Index. “Relaxed Constraint” in the Fund’s name reflects the Fund’s strategy to take long as well as short positions in the equity securities in which it invests, as opposed to a traditional “long-only” portfolio which does not establish short positions (i.e., relaxing the “long-only” constraint). Selling securities short allows the Fund to reflect to a greater extent, compared to a long-only approach, the Adviser’s views on securities it expects to underperform. Selling securities short also allows the Fund to establish additional long positions using the short sale proceeds, and thereby take greater advantage, compared to a long-only approach, of the Adviser’s views on securities it expects to outperform. Through the reinvestment of the short sale proceeds, the Fund generally intends to target a long exposure of 130% of the Fund’s net assets with a short exposure of 30% of the Fund’s net assets. Actual long and short exposures, however, will vary according to market conditions. The Fund’s long exposures are expected to range between 120% and 140% of the Fund’s net assets. The Fund’s short exposures are expected to range between 20% and 40% of the Fund’s net assets.

The Fund, when taking a “long” equity position, will purchase a security that will benefit from an increase in the price of that security. When taking a “short” equity position, the Fund borrows the security from a third party and sells it at the then current market price. A “short” equity position will benefit from a decrease in price of the security and will lose value if the price of the security increases.

In constructing the Fund’s portfolio, the Adviser utilizes a quantitative investment process. A quantitative investment process is a systematic method of evaluating securities and other assets by analyzing a variety of data through the use of models—or processes—to generate an investment opinion. The models consider a wide range of factors, including, but not limited to, value and momentum.

 

 

Value strategies favor securities that appear cheap based on fundamental measures, often as a result of distress or lack of favor. Examples of value strategies include using price-to-earnings and price-to-book ratios.

 

 

Momentum strategies favor securities with strong recent performance and positive changes in fundamentals.

In addition to these two main factors, the Adviser may use a number of additional factors based on the Adviser’s proprietary research, including but not limited to, quality, stability, investor sentiment and management signaling. The Adviser may add to or modify the factors employed in selecting investments.

The Adviser determines the long or short weight of each equity security in the portfolio using portfolio optimization techniques, taking into account the Adviser’s assessment of attractiveness of the equity security based on various factors, including those described above, stock weights in the benchmark index, estimated transaction costs associated with trading each equity security, and additional criteria that form part of the Adviser’s security selection process.

The Fund generally invests in small-cap U.S. companies, which the Adviser generally considers to be those companies with market capitalizations within the range of the Russell 2000® Index at the time of purchase. As of September 30, 2016, the market capitalization of the companies comprising the Russell 2000® Index ranged from $35 million to $6 billion.

The Fund invests significantly in equity securities. The Fund may also invest in or use financial futures contracts as well as exchange-traded funds and similar pooled investment vehicles, for hedging purposes, to gain exposure to the equity market and to maintain liquidity to pay for redemptions. A portion of the Fund’s assets may be held in cash or cash-equivalent investments, including, but not limited to, short-term investment funds.

As with equity positions, the Fund may also take “long” and “short” positions in derivative instruments, such as equity index futures contracts. A “long” position in a derivative instrument will benefit from an increase in the price of the underlying instrument. A “short” position in a derivative instrument will benefit from a decrease in price of the underlying instrument and will lose value if the price of the underlying instrument increases.

The Fund is not a complete investment program and should be considered only as one part of an investment portfolio. The Fund is more appropriate for long-term investors who can bear the risk of short-term NAV fluctuations, which at times may be significant and rapid, however, all investments long- or short-term are subject to risk of loss.


 

 

  AQR Funds—Prospectus   24

Details About the AQR International Relaxed Constraint Equity Fund

INVESTMENT OBJECTIVE

The AQR International Relaxed Constraint Equity Fund seeks long-term capital appreciation.

There can be no assurance that the Fund will be successful in achieving its investment objective.

PRINCIPAL INVESTMENT STRATEGIES

The Fund seeks to outperform, after expenses, the MSCI EAFE Index while seeking to control its tracking error relative to this benchmark. The Fund will target a long-term average forecasted tracking error of 3% to 4% relative to the MSCI EAFE Index. Actual realized tracking error will vary based on market conditions and other factors.

The Fund pursues its investment objective by investing, under normal market conditions, at least 80% of its net assets (including borrowings for investment purposes) in equity securities or equity-related instruments (together, “equity securities”) of non-U.S. companies. Equity securities include, but are not limited to, common stocks, exchange-traded funds and similar pooled investment vehicles, equity index futures and depositary receipts.

The Fund’s portfolio will be managed by both overweighting and underweighting securities, industries, and sectors relative to the MSCI EAFE Index. “Relaxed Constraint” in the Fund’s name reflects the Fund’s strategy to take long as well as short positions in the equity securities in which it invests, as opposed to a traditional “long-only” portfolio which does not establish short positions (i.e., relaxing the “long-only” constraint). Selling securities short allows the Fund to reflect to a greater extent, compared to a long-only approach, the Adviser’s views on securities it expects to underperform. Selling securities short also allows the Fund to establish additional long positions using the short sale proceeds, and thereby take greater advantage, compared to a long-only approach, of the Adviser’s views on securities it expects to outperform. Through the reinvestment of the short sale proceeds, the Fund generally intends to target a long exposure of 130% of the Fund’s net assets with a short exposure of 30% of the Fund’s net assets. Actual long and short exposures, however, will vary according to market conditions. The Fund’s long exposures are expected to range between 120% and 140% of the Fund’s net assets. The Fund’s short exposures are expected to range between 20% and 40% of the Fund’s net assets.

The Fund, when taking a “long” equity position, will purchase a security that will benefit from an increase in the price of that security. When taking a “short” equity position, the Fund borrows the security from a third party and sells it at the then current market price. A “short” equity position will benefit from a decrease in price of the security and will lose value if the price of the security increases.

In constructing the Fund’s portfolio, the Adviser utilizes a quantitative investment process. A quantitative investment process is a systematic method of evaluating securities and other assets by analyzing a variety of data through the use of models—or processes—to generate an investment opinion. The models consider a wide range of factors, including, but not limited to, value and momentum.

 

 

Value strategies favor securities that appear cheap based on fundamental measures, often as a result of distress or lack of favor. Examples of value strategies include using price-to-earnings and price-to-book ratios.

 

 

Momentum strategies favor securities with strong recent performance and positive changes in fundamentals.

In addition to these two main factors, the Adviser may use a number of additional factors based on the Adviser’s proprietary research, including but not limited to, quality, stability, investor sentiment and management signaling. The Adviser may add to or modify the factors employed in selecting investments.

The Adviser determines the long or short weight of each equity security in the portfolio using portfolio optimization techniques, taking into account the Adviser’s assessment of attractiveness of the equity security based on various factors, including those described above, stock weights in the benchmark index, estimated transaction costs associated with trading each equity security, and additional criteria that form part of the Adviser’s security selection process.

The Fund generally invests in large- and mid-cap companies included in the MSCI EAFE Index or located in countries included in the MSCI EAFE Index at the time of purchase. The Fund considers large- and mid-cap companies to be companies with market capitalizations within the range of the constituents of the MSCI EAFE Index at the time of purchase.

The Fund invests significantly in equity securities. The Fund may also invest in or use financial futures contracts, forward foreign currency contracts as well as foreign currencies, exchange-traded funds and similar pooled investment vehicles, for hedging purposes, to gain exposure to the equity market and to maintain liquidity to pay for redemptions. A portion of the Fund’s assets may be held in cash or cash-equivalent investments, including, but not limited to, short-term investment funds.

As with equity positions, the Fund may also take “long” and “short” positions in derivative instruments, such as equity index futures contracts or forward foreign currency contracts. A “long” position in a derivative instrument will benefit from an increase in the price of the underlying instrument. A “short” position in a derivative instrument will benefit from a decrease in price of the underlying instrument and will lose value if the price of the underlying instrument increases.

The Fund is not a complete investment program and should be considered only as one part of an investment portfolio. The Fund is more appropriate for long-term investors who can bear the risk of short-term NAV fluctuations, which at times may be significant and rapid, however, all investments long- or short-term are subject to risk of loss.


 

 

  AQR Funds—Prospectus   25

Details About the AQR Emerging Relaxed Constraint Equity Fund

INVESTMENT OBJECTIVE

The AQR Emerging Relaxed Constraint Equity Fund seeks long-term capital appreciation.

There can be no assurance that the Fund will be successful in achieving its investment objective.

PRINCIPAL INVESTMENT STRATEGIES

The Fund seeks to outperform, after expenses, the MSCI Emerging Markets Index while seeking to control its tracking error relative to this benchmark. The Fund will target a long-term average forecasted tracking error of 4% to 6% relative to the MSCI Emerging Markets Index. Actual realized tracking error will vary based on market conditions and other factors.

The Fund pursues its investment objective by investing, under normal market conditions, at least 80% of its net assets (including borrowings for investment purposes) in equity securities or equity-related instruments (together, “equity securities”) of emerging market companies. Equity securities include, but are not limited to, common stocks, exchange-traded funds and similar pooled investment vehicles, equity index futures, equity swaps and depositary receipts.

The Fund’s portfolio will be managed by both overweighting and underweighting securities, industries, and sectors relative to the MSCI Emerging Markets Index. “Relaxed Constraint” in the Fund’s name reflects the Fund’s strategy to take long as well as short positions in the equity securities in which it invests, as opposed to a traditional “long-only” portfolio which does not establish short positions (i.e., relaxing the “long-only” constraint). Selling securities short allows the Fund to reflect to a greater extent, compared to a long-only approach, the Adviser’s views on securities it expects to underperform. Selling securities short also allows the Fund to establish additional long positions using the short sale proceeds, and thereby take greater advantage, compared to a long-only approach, of the Adviser’s views on securities it expects to outperform. Through the reinvestment of the short sale proceeds, the Fund generally intends to target a long exposure of 130% of the Fund’s net assets with a short exposure of 30% of the Fund’s net assets. Actual long and short exposures, however, will vary according to market conditions. The Fund’s long exposures are expected to range between 120% and 140% of the Fund’s net assets. The Fund’s short exposures are expected to range between 20% and 40% of the Fund’s net assets.

The Fund, when taking a “long” equity position, will purchase a security that will benefit from an increase in the price of that security. When taking a “short” equity position, the Fund borrows the security from a third party and sells it at the then current market price. A “short” equity position will benefit from a decrease in price of the security and will lose value if the price of the security increases.

In constructing the Fund’s portfolio, the Adviser utilizes a quantitative investment process. A quantitative investment process is a systematic method of evaluating securities and other assets by analyzing a variety of data through the use of models—or processes—to generate an investment opinion. The models consider a wide range of factors, including, but not limited to, value and momentum.

 

 

Value strategies favor securities that appear cheap based on fundamental measures, often as a result of distress or lack of favor. Examples of value strategies include using price-to-earnings and price-to-book ratios.

 

 

Momentum strategies favor securities with strong recent performance and positive changes in fundamentals.

In addition to these two main factors, the Adviser may use a number of additional factors based on the Adviser’s proprietary research, including but not limited to, quality, stability, investor sentiment and management signaling. The Adviser may add to or modify the factors employed in selecting investments.

The Adviser determines the long or short weight of each equity security in the portfolio using portfolio optimization techniques, taking into account the Adviser’s assessment of attractiveness of the equity security based on various factors, including those described above, stock weights in the benchmark index, estimated transaction costs associated with trading each equity security, and additional criteria that form part of the Adviser’s security selection process.

The Fund generally invests in large- and mid-cap companies included in the MSCI Emerging Markets Index or located in countries included in the MSCI Emerging Markets Index at the time of purchase. The Fund considers large- and mid-cap companies to be companies with market capitalizations within the range of the constituents of the MSCI Emerging Markets Index at the time of purchase.

The Fund invests significantly in equity securities. The Fund may also invest in or use financial futures contracts, forward foreign currency contracts, equity swaps as well as foreign currencies, exchange-traded funds and similar pooled investment vehicles, for hedging purposes, to gain exposure to the equity market and to maintain liquidity to pay for redemptions. A portion of the Fund’s assets may be held in cash or cash-equivalent investments, including, but not limited to, short-term investment funds.

As with equity positions, the Fund may also take “long” and “short” positions in derivative instruments, such as equity index futures contracts, forward foreign currency contracts or equity swaps. A “long” position in a derivative instrument will benefit from an increase in the price of the underlying instrument. A “short” position in a derivative instrument will benefit from a decrease in price of the underlying instrument and will lose value if the price of the underlying instrument increases.

The Fund is not a complete investment program and should be considered only as one part of an investment portfolio. The Fund is more appropriate for long-term investors who can bear the risk of short-term NAV fluctuations, which at times may be significant and rapid, however, all investments long- or short-term are subject to risk of loss.


 

 

  AQR Funds—Prospectus   26

How the Funds Pursue Their Investment Objectives

INVESTMENT TECHNIQUES

In addition to the principal investment strategies described above, the Funds may employ the following techniques in pursuing their investment objectives.

Temporary Defensive Positions: For temporary defensive purposes, each Fund may restrict the markets in which it invests and may hold uninvested cash or invest without limitation in cash equivalents such as money market instruments, U.S. treasury bills, interests in short-term investment funds, repurchase agreements, or shares of money market or short-term bond funds, even if the investments are inconsistent with the Fund’s principal investment strategies. To the extent a Fund invests in these temporary investments in this manner, the Fund may not achieve its investment objective.

Segregation of Assets: As an open-end investment company registered with the SEC, each Fund is subject to the federal securities laws, including the 1940 Act, the rules thereunder, and various SEC and SEC staff interpretive positions. In accordance with these laws, rules and positions, each Fund must “set aside” (often referred to as “asset segregation”) liquid assets, or engage in other SEC or staff-approved measures, to “cover” open positions with respect to certain kinds of derivative instruments. In the case of futures contracts that are not contractually required to cash settle, for example, each Fund must set aside liquid assets equal to such contracts’ full notional value while the positions are open. With respect to futures contracts that are contractually required to cash settle, however, each Fund is permitted to set aside liquid assets in an amount equal to each Fund’s daily marked-to-market net obligations (i.e., each Fund’s daily net liability) under the contracts, if any, rather than such contracts’ full notional value. Futures contracts and forward contracts that settle physically will be treated as cash settled for asset segregation purposes when the Fund has entered into a contractual arrangement with a third party futures commission merchant or other counterparty to off-set the Fund’s exposure under the contract and, failing that, to assign its delivery obligation under the contract to the counterparty. Each Fund reserves the right to modify its asset segregation policies in the future to comply with any changes in the positions from time to time articulated by the SEC or its staff regarding asset segregation.

Each Fund generally will use its money market instruments or other liquid assets to cover its obligations as required by the 1940 Act, the rules thereunder, and applicable SEC and SEC staff positions. The Adviser will monitor each Fund’s use of derivatives and will take action as necessary for the purpose of complying with the asset segregation policy stated above. Such actions may include the sale of each Fund’s portfolio investments. There is a possibility that segregation of a large percentage of a Fund’s assets could impede portfolio management or the Fund’s ability to meet redemption requests or other current obligations.


 

 

  AQR Funds—Prospectus   27

Risk Factors

All investments, including those in mutual funds, have risks and it is possible that you could lose money by investing in a Fund. No one investment is suitable for all investors. Each Fund is intended for long-term investors. The risks identified below are the principal risks of investing in a Fund. The Summary section for each Fund and the below matrix lists the principal risks applicable to that Fund. This section provides more detailed information about each risk.

 

      AQR
Large Cap
Relaxed
Constraint
Equity
Fund
   AQR
Small Cap
Relaxed
Constraint
Equity
Fund
  

AQR

International

Relaxed
Constraint
Equity
Fund

   AQR
Emerging
Relaxed
Constraint
Equity
Fund
     

Common Stock Risk

   x    x    x    x   

Counterparty Risk

   x    x    x    x   

Currency Risk

         x    x   

Derivatives Risk

   x    x    x    x   

Emerging Market Risk

            x   

Foreign Investments Risk

         x    x   

Forward and Futures Contract Risk

   x    x    x    x   

High Portfolio Turnover Risk

   x    x    x    x   

Investment in Other Investment Companies Risk

   x    x    x    x   

Leverage Risk

   x    x    x    x   

Manager Risk

   x    x    x    x   

Market Risk

   x    x    x    x   

Mid-Cap Securities Risk

   x       x    x   

Model and Data Risk

   x    x    x    x   

Momentum Style Risk

   x    x    x    x   

New Fund Risk

   x    x    x    x   

Short Sale Risk

   x    x    x    x   

Small-Cap Securities Risk

      x         

Swap Agreements Risk

            x   

Value Style Risk

   x    x    x    x   

Volatility Risk

   x    x    x    x     

Common Stock Risk: Each Fund may invest in, or have exposure to, common stocks, which are a type of equity security that represents an ownership interest in a corporation. Common stocks are subject to greater fluctuations in market value than certain other asset classes as a result of such factors as a company’s business performance, investor perceptions, stock market trends and general economic conditions. The rights of common stockholders are subordinate to all other claims on a company’s assets, including debt holders and preferred stockholders. Therefore, a Fund could lose money if a company in which it invests becomes financially distressed.

Counterparty Risk: A Fund may enter into various types of derivative contracts as described below under “Derivatives Risk.” Many of these derivative contracts will be privately negotiated in the over-the-counter market. These contracts also involve exposure to credit risk, since contract performance depends in part on the financial condition of the counterparty. If a privately negotiated over-the-counter contract calls for payments by a Fund, the Fund must be prepared to make such payments when due. In addition, if a counterparty’s creditworthiness declines, the Fund may not receive payments owed under the contract, or such payments may be delayed under such circumstances and the value of agreements with such counterparty can be expected to decline, potentially resulting in losses to a Fund.

Currency Risk: Currency risk is the risk that changes in currency exchange rates will negatively affect securities denominated in, and/or receiving revenues in, foreign currencies. Adverse changes in currency exchange rates (relative to the U.S. dollar) may erode or reverse any potential gains from a Fund’s investments in securities denominated in a foreign currency or may widen existing losses.

Currency exchange rates may be particularly affected by the relative rates of inflation, interest rate levels, the balance of payments and the extent of governmental surpluses or deficits in such foreign countries and in the United States, all of which are in turn sensitive to the monetary, fiscal and trade policies pursued by the governments of such foreign countries, the United States and other countries important to international trade and finance. Governments may use a variety of techniques, such as intervention by their central bank or imposition of regulatory controls or taxes, to affect the exchange rates of their respective currencies. They may also issue a new currency to replace an existing currency or alter the exchange rate or relative exchange characteristics by devaluation or revaluation of a currency. The liquidity and trading value of these foreign currencies could be affected by the actions of sovereign governments and central banks, which could change or interfere with theretofore


 

 

  AQR Funds—Prospectus   28

freely determined currency valuation, fluctuations in response to other market forces and the movement of currencies across borders.

Derivatives Risk: The Adviser may make use of futures, forwards, swaps and other forms of derivative instruments. In general, a derivative instrument typically involves leverage, i.e., it provides exposure to potential gain or loss from a change in the level of the market price of the underlying security, currency or commodity (or a basket or index) in a notional amount that exceeds the amount of cash or assets required to establish or maintain the derivative instrument. Adverse changes in the value or level of the underlying asset or index, which the Fund may not directly own, can result in a loss to the Fund substantially greater than the amount invested in the derivative itself. Certain derivatives have the potential for unlimited loss, regardless of the size of the initial investment. The use of derivative instruments also exposes a Fund to additional risks and transaction costs. These instruments come in many varieties and have a wide range of potential risks and rewards, and may include, as further described in the “Principal Investment Strategies” section for each Fund, futures contracts, swaps, and/or forward foreign currency contracts. Additionally, to the extent a Fund is required to segregate or “set aside” (often referred to as “asset segregation”) liquid assets or otherwise cover open positions with respect to certain derivative instruments, the Fund may be required to sell portfolio instruments to meet these asset segregation requirements. There is a possibility that segregation involving a large percentage of a Fund’s assets could impede portfolio management or the Fund’s ability to meet redemption requests or other current obligations. Risks of these instruments include:

 

 

that interest rates, securities prices and currency markets will not move in the direction that the portfolio managers anticipate;

 

 

that prices of the instruments and the prices of underlying securities, interest rates or currencies they are designed to reflect do not move together as expected;

 

 

that the skills needed to use these strategies are different than those needed to select portfolio securities;

 

 

the possible absence of a liquid secondary market for any particular instrument and, for exchange-traded instruments, possible exchange-imposed price fluctuation limits, either of which may make it difficult or impossible to close out a position when desired;

 

 

that adverse price movements in an instrument can result in a loss substantially greater than a Fund’s initial investment in that instrument (in some cases, the potential loss is unlimited);

 

 

particularly in the case of privately-negotiated instruments, that the counterparty will not perform its obligations, which could cause the Fund to lose money;

 

 

the inability to close out certain hedged positions to avoid adverse tax consequences, and the fact that some of these instruments may have uncertain tax implications for the Funds;

 

 

the fact that “speculative position limits” imposed by the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (“CFTC”) and certain futures exchanges on net long and short positions may require the Funds to limit or unravel positions in certain types of instruments; in December 2016 the CFTC re-proposed new rules that, if adopted in substantially the same form, will impose speculative position limits on additional derivative instruments, which may further limit the Funds’ ability to trade futures contracts and swaps; and

 

 

the high levels of volatility some of these instruments may exhibit, in some cases due to the high levels of leverage an investor may achieve with them.

In December 2015, the SEC proposed a new rule that would change the regulation of the use of derivatives by registered investment companies, such as the Fund. If the proposed rule is adopted and goes into effect, it could require modifications to the Fund’s investment strategies and use of derivatives.

Emerging Market Risk: A Fund may have exposure to emerging markets. Investing in emerging markets will, among other things, expose the Fund to all the risks described below in the “Foreign Investments Risk” section, and you should review that section carefully. However, there are greater risks involved in investing in emerging market countries and/or their securities markets than there are in more developed countries and/or markets. Generally, economic structures in these countries are less diverse and mature than those in developed countries, and their political systems are less stable. Investments in emerging market countries may be affected by national policies that restrict foreign investment in certain issuers or industries. Sanctions and other intergovernmental actions may be undertaken against an emerging market country, which may result in the devaluation of the country’s currency, a downgrade in the country’s credit rating, and a decline in the value and liquidity of the country’s securities. Sanctions could result in the immediate freeze of securities issued by an emerging market company or government, impairing the ability of a Fund to buy, sell, receive or deliver these securities. The small size of their securities markets and low trading volumes can make emerging market investments illiquid and more volatile than investments in developed countries and such securities may be subject to abrupt and severe price declines. A Fund may be required to establish special custody or other arrangements before investing. In addition, because the securities settlement procedures are less developed in these countries, the Fund may be required to deliver securities before receiving payment and may also be unable to complete transactions during market disruptions. The possible establishment of exchange controls or freezes on the convertibility of currency might adversely affect an investment in foreign securities.


 

 

  AQR Funds—Prospectus   29

Foreign Investments Risk: A Fund’s investments in foreign instruments, including depositary receipts, involve risks not associated with investing in U.S. instruments. Foreign markets may be less liquid, more volatile and subject to less government supervision than domestic markets. There may be difficulties enforcing contractual obligations, and it may take more time for trades to clear and settle. The specific risks of investing in foreign instruments, among others, include:

 

 

Counterparty Risk: A Fund may enter into foreign investment instruments with a counterparty, which will subject the Fund to counterparty risk (see “Counterparty Risk” above).

 

 

Currency Risk: Currency risk is the risk that changes in currency exchange rates will negatively affect instruments denominated in, and/or receiving revenues in, foreign currencies. Adverse changes in currency exchange rates (relative to the U.S. dollar) may erode or reverse any potential gains from the Funds’ investments in instruments denominated in a foreign currency or may widen existing losses. To the extent that a Fund is invested in foreign instruments while also maintaining currency positions, it may be exposed to greater combined risk.

 

 

Geographic Risk: If a Fund concentrates its investments in issuers located or doing business in any country or region, factors adversely affecting that country or region will affect the Fund’s net asset value more than would be the case if the Fund had made more geographically diverse investments. The economies and financial markets of certain regions, such as Latin America or Asia, can be highly interdependent and decline all at the same time.

 

 

Political/Economic Risk: Changes in economic and tax policies, government instability, war or other political or economic actions or factors may have an adverse effect on a Fund’s foreign investments, potentially including expropriation and nationalization, confiscatory taxation, and the potential difficulty of repatriating funds to the United States.

 

 

Regulatory Risk: Issuers of foreign instruments and foreign instruments markets are generally not subject to the same degree of regulation as are U.S. issuers and U.S. securities markets. The reporting, accounting and auditing standards of foreign countries may differ, in some cases significantly, from U.S. standards.

 

 

Transaction Costs Risk: The costs of buying and selling foreign instruments, including tax, brokerage and custody costs, generally are higher than those involving domestic transactions.

 

 

Use of Foreign Currency Forward Agreements: Foreign currency forward prices are influenced by, among other things, changes in balances of payments and trade, domestic and international rates of inflation, international trade restrictions and currency devaluations and revaluations. Investments in currency forward contracts may cause a Fund to maintain net short positions in any currency, including home country currency. In other words, the total value of short exposure to such currency (such as short spot and forward positions in such currency) may exceed the total value of long exposure to such currency (such as long individual equity positions, long spot and forward positions in such currency).

Forward and Futures Contract Risk: As described in the “Principal Investment Strategies” section for each Fund, a Fund may invest in forward and/or futures contracts. The successful use of forward and futures contracts draws upon the Adviser’s skill and experience with respect to such instruments and are subject to special risk considerations. The primary risks associated with the use of forward and futures contracts, which may adversely affect a Fund’s NAV and total return, are (a) the imperfect correlation between the change in market value of the instruments held by a Fund and the price of the forward or futures contract; (b) possible lack of a liquid secondary market for a forward or futures contract and the resulting inability to close a forward or futures contract when desired; (c) losses caused by unanticipated market movements, which are potentially unlimited; (d) the Adviser’s inability to predict correctly the direction of securities prices, interest rates, currency exchange rates and other economic factors; (e) the possibility that the counterparty will default in the performance of its obligations; and (f) if a Fund has insufficient cash, it may have to sell securities from its portfolio to meet daily variation margin requirements, and the Fund may have to sell securities at a time when it may be disadvantageous to do so.

High Portfolio Turnover Risk: The investment techniques and strategies utilized by the Funds, including investments made on a shorter-term basis or in derivative instruments or instruments with a maturity of one year or less at the time of acquisition, may result in frequent portfolio trading and high portfolio turnover. High portfolio turnover rates will cause a Fund to incur higher levels of brokerage fees and commissions, which may reduce performance, and may cause higher levels of current tax liability to shareholders in the Fund.

Investment in Other Investment Companies Risk: As with other investments, investments in other investment companies, including exchange-traded funds (“ETFs”), are subject to market and manager risk. In addition, if a Fund acquires shares of investment companies, shareholders bear both their proportionate share of expenses in the Fund (including management and advisory fees) and, indirectly, the expenses of the investment companies. The Fund may invest in money market mutual funds. An investment in a money market mutual fund is not insured or guaranteed by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation or any other government agency. Although money market mutual funds that invest in U.S. government securities seek to preserve the value of the Fund’s investment at $1.00 per share, it is possible to lose money by investing in a stable NAV money market mutual fund. Moreover, recent SEC rule amendments require prime money market mutual funds to use floating NAVs that do not preserve the value of the Fund’s investment at $1.00 per share. These rule amendments may impact the Fund’s use of prime money market mutual funds for capital preservation purposes. A prime money market mutual fund may impose liquidity fees or temporary gates on redemptions if its weekly liquid assets fall below a designated threshold. If this were to occur, the Fund may lose money on its investment in the prime money market mutual fund, or the Fund may not be able to redeem its investment in the prime money market mutual fund.


 

 

  AQR Funds—Prospectus   30

Leverage Risk: As part of the Fund’s principal investment strategy, the Fund will enter into short sales and will make investments in futures contracts, forward contracts, swaps and other derivative instruments. These investment activities provide the economic effect of financial leverage by creating additional investment exposure to the underlying instrument, as well as the potential for greater loss. If the Fund uses leverage through activities such as entering into short sales or purchasing derivative instruments, the Fund has the risk that losses may exceed the net assets of the Fund. The net asset value of a Fund while employing leverage will be more volatile and sensitive to market movements.

Manager Risk: If the Adviser makes poor investment decisions, it will negatively affect a Fund’s investment performance.

Market Risk: Each Fund is subject to market risk, which is the risk that the markets on which the Fund’s investments trade will increase or decrease in value. Market risk applies to every Fund investment. Prices may fluctuate widely over short or extended periods in response to company, market or economic news. Markets also tend to move in cycles, with periods of rising and falling prices. If there is a general decline in the securities and other markets, your investment in a Fund may lose value, regardless of the individual results of the securities and other instruments in which the Fund invests.

Mid-Cap Securities Risk: Each Fund may invest in, or have exposure to, the securities of mid-cap companies. The prices of securities of mid-cap companies generally are more volatile than those of large capitalization companies and are more likely to be adversely affected than large-cap companies by changes in earnings results and investor expectations or poor economic or market conditions, including those experienced during a recession.

Model and Data Risk: Given the complexity of the investments and strategies of each Fund, the Adviser relies heavily on quantitative models and information and data supplied by third parties (“Models and Data”). Models and Data are used to construct sets of transactions and investments, to provide risk management insights, and to assist in hedging a Fund’s investments.

When Models and Data prove to be incorrect or incomplete, any decisions made in reliance thereon expose a Fund to potential risks. For example, by relying on Models and Data, the Adviser may be induced to buy certain investments at prices that are too high, to sell certain other investments at prices that are too low, or to miss favorable opportunities altogether. Similarly, any hedging based on faulty Models and Data may prove to be unsuccessful. The Fund bears the risk that the quantitative models used by the Adviser will not be successful in selecting companies for investment or in determining the weighting of investment positions that will enable the Fund to achieve its investment objective.

Some of the models used by the Adviser for one or more Funds are predictive in nature. The use of predictive models has inherent risks. For example, such models may incorrectly forecast future behavior, leading to potential losses on a cash flow and/or a mark-to-market basis. In addition, in unforeseen or certain low-probability scenarios (often involving a market disruption of some kind), such models may produce unexpected results, which can result in losses for a Fund. Furthermore, because predictive models are usually constructed based on historical data supplied by third parties, the success of relying on such models may depend heavily on the accuracy and reliability of the supplied historical data.

All models rely on correct market data inputs. If incorrect market data is entered into even a well-founded model, the resulting information will be incorrect. However, even if market data is input correctly, “model prices” will often differ substantially from market prices, especially for instruments with complex characteristics, such as derivative instruments. Model prices can differ from market prices as model prices are typically based on assumptions and estimates derived from recent market data that may not remain realistic or relevant in the future. To address these issues, the Adviser evaluates model prices and outputs versus recent transactions or similar securities, and as a result, such models may be modified from time to time.

Momentum Style Risk: Investing in or having exposure to securities with positive momentum entails investing in securities that have had above-average recent returns. These securities may be more volatile than a broad cross-section of securities. In addition, there may be periods during which the investment performance of a Fund while using a momentum strategy may suffer.

New Fund Risk: The Fund is newly-formed. Accordingly, investors in a Fund bear the risk that the Fund may not be successful in implementing its investment strategy, and may not employ a successful investment strategy, either of which could result in the Fund being liquidated at any time without shareholder approval and/or at a time that may not be favorable for all shareholders. Such a liquidation could have negative tax consequences for shareholders.

Short Sale Risk: The Fund enters into a short sale by selling a security it has borrowed (typically from a broker or other institution). If the market price of a security increases after the Fund borrows the security, the Fund will suffer a (potentially unlimited) loss when it replaces the borrowed security at the higher price. In certain cases, purchasing a security to cover a short position can itself cause the price of the security to rise further, thereby exacerbating the loss. In addition, the Fund may not always be able to borrow the security at a particular time or at an acceptable price. Before the Fund replaces a borrowed security, it is required to designate on its books cash or liquid assets as collateral to cover the Fund’s short position, marking the collateral to market daily. This obligation limits the Fund’s investment flexibility, as well as its ability to meet redemption requests or other current obligations. The Fund may also take a short position in a derivative instrument, such as a future, forward or swap. A short position in a derivative instrument involves the risk of a theoretically unlimited increase in the value of the underlying instrument which could cause the Fund to suffer a (potentially unlimited) loss. Short sales also involve transaction and financing costs that will reduce potential Fund gains and increase potential Fund losses.


 

 

  AQR Funds—Prospectus   31

Small-Cap Securities Risk: Investments in or exposure to the stocks of companies with smaller market capitalizations involve higher risks in some respects than do investments in stocks of larger companies. For example, prices of such stocks are often more volatile than prices of large capitalization stocks. In addition, due to thin trading in some such stocks, an investment in these stocks may be more illiquid (i.e., harder to sell) than that of larger capitalization stocks. Smaller capitalization companies also fail more often than larger companies and may have more limited management and financial resources than larger companies.

Swap Agreements Risk: Swap agreements involve the risk that the party with whom the Fund has entered into the swap will default on its obligation to pay the Fund. Additionally, certain unexpected market events or significant adverse market movements could result in the Fund not holding enough assets to be able to meet its obligations under the agreement. Such occurrences may negatively impact the Fund’s ability to implement its principal investment strategies and could result in losses to the Fund.

Value Style Risk: Investing in or having exposure to “value” stocks presents the risk that the stocks may never reach what the Adviser believes are their full market values, either because the market fails to recognize what the Adviser considers to be the companies’ true business values or because the Adviser misjudged those values. In addition, there may be periods during which the investment performance of a Fund using a value strategy may suffer.

Volatility Risk: A Fund may have investments that appreciate or decrease significantly in value over short periods of time. This may cause the Fund’s net asset value per share to experience significant increases or declines in value over short periods of time, however, all investments long- or short-term are subject to risk of loss.

Portfolio Holdings Disclosure

A description of the Funds’ policies and procedures with respect to the disclosure of the Funds’ portfolio securities is available in the Funds’ Statement of Additional Information.

The Adviser may make available certain information about each Fund’s portfolio prior to the public dissemination of portfolio holdings, including, but not limited to, the Fund’s portfolio characteristics data; the Fund’s country, currency and sector exposures; the Fund’s asset class and instrument type exposures; the Fund’s long/short exposures; and a Fund’s performance attribution, including contributors/detractors to Fund performance, by posting such information to the Fund’s website (https://funds.aqr.com) or upon reasonable request made to the Fund or the Adviser.

Change in Objective

Each Fund’s investment objective is not fundamental and may be changed by the Board of Trustees without shareholder approval. Shareholders will normally receive at least 30 days’ written notice of any change in a Fund’s investment objective.


 

 

  AQR Funds—Prospectus   32

Management of the Funds

The Trust is organized as a Delaware statutory trust and is governed by a Board of Trustees that is responsible for overseeing all business activities of the Trust.

The Funds’ Adviser is AQR Capital Management, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company formed in 1998. Subject to the overall authority of the Board of Trustees, the Adviser furnishes continuous investment supervision and management to the Funds’ portfolios and also furnishes office space, equipment, and management personnel. The Adviser’s address is Two Greenwich Plaza, Greenwich, CT 06830.

The Adviser is an investment management firm that employs a disciplined multi-asset, global research process. (AQR stands for Applied Quantitative Research). Until the launch of the AQR Funds in January 2009, the Adviser’s investment products had been primarily provided through a limited set of collective investment vehicles and separate accounts that utilize all or a subset of the Adviser’s investment strategies. The Adviser also serves as a sub-adviser to several registered investment companies. These investment products range from aggressive, high volatility and market-neutral alternative strategies, to low volatility, more traditional benchmark-driven products. The Adviser and its affiliates had approximately $172.4 billion in assets under management as of September 30, 2016.

Investment decisions are made by the Adviser using a series of global asset allocation, arbitrage, and security selection models, and implemented using proprietary trading and risk-management systems. The Adviser believes that a systematic and disciplined process is essential to achieving long-term success in investment and risk management. The principals of the Adviser have been pursuing the research supporting this approach since the late 1980s, and have been implementing this approach in one form or another since 1993. The research conducted by principals and employees of the Adviser has been published in a variety of professional journals since 1991. Please see the Adviser’s website (www.aqr.com) for additional information regarding the published papers written by the Adviser’s principals and other personnel.

The Adviser’s founding principals, Clifford S. Asness, Ph.D., M.B.A., David G. Kabiller, CFA, Robert J. Krail, and John M. Liew, Ph.D., M.B.A., and several colleagues founded the Adviser in January 1998. Each of the Adviser’s founding principals was formerly at Goldman Sachs, & Co., where Messrs. Asness, Krail, and Liew comprised the senior management of the Quantitative Research Group at Goldman Sachs Asset Management (GSAM). At GSAM, the team managed both traditional (managed relative to a benchmark) and non-traditional (managed seeking absolute returns) mandates. The founding principals formed the Adviser to build upon the success achieved at GSAM while enabling key professionals to devote a greater portion of their time to research and investment product development. The Adviser manages assets for institutional investors both in the United States and globally. The Adviser is based in Greenwich, Connecticut and employs approximately 750 people as of the date of this prospectus.

Advisory Agreement

For serving as investment adviser, the Adviser is entitled to receive an advisory fee from each Fund, as reflected below and expressed as a percentage of average daily net assets.

 

Fund        

AQR Large Cap Relaxed Constraint Equity Fund

         0.60 %

AQR Small Cap Relaxed Constraint Equity Fund

         0.80 %

AQR International Relaxed Constraint Equity Fund

         0.75 %

AQR Emerging Relaxed Constraint Equity Fund

         0.95 %

The Advisory Agreement is governed by Delaware law. The Advisory Agreement is not intended to create any third-party beneficiary or otherwise confer any rights, privileges, claims or remedies upon any person other than the parties to the Advisory Agreement and their respective successors and permitted assigns. The Trust, on behalf of the Funds, enters into contractual arrangements with various parties who provide services for the Funds. Shareholders are not parties to, or intended (or “third-party”) beneficiaries of, any of those contractual arrangements, and those contractual arrangements cannot be enforced by shareholders. Neither this prospectus nor the SAI is intended to give rise to any contract rights or other rights in any shareholder, other than any rights conferred explicitly by federal or state securities laws that may not be waived.

A discussion regarding the basis for the Board of Trustees’ approval of each Fund’s Advisory Agreement with the Adviser will be available in the Funds’ semi-annual report to shareholders for the period ended March 31, 2017.

Fee Waiver Agreement

The Adviser has contractually agreed to waive its management fee and/or reimburse expenses of Class I, Class N and Class R6 Shares of the Funds (the “Fee Waiver Agreement”) to the extent that the total annual fund operating expenses of a class,


 

 

  AQR Funds—Prospectus   33

exclusive of certain expenses, exceed set percentages as described in each Fund’s current prospectuses. The Class R6 Shares of the Funds are offered in a separate prospectus. For the Class I Shares and Class N Shares, these percentages are as follows:

Class I Shares

 

Fund        

AQR Large Cap Relaxed Constraint Equity Fund

         0.80 %

AQR Small Cap Relaxed Constraint Equity Fund

         1.00 %

AQR International Relaxed Constraint Equity Fund

         0.95 %

AQR Emerging Relaxed Constraint Equity Fund

         1.15 %

Class N Shares

 

Fund        

AQR Large Cap Relaxed Constraint Equity Fund

         1.05 %

AQR Small Cap Relaxed Constraint Equity Fund

         1.25 %

AQR International Relaxed Constraint Equity Fund

         1.20 %

AQR Emerging Relaxed Constraint Equity Fund

         1.40 %

The Fee Waiver Agreement is effective for each Fund through January 28, 2018.

The Fee Waiver Agreement may only be terminated with the consent of the Board of Trustees, including a majority of the Trustees of the Trust who are not “interested persons” of the Trust within the meaning of the 1940 Act, and does not extend to interest, taxes, dividends on short sales, borrowing costs, acquired fund fees and expenses, interest expense relating to short sales and extraordinary expenses. Under the Fee Waiver Agreement, the Adviser is entitled to recapture the fees waived and/or expenses reimbursed, only to the extent that the recapture can be made during the thirty-six months following the applicable period during which the Adviser waived fees or reimbursed expenses. In no case will the Adviser recapture any amount that would cause the aggregate operating expenses of the Fund attributable to a share class during a year in which a repayment is made to exceed the lesser of (i) the applicable limits in effect at the time of the waiver and/or reimbursement, or (ii) the applicable limits in effect at the time of recapture.

Portfolio Managers

Each Fund is managed by a team of investment professionals. The portfolio managers of the Adviser responsible for the oversight of each Fund are Michele L. Aghassi, Ph.D., Andrea Frazzini, Ph.D., M.S., Jacques A. Friedman, M.S. and Hoon Kim, Ph.D., M.B.A., CFA.

The portfolio managers of each Fund are jointly and primarily responsible for overseeing the day-to-day management of the Fund, as well as setting the Funds’ overall investment strategy. Information regarding the portfolio managers of each Fund is set forth below. Further information regarding the portfolio managers, including other accounts managed, compensation, ownership of Fund shares, and possible conflicts of interest, is available in the Funds’ SAI.

Michele L. Aghassi, Ph.D., is a Principal of the Adviser. Dr. Aghassi joined the Adviser in 2005 and is co-head of research for its Global Stock Selection group, overseeing research and portfolio management. Dr. Aghassi earned a B.Sc. in applied mathematics from Brown University and a Ph.D. in operations research from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology.

Andrea Frazzini, Ph.D., M.S., is a Principal of the Adviser. Dr. Frazzini joined the Adviser in 2008 and develops quantitative models for its Global Stock Selection team. He earned a B.S. in economics from the University of Rome III, an M.S. in economics from the London School of Economics and a Ph.D. in economics from Yale University.

Jacques A. Friedman, M.S., is a Principal of the Adviser. Mr. Friedman joined the Adviser at its inception in 1998 and heads its Global Stock Selection team, overseeing research and portfolio management. He earned a B.S. in applied mathematics from Brown University and an M.S. in applied mathematics from the University of Washington.

Hoon Kim, Ph.D., M.B.A., CFA, is a Principal of the Adviser. Dr. Kim joined the Adviser in 2005 and develops quantitative models and oversees portfolio management for its Global Stock Selection team. Dr. Kim earned a B.A. in business administration from Yonsei University in South Korea and an M.B.A. and Ph.D. in business and accounting from Carnegie Mellon University. He is a CPA (in Korea) and a CFA charterholder.

From time to time, a manager, analyst, or other employee of the Adviser or any of their affiliates may express views regarding a particular asset class, company, security, industry, or market sector. The views expressed by any such person are the views of only that individual as of the time expressed and do not necessarily represent the views of the Adviser or any other person within the Adviser’s organization. Any such views are subject to change at any time based upon market or other conditions and the Adviser disclaims any responsibility to update such views. These views may not be relied on as investment advice and, because investment decisions for a Fund are based on numerous factors, may not be relied on as an indication of trading intent on behalf of a Fund.


 

 

  AQR Funds—Prospectus   34

Performance of Related Funds and Accounts

As of the date of this prospectus, the Adviser manages certain other investment funds or separately managed accounts (each, an “Account” and collectively referred to herein as the “Accounts”) with investment objectives, policies and strategies substantially similar to those of the AQR Small Cap Relaxed Constraint Equity Fund, which Fund has less than a three year operating history. The individuals responsible for the management of each Account are the same individuals responsible for the management of the Fund. Performance is only included in this section of the Prospectus when there is at least one Account that has a full calendar year of performance, coinciding with disclosure of the Fund’s performance, which may only be shown in its prospectus on a calendar year basis once the Fund has a full calendar year of performance. The performance of the Accounts does not represent the past performance of the Fund and you should not consider the past performance of the Accounts as indicative of the future performance of the Fund.

Performance of Accounts Related to AQR Small Cap Relaxed Constraint Equity Fund

The table below shows the historical performance of the Adviser’s composite that contains all Accounts with investment objectives, policies and strategies substantially similar to those of the AQR Small Cap Relaxed Constraint Equity Fund that have inception dates prior to the most recent calendar year end (the “RC Small Cap Composite” or the “Composite”). The data is provided to illustrate the past performance of the Adviser in managing Accounts as measured against an appropriate index, and does not represent the performance of the Fund. The performance of the Fund may be better or worse than the performance of the Composite due to, among other things, differences in portfolio holdings, sales charges, expenses, asset sizes and cash flows. In addition, at least one of the Accounts comprising the Composite is not subject to the diversification requirements, specific tax restrictions and investment limitations imposed on the Fund by the 1940 Act and Subchapter M of the Code. Consequently, the performance results for the Composite expressed below could have been adversely affected if the applicable Account or Accounts had been regulated as investment companies under the federal securities and tax laws.

The manner in which the performance was calculated for the Composite differs from that of registered mutual funds such as the Fund. The Composite performance data was calculated in compliance with the Global Investment Performance Standards (GIPS). The performance results are presented both net of fees and gross of fees, and in USD, from year to year and the performance is compared to a market index over various periods of time. Gross of fee returns are calculated (i) gross of investment advisory fees (including performance-based fees); (ii) gross of administrative expenses; (iii) net of all withholding taxes on foreign dividends; and (iv) net of trading expenses. Administrative expenses are defined for GIPS purposes as all fees other than trading transaction costs and investment advisory fees and include custody fees, accounting fees, auditing fees, consulting fees, legal fees, and other related fees. Net of fee returns are calculated net of the total annual fund operating fees and expenses after fee waivers and/or expense reimbursements of the Class N Shares of the AQR Small Cap Relaxed Constraint Equity Fund reflected in the Fund’s fee table. Class N Shares of the Fund bear the highest annual fund operating fees and expenses after fee waivers and/or expense reimbursements of any share class of the Fund. As of the date of this prospectus, the fee table of the Class N Shares of the AQR Small Cap Relaxed Constraint Equity Fund reflects total annual fund operating fees and expenses after fee waivers and/or expense reimbursements of 1.71%.

Prior Performance of Similar Accounts

 

Average Annual Returns For the Periods Ended 12/31/15      1 Year      5 Year      Since Inception
(4/1/2007)

RC Small Cap Composite Performance—Gross

         5.71 %          14.56 %          7.85 %

RC Small Cap Composite Performance—Net

         3.92 %          12.64 %          6.03 %

Russell 2000 Index® (reflects no deduction for fees, expenses or taxes)

         -4.41 %          9.18 %          5.52 %

GIPS

The following disclosure regarding GIPS is applicable only with respect to Composite performance provided in this section entitled “Performance of Related Funds and Accounts” and does not apply to Fund performance shown in the “Fund Summary—Performance Information” sections of this prospectus.

The Adviser claims compliance with the GIPS. For GIPS purposes, the Adviser defines the “Firm” as entities controlled by or under common control with the Adviser (including voting power). The Firm is comprised of the Adviser and CNH Partners, LLC. The Firm links monthly returns geometrically to produce an accurate time-weighted rate of return. Composite returns are asset-weighted. Additional information regarding the Firm’s policies on fees and the calculation of investment performance is available upon request. Composite returns in the table above are calculated in compliance with GIPS standards on a trade date basis, and include accrued income and capital gains. Monthly composite returns are asset weighted based on the constituents’ month-beginning NAV.


 

 

  AQR Funds—Prospectus   35

Investing With the AQR Funds

Each Fund offers Class I, Class N and Class R6 Shares. Each class of a Fund’s shares has a pro rata interest in the Fund’s investment portfolio, but differs as to expenses, distribution arrangements and the types of investors who may be eligible to invest in the share class. This prospectus describes the Class I and Class N Shares of the Funds. The Class R6 Shares of the Funds are offered in a separate prospectus. Call 1-866-290-2688 to obtain more information concerning the Funds’ other share classes, including the prospectus for these other share classes.

Prior to investing, non-U.S. residents should consult a qualified tax and/or legal adviser about whether purchasing shares of a Fund is a suitable investment given legal and tax ramifications; some non-U.S. persons may not be permitted to invest in a Fund, depending on applicable laws and regulations. In addition, investors from Canada or countries that are members of the European Union are not permitted to invest in any Fund without the prior consent of the Fund.

The Funds reserve the right to refuse any request to purchase shares.

ELIGIBILITY TO BUY CLASS I SHARES AND CLASS N SHARES

INVESTMENT MINIMUMS

Each Fund’s Class I Shares and Class N Shares are offered to investors subject to the minimums specified below.

The minimum initial account size is $5,000,000 for Class I Shares and $1,000,000 for Class N Shares. This minimum requirement may be modified or reduced with respect to certain eligibility groups as indicated in the following table:

 

        Minimum Investment
Eligibility Group      Class I    Class N
Institutional investors such as qualified retirement plans      $100,000    None
Fee-based and discretionary accounts and programs offered by certain financial intermediaries, such as registered investment advisers, broker-dealers, bank trust departments, wrap fee programs and unified managed accounts      $100,000    None
Investors who are not eligible for a reduced minimum      $5,000,000    $1,000,000

Investors may aggregate accounts for purposes of determining whether the above minimum requirements have been met. Investors may also enter into a letter of intent indicating that they intend to meet the minimum investment requirements within an 18-month period.

There is no minimum initial account size in Class I Shares and Class N Shares for: (i) tax-exempt retirement plans of the Adviser and its affiliates and rollover accounts from those plans; (ii) employees of the Adviser and affiliates, trustees and officers of the Trust and members of their immediate families; and (iii) investment professionals, employees of broker-dealers or other financial intermediaries, and their immediate family members.

Some financial intermediaries may impose different or additional eligibility and minimum investment requirements. The Funds have the discretion to further modify, waive or reduce the above minimum investment requirements for Class I Shares and Class N Shares.

There is no minimum subsequent investment amount for Class I Shares or Class N Shares.

The Funds reserve the right to refuse any request to purchase shares.

TYPES OF ACCOUNTS—CLASS I SHARES AND CLASS N SHARES

You may set up your account in any of the following ways:

Individual or Joint Ownership. Individual accounts are owned by one person. Joint accounts can have two or more owners, and provide for rights of survivorship.

Gift or Transfer to a Minor (UGMA, UTMA). These gift or transfer accounts let you give money to a minor for any purpose. The gift is irrevocable and the minor gains control of the account once he/she reaches the age of majority. Your application should include the minor’s social security number.

Trust for Established Employee Benefit or Profit-Sharing Plan. The trust or plan must be established before you can open an account and you must include the date of establishment of the trust or plan on your application.

Business or Organization. You may invest money on behalf of a corporation, association, partnership or similar institution. You should include a certified resolution with your application that indicates which officers are authorized to act on behalf of the entity.

Retirement or Education. A qualified retirement account enables you to defer taxes on investment income and capital gains. Your contributions may be tax-deductible. For detailed information on the tax advantages and consequences of investing in


 

 

  AQR Funds—Prospectus   36

individual retirement accounts (IRAs) and retirement plan accounts, please consult your tax advisor. The types of IRAs available to you are: Traditional IRA, Roth IRA, Rollover IRA, SIMPLE IRA, SEP IRA and Coverdell Education Savings Account (formerly called an Education IRA). The IRA and Coverdell Education Savings Account custodian charges an annual maintenance fee (currently $15.00) per IRA or ESA holder.

The Funds may be used as an investment in other kinds of retirement plans, including, but not limited to, Keogh plans maintained by self-employed individuals or owner-employees, traditional pension plans, corporate profit-sharing and money purchase pension plans, section 403(b)(7) custodial tax-deferred annuity plans, other plans maintained by tax-exempt organizations, cash balance plans and any and all other types of retirement plans. All of these accounts need to be established by the plan’s trustee and the plan’s trustee should contact the Funds regarding the establishment of an investment relationship.

SHARE PRICE

Net Asset Value. The price you pay for a share of a Fund, and the price you receive upon selling or redeeming a share of that Fund, is called the Fund’s net asset value (“NAV”) per share. Each Fund’s NAV per share is generally calculated as of the scheduled close of trading on the New York Stock Exchange (the “NYSE”) (normally 4:00 p.m. Eastern time) on each day during which the NYSE is open for trading (a Business Day). Each Fund determines an NAV per share for each class of its shares. The price at which a purchase or redemption order is effected is based upon the next NAV calculation after the purchase or redemption order is received by the Fund (or its agent) in proper form. If there is an unscheduled NYSE closure prior to 4:00 p.m. Eastern time, transaction deadlines and NAV calculations may occur at 4:00 p.m. Eastern time or at an earlier time, if the particular closure directly affects the NYSE but other exchanges remain open for trading. Each Fund reserves the right to change the time its NAV is calculated if otherwise permitted by the 1940 Act or pursuant to statements from the SEC or its staff. The NAV per share of a class of a Fund is computed by dividing the total current value of the assets of the Fund attributable to a class, less class liabilities, by the total number of shares of that class of the Fund outstanding at the time the computation is made.

Foreign markets may be open at different times and on different days than the NYSE, meaning that the value of the Funds’ shares may change on days when shareholders are not able to buy or sell their shares. Foreign currencies, securities and other assets and liabilities denominated in foreign currencies are translated into U.S. dollars at the exchange rates generally determined as of 4:00 p.m. (Eastern time).

For purposes of calculating the NAV, portfolio securities and other assets are valued on each Business Day using valuation methods adopted by the Board of Trustees (the “Trust’s Valuation Procedures”). The Adviser makes the day-to-day valuation determinations subject to the oversight of the Board of Trustees. The Adviser has established a Valuation Committee (the “VC”) whose function is to monitor the valuation of portfolio securities and other assets of the Funds and determine in good faith the value of portfolio holdings of the Funds in accordance with the Trust’s Valuation Procedures.

Where market quotes are readily available, market value is generally determined on the basis of official closing prices or the last reported sales prices, or if no sales are reported, based on quotes obtained from pricing services or established market makers. Where market quotations are not readily available, or if an available market quotation is determined not to represent fair value, a security or other asset will be fair valued as determined by the VC in accordance with the Trust’s Valuation Procedures. When fair value pricing is employed, the prices used by a Fund to calculate its NAV may differ from quoted or published prices. Valuing securities or other assets at fair value involves greater reliance on judgment than valuation of securities or other assets based on readily available market quotations. A Fund that uses fair value to price securities or other assets may value those securities or other assets higher or lower than another mutual fund using market quotations or its own fair value procedures to price the same securities or other assets. The price at which a security or other asset is ultimately sold can differ from the price at which the security or other asset was fair valued.

Equity securities, including securities sold short, rights, warrants, ETFs and closed-end investment companies, are valued at the last quoted sales prices or official closing prices taken from the primary market in which each security trades. Investments in open-end investment companies are valued at such investment company’s current day closing net asset value per share. An equity for which no sales are reported, as in the case of a security that is traded in the over-the-counter market or a less liquid listed equity, is valued at its last bid price (in the case of short sales, at the ask price).

Fixed income securities (other than certain short-term investments maturing in less than 61 days) and other investments that trade in markets that are not considered to be active, are valued based on quoted market prices, dealer quotations or alternative pricing sources supported by observable inputs. Corporate and sovereign bonds and other fixed-income instruments are valued at estimated fair value using the latest bid prices or evaluated quotes furnished by independent pricing services, as well as quotations from counterparties and other market participants. Short-term debt investments maturing in less than 61 days are generally valued at amortized cost.

Equities or fixed income securities traded outside of the Western Hemisphere are fair valued daily in accordance with the Trust’s Valuation Procedures. The Funds generally apply daily fair value factors, furnished by an independent pricing service, to account for the market movement between the close of the foreign market on which a security is traded and the close of the NYSE.

Futures and option contracts that are listed on national exchanges and are freely tradable are valued based on their last sales price on the date of determination on the exchange that constitutes their principal market or, if no sales occurred on such date,


 

 

  AQR Funds—Prospectus   37

at the “mid-market” price on such exchange at the close of business on such date. Centrally cleared swaps listed or traded on a multilateral trade facility platform, such as a registered exchange, are valued using quotations provided by an independent pricing service or at the daily settlement price determined by the respective exchange.

Over-the-counter (“OTC”) derivatives, including forward contracts and swap contracts, are valued by the Funds on a daily basis using observable inputs, such as quotations provided by an independent pricing service, the counterparty, dealers or brokers, whenever available and considered to represent fair value. The value of each total return swap contract and total return basket swap contract is derived from a combination of (i) the net value of the underlying positions, which are valued daily using the last sale or closing price on the principal exchange on which the securities are traded; (ii) financing costs; (iii) the value of dividends or accrued interest; (iv) cash balances within the swap; and (v) other factors, as applicable.

The Funds value the repurchase agreements and reverse repurchase agreements they have entered into based on the respective contract amounts, which approximate fair value. As such, repurchase agreements are carried at the amount of cash paid plus accrued interest receivable (or interest payable in periods of increased demand for collateral), and reverse repurchase agreements are carried at the amount of cash received plus accrued interest payable (or interest receivable in periods of increased demand for collateral).

You may obtain information as to a Fund’s current NAV per share by visiting the Funds’ website at https://funds.aqr.com or by calling (866) 290-2688.

GENERAL PURCHASING POLICIES

 

 

You may purchase a Fund’s Class I Shares and Class N Shares at the NAV per share next determined following receipt of your purchase order in good order by a Fund or an authorized financial intermediary or other agent of a Fund. A purchase, exchange or redemption order is in “good order” when a Fund, its Distributor and/or its agent, receives all required information, including properly completed and signed documents. Financial intermediaries authorized to accept purchase orders on behalf of a Fund are responsible for timely transmitting those orders to the Fund.

 

 

You may purchase a Fund’s Class I Shares and Class N Shares directly from the Fund or through certain financial intermediaries (and other intermediaries these firms may designate) without the imposition of any sales charges. See “How to Buy Class I Shares and Class N Shares” below.

 

 

Once a Fund accepts your purchase order, you may not cancel or revoke it; however, you may redeem the shares. A Fund is deemed to have received a purchase or redemption order when an authorized financial intermediary (or its authorized designee) receives the order. A Fund may withhold redemption proceeds until it is reasonably satisfied it has received your payment. This confirmation process may take up to 10 days.

 

 

Each Fund reserves the right to cancel any purchase or exchange order it receives if the Trust believes that it is in the best interest of the Fund’s shareholders to do so.

 

 

Financial intermediaries purchasing a Fund’s shares on behalf of its customers must pay for such shares by the time designated by the agreement with the financial intermediary, which is generally on the first Business Day following the receipt of the order. When authorized by the Trust, certain financial intermediaries may be permitted to delay payment for purchases, but in no case later than the third Business Day following the receipt of the order. If payment is not received by this time, the order may be canceled. The financial intermediary or the underlying customer is responsible for any costs or losses incurred if payment is delayed or not received.

GENERAL REDEMPTION POLICIES

 

 

You may redeem a Fund’s Class I Shares and Class N Shares at the NAV per share next-determined following receipt of your redemption order in good order by the Fund or an authorized financial intermediary or other agent of the Fund.

 

 

The Funds cannot accept a redemption request that specifies a particular redemption date or price.

 

 

Once a Fund accepts your redemption order, you may not cancel or revoke it.

 

 

The Funds generally will transmit redemption proceeds within seven days after receipt of your redemption request. If you recently made a purchase, the Funds may withhold redemption proceeds until they are reasonably satisfied that they have received your payment. This confirmation process may take up to 10 days.

 

 

The Funds reserve the right at any time without prior notice to suspend, limit, modify or terminate any privilege, including the telephone exchange privilege, or its use in any manner by any person or class.

Redemption in Kind. The Funds generally intend to pay all redemptions in cash. Each Fund is obligated to redeem shares solely in cash up to the lesser of $250,000 or 1% of the Fund’s NAV during any 90-day period for any one shareholder. Redemptions in excess of those amounts will normally be paid in cash, but may be paid wholly or partly by a distribution in kind of marketable securities. Brokerage costs may be incurred by a shareholder who receives securities and desires to convert them to cash. Also, the portfolio securities received may increase or decrease in value before the investor can convert them into cash.

Excessive and Short-Term Trading. The Funds are intended for long-term investment purposes, and thus purchases, redemptions and exchanges of Fund shares should be made with a view toward long-term investment objectives. Excessive


 

 

  AQR Funds—Prospectus   38

trading, short-term trading and other abusive trading activities may be detrimental to a Fund and its long-term shareholders by disrupting portfolio management strategies, increasing brokerage and administrative costs, harming Fund performance and diluting the value of shares. Such trading may also require a Fund to sell securities to meet redemptions, which could cause taxable events that impact shareholders. If your investment horizon is not long-term, then you should not invest in the Funds.

The Board of Trustees has adopted policies and procedures that seek to discourage and not accommodate excessive or short-term trading activities. These policies and procedures include the use of fair value pricing of international securities and periodic review of shareholder trading activity and provide each Fund with the ability to suspend or terminate telephone or internet redemption privileges and any exchange privileges. In addition, the Funds reserve the right to refuse any purchase or exchange request that, in the view of the Adviser, could adversely affect any Fund or its operations, including any purchase or exchange request from any individual, group or account that is likely to engage in excessive short-term trading, or any order that may be viewed as market-timing activity. With respect to the review of shareholder trading activity, the Funds have set and utilize a set of criteria believed to serve as a preliminary indicator of market-timing and/or excessive short-term trading activity (referred to herein, as “Shareholder Criteria”) and review each account meeting this criteria. If, after review of these accounts, the transaction history of an account appears to indicate excessive short-term trading or market timing, the Fund will work with the Fund’s Transfer Agent to restrict or prohibit further purchases or exchanges of shares for the account. In addition, if the transaction history of an omnibus account appears to indicate the possibility of excessive trading, short-term trading or market timing, the Fund or the Adviser may request underlying shareholder information from the financial intermediary associated with the omnibus account pursuant to Rule 22c-2 under the 1940 Act. Upon receipt of the underlying shareholder information from the financial intermediary, the Fund or the Adviser will review any of the underlying shareholder accounts meeting the Shareholder Criteria and if the transaction history of an underlying shareholder appears to indicate excessive trading, short-term trading or market timing, the Adviser may instruct the financial intermediary to restrict or prohibit further purchases or exchanges of Fund shares by the underlying shareholder.

Despite the Funds’ efforts to detect and prevent abusive trading activity, there can be no assurance that the Funds will be able to identify all of those who may engage in abusive trading and curtail their activity in every instance. In particular, it may be difficult to curtail such activity in certain omnibus accounts and other accounts traded through intermediaries, despite arrangements the Funds have entered into with the intermediaries to provide access to account level trading information. Omnibus accounts are comprised of multiple investors whose purchases, exchanges and redemptions are aggregated before being submitted to the Funds.

OTHER POLICIES

No Certificates. The issuance of shares is recorded electronically on the books of the Funds. You will receive a confirmation of, or account statement reflecting, each new transaction in your account, which will also show the total number of shares of each Fund you own. You can rely on these statements in lieu of certificates. The Funds do not issue certificates representing shares of the Funds.

Frozen Accounts. The Funds may be required to “freeze” your account if there appears to be suspicious activity or if account information matches information on a government list of known terrorists or other suspicious persons.

Small Account Policy. Each Fund reserves the right, upon 60 days’ written notice to:

 

(A)

redeem, at NAV, the shares of any shareholder whose:

 

  a)

with respect to Class I Shares, account(s) across all AQR Funds has a value of less than $1,000 in the aggregate in Class I Shares, other than as a result of a decline in the net asset value per share; or

 

  b)

with respect to Class N Shares, account with a Fund has a value of less than $1,000 in Class N Shares, other than as a result of a decline in the net asset value per share; or

 

(B)

permit an exchange for shares of another class of the same Fund if the shareholder requests an exchange in lieu of redemption in accordance with subparagraph (a) above.

This policy will not be implemented where the Fund has previously waived the minimum investment requirement for that shareholder.

Before a Fund redeems such shares and sends the proceeds to the shareholder, it will notify the shareholder that the value of the shares in the account is less than the minimum amount and will allow the shareholder 60 days to make an additional investment in an amount that will increase the value of the account(s) to the minimum amount specified above before the redemption is processed. As a sale of your Fund shares, this redemption may have tax consequences.


 

 

  AQR Funds—Prospectus   39

How to Buy Class I Shares and Class N Shares

HOW TO BUY SHARES

You can open an account and make an initial purchase of shares of the Funds directly from the Funds or through certain financial intermediaries that have entered into appropriate arrangements with the Funds’ Distributor, ALPS Distributors, Inc.

To open an account and make an initial purchase directly with the Funds, you can mail a check or other negotiable bank draft (payable to AQR Funds) in the applicable minimum amount, along with a completed and signed Account Application, to AQR Funds, P.O. Box 2248, Denver, CO 80201-2248. You may also fax your completed Account Application to 1-866-205-1499. To obtain an Account Application, call (866) 290-2688 or download one from https://funds.aqr.com. A completed Account Application must include your valid taxpayer identification number. You may be subject to penalties if you falsify information with respect to your tax identification number.

Payment must be in U.S. dollars by a check drawn on a bank in the United States, wire transfer or electronic transfer. The Funds will not accept cash, traveler’s checks, starter checks, money orders, third party checks (except for properly endorsed IRA rollover checks), checks drawn on foreign banks or checks issued by credit card companies or Internet-based companies. Shares purchased by checks that are returned will be canceled and you will be liable for any losses or fees incurred by the Fund or its agents, including bank handling charges for returned checks.

You may also open an account or make an initial purchase directly with the Funds by wire transfer from your bank account to your Fund account along with mailing or faxing your completed Account Application as described above. To place a purchase by wire, please call (866) 290-2688 for more information.

After you have opened an account, you can make subsequent purchases of shares of the Funds through your financial intermediary or directly from the Funds, depending on where your account is established. To purchase additional shares directly from the Funds, you may do so by mail, wire or fax following the instructions described above.

Depending upon the terms of your account, you may pay account fees for services provided in connection with your investment in a Fund. The Funds have authorized certain financial intermediaries (such as broker-dealers, investment advisors or financial institutions) to accept purchase and redemption orders on behalf of the Funds. These financial intermediaries may charge their customers a transaction or service fee. Your financial intermediary can provide you with information about these services and charges. You should read this prospectus in conjunction with any such information you receive.

The Funds do not consider the U.S. Postal Service or other independent delivery services to be their agents. Therefore, deposit in the mail or with such services, or receipt at the Funds’ post office box, of purchase orders, redemption requests or exchange requests does not constitute receipt by the Funds.

Section 12(d)(1) of the 1940 Act restricts investments by investment companies in the securities of other investment companies. Registered investment companies are permitted to invest in each Fund beyond the limits set forth in Section 12(d)(1), subject to certain terms and conditions set forth in SEC rules or in an SEC exemptive order issued to the Trust. In order for a registered investment company to invest in shares of a Fund beyond the limitations of Section 12(d)(1) pursuant to the exemptive relief obtained by the Trust, the registered investment company must enter into an agreement with the Trust.

AUTOMATIC INVESTMENT PLAN

The Funds offer an Automatic Investment Plan for current and prospective investors in which you may make monthly investments in one or more of the Funds. Sums for investment will be automatically withdrawn from your checking or savings account on the day you specify. If you do not specify a day, the transaction will occur on the 20th of each month or the next Business Day if the 20th is not a Business Day. Please call (866) 290-2688 if you would like more information.

CUSTOMER IDENTIFICATION PROGRAM

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 that opens a new account, and to determine whether such person’s name appears on government lists of known or suspected terrorists and terrorist organizations.

As a result, the Funds must obtain the following information for each person that opens a new account:

 

 

Name;

 

 

Date of birth (for individuals);

 

 

Residential or business street address (although post office boxes are still permitted for mailing); and

 

 

Social Security number, taxpayer identification number, or other identifying number.

You may also be asked for a copy of your driver’s license, passport or other identifying document in order to verify your identity. In addition, it may be necessary to verify your identity by cross-referencing your identification information with a consumer report or other electronic database. Additional information may be required to open accounts for corporations and other entities.


 

 

  AQR Funds—Prospectus   40

Federal law prohibits the Funds and other financial institutions from opening a new account unless they receive the minimum identifying information listed above. After an account is opened, the Funds may restrict your ability to purchase additional shares until your identity is verified. The Funds may close your account or take other appropriate action if they are unable to verify your identity within a reasonable time. If your account is closed for this reason, your shares will be redeemed at the NAV next calculated after the account is closed.

The Funds and their agents will not be responsible for any loss in an investor’s account resulting from the investor’s delay in providing all required identifying information or from closing an account and redeeming an investor’s shares when an investor’s identity is not verified.

eDELIVERY

eDelivery allows you to receive your quarterly account statements, transaction confirmations and other important information concerning your investment in the Funds online. Select this option on your Account Application to receive email notifications when quarterly statements and confirmations are available for you to view via secure online access. You will also receive emails whenever a new prospectus, semi-annual or annual fund report is available. To establish eDelivery, call (866) 290-2688 or visit https://funds.aqr.com.


 

 

  AQR Funds—Prospectus   41

How to Redeem Class I Shares and Class N Shares

You may normally redeem your shares on any Business Day, i.e., any day during which the NYSE is open for trading. Redemptions of Class I Shares and Class N Shares are priced at the NAV per share next determined after receipt of a redemption request in good order by the Funds’ Distributor, the Funds or an authorized agent of the Funds. A financial intermediary may charge its customers a transaction or service fee in connection with redemptions, and will have its own procedures for arranging for redemptions of the Funds’ shares. If you have purchased your Fund shares through a financial intermediary, consult your intermediary for more information.

None of the Funds, the Adviser, the Distributor and the Transfer Agent of the Funds, nor any of their affiliates or agents will be liable for any loss, expense or cost when acting upon any oral, wired or electronically transmitted instructions or inquiries believed by them to be genuine.

While precautions will be taken, as more fully described below, you bear the risk of any loss as the result of unauthorized telephone redemptions or exchanges believed to be genuine, subject to applicable law. The Funds will employ reasonable procedures to confirm that instructions communicated are genuine. These procedures include recording phone conversations, sending confirmations to shareholders within 72 hours of the telephone transaction, verifying the account name and sending redemption proceeds only to the address of record or to a previously authorized bank account.

BY TELEPHONE

You may redeem your shares by telephone if you choose that option on your Account Application. If you did not originally select the telephone option, you must provide written instructions to the Funds in order to add this option. The maximum amount that may be redeemed by telephone at any one time is $50,000. You may have the proceeds mailed to your address of record or wired to a bank account previously designated on the Account Application.

BY MAIL

To redeem by mail, you must send a written request for redemption to the Funds, AQR Funds, P.O. Box 2248, Denver, CO 80201-2248. The Funds’ Transfer Agent will require a Medallion Signature Guarantee. A Medallion Signature Guarantee may be obtained from a domestic bank or trust company, broker, dealer, clearing agency, savings association, or other financial institution that is participating in a medallion program recognized by the Securities Transfer Association. Signature guarantees from financial institutions that are not participating in one of these programs are not accepted as Medallion Signature Guarantees. The Medallion Signature Guarantee requirement will be waived if all of the following conditions apply: (1) the redemption check is payable to the shareholder(s) of record; (2) the redemption check is mailed to the shareholder(s) at the address of record; (3) an application is on file with the Transfer Agent; and (4) the proceeds of the redemption are $50,000 or less. The Transfer Agent cannot send an overnight package to a post office box.

BY FAX

You may redeem your shares by faxing a written request for redemption to 1-866-205-1499. You may have the proceeds mailed to your address of record or wired to a bank account previously designated on the Account Application.

BY SYSTEMATIC WITHDRAWAL

You may elect to have monthly electronic transfers ($250 minimum) made to your bank account from your Funds account. Your Funds account must have a minimum balance of $10,000 and automatically have all dividends and capital gains reinvested. The transfer will be made on the Business Day you specify (or the next Business Day) to your designated account or a check will be mailed to your address of record. If you do not specify a day, the transfer will be made on the 20th day of each month or the next Business Day if the 20th is not a Business Day.

RETIREMENT ACCOUNTS

To redeem shares from an IRA, Roth IRA, SIMPLE IRA, SEP IRA, 403(b) or other retirement account, you must mail a completed and signed Distribution Form to the Funds. You may not redeem shares of an IRA, Roth IRA, SIMPLE IRA, SEP IRA, 403(b) or other retirement account by telephone or via the Internet.

PAYMENTS OF REDEMPTION PROCEEDS

Redemption orders are valued at the NAV per share next determined after the shares are properly tendered for redemption, as described above. Payment for shares redeemed generally will be made within seven days after receipt of a valid request for redemption. The Funds may temporarily stop redeeming shares or delay payment of redemption proceeds when the NYSE is closed or trading on the NYSE is restricted, when an emergency exists and the Funds cannot sell shares or accurately determine the value of assets, or if the SEC orders the Funds to suspend redemptions or delay payment of redemption proceeds.


 

 

  AQR Funds—Prospectus   42

At various times, a Fund may be requested to redeem shares for which it has not yet received good payment. If this is the case, the forwarding of proceeds may be delayed until payment has been collected for the purchase of the shares. The delay may last 10 days or more. The Funds intend to forward the redemption proceeds as soon as good payment for purchase orders has been received. This delay may be avoided if shares are purchased by wire transfer. The Funds intend to pay cash for all shares redeemed, except in cases noted above under the heading “General Redemption Policies,” in which case payment for certain large redemptions may be made wholly or partly in portfolio securities that have a market value equal to the redemption price. You may incur brokerage costs in converting the portfolio securities to cash.

By Check

You may have a check for the redemption proceeds mailed to your address of record. To change the address to which a redemption check is to be mailed, you must send a written request with a Medallion Signature Guarantee to the Funds, AQR Funds, P.O. Box 2248, Denver, CO 80201-2248.

By ACH Transfer

If your bank account is ACH active, you may have your redemption proceeds sent to your bank account via ACH transfer.

By Wire Transfer

You can arrange for the proceeds of a redemption to be sent by wire transfer to a single previously designated bank account if you have given authorization for expedited wire redemption on your Funds Account Application. This redemption option does not apply to shares held in broker “street name” accounts. If a request for a wire redemption is received by the Funds prior to the close of the NYSE, the shares will be redeemed that day at the next determined NAV, and the proceeds will generally be sent to the designated bank account the next Business Day. The bank must be a member of the Federal Reserve wire system. Delivery of the proceeds of a wire redemption request may be delayed by the Funds for up to seven days if deemed appropriate under then current market conditions. Redeeming shareholders will be notified if a delay in transmitting proceeds is anticipated. The Funds cannot be responsible for the efficiency of the Federal Reserve wire system or the shareholder’s bank. You are responsible for any charges imposed by your bank. The Funds reserve the right to terminate the wire redemption privilege. Shares purchased by check may not be redeemed by wire transfer until the shares have been owned (i.e., paid for) for at least 15 days. To change the name of the single bank account designated to receive wire redemption proceeds, you must send a written request with a Medallion Signature Guarantee to the Funds, AQR Funds, P.O. Box 2248, Denver, CO 80201-2248. If you elect to have the payment wired to your bank, a wire transfer fee of $30.00 may be charged by the Funds.

The Funds do not consider the U.S. Postal Service or other independent delivery services to be their agents. Therefore, deposit in the mail or with such services, or receipt at the Funds’ post office box, of purchase orders, redemption requests or exchange requests does not constitute receipt by the Funds.


 

 

  AQR Funds—Prospectus   43

How to Exchange Class I Shares and Class N Shares

You may exchange shares of a Fund for any class of shares of another Fund or any other series of the Trust (each, a “Series”), provided that you meet all eligibility requirements for investment in the particular class of shares. See “Investing with the AQR Funds” in this prospectus for more details. Exchanges may be made on any day during which the NYSE is open for trading.

Exchanges are priced at the NAV per share next determined after receipt of an exchange request in good order by the Funds’ Distributor, the Funds or an authorized financial intermediary or other agent of the Funds. A financial intermediary may charge its customers a transaction or service fee in connection with exchanges, and will have its own procedures for arranging for exchanges of the Funds’ shares. If you have purchased your Fund shares through a financial intermediary, consult your intermediary for more information.

An exchange of shares of one Fund for shares of another Fund or Series is considered a sale and generally results in a capital gain or loss for federal income tax purposes, unless you are investing through an IRA, 401(k) or other tax-advantaged account. You should talk to your tax advisor before making an exchange.

None of the Funds, the Adviser, the Distributor and the Transfer Agent of the Funds, nor any of their affiliates or agents will be liable for any loss, expense or cost when acting upon any oral, wired or electronically transmitted instructions or inquiries believed by them to be genuine, subject to applicable law.

While precautions will be taken, as more fully described below, you bear the risk of any loss as the result of unauthorized telephone exchanges believed to be genuine. The Funds will employ reasonable procedures to confirm that instructions communicated are genuine. These procedures include recording phone conversations, sending confirmations to shareholders within 72 hours of the telephone transaction and verifying the account name.

Always be sure to read the prospectus of the Fund or Series into which you are exchanging shares. To receive a current copy of a Fund’s or Series’ prospectus, please call 1-866-290-2688 or visit https://funds.aqr.com.

The Funds do not consider the U.S. Postal Service or other independent delivery services to be their agents. Therefore, deposit in the mail or with such services, or receipt at the Funds’ post office box, of purchase orders, redemption requests or exchange requests does not constitute receipt by the Funds.

RESTRICTIONS

 

 

If you bought shares through a financial intermediary, contact your financial intermediary to learn which Funds, Series and share classes your financial intermediary makes available to you for exchanges.

 

 

Exchanges may be made only between accounts that have identical registrations.

 

 

Not all Funds or Series offer all share classes.

 

 

You will generally be required to meet the minimum investment requirement for the class of shares into which your exchange is made.

 

 

Your exchange will also be subject to any other requirements of the Fund, Series or share class into which, or from which, you are exchanging shares, including the imposition of sales loads and/or subscription or redemption fees (if applicable).

 

 

The exchange privilege is not intended as a vehicle for short-term trading. The Funds or Series may suspend or terminate your exchange privilege if you engage in a pattern of excessive exchanges.

 

 

Each Fund and Series reserves the right to cancel any purchase or exchange order it receives if the Trust believes that it is in the best interest of the Fund’s or Series’ (as applicable) shareholders to do so.

BY TELEPHONE

Contact your financial intermediary or, if you purchased your shares directly from the Funds, you may exchange your shares by telephone if you choose that option on your Account Application by calling 1-866-290-2688. If you did not originally select the telephone option, you must provide written instructions to the Funds in order to add this option.

BY MAIL

Contact your financial intermediary or, if you purchased your shares through the Distributor, you must send a written request for exchange to the Funds at the following address:

AQR Funds

P.O. Box 2248

Denver, CO 80201-2248


 

 

  AQR Funds—Prospectus   44

BY SYSTEMATIC EXCHANGE PLAN

You may be permitted to schedule automatic exchanges of shares of a Fund for shares of other Funds or Series available for exchange. All requirements for exchanging shares described above apply to these exchanges. In addition:

 

 

Exchanges may be made monthly.

 

 

Each exchange must meet the applicable investment minimums for automatic investment plans (see “How to Buy Class I Shares and Class N Shares”).

For more information, please contact your financial intermediary or the Funds.

The Funds also reserve the right to permit exchanges of shares of a Fund for shares of another class of the same Fund.


 

 

  AQR Funds—Prospectus   45

Rule 12b-1 Plan (Class N Shares)

The Board of Trustees has adopted a Rule 12b-1 Plan with respect to each Fund’s Class N Shares, if applicable. The Rule 12b-1 Plan provides that the distribution fee payable is up to 0.25% annually of the Fund’s average daily net assets for Class N Shares. The Rule 12b-1 Plan permits a Fund to make payments for activities designed primarily to result in the sale of the Funds’ Class N Shares. Because these fees are paid out of a Fund’s assets on an on-going basis, over time these fees will increase the cost of your investment and may cost you more than paying other types of sales charges.

Certain Additional Payments

The Funds or the Adviser also may enter into agreements with certain intermediaries under which the Funds make payments to the intermediaries in recognition of the avoided transfer agency costs to the Funds associated with the intermediaries’ maintenance of customer accounts or in recognition of the services provided by intermediaries through mutual fund platforms. Payments made out of the Funds under such agreements are generally based on either (1) a percentage of the average daily net asset value of the customer shares serviced by the intermediary, up to a set maximum, or (2) a per account fee assessed against each account serviced by such intermediary, up to a set maximum. These payments are in addition to other payments described in this prospectus such as the fees paid pursuant to the Shareholder Services Agreement or the Rule 12b-1 Plan.

The Adviser (or an affiliate) also may make additional payments out of its own resources to certain intermediaries or their affiliates based on sales or assets attributable to the intermediary, or such other criteria agreed to by the Adviser in connection with the sale or distribution of a Fund’s shares or the administration of shareholder accounts. The Adviser selects the intermediaries to which it or its affiliate makes payments. These additional payments to intermediaries, which are sometimes referred to as “revenue sharing” payments, may represent a premium over payments made by other fund families, and investment professionals may have an added incentive to sell or recommend a Fund or a share class of the Fund over others offered by competing fund families. Ask your investment professional for more information.

The Adviser and the Funds’ Distributor may make other payments or allow promotional incentives to broker-dealers to the extent permitted by SEC and Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA) rules and by other applicable laws and regulations.


 

 

  AQR Funds—Prospectus   46

Distributions and Taxes

DISTRIBUTIONS

Each Fund distributes to its shareholders substantially all net investment income as dividends and any net capital gains realized from sales of the Fund’s portfolio securities. Each of the Funds expects to declare and pay dividends annually. Net realized long-term capital gains, if any, are paid to shareholders at least annually.

All of your income dividends and capital gain distributions will be reinvested in additional shares unless you elect to have distributions paid by check. If any check from a Fund mailed to you is returned as undeliverable or is not presented for payment within six months, the Trust reserves the right to reinvest the check proceeds and future distributions in additional Fund shares.

TAXES

The following discussion of U.S. and non-U.S. taxation applies only to U.S. shareholders and is not intended to be a full discussion of income tax laws and their effect. You may wish to consult your own tax adviser.

Taxes on Transactions. When you redeem shares, you will experience a capital gain or loss if there is a difference between the tax basis of your shares and the price you receive when you redeem them. The federal tax treatment will depend on how long you owned the shares and your individual tax position. Any loss recognized on shares held for six months or less will be treated as a long-term capital loss to the extent of any long-term capital gain distributions that were received with respect to the shares. You may be subject to state and local taxes on your investment in a Fund, depending on the laws of your home state or locality.

Exchanges. If you exchange your shares of a Fund for shares of another class of the same Fund, it is not considered a taxable event and should not result in capital gain or loss. If you exchange your shares of a Fund for shares of another Fund, it is considered a sale and purchase of shares for federal income tax purposes and may result in a capital gain or loss.

Distributions. Distributions from investment income (dividends) and net short-term capital gains are taxable as ordinary income except as noted below. Distributions of long-term capital gains are taxable as long-term capital gains regardless of the length of time you have held your Fund shares. Although a Fund will not be taxed on amounts it distributes, distributions will be taxable to you whether received in cash or reinvested in Fund shares, unless you hold your Fund shares in an individual retirement account or other tax-deferred account. These accounts are subject to complex tax rules and you should consult your tax adviser about which tax rules will apply to your investment.

The Trust will send you an annual statement to advise you as to the source of your distributions for tax purposes.

Taxes on Distributions. Distributions are subject to federal income tax, and may be subject to state or local taxes. If you are a U.S. citizen residing outside the U.S., your distributions also may be taxed by the country in which you reside. Your distributions are taxable whether you take them in cash or reinvest them in additional shares.

For federal tax purposes, a Fund’s income and short-term capital gain distributions are taxed as ordinary income and long-term capital gain distributions are taxed as long-term capital gains, except that “qualified dividend income” of noncorporate investors who satisfy certain holding period requirements is taxed at long-term capital gain rates, which are 15% for individuals with income below approximately $415,000 ($465,000 if married filing jointly), amounts indexed annually for inflation, and 20% for individuals with any income in excess of those amounts that is net long-term capital gain or qualified dividend income. The character of a capital gain depends on the length of time that the Fund held the asset it sold.

A 3.8% Medicare contribution tax is imposed on net investment income, including, among other things, interest, dividends, and net gain, of U.S. individuals with income exceeding $200,000 (or $250,000 if married filing jointly), and of estates and trusts.

Dividends, including capital distributions, if declared in October, November or December and paid in the following January, are taxable to shareholders as if paid in December.

Every January or February, each of your Funds will send you and the IRS a statement called Form 1099 showing the amount of taxable distributions you received (including those reinvested in additional shares) in the previous calendar year.

Upon the sale or exchange of his shares, a shareholder will realize a taxable gain or loss equal to the difference between the amount realized and his basis in his shares. A redemption of shares by the Fund will be treated as a sale for this purpose. Such gain or loss will be treated as capital gain or loss if the shares are capital assets in the shareholder’s hands, and will be long-term capital gain or loss if the shares are held for more than one year and short-term capital gain or loss if the shares are held for one year or less. The 3.8% Medicare contribution tax (discussed above) will apply to gains from the sale or exchange of Fund shares.

Average Cost Calculation. Each shareholder is responsible for tax reporting and Fund share cost calculation. To facilitate your tax reporting, each Fund provides you with an average cost statement with your 1099 tax form. This average cost statement is based on transaction activity in an account for the period during which you held the account directly with the Fund.

Buying Into a Distribution. Purchasing a Fund’s shares in a taxable account shortly before a distribution by the Fund is sometimes called “buying into a distribution.” You pay income taxes on a distribution whether you reinvest the distribution in shares of the Fund or receive it in cash. In addition, you pay taxes on the distribution whether the value of your investment decreased, increased or remained the same after you bought shares of the Fund.


 

 

  AQR Funds—Prospectus   47

A Fund may build up capital gains during the period covered by a distribution (over the course of the year, for example) when securities in the Fund’s portfolio are sold at a profit. After subtracting any capital losses, the Fund distributes those gains to you and other shareholders, even if you did not own the shares when the gains occurred (if you did not hold the Fund earlier in the year, for example), and you incur the full tax liability on the distribution.

Non-U.S. Income Taxes. Investment income received by a Fund from sources within non-U.S. countries may be subject to non-U.S. income taxes withheld at the source. If a Fund pays nonrefundable taxes to non-U.S. countries during the year, the taxes will reduce the Fund’s return. However, if a Fund qualifies for, and makes, a special election, such non-U.S. taxes paid by the Fund will be included as an amount deemed distributed to shareholders as taxable income, and you may be able to claim an offsetting credit or deduction on your tax return for your share of these non-U.S. taxes.

For United Kingdom tax purposes, one or more of the Funds may apply for U.K. “reporting fund status”, which, if approved by U.K. tax authorities and implemented by a Fund, may allow certain U.K.-based investors certain tax benefits. Persons potentially subject to U.K. income tax should consult their personal tax advisers.

Backup Withholding. You must furnish to the Funds your properly certified social security or other tax identification number to avoid federal income tax backup withholding on dividends, distributions and redemption proceeds. If you do not do so or the IRS informs the Fund that your tax identification number is incorrect, the Fund may be required to withhold 28% of your taxable distributions and redemption proceeds. Because each Fund must promptly pay to the IRS all amounts withheld, it is usually not possible for a Fund to reimburse you for amounts withheld. You may claim the amount withheld as a credit on your federal income tax return.

The Code imposes a U.S. withholding tax of 30% on payments (including gross proceeds, beginning in 2019) that are attributable to certain U.S. investments and made to a non-U.S. financial institution, including a non-U.S. investment fund. Each Fund will withhold at this rate on certain of its distributions (including redemptions) unless any non-U.S. financial institution shareholder complies with certain reporting requirements to the IRS, or with the reporting requirements of an applicable intergovernmental agreement, in respect of its direct and indirect U.S. investors. Non-U.S. financial institution shareholders should consult their own tax advisers regarding the possible implications of these requirements on their investment in a Fund.


 

  AQR Funds—Prospectus   48

Financial Highlights

The Funds have not commenced operations as of the date of this prospectus. As a result, no financial performance information for the Funds is available.


 

  AQR Funds—Prospectus   49

Glossary of Terms

The following is a glossary of terms used throughout this prospectus and their definitions. This glossary is set forth solely for reference purposes. The terms summarized or referenced in this glossary are qualified in their entirety by the prospectus itself.

 

1940 Act

   the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended

Adviser

   AQR Capital Management, LLC

Advisory Agreement

   the investment advisory contract under which the Adviser serves as investment adviser to the Funds

Board of Trustees

   the Board of Trustees of the AQR Funds or any duly authorized committee thereof, as permitted by applicable law

Business Day

   each day during which the NYSE is open for trading

Code

   the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended

Distributor

   ALPS Distributors, Inc.

Good order

   a purchase, exchange or redemption order is in “good order” when a Fund, its Distributor and/or its agent, receives all required information, including properly completed and signed documents

IRS

   the Internal Revenue Service

MSCI EAFE Index

   the MSCI EAFE Index is a free float-adjusted market capitalization index that is designed to measure the performance of equities in developed markets, excluding the United States and Canada

MSCI Emerging Markets Index

   the MSCI Emerging Markets Index is a free float-adjusted market capitalization index that is designed to measure the performance of equities in emerging markets

Momentum

   the Adviser considers a security to have positive momentum primarily if it has a return over the prior twelve months that ranks in the top third of its relevant universe at the time of purchase. In assessing positive momentum, the Adviser may also consider additional factors, such as the security’s return over the most recent month and other time periods. The criteria the Adviser uses for determining positive momentum may change from time to time

Mutual fund

   an investment company registered under the 1940 Act that pools the money of many investors and invests it in a variety of securities in an effort to achieve a specific objective over time

NAV

   the net asset value of a particular Fund

NYSE

   the New York Stock Exchange

Rule 12b-1 Plan

   a plan pursuant to Rule 12b-1 under the 1940 Act, which permits a fund to pay distribution and shareholder servicing expenses out of fund assets

Russell 1000® Index

   the Russell 1000® Index measures the performance of the large- and mid-cap segment of the U.S. equity universe. It is a subset of the Russell 3000® Index and includes approximately 1,000 of the largest securities based on a combination of their market cap and current index membership. The Russell 1000® represents approximately 92% of the U.S. market. Indexes are unmanaged and one cannot invest directly in an index

Russell 2000® Index

   the Russell 2000® Index measures the performance of the small-cap segment of the U.S. equity universe. The Russell 2000® Index is a subset of the Russell 3000® Index representing approximately 10% of the total market capitalization of that index. It includes approximately 2,000 of the smallest securities based on a combination of their market cap and current index membership. Indexes are unmanaged and one cannot invest directly in an index

SEC

   U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission

Total return

   the percentage change, over a specified time period, in a mutual fund’s NAV, assuming the reinvestment of all distributions of dividends and capital gains

Tracking error

   a measure of how closely a portfolio follows the index to which it is benchmarked. It measures the standard deviation of the difference between the portfolio and index returns

Transfer Agent

   ALPS Fund Services, Inc.

Trust

   AQR Funds, a Delaware statutory trust

Volatility

   a statistical measure of the dispersion of returns of a security or fund or index, as measured by the annualized standard deviation of its returns. Higher volatility generally indicates higher risk


 

You may wish to read the Statement of Additional Information for more information about the Funds. The Statement of Additional Information is incorporated by reference into this prospectus, which means that it is considered to be part of this prospectus.

You may obtain free copies of the Funds’ Statement of Additional Information, request other information, and discuss your questions about the Funds by writing or calling:

AQR Funds

P.O. Box 2248

Denver, CO 80201-2248

(866) 290-2688

The requested documents will be sent within three Business Days of your request.

You may also obtain the Funds’ Statement of Additional Information, along with other information, free of charge, by visiting the Funds’ Web site at https://funds.aqr.com.

Text-only versions of all Fund documents can be viewed online or downloaded from the EDGAR Database on the SEC’s internet web site at www.sec.gov. You may also review and copy those documents by visiting the SEC’s Public Reference Room in Washington, DC. Information on the operation of the Public Reference Room may be obtained by calling the SEC at 202-551-8090. In addition, copies of the Fund documents may be obtained, after mailing the appropriate duplicating fee, by writing to the SEC’s Public Reference Section, Washington, DC 20549-1520 or by e-mail request at publicinfo@sec.gov.

Additional information about each Fund’s investments is available in the Fund’s annual and semi-annual reports to shareholders. In the Fund’s annual report, you will find a discussion of the market conditions and investment strategies that significantly affected the Fund’s performance during its last fiscal year.

AQR Funds

Investment Company Act File No.: 811-22235


 

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Privacy Notice for Individual Shareholders

The AQR Funds (the “Trust”) is committed to protecting your privacy. We are providing you with this privacy notice to inform you of how we handle your personal information that we collect and may disclose to our affiliates. If the Trust changes its information practices, we will provide you with notice of any material changes. This privacy policy supersedes any of our previous policies relating to the information you disclose to us.

Why this Privacy Policy Applies to You

You obtained a financial product or service from or through us for personal, family or household purposes when you opened a shareholder account with the Trust, and are therefore covered by this privacy policy.

What We do to Protect Your Personal Information

We protect personal information provided to us by our individual shareholders according to strict standards of security and confidentiality. We maintain physical, electronic and procedural safeguards that comply with federal standards to guard consumer information. We permit only authorized individuals, who are trained in the proper handling of individual shareholder information and need to access this information to do their job, to have access to this information.

Personal Information that We Collect and May Disclose

As part of providing you with the Trust’s products and services, we may obtain nonpublic personal information about you from the following sources:

 

 

Information we receive from you on subscription applications or other forms, such as your name, address, telephone number, Social Security number, occupation, assets and income;

 

 

Information about your transactions with us, such as your account balances, payment history and account activity; and

 

 

Information from public records we may access in the ordinary course of business.

When We May Disclose Your Personal Information to Unaffiliated Third Parties

We will only share your personal information collected, as described above, with unaffiliated third parties:

 

 

At your request;

 

 

When you authorize us to process or service a transaction or product (unaffiliated third parties in this instance may include service providers such as the Trust’s distributors, registrar and transfer agent for shareholder transactions, and other parties providing individual shareholder servicing, accounting and recordkeeping services);

 

 

With companies that perform sales and marketing services on our behalf with whom we have agreements to protect the confidentiality of your information and to use the information only for the purposes for which we disclose the information to them; or

 

 

When required by law to disclose such information to appropriate authorities.

We do not otherwise provide information about you to outside firms, organizations or individuals except to our attorneys, accountants and auditors and as permitted by law.

What We do with Personal Information about Our Former Customers

If you decide to discontinue doing business with us, the Trust will continue to adhere to this privacy policy with respect to the information we have in our possession about you and your account following the termination of our shareholder relationship.


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AQR Funds

P.O. Box 2248, Denver, CO 80201-2248

p: +1.866.290.2688  |  w: https://funds.aqr.com


 

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AQR Funds Prospectus

December 12, 2016

Class R6 Shares

 

     Class      Ticker Symbol

AQR Large Cap Relaxed Constraint Equity Fund

  R6      QLRRX

AQR Small Cap Relaxed Constraint Equity Fund

  R6      QSRRX

AQR International Relaxed Constraint Equity Fund

  R6      QIRRX

AQR Emerging Relaxed Constraint Equity Fund

  R6      QERRX

This prospectus contains important information about each Fund, including its investment objective, fees and expenses. For your benefit and protection, please read it before you invest and keep it for future reference. This prospectus relates to the Class R6 Shares of each Fund.

The Securities and Exchange Commission and the Commodity Futures Trading Commission have not approved or disapproved these securities or determined if this prospectus is truthful or complete. Any representation to the contrary is a criminal offense. In addition, your investment in any of the Funds is not a deposit in a bank and is not insured or guaranteed by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation or any other government agency. You may lose money by investing in any of the Funds. The likelihood of loss may be greater if you invest for a shorter period of time.


 

AQR Funds—Prospectus

Table of Contents       
  

FUND SUMMARY: AQR LARGE CAP RELAXED CONSTRAINT EQUITY FUND

     2   

FUND SUMMARY: AQR SMALL CAP RELAXED CONSTRAINT EQUITY FUND

     6   

FUND SUMMARY: AQR INTERNATIONAL RELAXED CONSTRAINT EQUITY FUND

     10   

FUND SUMMARY: AQR EMERGING RELAXED CONSTRAINT EQUITY FUND

     15   

IMPORTANT ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

     20   

DETAILS ABOUT THE FUNDS

     21   

HOW THE FUNDS PURSUE THEIR INVESTMENT OBJECTIVES

     26   

RISK FACTORS

     27   

PORTFOLIO HOLDINGS DISCLOSURE

     31   

CHANGE IN OBJECTIVE

     31   

MANAGEMENT OF THE FUNDS

     32   

PERFORMANCE OF RELATED FUNDS AND ACCOUNTS

     34   

INVESTING WITH THE AQR FUNDS

     35   

HOW TO BUY CLASS R6 SHARES

     39   

HOW TO REDEEM CLASS R6 SHARES

     41   

HOW TO EXCHANGE CLASS R6 SHARES

     43   

CERTAIN ADDITIONAL PAYMENTS

     45   

DISTRIBUTIONS AND TAXES

     46   

FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS

     48   

GLOSSARY OF TERMS

     49   


 

 

  AQR Funds—Prospectus   2

AQR Large Cap Relaxed Constraint Equity Fund

Fund Summary — December 12, 2016

Investment Objective

The AQR Large Cap Relaxed Constraint Equity Fund (the “Fund”) seeks long-term capital appreciation.

Fees and Expenses of the Fund

This table describes the fees and expenses that you may pay if you buy and hold shares of the Fund.

Annual Fund Operating Expenses (expenses that you pay each year as a percentage of the value of your investment)

 

        Class R6  

Management Fee

       0.60%   

Distribution (12b-1) Fee

       None   

Other Expenses1

    

Dividends on short sales

       0.75%                

All other expenses

       0.17%                
    

 

 

 

Total Other Expenses

       0.92%   

Acquired Fund Fees and Expenses1

       0.03%   
    

 

 

 

Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses

       1.55%   

Less: Fee Waivers and/or Expense Reimbursements2

       0.07%   
    

 

 

 

Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses after Fee Waivers and/or Expense Reimbursements

       1.48%   

1  Other Expenses and Acquired Fund Fees and Expenses are estimated for the current fiscal year because the Fund has not commenced operations as of the date of this prospectus.

2  The Adviser has contractually agreed to waive its management fee and/or to reimburse expenses of the Fund to the extent necessary to maintain the total annual fund operating expenses (excluding interest, taxes, dividends on short sales, borrowing costs, acquired fund fees and expenses, interest expense relating to short sales and extraordinary expenses) at no more than 0.70% for Class R6 Shares (the “Fee Waiver Agreement”). This arrangement will continue at least through January 28, 2018. The Fee Waiver Agreement may only be terminated with the consent of the Board of Trustees, including a majority of the Trustees of the Trust who are not “interested persons” of the Trust within the meaning of the 1940 Act. Under the Fee Waiver Agreement, the Adviser is entitled to recapture the fees waived and/or expenses reimbursed, only to the extent that the recapture can be made during the thirty-six months following the applicable period during which the Adviser waived fees or reimbursed expenses. In no case will the Adviser recapture any amount that would cause the aggregate operating expenses of the Fund attributable to a share class during a year in which a repayment is made to exceed the lesser of (i) the applicable limits in effect at the time of the waiver and/or reimbursement, or (ii) the applicable limits in effect at the time of recapture.

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 takes into account the effect of the Fee Waiver Agreement through January 28, 2018, as discussed in Footnote No. 2 to the Fee Table. Although your actual costs may be higher or lower, based on these assumptions your costs would be:

 

        1 Year      3 Years

Class R6 Shares

       $ 151          $ 482  

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 may indicate higher transaction costs and may result in higher taxes when 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. The Fund has not commenced operations as of the date of this prospectus.

Principal Investment Strategies of the Fund

The Fund seeks to outperform, after expenses, the Russell 1000® Index while seeking to control its tracking error relative to this benchmark. The Fund will target a long-term average forecasted tracking error of 3% to 4% relative to the Russell 1000® Index. Actual realized tracking error will vary based on market conditions and other factors.


 

 

  AQR Funds—Prospectus   3

The Fund pursues its investment objective by investing, under normal market conditions, at least 80% of its net assets (including borrowings for investment purposes) in equity securities or equity-related instruments (together, “equity securities”) of large-cap companies. Equity securities include, but are not limited to, common stocks, exchange-traded funds and similar pooled investment vehicles, equity index futures and depositary receipts.

The Fund’s portfolio will be managed by both overweighting and underweighting securities, industries, and sectors relative to the Russell 1000® Index. “Relaxed Constraint” in the Fund’s name reflects the Fund’s strategy to take long as well as short positions in the equity securities in which it invests, as opposed to a traditional “long-only” portfolio which does not establish short positions (i.e., relaxing the “long-only” constraint). Selling securities short allows the Fund to reflect to a greater extent, compared to a long-only approach, the Adviser’s views on securities it expects to underperform. Selling securities short also allows the Fund to establish additional long positions using the short sale proceeds, and thereby take greater advantage, compared to a long-only approach, of the Adviser’s views on securities it expects to outperform. Through the reinvestment of the short sale proceeds, the Fund generally intends to target a long exposure of 130% of the Fund’s net assets with a short exposure of 30% of the Fund’s net assets. Actual long and short exposures, however, will vary according to market conditions. The Fund’s long exposures are expected to range between 120% and 140% of the Fund’s net assets. The Fund’s short exposures are expected to range between 20% and 40% of the Fund’s net assets.

The Fund, when taking a “long” equity position, will purchase a security that will benefit from an increase in the price of that security. When taking a “short” equity position, the Fund borrows the security from a third party and sells it at the then current market price. A “short” equity position will benefit from a decrease in price of the security and will lose value if the price of the security increases.

In constructing the Fund’s portfolio, the Adviser utilizes a quantitative investment process. A quantitative investment process is a systematic method of evaluating securities and other assets by analyzing a variety of data through the use of models—or processes—to generate an investment opinion. The models consider a wide range of factors, including, but not limited to, value and momentum.

 

 

Value strategies favor securities that appear cheap based on fundamental measures, often as a result of distress or lack of favor. Examples of value strategies include using price-to-earnings and price-to-book ratios.

 

 

Momentum strategies favor securities with strong recent performance and positive changes in fundamentals.

In addition to these two main factors, the Adviser may use a number of additional factors based on the Adviser’s proprietary research, including but not limited to, quality, stability, investor sentiment and management signaling. The Adviser may add to or modify the factors employed in selecting investments.

The Adviser determines the long or short weight of each equity security in the portfolio using portfolio optimization techniques, taking into account the Adviser’s assessment of attractiveness of the equity security based on various factors, including those described above, stock weights in the benchmark index, estimated transaction costs associated with trading each equity security, and additional criteria that form part of the Adviser’s security selection process.

The Fund generally invests in large-cap U.S. companies, which the Adviser generally considers to be those companies with market capitalizations within the range of the Russell 1000® Index at the time of purchase. The Fund may also invest in mid-cap securities.

The Fund invests significantly in equity securities. The Fund may also invest in or use financial futures contracts as well as exchange-traded funds and similar pooled investment vehicles, for hedging purposes, to gain exposure to the equity market and to maintain liquidity to pay for redemptions. A portion of the Fund’s assets may be held in cash or cash-equivalent investments, including, but not limited to, short-term investment funds.

As with equity positions, the Fund may also take “long” and “short” positions in derivative instruments, such as equity index futures contracts. A “long” position in a derivative instrument will benefit from an increase in the price of the underlying instrument. A “short” position in a derivative instrument will benefit from a decrease in price of the underlying instrument and will lose value if the price of the underlying instrument increases.

Principal Risks of Investing in the Fund

Risk is inherent in all investing. The value of your investment in the Fund, as well as the amount of return you receive on your investment, may fluctuate significantly from day to day and over time. You may lose part or all of your investment in the Fund or your investment may not perform as well as other similar investments. The Fund is not a complete investment program and should be considered only as one part of an investment portfolio. The Fund is more appropriate for long-term investors who can bear the risk of short-term NAV fluctuations, which at times, may be significant and rapid, however, all investments long- or short-term are subject to risk of loss. The following is a summary description of certain risks of investing in the Fund.

Common Stock Risk: The Fund may invest in, or have exposure to, common stocks. Common stocks are subject to greater fluctuations in market value than certain other asset classes as a result of such factors as a company’s business performance, investor perceptions, stock market trends and general economic conditions.


 

 

  AQR Funds—Prospectus   4

Counterparty Risk: The Fund may enter into various types of derivative contracts. Many of these derivative contracts will be privately negotiated in the over-the-counter market. These contracts also involve exposure to credit risk, since contract performance depends in part on the financial condition of the counterparty. If a privately negotiated over-the-counter contract calls for payments by the Fund, the Fund must be prepared to make such payments when due. In addition, if a counterparty’s creditworthiness declines, the Fund may not receive payments owed under the contract, or such payments may be delayed under such circumstances and the value of agreements with such counterparty can be expected to decline, potentially resulting in losses to the Fund.

Derivatives Risk: In general, a derivative instrument typically involves leverage, i.e., it provides exposure to potential gain or loss from a change in the level of the market price of the underlying security, currency or commodity (or a basket or index) in a notional amount that exceeds the amount of cash or assets required to establish or maintain the derivative instrument. Adverse changes in the value or level of the underlying asset or index, which the Fund may not directly own, can result in a loss to the Fund substantially greater than the amount invested in the derivative itself. The use of derivative instruments also exposes the Fund to additional risks and transaction costs. These instruments come in many varieties and have a wide range of potential risks and rewards, and may include, as further described in the section entitled “Principal Investment Strategies of the Fund,” futures contracts. A risk of the Fund’s use of derivatives is that the fluctuations in their values may not correlate perfectly with the overall securities markets. Additionally, to the extent the Fund is required to segregate or “set aside” (often referred to as “asset segregation”) liquid assets or otherwise cover open positions with respect to certain derivative instruments, the Fund may be required to sell portfolio instruments to meet these asset segregation requirements. There is a possibility that segregation involving a large percentage of the Fund’s assets could impede portfolio management or the Fund’s ability to meet redemption requests or other current obligations.

Futures Contract Risk: The successful use of futures contracts draws upon the Adviser’s skill and experience with respect to such instruments and are subject to special risk considerations. The primary risks associated with the use of futures contracts, which may adversely affect the Fund’s NAV and total return, are (a) the imperfect correlation between the change in market value of the instruments held by the Fund and the price of the futures contract; (b) possible lack of a liquid secondary market for a futures contract and the resulting inability to close a futures contract when desired; (c) losses caused by unanticipated market movements, which are potentially unlimited; (d) the Adviser’s inability to predict correctly the direction of securities prices, interest rates, currency exchange rates and other economic factors; (e) the possibility that the counterparty will default in the performance of its obligations; and (f) if the Fund has insufficient cash, it may have to sell securities from its portfolio to meet daily variation margin requirements, and the Fund may have to sell securities at a time when it may be disadvantageous to do so.

High Portfolio Turnover Risk: The investment techniques and strategies utilized by the Fund, including investments made on a shorter-term basis or in derivative instruments or instruments with a maturity of one year or less at the time of acquisition, may result in frequent portfolio trading and high portfolio turnover. High portfolio turnover rates will cause the Fund to incur higher levels of brokerage fees and commissions, which may reduce performance, and may cause higher levels of current tax liability to shareholders in the Fund.

Investment in Other Investment Companies Risk: As with other investments, investments in other investment companies, including exchange-traded funds (“ETFs”), are subject to market and manager risk. In addition, if the Fund acquires shares of investment companies, shareholders bear both their proportionate share of expenses in the Fund (including management and advisory fees) and, indirectly, the expenses of the investment companies. The Fund may invest in money market mutual funds. An investment in a money market mutual fund is not insured or guaranteed by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation or any other government agency. Although money market mutual funds that invest in U.S. government securities seek to preserve the value of the Fund’s investment at $1.00 per share, it is possible to lose money by investing in a stable NAV money market mutual fund. Moreover, recent SEC rule amendments require prime money market mutual funds to use floating NAVs that do not preserve the value of the Fund’s investment at $1.00 per share. These rule amendments may impact the Fund’s use of prime money market mutual funds for capital preservation purposes.

Leverage Risk: As part of the Fund’s principal investment strategy, the Fund will enter into short sales and will make investments in futures contracts and other derivative instruments. These investment activities provide the economic effect of financial leverage by creating additional investment exposure to the underlying instrument, as well as the potential for greater loss. If the Fund uses leverage through activities such as entering into short sales or purchasing derivative instruments, the Fund has the risk that losses may exceed the net assets of the Fund. The net asset value of the Fund while employing leverage will be more volatile and sensitive to market movements.

Manager Risk: If the Adviser makes poor investment decisions, it will negatively affect the Fund’s investment performance.

Market Risk: Market risk is the risk that the markets on which the Fund’s investments trade will increase or decrease in value. Prices may fluctuate widely over short or extended periods in response to company, market or economic news. Markets also tend to move in cycles, with periods of rising and falling prices. If there is a general decline in the securities and other markets, your investment in the Fund may lose value, regardless of the individual results of the securities and other instruments in which the Fund invests.

Mid-Cap Securities Risk: The Fund may invest in, or have exposure to, the securities of mid-cap companies. The prices of securities of mid-cap companies generally are more volatile than those of large capitalization companies and are more likely to


 

 

  AQR Funds—Prospectus   5

be adversely affected than large-cap companies by changes in earnings results and investor expectations or poor economic or market conditions, including those experienced during a recession.

Model and Data Risk: Given the complexity of the investments and strategies of the Fund, the Adviser relies heavily on quantitative models and information and data supplied by third parties (“Models and Data”). Models and Data are used to construct sets of transactions and investments, to provide risk management insights, and to assist in hedging the Fund’s investments.

When Models and Data prove to be incorrect or incomplete, any decisions made in reliance thereon expose the Fund to potential risks. Similarly, any hedging based on faulty Models and Data may prove to be unsuccessful. Some of the models used by the Adviser for the Fund are predictive in nature. The use of predictive models has inherent risks. Because predictive models are usually constructed based on historical data supplied by third parties, the success of relying on such models may depend heavily on the accuracy and reliability of the supplied historical data. The Fund bears the risk that the quantitative models used by the Adviser will not be successful in selecting companies for investment or in determining the weighting of investment positions that will enable the Fund to achieve its investment objective.

All models rely on correct market data inputs. If incorrect market data is entered into even a well-founded model, the resulting information will be incorrect. However, even if market data is input correctly, “model prices” will often differ substantially from market prices, especially for instruments with complex characteristics, such as derivative instruments.

Momentum Style Risk: Investing in or having exposure to securities with positive momentum entails investing in securities that have had above-average recent returns. These securities may be more volatile than a broad cross-section of securities. In addition, there may be periods during which the investment performance of the Fund while using a momentum strategy may suffer.

New Fund Risk: The Fund is newly-formed. Accordingly, investors in the Fund bear the risk that the Fund may not be successful in implementing its investment strategy, and may not employ a successful investment strategy, either of which could result in the Fund being liquidated at any time without shareholder approval and/or at a time that may not be favorable for all shareholders. Such a liquidation could have negative tax consequences for shareholders.

Short Sale Risk: The Fund enters into a short sale by selling a security it has borrowed (typically from a broker or other institution). If the market price of a security increases after the Fund borrows the security, the Fund will suffer a (potentially unlimited) loss when it replaces the borrowed security at the higher price. In certain cases, purchasing a security to cover a short position can itself cause the price of the security to rise further, thereby exacerbating the loss. In addition, the Fund may not always be able to borrow the security at a particular time or at an acceptable price. The Fund may also take a short position in a derivative instrument, such as a future, forward or swap. A short position in a derivative instrument involves the risk of a theoretically unlimited increase in the value of the underlying instrument which could cause the Fund to suffer a (potentially unlimited) loss. Short sales also involve transaction and financing costs that will reduce potential Fund gains and increase potential Fund losses.

Value Style Risk: Investing in or having exposure to “value” stocks presents the risk that the stocks may never reach what the Adviser believes are their full market values, either because the market fails to recognize what the Adviser considers to be the companies’ true business values or because the Adviser misjudged those values. In addition, there may be periods during which the investment performance of the Fund while using a value strategy may suffer.

Volatility Risk: The Fund may have investments that appreciate or decrease significantly in value over short periods of time. This may cause the Fund’s net asset value per share to experience significant increases or declines in value over short periods of time, however, all investments long- or short-term are subject to risk of loss.

Performance Information

Performance history will be available for the Fund after it has been in operation for a full calendar year. Updated information on the Fund’s performance, including its current NAV per share, can be obtained by visiting https://funds.aqr.com.

Investment Manager

The Fund’s investment manager is AQR Capital Management, LLC.

Portfolio Managers

 

Name  

Portfolio Manager

of the Fund Since

     Title

Michele L. Aghassi, Ph.D.

  Since 2016      Principal of the Adviser

Andrea Frazzini, Ph.D., M.S.

  Since 2016      Principal of the Adviser

Jacques A. Friedman, M.S.

  Since 2016      Principal of the Adviser

Hoon Kim, Ph.D., M.B.A., CFA

  Since 2016      Principal of the Adviser

For important information about purchase and sale of Fund shares, tax information, and financial intermediary compensation, please turn to “Important Additional Information” on page 20 of the prospectus.


 

 

  AQR Funds—Prospectus   6

AQR Small Cap Relaxed Constraint Equity Fund

Fund Summary — December 12, 2016

Investment Objective

The AQR Small Cap Relaxed Constraint Equity Fund (the “Fund”) seeks long-term capital appreciation.

Fees and Expenses of the Fund

This table describes the fees and expenses that you may pay if you buy and hold shares of the Fund.

Annual Fund Operating Expenses (expenses that you pay each year as a percentage of the value of your investment)

 

        Class R6  

Management Fee

       0.80%   

Distribution (12b-1) Fee

       None   

Other Expenses1

    

Dividends on short sales

       0.43%                

All other expenses

       0.16%                
    

 

 

 

Total Other Expenses

       0.59%   

Acquired Fund Fees and Expenses1

       0.03%   
    

 

 

 

Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses

       1.42%   

Less: Fee Waivers and/or Expense Reimbursements2

       0.06%   
    

 

 

 

Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses after Fee Waivers and/or Expense Reimbursements

       1.36%   

1  Other Expenses and Acquired Fund Fees and Expenses are estimated for the current fiscal year because the Fund has not commenced operations as of the date of this prospectus.

2  The Adviser has contractually agreed to waive its management fee and/or to reimburse expenses of the Fund to the extent necessary to maintain the total annual fund operating expenses (excluding interest, taxes, dividends on short sales, borrowing costs, acquired fund fees and expenses, interest expense relating to short sales and extraordinary expenses) at no more than 0.90% for Class R6 Shares (the “Fee Waiver Agreement”). This arrangement will continue at least through January 28, 2018. The Fee Waiver Agreement may only be terminated with the consent of the Board of Trustees, including a majority of the Trustees of the Trust who are not “interested persons” of the Trust within the meaning of the 1940 Act. Under the Fee Waiver Agreement, the Adviser is entitled to recapture the fees waived and/or expenses reimbursed, only to the extent that the recapture can be made during the thirty-six months following the applicable period during which the Adviser waived fees or reimbursed expenses. In no case will the Adviser recapture any amount that would cause the aggregate operating expenses of the Fund attributable to a share class during a year in which a repayment is made to exceed the lesser of (i) the applicable limits in effect at the time of the waiver and/or reimbursement, or (ii) the applicable limits in effect at the time of recapture.

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 takes into account the effect of the Fee Waiver Agreement through January 28, 2018, as discussed in Footnote No. 2 to the Fee Table. Although your actual costs may be higher or lower, based on these assumptions your costs would be:

 

        1 Year      3 Years

Class R6 Shares

       $ 138          $ 443  

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 may indicate higher transaction costs and may result in higher taxes when 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. The Fund has not commenced operations as of the date of this prospectus.

Principal Investment Strategies of the Fund

The Fund seeks to outperform, after expenses, the Russell 2000® Index while seeking to control its tracking error relative to this benchmark. The Fund will target a long-term average forecasted tracking error of 4% to 5% relative to the Russell 2000® Index. Actual realized tracking error will vary based on market conditions and other factors.


 

 

  AQR Funds—Prospectus   7

The Fund pursues its investment objective by investing, under normal market conditions, at least 80% of its net assets (including borrowings for investment purposes) in equity securities or equity-related instruments (together, “equity securities”) of small-cap companies. Equity securities include, but are not limited to, common stocks, exchange-traded funds and similar pooled investment vehicles, equity index futures and depositary receipts.

The Fund’s portfolio will be managed by both overweighting and underweighting securities, industries, and sectors relative to the Russell 2000® Index. “Relaxed Constraint” in the Fund’s name reflects the Fund’s strategy to take long as well as short positions in the equity securities in which it invests, as opposed to a traditional “long-only” portfolio which does not establish short positions (i.e., relaxing the “long-only” constraint). Selling securities short allows the Fund to reflect to a greater extent, compared to a long-only approach, the Adviser’s views on securities it expects to underperform. Selling securities short also allows the Fund to establish additional long positions using the short sale proceeds, and thereby take greater advantage, compared to a long-only approach, of the Adviser’s views on securities it expects to outperform. Through the reinvestment of the short sale proceeds, the Fund generally intends to target a long exposure of 130% of the Fund’s net assets with a short exposure of 30% of the Fund’s net assets. Actual long and short exposures, however, will vary according to market conditions. The Fund’s long exposures are expected to range between 120% and 140% of the Fund’s net assets. The Fund’s short exposures are expected to range between 20% and 40% of the Fund’s net assets.

The Fund, when taking a “long” equity position, will purchase a security that will benefit from an increase in the price of that security. When taking a “short” equity position, the Fund borrows the security from a third party and sells it at the then current market price. A “short” equity position will benefit from a decrease in price of the security and will lose value if the price of the security increases.

In constructing the Fund’s portfolio, the Adviser utilizes a quantitative investment process. A quantitative investment process is a systematic method of evaluating securities and other assets by analyzing a variety of data through the use of models—or processes—to generate an investment opinion. The models consider a wide range of factors, including, but not limited to, value and momentum.

 

 

Value strategies favor securities that appear cheap based on fundamental measures, often as a result of distress or lack of favor. Examples of value strategies include using price-to-earnings and price-to-book ratios.

 

 

Momentum strategies favor securities with strong recent performance and positive changes in fundamentals.

In addition to these two main factors, the Adviser may use a number of additional factors based on the Adviser’s proprietary research, including but not limited to, quality, stability, investor sentiment and management signaling. The Adviser may add to or modify the factors employed in selecting investments.

The Adviser determines the long or short weight of each equity security in the portfolio using portfolio optimization techniques, taking into account the Adviser’s assessment of attractiveness of the equity security based on various factors, including those described above, stock weights in the benchmark index, estimated transaction costs associated with trading each equity security, and additional criteria that form part of the Adviser’s security selection process.

The Fund generally invests in small-cap U.S. companies, which the Adviser generally considers to be those companies with market capitalizations within the range of the Russell 2000® Index at the time of purchase.

The Fund invests significantly in equity securities. The Fund may also invest in or use financial futures contracts as well as exchange-traded funds and similar pooled investment vehicles, for hedging purposes, to gain exposure to the equity market and to maintain liquidity to pay for redemptions. A portion of the Fund’s assets may be held in cash or cash-equivalent investments, including, but not limited to, short-term investment funds.

As with equity positions, the Fund may also take “long” and “short” positions in derivative instruments, such as equity index futures contracts. A “long” position in a derivative instrument will benefit from an increase in the price of the underlying instrument. A “short” position in a derivative instrument will benefit from a decrease in price of the underlying instrument and will lose value if the price of the underlying instrument increases.

Principal Risks of Investing in the Fund

Risk is inherent in all investing. The value of your investment in the Fund, as well as the amount of return you receive on your investment, may fluctuate significantly from day to day and over time. You may lose part or all of your investment in the Fund or your investment may not perform as well as other similar investments. The Fund is not a complete investment program and should be considered only as one part of an investment portfolio. The Fund is more appropriate for long-term investors who can bear the risk of short-term NAV fluctuations, which at times, may be significant and rapid, however, all investments long- or short-term are subject to risk of loss. The following is a summary description of certain risks of investing in the Fund.

Common Stock Risk: The Fund may invest in, or have exposure to, common stocks. Common stocks are subject to greater fluctuations in market value than certain other asset classes as a result of such factors as a company’s business performance, investor perceptions, stock market trends and general economic conditions.


 

 

  AQR Funds—Prospectus   8

Counterparty Risk: The Fund may enter into various types of derivative contracts. Many of these derivative contracts will be privately negotiated in the over-the-counter market. These contracts also involve exposure to credit risk, since contract performance depends in part on the financial condition of the counterparty. If a privately negotiated over-the-counter contract calls for payments by the Fund, the Fund must be prepared to make such payments when due. In addition, if a counterparty’s creditworthiness declines, the Fund may not receive payments owed under the contract, or such payments may be delayed under such circumstances and the value of agreements with such counterparty can be expected to decline, potentially resulting in losses to the Fund.

Derivatives Risk: In general, a derivative instrument typically involves leverage, i.e., it provides exposure to potential gain or loss from a change in the level of the market price of the underlying security, currency or commodity (or a basket or index) in a notional amount that exceeds the amount of cash or assets required to establish or maintain the derivative instrument. Adverse changes in the value or level of the underlying asset or index, which the Fund may not directly own, can result in a loss to the Fund substantially greater than the amount invested in the derivative itself. The use of derivative instruments also exposes the Fund to additional risks and transaction costs. These instruments come in many varieties and have a wide range of potential risks and rewards, and may include, as further described in the section entitled “Principal Investment Strategies of the Fund,” futures contracts. A risk of the Fund’s use of derivatives is that the fluctuations in their values may not correlate perfectly with the overall securities markets. Additionally, to the extent the Fund is required to segregate or “set aside” (often referred to as “asset segregation”) liquid assets or otherwise cover open positions with respect to certain derivative instruments, the Fund may be required to sell portfolio instruments to meet these asset segregation requirements. There is a possibility that segregation involving a large percentage of the Fund’s assets could impede portfolio management or the Fund’s ability to meet redemption requests or other current obligations.

Futures Contract Risk: The successful use of futures contracts draws upon the Adviser’s skill and experience with respect to such instruments and are subject to special risk considerations. The primary risks associated with the use of futures contracts, which may adversely affect the Fund’s NAV and total return, are (a) the imperfect correlation between the change in market value of the instruments held by the Fund and the price of the futures contract; (b) possible lack of a liquid secondary market for a futures contract and the resulting inability to close a futures contract when desired; (c) losses caused by unanticipated market movements, which are potentially unlimited; (d) the Adviser’s inability to predict correctly the direction of securities prices, interest rates, currency exchange rates and other economic factors; (e) the possibility that the counterparty will default in the performance of its obligations; and (f) if the Fund has insufficient cash, it may have to sell securities from its portfolio to meet daily variation margin requirements, and the Fund may have to sell securities at a time when it may be disadvantageous to do so.

High Portfolio Turnover Risk: The investment techniques and strategies utilized by the Fund, including investments made on a shorter-term basis or in derivative instruments or instruments with a maturity of one year or less at the time of acquisition, may result in frequent portfolio trading and high portfolio turnover. High portfolio turnover rates will cause the Fund to incur higher levels of brokerage fees and commissions, which may reduce performance, and may cause higher levels of current tax liability to shareholders in the Fund.

Investment in Other Investment Companies Risk: As with other investments, investments in other investment companies, including exchange-traded funds (“ETFs”), are subject to market and manager risk. In addition, if the Fund acquires shares of investment companies, shareholders bear both their proportionate share of expenses in the Fund (including management and advisory fees) and, indirectly, the expenses of the investment companies. The Fund may invest in money market mutual funds. An investment in a money market mutual fund is not insured or guaranteed by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation or any other government agency. Although money market mutual funds that invest in U.S. government securities seek to preserve the value of the Fund’s investment at $1.00 per share, it is possible to lose money by investing in a stable NAV money market mutual fund. Moreover, recent SEC rule amendments require prime money market mutual funds to use floating NAVs that do not preserve the value of the Fund’s investment at $1.00 per share. These rule amendments may impact the Fund’s use of prime money market mutual funds for capital preservation purposes.

Leverage Risk: As part of the Fund’s principal investment strategy, the Fund will enter into short sales and will make investments in futures contracts and other derivative instruments. These investment activities provide the economic effect of financial leverage by creating additional investment exposure to the underlying instrument, as well as the potential for greater loss. If the Fund uses leverage through activities such as entering into short sales or purchasing derivative instruments, the Fund has the risk that losses may exceed the net assets of the Fund. The net asset value of the Fund while employing leverage will be more volatile and sensitive to market movements.

Manager Risk: If the Adviser makes poor investment decisions, it will negatively affect the Fund’s investment performance.

Market Risk: Market risk is the risk that the markets on which the Fund’s investments trade will increase or decrease in value. Prices may fluctuate widely over short or extended periods in response to company, market or economic news. Markets also tend to move in cycles, with periods of rising and falling prices. If there is a general decline in the securities and other markets, your investment in the Fund may lose value, regardless of the individual results of the securities and other instruments in which the Fund invests.

Model and Data Risk: Given the complexity of the investments and strategies of the Fund, the Adviser relies heavily on quantitative models and information and data supplied by third parties (“Models and Data”). Models and Data are used to construct sets of transactions and investments, to provide risk management insights, and to assist in hedging the Fund’s investments.


 

 

  AQR Funds—Prospectus   9

When Models and Data prove to be incorrect or incomplete, any decisions made in reliance thereon expose the Fund to potential risks. Similarly, any hedging based on faulty Models and Data may prove to be unsuccessful. Some of the models used by the Adviser for the Fund are predictive in nature. The use of predictive models has inherent risks. Because predictive models are usually constructed based on historical data supplied by third parties, the success of relying on such models may depend heavily on the accuracy and reliability of the supplied historical data. The Fund bears the risk that the quantitative models used by the Adviser will not be successful in selecting companies for investment or in determining the weighting of investment positions that will enable the Fund to achieve its investment objective.

All models rely on correct market data inputs. If incorrect market data is entered into even a well-founded model, the resulting information will be incorrect. However, even if market data is input correctly, “model prices” will often differ substantially from market prices, especially for instruments with complex characteristics, such as derivative instruments.

Momentum Style Risk: Investing in or having exposure to securities with positive momentum entails investing in securities that have had above-average recent returns. These securities may be more volatile than a broad cross-section of securities. In addition, there may be periods during which the investment performance of the Fund while using a momentum strategy may suffer.

New Fund Risk: The Fund is newly-formed. Accordingly, investors in the Fund bear the risk that the Fund may not be successful in implementing its investment strategy, and may not employ a successful investment strategy, either of which could result in the Fund being liquidated at any time without shareholder approval and/or at a time that may not be favorable for all shareholders. Such a liquidation could have negative tax consequences for shareholders.

Short Sale Risk: The Fund enters into a short sale by selling a security it has borrowed (typically from a broker or other institution). If the market price of a security increases after the Fund borrows the security, the Fund will suffer a (potentially unlimited) loss when it replaces the borrowed security at the higher price. In certain cases, purchasing a security to cover a short position can itself cause the price of the security to rise further, thereby exacerbating the loss. In addition, the Fund may not always be able to borrow the security at a particular time or at an acceptable price. The Fund may also take a short position in a derivative instrument, such as a future, forward or swap. A short position in a derivative instrument involves the risk of a theoretically unlimited increase in the value of the underlying instrument which could cause the Fund to suffer a (potentially unlimited) loss. Short sales also involve transaction and financing costs that will reduce potential Fund gains and increase potential Fund losses.

Small-Cap Securities Risk: Investments in or exposure to the stocks of companies with smaller market capitalizations involve higher risks in some respects than do investments in stocks of larger companies. For example, prices of such stocks are often more volatile than prices of large capitalization stocks. In addition, due to thin trading in some such stocks, an investment in these stocks may be more illiquid (i.e., harder to sell) than that of larger capitalization stocks. Smaller capitalization companies also fail more often than larger companies and may have more limited management and financial resources than larger companies.

Value Style Risk: Investing in or having exposure to “value” stocks presents the risk that the stocks may never reach what the Adviser believes are their full market values, either because the market fails to recognize what the Adviser considers to be the companies’ true business values or because the Adviser misjudged those values. In addition, there may be periods during which the investment performance of the Fund while using a value strategy may suffer.

Volatility Risk: The Fund may have investments that appreciate or decrease significantly in value over short periods of time. This may cause the Fund’s net asset value per share to experience significant increases or declines in value over short periods of time, however, all investments long- or short-term are subject to risk of loss.

Performance Information

Performance history will be available for the Fund after it has been in operation for a full calendar year. Updated information on the Fund’s performance, including its current NAV per share, can be obtained by visiting https://funds.aqr.com.

Investment Manager

The Fund’s investment manager is AQR Capital Management, LLC.

Portfolio Managers

 

Name  

Portfolio Manager

of the Fund Since

     Title

Michele L. Aghassi, Ph.D.

  Since 2016      Principal of the Adviser

Andrea Frazzini, Ph.D., M.S.

  Since 2016      Principal of the Adviser

Jacques A. Friedman, M.S.

  Since 2016      Principal of the Adviser

Hoon Kim, Ph.D., M.B.A., CFA

  Since 2016      Principal of the Adviser

For important information about purchase and sale of Fund shares, tax information, and financial intermediary compensation, please turn to “Important Additional Information” on page 20 of the prospectus.


 

 

  AQR Funds—Prospectus   10

AQR International Relaxed Constraint Equity Fund

Fund Summary — December 12, 2016

Investment Objective

The AQR International Relaxed Constraint Equity Fund (the “Fund”) seeks long-term capital appreciation.

Fees and Expenses of the Fund

This table describes the fees and expenses that you may pay if you buy and hold shares of the Fund.

Annual Fund Operating Expenses (expenses that you pay each year as a percentage of the value of your investment)

 

        Class R6  

Management Fee

       0.75%   

Distribution (12b-1) Fee

       None   

Other Expenses1

    

Dividends on short sales

       0.80%                

All other expenses

       0.18%                
    

 

 

 

Total Other Expenses

       0.98%   

Acquired Fund Fees and Expenses1

       0.03%   
    

 

 

 

Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses

       1.76%   

Less: Fee Waivers and/or Expense Reimbursements2

       0.08%   
    

 

 

 

Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses after Fee Waivers and/or Expense Reimbursements

       1.68%   

1  Other Expenses and Acquired Fund Fees and Expenses are estimated for the current fiscal year because the Fund has not commenced operations as of the date of this prospectus.

2  The Adviser has contractually agreed to waive its management fee and/or to reimburse expenses of the Fund to the extent necessary to maintain the total annual fund operating expenses (excluding interest, taxes, dividends on short sales, borrowing costs, acquired fund fees and expenses, interest expense relating to short sales and extraordinary expenses) at no more than 0.85% for Class R6 Shares (the “Fee Waiver Agreement”). This arrangement will continue at least through January 28, 2018. The Fee Waiver Agreement may only be terminated with the consent of the Board of Trustees, including a majority of the Trustees of the Trust who are not “interested persons” of the Trust within the meaning of the 1940 Act. Under the Fee Waiver Agreement, the Adviser is entitled to recapture the fees waived and/or expenses reimbursed, only to the extent that the recapture can be made during the thirty-six months following the applicable period during which the Adviser waived fees or reimbursed expenses. In no case will the Adviser recapture any amount that would cause the aggregate operating expenses of the Fund attributable to a share class during a year in which a repayment is made to exceed the lesser of (i) the applicable limits in effect at the time of the waiver and/or reimbursement, or (ii) the applicable limits in effect at the time of recapture.

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 takes into account the effect of the Fee Waiver Agreement through January 28, 2018, as discussed in Footnote No. 2 to the Fee Table. Although your actual costs may be higher or lower, based on these assumptions your costs would be:

 

        1 Year      3 Years

Class R6 Shares

       $ 171          $ 545  

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 may indicate higher transaction costs and may result in higher taxes when 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. The Fund has not commenced operations as of the date of this prospectus.

Principal Investment Strategies of the Fund

The Fund seeks to outperform, after expenses, the MSCI EAFE Index while seeking to control its tracking error relative to this benchmark. The Fund will target a long-term average forecasted tracking error of 3% to 4% relative to the MSCI EAFE Index. Actual realized tracking error will vary based on market conditions and other factors.


 

 

  AQR Funds—Prospectus   11

The Fund pursues its investment objective by investing, under normal market conditions, at least 80% of its net assets (including borrowings for investment purposes) in equity securities or equity-related instruments (together, “equity securities”) of non-U.S. companies. Equity securities include, but are not limited to, common stocks, exchange-traded funds and similar pooled investment vehicles, equity index futures and depositary receipts.

The Fund’s portfolio will be managed by both overweighting and underweighting securities, industries, and sectors relative to the MSCI EAFE Index. “Relaxed Constraint” in the Fund’s name reflects the Fund’s strategy to take long as well as short positions in the equity securities in which it invests, as opposed to a traditional “long-only” portfolio which does not establish short positions (i.e., relaxing the “long-only” constraint). Selling securities short allows the Fund to reflect to a greater extent, compared to a long-only approach, the Adviser’s views on securities it expects to underperform. Selling securities short also allows the Fund to establish additional long positions using the short sale proceeds, and thereby take greater advantage, compared to a long-only approach, of the Adviser’s views on securities it expects to outperform. Through the reinvestment of the short sale proceeds, the Fund generally intends to target a long exposure of 130% of the Fund’s net assets with a short exposure of 30% of the Fund’s net assets. Actual long and short exposures, however, will vary according to market conditions. The Fund’s long exposures are expected to range between 120% and 140% of the Fund’s net assets. The Fund’s short exposures are expected to range between 20% and 40% of the Fund’s net assets.

The Fund, when taking a “long” equity position, will purchase a security that will benefit from an increase in the price of that security. When taking a “short” equity position, the Fund borrows the security from a third party and sells it at the then current market price. A “short” equity position will benefit from a decrease in price of the security and will lose value if the price of the security increases.

In constructing the Fund’s portfolio, the Adviser utilizes a quantitative investment process. A quantitative investment process is a systematic method of evaluating securities and other assets by analyzing a variety of data through the use of models—or processes—to generate an investment opinion. The models consider a wide range of factors, including, but not limited to, value and momentum.

 

 

Value strategies favor securities that appear cheap based on fundamental measures, often as a result of distress or lack of favor. Examples of value strategies include using price-to-earnings and price-to-book ratios.

 

 

Momentum strategies favor securities with strong recent performance and positive changes in fundamentals.

In addition to these two main factors, the Adviser may use a number of additional factors based on the Adviser’s proprietary research, including but not limited to, quality, stability, investor sentiment and management signaling. The Adviser may add to or modify the factors employed in selecting investments.

The Adviser determines the long or short weight of each equity security in the portfolio using portfolio optimization techniques, taking into account the Adviser’s assessment of attractiveness of the equity security based on various factors, including those described above, stock weights in the benchmark index, estimated transaction costs associated with trading each equity security, and additional criteria that form part of the Adviser’s security selection process.

The Fund generally invests in large- and mid-cap companies included in the MSCI EAFE Index or located in countries included in the MSCI EAFE Index at the time of purchase. The Fund considers large- and mid-cap companies to be companies with market capitalizations within the range of the constituents of the MSCI EAFE Index at the time of purchase.

The Fund invests significantly in equity securities. The Fund may also invest in or use financial futures contracts, forward foreign currency contracts as well as foreign currencies, exchange-traded funds and similar pooled investment vehicles, for hedging purposes, to gain exposure to the equity market and to maintain liquidity to pay for redemptions. A portion of the Fund’s assets may be held in cash or cash-equivalent investments, including, but not limited to, short-term investment funds.

As with equity positions, the Fund may also take “long” and “short” positions in derivative instruments, such as equity index futures contracts or forward foreign currency contracts. A “long” position in a derivative instrument will benefit from an increase in the price of the underlying instrument. A “short” position in a derivative instrument will benefit from a decrease in price of the underlying instrument and will lose value if the price of the underlying instrument increases.

Principal Risks of Investing in the Fund

Risk is inherent in all investing. The value of your investment in the Fund, as well as the amount of return you receive on your investment, may fluctuate significantly from day to day and over time. You may lose part or all of your investment in the Fund or your investment may not perform as well as other similar investments. The Fund is not a complete investment program and should be considered only as one part of an investment portfolio. The Fund is more appropriate for long-term investors who can bear the risk of short-term NAV fluctuations, which at times, may be significant and rapid, however, all investments long- or short-term are subject to risk of loss. The following is a summary description of certain risks of investing in the Fund.

Common Stock Risk: The Fund may invest in, or have exposure to, common stocks. Common stocks are subject to greater fluctuations in market value than certain other asset classes as a result of such factors as a company’s business performance, investor perceptions, stock market trends and general economic conditions.


 

 

  AQR Funds—Prospectus   12

Counterparty Risk: The Fund may enter into various types of derivative contracts. Many of these derivative contracts will be privately negotiated in the over-the-counter market. These contracts also involve exposure to credit risk, since contract performance depends in part on the financial condition of the counterparty. If a privately negotiated over-the-counter contract calls for payments by the Fund, the Fund must be prepared to make such payments when due. In addition, if a counterparty’s creditworthiness declines, the Fund may not receive payments owed under the contract, or such payments may be delayed under such circumstances and the value of agreements with such counterparty can be expected to decline, potentially resulting in losses to the Fund.

Currency Risk: Currency risk is the risk that changes in currency exchange rates will negatively affect securities denominated in, and/or receiving revenues in, foreign currencies. The liquidity and trading value of foreign currencies could be affected by global economic factors, such as inflation, interest rate levels, and trade balances among countries, as well as the actions of sovereign governments and central banks. Adverse changes in currency exchange rates (relative to the U.S. dollar) may erode or reverse any potential gains from the Fund’s investments in securities denominated in a foreign currency or may widen existing losses.

Derivatives Risk: In general, a derivative instrument typically involves leverage, i.e., it provides exposure to potential gain or loss from a change in the level of the market price of the underlying security, currency or commodity (or a basket or index) in a notional amount that exceeds the amount of cash or assets required to establish or maintain the derivative instrument. Adverse changes in the value or level of the underlying asset or index, which the Fund may not directly own, can result in a loss to the Fund substantially greater than the amount invested in the derivative itself. The use of derivative instruments also exposes the Fund to additional risks and transaction costs. These instruments come in many varieties and have a wide range of potential risks and rewards, and may include, as further described in the section entitled “Principal Investment Strategies of the Fund,” futures contracts and forward foreign currency contracts. A risk of the Fund’s use of derivatives is that the fluctuations in their values may not correlate perfectly with the overall securities markets. Additionally, to the extent the Fund is required to segregate or “set aside” (often referred to as “asset segregation”) liquid assets or otherwise cover open positions with respect to certain derivative instruments, the Fund may be required to sell portfolio instruments to meet these asset segregation requirements. There is a possibility that segregation involving a large percentage of the Fund’s assets could impede portfolio management or the Fund’s ability to meet redemption requests or other current obligations.

Foreign Investments Risk: Foreign investments often involve special risks not present in U.S. investments that can increase the chances that the Fund will lose money. These risks include:

 

 

The Fund generally holds its foreign instruments and cash in foreign banks and securities depositories, which may be recently organized or new to the foreign custody business and may be subject to only limited or no regulatory oversight.

 

 

Changes in foreign currency exchange rates can affect the value of the Fund’s portfolio.

 

 

The economies of certain foreign markets may not compare favorably with the economy of the United States with respect to such issues as growth of gross national product, reinvestment of capital, resources and balance of payments position.

 

 

The governments of certain countries may prohibit or impose substantial restrictions on foreign investments in their capital markets or in certain industries.

 

 

Many foreign governments do not supervise and regulate stock exchanges, brokers and the sale of securities to the same extent as does the United States and may not have laws to protect investors that are comparable to U.S. securities laws.

 

 

Settlement and clearance procedures in certain foreign markets may result in delays in payment for or delivery of securities not typically associated with settlement and clearance of U.S. investments.

Forward and Futures Contract Risk: The successful use of forward and futures contracts draws upon the Adviser’s skill and experience with respect to such instruments and are subject to special risk considerations. The primary risks associated with the use of forward and futures contracts, which may adversely affect the Fund’s NAV and total return, are (a) the imperfect correlation between the change in market value of the instruments held by the Fund and the price of the forward or futures contract; (b) possible lack of a liquid secondary market for a forward or futures contract and the resulting inability to close a forward or futures contract when desired; (c) losses caused by unanticipated market movements, which are potentially unlimited; (d) the Adviser’s inability to predict correctly the direction of securities prices, interest rates, currency exchange rates and other economic factors; (e) the possibility that the counterparty will default in the performance of its obligations; and (f) if the Fund has insufficient cash, it may have to sell securities from its portfolio to meet daily variation margin requirements, and the Fund may have to sell securities at a time when it may be disadvantageous to do so.

High Portfolio Turnover Risk: The investment techniques and strategies utilized by the Fund, including investments made on a shorter-term basis or in derivative instruments or instruments with a maturity of one year or less at the time of acquisition, may result in frequent portfolio trading and high portfolio turnover. High portfolio turnover rates will cause the Fund to incur higher levels of brokerage fees and commissions, which may reduce performance, and may cause higher levels of current tax liability to shareholders in the Fund.

Investment in Other Investment Companies Risk: As with other investments, investments in other investment companies, including exchange-traded funds (“ETFs”), are subject to market and manager risk. In addition, if the Fund acquires shares of investment companies, shareholders bear both their proportionate share of expenses in the Fund (including management and


 

 

  AQR Funds—Prospectus   13

advisory fees) and, indirectly, the expenses of the investment companies. The Fund may invest in money market mutual funds. An investment in a money market mutual fund is not insured or guaranteed by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation or any other government agency. Although money market mutual funds that invest in U.S. government securities seek to preserve the value of the Fund’s investment at $1.00 per share, it is possible to lose money by investing in a stable NAV money market mutual fund. Moreover, recent SEC rule amendments require prime money market mutual funds to use floating NAVs that do not preserve the value of the Fund’s investment at $1.00 per share. These rule amendments may impact the Fund’s use of prime money market mutual funds for capital preservation purposes.

Leverage Risk: As part of the Fund’s principal investment strategy, the Fund will enter into short sales and will make investments in futures contracts, forward foreign currency contracts and other derivative instruments. These investment activities provide the economic effect of financial leverage by creating additional investment exposure to the underlying instrument, as well as the potential for greater loss. If the Fund uses leverage through activities such as entering into short sales or purchasing derivative instruments, the Fund has the risk that losses may exceed the net assets of the Fund. The net asset value of the Fund while employing leverage will be more volatile and sensitive to market movements.

Manager Risk: If the Adviser makes poor investment decisions, it will negatively affect the Fund’s investment performance.

Market Risk: Market risk is the risk that the markets on which the Fund’s investments trade will increase or decrease in value. Prices may fluctuate widely over short or extended periods in response to company, market or economic news. Markets also tend to move in cycles, with periods of rising and falling prices. If there is a general decline in the securities and other markets, your investment in the Fund may lose value, regardless of the individual results of the securities and other instruments in which the Fund invests.

Mid-Cap Securities Risk: The Fund may invest in, or have exposure to, the securities of mid-cap companies. The prices of securities of mid-cap companies generally are more volatile than those of large capitalization companies and are more likely to be adversely affected than large-cap companies by changes in earnings results and investor expectations or poor economic or market conditions, including those experienced during a recession.

Model and Data Risk: Given the complexity of the investments and strategies of the Fund, the Adviser relies heavily on quantitative models and information and data supplied by third parties (“Models and Data”). Models and Data are used to construct sets of transactions and investments, to provide risk management insights, and to assist in hedging the Fund’s investments.

When Models and Data prove to be incorrect or incomplete, any decisions made in reliance thereon expose the Fund to potential risks. Similarly, any hedging based on faulty Models and Data may prove to be unsuccessful. Some of the models used by the Adviser for the Fund are predictive in nature. The use of predictive models has inherent risks. Because predictive models are usually constructed based on historical data supplied by third parties, the success of relying on such models may depend heavily on the accuracy and reliability of the supplied historical data. The Fund bears the risk that the quantitative models used by the Adviser will not be successful in selecting companies for investment or in determining the weighting of investment positions that will enable the Fund to achieve its investment objective.

All models rely on correct market data inputs. If incorrect market data is entered into even a well-founded model, the resulting information will be incorrect. However, even if market data is input correctly, “model prices” will often differ substantially from market prices, especially for instruments with complex characteristics, such as derivative instruments.

Momentum Style Risk: Investing in or having exposure to securities with positive momentum entails investing in securities that have had above-average recent returns. These securities may be more volatile than a broad cross-section of securities. In addition, there may be periods during which the investment performance of the Fund while using a momentum strategy may suffer.

New Fund Risk: The Fund is newly-formed. Accordingly, investors in the Fund bear the risk that the Fund may not be successful in implementing its investment strategy, and may not employ a successful investment strategy, either of which could result in the Fund being liquidated at any time without shareholder approval and/or at a time that may not be favorable for all shareholders. Such a liquidation could have negative tax consequences for shareholders.

Short Sale Risk: The Fund enters into a short sale by selling a security it has borrowed (typically from a broker or other institution). If the market price of a security increases after the Fund borrows the security, the Fund will suffer a (potentially unlimited) loss when it replaces the borrowed security at the higher price. In certain cases, purchasing a security to cover a short position can itself cause the price of the security to rise further, thereby exacerbating the loss. In addition, the Fund may not always be able to borrow the security at a particular time or at an acceptable price. The Fund may also take a short position in a derivative instrument, such as a future, forward or swap. A short position in a derivative instrument involves the risk of a theoretically unlimited increase in the value of the underlying instrument which could cause the Fund to suffer a (potentially unlimited) loss. Short sales also involve transaction and financing costs that will reduce potential Fund gains and increase potential Fund losses.

Value Style Risk: Investing in or having exposure to “value” stocks presents the risk that the stocks may never reach what the Adviser believes are their full market values, either because the market fails to recognize what the Adviser considers to be the


 

 

  AQR Funds—Prospectus   14

companies’ true business values or because the Adviser misjudged those values. In addition, there may be periods during which the investment performance of the Fund while using a value strategy may suffer.

Volatility Risk: The Fund may have investments that appreciate or decrease significantly in value over short periods of time. This may cause the Fund’s net asset value per share to experience significant increases or declines in value over short periods of time, however, all investments long- or short-term are subject to risk of loss.

Performance Information

Performance history will be available for the Fund after it has been in operation for a full calendar year. Updated information on the Fund’s performance, including its current NAV per share, can be obtained by visiting https://funds.aqr.com.

Investment Manager

The Fund’s investment manager is AQR Capital Management, LLC.

Portfolio Managers

 

Name  

Portfolio Manager

of the Fund Since

     Title

Michele L. Aghassi, Ph.D.

  Since 2016      Principal of the Adviser

Andrea Frazzini, Ph.D., M.S.

  Since 2016      Principal of the Adviser

Jacques A. Friedman, M.S.

  Since 2016      Principal of the Adviser

Hoon Kim, Ph.D., M.B.A., CFA

  Since 2016      Principal of the Adviser

For important information about purchase and sale of Fund shares, tax information, and financial intermediary compensation, please turn to “Important Additional Information” on page 20 of the prospectus.


 

 

  AQR Funds—Prospectus   15

AQR Emerging Relaxed Constraint Equity Fund

Fund Summary — December 12, 2016

Investment Objective

The AQR Emerging Relaxed Constraint Equity Fund (the “Fund”) seeks long-term capital appreciation.

Fees and Expenses of the Fund

This table describes the fees and expenses that you may pay if you buy and hold shares of the Fund.

Annual Fund Operating Expenses (expenses that you pay each year as a percentage of the value of your investment)

 

        Class R6  

Management Fee

       0.95%   

Distribution (12b-1) Fee

       None   

Other Expenses1

       0.20%   

Acquired Fund Fees and Expenses1

       0.05%   
    

 

 

 

Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses

       1.20%   

Less: Fee Waivers and/or Expense Reimbursements2

       0.10%   
    

 

 

 

Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses after Fee Waivers and/or Expense Reimbursements

       1.10%   

1  Other Expenses and Acquired Fund Fees and Expenses are estimated for the current fiscal year because the Fund has not commenced operations as of the date of this prospectus.

2  The Adviser has contractually agreed to waive its management fee and/or to reimburse expenses of the Fund to the extent necessary to maintain the total annual fund operating expenses (excluding interest, taxes, dividends on short sales, borrowing costs, acquired fund fees and expenses, interest expense relating to short sales and extraordinary expenses) at no more than 1.05% for Class R6 Shares (the “Fee Waiver Agreement”). This arrangement will continue at least through January 28, 2018. The Fee Waiver Agreement may only be terminated with the consent of the Board of Trustees, including a majority of the Trustees of the Trust who are not “interested persons” of the Trust within the meaning of the 1940 Act. Under the Fee Waiver Agreement, the Adviser is entitled to recapture the fees waived and/or expenses reimbursed, only to the extent that the recapture can be made during the thirty-six months following the applicable period during which the Adviser waived fees or reimbursed expenses. In no case will the Adviser recapture any amount that would cause the aggregate operating expenses of the Fund attributable to a share class during a year in which a repayment is made to exceed the lesser of (i) the applicable limits in effect at the time of the waiver and/or reimbursement, or (ii) the applicable limits in effect at the time of recapture.

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 takes into account the effect of the Fee Waiver Agreement through January 28, 2018, as discussed in Footnote No. 2 to the Fee Table. Although your actual costs may be higher or lower, based on these assumptions your costs would be:

 

        1 Year      3 Years

Class R6 Shares

       $ 112          $ 370  

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 may indicate higher transaction costs and may result in higher taxes when 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. The Fund has not commenced operations as of the date of this prospectus.

Principal Investment Strategies of the Fund

The Fund seeks to outperform, after expenses, the MSCI Emerging Markets Index while seeking to control its tracking error relative to this benchmark. The Fund will target a long-term average forecasted tracking error of 4% to 6% relative to the MSCI Emerging Markets Index. Actual realized tracking error will vary based on market conditions and other factors.

The Fund pursues its investment objective by investing, under normal market conditions, at least 80% of its net assets (including borrowings for investment purposes) in equity securities or equity-related instruments (together, “equity securities”) of emerging market companies. Equity securities include, but are not limited to, common stocks, exchange-traded funds and similar pooled investment vehicles, equity index futures, equity swaps and depositary receipts.


 

 

  AQR Funds—Prospectus   16

The Fund’s portfolio will be managed by both overweighting and underweighting securities, industries, and sectors relative to the MSCI Emerging Markets Index. “Relaxed Constraint” in the Fund’s name reflects the Fund’s strategy to take long as well as short positions in the equity securities in which it invests, as opposed to a traditional “long-only” portfolio which does not establish short positions (i.e., relaxing the “long-only” constraint). Selling securities short allows the Fund to reflect to a greater extent, compared to a long-only approach, the Adviser’s views on securities it expects to underperform. Selling securities short also allows the Fund to establish additional long positions using the short sale proceeds, and thereby take greater advantage, compared to a long-only approach, of the Adviser’s views on securities it expects to outperform. Through the reinvestment of the short sale proceeds, the Fund generally intends to target a long exposure of 130% of the Fund’s net assets with a short exposure of 30% of the Fund’s net assets. Actual long and short exposures, however, will vary according to market conditions. The Fund’s long exposures are expected to range between 120% and 140% of the Fund’s net assets. The Fund’s short exposures are expected to range between 20% and 40% of the Fund’s net assets.

The Fund, when taking a “long” equity position, will purchase a security that will benefit from an increase in the price of that security. When taking a “short” equity position, the Fund borrows the security from a third party and sells it at the then current market price. A “short” equity position will benefit from a decrease in price of the security and will lose value if the price of the security increases.

In constructing the Fund’s portfolio, the Adviser utilizes a quantitative investment process. A quantitative investment process is a systematic method of evaluating securities and other assets by analyzing a variety of data through the use of models—or processes—to generate an investment opinion. The models consider a wide range of factors, including, but not limited to, value and momentum.

 

 

Value strategies favor securities that appear cheap based on fundamental measures, often as a result of distress or lack of favor. Examples of value strategies include using price-to-earnings and price-to-book ratios.

 

 

Momentum strategies favor securities with strong recent performance and positive changes in fundamentals.

In addition to these two main factors, the Adviser may use a number of additional factors based on the Adviser’s proprietary research, including but not limited to, quality, stability, investor sentiment and management signaling. The Adviser may add to or modify the factors employed in selecting investments.

The Adviser determines the long or short weight of each equity security in the portfolio using portfolio optimization techniques, taking into account the Adviser’s assessment of attractiveness of the equity security based on various factors, including those described above, stock weights in the benchmark index, estimated transaction costs associated with trading each equity security, and additional criteria that form part of the Adviser’s security selection process.

The Fund generally invests in large- and mid-cap companies included in the MSCI Emerging Markets Index or located in countries included in the MSCI Emerging Markets Index at the time of purchase. The Fund considers large- and mid-cap companies to be companies with market capitalizations within the range of the constituents of the MSCI Emerging Markets Index at the time of purchase.

The Fund invests significantly in equity securities. The Fund may also invest in or use financial futures contracts, forward foreign currency contracts, equity swaps as well as foreign currencies, exchange-traded funds and similar pooled investment vehicles, for hedging purposes, to gain exposure to the equity market and to maintain liquidity to pay for redemptions. A portion of the Fund’s assets may be held in cash or cash-equivalent investments, including, but not limited to, short-term investment funds.

As with equity positions, the Fund may also take “long” and “short” positions in derivative instruments, such as equity index futures contracts, forward foreign currency contracts or equity swaps. A “long” position in a derivative instrument will benefit from an increase in the price of the underlying instrument. A “short” position in a derivative instrument will benefit from a decrease in price of the underlying instrument and will lose value if the price of the underlying instrument increases.

Principal Risks of Investing in the Fund

Risk is inherent in all investing. The value of your investment in the Fund, as well as the amount of return you receive on your investment, may fluctuate significantly from day to day and over time. You may lose part or all of your investment in the Fund or your investment may not perform as well as other similar investments. The Fund is not a complete investment program and should be considered only as one part of an investment portfolio. The Fund is more appropriate for long-term investors who can bear the risk of short-term NAV fluctuations, which at times, may be significant and rapid, however, all investments long- or short-term are subject to risk of loss. The following is a summary description of certain risks of investing in the Fund.

Common Stock Risk: The Fund may invest in, or have exposure to, common stocks. Common stocks are subject to greater fluctuations in market value than certain other asset classes as a result of such factors as a company’s business performance, investor perceptions, stock market trends and general economic conditions.

Counterparty Risk: The Fund may enter into various types of derivative contracts. Many of these derivative contracts will be privately negotiated in the over-the-counter market. These contracts also involve exposure to credit risk, since contract


 

 

  AQR Funds—Prospectus   17

performance depends in part on the financial condition of the counterparty. If a privately negotiated over-the-counter contract calls for payments by the Fund, the Fund must be prepared to make such payments when due. In addition, if a counterparty’s creditworthiness declines, the Fund may not receive payments owed under the contract, or such payments may be delayed under such circumstances and the value of agreements with such counterparty can be expected to decline, potentially resulting in losses to the Fund.

Currency Risk: Currency risk is the risk that changes in currency exchange rates will negatively affect securities denominated in, and/or receiving revenues in, foreign currencies. The liquidity and trading value of foreign currencies could be affected by global economic factors, such as inflation, interest rate levels, and trade balances among countries, as well as the actions of sovereign governments and central banks. Adverse changes in currency exchange rates (relative to the U.S. dollar) may erode or reverse any potential gains from the Fund’s investments in securities denominated in a foreign currency or may widen existing losses.

Derivatives Risk: In general, a derivative instrument typically involves leverage, i.e., it provides exposure to potential gain or loss from a change in the level of the market price of the underlying security, currency or commodity (or a basket or index) in a notional amount that exceeds the amount of cash or assets required to establish or maintain the derivative instrument. Adverse changes in the value or level of the underlying asset or index, which the Fund may not directly own, can result in a loss to the Fund substantially greater than the amount invested in the derivative itself. The use of derivative instruments also exposes the Fund to additional risks and transaction costs. These instruments come in many varieties and have a wide range of potential risks and rewards, and may include, as further described in the section entitled “Principal Investment Strategies of the Fund,” futures contracts, forward foreign currency contracts and swaps. A risk of the Fund’s use of derivatives is that the fluctuations in their values may not correlate perfectly with the overall securities markets. Additionally, to the extent the Fund is required to segregate or “set aside” (often referred to as “asset segregation”) liquid assets or otherwise cover open positions with respect to certain derivative instruments, the Fund may be required to sell portfolio instruments to meet these asset segregation requirements. There is a possibility that segregation involving a large percentage of the Fund’s assets could impede portfolio management or the Fund’s ability to meet redemption requests or other current obligations.

Emerging Market Risk: The Fund intends to have exposure to emerging markets. Emerging markets are riskier than more developed markets because they tend to develop unevenly and may never fully develop. Investments in emerging markets may be considered speculative. Emerging markets are more likely to experience hyperinflation and currency devaluations, which adversely affect returns to U.S. investors. In addition, many emerging securities markets have far lower trading volumes and less liquidity than developed markets.

Foreign Investments Risk: Foreign investments often involve special risks not present in U.S. investments that can increase the chances that the Fund will lose money. These risks include:

 

 

The Fund generally holds its foreign instruments and cash in foreign banks and securities depositories, which may be recently organized or new to the foreign custody business and may be subject to only limited or no regulatory oversight.

 

 

Changes in foreign currency exchange rates can affect the value of the Fund’s portfolio.

 

 

The economies of certain foreign markets may not compare favorably with the economy of the United States with respect to such issues as growth of gross national product, reinvestment of capital, resources and balance of payments position.

 

 

The governments of certain countries may prohibit or impose substantial restrictions on foreign investments in their capital markets or in certain industries.

 

 

Many foreign governments do not supervise and regulate stock exchanges, brokers and the sale of securities to the same extent as does the United States and may not have laws to protect investors that are comparable to U.S. securities laws.

 

 

Settlement and clearance procedures in certain foreign markets may result in delays in payment for or delivery of securities not typically associated with settlement and clearance of U.S. investments.

Forward and Futures Contract Risk: The successful use of forward and futures contracts draws upon the Adviser’s skill and experience with respect to such instruments and are subject to special risk considerations. The primary risks associated with the use of forward and futures contracts, which may adversely affect the Fund’s NAV and total return, are (a) the imperfect correlation between the change in market value of the instruments held by the Fund and the price of the forward or futures contract; (b) possible lack of a liquid secondary market for a forward or futures contract and the resulting inability to close a forward or futures contract when desired; (c) losses caused by unanticipated market movements, which are potentially unlimited; (d) the Adviser’s inability to predict correctly the direction of securities prices, interest rates, currency exchange rates and other economic factors; (e) the possibility that the counterparty will default in the performance of its obligations; and (f) if the Fund has insufficient cash, it may have to sell securities from its portfolio to meet daily variation margin requirements, and the Fund may have to sell securities at a time when it may be disadvantageous to do so.

High Portfolio Turnover Risk: The investment techniques and strategies utilized by the Fund, including investments made on a shorter-term basis or in derivative instruments or instruments with a maturity of one year or less at the time of acquisition, may result in frequent portfolio trading and high portfolio turnover. High portfolio turnover rates will cause the Fund to incur higher levels of brokerage fees and commissions, which may reduce performance, and may cause higher levels of current tax liability to shareholders in the Fund.


 

 

  AQR Funds—Prospectus   18

Investment in Other Investment Companies Risk: As with other investments, investments in other investment companies, including exchange-traded funds (“ETFs”), are subject to market and manager risk. In addition, if the Fund acquires shares of investment companies, shareholders bear both their proportionate share of expenses in the Fund (including management and advisory fees) and, indirectly, the expenses of the investment companies. The Fund may invest in money market mutual funds. An investment in a money market mutual fund is not insured or guaranteed by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation or any other government agency. Although money market mutual funds that invest in U.S. government securities seek to preserve the value of the Fund’s investment at $1.00 per share, it is possible to lose money by investing in a stable NAV money market mutual fund. Moreover, recent SEC rule amendments require prime money market mutual funds to use floating NAVs that do not preserve the value of the Fund’s investment at $1.00 per share. These rule amendments may impact the Fund’s use of prime money market mutual funds for capital preservation purposes.

Leverage Risk: As part of the Fund’s principal investment strategy, the Fund will enter into short sales and will make investments in futures contracts, forward foreign currency contracts, swaps and other derivative instruments. These investment activities provide the economic effect of financial leverage by creating additional investment exposure to the underlying instrument, as well as the potential for greater loss. If the Fund uses leverage through activities such as entering into short sales or purchasing derivative instruments, the Fund has the risk that losses may exceed the net assets of the Fund. The net asset value of the Fund while employing leverage will be more volatile and sensitive to market movements.

Manager Risk: If the Adviser makes poor investment decisions, it will negatively affect the Fund’s investment performance.

Market Risk: Market risk is the risk that the markets on which the Fund’s investments trade will increase or decrease in value. Prices may fluctuate widely over short or extended periods in response to company, market or economic news. Markets also tend to move in cycles, with periods of rising and falling prices. If there is a general decline in the securities and other markets, your investment in the Fund may lose value, regardless of the individual results of the securities and other instruments in which the Fund invests.

Mid-Cap Securities Risk: The Fund may invest in, or have exposure to, the securities of mid-cap companies. The prices of securities of mid-cap companies generally are more volatile than those of large capitalization companies and are more likely to be adversely affected than large-cap companies by changes in earnings results and investor expectations or poor economic or market conditions, including those experienced during a recession.

Model and Data Risk: Given the complexity of the investments and strategies of the Fund, the Adviser relies heavily on quantitative models and information and data supplied by third parties (“Models and Data”). Models and Data are used to construct sets of transactions and investments, to provide risk management insights, and to assist in hedging the Fund’s investments.

When Models and Data prove to be incorrect or incomplete, any decisions made in reliance thereon expose the Fund to potential risks. Similarly, any hedging based on faulty Models and Data may prove to be unsuccessful. Some of the models used by the Adviser for the Fund are predictive in nature. The use of predictive models has inherent risks. Because predictive models are usually constructed based on historical data supplied by third parties, the success of relying on such models may depend heavily on the accuracy and reliability of the supplied historical data. The Fund bears the risk that the quantitative models used by the Adviser will not be successful in selecting companies for investment or in determining the weighting of investment positions that will enable the Fund to achieve its investment objective.

All models rely on correct market data inputs. If incorrect market data is entered into even a well-founded model, the resulting information will be incorrect. However, even if market data is input correctly, “model prices” will often differ substantially from market prices, especially for instruments with complex characteristics, such as derivative instruments.

Momentum Style Risk: Investing in or having exposure to securities with positive momentum entails investing in securities that have had above-average recent returns. These securities may be more volatile than a broad cross-section of securities. In addition, there may be periods during which the investment performance of the Fund while using a momentum strategy may suffer.

New Fund Risk: The Fund is newly-formed. Accordingly, investors in the Fund bear the risk that the Fund may not be successful in implementing its investment strategy, and may not employ a successful investment strategy, either of which could result in the Fund being liquidated at any time without shareholder approval and/or at a time that may not be favorable for all shareholders. Such a liquidation could have negative tax consequences for shareholders.

Short Sale Risk: The Fund enters into a short sale by selling a security it has borrowed (typically from a broker or other institution). If the market price of a security increases after the Fund borrows the security, the Fund will suffer a (potentially unlimited) loss when it replaces the borrowed security at the higher price. In certain cases, purchasing a security to cover a short position can itself cause the price of the security to rise further, thereby exacerbating the loss. In addition, the Fund may not always be able to borrow the security at a particular time or at an acceptable price. The Fund may also take a short position in a derivative instrument, such as a future, forward or swap. A short position in a derivative instrument involves the risk of a theoretically unlimited increase in the value of the underlying instrument which could cause the Fund to suffer a (potentially unlimited) loss. Short sales also involve transaction and financing costs that will reduce potential Fund gains and increase potential Fund losses.


 

 

  AQR Funds—Prospectus   19

Swap Agreements Risk: Swap agreements involve the risk that the party with whom the Fund has entered into the swap will default on its obligation to pay the Fund. Additionally, certain unexpected market events or significant adverse market movements could result in the Fund not holding enough assets to be able to meet its obligations under the agreement. Such occurrences may negatively impact the Fund’s ability to implement its principal investment strategies and could result in losses to the Fund.

Value Style Risk: Investing in or having exposure to “value” stocks presents the risk that the stocks may never reach what the Adviser believes are their full market values, either because the market fails to recognize what the Adviser considers to be the companies’ true business values or because the Adviser misjudged those values. In addition, there may be periods during which the investment performance of the Fund while using a value strategy may suffer.

Volatility Risk: The Fund may have investments that appreciate or decrease significantly in value over short periods of time. This may cause the Fund’s net asset value per share to experience significant increases or declines in value over short periods of time, however, all investments long- or short-term are subject to risk of loss.

Performance Information

Performance history will be available for the Fund after it has been in operation for a full calendar year. Updated information on the Fund’s performance, including its current NAV per share, can be obtained by visiting https://funds.aqr.com.

Investment Manager

The Fund’s investment manager is AQR Capital Management, LLC.

Portfolio Managers

 

Name  

Portfolio Manager

of the Fund Since

     Title

Michele L. Aghassi, Ph.D.

  Since 2016      Principal of the Adviser

Andrea Frazzini, Ph.D., M.S.

  Since 2016      Principal of the Adviser

Jacques A. Friedman, M.S.

  Since 2016      Principal of the Adviser

Hoon Kim, Ph.D., M.B.A., CFA

  Since 2016      Principal of the Adviser

For important information about purchase and sale of Fund shares, tax information, and financial intermediary compensation, please turn to “Important Additional Information” on page 20 of the prospectus.


 

 

  AQR Funds—Prospectus   20

Important Additional Information

PURCHASE AND SALE OF FUND SHARES

You may purchase or redeem Class R6 Shares of each Fund each day the NYSE is open. To purchase or redeem shares you should contact your financial intermediary, or, if you hold your shares through the Fund, you should contact the Fund by phone at (866) 290-2688, by mail (c/o AQR Funds, P.O. Box 2248, Denver, CO 80201-2248), or by the Internet at https://funds.aqr.com. Each Fund’s initial and subsequent investment minimums for Class R6 Shares generally are as follows.

 

        Class R6 Shares1

Minimum Initial Investment

       $ 100,000  

Minimum Subsequent Investment

         None  

1  Reductions apply to certain eligibility groups. See “Investing with the AQR Funds” in the Funds’ prospectus.

TAX INFORMATION

Each Fund’s dividends and distributions may be subject to federal income taxes and may be taxed as ordinary income or capital gains, unless you are a tax-exempt investor or are investing through a retirement plan, in which case you may be subject to federal income tax upon withdrawal from such tax deferred arrangements.

PAYMENTS TO BROKER/DEALERS AND OTHER FINANCIAL INTERMEDIARIES

If you purchase shares of a Fund through a broker-dealer or other financial intermediary, the Adviser or its affiliates may pay the intermediary for the sale of Fund shares and other services. These payments may create a conflict of interest by influencing the broker-dealer or other financial intermediary and your individual financial professional to recommend the Fund over another investment. Ask your individual financial professional or visit your financial intermediary’s website for more information.


 

 

  AQR Funds—Prospectus   21

Details About the Funds

Glossary. To keep things simple, we have defined and explained a number of terms and concepts in a Glossary at the back of this prospectus. Terms that are in italics have definitions or explanations in the Glossary.

Included in this prospectus are sections that tell you about buying and selling shares, management information, shareholder features of the Funds and your rights as a shareholder.


 

 

  AQR Funds—Prospectus   22

Details About the AQR Large Cap Relaxed Constraint Equity Fund

INVESTMENT OBJECTIVE

The AQR Large Cap Relaxed Constraint Equity Fund seeks long-term capital appreciation.

There can be no assurance that the Fund will be successful in achieving its investment objective.

PRINCIPAL INVESTMENT STRATEGIES

The Fund seeks to outperform, after expenses, the Russell 1000® Index while seeking to control its tracking error relative to this benchmark. The Fund will target a long-term average forecasted tracking error of 3% to 4% relative to the Russell 1000® Index. Actual realized tracking error will vary based on market conditions and other factors.

The Fund pursues its investment objective by investing, under normal market conditions, at least 80% of its net assets (including borrowings for investment purposes) in equity securities or equity-related instruments (together, “equity securities”) of large-cap companies. Equity securities include, but are not limited to, common stocks, exchange-traded funds and similar pooled investment vehicles, equity index futures and depositary receipts.

The Fund’s portfolio will be managed by both overweighting and underweighting securities, industries, and sectors relative to the Russell 1000® Index. “Relaxed Constraint” in the Fund’s name reflects the Fund’s strategy to take long as well as short positions in the equity securities in which it invests, as opposed to a traditional “long-only” portfolio which does not establish short positions (i.e., relaxing the “long-only” constraint). Selling securities short allows the Fund to reflect to a greater extent, compared to a long-only approach, the Adviser’s views on securities it expects to underperform. Selling securities short also allows the Fund to establish additional long positions using the short sale proceeds, and thereby take greater advantage, compared to a long-only approach, of the Adviser’s views on securities it expects to outperform. Through the reinvestment of the short sale proceeds, the Fund generally intends to target a long exposure of 130% of the Fund’s net assets with a short exposure of 30% of the Fund’s net assets. Actual long and short exposures, however, will vary according to market conditions. The Fund’s long exposures are expected to range between 120% and 140% of the Fund’s net assets. The Fund’s short exposures are expected to range between 20% and 40% of the Fund’s net assets.

The Fund, when taking a “long” equity position, will purchase a security that will benefit from an increase in the price of that security. When taking a “short” equity position, the Fund borrows the security from a third party and sells it at the then current market price. A “short” equity position will benefit from a decrease in price of the security and will lose value if the price of the security increases.

In constructing the Fund’s portfolio, the Adviser utilizes a quantitative investment process. A quantitative investment process is a systematic method of evaluating securities and other assets by analyzing a variety of data through the use of models—or processes—to generate an investment opinion. The models consider a wide range of factors, including, but not limited to, value and momentum.

 

 

Value strategies favor securities that appear cheap based on fundamental measures, often as a result of distress or lack of favor. Examples of value strategies include using price-to-earnings and price-to-book ratios.

 

 

Momentum strategies favor securities with strong recent performance and positive changes in fundamentals.

In addition to these two main factors, the Adviser may use a number of additional factors based on the Adviser’s proprietary research, including but not limited to, quality, stability, investor sentiment and management signaling. The Adviser may add to or modify the factors employed in selecting investments.

The Adviser determines the long or short weight of each equity security in the portfolio using portfolio optimization techniques, taking into account the Adviser’s assessment of attractiveness of the equity security based on various factors, including those described above, stock weights in the benchmark index, estimated transaction costs associated with trading each equity security, and additional criteria that form part of the Adviser’s security selection process.

The Fund generally invests in large-cap U.S. companies, which the Adviser generally considers to be those companies with market capitalizations within the range of the Russell 1000® Index at the time of purchase. As of September 30, 2016, the market capitalization of the companies comprising the Russell 1000® Index ranged from $670 million to $604 billion. The Fund may also invest in mid-cap securities.

The Fund invests significantly in equity securities. The Fund may also invest in or use financial futures contracts as well as exchange-traded funds and similar pooled investment vehicles, for hedging purposes, to gain exposure to the equity market and to maintain liquidity to pay for redemptions. A portion of the Fund’s assets may be held in cash or cash-equivalent investments, including, but not limited to, short-term investment funds.

As with equity positions, the Fund may also take “long” and “short” positions in derivative instruments, such as equity index futures contracts. A “long” position in a derivative instrument will benefit from an increase in the price of the underlying instrument. A “short” position in a derivative instrument will benefit from a decrease in price of the underlying instrument and will lose value if the price of the underlying instrument increases.

The Fund is not a complete investment program and should be considered only as one part of an investment portfolio. The Fund is more appropriate for long-term investors who can bear the risk of short-term NAV fluctuations, which at times may be significant and rapid, however, all investments long- or short-term are subject to risk of loss.


 

 

  AQR Funds—Prospectus   23

Details About the AQR Small Cap Relaxed Constraint Equity Fund

INVESTMENT OBJECTIVE

The AQR Small Cap Relaxed Constraint Equity Fund seeks long-term capital appreciation.

There can be no assurance that the Fund will be successful in achieving its investment objective.

PRINCIPAL INVESTMENT STRATEGIES

The Fund seeks to outperform, after expenses, the Russell 2000® Index while seeking to control its tracking error relative to this benchmark. The Fund will target a long-term average forecasted tracking error of 4% to 5% relative to the Russell 2000® Index. Actual realized tracking error will vary based on market conditions and other factors.

The Fund pursues its investment objective by investing, under normal market conditions, at least 80% of its net assets (including borrowings for investment purposes) in equity securities or equity-related instruments (together, “equity securities”) of small-cap companies. Equity securities include, but are not limited to, common stocks, exchange-traded funds and similar pooled investment vehicles, equity index futures and depositary receipts.

The Fund’s portfolio will be managed by both overweighting and underweighting securities, industries, and sectors relative to the Russell 2000® Index. “Relaxed Constraint” in the Fund’s name reflects the Fund’s strategy to take long as well as short positions in the equity securities in which it invests, as opposed to a traditional “long-only” portfolio which does not establish short positions (i.e., relaxing the “long-only” constraint). Selling securities short allows the Fund to reflect to a greater extent, compared to a long-only approach, the Adviser’s views on securities it expects to underperform. Selling securities short also allows the Fund to establish additional long positions using the short sale proceeds, and thereby take greater advantage, compared to a long-only approach, of the Adviser’s views on securities it expects to outperform. Through the reinvestment of the short sale proceeds, the Fund generally intends to target a long exposure of 130% of the Fund’s net assets with a short exposure of 30% of the Fund’s net assets. Actual long and short exposures, however, will vary according to market conditions. The Fund’s long exposures are expected to range between 120% and 140% of the Fund’s net assets. The Fund’s short exposures are expected to range between 20% and 40% of the Fund’s net assets.

The Fund, when taking a “long” equity position, will purchase a security that will benefit from an increase in the price of that security. When taking a “short” equity position, the Fund borrows the security from a third party and sells it at the then current market price. A “short” equity position will benefit from a decrease in price of the security and will lose value if the price of the security increases.

In constructing the Fund’s portfolio, the Adviser utilizes a quantitative investment process. A quantitative investment process is a systematic method of evaluating securities and other assets by analyzing a variety of data through the use of models—or processes—to generate an investment opinion. The models consider a wide range of factors, including, but not limited to, value and momentum.

 

 

Value strategies favor securities that appear cheap based on fundamental measures, often as a result of distress or lack of favor. Examples of value strategies include using price-to-earnings and price-to-book ratios.

 

 

Momentum strategies favor securities with strong recent performance and positive changes in fundamentals.

In addition to these two main factors, the Adviser may use a number of additional factors based on the Adviser’s proprietary research, including but not limited to, quality, stability, investor sentiment and management signaling. The Adviser may add to or modify the factors employed in selecting investments.

The Adviser determines the long or short weight of each equity security in the portfolio using portfolio optimization techniques, taking into account the Adviser’s assessment of attractiveness of the equity security based on various factors, including those described above, stock weights in the benchmark index, estimated transaction costs associated with trading each equity security, and additional criteria that form part of the Adviser’s security selection process.

The Fund generally invests in small-cap U.S. companies, which the Adviser generally considers to be those companies with market capitalizations within the range of the Russell 2000® Index at the time of purchase. As of September 30, 2016, the market capitalization of the companies comprising the Russell 2000® Index ranged from $35 million to $6 billion.

The Fund invests significantly in equity securities. The Fund may also invest in or use financial futures contracts as well as exchange-traded funds and similar pooled investment vehicles, for hedging purposes, to gain exposure to the equity market and to maintain liquidity to pay for redemptions. A portion of the Fund’s assets may be held in cash or cash-equivalent investments, including, but not limited to, short-term investment funds.

As with equity positions, the Fund may also take “long” and “short” positions in derivative instruments, such as equity index futures contracts. A “long” position in a derivative instrument will benefit from an increase in the price of the underlying instrument. A “short” position in a derivative instrument will benefit from a decrease in price of the underlying instrument and will lose value if the price of the underlying instrument increases.

The Fund is not a complete investment program and should be considered only as one part of an investment portfolio. The Fund is more appropriate for long-term investors who can bear the risk of short-term NAV fluctuations, which at times may be significant and rapid, however, all investments long- or short-term are subject to risk of loss.


 

 

  AQR Funds—Prospectus   24

Details About the AQR International Relaxed Constraint Equity Fund

INVESTMENT OBJECTIVE

The AQR International Relaxed Constraint Equity Fund seeks long-term capital appreciation.

There can be no assurance that the Fund will be successful in achieving its investment objective.

PRINCIPAL INVESTMENT STRATEGIES

The Fund seeks to outperform, after expenses, the MSCI EAFE Index while seeking to control its tracking error relative to this benchmark. The Fund will target a long-term average forecasted tracking error of 3% to 4% relative to the MSCI EAFE Index. Actual realized tracking error will vary based on market conditions and other factors.

The Fund pursues its investment objective by investing, under normal market conditions, at least 80% of its net assets (including borrowings for investment purposes) in equity securities or equity-related instruments (together, “equity securities”) of non-U.S. companies. Equity securities include, but are not limited to, common stocks, exchange-traded funds and similar pooled investment vehicles, equity index futures and depositary receipts.

The Fund’s portfolio will be managed by both overweighting and underweighting securities, industries, and sectors relative to the MSCI EAFE Index. “Relaxed Constraint” in the Fund’s name reflects the Fund’s strategy to take long as well as short positions in the equity securities in which it invests, as opposed to a traditional “long-only” portfolio which does not establish short positions (i.e., relaxing the “long-only” constraint). Selling securities short allows the Fund to reflect to a greater extent, compared to a long-only approach, the Adviser’s views on securities it expects to underperform. Selling securities short also allows the Fund to establish additional long positions using the short sale proceeds, and thereby take greater advantage, compared to a long-only approach, of the Adviser’s views on securities it expects to outperform. Through the reinvestment of the short sale proceeds, the Fund generally intends to target a long exposure of 130% of the Fund’s net assets with a short exposure of 30% of the Fund’s net assets. Actual long and short exposures, however, will vary according to market conditions. The Fund’s long exposures are expected to range between 120% and 140% of the Fund’s net assets. The Fund’s short exposures are expected to range between 20% and 40% of the Fund’s net assets.

The Fund, when taking a “long” equity position, will purchase a security that will benefit from an increase in the price of that security. When taking a “short” equity position, the Fund borrows the security from a third party and sells it at the then current market price. A “short” equity position will benefit from a decrease in price of the security and will lose value if the price of the security increases.

In constructing the Fund’s portfolio, the Adviser utilizes a quantitative investment process. A quantitative investment process is a systematic method of evaluating securities and other assets by analyzing a variety of data through the use of models—or processes—to generate an investment opinion. The models consider a wide range of factors, including, but not limited to, value and momentum.

 

 

Value strategies favor securities that appear cheap based on fundamental measures, often as a result of distress or lack of favor. Examples of value strategies include using price-to-earnings and price-to-book ratios.

 

 

Momentum strategies favor securities with strong recent performance and positive changes in fundamentals.

In addition to these two main factors, the Adviser may use a number of additional factors based on the Adviser’s proprietary research, including but not limited to, quality, stability, investor sentiment and management signaling. The Adviser may add to or modify the factors employed in selecting investments.

The Adviser determines the long or short weight of each equity security in the portfolio using portfolio optimization techniques, taking into account the Adviser’s assessment of attractiveness of the equity security based on various factors, including those described above, stock weights in the benchmark index, estimated transaction costs associated with trading each equity security, and additional criteria that form part of the Adviser’s security selection process.

The Fund generally invests in large- and mid-cap companies included in the MSCI EAFE Index or located in countries included in the MSCI EAFE Index at the time of purchase. The Fund considers large- and mid-cap companies to be companies with market capitalizations within the range of the constituents of the MSCI EAFE Index at the time of purchase.

The Fund invests significantly in equity securities. The Fund may also invest in or use financial futures contracts, forward foreign currency contracts as well as foreign currencies, exchange-traded funds and similar pooled investment vehicles, for hedging purposes, to gain exposure to the equity market and to maintain liquidity to pay for redemptions. A portion of the Fund’s assets may be held in cash or cash-equivalent investments, including, but not limited to, short-term investment funds.

As with equity positions, the Fund may also take “long” and “short” positions in derivative instruments, such as equity index futures contracts or forward foreign currency contracts. A “long” position in a derivative instrument will benefit from an increase in the price of the underlying instrument. A “short” position in a derivative instrument will benefit from a decrease in price of the underlying instrument and will lose value if the price of the underlying instrument increases.

The Fund is not a complete investment program and should be considered only as one part of an investment portfolio. The Fund is more appropriate for long-term investors who can bear the risk of short-term NAV fluctuations, which at times may be significant and rapid, however, all investments long- or short-term are subject to risk of loss.


 

 

  AQR Funds—Prospectus   25

Details About the AQR Emerging Relaxed Constraint Equity Fund

INVESTMENT OBJECTIVE

The AQR Emerging Relaxed Constraint Equity Fund seeks long-term capital appreciation.

There can be no assurance that the Fund will be successful in achieving its investment objective.

PRINCIPAL INVESTMENT STRATEGIES

The Fund seeks to outperform, after expenses, the MSCI Emerging Markets Index while seeking to control its tracking error relative to this benchmark. The Fund will target a long-term average forecasted tracking error of 4% to 6% relative to the MSCI Emerging Markets Index. Actual realized tracking error will vary based on market conditions and other factors.

The Fund pursues its investment objective by investing, under normal market conditions, at least 80% of its net assets (including borrowings for investment purposes) in equity securities or equity-related instruments (together, “equity securities”) of emerging market companies. Equity securities include, but are not limited to, common stocks, exchange-traded funds and similar pooled investment vehicles, equity index futures, equity swaps and depositary receipts.

The Fund’s portfolio will be managed by both overweighting and underweighting securities, industries, and sectors relative to the MSCI Emerging Markets Index. “Relaxed Constraint” in the Fund’s name reflects the Fund’s strategy to take long as well as short positions in the equity securities in which it invests, as opposed to a traditional “long-only” portfolio which does not establish short positions (i.e., relaxing the “long-only” constraint). Selling securities short allows the Fund to reflect to a greater extent, compared to a long-only approach, the Adviser’s views on securities it expects to underperform. Selling securities short also allows the Fund to establish additional long positions using the short sale proceeds, and thereby take greater advantage, compared to a long-only approach, of the Adviser’s views on securities it expects to outperform. Through the reinvestment of the short sale proceeds, the Fund generally intends to target a long exposure of 130% of the Fund’s net assets with a short exposure of 30% of the Fund’s net assets. Actual long and short exposures, however, will vary according to market conditions. The Fund’s long exposures are expected to range between 120% and 140% of the Fund’s net assets. The Fund’s short exposures are expected to range between 20% and 40% of the Fund’s net assets.

The Fund, when taking a “long” equity position, will purchase a security that will benefit from an increase in the price of that security. When taking a “short” equity position, the Fund borrows the security from a third party and sells it at the then current market price. A “short” equity position will benefit from a decrease in price of the security and will lose value if the price of the security increases.

In constructing the Fund’s portfolio, the Adviser utilizes a quantitative investment process. A quantitative investment process is a systematic method of evaluating securities and other assets by analyzing a variety of data through the use of models—or processes—to generate an investment opinion. The models consider a wide range of factors, including, but not limited to, value and momentum.

 

 

Value strategies favor securities that appear cheap based on fundamental measures, often as a result of distress or lack of favor. Examples of value strategies include using price-to-earnings and price-to-book ratios.

 

 

Momentum strategies favor securities with strong recent performance and positive changes in fundamentals.

In addition to these two main factors, the Adviser may use a number of additional factors based on the Adviser’s proprietary research, including but not limited to, quality, stability, investor sentiment and management signaling. The Adviser may add to or modify the factors employed in selecting investments.

The Adviser determines the long or short weight of each equity security in the portfolio using portfolio optimization techniques, taking into account the Adviser’s assessment of attractiveness of the equity security based on various factors, including those described above, stock weights in the benchmark index, estimated transaction costs associated with trading each equity security, and additional criteria that form part of the Adviser’s security selection process.

The Fund generally invests in large- and mid-cap companies included in the MSCI Emerging Markets Index or located in countries included in the MSCI Emerging Markets Index at the time of purchase. The Fund considers large- and mid-cap companies to be companies with market capitalizations within the range of the constituents of the MSCI Emerging Markets Index at the time of purchase.

The Fund invests significantly in equity securities. The Fund may also invest in or use financial futures contracts, forward foreign currency contracts, equity swaps as well as foreign currencies, exchange-traded funds and similar pooled investment vehicles, for hedging purposes, to gain exposure to the equity market and to maintain liquidity to pay for redemptions. A portion of the Fund’s assets may be held in cash or cash-equivalent investments, including, but not limited to, short-term investment funds.

As with equity positions, the Fund may also take “long” and “short” positions in derivative instruments, such as equity index futures contracts, forward foreign currency contracts or equity swaps. A “long” position in a derivative instrument will benefit from an increase in the price of the underlying instrument. A “short” position in a derivative instrument will benefit from a decrease in price of the underlying instrument and will lose value if the price of the underlying instrument increases.

The Fund is not a complete investment program and should be considered only as one part of an investment portfolio. The Fund is more appropriate for long-term investors who can bear the risk of short-term NAV fluctuations, which at times may be significant and rapid, however, all investments long- or short-term are subject to risk of loss.


 

 

  AQR Funds—Prospectus   26

How the Funds Pursue Their Investment Objectives

INVESTMENT TECHNIQUES

In addition to the principal investment strategies described above, the Funds may employ the following techniques in pursuing their investment objectives.

Temporary Defensive Positions: For temporary defensive purposes, each Fund may restrict the markets in which it invests and may hold uninvested cash or invest without limitation in cash equivalents such as money market instruments, U.S. treasury bills, interests in short-term investment funds, repurchase agreements, or shares of money market or short-term bond funds, even if the investments are inconsistent with the Fund’s principal investment strategies. To the extent a Fund invests in these temporary investments in this manner, the Fund may not achieve its investment objective.

Segregation of Assets: As an open-end investment company registered with the SEC, each Fund is subject to the federal securities laws, including the 1940 Act, the rules thereunder, and various SEC and SEC staff interpretive positions. In accordance with these laws, rules and positions, each Fund must “set aside” (often referred to as “asset segregation”) liquid assets, or engage in other SEC or staff-approved measures, to “cover” open positions with respect to certain kinds of derivative instruments. In the case of futures contracts that are not contractually required to cash settle, for example, each Fund must set aside liquid assets equal to such contracts’ full notional value while the positions are open. With respect to futures contracts that are contractually required to cash settle, however, each Fund is permitted to set aside liquid assets in an amount equal to each Fund’s daily marked-to-market net obligations (i.e., each Fund’s daily net liability) under the contracts, if any, rather than such contracts’ full notional value. Futures contracts and forward contracts that settle physically will be treated as cash settled for asset segregation purposes when the Fund has entered into a contractual arrangement with a third party futures commission merchant or other counterparty to off-set the Fund’s exposure under the contract and, failing that, to assign its delivery obligation under the contract to the counterparty. Each Fund reserves the right to modify its asset segregation policies in the future to comply with any changes in the positions from time to time articulated by the SEC or its staff regarding asset segregation.

Each Fund generally will use its money market instruments or other liquid assets to cover its obligations as required by the 1940 Act, the rules thereunder, and applicable SEC and SEC staff positions. The Adviser will monitor each Fund’s use of derivatives and will take action as necessary for the purpose of complying with the asset segregation policy stated above. Such actions may include the sale of each Fund’s portfolio investments. There is a possibility that segregation of a large percentage of a Fund’s assets could impede portfolio management or the Fund’s ability to meet redemption requests or other current obligations.


 

 

  AQR Funds—Prospectus   27

Risk Factors

All investments, including those in mutual funds, have risks and it is possible that you could lose money by investing in a Fund. No one investment is suitable for all investors. Each Fund is intended for long-term investors. The risks identified below are the principal risks of investing in a Fund. The Summary section for each Fund and the below matrix lists the principal risks applicable to that Fund. This section provides more detailed information about each risk.

 

     

AQR

Large Cap

Relaxed

Constraint

Equity

Fund

  

AQR

Small Cap

Relaxed

Constraint

Equity

Fund

  

AQR

International

Relaxed

Constraint

Equity

Fund

  

AQR

Emerging

Relaxed

Constraint

Equity

Fund

Common Stock Risk

   x    x    x    x

Counterparty Risk

   x    x    x    x

Currency Risk

         x    x

Derivatives Risk

   x    x    x    x

Emerging Market Risk

            x

Foreign Investments Risk

         x    x

Forward and Futures Contract Risk

   x    x    x    x

High Portfolio Turnover Risk

   x    x    x    x

Investment in Other Investment Companies Risk

   x    x    x    x

Leverage Risk

   x    x    x    x

Manager Risk

   x    x    x    x

Market Risk

   x    x    x    x

Mid-Cap Securities Risk

   x       x    x

Model and Data Risk

   x    x    x    x

Momentum Style Risk

   x    x    x    x

New Fund Risk

   x    x    x    x

Short Sale Risk

   x    x    x    x

Small-Cap Securities Risk

      x      

Swap Agreements Risk

            x

Value Style Risk

   x    x    x    x

Volatility Risk

   x    x    x    x

Common Stock Risk: Each Fund may invest in, or have exposure to, common stocks, which are a type of equity security that represents an ownership interest in a corporation. Common stocks are subject to greater fluctuations in market value than certain other asset classes as a result of such factors as a company’s business performance, investor perceptions, stock market trends and general economic conditions. The rights of common stockholders are subordinate to all other claims on a company’s assets, including debt holders and preferred stockholders. Therefore, a Fund could lose money if a company in which it invests becomes financially distressed.

Counterparty Risk: A Fund may enter into various types of derivative contracts as described below under “Derivatives Risk.” Many of these derivative contracts will be privately negotiated in the over-the-counter market. These contracts also involve exposure to credit risk, since contract performance depends in part on the financial condition of the counterparty. If a privately negotiated over-the-counter contract calls for payments by a Fund, the Fund must be prepared to make such payments when due. In addition, if a counterparty’s creditworthiness declines, the Fund may not receive payments owed under the contract, or such payments may be delayed under such circumstances and the value of agreements with such counterparty can be expected to decline, potentially resulting in losses to a Fund.

Currency Risk: Currency risk is the risk that changes in currency exchange rates will negatively affect securities denominated in, and/or receiving revenues in, foreign currencies. Adverse changes in currency exchange rates (relative to the U.S. dollar) may erode or reverse any potential gains from a Fund’s investments in securities denominated in a foreign currency or may widen existing losses.

Currency exchange rates may be particularly affected by the relative rates of inflation, interest rate levels, the balance of payments and the extent of governmental surpluses or deficits in such foreign countries and in the United States, all of which are in turn sensitive to the monetary, fiscal and trade policies pursued by the governments of such foreign countries, the United States and other countries important to international trade and finance. Governments may use a variety of techniques, such as intervention by their central bank or imposition of regulatory controls or taxes, to affect the exchange rates of their respective currencies. They may also issue a new currency to replace an existing currency or alter the exchange rate or relative exchange characteristics by devaluation or revaluation of a currency. The liquidity and trading value of these foreign currencies could be affected by the actions of sovereign governments and central banks, which could change or interfere with theretofore freely determined currency valuation, fluctuations in response to other market forces and the movement of currencies across borders.


 

 

  AQR Funds—Prospectus   28

Derivatives Risk: The Adviser may make use of futures, forwards, swaps and other forms of derivative instruments. In general, a derivative instrument typically involves leverage, i.e., it provides exposure to potential gain or loss from a change in the level of the market price of the underlying security, currency or commodity (or a basket or index) in a notional amount that exceeds the amount of cash or assets required to establish or maintain the derivative instrument. Adverse changes in the value or level of the underlying asset or index, which the Fund may not directly own, can result in a loss to the Fund substantially greater than the amount invested in the derivative itself. Certain derivatives have the potential for unlimited loss, regardless of the size of the initial investment. The use of derivative instruments also exposes a Fund to additional risks and transaction costs. These instruments come in many varieties and have a wide range of potential risks and rewards, and may include, as further described in the “Principal Investment Strategies” section for each Fund, futures contracts, swaps, and/or forward foreign currency contracts. Additionally, to the extent a Fund is required to segregate or “set aside” (often referred to as “asset segregation”) liquid assets or otherwise cover open positions with respect to certain derivative instruments, the Fund may be required to sell portfolio instruments to meet these asset segregation requirements. There is a possibility that segregation involving a large percentage of a Fund’s assets could impede portfolio management or the Fund’s ability to meet redemption requests or other current obligations. Risks of these instruments include:

 

 

that interest rates, securities prices and currency markets will not move in the direction that the portfolio managers anticipate;

 

 

that prices of the instruments and the prices of underlying securities, interest rates or currencies they are designed to reflect do not move together as expected;

 

 

that the skills needed to use these strategies are different than those needed to select portfolio securities;

 

 

the possible absence of a liquid secondary market for any particular instrument and, for exchange-traded instruments, possible exchange-imposed price fluctuation limits, either of which may make it difficult or impossible to close out a position when desired;

 

 

that adverse price movements in an instrument can result in a loss substantially greater than a Fund’s initial investment in that instrument (in some cases, the potential loss is unlimited);

 

 

particularly in the case of privately-negotiated instruments, that the counterparty will not perform its obligations, which could cause the Fund to lose money;

 

 

the inability to close out certain hedged positions to avoid adverse tax consequences, and the fact that some of these instruments may have uncertain tax implications for the Funds;

 

 

the fact that “speculative position limits” imposed by the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (“CFTC”) and certain futures exchanges on net long and short positions may require the Funds to limit or unravel positions in certain types of instruments; in December 2016 the CFTC re-proposed new rules that, if adopted in substantially the same form, will impose speculative position limits on additional derivative instruments, which may further limit the Funds’ ability to trade futures contracts and swaps; and

 

 

the high levels of volatility some of these instruments may exhibit, in some cases due to the high levels of leverage an investor may achieve with them.

In December 2015, the SEC proposed a new rule that would change the regulation of the use of derivatives by registered investment companies, such as the Fund. If the proposed rule is adopted and goes into effect, it could require modifications to the Fund’s investment strategies and use of derivatives.

Emerging Market Risk: A Fund may have exposure to emerging markets. Investing in emerging markets will, among other things, expose the Fund to all the risks described below in the “Foreign Investments Risk” section, and you should review that section carefully. However, there are greater risks involved in investing in emerging market countries and/or their securities markets than there are in more developed countries and/or markets. Generally, economic structures in these countries are less diverse and mature than those in developed countries, and their political systems are less stable. Investments in emerging market countries may be affected by national policies that restrict foreign investment in certain issuers or industries. Sanctions and other intergovernmental actions may be undertaken against an emerging market country, which may result in the devaluation of the country’s currency, a downgrade in the country’s credit rating, and a decline in the value and liquidity of the country’s securities. Sanctions could result in the immediate freeze of securities issued by an emerging market company or government, impairing the ability of a Fund to buy, sell, receive or deliver these securities. The small size of their securities markets and low trading volumes can make emerging market investments illiquid and more volatile than investments in developed countries and such securities may be subject to abrupt and severe price declines. A Fund may be required to establish special custody or other arrangements before investing. In addition, because the securities settlement procedures are less developed in these countries, the Fund may be required to deliver securities before receiving payment and may also be unable to complete transactions during market disruptions. The possible establishment of exchange controls or freezes on the convertibility of currency might adversely affect an investment in foreign securities.

Foreign Investments Risk: A Fund’s investments in foreign instruments, including depositary receipts, involve risks not associated with investing in U.S. instruments. Foreign markets may be less liquid, more volatile and subject to less government


 

 

  AQR Funds—Prospectus   29

supervision than domestic markets. There may be difficulties enforcing contractual obligations, and it may take more time for trades to clear and settle. The specific risks of investing in foreign instruments, among others, include:

 

 

Counterparty Risk: A Fund may enter into foreign investment instruments with a counterparty, which will subject the Fund to counterparty risk (see “Counterparty Risk” above).

 

 

Currency Risk: Currency risk is the risk that changes in currency exchange rates will negatively affect instruments denominated in, and/or receiving revenues in, foreign currencies. Adverse changes in currency exchange rates (relative to the U.S. dollar) may erode or reverse any potential gains from the Funds’ investments in instruments denominated in a foreign currency or may widen existing losses. To the extent that a Fund is invested in foreign instruments while also maintaining currency positions, it may be exposed to greater combined risk.

 

 

Geographic Risk: If a Fund concentrates its investments in issuers located or doing business in any country or region, factors adversely affecting that country or region will affect the Fund’s net asset value more than would be the case if the Fund had made more geographically diverse investments. The economies and financial markets of certain regions, such as Latin America or Asia, can be highly interdependent and decline all at the same time.

 

 

Political/Economic Risk: Changes in economic and tax policies, government instability, war or other political or economic actions or factors may have an adverse effect on a Fund’s foreign investments, potentially including expropriation and nationalization, confiscatory taxation, and the potential difficulty of repatriating funds to the United States.

 

 

Regulatory Risk: Issuers of foreign instruments and foreign instruments markets are generally not subject to the same degree of regulation as are U.S. issuers and U.S. securities markets. The reporting, accounting and auditing standards of foreign countries may differ, in some cases significantly, from U.S. standards.

 

 

Transaction Costs Risk: The costs of buying and selling foreign instruments, including tax, brokerage and custody costs, generally are higher than those involving domestic transactions.

 

 

Use of Foreign Currency Forward Agreements: Foreign currency forward prices are influenced by, among other things, changes in balances of payments and trade, domestic and international rates of inflation, international trade restrictions and currency devaluations and revaluations. Investments in currency forward contracts may cause a Fund to maintain net short positions in any currency, including home country currency. In other words, the total value of short exposure to such currency (such as short spot and forward positions in such currency) may exceed the total value of long exposure to such currency (such as long individual equity positions, long spot and forward positions in such currency).

Forward and Futures Contract Risk: As described in the “Principal Investment Strategies” section for each Fund, a Fund may invest in forward and/or futures contracts. The successful use of forward and futures contracts draws upon the Adviser’s skill and experience with respect to such instruments and are subject to special risk considerations. The primary risks associated with the use of forward and futures contracts, which may adversely affect a Fund’s NAV and total return, are (a) the imperfect correlation between the change in market value of the instruments held by a Fund and the price of the forward or futures contract; (b) possible lack of a liquid secondary market for a forward or futures contract and the resulting inability to close a forward or futures contract when desired; (c) losses caused by unanticipated market movements, which are potentially unlimited; (d) the Adviser’s inability to predict correctly the direction of securities prices, interest rates, currency exchange rates and other economic factors; (e) the possibility that the counterparty will default in the performance of its obligations; and (f) if a Fund has insufficient cash, it may have to sell securities from its portfolio to meet daily variation margin requirements, and the Fund may have to sell securities at a time when it may be disadvantageous to do so.

High Portfolio Turnover Risk: The investment techniques and strategies utilized by the Funds, including investments made on a shorter-term basis or in derivative instruments or instruments with a maturity of one year or less at the time of acquisition, may result in frequent portfolio trading and high portfolio turnover. High portfolio turnover rates will cause a Fund to incur higher levels of brokerage fees and commissions, which may reduce performance, and may cause higher levels of current tax liability to shareholders in the Fund.

Investment in Other Investment Companies Risk: As with other investments, investments in other investment companies, including exchange-traded funds (“ETFs”), are subject to market and manager risk. In addition, if a Fund acquires shares of investment companies, shareholders bear both their proportionate share of expenses in the Fund (including management and advisory fees) and, indirectly, the expenses of the investment companies. The Fund may invest in money market mutual funds. An investment in a money market mutual fund is not insured or guaranteed by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation or any other government agency. Although money market mutual funds that invest in U.S. government securities seek to preserve the value of the Fund’s investment at $1.00 per share, it is possible to lose money by investing in a stable NAV money market mutual fund. Moreover, recent SEC rule amendments require prime money market mutual funds to use floating NAVs that do not preserve the value of the Fund’s investment at $1.00 per share. These rule amendments may impact the Fund’s use of prime money market mutual funds for capital preservation purposes. A prime money market mutual fund may impose liquidity fees or temporary gates on redemptions if its weekly liquid assets fall below a designated threshold. If this were to occur, the Fund may lose money on its investment in the prime money market mutual fund, or the Fund may not be able to redeem its investment in the prime money market mutual fund.

Leverage Risk: As part of the Fund’s principal investment strategy, the Fund will enter into short sales and will make investments in futures contracts, forward contracts, swaps and other derivative instruments. These investment activities


 

 

  AQR Funds—Prospectus   30

provide the economic effect of financial leverage by creating additional investment exposure to the underlying instrument, as well as the potential for greater loss. If the Fund uses leverage through activities such as entering into short sales or purchasing derivative instruments, the Fund has the risk that losses may exceed the net assets of the Fund. The net asset value of a Fund while employing leverage will be more volatile and sensitive to market movements.

Manager Risk: If the Adviser makes poor investment decisions, it will negatively affect a Fund’s investment performance.

Market Risk: Each Fund is subject to market risk, which is the risk that the markets on which the Fund’s investments trade will increase or decrease in value. Market risk applies to every Fund investment. Prices may fluctuate widely over short or extended periods in response to company, market or economic news. Markets also tend to move in cycles, with periods of rising and falling prices. If there is a general decline in the securities and other markets, your investment in a Fund may lose value, regardless of the individual results of the securities and other instruments in which the Fund invests.

Mid-Cap Securities Risk: Each Fund may invest in, or have exposure to, the securities of mid-cap companies. The prices of securities of mid-cap companies generally are more volatile than those of large capitalization companies and are more likely to be adversely affected than large-cap companies by changes in earnings results and investor expectations or poor economic or market conditions, including those experienced during a recession.

Model and Data Risk: Given the complexity of the investments and strategies of each Fund, the Adviser relies heavily on quantitative models and information and data supplied by third parties (“Models and Data”). Models and Data are used to construct sets of transactions and investments, to provide risk management insights, and to assist in hedging a Fund’s investments.

When Models and Data prove to be incorrect or incomplete, any decisions made in reliance thereon expose a Fund to potential risks. For example, by relying on Models and Data, the Adviser may be induced to buy certain investments at prices that are too high, to sell certain other investments at prices that are too low, or to miss favorable opportunities altogether. Similarly, any hedging based on faulty Models and Data may prove to be unsuccessful. The Fund bears the risk that the quantitative models used by the Adviser will not be successful in selecting companies for investment or in determining the weighting of investment positions that will enable the Fund to achieve its investment objective.

Some of the models used by the Adviser for one or more Funds are predictive in nature. The use of predictive models has inherent risks. For example, such models may incorrectly forecast future behavior, leading to potential losses on a cash flow and/or a mark-to-market basis. In addition, in unforeseen or certain low-probability scenarios (often involving a market disruption of some kind), such models may produce unexpected results, which can result in losses for a Fund. Furthermore, because predictive models are usually constructed based on historical data supplied by third parties, the success of relying on such models may depend heavily on the accuracy and reliability of the supplied historical data.

All models rely on correct market data inputs. If incorrect market data is entered into even a well-founded model, the resulting information will be incorrect. However, even if market data is input correctly, “model prices” will often differ substantially from market prices, especially for instruments with complex characteristics, such as derivative instruments. Model prices can differ from market prices as model prices are typically based on assumptions and estimates derived from recent market data that may not remain realistic or relevant in the future. To address these issues, the Adviser evaluates model prices and outputs versus recent transactions or similar securities, and as a result, such models may be modified from time to time.

Momentum Style Risk: Investing in or having exposure to securities with positive momentum entails investing in securities that have had above-average recent returns. These securities may be more volatile than a broad cross-section of securities. In addition, there may be periods during which the investment performance of a Fund while using a momentum strategy may suffer.

New Fund Risk: The Fund is newly-formed. Accordingly, investors in a Fund bear the risk that the Fund may not be successful in implementing its investment strategy, and may not employ a successful investment strategy, either of which could result in the Fund being liquidated at any time without shareholder approval and/or at a time that may not be favorable for all shareholders. Such a liquidation could have negative tax consequences for shareholders.

Short Sale Risk: The Fund enters into a short sale by selling a security it has borrowed (typically from a broker or other institution). If the market price of a security increases after the Fund borrows the security, the Fund will suffer a (potentially unlimited) loss when it replaces the borrowed security at the higher price. In certain cases, purchasing a security to cover a short position can itself cause the price of the security to rise further, thereby exacerbating the loss. In addition, the Fund may not always be able to borrow the security at a particular time or at an acceptable price. Before the Fund replaces a borrowed security, it is required to designate on its books cash or liquid assets as collateral to cover the Fund’s short position, marking the collateral to market daily. This obligation limits the Fund’s investment flexibility, as well as its ability to meet redemption requests or other current obligations. The Fund may also take a short position in a derivative instrument, such as a future, forward or swap. A short position in a derivative instrument involves the risk of a theoretically unlimited increase in the value of the underlying instrument which could cause the Fund to suffer a (potentially unlimited) loss. Short sales also involve transaction and financing costs that will reduce potential Fund gains and increase potential Fund losses.

Small-Cap Securities Risk: Investments in or exposure to the stocks of companies with smaller market capitalizations involve higher risks in some respects than do investments in stocks of larger companies. For example, prices of such stocks are often more volatile than prices of large capitalization stocks. In addition, due to thin trading in some such stocks, an investment in these


 

 

  AQR Funds—Prospectus   31

stocks may be more illiquid (i.e., harder to sell) than that of larger capitalization stocks. Smaller capitalization companies also fail more often than larger companies and may have more limited management and financial resources than larger companies.

Swap Agreements Risk: Swap agreements involve the risk that the party with whom the Fund has entered into the swap will default on its obligation to pay the Fund. Additionally, certain unexpected market events or significant adverse market movements could result in the Fund not holding enough assets to be able to meet its obligations under the agreement. Such occurrences may negatively impact the Fund’s ability to implement its principal investment strategies and could result in losses to the Fund.

Value Style Risk: Investing in or having exposure to “value” stocks presents the risk that the stocks may never reach what the Adviser believes are their full market values, either because the market fails to recognize what the Adviser considers to be the companies’ true business values or because the Adviser misjudged those values. In addition, there may be periods during which the investment performance of a Fund using a value strategy may suffer.

Volatility Risk: A Fund may have investments that appreciate or decrease significantly in value over short periods of time. This may cause the Fund’s net asset value per share to experience significant increases or declines in value over short periods of time, however, all investments long- or short-term are subject to risk of loss.

Portfolio Holdings Disclosure

A description of the Funds’ policies and procedures with respect to the disclosure of the Funds’ portfolio securities is available in the Funds’ Statement of Additional Information.

The Adviser may make available certain information about each Fund’s portfolio prior to the public dissemination of portfolio holdings, including, but not limited to, the Fund’s portfolio characteristics data; the Fund’s country, currency and sector exposures; the Fund’s asset class and instrument type exposures; the Fund’s long/short exposures; and a Fund’s performance attribution, including contributors/detractors to Fund performance, by posting such information to the Fund’s website (https://funds.aqr.com) or upon reasonable request made to the Fund or the Adviser.

Change in Objective

Each Fund’s investment objective is not fundamental and may be changed by the Board of Trustees without shareholder approval. Shareholders will normally receive at least 30 days’ written notice of any change in a Fund’s investment objective.


 

 

  AQR Funds—Prospectus   32

Management of the Funds

The Trust is organized as a Delaware statutory trust and is governed by a Board of Trustees that is responsible for overseeing all business activities of the Trust.

The Funds’ Adviser is AQR Capital Management, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company formed in 1998. Subject to the overall authority of the Board of Trustees, the Adviser furnishes continuous investment supervision and management to the Funds’ portfolios and also furnishes office space, equipment, and management personnel. The Adviser’s address is Two Greenwich Plaza, Greenwich, CT 06830.

The Adviser is an investment management firm that employs a disciplined multi-asset, global research process. (AQR stands for Applied Quantitative Research). Until the launch of the AQR Funds in January 2009, the Adviser’s investment products had been primarily provided through a limited set of collective investment vehicles and separate accounts that utilize all or a subset of the Adviser’s investment strategies. The Adviser also serves as a sub-adviser to several registered investment companies. These investment products range from aggressive, high volatility and market-neutral alternative strategies, to low volatility, more traditional benchmark-driven products. The Adviser and its affiliates had approximately $172.4 billion in assets under management as of September 30, 2016.

Investment decisions are made by the Adviser using a series of global asset allocation, arbitrage, and security selection models, and implemented using proprietary trading and risk-management systems. The Adviser believes that a systematic and disciplined process is essential to achieving long-term success in investment and risk management. The principals of the Adviser have been pursuing the research supporting this approach since the late 1980s, and have been implementing this approach in one form or another since 1993. The research conducted by principals and employees of the Adviser has been published in a variety of professional journals since 1991. Please see the Adviser’s website (www.aqr.com) for additional information regarding the published papers written by the Adviser’s principals and other personnel.

The Adviser’s founding principals, Clifford S. Asness, Ph.D., M.B.A., David G. Kabiller, CFA, Robert J. Krail, and John M. Liew, Ph.D., M.B.A., and several colleagues founded the Adviser in January 1998. Each of the Adviser’s founding principals was formerly at Goldman Sachs, & Co., where Messrs. Asness, Krail, and Liew comprised the senior management of the Quantitative Research Group at Goldman Sachs Asset Management (GSAM). At GSAM, the team managed both traditional (managed relative to a benchmark) and non-traditional (managed seeking absolute returns) mandates. The founding principals formed the Adviser to build upon the success achieved at GSAM while enabling key professionals to devote a greater portion of their time to research and investment product development. The Adviser manages assets for institutional investors both in the United States and globally. The Adviser is based in Greenwich, Connecticut and employs approximately 750 people as of the date of this prospectus.

Advisory Agreement

For serving as investment adviser, the Adviser is entitled to receive an advisory fee from each Fund, as reflected below and expressed as a percentage of average daily net assets.

 

Fund        

AQR Large Cap Relaxed Constraint Equity Fund

         0.60 %

AQR Small Cap Relaxed Constraint Equity Fund

         0.80 %

AQR International Relaxed Constraint Equity Fund

         0.75 %

AQR Emerging Relaxed Constraint Equity Fund

         0.95 %

The Advisory Agreement is governed by Delaware law. The Advisory Agreement is not intended to create any third-party beneficiary or otherwise confer any rights, privileges, claims or remedies upon any person other than the parties to the Advisory Agreement and their respective successors and permitted assigns. The Trust, on behalf of the Funds, enters into contractual arrangements with various parties who provide services for the Funds. Shareholders are not parties to, or intended (or “third-party”) beneficiaries of, any of those contractual arrangements, and those contractual arrangements cannot be enforced by shareholders. Neither this prospectus nor the SAI is intended to give rise to any contract rights or other rights in any shareholder, other than any rights conferred explicitly by federal or state securities laws that may not be waived.

A discussion regarding the basis for the Board of Trustees’ approval of each Fund’s Advisory Agreement with the Adviser will be available in the Funds’ semi-annual report to shareholders for the period ended March 31, 2017.

Fee Waiver Agreement

The Adviser has contractually agreed to waive its management fee and/or reimburse expenses of Class I, Class N and Class R6 Shares of the Funds (the “Fee Waiver Agreement”) to the extent that the total annual fund operating expenses of a class,


 

 

  AQR Funds—Prospectus   33

exclusive of certain expenses, exceed set percentages as described in each Fund’s current prospectuses. The Class I Shares and Class N Shares of the Funds are offered in a separate prospectus. For the Class R6 Shares, these percentages are as follows:

 

Fund        

AQR Large Cap Relaxed Constraint Equity Fund

         0.70 %

AQR Small Cap Relaxed Constraint Equity Fund

         0.90 %

AQR International Relaxed Constraint Equity Fund

         0.85 %

AQR Emerging Relaxed Constraint Equity Fund

         1.05 %

The Fee Waiver Agreement is effective for each Fund through January 28, 2018.

The Fee Waiver Agreement may only be terminated with the consent of the Board of Trustees, including a majority of the Trustees of the Trust who are not “interested persons” of the Trust within the meaning of the 1940 Act, and does not extend to interest, taxes, dividends on short sales, borrowing costs, acquired fund fees and expenses, interest expense relating to short sales and extraordinary expenses. Under the Fee Waiver Agreement, the Adviser is entitled to recapture the fees waived and/or expenses reimbursed, only to the extent that the recapture can be made during the thirty-six months following the applicable period during which the Adviser waived fees or reimbursed expenses. In no case will the Adviser recapture any amount that would cause the aggregate operating expenses of the Fund attributable to a share class during a year in which a repayment is made to exceed the lesser of (i) the applicable limits in effect at the time of the waiver and/or reimbursement, or (ii) the applicable limits in effect at the time of recapture.

Portfolio Managers

Each Fund is managed by a team of investment professionals. The portfolio managers of the Adviser responsible for the oversight of each Fund are Michele L. Aghassi, Ph.D., Andrea Frazzini, Ph.D., M.S., Jacques A. Friedman, M.S. and Hoon Kim, Ph.D., M.B.A., CFA.

The portfolio managers of each Fund are jointly and primarily responsible for overseeing the day-to-day management of the Fund, as well as setting the Funds’ overall investment strategy. Information regarding the portfolio managers of each Fund is set forth below. Further information regarding the portfolio managers, including other accounts managed, compensation, ownership of Fund shares, and possible conflicts of interest, is available in the Funds’ SAI.

Michele L. Aghassi, Ph.D., is a Principal of the Adviser. Dr. Aghassi joined the Adviser in 2005 and is co-head of research for its Global Stock Selection group, overseeing research and portfolio management. Dr. Aghassi earned a B.Sc. in applied mathematics from Brown University and a Ph.D. in operations research from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology.

Andrea Frazzini, Ph.D., M.S., is a Principal of the Adviser. Dr. Frazzini joined the Adviser in 2008 and develops quantitative models for its Global Stock Selection team. He earned a B.S. in economics from the University of Rome III, an M.S. in economics from the London School of Economics and a Ph.D. in economics from Yale University.

Jacques A. Friedman, M.S., is a Principal of the Adviser. Mr. Friedman joined the Adviser at its inception in 1998 and heads its Global Stock Selection team, overseeing research and portfolio management. He earned a B.S. in applied mathematics from Brown University and an M.S. in applied mathematics from the University of Washington.

Hoon Kim, Ph.D., M.B.A., CFA, is a Principal of the Adviser. Dr. Kim joined the Adviser in 2005 and develops quantitative models and oversees portfolio management for its Global Stock Selection team. Dr. Kim earned a B.A. in business administration from Yonsei University in South Korea and an M.B.A. and Ph.D. in business and accounting from Carnegie Mellon University. He is a CPA (in Korea) and a CFA charterholder.

From time to time, a manager, analyst, or other employee of the Adviser or any of their affiliates may express views regarding a particular asset class, company, security, industry, or market sector. The views expressed by any such person are the views of only that individual as of the time expressed and do not necessarily represent the views of the Adviser or any other person within the Adviser’s organization. Any such views are subject to change at any time based upon market or other conditions and the Adviser disclaims any responsibility to update such views. These views may not be relied on as investment advice and, because investment decisions for a Fund are based on numerous factors, may not be relied on as an indication of trading intent on behalf of a Fund.


 

 

  AQR Funds—Prospectus   34

Performance of Related Funds and Accounts

As of the date of this prospectus, the Adviser manages certain other investment funds or separately managed accounts (each, an “Account” and collectively referred to herein as the “Accounts”) with investment objectives, policies and strategies substantially similar to those of the AQR Small Cap Relaxed Constraint Equity Fund, which Fund has less than a three year operating history. The individuals responsible for the management of each Account are the same individuals responsible for the management of the Fund. Performance is only included in this section of the Prospectus when there is at least one Account that has a full calendar year of performance, coinciding with disclosure of the Fund’s performance, which may only be shown in its prospectus on a calendar year basis once the Fund has a full calendar year of performance. The performance of the Accounts does not represent the past performance of the Fund and you should not consider the past performance of the Accounts as indicative of the future performance of the Fund.

Performance of Accounts Related to AQR Small Cap Relaxed Constraint Equity Fund

The table below shows the historical performance of the Adviser’s composite that contains all Accounts with investment objectives, policies and strategies substantially similar to those of the AQR Small Cap Relaxed Constraint Equity Fund that have inception dates prior to the most recent calendar year end (the “RC Small Cap Composite” or the “Composite”). The data is provided to illustrate the past performance of the Adviser in managing Accounts as measured against an appropriate index, and does not represent the performance of the Fund. The performance of the Fund may be better or worse than the performance of the Composite due to, among other things, differences in portfolio holdings, sales charges, expenses, asset sizes and cash flows. In addition, at least one of the Accounts comprising the Composite is not subject to the diversification requirements, specific tax restrictions and investment limitations imposed on the Fund by the 1940 Act and Subchapter M of the Code. Consequently, the performance results for the Composite expressed below could have been adversely affected if the applicable Account or Accounts had been regulated as investment companies under the federal securities and tax laws.

The manner in which the performance was calculated for the Composite differs from that of registered mutual funds such as the Fund. The Composite performance data was calculated in compliance with the Global Investment Performance Standards (GIPS). The performance results are presented both net of fees and gross of fees, and in USD, from year to year and the performance is compared to a market index over various periods of time. Gross of fee returns are calculated (i) gross of investment advisory fees (including performance-based fees); (ii) gross of administrative expenses; (iii) net of all withholding taxes on foreign dividends; and (iv) net of trading expenses. Administrative expenses are defined for GIPS purposes as all fees other than trading transaction costs and investment advisory fees and include custody fees, accounting fees, auditing fees, consulting fees, legal fees, and other related fees. Net of fee returns are calculated net of the total annual fund operating fees and expenses after fee waivers and/or expense reimbursements of the Class N Shares of the AQR Small Cap Relaxed Constraint Equity Fund reflected in the Fund’s fee table. Class N Shares of the Fund bear the highest annual fund operating fees and expenses after fee waivers and/or expense reimbursements of any share class of the Fund. As of the date of this prospectus, the fee table of the Class N Shares of the AQR Small Cap Relaxed Constraint Equity Fund reflects total annual fund operating fees and expenses after fee waivers and/or expense reimbursements of 1.71%.

Prior Performance of Similar Accounts

 

Average Annual Returns For the Periods Ended 12/31/15      1 Year      5 Year      Since Inception
(4/1/2007)

RC Small Cap Composite Performance—Gross

         5.71 %          14.56 %          7.85 %

RC Small Cap Composite Performance—Net

         3.92 %          12.64 %          6.03 %

Russell 2000 Index® (reflects no deduction for fees, expenses or taxes)

         -4.41 %          9.18 %          5.52 %

GIPS

The following disclosure regarding GIPS is applicable only with respect to Composite performance provided in this section entitled “Performance of Related Funds and Accounts” and does not apply to Fund performance shown in the “Fund Summary—Performance Information” sections of this prospectus.

The Adviser claims compliance with the GIPS. For GIPS purposes, the Adviser defines the “Firm” as entities controlled by or under common control with the Adviser (including voting power). The Firm is comprised of the Adviser and CNH Partners, LLC. The Firm links monthly returns geometrically to produce an accurate time-weighted rate of return. Composite returns are asset-weighted. Additional information regarding the Firm’s policies on fees and the calculation of investment performance is available upon request. Composite returns in the table above are calculated in compliance with GIPS standards on a trade date basis, and include accrued income and capital gains. Monthly composite returns are asset weighted based on the constituents’ month-beginning NAV.


 

 

  AQR Funds—Prospectus   35

Investing With the AQR Funds

Each Fund offers Class I, Class N and Class R6 Shares. Each class of a Fund’s shares has a pro rata interest in the Fund’s investment portfolio, but differs as to expenses, distribution arrangements and the types of investors who may be eligible to invest in the share class. This prospectus describes the Class R6 Shares of the Funds. The Class I and Class N Shares of the Funds are offered in a separate prospectus. Call 1-866-290-2688 to obtain more information concerning the Funds’ other share classes, including the prospectus for these other share classes.

Prior to investing, non-U.S. residents should consult a qualified tax and/or legal adviser about whether purchasing shares of a Fund is a suitable investment given legal and tax ramifications; some non-U.S. persons may not be permitted to invest in a Fund, depending on applicable laws and regulations. In addition, investors from Canada or countries that are members of the European Union are not permitted to invest in any Fund without the prior consent of the Fund.

The Funds reserve the right to refuse any request to purchase shares.

ELIGIBILITY TO BUY CLASS R6 SHARES

Each Fund’s Class R6 Shares are offered exclusively to the following types of investors:

 

1)

Qualified defined contribution plans and 457 plans;

 

2)

Defined benefit plans, endowments and foundations, investment companies, corporations, insurance companies, trust companies, and other institutional investors not specifically enumerated;

 

3)

tax-exempt retirement plans of the Adviser and its affiliates and rollover accounts from those plans; and

 

4)

employees of the Adviser and affiliates, trustees and officers of the Trust and their immediate family members.

Any of the above eligible investors may invest either directly or through a financial advisor or other intermediaries not enumerated above.

Class R6 Shares are available directly from the Funds, or through certain financial intermediaries that have entered into appropriate agreements with the Funds’ Distributor, ALPS Distributors, Inc.

Class R6 Shares do not pay commissions or Rule 12b-1 Plan fees, or make administrative or service payments to financial intermediaries, sometimes referred to as “revenue sharing,” in connection with investments in Class R6 Shares.

INVESTMENT MINIMUMS

For eligibility groups 1 and 2 above, the minimum initial account size is $100,000. There is no minimum subsequent investment amount. For eligibility groups 4 and 5 above, there is no minimum initial account size or subsequent investment amount.

Investors may aggregate accounts for purposes of determining whether the minimum investment requirements have been met. Investors may also enter into a letter of intent indicating that they intend to meet the minimum investment requirement within an 18-month period.

Some financial intermediaries may impose different or additional eligibility and minimum investment requirements, including limiting the availability of Class R6 Shares to certain of the eligibility groups enumerated above. The Funds have the discretion to further modify, waive or reduce the above minimum investment requirements.

If a shareholder’s account size declines below the minimum initial investment amount described above, other than as a result of a decline in the NAV per share, the Funds reserve the right, upon 60 days’ notice, to convert the account to the lowest fee share class for which the shareholder is then eligible.

TYPES OF ACCOUNTS—CLASS R6 SHARES

You may set up your account in any of the following ways:

Individual or Joint Ownership. Individual accounts are owned by one person. Joint accounts can have two or more owners, and provide for rights of survivorship.

Gift or Transfer to a Minor (UGMA, UTMA). These gift or transfer accounts let you give money to a minor for any purpose. The gift is irrevocable and the minor gains control of the account once he/she reaches the age of majority. Your application should include the minor’s social security number.

Trust for Established Employee Benefit or Profit-Sharing Plan. The trust or plan must be established before you can open an account and you must include the date of establishment of the trust or plan on your application.

Business or Organization. You may invest money on behalf of a corporation, association, partnership or similar institution. You should include a certified resolution with your application that indicates which officers are authorized to act on behalf of the entity.


 

 

  AQR Funds—Prospectus   36

Retirement or Education. A qualified retirement account enables you to defer taxes on investment income and capital gains. Your contributions may be tax-deductible. For detailed information on the tax advantages and consequences of investing in individual retirement accounts (IRAs) and retirement plan accounts, please consult your tax advisor. The types of IRAs available to you are: Traditional IRA, Roth IRA, Rollover IRA, SIMPLE IRA, SEP IRA and Coverdell Education Savings Account (formerly called an Education IRA). The IRA and Coverdell Education Savings Account custodian charges an annual maintenance fee (currently $15.00) per IRA or ESA holder.

The Funds may be used as an investment in other kinds of retirement plans, including, but not limited to, Keogh plans maintained by self-employed individuals or owner-employees, traditional pension plans, corporate profit-sharing and money purchase pension plans, section 403(b)(7) custodial tax-deferred annuity plans, other plans maintained by tax-exempt organizations, cash balance plans and any and all other types of retirement plans. All of these accounts need to be established by the plan’s trustee and the plan’s trustee should contact the Funds regarding the establishment of an investment relationship.

SHARE PRICE

Net Asset Value. The price you pay for a share of a Fund, and the price you receive upon selling or redeeming a share of that Fund, is called the Fund’s net asset value (“NAV”) per share. Each Fund’s NAV per share is generally calculated as of the scheduled close of trading on the New York Stock Exchange (the “NYSE”) (normally 4:00 p.m. Eastern time) on each day during which the NYSE is open for trading (a Business Day). Each Fund determines an NAV per share for each class of its shares. The price at which a purchase or redemption order is effected is based upon the next NAV calculation after the purchase or redemption order is received by the Fund (or its agent) in proper form. If there is an unscheduled NYSE closure prior to 4:00 p.m. Eastern time, transaction deadlines and NAV calculations may occur at 4:00 p.m. Eastern time or at an earlier time, if the particular closure directly affects the NYSE but other exchanges remain open for trading. Each Fund reserves the right to change the time its NAV is calculated if otherwise permitted by the 1940 Act or pursuant to statements from the SEC or its staff. The NAV per share of a class of a Fund is computed by dividing the total current value of the assets of the Fund attributable to a class, less class liabilities, by the total number of shares of that class of the Fund outstanding at the time the computation is made.

Foreign markets may be open at different times and on different days than the NYSE, meaning that the value of the Funds’ shares may change on days when shareholders are not able to buy or sell their shares. Foreign currencies, securities and other assets and liabilities denominated in foreign currencies are translated into U.S. dollars at the exchange rates generally determined as of 4:00 p.m. (Eastern time).

For purposes of calculating the NAV, portfolio securities and other assets are valued on each Business Day using valuation methods adopted by the Board of Trustees (the “Trust’s Valuation Procedures”). The Adviser makes the day-to-day valuation determinations subject to the oversight of the Board of Trustees. The Adviser has established a Valuation Committee (the “VC”) whose function is to monitor the valuation of portfolio securities and other assets of the Funds and determine in good faith the value of portfolio holdings of the Funds in accordance with the Trust’s Valuation Procedures.

Where market quotes are readily available, market value is generally determined on the basis of official closing prices or the last reported sales prices, or if no sales are reported, based on quotes obtained from pricing services or established market makers. Where market quotations are not readily available, or if an available market quotation is determined not to represent fair value, a security or other asset will be fair valued as determined by the VC in accordance with the Trust’s Valuation Procedures. When fair value pricing is employed, the prices used by a Fund to calculate its NAV may differ from quoted or published prices. Valuing securities or other assets at fair value involves greater reliance on judgment than valuation of securities or other assets based on readily available market quotations. A Fund that uses fair value to price securities or other assets may value those securities or other assets higher or lower than another mutual fund using market quotations or its own fair value procedures to price the same securities or other assets. The price at which a security or other asset is ultimately sold can differ from the price at which the security or other asset was fair valued.

Equity securities, including securities sold short, rights, warrants, ETFs and closed-end investment companies, are valued at the last quoted sales prices or official closing prices taken from the primary market in which each security trades. Investments in open-end investment companies are valued at such investment company’s current day closing net asset value per share. An equity for which no sales are reported, as in the case of a security that is traded in the over-the-counter market or a less liquid listed equity, is valued at its last bid price (in the case of short sales, at the ask price).

Fixed income securities (other than certain short-term investments maturing in less than 61 days) and other investments that trade in markets that are not considered to be active, are valued based on quoted market prices, dealer quotations or alternative pricing sources supported by observable inputs. Corporate and sovereign bonds and other fixed-income instruments are valued at estimated fair value using the latest bid prices or evaluated quotes furnished by independent pricing services, as well as quotations from counterparties and other market participants. Short-term debt investments maturing in less than 61 days are generally valued at amortized cost.

Equities or fixed income securities traded outside of the Western Hemisphere are fair valued daily in accordance with the Trust’s Valuation Procedures. The Funds generally apply daily fair value factors, furnished by an independent pricing service, to account for the market movement between the close of the foreign market on which a security is traded and the close of the NYSE.


 

 

  AQR Funds—Prospectus   37

Futures and option contracts that are listed on national exchanges and are freely tradable are valued based on their last sales price on the date of determination on the exchange that constitutes their principal market or, if no sales occurred on such date, at the “mid-market” price on such exchange at the close of business on such date. Centrally cleared swaps listed or traded on a multilateral trade facility platform, such as a registered exchange, are valued using quotations provided by an independent pricing service or at the daily settlement price determined by the respective exchange.

Over-the-counter (“OTC”) derivatives, including forward contracts and swap contracts, are valued by the Funds on a daily basis using observable inputs, such as quotations provided by an independent pricing service, the counterparty, dealers or brokers, whenever available and considered to represent fair value. The value of each total return swap contract and total return basket swap contract is derived from a combination of (i) the net value of the underlying positions, which are valued daily using the last sale or closing price on the principal exchange on which the securities are traded; (ii) financing costs; (iii) the value of dividends or accrued interest; (iv) cash balances within the swap; and (v) other factors, as applicable.

The Funds value the repurchase agreements and reverse repurchase agreements they have entered into based on the respective contract amounts, which approximate fair value. As such, repurchase agreements are carried at the amount of cash paid plus accrued interest receivable (or interest payable in periods of increased demand for collateral), and reverse repurchase agreements are carried at the amount of cash received plus accrued interest payable (or interest receivable in periods of increased demand for collateral).

You may obtain information as to a Fund’s current NAV per share by visiting the Funds’ website at https://funds.aqr.com or by calling (866) 290-2688.

GENERAL PURCHASING POLICIES

 

 

You may purchase a Fund’s Class R6 Shares at the NAV per share next determined following receipt of your purchase order in good order by a Fund or an authorized financial intermediary or other agent of a Fund. A purchase, exchange or redemption order is in “good order” when a Fund, its Distributor and/or its agent, receives all required information, including properly completed and signed documents. Financial intermediaries authorized to accept purchase orders on behalf of a Fund are responsible for timely transmitting those orders to the Fund.

 

 

You may purchase a Fund’s Class R6 Shares through certain financial intermediaries (and other intermediaries these firms may designate) without the imposition of any sales charges. See “How to Buy Class R6 Shares” below.

 

 

Once a Fund accepts your purchase order, you may not cancel or revoke it; however, you may redeem the shares. A Fund is deemed to have received a purchase or redemption order when an authorized financial intermediary (or its authorized designee) receives the order. A Fund may withhold redemption proceeds until it is reasonably satisfied it has received your payment. This confirmation process may take up to 10 days.

 

 

Each Fund reserves the right to cancel any purchase or exchange order it receives if the Trust believes that it is in the best interest of the Fund’s shareholders to do so.

 

 

Financial intermediaries purchasing a Fund’s shares on behalf of its customers must pay for such shares by the time designated by the agreement with the financial intermediary, which is generally on the first Business Day following the receipt of the order. When authorized by the Trust, certain financial intermediaries may be permitted to delay payment for purchases, but in no case later than the third Business Day following the receipt of the order. If payment is not received by this time, the order may be canceled. The financial intermediary or the underlying customer is responsible for any costs or losses incurred if payment is delayed or not received.

GENERAL REDEMPTION POLICIES

 

 

You may redeem a Fund’s Class R6 Shares at the NAV per share next-determined following receipt of your redemption order in good order by the Fund or an authorized financial intermediary or other agent of the Fund.

 

 

The Funds cannot accept a redemption request that specifies a particular redemption date or price.

 

 

Once a Fund accepts your redemption order, you may not cancel or revoke it.

 

 

The Funds generally will transmit redemption proceeds within seven days after receipt of your redemption request. If you recently made a purchase, the Funds may withhold redemption proceeds until they are reasonably satisfied that they have received your payment. This confirmation process may take up to 10 days.

 

 

The Funds reserve the right at any time without prior notice to suspend, limit, modify or terminate any privilege, including the telephone exchange privilege, or its use in any manner by any person or class.

Redemption in Kind. The Funds generally intend to pay all redemptions in cash. Each Fund is obligated to redeem shares solely in cash up to the lesser of $250,000 or 1% of the Fund’s NAV during any 90-day period for any one shareholder. Redemptions in excess of those amounts will normally be paid in cash, but may be paid wholly or partly by a distribution in kind of marketable securities. Brokerage costs may be incurred by a shareholder who receives securities and desires to convert them to cash. Also, the portfolio securities received may increase or decrease in value before the investor can convert them into cash.


 

 

  AQR Funds—Prospectus   38

Excessive and Short-Term Trading. The Funds are intended for long-term investment purposes, and thus purchases, redemptions and exchanges of Fund shares should be made with a view toward long-term investment objectives. Excessive trading, short-term trading and other abusive trading activities may be detrimental to a Fund and its long-term shareholders by disrupting portfolio management strategies, increasing brokerage and administrative costs, harming Fund performance and diluting the value of shares. Such trading may also require a Fund to sell securities to meet redemptions, which could cause taxable events that impact shareholders. If your investment horizon is not long-term, then you should not invest in the Funds.

The Board of Trustees has adopted policies and procedures that seek to discourage and not accommodate excessive or short-term trading activities. These policies and procedures include the use of fair value pricing of international securities and periodic review of shareholder trading activity and provide each Fund with the ability to suspend or terminate telephone or internet redemption privileges and any exchange privileges. In addition, the Funds reserve the right to refuse any purchase or exchange request that, in the view of the Adviser, could adversely affect any Fund or its operations, including any purchase or exchange request from any individual, group or account that is likely to engage in excessive short-term trading, or any order that may be viewed as market-timing activity. With respect to the review of shareholder trading activity, the Funds have set and utilize a set of criteria believed to serve as a preliminary indicator of market-timing and/or excessive short-term trading activity (referred to herein, as “Shareholder Criteria”) and review each account meeting this criteria. If, after review of these accounts, the transaction history of an account appears to indicate excessive short-term trading or market timing, the Fund will work with the Fund’s Transfer Agent to restrict or prohibit further purchases or exchanges of shares for the account. In addition, if the transaction history of an omnibus account appears to indicate the possibility of excessive trading, short-term trading or market timing, the Fund or the Adviser may request underlying shareholder information from the financial intermediary associated with the omnibus account pursuant to Rule 22c-2 under the 1940 Act. Upon receipt of the underlying shareholder information from the financial intermediary, the Fund or the Adviser will review any of the underlying shareholder accounts meeting the Shareholder Criteria and if the transaction history of an underlying shareholder appears to indicate excessive trading, short-term trading or market timing, the Adviser may instruct the financial intermediary to restrict or prohibit further purchases or exchanges of Fund shares by the underlying shareholder.

Despite the Funds’ efforts to detect and prevent abusive trading activity, there can be no assurance that the Funds will be able to identify all of those who may engage in abusive trading and curtail their activity in every instance. In particular, it may be difficult to curtail such activity in certain omnibus accounts and other accounts traded through intermediaries, despite arrangements the Funds have entered into with the intermediaries to provide access to account level trading information. Omnibus accounts are comprised of multiple investors whose purchases, exchanges and redemptions are aggregated before being submitted to the Funds.

OTHER POLICIES

No Certificates. The issuance of shares is recorded electronically on the books of the Funds. You will receive a confirmation of, or account statement reflecting, each new transaction in your account, which will also show the total number of shares of each Fund you own. You can rely on these statements in lieu of certificates. The Funds do not issue certificates representing shares of the Funds.

Frozen Accounts. The Funds may be required to “freeze” your account if there appears to be suspicious activity or if account information matches information on a government list of known terrorists or other suspicious persons.

Small Account Policy. Each Fund reserves the right, upon 60 days’ written notice to:

 

  a)

redeem at NAV the shares of any shareholder whose account has a value in the Fund of less than the minimum initial investment requirement described under “Investing With the AQR Funds—Investment Minimums,” other than as a result of a decline in the NAV per share, or

 

  b)

permit an exchange for shares of another class of the same Fund if the shareholder requests an exchange in lieu of redemption in accordance with subparagraph (a) above.

Before a Fund redeems such shares and sends the proceeds to the shareholder, it will notify the shareholder that the value of the shares in the account is less than the minimum amount and will allow the shareholder 60 days to make an additional investment in an amount that will increase the value of the account(s) to the minimum amount specified above before the redemption is processed. As a sale of your Fund shares, this redemption may have tax consequences.


 

 

  AQR Funds—Prospectus   39

How to Buy Class R6 Shares

HOW TO BUY SHARES

You can open an account and make an initial purchase of shares of the Funds directly from the Funds or through certain financial intermediaries that have entered into appropriate arrangements with the Funds’ Distributor, ALPS Distributors, Inc.

To open an account and make an initial purchase directly with the Funds, you can mail a check or other negotiable bank draft (payable to AQR Funds) in the applicable minimum amount, along with a completed and signed Account Application, to AQR Funds, P.O. Box 2248, Denver, CO 80201-2248. You may also fax your completed Account Application to 1-866-205-1499. To obtain an Account Application, call (866) 290-2688 or download one from https://funds.aqr.com. A completed Account Application must include your valid taxpayer identification number. You may be subject to penalties if you falsify information with respect to your tax identification number.

Payment must be in U.S. dollars by a check drawn on a bank in the United States, wire transfer or electronic transfer. The Funds will not accept cash, traveler’s checks, starter checks, money orders, third party checks (except for properly endorsed IRA rollover checks), checks drawn on foreign banks or checks issued by credit card companies or Internet-based companies. Shares purchased by checks that are returned will be canceled and you will be liable for any losses or fees incurred by the Fund or its agents, including bank handling charges for returned checks.

You may also open an account or make an initial purchase directly with the Funds by wire transfer from your bank account to your Fund account along with mailing or faxing your completed Account Application as described above. To place a purchase by wire, please call (866) 290-2688 for more information.

After you have opened an account, you can make subsequent purchases of shares of the Funds through your financial intermediary or directly from the Funds, depending on where your account is established. To purchase additional shares directly from the Funds, you may do so by mail, wire or fax following the instructions described above.

Depending upon the terms of your account, you may pay account fees for services provided in connection with your investment in a Fund. The Funds have authorized certain financial intermediaries (such as broker-dealers, investment advisors or financial institutions) to accept purchase and redemption orders on behalf of the Funds. These financial intermediaries may charge their customers a transaction or service fee. Your financial intermediary can provide you with information about these services and charges. You should read this prospectus in conjunction with any such information you receive.

The Funds do not consider the U.S. Postal Service or other independent delivery services to be their agents. Therefore, deposit in the mail or with such services, or receipt at the Funds’ post office box, of purchase orders, redemption requests or exchange requests does not constitute receipt by the Funds.

Section 12(d)(1) of the 1940 Act restricts investments by investment companies in the securities of other investment companies. Registered investment companies are permitted to invest in each Fund beyond the limits set forth in Section 12(d)(1), subject to certain terms and conditions set forth in SEC rules or in an SEC exemptive order issued to the Trust. In order for a registered investment company to invest in shares of a Fund beyond the limitations of Section 12(d)(1) pursuant to the exemptive relief obtained by the Trust, the registered investment company must enter into an agreement with the Trust.

AUTOMATIC INVESTMENT PLAN

The Funds offer an Automatic Investment Plan for current and prospective investors in which you may make monthly investments in one or more of the Funds. Sums for investment will be automatically withdrawn from your checking or savings account on the day you specify. If you do not specify a day, the transaction will occur on the 20th of each month or the next Business Day if the 20th is not a Business Day. Please call (866) 290-2688 if you would like more information.

CUSTOMER IDENTIFICATION PROGRAM

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 that opens a new account, and to determine whether such person’s name appears on government lists of known or suspected terrorists and terrorist organizations.

As a result, the Funds must obtain the following information for each person that opens a new account:

 

 

Name;

 

 

Date of birth (for individuals);

 

 

Residential or business street address (although post office boxes are still permitted for mailing); and

 

 

Social Security number, taxpayer identification number, or other identifying number.

You may also be asked for a copy of your driver’s license, passport or other identifying document in order to verify your identity. In addition, it may be necessary to verify your identity by cross-referencing your identification information with a consumer report or other electronic database. Additional information may be required to open accounts for corporations and other entities.


 

 

  AQR Funds—Prospectus   40

Federal law prohibits the Funds and other financial institutions from opening a new account unless they receive the minimum identifying information listed above. After an account is opened, the Funds may restrict your ability to purchase additional shares until your identity is verified. The Funds may close your account or take other appropriate action if they are unable to verify your identity within a reasonable time. If your account is closed for this reason, your shares will be redeemed at the NAV next calculated after the account is closed.

The Funds and their agents will not be responsible for any loss in an investor’s account resulting from the investor’s delay in providing all required identifying information or from closing an account and redeeming an investor’s shares when an investor’s identity is not verified.

eDELIVERY

eDelivery allows you to receive your quarterly account statements, transaction confirmations and other important information concerning your investment in the Funds online. Select this option on your Account Application to receive email notifications when quarterly statements and confirmations are available for you to view via secure online access. You will also receive emails whenever a new prospectus, semi-annual or annual fund report is available. To establish eDelivery, call (866) 290-2688 or visit https://funds.aqr.com.


 

 

  AQR Funds—Prospectus   41

How to Redeem Class R6 Shares

You may normally redeem your shares on any Business Day, i.e., any day during which the NYSE is open for trading. Redemptions of Class R6 Shares are priced at the NAV per share next determined after receipt of a redemption request in good order by the Funds’ Distributor, the Funds or an authorized agent of the Funds. A financial intermediary may charge its customers a transaction or service fee in connection with redemptions, and will have its own procedures for arranging for redemptions of the Funds’ shares. If you have purchased your Fund shares through a financial intermediary, consult your intermediary for more information.

None of the Funds, the Adviser, the Distributor and the Transfer Agent of the Funds, nor any of their affiliates or agents will be liable for any loss, expense or cost when acting upon any oral, wired or electronically transmitted instructions or inquiries believed by them to be genuine.

While precautions will be taken, as more fully described below, you bear the risk of any loss as the result of unauthorized telephone redemptions or exchanges believed to be genuine, subject to applicable law. The Funds will employ reasonable procedures to confirm that instructions communicated are genuine. These procedures include recording phone conversations, sending confirmations to shareholders within 72 hours of the telephone transaction, verifying the account name and sending redemption proceeds only to the address of record or to a previously authorized bank account.

BY TELEPHONE

You may redeem your shares by telephone if you choose that option on your Account Application. If you did not originally select the telephone option, you must provide written instructions to the Funds in order to add this option. The maximum amount that may be redeemed by telephone at any one time is $50,000. You may have the proceeds mailed to your address of record or wired to a bank account previously designated on the Account Application.

BY MAIL

To redeem by mail, you must send a written request for redemption to the Funds, AQR Funds, P.O. Box 2248, Denver, CO 80201-2248. The Funds’ Transfer Agent will require a Medallion Signature Guarantee. A Medallion Signature Guarantee may be obtained from a domestic bank or trust company, broker, dealer, clearing agency, savings association, or other financial institution that is participating in a medallion program recognized by the Securities Transfer Association. Signature guarantees from financial institutions that are not participating in one of these programs are not accepted as Medallion Signature Guarantees. The Medallion Signature Guarantee requirement will be waived if all of the following conditions apply: (1) the redemption check is payable to the shareholder(s) of record; (2) the redemption check is mailed to the shareholder(s) at the address of record; (3) an application is on file with the Transfer Agent; and (4) the proceeds of the redemption are $50,000 or less. The Transfer Agent cannot send an overnight package to a post office box.

BY FAX

You may redeem your shares by faxing a written request for redemption to 1-866-205-1499. You may have the proceeds mailed to your address of record or wired to a bank account previously designated on the Account Application.

BY SYSTEMATIC WITHDRAWAL

You may elect to have monthly electronic transfers ($250 minimum) made to your bank account from your Funds account. Your Funds account must have a minimum balance of $10,000 and automatically have all dividends and capital gains reinvested. The transfer will be made on the Business Day you specify (or the next Business Day) to your designated account or a check will be mailed to your address of record. If you do not specify a day, the transfer will be made on the 20th day of each month or the next Business Day if the 20th is not a Business Day.

RETIREMENT ACCOUNTS

To redeem shares from an IRA, Roth IRA, SIMPLE IRA, SEP IRA, 403(b) or other retirement account, you must mail a completed and signed Distribution Form to the Funds. You may not redeem shares of an IRA, Roth IRA, SIMPLE IRA, SEP IRA, 403(b) or other retirement account by telephone or via the Internet.

PAYMENTS OF REDEMPTION PROCEEDS

Redemption orders are valued at the NAV per share next determined after the shares are properly tendered for redemption, as described above. Payment for shares redeemed generally will be made within seven days after receipt of a valid request for redemption. The Funds may temporarily stop redeeming shares or delay payment of redemption proceeds when the NYSE is closed or trading on the NYSE is restricted, when an emergency exists and the Funds cannot sell shares or accurately determine the value of assets, or if the SEC orders the Funds to suspend redemptions or delay payment of redemption proceeds.

At various times, a Fund may be requested to redeem shares for which it has not yet received good payment. If this is the case, the forwarding of proceeds may be delayed until payment has been collected for the purchase of the shares. The delay may last


 

 

  AQR Funds—Prospectus   42

10 days or more. The Funds intend to forward the redemption proceeds as soon as good payment for purchase orders has been received. This delay may be avoided if shares are purchased by wire transfer. The Funds intend to pay cash for all shares redeemed, except in cases noted above under the heading “General Redemption Policies,” in which case payment for certain large redemptions may be made wholly or partly in portfolio securities that have a market value equal to the redemption price. You may incur brokerage costs in converting the portfolio securities to cash.

By Check

You may have a check for the redemption proceeds mailed to your address of record. To change the address to which a redemption check is to be mailed, you must send a written request with a Medallion Signature Guarantee to the Funds, AQR Funds, P.O. Box 2248, Denver, CO 80201-2248.

By ACH Transfer

If your bank account is ACH active, you may have your redemption proceeds sent to your bank account via ACH transfer.

By Wire Transfer

You can arrange for the proceeds of a redemption to be sent by wire transfer to a single previously designated bank account if you have given authorization for expedited wire redemption on your Funds Account Application. This redemption option does not apply to shares held in broker “street name” accounts. If a request for a wire redemption is received by the Funds prior to the close of the NYSE, the shares will be redeemed that day at the next determined NAV, and the proceeds will generally be sent to the designated bank account the next Business Day. The bank must be a member of the Federal Reserve wire system. Delivery of the proceeds of a wire redemption request may be delayed by the Funds for up to seven days if deemed appropriate under then current market conditions. Redeeming shareholders will be notified if a delay in transmitting proceeds is anticipated. The Funds cannot be responsible for the efficiency of the Federal Reserve wire system or the shareholder’s bank. You are responsible for any charges imposed by your bank. The Funds reserve the right to terminate the wire redemption privilege. Shares purchased by check may not be redeemed by wire transfer until the shares have been owned (i.e., paid for) for at least 15 days. To change the name of the single bank account designated to receive wire redemption proceeds, you must send a written request with a Medallion Signature Guarantee to the Funds, AQR Funds, P.O. Box 2248, Denver, CO 80201-2248. If you elect to have the payment wired to your bank, a wire transfer fee of $30.00 may be charged by the Funds.

The Funds do not consider the U.S. Postal Service or other independent delivery services to be their agents. Therefore, deposit in the mail or with such services, or receipt at the Funds’ post office box, of purchase orders, redemption requests or exchange requests does not constitute receipt by the Funds.


 

 

  AQR Funds—Prospectus   43

How to Exchange Class R6 Shares

You may exchange shares of a Fund for any class of shares of another Fund or any other series of the Trust (each, a “Series”), provided that you meet all eligibility requirements for investment in the particular class of shares. See “Investing with the AQR Funds” in this prospectus for more details. Exchanges may be made on any day during which the NYSE is open for trading.

Exchanges are priced at the NAV per share next determined after receipt of an exchange request in good order by the Funds’ Distributor, the Funds or an authorized financial intermediary or other agent of the Funds. A financial intermediary may charge its customers a transaction or service fee in connection with exchanges, and will have its own procedures for arranging for exchanges of the Funds’ shares. If you have purchased your Fund shares through a financial intermediary, consult your intermediary for more information.

An exchange of shares of one Fund for shares of another Fund or Series is considered a sale and generally results in a capital gain or loss for federal income tax purposes, unless you are investing through an IRA, 401(k) or other tax-advantaged account. You should talk to your tax advisor before making an exchange.

None of the Funds, the Adviser, the Distributor and the Transfer Agent of the Funds, nor any of their affiliates or agents will be liable for any loss, expense or cost when acting upon any oral, wired or electronically transmitted instructions or inquiries believed by them to be genuine, subject to applicable law.

While precautions will be taken, as more fully described below, you bear the risk of any loss as the result of unauthorized telephone exchanges believed to be genuine. The Funds will employ reasonable procedures to confirm that instructions communicated are genuine. These procedures include recording phone conversations, sending confirmations to shareholders within 72 hours of the telephone transaction and verifying the account name.

Always be sure to read the prospectus of the Fund or Series into which you are exchanging shares. To receive a current copy of a Fund’s or Series’ prospectus, please call 1-866-290-2688 or visit https://funds.aqr.com.

The Funds do not consider the U.S. Postal Service or other independent delivery services to be their agents. Therefore, deposit in the mail or with such services, or receipt at the Funds’ post office box, of purchase orders, redemption requests or exchange requests does not constitute receipt by the Funds.

RESTRICTIONS

 

 

If you bought shares through a financial intermediary, contact your financial intermediary to learn which Funds, Series and share classes your financial intermediary makes available to you for exchanges.

 

 

Exchanges may be made only between accounts that have identical registrations.

 

 

Not all Funds or Series offer all share classes.

 

 

You will generally be required to meet the minimum investment requirement for the class of shares into which your exchange is made.

 

 

Your exchange will also be subject to any other requirements of the Fund, Series or share class into which, or from which, you are exchanging shares, including the imposition of sales loads and/or subscription or redemption fees (if applicable).

 

 

The exchange privilege is not intended as a vehicle for short-term trading. The Funds or Series may suspend or terminate your exchange privilege if you engage in a pattern of excessive exchanges.

 

 

Each Fund and Series reserves the right to cancel any purchase or exchange order it receives if the Trust believes that it is in the best interest of the Fund’s or Series’ (as applicable) shareholders to do so.

BY TELEPHONE

Contact your financial intermediary or, if you purchased your shares directly from the Funds, you may exchange your shares by telephone if you choose that option on your Account Application by calling 1-866-290-2688. If you did not originally select the telephone option, you must provide written instructions to the Funds in order to add this option.

BY MAIL

Contact your financial intermediary or, if you purchased your shares through the Distributor, you must send a written request for exchange to the Funds at the following address:

AQR Funds

P.O. Box 2248

Denver, CO 80201-2248


 

 

  AQR Funds—Prospectus   44

BY SYSTEMATIC EXCHANGE PLAN

You may be permitted to schedule automatic exchanges of shares of a Fund for shares of other Funds or Series available for exchange. All requirements for exchanging shares described above apply to these exchanges. In addition:

 

 

Exchanges may be made monthly.

 

 

Each exchange must meet the applicable investment minimums for automatic investment plans (see “How to Buy Class R6 Shares”).

For more information, please contact your financial intermediary or the Funds.

The Funds also reserve the right to permit exchanges of shares of a Fund for shares of another class of the same Fund.


 

  AQR Funds—Prospectus   45

Certain Additional Payments

The Adviser (or an affiliate) may make payments out of its own resources to certain intermediaries or their affiliates based on sales or assets attributable to the intermediary, or such other criteria agreed to by the Adviser in connection with the sale or distribution of a Fund’s shares or the administration of shareholder accounts. The Adviser selects the intermediaries to which it or its affiliate makes payments. These additional payments to intermediaries, which are sometimes referred to as “revenue sharing” payments, may represent a premium over payments made by other fund families, and investment professionals may have an added incentive to sell or recommend a Fund or a share class of the Fund over others offered by competing fund families. Ask your investment professional for more information.

The Adviser and the Funds’ Distributor may make other payments or allow promotional incentives to broker-dealers to the extent permitted by SEC and Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA) rules and by other applicable laws and regulations.


 

 

  AQR Funds—Prospectus   46

Distributions and Taxes

DISTRIBUTIONS

Each Fund distributes to its shareholders substantially all net investment income as dividends and any net capital gains realized from sales of the Fund’s portfolio securities. Each of the Funds expects to declare and pay dividends annually. Net realized long-term capital gains, if any, are paid to shareholders at least annually.

All of your income dividends and capital gain distributions will be reinvested in additional shares unless you elect to have distributions paid by check. If any check from a Fund mailed to you is returned as undeliverable or is not presented for payment within six months, the Trust reserves the right to reinvest the check proceeds and future distributions in additional Fund shares.

TAXES

The following discussion of U.S. and non-U.S. taxation applies only to U.S. shareholders and is not intended to be a full discussion of income tax laws and their effect. You may wish to consult your own tax adviser.

Taxes on Transactions. When you redeem shares, you will experience a capital gain or loss if there is a difference between the tax basis of your shares and the price you receive when you redeem them. The federal tax treatment will depend on how long you owned the shares and your individual tax position. Any loss recognized on shares held for six months or less will be treated as a long-term capital loss to the extent of any long-term capital gain distributions that were received with respect to the shares. You may be subject to state and local taxes on your investment in a Fund, depending on the laws of your home state or locality.

Exchanges. If you exchange your shares of a Fund for shares of another class of the same Fund, it is not considered a taxable event and should not result in capital gain or loss. If you exchange your shares of a Fund for shares of another Fund, it is considered a sale and purchase of shares for federal income tax purposes and may result in a capital gain or loss.

Distributions. Distributions from investment income (dividends) and net short-term capital gains are taxable as ordinary income except as noted below. Distributions of long-term capital gains are taxable as long-term capital gains regardless of the length of time you have held your Fund shares. Although a Fund will not be taxed on amounts it distributes, distributions will be taxable to you whether received in cash or reinvested in Fund shares, unless you hold your Fund shares in an individual retirement account or other tax-deferred account. These accounts are subject to complex tax rules and you should consult your tax adviser about which tax rules will apply to your investment.

The Trust will send you an annual statement to advise you as to the source of your distributions for tax purposes.

Taxes on Distributions. Distributions are subject to federal income tax, and may be subject to state or local taxes. If you are a U.S. citizen residing outside the U.S., your distributions also may be taxed by the country in which you reside. Your distributions are taxable whether you take them in cash or reinvest them in additional shares.

For federal tax purposes, a Fund’s income and short-term capital gain distributions are taxed as ordinary income and long-term capital gain distributions are taxed as long-term capital gains, except that “qualified dividend income” of noncorporate investors who satisfy certain holding period requirements is taxed at long-term capital gain rates, which are 15% for individuals with income below approximately $415,000 ($465,000 if married filing jointly), amounts indexed annually for inflation, and 20% for individuals with any income in excess of those amounts that is net long-term capital gain or qualified dividend income. The character of a capital gain depends on the length of time that the Fund held the asset it sold.

A 3.8% Medicare contribution tax is imposed on net investment income, including, among other things, interest, dividends, and net gain, of U.S. individuals with income exceeding $200,000 (or $250,000 if married filing jointly), and of estates and trusts.

Dividends, including capital distributions, if declared in October, November or December and paid in the following January, are taxable to shareholders as if paid in December.

Every January or February, each of your Funds will send you and the IRS a statement called Form 1099 showing the amount of taxable distributions you received (including those reinvested in additional shares) in the previous calendar year.

Upon the sale or exchange of his shares, a shareholder will realize a taxable gain or loss equal to the difference between the amount realized and his basis in his shares. A redemption of shares by the Fund will be treated as a sale for this purpose. Such gain or loss will be treated as capital gain or loss if the shares are capital assets in the shareholder’s hands, and will be long-term capital gain or loss if the shares are held for more than one year and short-term capital gain or loss if the shares are held for one year or less. The 3.8% Medicare contribution tax (discussed above) will apply to gains from the sale or exchange of Fund shares.

Average Cost Calculation. Each shareholder is responsible for tax reporting and Fund share cost calculation. To facilitate your tax reporting, each Fund provides you with an average cost statement with your 1099 tax form. This average cost statement is based on transaction activity in an account for the period during which you held the account directly with the Fund.

Buying Into a Distribution. Purchasing a Fund’s shares in a taxable account shortly before a distribution by the Fund is sometimes called “buying into a distribution.” You pay income taxes on a distribution whether you reinvest the distribution in shares of the Fund or receive it in cash. In addition, you pay taxes on the distribution whether the value of your investment decreased, increased or remained the same after you bought shares of the Fund.


 

 

  AQR Funds—Prospectus   47

A Fund may build up capital gains during the period covered by a distribution (over the course of the year, for example) when securities in the Fund’s portfolio are sold at a profit. After subtracting any capital losses, the Fund distributes those gains to you and other shareholders, even if you did not own the shares when the gains occurred (if you did not hold the Fund earlier in the year, for example), and you incur the full tax liability on the distribution.

Non-U.S. Income Taxes. Investment income received by a Fund from sources within non-U.S. countries may be subject to non-U.S. income taxes withheld at the source. If a Fund pays nonrefundable taxes to non-U.S. countries during the year, the taxes will reduce the Fund’s return. However, if a Fund qualifies for, and makes, a special election, such non-U.S. taxes paid by the Fund will be included as an amount deemed distributed to shareholders as taxable income, and you may be able to claim an offsetting credit or deduction on your tax return for your share of these non-U.S. taxes.

For United Kingdom tax purposes, one or more of the Funds may apply for U.K. “reporting fund status”, which, if approved by U.K. tax authorities and implemented by a Fund, may allow certain U.K.-based investors certain tax benefits. Persons potentially subject to U.K. income tax should consult their personal tax advisers.

Backup Withholding. You must furnish to the Funds your properly certified social security or other tax identification number to avoid federal income tax backup withholding on dividends, distributions and redemption proceeds. If you do not do so or the IRS informs the Fund that your tax identification number is incorrect, the Fund may be required to withhold 28% of your taxable distributions and redemption proceeds. Because each Fund must promptly pay to the IRS all amounts withheld, it is usually not possible for a Fund to reimburse you for amounts withheld. You may claim the amount withheld as a credit on your federal income tax return.

The Code imposes a U.S. withholding tax of 30% on payments (including gross proceeds, beginning in 2019) that are attributable to certain U.S. investments and made to a non-U.S. financial institution, including a non-U.S. investment fund. Each Fund will withhold at this rate on certain of its distributions (including redemptions) unless any non-U.S. financial institution shareholder complies with certain reporting requirements to the IRS, or with the reporting requirements of an applicable intergovernmental agreement, in respect of its direct and indirect U.S. investors. Non-U.S. financial institution shareholders should consult their own tax advisers regarding the possible implications of these requirements on their investment in a Fund.


 

 

  AQR Funds—Prospectus   48

Financial Highlights

The Funds have not commenced operations as of the date of this prospectus. As a result, no financial performance information for the Funds is available.


 

  AQR Funds—Prospectus   49

Glossary of Terms

The following is a glossary of terms used throughout this prospectus and their definitions. This glossary is set forth solely for reference purposes. The terms summarized or referenced in this glossary are qualified in their entirety by the prospectus itself.

 

1940 Act

   the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended

Adviser

   AQR Capital Management, LLC

Advisory Agreement

   the investment advisory contract under which the Adviser serves as investment adviser to the Funds

Board of Trustees

   the Board of Trustees of the AQR Funds or any duly authorized committee thereof, as permitted by applicable law

Business Day

   each day during which the NYSE is open for trading

Code

   the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended

Distributor

   ALPS Distributors, Inc.

Good order

   a purchase, exchange or redemption order is in “good order” when a Fund, its Distributor and/or its agent, receives all required information, including properly completed and signed documents

IRS

   the Internal Revenue Service

MSCI EAFE Index

   the MSCI EAFE Index is a free float-adjusted market capitalization index that is designed to measure the performance of equities in developed markets, excluding the United States and Canada

MSCI Emerging Markets Index

   the MSCI Emerging Markets Index is a free float-adjusted market capitalization index that is designed to measure the performance of equities in emerging markets

Momentum

   the Adviser considers a security to have positive momentum primarily if it has a return over the prior twelve months that ranks in the top third of its relevant universe at the time of purchase. In assessing positive momentum, the Adviser may also consider additional factors, such as the security’s return over the most recent month and other time periods. The criteria the Adviser uses for determining positive momentum may change from time to time

Mutual fund

   an investment company registered under the 1940 Act that pools the money of many investors and invests it in a variety of securities in an effort to achieve a specific objective over time

NAV

   the net asset value of a particular Fund

NYSE

   the New York Stock Exchange

Rule 12b-1 Plan

   a plan pursuant to Rule 12b-1 under the 1940 Act, which permits a fund to pay distribution and shareholder servicing expenses out of fund assets

Russell 1000® Index

   the Russell 1000® Index measures the performance of the large- and mid-cap segment of the U.S. equity universe. It is a subset of the Russell 3000® Index and includes approximately 1,000 of the largest securities based on a combination of their market cap and current index membership. The Russell 1000® represents approximately 92% of the U.S. market. Indexes are unmanaged and one cannot invest directly in an index

Russell 2000® Index

   the Russell 2000® Index measures the performance of the small-cap segment of the U.S. equity universe. The Russell 2000® Index is a subset of the Russell 3000® Index representing approximately 10% of the total market capitalization of that index. It includes approximately 2,000 of the smallest securities based on a combination of their market cap and current index membership. Indexes are unmanaged and one cannot invest directly in an index

SEC

   U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission

Total return

   the percentage change, over a specified time period, in a mutual fund’s NAV, assuming the reinvestment of all distributions of dividends and capital gains

Tracking error

   a measure of how closely a portfolio follows the index to which it is benchmarked. It measures the standard deviation of the difference between the portfolio and index returns

Transfer Agent

   ALPS Fund Services, Inc.

Trust

   AQR Funds, a Delaware statutory trust

Volatility

   a statistical measure of the dispersion of returns of a security or fund or index, as measured by the annualized standard deviation of its returns. Higher volatility generally indicates higher risk


 

You may wish to read the Statement of Additional Information for more information about the Funds. The Statement of Additional Information is incorporated by reference into this prospectus, which means that it is considered to be part of this prospectus.

You may obtain free copies of the Funds’ Statement of Additional Information, request other information, and discuss your questions about the Funds by writing or calling:

AQR Funds

P.O. Box 2248

Denver, CO 80201-2248

(866) 290-2688

The requested documents will be sent within three Business Days of your request.

You may also obtain the Funds’ Statement of Additional Information, along with other information, free of charge, by visiting the Funds’ Web site at https://funds.aqr.com.

Text-only versions of all Fund documents can be viewed online or downloaded from the EDGAR Database on the SEC’s internet web site at www.sec.gov. You may also review and copy those documents by visiting the SEC’s Public Reference Room in Washington, DC. Information on the operation of the Public Reference Room may be obtained by calling the SEC at 202-551-8090. In addition, copies of the Fund documents may be obtained, after mailing the appropriate duplicating fee, by writing to the SEC’s Public Reference Section, Washington, DC 20549-1520 or by e-mail request at publicinfo@sec.gov.

Additional information about each Fund’s investments is available in the Fund’s annual and semi-annual reports to shareholders. In the Fund’s annual report, you will find a discussion of the market conditions and investment strategies that significantly affected the Fund’s performance during its last fiscal year.

AQR Funds

Investment Company Act File No.: 811-22235


 

LOGO

 

Privacy Notice for Individual Shareholders

The AQR Funds (the “Trust”) is committed to protecting your privacy. We are providing you with this privacy notice to inform you of how we handle your personal information that we collect and may disclose to our affiliates. If the Trust changes its information practices, we will provide you with notice of any material changes. This privacy policy supersedes any of our previous policies relating to the information you disclose to us.

Why this Privacy Policy Applies to You

You obtained a financial product or service from or through us for personal, family or household purposes when you opened a shareholder account with the Trust, and are therefore covered by this privacy policy.

What We do to Protect Your Personal Information

We protect personal information provided to us by our individual shareholders according to strict standards of security and confidentiality. We maintain physical, electronic and procedural safeguards that comply with federal standards to guard consumer information. We permit only authorized individuals, who are trained in the proper handling of individual shareholder information and need to access this information to do their job, to have access to this information.

Personal Information that We Collect and May Disclose

As part of providing you with the Trust’s products and services, we may obtain nonpublic personal information about you from the following sources:

 

 

Information we receive from you on subscription applications or other forms, such as your name, address, telephone number, Social Security number, occupation, assets and income;

 

 

Information about your transactions with us, such as your account balances, payment history and account activity; and

 

 

Information from public records we may access in the ordinary course of business.

When We May Disclose Your Personal Information to Unaffiliated Third Parties

We will only share your personal information collected, as described above, with unaffiliated third parties:

 

 

At your request;

 

 

When you authorize us to process or service a transaction or product (unaffiliated third parties in this instance may include service providers such as the Trust’s distributors, registrar and transfer agent for shareholder transactions, and other parties providing individual shareholder servicing, accounting and recordkeeping services);

 

 

With companies that perform sales and marketing services on our behalf with whom we have agreements to protect the confidentiality of your information and to use the information only for the purposes for which we disclose the information to them; or

 

 

When required by law to disclose such information to appropriate authorities.

We do not otherwise provide information about you to outside firms, organizations or individuals except to our attorneys, accountants and auditors and as permitted by law.

What We do with Personal Information about Our Former Customers

If you decide to discontinue doing business with us, the Trust will continue to adhere to this privacy policy with respect to the information we have in our possession about you and your account following the termination of our shareholder relationship.


LOGO

 

AQR Funds

P.O. Box 2248, Denver, CO 80201-2248

p: +1.866.290.2688  |  w: https://funds.aqr.com


AQR Funds

Statement of Additional Information

AQR MULTI-STYLE FUNDS

AQR Large Cap Multi-Style Fund

AQR Small Cap Multi-Style Fund

AQR International Multi-Style Fund

AQR Emerging Multi-Style Fund

AQR TM Large Cap Multi-Style Fund

AQR TM Small Cap Multi-Style Fund

AQR TM International Multi-Style Fund

AQR TM Emerging Multi-Style Fund

AQR MOMENTUM STYLE FUNDS

AQR Large Cap Momentum Style Fund

AQR Small Cap Momentum Style Fund

AQR International Momentum Style Fund

AQR Emerging Momentum Style Fund

AQR TM Large Cap Momentum Style Fund

AQR TM Small Cap Momentum Style Fund

AQR TM International Momentum Style Fund

AQR DEFENSIVE STYLE FUNDS

AQR Large Cap Defensive Style Fund

AQR International Defensive Style Fund

AQR Emerging Defensive Style Fund

AQR GLOBAL AND INTERNATIONAL EQUITY FUNDS

AQR Global Equity Fund

AQR International Equity Fund

AQR RELAXED CONSTRAINT EQUITY FUNDS

AQR Large Cap Relaxed Constraint Equity Fund

AQR Small Cap Relaxed Constraint Equity Fund

AQR International Relaxed Constraint Equity Fund

AQR Emerging Relaxed Constraint Equity Fund

December 12, 2016

Two Greenwich Plaza

Greenwich, CT 06830

(866) 290-2688

This Statement of Additional Information (“SAI”) is not a prospectus and should be read in conjunction with each Prospectus of the AQR Large Cap Relaxed Constraint Equity Fund, AQR Small Cap Relaxed Constraint Equity Fund, AQR International Relaxed Constraint Equity Fund, and AQR Emerging Relaxed Constraint Equity Fund dated December 12, 2016 (together the “Prospectus”) which have been filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) and can be obtained, without charge, by writing to AQR Funds, P.O. Box 2248, Denver, CO 80201-2248 or calling the telephone number given above. This SAI is incorporated by reference in its entirety in the Prospectus. Copies of the Prospectus, SAI and the most current annual and semi-annual reports, when available, may be obtained without charge by writing the address or calling the phone number shown above. Each series of AQR Funds has distinct investment objectives and strategies. This SAI relates only to the AQR Large Cap Relaxed Constraint Equity Fund, AQR Small Cap Relaxed Constraint Equity Fund, AQR International Relaxed Constraint Equity Fund, and AQR Emerging Relaxed Constraint Equity Fund.


Fund

 

Ticker Symbol

AQR Large Cap Multi-Style Fund

 

Class I

 

QCELX

Class N

 

QCENX

Class R6

 

QCERX

AQR Small Cap Multi-Style Fund

 

Class I

 

QSMLX

Class N

 

QSMNX

Class R6

 

QSERX

AQR International Multi-Style Fund

 

Class I

 

QICLX

Class N

 

QICNX

Class R6

 

QICRX

AQR Emerging Multi-Style Fund

 

Class I

 

QEELX

Class N

 

QEENX

Class R6

 

QECRX

AQR TM Large Cap Multi-Style Fund

 

Class I

 

QTLLX

Class N

 

QTLNX

Class R6

 

QTLRX

AQR TM Small Cap Multi-Style Fund

 

Class I

 

QSSLX

Class N

 

QSSNX

Class R6

 

QSSRX

AQR TM International Multi-Style Fund

 

Class I

 

QIMLX

Class N

 

QIMNX

Class R6

 

QIMRX

AQR TM Emerging Multi-Style Fund

 

Class I

 

QTELX

Class N

 

QTENX

Class R6

 

QTERX

AQR Large Cap Momentum Style Fund

 

Class I

 

AMOMX

Class N

 

AMONX

Class R6

 

QMORX

AQR Small Cap Momentum Style Fund

 

Class I

 

ASMOX

Class N

 

ASMNX

Class R6

 

QSMRX

AQR International Momentum Style Fund

 

Class I

 

AIMOX

Class N

 

AIONX

Class R6

 

QIORX

AQR Emerging Momentum Style Fund

 

Class I

 

QEMLX

Class N

 

QEMNX

Class R6

 

QEMRX

AQR TM Large Cap Momentum Style Fund

 

Class I

 

ATMOX

Class N

 

ATMNX

Class R6

 

QTMRX


Fund

 

Ticker Symbol

AQR TM Small Cap Momentum Style Fund

 

Class I

 

ATSMX

Class N

 

ATSNX

Class R6

 

QTSRX

AQR TM International Momentum Style Fund

 

Class I

 

ATIMX

Class N

 

ATNNX

Class R6

 

QTIRX

AQR Large Cap Defensive Style Fund

 

Class I

 

AUEIX

Class N

 

AUENX

Class R6

 

QUERX

AQR International Defensive Style Fund

 

Class I

 

ANDIX

Class N

 

ANDNX

Class R6

 

ANDRX

AQR Emerging Defensive Style Fund

 

Class I

 

AZEIX

Class N

 

AZENX

Class R6

 

AZERX

AQR Global Equity Fund

 

Class I

 

AQGIX

Class N

 

AQGNX

Class Y

 

AQGYX

Class R6

 

AQGRX

AQR International Equity Fund

 

Class I

 

AQIIX

Class N

 

AQINX

Class Y

 

AQIYX

Class R6

 

AQIRX

AQR Large Cap Relaxed Constraint Equity Fund

 

Class I

 

QLRIX

Class N

 

QLRNX

Class R6

 

QLRRX

AQR Small Cap Relaxed Constraint Equity Fund

 

Class I

 

QSRIX

Class N

 

QSRNX

Class R6

 

QSRRX

AQR International Relaxed Constraint Equity Fund

 

Class I

 

QIRIX

Class N

 

QIRNX

Class R6

 

QIRRX

AQR Emerging Relaxed Constraint Equity Fund

 

Class I

 

QERIX

Class N

 

QERNX

Class R6

 

QERRX


SECURITIES, INVESTMENT STRATEGIES AND RELATED RISKS

     2   

Borrowing and Leverage

     5   

Cash Management/Temporary Investments

     6   

Cybersecurity Risk

     6   

Depositary Receipts

     7   

Emerging Markets Investments

     7   

Equity Securities

     8   

Exchange-Traded Funds (“ETFs”)

     8   

Exchange Traded Notes (“ETNs”)

     9   

Foreign Investments

     9   

Foreign Exchange Risk and Currency Transactions

     10   

Forwards, Futures, Swaps and Options

     11   

Hedging Transactions

     18   

Illiquid Securities

     18   

Loans of Portfolio Securities

     19   

Margin Deposits and Cover Requirements

     19   

Mid Cap Securities Risk

     20   

Momentum Style Risk

     20   

REITs

     20   

Repurchase Agreements

     22   

Reverse Repurchase Agreements

     22   

Rights and Warrants

     22   

Securities of Other Investment Companies

     22   

Short Sales

     23   

Small Cap Securities Risk

     24   

Tax-Managed Investing

     24   

U.S. Government Securities

     24   

Risks Related to the Adviser and to its Quantitative and Statistical Approach

     25   

FUNDAMENTAL POLICIES

     26   

NON-FUNDAMENTAL INVESTMENT POLICIES RELATED TO FUND NAMES

     28   

MANAGEMENT OF THE FUNDS

     28   

Leadership Structure of the Board of Trustees

     31   

Board of Trustees and Committees

     32   

Committees of the Board of Trustees

     33   

Fund Ownership of the Trustees

     35   

Fund Ownership of the Trustees and Officers

     36   

Compensation of Trustees and Certain Officers

     36   

COMPENSATION TABLE

     36   

Personal Trading

     39   

Proxy Voting Policies and Procedures

     39   

Portfolio Holdings Disclosure

     39   

INVESTMENT ADVISORY AND OTHER SERVICES

     42   

Investment Adviser

     42   

Portfolio Manager Compensation

     49   

Portfolio Manager Holdings

     50   

Other Accounts Managed

     52   

Administrator and Fund Accountant

     54   

Distributor

     55   

Distribution Plan

     55   


Custodian

     56   

Transfer Agent and Dividend Disbursing Agent

     56   

Shareholder Services Agreement

     57   

DETERMINATION OF NET ASSET VALUE

     60   

Calculation of Offering Price

     62   

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION ABOUT PURCHASES AND REDEMPTION OF SHARES

     63   

Cut-Off Time for Purchase and Redemption Orders

     63   

Purchases In-Kind

     63   

Redemptions In-Kind

     63   

Involuntary Redemptions

     64   

Other Purchase and Redemption Information

     64   

PORTFOLIO TURNOVER

     65   

PORTFOLIO TRANSACTIONS AND BROKERAGE

     66   

ORGANIZATION OF THE TRUST AND A DESCRIPTION OF THE SHARES

     76   

TAXATION

     77   

Taxation of the Funds

     77   

Distributions

     78   

Sale of Shares

     79   

Original Issue Discount Securities

     80   

Market Discount Bonds

     80   

Futures, Options and Hedging Transactions

     80   

Currency Fluctuations-“Section 988” Gains or Losses

     81   

Short Sales

     81   

Swaps

     82   

Post-October Loss Deferral

     82   

Passive Foreign Investment Companies

     82   

Foreign Withholding Taxes

     83   

Backup Withholding

     83   

Foreign Shareholders

     83   

Other Taxation

     85   

COUNSEL AND INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM

     85   

REGISTRATION STATEMENT

     85   

APPENDIX A — PROXY VOTING POLICIES AND PROCEDURES

     86   

Proxy Voting Policies and Procedures

     86   


STATEMENT OF ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

AQR Funds (the “Trust”) is an open-end management investment company organized as a Delaware statutory trust on September 4, 2008, and is currently composed of forty-six series including, in part: AQR Large Cap Multi-Style Fund, AQR Small Cap Multi-Style Fund, AQR International Multi-Style Fund, AQR Emerging Multi-Style Fund, AQR TM Large Cap Multi-Style Fund, AQR TM Small Cap Multi-Style Fund, AQR TM International Multi-Style Fund, AQR TM Emerging Multi-Style Fund, AQR Large Cap Momentum Style Fund, AQR Small Cap Momentum Style Fund, AQR International Momentum Style Fund, AQR Emerging Momentum Style Fund, AQR TM Large Cap Momentum Style Fund, AQR TM Small Cap Momentum Style Fund, AQR TM International Momentum Style Fund, AQR Large Cap Defensive Style Fund, AQR International Defensive Style Fund, AQR Emerging Defensive Style Fund, AQR Global Equity Fund, AQR International Equity Fund, AQR Large Cap Relaxed Constraint Equity Fund, AQR Small Cap Relaxed Constraint Equity Fund, AQR International Relaxed Constraint Equity Fund and AQR Emerging Relaxed Constraint Equity Fund (each a “Fund” and collectively, “Funds”). Each Fund has distinct investment objectives and strategies. This SAI relates only to the AQR Large Cap Relaxed Constraint Equity Fund, AQR Small Cap Relaxed Constraint Equity Fund, AQR International Relaxed Constraint Equity Fund and AQR Emerging Relaxed Constraint Equity Fund, each of which has the same fiscal year-end of September 30 as the other Funds in this SAI. The AQR Diversified Arbitrage Fund, AQR Managed Futures Strategy Fund, AQR Risk Parity Fund, AQR Multi-Strategy Alternative Fund, AQR Risk-Balanced Commodities Strategy Fund, AQR Risk Parity II MV Fund, AQR Risk Parity II HV Fund, AQR Long-Short Equity Fund, AQR Managed Futures Strategy HV Fund, AQR Style Premia Alternative Fund, AQR Global Macro Fund, AQR Equity Market Neutral Fund, AQR Style Premia Alternative LV Fund and AQR Style Premia Alternative II Fund are also series of the Trust and are described in a separate Statement of Additional Information.

Effective January 28, 2015, the Board of Trustees of the AQR Funds approved changing the names of the following Funds:

 

Former Name

 

Current Name

AQR Core Equity Fund

 

AQR Large Cap Multi-Style Fund

AQR Small Cap Core Equity Fund

 

AQR Small Cap Multi-Style Fund

AQR International Core Equity Fund

 

AQR International Multi-Style Fund

AQR Emerging Core Equity Fund

 

AQR Emerging Multi-Style Fund

AQR Momentum Fund

 

AQR Large Cap Momentum Style Fund

AQR Small Cap Momentum Fund

 

AQR Small Cap Momentum Style Fund

AQR International Momentum Fund

 

AQR International Momentum Style Fund

AQR Emerging Momentum Fund

 

AQR Emerging Momentum Style Fund

AQR Tax-Managed Momentum Fund

 

AQR TM Large Cap Momentum Style Fund

AQR Tax-Managed Small Cap Momentum Fund

 

AQR TM Small Cap Momentum Style Fund

AQR Tax-Managed International Momentum Fund

 

AQR TM International Momentum Style Fund

AQR U.S. Defensive Equity Fund

 

AQR Large Cap Defensive Style Fund

AQR International Defensive Equity Fund

 

AQR International Defensive Style Fund

AQR Emerging Defensive Equity Fund

 

AQR Emerging Defensive Style Fund

Effective April 1, 2015, the Board of Trustees of the AQR Funds approved the reclassification of Class L Shares as Class I Shares for each of following Funds: AQR Large Cap Multi-Style Fund, AQR Small Cap Multi-Style Fund, AQR International Multi-Style Fund, AQR Emerging Multi-Style Fund, AQR TM Large Cap Multi-Style Fund, AQR TM Small Cap Multi-Style Fund, AQR TM International Multi-Style Fund, AQR TM Emerging Multi-Style Fund, AQR Large Cap Momentum Style Fund, AQR Small Cap Momentum Style Fund, AQR International Momentum Style Fund, AQR Emerging Momentum Style Fund, AQR TM Large Cap Momentum Style Fund, AQR TM Small Cap Momentum Style Fund and AQR TM International Momentum Style Fund.

The AQR Global Equity Fund and the AQR International Equity Fund acquired the assets and liabilities of a corresponding privately offered fund managed by AQR Capital Management, LLC, the Funds’ investment

 

1


adviser (“Adviser”), in a reorganization completed on the date each Fund commenced operations. Each privately offered fund had an investment objective and investment policies that were, in all material respects, the same as those of the corresponding Fund. However, the privately offered funds were not registered as investment companies under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (“1940 Act”), and were not subject to certain investment limitations, diversification requirements, liquidity requirements and other restrictions imposed by the 1940 Act and the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (“Code”).

Much of the information contained in this SAI expands on subjects discussed in each Fund’s respective Prospectus. No investment in the shares of any of the Funds should be made without first reading the Prospectus. All terms defined in the Prospectus have the same meaning in the SAI.

SECURITIES, INVESTMENT STRATEGIES AND RELATED RISKS

The following descriptions supplement the descriptions of the investment objectives, strategies and related risks of each Fund as set forth in the Prospectus.

Subject to the investment policies and restrictions as described in the Prospectus and in this SAI, the below table indicates which Funds may invest in or have exposure to the following securities or pursue any of the following investment strategies. The information below does not describe every type of investment, technique or risk to which a Fund may be exposed.

 

Securities and/or Investment Strategies

 

Funds

Borrowing and Leverage

 

All Funds

Cash Management/Temporary Investments

 

All Funds

Cybersecurity Risk

 

All Funds

Depositary Receipts

 

All Funds

Emerging Markets Investments

 

AQR International Multi-Style Fund

 

AQR Emerging Multi-Style Fund

 

AQR TM International Multi-Style Fund

 

AQR TM Emerging Multi-Style Fund

 

AQR International Momentum Style Fund

 

AQR Emerging Momentum Style Fund

 

AQR TM International Momentum Style Fund

 

AQR Emerging Defensive Style Fund

 

AQR Global Equity Fund

 

AQR International Equity Fund

 

AQR International Relaxed Constraint Equity Fund

 

AQR Emerging Relaxed Constraint Equity Fund

Equity Securities

 

All Funds

Exchange-Traded Funds (“ETFs”)

 

All Funds

Exchange Traded Notes (“ETNs”)

 

All Funds

Foreign Investments

 

AQR International Multi-Style Fund

 

AQR Emerging Multi-Style Fund

 

AQR TM International Multi-Style Fund

 

AQR TM Emerging Multi-Style Fund

 

AQR International Momentum Style Fund

 

AQR Emerging Momentum Style Fund

 

2


Securities and/or Investment Strategies

 

Funds

 

AQR TM International Momentum Style Fund

 

AQR International Defensive Style Fund

 

AQR Emerging Defensive Style Fund

 

AQR Global Equity Fund

 

AQR International Equity Fund

 

AQR International Relaxed Constraint Equity Fund

 

AQR Emerging Relaxed Constraint Equity Fund

Foreign Exchange Risk and Currency Transactions

 

AQR International Multi-Style Fund

 

AQR Emerging Multi-Style Fund

 

AQR TM International Multi-Style Fund

 

AQR TM Emerging Multi-Style Fund

 

AQR International Momentum Style Fund

 

AQR Emerging Momentum Style Fund

 

AQR TM International Momentum Style Fund

 

AQR International Defensive Style Fund

 

AQR Emerging Defensive Style Fund

 

AQR Global Equity Fund

 

AQR International Equity Fund

 

AQR International Relaxed Constraint Equity Fund

 

AQR Emerging Relaxed Constraint Equity Fund

Forwards, Futures, Swaps and Options

 

All Funds

Special Risk Factors Regarding Forwards, Futures, Swaps and Options

 

All Funds

Regulatory Matters Regarding Forwards, Futures, Swaps and Options

 

All Funds

Forward Contracts

 

All Funds

Futures Contracts

 

All Funds

Stock Index Futures

 

All Funds

Futures Contracts on Securities

 

All Funds

Swap Agreements

 

All Funds

Swaps on Equities, Currencies, Commodities and Futures

 

All Funds

Total Return and Interest Rate Swaps

 

All Funds

Combined Transactions

 

All Funds

Hedging Transactions

 

All Funds

Illiquid Securities

 

All Funds

Loans of Portfolio Securities

 

AQR Large Cap Multi-Style Fund

 

AQR Small Cap Multi-Style Fund

 

AQR International Multi-Style Fund

 

AQR Emerging Multi-Style Fund

 

AQR TM Large Cap Multi-Style Fund

 

AQR TM Small Cap Multi-Style Fund

 

AQR TM International Multi-Style Fund

 

AQR TM Emerging Multi-Style Fund

 

AQR Large Cap Momentum Style Fund

 

AQR Small Cap Momentum Style Fund

 

AQR International Momentum Style Fund

 

AQR Emerging Momentum Style Fund

 

3


Securities and/or Investment Strategies

 

Funds

 

AQR TM Large Cap Momentum Style Fund

 

AQR TM Small Cap Momentum Style Fund

 

AQR TM International Momentum Style Fund

 

AQR Large Cap Defensive Style Fund

 

AQR International Defensive Style Fund

 

AQR Emerging Defensive Style Fund

 

AQR Global Equity Fund

 

AQR International Equity Fund

Margin Deposits and Cover Requirements

 

All Funds

Margin Deposits for Futures Contracts

 

All Funds

Cover Requirements for Forward Contracts, Swap Agreements, Options, Futures and Options on Futures

 

All Funds

Mid Cap Securities Risk

 

AQR Large Cap Multi-Style Fund

 

AQR International Multi-Style Fund

 

AQR Emerging Multi-Style Fund

 

AQR TM Large Cap Multi-Style Fund

 

AQR TM International Multi-Style Fund

 

AQR TM Emerging Multi-Style Fund

 

AQR Large Cap Momentum Style Fund

 

AQR International Momentum Style Fund

 

AQR Emerging Momentum Style Fund

 

AQR TM Large Cap Momentum Style Fund

 

AQR TM International Momentum Style Fund

 

AQR Large Cap Defensive Style Fund

 

AQR International Defensive Style Fund

 

AQR Emerging Defensive Style Fund

 

AQR Global Equity Fund

 

AQR International Equity Fund

 

AQR Large Cap Relaxed Constraint Equity Fund

 

AQR Small Cap Relaxed Constraint Equity Fund

 

AQR International Relaxed Constraint Equity Fund

 

AQR Emerging Relaxed Constraint Equity Fund

Momentum Style Risk

 

AQR Large Cap Multi-Style Fund

 

AQR Small Cap Multi-Style Fund

 

AQR International Multi-Style Fund

 

AQR Emerging Multi-Style Fund

 

AQR TM Large Cap Multi-Style Fund

 

AQR TM Small Cap Multi-Style Fund

 

AQR TM International Multi-Style Fund

 

AQR TM Emerging Multi-Style Fund

 

AQR Large Cap Momentum Style Fund

 

AQR Small Cap Momentum Style Fund

 

AQR International Momentum Style Fund

 

AQR Emerging Momentum Style Fund

 

AQR TM Large Cap Momentum Style Fund

 

AQR TM Small Cap Momentum Style Fund

 

AQR TM International Momentum Style Fund

 

AQR Global Equity Fund

 

4


Securities and/or Investment Strategies

 

Funds

 

AQR International Equity Fund

 

AQR Large Cap Relaxed Constraint Equity Fund

 

AQR Small Cap Relaxed Constraint Equity Fund

 

AQR International Relaxed Constraint Equity Fund

 

AQR Emerging Relaxed Constraint Equity Fund

New Fund Risk

 

AQR Large Cap Relaxed Constraint Equity Fund

 

AQR Small Cap Relaxed Constraint Equity Fund

 

AQR International Relaxed Constraint Equity Fund

 

AQR Emerging Relaxed Constraint Equity Fund

REITs

 

All Funds

Repurchase Agreements

 

All Funds

Reverse Repurchase Agreements

 

All Funds

Rights and Warrants

 

All Funds

Securities of Other Investment Companies

 

All Funds

Short Sales

 

All Funds

Small Cap Securities Risk

 

AQR Small Cap Multi-Style Fund

 

AQR TM Small Cap Multi-Style Fund

 

AQR Small Cap Momentum Style Fund

 

AQR TM Small Cap Momentum Style Fund

 

AQR Large Cap Defensive Style Fund

 

AQR International Defensive Style Fund

 

AQR Emerging Defensive Style Fund

 

AQR Global Equity Fund

 

AQR International Equity Fund

 

AQR Small Cap Relaxed Constraint Equity Fund

Tax-Managed Investing

 

AQR TM Large Cap Multi-Style Fund

 

AQR TM Small Cap Multi-Style Fund

 

AQR TM International Multi-Style Fund

 

AQR TM Emerging Multi-Style Fund

 

AQR TM Large Cap Momentum Style Fund

 

AQR TM Small Cap Momentum Style Fund

 

AQR TM International Momentum Style Fund

 

AQR Large Cap Defensive Style Fund

 

AQR International Defensive Style Fund

 

AQR Emerging Defensive Style Fund

U.S. Government Securities

 

All Funds

Risks Related to the Adviser and to its Quantitative and Statistical Approach

 

All Funds

Borrowing and Leverage

Each Fund may borrow money to the extent permitted under the 1940 Act, as such may be interpreted or modified by regulatory authorities having jurisdiction, from time to time. This borrowing may be unsecured. The 1940 Act precludes a fund from borrowing if, as a result of such borrowing, the total amount of all money borrowed by a fund exceeds 33 1/3% of the value of its total assets (that is, total assets including borrowings, less

 

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liabilities exclusive of borrowings) at the time of such borrowings. This means that the 1940 Act requires a fund to maintain continuous asset coverage of 300% of the amount borrowed. If the 300% asset coverage should decline as a result of market fluctuations or other reasons, a Fund may be required to sell some of its portfolio holdings within three days to reduce the debt and restore the 300% asset coverage, even though it may be disadvantageous from an investment standpoint to sell securities at that time, and could cause the Fund to be unable to meet certain requirements for qualification as a regulated investment company under the Code. In addition, certain types of borrowings by a Fund may result in the Fund being subject to covenants in credit agreements relating to asset coverage, portfolio composition requirements and other matters. It is not anticipated that observance of such covenants would impede the Adviser from managing a Fund’s portfolio in accordance with the Fund’s investment objectives and policies. However, a breach of any such covenants not cured within the specified cure period may result in acceleration of outstanding indebtedness and require the Fund to dispose of portfolio investments at a time when it may be disadvantageous to do so.

Borrowing has a leveraging effect because it tends to exaggerate the effect on a Fund’s net asset value (“NAV”) per share of any changes in the market value of its portfolio securities. Money borrowed will be subject to interest costs and other fees, which may or may not be recovered by earnings on the securities purchased. A Fund also may be required to maintain minimum average balances in connection with a borrowing or to pay a commitment or other fee to maintain a line of credit. Either of these requirements would increase the cost of borrowing over the stated interest rate. Unless the appreciation and income, if any, on assets acquired with borrowed funds exceed the costs of borrowing, the use of leverage will diminish the investment performance of a fund compared with what it would have been without leverage.

The SEC takes the position that other transactions that have a leveraging effect on the capital structure of a fund can be viewed as constituting a form of “senior security” of the fund for purposes of the 1940 Act. These transactions may include selling securities short, buying and selling certain derivatives (such as futures contracts or swap agreements), selling (or writing) put and call options, engaging in when-issued, delayed-delivery, forward-commitment or reverse repurchase transactions and other trading practices that have a leveraging effect on the capital structure of a fund or may be viewed as economically equivalent to borrowing. A borrowing transaction will not be considered to constitute the issuance of a “senior security” by a Fund if the Fund (1) maintains an offsetting financial position, (2) maintains liquid assets in a sufficient value to cover the Fund’s potential obligation under the borrowing transaction not offset or covered as provided in (1) and (3), or (3) otherwise “covers” the transaction in accordance with applicable SEC guidance (collectively, “covers” the transaction). The value of a Fund’s holdings in such instruments are marked-to-market daily to ensure proper coverage. A Fund may have to buy or sell a security at a disadvantageous time or price in order to cover such transaction. In addition, assets being maintained to cover such transactions may not be available to satisfy redemptions or for other purposes or obligations.

Cash Management/Temporary Investments

A Fund can hold uninvested cash or can invest it in cash equivalents such as money market instruments, U.S. treasury bills, interests in short-term investment funds, repurchase agreements, or shares of money market or short-term bond funds. Generally, these securities offer less potential for gains than other types of securities.

A Fund also may adopt temporary defensive positions by investing up to 100% of its assets in these instruments, even if the investments are inconsistent with the Fund’s principal investment strategies, in attempting to respond to adverse market, economic, political or other conditions. To the extent a Fund invests in these temporary investments in this manner, the Fund may not achieve its investment objective.

Cybersecurity Risk

With the increased use of technologies such as the Internet to conduct business, a Fund is susceptible to operational, information security and related risks. In general, cyber incidents can result from deliberate attacks

 

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or unintentional events. Cyber attacks include, but are not limited to, gaining unauthorized access to digital systems (e.g., through “hacking” or malicious software coding) for purposes of misappropriating assets or sensitive information, corrupting data, or causing operational disruption. Cyber attacks may also be carried out in a manner that does not require gaining unauthorized access, such as causing denial-of-service attacks on websites (i.e., efforts to make network services unavailable to intended users). Cyber incidents affecting the Adviser, sub-adviser(s) and other service providers (including, but not limited to, Fund accountants, custodians, transfer agents and financial intermediaries) have the ability to cause disruptions and impact business operations, potentially resulting in financial losses, interference with a Fund’s ability to calculate its NAV, impediments to trading, the inability of Fund shareholders to transact business, violations of applicable privacy and other laws, regulatory fines, penalties, reputational damage, reimbursement or other compensation costs, or additional compliance costs. Similar adverse consequences could result from cyber incidents affecting issuers of securities in which a Fund invests, counterparties with which a Fund engages in transactions, governmental and other regulatory authorities, exchange and other financial market operators, banks, brokers, dealers, insurance companies and other financial institutions (including financial intermediaries and service providers for Fund shareholders) and other parties. In addition, substantial costs may be incurred in order to prevent any cyber incidents in the future. While a Fund’s service providers have established business continuity plans in the event of, and risk management systems to prevent, such cyber incidents, there are inherent limitations in such plans and systems including the possibility that certain risks have not been identified. Furthermore, a Fund cannot control the cyber security plans and systems put in place by its service providers or any other third parties whose operations may affect a Fund or its shareholders. A Fund and its shareholders could be negatively impacted as a result.

Depositary Receipts

A Fund, subject to its investment strategies and policies, may purchase American Depositary Receipts (“ADRs”), European Depositary Receipts (“EDRs”), Global Depositary Receipts (“GDRs”) and Thailand Non-Voting Depositary Receipts (“NVDRs”). ADRs, EDRs, GDRs and NVDRs are certificates evidencing ownership of shares of a foreign issuer and are alternatives to directly purchasing the underlying foreign securities in their national markets and currencies. However, they continue to be subject to many of the risks associated with investing directly in foreign securities. These risks include the political and economic risks of the underlying issuer’s country, as well as in the case of depositary receipts traded on non-U.S. markets, exchange risk. ADRs, EDRs, GDRs and NVDRs may be sponsored or unsponsored. The issuer of a sponsored receipt typically bears certain expenses of maintaining the depositary receipt facility. Unsponsored receipts are established without the participation of the issuer. Unsponsored receipts may involve higher expenses, they may not pass-through voting or other shareholder rights, and they may be less liquid. Holders of unsponsored receipts generally bear all the costs of the depositary receipt facility. The bank or trust company depositary of an unsponsored depositary receipt may be under no obligation to distribute shareholder communications.

Emerging Markets Investments

A Fund, subject to its investment strategies and policies, may invest in emerging markets investments, which have exposure to the risks discussed below relating to foreign instruments more generally, as well as certain additional risks. A high proportion of the shares of many issuers in emerging market countries may be held by a limited number of persons and financial institutions, which may limit the number of shares available for investment. The prices at which investments may be acquired may be affected by trading by persons with material non-public information and by securities transactions by brokers in anticipation of transactions by a Fund in particular securities. In addition, emerging market investments are susceptible to being influenced by large investors trading significant blocks of securities.

Emerging market stock markets are undergoing a period of growth and change which may result in trading volatility and difficulties in the settlement and recording of transactions, and in interpreting and applying the relevant law and regulations. The securities industries in these countries are comparatively underdeveloped. Emerging securities markets are substantially smaller, less liquid and more volatile than the major securities

 

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markets in the United States and other more developed securities markets. Stockbrokers and other intermediaries in the emerging markets may not perform as well as their counterparts in the United States and other more developed securities markets.

Political and economic structures in many emerging market countries are undergoing significant evolution and rapid development, and such countries may lack the social, political and economic stability characteristic of the United States and other more developed nations. Certain of such countries may have, in the past, failed to recognize private property rights and have at times nationalized or expropriated the assets of private companies. As a result, the risks described above, including the risks of nationalization or expropriation of assets, may be heightened. In addition, unanticipated political or social developments may affect the values of investments in those countries and the availability of additional investments in those countries. The laws of countries in emerging markets relating to limited liability of corporate shareholders, fiduciary duties of officers and directors, and the bankruptcy of state enterprises are generally less well developed than or different from such laws in the United States. It may be more difficult to obtain or enforce a judgment in the courts of these countries than it is in the United States. Although some governments in emerging markets have instituted economic reform policies, there can be no assurances that such policies will continue or succeed.

Sanctions and other intergovernmental actions may be undertaken against an emerging market country, which may result in the devaluation of the country’s currency, a downgrade in the country’s credit rating, and a decline in the value and liquidity of the country’s securities. Sanctions could result in the immediate freeze of securities issued by an emerging market company or government, impairing the ability of a Fund to buy, sell, receive or deliver these securities.

Equity Securities

A Fund, subject to its investment strategies and policies, may purchase equity securities or be exposed to equity securities through derivative instruments. Equity securities may include common and preferred stock, convertible securities, private investments in public equities (PIPEs), depositary receipts and warrants. Common stock represents an equity or ownership interest in a company. This interest often gives a Fund the right to vote on measures affecting the company’s organization and operations. Equity securities have a history of long-term growth in value, but their prices tend to fluctuate in the shorter term. Preferred stock generally does not exhibit as great a potential for appreciation or depreciation as common stock, although it ranks above common stock in its claim on income for dividend payments.

The market value of all securities, including equity securities, is based upon the market’s perception of value and not necessarily the book value of an issuer or other objective measure of a company’s worth.

Exchange-Traded Funds (“ETFs”)

A Fund, subject to its investment strategies and policies, may purchase shares of ETFs. ETFs are investment companies whose shares are bought and sold on a securities exchange. An ETF holds a portfolio of securities designed to track a particular market segment or index. Tracking error, the divergence of an ETF’s performance from that of its underlying index, may arise due to imperfect correlation between the ETF’s portfolio securities and those in its index, rounding of prices, timing of cash flows, the ETF’s size, changes to the index and regulatory requirements. A Fund could purchase shares of an ETF to temporarily gain exposure to a portion of the U.S. or foreign market while awaiting an opportunity to purchase securities directly. The risks of owning an ETF generally reflect the risks of owning the underlying securities or commodities they are designed to track, although a lack of liquidity in an ETF could result in it being more volatile than the underlying portfolio of securities or commodities. ETFs have management fees that increase their costs versus the costs of owning the underlying securities directly. See also “Securities of Other Investment Companies” below.

 

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Exchange Traded Notes (“ETNs”)

Certain Funds may invest in ETNs. ETNs are generally notes representing debt of an issuer, usually a financial institution. ETNs combine aspects of both bonds and ETFs. An ETN’s returns are based on the performance of one or more underlying assets, reference rates or indexes, minus fees and expenses. Similar to ETFs, ETNs are listed on an exchange and traded in the secondary market. However, unlike an ETF, an ETN can be held until the ETN’s maturity, at which time the issuer will pay a return linked to the performance of the specific asset, index or rate (“reference instrument”) to which the ETN is linked minus certain fees. Unlike regular bonds, ETNs do not make periodic interest payments, and principal is not protected.

The value of an ETN may be influenced by, among other things, time to maturity, levels of supply and demand for the ETN, volatility and lack of liquidity in underlying markets, changes in the applicable interest rates, the performance of the reference instrument, changes in the issuer’s credit rating and economic, legal, political or geographic events that affect the reference instrument. An ETN that is tied to a reference instrument may not replicate the performance of the reference instrument. ETNs also incur certain expenses not incurred by their applicable reference instrument. Some ETNs that use leverage can, at times, be relatively illiquid and, thus, they may be difficult to purchase or sell at a fair price. Levered ETNs are subject to the same risk as other instruments that use leverage in any form. While leverage allows for greater potential returns, the potential for loss is also greater. Finally, additional losses may be incurred if the investment loses value because, in addition to the money lost on the investment, the loan still needs to be repaid.

Because the return on an ETN is dependent on the issuer’s ability or willingness to meet its obligations, the value of the ETN may change due to a change in the issuer’s credit rating, despite there being no change in the underlying reference instrument. The market value of ETN shares may differ from the value of the reference instrument. This difference in price may be due to the fact that the supply and demand in the market for ETN shares at any point in time is not always identical to the supply and demand in the market for the assets underlying the reference instrument that the ETN seeks to track.

There may be restrictions on the Fund’s right to redeem its investment in an ETN, which is generally meant to be held until maturity. The Fund’s decision to sell its ETN holdings may be limited by the unavailability or limited nature of a secondary market. The Fund could lose some or all of the amount invested in an ETN.

Foreign Investments

A Fund, subject to its investment strategies and policies, may invest, either directly or via exposure through a derivative instrument, in securities and other investments (which may be denominated in U.S. dollars or non-U.S. currencies) issued or guaranteed by foreign corporations, certain supranational entities and foreign governments or their agencies or instrumentalities, and in securities issued by U.S. corporations denominated in non-U.S. currencies. All such investments are referred to as “foreign instruments.”

Investing in foreign instruments offers potential benefits not available from investing solely in securities of domestic issuers, including the opportunity to invest in foreign issuers that appear to offer investment potential, or in foreign countries with economic policies or business cycles different from those of the United States, or to reduce fluctuations in portfolio value by taking advantage of foreign stock markets that do not move in a manner parallel to U.S. markets. Investments in foreign instruments present additional risks and considerations not typically associated with investments in domestic securities: reduction of income due to foreign taxes; fluctuation in value of foreign portfolio investments due to changes in currency rates and control regulations (e.g., currency blockage); transaction charges for currency exchange; lack of public information about foreign issuers; lack of uniform accounting, auditing and financial reporting standards comparable to those applicable to domestic issuers; less trading volume on foreign exchanges than on U.S. exchanges; greater volatility and less liquidity on foreign markets than in the United States; less regulation of foreign issuers, stock exchanges and brokers than in the United States; greater difficulties in commencing lawsuits and obtaining judgments in foreign courts; higher

 

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brokerage commission rates than in the United States; increased risks of delays in settlement of portfolio transactions or loss of certificates for portfolio securities; requirement of payment for investments prior to settlement possibilities in some countries of expropriation, confiscatory taxation, political, financial or social instability or adverse diplomatic developments; repercussions of, or retaliatory measures resulting from, sanctions imposed by other nations and/or supranational entities; and unfavorable differences between the United States economy and foreign economies. In the past, U.S. Government policies have discouraged certain investments abroad by U.S. investors, through taxation or other restrictions, and it is possible that such restrictions could be re-imposed.

Foreign Exchange Risk and Currency Transactions

The value of foreign assets as measured in U.S. dollars may be affected favorably or unfavorably by changes in foreign currency rates and exchange control regulations. Currency exchange rates can also be affected unpredictably by intervention by U.S. or foreign governments or central banks, or the failure to intervene, or by currency controls or political developments in the U.S. or abroad. Foreign currency exchange transactions may be conducted on a spot (i.e., cash) basis at the spot rate prevailing in the foreign currency exchange market or through entering into derivative currency transactions. Currency futures contracts are exchange-traded and change in value to reflect movements of a currency or a basket of currencies. Settlement must be made in a designated currency.

Forward foreign currency exchange contracts are individually negotiated and privately traded so they are dependent upon the creditworthiness of the counterparty. Such contracts may be used to (i) gain exposure to a particular currency or currencies as a part of the Fund’s investment strategy, (ii) when a security denominated in a foreign currency is purchased or sold, or (iii) when the receipt in a foreign currency of dividend or interest payments on such a security is anticipated. With respect to subparagraphs (ii) and (iii), a forward contract can then “lock in” the U.S. dollar price of the security or the U.S. dollar equivalent of such dividend or interest payment, as the case may be. Additionally, when the Adviser believes that the currency of a particular foreign country may suffer a substantial decline against the U.S. dollar, it may enter into a forward contract to sell, for a fixed amount of dollars, the amount of foreign currency approximating the value of some or all of the securities held that are denominated in such foreign currency. The precise matching of the forward contract amounts and the value of the securities involved will not generally be possible. In addition, it may not be possible to hedge against long-term currency changes. Cross-hedging may be used by using forward contracts in one currency (or basket of currencies) to hedge against fluctuations in the value of securities denominated in a different currency. Use of a different foreign currency magnifies exposure to foreign currency exchange rate fluctuations. Forward contracts may also be used to shift exposure to foreign currency exchange rate changes from one currency to another. Short-term hedging provides a means of fixing the dollar value of only a portion of portfolio assets.

The Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act (the “Dodd-Frank Act”) includes foreign exchange forwards in the definition of “swap” as well as over-the-counter (“OTC”) derivatives and therefore contemplates that certain of these contracts may be exchange-traded, cleared by a clearinghouse and otherwise regulated by the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (the “CFTC”). The CFTC has been granted authority to regulate forward foreign currency contracts and many of the final regulations already adopted by the CFTC will apply to such contracts, however a limited category of forward foreign currency contracts were excluded from certain of the Dodd-Frank Act regulations by the Secretary of the U.S. Treasury Department. Therefore, trading by the Funds in forward foreign currency contracts excluded by the Treasury Department is not subject to the CFTC regulations to which trading in other forward foreign currency contracts is subject.

Currency transactions are subject to the risk of a number of complex political and economic factors applicable to the countries issuing the underlying currencies. Furthermore, unlike trading in most other types of instruments, there is no systematic reporting of last sale information with respect to the foreign currencies underlying the derivative currency transactions. As a result, available information may not be complete. In an OTC trading environment, there are no daily price fluctuation limits. There may be no liquid secondary market to close out options purchased or written, or forward contracts entered into, until their exercise, expiration or maturity. There is also the risk of default by, or the bankruptcy of, the financial institution serving as a counterparty.

 

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Currency swaps involve the exchange of rights to make or receive payments in specified currencies and are individually negotiated. The entire principal value of a currency swap is subject to the risk that the other party to the swap will default on its contractual delivery obligations. A Fund’s performance may be adversely affected as the Adviser may be incorrect in its forecasts of market value and currency exchange rates.

Forwards, Futures, Swaps and Options

As described below, a Fund may purchase and sell in the U.S. or abroad futures contracts, forward contracts, swaps and put and call options on securities, futures, securities indices, swaps and currencies. In the future, a Fund may employ instruments and strategies that are not presently contemplated, but which may be subsequently developed, to the extent such investment methods are consistent with such Fund’s investment objectives, and are legally permissible. There can be no assurance that an instrument, if employed, will be successful.

A Fund may buy and sell these investments for a number of purposes, including hedging, investment or speculative purposes. For example, it may do so to try to manage its exposure to the possibility that the prices of its portfolio securities may decline, or to establish a position in the securities market as a substitute for purchasing individual securities. Some of these strategies, such as selling futures, buying puts and writing covered calls, may be used to hedge a Fund’s portfolio against price fluctuations. Other hedging strategies, such as buying futures and call options, tend to increase a Fund’s exposure to the securities market.

Special Risk Factors Regarding Forwards, Futures, Swaps and Options

Transactions in derivative instruments (e.g., futures, options, forwards, and swaps) involve a risk of loss or depreciation due to: unanticipated adverse changes in securities or commodities prices, interest rates, indices, the other financial instruments’ prices or currency exchange rates; the inability to close out a position; default by the counterparty; imperfect correlation between a position and the desired hedge (if the derivative instrument is being used for hedging purposes); tax constraints on closing out positions; and portfolio management constraints on securities subject to such transactions. The loss on derivative instruments (other than purchased options) may substantially exceed the amount invested in these instruments. In addition, the entire premium paid for purchased options may be lost before they can be profitably exercised. Transaction costs are incurred in opening and closing positions.

A Fund’s use of swaps, futures contracts, options, forward contracts and certain other derivative instruments will have the economic effect of financial leverage. Financial leverage magnifies exposure to the swings in prices of an asset underlying a derivative instrument and results in increased volatility, which means the Fund will have the potential for greater gains, as well as the potential for greater losses, than if the Fund does not use derivative instruments that have a leveraging effect. Leveraging tends to magnify, sometimes significantly, the effect of any increase or decrease in the Fund’s exposure to an asset and may cause the Fund’s NAV to be volatile. For example, if the Adviser seeks to gain enhanced exposure to a specific asset through a derivative instrument providing leveraged exposure to the asset and that derivative instrument increases in value, the gain to the Fund will be enhanced; however, if that investment decreases in value, the loss to the Fund will be magnified. A decline in a Fund’s assets due to losses magnified by the derivative instruments providing leveraged exposure may require the Fund to liquidate portfolio positions to satisfy its obligations, to meet redemption requests or to meet asset segregation requirements when it may not be advantageous to do so. There is no assurance that a Fund’s use of derivative instruments to obtain enhanced exposure will enable the Fund to achieve its investment objective.

A Fund’s success in using derivative instruments to hedge portfolio assets depends on the degree of price correlation between the derivative instruments and the hedged asset. Imperfect correlation may be caused by several factors, including temporary price disparities among the trading markets for the derivative instrument, the assets underlying the derivative instrument and a Fund’s assets.

 

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OTC derivative instruments involve an increased risk that the issuer or counterparty will fail to perform its contractual obligations. Some derivative instruments are not readily marketable or may become illiquid under adverse market conditions. In addition, during periods of market volatility, a commodity exchange may suspend or limit trading in an exchange-traded derivative instrument, which may make the contract temporarily illiquid and difficult to price. Commodity exchanges may also establish daily limits on the amount that the price of a futures contract or futures option can vary from the previous day’s settlement price. Once the daily limit is reached, no trades may be made that day at a price beyond the limit. This may prevent the closing out of positions to limit losses. Further, under certain circumstances commodity exchanges or regulators may impose limits that are lower than current open equity in a given futures contract, such limit changes have the potential to cause liquidation of positions and may adversely affect a Fund. Certain purchased OTC options, and assets used as cover for written OTC options, may be considered illiquid. The ability to terminate OTC derivative instruments may depend on the cooperation of the counterparties to such contracts. For thinly traded derivative instruments, the only source of price quotations may be the selling dealer or counterparty. The use of derivatives is a highly specialized activity that involves skills different from conducting ordinary portfolio securities transactions. There can be no assurance that the Adviser’s use of derivative instruments will be advantageous to a Fund.

Regulatory Matters Regarding Forwards, Futures, Swaps and Options

The Funds are subject to regulation by the CFTC as commodity pools and the Adviser is subject to regulation by the CFTC as a commodity pool operator (“CPO”) with respect to the Funds under the Commodity Exchange Act (“CEA”). The Adviser does not currently rely on an exclusion from the definition of CPO in CFTC Rule 4.5 with respect to any of the Funds.

Transactions in futures and options by any of the Funds are subject to limitations established by futures and option exchanges governing the maximum number of futures and options that may be written or held by a single investor or group of investors acting in concert, regardless of whether the futures or options were written or purchased on the same or different exchanges or are held in one or more accounts or through one or more different exchanges or through one or more brokers. Thus, the number of futures or options which a Fund may write or hold may be affected by futures or options written or held by other entities, including other investment companies advised by the Adviser (or an adviser that is an affiliate of the Funds’ Adviser). An exchange may order the liquidation of positions found to be in violation of those limits and may impose certain other sanctions.

Forward Contracts

A forward contract is an obligation to purchase or sell a specific security, currency or other instrument for an agreed price at a future date that is individually negotiated and privately traded by traders and their customers. In contrast to contracts traded on an exchange (such as futures contracts), forward contracts are not guaranteed by any exchange or clearinghouse and are subject to the creditworthiness of the counterparty of the trade. Forward contracts are highly leveraged and highly volatile, and a relatively small price movement in a forward contract may result in substantial losses to a Fund. To the extent a Fund engages in forward contracts to generate return, the Fund will be subject to these risks.

Forward contracts are not always standardized and are frequently the subject of individual negotiation between the parties involved. By contrast, futures contracts are generally standardized and futures exchanges have central clearinghouses which keep track of all positions.

Because there is no clearinghouse system applicable to forward contracts, there is no direct means of offsetting a forward contract by purchase of an offsetting position on the same exchange as one can with respect to a futures contract. Absent contractual termination rights, a Fund may not be able to terminate a forward contract at a price and time that it desires. In such event, the Fund will remain subject to counterparty risk with respect to the forward contract, even if the Fund enters into an offsetting forward contract with the same, or a different, counterparty. If a counterparty defaults, the Fund may lose money on the transaction.

 

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Depending on the asset underlying the forward contract, forward transactions can be influenced by, among other things, changing supply and demand relationships, government commercial and trade programs and policies, national and international political and economic events, weather and climate conditions, insects and plant disease, purchases and sales by foreign countries and changing interest rates.

Futures Contracts

U.S. futures contracts are traded on organized exchanges regulated by the CFTC. Transactions on such exchanges are cleared through a clearing corporation, which guarantees the performance of the parties to each contract. The Fund may also invest in non-U.S. futures contracts.

There are several risks in connection with the use of futures by the Funds. In the event futures are used by a Fund for hedging purposes, one risk arises because of the imperfect correlation between movements in the price of futures and movements in the price of the instruments which are the subject of the hedge. The price of futures may move more than or less than the price of the instruments being hedged. If the price of futures moves less than the price of the instruments which are the subject of the hedge, the hedge will not be fully effective, but, if the price of the instruments being hedged has moved in an unfavorable direction, a Fund would be in a better position than if it had not hedged at all. If the price of the instruments being hedged has moved in a favorable direction, this advantage will be partially offset by the loss on the futures. If the price of the futures moves more than the price of the hedged instruments, the Fund involved will experience either a loss or gain on the futures which will not be completely offset by movements in the price of the instruments which are the subject of the hedge.

To compensate for the imperfect correlation of movements in the price of instruments being hedged and movements in the price of futures contracts, a Fund may buy or sell futures contracts in a greater dollar amount than the dollar amount of instruments being hedged if the volatility over a particular time period of the prices of such instruments has been greater than the volatility over such time period of the futures, or if otherwise deemed to be appropriate by the Adviser. Conversely, the Funds may buy or sell fewer futures contracts if the volatility over a particular time period of the prices of the instruments being hedged is less than the volatility over such time period of the futures contract being used, or if otherwise deemed to be appropriate by the Adviser. It is also possible that, when a Fund sells futures to hedge its portfolio against a decline in the market, the market may advance and the value of the futures instruments held in the Fund may decline.

Where futures are purchased to hedge against a possible increase in the price of securities before a Fund is able to invest its cash (or cash equivalents) in an orderly fashion, it is possible that the market may decline instead; if the Fund then concludes not to invest its cash at that time because of concern as to possible further market decline or for other reasons, the Fund will realize a loss on the futures contract that is not offset by a reduction in the price of the securities that were to be purchased.

Successful use of futures to hedge portfolio securities protects against adverse market movements but also reduces potential gain. For example, if a particular Fund has hedged against the possibility of a decline in the market adversely affecting securities held by it and securities prices increase instead, the Fund will lose part or all of the benefit to the increased value of its securities which it has hedged because it will have offsetting losses in its futures positions. In addition, in such situations, if the Fund has insufficient cash, it may have to sell securities to meet daily variation margin requirements (as described below). Such sales of securities may be, but will not necessarily be, at increased prices which reflect the rising market. The Funds may have to sell securities at a time when it may be disadvantageous to do so.

The Funds may also use futures to attempt to gain exposure to a particular market, index, security, commodity or instrument or for speculative purposes to increase return. One or more markets, indices or instruments to which a Fund has exposure through futures may go down in value, possibly sharply and unpredictably. This means the Fund may lose money.

 

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The price of futures may not correlate perfectly with movement in the cash market due to certain market distortions. Rather than meeting additional margin deposit requirements, investors may close futures contracts through offsetting transactions which could distort the normal relationship between the cash and futures markets. Second, with respect to financial futures contracts, the liquidity of the futures market depends on participants entering into offsetting transactions rather than making or taking delivery. To the extent participants decide to make or take delivery, liquidity in the futures market could be reduced, thus producing distortions. Third, from the point of view of speculators, the deposit requirements in the futures market are less onerous than margin requirements in the securities market. Therefore, increased participation by speculators in the futures market may also cause temporary price distortions. Due to the possibility of price distortion in the futures market, and because of the imperfect correlation between the movements in the cash market and movements in the price of futures, a correct forecast of general market trends or interest rate movements by the Adviser may still not result in a successful hedging transaction over a short time frame (in the event futures are used for hedging purposes).

Positions in futures may be closed out only on an exchange or board of trade which provides a secondary market for such futures. Although the Funds intend to purchase or sell futures only on exchanges or boards of trade where there appear to be active secondary markets, there is no assurance that a liquid secondary market on any exchange or board of trade will exist for any particular contract or at any particular time. When there is no liquid market, it may not be possible to close a futures investment position, and in the event of adverse price movements, the Funds would continue to be required to make daily cash payments of variation margin (as described below). In such circumstances, an increase in the price of the securities, if any, may partially or completely offset losses on the futures contract. However, as described above, there is no guarantee that the price of the securities will in fact correlate with the price movements in the futures contract and thus provide an offset on a futures contract.

Further, it should be noted that the liquidity of a secondary market in a futures contract may be adversely affected by “daily price fluctuation limits” established by commodities exchanges which limit the amount of fluctuation in a futures contract price during a single trading day. Once the daily limit has been reached in the contract, no trades may be entered into at a price beyond the limit, thus preventing the liquidation of open futures positions.

The trading of futures contracts is also subject to the risk of trading halts, suspensions, exchange or clearing house equipment failures, government intervention, insolvency of a brokerage firm or clearing house or other disruptions of normal activity, which could at times make it difficult or impossible to liquidate existing positions or to recover equity.

Stock Index Futures

A Fund may invest in stock index futures. A stock index assigns relative values to the common stocks included in the index and fluctuates with the changes in the market value of those stocks.

Stock index futures are contracts based on the future value of the basket of securities that comprise the underlying stock index. The contracts obligate the seller to deliver and the purchaser to take cash to settle the futures transaction or to enter into an obligation contract. No physical delivery of the securities underlying the index is made on settling the futures obligation. No monetary amount is paid or received by a Fund on the purchase or sale of a stock index future. At any time prior to the expiration of the future, a Fund may elect to close out its position by taking an opposite position, at which time a final determination of variation margin is made and additional cash is required to be paid by or released to the Fund. Any gain or loss is then realized by the Fund on the future for tax purposes. Although stock index futures by their terms call for settlement by the delivery of cash, in most cases the settlement obligation is fulfilled without such delivery by entering into an offsetting transaction. All futures transactions are effected through a clearing house associated with the exchange on which the contracts are traded.

 

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Futures Contracts on Securities

The Funds may purchase and sell futures contracts on securities. A futures contract sale creates an obligation by a Fund, as seller, to deliver the specific type of financial instrument called for in the contract at a specific future time for a specified price. A futures contract purchase creates an obligation by the Fund, as purchaser, to take delivery of the specific type of financial instrument at a specific future time at a specific price. The specific securities delivered or taken, respectively, at settlement date, would not be determined until or near that date. The determination would be in accordance with the rules of the exchange on which the futures contract sale or purchase was made.

Although futures contracts on securities by their terms call for actual delivery or acceptance of securities, in most cases the contracts are closed out before the settlement date without making or taking delivery of securities. A Fund may close out a futures contract sale by entering into a futures contract purchase for the same aggregate amount of the specific type of financial instrument and the same delivery date. If the price of the sale exceeds the price of the offsetting purchase, the Fund is immediately paid the difference and thus realizes a gain. If the offsetting purchase price exceeds the sale price, the Fund pays the difference and realizes a loss. Similarly, a Fund may close out of a futures contract purchase by entering into a futures contract sale. If the offsetting sale price exceeds the purchase price, the Fund realizes a gain, and if the purchase price exceeds the offsetting sale price, the Fund realizes a loss. Accounting for futures contracts will be in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles.

Swap Agreements

A Fund may enter into swap agreements with respect to securities, futures, currencies, indices, commodities and other instruments. Swap agreements can be individually negotiated and structured to include exposure to a variety of different types of investments or market factors, including securities, futures, currencies, indices, commodities and other instruments. Depending on their structure, swap agreements may increase or decrease a Fund’s exposure to long- or short-term interest rates (in the United States or abroad), foreign currency values, mortgage securities, corporate borrowing rates, or other factors such as security or commodity prices or inflation rates. Swap agreements can take many different forms and are known by a variety of names.

Swap agreements are two-party contracts entered into primarily by institutional investors for periods ranging from a few weeks to more than one year. In a standard “swap” transaction, two parties agree to exchange the returns (or differentials in rates of return) earned or realized on particular predetermined investments or instruments. The gross returns to be exchanged or “swapped” between the parties are calculated with respect to a “notional amount,” i.e., the return on or increase in value of a particular dollar amount invested at a particular interest rate, in a particular foreign currency, or in a “basket” of securities representing a particular index. The “notional amount” of the swap agreement is only a fictive basis on which to calculate the obligations that the parties to a swap agreement have agreed to exchange.

Some swap agreements entered into by a Fund would calculate the obligations of the parties to the agreements on a “net” basis. Consequently, a Fund’s obligations (or rights) under a swap agreement will generally be equal only to the net amount to be paid or received under the agreement based on the relative values of the positions held by each party to the agreement (the “net amount”). A Fund’s obligations under a swap agreement will be accrued daily (offset against any amounts owing to the Fund) and any accrued but unpaid net amounts owed to a swap counterparty will be covered by the maintenance of liquid assets in accordance with SEC staff guidance.

Forms of swap agreements also include cap, floor and collar agreements. In a typical cap or floor agreement, one party agrees to make payments only under specified circumstances, usually in return for payment of a fee by the other party. For example, the buyer of an interest rate cap obtains the right to receive payments to the extent that a specified interest rate exceeds an agreed-upon level, while the seller of an interest rate floor is obligated to make payments to the extent that a specified interest rate falls below an agreed-upon level. An interest rate collar combines elements of buying a cap and selling a floor.

 

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Swap agreements will tend to shift a Fund’s investment exposure from one type of investment to another. For example, if a Fund agreed to pay fixed rates in exchange for floating rates while holding fixed-rate bonds, the swap would tend to decrease the Fund’s exposure to long-term interest rates. Caps and floors have an effect similar to buying or writing options. Depending on how they are used, swap agreements may increase or decrease the overall volatility of a Fund’s investments and its share price and yield. The most significant factor in the performance of swap agreements is the change in the specific interest rate, currency, or other factors that determine the amounts of payments due to and from a Fund. If a swap agreement calls for payments by a Fund, whether in respect of periodic payments or margin, the Fund must be prepared to make such payments when due.

A Fund’s use of swap agreements may not be successful in furthering its investment objective, as the Adviser may not accurately predict whether certain types of investments are likely to produce greater returns than other investments. Certain swap agreements may also be considered to be illiquid. If such instruments are determined to be illiquid, then a Fund will limit its investment in these instruments subject to its limitation on investments in illiquid securities. Moreover, a Fund bears the risk of loss of the amount expected to be received under a swap agreement in the event of the default or bankruptcy of a swap agreement counterparty. Certain restrictions imposed on the Funds by the Code may limit each of the Funds’ ability to use swap agreements. A Fund may be able to eliminate its exposure under a swap agreement either by assignment or other disposition, or by entering into an offsetting swap agreement with the same party or a similarly creditworthy party. It is possible that developments in the swaps market, including potential government regulation, could adversely affect a Fund’s ability to terminate existing swap agreements or to realize amounts to be received under such agreements.

Global regulatory changes could adversely affect a Fund by restricting its trading activities and/or increasing the costs or taxes to which its investors are subject. The Dodd-Frank Act in the U.S., and the European Market Infrastructure Regulation (“EMIR”) in the European Union (among others), grant prudential and financial regulators (notably the SEC and CFTC in the U.S. and European Securities and Markets Authority in the European Union) the jurisdictional and rulemaking authority necessary to impose comprehensive regulations on the OTC and cleared derivatives markets. These regulations include, but are not limited to, requirements relating to disclosure, trade processing, trade reporting, margin and registration requirements. The implementation of these and other global regulatory initiatives could adversely impact the Funds by increasing transaction costs and/or regulatory compliance costs, limiting the availability of certain derivatives or otherwise adversely affecting the value or performance of derivatives that each Fund trades. Other potentially adverse regulatory obligations can develop suddenly and be imposed without notice.

Swaps on Equities, Currencies, Commodities and Futures

A Fund may enter into swaps with respect to a security, currency, commodity or futures contract (each, an “asset”); basket of assets; asset index; or index component (each, a “reference asset”). An equity, currency, commodity or futures swap is a two-party contract that generally obligates one party to pay the positive return and the other party to pay the negative return on a specified reference asset during the period of the swap. The payments based on the reference asset may be adjusted for transaction costs, interest payments, the amount of dividends paid on the referenced asset or other economic factors.

Equity, currency, commodity or futures swap contracts may be structured in different ways. For example, with respect to an equity swap, when a Fund takes a long position, the counterparty may agree to pay the Fund the amount, if any, by which the notional amount of the equity swap would have increased in value had it been invested in a particular stock (or group of stocks), plus the dividends that would have been received on the stock. In these cases, the Fund may agree to pay to the counterparty interest on the notional amount of the equity swap plus the amount, if any, by which that notional amount would have decreased in value had it been invested in such stock.

Therefore, in this case the return to the Fund on the equity swap should be the gain or loss on the notional amount plus dividends on the stock less the interest paid by the Fund on the notional amount. In other cases, when the

 

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Fund takes a short position, a counterparty may agree to pay the Fund the amount, if any, by which the notional amount of the equity swap would have decreased in value had the Fund sold a particular stock (or group of stocks) short, less the dividend expense that the Fund would have paid on the stock, as adjusted for interest payments or other economic factors. In these situations, the Fund may be obligated to pay the amount, if any, by which the notional amount of the swap would have increased in value had it been invested in such stock.

Equity, currency, commodity or futures swaps normally do not involve the delivery of securities or other underlying assets. Accordingly, the risk of loss with respect to these swaps is normally limited to the net amount of payments that a Fund is contractually obligated to make. If the other party to the swap defaults, a Fund’s risk of loss consists of the net amount of payments that such Fund is contractually entitled to receive, if any. Inasmuch as these transactions are offset by segregated cash or liquid assets to cover each of the Funds’ current obligations (or are otherwise covered as permitted by applicable law), the Funds and the Adviser believe that these transactions do not constitute senior securities under the 1940 Act.

Equity, currency, commodity or futures swaps are derivatives and their value can be very volatile. To the extent that the Adviser does not accurately analyze and predict future market trends, the values of assets or economic factors, a Fund may suffer a loss, which may be substantial. The swap markets in which many types of swap transactions are traded have grown substantially in recent years, with a large number of banks and investment banking firms acting both as principals and as agents. As a result, the markets for certain types of swaps have become relatively liquid.

Total Return and Interest Rate Swaps

In a total return swap, the buyer receives a periodic return equal to the total return of a specified security, securities or index, for a specified period of time. In return, the buyer pays the counterparty a variable stream of payments, typically based upon short term interest rates, possibly plus or minus an agreed upon spread.

Interest rate swaps are financial instruments that involve the exchange of one type of interest rate for another type of interest rate cash flow on specified dates in the future. Some of the different types of interest rate swaps are “fixed-for floating rate swaps,” “termed basis swaps” and “index amortizing swaps.” Fixed-for floating rate swaps involve the exchange of fixed interest rate cash flows for floating rate cash flows. Termed basis swaps entail cash flows to both parties based on floating interest rates, where the interest rate indices are different. Index amortizing swaps are typically fixed-for floating swaps where the notional amount changes if certain conditions are met. Like a traditional investment in a debt security, a Fund could lose money by investing in an interest rate swap if interest rates change adversely. For example, if a Fund enters into a swap where it agrees to exchange a floating rate of interest for a fixed rate of interest, the Fund may have to pay more money than it receives. Similarly, if a Fund enters into a swap where it agrees to exchange a fixed rate of interest for a floating rate of interest, the Fund may receive less money than it has agreed to pay.

Interest rate and total return swaps entered into in which payments are not netted may entail greater risk than a swap entered into on a net basis. If there is a default by the other party to such a transaction, the Fund will have contractual remedies pursuant to the agreements related to the transaction.

Combined Transactions

A Fund may enter into multiple transactions, including multiple options transactions, multiple futures transactions, multiple currency transactions including forward currency contracts, multiple interest rate transactions and multiple swap transactions, and any combination of options, futures, currency, interest rate, and swap transactions (“component transactions”), instead of a single transaction, as part of a single or combined strategy when, in the opinion of the Adviser, it is in the best interests of a Fund to do so. A combined transaction will usually contain elements of risk that are present in each of its component transactions. Although combined transactions are normally entered into based on the Adviser’s judgment that the combined strategies will reduce

 

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risk or otherwise more effectively achieve the desired portfolio management goal, it is possible that the combination will instead increase such risks or hinder achievement of the portfolio management objective.

Hedging Transactions

The Adviser, from time to time, employs various hedging techniques.

The success of a Fund’s hedging strategy will be subject to the Adviser’s ability to correctly assess the degree of correlation between the performance of the instruments used in the hedging strategy and the performance of the investments in the portfolio being hedged. Since the characteristics of many securities change as markets change or time passes, the success of a Fund’s hedging strategy will also be subject to the Adviser’s ability to continually recalculate, readjust, and execute hedges in an efficient and timely manner.

Hedging against a decline in the value of a portfolio position does not eliminate fluctuations in the values of those portfolio positions or prevent losses if the values of those positions decline. Rather, it establishes other positions designed to gain from those same declines, thus seeking to moderate the decline in the portfolio position’s value. Such hedging transactions also limit the opportunity for gain if the value of the portfolio position should increase. For a variety of reasons, the Adviser may not seek to establish a perfect correlation between such hedging instruments and the portfolio holdings being hedged. Such imperfect correlation may prevent a Fund from achieving the intended hedge or expose a Fund to risk of loss. In addition, it is not possible to hedge fully or perfectly against any risk, and hedging entails its own costs. The Adviser may determine, in its sole discretion, not to hedge against certain risks and certain risks may exist that cannot be hedged. Furthermore, the Adviser may not anticipate a particular risk so as to hedge against it effectively. Hedging transactions also limit the opportunity for gain if the value of a hedged portfolio position should increase.

Illiquid Securities

As a non-fundamental investment policy, a Fund may not purchase a security if, as a result, more than 15% of its net assets would be invested in illiquid securities. If, after the time of acquisition, events cause this limit to be exceeded, the Fund will take steps to reduce the aggregate amount of illiquid securities as soon as reasonably practicable in accordance with SEC and SEC staff guidance.

Repurchase agreements not entitling the holder to payment of principal in seven days, and certain “restricted securities” may be illiquid. A security is restricted if it is subject to contractual or legal restrictions on resale to the general public. A liquid institutional market has developed, however, for certain restricted securities such as repurchase agreements, commercial paper, foreign securities and corporate bonds and notes. Thus, restrictions on resale do not necessarily indicate a lack of liquidity for the security. For example, if a restricted security may be sold to certain institutional buyers in accordance with Rule 144A under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “1933 Act”), or another exemption from registration under such Act, the Adviser may determine that the security is liquid under guidelines adopted by the Board of Trustees. These guidelines take into account trading activity in the securities and the availability of reliable pricing information, among other factors. With other restricted securities, however, there can be no assurance that a liquid market will exist for the security at any particular time. A Fund might not be able to dispose of such securities promptly or at reasonable prices and might thereby experience difficulty satisfying redemptions. The Fund treats such holdings as illiquid.

To enable the Funds to sell restricted securities not registered under the 1933 Act, the Funds may have to cause those securities to be registered. The expenses of registration of restricted securities may be negotiated by a Fund with the issuer at the time such securities are purchased by such Fund, if such registration is required before such securities may be sold publicly. Securities having contractual restrictions on their resale might limit a Fund’s ability to dispose of such securities and might lower the amount realizable upon the sale of such securities.

In addition to the above, market conditions may cause the Fund to experience temporary mark-to-market losses, especially in less liquid positions, even in the absence of any selling of investments by the Fund.

 

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Loans of Portfolio Securities

To attempt to increase its income or total return, a Fund may lend its portfolio securities to certain types of eligible borrowers. Each loan will be secured continuously by collateral in the form of cash, high quality money market instruments or securities issued by the U.S. government or its agencies or instrumentalities. Collateral will be received and maintained by the Fund’s custodian concurrent with delivery of the loaned securities and kept in a segregated account or designated on the records of the custodian for the benefit of the Fund. Initial collateral will have a market value at least equal to 105% of the then-current market value of loaned equity securities not denominated in U.S. dollars or Canadian dollars or not primarily traded on a U.S. exchange, or 102% of the then-current market value of any other loaned securities. For all loaned foreign equity securities, the borrower must increase the collateral on a daily basis if the then-current market value of the collateral becomes insufficient to meet certain minimum required collateral levels for the type of loaned security. For all other loaned securities, the borrower must increase the collateral only when the market value of the collateral is less than 100% of the then-current market value of the loaned securities. The borrower pays to the lending Fund an amount equal to any dividends or interest received on loaned securities. The Fund retains all or a portion of the interest received on investment of cash collateral and/or receives a fee from the borrower; however, the lending Fund will generally pay certain administrative and custodial fees in connection with each loan.

The Fund has a right to call a loan at any time and require the borrower to redeliver the borrowed securities to the Fund within the settlement time specified in the loan agreement or be subject to a “buy in.” The Fund will generally not have the right to vote securities while they are being loaned, but it is expected that the Adviser will call a loan in anticipation of any important vote.

The risk in lending portfolio securities, as with other extensions of credit, consists of the possibility of loss to the Fund due to (i) the inability of the borrower to return the securities, (ii) a delay in receiving additional collateral to adequately cover any fluctuations in the value of securities on loan, (iii) a delay in recovery of the securities, or (iv) the loss of rights in the collateral should the borrower fail financially. In addition, the Fund is responsible for any loss that might result from its investment of the borrower’s collateral.

Securities lending will be conducted by a securities lending agent approved by the Trust’s Board of Trustees. The securities lending agent maintains a list of broker-dealers, banks or other institutions that it has determined to be creditworthy. The Fund will only enter into loan arrangements with borrowers on the approved list.

Margin Deposits and Cover Requirements

Margin Deposits for Futures Contracts

Unlike the purchase or sale of portfolio securities, no price is paid or received by a Fund upon the purchase or sale of a futures contract. Initially, the Fund will be required to deposit with the broker an amount of cash or cash equivalents, known as initial margin, based on the value of the contract. The nature of initial margin in futures transactions is different from that of margin in securities transactions in that futures contract margin does not involve the borrowing of funds by the customer to finance the transactions. Rather, the initial margin is in the nature of a performance bond or good faith deposit on the contract which is returned to the Fund upon termination of the futures contract, assuming all contractual obligations have been satisfied. Subsequent payments, called variation margin, to and from the broker will be made on a daily basis as the price of the underlying instruments fluctuates, making the long and short positions in the futures contract more or less valuable, a process known as “marking to the market.” For example, when a Fund has purchased a futures contract and the price of the contract has risen in response to a rise in the price of the underlying instruments, that position will have increased in value and the Fund will be entitled to receive from the broker a variation margin payment equal to that increase in value. Conversely, where the Fund has purchased a futures contract and the price of the futures contract has declined in response to a decrease in the underlying instruments, the position would be less valuable and the Fund would be required to make a variation margin payment to the broker. At any time prior to expiration of the futures contract, the Adviser may elect to close the position by taking an opposite

 

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position, subject to the availability of a secondary market, which will operate to terminate the Fund’s position in the futures contract. A final determination of variation margin is then made, additional cash is required to be paid by or released to the Fund, and the Fund realizes a loss or gain.

Cover Requirements for Forward Contracts, Swap Agreements, Options, Futures and Options on Futures

Each Fund will comply with regulatory guidance and interpretations with respect to coverage of forwards, futures, swaps and options. In certain instances, these require segregation or “ear marking” by the Fund of cash or liquid securities on its books and records or with its custodian or a designated sub-custodian to the extent the Fund’s obligations with respect to these strategies are not otherwise “covered” through ownership of the underlying security, financial instrument or currency or by other portfolio positions or by other means consistent with applicable regulatory policies. Segregated assets cannot be sold or transferred unless equivalent assets are substituted in their place or it is no longer necessary to segregate them. As a result, there is a possibility that segregation of a large percentage of a Fund’s assets could impede portfolio management or the Fund’s ability to meet redemption requests or other current obligations.

For example, with respect to a futures contract that is cash settled, a Fund will cover (and mark-to-market on a daily basis) liquid assets that, when added to the amounts deposited with a futures commission merchant as margin, are equal to the market value of the futures contract. When entering into a futures contract that does not settle in cash (a physically settled futures contract), a Fund will maintain with its custodian (and mark-to-market on a daily basis) liquid assets that, when added to the amounts deposited with a futures commission merchant as margin, are equal to the full notional value of the contract. Alternatively, the Fund may “cover” its position by purchasing an option on the same futures contract with a strike price as high or higher than the price of the contract held by the Fund. For asset segregation purposes, physically settled futures contracts will be treated like cash settled futures contracts when a Fund has entered into a contractual arrangement with a third party futures commission merchant or other counterparty to off-set the Fund’s exposure under the contract and, failing that, to assign its delivery obligation under the contract to the counterparty. Forward contracts that physically settle but are subject to this type of contractual off-setting arrangement with a third party will similarly be treated like cash settled forward contracts for asset segregation purposes. Use of this contractual off-setting approach exposes a Fund to counterparty risk. See also “Counterparty Risk” in each Fund’s Prospectus. It also expands the ability of a Fund to use futures and forwards, which involve additional risk. See also “Forwards, Futures, Swaps and Options—Special Risk Factors Regarding Forwards, Futures, Swaps and Options,” “Forwards, Futures, Swaps and Options—Forward Contracts,” “Forwards, Futures, Swaps and Options—Futures Contracts,” “Forwards, Futures, Swaps and Options—Stock Index Futures,” and “Forwards, Futures, Swaps and Options—Futures Contracts on Securities” above.

Mid-Cap Securities Risk

The prices of securities of mid-cap companies generally are more volatile than those of large capitalization companies and are more likely to be adversely affected than large-cap companies by changes in earnings results and investor expectations or poor economic or market conditions, including those experienced during a recession.

Momentum Style Risk

Investing in securities with positive momentum entails investing in securities that have had above-average recent returns. These securities may be more volatile than a broad cross-section of securities. In addition, there may be periods during which the investment performance of a Fund using a momentum strategy may suffer.

REITs

In pursuing its investment strategy, a Fund may invest in shares of real estate investment trusts (“REITs”). REITs possess certain risks which differ from an investment in common stocks. REITs are financial vehicles that pool

 

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investor’s capital to purchase or finance real estate. REITs may concentrate their investments in specific geographic areas or in specific property types, i.e., hotels, shopping malls, residential complexes and office buildings.

REITs are subject to management fees and other expenses, and so a Fund that invests in REITs will bear its proportionate share of the costs of the REITs’ operations. There are three general categories of REITs: equity REITs, mortgage REITs and hybrid REITs. Equity REITs invest primarily in direct fee ownership or leasehold ownership of real property; they derive most of their income from rents. Mortgage REITs invest mostly in mortgages on real estate, which may secure construction, development or long-term loans; the main source of their income is mortgage interest payments. Hybrid REITs hold both ownership and mortgage interests in real estate.

Investing in REITs involves certain unique risks in addition to those risks associated with investing in the real estate industry in general. The market value of REIT shares and the ability of the REITs to distribute income may be adversely affected by several factors, including rising interest rates, changes in the national, state and local economic climate and real estate conditions, perceptions of prospective tenants of the safety, convenience and attractiveness of the properties, the ability of the owners to provide adequate management, maintenance and insurance, the cost of complying with the Americans with Disabilities Act, increased competition from new properties, the impact of present or future environmental legislation and compliance with environmental laws, failing to maintain their exemptions from registration under the 1940 Act, changes in real estate taxes and other operating expenses, adverse changes in governmental rules and fiscal policies, adverse changes in zoning laws and other factors beyond the control of the issuers of the REITs. In addition, distributions received by a Fund from REITs may consist of dividends, capital gains and/or return of capital. As REITs generally pay a higher rate of dividends (on a pre-tax basis) than operating companies, to the extent application of the Fund’s investment strategy results in the Fund investing in REIT shares, the percentage of the Fund’s dividend income received from REIT shares will likely exceed the percentage of the Fund’s portfolio which is comprised of REIT shares. Generally, dividends received by a Fund from REIT shares and distributed to the Fund’s shareholders will not constitute “qualified dividend income” eligible for the reduced tax rate applicable to qualified dividend income; therefore, the tax rate applicable to that portion of the dividend income attributable to REIT shares held by the Fund that shareholders of the Fund receive will be taxed at a higher rate than dividends eligible for the reduced tax rate applicable to qualified dividend income.

REITs (especially mortgage REITs) are also subject to interest rate risk. Rising interest rates may cause REIT investors to demand a higher annual yield, which may, in turn, cause a decline in the market price of the equity securities issued by a REIT. Rising interest rates also generally increase the costs of obtaining financing, which could cause the value of a Fund’s REIT investments to decline. During periods when interest rates are declining, mortgages are often refinanced. Refinancing may reduce the yield on investments in mortgage REITs. In addition, since REITs depend on payment under their mortgage loans and leases to generate cash to make distributions to their shareholders, investments in REITs may be adversely affected by defaults on such mortgage loans or leases.

Investing in certain REITs, which often have small market capitalizations, may also involve the same risks as investing in other small capitalization companies. REITs may have limited financial resources and their securities may trade less frequently and in limited volume and may be subject to more abrupt or erratic price movements than larger company securities. Historically, small capitalization stocks, such as REITs, have been more volatile in price than the larger capitalization stocks such as those included in the S&P 500 Index. The management of a REIT may be subject to conflicts of interest with respect to the operation of the business of the REIT and may be involved in real estate activities competitive with the REIT. REITs may own properties through joint ventures or in other circumstances in which the REIT may not have control over its investments. REITs may incur significant amounts of leverage.

 

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Repurchase Agreements

A Fund may acquire securities subject to repurchase agreements. In a repurchase transaction, a Fund acquires a security from, and simultaneously agrees to resell it to, an approved vendor. An “approved vendor” is a U.S. commercial bank or the U.S. branch of a foreign bank or a broker-dealer that has been designated a primary dealer in government securities that meets the Trust’s credit requirements. The resale price exceeds the purchase price by an amount that reflects an agreed-upon interest rate effective for the period during which the repurchase agreement is in effect. If the vendor fails to pay the resale price on the delivery date, the Fund may incur costs in disposing of the collateral and may experience losses if there is any delay in its ability to do so. Repurchase agreements are considered “loans” under the 1940 Act, collateralized by the underlying security. There is no limit on the amount of a Fund’s net assets that may be subject to repurchase agreements.

Reverse Repurchase Agreements

A Fund, subject to its investment strategies and policies, may enter into reverse repurchase agreements. A Fund may enter into reverse repurchase agreements with the same parties with whom it may enter into repurchase agreements. Under a reverse repurchase agreement, a Fund sells securities to another party and agrees to repurchase them at a particular date and price. A Fund may enter into a reverse repurchase agreement when it is anticipated that the interest income to be earned from the investment of the proceeds of the transaction is greater than the interest expense of the transaction.

At the time a Fund enters into a reverse repurchase agreement, it will segregate (i.e., designate on the Fund’s books and records) liquid assets with a value not less than the repurchase price (including accrued interest). The use of reverse repurchase agreements may be regarded as leveraging and, therefore, speculative. Furthermore, reverse repurchase agreements involve the risks that (i) the interest income earned in the investment of the proceeds will be less than the interest expense, (ii) the market value of the securities retained in lieu of sale by a Fund may decline below the price of the securities the Fund has sold but is obligated to repurchase, (iii) the market value of the securities sold will decline below the price at which the Fund is required to repurchase them and (iv) the securities will not be returned to the Fund.

In addition, if the buyer of securities under a reverse repurchase agreement files for bankruptcy or becomes insolvent, such buyer or its trustee or receiver may receive an extension of time to determine whether to enforce a Fund’s obligations to repurchase the securities and the Fund’s use of the proceeds of the reverse repurchase agreement may effectively be restricted pending such decision.

Rights and Warrants

Warrants essentially are options to purchase equity securities at specific prices valid for a specific period of time. Their prices do not necessarily move parallel to the prices of the underlying securities. Investments in warrants involve certain risks, including the possible lack of a liquid market for the resale of the warrants, potential price fluctuations as a result of speculation or other factors, and failure of the price of the underlying security to reach a level at which the warrant can be prudently exercised (in which case the warrant may expire without being exercised, resulting in the loss of a Fund’s entire investment therein).

Rights are similar to warrants, but normally have a short duration and are distributed directly by the issuer to its shareholders. Rights and warrants have no voting rights, receive no dividends, and have no rights with respect to the assets of the issuer.

Securities of Other Investment Companies

A Fund may invest in shares of other investment companies, including ETFs, money market mutual funds, and closed-end investment companies, to the extent permitted by the 1940 Act. To the extent a Fund invests in shares of an investment company, it will bear its pro rata share of the other investment company’s expenses, such as investment advisory and distribution fees and operating expenses.

 

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Short Sales

A Fund may engage in short sales, including short sales against the box. Short sales (other than against the box) are transactions in which a Fund sells an instrument it does not own in anticipation of a decline in the market value of that instrument. A short sale against the box is a short sale where at the time of the sale, the Fund owns or has the right to obtain instruments equivalent in kind and amounts. To complete a short sale transaction, the Fund must borrow the instrument to make delivery to the buyer. The Fund then is obligated to replace the instrument borrowed by purchasing it at the market price at the time of replacement. The price at such time may be more or less than the price at which the instrument was sold by the Fund. Until the instrument is replaced, the Fund is required to pay to the lender amounts equal to any interest or dividends which accrue during the period of the loan. To borrow the instrument, the Fund also may be required to pay a premium, which would increase the cost of the instrument sold. There will also be other costs associated with short sales.

The Fund will incur a loss as a result of the short sale if the price of the instrument increases between the date of the short sale and the date on which the Fund replaces the borrowed instrument. Unlike taking a long position in an instrument by purchasing the instrument, where potential losses are limited to the purchase price, short sales have no cap on maximum loss. The Fund will realize a gain if the instrument declines in price between those dates. This result is the opposite of what one would expect from a cash purchase of a long position in an instrument.

Until the Fund replaces a borrowed instrument in connection with a short sale, the Fund will (a) designate on its records as collateral cash or liquid assets at such a level that the designated assets plus any amount deposited with the broker as collateral will equal the current value of the instrument sold short or (b) otherwise cover its short position in accordance with applicable law. The amount designated on the Fund’s records will be marked to market daily. This may limit the Fund’s investment flexibility, as well as its ability to meet redemption requests or other current obligations.

There is no guarantee that the Fund will be able to close out a short position at any particular time or at an acceptable price. During the time that the Fund is short an instrument, it is subject to the risk that the lender of the instrument will terminate the loan at a time when the Fund is unable to borrow the same instrument from another lender. If that occurs, the Fund may be “bought in” at the price required to purchase the instrument needed to close out the short position, which may be a disadvantageous price. Thus, there is a risk that a Fund may be unable to fully implement its investment strategy due to a lack of available instruments or for some other reason. It is possible that the market value of the instruments a Fund holds in long positions will decline at the same time that the market value of the instruments a Fund has sold short increases, thereby increasing a Fund potential volatility. Short sales also involve other costs. The Fund must normally repay to the lender an amount equal to any dividends or interest that accrues while the loan is outstanding. In addition, to borrow the instrument, the Fund may be required to pay a premium. The Fund also will incur transaction costs in effecting short sales. The amount of any ultimate gain for the Fund resulting from a short sale will be decreased, and the amount of any ultimate loss will be increased, by the amount of premiums, dividends, interest or expenses the Fund may be required to pay in connection with the short sale.

A Fund may enter into short sales on derivative instruments with a counterparty, which will subject the Fund to counterparty risk. See “Counterparty Risk” in the Fund’s Prospectus.

In addition to the general risks related to short sales discussed above, the Fund will be subject to additional risks when it makes short sales “against the box,” a transaction in which the Fund enters into a short sale of an instrument that the Fund owns or has the right to obtain at no additional cost. In a short sale “against the box” transaction, the Fund does not immediately deliver the instruments sold and is said to have a short position in those instruments until delivery occurs. If the Fund effects a short sale of instruments against the box at a time when it has an unrealized gain on the instruments, it may be required to recognize that gain as if it had actually sold the instruments (as a “constructive sale”) on the date it effects the short sale. However, such constructive

 

23


sale treatment may not apply if the Fund closes out the short sale with instruments other than the appreciated instruments held at the time of the short sale and if certain other conditions are satisfied.

Small-Cap Securities Risk

Investments in small-cap companies involve higher risks in some respects than do investments in stocks of larger companies (including mid-cap and large-cap companies). For example, prices of such stocks are often more volatile than prices of larger capitalization stocks. In addition, due to thin trading in some small capitalization stocks, an investment in these stocks may be more illiquid (i.e., harder to sell) than that of larger capitalization stocks. Smaller capitalization companies also fail more often than larger companies and may have more limited management and financial resources than larger companies.

Tax-Managed Investing

Taxes are a major influence on the net returns that investors receive on their taxable investments. There are four components of the returns of a mutual fund that invests in equities—price appreciation, distributions of qualified dividend income, distributions of other investment income and distributions of realized short-term and long-term capital gains—which are treated differently for federal income tax purposes. Distributions of income other than qualified dividend income and distributions of net realized short-term gains (on stocks held for one year or less) are taxed as ordinary income. Distributions of qualified dividend income and net realized long-term gains (on stocks held for more than one year) are currently taxed at rates up to 15% for non-corporate investors with incomes below approximately $415,000 ($465,000 if married filing jointly) (with these income thresholds adjusted annually for inflation), and 20% for individuals with any income above those amounts that is net long-term capital gain or qualified dividend income. Each Fund’s investment program and the tax treatment of Fund distributions may be affected by Internal Revenue Service interpretations of the Code and future changes in tax laws and regulations. Returns derived from price appreciation are untaxed until the shareholder disposes of his or her shares. Upon disposition, a capital gain (short-term, if the shareholder has held his or her shares for one year or less, otherwise long-term) equal to the difference between the net proceeds of the disposition and the shareholder’s adjusted tax basis is realized. An investor investing in multiple mutual funds cannot offset capital gains distributed by one fund with capital losses realized by another fund, or offset capital gain realized on the sale of one fund’s shares with the capital losses realized by another fund unless the shares of that fund are sold.

U.S. Government Securities

U.S. Treasury obligations are backed by the full faith and credit of the United States. Obligations of U.S. Government agencies or instrumentalities (including certain types of mortgage-backed securities) may or may not be guaranteed or supported by the “full faith and credit” of the United States. Some are backed by the right of the issuer to borrow from the U.S. Treasury; others are supported by discretionary authority of the U.S. Government to purchase the agencies’ obligations; while still others are supported only by the credit of the instrumentality. If the securities are not backed by the full faith and credit of the United States, the owner of the securities must look principally to the agency issuing the obligation for repayment and may not be able to assert a claim against the United States in the event that the agency of instrumentality does not meet its commitment.

On August 5, 2011, Standard & Poor’s Ratings Services (“S&P”) downgraded U.S. Treasury securities from AAA rating to AA+ rating. Another downgrade of the ratings of U.S. government debt obligations, which are often used as a benchmark for other borrowing arrangements, could result in higher interest rates for individual and corporate borrowers, cause disruptions in the international bond markets and have a substantial negative effect on the U.S. economy. A downgrade of U.S. Treasury securities from another ratings agency or a further downgrade below AA+ rating by S&P may cause the value of the Fund’s U.S. Treasury obligations to decline.

 

24


Risks Related to the Adviser and to its Quantitative and Statistical Approach

Trading Judgment

The success of the proprietary valuation techniques and trading strategies employed by the Funds is subject to the judgment and skills of the Adviser and the research team that it oversees. Additionally, the trading abilities of the portfolio management team with regard to execution and discipline are important to the return of the Funds. There can be no assurance that the investment decisions or actions of the Adviser will be correct. Incorrect decisions or poor judgment may result in substantial losses.

Model and Data Risk

Given the complexity of the investments and strategies of each Fund, the Adviser relies heavily on quantitative models and information and data supplied by third parties (“Models and Data”). Models and Data are used to construct sets of transactions and investments, to provide risk management insights, and to assist in hedging a Fund’s investments.

When Models and Data prove to be incorrect or incomplete, any decisions made in reliance thereon expose the Fund to potential risks. For example, by relying on Models and Data, the Adviser may be induced to buy certain investments at prices that are too high, to sell certain other investments at prices that are too low, or to miss favorable opportunities altogether. Similarly, any hedging based on faulty Models and Data may prove to be unsuccessful. The Fund bears the risk that the quantitative models used by the Adviser will not be successful in forecasting movements in industries, sectors or companies and/or in determining the size, direction, and/or weighting of investment positions that will enable the Fund to achieve its investment objective.

Some of the models used by the Adviser for one or more Funds are predictive in nature. The use of predictive models has inherent risks. For example, such models may incorrectly forecast future behavior, leading to potential losses on a cash flow and/or a mark-to-market basis. In addition, in unforeseen or certain low-probability scenarios (often involving a market disruption of some kind), such models may produce unexpected results, which can result in losses for a Fund. Furthermore, because predictive models are usually constructed based on historical data supplied by third parties, the success of relying on such models may depend heavily on the accuracy and reliability of the supplied historical data.

All models rely on correct market data inputs. If incorrect market data is entered into even a well-founded model, the resulting information will be incorrect. However, even if market data is input correctly, “model prices” will often differ substantially from market prices, especially for instruments with complex characteristics, such as derivative instruments. Model prices can differ from market prices as model prices are typically based on assumptions and estimates derived from recent market data that may not remain realistic or relevant in the future. To address these issues, the Adviser evaluates model prices and outputs versus recent transactions or similar securities, and as a result, such models may be modified from time to time.

Obsolescence Risk

A Fund is unlikely to be successful unless the assumptions underlying the models are realistic and either remain realistic and relevant in the future or are adjusted to account for changes in the overall market environment. If such assumptions are inaccurate or become inaccurate and are not promptly adjusted, it is likely that profitable trading signals will not be generated. If and to the extent that the models do not reflect certain factors, and the Adviser does not successfully address such omissions through its testing and evaluation and modify the models accordingly, major losses may result. The Adviser will continue to test, evaluate and add new models, as a result of which the existing models may be modified from time to time. Any modification of the models or strategies will not be subject to any requirement that shareholders receive notice of the change or that they consent to it. There can be no assurance as to the effects (positive or negative) of any modification of the models or strategies on a Fund’s performance.

 

25


Crowding/Convergence

There is significant competition among quantitatively-focused managers, and the ability of the Adviser to deliver returns consistent with a Fund’s objectives and policies is dependent on its ability to employ models that are simultaneously profitable and differentiated from those employed by other managers. To the extent that the Adviser’s models used for a Fund come to resemble those employed by other managers, the risk that a market disruption that negatively affects predictive models will adversely affect the Fund is increased, and such a disruption could accelerate reductions in liquidity or rapid repricing due to simultaneous trading across a number of funds in the marketplace.

Risk of Programming and Modeling Errors

The research and modeling process engaged in by the Adviser is extremely complex and involves financial, economic, econometric and statistical theories, research and modeling; the results of that process must then be translated into computer code. Although the Adviser seeks to hire individuals skilled in each of these functions and to provide appropriate levels of oversight, the complexity of the individual tasks, the difficulty of integrating such tasks, and the limited ability to perform “real world” testing of the end product raises the chances that the finished model may contain an error; one or more of such errors could adversely affect a Fund’s performance and, depending on the circumstances, would generally not constitute a trade error under the Trust’s policies.

Involuntary Disclosure Risk

As described above (under “Model and Data Risk” and “Crowding/Convergence”), the ability of the Adviser to achieve its investment goals for a Fund is dependent in large part on its ability to develop and protect its models and proprietary research. The models and proprietary research and the Models and Data are largely protected by the Adviser through the use of policies, procedures, agreements, and similar measures designed to create and enforce robust confidentiality, non-disclosure, and similar safeguards. However, public disclosure obligations (or disclosure obligations to exchanges or regulators with insufficient privacy safeguards) could lead to opportunities for competitors to reverse-engineer the Adviser’s Models and Data, and thereby impair the relative or absolute performance of a Fund.

Proprietary Trading Methods

Because the trading methods employed by the Adviser on behalf of each Fund are proprietary to the Adviser, a shareholder will not be able to determine any details of such methods or whether they are being followed.

FUNDAMENTAL POLICIES

The Funds’ policies set forth below are fundamental policies of each Fund; i.e., they may not be changed with respect to a Fund without shareholder approval. Shareholder approval means approval by the lesser of (1) more than 50% of the outstanding voting securities of the Fund, or (2) 67% or more of the voting securities present at a meeting if the holders of more than 50% of the outstanding voting securities of the Fund are present or represented by proxy. Except for those investment policies of a Fund specifically identified as fundamental in the Prospectus and this SAI, the Funds’ investment objectives as described in the Prospectus, and all other investment policies and practices described in the Prospectus and this SAI may be changed by the Trust’s Board of Trustees without the approval of shareholders.

Unless otherwise indicated, all of the percentage limitations below, and in the investment restrictions recited in the Prospectus, apply to each Fund on an individual basis, and apply only at the time a transaction is entered into, except that any borrowing by a Fund that exceeds the fundamental investment limitations stated in item 2 below must be reduced to meet such limitations within the period required by the 1940 Act (currently three days).

 

26


Each Fund

 

1.

Shall be a “diversified company” as that term is defined in the 1940 Act, as interpreted or modified by regulatory authorities having jurisdiction, from time to time.

 

2.

May borrow money to the extent permitted under the 1940 Act, as interpreted or modified by regulatory authorities having jurisdiction, from time to time.

 

3.

May not concentrate its investments in a particular industry or group of industries, except as permitted under the 1940 Act, as interpreted or modified by regulatory authorities having jurisdiction, from time to time, provided that, without limiting the generality of the foregoing, this limitation will not apply to a Fund’s investments in: (i) securities of other investment companies; (ii) securities issued or guaranteed as to principal and/or interest by the U.S. government, its agencies or instrumentalities; or (iii) repurchase agreements (collateralized by the instruments described in Clause (ii)).

 

 

For the purposes of this policy, each Fund may use the industry classifications provided by Bloomberg, L.P., the Morgan Stanley Capital International/Standard & Poor’s Global Industry Classification Standard (“GICS”) or any other reasonable industry classification system. Wholly-owned finance companies will be considered to be in the industries of their parents if their activities are primarily related to financing the activities of the parents. Utilities will be divided according to their services, for example, gas, gas transmission, electric and gas, electric and telephone will each be considered a separate industry.

 

4.

May not purchase or sell real estate or any interest therein, other than as may be acquired as a result of ownership of securities or other instruments and provided that the Fund shall not be prevented from investing in securities backed by real estate or securities of companies engaged in the real estate business.

 

5.

The AQR Global Equity Fund, AQR International Equity Fund, AQR Large Cap Momentum Style Fund, AQR Small Cap Momentum Style Fund and AQR International Momentum Style Fund may not purchase physical commodities or contracts relating to physical commodities, except as permitted under the 1940 Act and other applicable laws, rules and regulations, as such may be interpreted or modified by regulatory authorities having jurisdiction, from time to time. The AQR Emerging Momentum Style Fund, AQR TM Large Cap Momentum Style Fund, AQR TM Small Cap Momentum Style Fund, AQR TM International Momentum Style Fund, AQR Large Cap Defensive Style Fund, AQR International Defensive Style Fund, AQR Emerging Defensive Style Fund, AQR Large Cap Multi-Style Fund, AQR Small Cap Multi-Style Fund, AQR International Multi-Style Fund, AQR Emerging Multi-Style Fund, AQR TM Large Cap Multi-Style Fund, AQR TM Small Cap Multi-Style Fund, AQR TM International Multi-Style Fund, AQR TM Emerging Multi-Style Fund, AQR Large Cap Relaxed Constraint Equity Fund, AQR Small Cap Relaxed Constraint Equity Fund, AQR International Relaxed Constraint Equity Fund and AQR Emerging Relaxed Constraint Equity Fund may not purchase commodities or contracts relating to commodities, except as permitted under the 1940 Act and other applicable laws, rules and regulations, as such may be interpreted or modified by regulatory authorities having jurisdiction, from time to time.

 

6.

May make loans to the extent permitted under the 1940 Act, as such may be interpreted or modified by regulatory authorities having jurisdiction, from time to time.

 

7.

May not act as an underwriter of securities within the meaning of the 1933 Act, except as permitted under the 1933 Act, and as interpreted or modified by regulatory authority having jurisdiction, from time to time. Among other things, to the extent that a Fund may be deemed to be an underwriter within the meaning of the 1933 Act, this would permit a Fund to act as an underwriter of securities in connection with the purchase and sale of its portfolio securities in the ordinary course of pursuing its investment objective, investment policies and investment program.

 

8.

May not issue any senior security, except as permitted under the 1940 Act, and as interpreted or modified by regulatory authority having jurisdiction, from time to time. Among other things, this would permit a Fund to: (a) enter into commitments to purchase securities in accordance with a Fund’s investment program, including, without limitation, reverse repurchase agreements, delayed delivery securities and when-issued

 

27


  securities, to the extent permitted by its investment program and other restrictions; (b) engage in short sales of securities to the extent permitted in its investment program and other restrictions; and (c) purchase or sell derivative instruments to the extent permitted by its investment program and other restrictions.

The following notations are not considered to be part of the Funds’ fundamental policies and are subject to change without shareholder approval.

Unless otherwise indicated, all of the percentage limitations below, and in the investment restrictions recited in the Prospectus, apply to each Fund on an individual basis and except as noted in the following sentence, apply only at the time a transaction is entered into. Therefore, if a percentage limitation is satisfied at the time of investment, a later increase or decrease in such percentage resulting from a change in the value of the Fund’s investments will not constitute a violation of such limitation, except that any borrowing by the Fund that exceeds the fundamental investment limitations stated above must be reduced to meet such limitations within the period required by the 1940 Act (currently three days). In addition, if the Fund’s holdings of illiquid securities exceed 15% of net assets because of changes in the value of the Fund’s investments, the Fund will take action to reduce its holdings of illiquid securities within a time frame deemed to be in the best interest of the Fund. Otherwise, the Fund may continue to hold a security even though it causes the Fund to exceed a percentage limitation because of fluctuation in the value of the Fund’s assets.

With respect to the fundamental policy relating to the concentration of investments set forth in (3) above, a Fund intends to include the Fund’s investments in securities of other industry-specific investment companies for purposes of calculating such Fund’s industry concentration, to the extent practicable.

NON-FUNDAMENTAL INVESTMENT POLICIES RELATED TO FUND NAMES

Certain Funds have names that suggest that the Fund will focus on a type of investment, within the meaning of Rule 35d-1 under the 1940 Act. The Trust has adopted a non-fundamental policy for each Fund with such a name to invest under normal market conditions at least 80% of its net assets (plus any borrowings for investment purposes) in investments of the type suggested by the Fund’s name, in each case as set forth in the Fund’s Prospectus.

With respect to each of these Funds, the Trust has adopted a policy to provide the Fund’s shareholders with at least 60 days prior notice of any change in the policy of a Fund to invest at least 80% of its assets in the manner described above.

MANAGEMENT OF THE FUNDS

The overall management of the business and affairs of the Funds is vested with the Board of Trustees. The Board of Trustees consists of eight individuals (each, a “Trustee”), six of whom are not “interested persons” of the Trust as defined in the 1940 Act (the “Disinterested Trustees”). The Trustees are responsible for the oversight of the operations of the Trust and perform the various duties imposed on the directors of investment companies by the 1940 Act. The Board of Trustees approves all significant agreements between the Trust and persons or companies furnishing services to it, including the Trust’s agreements with its investment advisers, investment sub-advisers, administrator, custodian and transfer agent. The management of each Fund’s day-to-day operations is delegated to its officers, the Adviser, and the Funds’ administrator, subject always to the investment objectives and policies of each of the Funds and to general supervision of the Board of Trustees. The Disinterested Trustees have retained independent legal counsel to assist them in connection with their duties.

 

28


Listed in the chart below is basic information regarding the Trustees and officers of the Trust. The address of each officer and Trustee is Two Greenwich Plaza, Greenwich CT 06830.

 

Name and Year of Birth

  

Current Position
with the Trust,
Term of Office1
and Length of
Time Served

  

Principal Occupation(s)
During Past 5 Years

   Number of Funds in
Fund Complex
Overseen by Trustee
    

Other Present or
Past Directorships
Held by Trustee
(during the past 5  years)

Disinterested Trustees2

     

Timothy K. Armour, M.B.A.,

1948

  

Chairman of the Board, since 2010; and Trustee, since 2008

  

Interim Chief Executive Officer of Janus Capital Group (retired) (2009 to 2010) (financial services)

    

46

     

Janus Capital Group (2008 to 2016); ETF Securities (2010 to 2013)

L. Joe Moravy,

M.B.A., CPA,

1950

  

Trustee, since 2008

  

Independent Consultant (since 2014); Managing Director, Finance Scholars Group (2010-2014) (consulting)

     46      

Nuveen Exchange Traded Commodities Funds (since 2012)

William L. Atwell, M.B.A.,

1950

  

Trustee, since 2011

  

Managing Director, Atwell Partners LLC (since 2012) (consulting); President (CIGNA International), CIGNA (2008 to 2012) (insurance)

     46      

Webster Financial Corporation (since 2014)

Gregg D. Behrens, M.M.,

1952

  

Trustee, since 2011

  

Retired from Northern Trust Company (since 2009) (banking)

     46      

None

Brian Posner,

M.B.A.,

1961

  

Trustee, since 2011

  

President, Point Rider Group LLC (since 2008) (consulting)

     46      

Biogen Inc. (since 2008); Arch Capital Group (since 2010); BG Medicine (2012 to 2015); RiverPark Funds Trust (2010 to 2012)

Mark. A. Zurack,

M.B.A., CFA

1957

  

Trustee, since 2014

  

Adjunct Professor and Executive-in-Residence, Columbia Business School (since 2002)

     46      

Exchange Traded Concepts Trust (since 2011); Source ETF Trust (since 2014)

 

29


Name and Year of Birth

  

Current Position
with the Trust,
Term of Office1
and Length of
Time Served

  

Principal Occupation(s)
During Past 5 Years

   Number of Funds in
Fund Complex
Overseen by Trustee
    

Other Present or
Past Directorships
Held by Trustee
(during the past 5  years)

Interested Trustees3

           

David Kabiller, CFA,

1963

  

Trustee, since 2010

  

Founding Principal, AQR Capital Management, LLC (since 1998)

    

46

     

None

Marco Hanig, Ph.D.,

1958

  

Trustee, since 2014; Chief Executive Officer, since 2009; President, since 2008

  

Principal, AQR Capital Management, LLC (since 2008)

    

46

     

None

Officers

     

H.J. Willcox, J.D.,

1966

  

Chief Compliance Officer, since 2013

  

Managing Director and Chief Compliance Officer, AQR Capital Management, LLC (since 2013); Global Head of Compliance and Counsel, KKR & Co., L.P. (2008-2013)

    

N/A

     

N/A

Heather Bonner, CPA,

1977

  

Chief Financial Officer, since 2014

  

Vice President, AQR Capital Management, LLC (since 2013); Senior Manager, PricewaterhouseCoopers, LLP (2007-2013)

    

N/A

     

N/A

Greg McNeil, M.S., M.B.A., CPA,

1975

  

Vice President and Treasurer, since 2015

  

Vice President, AQR Capital Management, LLC (since 2015); Assistant Treasurer, Franklin Templeton Investments (2010-2015)

    

N/A

     

N/A

Bradley Asness, J.D., M.B.A.,

1969

  

Vice President, since 2009

  

Principal and Chief Legal Officer, AQR Capital Management, LLC (since 1998)

    

N/A

     

N/A

 

30


Name and Year of Birth

  

Current Position
with the Trust,
Term of Office1
and Length of
Time Served

  

Principal Occupation(s)
During Past 5 Years

   Number of Funds in
Fund Complex
Overseen by Trustee
  

Other Present or
Past Directorships
Held by Trustee
(during the past 5  years)

Brendan R. Kalb, J.D.,

1975

  

Executive Vice President, since 2009; Secretary, since 2008

  

Managing Director and General Counsel, AQR Capital Management, LLC (since 2004)

  

N/A

  

N/A

Nicole DonVito, J.D.,

1979

  

Chief Legal Officer, since 2014; Vice President, since 2009

  

Managing Director, Senior Counsel - Head of Registered Products, AQR Capital Management, LLC (since 2007)

  

N/A

  

N/A

 

1 

Each Trustee serves until the election and qualification of a successor, or until death, resignation or removal as provided in the Trust’s Declaration of Trust. A Disinterested Trustee may not hold office beyond December 31 of the year in which he turns 72.

2 

A Disinterested Trustee is any Trustee that is not an “interested person” of the Trust within the meaning of Section 2(a)(19) of the 1940 Act.

3 

An Interested Trustee is a Trustee that is an “interested person” of the Trust within the meaning of Section 2(a)(19) of the 1940 Act. Mr. Kabiller and Dr. Hanig are interested persons of the Trust because of their positions with the Adviser.

Leadership Structure of the Board of Trustees

Overall responsibility for oversight of the Trust and its Funds rests with the Board of Trustees (the “Board”). The Trust, on behalf of the Funds, has engaged the Adviser to manage the Funds on a day-to-day basis. The Board is responsible for overseeing the Adviser and any other service providers in the operations of the Funds in accordance with the provisions of the 1940 Act, applicable provisions of state and other laws, the Trust’s Declaration of Trust and By-laws, and each Fund’s investment objectives and strategies. The Board is presently composed of eight members, six of whom are Disinterested Trustees. The Board currently conducts regular in-person meetings and holds special telephonic meetings, or informal conference calls, to discuss specific matters that may arise or require action between regular Board meetings. The Disinterested Trustees also meet in executive session, at which no Trustees who are interested persons of the Funds are present. The Disinterested Trustees have engaged independent legal counsel to assist them in performing their oversight responsibilities.

The Board has appointed Mr. Armour, a Disinterested Trustee, to serve as Chairman of the Board. The Chairman’s role is to preside at all meetings of the Board and to act as a liaison with service providers, including the Adviser, officers, attorneys, and other Trustees generally, between meetings. The Chairman may also perform such other functions as may be delegated by the Board from time to time. The Board has established two committees, i.e., the Audit Committee and the Nominating and Governance Committee (each, a “Committee”) to assist the Board in the oversight and direction of the business and affairs of the Funds, and from to time may establish informal working groups to review and address the policies and practices of the Funds with respect to certain specified matters. The Committee system facilitates the timely and efficient consideration of matters by the Trustees, and facilitates effective oversight of compliance with legal and regulatory requirements and of the Funds’ activities and associated risks. The standing Committees currently conduct an annual review of their charters, which includes a review of their responsibilities and operations. The Nominating and Governance Committee and the Board as a whole also conduct an annual evaluation of the performance of the Board,

 

31


including consideration of the effectiveness of the Board’s committee structure. The Board has determined that the Board’s leadership structure is appropriate because it allows the Board to exercise informed and independent judgment over the matters under its purview and it allocates areas of responsibility among the Committees and the full Board in a manner that enhances efficient and effective oversight.

The Funds are subject to a number of risks, including, among others, investment, compliance, operational and valuation risks. Risk oversight forms part of the Board’s general oversight of the Funds and is addressed as part of various Board and Committee activities. Day-to-day risk management functions are subsumed within the responsibilities of the Adviser, which carries out the Funds’ investment management and business affairs, and other service providers in connection with the services they provide to the Funds. Each of the Adviser and other service providers have their own independent interest in risk management, and their policies and methods of risk management will depend on their functions and business models. As part of its regular oversight of the Funds, the Board, directly and/or through a Committee, interacts with and reviews reports from, among others, the Adviser and the Funds’ other service providers (including the Funds’ distributor, servicing agent and transfer agent), the Funds’ Chief Compliance Officer, the independent registered public accounting firm for the Funds, and legal counsel to the Funds. The Board recognizes that it may not be possible to identify all of the risks that may affect the Funds or to develop processes and controls to eliminate or mitigate their occurrence or effects. The Board may, at any time and in its discretion, change the manner in which it conducts risk oversight.

Board of Trustees and Committees

Among the attributes common to all Trustees are their ability to review critically, evaluate, question and discuss information provided to them, to interact effectively with the other Trustees, the Adviser, other service providers, legal counsel and the independent registered public accounting firm, and to exercise effective business judgment in the performance of their duties as Trustees. A Trustee’s ability to perform his duties effectively may have been attained, as set forth below, through the Trustee’s executive, business, consulting, and/or academic positions; experience from service as a Trustee of the Trust (and/or in other capacities), other investment funds, public companies, or non-profit entities or other organizations; educational background or professional training; and/or other life experiences.

Timothy K. Armour, M.B.A. Mr. Armour has served as a Trustee of the Trust since 2008. In addition, he has more than 33 years of business and executive experience, specifically in the mutual fund industry. Mr. Armour has held senior positions with Morningstar, Inc. and Janus Capital Group. Mr. Armour also has corporate governance experience serving as a director/trustee of other entities, including Janus Capital Group, ETF Securities and AARP Services.

L. Joe Moravy, M.B.A., CPA. Mr. Moravy has served as a Trustee of the Trust since 2008. In addition, he has more than 42 years of business and executive experience primarily in the auditing and accounting area. Mr. Moravy has more than 37 years of audit and accounting related experience as a certified public accountant at leading accounting firms where he provided audit and accounting-related services to financial services companies. As a certified public accountant, Mr. Moravy also has gained corporate governance experience through working with the boards of directors and audit committees of public and private corporations. He also serves on the independent committee of Nuveen Exchange Traded Commodity Funds and has served as a director of several not-for-profit organizations.

William L. Atwell, M.B.A. Mr. Atwell has served as a Trustee of the Trust since 2011. In addition, he has more than 43 years of business experience in financial services. Mr. Atwell has extensive experience in various executive and other positions with CIGNA, Charles Schwab and Citibank. Mr. Atwell also has corporate governance experience serving as a director of Webster Financial Corporation, as a director/trustee of several not-for-profit organizations and has served as a director/trustee of USI Holdings Corporation.

 

32


Gregg D. Behrens, M.M. Mr. Behrens has served as a Trustee of the Trust since 2011. In addition, he has more than 42 years of business experience in financial services. Mr. Behrens has extensive experience in various executive and other positions with Northern Trust Company, including his executive experience in London and Singapore. Mr. Behrens also has corporate governance experience serving as a director/trustee of several not-for-profit organizations.

Brian S. Posner, M.B.A. Mr. Posner has served as a Trustee of the Trust since 2011. In addition, he has more than 28 years of business experience in financial services. Mr. Posner has extensive experience in various executive and other positions with Point Rider Group LLC, ClearBridge Advisors, Hygrove Partners LLC/Hygrove Management LLC, Warburg Pincus Asset Management and Fidelity Management and Research Company. Mr. Posner also has corporate governance experience serving as a director/trustee of other entities, including BG Medicine, Biogen Inc., Arch Capital Group, Anadys Pharmaceuticals, Inc., the Mutual Fund Store and the River Park Funds.

Mark A. Zurack, M.B.A., CFA. Mr. Zurack has served as a Trustee of the Trust since 2014. In addition, he has more than 31 years of business and executive experience specifically in equity markets, equity derivatives and related products. Mr. Zurack has 13 years of experience as a professor at Columbia Business School and extensive experience in various executive and other positions serving 18 years at Goldman Sachs & Co. He also has corporate governance experience serving as a trustee for Exchange Traded Concepts Trust and as director/ trustee for not-for-profit organizations.

David Kabiller, CFA. Mr. Kabiller has served as a Trustee of the Trust since 2010. In addition, he has more than 28 years of business and executive experience and is a Founding Principal of the Adviser. He has been with the Adviser since its inception in 1998. Prior to cofounding the Adviser, Mr. Kabiller was associated with Goldman Sachs & Co. where he served as a Vice President (1987 – 1998). Mr. Kabiller also has corporate governance experience serving as a director/trustee of several not-for-profit organizations.

Marco Hanig, Ph.D. Dr. Hanig has served as a Trustee of the Trust since 2014, as Chief Executive Officer since 2009 and as President since 2008. In addition, he has more than 20 years of business and executive experience related to mutual funds and is a Principal of the Adviser. He has been with the Adviser since 2008. Prior to joining the Adviser, Dr. Hanig was a principal with William Blair & Company, where he served as President of the William Blair Funds and Chief Operating Officer of the Investment Management Department. Dr. Hanig also has corporate governance experience as a director/trustee for not-for-profit organizations.

Committees of the Board of Trustees

As discussed above, the Board of Trustees currently has two standing committees: (1) an Audit Committee, and (2) a Nominating and Governance Committee. Currently, each Disinterested Trustee serves on each committee. Mr. Kabiller and Dr. Hanig, as Interested Trustees, are not members of either committee. Each committee has adopted a written charter setting forth its duties and responsibilities. The Audit Committee met 4 times and the Nominating and Governance Committee met 1 time during the fiscal year ended September 30, 2015.

Audit Committee. L. Joe Moravy, M.B.A., CPA, serves as the Chairman of the Audit Committee. The Audit Committee is required to meet at least twice a year and:

 

 

 

oversees the accounting, auditing and financial reporting processes of each of the Funds;

 

 

 

hires (and fires, if needed) the Funds’ independent registered public accounting firm (subject to the ratification of the Board of Trustees);

 

 

 

pre-approves all audit, audit-related and non-audit services to be provided by the independent registered public accounting firm to the Funds and certain Fund affiliates if those non-audit services relate directly to the operations and financial reporting of the Funds;

 

33


 

 

reviews with the independent registered public accounting firm the proposed scope of, and fees for, their audit, the registered public accounting firm’s independence, and the staffing of the audit team of the Funds;

 

 

 

receives and considers a report from the independent registered public accounting firm concerning their conduct of the audit, including any comments or recommendations they might want to make in that connection;

 

 

 

considers all critical accounting policies and practices to be used by each of the Funds and any proposed alternative treatments thereof; and

 

 

 

investigates any improprieties or suspected improprieties in connection with the Funds’ accounting or financial reporting.

Nominating and Governance Committee. William L. Atwell, M.B.A., serves as the Chairman of the Nominating and Governance Committee. The Nominating and Governance Committee normally meets once a year and as necessary to address governance issues and:

 

 

 

reviews and assesses the adequacy of the Board’s ongoing adherence to industry corporate governance best practices and makes recommendations as to any appropriate changes;

 

 

 

reviews and makes recommendations to the Board regarding Trustee compensation and expense reimbursement policies;

 

 

 

undertakes periodically to coordinate and facilitate evaluations of the Board and recommend improvements, as appropriate; and

 

 

 

meets with the Funds’ management to review reports and other information concerning the status of the Funds’ operations, procedures, and processes.

If there is a vacancy on the Board, the Nominating and Governance Committee will:

 

 

 

identify and evaluate potential candidates to fill any such vacancy on the Board;

 

 

 

select from among the potential candidates a nominee to be presented to the full Board for its consideration; and

 

 

 

recommend to the Board a nominee to fill any such vacancy.

When seeking suggestions for nominees to serve as independent trustees, the Nominating and Governance Committee may consider suggestions from anyone it deems appropriate. When seeking to fill a position on the Board previously held by an Interested Trustee, the Nominating and Governance Committee will consider the views and recommendations of the Adviser. The Nominating and Governance Committee will not normally consider Trustee nominations submitted by shareholders.

 

34


Fund Ownership of the Trustees

The following table sets forth, for each Trustee, the dollar range of shares owned in a Fund as of December 31, 2015, as well as the aggregate dollar range of shares owned by the Trustee in the Trust as of the same date:

 

Name of Trustee

  

Dollar Range of Equity Securities in the Fund

   Aggregate Dollar Range of
Equity Securities in All
Registered Investment
Companies Overseen by
Director in Family of
Investment Companies
 
    

Name of Fund

  

Dollar Range

      

Timothy K. Armour, M.B.A.

  

AQR Small Cap Momentum Style Fund

   $50,001-$100,000    Over $ 100,000

L. Joe Moravy, M.B.A., CPA

  

AQR Large Cap Multi-Style Fund

   $10,001-$50,000    Over $ 100,000
  

AQR Small Cap Multi-Style Fund

   $10,001-$50,000   
  

AQR International Multi-Style Fund

   $10,001-$50,000   
  

AQR Small Cap Momentum Style Fund

   $10,001-$50,000   
  

AQR Large Cap Defensive Style Fund

   $50,001-$100,000   
  

AQR International Defensive Style Fund

   $10,001-$50,000   

William L. Atwell, M.B.A.

  

AQR Large Cap Momentum Style Fund

   $50,001-$100,000    Over $ 100,000
  

AQR Small Cap Momentum Style Fund

   Over $100,000   
  

AQR International Momentum Style Fund

   $50,001-$100,000   
  

AQR International Equity Fund

   $10,001-$50,000   

Gregg D. Behrens, M.M.

  

AQR International Momentum Style Fund

   Over $100,000    Over $ 100,000   
  

AQR International Equity Fund

   $50,001-$100,000   

Brian Posner, M.B.A.

  

N/A

   N/A    Over $ 100,000

Mark A. Zurack, M.B.A., CFA

  

N/A

   N/A      None   

David Kabiller, CFA

  

AQR Large Cap Momentum Style Fund

   Over $100,000    Over $ 100,000
  

AQR Small Cap Momentum Style Fund

   Over $100,000   
  

AQR International Momentum Style Fund

   $10,001-$50,000   
  

AQR Global Equity Fund

   $1-$10,000   
  

AQR International Equity Fund

   $1-$10,000   

 

35


Name of Trustee

  

Dollar Range of Equity Securities in the Fund

   Aggregate Dollar Range of
Equity Securities in All
Registered Investment
Companies Overseen by
Director in Family of
Investment Companies
 
    

Name of Fund

  

Dollar Range

      

Marco Hanig, Ph.D.

  

AQR Large Cap Multi-Style Fund

   Over $100,000    Over $ 100,000
  

AQR Small Cap Multi-Style Fund

   Over $100,000   
  

AQR Large Cap Momentum Style Fund

   Over $100,000   
  

AQR Small Cap Momentum Style Fund

   $50,001-$100,000   

 

*

Trustee holds equity securities in other series of the Trust which are described in a separate Statement of Additional Information.

Fund Ownership of the Trustees and Officers

This SAI relates only to the AQR Large Cap Relaxed Constraint Equity Fund, AQR Small Cap Relaxed Constraint Equity Fund, AQR International Relaxed Constraint Equity Fund and AQR Emerging Relaxed Constraint Equity Fund, each of which had not commenced operations as of the date of this SAI.

Compensation of Trustees and Certain Officers

Officers of the Trust and Trustees who are interested persons of the Trust do not receive any compensation from the Trust. For the calendar year ended December 31, 2015, the annual retainer paid to Disinterested Trustees was $75,000 and the Disinterested Trustees also received an $8,500 per meeting fee for regularly scheduled meetings, plus $2,500 per extraordinary telephonic meeting. The Chairman of the Board received an additional $22,500 annual retainer, the Chairman of the Audit Committee received an additional $10,000 annual retainer and the Chairman of the Nominating and Governance Committee received an additional $5,000 annual retainer. These fees remain unchanged for the 2016 calendar year except for the annual retainer payable to Disinterested Trustees which increased to $85,000 for the 2016 calendar year. All Trustees are reimbursed for their travel expenses and other reasonable out-of-pocket expenses incurred in connection with attending Board meetings (these other expenses are subject to Board review to ensure that they are not excessive). The Trust does not pay any pension or retirement benefits.

The table below shows the compensation that was paid to the Disinterested Trustees for the Funds’ fiscal year ended September 30, 2015:

COMPENSATION TABLE

 

Name of Person, Position

   Estimated Annual Benefits
upon Retirement
     Aggregate Compensation
from the Trust
 

Timothy K. Armour, M.B.A., Disinterested Trustee, Chairman of the Board

     None       $ 144,000   

L. Joe Moravy, M.B.A., CPA, Disinterested Trustee, Audit Committee Chairman

     None       $ 129,000   

William L. Atwell, M.B.A., Disinterested Trustee, Nominating and Governance Committee Chairman

     None       $ 126,500   

Gregg D. Behrens, M.M., Disinterested Trustee

     None       $ 119,000   

Brian Posner, M.B.A., Disinterested Trustee

     None       $ 121,500   

Mark A. Zurack, M.B.A., CFA, Disinterested Trustee

     None       $ 119,000   

 

36


Name of Person, Position

   Aggregate
Compensation from
the AQR Global
Equity Fund
     Aggregate
Compensation from
the AQR
International
Equity Fund
     Aggregate
Compensation from
the AQR
Large Cap
Momentum Style
Fund
     Aggregate
Compensation from
the AQR
Small Cap
Momentum Style
Fund
 

Timothy K. Armour, M.B.A., Disinterested Trustee, Chairman of the Board

   $ 2,553.59       $ 6,766.40       $ 8,999.77       $ 3,069.23   

L. Joe Moravy, M.B.A., C.P.A., Disinterested Trustee, Audit Committee Chairman

   $ 2,286.12       $ 6,057.67       $ 8,054.41       $ 2,750.77   

William L. Atwell, M.B.A., Disinterested Trustee, Nominating and Governance Committee Chairman

   $ 2,244.19       $ 5,947.04       $ 7,911.58       $ 2,695.21   

Gregg D. Behrens, M.M., Disinterested Trustee

   $ 2,109.31       $ 5,589.46       $ 7,432.58       $ 2,537.05   

Brian Posner, M.B.A., Disinterested Trustee

   $ 2,155.79       $ 5,712.93       $ 7,600.66       $ 2,588.35   

Mark A. Zurack, M.B.A., CFA, Disinterested Trustee

   $ 2,109.31       $ 5,589.46       $ 7,432.58       $ 2,537.05   

 

Name of Person, Position

   Aggregate
Compensation from
the AQR
International
Momentum Style
Fund
     Aggregate
Compensation from
the AQR TM
Large Cap
Momentum Style
Fund
     Aggregate
Compensation from
the AQR TM
Small Cap
Momentum Style
Fund
     Aggregate
Compensation from
the AQR TM
International
Momentum Style
Fund
 

Timothy K. Armour, M.B.A., Disinterested Trustee, Chairman of the Board

   $ 2,791.22       $ 998.43       $ 151.23       $ 572.89   

L. Joe Moravy, M.B.A., C.P.A., Disinterested Trustee, Audit Committee Chairman

   $ 2,499.16       $ 894.18       $ 135.44       $ 512.81   

William L. Atwell, M.B.A., Disinterested Trustee, Nominating and Governance Committee Chairman

   $ 2,453.00       $ 877.16       $ 132.85       $ 503.68   

Gregg D. Behrens, M.M., Disinterested Trustee

   $ 2,305.89       $ 824.88       $ 124.94       $ 473.26   

Brian Posner, M.B.A., Disinterested Trustee

   $ 2,356.36       $ 842.51       $ 127.60       $ 483.92   

Mark A. Zurack, M.B.A., CFA, Disinterested Trustee

   $ 2,305.89       $ 824.88       $ 124.94       $ 473.26   

 

37


Name of Person, Position

   Aggregate
Compensation from
the AQR
Large Cap.
Defensive
Style Fund
     Aggregate
Compensation from
the AQR
International
Defensive Style
Fund
     Aggregate
Compensation from
the AQR
Emerging
Defensive Style
Fund
     Aggregate
Compensation from
the AQR
Large Cap
Multi-Style Fund
 

Timothy K. Armour, M.B.A., Disinterested Trustee, Chairman of the Board

   $ 1,621.34       $ 257.08       $ 635.23       $ 4,560.84   

L. Joe Moravy, M.B.A., C.P.A., Disinterested Trustee, Audit Committee Chairman

   $ 1,442.45       $ 230.31       $ 567.77       $ 4,109.85   

William L. Atwell, M.B.A., Disinterested Trustee, Nominating and Governance Committee Chairman

   $ 1,428.96       $ 225.82       $ 558.94       $ 3,986.78   

Gregg D. Behrens, M.M., Disinterested Trustee

   $ 1,332.50       $ 212.45       $ 524.17       $ 3,781.81   

Brian Posner, M.B.A., Disinterested Trustee

   $ 1,373.99       $ 216.89       $ 537.15       $ 3,822.76   

Mark A. Zurack, M.B.A., CFA, Disinterested Trustee

   $ 1,332.50       $ 212.45       $ 524.17       $ 3,781.81   

 

Name of Person, Position

   Aggregate
Compensation from
the AQR
Small Cap
Multi-Style Fund
     Aggregate
Compensation from
the AQR
International
Multi-Style Fund
     Aggregate
Compensation from
the AQR Emerging
Multi-Style Fund
     Aggregate
Compensation from
the AQR
Emerging
Momentum Style
Fund
 

Timothy K. Armour, M.B.A., Disinterested Trustee, Chairman of the Board

   $ 179.13       $ 939.00       $ 465.73       $ 72.70   

L. Joe Moravy, M.B.A., C.P.A., Disinterested Trustee, Audit Committee Chairman

   $ 161.17       $ 845.05       $ 420.25       $ 65.13   

William L. Atwell, M.B.A., Disinterested Trustee, Nominating and Governance Committee Chairman

   $ 156.78       $ 819.54       $ 405.42       $ 63.83   

Gregg D. Behrens, M.M., Disinterested Trustee

   $ 148.41       $ 776.79       $ 385.79       $ 60.05   

Brian Posner, M.B.A., Disinterested Trustee

   $ 150.40       $ 785.40       $ 388.18       $ 61.28   

Mark A. Zurack, M.B.A., CFA, Disinterested Trustee

   $ 148.41       $ 776.79       $ 385.79       $ 60.05   

 

38


Name of Person, Position

   Aggregate
Compensation from
the AQR TM
Large Cap
Multi-Style Fund*
     Aggregate
Compensation from
the AQR TM
Small Cap
Multi-Style Fund*
     Aggregate
Compensation from
the AQR TM
International
Multi-Style Fund*
     Aggregate
Compensation from
the AQR TM
Emerging
Multi-Style Fund*
 

Timothy K. Armour, M.B.A., Disinterested Trustee, Chairman of the Board

   $ 38.63       $ 7.75       $ 92.30       $ 33.74   

L. Joe Moravy, M.B.A., C.P.A., Disinterested Trustee, Audit Committee Chairman

   $ 34.99       $ 7.04       $ 83.56       $ 30.60   

William L. Atwell, M.B.A., Disinterested Trustee, Nominating and Governance Committee Chairman

   $ 33.54       $ 6.76       $ 80.06       $ 29.34   

Gregg D. Behrens, M.M., Disinterested Trustee

   $ 32.07       $ 6.47       $ 76.56       $ 28.09   

Brian Posner, M.B.A., Disinterested Trustee

   $ 32.07       $ 6.47       $ 76.56       $ 28.09   

Mark A. Zurack, M.B.A., CFA, Disinterested Trustee

   $ 32.07       $ 6.47       $ 76.56       $ 28.09   

 

*

For the period February 11, 2015 through September 30, 2015.

Personal Trading

The Trust and Adviser have each adopted a code of ethics, which puts restrictions on the timing of personal trading in relation to trades by the Funds and other advisory clients of the Adviser and their affiliates. The codes of ethics, which were adopted in accordance with Rule 17j-1 under the 1940 Act and Rule 204A-1 under the Investment Advisers Act of 1940, as amended (the “Investment Advisers Act”), as appropriate, describe the fiduciary duties owed to shareholders of the Funds and to other advisory accounts by all Trustees, officers, members and employees of the Trust, and by the Adviser; establish procedures for personal investing; and restrict certain transactions.

The Funds’ distributor, ALPS Distributors, Inc. (the “Distributor”) has also adopted a code of ethics governing the personal trading activities of its directors, officers and employees, which contains comparable restrictions.

Proxy Voting Policies and Procedures

The Adviser has adopted written proxy voting policies and procedures (“Proxy Policies”) as required by Rule 206(4)-6 under the Investment Advisers Act, consistent with their fiduciary obligations. The Trust has delegated proxy voting responsibilities with respect to each Fund to the Adviser, subject to the general oversight of the Board. The Proxy Policies have been approved by the Trust as the policies and procedures that the Adviser will use when voting proxies on behalf of the Funds. A copy of the Proxy Policies is attached as Appendix A to this SAI.

Information about how each Fund voted proxies relating to portfolio securities held during the most recent 12-month period ended June 30 will be available no later than August 31, of each year: (i) without charge, upon request, by calling 1-866-290-2688; or (ii) on the SEC’s website at http://www.sec.gov.

Portfolio Holdings Disclosure

Within 15 days following the end of each calendar quarter, each Fund will make available a complete uncertified schedule of its portfolio holdings as of the end of the quarter. Each Fund will make its portfolio holdings

 

39


information available to the general public on the Funds’ website at https://funds.aqr.com. Portfolio holdings of each Fund will also be disclosed on a quarterly basis no later than sixty (60) days following the end of the preceding quarter on forms required to be filed with the SEC as follows: (i) portfolio holdings as of the end of each fiscal year will be filed as part of the annual report filed on Form N-CSR; (ii) portfolio holdings as of the end of the first and third fiscal quarters will be filed on Form N-Q; and (iii) portfolio holdings as of the end of the six month period will be filed as part of the semi-annual report filed on Form N-CSR. The Trust’s Forms N-CSR and Forms N-Q will be available on the SEC website at http://www.sec.gov.

Non-public information regarding a Fund, including portfolio holdings information, may be disclosed more frequently or in advance of the website posting or its filing with the SEC on the EDGAR filing system to agents, service providers, analysts, rating agencies, pricing services, proxy voting services or others including the following: advisers and sub-advisers to the Funds, independent registered public accountants, counsel, administrator, transfer agent or custodian, who require access to such information in order to fulfill their contractual duties to the Funds, or consultants, data aggregators, mutual fund evaluation services, due diligence departments of broker dealers and wirehouses that regularly analyze the portfolio holdings and calculate information derived from holdings of the Funds, and which supply their analyses (but not the holdings themselves) to their clients. Such parties, either by law, agreement or by the nature of their duties, are required to keep the non-public portfolio holdings information received from the Funds confidential.

The Funds or the Adviser have entered into ongoing arrangements to disclose portfolio holdings more frequently or in advance of the website posting or its filing with the SEC on the EDGAR filing system to the following persons or entities:

 

 

 

The Board of Trustees of the Funds and, if necessary, Independent Trustee counsel and Fund counsel

 

 

 

Employees of the Adviser and its affiliates

 

 

 

The Custodian of the Funds

 

 

 

The Administrator of the Funds

 

 

 

The Transfer Agent of the Funds

 

 

 

The Distributor of the Funds

 

 

 

The independent registered public accounting firm of the Funds

 

 

 

Morningstar, Inc.

 

 

 

Lipper Inc.

 

 

 

Bloomberg

 

 

 

Factset

 

 

 

ISS Governance Services

 

 

 

Interactive Data Corporation

 

 

 

Markit Group Limited

 

 

 

Markit WSO Corporation

 

 

 

Lincoln Partners Advisors LLC

 

 

 

WM Company

 

 

 

Infinit Outsourcing, Inc.

 

 

 

International Fund Services (Ireland) Limited

With respect to each such arrangement, a Fund has a legitimate business purpose for the release of information. As described above, the release of the portfolio holdings to these persons or entities is subject to confidential

 

40


treatment to prohibit the person or entity from sharing with an unauthorized source or trading upon the information provided. The Funds, the Adviser and their affiliates do not receive any compensation in connection with such arrangements.

In addition, in connection with the purchase and sale of portfolio securities and in the course of seeking best execution, the Adviser provides information regarding individual portfolio holdings to broker-dealers who may be selected to execute or clear trades for the Funds or serve as counterparties to the Fund’s derivative positions. The Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and the rules of the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (“FINRA”) provide limitations on a broker-dealer’s ability to trade for its own accounts or the accounts of others on the basis of such information. In addition, in connection with a redemption in kind, the redeeming shareholder may be required to agree to keep the information about the securities to be so distributed confidential, except to the extent necessary to dispose of the securities.

The Adviser also may make available certain information about each Fund’s portfolio prior to the public dissemination of portfolio holdings, including, but not limited to, the Fund’s portfolio characteristics data; the Fund’s country, currency and sector exposures; the Fund’s asset class and instrument type exposures; the Fund’s long/short exposures; and the Fund’s performance attribution, including contributors/detractors to Fund performance, by posting such information to the Fund’s website (https://funds.aqr.com) or upon reasonable request made to the Fund or the Adviser.

Non-public portfolio holdings information may be disclosed to certain third parties (other than as noted above) by written request (which may be completed via email) prior to its being posted on the Funds’ website or filed with the SEC through the EDGAR filing system, upon the preapproval of the president or a vice president of the Trust and a member of the Adviser’s Legal Department after making a good faith determination that the disclosure would serve a legitimate business propose of the Fund and is in the best interest of the Fund and its shareholders. In addition, the recipient must agree to maintain the confidentiality of the portfolio holdings information. The Trust’s Chief Compliance Officer and the executive officers of the Trust monitor the release of non-public information regarding the Trust. In order to assess whether there are any conflicts between the interests of the Funds’ shareholders and the interests of the Adviser or its affiliates, the Trustees will review at each regular meeting of the Board of Trustees the information related to any such written approvals that have been approved by the president or a vice president of the Trust and a member of the Adviser’s Legal Department since the last regular meeting of the Board of Trustees. As noted above, pre-approval by the president or a vice president of the Trust and a member of the Adviser’s Legal Department is not necessary with respect to the disclosure of certain non-public portfolio holdings information to certain third parties or with respect to the disclosure of certain other information about a Fund’s portfolio prior to the public dissemination of portfolio holdings information.

The Adviser manages other accounts such as separate accounts, unregistered products and funds sponsored by companies other than the Adviser. These other accounts may be managed in a similar fashion to certain Funds and thus may have similar portfolio holdings. Such accounts may make disclosures at different times than the Funds’ portfolio holdings are disclosed. Additionally, clients of such accounts have access to their portfolio holdings, and may not be subject to the foregoing restrictions.

The Chief Compliance Officer of the Trust is responsible for ensuring that the Funds have adopted and implemented policies and procedures reasonably designed to ensure compliance with the Trust’s portfolio holdings disclosure policy and, to the extent necessary, the Chief Compliance Officer and/or his or her designee shall monitor the Funds compliance with this policy.

Any exceptions to the policy may be made only if approved by the Chief Compliance Officer of the Trust upon determining that the exception is in the best interests of the Funds and their shareholders. The Chief Compliance Officer must report any exceptions made to the policy to the Trustees at its next regularly scheduled meeting.

 

41


Each violation of the disclosure policy must be reported to the Chief Compliance Officer. If the Chief Compliance Officer, in the exercise of his or her duties, deems that such violation constitutes a “Material Compliance Matter” within the meaning of Rule 38a-1 under the 1940 Act, he or she shall report it to the applicable Trustees, as required by Rule 38a-1.

The Trustees reserve the right to amend the Trust’s policies and procedures regarding the disclosure of portfolio holdings at any time and from time to time without prior notice and in their sole discretion. The Board of Trustees also considers the reports and recommendations of the Trust’s Chief Compliance Officer regarding any material compliance matters that may arise with respect to the disclosure of portfolio holdings information and periodically, as required under the circumstances, considers whether to approve or ratify any amendment to the Trust’s policies and procedures regarding the dissemination of portfolio holdings information.

INVESTMENT ADVISORY AND OTHER SERVICES

Investment Adviser

The Adviser, AQR Capital Management, LLC, Two Greenwich Plaza, Greenwich, CT 06830, serves as the investment adviser to each Fund pursuant to an investment advisory contract entered into by the Trust, on behalf of each Fund (the “Advisory Agreements”). Subject to the general supervision of the Board of Trustees, under the terms of the Advisory Agreements, the Adviser furnishes a continuous investment program for each Fund’s portfolio, makes day-to-day investment decisions for each Fund, and manages each of the Funds’ investments in accordance with the stated policies of the Fund. The Adviser is also responsible for selecting brokers and dealers to execute purchase and sale orders for the portfolio transactions of each Fund, subject to its obligation to seek best execution, and also provides certain other administrative services to each Fund. The Adviser provides persons satisfactory to the Trustees to serve as officers of the Funds. Such officers, as well as certain other employees and Trustees of the Trust, may be directors, officers, or employees of the Adviser.

The Adviser is a wholly-owned subsidiary of AQR Capital Management Holdings, LLC (“AQR Holdings”), which has no activities other than holding the interests of the Adviser. Clifford S. Asness, Ph.D., M.B.A., may be deemed to control the Adviser through his voting control of the Board of Members of AQR Holdings.

Under the Advisory Agreements, the Funds pay the Adviser a management fee on a monthly basis in an amount equal to the following amounts annually of the average daily net assets of each of the Funds:

 

Fund:

 

Management Fee

AQR Large Cap Multi-Style Fund1

 

0.30%

AQR Small Cap Multi-Style Fund2

 

0.50%

AQR International Multi-Style Fund3

 

0.45%

AQR Emerging Multi-Style Fund4

 

0.60%

AQR TM Large Cap Multi-Style Fund5

 

0.30%

AQR TM Small Cap Multi-Style Fund6

 

0.50%

AQR TM International Multi-Style Fund7

 

0.45%

AQR TM Emerging Multi-Style Fund8

 

0.60%

AQR Large Cap Momentum Style Fund9

 

0.25%

AQR Small Cap Momentum Style Fund10

 

0.45%

AQR International Momentum Style Fund11

 

0.40%

AQR Emerging Momentum Style Fund12

 

0.55%

 

42


Fund:

 

Management Fee

AQR TM Large Cap Momentum Style Fund13

 

0.25%

AQR TM Small Cap Momentum Style Fund14

 

0.45%

AQR TM International Momentum Style Fund15

 

0.40%

AQR Large Cap Defensive Style Fund16

 

0.25%

AQR International Defensive Style Fund17

 

0.40%

AQR Emerging Defensive Style Fund18

 

0.55%

AQR Global Equity Fund

 

0.40%

AQR International Equity Fund

 

0.45%

AQR Large Cap Relaxed Constraint Equity Fund

 

0.60%

AQR Small Cap Relaxed Constraint Equity Fund

 

0.80%

AQR International Relaxed Constraint Equity Fund

 

0.75%

AQR Emerging Relaxed Constraint Equity Fund

 

0.95%

 

1 

Effective April 1, 2015 (i) the AQR Large Cap Multi-Style Fund’s contractual advisory fee and shareholder servicing fee were bundled into one contractual advisory fee and (ii) the Fund’s bundled contractual advisory fee was reduced by 0.15%. Prior to April 1, 2015, the contractual advisory fee was 0.30% and the shareholder servicing fee was 0.15%.

2 

Effective April 1, 2015 (i) the AQR Small Cap Multi-Style Fund’s contractual advisory fee and shareholder servicing fee were bundled into one contractual advisory fee and (ii) the Fund’s bundled contractual advisory fee was reduced by 0.10%. Prior to April 1, 2015, the contractual advisory fee was 0.45% and the shareholder servicing fee was 0.15%.

3 

Effective April 1, 2015 (i) the AQR International Multi-Style Fund’s contractual advisory fee and shareholder servicing fee were bundled into one contractual advisory fee and (ii) the Fund’s bundled contractual advisory fee was reduced by 0.10%. Prior to April 1, 2015, the contractual advisory fee was 0.40% and the shareholder servicing fee was 0.15%.

4 

Effective April 1, 2015 (i) the AQR Emerging Multi-Style Fund’s contractual advisory fee and shareholder servicing fee were bundled into one contractual advisory fee and (ii) the Fund’s bundled contractual advisory fee was reduced by 0.10%. Prior to April 1, 2015, the contractual advisory fee was 0.55% and the shareholder servicing fee was 0.15%.

5 

Effective April 1, 2015 (i) the AQR TM Large Cap Multi-Style Fund’s contractual advisory fee and shareholder servicing fee were bundled into one contractual advisory fee and (ii) the Fund’s bundled contractual advisory fee was reduced by 0.15%. Prior to April 1, 2015, the contractual advisory fee was 0.30% and the shareholder servicing fee was 0.15%.

6 

Effective April 1, 2015 (i) the AQR TM Small Cap Multi-Style Fund’s contractual advisory fee and shareholder servicing fee were bundled into one contractual advisory fee and (ii) the Fund’s bundled contractual advisory fee was reduced by 0.10%. Prior to April 1, 2015, the contractual advisory fee was 0.45% and the shareholder servicing fee was 0.15%.

7 

Effective April 1, 2015 (i) the AQR TM International Multi-Style Fund’s contractual advisory fee and shareholder servicing fee were bundled into one contractual advisory fee and (ii) the Fund’s bundled contractual advisory fee was reduced by 0.10%. Prior to April 1, 2015, the contractual advisory fee was 0.40% and the shareholder servicing fee was 0.15%.

8 

Effective April 1, 2015 (i) the AQR TM Emerging Multi-Style Fund’s contractual advisory fee and shareholder servicing fee were bundled into one contractual advisory fee and (ii) the Fund’s bundled contractual advisory fee was reduced by 0.10%. Prior to April 1, 2015, the contractual advisory fee was 0.55% and the shareholder servicing fee was 0.15%.

9 

Effective April 1, 2015 (i) the AQR Large Cap Momentum Style Fund’s contractual advisory fee and shareholder servicing fee were bundled into one contractual advisory fee and (ii) the Fund’s bundled contractual advisory fee was reduced by 0.15%. Prior to April 1, 2015, the contractual advisory fee was 0.25% and the shareholder servicing fee was 0.15%.

10 

Effective April 1, 2015 (i) the AQR Small Cap Momentum Style Fund’s contractual advisory fee and shareholder servicing fee were bundled into one contractual advisory fee and (ii) the Fund’s bundled

 

43


  contractual advisory fee was reduced by 0.05%. Prior to April 1, 2015, the contractual advisory fee was 0.35% and the shareholder servicing fee was 0.15%.

11 

Effective April 1, 2015 (i) the AQR International Momentum Style Fund’s contractual advisory fee and shareholder servicing fee were bundled into one contractual advisory fee and (ii) the Fund’s bundled contractual advisory fee was reduced by 0.10%. Prior to April 1, 2015, the contractual advisory fee was 0.35% and the shareholder servicing fee was 0.15%.

12 

Effective April 1, 2015 (i) the AQR Emerging Momentum Style Fund’s contractual advisory fee and shareholder servicing fee were bundled into one contractual advisory fee and (ii) the Fund’s bundled contractual advisory fee was reduced by 0.10%. Prior to April 1, 2015, the contractual advisory fee was 0.50% and the shareholder servicing fee was 0.15%.

13 

Effective April 1, 2015 (i) the AQR TM Large Cap Momentum Style Fund’s contractual advisory fee and shareholder servicing fee were bundled into one contractual advisory fee and (ii) the Fund’s bundled contractual advisory fee was reduced by 0.15%. For the period January 29, 2015 to March 31, 2015, the contractual advisory fee was 0.25% and the shareholder servicing fee was 0.15%. Prior to January 29, 2015, the contractual advisory fee was 0.30%.

14 

Effective April 1, 2015 (i) the AQR TM Small Cap Momentum Style Fund’s contractual advisory fee and shareholder servicing fee were bundled into one contractual advisory fee and (ii) the Fund’s bundled contractual advisory fee was reduced by 0.05%. For the period January 29, 2015 to March 31, 2015, the contractual advisory fee was 0.35% and the shareholder servicing fee was 0.15%. Prior to January 29, 2015, the contractual advisory fee was 0.40%.

15 

Effective April 1, 2015 (i) the AQR TM International Momentum Style Fund’s contractual advisory fee and shareholder servicing fee were bundled into one contractual advisory fee and (ii) the Fund’s bundled contractual advisory fee was reduced by 0.10%. For the period January 29, 2015 to March 31, 2015, the contractual advisory fee was 0.35% and the shareholder servicing fee was 0.15%. Prior to January 29, 2015, the contractual advisory fee was 0.40%.

16 

Effective April 1, 2015 (i) the AQR Large Cap Defensive Style Fund’s contractual advisory fee and shareholder servicing fee were bundled into one contractual advisory fee and (ii) the Fund’s bundled contractual advisory fee was reduced by 0.15%. For the period January 29, 2014 to March 31, 2015, the contractual advisory fee was 0.25% and the shareholder servicing fee was 0.15%. Prior to January 29, 2014, the contractual advisory fee was 0.30% on the first $1 billion of net assets, 0.275% on net assets in excess of $1 billion up to $3 billion, and 0.25% on net assets in excess of $3 billion.

17 

Effective April 1, 2015 (i) the AQR International Defensive Style Fund’s contractual advisory fee and shareholder servicing fee were bundled into one contractual advisory fee and (ii) the Fund’s bundled contractual advisory fee was reduced by 0.10%. For the period January 29, 2014 to March 31, 2015, the contractual advisory fee was 0.35% and the shareholder servicing fee was 0.15%. Prior to January 29, 2014, the contractual advisory fee was 0.40% on the first $1 billion of net assets, 0.375% on net assets in excess of $1 billion up to $3 billion, and 0.35% on net assets in excess of $3 billion.

18 

Effective April 1, 2015 (i) the AQR Emerging Defensive Style Fund’s contractual advisory fee and shareholder servicing fee were bundled into one contractual advisory fee and (ii) the Fund’s bundled contractual advisory fee was reduced by 0.10%. For the period April 1, 2014 to March 31, 2015, the contractual advisory fee was 0.50% and the shareholder servicing fee was 0.15%. For the period January 29, 2014 through March 31, 2014, the contractual advisory fee was 0.55%. Prior to January 29, 2014, the contractual advisory fee was 0.60% on the first $1 billion of net assets, 0.575% on net assets in excess of $1 billion up to $3 billion, and 0.55% on net assets in excess of $3 billion.

 

44


For the fiscal year ended December 31, 2012, the Trust paid the Adviser management fees (after waivers and reimbursements), and the Adviser waived management fees and reimbursed expenses, as follows:

 

Funds

   Fees Paid
(After Waivers
and
Reimbursements)
     Waivers      Reimbursements  

AQR Global Equity Fund

   $ 1,739,716       $ 7,873       $ 0   

AQR International Equity Fund

   $ 2,642,211       $ 0       $ 0   

AQR Large Cap Momentum Style Fund

   $ 1,087,067       $ 0       $ 0   

AQR Small Cap Momentum Style Fund

   $ 436,076       $ 0       $ 0   

AQR International Momentum Style Fund

   $ 366,874       $ 0       $ 0   

AQR TM Large Cap Momentum Style Fund1

   $ 0       $ 8,753       $ 110,047   

AQR TM Small Cap Momentum Style Fund1

   $ 0       $ 9,669       $ 114,632   

AQR TM International Momentum Style Fund1

   $ 0       $ 13,508       $ 142,423   

AQR Large Cap Defensive Style Fund2

   $ 0       $ 5,085       $ 94,844   

AQR International Defensive Style Fund2

   $ 0       $ 7,291       $ 111,569   

AQR Emerging Defensive Style Fund2

   $ 0       $ 15,889       $ 101,965   

AQR Large Cap Multi-Style Fund3

     N/A         N/A         N/A   

AQR Small Cap Multi-Style Fund3

     N/A         N/A         N/A   

AQR International Multi-Style Fund3

     N/A         N/A         N/A   

AQR Emerging Multi-Style Fund3

     N/A         N/A         N/A   

AQR Emerging Momentum Style Fund3

     N/A         N/A         N/A   

AQR TM Large Cap Multi-Style Fund3

     N/A         N/A         N/A   

AQR TM Small Cap Multi-Style Fund3

     N/A         N/A         N/A   

AQR TM International Multi-Style Fund3

     N/A         N/A         N/A   

AQR TM Emerging Multi-Style Fund3

     N/A         N/A         N/A   

AQR Large Cap Relaxed Constraint Equity Fund3

     N/A         N/A         N/A   

AQR Small Cap Relaxed Constraint Equity Fund3

     N/A         N/A         N/A   

AQR International Relaxed Constraint Equity Fund3

     N/A         N/A         N/A   

AQR Emerging Relaxed Constraint Equity Fund3

     N/A         N/A         N/A   

 

1 

For the period January 27, 2012 through December 31, 2012.

2 

For the period July 9, 2012 through December 31, 2012.

3 

The Fund paid no advisory fees during the period because the Fund had not yet commenced operations.

For the fiscal period of January 1, 2013 to September 30, 2013, the Trust paid the Adviser management fees (after waivers and reimbursements), and the Adviser waived management fees and reimbursed expenses, as follows:

 

Funds

   Fees Paid
(After Waivers
and
Reimbursements)
     Waivers      Reimbursements  

AQR Global Equity Fund

   $ 1,366,645       $ 14,691       $ 0   

AQR International Equity Fund

   $ 2,560,077       $ 0       $ 0   

AQR Large Cap Momentum Style Fund

   $ 1,264,457       $ 0       $ 0   

AQR Small Cap Momentum Style Fund

   $ 487,234       $ 11,517       $ 0   

 

45


Funds

   Fees Paid
(After Waivers
and
Reimbursements)
     Waivers      Reimbursements  

AQR International Momentum Style Fund

   $ 505,893       $ 0       $ 0   

AQR TM Large Cap Momentum Style Fund

   $ 0       $ 22,644       $ 43,921   

AQR TM Small Cap Momentum Style Fund

   $ 0       $ 14,550       $ 64,029   

AQR TM International Momentum Style Fund

   $ 0       $ 22,303       $ 73,854   

AQR Large Cap Defensive Style Fund

   $ 25,865       $ 82,114       $ 0   

AQR International Defensive Style Fund

   $ 0       $ 35,855       $ 85,645   

AQR Emerging Defensive Style Fund

   $ 0       $ 58,012       $ 55,244   

AQR Large Cap Multi-Style Fund1

   $ 0       $ 14,534       $ 80,834   

AQR Small Cap Multi-Style Fund1

   $ 0       $ 6,302       $ 95,597   

AQR International Multi-Style Fund1

   $ 0       $ 19,197       $ 94,182   

AQR Emerging Multi-Style Fund2

     N/A         N/A         N/A   

AQR Emerging Momentum Style Fund2

     N/A         N/A         N/A   

AQR TM Large Cap Multi-Style Fund2

     N/A         N/A         N/A   

AQR TM Small Cap Multi-Style Fund2

     N/A         N/A         N/A   

AQR TM International Multi-Style Fund2

     N/A         N/A         N/A   

AQR TM Emerging Multi-Style Fund2

     N/A         N/A         N/A   

AQR Large Cap Relaxed Constraint Equity Fund2

     N/A         N/A         N/A   

AQR Small Cap Relaxed Constraint Equity Fund2

     N/A         N/A         N/A   

AQR International Relaxed Constraint Equity Fund2

     N/A         N/A         N/A   

AQR Emerging Relaxed Constraint Equity Fund2

     N/A         N/A         N/A   

 

1 

For the period March 26, 2013 through September 30, 2013.

2 

The Fund paid no advisory fees during the period because the Fund had not yet commenced operations.

For the fiscal year ended September 30, 2014, the Trust paid the Adviser management fees (after waivers and reimbursements), and the Adviser waived management fees and reimbursed expenses, as follows:

 

Funds

   Fees Paid
(After Waivers
and
Reimbursements)
     Waivers      Reimbursements  

AQR Global Equity Fund

   $ 1,133,231       $ 0       $ 780   

AQR International Equity Fund

   $ 3,805,503       $ 0       $ 0   

AQR Large Cap Momentum Style Fund

   $ 1,854,041       $ 546,369       $ 0   

AQR Small Cap Momentum Style Fund

   $ 952,637       $ 67,418       $ 0   

AQR International Momentum Style Fund

   $ 917,713       $ 187,301       $ 0   

AQR TM Large Cap Momentum Style Fund

   $ 99,038       $ 101,767       $ 657   

AQR TM Small Cap Momentum Style Fund

   $ 0       $ 48,459       $ 44,669   

AQR TM International Momentum Style Fund

   $ 109,355       $ 124,022       $ 693   

AQR Large Cap Defensive Style Fund

   $ 308,856       $ 283,827       $ 0   

AQR International Defensive Style Fund

   $ 0       $ 93,865       $ 16,219   

AQR Emerging Defensive Style Fund

   $ 74,621       $ 204,999       $ 9   

AQR Large Cap Multi-Style Fund

   $ 107,887       $ 135,657       $ 1,610   

 

46


Funds

   Fees Paid
(After Waivers
and
Reimbursements)
     Waivers      Reimbursements  

AQR Small Cap Multi-Style Fund

   $ 0       $ 30,048       $ 89,312   

AQR International Multi-Style Fund

   $ 0       $ 99,230       $ 38,029   

AQR Emerging Multi-Style Fund1

   $ 0       $ 16,513       $ 96,076   

AQR Emerging Momentum Style Fund1

   $ 0       $ 12,549       $ 107,771   

AQR TM Large Cap Multi-Style Fund2

     N/A         N/A         N/A   

AQR TM Small Cap Multi-Style Fund2

     N/A         N/A         N/A   

AQR TM International Multi-Style Fund2

     N/A         N/A         N/A   

AQR TM Emerging Multi-Style Fund2

     N/A         N/A         N/A   

 

1 

For the period May 13, 2014 through September 30, 2014.

2 

The Fund paid no advisory fees during the period because the Fund had not yet commenced operations.

For the fiscal year ended September 30, 2015, the Trust paid the Adviser management fees (after waivers and reimbursements), and the Adviser waived management fees and reimbursed expenses, as follows:

 

Funds

   Fees Paid
(After Waivers
and
Reimbursements)
     Waivers      Reimbursements  

AQR Global Equity Fund

   $ 1,248,699       $ 0       $ 0   

AQR International Equity Fund

   $ 3,613,729       $ 0       $ 0   

AQR Large Cap Momentum Style Fund

   $ 2,204,235       $ 496,989       $ 0   

AQR Small Cap Momentum Style Fund

   $ 1,359,087       $ 224,022       $ 9,144   

AQR International Momentum Style Fund

   $ 1,002,884       $ 255,442       $ 272   

AQR TM Large Cap Momentum Style Fund

   $ 192,400       $ 141,082       $ 0   

AQR TM Small Cap Momentum Style Fund

   $ 0       $ 80,520       $ 41,300   

AQR TM International Momentum Style Fund

   $ 103,836       $ 162,085       $ 0   

AQR Large Cap Defensive Style Fund

   $ 285,306       $ 183,600       $ 0   

AQR International Defensive Style Fund

   $ 0       $ 118,588       $ 23,535   

AQR Emerging Defensive Style Fund

   $ 113,503       $ 251,753       $ 0   

AQR Large Cap Multi-Style Fund

   $ 1,808,113       $ 397,019       $ 0   

AQR Small Cap Multi-Style Fund

   $ 14,334       $ 114,996       $ 7,673   

AQR International Multi-Style Fund

   $ 497,705       $ 250,498       $ 0   

AQR Emerging Multi-Style Fund

   $ 259,532       $ 212,214       $ 65,425   

AQR Emerging Momentum Style Fund

   $ 0       $ 47,541       $ 143,800   

AQR TM Large Cap Multi-Style Fund1

   $ 0       $ 28,634       $ 90,723   

AQR TM Small Cap Multi-Style Fund1

   $ 0       $ 7,605       $ 95,621   

AQR TM International Multi-Style Fund1

   $ 0       $ 90,491       $ 79,438   

AQR TM Emerging Multi-Style Fund1

   $ 0       $ 42,935       $ 113,264   

AQR Large Cap Relaxed Constraint Equity Fund2

     N/A         N/A         N/A   

AQR Small Cap Relaxed Constraint Equity Fund2

     N/A         N/A         N/A   

 

47


Funds

   Fees Paid
(After Waivers
and
Reimbursements)
     Waivers      Reimbursements  

AQR International Relaxed Constraint Equity Fund2

     N/A         N/A         N/A   

AQR Emerging Relaxed Constraint Equity Fund2

     N/A         N/A         N/A   

 

1 

For the period February 11, 2015 through September 30, 2015.

2 

The Fund paid no advisory fees during the period because the Fund had not yet commenced operations.

For the fiscal year ended September 30, 2015, September 30, 2014, the fiscal period of January 1, 2013 through September 30, 2013 and the fiscal year ended December 31, 2012, with respect to the AQR Global Equity Fund, the Adviser recaptured fees waived and/or expenses reimbursed under the Fund’s Fee Waiver Agreement in the amounts of $4,502, $0, $82,630 and $91,006, respectively. For the same periods, with respect to the AQR International Equity Fund, the Adviser recaptured fees waived and/or expenses reimbursed under the Fund’s Fee Waiver Agreement in the amounts of $0, $29,368, $135,718 and $139,423, respectively. For additional information regarding the Fee Waiver Agreement, please see the Prospectus dated December 12, 2016 for the AQR Large Cap Relaxed Constraint Equity Fund, AQR Small Cap Relaxed Constraint Equity Fund, AQR International Relaxed Constraint Equity Fund and AQR Emerging Relaxed Constraint Equity Fund and the other Funds’ Prospectus dated March 16, 2016, as amended.

In addition to the payments to the Adviser under the Advisory Agreements described above, each Fund pays certain other costs of its operations including (a) custody, transfer agency and dividend disbursing expenses, (b) certain amounts paid to intermediaries in recognition of the transfer agency costs avoided by the Funds as a result of the customer recordkeeping activities of the intermediaries, (c) distribution related fees for the Class N shares, (d) fees of Trustees who are not affiliated with the Adviser, (e) legal and auditing expenses, (f) litigation expenses, (g) clerical, accounting and other office costs, (h) costs of printing the Funds’ Prospectuses and shareholder reports for current shareholders, (i) costs of maintaining the Trust’s existence, (j) interest charges, taxes, brokerage fees and commissions, (k) costs of stationery and supplies, (l) expenses and fees related to registration and/or filing with the SEC, the CFTC and with other federal and state regulatory authorities, and (m) upon the approval of the Board of Trustees, costs of personnel of the Adviser or its affiliates rendering clerical, accounting and other office services.

The Adviser may, from time to time, make payments to financial intermediaries for certain distribution, sub-administration, sub-transfer agency or other shareholder services provided to Class I, Class N and/or Class R6 shareholders of the Funds whose shares are held of record in certain omnibus accounts and other group accounts (e.g., a fund “supermarket” account). The Adviser may also make other payments to financial intermediaries as permitted under applicable rules of FINRA, such as the Adviser’s participation at a financial intermediary’s internal events including seminars, due diligence and other meetings. The Adviser makes certain of such payments out of the Adviser’s own resources (which may come directly or indirectly from fees paid by the Funds), although in some cases the Adviser is reimbursed by the Funds for certain payments, resulting in an additional cost to the Funds and their shareholders. Payments made by the Adviser are in addition to any distribution or service fees payable under any Rule 12b-1 or shareholder service agreement of a Fund, any sub-transfer agency or similar fees payable directly by a Fund to certain financial intermediaries for performing those services, and any sales charges, commissions, non-cash compensation arrangements permitted under applicable rules of FINRA, or other concessions described in the fee table or elsewhere in a Fund’s Prospectus or the SAI as payable to financial intermediaries.

Payments by the Adviser and/or the Fund, as applicable, to financial intermediaries are intended to compensate financial intermediaries for, among other things: marketing shares of the Funds, which may consist of payments relating to Funds included on preferred or recommended fund lists or in certain sales programs from time to time sponsored by the intermediaries; “due diligence” examination and/or review of the Funds from time to time; access to the financial intermediaries’ registered representatives or salespersons, including at conferences and

 

48


other meetings; assistance in training and education of personnel; “finders” or “referral fees” for directing investors to the Funds; marketing support fees for providing assistance in promoting the sale of Fund shares (which may include promotions in communications with the intermediaries’ customers, registered representatives and salespersons); and/or other specified services intended to assist in the distribution and marketing of the Funds. These payments to financial intermediaries may exceed amounts earned on these assets by the Adviser for the performance of these or similar services. The payments are negotiated with each financial intermediary based on a range of factors, including but not limited to the financial intermediary’s ability to attract and retain assets (including particular classes of Fund shares), target markets, customer relationships, quality of service and industry reputation.

The presence of these payments by the Adviser and/or the Fund, as applicable, to financial intermediaries, the varying fee structure and the basis on which a financial intermediary compensates its registered representatives or salespersons may create an incentive for a particular intermediary, registered representative or salesperson to highlight, feature or recommend funds, including the Funds, or other investments based, at least in part, on the level of compensation paid. Additionally, if one mutual fund sponsor makes greater distribution payments than another, a financial intermediary may have an incentive to recommend one fund complex over another. Similarly, if a financial intermediary receives more distribution assistance for one share class versus another, that financial intermediary may have an incentive to recommend that share class. Because financial intermediaries may be paid varying amounts per class for sub-transfer agency and related recordkeeping services, the service requirements of which also may vary by class, this may create an additional incentive for financial firms and their financial advisors to favor one fund complex over another, or one fund class over another. You should consider whether such incentives exist when evaluating any recommendations from a financial intermediary to purchase or sell shares of the Funds and when considering which share class is most appropriate for you.

Portfolio Manager Compensation

Compensation for Portfolio Managers that are Principals: The compensation for each of the portfolio managers that are a Principal of the Adviser is in the form of distributions based on the net income generated by the Adviser and each Principal’s relative ownership in the Adviser. Net income distributions are a function of assets under management and performance of the funds and accounts managed by the Adviser. A Principal’s relative ownership in the Adviser is based on cumulative research, leadership and other contributions to the Adviser. There is no direct linkage between assets under management, performance and compensation. However, there is an indirect linkage in that superior performance tends to attract assets and thus increase revenues. Each portfolio manager is also eligible to participate in the Adviser’s 401(k) retirement plan which is offered to all employees of the Adviser.

Compensation for Portfolio Managers that are not Principals: The compensation for the portfolio managers that are not Principals of the Adviser primarily consists of a fixed base salary and a discretionary bonus (“Total Compensation”). Total Compensation is reviewed at least annually under a formal review program and increases are granted on a merit basis. Job performance contributes significantly to the determination of any Total Compensation increase; other factors, such as seniority are also considered. A portfolio manager’s performance is not based on any specific fund’s or strategy’s assets under management or performance, but is affected by the overall performance of the firm. Each portfolio manager is also eligible to participate in the Adviser’s 401(k) retirement plan which is offered to all employees of the Adviser.

 

49


Portfolio Manager Holdings

The dollar range of equity securities of each Fund listed below beneficially owned by the portfolio managers of such Fund as of September 30, 2015, unless noted otherwise, is as follows:

 

Portfolio Manager

  

Name of Fund

   Dollar Range of Equity
Securities Beneficially
Owned
 

Michele L. Aghassi, Ph.D.1

  

AQR Large Cap Defensive Style Fund

     None   
  

AQR Emerging Defensive Style Fund

     None   
  

AQR International Defensive Style Fund

     None   
  

AQR Large Cap Relaxed Constraint Equity Fund

     None
  

AQR Small Cap Relaxed Constraint Equity Fund

     None
  

AQR International Relaxed Constraint Equity Fund

     None
  

AQR Emerging Relaxed Constraint Equity Fund

     None

Clifford S. Asness, Ph.D., M.B.A.

  

AQR Global Equity Fund

     $10,001 - $50,000   
  

AQR International Equity Fund

     $1 - $10,000   
  

AQR Large Cap Momentum Style Fund

     $100,001 - $500,000   
  

AQR Small Cap Momentum Style Fund

     $100,001 - $500,000   
  

AQR International Momentum Style Fund

     $100,001 - $500,000   
  

AQR TM Large Cap Momentum Style Fund

     $10,001 - $50,000   
  

AQR TM Small Cap Momentum Style Fund

     $10,001 - $50,000   
  

AQR TM International Momentum Style Fund

     $10,001 - $50,000   
  

AQR Large Cap Multi-Style Fund

     $50,001 - $100,000   
  

AQR Small Cap Multi-Style Fund

     $50,001 - $100,000   
  

AQR International Multi-Style Fund

     $50,001 - $100,000   
  

AQR Emerging Multi-Style Fund

     $100,001 - $500,000   
  

AQR Emerging Momentum Style Fund

     $100,001 - $500,000   
  

AQR TM Large Cap Multi-Style Fund

     None   
  

AQR TM Small Cap Multi-Style Fund

     None   
  

AQR TM International Multi-Style Fund

     None   
  

AQR TM Emerging Multi-Style Fund

     None   

Andrea Frazzini, Ph.D., M.S.

  

AQR Large Cap Momentum Style Fund

     $10,001 - $50,000   
  

AQR Small Cap Momentum Style Fund

     $10,001 - $50,000   
  

AQR International Momentum Style Fund

     $10,001 - $50,000   
  

AQR TM Large Cap Momentum Style Fund

     None   
  

AQR TM Small Cap Momentum Style Fund

     None   
  

AQR TM International Momentum Style Fund

     None   
  

AQR Large Cap Defensive Style Fund

     $10,001 - $50,000   
  

AQR Emerging Defensive Style Fund

     $10,001 - $50,000   
  

AQR International Defensive Style Fund

     $10,001 - $50,000   
  

AQR Large Cap Multi-Style Fund

     $10,001 - $50,000   
  

AQR Small Cap Multi-Style Fund

     $10,001 - $50,000   
  

AQR International Multi-Style Fund

     $10,001 - $50,000   

 

50


Portfolio Manager

  

Name of Fund

   Dollar Range of Equity
Securities Beneficially
Owned
 
  

AQR Emerging Multi-Style Fund

     $10,001 - $50,000   
  

AQR Emerging Momentum Style Fund

     $10,001 - $50,000   
  

AQR TM Large Cap Multi-Style Fund

     None   
  

AQR TM Small Cap Multi-Style Fund

     None   
  

AQR TM International Multi-Style Fund

     None   
  

AQR TM Emerging Multi-Style Fund

     None   
  

AQR Large Cap Relaxed Constraint Equity Fund

     None
  

AQR Small Cap Relaxed Constraint Equity Fund

     None
  

AQR International Relaxed Constraint Equity Fund

     None
  

AQR Emerging Relaxed Constraint Equity Fund

     None

Jacques A. Friedman, M.S.

  

AQR Global Equity Fund1

     None   
  

AQR International Equity Fund1

     None   
  

AQR Large Cap Momentum Style Fund

     $50,001 - $100,000   
  

AQR Small Cap Momentum Style Fund

     $50,001 - $100,000   
  

AQR International Momentum Style Fund

     $50,001 - $100,000   
  

AQR TM Large Cap Momentum Style Fund

     None   
  

AQR TM Small Cap Momentum Style Fund

     None   
  

AQR TM International Momentum Style Fund

     None   
  

AQR Large Cap Defensive Style Fund

     $50,001 - $100,000   
  

AQR Emerging Defensive Style Fund

     $50,001 - $100,000   
  

AQR International Defensive Style Fund

     $50,001 - $100,000   
  

AQR Large Cap Multi-Style Fund

     $50,001 - $100,000   
  

AQR Small Cap Multi-Style Fund

     $50,001-$100,000   
  

AQR International Multi-Style Fund

     $50,001 - $100,000   
  

AQR Emerging Multi-Style Fund

     $50,001 - $100,000   
  

AQR Emerging Momentum Style Fund

     $50,001 - $100,000   
  

AQR TM Large Cap Multi-Style Fund

     None   
  

AQR TM Small Cap Multi-Style Fund

     None   
  

AQR TM International Multi-Style Fund

     None   
  

AQR TM Emerging Multi-Style Fund

     None   
  

AQR Large Cap Relaxed Constraint Equity Fund

     None
  

AQR Small Cap Relaxed Constraint Equity Fund

     None
  

AQR International Relaxed Constraint Equity Fund

     None
  

AQR Emerging Relaxed Constraint Equity Fund

     None

Ronen Israel, M.A.

  

AQR Global Equity Fund

     $50,001 - $100,000   
  

AQR International Equity Fund

     $50,001 - $100,000   
  

AQR Large Cap Momentum Style Fund

     $100,001 - $500,000   
  

AQR Small Cap Momentum Style Fund

     $100,001 - $500,000   
  

AQR International Momentum Style Fund

     $100,001 - $500,000   

 

51


Portfolio Manager

  

Name of Fund

   Dollar Range of Equity
Securities Beneficially
Owned
 
  

AQR TM Large Cap Momentum Style Fund

     None   
  

AQR TM Small Cap Momentum Style Fund

     None   
  

AQR TM International Momentum Style Fund

     None   
  

AQR Large Cap Multi-Style Fund

     $50,001 - $100,000   
  

AQR Small Cap Multi-Style Fund

     $50,001 - $100,000   
  

AQR International Multi-Style Fund

     $50,001 - $100,000   
  

AQR Emerging Multi-Style Fund

     $50,001 - $100,000   
  

AQR Emerging Momentum Style Fund

     $50,001 - $100,000   
  

AQR TM Large Cap Multi-Style Fund

     None   
  

AQR TM Small Cap Multi-Style Fund

     None   
  

AQR TM International Multi-Style Fund

     None   
  

AQR TM Emerging Multi-Style Fund

     None   

Michael Katz, Ph.D., A.M.1

  

AQR Global Equity Fund

     None   
  

AQR International Equity Fund

     None   

Hoon Kim, Ph.D., M.B.A., C.F.A.

  

AQR Large Cap Defensive Style Fund

     $10,001 - $50,000   
  

AQR Emerging Defensive Style Fund

     $10,001 - $50,000   
  

AQR International Defensive Style Fund

     $10,001 - $50,000   
  

AQR Large Cap Relaxed Constraint Equity Fund

     None
  

AQR Small Cap Relaxed Constraint Equity Fund

     None
  

AQR International Relaxed Constraint Equity Fund

     None
  

AQR Emerging Relaxed Constraint Equity Fund

     None

Oktay Kurbanov, M.B.A.

  

AQR Global Equity Fund

     $50,001 - $100,000   
  

AQR International Equity Fund

     $50,001 - $100,000   

John M. Liew, Ph.D., M.B.A.

  

AQR Global Equity Fund

     $1 - $10,000   
  

AQR International Equity Fund

     $1 - $10,000   

 

1 

Information is as of December 31, 2015.

+

The portfolio managers had no holdings in the Fund as of the applicable date because the Fund had not commenced operations.

Other Accounts Managed

Each of the portfolio managers is also responsible for managing other accounts in addition to the respective Fund or Funds which the portfolio manager manages, including other accounts of the Adviser, or their affiliates. Other accounts may include, without limitation, separately managed accounts for foundations, endowments, pension plans, and high net-worth families; registered investment companies; unregistered investment companies relying on either Section 3(c)(1) or Section 3(c)(7) of the 1940 Act (such companies are commonly referred to as “hedge funds”); foreign investment companies; and may also include accounts or investments managed or made by the portfolio managers in a personal or other capacity (“Proprietary Accounts”). Management of other accounts in addition to the Funds can present certain conflicts of interest, as described below.

 

52


From time to time, potential conflicts of interest may arise between a portfolio manager’s management of the investments of a Fund, on the one hand, and the management of other accounts, on the other. The other accounts might have similar investment objectives or strategies as the Funds, or otherwise hold, purchase, or sell securities that are eligible to be held, purchased or sold by the Funds. Because of their positions with the Funds, the portfolio managers know the size, timing and possible market impact of a Fund’s trades. It is theoretically possible that the portfolio managers could use this information to the advantage of other accounts they manage and to the possible detriment of a Fund.

A potential conflict of interest may arise as a result of the portfolio manager’s management of a number of accounts (including Proprietary Accounts) with similar investment strategies. Often, an investment opportunity may be suitable for both a Fund and other accounts, but may not be available in sufficient quantities for both the Fund and the other accounts to participate fully. Similarly, there may be limited opportunity to sell an investment held by a Fund and another account. In addition, different account guidelines and/or differences within particular investment strategies may lead to the use of different investment practices for portfolios with a similar investment strategy. The Adviser will not necessarily purchase or sell the same securities at the same time, same direction, or in the same proportionate amounts for all eligible accounts, particularly if different accounts have materially different amounts of capital under management by the Adviser, different amounts of investable cash available, different strategies, or different risk tolerances. As a result, although the Adviser manages numerous accounts and/or portfolios with similar or identical investment objectives, or may manage accounts with different objectives that trade in the same securities, the portfolio decisions relating to these accounts, and the performance resulting from such decisions, may differ from account to account.

Whenever decisions are made to buy or sell securities by the Fund and one or more of the other accounts (including Proprietary Accounts) simultaneously, the Adviser or portfolio manager may aggregate the purchases and sales of the securities and will allocate the securities transactions in a manner that it believes to be equitable under the circumstances. To this end, the Adviser has adopted policies and procedures that are intended to ensure that investment opportunities are allocated equitably among accounts over time. As a result of the allocations, there may be instances where a Fund will not participate in a transaction that is allocated among other accounts or a Fund may not be allocated the full amount of the securities sought to be traded. While these aggregation and allocation policies could have a detrimental effect on the price or amount of the securities available to the Fund from time to time, it is the opinion of the Adviser that the overall benefits outweigh any disadvantages that may arise from this practice. Subject to applicable laws and/or account restrictions, the Adviser may buy, sell or hold securities for other accounts while entering into a different or opposite investment decision for the Funds.

The Adviser and the Funds’ portfolio managers may also face a conflict of interest where some accounts pay higher fees to the Adviser than others, such as by means of performance fees. Specifically, the entitlement to a performance fee in managing one or more accounts may create an incentive for the Adviser to take risks in managing assets that it would not otherwise take in the absence of such arrangements. Additionally, since performance fees reward the Adviser for performance in accounts which are subject to such fees, the Adviser may have an incentive to favor these accounts over those that have only fixed asset-based fees with respect to areas such as trading opportunities, trade allocation, and allocation of new investment opportunities.

The Adviser has implemented specific policies and procedures (e.g., a code of ethics and trade allocation policies) that seek to address potential conflicts of interest that may arise in connection with the management of the Funds and other accounts and that are designed to ensure that all client accounts are treated fairly and equitably over time.

 

53


The following table indicates the number of accounts and assets under management for each type of account managed as of September 30, 2016:

 

     NUMBER OF OTHER ACCOUNTS MANAGED AND
ASSETS BY ACCOUNT TYPE
 

PORTFOLIO
MANAGER

   REGISTERED
INVESTMENT
COMPANY
     OTHER POOLED
INVESTMENT
VEHICLES
     OTHER
ACCOUNTS
 
     # of
Accts.
     Assets Under
Management
     # of
Accts.
     Assets Under
Management
     # of
Accts.
     Assets Under
Management
 

Michele L. Aghassi, Ph.D.

     14       $ 5,369,699,965         19       $ 10,714,536,225         10       $ 2,881,003,895   

Clifford Asness, Ph.D., M.B.A.

     22       $ 22,880,888,826         48       $ 25,737,786,646         74       $ 31,961,983,640   

Andrea Frazzini, Ph.D., M.S.

     17       $ 9,351,529,415         28       $ 15,952,853,390         32       $ 12,831,687,013   

Jacques Friedman, M.S.

     27       $ 18,493,757,780         46       $ 23,085,619,165         112       $ 53,706,371,847   

Ronen Israel, M.A.

     17       $ 12,157,263,763         66       $ 36,163,562,039         62       $ 27,493,795,785   

Michael Katz, Ph.D., A.M.

     9       $ 8,473,413,778         24       $ 10,814,355,263         4       $ 2,477,982,910   

Hoon Kim, Ph.D., M.B.A., CFA

     5       $ 3,283,034,171         14       $ 6,434,827,796         21       $ 8,831,132,520   

Oktay Kurbanov, M.B.A.

     2       $ 256,908,417         16       $ 6,888,550,171         30       $ 17,370,015,885   

John Liew, Ph.D., M.B.A.

     20       $ 25,162,611,457         39       $ 19,915,623,068         31       $ 14,006,622,806   

 

      NUMBER OF OTHER ACCOUNTS AND ASSETS FOR
WHICH THE ADVISORY FEE IS BASED ON
PERFORMANCE
 

PORTFOLIO
MANAGER

   REGISTERED
INVESTMENT
COMPANY
     OTHER POOLED
INVESTMENT
VEHICLES
     OTHER
ACCOUNTS
 
     # of
Accts.
     Assets Under
Management
     # of
Accts.
     Assets Under
Management
     # of
Accts.
     Assets Under
Management
 

Michele L. Aghassi, Ph.D.

     0         —           12       $ 6,183,904,379         1       $ 318,569,088   

Clifford Asness, Ph.D., M.B.A.

     0         —           37       $ 20,121,821,982         24       $ 9,662,197,466   

Andrea Frazzini, Ph.D., M.S.

     0         —           19       $ 12,088,427,921         7       $ 1,151,698,178   

Jacques Friedman, M.S.

     0         —           33       $ 17,256,142,244         33       $ 13,845,699,285   

Ronen Israel, M.A.

     0         —           54       $ 28,623,535,544         19       $ 8,134,583,270   

Michael Katz, Ph.D., A.M.

     0         —           22       $ 9,967,868,941         2       $ 593,308,207   

Hoon Kim, Ph.D., M.B.A., CFA

     0         —           9       $ 3,250,497,966         4       $ 657,665,539   

Oktay Kurbanov, M.B.A.

     0         —           13       $ 6,074,084,820         7       $ 4,671,821,905   

John Liew, Ph.D., M.B.A.

     0         —           31       $ 14,535,430,850         10       $ 5,193,948,486   

Administrator and Fund Accountant

On behalf of the Funds, the Trust has entered into an Administration Agreement (the “JPM Administration Agreement”) with JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A. (the “JPM Administrator”) located at 70 Fargo Street, Boston, Massachusetts 02210. The JPM Administration Agreement initially took effect on September 19, 2010 with respect to the AQR Global Equity Fund, AQR International Equity Fund, AQR Large Cap Momentum Style Fund, AQR Small Cap Momentum Style Fund and AQR International Momentum Style Fund (collectively referred to as the “JPM Effective Date”). The JPM Administration Agreement also took effect with respect to the other current series of the Trust, and takes effect with respect to each new series of the Trust, upon the Fund’s inception. Under the JPM Administration Agreement, the JPM Administrator’s services include, but are not limited to, the following: preparing minutes of meetings of the Board of Trustees and assisting the Secretary of the Trust in preparing for quarterly meetings of the Board of Trustees; performing certain compliance tests for the Trust; participating in the annual update of the Trust’s registration statement and coordinating in the preparation and filing of certain other Trust filings and documents; preparing federal and state income tax returns for the Trust; performing NAV calculations; establishing appropriate expense accruals, maintaining expense files and coordinating the payment of invoices for the Trust. For the fiscal year ended December 31, 2012, the Trust paid JPM Administrator fees of $2,220,064. For the fiscal period of January 1, 2013 to September 30, 2013, the

 

54


Trust paid JPM Administrator fees of $448,531. For the fiscal years ended September 30, 2014 and September 30, 2015, the Trust paid JPM Administrator fees of $790,994 and $1,104,015, respectively.

The JPM Administration Agreement was in effect for the initial term of three years and automatically renewed upon the expiration of the initial term in September 2013 and will continue until terminated. Either party may terminate the agreement upon not less than six months’ prior written notice to the other party.

Distributor

The Trust has entered into a Distribution Agreement, on behalf of each Fund, with the Distributor, ALPS Distributors, Inc., pursuant to which the Distributor acts as distributor for each Fund and acts as agent for each Fund in selling its shares to the public. ALPS Distributors, Inc. is located at 1290 Broadway, Suite 1100, Denver, CO 80203. The Distributor offers shares of the Funds on a continuous basis and may engage in advertising and solicitation activities in connection therewith. The Distributor is not obligated to sell any certain number of shares of the Funds. The Distributor also reviews advertisements and acts as liaison for broker-dealer relationships. Investors purchasing or redeeming shares of a Fund through another financial institution should read any materials and information provided by the financial institution to acquaint themselves with its procedures and any fees that the institution may charge. The Distribution Agreement continues in effect for successive one-year periods ending each December 7th provided such continuance is specifically approved at least annually by (i) the Board of Trustees or (ii) the vote of a majority of outstanding shares of the Fund, and provided that in either event the continuance is also approved by a majority of the Trust’s Board of Trustees who are not “interested persons” (as defined in the 1940 Act) of any party to the Distribution Agreement.

Distribution Plan

The Board has adopted a Distribution Plan pursuant to Rule 12b-1 under the 1940 Act with respect to the Class N shares of each Fund (the “12b-1 Plan”). Under the 12b-1 Plan, the Class N shares of each Fund pay a distribution fee of 0.25% to the Distributor as compensation for distribution and/or administrative activities related to Class N shares of each Fund. Because these fees are paid out of each Fund’s assets on an on-going basis, over time these fees will increase the cost of an investment and may cost a shareholder more than paying other types of sales charges. The 12b-1 Plan provides that the distribution fees are payable to the Distributor regardless of the amounts actually expended by the Distributor.

Authorized distribution expenses include the Distributor’s interest expense and profit. The Distributor anticipates that actual expenditures on distribution will substantially exceed the distribution fees received by it during the early years of the operation of the 12b-1 Plan. In later years, its expenditures may be less than the distribution fees, thus enabling the Distributor to realize a profit in those years.

If the 12b-1 Plan is terminated with respect to a Fund, the Fund will owe no payments to the Distributor other than fees accrued but unpaid on the termination date. The 12b-1 Plan may be terminated only by specific action of the Trustees or shareholders.

The 12b-1 Plan shall continue in effect from year to year with respect to each Fund, provided such continuance is approved at least annually by the Trustees or by a vote of a majority of the outstanding voting securities of the Fund (as defined in the 1940 Act and the rules thereunder) and, in either case, by a majority of the Disinterested Trustees. The 12b-1 Plan may not be amended to increase materially the amount to be spent for the services described therein without approval of the shareholders of the Class N shares of a Fund, and all material amendments of a 12b-1 Plan must also be approved by the Trustees in the manner described above. The 12b-1 Plan may be terminated with respect to a Fund at any time, without payment of any penalty, by vote of a majority of the Disinterested Trustees, or by a vote of a majority of the outstanding voting securities of the affected Fund (as defined in the 1940 Act) on not more than 60 days’ written notice to any other party to the 12b-1 Plan. So long as the 12b-1 Plan is in effect, the selection and nomination of Disinterested Trustees has been committed to the Disinterested Trustees.

 

55


Pursuant to the 12b-1 Plan, the Distributor shall provide the Trust for review by the Trustees, and the Trustees shall review and consider at least quarterly, a written report of the amounts expended under the 12b-1 Plan and the purposes for which such expenditures were made. The Trustees have determined that, in their judgment, there is a reasonable likelihood that the 12b-1 Plan will benefit the respective Funds and their shareholders.

The table below provides information for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2015 about the 12b-1 fees each Fund paid to the Distributor under the Trust’s 12b-1 Plan.

 

Funds

   Fees Paid  

AQR Global Equity Fund

   $ 3,078   

AQR International Equity Fund

   $ 98,041   

AQR Large Cap Momentum Style Fund

   $ 201,178   

AQR Small Cap Momentum Style Fund

   $ 21,377   

AQR International Momentum Style Fund

   $ 101,226   

AQR TM Large Cap Momentum Style Fund

   $ 370   

AQR TM Small Cap Momentum Style Fund

   $ 342   

AQR TM International Momentum Style Fund

   $ 276   

AQR Large Cap Defensive Style Fund

   $ 53,257   

AQR International Defensive Style Fund

   $ 447   

AQR Emerging Defensive Style Fund

   $ 999   

AQR Large Cap Multi-Style Fund

   $ 120,628   

AQR Small Cap Multi-Style Fund

   $ 12,717   

AQR International Multi-Style Fund

   $ 7,750   

AQR Emerging Multi-Style Fund

   $ 9,241   

AQR Emerging Momentum Style Fund

   $ 3,127   

AQR TM Large Cap Multi-Style Fund1

   $ 191   

AQR TM Small Cap Multi-Style Fund1

   $ 185   

AQR TM International Multi-Style Fund1

   $ 201   

AQR TM Emerging Multi-Style Fund1

   $ 1,668   

AQR Large Cap Relaxed Constraint Equity Fund2

     N/A   

AQR Small Cap Relaxed Constraint Equity Fund2

     N/A   

AQR International Relaxed Constraint Equity Fund2

     N/A   

AQR Emerging Relaxed Constraint Equity Fund2

     N/A   

 

1 

For the period February 11, 2015 through September 30, 2015.

2 

The Fund paid no 12b-1 fees during the period because the Fund had not yet commenced operations.

Custodian

The Custodian for the Funds is JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A. (“JPM Custodian”), located at 1 Chase Manhattan Plaza, New York, NY 10005. State Street Bank and Trust Company (together with the JPM Custodian, the “Custodian”), located at One Lincoln Street, Boston, MA 02111, also serves as a Custodian of the AQR Large Cap Relaxed Constraint Equity Fund, AQR Small Cap Relaxed Constraint Equity Fund and AQR International Relaxed Constraint Equity Fund. The Custodian has no part in determining the investment policies of the Funds or which securities are to be purchased or sold by the Funds. Under the custody agreements with the Trust, on behalf of the Funds, the Custodian holds each Fund’s securities and maintains all necessary accounts and records.

Transfer Agent and Dividend Disbursing Agent

ALPS Fund Services, Inc., located at 1290 Broadway, Suite 1100, Denver, CO 80203, has been retained to serve as the Funds’ transfer agent and dividend disbursing agent.

 

56


Shareholder Services Agreement

In exchange for the Adviser providing, or arranging for the provision of, certain services to the shareholders of each Fund, the Trust has entered into a Shareholder Services Agreement with respect to the below listed classes of shares of each Fund listed below. Effective April 1, 2015, the Trust, on behalf of each Fund other than the AQR Global Equity Fund and the AQR International Equity Fund, terminated the Shareholder Services Agreement with respect to such Funds.

Under the Shareholder Services Agreement, each Fund listed below pays the Adviser a fee as reflected below and expressed as a percentage of average daily net assets:

 

Fund and Class

   Maximum Shareholder
Services Fee (annually
as a percentage of the
Fund’s average daily
net assets)
 

AQR Global Equity Fund

  

Class I

     0.30

Class N

     0.30

Class R6

     0.20

AQR International Equity Fund

  

Class I

     0.30

Class N

     0.30

Class R6

     0.30

For the fiscal year ended December 31, 2012, the Trust paid the Adviser shareholder services fees as follows:

 

Funds

   Fees Paid
(After Waivers)
     Waivers  

AQR Global Equity Fund

   $ 0       $ 11,838   

AQR International Equity Fund

   $ 558,878       $ 0   

AQR Large Cap Momentum Style Fund

   $ 316,370       $ 335,876   

AQR Small Cap Momentum Style Fund

   $ 112,231       $ 74,662   

AQR International Momentum Style Fund

   $ 16,501       $ 140,733   

AQR TM Large Cap Momentum Style Fund1

   $ 0       $ 4,377   

AQR TM Small Cap Momentum Style Fund1

   $ 0       $ 3,626   

AQR TM International Momentum Style Fund1

   $ 0       $ 5,066   

AQR Large Cap Defensive Style Fund2

   $ 0       $ 4,238   

AQR International Defensive Style Fund2

   $ 0       $ 4,556   

AQR Emerging Defensive Style Fund2

   $ 0       $ 6,621   

AQR Large Cap Multi-Style Fund3

     N/A         N/A   

AQR Small Cap Multi-Style Fund3

     N/A         N/A   

AQR International Multi-Style Fund3

     N/A         N/A   

AQR Emerging Multi-Style Fund3

     N/A         N/A   

AQR Emerging Momentum Style Fund3

     N/A         N/A   

AQR TM Large Cap Multi-Style Fund3

     N/A         N/A   

AQR TM Small Cap Multi-Style Fund3

     N/A         N/A   

AQR TM International Multi-Style Fund3

     N/A         N/A   

AQR TM Emerging Multi-Style Fund3

     N/A         N/A   

 

1 

For the period January 27, 2012 through December 31, 2012.

 

57


2 

For the period from July 9, 2012 through December 31, 2012.

3 

The Fund paid no shareholder services fees during the period because the Fund had not yet commenced operations.

For the fiscal period of January 1, 2013 to September 30, 2013, the Trust paid the Adviser shareholder services fees as follows:

 

Funds

   Fees Paid
(After Waivers)
     Waivers  

AQR Global Equity Fund

   $ 0       $ 3,920   

AQR International Equity Fund

   $ 538,420       $ 0   

AQR Large Cap Momentum Style Fund

   $ 440,173       $ 318,505   

AQR Small Cap Momentum Style Fund

   $ 165,118       $ 48,634   

AQR International Momentum Style Fund

   $ 74,655       $ 142,158   

AQR TM Large Cap Momentum Style Fund

   $ 0       $ 11,322   

AQR TM Small Cap Momentum Style Fund

   $ 0       $ 5,456   

AQR TM International Momentum Style Fund

   $ 0       $ 8,364   

AQR Large Cap Defensive Style Fund

   $ 0       $ 89,982   

AQR International Defensive Style Fund

   $ 0       $ 22,409   

AQR Emerging Defensive Style Fund

   $ 0       $ 24,171   

AQR Large Cap Multi-Style Fund1

   $ 0       $ 7,268   

AQR Small Cap Multi-Style Fund1

   $ 0       $ 2,101   

AQR International Multi-Style Fund1

   $ 0       $ 7,199   

AQR Emerging Multi-Style Fund2

     N/A         N/A   

AQR Emerging Momentum Style Fund2

     N/A         N/A   

AQR TM Large Cap Multi-Style Fund2

     N/A         N/A   

AQR TM Small Cap Multi-Style Fund2

     N/A         N/A   

AQR TM International Multi-Style Fund2

     N/A         N/A   

AQR TM Emerging Multi-Style Fund2

     N/A         N/A   

 

1 

For the period March 26, 2013 through September 30, 2013.

2 

The Fund paid no shareholder services fees during the period because the Fund had not yet commenced operations.

For the fiscal year ended September 30, 2014, the Trust paid the Adviser shareholder services fees as follows:

 

Funds

   Fees Paid
(After Waivers)
     Waivers  

AQR Global Equity Fund

   $ 83,229       $ 23,711   

AQR International Equity Fund

   $ 1,031,217       $ 0   

AQR Large Cap Momentum Style Fund

   $ 1,420,202       $ 20,051   

AQR Small Cap Momentum Style Fund

   $ 431,204       $ 5,965   

AQR International Momentum Style Fund

   $ 457,437       $ 16,144   

AQR TM Large Cap Momentum Style Fund

   $ 100,519       $ 212   

AQR TM Small Cap Momentum Style Fund

   $ 0       $ 18,171   

AQR TM International Momentum Style Fund

   $ 87,577       $ 200   

 

58


Funds

   Fees Paid
(After Waivers)
     Waivers  

AQR Large Cap Defensive Style Fund

   $ 388,761       $ 12,753   

AQR International Defensive Style Fund

   $ 0       $ 45,862   

AQR Emerging Defensive Style Fund

   $ 86,659       $ 5,431   

AQR Large Cap Multi-Style Fund

   $ 109,045       $ 13,532   

AQR Small Cap Multi-Style Fund

   $ 0       $ 10,016   

AQR International Multi-Style Fund

   $ 0       $ 37,211   

AQR Emerging Multi-Style Fund1

   $ 0       $ 4,503   

AQR Emerging Momentum Style Fund1

   $ 0       $ 3,765   

AQR TM Large Cap Multi-Style Fund2

     N/A         N/A   

AQR TM Small Cap Multi-Style Fund2

     N/A         N/A   

AQR TM International Multi-Style Fund2

     N/A         N/A   

AQR TM Emerging Multi-Style Fund2

     N/A         N/A   

 

1 

For the period May 13, 2014 through September 30, 2014.

2 

The Fund paid no shareholder services fees during the period because the Fund had not yet commenced operations.

For the fiscal year ended September 30, 2015, the Trust paid the Adviser shareholder services fees as follows:

 

Funds

   Fees Paid
(After Waivers)
     Waivers  

AQR Global Equity Fund

   $ 187,017       $ 3,417   

AQR International Equity Fund

   $ 1,151,842       $ 0   

AQR Large Cap Momentum Style Fund

   $ 762,968       $ 40,397   

AQR Small Cap Momentum Style Fund

   $ 259,151       $ 814   

AQR International Momentum Style Fund

   $ 232,390       $ 8,524   

AQR TM Large Cap Momentum Style Fund

   $ 44,301       $ 44,112   

AQR TM Small Cap Momentum Style Fund

   $ 0       $ 13,139   

AQR TM International Momentum Style Fund

   $ 23,863       $ 24,133   

AQR Large Cap Defensive Style Fund

   $ 146,860       $ 2,388   

AQR International Defensive Style Fund

   $ 0       $ 21,812   

AQR Emerging Defensive Style Fund

   $ 61,932       $ 103   

AQR Large Cap Multi-Style Fund

   $ 286,588       $ 18,113   

AQR Small Cap Multi-Style Fund

   $ 152       $ 12,616   

AQR International Multi-Style Fund

   $ 35,615       $ 8,866   

AQR Emerging Multi-Style Fund

   $ 1,040       $ 13,806   

AQR Emerging Momentum Style Fund

   $ 0       $ 5,995   

AQR TM Large Cap Multi-Style Fund1

   $ 0       $ 530   

AQR TM Small Cap Multi-Style Fund1

   $ 0       $ 402   

AQR TM International Multi-Style Fund1

   $ 0       $ 719   

AQR TM Emerging Multi-Style Fund1

   $ 0       $ 1,055   

 

1 

For the period February 11, 2015 through September 30, 2015.

 

59


DETERMINATION OF NET ASSET VALUE

Each Fund’s NAV per share is generally calculated as of the scheduled close of trading on the New York Stock Exchange (the “NYSE”) (normally 4:00 p.m. Eastern time) on each day during which the NYSE is open for trading (a Business Day). Each Fund determines an NAV per share for each class of its shares. The price at which a purchase or redemption order is effected is based upon the next NAV calculation after the purchase or redemption order is received by the Fund (or its agent) in proper form. If there is an unscheduled NYSE closure prior to 4:00 p.m. Eastern time, transaction deadlines and NAV calculations may occur at 4:00 p.m. Eastern time or at an earlier time, if the particular closure directly affects the NYSE but other exchanges remain open for trading. Each Fund reserves the right to change the time its NAV is calculated if otherwise permitted by the 1940 Act or pursuant to statements from the SEC or its staff. The NAV per share of a class of a Fund is computed by dividing the total current value of the assets of the Fund attributable to a class, less class liabilities, by the total number of shares of that class of the Fund outstanding at the time the computation is made.

Foreign markets may be open at different times and on different days than the NYSE, meaning that the value of the Funds’ shares may change on days when shareholders are not able to buy or sell their shares. Foreign currencies, securities and other assets and liabilities denominated in foreign currencies are translated into U.S. dollars at the exchange rates generally determined as of 4:00 p.m. (Eastern time).

For purposes of calculating the NAV, portfolio securities and other assets are valued on each Business Day using valuation methods adopted by the Board of Trustees (the “Trust’s Valuation Procedures”). The Adviser makes the day-to-day valuation determinations subject to the oversight of the Board of Trustees. The Adviser has established a Valuation Committee (the “VC”) whose function is to monitor the valuation of portfolio securities and other assets of the Funds and determine in good faith the value of portfolio holdings of the Funds in accordance with the Trust’s Valuation Procedures. The VC operates under the valuation procedures approved by the Funds’ Board of Trustees.

Where market quotes are readily available, market value is generally determined on the basis of official closing prices or the last reported sales prices, or if no sales are reported, based on quotes obtained from pricing services or established market makers. Where market quotations are not readily available, or if an available market quotation is determined not to represent fair value, a security or other asset will be fair valued as determined by the VC in accordance with the Trust’s Valuation Procedures. The valuation procedures may include the use of proprietary valuation models which may consider market transactions in comparable securities and the various relationships between securities in determining value and/or market characteristics such as benchmark yield curves, credit spreads, estimated default rates, underlying collateral, and other unique security features. The Funds may also use an income-based valuation approach in which the anticipated future cash flows of the investment are discounted to calculate fair value. Discounts may also be applied due to the nature or duration of any restrictions on the disposition of the investments. When fair value pricing is employed, the prices used by a Fund to calculate its NAV may differ from quoted or published prices. Valuing securities or other assets at fair value involves greater reliance on judgment than valuation of securities or other assets based on readily available market quotations. A Fund that uses fair value to price securities or other assets may value those securities or other assets higher or lower than another mutual fund using market quotations or its own fair value procedures to price the same securities or other assets. The price at which a security or other asset is ultimately sold can differ from the price at which the security or other asset was fair valued.

Equity securities, including securities sold short, rights, warrants, ETFs and closed-end investment companies, are valued at the last quoted sales prices or official closing prices taken from the primary market in which each security trades. Investments in open-end investment companies are valued at such investment company’s current day closing net asset value per share. An equity for which no sales are reported, as in the case of a security that is traded in the OTC market or a less liquid listed equity, is valued at its last bid price (in the case of short sales, at the ask price).

 

60


Fixed income securities (other than certain short-term investments maturing in less than 61 days) and other investments that trade in markets that are not considered to be active, are valued based on quoted market prices, dealer quotations or alternative pricing sources supported by observable inputs. These include certain U.S. government and sovereign obligations, most government agency securities, investment-grade corporate bonds, money market funds and less liquid listed equities. Corporate and sovereign bonds and other fixed-income instruments are valued at estimated fair value using the latest bid prices or evaluated quotes furnished by independent pricing services, as well as quotations from counterparties and other market participants. Evaluated quotes are based on a matrix system, which may consider such factors as quoted prices for identical or similar assets, yields, maturities and ratings and are not necessarily reliant on quoted prices. Short-term debt investments maturing in less than 61 days are generally valued at amortized cost.

Equities or fixed income securities traded outside of the Western Hemisphere are fair valued daily in accordance with the Trust’s Valuation Procedures. The Funds generally apply daily fair value factors, furnished by an independent pricing service, to account for the market movement between the close of the foreign market on which a security is traded and the close of the NYSE.

Futures and option contracts that are listed on national exchanges and are freely tradable are valued based on their last sales price on the date of determination on the exchange that constitutes their principal market or, if no sales occurred on such date, at the “mid-market” price on such exchange at the close of business on such date. Centrally cleared swaps listed or traded on a multilateral trade facility platform, such as a registered exchange, are valued using quotations provided by an independent pricing service or at the daily settlement price determined by the respective exchange.

OTC derivatives, including forward contracts and swap contracts, are valued by the Funds on a daily basis using observable inputs, such as quotations provided by an independent pricing service, the counterparty, dealers or brokers, whenever available and considered to represent fair value. Generally, a valuation model is used consistently for similar derivative types and model inputs, including, but not limited to, market prices, yield curves, credit spreads, volatilities and implied correlations which are obtained from outside brokers and/or pricing services when available. In instances where models are used, the value of an OTC derivative depends upon the contractual terms of, and specific risks inherent in, the instrument as well as the availability and reliability of observable inputs. Such inputs include market prices for reference securities, yield curves, credit curves, measures of volatility, prepayment rates and correlations of such inputs. Certain OTC derivatives, such as generic forwards, swaps and options, have inputs which can generally be corroborated by market data.

The value of each total return swap contract and total return basket swap contract is derived from a combination of (i) the net value of the underlying positions, which are valued daily using the last sale or closing price on the principal exchange on which the securities are traded; (ii) financing costs; (iii) the value of dividends or accrued interest; (iv) cash balances within the swap; and (v) other factors, as applicable.

The Funds value the repurchase agreements and reverse repurchase agreements they have entered into based on the respective contract amounts, which approximate fair value. As such, repurchase agreements are carried at the amount of cash paid plus accrued interest receivable (or interest payable in periods of increased demand for collateral), and reverse repurchase agreements are carried at the amount of cash received plus accrued interest payable (or interest receivable in periods of increased demand for collateral).

 

61


Calculation of Offering Price

An illustration of the calculation of the offering price for the outstanding Class I shares of each Fund based on the value of that Fund’s net assets and number of shares outstanding on September 30, 2015 is set forth below:

 

    AQR Global
Equity Fund
    AQR International
Equity Fund
    AQR Large Cap
Defensive
Style Fund
    AQR International
Defensive
Style Fund
 

Net Assets

  $ 34,185,582      $ 320,807,361      $ 158,468,032      $ 34,191,354   

Number of Shares Outstanding

    4,380,799        33,377,117        10,821,982        3,121,519   

Net Asset Value Per Share (net assets divided by number of shares outstanding)

  $ 7.80      $ 9.61      $ 14.64      $ 10.95   

Sales Charge

    None        None        None        None   

Offering Price

  $ 7.80      $ 9.61      $ 14.64      $ 10.95   
    AQR Emerging
Defensive
Style Fund
    AQR Large Cap
Momentum
Style Fund
    AQR Small Cap
Momentum
Style Fund
    AQR International
Momentum
Style Fund
 

Net Assets

  $ 27,220,974      $ 874,115,361      $ 316,232,108      $ 257,298,868   

Number of Shares Outstanding

    3,314,071        43,794,416        16,557,893        19,429,009   

Net Asset Value Per Share (net assets divided by number of shares outstanding)

  $ 8.21      $ 19.96      $ 19.10      $ 13.24   

Sales Charge

    None        None        None        None   

Offering Price

  $ 8.21      $ 19.96      $ 19.10      $ 13.24   
    AQR Emerging
Momentum
Style Fund
    AQR TM Large Cap
Momentum
Style Fund
    AQR TM Small Cap
Momentum
Style Fund
    AQR TM International
Momentum
Style Fund
 

Net Assets

  $ 6,611,551      $ 56,140,635      $ 19,992,338      $ 23,699,389   

Number of Shares Outstanding

    797,764        3,613,144        1,377,919        2,026,170   

Net Asset Value Per Share (net assets divided by number of shares outstanding)

  $ 8.29      $ 15.54      $ 14.51      $ 11.70   

Sales Charge

    None        None        None        None   

Offering Price

  $ 8.29      $ 15.54      $ 14.51      $ 11.70   
    AQR Large Cap
Multi-Style
Fund
    AQR Small Cap
Multi-Style
Fund
    AQR International
Multi-Style
Fund
    AQR Emerging
Multi-Style
Fund
 

Net Assets

  $ 490,709,396      $ 26,634,015      $ 40,046,714      $ 48,992,270   

Number of Shares Outstanding

    37,047,708        2,165,764        3,920,915        5,981,726   

Net Asset Value Per Share (net assets divided by number of shares outstanding)

  $ 13.25      $ 12.30      $ 10.21      $ 8.19   

Sales Charge

    None        None        None        None   

Offering Price

  $ 13.25      $ 12.30      $ 10.21      $ 8.19   

 

62


    AQR TM Large Cap
Multi-Style
Fund
    AQR TM Small Cap
Multi-Style
Fund
    AQR TM International
Multi-Style
Fund
    AQR TM Emerging
Multi-Style
Fund
 

Net Assets

  $ 2,086,959      $ 1,701,874      $ 3,212,688      $ 2,986,440   

Number of Shares Outstanding

    221,606        184,697        341,610        359,225   

Net Asset Value Per Share (net assets divided by number of shares outstanding)

  $ 9.42      $ 9.21      $ 9.40      $ 8.31   

Sales Charge

    None        None        None        None   

Offering Price

  $ 9.42      $ 9.21      $ 9.40      $ 8.31   

Calculation of offering price has not been provided for the AQR Large Cap Relaxed Constraint Equity Fund, AQR Small Cap Relaxed Constraint Equity Fund, AQR International Relaxed Constraint Equity Fund and AQR Emerging Relaxed Constraint Equity Fund because the Funds have not commenced operations as of the date of this SAI.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION ABOUT PURCHASES AND REDEMPTION OF SHARES

Cut-Off Time for Purchase and Redemption Orders

Orders to purchase or redeem shares received by the Transfer Agent, or by a financial intermediary authorized to receive such orders, by the cut-off time indicated in the Funds’ Prospectus will be processed at the NAV next calculated after the order is received by the Transfer Agent or the financial intermediary that is an authorized agent of the Funds. Under a variety of different types of servicing agreements, financial intermediaries that are authorized to receive purchase and redemption orders from investors are permitted to transmit those orders that are received by the financial intermediary before the cut-off time in the Prospectus to the Transfer Agent by the cut-off times stated in those agreements, which are generally later than the cut-off time stated in the Prospectus. Financial intermediaries are prohibited by law from transmitting orders received after the cut-off time stated in the Prospectus to the Transfer Agent for processing at that day’s NAV. Any order otherwise received after the cut-off time stated in the Prospectus will be specifically identified for processing on the next day on which a NAV is computed.

Purchases In-Kind

The Trust may permit purchases of any of the Fund’s shares by means of in-kind contributions of portfolio securities under limited circumstances in accordance with procedures approved by the Trust’s Board of Trustees. In-kind purchases of Fund shares may only be permitted if the Adviser determines that acceptance of the in-kind securities will not adversely affect the purchasing Fund, does not favor a shareholder of the purchasing Fund to the detriment of another shareholder of the purchasing Fund, and conforms with the purchasing Fund’s fundamental investment objectives, policies and restrictions. In-kind securities will be valued in the same manner as they would be valued for purposes of computing a Fund’s NAV. The Fund will not be liable for any brokerage commission or fee (except for customary transfer fees) in connection with an in-kind purchase of Fund shares.

Your broker may impose a fee in connection with processing your in-kind purchase of Fund shares. An investor contemplating an in-kind purchase of Fund shares should consult his or her tax adviser to determine the tax consequences under federal and state law of making such a purchase.

Redemptions In-Kind

Payment of the redemption price for shares redeemed may be made either in cash or in portfolio securities (selected in the discretion of the Board of Trustees and taken at their value used in determining a Fund’s NAV

 

63


per share as described under “Determination of Net Asset Value”), or partly in cash and partly in portfolio securities. However, unless otherwise requested by the shareholder, payments will be made wholly in cash unless the Board of Trustees believes that economic conditions exist which would make such a practice detrimental to the best interests of a Fund. Moreover, the Trust has elected to be governed by Rule 18f-1 under the 1940 Act, under which the Funds are obligated to redeem their shares solely in cash up to the lesser of $250,000 or 1% of their net asset value during any 90-day period for one shareholder. This election is irrevocable unless the SEC permits its withdrawal. If payment for shares redeemed is made wholly or partly in portfolio securities, brokerage costs may be incurred by the investor in converting the securities to cash. Also, the portfolio securities received may increase or decrease in value before the investor can convert them into cash. The Funds may redeem shares held by affiliates in kind as long as neither the affiliated shareholder nor any other party with the ability and pecuniary incentive to influence the redemption in kind selects, or influences the selection of the distributed securities and as long as the redemption in kind is approved by the Board of Trustees, including a majority of the Disinterested Trustees, in a manner consistent with SEC rules, regulations and interpretive positions.

Involuntary Redemptions

Each Fund reserves the right to involuntarily redeem any shareholder’s account, subject to applicable law, if:

 

 

 

the Fund or a class of its shares are to be terminated;

 

 

 

the value of the account falls below any investment minimum for the account set by the Trust, provided that (1) the Trust provides a written notice of redemption to the shareholder at least 15 days before the redemption date, and (2) any policies adopted by the Board with respect to the redemption of small accounts have been disclosed to shareholders at least 60 days prior to the mailing of the written notice of redemption;

 

 

 

the shareholder fails to pay when due the full purchase price of shares issued to him;

 

 

 

it appears appropriate to do so in connection with a failure of the appropriate person(s) to furnish certified taxpayer identification numbers, other tax-related certifications, or if the Fund is unable to verify the account holder’s identity; or

 

 

 

the Fund otherwise determines it appropriate to do so in light of the Fund’s responsibilities under the 1940 Act or other applicable law or necessary to prevent harm to the Trust or its shareholders.

If a shareholder’s account is involuntarily redeemed, a check for the redemption proceeds payable to the shareholder will be mailed to the shareholder at the shareholder’s address of record.

Other Purchase and Redemption Information

Each Fund reserves the right to reject any purchase order for its shares in its sole discretion.

Each of the Funds reserves the right to suspend or postpone redemptions during any period when: (a) trading on the NYSE is restricted by applicable rules and regulations of the SEC; (b) the NYSE is closed other than for customary weekend and holiday closings; (c) the SEC has by order permitted such suspension or postponement for the protection of the shareholders or (d) an emergency, as determined by the SEC, exists making disposal of portfolio securities or valuation of net assets of a Fund not reasonably practicable. Upon the occurrence of any of the foregoing conditions, each of the Funds may also suspend or postpone the recording of the transfer of its shares.

In addition, each of the Funds may compel the redemption of, reject any order for, or refuse to give effect on the Fund’s books to the transfer of, its shares where the relevant investor or investors have not furnished the Fund with valid, certified taxpayer identification numbers and such other tax-related certifications or other necessary documentation as the Fund may request.

 

64


Brokers or other financial intermediaries may charge their customers a processing or service fee in connection with the purchase or redemption of the Funds’ shares. The amount and applicability of such a fee is determined and disclosed to its customers by each individual broker or financial intermediary. Processing or service fees typically are fixed, nominal dollar amounts and are in addition to the charges described in the Prospectus and this SAI. An investor’s broker will provide them with specific information about any processing or service fees they will be charged.

PORTFOLIO TURNOVER

The frequency of portfolio transactions is generally expressed in terms of a portfolio turnover rate. For example, an annual turnover rate of 100% would occur if all of the securities in a Fund were replaced once a year. The Adviser for a Fund may engage in active short-term trading to rebalance the Fund’s portfolio or for other reasons. It is anticipated that the portfolio turnover may vary greatly from year to year as well as within a particular year, and may be affected by changes in the holdings of specific issuers, changes in country and currency weightings, cash requirements for redemption of shares and by requirements which enable a Fund to receive favorable tax treatment. The Funds are not restricted by policy with regard to their portfolio turnover rates. Higher portfolio turnover rates, generally meaning rates in excess of 100%, and short-term trading involve correspondingly greater commission expenses and transaction costs, which may reduce performance and may cause higher levels of current tax liability to shareholders in the Fund.

Each Fund’s portfolio turnover rate was as follows for the two most recent fiscal periods:

 

Fund

   Fiscal Year Ended
September 30, 2014
    Fiscal Year Ended
September 30, 2015
 

AQR Global Equity Fund

     90     73

AQR International Equity Fund

     71     84

AQR Large Cap Momentum Style Fund

     83     90

AQR Small Cap Momentum Style Fund

     83     86

AQR International Momentum Style Fund

     98     112

AQR TM Large Cap Momentum Style Fund

     153     62

AQR TM Small Cap Momentum Style Fund

     154     111

AQR TM International Momentum Style Fund

     185     147

AQR Large Cap Defensive Style Fund

     16     24

AQR International Defensive Style Fund

     57     47

AQR Emerging Defensive Style Fund

     124     117

AQR Large Cap Multi-Style Fund

     277     59

AQR Small Cap Multi-Style Fund

     189     228

AQR International Multi-Style Fund

     204     236

AQR Emerging Multi-Style Fund1

     154     317

AQR Emerging Momentum Style Fund1

     72     159

AQR TM Large Cap Multi-Style Fund2

     N/A        207

AQR TM Small Cap Multi-Style Fund2

     N/A        98

AQR TM International Multi-Style Fund2

     N/A        172

 

65


Fund

   Fiscal Year Ended
September 30, 2014
     Fiscal Year Ended
September 30, 2015
 

AQR TM Emerging Multi-Style Fund2

     N/A         173

AQR Large Cap Relaxed Constraint Equity Fund3

     N/A         N/A   

AQR Small Cap Relaxed Constraint Equity Fund3

     N/A         N/A   

AQR International Relaxed Constraint Equity Fund3

     N/A         N/A   

AQR Emerging Relaxed Constraint Equity Fund3

     N/A         N/A   

 

1 

Fund commenced operations on May 14, 2014.

2 

Fund commenced operations on February 11, 2015.

3 

Fund has not commenced operations as of the date of this SAI.

With respect to the AQR Large Cap Multi-Style Fund and AQR TM Large Cap Momentum Style Fund, the decrease in portfolio turnover from 2014 to 2015 is primarily due to the increased use of futures in 2015, which are excluded from the calculation of portfolio turnover, to “equitize” cash flows into each Fund (i.e., cash inflows may be temporarily invested in a futures contract tied to an index or other basket of investments in order to gain market exposure with respect to the cash investment on a short-term basis, prior to investing such cash investment in equity securities). Prior to October 2014, ETFs, which are included in the calculation of the portfolio turnover, were primarily used for equitization purposes, resulting in a higher portfolio turnover for 2014.

For the AQR Emerging Multi-Style Fund and AQR Emerging Momentum Style Fund, the increase in portfolio turnover from 2014 to 2015 is primarily due to each Fund commencing operations in May of 2014, which resulted in a shortened fiscal period in 2014, versus a full twelve month fiscal period in 2015 and therefore more days of trading in 2015 than 2014.

PORTFOLIO TRANSACTIONS AND BROKERAGE

The Adviser is responsible for decisions to buy and sell securities for the Funds, the selection of brokers and dealers to effect the transactions, and the negotiation of brokerage commissions. Purchases and sales of securities on a securities exchange are effected through brokers who charge a commission for their services. Brokerage commissions on U.S. securities exchanges are subject to negotiation between the Adviser and the broker. In the OTC market, securities are sometimes traded on a “net” basis with dealers acting as principal for their own accounts without a stated commission, although the price of the security usually includes a profit to the dealer. Trades of NASD listed securities may be made on an agency basis and a commission is added to such trades. In underwritten offerings, securities are purchased at a fixed price, which includes an amount of compensation to the underwriter, generally referred to as the underwriter’s concession or discount. On occasion, certain money market instruments may be purchased directly from an issuer, in which case no commissions or discounts are paid.

When decisions are made to purchase or sell the same securities simultaneously for a number of client accounts, the Adviser may aggregate into a single trade order (a “bunched” trade) several individual contemporaneous client trade orders for a single security if the Adviser deems this to be appropriate and in the best interests of the client accounts involved. Bunched trades may be used to facilitate best execution, including negotiating more favorable prices, obtaining more timely or equitable execution, or reducing overall commission charges. Accounts that are eligible to purchase shares in initial public offerings may participate in aggregated orders for

 

66


such shares. The Adviser seeks to aggregate trade orders in a manner that is consistent with its duty to: (1) seek best execution of client orders, (2) treat all clients fairly, and (3) not systematically advantage or disadvantage any single client.

When an aggregated order is filled in its entirety, each participating client account will participate at the average share price for the aggregated order, and transaction costs shall be shared pro rata based on each client’s participation in the aggregated order. If an order cannot be completely filled and the investment opportunity is determined to be equally suitable and appropriate for more than one account, allocations will generally be made pro rata, subject to rounding to achieve round lots, based upon the initial amount requested for an account participating in the aggregated order. Each account participating in a particular aggregated or “bunched trade” will receive the share price with respect to that aggregated order or, as appropriate, the average share price for all executed “bunched” trades on that trading day. The Adviser may allocate on a basis other than pro rata, if, under the circumstances, such other method of allocation is reasonable, does not result in any improper or undisclosed advantage or disadvantage to other accounts, and results in fair access over time to trading opportunities for all eligible managed accounts. For example, the Adviser may identify investment opportunities that are appropriate for certain accounts and not others, based on such factors as investment objectives, style, risk/return parameters, regulatory and client restrictions, tax status, account size, sensitivity to turnover, available cash and cash flows. Consequently, the Adviser may decide it is more appropriate to place a given security in one account rather than another account. Other non-pro rata methods include rotation allocation or random allocation. Alternative methods of allocation are appropriate, for example, when the transaction size is too limited to be effectively allocated pro rata among all eligible accounts.

On occasion, the Adviser will purchase a new issue, shares in an IPO, or shares in a secondary equity offering (“SEO”) for accounts/Funds and the Adviser may be unable to obtain sufficient securities to fill the orders for all the participating accounts/Funds. For those accounts/Funds participating in the purchase the Adviser will use a method that ensures the fair treatment of all participating accounts/Funds.

IPOs or SEOs will be allocated pro rata based on the participating portfolio’s estimated NAV targeting the IPO or SEO strategy. The IPO and SEO allocation is subject to an accounts/Funds’ investment objective. The Adviser’s equity IPO/SEO allocation methodology may exclude accounts/Funds from receiving IPO/SEO allocations if/when (i) an account/Fund does not trade individual stocks; (ii) an IPO/SEO allocation is inconsistent with the investment objectives of the account/Fund (e.g., certain IPOs or SEOs may be illiquid, of a small deal size, or an incompatible security type); (iii) an IPO/SEO allocation cannot be properly hedged in the account/Fund using standard hedging techniques; (iv) an IPO/SEO allocation would add too much volatility to an account/Fund, thereby altering the risk profile of the account/Fund; (v) an IPO/SEO allocation would change the portfolio composition weighting in such a way as to corrupt the modeling process for that account/Fund; (vi) the account/Fund is a proprietary account; and/or (vii) the account/Fund has a policy of not engaging in a specific or all IPO/SEOs. Benchmark driven accounts/Funds would normally be precluded from participation in an IPO/SEO allocation because of one or a combination of items (ii), (iii), (iv), and/or (v) above. Deviations from this policy must be approved by the Adviser’s Chief Compliance Officer or designee in advance of a purchase. As with IPOs and SEOs, convertible security new issues will not be allocated to accounts/Funds that do not trade convertible securities and where a particular convertible security is inconsistent with the account/Fund’s investment objective (e.g., convertible security may be illiquid or of a small deal size).

New issue convertible securities will be allocated in a fair manner for eligible accounts/Funds that avoids the number of odd-lots held by particular accounts/Funds. Desired appetites for new issue convertible securities may vary among account/Funds and are influenced by the following: (i) if the issuance is inconsistent with the investment objectives of the account/Fund; (ii) if the issuance cannot be properly hedged in the account/Fund using standard hedging techniques; (iii) if the issuance adds too much volatility to the account/Fund, thereby altering the risk profile of the account/Fund; (iv) if the issuance changes the account/Fund’s composition and position weighting in such a way as to corrupt the desired characteristics of that account/Fund; (v) if the account/ Fund has cash available; (vi) if there are tax considerations that could negatively impact the account/Fund; and/or (vii) if there are leverage constraints on the account/Fund.

 

67


In placing orders for portfolio securities of the Funds, the Adviser is required to give primary consideration to obtaining the most favorable price and efficient execution reasonably obtainable under the circumstances. Within the framework of this policy, the Adviser will consider the research and investment services provided by brokers or dealers who effect, or are parties to, portfolio transactions of the Funds or the Adviser’s other clients.

Such research and investment services are those which brokerage houses customarily provide to institutional investors and include statistical and economic data and research reports on particular companies and industries. Such services are used by the Adviser in connection with all of their investment activities, and some of such services obtained in connection with the execution of transactions for the Funds may be used in managing other investment accounts. Conversely, brokers furnishing such services may be selected for the execution of transactions of such other accounts, and the services furnished by such brokers may be used by the Adviser in providing investment management for the Funds. Commission rates are established pursuant to negotiations with the broker based on the quality and quantity of execution services provided by the broker in light of generally prevailing rates. The Adviser’s policy is to pay higher commissions to brokers for particular transactions than might be charged if a different broker had been selected on occasions when, in the Adviser’s opinion, this policy furthers the objective of obtaining the most favorable price and execution reasonably obtainable under the circumstances. In addition, the Adviser is authorized to pay higher commissions on brokerage transactions for the Funds to brokers in order to secure research and investment services described above, subject to review by the Board of Trustees from time to time as to the extent and continuation of the practice. The distribution of orders among brokers and the commission rates paid are reviewed periodically by the Board of Trustees.

The following table shows the dollar amount of brokerage commissions paid to brokers and the approximate dollar amount of the transactions involved for the period ended December 31, 2012. The provision of third party research services was not necessarily a factor in the placement of all brokerage business with such brokers.

 

Funds

   Brokerage
Commissions
     Amount of
Transactions
Involved
 

AQR Global Equity Fund

   $ 130,651       $ 3,276,125,571   

AQR International Equity Fund

   $ 276,025       $ 4,889,080,817   

AQR Large Cap Momentum Style Fund

   $ 12,405       $ 1,181,577,541   

AQR Small Cap Momentum Style Fund

   $ 3,812       $ 265,623,946   

AQR International Momentum Style Fund

   $ 42,061       $ 276,651,578   

AQR TM Large Cap Momentum Style Fund1

   $ 46       $ 10,368,596   

AQR TM Small Cap Momentum Style Fund1

   $ 77       $ 7,681,347   

AQR TM International Momentum Style Fund1

   $ 1,685       $ 14,491,761   

AQR Large Cap Defensive Style Fund2

   $ 49       $ 18,144,191   

AQR International Defensive Style Fund2

   $ 1,253       $ 12,073,741   

AQR Emerging Defensive Style Fund2

   $ 4,633       $ 10,920,858   

AQR Large Cap Multi-Style Fund3

     N/A         N/A   

AQR Small Cap Multi-Style Fund3

     N/A         N/A   

AQR International Multi-Style Fund3

     N/A         N/A   

AQR Emerging Multi-Style Fund3

     N/A         N/A   

AQR Emerging Momentum Style Fund3

     N/A         N/A   

AQR TM Large Cap Multi-Style Fund3

     N/A         N/A   

AQR TM Small Cap Multi-Style Fund3

     N/A         N/A   

AQR TM International Multi-Style Fund3

     N/A         N/A   

 

68


Funds

   Brokerage
Commissions
     Amount of
Transactions
Involved
 

AQR TM Emerging Multi-Style Fund3

     N/A         N/A   

AQR Large Cap Relaxed Constraint Equity Fund3

     N/A         N/A   

AQR Small Cap Relaxed Constraint Equity Fund3

     N/A         N/A   

AQR International Relaxed Constraint Equity Fund3

     N/A         N/A   

AQR Emerging Relaxed Constraint Equity Fund3

     N/A         N/A   

 

1 

For the period from January 27, 2012 through December 31, 2012.

2 

For the period from July 9, 2012 through December 31, 2012.

3 

The Fund paid no brokerage commissions during the period because the Fund had not yet commenced operations.

There were no brokerage commissions paid to any affiliated brokers or dealers of the Adviser during the fiscal year ended December 31, 2012.

The following table shows the dollar amount of brokerage commissions paid to brokers and the approximate dollar amount of the transactions involved for the fiscal period of January 1, 2013 to September 30, 2013. The provision of third party research services was not necessarily a factor in the placement of all brokerage business with such brokers.

 

Funds

   Brokerage
Commissions
     Amount of
Transactions
Involved
 

AQR Global Equity Fund

   $ 137,193       $ 3,418,903,700   

AQR International Equity Fund

   $ 270,882       $ 4,517,073,680   

AQR Large Cap Momentum Style Fund

   $ 9,546       $ 1,206,379,371   

AQR Small Cap Momentum Style Fund

   $ 5,396       $ 360,313,270   

AQR International Momentum Style Fund

   $ 50,715       $ 388,336,275   

AQR TM Large Cap Momentum Style Fund

   $ 166       $ 50,563,010   

AQR TM Small Cap Momentum Style Fund

   $ 91       $ 9,879,592   

AQR TM International Momentum Style Fund

   $ 2,895       $ 32,697,120   

AQR Large Cap Defensive Style Fund

   $ 4,789       $ 485,240,895   

AQR International Defensive Style Fund

   $ 2,711       $ 37,917,229   

AQR Emerging Defensive Style Fund

   $ 14,979       $ 70,505,520   

AQR Large Cap Multi-Style Fund1

   $ 173       $ 55,899,580   

AQR Small Cap Multi-Style Fund1

   $ 63       $ 6,413,520   

AQR International Multi-Style Fund 1

   $ 4,687       $ 49,413,842   

AQR Emerging Multi-Style Fund2

     N/A         N/A   

AQR Emerging Momentum Style Fund2

     N/A         N/A   

AQR TM Large Cap Multi-Style Fund2

     N/A         N/A   

AQR TM Small Cap Multi-Style Fund2

     N/A         N/A   

AQR TM International Multi-Style Fund2

     N/A         N/A   

AQR TM Emerging Multi-Style Fund2

     N/A         N/A   

 

69


Funds

   Brokerage
Commissions
     Amount of
Transactions
Involved
 

AQR Large Cap Relaxed Constraint Equity Fund2

     N/A         N/A   

AQR Small Cap Relaxed Constraint Equity Fund2

     N/A         N/A   

AQR International Relaxed Constraint Equity Fund2

     N/A         N/A   

AQR Emerging Relaxed Constraint Equity Fund2

     N/A         N/A   

 

1 

For the period March 26, 2013 through September 30, 2013.

2 

The Fund paid no brokerage commissions during the period because the Fund had not yet commenced operations.

The dollar increase in brokerage commissions for the AQR TM Large Cap Momentum Style Fund, AQR TM International Momentum Style Fund, AQR Large Cap Defensive Style Fund and AQR Emerging Defensive Style Fund from 2012 to 2013 was primarily the result of significant increased positive cash flows into the Funds, which resulted in increased trading activity. However, brokerage commissions per dollar traded have remained the same or decreased.

There were no brokerage commissions paid to any affiliated brokers or dealers of the Adviser during the fiscal period of January 1, 2013 to September 30, 2013.

The following table shows the dollar amount of brokerage commissions paid to brokers and the approximate dollar amount of the transactions involved for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2014. The provision of third party research services was not necessarily a factor in the placement of all brokerage business with such brokers.

 

Funds

   Brokerage
Commissions
     Amount of
Transactions
Involved
 

AQR Global Equity Fund

   $ 82,149       $ 2,303,918,279   

AQR International Equity Fund

   $ 326,162       $ 6,703,227,240   

AQR Large Cap Momentum Style Fund

   $ 12,471       $ 2,031,762,891   

AQR Small Cap Momentum Style Fund

   $ 8,521       $ 683,923,256   

AQR International Momentum Style Fund

   $ 123,279       $ 819,839,707   

AQR TM Large Cap Momentum Style Fund

   $ 747       $ 275,004,207   

AQR TM Small Cap Momentum Style Fund

   $ 603       $ 45,220,961   

AQR TM International Momentum Style Fund

   $ 25,309       $ 280,896,238   

AQR Large Cap Defensive Style Fund

   $ 4,131       $ 318,753,629   

AQR International Defensive Style Fund

   $ 3,460       $ 36,151,080   

AQR Emerging Defensive Style Fund

   $ 44,255       $ 165,963,191   

AQR Large Cap Multi-Style Fund

   $ 1,665       $ 653,844,934   

AQR Small Cap Multi-Style Fund

   $ 225       $ 30,742,541   

AQR International Multi-Style Fund

   $ 13,506       $ 144,049,991   

AQR Emerging Multi-Style Fund1

   $ 6,661       $ 35,541,505   

AQR Emerging Momentum Style Fund1

   $ 5,110       $ 15,306,460   

AQR TM Large Cap Multi-Style Fund2

     N/A         N/A   

AQR TM Small Cap Multi-Style Fund2

     N/A         N/A   

AQR TM International Multi-Style Fund2

     N/A         N/A   

AQR TM Emerging Multi-Style Fund2

     N/A         N/A   

 

70


Funds

   Brokerage
Commissions
     Amount of
Transactions
Involved
 

AQR Large Cap Relaxed Constraint Equity Fund2

     N/A         N/A   

AQR Small Cap Relaxed Constraint Equity Fund2

     N/A         N/A   

AQR International Relaxed Constraint Equity Fund2

     N/A         N/A   

AQR Emerging Relaxed Constraint Equity Fund2

     N/A         N/A   

 

1 

For the period May 13, 2014 through September 30, 2014.

2 

The Fund paid no brokerage commissions during the period because the Fund had not yet commenced operations.

The dollar decrease in brokerage commissions for the AQR Global Equity Fund from 2013 to 2014 is primarily the result of the market environment in 2014, which resulted in decreased trading activity for the Fund’s investment strategy.

The dollar increase in brokerage commissions for the AQR International Momentum Style Fund, AQR TM Large Cap Momentum Style Fund, AQR TM Small Cap Momentum Style Fund, AQR TM International Momentum Style Fund, AQR Large Cap Multi-Style Fund and AQR International Multi-Style Fund from 2013 to 2014 is primarily the result of significant increased positive cash flows into the Funds, which resulted in increased trading activity. The brokerage commissions per dollar traded were roughly similar across 2013 and 2014 and within the Adviser’s expectations.

In addition, each Fund changed its fiscal year in 2013 from December 31 to September 30 resulting in a nine month fiscal period in 2013 versus a twelve month fiscal period in 2014. This resulted in increases in brokerage commissions for certain Funds as there were more days of trading in the 2014 fiscal period than in the 2013 fiscal period.

There were no brokerage commissions paid to any affiliated brokers or dealers of the Adviser during the fiscal period of October 1, 2013 to September 30, 2014.

The following table shows the dollar amount of brokerage commissions paid to brokers and the approximate dollar amount of the transactions involved for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2015. The provision of third party research services was not necessarily a factor in the placement of all brokerage business with such brokers.

 

Funds

   Brokerage
Commissions
     Amount of
Transactions
Involved
 

AQR Global Equity Fund

   $ 49,854       $ 2,004,018,502   

AQR International Equity Fund

   $ 225,708       $ 6,242,527,065   

AQR Large Cap Momentum Style Fund

   $ 19,940       $ 2,224,390,027   

AQR Small Cap Momentum Style Fund

   $ 23,123       $ 995,140,887   

AQR International Momentum Style Fund

   $ 92,900       $ 906,957,955   

AQR TM Large Cap Momentum Style Fund

   $ 2,617       $ 265,786,128   

AQR TM Small Cap Momentum Style Fund

   $ 738       $ 47,103,548   

AQR TM International Momentum Style Fund

   $ 16,967       $ 199,434,340   

AQR Large Cap Defensive Style Fund

   $ 6,160       $ 483,316,534   

AQR International Defensive Style Fund

   $ 3,143       $ 38,642,451   

AQR Emerging Defensive Style Fund

   $ 65,717       $ 355,599,179   

AQR Large Cap Multi-Style Fund

   $ 49,681       $ 3,892,517,635   

 

71


Funds

   Brokerage
Commissions
     Amount of
Transactions
Involved
 

AQR Small Cap Multi-Style Fund

   $ 1,912       $ 161,417,482   

AQR International Multi-Style Fund

   $ 70,928       $ 1,043,511,827   

AQR Emerging Multi-Style Fund

   $ 100,906       $ 776,605,682   

AQR Emerging Momentum Style Fund

   $ 6,395       $ 30,502,209   

AQR TM Large Cap Multi-Style Fund1

   $ 560       $ 87,058,856   

AQR TM Small Cap Multi-Style Fund1

   $ 106       $ 7,582,402   

AQR TM International Multi-Style Fund1

   $ 7,921       $ 147,422,538   

AQR TM Emerging Multi-Style Fund1

   $ 7,781       $ 57,934,850   

AQR Large Cap Relaxed Constraint Equity Fund2

     N/A         N/A   

AQR Small Cap Relaxed Constraint Equity Fund2

     N/A         N/A   

AQR International Relaxed Constraint Equity Fund2

     N/A         N/A   

AQR Emerging Relaxed Constraint Equity Fund2

     N/A         N/A   

 

1 

For the period February 11, 2015 through September 30, 2015.

2 

The Fund paid no brokerage commissions during the period because the Fund had not yet commenced operations.

The dollar decrease in brokerage commissions for the AQR Global Equity Fund and AQR International Equity Fund from 2014 to 2015 is primarily the result of reduced equity commissions in certain countries resulting from negotiations with counterparties.

The dollar increase in brokerage commissions for the AQR Small Cap Momentum Style Fund, AQR TM Large Cap Momentum Style Fund, AQR Large Cap Multi-Style Fund and AQR Small Cap Multi-Style Fund from 2014 to 2015 is primarily the result of the allocation of some of these Funds’ trades in 2015 to platforms with alternative pricing structures whereby market impact of the trades is reduced in exchange for increased brokerage commissions. In addition, with the exception of the AQR TM Large Cap Momentum Style Fund, these Funds saw increased trading activity as a result of increased positive cash flows in 2015.

The dollar increase in brokerage commissions for the AQR International Multi-Style Fund and AQR Emerging Multi-Style Fund is primarily as a result of increased positive cash flows in 2015 which resulted in increased trading activity. Despite this increase, for these Funds the brokerage commissions per dollar traded decreased in 2015 versus 2014.

There were no brokerage commissions paid to any affiliated brokers or dealers of the Adviser during the fiscal period of October 1, 2014 to September 30, 2015.

The value of the AQR International Equity Fund’s aggregate holdings of the securities of its regular brokers or dealers as of September 30, 2015 (as defined in Rule 10b-1 under the 1940 Act) if any portion of such holdings were purchased during the fiscal year ended September 30, 2015 are as follows:

 

            Aggregate Holdings  

Regular Broker-Dealer

   Debt (D)/Equity (E)      (000’s)  

Barclays Capital, Inc.

     E       $ 8,905   

Credit Suisse Group

     E       $ 2,720   

Deutsche Bank AG

     E       $ 485   

Instinet, LLC

     E       $ 1,834   

 

72


The value of the AQR Large Cap Momentum Style Fund’s aggregate holdings of the securities of its regular brokers or dealers as of September 30, 2015 (as defined in Rule 10b-1 under the 1940 Act) if any portion of such holdings were purchased during the fiscal year ended September 30, 2015 are as follows:

 

            Aggregate Holdings  

Regular Broker-Dealer

   Debt (D)/Equity (E)      (000’s)  

Bank of New York Mellon Corp.

     E       $ 1,930   

Goldman Sachs & Co.

     E       $ 6,783   

JPMorgan Chase & Co.

     E       $ 18,425   

Morgan Stanley

     E       $ 3,983   

The value of the AQR Small Cap Momentum Style Fund’s aggregate holdings of the securities of its regular brokers or dealers as of September 30, 2015 (as defined in Rule 10b-1 under the 1940 Act) if any portion of such holdings were purchased during the fiscal year ended September 30, 2015 are as follows:

 

            Aggregate Holdings  

Regular Broker-Dealer

   Debt (D)/Equity (E)      (000’s)  

Investment Technology Group, Inc.

     E       $ 279   

The value of the AQR International Momentum Style Fund’s aggregate holdings of the securities of its regular brokers or dealers as of September 30, 2015 (as defined in Rule 10b-1 under the 1940 Act) if any portion of such holdings were purchased during the fiscal year ended September 30, 2015 are as follows:

 

            Aggregate Holdings  

Regular Broker-Dealer

   Debt (D)/Equity (E)      (000’s)  

Barclays Capital, Inc.

     E       $ 3,447   

Instinet, LLC

     E       $ 1,666   

The value of the AQR Global Equity Fund’s aggregate holdings of the securities of its regular brokers or dealers as of September 30, 2015 (as defined in Rule 10b-1 under the 1940 Act) if any portion of such holdings were purchased during the fiscal year ended September 30, 2015 are as follows:

 

            Aggregate Holdings  

Regular Broker-Dealer

   Debt (D)/Equity (E)      (000’s)  

Bank of New York Mellon Corp.

     E       $ 407   

Barclays Capital, Inc.

     E       $ 1,307   

Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce

     E       $ 381   

Credit Suisse Group

     E       $ 341   

Goldman Sachs & Co.

     E       $ 337   

Instinet, LLC

     E       $ 311   

JPMorgan Chase & Co.

     E       $ 1,003   

Morgan Stanley

     E       $ 517   

 

73


The value of the AQR TM Large Cap Momentum Style Fund’s aggregate holdings of the securities of its regular brokers or dealers as of September 30, 2015 (as defined in Rule 10b-1 under the 1940 Act) if any portion of such holdings were purchased during the fiscal year ended September 30, 2015 are as follows:

 

            Aggregate Holdings  

Regular Broker-Dealer

   Debt (D)/Equity (E)      (000’s)  

Bank of New York Mellon Corp.

     E       $ 140   

Goldman Sachs & Co.

     E       $ 797   

JPMorgan Chase & Co.

     E       $ 2,487   

Morgan Stanley

     E       $ 326   

The value of the AQR TM Small Cap Momentum Style Fund’s aggregate holdings of the securities of its regular brokers or dealers as of September 30, 2015 (as defined in Rule 10b-1 under the 1940 Act) if any portion of such holdings were purchased during the fiscal year ended September 30, 2015 are as follows:

 

            Aggregate Holdings  

Regular Broker-Dealer

   Debt (D)/Equity (E)      (000’s)  

Investment Technology Group, Inc.

     E       $ 9   

The value of the AQR TM International Momentum Style Fund’s aggregate holdings of the securities of its regular brokers or dealers as of September 30, 2015 (as defined in Rule 10b-1 under the 1940 Act) if any portion of such holdings were purchased during the fiscal year ended September 30, 2015 are as follows:

 

            Aggregate Holdings  

Regular Broker-Dealer

   Debt (D)/Equity (E)      (000’s)  

Barclays Capital, Inc.

     E       $ 91   

Instinet, LLC

     E       $ 207   

The value of the AQR International Defensive Style Fund’s aggregate holdings of the securities of its regular brokers or dealers as of September 30, 2015 (as defined in Rule 10b-1 under the 1940 Act) if any portion of such holdings were purchased during the fiscal year ended September 30, 2015 are as follows:

 

            Aggregate Holdings  

Regular Broker-Dealer

   Debt (D)/Equity (E)      (000’s)  

Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce

     E       $ 229   

Instinet, LLC

     E       $ 72   

The value of the AQR Large Cap Multi-Style Fund’s aggregate holdings of the securities of its regular brokers or dealers as of September 30, 2015 (as defined in Rule 10b-1 under the 1940 Act) if any portion of such holdings were purchased during the fiscal year ended September 30, 2015 are as follows:

 

            Aggregate Holdings  

Regular Broker-Dealer

   Debt (D)/Equity (E)      (000’s)  

Bank of America Corp.

     E       $ 11,456   

Bank of New York Mellon Corp.

     E       $ 6,395   

Goldman Sachs & Co.

     E       $ 10,332   

JPMorgan Chase & Co.

     E       $ 23,326   

Morgan Stanley

     E       $ 7,961   

 

74


The value of the AQR Small Cap Multi-Style Fund’s aggregate holdings of the securities of its regular brokers or dealers as of September 30, 2015 (as defined in Rule 10b-1 under the 1940 Act) if any portion of such holdings were purchased during the fiscal year ended September 30, 2015 are as follows:

 

            Aggregate Holdings  

Regular Broker-Dealer

   Debt (D)/Equity (E)      (000’s)  

Investment Technology Group, Inc.

     E       $ 63   

The value of the AQR International Multi-Style Fund’s aggregate holdings of the securities of its regular brokers or dealers as of September 30, 2015 (as defined in Rule 10b-1 under the 1940 Act) if any portion of such holdings were purchased during the fiscal year ended September 30, 2015 are as follows:

 

            Aggregate Holdings  

Regular Broker-Dealer

   Debt (D)/Equity (E)      (000’s)  

Barclays Capital, Inc.

     E       $ 1,987   

Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce

     E       $ 266   

Credit Suisse Group

     E       $ 758   

Deutsche Bank AG

     E       $ 1,183   

Instinet, LLC

     E       $ 2,595   

The value of the AQR TM Large Cap Multi-Style Fund’s aggregate holdings of the securities of its regular brokers or dealers as of September 30, 2015 (as defined in Rule 10b-1 under the 1940 Act) if any portion of such holdings were purchased during the fiscal year ended September 30, 2015 are as follows:

 

            Aggregate Holdings  

Regular Broker-Dealer

   Debt (D)/Equity (E)      (000’s)  

Bank of America Corp.

     E       $ 392   

Bank of New York Mellon Corp.

     E       $ 186   

Goldman Sachs & Co.

     E       $ 329   

JPMorgan Chase & Co.

     E       $ 722   

Morgan Stanley

     E       $ 235   

The value of the AQR TM Small Cap Multi-Style Fund’s aggregate holdings of the securities of its regular brokers or dealers as of September 30, 2015 (as defined in Rule 10b-1 under the 1940 Act) if any portion of such holdings were purchased during the fiscal year ended September 30, 2015 are as follows:

 

            Aggregate Holdings  

Regular Broker-Dealer

   Debt (D)/Equity (E)      (000’s)  

Investment Technology Group, Inc.

     E       $ 3   

The value of the AQR TM International Multi-Style Fund’s aggregate holdings of the securities of its regular brokers or dealers as of September 30, 2015 (as defined in Rule 10b-1 under the 1940 Act) if any portion of such holdings were purchased during the fiscal year ended September 30, 2015 are as follows:

 

Regular Broker-Dealer

   Debt (D)/Equity (E)      Aggregate Holdings
(000’s)
 

Barclays Capital, Inc.

     E       $ 332   

Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce

     E       $ 45   

Credit Suisse Group

     E       $ 204   

Deutsche Bank AG

     E       $ 172   

Instinet, LLC

     E       $ 423   

 

75


ORGANIZATION OF THE TRUST AND

A DESCRIPTION OF THE SHARES

The Trust was established on September 4, 2008 as a Delaware statutory trust and is authorized to issue an unlimited number of par shares of beneficial interest which may be issued in any number of series and classes. The Trust currently has forty-six series. The AQR Global Equity Fund and AQR International Equity Fund offer Class I, N, Y and R6 Shares. The AQR Large Cap Defensive Style Fund, AQR International Defensive Style Fund, AQR Emerging Defensive Style Fund, AQR Large Cap Momentum Style Fund, AQR Small Cap Momentum Style Fund, AQR International Momentum Style Fund, AQR Emerging Momentum Style Fund, AQR TM Large Cap Momentum Style Fund, AQR TM Small Cap Momentum Style Fund, AQR TM International Momentum Style Fund, AQR Large Cap Multi-Style Fund, AQR Small Cap Multi-Style Fund, AQR International Multi-Style Fund, AQR Emerging Multi-Style Fund, AQR TM Large Cap Multi-Style Fund, AQR TM Small Cap Multi-Style Fund, AQR TM International Multi-Style Fund, AQR TM Emerging Multi-Style Fund, AQR Large Cap Relaxed Constraint Equity Fund, AQR Small Cap Relaxed Constraint Equity Fund, AQR International Relaxed Constraint Equity Fund and AQR Emerging Relaxed Constraint Equity Fund offer Class I, N and R6 Shares.

Effective April 1, 2015, the Board of Trustees of the AQR Funds approved the reclassification of Class L Shares as Class I Shares for each of following Funds: AQR Large Cap Multi-Style Fund, AQR Small Cap Multi-Style Fund, AQR International Multi-Style Fund, AQR Emerging Multi-Style Fund, AQR TM Large Cap Multi-Style Fund, AQR TM Small Cap Multi-Style Fund, AQR TM International Multi-Style Fund, AQR TM Emerging Multi-Style Fund, AQR Large Cap Momentum Style Fund, AQR Small Cap Momentum Style Fund, AQR International Momentum Style Fund, AQR Emerging Momentum Style Fund, AQR TM Large Cap Momentum Style Fund, AQR TM Small Cap Momentum Style Fund and AQR TM International Momentum Style Fund.

All shares of each Fund have equal voting rights and each shareholder is entitled to one vote for each full share held and fractional votes for fractional shares held and will vote on the election of Trustees and any other matter submitted to a shareholder vote. The Trust is not required, and does not intend, to hold annual meetings of shareholders. The Trust will call such special meetings of shareholders as may be required under the 1940 Act (e.g., to approve a new investment advisory agreement or to change the fundamental investment policies) or by the Declaration of Trust. A meeting of shareholders shall, however, be called by the Secretary upon the written request of the holders of not less than 10% of the outstanding shares of a Fund. The Fund will assist shareholders wishing to communicate with one another for the purpose of requesting such a meeting. Shares of each Fund will, when issued, be fully paid and non-assessable and have no preemptive or conversion rights. Each share is entitled to participate equally in dividends and distributions declared by the relevant Fund and in the net assets of such Fund on liquidation or dissolution after satisfaction of outstanding liabilities.

On the launch date of each of the AQR Large Cap Relaxed Constraint Equity Fund, AQR Small Cap Relaxed Constraint Equity Fund, AQR International Relaxed Constraint Equity Fund and AQR Emerging Relaxed Constraint Equity Fund (each a “New Fund”), it is anticipated that the Adviser, one of its affiliates (the “Adviser Affiliate”) and/or certain Principals of the Adviser (each a “Principal” and together with the Adviser Affiliate, the “Affiliated Persons”) will make a seed money investment in each New Fund in an amount in excess of 25% of the New Fund’s outstanding voting securities. Assuming this seed money investment is made, the Adviser and/or the Affiliated Persons are individually or in the aggregate, as applicable, deemed to be controlling persons of each New Fund and should an item be presented for shareholder consideration, which is not currently contemplated, the Adviser and/or the Affiliated Persons, as applicable, could determine the outcome of the vote for the New Fund. The Adviser, the Adviser Affiliate and/or each Principal, as applicable, may each decide to redeem its investment once third-party assets invested in a New Fund reach a level whereby, in the judgment of the Adviser, portfolio management of the New Fund would not be negatively impacted by the redemption. The Adviser’s address is: Two Greenwich Plaza, Greenwich, CT 06830.

This SAI relates only to the AQR Large Cap Relaxed Constraint Equity Fund, AQR Small Cap Relaxed Constraint Equity Fund, AQR International Relaxed Constraint Equity Fund and AQR Emerging Relaxed Constraint Equity Fund, each of which had not commenced operations as of the date of this SAI.

 

76


TAXATION

Taxation of the Funds

Each Fund intends to qualify annually and to elect to be treated as a regulated investment company under the Code. To qualify as a regulated investment company, each Fund must, among other things, (a) derive in each taxable year at least 90% of its gross income from dividends, interest, payments with respect to securities loans, net income from certain publicly traded partnerships (i.e., partnerships that are traded on an established securities market or tradable on a secondary market, other than partnerships that derive 90% of their income from interest, dividends, capital gains, and other traditionally permitted mutual fund income) and gains from the sale or other disposition of stock, securities or foreign currencies or other income (including, but not limited to, gains from options, futures or forward contracts) derived with respect to its business of investing in such stock, securities or currencies; (b) diversify its holdings so that, at the end of each quarter of the taxable year, (i) at least 50% of the market value of that Fund’s assets is represented by cash and cash items (including receivables), U.S. Government securities, the securities of other regulated investment companies and other securities, with such other securities of any one issuer limited for the purposes of this calculation to an amount not greater than 5% of the value of that Fund’s total assets and not greater than 10% of the outstanding voting securities of such issuer, and (ii) not more than 25% of the value of its total assets is invested in (1) the securities of any one issuer (other than U.S. Government securities or the securities of other regulated investment companies), or (2) the securities (other than securities of other regulated investment companies) of two or more issuers of which a Fund holds 20% or more of the voting stock in the same or similar or related trades or businesses, or (3) the securities of one or more qualified publicly traded partnerships; and (c) distribute at least 90% of its investment company taxable income (which includes, among other items, dividends, interest, income inclusions from wholly-owned subsidiaries and net short-term capital gains in excess of net long-term capital losses) each taxable year. A Fund may be able to cure a failure to derive 90% of its income from the sources specified above or a failure to diversify its holdings in the manner described above by paying a tax, by disposing of certain assets, or by paying a tax and disposing of assets. If, in any taxable year, a Fund fails one of these tests and does not timely cure the failure, that Fund will be taxed in the same manner as an ordinary corporation and distributions to its shareholders will not be deductible by such Fund in computing its taxable income.

The U.S. Treasury is authorized to issue regulations providing that foreign currency gains that are not directly related to a Fund’s principal business of investing in stock or securities (or options and futures with respect to stock or securities) will be excluded from the income which qualifies for purposes of the 90% gross income requirement described above. To date, however, no such regulations have been issued.

Certain of a Fund’s investments in master limited partnerships (“MLPs”) may be considered qualified publicly traded partnerships and, therefore, the extent to which a Fund may invest in MLPs is limited by that Fund’s intention to qualify as a regulated investment company under the Code. In addition, although in general the passive loss rules of the Code do not apply to regulated investment companies, such rules do apply to a regulated investment company with respect to items attributable to an interest in a qualified publicly traded partnership. Fund investments in partnerships, including in qualified publicly traded partnerships, may result in a Fund’s being subject to state, local or foreign income, franchise or withholding tax liabilities.

For a Fund with a non-U.S. subsidiary, any annual net profit of the subsidiary will be recognized as ordinary income by the Fund, but any net annual loss of the subsidiary will not be recognized and will not carry forward. Net capital loss carryovers, if any, may be applied against any net realized capital gains in each succeeding year, until they have been reduced to zero. Pre-2011 loss carryovers expire after eight years. In the event that a Fund were to experience an ownership change as defined under the Code, the Fund’s loss carryovers and other favorable tax attributes of the Fund, if any, may be limited. Distributions in excess of a Fund’s minimum distribution requirements but not in excess of the Fund’s earnings and profits will be taxable to shareholders and will not constitute nontaxable returns of capital. A Fund’s capital loss carryovers, if any, carried from taxable years beginning before 2011 do not reduce current earnings and profits, even if such carryforwards offset current year realized gains.

 

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As regulated investment companies, the Funds generally will not be subject to U.S. federal income tax on their investment company taxable income and net capital gains (the excess of net long-term capital gains over net short-term capital losses), if any, that they distribute to shareholders. The Funds intend to distribute to their shareholders, at least annually, substantially all of their investment company taxable income and net capital gains. Amounts not distributed on a timely basis in accordance with a calendar year distribution requirement are subject to a nondeductible 4% excise tax. To prevent imposition of the excise tax, each Fund must distribute during each calendar year an amount equal to the sum of (1) at least 98% of its ordinary income (not taking into account any capital gains or losses) for the calendar year, (2) at least 98.2% of its capital gains in excess of its capital losses (adjusted for certain ordinary losses) for the one-year period ending on October 31 of the calendar year, and (3) any ordinary income and capital gains for previous years that was not distributed or taxed to the Fund during those years. A distribution will be treated as paid December 31 of the current calendar year if it is declared by a Fund in October, November or December with a record date in such a month and paid by such Fund during January of the following calendar year. Such distributions will be taxable to shareholders in the calendar year in which the distributions are declared, rather than the calendar year in which the distributions are received. To prevent application of the excise tax, each Fund currently intends to make its distributions in accordance with the calendar year distribution requirement.

Distributions

Dividends paid out of a Fund’s investment company taxable income (including net short-term capital gains) will be taxable to a U.S. shareholder as ordinary income. If a portion of a Fund’s income consists of dividends paid by corporations, a portion of the dividends paid by such Fund may be eligible for the dividends-received deduction for corporations and the long-term capital gain rates on qualified dividends for individuals, provided that the Fund and shareholders satisfy applicable holding period requirements. Distributions of net capital gains, if any, reported as capital gain dividends are taxable as long-term capital gains (the excess of net long-term capital gains over net short-term capital losses), regardless of how long the shareholder has held the relevant Fund’s shares, and are not eligible for the dividends-received deduction. Shareholders receiving distributions in the form of additional shares, rather than cash, generally will have a cost basis in each such share equal to the NAV of a share of the relevant Fund on the reinvestment date. Long-term capital gains and qualified dividend income are generally eligible for taxation at a maximum rate of 15% for noncorporate shareholders with incomes below approximately $415,000 ($465,000 if married filing jointly), amounts indexed annually for inflation, and 20% for individuals with any income above these amounts that is long-term capital gain or qualified dividend income.

If an individual receives a regular dividend qualifying for the long-term capital gain rates and such dividend constitutes an “extraordinary dividend,” and the individual subsequently recognizes a loss on the sale or exchange of stock in respect of which the extraordinary dividend was paid, then the loss will be long-term capital loss to the extent of such extraordinary dividend. An “extraordinary dividend” on common stock for this purpose is generally a dividend (i) in an amount greater than or equal to 10% of the taxpayer’s tax basis (or trading value) in a share of stock, aggregating dividends with ex-dividend dates within an 85-day period, or (ii) in an amount greater than 20% of the taxpayer’s tax basis (or trading value) in a share of stock, aggregating dividends with ex-dividend dates within a 365-day period.

Shareholders will be notified annually as to the U.S. federal income tax status of distributions, and shareholders receiving distributions in the form of additional shares will receive a report as to the NAV of those shares. Any distributions received in the form of additional shares will be taxed as if received in cash.

Each Fund intends to distribute annually to its shareholders substantially all of its investment company taxable income, and any net realized long-term capital gains in excess of net realized short-term capital losses (including any capital loss carryovers). However, if a Fund retains for investment an amount equal to all or a portion of its net long-term capital gains in excess of its net short-term capital losses (including any capital loss carryovers), it will be subject to a corporate tax (at a maximum rate of 35%) on the amount retained. In that event, the Fund will designate such retained amounts as undistributed capital gains in a notice to its shareholders who (a) will be

 

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required to include in income for U.S. federal income tax purposes, as long-term capital gains, their proportionate shares of the undistributed amount, (b) will be entitled to credit their proportionate shares of the 35% tax paid by the fund on the undistributed amount against their U.S. federal income tax liabilities, if any, and to claim refunds to the extent their credits exceed their liabilities, if any, and (c) will be entitled to increase their tax basis, for U.S. federal income tax purposes, in their shares by an amount equal to 65% of the amount of undistributed capital gains included in the shareholder’s income. Organizations or persons not subject to U.S. federal income tax on such capital gains will be entitled to a refund of their pro rata share of such taxes paid by the fund upon timely filing of appropriate returns or claims for refund with the IRS.

A distribution of an amount in excess of a Fund’s current and accumulated earnings and profits will be treated by a shareholder as a return of capital, which is applied against and reduces the shareholder’s basis in his or her shares. To the extent that the amount of any such distribution exceeds the shareholder’s basis in his or her shares, the excess will be treated by the shareholder as gain from a sale or exchange of the shares.

Investors considering buying shares just prior to a dividend or capital gain distribution should be aware that, although the price of shares purchased at that time may reflect the amount of the forthcoming distribution, such dividend or distribution may nevertheless be taxable to them. If a Fund is the holder of record of any security on the record date for any dividends payable with respect to such security, such dividends will be included in the Fund’s gross income not as of the date received but as of the later of (i) the date such security became ex- dividend with respect to such dividends (i.e., the date on which a buyer of the security would not be entitled to receive the declared, but unpaid, dividends); or (ii) the date the Fund acquired such security. Accordingly, in order to satisfy its income distribution requirements, a Fund may be required to pay dividends based on anticipated earnings, and shareholders may receive dividends in an earlier year than would otherwise be the case.

A 3.8% Medicare contribution tax is imposed on net investment income, including, among other things, interest, dividends, and net gain, of U.S. individuals with income exceeding $200,000 (or $250,000 if married filing jointly), and of estates and trusts.

Sale of Shares

The exchange of shares of a Fund for shares of another class of the same Fund is not considered a taxable event and should not result in capital gain or loss.

Upon the sale or other disposition of shares of a Fund, a shareholder may realize a capital gain or loss, which will be long-term or short-term, generally depending upon the shareholder’s holding period for the shares. Any loss realized on a sale or exchange will be disallowed to the extent the shares disposed of are replaced within a period of 61 days beginning 30 days before and ending 30 days after disposition of the shares. In such a case, the basis of the shares acquired will be adjusted to reflect the disallowed loss. Any loss realized by a shareholder on a disposition of shares of a Fund held by the shareholder for six months or less will be treated as a long-term capital loss to the extent of any distributions of net capital gains received by the shareholder with respect to such shares. Individual taxpayers may generally offset capital losses against capital gains and also against up to $3,000 of ordinary income, with any excess carried over to future years. Corporations may generally offset capital losses against capital gains and the excess may be carried to certain other years.

If a shareholder incurs a sales charge in acquiring shares of the Fund, disposes of those shares within 90 days and then, on or before January 31 of the following calendar year, acquires shares in a mutual fund for which the otherwise applicable sales charge is reduced by reason of a reinvestment right (e.g., an exchange privilege), the original sales charge will not be taken into account in computing gain/loss on the original shares to the extent the subsequent sales charge is reduced. Instead, the disregarded portion of the original sales charge will be added to the tax basis of the newly acquired shares. Furthermore, the same rule also applies to a disposition of the newly acquired shares made within 90 days of the second acquisition. This provision prevents a shareholder from immediately deducting the sales charge by shifting his or her investment within a family of mutual funds.

 

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If a shareholder has different bases for different shares of a Fund in the same account, that Fund will by default report the basis of the shares sold or exchanged using the average basis method, under which the basis per share is the average of the bases of all the shareholder’s shares in the account. A shareholder may instruct a Fund to use another method of basis calculation. Shareholders who hold shares through a service agent should contact the service agent for information regarding the service agent’s default method for calculating basis and procedures for electing to use an alternative method.

The 3.8% Medicare contribution tax (discussed above) applies to gains from the sale or exchange of Fund shares.

Original Issue Discount Securities

Investments by a Fund in zero coupon or other discount securities will result in income to such Fund equal to a portion of the excess of the face value of the securities over their issue price (the “original issue discount”) each year that the securities are held, even though such Fund receives no cash interest payments. This income is included in determining the amount of income which that Fund must distribute to maintain its status as a regulated investment company and to avoid the payment of federal income tax and the 4% excise tax. In addition, if a Fund invests in certain high yield original issue discount securities issued by corporations, a portion of the original issue discount accruing on any such obligation may be eligible for the deduction for dividends received by corporations. In such event, dividends of investment company taxable income received from such Fund by its corporate shareholders, to the extent attributable to such portion of accrued original issue discount, may be eligible for this deduction for dividends received by corporations if so reported by that Fund in a written notice to shareholders.

Market Discount Bonds

Gains derived by a Fund from the disposition of any market discount bonds (i.e., bonds purchased other than at original issue, where the face value of the bonds exceeds their purchase price) held by such Fund will be taxed as ordinary income to the extent of the accrued market discount of the bonds, unless such Fund elects to include the market discount in income as it accrues.

Futures, Options and Hedging Transactions

The taxation of equity options and OTC options on debt securities is governed by Code section 1234. Pursuant to Code section 1234, the premium received by a Fund for selling a put or call option is not included in income at the time of receipt. If the option expires, the premium is short-term capital gain to a Fund. If a Fund enters into a closing transaction, the difference between the amount paid to close out its position and the premium it received is short-term capital gain or loss. If a call option written by a Fund is exercised, thereby requiring such Fund to sell the underlying security, the premium will increase the amount realized upon the sale of such security and any resulting gain or loss will be capital gain or loss, and will be long-term or short-term depending upon the holding period of the security. With respect to a put or call option that is purchased by a Fund, if the option is sold, any resulting gain or loss will be a capital gain or loss, and will be long-term or short-term, depending upon the holding period of the option. If the option expires, the resulting loss is a capital loss and is long-term or short-term depending upon the holding period of the option. If the option is exercised, the cost of the option, in the case of a call option, is added to the basis of the purchased security and, in the case of a put option, reduces the amount realized on the underlying security in determining gain or loss.

Certain U.S. exchange-traded options, futures contracts and certain forward currency contracts in which the Funds may invest are “section 1256 contracts.” Gains or losses on section 1256 contracts generally are considered 60% long-term and 40% short-term capital gains or losses; however, foreign currency gains or losses (as discussed below) arising from certain section 1256 contracts are also treated as 60% long-term and 40% short-term capital gains and losses due to the Funds’ applicable tax election, but if such election were

 

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discontinued such foreign currency gains and losses may be treated as ordinary income or loss. Also, section 1256 contracts held by a Fund or a wholly-owned subsidiary of a Fund at the end of each taxable year (and, generally, for purposes of the 4% excise tax, on October 31 of each year) are “marked-to-market” (that is, treated as sold at fair market value), resulting in unrealized gains or losses being treated as though they were realized.

Generally, the hedging transactions undertaken by the Funds may result in “straddles” for U.S. federal income tax purposes. The straddle rules may affect the character of gains (or losses) realized by a Fund. In addition, losses realized by a Fund on positions that are part of a straddle may be deferred under the straddle rules, rather than being taken into account in calculating the taxable income for the taxable year in which the losses are realized. Because only a few regulations implementing the straddle rules have been promulgated, the tax consequences to a Fund of engaging in hedging transactions are not entirely clear. Hedging transactions may increase the amount of short-term capital gain realized by a Fund, which is taxed as ordinary income when distributed to shareholders.

The Funds may make one or more of the elections available under the Code, which are applicable to straddles. If a Fund makes any of the elections, the amount, character and timing of the recognition of gains or losses from the affected straddle positions will be determined under rules that vary according to the election(s) made. The rules applicable under certain of the elections may operate to accelerate the recognition of gains or losses from the affected straddle positions.

Because the straddle rules may affect the character of gains or losses, defer losses and/or accelerate the recognition of gains or losses from the affected straddle positions, the amount which may be distributed to shareholders, and which will be taxed to them as ordinary income or long-term capital gain, may be increased or decreased as compared to a fund that did not engage in such hedging transactions.

Notwithstanding any of the foregoing, a Fund may recognize gain (but not loss) from a constructive sale of certain “appreciated financial positions” if the Fund enters into a short sale, offsetting notional principal contract, futures or forward contract transaction with respect to the appreciated position or substantially identical property. Appreciated financial positions subject to this constructive sale treatment are interests (including options, futures and forward contracts and short sales) in stock, partnership interests, certain actively traded trust instruments and certain debt instruments. Constructive sale treatment does not apply to certain transactions closed in the 90-day period ending with the close of the taxable year, if certain conditions are met.

Currency Fluctuations—“Section 988” Gains or Losses

Under the Code, gains or losses attributable to fluctuations in exchange rates which occur between the time a Fund accrues receivables or liabilities denominated in foreign currency and the time such Fund actually collects such receivables, or pays such liabilities, generally are treated as ordinary income or ordinary loss. Similarly, on disposition of debt securities denominated in a foreign currency, and on disposition of certain options, futures and foreign currency contracts, gains or losses attributable to fluctuations in the value of foreign currency between the date of acquisition of the security or contract and the date of disposition also are treated as ordinary gain or loss. These gains or losses, referred to under the Code as “section 988” gains or losses, may increase or decrease the amount of a Fund’s investment company taxable income to be distributed to its shareholders as ordinary income. A Fund may elect to treat certain foreign currency gains/losses as capital gain or loss rather than as ordinary gain or loss.

Short Sales

Unless certain constructive sale rules (discussed more fully above) apply, a Fund will not realize gain or loss on a short sale of a security until it closes the transaction by delivering the borrowed security to the lender. All or a portion of any gain arising from a short sale may be treated as short-term capital gain, regardless of the period for which a Fund held the security used to close the short sale. In addition, a Fund’s holding period for any security

 

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which is substantially identical to that which is sold short may be reduced or eliminated as a result of the short sale. In many cases, as described more fully under “Futures, Options and Hedging Transactions” above, a Fund is required to recognize gain (but not loss) upon entering into a short sale with respect to an appreciated security that such Fund owns, as though such Fund constructively sold the security at the time of entering into the short sale. Similarly, if a Fund enters into a short sale of property that becomes substantially worthless, the Fund will recognize gain at that time as though it had closed the short sale. Future Treasury regulations may apply similar treatment to other transactions with respect to property that becomes substantially worthless.

Swaps

As a result of entering into swap contracts, a Fund may make or receive periodic net payments. A Fund may also make or receive a payment when a swap is terminated prior to maturity through an assignment of the swap or other closing transaction. Periodic net payments will generally constitute ordinary income or deductions, while termination of a swap will generally result in capital gain or loss (which will be a long-term capital gain or loss if a Fund has been a party to the swap for more than one year). With respect to certain types of swaps, a Fund may be required to currently recognize income or loss with respect to future payments on such swaps or may elect under certain circumstances to mark such swaps to market annually for tax purposes as ordinary income or loss.

Post-October Loss Deferral

In certain situations, a Fund may, for a taxable year, defer all or a portion of its net capital loss realized after October (or if there is no net capital loss, then any net long-term or short-term capital loss) and its late-year ordinary loss (defined as the sum of the excess of post-October foreign currency and passive foreign investment company (“PFIC”) losses over post-October foreign currency and PFIC gains plus the excess of post-December ordinary losses over post-December ordinary income) until the next taxable year in computing its investment company taxable income and net capital gain, which will defer the recognition of such realized losses. Such deferrals and other rules regarding gains and losses realized after October (or December) may affect the tax character of shareholder distributions.

Passive Foreign Investment Companies

If a Fund invests in stock of certain PFICs, such Fund may be subject to U.S. federal income taxation on a portion of any “excess distribution” with respect to, or gain from the disposition of, such stock. The tax would be determined by allocating such distribution or gain ratably to each day of such Fund’s holding period for the stock. The distribution or gain so allocated to any taxable year of a Fund, other than the taxable year of the excess distribution or disposition, would be taxed to such Fund at the highest ordinary income tax rate in effect for such year, and the tax would be further increased by an interest charge to reflect the value of the tax deferral deemed to have resulted from the ownership of the foreign company’s stock. Any amount of distribution or gain allocated to the taxable year of the distribution or disposition would be included in such Fund’s investment company taxable income and, accordingly, would not be taxable to that Fund to the extent distributed by such Fund as a dividend to its shareholders.

A Fund may be able to make an election, in lieu of being taxable in the manner described above, to include annually in income its pro rata share of the ordinary earnings and net capital gain of the PFIC, regardless of whether it actually received any distributions from the foreign company. These amounts would be included in a Fund’s investment company taxable income and net capital gain which, to the extent distributed by such Fund as ordinary or capital gain dividends, as the case may be, would not be taxable to that Fund. In order to make this election, such Fund would be required to obtain certain annual information from the foreign investment companies in which it invests, which in many cases may be difficult to obtain. Alternatively, a Fund may be able to elect to mark-to-market its PFIC stock, resulting in the stock being treated as sold at fair market value on the last business day of each tax year. Any resulting gain would be reported as ordinary income; any resulting loss and any loss from an actual disposition of the stock would be reported as ordinary loss to the extent of any net marked-to-market gains reported in prior years.

 

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Foreign Withholding Taxes

Income received by a Fund from sources within foreign countries may be subject to withholding and other taxes imposed by such countries. If more than 50% of the value of a Fund’s total assets at the close of its taxable year consists of securities of foreign corporations, the Fund will be eligible to elect to “pass-through” to the Fund’s shareholders the amount of foreign income and similar taxes paid by the Fund. If this election is made, a shareholder generally subject to tax will be required to include in gross income (in addition to taxable dividends actually received) his or her pro rata share of the foreign taxes paid by the Fund, and may be entitled either to deduct (as an itemized deduction) his or her pro rata share of foreign taxes in computing his taxable income or to use it (subject to limitations) as a foreign tax credit against his or her U.S. federal income tax liability. No deduction for foreign taxes may be claimed by a shareholder who does not itemize deductions. Each shareholder will be notified after the close of the Fund’s taxable year if the foreign taxes paid by the Fund will “pass-through” for that year.

Generally, a credit for foreign taxes is subject to the limitation that it may not exceed the shareholder’s U.S. tax attributable to his or her total foreign source taxable income. For this purpose, if the pass-through election is made, the source of a Fund’s income will flow through to the Fund’s shareholders. With respect to such Fund, gains from the sale of securities will be treated as derived from U.S. sources and certain currency fluctuation gains, including fluctuation gains from foreign currency-denominated debt securities, receivables and payables will be treated as ordinary income derived from U.S. sources. The limitation on the foreign tax credit is applied separately to foreign source passive income, and to certain other types of income. Shareholders may be unable to claim a credit for the full amount of their proportionate share of the foreign taxes paid by the Fund. Various other limitations, including a minimum holding period requirement, apply to limit the credit and/or deduction for foreign taxes for purposes of regular U.S. federal tax and/or alternative minimum tax.

Backup Withholding

A Fund may be required to withhold U.S. federal income tax, at the rate of 28% of all taxable distributions payable to shareholders who fail to provide such Fund with their correct taxpayer identification number or to make required certifications, or who have been notified by the Internal Revenue Service that they are subject to backup withholding. Corporate shareholders and certain other shareholders specified in the Code generally are exempt from such backup withholding. Backup withholding is not an additional tax. Any amounts withheld may be credited against the shareholder’s U.S. federal income tax liability.

Foreign Shareholders

U.S. taxation of a shareholder who, as to the United States, is a nonresident alien individual, a foreign trust or estate, a foreign corporation or foreign partnership (“foreign shareholder”) depends on whether the income of a Fund is “effectively connected” with a U.S. trade or business carried on by the shareholder.

Income Not Effectively Connected. If the U.S.-source income from the Fund is not “effectively connected” with a U.S. trade or business carried on by the foreign shareholder, distributions of investment company taxable income and short-term capital gains will be subject to a U.S. tax of 30% (or lower treaty rate, except in the case of any excess inclusion income allocated to the shareholder), which tax is generally withheld from such distributions.

Distributions of long-term capital gains and any amounts retained by a Fund which are reported as undistributed long-term capital gains will not be subject to U.S. tax at the rate of 30% (or lower treaty rate) unless the foreign shareholder is a nonresident alien individual and is physically present in the United States for more than 182 days during the taxable year and meets certain other requirements. However, this 30% tax on capital gains of nonresident alien individuals who are physically present in the United States for more than the 182 day period only applies in exceptional cases because any individual present in the United States for more than 182 days during the taxable year is generally treated as a resident for U.S. income tax purposes; in that case, he or she

 

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would be subject to U.S. income tax on his or her worldwide income at the graduated rates applicable to U.S. citizens, rather than the 30% U.S. tax. In the case of a foreign shareholder who is a nonresident alien individual, a Fund may be required to withhold U.S. income tax at a rate of 30% of distributions of net capital gains unless the foreign shareholder certifies his or her non-U.S. status under penalties of perjury or otherwise establishes an exemption. See “Backup Withholding,” above. If a foreign shareholder is a nonresident alien individual, any gain such shareholder realizes upon the sale or exchange of such shareholder’s shares of a Fund in the United States will ordinarily be exempt from U.S. tax unless (i) the gain is U.S. source income and such shareholder is physically present in the United States for more than 182 days during the taxable year and meets certain other requirements, or is otherwise considered to be a resident alien of the United States, or (ii) at any time during the shorter of the period during which the foreign shareholder held shares of a Fund and the five year period ending on the date of the disposition of those shares, such Fund was a “U.S. real property holding corporation” and the foreign shareholder held more than 5% of the shares of that Fund, in which event the gain would be taxed in the same manner as for a U.S. shareholder, as discussed above, and a 10% U.S. withholding tax would be imposed on the amount realized on the disposition of such shares to be credited against the foreign shareholder’s U.S. income tax liability on such disposition. A corporation is a “U.S. real property holding corporation” if the fair market value of its U.S. real property interests equals or exceeds 50% of the fair market value of such interests plus its interests in real property located outside the United States plus any other assets used or held for use in a business. In the case of a Fund, U.S. real property interests include interests in stock in U.S. real property holding corporations and certain participating debt securities.

A 30% withholding tax is currently imposed on U.S.-source dividends, interest and other income items paid, and will be imposed on proceeds from the sale of property producing U.S.-source dividends and interest paid after December 31, 2018, to (i) foreign financial institutions including non-U.S. investment funds unless they agree to collect and disclose to the IRS information regarding their direct and indirect U.S. account holders and (ii) certain other foreign entities, unless they certify certain information regarding their direct and indirect U.S. owners. To avoid withholding, foreign financial institutions will need to (i) enter into agreements with the IRS that state that they will provide the IRS information, including the names, addresses and taxpayer identification numbers of direct and indirect U.S. account holders, comply with due diligence procedures with respect to the identification of U.S. accounts, report to the IRS certain information with respect to U.S. accounts maintained, agree to withhold tax on certain payments made to non-compliant foreign financial institutions or to account holders who fail to provide the required information, and determine certain other information as to their account holders, or (ii) in the event that an applicable intergovernmental agreement and implementing legislation are adopted, provide local revenue authorities with similar account holder information. Other foreign entities will need to either provide the name, address, and taxpayer identification number of each substantial U.S. owner or certifications of no substantial U.S. ownership unless certain exceptions apply. Shareholders should consult their own tax advisers regarding the possible implications of these requirements on their own investment in the Fund.

Properly reported dividends are generally exempt from U.S. federal withholding tax where they (i) are paid in respect of a Fund’s “qualified net interest income” (generally, a Fund’s U.S. source interest income, other than certain contingent interest and interest from obligations of a corporation or partnership in which a Fund is at least a 10% shareholder, reduced by expenses that are allocable to such income) or (ii) are paid in respect of a Fund’s “qualified short-term capital gains” (generally, the excess of a Fund’s net short-term capital gain over a Fund’s long-term capital loss for such taxable year). However, depending on its circumstances, a Fund may report all, some or none of its potentially eligible dividends as such qualified net interest income or as qualified short-term capital gains and/or treat such dividends, in whole or in part, as ineligible for this exemption from withholding. In order to qualify for this exemption from withholding, a non-U.S. shareholder will need to comply with applicable certification requirements relating to its non-U.S. status (including, in general, furnishing an IRS Form W-8BEN, IRS Form W-8BEN-E or substitute form). In the case of shares held through an intermediary, the intermediary may withhold even if a Fund reports the payment as qualified net interest income or qualified short-term capital gain. Non-U.S. shareholders should contact their intermediaries with respect to the application of these rules to their accounts.

 

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Provided that 50% or more of the value of a Fund’s stock is held by U.S. shareholders, distributions of U.S. real property interests (including securities in a U.S. real property holding corporation, unless such corporation is regularly traded on an established securities market and the Fund has held 5% or less of the outstanding shares of the corporation during the five-year period ending on the date of distribution) in redemption of a foreign shareholder’s shares of the Fund will cause the Fund to recognize gain. If the Fund is required to recognize gain, the amount of gain recognized will equal to the fair market value of such interests over the Fund’s adjusted bases to the extent of the greatest foreign ownership percentage of the Fund during the five-year period ending on the date of redemption.

In general, U.S. federal withholding tax will not apply to any gain or income realized by a non-U.S. shareholder in respect of any distributions of net long-term capital gains over net short-term capital losses, exempt-interest dividends, or upon the sale or other disposition of shares of a Fund.

Income Effectively Connected. If the income from a Fund is “effectively connected” with a U.S. trade or business carried on by a foreign shareholder, then distributions of investment company taxable income and capital gain dividends, any amounts retained by a Fund which are designated as undistributed capital gains and any gains realized upon the sale or exchange of shares of a Fund will be subject to U.S. federal income tax at the graduated rates applicable to U.S. citizens, residents and domestic corporations. Foreign corporate shareholders may also be subject to the branch profits tax imposed by the Code.

The tax consequences to a foreign shareholder entitled to claim the benefits of an applicable tax treaty might differ from those described herein. Foreign shareholders are advised to consult their own tax advisers with respect to the particular tax consequences to them of an investment in a Fund.

Shares of a Fund held by a non-U.S. shareholder at death will be considered situated within the United States and subject to U.S. estate tax.

Other Taxation

Fund shareholders may be subject to state, local and foreign taxes on their Fund distributions. Shareholders are advised to consult their own tax advisers with respect to the particular tax consequences to them of an investment in a Fund.

COUNSEL AND INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM

Legal matters in connection with the issuance of the shares of each Fund offered hereby will be passed on by Willkie Farr & Gallagher LLP, 787 Seventh Avenue, New York, New York 10019.

PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, 300 Madison Avenue, New York, NY 10017, has been appointed as the independent registered public accounting firm for the Funds.

REGISTRATION STATEMENT

The Prospectus and this SAI are not an offering of the securities herein described in any state in which such offering may not be lawfully made. No salesman, dealer, or other person is authorized to give any information or make any representation other than those contained in the Prospectus and this SAI.

 

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APPENDIX A

APPENDIX A—PROXY VOTING POLICIES AND PROCEDURES

I. STATEMENT OF POLICY

Proxy voting is an important right of shareholders and reasonable care and diligence must be undertaken to ensure that such rights are properly and timely exercised. AQR Capital Management, LLC (“AQR”)1 generally retains proxy voting authority with respect to securities purchased for its clients. Under such circumstances, AQR will seek to vote proxies in the best interest of its clients and in accordance with this Proxy Voting Policy and Procedures (the “Policy”).

II. USE OF THIRD-PARTY PROXY VOTING SERVICE

AQR has entered into an agreement with Institutional Shareholder Services Inc. (“ISS”), an independent third-party proxy advisory firm that specializes in providing proxy voting services to institutional investment managers. AQR has instructed ISS to execute all proxies in accordance with the recommendations of ISS, unless instructed otherwise by AQR.

The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) and its staff have expressed the view that although the voting of proxies remains the duty of an investment adviser registered with the SEC, an adviser may contract with a proxy advisory firm to perform certain functions with respect to proxy voting so long as the adviser ascertains, among other things, whether the proxy advisory firm has the capacity and competence to adequately analyze proxy issues. In this regard, an investment adviser could consider the adequacy and quality of the proxy advisory firm’s staffing and personnel; and the robustness of its policies and procedures regarding its ability to (i) ensure that its proxy voting recommendations are based on current and accurate information and (ii) identify and address any conflicts of interest and any other considerations that the investment adviser believes would be appropriate in considering the nature and quality of the services provided by the proxy advisory firm.

At a minimum annually, the Compliance Department will seek to ensure that a review of the capacity and competence of ISS is performed. Specifically, the Compliance Department will:

 

 

1.

Review ISS’s proxy voting guidelines and assess the adequacy of the guidelines, including assessing whether the guidelines are reasonably designed to ensure that proxies are voted in the best interests of AQR’s clients;

 

 

2.

Review a sample of ISS’s proxy votes to review whether ISS has complied with ISS’s proxy voting guidelines;

 

 

3.

Require ISS to identify and provide AQR with information regarding any material business changes or conflicts of interest on an ongoing basis and address how any conflicts of interest have been addressed. If, as a result of the Compliance Department’s examination of ISS’s conflicts of interest, a determination is made that a material conflict of interest exists, AQR’s Chief Compliance Officer or designee (the “CCO”) will determine whether to follow ISS’s recommendation with respect to a proxy or take other action with respect to the proxy; and

 

 

4.

Obtain a certification or other information from ISS regarding its independence and impartiality.

 

1 

The term “AQR” includes AQR Capital Management, LLC and CNH Partners, LLC and their respective investment advisory affiliates.

 

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III. VOTING PROCEDURES

ISS is responsible for coordinating with AQR’s clients’ custodians to seek to ensure that all proxy materials received by custodians relating to a client’s securities are processed in a timely fashion. Proxies relating to securities held in client accounts will be sent directly to ISS. If a proxy is received by AQR and not sent directly to ISS, AQR will promptly forward it to ISS.

ISS will vote the proxy in accordance with the recommendation of ISS or any custom voting policy adopted by AQR, unless instructed otherwise by AQR in accordance with AQR’s voting guidelines (described below in Section IV).

IV. VOTING GUIDELINES

In the absence of specific voting guidelines from a client, AQR will seek to vote proxies in the best interests of each particular client, which may result in different voting results for proxies for the same issuer. AQR has instructed ISS to execute all proxies in accordance with the recommendations of ISS, unless instructed otherwise by AQR.

To the extent that AQR is voting a proxy itself and not utilizing ISS’s recommendation, AQR will be required to vote proxies in a way that, in AQR’s best judgment, is in the best interest of the AQR’s clients holding such securities. Unless prior approval is obtained from the CCO, the following guidelines will generally be adhered to when AQR is voting a proxy itself:

 

 

1.

AQR shall not engage in conduct that involves an attempt to change or influence the control of a public company. In addition, all communications regarding proxy issues or corporate actions between companies or their agents, or with fellow shareholders, shall be for the sole purpose of expressing and discussing AQR’s concerns for its advisory clients’ interests and not for an attempt to influence or control management;

 

 

2.

AQR will not announce its voting intentions and the reasons therefore; and

 

 

3.

AQR shall not initiate a proxy solicitation or otherwise seek proxy-voting authority from any other public company shareholder.

AQR may abstain from voting a proxy in certain situations, including when:

 

 

1.

The cost of voting a proxy outweighs the benefit of voting;

 

 

2.

AQR is not given enough time to process the vote;

 

 

3.

AQR has an outstanding sell order or intends to sell the applicable security prior to the voting date; or

 

 

4.

There are legal restrictions on trading resulting from the exercise of a proxy.

V. POTENTIAL CONFLICTS OF INTEREST OF THE ADVISER

In the event that AQR intends to directly vote a proxy in a manner that is inconsistent with ISS’s recommendation, the Compliance Department will examine any conflicts that exist between the interests of AQR and its clients. This examination includes, but is not limited to, a review of any material economic interest, including outside business activities, of AQR, its personnel, and its affiliates with the issuer of the security in question.

 

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If, as a result of the Compliance Department’s examination, a material conflict of interest is found to exist, AQR will determine whether:

 

 

1.

Directly voting the meeting is in the best interests of the client;

 

 

2.

ISS’s recommendation should be followed; or

 

 

3.

The client should approve the ISS recommendation.

VI. DISCLOSURE

Upon request, AQR will furnish a copy of this Policy to the requesting client and information on how the client’s proxies were voted. If a client requests how the client’s proxies were voted, AQR will prepare a written response to the client that lists, with respect to each voted proxy that the client has inquired about:

 

 

1.

The name of the issuer;

 

 

2.

The proposal voted upon; and

 

 

3.

The election made for the proposal.

VII. AQR Funds

On an annual basis, AQR will provide, or cause ISS to provide; to the AQR Funds’ administrator or other designee on a timely basis, any and all reports and information necessary to prepare and file Form N-PX, which is required by Rule 30b1-4 under the Investment Company Act of 1940.2

VIII. PROXY RECORDKEEPING

The Compliance Department will maintain files relating to this Policy in an easily accessible place. Under the services contract between AQR and ISS, ISS will maintain AQR’s proxy voting records. Records will be maintained and preserved for five years from the end of the fiscal year during which the last entry was made on a record, with records for the most recent two years kept in the offices of AQR. Records of the following will be included in the files:

 

 

1.

A copy of the Policy, and any amendments thereto;

 

 

2.

A copy of the ISS Proxy Voting Guidelines;

 

 

3.

A copy of each proxy statement that AQR receives regarding client securities (AQR may rely on third parties or EDGAR);

 

 

4.

A record of each vote cast; and

 

 

5.

A copy of any document AQR created that was material to making a decision how to vote proxies, or that memorializes that decision.

IX. REVIEW OF POLICY AND PROCEDURES

The Compliance Department shall review, no less frequently than annually, the adequacy of this Policy to ensure it has been implemented effectively, including whether the Policy continues to be reasonably designed to ensure that proxies are voted in the best interests of its clients.

 

2 

Form N-PX is required to contain an AQR Fund’s complete proxy voting record for the most recent 12-month period ended June 30 and must be filed no later than August 31 of each year.

 

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