As
filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on April
28, 2023
Securities Act File No. 333-174323
Investment Company Act File No. 811-22558
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
FORM N-1A
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REGISTRATION
STATEMENT UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933 |
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Pre-Effective
Amendment No. |
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Post-Effective
Amendment No. 70 |
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and/or |
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REGISTRATION
STATEMENT UNDER THE INVESTMENT COMPANY ACT OF 1940 |
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Amendment
No. 72 |
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(Check appropriate box or boxes) |
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Brookfield
Investment Funds
(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in Charter)
Brookfield Place, 250 Vesey Street
New York, New York 10281-1023
(Address of Principal Executive Offices) (Zip
Code)
Registrant’s Telephone Number, including
Area Code: (855) 777 - 8001
Brian F. Hurley, Esq.
Brookfield Public Securities Group LLC
Brookfield Place, 250 Vesey Street
New York, New York 10281-1023
(Name and Address of Agent for Service)
Copies to:
Craig
A. Ruckman, Esq. |
Michael
R. Rosella, Esq. |
Brookfield
Public Securities Group LLC |
Thomas D.
Peeney, Esq. |
Brookfield
Place |
Paul Hastings
LLP |
250 Vesey
Street |
200 Park
Avenue |
New York,
New York 10281-1023 |
New York,
New York 10166 |
Approximate Date of Proposed Public Offering: As
soon as practicable after the effective date of this registration statement.
It is proposed that this filing will become effective: (check appropriate
box)
☒ immediately upon filing pursuant
to paragraph (b)
☐ on (date) pursuant to paragraph
(b)
☐ 60 days after filing pursuant to
paragraph (a) (1)
☐ on (date) pursuant to paragraph
(a)(1)
☐ 75 days after filing pursuant to
paragraph (a)(2)
☐ on (date) pursuant to paragraph
(a)(2) of Rule 485
If appropriate, check the following box:
☐ this post-effective amendment designates
a new effective date for a previously filed post-effective amendment.
Brookfield
PROSPECTUS
May
1, 2023
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BROOKFIELD GLOBAL LISTED REAL ESTATE FUND
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Class A – (BLRAX) |
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Class C – (BLRCX) |
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Class I – (BLRYX) |
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BROOKFIELD GLOBAL LISTED INFRASTRUCTURE FUND
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Class A – (BGLAX)
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Class C – (BGLCX)
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Class I – (BGLYX)
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BROOKFIELD GLOBAL RENEWABLES & SUSTAINABLE
INFRASTRUCTURE FUND |
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Class A – (GRSAX)
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Class C – (GRSCX)
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Class I – (GRSIX)
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BROOKFIELD REAL ASSETS SECURITIES FUND
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Class A – (RASAX)
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Class C – (RASCX)
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Class I – (RASYX)
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The U.S. Securities and Exchange
Commission has not approved or disapproved these securities or passed upon the adequacy of this Prospectus. Any representation to the
contrary is a criminal offense.
SUMMARY
Brookfield Global
Listed Real Estate Fund
Investment
Objective
The Brookfield Global Listed Real Estate Fund (the “Fund,”
or the “Global Real Estate Fund”) seeks total return through growth of capital and current income.
Fees
and Expenses of the Fund
This table describes the fees and
expenses that you may pay if you buy, hold and sell shares of the Fund. You may pay other fees, such as brokerage commissions and other
fees to financial intermediaries, which are not reflected in the tables and examples below. You
may qualify for sales charge discounts if you and your family invest, or agree to invest in the future, at least $50,000
in the Brookfield Investment Funds. You may also qualify for sales charge discounts or waivers through certain financial
intermediaries. More information about these and other discounts is available from your financial professional and in the section entitled
“Shareholder Account Information — Initial Sales Charges (Class A Shares Only)” on page 95 of the Fund’s Prospectus
and in Appendix A, “Sales Charge Reductions and Waivers Available Through Certain Intermediaries,” attached to the Fund’s
Prospectus.
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Class A Shares
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Class C Shares
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Class I Shares
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Shareholder
Fees (fees
paid directly from your investment): |
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Maximum Sales Charge (Load) Imposed on Purchases (as
a percentage of offering price) |
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4.75% |
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None |
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None |
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Maximum Deferred Sales Charge (Load) (as a percentage of original cost
of shares redeemed) |
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None (1)
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1.00% |
(2) |
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None |
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Annual
Fund Operating Expenses (expenses that you pay each year as a percentage of the value of your investment): |
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Management Fees |
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0.75% |
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0.75% |
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0.75% |
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Distribution and/or Service (Rule 12b-1) Fees |
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0.25% |
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1.00% |
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None |
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Other Expenses |
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0.32%
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0.30%
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0.20%
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Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses |
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1.32%
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2.05%
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0.95%
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Less Fee Waiver and/or Expense
Reimbursement (3) |
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(0.12)% |
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(0.10)% |
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0.00% |
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Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses
After Fee Waiver and/or Expense Reimbursement (3) |
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1.20% |
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1.95% |
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0.95% |
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(1)
(2)
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(3)
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 $10,000
in the Fund for the time periods indicated and then redeem all of your shares at the end of those periods. The Example also assumes that
your investment has a 5% return each year, and that the Fund’s operating expenses remain the same (taking into account the expense
limitation for the first year). Although your actual
costs may be higher or lower, based on these assumptions your costs would be:
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1 Year
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3 Years
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5 Years
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10 Years
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Class A Shares |
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$ |
591 |
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$ |
862
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$ |
1,153
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$ |
1,980
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Class C Shares |
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$ |
298 |
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$ |
633
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$ |
1,094
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$ |
2,371
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Class I Shares |
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$ |
97 |
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$ |
303
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$ |
525
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$ |
1,166 |
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You
would pay the following expenses if you did not redeem your shares:
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1 Year
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3 Years
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5 Years
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10 Years
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Class C Shares |
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$ |
198 |
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$ |
633
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$ |
1,094
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$ |
2,371 |
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Portfolio
Turnover
The Fund pays transaction costs,
such as commissions, when it buys and sells securities (or “turns over” its portfolio). A higher portfolio turnover rate may
indicate higher transaction costs and may result in higher taxes when Fund shares are held in a taxable account. These costs, which are
not reflected in annual fund operating expenses or in the example, affect the Fund’s performance. During the most recent fiscal
year ended December 31, 2022, the Fund’s portfolio turnover rate was 99%
of the average value of its portfolio.
Principal
Investment Strategies
The Fund seeks to achieve its investment objective by
investing primarily in real estate investment trusts (“REITs”) and other securities in the real estate industry. Under normal
market conditions, the Fund will attempt to achieve its investment objective by investing, as a principal strategy, at least 80% of its
net assets (plus the amount of any borrowing for investment purposes) in publicly traded equity securities of real estate companies listed
on a domestic or foreign exchange, throughout the world, including the United States (the “80% Policy”). As part of the 80%
Policy, under normal market conditions, at least 40% of the Fund’s net assets (plus the amount of any borrowing for investment purposes)
will be invested in publicly traded securities of real estate companies whose primary operations or principal trading market is in a foreign
market, and that are not subject to the requirements of the U.S. securities laws, markets and accounting requirements (“Foreign
Securities”), and the Fund will maintain exposure to securities of real estate companies in the United States and in at least three
countries outside the United States. The Fund considers an issuer’s “primary operations” to be in a foreign market if
the issuer (i) is organized under the laws of that country, or (ii) derives at least 50% of its revenues or profits from goods produced
or sold, investments made, services performed, or has at least 50% of its assets located within that country. The Fund may also invest
up to 20% of its net assets (plus the amount of any borrowing for investment purposes) in fixed income securities, including obligations
of the U.S. Government, floating rate loans, money-market instruments, and below-investment grade rated securities (“junk bonds”),
as described in this Prospectus. As part of the 20% of the Fund’s net assets (plus the amount of any borrowing for investment purposes)
that may be invested in fixed income securities, up to 10% of the Fund’s net assets (plus the amount of any borrowing for investment
purposes) may be invested in below investment grade (“junk”) fixed income securities, of which 5% may be invested in fixed
income securities rated “CCC” or lower by Standard & Poor’s Rating Services (“S&P”) or “Caa”
or lower by Moody’s Investors Service, Inc. (“Moody’s”) or non-rated securities of comparable quality. The Fund,
however, may not invest in securities that are in default at the time of initial investment.
The Fund may change the 80% Policy without shareholder
approval. The Fund will provide shareholders with written notice at least 60 days prior to the implementation of any such changes.
The Fund defines a real estate company as any company
that (i) derives at least 50% of its revenues from the ownership, operation, development, construction, financing, management or sale
of commercial, industrial or residential real estate and similar activities, or (ii) invests at least 50% of its assets in such real estate.
For purposes of selecting investments, the Fund defines the real estate
industry broadly. It includes, but is not limited to, the following:
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REITs;
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real estate operating companies (“REOCs”);
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brokers, developers, and builders of residential, commercial, and industrial
properties;
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property management firms;
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finance, mortgage, and mortgage servicing firms;
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construction supply and equipment manufacturing companies; and
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firms dependent on real estate
holdings for revenues and profits, including lodging, leisure, timber, mining, and agriculture companies.
REITs are companies that own interests in real estate or
in real estate related loans or other interests, and their revenue primarily consists of rent derived from owned, income producing real
estate properties and capital gains from the sale of such properties. A REIT in the United States is generally not taxed on income distributed
to shareholders so long as it meets tax-related requirements, including the requirement that it distribute substantially all of its taxable
income to its shareholders. REIT-like entities are organized outside the United States and maintain operations and receive tax treatment
similar to that of U.S. REITs.
REOCs are real estate companies that have not elected to
be taxed as REITs and therefore are not required to distribute taxable income and have fewer restrictions on what they can invest in.
The Fund may use futures and options on securities, indices
and currencies, forward foreign currency exchange contracts, swaps and other derivatives. A derivative is a security or instrument whose
value is determined by reference to the value or the change in value of one or more securities, currencies, indices or other financial
instruments. The Fund may use derivatives for a variety of purposes, including:
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as a hedge against adverse changes
in the market prices of securities, interest rates or currency exchange rates;
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as a substitute for purchasing or selling securities;
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to increase the Fund’s return as a non-hedging strategy that may be considered
speculative; and
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to manage the Fund’s portfolio characteristics.
The Fund may invest up to 25% of its net assets (plus the
amount of any borrowing for investment purposes) in publicly traded securities of real estate companies, whose primary operations or principal
trading market is in an “emerging market.” The Fund may invest in securities of foreign companies in the form of American
Depositary Receipts (“ADRs”), Global Depositary Receipts (“GDRs”) and European Depositary Receipts (“EDRs”).
In addition, the Fund may invest up to 15% of its net assets (plus the amount of any borrowing for investment purposes) in securities
deemed illiquid and may make short sales of securities in an amount not to exceed 10% of the Fund’s net assets (plus the amount
of any borrowing for investment purposes). Securities in which the Fund may invest include, but are not limited to, common equity shares,
preferred equity shares, and units of beneficial interest in real estate companies. The Fund retains the ability to invest in real estate
companies of any market size capitalization. The Fund does not invest in real estate directly.
The Adviser utilizes a fundamental,
bottom-up, value-based selection methodology, taking into account short-term considerations, such as temporary market mispricing, and
long-term considerations, such as values of assets and cash flows. The Adviser also draws upon the expertise and knowledge within Brookfield
Asset Management ULC and its affiliates, which provide extensive owner/operator insights into industry drivers and trends. The Adviser
takes a balanced approach to investing, seeking to mitigate risk through diversification, credit analysis, economic analysis and review
of sector and industry trends. The Adviser uses proprietary research to select individual securities that it believes can add value from
income and/or the potential for capital appreciation.
The proprietary research may include an assessment of a company’s
general financial condition, its competitive positioning and management strength, as well as industry characteristics and other factors.
The Fund may sell a security that becomes overvalued or no longer offers an attractive risk/reward profile. A security may also be sold
due to changes in portfolio strategy or cash flow needs.
No assurance can be given that the Fund’s investment
objective will be achieved. The Fund’s policy of concentration in companies in the real estate industry is a fundamental policy
of the Fund. This fundamental policy may not be changed without the approval of the holders of a majority of the Fund’s outstanding
voting securities, as defined in the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the “1940 Act”).
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 following summarizes the principal risks that have been identified for the Fund.
Inflation
Risk. Inflation risk is the risk that the value
of assets or income from investments will be worth less in the future as inflation decreases the value of money. As inflation increases,
the real value of the Fund’s shares and distributions thereon can decline. Inflation risk is linked to increases in the prices of
goods and services and a decrease in the purchasing power of money. Since the beginning of 2021, inflation has risen at its highest rate
in four decades in the U.S. Inflation may reduce the intrinsic value of an investment in the Fund. While the Biden Administration and
the Federal Reserve have made efforts to reduce the effects of inflation on the U.S. economy and financial markets, the mitigating effects
of such efforts are uncertain.
Recent
Market, Economic and Social Developments Risk. Periods
of market volatility remain, and may continue to occur in the future, in response to various political, social and economic events both
within and outside the United States. These conditions have resulted in, and in many cases continue to result in, greater price volatility,
less liquidity, widening credit spreads and a lack of price transparency, with many securities remaining illiquid and of uncertain value.
Such market conditions may adversely affect the Fund, including by making valuation of some of the Fund’s securities uncertain and/or
result in sudden and significant valuation increases or declines in the Fund’s holdings. If there is a significant decline in the
value of the Fund’s portfolio, this may impact the asset coverage levels for the Fund’s outstanding leverage.
Risks
resulting from any future debt or other economic crisis could also have a detrimental impact on the global economic recovery, the financial
condition of financial institutions and the Fund’s business, financial condition and results of operation. Market and economic disruptions
have affected, and may in the future affect, consumer confidence levels and spending, personal bankruptcy rates, levels of incurrence
and default on consumer debt and home prices, among other factors. To the extent uncertainty regarding the U.S. or global economy negatively
impacts consumer confidence and consumer credit factors, the Fund’s business, financial condition and results of operations could
be significantly and adversely affected. Downgrades to the credit ratings of major banks could result in increased borrowing costs for
such banks and negatively affect the broader economy. Moreover, Federal Reserve policy, including with respect to certain interest rates,
may also adversely affect the value, volatility and liquidity of dividend- and interest-paying securities. Market volatility, rising interest
rates and/or unfavorable economic conditions could impair the Fund’s ability to achieve its investment objective.
Real
Estate Market Risk. Since the Fund concentrates
its assets in the real estate industry, your investment in the Fund will be closely linked to the performance of the real estate markets.
Property values may continue to fall due to increasing vacancies or declining rents resulting from unanticipated economic, legal, cultural
or technological developments. Real estate company prices also may drop because of the failure of borrowers to pay their loans and poor
management, including any potential defects in mortgage documentation or in the foreclosure process. In particular, dramatic slowdowns
in the housing industry, due in part to falling home prices and increasing foreclosures and unemployment, have created strains on financial
institutions. For example, developments relating to sub-prime mortgages have been adversely affecting the willingness of some lenders
to extend credit, in general, which may make it more difficult for companies to obtain financing on attractive terms, or at all, so that
they may commence or complete real estate
development projects, refinance completed projects or purchase real estate. These developments may also adversely affect the price at
which companies can sell real estate, because purchasers may not be able to obtain financing on attractive terms at all. These developments
affecting the real estate industry could adversely affect the real estate companies in which the Fund invests.
REIT
Risk. REITs are dependent upon management skills
and generally may not be diversified. REITs are also subject to heavy cash flow dependency, defaults by borrowers and self-liquidation.
In addition, REITs could possibly fail to qualify for pass-through of income treatment under the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended
(the “Code”). Other factors may also adversely affect a borrower’s or a lessee’s ability to meet its obligations
to the REIT. In the event of a default by a borrower or lessee, the REIT may experience delays in enforcing its rights as a mortgagee
or lessor and may incur substantial costs associated with protecting its investments. REITs may have lower trading volumes and may be
subject to more abrupt or erratic price movements than the overall securities markets. Foreign REIT-like entities will be subject to foreign
securities risk (see “Foreign (Non-U.S.) Securities Risk”).
In addition
to its own expenses, the Fund will indirectly bear its proportionate share of any management and other expenses paid by REITs in which
it invests. Many real estate companies, including REITs, utilize leverage.
Equity
Securities Risk. Equity securities represent an
ownership interest in an issuer, rank junior in a company’s capital structure to debt securities and consequently may entail greater
risk of loss than debt securities. Equity securities are subject to the risk that stock prices may rise and fall in periodic cycles and
may perform poorly relative to other investments. This risk may be greater in the short term.
Concentration
Risk. Because the Fund will invest more than 25%
of its net assets (plus the amount of any borrowing for investment purposes) in securities as defined in this Prospectus, the Fund may
be subject to greater volatility with respect to its portfolio securities than a fund that does not concentrate its investments.
Geopolitical
Risk. Occurrence of global events such as war,
terrorist attacks, natural disasters, country instability, infectious disease epidemics, pandemics and other public health issues, market
instability, debt crises and downgrades, embargoes, tariffs, sanctions and other trade barriers and other governmental trade or market
control programs, the potential exit of a country from its respective union and related geopolitical events, may result in market volatility
and may have long-lasting impacts on both the U.S. and global financial markets. Additionally, those events, as well as other changes
in foreign and domestic political and economic conditions, could adversely affect individual issuers or related groups of issuers, securities
markets, interest rates, secondary trading, credit ratings, inflation, investor sentiment and other factors affecting the value of the
Fund’s investments.
Investment
Risk. An investment in the Fund is subject to investment
risk, including the possible loss of the entire principal amount that you invest.
Political
Risks Relating to Russia’s Invasion of Ukraine. Russia
began its invasion of Ukraine in February 2022. The invasion significantly amplified already existing geopolitical tensions among Russia,
Ukraine, Europe, NATO and the United States. Russia’s military invasion of Ukraine, the resulting responses by the United States
and other countries, and the potential for wider conflict has increased volatility and uncertainty in the financial markets, specifically
on companies in the oil and gas sector, finance and resource extraction.
The ramifications
of the hostilities and sanctions, however, may not be limited to Russia. Conflict between Ukraine and Russia is likely to negatively impact
other regional and global economic markets (including Europe, Asia and the United States), companies in other countries (particularly
those that have exposure to Russia and Ukraine) and on various sectors, industries and markets for securities and commodities globally,
such as oil and natural gas and banking.
Health
Crisis Risk. An outbreak of an infectious respiratory
illness, COVID-19, caused by a novel coronavirus has resulted in travel restrictions, disruption of healthcare systems, prolonged quarantines,
cancellations, supply chain disruptions, lower consumer demand, layoffs, ratings downgrades, defaults and other significant economic impacts.
Certain markets have experienced temporary closures, extreme volatility, severe losses, reduced liquidity and increased trading costs.
In particular, COVID-19 has resulted in substantial market volatility and
global business disruption,
impacting the global economy and the financial health of individual companies in significant and unforeseen ways. The duration and future
impact of COVID-19 are currently unknown, which may exacerbate other types of risks that apply to the Fund and negatively impact Fund
performance and the value of your investment in the Fund. It is not possible to determine the ultimate impact of COVID-19 at this time.
Further, the extent and strength of any economic recovery after the COVID-19 pandemic abates is uncertain and subject to various factors
and conditions, including the emergence of other infectious illness outbreaks that may have similar impacts. Accordingly, an investment
in the Fund is subject to an elevated degree of risk as compared to other market environments.
Adviser
Investment Risk. The Adviser and its affiliates
(each, an “Adviser Investor”) may, from time to time, own a significant amount of the Fund’s shares (an “Adviser
Investment”). An Adviser Investor may make an Adviser Investment to enable the Fund to reach critical mass or because the Adviser
Investor has capital to invest and wants exposure to the Fund’s investment strategy or for other reasons. If an Adviser Investment
is substantial relative to the Fund’s overall asset size, a partial or complete redemption of the Adviser Investment, which may
occur at any time, including at the time of other inflows or outflows, may have a material adverse effect on the Fund’s expense
ratio, portfolio turnover and the overall ability to manage the Fund. The Adviser Investor reserves the right to redeem its Adviser Investment
at any time in accordance with applicable law in its sole and absolute discretion.
Portfolio
Selection Risk. The Adviser’s judgment about
the quality, relative yield, relative value or market trends affecting a particular sector or region, market segment, security or about
interest rates generally may prove to be incorrect.
Issuer
Risk. Issuer risk is the risk that the value of
a security may decline for a reason directly related to the issuer, such as management performance, financial leverage and reduced demand
for the issuer’s goods or service.
Market
Risk. Global economies and financial markets are
increasingly interconnected, which increases the likelihood that events or conditions in one country or region will adversely impact markets
or issuers in other countries or regions. Securities in the Fund’s portfolio may underperform in comparison to securities in general
financial markets, a particular financial market, or other asset classes due to a number of factors, including inflation (or expectations
for inflation), deflation (or expectations for deflation), interest rates, global demand for particular products or resources, market
instability, debt crises and downgrades, embargoes, tariffs, sanctions and other trade barriers, regulatory events, other governmental
trade or market control programs and related geopolitical events. In addition, the value of the Fund’s investments may be negatively
affected by the occurrence of global events such as war, terrorism, environmental disasters, natural disasters or events, country instability,
and infectious disease epidemics or pandemics. For example, the outbreak of COVID-19, a novel coronavirus disease, has negatively affected
economies, markets and individual companies throughout the world, including those in which the Fund may invest. The effects of this pandemic
to public health and business and market conditions, including exchange trading suspensions and closures, may continue to have a significant
negative impact on the performance of the Fund’s investments, increase the Fund’s volatility, exacerbate pre-existing political,
social and economic risks to the Fund, and negatively impact broad segments of businesses and populations. The Fund’s operations
may be interrupted as a result, which may contribute to the negative impact on investment performance. In addition, governments, their
regulatory agencies, or self-regulatory organizations may take actions in response to the pandemic that affect the instruments in which
the Fund invests, or the issuers of such instruments, in ways that could have a significant negative impact on the Fund’s investment
performance. The full impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, or other future epidemics or pandemics, is currently unknown.
Liquidity
Risk. Some securities, including options and swaps,
held by the Fund may be difficult to sell, not publicly traded, or illiquid, particularly during times of market turmoil or adverse investor
perceptions. Such securities may include securities that are not readily marketable and may be difficult to value. If the Fund desires
to sell such securities when a ready buyer is not available at a price that the Fund deems representative of their value, the value of
the Fund could be adversely affected. If the Fund is forced to sell an illiquid asset to meet redemption requests or other cash needs,
the Fund may be forced to sell at a loss.
Construction
and Development Risk. Investments in new or development
stage infrastructure projects, carry the risk that a project may not be completed within budget, within the agreed time frame and to the
agreed specification.
Derivatives
Risk. The Fund’s use of derivatives may reduce
the Fund’s returns and/or increase volatility. Volatility is defined as the characteristic of a security, an index or a market to
fluctuate significantly in price within a short time period. Derivatives are also subject to counterparty risk, which is the risk that
the other party in the transaction will not fulfill its contractual obligation. The possible lack of a liquid secondary market for derivatives
and the resulting inability of the Fund to sell or otherwise close a derivatives position could expose the Fund to losses and could make
derivatives more difficult for the Fund to value accurately. Valuation may be more difficult in times of market turmoil since many investors
and market makers may be reluctant to purchase complex instruments or quote prices for them. Certain transactions in derivatives involve
substantial leverage risk and may expose the Fund to potential losses that exceed the amount originally invested by the Fund.
Foreign
(Non-U.S.) Securities Risk. Risks of investing
in foreign securities include currency risks, future political and economic developments and possible imposition of foreign withholding
taxes on income payable on the securities. In addition, there may be less publicly available information about a foreign issuer than about
a domestic issuer, and foreign issuers may not be subject to the same accounting, auditing and financial recordkeeping standards and requirements
as domestic issuers.
Emerging
Markets Risk. Securities of companies in emerging
markets may be more volatile than those of companies in more developed markets. Emerging market countries generally have less developed
markets and economies and, in some countries, less mature governments and governmental institutions. Investing in securities of companies
in emerging markets may entail special risks relating to potential economic, political or social instability and the risks of expropriation,
nationalization, confiscation or the imposition of restrictions on foreign investment, the lack of hedging instruments, and on repatriation
of capital invested. In addition, the availability and reliability of information material to an investment decision, particularly financial
information from these companies in emerging markets, may be limited in comparison to the scope and reliability of financial information
provided by U.S. companies.
Foreign
Currency Risk. The Fund will invest in instruments
denominated in U.S. and foreign currencies. The Fund’s net asset value (“NAV”) could decline as a result of changes
in the exchange rates between foreign currencies in which a security is denominated and the U.S. dollar. Certain foreign countries may
impose restrictions on the ability of issuers of foreign securities to make payment of principal and interest to investors located outside
the country, due to blockage of foreign currency exchanges or otherwise.
Fixed
Income Risk. The prices of fixed income securities
respond to economic developments, particularly interest rate changes, as well as to perceptions about the credit risk of individual issuers.
Increases in interest rates can cause the prices of the Fund’s fixed income securities to decline, and the level of current income
from a portfolio of fixed income securities may decline in certain interest rate environments. These risks may be greater in the current
market environment because interest rates are near historically low levels.
During
periods of very low or negative interest rates, fixed income securities may be unable to maintain positive returns. Interest rates in
the U.S. and many parts of the world, including certain European countries, are at or near historically low levels. Certain European countries
have recently experienced negative interest rates on certain fixed income instruments. Very low or negative interest rates may magnify
interest rate risk. Changing interest rates, including rates that fall below zero, may have unpredictable effects on markets, may result
in heightened market volatility and may detract from Fund performance to the extent the Fund is exposed to such interest rates.
Interest
Rate Risk. A rise in interest rates will cause
the price of fixed income securities to fall. Generally, fixed income securities with longer maturities carry greater interest rate risk.
The Fund may be subject to a greater risk of rising interest rates during periods of low rates.
“Junk”
Bond Risk. Debt securities that are below investment
grade, called “junk bonds,” generally offer a higher yield than is offered by higher rated securities, but are speculative,
have a higher risk of default or are already in default, tend to be less liquid and are more difficult to value than higher grade securities.
Junk bonds tend to be volatile and more susceptible to adverse events and negative sentiments.
Leverage
Risk. Some transactions entered into by the Fund
may give rise to a form of economic leverage. These transactions may include, among others, derivatives, and may expose the Fund to greater
risk and increase its costs. The use of leverage may cause the Fund to liquidate portfolio positions when it may not be advantageous to
do so to satisfy its obligations or to meet any required asset segregation requirements. Increases and decreases in the value of the Fund’s
portfolio will be magnified when the Fund uses leverage.
Return
of Capital Risk. The Fund expects to make quarterly
distributions at a level percentage rate regardless of its quarterly performance. All or a portion of such distributions may represent
a return of capital. A return of capital is the portion of the distribution representing the return of your investment in the Fund. A
return of capital is tax-free to the extent of a shareholder’s basis in the Fund’s shares and reduces the shareholder’s
basis to that extent.
Redemption
Risk. The Fund may need to sell its holdings in
order to meet shareholder redemption requests. The Fund could experience a loss when selling securities to meet redemption requests if
the redemption requests are unusually large or frequent, occur in times of overall market turmoil or declining prices for the securities
sold, or when the securities the Fund wishes to or is required to sell are illiquid.
Preferred
Securities Risk. There are various risks associated
with investing in preferred securities, including credit risk, interest rate risk, deferral and omission of distributions, subordination
to bonds and other debt securities in a company’s capital structure, limited liquidity, limited voting rights and special redemption
rights.
Small-
and Mid-Capitalization Risk. The risk that returns
from small- and mid-capitalization stocks may trail returns from the overall stock market. Historically, these stocks have been more volatile
in price than the large-capitalization stocks.
The
Fund’s shares will change in value, and you could lose money by investing in the Fund. The Fund may not achieve
its investment objective. An investment in the Fund is not a deposit
with a bank and is not insured or guaranteed by the FDIC or any other government agency.
Performance
The
accompanying bar chart and table provide some indication of the risks of investing in the Fund by showing how the Fund’s total return
has varied for annual periods through December 31, 2022, and by showing how the Fund’s average annual total returns for one-, five-,
and ten-year periods and since inception compare with those of a broad measure of market performance. On March 25, 2021,
the Board of Trustees of Brookfield Investment Funds, on behalf of the Fund, approved a proposal to close the Fund’s Class I Shares
(the “Legacy Class I Shares”). Following the close of business on April 30, 2021, shareholders holding the Legacy Class I
Shares had their shares automatically converted (the “Conversion”) into the Fund’s Class Y Shares (the “Legacy
Class Y Shares”). Following the conversion, the Fund’s Legacy Class Y Shares were renamed “Class I Shares” (the
“new Class I Shares”). As a result of the Conversion, the Fund’s new Class I Shares adopted the Legacy Class Y Shares’
performance and accounting history. Figures shown in the bar chart reflect the performance history of the Fund’s new Class I Shares
(i.e., the Legacy Class Y Shares). The Fund’s Legacy Class I Shares and Legacy Class Y Shares
had substantially similar returns because (i) the shares were invested in the same portfolio of securities; and (ii) the shares had the
same expense structure. For periods prior to April 30, 2021, the performance information for the Fund’s new Class I Shares reflects
the performance history of the Legacy Class Y Shares.The
Fund’s performance (before and after taxes) is not an indication of how the Fund will perform in the future. Updated
performance is available at https://publicsecurities.brookfield.com/en
or by calling 1-855-244-4859.
Class I Shares(1)
Calendar Year Returns as of December 31
(1)
Prior to
the fiscal year ended December 31, 2021, the returns shown in the bar chart are for the Legacy Class Y Shares. The Class A Shares and
Class C Shares would have substantially similar returns because the shares are invested in the same portfolio of securities, and the returns
would differ only to the extent that the classes do not have the same expenses.
During the period of time shown in the bar chart, the
highest return for a calendar quarter was 15.29%
(quarter ended March
31, 2019) and the lowest return for a calendar quarter
was –28.18%
(quarter ended March
31, 2020).
|
Average
Annual Total Returns for the periods ended December 31, 2022, with maximum sales charge, if applicable
|
|
|
|
|
|
One Year |
|
|
Five Years |
|
|
Ten Years |
|
|
Since Inception (1)
|
|
|
Class I Shares (Legacy Class Y Shares) |
|
|
Return Before Taxes |
|
|
|
|
(22.00)%
|
|
|
|
|
|
(0.86)%
|
|
|
|
|
|
3.36% |
|
|
|
|
|
5.76%
|
|
|
|
Return After Taxes on Distributions |
|
|
|
|
(22.39)%
|
|
|
|
|
|
(1.85)%
|
|
|
|
|
|
1.88% |
|
|
|
|
|
4.07%
|
|
|
|
Return After Taxes on Distributions and Sale of Fund Shares |
|
|
|
|
(12.81)%
|
|
|
|
|
|
(0.90)%
|
|
|
|
|
|
2.12% |
|
|
|
|
|
4.00%
|
|
|
|
Class A Shares |
|
|
Return Before Taxes |
|
|
|
|
(25.90)%
|
|
|
|
|
|
(2.07)%
|
|
|
|
|
|
2.60% |
|
|
|
|
|
3.78%
|
|
|
|
Class C Shares |
|
|
Return Before Taxes |
|
|
|
|
(23.54)%
|
|
|
|
|
|
(1.85)%
|
|
|
|
|
|
2.33% |
|
|
|
|
|
3.48%
|
|
|
|
FTSE EPRA Nareit Developed Index (2) |
|
|
|
|
(25.09)%
|
|
|
|
|
|
(0.23)%
|
|
|
|
|
|
2.99% |
|
|
|
|
|
5.07% |
|
|
(1)
?
(2)
After
tax returns are calculated using the historical highest individual federal marginal income tax rates and do not reflect the impact of
state and local taxes. Actual after-tax returns depend on your situation and may differ from those shown. After-tax
returns are shown only for Class I Shares (i.e., the Legacy Class Y Shares) and after-tax returns
for other classes will vary due to the differences in expenses. Furthermore,
the after-tax returns
shown are not
relevant to those who hold their shares through tax-deferred arrangements such as 401(k) plans or individual retirement accounts (“IRAs”).
In certain cases, the figures representing “Return
After Taxes on Distributions and Sale of Fund Shares” may be higher than other returns for the same period. A higher after-tax return
results when a capital loss occurs upon redemption and provides an annual tax deduction that benefits shareholders.
Management
Investment Adviser: Brookfield
Public Securities Group LLC
Portfolio
Managers: Bernhard Krieg, CFA, Managing Director
and Portfolio Manager, Brandon Benjamin, Director and Portfolio Manager, Julian Perlmutter, CFA, Director and Portfolio Manager, Michael
Shoemacher, Director and Portfolio Manager, and Richard Sweigard, Director and Portfolio Manager, each of Brookfield Public Securities
Group LLC, are jointly and primarily responsible for the day-to-day management of the Fund. Mr. Krieg has served as a Portfolio Manager
of the Fund since its inception, and Messrs. Benjamin, Perlmutter, Shoemacher and Sweigard have served as Portfolio Managers of the Fund
since June 2022.
Purchase and Sale of Fund Shares
Class: A (BLRAX),
C (BLRCX), I (BLRYX)
You may purchase, redeem or exchange Fund shares on any
business day by written request via mail (Brookfield Global Listed Real Estate Fund, c/o U.S. Bancorp Fund Services, LLC (d/b/a U.S. Bank
Global Fund Services), P.O. Box 701, Milwaukee, WI 53201-0701), by wire transfer or by telephone at 1-855-244-4859, or through a broker-dealer
or other financial intermediary. The minimum initial investment for Class A and C is $1,000 and the minimum for additional investments
is $100. The minimum initial investment for Class I is $1 million and there is no minimum for additional Class I investments.
Class I Shares are (1) offered at net asset value, (2)
sold without a front-end sales load, (3) offered to foundations, endowments, institutions, and employee benefit plans acquiring shares
directly from the Fund’s distributor or from a financial intermediary with whom the Fund’s distributor has entered into an
agreement expressly authorizing the sale by such intermediary of Class I Shares and whose initial investment is not less than the initial
minimum amount set forth in this Prospectus from time to time, (4) available through certain “wrap,” retirement and other
programs sponsored by certain financial intermediaries with whom the Fund and its distributor have entered into an agreement, as well
as employees, officers, and trustees of the Trust, the Adviser and its affiliates and their immediate family members (i.e.,
spouse, domestic partner, parents, grandparents, children, grandchildren and siblings (including step and in-law)) of any of the above,
as set forth in this Prospectus, and (5) not subject to ongoing distribution fees or service fees. The Fund may accept, in its sole discretion,
investments in Class I Shares from purchasers not listed above or that do not meet the investment minimum requirement.
Tax Information
The Fund’s distributions are generally taxable to
you as ordinary income, capital gains, or some combination of both, unless you are investing through a tax-deferred arrangement, such
as a 401(k) plan or individual retirement account.
Payments to Broker-Dealers and Other Financial Intermediaries
If you purchase shares of the Fund through a broker-dealer
or other financial intermediary (such as a bank), the Fund, the Adviser and the Fund’s distributor or its related companies may
pay the intermediary for the sale of Fund shares and related services. These payments may create a conflict of interest by influencing
the broker-dealer or other intermediary and your salesperson or financial adviser to recommend the Fund over another investment. Ask your
salesperson or visit your financial intermediary’s website for more information.
Brookfield Global Listed Infrastructure
Fund
Investment
Objective
The Brookfield Global Listed Infrastructure Fund (the
“Fund,” or the “Infrastructure Fund”) seeks total return through growth of capital and current income.
Fees
and Expenses of the Fund
This table describes the fees and
expenses that you may pay if you buy, hold and sell shares of the Fund. You may pay other fees, such as brokerage commissions and other
fees to financial intermediaries, which are not reflected in the tables and examples below. You
may qualify for sales charge discounts if you and your family invest, or agree to invest in the future, at least $50,000
in the Brookfield Investment Funds. You may also qualify for sales charge discounts or waivers through certain financial
intermediaries. More information about these and other discounts is available from your financial professional and in the section entitled
“Shareholder Account Information — Initial Sales Charges (Class A Shares Only)” on page 95 of the Fund’s Prospectus
and in Appendix A, “Sales Charge Reductions and Waivers Available Through Certain Intermediaries,” attached to the Fund’s
Prospectus.
|
|
|
|
Class A Shares
|
|
|
Class C Shares
|
|
|
Class I Shares |
|
|
Shareholder
Fees (fees
paid directly from your investment): |
|
|
Maximum Sales Charge (Load) Imposed
on Purchases (as a percentage of offering price) |
|
|
|
|
4.75% |
|
|
|
|
|
None |
|
|
|
|
None |
|
|
Maximum Deferred Sales Charge (Load) (as a percentage of
original cost of shares redeemed) |
|
|
None (1)
|
|
|
|
|
1.00% |
(2) |
|
|
|
|
None |
|
|
Annual
Fund Operating Expenses (expenses
that you pay each year as a percentage of the value of your investment): |
|
|
Management Fees |
|
|
|
|
0.85% |
|
|
|
|
|
0.85% |
|
|
|
|
|
0.85% |
|
|
|
Distribution and/or Service (Rule 12b-1) Fees |
|
|
|
|
0.25% |
|
|
|
|
|
1.00% |
|
|
|
|
|
None |
|
|
Other Expenses |
|
|
|
|
0.31%
|
|
|
|
|
|
0.35%
|
|
|
|
|
|
0.21%
|
|
|
|
Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses |
|
|
|
|
1.41%
|
|
|
|
|
|
2.20% |
|
|
|
|
|
1.06%
|
|
|
|
Less Fee Waiver and/or Expense
Reimbursement (3) |
|
|
|
|
(0.16)% |
|
|
|
|
|
(0.20)% |
|
|
|
|
|
(0.06)% |
|
|
|
Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses
After Fee Waiver and/or Expense Reimbursement (3) |
|
|
|
|
1.25% |
|
|
|
|
|
2.00% |
|
|
|
|
|
1.00% |
|
|
(1)
(2)
?
(3)
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 (taking into account the expense
limitation for the first year). Although your actual
costs may be higher or lower, based on these assumptions your costs would be:
|
|
|
|
1 Year
|
|
|
3 Years
|
|
|
5 Years
|
|
|
10 Years
|
|
|
Class A Shares |
|
|
|
$ |
596 |
|
|
|
|
$ |
885
|
|
|
|
|
$ |
1,195
|
|
|
|
|
$ |
2,072
|
|
|
|
Class C Shares |
|
|
|
$ |
303 |
|
|
|
|
$ |
669
|
|
|
|
|
$ |
1,161
|
|
|
|
|
$ |
2,518
|
|
|
|
Class I Shares |
|
|
|
$ |
102 |
|
|
|
|
$ |
331
|
|
|
|
|
$ |
579
|
|
|
|
|
$ |
1,289 |
|
|
You
would pay the following expenses if you did not redeem your shares:
|
|
|
|
1 Year
|
|
|
3 Years
|
|
|
5 Years
|
|
|
10 Years
|
|
|
Class C Shares |
|
|
|
$ |
203 |
|
|
|
|
$ |
669
|
|
|
|
|
$ |
1,161
|
|
|
|
|
$ |
2,518 |
|
|
Portfolio
Turnover
The Fund pays transaction costs,
such as commissions, when it buys and sells securities (or “turns over” its portfolio). A higher portfolio turnover rate may
indicate higher transaction costs and may result in higher taxes when Fund shares are held in a taxable account. These costs, which are
not reflected in annual fund operating expenses or in the example, affect the Fund’s performance. During the most recent fiscal
year ended December 31, 2022, the Fund’s portfolio turnover rate was 74%
of the average value of its portfolio.
Principal
Investment Strategies
The Fund seeks to achieve its investment objective by
investing primarily in securities of publicly traded infrastructure companies. Under normal market conditions, the Fund will attempt to
achieve its investment objective by investing, as a principal strategy, at least 80% of its net assets (plus the amount of any borrowing
for investment purposes) in publicly traded equity securities of infrastructure companies listed on a domestic or foreign exchange, throughout
the world, including the United States (the “80% Policy”), and, as part of the 80% Policy, at least 40% of the Fund’s
net assets (plus the amount of any borrowing for investment purposes) will be invested in publicly traded securities of infrastructure
companies whose primary operations or principal trading market is in a foreign market, and that are not subject to the requirements of
the U.S. securities laws, markets and accounting requirements (“Foreign Securities”). The Fund considers an issuer’s
“primary operations” to be in a foreign market if the issuer (i) is organized under the laws of that country, or (ii)
derives at least 50% of its revenues or profits from goods produced or sold, investments made, services performed, or has at least 50%
of its assets located within that country. Under normal market conditions, the Fund will maintain exposure to securities of infrastructure
companies in the United States and in at least three countries outside the United States. The Fund may also invest up to 25% of its net
assets (plus the amount of any borrowing for investment purposes) in energy-infrastructure companies organized as master limited partnerships
(“MLPs”). The Fund may invest up to 20% of its net assets (plus the amount of any borrowing for investment purposes) in fixed
income securities, including below-investment grade rated securities (“junk bonds”), as described in this Prospectus.
The Fund may change the 80% Policy without shareholder
approval. The Fund will provide shareholders with written notice at least 60 days prior to the implementation of any such changes.
The Fund defines an infrastructure company as any company
that derives at least 50% of its revenue or profits from the ownership or operation of infrastructure assets. The Fund defines infrastructure
assets as the physical structures, networks and systems of transportation, energy, water and sewage, and communication.
Infrastructure assets currently include:
•
toll roads, bridges and tunnels;
•
airports;
•
seaports;
•
electricity generation and transmission and distribution lines;
•
gathering, treating, processing, fractionation, transportation and storage of
hydrocarbon products;
•
water and sewage treatment and distribution pipelines;
•
communication towers and satellites; and
•
railroads.
The Fund may use futures and options on securities, indices
and currencies, forward foreign currency exchange contracts, swaps and other derivatives. A derivative is a security or instrument whose
value is determined by reference to the value or the change in value of one or more securities, currencies, indices or other financial
instruments. The Fund may use derivatives for a variety of purposes, including:
•
as a hedge against adverse changes
in the market prices of securities, interest rate or currency exchange rates;
•
as a substitute for purchasing or selling securities;
•
to increase the Fund’s return as a non-hedging strategy that may be considered
speculative; and
•
to manage the Fund’s portfolio characteristics.
The Fund may invest up to 20% of its net assets (plus
the amount of any borrowing for investment purposes) in fixed income securities, including obligations of the U.S. Government, floating
rate loans and money-market instruments. As part of the 20% of the Fund’s net assets (plus the amount of any borrowing for investment
purposes) that may be invested in fixed income securities, up to 10% of the Fund’s net assets (plus the amount of any borrowing
for investment purposes) may be invested in below investment grade (“junk”) fixed income securities, of which 5% may be invested
in fixed income securities rated “CCC” or lower by Standard & Poor’s Rating Services (“S&P”) or
“Caa” or lower by Moody’s Investors Service, Inc. (“Moody’s”) or non-rated securities of comparable
quality. The Fund, however, may not invest in securities in default.
The Fund may invest up to 25% of its net assets (plus
the amount of any borrowing for investment purposes) in publicly traded securities of infrastructure companies, whose primary operations
or principal trading market is in an “emerging market.” In addition, the Fund may invest up to 15% of its net assets (plus
the amount of any borrowing for investment purposes) in securities deemed illiquid and may make short sales of securities in an amount
not to exceed 10% of the Fund’s net assets (plus the amount of any borrowing for investment purposes). Securities in which the Fund
may invest include, but are not limited to, common, convertible and preferred stock, stapled securities (as defined herein), income trusts,
limited partnerships, and limited partnership interests in the general partners of MLPs, issued by infrastructure companies. Other Fund
investments may include warrants, depositary receipts, exchange-traded notes, and investment companies, including exchange-traded funds.
The Fund retains the ability to invest in infrastructure companies of any market size capitalization.
The Adviser utilizes a fundamental,
bottom-up, value-based selection methodology, taking into account short-term considerations, such as temporary market mispricing, and
long-term considerations, such as values of assets and cash flows. The Adviser also draws upon the expertise and knowledge within Brookfield
Asset Management ULC and its affiliates, which provide extensive owner/operator insights into industry drivers and trends. The Adviser
takes a balanced approach to investing, seeking to mitigate risk through diversification, credit analysis, economic analysis and review
of sector and industry trends. The Adviser uses proprietary research to select individual securities that it believes can add value from
income and/or the potential for capital appreciation. The proprietary research may include an assessment of a company’s general
financial condition, its competitive positioning and management strength, as well as industry characteristics and other factors. The Fund
may sell a security that becomes overvalued or no longer offers an attractive risk/reward profile. A security may also be sold due to
changes in portfolio strategy or cash flow needs.
No assurance can be given that the Fund’s investment
objective will be achieved. The Fund’s policy of concentration in companies in the infrastructure industry is a fundamental policy
of the Fund. This fundamental policy may not be changed without the approval of the holders of a majority of the Fund’s outstanding
voting securities, as defined in the 1940 Act.
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 following summarizes the principal risks that have been identified for the Fund.
Inflation
Risk. Inflation risk is the risk that the value
of assets or income from investments will be worth less in the future as inflation decreases the value of money. As inflation increases,
the real value of the Fund’s shares and distributions thereon can decline. Inflation risk is linked to increases in the prices of
goods and services and a decrease in the purchasing power of money. Since the beginning of 2021, inflation has risen at its highest rate
in four decades in the U.S. Inflation may reduce the intrinsic value of an investment in the Fund. While the Biden Administration and
the Federal Reserve have made efforts to reduce the effects of inflation on the U.S. economy and financial markets, the mitigating effects
of such efforts are uncertain.
Recent
Market, Economic and Social Developments Risk. Periods
of market volatility remain, and may continue to occur in the future, in response to various political, social and economic events both
within and outside the United States. These conditions have resulted in, and in many cases continue to result in, greater price volatility,
less liquidity, widening credit spreads and a lack of price transparency, with many securities remaining illiquid and of uncertain value.
Such market conditions may adversely affect the Fund, including by making valuation of some of the Fund’s securities uncertain and/or
result in sudden and significant valuation increases or declines in the Fund’s holdings. If there is a significant decline in the
value of the Fund’s portfolio, this may impact the asset coverage levels for the Fund’s outstanding leverage.
Risks
resulting from any future debt or other economic crisis could also have a detrimental impact on the global economic recovery, the financial
condition of financial institutions and the Fund’s business, financial condition and results of operation. Market and economic disruptions
have affected, and may in the future affect, consumer confidence levels and spending, personal bankruptcy rates, levels of incurrence
and default on consumer debt and home prices, among other factors. To the extent uncertainty regarding the U.S. or global economy negatively
impacts consumer confidence and consumer credit factors, the Fund’s business, financial condition and results of operations could
be significantly and adversely affected. Downgrades to the credit ratings of major banks could result in increased borrowing costs for
such banks and negatively affect the broader economy. Moreover, Federal Reserve policy, including with respect to certain interest rates,
may also adversely affect the value, volatility and liquidity of dividend- and interest-paying securities. Market volatility, rising interest
rates and/or unfavorable economic conditions could impair the Fund’s ability to achieve its investment objective.
Infrastructure
Risk. Infrastructure companies may be subject to
a variety of factors that may adversely affect their business or operations, including high interest costs in connection with capital
construction programs, high leverage, costs associated with environmental and other regulations, the effects of economic slowdown, surplus
capacity, increased competition from other providers of services, uncertainties concerning the availability of fuel at reasonable prices,
the effects of energy conservation policies and other factors. Some of the specific risks that infrastructure companies may be particularly
affected by, or subject to, include the following: regulatory risk, technology risk, regional or geographic risk, natural disasters risk,
through-put risk, project risk, strategic asset risk, operation risk, customer risk, interest rate risk, inflation risk and financing
risk.
Equity
Securities Risk. Equity securities represent an
ownership interest in an issuer, rank junior in a company’s capital structure to debt securities and consequently may entail greater
risk of loss than debt securities. Equity securities are subject to the risk that stock prices may rise and fall in periodic cycles and
may perform poorly relative to other investments. This risk may be greater in the short term.
Concentration
Risk. Because the Fund will invest more than 25%
of its net assets (plus the amount of any borrowing for investment purposes) in securities as defined in this Prospectus, the Fund may
be subject to greater volatility with respect to its portfolio securities than a fund that does not concentrate its investments.
Investment
Risk. An investment in the Fund is subject to investment
risk, including the possible loss of the entire principal amount that you invest.
Geopolitical
Risk. Occurrence of global events such as war,
terrorist attacks, natural disasters, country instability, infectious disease epidemics, pandemics and other public health issues, market
instability, debt crises and downgrades, embargoes, tariffs, sanctions and other trade barriers and other governmental trade or market
control programs, the potential exit of a country from its respective union and related geopolitical events, may result in market volatility
and may have long-lasting impacts on both the U.S. and global financial markets. Additionally, those events, as well as other changes
in foreign and domestic political and economic conditions, could adversely affect individual issuers or related groups of issuers, securities
markets, interest rates, secondary trading, credit ratings, inflation, investor sentiment and other factors affecting the value of the
Fund’s investments.
Political
Risks Relating to Russia’s Invasion of Ukraine. Russia
began its invasion of Ukraine in February 2022. The invasion significantly amplified already existing geopolitical tensions among Russia,
Ukraine, Europe, NATO and the United States. Russia’s military invasion of Ukraine, the resulting responses by the United States
and other countries, and the potential for wider conflict has increased volatility and uncertainty in the financial markets, specifically
on companies in the oil and gas sector, finance and resource extraction.
The ramifications
of the hostilities and sanctions, however, may not be limited to Russia. Conflict between Ukraine and Russia is likely to negatively impact
other regional and global economic markets (including Europe, Asia and the United States), companies in other countries (particularly
those that have exposure to Russia and Ukraine) and on various sectors, industries and markets for securities and commodities globally,
such as oil and natural gas and banking.
Health
Crisis Risk. An outbreak of an infectious respiratory
illness, COVID-19, caused by a novel coronavirus has resulted in travel restrictions, disruption of healthcare systems, prolonged quarantines,
cancellations, supply chain disruptions, lower consumer demand, layoffs, ratings downgrades, defaults and other significant economic impacts.
Certain markets have experienced temporary closures, extreme volatility, severe losses, reduced liquidity and increased trading costs.
In particular, COVID-19 has resulted in substantial market volatility and global business disruption, impacting the global economy and
the financial health of individual companies in significant and unforeseen ways. The duration and future impact of COVID-19 are currently
unknown, which may exacerbate other types of risks that apply to the Fund and negatively impact Fund performance and the value of your
investment in the Fund. It is not possible to determine the ultimate impact of COVID-19 at this time. Further, the extent and strength
of any economic recovery after the COVID-19 pandemic abates is uncertain and subject to various factors and conditions, including the
emergence of other infectious illness outbreaks that may have similar impacts. Accordingly, an investment in the Fund is subject to an
elevated degree of risk as compared to other market environments.
Adviser
Investment Risk. The Adviser and its affiliates
(each, an “Adviser Investor”) may, from time to time, own a significant amount of the Fund’s shares (an “Adviser
Investment”). An Adviser Investor may make an Adviser Investment to enable the Fund to reach critical mass or because the Adviser
Investor has capital to invest and wants exposure to the Fund’s investment strategy or for other reasons. If an Adviser Investment
is substantial relative to the Fund’s overall asset size, a partial or complete redemption of the Adviser Investment, which may
occur at any time, including at the time of other inflows or outflows, may have a material adverse effect on the Fund’s expense
ratio, portfolio turnover and the overall ability to manage the Fund. The Adviser Investor reserves the right to redeem its Adviser Investment
at any time in accordance with applicable law in its sole and absolute discretion.
Portfolio
Selection Risk. The Adviser’s judgment about
the quality, relative yield, relative value or market trends affecting a particular sector or region, market segment, security or about
interest rates generally may prove to be incorrect.
Issuer
Risk. Issuer risk is the risk that the value of
a security may decline for a reason directly related to the issuer, such as management performance, financial leverage and reduced demand
for the issuer’s goods or service.
Market
Risk. Global economies and financial markets are
increasingly interconnected, which increases the likelihood that events or conditions in one country or region will adversely impact markets
or issuers in other countries or regions. Securities in the Fund’s portfolio may underperform in comparison to securities in general
financial markets, a particular financial market, or other asset classes due to a number of factors, including inflation (or expectations
for inflation), deflation (or expectations for deflation), interest rates, global demand for particular products or resources, market
instability, debt crises and downgrades, embargoes, tariffs, sanctions and other trade barriers, regulatory events, other governmental
trade or market control programs and related geopolitical events. In addition, the value of the Fund’s investments may be negatively
affected by the occurrence of global events such as war, terrorism, environmental disasters, natural disasters or events, country instability,
and infectious disease epidemics or pandemics. For example, the outbreak of COVID-19, a novel coronavirus disease, has negatively affected
economies, markets and individual companies throughout the world, including those in which the Fund may invest. The effects of this pandemic
to public health and business and market conditions, including exchange trading suspensions and closures, may continue to have a significant
negative impact on the performance of the Fund’s investments, increase the Fund’s volatility, exacerbate pre-existing political,
social and economic risks to the Fund, and negatively impact broad segments of businesses and populations. The Fund’s operations
may be interrupted as a result, which may contribute to the negative impact on investment performance. In addition, governments, their
regulatory agencies, or self-regulatory organizations may take actions in response to the pandemic that affect the instruments in which
the Fund invests, or the issuers of such instruments, in ways that could have a significant negative impact on the Fund’s investment
performance. The full impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, or other future epidemics or pandemics, is currently unknown.
Liquidity
Risk. Some securities, including options and swaps,
held by the Fund may be difficult to sell, not publicly traded, or illiquid, particularly during times of market turmoil or adverse investor
perceptions. Such securities may include securities that are not readily marketable and may be difficult to value. If the Fund desires
to sell such securities when a ready buyer is not available at a price that the Fund deems representative of their value, the value of
the Fund could be adversely affected. If the Fund is forced to sell an illiquid asset to meet redemption requests or other cash needs,
the Fund may be forced to sell at a loss.
Construction
and Development Risk. Investments in new or development
stage infrastructure projects, carry the risk that a project may not be completed within budget, within the agreed time frame and to the
agreed specification.
Foreign
(Non-U.S.) Securities Risk. Risks of investing
in foreign securities include currency risks, future political and economic developments and possible imposition of foreign withholding
taxes on income payable on the securities. In addition, there may be less publicly available information about a foreign issuer than about
a domestic issuer, and foreign issuers may not be subject to the same accounting, auditing and financial recordkeeping standards and requirements
as domestic issuers.
Emerging
Markets Risk. Securities of companies in emerging
markets may be more volatile than those of companies in more developed markets. Emerging market countries generally have less developed
markets and economies and, in some countries, less mature governments and governmental institutions. Investing in securities of companies
in emerging markets may entail special risks relating to potential economic, political or social instability and the risks of expropriation,
nationalization, confiscation or the imposition of restrictions on foreign investment, the lack of hedging instruments, and on repatriation
of capital invested. In addition, the availability and reliability of information material to an investment decision, particularly financial
information from these companies in emerging markets, may be limited in comparison to the scope and reliability of financial information
provided by U.S. companies.
Foreign
Currency Risk. The Fund will invest in instruments
denominated in U.S. and foreign currencies. The Fund’s net asset value (“NAV”) could decline as a result of changes
in the exchange rates between foreign currencies in which a security is denominated and the U.S. dollar. Certain foreign countries may
impose restrictions on the ability of issuers of foreign securities to make payment of principal and interest to investors located outside
the country, due to blockage of foreign currency exchanges or otherwise.
Commodity-Related
Investments Risk. The value of commodities investments
will generally be affected by overall market movements and factors specific to a particular industry or commodity, which may include weather,
embargoes, tariffs, and economic health, political, international regulatory and other developments. Exposure to the commodities markets
may subject the Fund to greater volatility than investments in traditional securities.
Fixed
Income Risk. The prices of fixed income securities
respond to economic developments, particularly interest rate changes, as well as to perceptions about the credit risk of individual issuers.
Increases in interest rates can cause the prices of the Fund’s fixed income securities to decline, and the level of current income
from a portfolio of fixed income securities may decline in certain interest rate environments. These risks may be greater in the current
market environment because interest rates are near historically low levels.
During
periods of very low or negative interest rates, fixed income securities may be unable to maintain positive returns. Interest rates in
the U.S. and many parts of the world, including certain European countries, are at or near historically low levels. Certain European countries
have recently experienced negative interest rates on certain fixed income instruments. Very low or negative interest rates may magnify
interest rate risk. Changing interest rates, including rates that fall below zero, may have unpredictable effects on markets, may result
in heightened market volatility and may detract from Fund performance to the extent the Fund is exposed to such interest rates.
Interest
Rate Risk. A rise in interest rates will cause
the price of fixed income securities to fall. Generally, fixed income securities with longer maturities carry greater interest rate risk.
The Fund may be subject to a greater risk of rising interest rates during periods of low rates.
Credit
Risk. An issuer or guarantor of a debt instrument
might be unable or unwilling to meet its financial obligations and might not make interest or principal payments on an instrument when
those payments are due.
“Junk”
Bond Risk. Debt securities that are below investment
grade, called “junk bonds,” generally offer a higher yield than is offered by higher rated securities, but are speculative,
have a higher risk of default or are already in default, tend to be less liquid and are more difficult to value than higher grade securities.
Junk bonds tend to be volatile and more susceptible to adverse events and negative sentiments.
Leverage
Risk. Some transactions entered into by the Fund
may give rise to a form of economic leverage. These transactions may include, among others, derivatives, and may expose the Fund to greater
risk and increase its costs. The use of leverage may cause the Fund to liquidate portfolio positions when it may not be advantageous to
do so to satisfy its obligations or to meet any required asset segregation requirements. Increases and decreases in the value of the Fund’s
portfolio will be magnified when the Fund uses leverage.
MLP
Risk. An MLP that invests in a particular industry
(e.g., oil and gas) will be harmed by detrimental economic events within that industry. As partnerships,
MLPs may be subject to less regulation (and less protection for investors) under state laws than corporations. MLPs benefit from various
tax provisions that may not be available in the future. In addition, MLPs may be subject to state taxation in certain jurisdictions, which
may reduce the amount of income an MLP pays to its investors.
Return
of Capital Risk. The Fund expects to make quarterly
distributions at a level percentage rate regardless of its quarterly performance. All or a portion of such distributions may represent
a return of capital. A return of capital is the portion of the distribution representing the return of your investment in the Fund. A
return of capital is tax-free to the extent of a shareholder’s basis in the Fund’s shares and reduces the shareholder’s
basis to that extent.
Redemption
Risk. The Fund may need to sell its holdings in
order to meet shareholder redemption requests. The Fund could experience a loss when selling securities to meet redemption requests if
the redemption requests are unusually large or frequent, occur in times of overall market turmoil or declining prices for the securities
sold, or when the securities the Fund wishes to or is required to sell are illiquid.
Preferred
Securities Risk. There are various risks associated
with investing in preferred securities, including credit risk, interest rate risk, deferral and omission of distributions, subordination
to bonds and other debt securities in a company’s capital structure, limited liquidity, limited voting rights and special redemption
rights.
Derivatives
Risk. The Fund’s use of derivatives may reduce
the Fund’s returns and/or increase volatility. Volatility is defined as the characteristic of a security, an index or a market to
fluctuate significantly in price within a short time period. Derivatives are also subject to counterparty risk, which is the risk that
the other party in the transaction will not fulfill its contractual obligation. The possible lack of a liquid secondary market for derivatives
and the resulting inability of the Fund to sell or otherwise close a derivatives position could expose the Fund to losses and could make
derivatives more difficult for the Fund to value accurately. Valuation may be more difficult in times of market turmoil since many investors
and market makers may be reluctant to purchase complex instruments or quote prices for them. Certain transactions in derivatives involve
substantial leverage risk and may expose the Fund to potential losses that exceed the amount originally invested by the Fund.
Small-
and Mid-Capitalization Risk. The risk that returns
from small- and mid-capitalization stocks may trail returns from the overall stock market. Historically, these stocks have been more volatile
in price than the large-capitalization stocks.
Stapled
Securities Risk. A stapled security is a security
that is comprised of two parts that cannot be separated from one another. The two parts of a stapled security are a unit of a trust and
a share of a company. The resulting security is influenced by both parts, and must be treated as one unit at all times, such as when buying
or selling a security.
The
Fund’s shares will change in value, and you could lose money by investing in the Fund. The Fund may not achieve
its investment objective. An investment in the Fund is not a deposit
with a bank and is not insured or guaranteed by the FDIC or any other government agency.
Performance
The
accompanying bar chart and table provide some indication of the risks of investing in the Fund by showing how the Fund’s total return
has varied for annual periods through December 31, 2022, and by showing how the Fund’s average annual total returns for one-, five,-
and ten-year periods and since inception compare with those of a broad measure of market performance. On March 25, 2021,
the Board of Trustees of Brookfield Investment Funds, on behalf of the Fund, approved a proposal to close the Fund’s Class I Shares
(the “Legacy Class I Shares”). Following the close of business on April 30, 2021, shareholders holding the Legacy Class I
Shares had their shares automatically converted (the “Conversion”) into the Fund’s Class Y Shares (the “Legacy
Class Y Shares”). Following the Conversion, the Fund’s Legacy Class Y Shares were renamed “Class I Shares” (the
“new Class I Shares”). As a result of the Conversion, the Fund’s new Class I Shares adopted the Legacy Class Y Shares’
performance and accounting history. Figures shown in the bar chart reflect the performance history of the Fund’s new Class I Shares
(i.e., the Legacy Class Y Shares). The Fund’s Legacy Class I Shares and Legacy Class Y Shares
had substantially similar returns because (i) the shares were invested in the same portfolio of securities; and (ii) the shares had the
same expense structure. For periods prior to April 30, 2021, the performance information for the Fund’s new Class I Shares reflects
the performance history of the Legacy Class Y Shares. The
Fund’s performance (before and after taxes) is not an indication of how the Fund will perform in the future. Updated
performance information is available at https://publicsecurities.brookfield.com/en
or by calling 1-855-244-4859.
Class I Shares(1)
Calendar Year Returns as of December 31
(1)
Prior to
the fiscal year ended December 31, 2021, the returns shown in the bar chart are for the Legacy Class Y Shares. The Class A Shares and
Class C Shares would have substantially similar returns because the shares are invested in the same portfolio of securities, and the returns
would differ only to the extent that the classes do not have the same expenses.
During the period of time shown in the bar chart, the
highest return for a calendar quarter was 16.15%
(quarter ended March
31, 2019) and the lowest return for a calendar quarter
was –20.10%
(quarter ended March
31, 2020).
|
Average
Annual Total Returns for the periods ended December 31, 2022, with maximum sales charge, if applicable
|
|
|
|
|
|
One Year |
|
|
Five Years |
|
|
Ten Years |
|
|
Since Inception (1)
|
|
|
Class I Shares (Legacy Class Y Shares) |
|
|
Return Before Taxes |
|
|
|
|
(5.36)% |
|
|
|
|
|
4.17% |
|
|
|
|
|
5.08% |
|
|
|
|
|
6.22% |
|
|
|
Return After Taxes on Distributions |
|
|
|
|
(6.91)% |
|
|
|
|
|
3.41% |
|
|
|
|
|
4.38% |
|
|
|
|
|
5.54% |
|
|
|
Return After Taxes on Distributions and Sale of Fund Shares |
|
|
|
|
(2.07)% |
|
|
|
|
|
3.17% |
|
|
|
|
|
3.97% |
|
|
|
|
|
4.96% |
|
|
|
Class A Shares |
|
|
Return Before Taxes |
|
|
|
|
(10.12)% |
|
|
|
|
|
2.93% |
|
|
|
|
|
4.32% |
|
|
|
|
|
5.41% |
|
|
|
Class C Shares |
|
|
Return Before Taxes |
|
|
|
|
(7.23)% |
|
|
|
|
|
3.14% |
|
|
|
|
|
4.03% |
|
|
|
|
|
4.45% |
|
|
|
FTSE Global Core Infrastructure
50/50 Index (2) |
|
|
|
|
(4.15)% |
|
|
|
|
|
5.53% |
|
|
|
|
|
N/A |
|
|
|
|
N/A |
|
|
|
Dow Jones
Brookfield Global Infrastructure Composite Index (3) |
|
|
|
|
(4.91)% |
|
|
|
|
|
3.67% |
|
|
|
|
|
5.87% |
|
|
|
|
|
6.86% |
|
|
(1)
(2)
?
(3)
After
tax returns are calculated using the historical highest individual federal marginal income tax rates and do not reflect the impact of
state and local taxes. Actual after-tax returns depend on your situation and may differ from those shown. After-tax
returns are shown only for Class I Shares (i.e., the Legacy Class Y Shares) and after-tax returns
for other classes will vary due to the differences in expenses. Furthermore,
after-tax returns shown are not relevant to those who hold their shares through tax-deferred arrangements such as 401(k) plans or individual
retirement accounts (“IRAs”). In
certain cases, the figures representing “Return After Taxes on Distributions and Sale of Fund Shares” may be higher than other
returns for the same period. A higher after-tax return results when a capital loss occurs upon redemption and provides an annual tax deduction
that benefits shareholders.
Management
Investment Adviser: Brookfield
Public Securities Group LLC
Portfolio
Managers: Leonardo Anguiano, Managing Director
and Portfolio Manager, and Tom Miller, CFA, Managing Director and Portfolio Manager, each of Brookfield Public Securities Group LLC, serve
as Co-Portfolio Managers for the Fund. Messrs. Anguiano and Miller have served as Co-Portfolio Managers of the Fund since September
2016 and March 2019, respectively.
Purchase and Sale of Fund Shares
Class: A (BGLAX),
C (BGLCX), I (BGLYX)
You may purchase, redeem or exchange Fund shares on any
business day by written request via mail (Brookfield Global Listed Infrastructure Fund, c/o U.S. Bancorp Fund Services, LLC (d/b/a U.S.
Bank Global Fund Services), P.O. Box 701, Milwaukee, WI 53201-0701), by wire transfer or by telephone at 1-855-244-4859, or through a
broker-dealer or other financial intermediary. The minimum initial investment for Class A and C is $1,000 and the minimum for additional
investments is $100. The minimum initial investment for Class I is $1 million and there is no minimum for additional Class I investments.
Class I Shares are (1) offered at net asset value, (2)
sold without a front-end sales load, (3) offered to foundations, endowments, institutions, and employee benefit plans acquiring shares
directly from the Fund’s distributor or from a financial intermediary with whom the Fund’s distributor has entered into an
agreement expressly authorizing the sale by such intermediary of Class I Shares and whose initial investment is not less than the initial
minimum amount set forth in this Prospectus from time to time, (4) available through certain “wrap,” retirement and other
programs sponsored by certain financial intermediaries with whom the Fund and its distributor have entered into an agreement, as well
as employees, officers, and trustees of the Trust, the Adviser and its affiliates and their immediate family members (i.e.,
spouse, domestic partner, parents, grandparents, children, grandchildren and siblings (including step and in-law)) of any of the above,
as set forth in this Prospectus, and (5) not subject to ongoing distribution fees or service fees. The Fund may accept, in its sole discretion,
investments in Class I Shares from purchasers not listed above or that do not meet the investment minimum requirement.
Tax Information
The Fund’s distributions are generally taxable to
you as ordinary income, capital gains, or some combination of both, unless you are investing through a tax-deferred arrangement, such
as a 401(k) plan or individual retirement account.
Payments to Broker-Dealers and Other Financial Intermediaries
If you purchase shares of the Fund through a broker-dealer
or other financial intermediary (such as a bank), the Fund, the Adviser and the Fund’s distributor or its related companies may
pay the intermediary for the sale of Fund shares and related services. These payments may create a conflict of interest by influencing
the broker-dealer or other intermediary and your salesperson or financial adviser to recommend the Fund over another investment. Ask your
salesperson or visit your financial intermediary’s website for more information.
Brookfield
Global Renewables & Sustainable Infrastructure Fund
Investment
Objective
The Brookfield Global Renewables
& Sustainable Infrastructure Fund (the “Fund,” or the “Renewables Fund”) seeks total return through growth
of capital and current income.
Fees
and Expenses of the Fund
This table describes the fees and
expenses that you may pay if you buy, hold and sell shares of the Fund. You may pay other fees, such as brokerage commissions and other
fees to financial intermediaries, which are not reflected in the tables and examples below. You
may qualify for sales charge discounts if you and your family invest, or agree to invest in the future, at least $50,000
in the Brookfield Investment Funds. You may also qualify for sales charge discounts or waivers through certain financial
intermediaries. More information about these and other discounts is available from your financial professional and in the section entitled
“Shareholder Account Information — Initial Sales Charges (Class A Shares Only)” on page 95 of the Fund’s Prospectus
and in Appendix A, “Sales Charge Reductions and Waivers Available Through Certain Intermediaries,” attached to the Fund’s
Prospectus.
|
|
|
|
Class A Shares |
|
|
Class C Shares |
|
|
Class I Shares |
|
|
Shareholder
Fees (fees
paid directly from your investment): |
|
|
Maximum Sales Charge (Load) Imposed
on Purchases (as a percentage of offering price) |
|
|
|
|
4.75% |
|
|
|
|
|
None |
|
|
|
|
None |
|
|
Maximum Deferred Sales Charge (Load) (as a percentage of
original cost of shares redeemed) |
|
|
None (1)
|
|
|
|
|
1.00% |
(2) |
|
|
|
|
None |
|
|
Annual
Fund Operating Expenses (expenses
that you pay each year as a percentage of the value of your investment): |
|
|
Management Fees |
|
|
|
|
0.85% |
|
|
|
|
|
0.85% |
|
|
|
|
|
0.85% |
|
|
|
Distribution and/or Service (Rule 12b-1) Fees |
|
|
|
|
0.25% |
|
|
|
|
|
1.00% |
|
|
|
|
|
None |
|
|
Other Expenses (3) |
|
|
|
|
4.15% |
|
|
|
|
|
4.15% |
|
|
|
|
|
4.15% |
|
|
|
Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses |
|
|
|
|
5.25% |
|
|
|
|
|
6.00% |
|
|
|
|
|
5.00% |
|
|
|
Less Fee Waiver and/or Expense
Reimbursement |
|
|
|
|
(4.00%) |
|
|
|
|
|
(4.00%) |
|
|
|
|
|
(4.00%) |
|
|
|
Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses
After Fee Waiver and/or Expense Reimbursement (4) |
|
|
|
|
1.25% |
|
|
|
|
|
2.00% |
|
|
|
|
|
1.00% |
|
|
(1)
?
(2)
?
(3)
?
(4)
Brookfield
Public Securities Group LLC, the Fund’s investment adviser (the “Adviser”), has contractually agreed to waive all or
a portion of its investment advisory or administration fees and/or to reimburse certain expenses of the Fund to the extent necessary to
maintain the Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses After Fee Waiver and/or Expense Reimbursement (excluding any front- end or contingent
deferred sales loads, brokerage commissions and other transactional expenses, acquired fund fees and expenses, interest, taxes, such as
deferred income tax expenses, and extraordinary expenses, such as litigation; and other expenses not incurred in the ordinary course of
the Fund’s business) at no more than 1.25% for Class A Shares, 2.00% for Class C Shares, and 1.00% for Class I Shares. The fee waiver
and expense reimbursement arrangement will continue until at least April 30, 2024, and may not be terminated by the Fund or the Adviser
before such time. Thereafter, this arrangement may only be terminated or amended to increase the expense cap as of April 30th
of each calendar year, provided that in the case of a termination by the Adviser, the Adviser will provide the Board of Trustees with
written notice of its intention to terminate the arrangement prior to the expiration of its then current term.
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. Although
your actual costs may be higher or lower, based on these assumptions your costs would be:
|
|
|
|
1 Year |
|
|
3 Years |
|
|
5 Years |
|
|
10 Years |
|
|
Class A Shares |
|
|
|
$ |
596 |
|
|
|
|
$ |
1,631 |
|
|
|
|
|
2,661 |
|
|
|
|
|
5,213 |
|
|
|
Class C Shares |
|
|
|
$ |
303 |
|
|
|
|
$ |
1,427 |
|
|
|
|
|
2,626 |
|
|
|
|
|
5,521 |
|
|
|
Class I Shares |
|
|
|
$ |
102 |
|
|
|
|
$ |
1,142 |
|
|
|
|
|
2,182 |
|
|
|
|
|
4,782 |
|
|
You
would pay the following expenses if you did not redeem your shares:
|
|
|
|
1 Year |
|
|
3 Years |
|
|
5 Years |
|
|
10 Years |
|
|
Class C Shares |
|
|
|
$ |
203 |
|
|
|
|
$ |
1,427 |
|
|
|
|
|
2,626 |
|
|
|
|
|
5,521 |
|
|
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 realized taxes at the fund level. These costs, which are not reflected in annual fund
operating expenses or in the example, affect the Fund’s performance. During the period from February 5, 2022 (commencement of operations)
through December 31, 2022, the portfolio turnover rate of the Fund was 62%
of the average value of its portfolio.
Principal
Investment Strategies
The
Fund seeks to achieve its investment objective by investing at least 80% of its net assets, plus borrowings for investment purposes, in
publicly traded equity securities of global renewables and sustainable infrastructure (“GRSI”) companies listed on a domestic
or foreign exchange, throughout the world, including the United States (the “80% Policy”). As part of the
80% Policy, under normal market conditions, at least 40% of the Fund’s net assets, plus borrowings for investment purposes, will
be invested in publicly traded securities of GRSI companies whose primary operations or principal trading market is in a foreign market,
and that are not subject to the requirements of the U.S. securities laws, markets and accounting requirements, and the Fund will maintain
exposure to securities of GRSI companies in the United States and in at least three countries outside the United States. The Fund
considers an issuer’s “primary operations” to be in a foreign market if the issuer (i) is organized under the laws of
that country, or (ii) derives at least 50% of its revenues or profits from goods produced or sold, investments made, services performed,
or has at least 50% of its assets located within that country. The Fund may also invest, as a principal strategy, up to 25% of its
net assets in GRSI companies organized as master limited partnerships (“MLPs”).
The Fund may change the 80% Policy
without shareholder approval. The Fund will provide shareholders with written notice at least 60 days prior to the implementation of any
such changes.
The Fund defines a GRSI company as
any company that has assets that are, or is a technology and service provider engaged with, wind, solar and other forms of clean power,
battery & storage technology, electric vehicles and electrification technology, integral to technology and infrastructure (such as
electricity transmission and distribution assets), behind-the-meter / energy efficiency, smart grid technology, integrated software technology,
data storage and transmission technology, and water and waste infrastructure pertaining to the circular economy (e.g.,
recycling). The circular economy concept (i) recognizes the importance of a sustainable economic system and represents an alternative
economic model to the default “make-use-throw away” approach of consumption, which is believed to be unsustainable given scarce
resources and the rising cost of managing waste, and (ii) promotes the redesign of products and systems to minimize waste and to enable
greater recycling and reuse of materials. GRSI companies are primarily focused in these areas. The Fund will not invest in issuers that
do not meet this definition.
For purposes of the 80% Policy, the Fund’s
investments in GRSI companies include equity securities of U.S. and non-U.S. companies that have at least 50% of their assets, income,
earnings, sales, or profits committed to, or derived from renewables and sustainable infrastructure.
GRSI companies include the following:
?
•
Wind & Solar (asset owners
& operators, developers, and supply chain (e.g., transportation and logistics companies))
?
•
Clean Power (such as hydroelectric, geothermal and biomass)
?
•
Clean Technology (electrification
of the grid through electric vehicles, grid modernization, energy efficiency, distributed generation, etc.)
?
•
Water Sustainability (water
and wastewater treatment systems & utilities and supply chain (e.g., transportation and logistics
companies))
?
•
Opportunistic transitioning
companies (particularly companies focused on power generation & electrification investments)
The Fund may invest up to 25% of
its net assets, plus borrowings for investment purposes, in publicly traded securities of GRSI companies, whose primary operations or
principal trading market is in an “emerging market.” In selecting the Fund’s emerging market securities, the Adviser
primarily looks to the emerging market countries that are included in the MSCI Emerging Markets Index (USD), which currently include Brazil,
Chile, China, Colombia, Czech Republic, Egypt, Greece, Hungary, India, Indonesia, Korea, Kuwait, Malaysia, Mexico, Peru, Philippines,
Poland, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, South Africa, Taiwan, Thailand, Turkey and the United Arab Emirates. The Fund may invest in securities of
foreign companies in the form of American Depositary Receipts (“ADRs”), Global Depositary Receipts (“GDRs”) and
European Depositary Receipts (“EDRs”). In addition, the Fund may invest up to 15% of its net assets in securities deemed illiquid.
The Fund retains the ability to invest in GRSI companies of any market size capitalization.
Brookfield Public Securities Group
LLC, (“PSG” or the “Adviser”) serves as the investment adviser to the Fund. The Adviser utilizes a fundamental,
bottom-up, value-based selection methodology, taking into account short-term considerations, such as temporary market mispricing, and
long-term considerations, such as values of assets and cash flows. The Adviser also draws upon the expertise and knowledge within Brookfield
Asset Management ULC and its affiliates, which provide extensive owner/operator insights into industry drivers and trends. The Adviser
takes a balanced approach to investing, seeking to mitigate risk through diversification, credit analysis, economic analysis and review
of sector and industry trends. The Adviser uses proprietary research to select individual securities that it believes can add value from
income and/or the potential for capital appreciation. The proprietary research may include an assessment of a company’s general
financial condition, its competitive positioning and management strength, as well as industry characteristics and other factors. The Fund
may sell a security that becomes overvalued or no longer offers an attractive risk/reward profile. A security may also be sold due to
changes in portfolio strategy or cash flow needs. The allocation of capital across asset classes and strategies will vary upon market
opportunity and other factors.
Under normal market conditions, the
Fund will invest more than 25% of its total assets in the renewable and sustainable infrastructure industry. The policy of concentration
is a fundamental policy. This fundamental policy may not be changed without the approval of the holders of a majority of the Fund’s
outstanding voting securities, as defined in the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the “1940 Act”).
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 following summarizes the principal risks that have been identified for the Fund.
Inflation
Risk. Inflation risk is the risk that the value
of assets or income from investments will be worth less in the future as inflation decreases the value of money. As inflation increases,
the real value of the Fund’s shares and distributions thereon can decline. Inflation risk is linked to increases in the prices of
goods and services and a decrease in the purchasing power of money. Since the beginning of 2021, inflation has risen at its highest rate
in four decades in the U.S. Inflation may reduce the intrinsic value of an investment in the Fund. While the Biden Administration and
the Federal Reserve have made efforts to reduce the effects of inflation on the U.S. economy and financial markets, the mitigating effects
of such efforts are uncertain.
Recent
Market, Economic and Social Developments Risk. Periods
of market volatility remain, and may continue to occur in the future, in response to various political, social and economic events both
within and outside the United States. These conditions have resulted in, and in many cases continue to result in, greater price volatility,
less liquidity, widening credit spreads and a lack of price transparency, with many securities remaining illiquid and of uncertain value.
Such market conditions may adversely affect the Fund, including by making valuation of some of the Fund’s securities uncertain and/or
result in sudden and significant valuation increases or declines in the Fund’s holdings. If there is a significant decline in the
value of the Fund’s portfolio, this may impact the asset coverage levels for the Fund’s outstanding leverage.
Risks
resulting from any future debt or other economic crisis could also have a detrimental impact on the global economic recovery, the financial
condition of financial institutions and the Fund’s business, financial condition and results of operation. Market and economic disruptions
have affected, and may in the future affect, consumer confidence levels and spending, personal bankruptcy rates, levels of incurrence
and default on consumer debt and home prices, among other factors. To the extent uncertainty regarding the U.S. or global economy negatively
impacts consumer confidence and consumer credit factors, the Fund’s business, financial condition and results of operations could
be significantly and adversely affected. Downgrades to the credit ratings of major banks could result in increased borrowing costs for
such banks and negatively affect the broader economy. Moreover, Federal Reserve policy, including with respect to certain interest rates,
may also adversely affect the value, volatility and liquidity of dividend- and interest-paying securities. Market volatility, rising interest
rates and/or unfavorable economic conditions could impair the Fund’s ability to achieve its investment objective.
GRSI
Risk. GRSI companies, as defined by the Fund, may
be subject to a variety of factors that may adversely affect their business or operations, including high interest costs in connection
with capital construction programs, high leverage, costs associated with environmental and other regulations, the effects of economic
slowdown, surplus capacity, increased competition from other providers of services, uncertainties concerning the availability of fuel
at reasonable prices, the effects of energy conservation policies and other factors. While many of the risks below could be present with
respect to other investments, these risks may be particularly important to investments in GRSI companies.
Environmental
Risk. GRSI assets may be subject to numerous laws,
rules and regulations relating to environmental protection. Under various environmental statutes, rules and regulations, a current or
previous owner or operator of real property may be liable for non-compliance with applicable environmental and health and safety requirements
and for the costs of investigation, monitoring, removal or remediation of hazardous materials. These laws often impose liability, whether
or not the owner or operator knew of or was responsible for the presence of hazardous materials. The presence of these hazardous materials
on a property could also result in personal injury or property damage or similar claims by private parties. Persons who arrange for the
disposal or treatment of hazardous materials may also be liable for the costs of removal or remediation of these materials at the disposal
or treatment facility, whether or not that facility is or ever was owned or operated by that person. The Fund may be exposed to substantial
risk of loss from environmental claims arising in respect of its investments, and such loss may exceed the value of such investments.
Furthermore, changes in environmental laws or in the environmental condition of a portfolio investment may create liabilities that did
not exist at the time of acquisition of an investment and that could not have been foreseen. For example, new environmental regulations
may create costly compliance procedures for GRSI assets.
Renewable
and Sustainable Infrastructure Risk. Renewable
and sustainable infrastructure companies may be subject to a variety of factors that may adversely affect their business or operations,
including high interest costs in connection with capital construction programs, high leverage, costs associated with environmental and
other regulations, the effects of economic slowdown, surplus capacity, increased competition from other providers of services, uncertainties
concerning the availability of fuel at reasonable prices, the effects of energy conservation policies and other factors. Some of the specific
risks that renewable and sustainable infrastructure companies may be particularly affected by, or subject to, include the following: regulatory
risk, technology risk, regional or geographic risk, natural disasters risk, through-put risk, project risk, strategic asset risk, operation
risk, customer risk, interest rate risk, inflation risk and financing risk. Renewable and sustainable infrastructure companies may also
be subject to higher risk of government regulation.
Concentration
Risk. Because the Fund will invest more than 25%
of its total assets in the securities of issuers directly or indirectly engaged in the renewable and sustainable infrastructure industry,
the Fund may be subject to greater volatility with respect to its portfolio securities than a fund that does not concentrate its investments.
MLP
Risk. An MLP that invests in a particular industry
(e.g., oil and gas) will be harmed by detrimental economic events within that industry. As partnerships,
MLPs may be subject to less regulation (and less protection for investors) under state laws than corporations. MLPs benefit from various
tax provisions that may not be available in the future. In addition, MLPs may be subject to state taxation in certain jurisdictions, which
may reduce the amount of income an MLP pays to its investors.
Adviser
Investment Risk. The Adviser and its affiliates
(each, an “Adviser Investor”) may, from time to time, own a significant amount of the Fund’s shares (an “Adviser
Investment”). An Adviser Investor may make an Adviser Investment to enable the Fund to reach critical mass or because the Adviser
Investor has capital to invest and wants exposure to the Fund’s investment strategy or for other reasons. If an Adviser Investment
is substantial relative to the Fund’s overall asset size, a partial or complete redemption of the Adviser Investment, which may
occur at any time, including at the time of other inflows or outflows, may have a material adverse effect on the Fund’s expense
ratio, portfolio turnover and the overall ability to manage the Fund. The Adviser Investor reserves the right to redeem its Adviser Investment
at any time in accordance with applicable law in its sole and absolute discretion.
Political
Risks Relating to Russia’s Invasion of Ukraine. Russia
began its invasion of Ukraine in February 2022. The invasion significantly amplified already existing geopolitical tensions among Russia,
Ukraine, Europe, NATO and the United States. Russia’s military invasion of Ukraine, the resulting responses by the United States
and other countries, and the potential for wider conflict has increased volatility and uncertainty in the financial markets, specifically
on companies in the oil and gas sector, finance and resource extraction.
The
ramifications of the hostilities and sanctions, however, may not be limited to Russia. Conflict between Ukraine and Russia is likely to
negatively impact other regional and global economic markets (including Europe, Asia and the United States), companies in other countries
(particularly those that have exposure to Russia and Ukraine) and on various sectors, industries and markets for securities and commodities
globally, such as oil and natural gas and banking.
Health
Crisis Risk. An outbreak of an infectious respiratory
illness, COVID-19, caused by a novel coronavirus has resulted in travel restrictions, disruption of healthcare systems, prolonged quarantines,
cancellations, supply chain disruptions, lower consumer demand, layoffs, ratings downgrades, defaults and other significant economic impacts.
Certain markets have experienced temporary closures, extreme volatility, severe losses, reduced liquidity and increased trading costs.
In particular, COVID-19 has resulted in substantial market volatility and global business disruption, impacting the global economy and
the financial health of individual companies in significant and unforeseen ways. The duration and future impact of COVID-19 are currently
unknown, which may exacerbate other types of risks that apply to the Fund and negatively impact Fund performance and the value of
your investment in
the Fund. It is not possible to determine the ultimate impact of COVID-19 at this time. Further, the extent and strength of any economic
recovery after the COVID-19 pandemic abates is uncertain and subject to various factors and conditions, including the emergence of other
infectious illness outbreaks that may have similar impacts. Accordingly, an investment in the Fund is subject to an elevated degree of
risk as compared to other market environments.
Emerging
Markets Risk. Securities of companies in emerging
markets may be more volatile than those of companies in more developed markets. Emerging market countries generally have less developed
markets and economies and, in some countries, less mature governments and governmental institutions. Investing in securities of companies
in emerging markets may entail special risks relating to potential economic, political or social instability and the risks of expropriation,
nationalization, confiscation or the imposition of restrictions on foreign investment, the lack of hedging instruments, and on repatriation
of capital invested. In addition, the availability and reliability of information material to an investment decision, particularly financial
information from these companies in emerging markets, may be limited in comparison to the scope and reliability of financial information
provided by U.S. companies.
Foreign
(Non-U.S.) Securities Risk. Risks of investing
in foreign securities include currency risks, future political and economic developments and possible imposition of foreign withholding
taxes on income payable on the securities. In addition, there may be less publicly available information about a foreign issuer than about
a domestic issuer, and foreign issuers may not be subject to the same accounting, auditing and financial recordkeeping standards and requirements
as domestic issuers.
Foreign
Currency Risk. The Fund will invest in instruments
denominated in U.S. and foreign currencies.The Fund’s net asset value (“NAV”) could decline as a result of changes in
the exchange rates between foreign currencies in which a security is denominated and the U.S. dollar. Certain foreign countries may impose
restrictions on the ability of issuers of foreign securities to make payment of principal and interest to investors located outside the
country, due to blockage of foreign currency exchanges or otherwise.
Equity
Securities Risk. Equity securities represent an
ownership interest in an issuer, rank junior in a company’s capital structure to debt securities and consequently may entail greater
risk of loss than debt securities. Equity securities are subject to the risk that stock prices may rise and fall in periodic cycles and
may perform poorly relative to other investments. This risk may be greater in the short term.
Investment
Risk. An investment in the Fund is subject to investment
risk, including the possible loss of the entire principal amount that you invest.
Issuer
Risk. Issuer risk is the risk that the value of
a security may decline for a reason directly related to the issuer, such as management performance, financial leverage and reduced demand
for the issuer’s goods or service.
Management
Risk. The Fund has an actively managed portfolio.
The Adviser applies investment techniques and risk analyses in making investment decisions for the Fund, but there can be no guarantee
that these will produce the desired results.
Portfolio
Selection Risk. The Adviser’s judgment about
the quality, relative yield, relative value or market trends affecting a particular sector or region, market segment, security or about
interest rates generally may prove to be incorrect.
Geopolitical
Risk. Occurrence of global events such as war,
terrorist attacks, natural disasters, country instability, infectious disease epidemics, pandemics and other public health issues, market
instability, debt crises and downgrades, embargoes, tariffs, sanctions and other trade barriers and other governmental trade or market
control programs, the potential exit of a country from its respective union and related geopolitical events, may result in market volatility
and may have long-lasting impacts on both the U.S. and global financial markets. Additionally, those events, as well as other changes
in foreign and domestic political and economic conditions, could adversely affect individual issuers or related groups of issuers, securities
markets, interest rates, secondary trading, credit ratings, inflation, investor sentiment and other factors affecting the value of the
Fund’s investments.
Preferred
Securities Risk. There are various risks associated
with investing in preferred securities, including credit risk, interest rate risk, deferral and omission of distributions, subordination
to bonds and other debt securities in a company’s capital structure, limited liquidity, limited voting rights and special redemption
rights.
Market
Risk. Global economies and financial markets are
increasingly interconnected, which increases the likelihood that events or conditions in one country or region will adversely impact markets
or issuers in other countries or regions. Securities in the Fund’s portfolio may underperform in comparison to securities in general
financial markets, a particular financial market, or other asset classes due to a number of factors, including inflation (or expectations
for inflation), deflation (or expectations for deflation), interest rates, global demand for particular products or resources, market
instability, debt crises and downgrades, embargoes, tariffs, sanctions and other trade barriers, regulatory events, other governmental
trade or market control programs and related geopolitical events. In addition, the value of the Fund’s investments may be negatively
affected by the occurrence of global events such as war, terrorism, environmental disasters, natural disasters or events, country instability,
and infectious disease epidemics or pandemics. For example, the outbreak of COVID-19, a novel coronavirus disease, has negatively affected
economies, markets and individual companies throughout the world, including those in which the Fund may invest. The effects of this pandemic
to public health and business and market conditions, including exchange trading suspensions and closures, may continue to have a significant
negative impact on the performance of the Fund’s investments, increase the Fund’s volatility, exacerbate pre-existing political,
social and economic risks to the Fund, and negatively impact broad segments of businesses and populations. The Fund’s operations
may be interrupted as a result, which may contribute to the negative impact on investment performance. In addition, governments, their
regulatory agencies, or self-regulatory organizations may take actions in response to the pandemic that affect the instruments in which
the Fund invests, or the issuers of such instruments, in ways that could have a significant negative impact on the Fund’s investment
performance. The full impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, or other future epidemics or pandemics, is currently unknown.
New
Fund Risk. The Fund is new with limited operating
history and there can be no assurance that the Fund will grow or maintain an economically viable size, in which case the Board of the
Fund may determine to liquidate the Fund.
Liquidity
Risk. Derivative instruments, including options
and swaps, especially when traded in large amounts, may not be liquid in all circumstances, so that in volatile markets the Fund may not
be able to close out a position without incurring a loss. In addition, daily limits on price fluctuations and speculative position limits
on exchanges on which the Fund may conduct its transactions in derivative instruments may prevent profitable liquidation of positions,
subjecting the Fund to the potential of greater losses.
The
Fund’s shares will change in value, and you could lose money by investing in the Fund. The Fund may not achieve
its investment objective. An investment in the Fund is not a deposit
with a bank and is not insured or guaranteed by the FDIC or any other government agency.
Performance
The
accompanying bar chart and table provide some indication of the risks of investing in the Fund by showing the performance history of Brookfield
Global Renewables & Sustainable Infrastructure LP (the “Predecessor Fund”). As of the close of business
on February 4, 2022, the Fund acquired all of the assets, subject to liabilities, of the Predecessor Fund through a tax-free reorganization
(the “Reorganization”). In connection with the Reorganization, shares of the Predecessor Fund were exchanged for Class I Shares
of the Fund. The Predecessor Fund was an unregistered limited partnership, did not qualify as a regulated investment company for federal
income purposes and did not have a distribution policy (i.e., the Predecessor Fund did not pay
dividends and distributions). As a result of the different tax treatment, after-tax returns for the Predecessor Fund are not shown. Figures
shown in the bar chart reflect the performance history of the Predecessor Fund and do not reflect sales charges. If sales charges were
reflected, returns would be less than these shown. The performance table shows how the Predecessor Fund’s average
annual total returns for one-year and since inception compare with those of the MSCI World Index, a broad measure of market performance.
As a result of the Reorganization, the Fund’s Class I Shares adopted the Predecessor Fund’s performance history. The Fund’s
Class A and Class C Shares would have
substantially similar returns because the shares are invested in the
same portfolio of securities, and the returns would differ only to the extent that the classes do not have the same expenses. Updated
performance information is available on the Fund’s website at
https://publicsecurities.brookfield.com/en
or by calling 1-855-244-4859.
Class I Shares(1)
Period Returns as
of December 31
?
(1)
Figures do
not reflect sales charges. If they did, returns would be lower. Reflects the performance information from the inception date of the Predecessor
Fund (October 1, 2019). The Class A Shares and Class C Shares would have substantially similar returns because the shares are invested
in the same portfolio of securities, and the returns would differ only to the extent that the classes do not have the same expenses.
During the period of time shown in
the bar chart, the highest return for a calendar quarter
was 38.61%
(quarter ended December
31, 2020) and the lowest return for a calendar quarter
was -11.82%
(quarter ended March
31, 2020).
|
Average
Annual Total Returns for the periods ended December 31, 2022, with maximum sales charge, if applicable |
|
|
|
|
|
One Year |
|
|
Since Inception (1)
|
|
|
Class I Shares |
|
|
Return Before Taxes |
|
|
|
|
(13.10)% |
|
|
|
|
|
10.69% |
|
|
|
Return After Taxes on Distributions |
|
|
|
|
(13.25)% |
|
|
|
|
|
10.63% |
|
|
|
Return After Taxes on Distributions and Sale of Fund Shares |
|
|
|
|
(7.45)% |
|
|
|
|
|
8.40% |
|
|
|
Class A Shares |
|
|
Return Before Taxes |
|
|
|
|
(17.42)% |
|
|
|
|
|
8.79% |
|
|
|
Class C Shares |
|
|
Return Before Taxes |
|
|
|
|
(14.76)% |
|
|
|
|
|
9.66% |
|
|
|
MSCI World Index (2) |
|
|
|
|
(17.73)% |
|
|
|
|
|
8.07% |
|
|
(1)
Prior
to February 4, 2022, the performance information quoted reflects the performance information from the inception date of the Predecessor
Fund (October
1, 2019).
?
(2)
Management
Investment
Adviser: Brookfield Public Securities Group LLC
Portfolio
Managers: Iñigo Mijangos, Director and Portfolio
Manager, and Joseph Idaszak, Director and Portfolio Manager, both of Brookfield Public Securities Group LLC, are jointly and primarily
responsible for the day-to-day management of the Fund. Mr. Mijangos has served as a Portfolio Manager of the Fund since its inception,
and Mr. Idaszak has served as a Portfolio Manager of the Fund since March 2022.
Purchase and Sale of Fund Shares
Class: A GRSAX,
C GRSCX, I GRSIX
You may purchase, redeem or exchange Fund shares
on any business day by written request via mail (Brookfield Global Renewables & Sustainable Infrastructure Fund, c/o U.S. Bancorp
Fund Services, LLC (d/b/a U.S. Bank Global Fund Services), P.O. Box 701, Milwaukee, WI 53201-0701), by wire transfer or by telephone at
1-855-244-4859, or through a broker-dealer or other financial intermediary. The minimum initial investment for Class A and C is $1,000
and the minimum for additional investments is $100. The minimum initial investment for Class I is $1 million and there is no minimum for
additional Class I investments.
Class I Shares are (1) offered at
net asset value, (2) sold without a front-end sales load, (3) offered to foundations, endowments, institutions, and employee benefit plans
acquiring shares directly from the Fund’s distributor or from a financial intermediary with whom the Fund’s distributor has
entered into an agreement expressly authorizing the sale by such intermediary of Class I Shares and whose initial investment is not less
than the initial minimum amount set forth in this Prospectus from time to time, (4) available through certain “wrap,” retirement
and other programs sponsored by certain financial intermediaries with whom the Fund and its distributor have entered into an agreement,
as well as employees, officers, and trustees of the Trust, the Adviser and its affiliates and their immediate family members (i.e.,
spouse, domestic partner, parents, grandparents, children, grandchildren and siblings (including step and in-law)) of any of the above,
as set forth in this Prospectus, and (5) not subject to ongoing distribution fees or service fees. The Fund may accept, in its sole discretion,
investments in Class I Shares from purchasers not listed above or that do not meet the investment minimum requirement.
Tax Information
The Fund’s distributions are
generally taxable to you as ordinary income, capital gains, or some combination of both, unless you are investing through a tax-deferred
arrangement, such as a 401(k) plan or individual retirement account.
Payments to Broker-Dealers and Other
Financial Intermediaries
If you purchase shares of the Fund
through a broker-dealer or other financial intermediary (such as a bank), the Fund, the Adviser and the Fund’s distributor or its
related companies may pay the intermediary for the sale of Fund shares and related services. These payments may create a conflict of interest
by influencing the broker-dealer or other intermediary and your salesperson or financial adviser to recommend the Fund over another investment.
Ask your salesperson or visit your financial intermediary’s website for more information.
Brookfield Real Assets Securities
Fund
Investment
Objective
The Brookfield Real Assets Securities Fund (the “Fund,”
or the “Real Assets Securities Fund”) seeks total return, which is targeted to be in excess of inflation, through growth of
capital and current income.
Fees
and Expenses of the Fund
This table describes the fees and
expenses that you may pay if you buy, hold and sell shares of the Fund. You may pay other fees, such as brokerage commissions and other
fees to financial intermediaries, which are not reflected in the tables and examples below. You
may qualify for sales charge discounts if you and your family invest, or agree to invest in the future, at least $50,000
in the Brookfield Investment Funds. You may also qualify for sales charge discounts or waivers through certain financial
intermediaries. More information about these and other discounts is available from your financial professional and in the section entitled
“Shareholder Account Information — Initial Sales Charges (Class A Shares Only)” on page 95 of the Fund’s Prospectus
and in Appendix A, “Sales Charge Reductions and Waivers Available Through Certain Intermediaries,” attached to the Fund’s
Prospectus.
|
|
|
|
Class A Shares
|
|
|
Class C Shares
|
|
|
Class I Shares
|
|
|
Shareholder
Fees (fees
paid directly from your investment): |
|
|
Maximum Sales Charge (Load) Imposed on Purchases (as
a percentage of offering price) |
|
|
|
|
4.75% |
|
|
|
|
|
None |
|
|
|
|
None |
|
|
Maximum Deferred Sales Charge (Load) (as a percentage of original cost
of shares redeemed) |
|
|
None (1)
|
|
|
|
|
1.00% |
(2) |
|
|
|
|
None |
|
|
Annual
Fund Operating Expenses (expenses
that you pay each year as a percentage of the value of your investment): |
|
|
Management Fees |
|
|
|
|
0.75% |
|
|
|
|
|
0.75% |
|
|
|
|
|
0.75% |
|
|
|
Distribution and/or Service (12b-1) Fees |
|
|
|
|
0.25% |
|
|
|
|
|
1.00% |
|
|
|
|
|
None |
|
|
Other Expenses |
|
|
|
|
0.70%
|
|
|
|
|
|
0.75%
|
|
|
|
|
|
0.66%
|
|
|
|
Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses |
|
|
|
|
1.70%
|
|
|
|
|
|
2.50%
|
|
|
|
|
|
1.41%
|
|
|
|
Less Fee Waiver and/or Expense
Reimbursement (3) |
|
|
|
|
(0.55)%
|
|
|
|
|
|
(0.60)%
|
|
|
|
|
|
(0.51)%
|
|
|
|
Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses
After Fee Waiver and/or Expense Reimbursement (3) |
|
|
|
|
1.15% |
|
|
|
|
|
1.90% |
|
|
|
|
|
0.90% |
|
|
(1)
(2)
?
(3)
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 (taking into account the expense
limitation for the first year). Although
your actual costs may be higher or lower, based on these assumptions your costs would be:
|
|
|
|
1 Year
|
|
|
3 Years
|
|
|
5 Years
|
|
|
10 Years
|
|
|
Class A Shares |
|
|
|
$ |
587 |
|
|
|
|
$ |
934
|
|
|
|
|
$ |
1,305
|
|
|
|
|
$ |
2,345
|
|
|
|
Class C Shares |
|
|
|
$ |
293 |
|
|
|
|
$ |
721
|
|
|
|
|
$ |
1,277
|
|
|
|
|
$ |
2,791
|
|
|
|
Class I Shares |
|
|
|
$ |
92 |
|
|
|
|
$ |
396
|
|
|
|
|
$ |
722
|
|
|
|
|
$ |
1,647 |
|
|
You
would pay the following expenses if you did not redeem your shares:
|
|
|
|
1 Year
|
|
|
3 Years
|
|
|
5 Years
|
|
|
10 Years
|
|
|
Class C Shares |
|
|
|
$ |
193 |
|
|
|
|
$ |
721 |
|
|
|
|
$ |
1,277
|
|
|
|
|
$ |
2,791 |
|
|
Portfolio
Turnover
The Fund pays transaction costs, such
as commissions, when it buys and sells securities (or “turns over” its portfolio). A higher portfolio turnover rate may indicate
higher transaction costs and may result in higher taxes when Fund shares are held in a taxable account. These costs, which are not reflected
in annual fund operating expenses or in the example, affect the Fund’s performance. For the fiscal year ended December 31, 2022,
the Fund’s portfolio turnover rate was 92%
of the average value of its portfolio.
Principal
Investment Strategies
The Fund seeks to achieve its investment objective by investing
in the “real assets” asset class, which includes the following categories:
•
real estate securities;
•
infrastructure securities; and
•
natural resources securities (collectively, “Real Asset
Securities”).
Under normal market conditions, the Fund will invest at
least 80% of its net assets (plus any borrowings for investment purposes) in Real Asset Securities (the “80% Policy”). The
Fund may purchase both equity and fixed income securities. The Fund actively trades portfolio securities. The Fund may invest in securities
of companies or issuers of any size market capitalization. The Fund will invest in companies or issuers located throughout the world and
there is no limitation on the Fund’s investments in foreign securities or in emerging markets.
The Fund may change the 80% Policy without shareholder approval.
The Fund will provide shareholders with written notice at least 60 days prior to the implementation of any change to the 80% Policy.
In managing the Fund, the Adviser will determine the Fund’s
strategic asset allocation. The Fund has flexibility in the relative weightings given to each of these categories. In addition, the Fund
may, in the future, invest in additional investment categories other than those listed herein, to the extent consistent with the Fund’s
investment objective.
The Fund may invest in common, convertible and preferred
stock, restricted (“144A”) or private securities, asset-backed securities (“ABS”) including ABS that are backed
by interest in real estate or land, mortgage-backed securities (“MBS”) of any kind, interests in loans and/or whole loan pools
of mortgages, mortgage real estate investment trusts (“mortgage REITs”), investment grade fixed income securities, high yield
fixed income securities (“junk bonds”), collateralized loan obligations (“CLOs”), bank loans (including participations,
assignments, senior loans, delayed funding loans and revolving credit facilities), open-end and closed-end
investment companies, including exchange-traded funds (“ETFs”), exchange-traded
notes (“ETNs”), and securities issued and/or guaranteed by the U.S. Government, its agencies or instrumentalities or sponsored
corporations, as described in this Prospectus. The Fund may invest in fixed income securities of any maturity. The Fund’s investments
in MBS may include residential MBS (“RMBS”) or commercial MBS (“CMBS”).
The Fund defines a real estate security as any security
tied to a company or issuer that (i) derives at least 50% of its revenues from the ownership, operation, development, construction, financing,
management, or sale of commercial, industrial, or residential real estate and similar activities, or (ii) commits at least 50% of its
assets to activities related to real estate.
For purposes of selecting investments in real estate securities,
the Fund defines the real estate sector broadly. It includes, but is not limited to, the following:
•
real estate investment trusts (“REITs”);
•
real estate operating companies (“REOCs”);
•
firms dependent on real estate
holdings for revenues and profits, including lodging, leisure, timber, mining, and agriculture companies; and
•
debt securities, including
securitized obligations, which are predominantly supported by real estate assets.
REITs are companies that own interests in real estate
or in real estate related loans or other interests, and their revenue primarily consists of rent derived from owned, income producing
real estate properties and capital gains from the sale of such properties. A REIT in the United States is generally not taxed on income
distributed to shareholders so long as it meets tax-related requirements, including the requirement that it distribute substantially all
of its taxable income to its shareholders.
REOCs are real estate companies that have not elected
to be taxed as REITs and therefore are not required to distribute taxable income and have fewer restrictions on what they can invest in.
The Fund defines an infrastructure security as any security
tied to a company or issuer that (i) derives at least 50% of its revenue or profits, either directly or indirectly, from infrastructure
assets, or (ii) commits at least 50% of its assets to activities related to infrastructure.
For purposes of selecting investments in infrastructure
securities, the Fund defines the infrastructure sector broadly. It includes, but is not limited to, the physical structures, networks,
and systems of:
•
transportation;
•
energy;
•
water and sewage; and
•
communication.
Infrastructure securities also includes master limited partnerships
(“MLPs”).
From time to time, the Fund may invest in stapled securities
to gain exposure to infrastructure companies in Australia. A stapled security, which is widely used in Australia, is a security that is
comprised of two parts that cannot be separated from one another. The two parts of a stapled security are a unit of a trust and a share
of a company. The resulting security is influenced by both parts and must be treated as one unit at all times, such as when buying or
selling the security.
The Fund defines a natural resources security as any security
tied to a company or issuer that (i) derives at least 50% of its revenues, profits, or value, either directly or indirectly, from natural
resources assets, including, but not limited to:
•
timber and agriculture;
•
metals, including, but not limited
to, precious metals, such as gold, silver, and platinum; ferrous and nonferrous metals, such as iron, aluminum, and copper; and metals
such as uranium and titanium; and
•
energy, including the exploration, production, processing, and manufacturing
of hydrocarbon-related and chemical-related products; and
•
commodities and commodity-linked
assets and securities to gain exposure to the commodities markets without investing directly in physical commodities; or
(ii) provides supporting services to such natural resources companies or issuers.
For purposes of investments in natural resources assets,
the Fund may use commodities and commodity-linked assets and securities to gain exposure to the commodities markets without investing
directly in physical commodities. Commodities are assets that have tangible properties, such as oil, coal, natural gas, agricultural products,
industrial metals, livestock, and precious metals.
The Fund may use futures and options on securities, indices,
commodities, and currencies, forward foreign currency exchange contracts, swaps, and other derivatives. A derivative is a security or
instrument whose value is determined by reference to the value or the change in value of one or more securities, currencies, indices,
or other financial instruments. The Fund may use derivatives for a variety of purposes, including:
•
as a hedge against adverse changes
in the market prices of securities, interest rates or currency exchange rates;
•
as a substitute for purchasing or selling securities;
•
to increase the Fund’s return as a non-hedging strategy
that may be considered speculative; and
•
to manage the Fund’s portfolio characteristics.
Outside of its investments in real asset securities, the
Fund may invest up to 20% of its net assets in equities or fixed income securities other than the types described above, including in
Treasury Inflation Protected Securities (“TIPS”) and other inflation-linked fixed income securities.
Asset allocation decisions will be
made by Larry Antonatos and Gaal Surugeon. The Adviser employs a top-down macroeconomic perspective complemented by a bottom-up sector
valuation methodology when determining asset allocation. For security selection, the Adviser utilizes a fundamental, bottom-up, value-based
selection methodology, taking into account short-term considerations, such as temporary market mispricing, and long-term considerations,
such as values of assets and cash flows. The Adviser also draws upon the expertise and knowledge within Brookfield Asset Management ULC
and its affiliates, which provides extensive owner/operator insights into industry drivers and trends. The Adviser takes a balanced approach
to investing, seeking to mitigate risk through diversification, credit analysis, economic analysis and review of sector and industry trends.
The Adviser uses proprietary research to select individual securities that it believes can add value from income and/or the potential
for capital appreciation. The proprietary research may include an assessment of a company’s general financial condition, its competitive
positioning and management strength, as well as industry characteristics and other factors. The Fund may sell a security that becomes
overvalued or no longer offers an attractive risk/reward profile. A security may also be sold due to changes in portfolio strategy or
cash flow needs.
No assurance can be given that the Fund’s investment
objective will be achieved. The Fund’s policy of concentration in investments offering exposure to real assets, which includes real
estate securities, infrastructure securities and natural resource securities as defined in this Prospectus, is a fundamental policy of
the Fund. This fundamental policy may not be changed without the approval of the holders of a majority of the Fund’s outstanding
voting securities, as defined in the 1940 Act.
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 following summarizes the principal risks that have been identified for the Fund.
Inflation
Risk. Inflation risk is the risk that the value
of assets or income from investments will be worth less in the future as inflation decreases the value of money. As inflation increases,
the real value of the Fund’s shares and distributions thereon can decline. Inflation risk is linked to increases in the prices of
goods and services and a decrease in the purchasing power of money. Since the beginning of 2021, inflation has risen at its highest rate
in four decades in the U.S. Inflation may reduce the intrinsic value of an investment in the Fund. While the Biden Administration and
the Federal Reserve have made efforts to reduce the effects of inflation on the U.S. economy and financial markets, the mitigating effects
of such efforts are uncertain.
Recent
Market, Economic and Social Developments Risk. Periods
of market volatility remain, and may continue to occur in the future, in response to various political, social and economic events both
within and outside the United States. These conditions have resulted in, and in many cases continue to result in, greater price volatility,
less liquidity, widening credit spreads and a lack of price transparency, with many securities remaining illiquid and of uncertain value.
Such market conditions may adversely affect the Fund, including by making valuation of some of the Fund’s securities uncertain and/or
result in sudden and significant valuation increases or declines in the Fund’s holdings. If there is a significant decline in the
value of the Fund’s portfolio, this may impact the asset coverage levels for the Fund’s outstanding leverage.
Risks
resulting from any future debt or other economic crisis could also have a detrimental impact on the global economic recovery, the financial
condition of financial institutions and the Fund’s business, financial condition and results of operation. Market and economic disruptions
have affected, and may in the future affect, consumer confidence levels and spending, personal bankruptcy rates, levels of incurrence
and default on consumer debt and home prices, among other factors. To the extent uncertainty regarding the U.S. or global economy negatively
impacts consumer confidence and consumer credit factors, the Fund’s business, financial condition and results of operations could
be significantly and adversely affected. Downgrades to the credit ratings of major banks could result in increased borrowing costs for
such banks and negatively affect the broader economy. Moreover, Federal Reserve policy, including with respect to certain interest rates,
may also adversely affect the value, volatility and liquidity of dividend- and interest-paying securities. Market volatility, rising interest
rates and/or unfavorable economic conditions could impair the Fund’s ability to achieve its investment objective.
Real
Estate Market Risk. Since the Fund has significant
exposure to companies engaged in the real estate sector, your investment in the Fund will be closely linked to the performance of the
real estate markets. Property values may fall due to increasing vacancies or declining rents resulting from unanticipated economic, legal,
cultural or technological developments. Real estate company prices also may drop because of the failure of borrowers to pay their loans
and poor management, including any potential defects in mortgage documentation or in the foreclosure process. In particular, dramatic
slowdowns in the housing industry, due in part to falling home prices and increasing foreclosures and unemployment, have created strains
on financial institutions. For example, developments relating to sub-prime mortgages have been adversely affecting the willingness of
some lenders to extend credit, in general, which may make it more difficult for companies to obtain financing on attractive terms, or
at all, so that they may commence or complete real estate development projects, refinance completed projects or purchase real estate.
These developments may also adversely affect the price at which companies can sell real estate, because purchasers may not be able to
obtain financing on attractive terms at all. These developments affecting the real estate industry could adversely affect the real estate
securities in which the Fund invests.
REIT
Risk. REITs are dependent upon management skills
and generally may not be diversified. REITs are also subject to heavy cash flow dependency, defaults by borrowers and self-liquidation.
In addition, REITs are subject to numerous qualification requirements and could possibly fail to qualify for pass-through of income treatment
under the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”). Other factors may also adversely affect a borrower’s
or a lessee’s ability to meet its obligations to the REIT. In the event of a default by a borrower or lessee, the REIT may experience
delays in enforcing its rights as a mortgagee or lessor and may incur substantial costs associated with protecting its investments. REITs
may have lower trading volumes and may be subject to more abrupt or erratic price movements than the overall securities markets. Foreign
REIT-like entities will be subject to foreign securities risk (see “Foreign (Non-U.S.) Securities Risk”).
In addition to its own
expenses, the Fund will indirectly bear its proportionate share of any management and other expenses paid by REITs in which it invests.
Many real estate companies, including REITs, utilize leverage.
Infrastructure
Risk. Infrastructure companies may be subject to
a variety of factors that may adversely affect their business or operations, including high interest costs in connection with capital
construction programs, high leverage, costs associated with environmental and other regulations, the effects of economic slowdown, surplus
capacity, increased competition from other providers of services, uncertainties concerning the availability of fuel at reasonable prices,
the effects of energy conservation policies and other factors. Some of the specific risks that infrastructure companies may be particularly
affected by, or subject to, include the following: regulatory risk, technology risk, regional or geographic risk, natural disasters risk,
through-put risk, project risk, strategic asset risk, operation risk, customer risk, interest rate risk, inflation risk and financing
risk.
Natural
Resources Risk. The Fund’s investments in
natural resources securities involve risks. The market value of natural resources securities may be affected by numerous factors, including
events occurring in nature, inflationary pressures and international politics. Because the Fund invests significantly in natural resources
securities, there is the risk that the Fund will perform poorly during a downturn in the natural resource sector. For example, events
occurring in nature (such as earthquakes or fires in prime natural resource areas) and political events (such as coups, military confrontations
or acts of terrorism) can affect the overall supply of a natural resource and the value of companies involved in such natural resource.
Political risks and the other risks to which foreign securities are subject may also affect domestic natural resource companies if they
have significant operations or investments in foreign countries. Rising interest rates and general economic conditions may also affect
the demand for natural resources.
Asset
Allocation Risk. The
Fund is subject to the risk that the Adviser’s selection and weighting of asset classes may cause the Fund to fail to meet its investment
objective, cause the Fund to underperform other funds with a similar investment objective or cause an investor to lose money.
Equity
Securities Risk. Equity securities represent an
ownership interest in an issuer, rank junior in a company’s capital structure to debt securities and consequently may entail greater
risk of loss than debt securities. Equity securities are subject to the risk that stock prices may rise and fall in periodic cycles and
may perform poorly relative to other investments. This risk may be greater in the short term.
Fixed
Income Risk. The prices of fixed income securities
respond to economic developments, particularly interest rate changes, as well as to perceptions about the credit risk of individual issuers.
Increases in interest rates can cause the prices of the Fund’s fixed income securities to decline, and the level of current income
from a portfolio of fixed income securities may decline in certain interest rate environments. These risks may be greater in the current
market environment because interest rates are near historically low levels.
During
periods of very low or negative interest rates, fixed income securities may be unable to maintain positive returns. Interest rates in
the U.S. and many parts of the world, including certain European countries, are at or near historically low levels. Certain European countries
have recently experienced negative interest rates on certain fixed income instruments. Very low or negative interest rates may magnify
interest rate risk. Changing interest rates, including rates that fall below zero, may have unpredictable effects on markets, may result
in heightened market volatility and may detract from Fund performance to the extent the Fund is exposed to such interest rates.
Concentration
Risk. Because the Fund will invest more than 25%
of its net assets (plus the amount of any borrowings for investment purposes) in securities as defined in this Prospectus, the Fund may
be subject to greater volatility with respect to its portfolio securities than a fund that does not concentrate its investments.
Investment
Risk. An investment in the Fund is subject to investment
risk, including the possible loss of the entire principal amount that you invest.
Geopolitical
Risk. Occurrence of global events such as war,
terrorist attacks, natural disasters, country instability, infectious disease epidemics, pandemics and other public health issues, market
instability, debt crises and downgrades, embargoes, tariffs, sanctions and other trade barriers and other governmental trade or market
control programs, the potential exit of a country from its respective union and related geopolitical events, may result in
market volatility and may have long-lasting
impacts on both the U.S. and global financial markets. Additionally, those events, as well as other changes in foreign and domestic political
and economic conditions, could adversely affect individual issuers or related groups of issuers, securities markets, interest rates, secondary
trading, credit ratings, inflation, investor sentiment and other factors affecting the value of the Fund’s investments.
Political
Risks Relating to Russia’s Invasion of Ukraine. Russia
began its invasion of Ukraine in February 2022. The invasion significantly amplified already existing geopolitical tensions among Russia,
Ukraine, Europe, NATO and the United States. Russia’s military invasion of Ukraine, the resulting responses by the United States
and other countries, and the potential for wider conflict has increased volatility and uncertainty in the financial markets, specifically
on companies in the oil and gas sector, finance and resource extraction.
The ramifications
of the hostilities and sanctions, however, may not be limited to Russia. Conflict between Ukraine and Russia is likely to negatively impact
other regional and global economic markets (including Europe, Asia and the United States), companies in other countries (particularly
those that have exposure to Russia and Ukraine) and on various sectors, industries and markets for securities and commodities globally,
such as oil and natural gas and banking.
Health
Crisis Risk. An outbreak of an infectious respiratory
illness, COVID-19, caused by a novel coronavirus has resulted in travel restrictions, disruption of healthcare systems, prolonged quarantines,
cancellations, supply chain disruptions, lower consumer demand, layoffs, ratings downgrades, defaults and other significant economic impacts.
Certain markets have experienced temporary closures, extreme volatility, severe losses, reduced liquidity and increased trading costs.
In particular, COVID-19 has resulted in substantial market volatility and global business disruption, impacting the global economy and
the financial health of individual companies in significant and unforeseen ways. The duration and future impact of COVID-19 are currently
unknown, which may exacerbate other types of risks that apply to the Fund and negatively impact Fund performance and the value of your
investment in the Fund. It is not possible to determine the ultimate impact of COVID-19 at this time. Further, the extent and strength
of any economic recovery after the COVID-19 pandemic abates is uncertain and subject to various factors and conditions, including the
emergence of other infectious illness outbreaks that may have similar impacts. Accordingly, an investment in the Fund is subject to an
elevated degree of risk as compared to other market environments.
Adviser
Investment Risk. The Adviser and its affiliates
(each, an “Adviser Investor”) may, from time to time, own a significant amount of the Fund’s shares (an “Adviser
Investment”). An Adviser Investor may make an Adviser Investment to enable the Fund to reach critical mass or because the Adviser
Investor has capital to invest and wants exposure to the Fund’s investment strategy or for other reasons. If an Adviser Investment
is substantial relative to the Fund’s overall asset size, a partial or complete redemption of the Adviser Investment, which may
occur at any time, including at the time of other inflows or outflows, may have a material adverse effect on the Fund’s expense
ratio, portfolio turnover and the overall ability to manage the Fund. The Adviser Investor reserves the right to redeem its Adviser Investment
at any time in accordance with applicable law in its sole and absolute discretion.
Portfolio
Selection Risk. The Adviser’s judgment about
the quality, relative yield, relative value or market trends affecting a particular sector or region, market segment, security or about
interest rates generally may prove to be incorrect.
Leverage
Risk. Some transactions entered into by the Fund
may give rise to a form of economic leverage. These transactions may include, among others, derivatives, and may expose the Fund to greater
risk and increase its costs. The use of leverage may cause the Fund to liquidate portfolio positions when it may not be advantageous to
do so to satisfy its obligations or to meet any required asset segregation requirements. Increases and decreases in the value of the Fund’s
portfolio will be magnified when the Fund uses leverage.
Issuer
Risk. Issuer risk is the risk that the value of
a security may decline for a reason directly related to the issuer, such as management performance, financial leverage and reduced demand
for the issuer’s goods or service.
Market
Risk. Global economies and financial markets are
increasingly interconnected, which increases the likelihood that events or conditions in one country or region will adversely impact markets
or issuers in other countries or regions. Securities in the Fund’s portfolio may underperform in comparison to securities in general
financial markets, a particular financial market, or other asset classes due to a number of factors, including inflation (or expectations
for inflation), deflation (or expectations for deflation), interest rates, global demand for particular products or resources, market
instability, debt crises and downgrades, embargoes, tariffs, sanctions and other trade barriers, regulatory events, other governmental
trade or market control programs and related geopolitical events. In addition, the value of the Fund’s investments may be negatively
affected by the occurrence of global events such as war, terrorism, environmental disasters, natural disasters or events, country instability,
and infectious disease epidemics or pandemics. For example, the outbreak of COVID-19, a novel coronavirus disease, has negatively affected
economies, markets and individual companies throughout the world, including those in which the Fund may invest. The effects of this pandemic
to public health and business and market conditions, including exchange trading suspensions and closures, may continue to have a significant
negative impact on the performance of the Fund’s investments, increase the Fund’s volatility, exacerbate pre-existing political,
social and economic risks to the Fund, and negatively impact broad segments of businesses and populations. The Fund’s operations
may be interrupted as a result, which may contribute to the negative impact on investment performance. In addition, governments, their
regulatory agencies, or self-regulatory organizations may take actions in response to the pandemic that affect the instruments in which
the Fund invests, or the issuers of such instruments, in ways that could have a significant negative impact on the Fund’s investment
performance. The full impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, or other future epidemics or pandemics, is currently unknown.
Liquidity
Risk. Some securities, including options and swaps,
held by the Fund may be difficult to sell, not publicly traded, or illiquid, particularly during times of market turmoil or adverse investor
perceptions. Such securities may include securities that are not readily marketable and may be difficult to value. If the Fund desires
to sell such securities when a ready buyer is not available at a price that the Fund deems representative of their value, the value of
the Fund could be adversely affected. If the Fund is forced to sell an illiquid asset to meet redemption requests or other cash needs,
the Fund may be forced to sell at a loss.
Construction
and Development Risk. Investments in new or development
stage infrastructure projects, carry the risk that a project may not be completed within budget, within the agreed time frame and to the
agreed specification.
Foreign
(Non-U.S.) Securities Risk. Risks of investing
in foreign securities include currency risks, future political and economic developments and possible imposition of foreign withholding
taxes on income payable on the securities. In addition, there may be less publicly available information about a foreign issuer than about
a domestic issuer, and foreign issuers may not be subject to the same accounting, auditing and financial recordkeeping standards and requirements
as domestic issuers.
Emerging
Markets Risk. Securities of companies in emerging
markets may be more volatile than those of companies in more developed markets. Emerging market countries generally have less developed
markets and economies and, in some countries, less mature governments and governmental institutions. Investing in securities of companies
in emerging markets may entail special risks relating to potential economic, political or social instability and the risks of expropriation,
nationalization, confiscation or the imposition of restrictions on foreign investment, the lack of hedging instruments, and on repatriation
of capital invested. In addition, the availability and reliability of information material to an investment decision, particularly financial
information from these companies in emerging markets, may be limited in comparison to the scope and reliability of financial information
provided by U.S. companies.
Foreign
Currency Risk. The Fund will invest in instruments
denominated in U.S. and foreign currencies. The Fund’s net asset value (“NAV”) could decline as a result of changes
in the exchange rates between foreign currencies in which a security is denominated and the U.S. dollar. Certain foreign countries may
impose restrictions on the ability of issuers of foreign securities to make payment of principal and interest to investors located outside
the country, due to blockage of foreign currency exchanges or otherwise.
Interest
Rate Risk. A rise in interest rates will cause
the price of fixed income securities to fall. Generally, fixed income securities with longer maturities carry greater interest rate risk.
The Fund may be subject to a greater risk of rising interest rates during periods of low rates.
Credit
Risk. An issuer or guarantor of a debt instrument
might be unable or unwilling to meet its financial obligations and might not make interest or principal payments on an instrument when
those payments are due.
Mortgage-Related
and Other Asset-Backed Securities Risk. Mortgage-
and asset-backed securities represent interests in “pools” of mortgages or other assets, including consumer loans or receivables
held in trust. Mortgage- and asset-backed securities are subject to credit, interest rate, prepayment and extension risks. These securities
also are subject to risk of default on the underlying mortgage or asset, particularly during periods of economic downturn. Small movements
in interest rates (both increases and decreases) may quickly and significantly reduce the value of certain mortgage-backed securities.
Prepayment
Risk. The risk that the principal on MBS, other
ABS or any debt security with an embedded call option may be prepaid at any time, which would reduce yield and market value. The rate
of prepayment tends to increase as interest rates fall.
Commodity-Related
Investments Risk. The value of commodities investments
will generally be affected by overall market movements and factors specific to a particular industry or commodity, which may include weather,
embargoes, tariffs, and economic health, political, international regulatory and other developments. Exposure to the commodities markets
may subject the Fund to greater volatility than investments in traditional securities.
Bank
Loans Risk. The market for bank loans may not be
highly liquid and the Fund may have difficulty selling them. These investments expose the Fund to the credit risk of both the financial
institution and the underlying borrower.
MLP
Risk. An MLP that invests in a particular industry
(e.g., oil and gas) will be harmed by detrimental economic events within that industry. As partnerships,
MLPs may be subject to less regulation (and less protection for investors) under state laws than corporations. MLPs benefit from various
tax provisions that may not be available in the future. In addition, MLPs may be subject to state taxation in certain jurisdictions, which
may reduce the amount of income an MLP pays to its investors.
Return
of Capital Risk. The Fund expects to make quarterly
distributions at a level percentage rate regardless of its quarterly performance. All or a portion of such distributions may represent
a return of capital. A return of capital is the portion of the distribution representing the return of your investment in the Fund. A
return of capital is tax-free to the extent of a shareholder’s basis in the Fund’s shares and reduces the shareholder’s
basis to that extent.
Exchange-Traded
Fund Risk. When the Fund invests in an ETF, it
will bear additional expenses based on its pro rata share of the ETF’s operating expenses,
including the potential duplication of management fees. The risk of owning an ETF generally reflects the risks of owning the underlying
securities the ETF holds. Inverse ETFs are subject to the risk that their performance will fall as the value of their benchmark indices
rises. The Fund also will incur brokerage costs when it purchases ETFs.
Exchange-Traded
Note Risk. The value of an ETN may be influenced
by time to maturity, level of supply and demand for the ETN, volatility and lack of liquidity in the underlying securities’ markets,
changes in the applicable interest rates, changes in the issuer’s credit rating and economic, legal, political or geographic events
that affect the referenced index. In addition, the notes issued by ETNs and held by the Fund are unsecured debt of the issuer.
Gold
and Other Precious Metals Risk. Investments related
to gold and other precious metals are considered speculative and are affected by a variety of worldwide economic, financial and political
factors. The price of gold and other precious metals may fluctuate sharply over short periods of time due to changes in inflation or expectations
regarding inflation in various countries, the availability of supplies of gold and other precious metals, changes in industrial and commercial
demand, gold and other precious metals sales by governments, central banks or international agencies, investment speculation, monetary
and other economic policies of various governments and government restrictions on private ownership of gold and other precious metals.
“Junk”
Bond Risk. Debt securities that are below investment
grade, called “junk bonds,” generally offer a higher yield than is offered by higher rated securities, but are speculative,
have a higher risk of default or are already in default, tend to be less liquid and are more difficult to value than higher grade securities.
Junk bonds tend to be volatile and more susceptible to adverse events and negative sentiments.
Redemption
Risk. The Fund may need to sell its holdings in
order to meet shareholder redemption requests. The Fund could experience a loss when selling securities to meet redemption requests if
the redemption requests are unusually large or frequent, occur in times of overall market turmoil or declining prices for the securities
sold, or when the securities the Fund wishes to or is required to sell are illiquid.
Preferred
Securities Risk. There are various risks associated
with investing in preferred securities, including credit risk, interest rate risk, deferral and omission of distributions, subordination
to bonds and other debt securities in a company’s capital structure, limited liquidity, limited voting rights and special redemption
rights.
Derivatives
Risk. The Fund’s use of derivatives may reduce
the Fund’s returns and/or increase volatility. Volatility is defined as the characteristic of a security, an index or a market to
fluctuate significantly in price within a short time period. Derivatives are also subject to counterparty risk, which is the risk that
the other party in the transaction will not fulfill its contractual obligation. The possible lack of a liquid secondary market for derivatives
and the resulting inability of the Fund to sell or otherwise close a derivatives position could expose the Fund to losses and could make
derivatives more difficult for the Fund to value accurately. Valuation may be more difficult in times of market turmoil since many investors
and market makers may be reluctant to purchase complex instruments or quote prices for them. Certain transactions in derivatives involve
substantial leverage risk and may expose the Fund to potential losses that exceed the amount originally invested by the Fund.
Small-
and Mid-Capitalization Risk. The risk that returns
from small- and mid-capitalization stocks may trail returns from the overall stock market. Historically, these stocks have been more volatile
in price than the large-capitalization stocks.
Stapled
Securities Risk. A stapled security is a security
that is comprised of two parts that cannot be separated from one another. The two parts of a stapled security are a unit of a trust and
a share of a company. The resulting security is influenced by both parts, and must be treated as one unit at all times, such as when buying
or selling a security.
The Fund’s shares will change in
value, and you could lose money by investing in the Fund. The Fund may not achieve its investment objective. An
investment in the Fund is not a deposit with a bank and is not insured or guaranteed by the FDIC or any other government agency.
Performance
The
accompanying bar chart and table provide some indication of the risks of investing in the Fund by showing how the Fund’s total return
has varied for annual periods through December 31, 2022, and by showing how the Fund’s average annual total returns for one- and
five-year periods and since inception compare with those of a broad measure of market performance. On March 25, 2021,
the Board of Trustees of Brookfield Investment Funds, on behalf of the Fund, approved a proposal to close the Fund’s Class I Shares
(the “Legacy Class I Shares”). Following the close of business on April 30, 2021, shareholders holding the Legacy Class I
Shares had their shares automatically converted (the “Conversion”) into the Fund’s Class Y Shares (the “Legacy
Class Y Shares”). Following the Conversion, the Fund’s Legacy Class Y Shares were renamed “Class I Shares” (the
“new Class I Shares”). As a result of the Conversion, the Fund’s new Class I Shares adopted the Legacy Class Y Shares’
performance
and accounting history. Figures shown in the bar chart reflect the
performance history of the Fund’s new Class I Shares (i.e., the Legacy Class Y Shares).
The Fund’s Legacy Class I Shares and Legacy Class Y Shares had substantially similar returns because (i) the shares were invested
in the same portfolio of securities; and (ii) the shares had the same expense structure. For periods prior to April 30, 2021, the performance
information for the Fund’s new Class I Shares reflects the performance history of the Legacy Class Y Shares. The
Fund’s performance (before and after taxes) is not an indication of how the Fund will perform in the future. Updated
performance information is available at https://publicsecurities.brookfield.com/en
or by calling 1-855-244-4859.
Class I Shares(1)
Calendar Year Returns as of December 31
(1)
Prior to the
fiscal year ended December 31, 2021, the returns shown in the bar chart are for the Legacy Class Y Shares. The Class A Shares and Class
C Shares would have substantially similar returns because the shares are invested in the same portfolio of securities, and the returns
would differ only to the extent that the classes do not have the same expenses.
During the period of time shown in the bar chart, the
highest return for a calendar quarter was 14.69%
(quarter ended March
31, 2019) and the lowest return for a calendar quarter
was –21.49%
(quarter ended March
31, 2020).
|
Average
Annual Total Returns for the periods ended December 31, 2022, with maximum sales charge, if applicable |
|
|
|
|
|
One Year |
|
|
Five Years |
|
|
Since Inception (1)
|
|
|
Class I Shares (Legacy Class Y Shares) |
|
|
Return Before Taxes |
|
|
|
|
(10.14)%
|
|
|
|
|
|
3.03% |
|
|
|
|
|
2.37%
|
|
|
|
Return After Taxes on Distributions |
|
|
|
|
(10.59)%
|
|
|
|
|
|
2.23% |
|
|
|
|
|
1.55%
|
|
|
|
Return After Taxes on Distributions and Sale of Fund Shares |
|
|
|
|
(5.81)%
|
|
|
|
|
|
2.12% |
|
|
|
|
|
1.58%
|
|
|
|
Class A Shares |
|
|
Return Before Taxes |
|
|
|
|
(14.69)%
|
|
|
|
|
|
1.76% |
|
|
|
|
|
1.56%
|
|
|
|
Class C Shares |
|
|
Return Before Taxes |
|
|
|
|
(11.98)%
|
|
|
|
|
|
2.05% |
|
|
|
|
|
1.49%
|
|
|
|
MSCI World Index (2) |
|
|
|
|
(17.73)%
|
|
|
|
|
|
6.69% |
|
|
|
|
|
7.64%
|
|
|
|
S&P Real Assets Index (3) |
|
|
|
|
(9.94)%
|
|
|
|
|
|
3.00% |
|
|
|
|
|
N/A |
|
|
|
Real Assets Custom Index Blend Benchmark (4) |
|
|
|
|
(12.71)%
|
|
|
|
|
|
2.87% |
|
|
|
|
|
2.88% |
|
|
(1)
?
(2)
?
(3)
?
(4)
After
tax returns are calculated using the historical highest individual federal marginal income tax rates and do not reflect the impact of
state and local taxes. Actual after-tax returns depend on your situation and may differ from those shown. After-tax
returns are shown only for Class I Shares (i.e., the Legacy Class Y Shares) and after-tax returns
for other classes will vary due to the differences in expenses. Furthermore,
after-tax returns shown are not relevant to those who hold their shares through tax-deferred arrangements such as 401(k) plans or individual
retirement accounts (“IRAs”). In
certain cases, the figures representing “Return After Taxes on Distributions and Sale of Fund Shares” may be higher than other
returns for the same period. A higher after-tax return results when a capital loss occurs upon redemption and provides an annual tax deduction
that benefits shareholders.
Management
Investment Adviser: Brookfield
Public Securities Group LLC
Portfolio
Managers: Larry Antonatos, Managing Director and
Portfolio Manager, and Gaal Surugeon, CFA, Managing Director and Portfolio Manager, each of Brookfield Public Securities Group LLC, are
jointly and primarily responsible for the day-to-day management of the Fund. Messrs. Antonatos and Surugeon draw upon the expertise of
colleagues within the Public Securities Group in managing the Fund, and have the authority to adjust the strategic allocation of assets
across asset classes. Mr. Antonatos has served as a Portfolio Manager of the Fund since February 2016. Mr. Surugeon has served as a Portfolio
Manager of the Fund since November 2020.
Purchase and Sale of Fund Shares
Class: A (RASAX),
C (RASCX), I (RASYX)
You may purchase, redeem or exchange Fund shares on any
business day by written request via mail (Brookfield Real Assets Securities Fund, c/o U.S. Bancorp Fund Services, LLC (d/b/a U.S. Bank
Global Fund Services), P.O. Box 701, Milwaukee, WI 53201-0701), by wire transfer or by telephone at 1-855-244-4859, or through a broker-dealer
or other financial intermediary. The minimum initial investment for Class A and C is $1,000 and the minimum for additional investments
is $100. The minimum initial investment for Class I is $1 million and there is no minimum for additional Class I investments.
Class I Shares are (1) offered at net asset value, (2) sold
without a front-end sales load, (3) offered to foundations, endowments, institutions, and employee benefit plans acquiring shares directly
from the Fund’s distributor or from a financial intermediary with whom the Fund’s distributor has entered into an agreement
expressly authorizing the sale by such intermediary of Class I Shares and whose initial investment is not less than the initial minimum
amount set forth in this Prospectus from time to time, (4) available through certain “wrap,” retirement and other programs
sponsored by certain financial intermediaries with whom the Fund and its distributor have entered into an agreement, as well as employees,
officers, and trustees of the Trust, the Adviser and its affiliates and their immediate family members (i.e.,
spouse, domestic partner, parents, grandparents, children, grandchildren and siblings (including step and in-law)) of any of the above,
as set forth in this Prospectus, and (5) not subject to ongoing distribution fees or service fees. The Fund may accept, in its sole discretion,
investments in Class I Shares from purchasers not listed above or that do not meet the investment minimum requirement.
Tax Information
The Fund’s distributions are generally taxable to
you as ordinary income, capital gains, or some combination of both, unless you are investing through a tax-deferred arrangement, such
as a 401(k) plan or individual retirement account.
Payments to Broker-Dealers and Other Financial Intermediaries
If you purchase shares of the Fund through a broker-dealer
or other financial intermediary (such as a bank), the Fund, the Adviser and the Fund’s distributor or its related companies may
pay the intermediary for the sale of Fund shares and related services. These payments may create a conflict of interest by influencing
the broker-dealer or other intermediary and your salesperson or financial adviser to recommend the Fund over another investment. Ask your
salesperson or visit your financial intermediary’s website for more information.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION ABOUT THE FUNDS’
INVESTMENT OBJECTIVES,
INVESTMENT STRATEGIES, AND RELATED RISKS
The Global Real Estate Fund, the
Infrastructure Fund and the Renewables Fund each seek total return through growth of capital and current income. The Real Assets Securities
Fund seeks total return, which is targeted to be in excess of inflation, through growth of capital and current income. There can be no
assurance that each Fund will achieve its investment objective. Each Fund’s investment objective is not fundamental and may be changed
without shareholder approval. Shareholders will be provided with at least 60 days’ prior written notice of any change in a Fund’s
investment objective.
As a fundamental policy, the Global
Real Estate Fund, the Infrastructure Fund, the Renewables Fund and the Real Assets Securities Fund will not purchase a security if, as
a result, with respect to 75% of its total assets, more than 5% of a Fund’s total assets would be invested in securities of a single
issuer or more than 10% of the outstanding voting securities of the issuer would be held by the Funds. This policy may not be changed
without a shareholder vote.
The Global Real Estate Fund, the
Infrastructure Fund, the Renewables Fund and the Real Assets Securities Fund each make investments that will result in the concentration
(as that term is used in the 1940 Act) of its assets. The Global Real Estate Fund concentrates in securities of issuers in the real estate
industry. The Infrastructure Fund concentrates in securities of issuers in the infrastructure industry. The Real Assets Securities Fund
concentrates in investments offering exposure to real assets, which includes real estate securities, infrastructure securities and natural
resources securities, as defined in this Prospectus. The Renewables Fund concentrates in securities of issuers in the renewable and sustainable
infrastructure industry. The policy of concentration of each of the Global Real Estate Fund, the Infrastructure Fund, the Renewables Fund
and the Real Assets Securities Fund is a fundamental policy. This fundamental policy and the investment restrictions described in the
SAI under the caption “Investment Restrictions” cannot be changed without the approval of the holders of a majority of the
respective Fund’s outstanding voting securities. Such majority vote requires the approval of the lesser of (i) 67% of
a Fund’s shares represented at a meeting at which more than 50% of the Funds’ shares outstanding are represented, whether
in person or by proxy, or (ii) more than 50% of the outstanding shares.
Global Real Estate
Fund
The Fund seeks to achieve its investment objective by
investing primarily in real estate investment trusts (“REITs”) and other securities in the real estate industry. Under normal
market conditions, the Fund will attempt to achieve its investment objective by investing, as a principal strategy, at least 80% of its
net assets (plus the amount of any borrowing for investment purposes) in publicly traded equity securities of real estate companies listed
on a domestic or foreign exchange, throughout the world, including the United States (the “80% Policy”). As part of the 80%
Policy, under normal market conditions, at least 40% of the Fund’s net assets (plus the amount of any borrowing for investment purposes)
will be invested in publicly traded securities of real estate companies whose primary operations or principal trading market is in a foreign
market, and that are not subject to the requirements of the U.S. securities laws, markets and accounting requirements (“Foreign Securities”),
and the Fund will maintain exposure to securities of real estate companies in at least three countries outside the United States. The
Fund may also invest up to 20% of its net assets (plus the amount of any borrowing for investment purposes) in fixed income securities,
including obligations of the U.S. Government, floating rate loans, money-market instruments, and below-investment grade rated securities
(“junk bonds”), as described in this Prospectus. As part of the 20% of the Fund’s net assets (plus the amount of any
borrowing for investment purposes) that may be invested in fixed income securities, up to 10% of the Fund’s net assets (plus the
amount of any borrowing for investment purposes) may be invested in below investment grade (“junk”) fixed income securities,
of which 5% may be invested in fixed income securities rated “CCC” or lower by Standard & Poor’s Rating Services
(“S&P”) or “Caa” or lower by Moody’s Investors Service, Inc. (“Moody’s”) or non-rated
securities of comparable quality. The Fund, however, may not invest in securities that are in default at the time of initial investment.
The Fund may change the 80% Policy without shareholder
approval. The Fund will provide shareholders with written notice at least 60 days prior to the implementation of any such changes.
The Fund defines a real estate company as any company
that (i) derives at least 50% of its revenues from the ownership, operation, development, construction, financing, management or sale
of commercial, industrial or residential real estate and similar activities, or (ii) invests at least 50% of its assets in such real estate.
For purposes of selecting investments, the Fund defines the real estate
industry broadly. It includes, but is not limited to, the following:
•
REITs;
•
REOCs;
•
brokers, developers, and builders of residential, commercial, and industrial
properties;
•
property management firms;
•
finance, mortgage, and mortgage servicing firms;
•
construction supply and equipment manufacturing companies; and
•
firms dependent on real estate
holdings for revenues and profits, including lodging, leisure, timber, mining, and agriculture companies.
The Fund may invest up to 15% of its net assets (plus
the amount of any borrowing for investment purposes) in securities deemed illiquid and may make short sales of securities in an amount
not to exceed 10% of the Fund’s net assets (plus the amount of any borrowing for investment purposes). Securities in which the Fund
may invest include, but are not limited to, common equity shares, preferred equity shares, and units of beneficial interest in real estate
companies. The Fund retains the ability to invest in real estate companies of any market size capitalization. The Fund does not invest
in real estate directly.
The Adviser utilizes a fundamental, bottom-up, value-based
selection methodology, taking into account short-term considerations, such as temporary market mispricing, and long-term considerations,
such as values of assets and cash flows. The Adviser also draws upon the expertise and knowledge within Brookfield Asset Management Inc.
and its affiliates, which provide extensive owner/operator insights into industry drivers and trends. The Adviser takes a balanced approach
to investing, seeking to mitigate risk through diversification, credit analysis, economic analysis and review of sector and industry trends.
The Adviser uses proprietary research to select individual securities that it believes can add value from income and/or the potential
for capital appreciation. The proprietary research may include an assessment of a company’s general financial condition, its competitive
positioning and management strength, as well as industry characteristics and other factors. The Fund may sell a security that becomes
overvalued or no longer offers an attractive risk/reward profile. A security may also be sold due to changes in portfolio strategy or
cash flow needs.
Foreign Securities and Depositary Receipts. The
Fund may invest, without limitation, in securities of issuers located in a number of different countries throughout the world. Under normal
market conditions, the Fund will invest at least 40% of its net assets in real estate securities of issuers outside the United States
and maintain exposure to securities of real estate companies in the United States and in at least three countries outside the United States.
The amount invested outside the United States may vary, and at any given time, the Fund may have a significant exposure to foreign securities.
The Fund may invest up to 25% of its net assets (plus the amount of any borrowing for investment purposes) in publicly-traded securities
of real estate companies whose primary operations or principal trading market is an emerging market.
The Fund may invest in securities of foreign companies
in the form of ADRs, GDRs and EDRs. Generally, ADRs in registered form are dollar denominated securities designed for use in the U.S.
securities markets, which represent and may be converted into an underlying foreign security. GDRs, in bearer form, are designated for
use outside the United States. EDRs, in bearer form, are designed for use in the European securities markets.
REITs. REITs
are companies that own interests in real estate or in real estate related loans or other interests, and their revenue primarily consists
of rent derived from owned, income producing real estate properties and capital gains from the sale of such properties. A REIT in the
United States is generally not taxed on income distributed to shareholders so long as it meets tax related requirements, including the
requirement that it distribute substantially all of its taxable income to its shareholders. Dividends from REITs are not “qualified
dividends” and therefore are taxed as ordinary income rather than at the reduced capital gains rate. The Fund retains the ability
to invest in real estate companies of any size market capitalization. The Fund does not invest in real estate directly.
REOCs. REOCs
are real estate companies that have not elected to be taxed as REITs and therefore are not required to distribute taxable income and have
fewer restrictions on what they can invest in.
Derivatives. The
Fund may use futures and options on securities, indices and currencies, forward foreign currency exchange contracts, swaps and other derivatives.
A derivative is a security or instrument whose value is determined by reference to the value or the change in value of one or more securities,
currencies, indices or other financial instruments. The Fund may use derivatives for a variety of purposes, including:
•
as a hedge against adverse changes
in the market prices of securities, interest rates or currency exchange rates;
•
as a substitute for purchasing or selling securities;
•
to increase the Fund’s return as a non-hedging strategy that may be considered
speculative; and
•
to manage the Fund’s portfolio characteristics.
The Fund may also enter into total rate of return, credit
default or other types of swaps and related derivatives for the purpose of hedging and risk management. These transactions generally provide
for the transfer from one counterparty to another of certain risks inherent in the ownership of a financial asset such as a debt instrument
or common stock.
Infrastructure
Fund
The Fund seeks to achieve its investment objective by investing
primarily in securities of publicly traded infrastructure companies. Under normal market conditions, the Fund will attempt to achieve
its investment objective by investing, as a principal strategy, at least 80% of its net assets (plus the amount of any borrowing for investment
purposes) in publicly traded equity securities of infrastructure companies listed on a domestic or foreign exchange, throughout the world,
including the United States (the “80% Policy”), and, as part of the 80% Policy, at least 40% of the Fund’s net assets
(plus the amount of any borrowing for investment purposes) will be invested in Foreign Securities of infrastructure companies. Under normal
market conditions, the Fund will maintain exposure to securities of infrastructure companies in the United States and in at least three
countries outside the United States. The Fund may invest up to 20% of its net assets (plus the amount of any borrowing for investment
purposes) in fixed income securities, including below-investment grade rated securities (“junk bonds”), as described in this
Prospectus.
The Fund may change the 80% Policy without shareholder approval.
The Fund will provide shareholders with written notice at least 60 days prior to the implementation of any such changes.
The Fund defines an infrastructure company as any company
that derives at least 50% of its revenue or profits from the ownership or operation of infrastructure assets. The Fund defines infrastructure
assets as the physical structures, networks and systems of transportation, energy, water and sewage, and communication.
Infrastructure assets currently include:
•
toll roads, bridges and tunnels;
•
airports;
•
seaports;
•
electricity generation and transmission and distribution lines;
•
gathering, treating, processing, fractionation, transportation and storage of
hydrocarbon products;
•
water and sewage treatment and distribution pipelines;
•
communication towers and satellites; and
•
railroads.
The Fund may also invest up to 25% of its net assets (plus
the amount of any borrowing for investment purposes) in energy-infrastructure companies organized as MLPs.
The Fund may use futures and options on securities, indices and currencies,
forward foreign currency exchange contracts, swaps and other derivatives. A derivative is a security or instrument whose value is determined
by reference to the value or the change in value of one or more securities, currencies, indices or other financial instruments. The Fund
may use derivatives for a variety of purposes, including:
•
as a hedge against adverse changes
in the market prices of securities, interest rate or currency exchange rates;
•
as a substitute for purchasing or selling securities;
•
to increase the Fund’s return as a non-hedging strategy that may be considered
speculative; and
•
to manage the Fund’s portfolio characteristics.
The Fund may invest up to 20% of its net assets (plus
the amount of any borrowing for investment purposes) in fixed income securities, including obligations of the U.S. Government, floating
rate loans and money-market instruments. As part of the 20% of the Fund’s net assets (plus the amount of any borrowing for investment
purposes) that may be invested in fixed income securities, up to 10% of the Fund’s net assets (plus the amount of any borrowing
for investment purposes) may be invested in below investment grade (“junk”) fixed income securities, of which 5% may be invested
in fixed income securities rated “CCC” or lower by S&P or “Caa” or lower by Moody’s or non-rated securities
of comparable quality. The Fund, however, may not invest in securities in default.
The Fund may invest up to 25% of its net assets (plus
the amount of any borrowing for investment purposes) in publicly traded securities of infrastructure companies, whose primary operations
or principal trading market is in an “emerging market.” In addition, the Fund may invest up to 15% of its net assets (plus
the amount of any borrowing for investment purposes) in securities deemed illiquid and may make short sales of securities in an amount
not to exceed 10% of the Fund’s net assets (plus the amount of any borrowing for investment purposes). Securities in which the Fund
may invest include, but are not limited to, common, convertible and preferred stock, stapled securities (as defined herein), income trusts,
limited partnerships, and limited partnership interests in the general partners of MLPs, issued by infrastructure companies. Other Fund
investments may include warrants, depositary receipts, exchange-traded notes, and investment companies, including exchange-traded funds.
The Fund retains the ability to invest in infrastructure companies of any market size capitalization.
The Adviser utilizes a fundamental, bottom-up, value-based
selection methodology, taking into account short-term considerations, such as temporary market mispricing, and long-term considerations,
such as values of assets and cash flows. The Adviser also draws upon the expertise and knowledge within Brookfield Asset Management Inc.
and its affiliates, which provide extensive owner/operator insights into industry drivers and trends. The Adviser takes a balanced approach
to investing, seeking to mitigate risk through diversification, credit analysis, economic analysis and review of sector and industry trends.
The Adviser uses proprietary research to select individual securities that it believes can add value from income and/or the potential
for capital appreciation. The proprietary research may include an assessment of a company’s general financial condition, its competitive
positioning and management strength, as well as industry characteristics and other factors. The Fund may sell a security that becomes
overvalued or no longer offers an attractive risk/reward profile. A security may also be sold due to changes in portfolio strategy or
cash flow needs.
Foreign Securities and Depositary Receipts. The
Fund may invest in securities of issuers located in a number of different countries throughout the world. Under normal market conditions,
the Fund will maintain exposure to securities of infrastructure issuers in the United States and in at least three countries outside the
United States. The amount invested outside the United States may vary, and at any given time, the Fund may have a significant exposure
to non-U.S. securities. The Fund may invest up to 25% of its net assets (plus the amount of any borrowing for investment purposes) in
publicly-traded securities of infrastructure companies whose primary operations or principal trading market is an emerging market.
The Fund may invest in securities of foreign companies
in the form of ADRs, GDRs and EDRs. Generally, ADRs in registered form are dollar denominated securities designed for use in the U.S.
securities markets, which represent and may be converted into an underlying foreign security. GDRs, in bearer form, are designated for
use outside the United States. EDRs, in bearer form, are designed for use in the European securities markets.
Stapled Securities. From
time to time, the Fund may invest in stapled securities to gain exposure to many infrastructure companies in Australia. A stapled security,
which is widely used in Australia, is a security that is comprised of two parts that cannot be separated from one another. The two parts
of a stapled security are a unit of a trust and a share of a company. The resulting security is influenced by both parts, and must be
treated as one unit at all times, such as when buying or selling a security.
Master Limited Partnerships. The
Fund may invest up to 25% of its net assets (plus the amount of any borrowing for investment purposes) in energy-infrastructure companies
organized as MLPs and their affiliates. An MLP is a publicly traded company organized as a limited partnership or limited liability company
and treated as a partnership for federal income tax purposes. MLPs may derive income and gains from the exploration, development, mining
or production, processing, refining, transportation (including pipelines transporting gas, oil, or products thereof), or the marketing
of any mineral or natural resources. MLPs generally have two classes of owners, the general partner and limited partners. The general
partner of an MLP is typically owned by one or more of the following: a major energy company, an investment fund, or the direct management
of the MLP. The general partner may be structured as a private or publicly traded corporation or other entity. The general partner typically
controls the operations and management of the MLP through an up to 2% equity interest in the MLP plus, in many cases, ownership of common
units and subordinated units. Limited partners own the remainder of the partnership, through ownership of common units, and have a limited
role in the partnership’s operations and management.
Emerging Markets. The
Fund may invest up to 25% of its net assets (plus the amount of any borrowing for investment purposes) in publicly traded securities of
infrastructure companies whose primary operations or principal trading market is in an “emerging market.” These securities
may be U.S. dollar denominated or non-U.S. dollar denominated, including emerging market country currency denominated. An “emerging
market” country is any country that is included in the MSCI Emerging Markets Index.
Fixed Income Securities. The
Fund will invest in equity securities that are expected to periodically accrue or generate income for their holders such as common and
preferred stocks of issuers that have historically paid periodic dividends or otherwise made distributions to shareholders. Unlike fixed
income securities, dividend payments generally are not guaranteed and so may be discontinued by the issuer at its discretion or because
of the issuer’s inability to satisfy its liabilities. Further, an issuer’s history of paying dividends does not guarantee
that it will continue to pay dividends in the future. In addition to dividends, under certain circumstances the holders of common stock
may benefit from the capital appreciation of the issuer.
In addition, the Fund also may invest in fixed income securities
such as bonds, debentures, notes, short-term discounted Treasury Bills or certain securities of the U.S. government sponsored instrumentalities,
as well as affiliated or unaffiliated money market mutual funds that invest in those securities. Under normal market conditions, the Fund
may invest up to 20% of its net assets (plus the amount of any borrowing for investment purposes) in fixed income securities, not including
short-term discounted Treasury Bills or certain short-term securities of U.S. government sponsored instrumentalities. Fixed income securities
obligate the issuer to pay to the holder of the security a specified return, which may be either fixed or reset periodically in accordance
with the terms of the security. Fixed income securities generally are senior to an issuer’s common stock and their holders generally
are entitled to receive amounts due before any distributions are made to common shareholders. Common stocks, on the other hand, generally
do not obligate an issuer to make periodic distributions to holders.
The market value of fixed income securities, especially
those that provide a fixed rate of return, may be expected to rise and fall inversely with interest rates and in general is affected by
the credit rating of the issuer, the issuer’s performance and perceptions of the issuer in the market place. The market value of
callable or redeemable fixed income securities may also be affected by the issuer’s call and redemption rights. In addition, it
is possible that the issuer of fixed income securities may not be able to meet its interest or principal obligations to holders. Further,
holders of non-convertible fixed income securities do not participate in any capital appreciation of the issuer.
The Fund may also invest in obligations of government-sponsored instrumentalities.
Unlike non-U.S. government securities, obligations of certain agencies and instrumentalities of the U.S. government, such as the Government
National Mortgage Association, are supported by the “full faith and credit” of the U.S. government; others, such as those
of the Export-Import Bank of the United States, are supported by the right of the issuer to borrow from the U.S. Treasury; others, such
as those of the Federal National Mortgage Association, are supported by the discretionary authority of the U.S. government to purchase
the agency’s obligations; and still others, such as those of the Student Loan Marketing Association, are supported only by the credit
of the instrumentality. No assurance can be given that the U.S. government would provide financial support to U.S. government sponsored
instrumentalities if it is not obligated to do so by law.
Below Investment Grade (“Junk Bond”)
Securities. As part of the 20% of the Fund’s net assets
(plus the amount of any borrowing for investment purposes) that may be invested in fixed income securities, up to 10% of the Fund’s
net assets (plus the amount of any borrowing for investment purposes) may be invested in below investment grade (“junk”) fixed
income securities, of which 5% may be able to be invested in fixed income securities rated “CCC” or lower by S&P or “Caa”
or lower by Moody’s, or non-rated securities of comparable quality as determined by the Adviser. Those securities rated “BB”
or lower by S&P or “Ba” or lower by Moody’s are often referred to in the financial press as “junk bonds”
and may include securities of issuers in default. The Fund, however, may not invest in securities in default. Junk bonds are considered
by the ratings agencies to be predominately speculative with respect to the issuer’s capacity to pay interest and repay principal,
and involve major risk exposure to adverse conditions.
Generally, such lower rated securities and unrated securities
of comparable quality offer a higher current yield than is offered by higher rated securities, but also (i) will likely have some quality
and protective characteristics that, in the judgment of the rating organizations, are outweighed by large uncertainties or major risk
exposures to adverse conditions and (ii) are predominantly speculative with respect to the issuer’s capacity to pay interest and
repay principal in accordance with the terms of the obligation. The market values of certain of these securities also tend to be more
sensitive to individual corporate developments and changes in economic conditions than higher rated bonds. In addition, such lower rated
securities and unrated securities of comparable quality generally present a higher degree of credit risk. The risk of loss due to default
by these issuers is significantly greater because such lower rated securities and unrated securities of comparable quality generally are
unsecured and frequently are subordinated to the prior payment of senior indebtedness. In light of these risks, the Adviser, in evaluating
the creditworthiness of an issuer, whether rated or unrated, will take various factors into consideration, which may include, as applicable,
the issuer’s operating history, financial resources and its sensitivity to economic conditions and trends, the market support for
the facility financed by the issuer, the perceived ability and integrity of the issuer’s management and regulatory matters.
In addition, the market value of securities in lower rated
categories is more volatile than that of higher rated securities, and the markets in which such lower rated or unrated securities of comparable
quality are traded are more limited than those in which higher rated securities are traded. The existence of limited markets may make
it more difficult for the Fund to obtain accurate market quotations for purposes of valuing its portfolio and calculating its net asset
value. Moreover, the lack of a liquid trading market may restrict the availability of securities for the Fund to purchase and may also
have the effect of limiting the ability of the Fund to sell securities at their fair value to respond to changes in the economy or the
financial markets.
Lower rated debt obligations also present risks based on
payment expectations. If an issuer calls the obligation for redemption (often a feature of fixed income securities), the Fund may have
to replace the security with a lower yielding security, resulting in a decreased return for investors. Also, as the principal value of
bonds moves inversely with movements in interest rates, in the event of rising interest rates the value of the securities held by the
Fund may decline proportionately more than a portfolio consisting of higher rated securities. Investments in zero coupon bonds may be
more speculative and subject to greater fluctuations in value due to changes in interest rates than bonds that pay interest currently.
Interest rates are at historical lows and, therefore, it is likely that they will rise in the future.
In addition to using statistical rating agencies and other sources, the
Adviser will also perform its own analysis of issues in seeking investments that it believes to be underrated (and thus higher yielding)
in light of the financial condition of the issuer. Its analysis of issuers may include, among other things, current and anticipated cash
flow and borrowing requirements, value of assets in relation to historical cost, strength of management, responsiveness to business conditions,
credit standing and current anticipated results of operations. In selecting investments for the Fund, the Adviser may also consider general
business conditions, anticipated changes in interest rates and the outlook for specific industries.
Subsequent to its purchase by the Fund, an issuer of securities
may cease to be rated or its rating may be reduced. In addition, it is possible that statistical rating agencies might not change their
ratings of a particular issuer to reflect subsequent events on a timely basis. Moreover, such ratings do not assess the risk of a decline
in market value. None of these events will require the sale of the securities by the Fund, although the Adviser will consider these events
in determining whether the Fund should continue to hold the securities.
The market for lower rated and unrated securities of comparable
quality has at various times, particularly during times of economic recession, experienced substantial reductions in market value and
liquidity. Past recessions have adversely affected the ability of certain issuers of such securities to repay principal and pay interest
thereon. The market for those securities could react in a similar fashion in the event of any future economic recession.
Derivatives. The
Fund may use futures and options on securities, indices and currencies, forward foreign currency exchange contracts and other derivatives.
A derivative is a security or instrument whose value is determined by reference to the value or the change in value of one or more securities,
currencies, indices or other financial instruments. The Fund may use derivatives for a variety of purposes, including:
•
as a hedge against adverse changes
in the market prices of securities, interest rate or currency exchange rates;
•
as a substitute for purchasing or selling securities;
•
to increase the Fund’s return as a non-hedging strategy that may be considered
speculative; and
•
to manage the Fund’s portfolio characteristics.
The Fund may also enter into total rate of return, credit
default or other types of swaps and related derivatives for the purpose of hedging and risk management. These transactions generally provide
for the transfer from one counterparty to another of certain risks inherent in the ownership of a financial asset such as a debt instrument
or common stock.
Renewables
Fund
The Brookfield Global Renewables &
Sustainable Infrastructure Fund (the “Fund,” or the “Renewables Fund”) seeks total return through growth of capital
and current income. There can be no assurance that the Fund will achieve its investment objective. The Fund’s investment objective
is not fundamental and may be changed without shareholder approval. Shareholders will be provided with at least 60 days’ prior written
notice of any change in the Fund’s investment objective.
The Fund seeks to achieve its investment
objective by investing at least 80% of its net assets, plus borrowings for investment purposes, in publicly traded equity securities of
global renewables and sustainable infrastructure(“GRSI”) companies listed on a domestic or foreign exchange, throughout the
world, including the United States (the “80% Policy”). As part of the 80% Policy, under normal market conditions, at least
40% of the Fund’s net assets, plus borrowings for investment purposes, will be invested in publicly traded securities of GRSI companies
whose primary operations or principal trading market is in a foreign market, and that are not subject to the requirements of the U.S.
securities laws, markets and accounting requirements, and the Fund will maintain exposure to securities of GRSI companies in the United
States and in at least three countries outside the
United States. The Fund considers an issuer’s “primary operations”
to be in a foreign market if the issuer (i) is organized under the laws of that country, or (ii) derives at least 50% of its
revenues or profits from goods produced or sold, investments made, services performed, or has at least 50% of its assets located within
that country. The Fund may also invest, as a principal strategy, up to 25% of its net assets in GRSI companies organized as MLPs.
The Fund may change the 80% Policy
without shareholder approval. The Fund will provide shareholders with written notice at least 60 days prior to the implementation of any
such changes.
The Fund defines a GRSI company as
any company that has assets that are, or is a technology and service provider engaged with, wind, solar and other forms of clean power,
battery & storage technology, electric vehicles and electrification technology, integral to technology and infrastructure (such as
electricity transmission and distribution assets), behind-the-meter / energy efficiency, smart grid technology, integrated software technology,
data storage and transmission technology, and water and waste infrastructure pertaining to the circular economy (e.g.,
recycling). The circular economy concept (i) recognizes the importance of a sustainable economic system and represents an alternative
economic model to the default “make-use-throw away” approach of consumption, which is believed to be unsustainable given scarce
resources and the rising cost of managing waste, and (ii) promotes the redesign of products and systems to minimize waste and to
enable greater recycling and reuse of materials. GRSI companies are primarily focused in these areas. The Fund will not invest in issuers
that do not meet this definition.
For purposes of the 80% Policy, the
Fund’s investments in GRSI companies include equity securities of U.S. and non-U.S. companies that have at least 50% of their assets,
income, earnings, sales, or profits committed to, or derived from renewables and sustainable infrastructure.
GRSI companies include the following:
?
•
Wind &
Solar (asset owners & operators, developers, and supply chain (e.g., transportation and logistics
companies))
?
•
Clean Power (such as hydroelectric, geothermal and biomass)
?
•
Clean Technology
(electrification of the grid through electric vehicles, grid modernization, energy efficiency, and distributed generation, etc.)
?
•
Water Sustainability
(water and wastewater treatment systems & utilities and supply chain (e.g., transportation
and logistics companies))
?
•
Opportunistic
transitioning companies (particularly companies focused on power generation & electrification investments)
The Fund may invest up to 25% of its
net assets, plus borrowings for investment purposes, in publicly traded securities of GRSI companies, whose primary operations or principal
trading market is in an “emerging market.” In selecting the Fund’s emerging market securities, the Adviser primarily
looks to the emerging market countries that are included in the MSCI Emerging Markets Index (USD), which currently include Brazil, Chile,
China, Colombia, Czech Republic, Egypt, Greece, Hungary, India, Indonesia, Korea, Kuwait, Malaysia, Mexico, Peru, Philippines, Poland,
Qatar, Saudi Arabia, South Africa, Taiwan, Thailand, Turkey and the United Arab Emirates. The Fund may invest in securities of foreign
companies in the form of American Depositary Receipts (“ADRs”), Global Depositary Receipts (“GDRs”) and European
Depositary Receipts (“EDRs”). In addition, the Fund may invest up to 15% of its net assets in securities deemed illiquid.
The Fund retains the ability to invest in GRSI companies of any market size capitalization.
The Adviser utilizes a fundamental,
bottom-up, value-based selection methodology, taking into account short-term considerations, such as temporary market mispricing, and
long-term considerations, such as values of assets and cash flows. The Adviser also draws upon the expertise and knowledge within Brookfield
Asset Management Inc. and its affiliates, which provides extensive owner/operator insights into industry drivers and trends. The Adviser
takes a balanced approach to investing, seeking to mitigate risk through diversification, credit analysis, economic analysis and review
of sector and industry trends. The Adviser uses proprietary research to select individual securities that it believes can add value from
income and/or the potential for capital appreciation. The proprietary research may include an assessment of a company’s general
financial condition, its competitive
positioning and management strength, as well as industry characteristics
and other factors. The Fund may sell a security that becomes overvalued or no longer offers an attractive risk/reward profile. A security
may also be sold due to changes in portfolio strategy or cash flow needs. The allocation of capital across asset classes and strategies
will vary upon market opportunity and other factors.
The Adviser believes that, due to
their nature, GRSI assets are critical to support sustainable economic development and are characterized by strong competitive positions
with high barriers to entry, stable cash flows, inflation-correlated revenues or large asset bases. The Adviser also believes that the
broad environment for investment in global renewables and sustainable infrastructure securities is favorable, and generally expects favorable
trends in this sector to continue. These trends include growing interest in global renewables and sustainable infrastructure investments
by institutional investors, increasing interest in and allocation to alternative investments and increasing demand for equities that produce
income or have an asset-owning quality and for investments that can potentially deliver reasonable returns that have a low correlation
to the broader equity markets. In addition, the combination of investors pursuing global GRSI portfolios and the establishment of new
renewables and sustainable infrastructure markets marks a significant structural change to the global GRSI securities industry, and the
Adviser expects to present attractive opportunities going forward.
The Fund makes investments that will
result in the concentration (as that term is used in the 1940 Act) of its assets. Under normal market conditions, the Fund will invest
more than 25% of its total assets in the renewable and sustainable infrastructure industry. The policy of concentration is a fundamental
policy. This fundamental policy and the investment restrictions described in the Statement of Additional Information under the caption
“Investment Restrictions” cannot be changed without the approval of the holders of a majority of the Fund’s outstanding
voting securities. Such majority vote requires the approval of the lesser of (i) 67% of the Fund’s shares represented
at a meeting at which more than 50% of the Fund’s shares outstanding are represented, whether in person or by proxy, or (ii) more
than 50% of the outstanding shares.
The Fund’s principal investment
strategies and main risks associated with investing in the Fund are described in the Summary section of this Prospectus. More detailed
descriptions of certain of the Fund’s principal investments, main risks and additional risks are described below.
Emerging Markets. The
Fund may invest up to 25% of its net assets, plus borrowings for investment purposes, in publicly traded securities of GRSI companies,
whose primary operations or principal trading market is in an emerging market. In selecting the Fund’s emerging markets securities,
the Adviser primarily looks to the emerging market countries that are included in the MSCI Emerging Markets Index (USD), which currently
include Brazil, Chile, China, Colombia, Czech Republic, Egypt, Greece, Hungary, India, Indonesia, Korea, Kuwait, Malaysia, Mexico, Peru,
Philippines, Poland, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, South Africa, Taiwan, Thailand, Turkey and the United Arab Emirates.
Equity Securities. Equity
securities represent an ownership interest, or the right to acquire an ownership interest, in an issuer. The Fund may invest in common
and preferred stocks.
Common Stock. Common
stocks are shares of a corporation or other entity that entitle the holder to a pro rata share
of the profits of the corporation, if any, without preference over any other shareholder or class of shareholders. In the event an issuer
is liquidated or declares bankruptcy, the claims of owners of bonds and preferred stock take precedence over the claims of those who own
common stock. Common stock usually carries with it the right to vote and frequently, an exclusive right to do so.
Master Limited Partnerships. The
Fund may invest up to 25% of its net assets in GRSI companies organized as MLPs and their affiliates. An MLP is a publicly traded company
organized as a limited partnership or limited liability company and treated as a partnership for federal income tax purposes. MLPs generally
have two classes of owners, the general partner and limited partners. The general partner of an MLP is typically owned by one or more
of the following: a major energy company, an investment fund, or the direct management of the MLP. The general partner may be structured
as a private or publicly traded corporation or other entity. The general partner typically controls the operations and management of the
MLP through an up to 2% equity interest in the MLP plus, in many cases, ownership of common units and subordinated units. Limited partners
own the remainder of the partnership, through ownership of common units, and have a limited role in the partnership’s operations
and management.
Covered Calls. The
Fund may write call options with the purpose of generating realized gains or reducing the Fund’s ownership of certain securities.
The Fund may write call options on equity securities in its portfolio (“covered calls”), in amounts up to 15% of the Fund’s
net assets. At the time the call option is sold, the writer of the call option receives a premium from the buyer of such call option.
Any premiums received by the Fund from writing options may result in short-term capital gains. Writing a covered call is the selling of
an option contract entitling the buyer to purchase an underlying security that the Fund owns. When the Fund sells a call option, it generates
short-term gains in the form of the premium paid by the buyer of the call option, but the Fund forgoes the opportunity to participate
in any increase in the value of the underlying equity security above the exercise price of the option and retains the risk of loss if
the underlying security declines in value. The writer of the call option has the obligation, upon exercise of the option, to deliver the
underlying security upon payment of the exercise price during the option period. A call option whose strike price is above the current
price of the underlying stock is called “out-of-the-money.” A call option whose strike price is below the current price of
the underlying stock is called “in-the-money.”
If the Fund has written a call option,
it may terminate its obligation by effecting a closing purchase transaction. This is accomplished by purchasing a call option with the
same terms as the option previously written. However, once the Fund has been assigned an exercise notice, the Fund will be unable to effect
a closing purchase transaction. There can be no assurance that a closing purchase transaction can be effected when the Fund so desires.
The Fund will realize a profit from
a closing transaction if the price of the transaction is less than the premium it received from writing the option; the Fund will realize
a loss from a closing transaction if the price of the transaction is more than the premium it received from writing the option. Since
call option prices generally reflect increases in the price of the underlying security, any loss resulting from the repurchase of a call
option may also be wholly or partially offset by unrealized appreciation of the underlying security. Other principal factors affecting
the market value of a call option include supply and demand, interest rates, the current market price and price volatility of the underlying
security and the time remaining until the expiration date of the option. Gains and losses on transactions in options depend, in part,
on the ability of the Adviser to predict correctly the effect of these factors. The use of options cannot serve as a complete hedge since
the price movement of securities underlying the options will not necessarily follow the price movements of the portfolio securities subject
to the hedge.
An option position may be closed
out on an exchange that provides a secondary market for an option with the same terms or in a private transaction. Although the Fund will
generally write options for which there appears to be an active secondary market, there is no assurance that a liquid secondary market
on an exchange will exist for any particular option. In such event, it might not be possible to effect closing purchase transactions in
particular options.
Although the Adviser will attempt to
take appropriate measures to minimize the risks relating to the Fund’s writing of call options, there can be no assurance that the
Fund will succeed in any option-writing program it undertakes.
Illiquid Securities. The
Fund may invest up to 15% of its net assets in illiquid securities. Illiquid securities are securities that cannot be disposed of within
seven days in the ordinary course of business at approximately the value at which the Fund has valued the securities. Illiquid securities
include, among other things, securities legally restricted as to resale such as commercial paper issued pursuant to Section 4(a)(2) of
the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”), securities traded pursuant to Rule 144A of the Securities Act,
written over-the-counter options, repurchase agreements with maturities in excess of seven days, certain loan participation interests,
fixed time deposits which are not subject to prepayment or provide for withdrawal penalties upon prepayment (other than overnight deposits),
and other securities whose disposition is restricted under the federal
securities laws. Section 4(a)(2) and Rule144A securities may, however,
be treated as liquid by the Adviser pursuant to procedures adopted by the Board of Trustees, which require consideration of factors such
as trading activity, availability of market quotations and number of dealers willing to purchase the security. If the Fund invests in
Rule 144A securities, the level of portfolio illiquidity maybe increased to the extent that eligible buyers exhibit weak demand for such
securities.
It may be more difficult to sell unregistered
securities at an attractive price should their resale remain restricted than if such securities were in the future to become publicly
traded. Where registration is desired, a considerable period may elapse between a decision to sell the securities and the time when registration
is complete. Thus, the Fund may not be able to obtain as favorable a price at the time of the decision to sell as it might achieve in
the future. The Fund may also acquire securities with contractual restrictions on the resale of such securities. Such restrictions might
prevent their sale at a time when such sale would otherwise be desirable.
Short Sales. The
Fund may from time to time make short sales of securities, including short sales “against the box.” A short sale is a transaction
in which the Fund sells a security it does not own in anticipation that the market price of that security will decline. A short sale against
the box occurs when the Fund contemporaneously owns, or has the right to obtain at no added cost, securities identical to those sold short.
Except for short sales against the
box, the Fund will not sell short more than 10% of the Fund’s net assets and the market value for the securities sold short of any
one issuer will not exceed 5% of such issuer’s voting securities. In addition, the Fund may not make short sales or maintain a short
position if it would cause more than 25% of the Fund’s net assets, taken at market value, to be held as collateral for such sales.
The Fund may make short sales against the box without respect to such limitations.
The Fund may make short sales in order
to hedge against market risks when it believes that the price of a security may decline, causing a decline in the value of a security
owned by the Fund or a security convertible into, or exchangeable for, such security, or when the Fund does not want to sell the security
it owns. Such short sale transactions may be subject to special tax rules, one of the effects of which may be to accelerate income to
the Fund. Additionally, the Fund may use short sales in conjunction with the purchase of a convertible security when it is determined
that the convertible security can be bought at a small conversion premium and has a yield advantage relative to the underlying common
stock sold short.
When the Fund makes a short sale, it
will often borrow the security sold short and deliver it to the broker-dealer through which it made the short sale as collateral for its
obligation to deliver the security upon conclusion of the sale. In connection with such short sales, the Fund may pay a fee to borrow
securities or maintain an arrangement with a broker to borrow securities, and is often obligated to pay over any accrued interest and
dividends on such borrowed securities. In a short sale, the Fund does not immediately deliver the securities sold or receive the proceeds
from the sale. The Fund may close out a short position by purchasing and delivering an equal amount of the securities sold short, rather
than by delivering securities already held by the Fund, because the Fund may want to continue to receive interest and dividend payments
on securities in its portfolio that are convertible into the securities sold short.
If the price of the security sold short
increases between the time of the short sale and the time that the Fund replaces the borrowed security, the Fund will incur a loss; conversely,
if the price declines, the Fund will realize a capital gain. Any gain will be decreased, and any loss, increased, by the transaction costs
described above. The successful use of short selling may be adversely affected by imperfect correlation between movements in the price
of the security sold short and the securities being hedged.
To the extent that the Fund engages
in short sales, it will provide collateral to the broker-dealer and (except in the case of short sales against the box) will maintain
additional asset coverage in the form of segregated or “earmarked” assets on the records of the Adviser or with the Fund’s
Custodian, consisting of cash, U.S. government securities, or other liquid securities that is equal to the current market value of the
securities sold short, or (in the case of short sales against the box) will ensure that such positions are covered by offsetting positions,
until the Fund replaces the borrowed security. The Fund will engage in
short selling to the extent permitted by the federal securities laws and rules and interpretations thereunder, subject to the percentage
limitations set forth above. To the extent the Fund engages in short selling in foreign (non-U.S.) jurisdictions, the Fund will do so
to the extent permitted by the laws and regulations of such jurisdiction.
Defensive Investments. When
adverse market or economic conditions occur, the Fund may temporarily invest all or a portion of its assets in defensive investments that
are short-term and liquid. Such investments include U.S. government securities, certificates of deposit, banker’s acceptances, time
deposits, repurchase agreements, and other high quality debt instruments. When following a defensive strategy, the Fund will be less likely
to achieve its investment objective.
Real Assets Securities
Fund
The Fund seeks to achieve its investment objective by investing
primarily in Real Asset Securities. Under normal market conditions, the Fund will invest at least 80% of its net assets (plus any borrowings
for investment purposes) in Real Asset Securities. Real Asset Securities includes the following categories:
•
real estate securities;
•
infrastructure securities; and
•
natural resources securities.
The Fund may change the 80% Policy without shareholder approval.
The Fund will provide shareholders with written notice at least 60 days prior to the implementation of any change to the 80% Policy.
The Fund may purchase both equity and fixed income securities.
The Fund actively trades portfolio securities. The Fund may invest in securities of companies of any size market capitalization. The Fund
will invest in companies located throughout the world and there is no limitation on the Fund’s investments in foreign securities
or in emerging markets. An “emerging market” country is any country that is included in the MSCI Emerging Markets Index. The
amount invested outside the United States may vary, and at any given time, the Fund may have a significant exposure to non-U.S. securities.
The Fund may invest in securities of foreign companies in the form of American Depositary Receipts (“ADRs”), Global Depositary
Receipts (“GDRs”) and European Depositary Receipts (“EDRs”). Generally, ADRs in registered form are dollar denominated
securities designed for use in the U.S. securities markets, which represent and may be converted into an underlying foreign security.
GDRs, in bearer form, are designated for use outside the United States. EDRs, in bearer form, are designed for use in the European securities
markets.
In managing the Fund, the Adviser will determine the Fund’s
strategic asset allocation. The Fund has flexibility in the relative weightings given to each of these categories. In addition, the Fund
may, in the future, invest in additional investment categories other than those listed herein, to the extent consistent with the Fund’s
investment objective.
The Fund may invest in common, convertible and preferred
stock, 144A securities or private securities, ABS, including ABS that are backed by interest in real estate or land MBS of any kind, interests
in loans and/or whole loan pools of mortgages, mortgage REITs, investment grade fixed income securities, high yield fixed income securities
(“junk bonds”), CLOs, bank loans (including participations, assignments, senior loans, delayed funding loans and revolving
credit facilities), open-end and closed-end investment companies, including ETFs and ETNs, and securities issued and/or guaranteed by
the U.S. Government, its agencies or instrumentalities or sponsored corporations, as described in this Prospectus. The Fund may invest
in fixed income securities of any maturity. The Fund’s investments in MBS may include residential MBS (“RMBS”) or commercial
MBS (“CMBS”).
The Fund defines a real estate security as, any security
tied to a company or issuer that (i) derives at least 50% of its revenues from the ownership, operation, development, construction, financing,
management or sale of commercial, industrial or residential real estate and similar activities, or (ii) commits at least 50% of its assets
to activities related to real estate.
For purposes of selecting investments in real estate securities,
the Fund defines the real estate sector broadly. It includes, but is not limited to, the following:
•
REITs;
•
REOCs;
•
firms dependent on real estate
holdings for revenues and profits, including lodging, leisure, timber, mining, and agriculture companies; and
•
debt securities, including securitized
obligations, which are predominantly supported by real estate assets.
REITs are companies that own interests in real estate or
in real estate related loans or other interests, and their revenue primarily consists of rent derived from owned, income producing real
estate properties and capital gains from the sale of such properties. A REIT in the United States is generally not taxed on income distributed
to shareholders so long as it meets tax-related requirements, including the requirement that it distribute substantially all of its taxable
income to its shareholders. Dividends from REITs are not “qualified dividends” and therefore are taxed as ordinary income
rather than at the reduced capital gains rate. REIT-like entities are organized outside the United States and maintain operations and
receive tax treatment similar to that of U.S. REITs. The Fund retains the ability to invest in real estate companies of any size market
capitalization. The Fund does not invest in real estate directly.
REOCs are real estate companies that have not elected
to be taxed as REITs and therefore are not required to distribute taxable income and have fewer restrictions on what they can invest in.
As part of its investments in real estate securities,
the Fund may invest in mortgage-related debt securities and other mortgage-related instruments (collectively, “Mortgage-Related
Investments”). The Fund considers Mortgage-Related Investments to consist of, but not be limited to, MBS of any kind; interests
in loans and/or whole loan pools of mortgages; mortgage real estate investment trusts (“mortgage REITs”); ABS that are
backed by interest in real estate or land; and securities and other instruments issued by mortgage servicers. The Fund’s investments
in MBS may include residential MBS (“RMBS”) or commercial MBS (“CMBS”).
The Fund defines an infrastructure security as, any security
tied to a company or issuer that (i) derives at least 50% of its revenue or profits, either directly or indirectly, from infrastructure
assets, or (ii) commits at least 50% of its assets to activities related to infrastructure.
For purposes of selecting investments in infrastructure
securities, the Fund defines the infrastructure sector broadly. It includes, but is not limited to, the physical structures, networks
and systems of:
•
transportation;
•
energy;
•
water and sewage; and
•
communication.
infrastructure securities also includes MLPs.
An MLP is a publicly traded company organized as a limited
partnership or limited liability company and treated as a partnership for federal income tax purposes. MLPs may derive income and gains
from the exploration, development, mining or production, processing, refining, transportation (including pipelines transporting gas, oil,
or products thereof), or the marketing of any mineral or natural resources. MLPs generally have two classes of owners, the general partner
and limited partners. The general partner of an MLP is typically owned by one or more of the following: a major energy company, an investment
fund, or the direct management of the MLP. The general partner may be structured as a private or publicly traded corporation or other
entity. The general partner typically controls the operations and management of the MLP through an up to 2% equity interest in the MLP
plus, in many cases, ownership of common units and subordinated units. Limited partners own the remainder of the partnership, through
ownership of common units, and have a limited role in the partnership’s operations and management.
From time to time, the Fund may invest in stapled securities
to gain exposure to many infrastructure companies in Australia. A stapled security, which is widely used in Australia, is a security that
is comprised of two parts that cannot be separated from one another. The two parts of a stapled security are a unit of a trust and a share
of a company. The resulting security is influenced by both parts, and must be treated as one unit at all times, such as when buying or
selling a security.
The Fund defines a natural resources security as any security tied to
a company or issuer that (i) derives at least 50% of its revenues, profits or value, either directly or indirectly, from natural
resources assets including, but not limited to:
•
timber and agriculture;
•
metals, including, but not limited
to, precious metals, such as gold, silver, and platinum; ferrous and nonferrous metals, such as iron, aluminum, and copper; and metals,
such as uranium and titanium;
•
energy, including the exploration,
production, processing, and manufacturing of hydrocarbon-related and chemical-related products; and
•
commodities and commodity-linked
assets and securities to gain exposrure to the commodities markets without investing directly in physical commodities; or
(ii) provides supporting services to such natural resources companies or issuers.
Commodities are assets that have tangible properties,
such as oil, coal, natural gas, agricultural products, industrial metals, livestock and precious metals. In order to gain exposure to
the commodities markets without investing directly in physical commodities, the Fund may invest in commodity index-linked notes. Commodity
index-linked notes are derivative debt instruments with principal and/or coupon payments linked to the performance of commodity indices.
These notes are sometimes referred to as “structured notes” because the terms of these notes may be structured by the issuer
and the purchaser of the note. The value of these notes will rise or fall in response to changes in the underlying commodity index and
will be subject to credit and interest rate risks that typically affect debt securities.
Outside of its investments in real asset securities, the
Fund may invest up to 20% of its net assets in equities or fixed income securities other than the types described above, including in
TIPS and other inflation-linked fixed income securities.
Registered Investment Companies/Exchange-Traded
Funds. The Fund may invest in registered investment companies,
including exchange-traded funds (“ETFs”), in accordance with the 1940 Act, and consistent with the Fund’s investment
objective. Most ETFs are similar to index funds in that they seek to achieve the same return as a particular market index and will primarily
invest in the securities of companies that are included in that index. Unlike index funds, however, ETFs are traded on stock exchanges.
ETFs are a convenient way to invest in both broad market indexes and market sector indexes, particularly since ETFs can be bought and
sold at any time during the day, like stocks. ETFs, like mutual funds, charge asset-based fees. When the Fund invests in ETFs, the Fund
will pay a proportionate share of the management fee and the operating expenses of the ETF. The Fund will not invest in actively managed
or leveraged ETFs.
Generally, investments in registered investment companies,
including ETFs, are subject to statutory limitations prescribed by the 1940 Act. These limitations include a prohibition on a fund acquiring
more than 3% of the voting shares of any other investment company, and a prohibition on investing more than 5% of a fund’s total
assets in the securities of any one investment company or more than 10% of its total assets, in the aggregate, in investment company securities.
Many ETFs, however, have obtained exemptive relief from the Securities and Exchange Commission to permit unaffiliated funds to invest
in the ETFs’ shares beyond these statutory limitations, subject to certain conditions and pursuant to a contractual arrangement
between the ETFs and the investing funds. The Fund may rely on these exemptive orders in order to invest in unaffiliated ETFs beyond the
foregoing statutory limitations.
Exchange-Traded Notes. The
Fund may invest in exchange-traded notes (“ETNs”). ETNs are designed to provide investors with a way to access the returns
of market benchmarks or strategies. ETNs are not equities or index funds, but they do share several characteristics. For example, like
equities, they trade on an exchange and can be shorted. Like an index fund, they are linked to the return of a benchmark index.
Fixed Income Securities. Fixed
income securities obligate the issuer to pay to the holder of the security a specified return, which may be either fixed or reset periodically
in accordance with the terms of the security. Fixed income securities generally are senior to an issuer’s common stock and their
holders generally are entitled to receive amounts due before any distributions are made to common shareholders. Common stocks, on the
other hand, generally do not obligate an issuer to make periodic distributions to holders.
The market value of fixed income securities, especially
those that provide a fixed rate of return, may be expected to rise and fall inversely with interest rates and in general is affected by
the credit rating of the issuer, the issuer’s performance and perceptions of the issuer in the market place. The market value of
callable or redeemable fixed income securities may also be affected by the issuer’s call and redemption rights. In addition, it
is possible that the issuer of fixed income securities may not be able to meet its interest or principal obligations to holders. Further,
holders of non-convertible fixed income securities do not participate in any capital appreciation of the issuer.
The Fund may also invest in obligations of government-sponsored
instrumentalities. Unlike non-U.S. government securities, obligations of certain agencies and instrumentalities of the U.S. government,
such as the Government National Mortgage Association, are supported by the “full faith and credit” of the U.S. government;
others, such as those of the Export-Import Bank of the United States, are supported by the right of the issuer to borrow from the U.S.
Treasury; others, such as those of the Federal National Mortgage Association, are supported by the discretionary authority of the U.S.
government to purchase the agency’s obligations; and still others, such as those of the Student Loan Marketing Association, are
supported only by the credit of the instrumentality. No assurance can be given that the U.S. government would provide financial support
to U.S. government sponsored instrumentalities if it is not obligated to do so by law.
Below Investment Grade
(“Junk Bond”) Securities. A portion of the Fund’s
assets may be invested in below-investment grade (“junk”) or comparable unrated floating rate debt (also known as bank loans,
syndicated loans, leveraged loans or senior floating rate interests). Floating rate debt has a variable coupon that resets periodically,
with interest payments determined by a representative interest rate index (e.g., Standard
Overnight Financing Rate or the federal funds rate) plus a fixed spread. As a result, the coupon payments vary, or “float”
with prevailing market interest rates.
Generally, such lower rated securities and unrated securities
of comparable quality offer a higher current yield than is offered by higher rated securities, but also (i) will likely have some quality
and protective characteristics that, in the judgment of the rating organizations, are outweighed by large uncertainties or major risk
exposures to adverse conditions and (ii) are predominantly speculative with respect to the issuer’s capacity to pay interest and
repay principal in accordance with the terms of the obligation. The market values of certain of these securities also tend to be more
sensitive to individual corporate developments and changes in economic conditions than higher rated bonds. In addition, such lower rated
securities and unrated securities of comparable quality generally present a higher degree of credit risk. The risk of loss due to default
by these issuers is significantly greater because such lower rated securities and unrated securities of comparable quality generally are
unsecured and frequently are subordinated to the prior payment of senior indebtedness. In light of these risks, the Adviser, in evaluating
the creditworthiness of an issuer, whether rated or unrated, will take various factors into consideration, which may include, as applicable,
the issuer’s operating history, financial resources and its sensitivity to economic conditions and trends, the market support for
the facility financed by the issuer, the perceived ability and integrity of the issuer’s management and regulatory matters.
In addition, the market value of securities in lower rated
categories is more volatile than that of higher rated securities, and the markets in which such lower rated or unrated securities of comparable
quality are traded are more limited than those in which higher rated securities are traded. The existence of limited markets may make
it more difficult for the Fund to obtain accurate market quotations for purposes of valuing its portfolio and calculating its net asset
value. Moreover, the lack of a liquid trading market may restrict the availability of securities for the Fund to purchase and may also
have the effect of limiting the ability of the Fund to sell securities at their fair value to respond to changes in the economy or the
financial markets.
Lower rated debt obligations also present risks based on payment expectations.
If an issuer calls the obligation for redemption (often a feature of fixed income securities), the Fund may have to replace the security
with a lower yielding security, resulting in a decreased return for investors. Also, as the principal value of bonds moves inversely with
movements in interest rates, in the event of rising interest rates the value of the securities held by the Fund may decline proportionately
more than a portfolio consisting of higher rated securities. Investments in zero coupon bonds may be more speculative and subject to greater
fluctuations in value due to changes in interest rates than bonds that pay interest currently. Interest rates are at historical lows and,
therefore, it is likely that they will rise in the future.
In addition to using statistical rating agencies and other
sources, the Adviser will also perform its own analysis of issues in seeking investments that it believes to be underrated (and thus higher
yielding) in light of the financial condition of the issuer. Its analysis of issuers may include, among other things, current and anticipated
cash flow and borrowing requirements, value of assets in relation to historical cost, strength of management, responsiveness to business
conditions, credit standing and current anticipated results of operations. In selecting investments for the Fund, the Adviser may also
consider general business conditions, anticipated changes in interest rates and the outlook for specific industries.
Subsequent to its purchase by the Fund, an issuer of securities
may cease to be rated or its rating may be reduced. In addition, it is possible that statistical rating agencies might not change their
ratings of a particular issuer to reflect subsequent events on a timely basis. Moreover, such ratings do not assess the risk of a decline
in market value. None of these events will require the sale of the securities by the Fund, although the Adviser will consider these events
in determining whether the Fund should continue to hold the securities.
The market for lower rated and unrated securities of comparable
quality has at various times, particularly during times of economic recession, experienced substantial reductions in market value and
liquidity. Past recessions have adversely affected the ability of certain issuers of such securities to repay principal and pay interest
thereon. The market for those securities could react in a similar fashion in the event of any future economic recession.
Derivatives. The
Fund may use futures and options on securities, indices, commodities and currencies, forward foreign currency exchange contracts, swaps
and other derivatives. A derivative is a security or instrument whose value is determined by reference to the value or the change in value
of one or more securities, currencies, indices or other financial instruments. The Fund may use derivatives for a variety of purposes,
including:
•
as a hedge against adverse changes
in the market prices of securities, interest rates or currency exchange rates;
•
as a substitute for purchasing or selling securities;
•
to increase the Fund’s return as a non-hedging strategy that may be considered
speculative; and
•
to manage the Fund’s portfolio characteristics.
The Fund may also enter into total rate of return, credit
default or other types of swaps and related derivatives for the purpose of hedging and risk management. These transactions generally provide
for the transfer from one counterparty to another of certain risks inherent in the ownership of a financial asset such as a debt instrument
or common stock.
Asset allocation decisions will be made by Larry Antonatos
and Gaal Surugeon. The Adviser employs a top-down macroeconomic perspective complemented by a bottom-up sector valuation methodology when
determining asset allocation. For security selection, the Adviser utilizes a fundamental, bottom-up, value-based selection methodology,
taking into account short-term considerations, such as temporary market mispricing, and long-term considerations, such as values of assets
and cash flows. The Adviser also draws upon the expertise and knowledge within Brookfield Asset Management Inc. and its affiliates, which
provide extensive owner/operator insights into industry drivers and trends. The Adviser takes a balanced approach to investing, seeking
to mitigate risk through diversification, credit analysis, economic analysis and review of sector and industry trends. The Adviser
uses proprietary research to select individual securities that it believes can add value
from income and/or the potential for capital appreciation. The proprietary research may include an assessment of a company’s general
financial condition, its competitive positioning and management strength, as well as industry characteristics and other factors. The Fund
may sell a security that becomes overvalued or no longer offers an attractive risk/reward profile. A security may also be sold due to
changes in portfolio strategy or cash flow needs.
Additional Investment
Strategies
Covered Calls and Other Option Transactions. All
Funds—A Fund may write call options with the purpose of generating realized gains or reducing the Fund’s ownership
of certain securities. A Fund may write call options on equity securities in its portfolio (“covered calls”), in amounts up
to 15% of the Fund’s net assets (plus the amount of any borrowing for investment purposes). At the time the call option is sold,
the writer of the call option receives a premium from the buyer of such call option. Any premiums received by a Fund from writing options
may result in short-term capital gains. Writing a covered call is the selling of an option contract entitling the buyer to purchase an
underlying security that a Fund owns. When a Fund sells a call option, it generates short-term gains in the form of the premium paid by
the buyer of the call option, but the Fund forgoes the opportunity to participate in any increase in the value of the underlying equity
security above the exercise price of the option and retains the risk of loss if the underlying security declines in value. The writer
of the call option has the obligation, upon exercise of the option, to deliver the underlying security upon payment of the exercise price
during the option period. A call option whose strike price is above the current price of the underlying stock is called “out-of-the-money.”
A call option whose strike price is below the current price of the underlying stock is called “in-the-money.”
If a Fund has written a call option, it may terminate
its obligation by effecting a closing purchase transaction. This is accomplished by purchasing a call option with the same terms as the
option previously written. However, once a Fund has been assigned an exercise notice, the Fund will be unable to effect a closing purchase
transaction. There can be no assurance that a closing purchase transaction can be effected when a Fund so desires.
A Fund will realize a profit from a closing transaction
if the price of the transaction is less than the premium it received from writing the option; a Fund will realize a loss from a closing
transaction if the price of the transaction is more than the premium it received from writing the option. Since call option prices generally
reflect increases in the price of the underlying security, any loss resulting from the repurchase of a call option may also be wholly
or partially offset by unrealized appreciation of the underlying security. Other principal factors affecting the market value of a call
option include supply and demand, interest rates, the current market price and price volatility of the underlying security and the time
remaining until the expiration date of the option. Gains and losses on transactions in options depend, in part, on the ability of the
Adviser to predict correctly the effect of these factors. The use of options cannot serve as a complete hedge since the price movement
of securities underlying the options will not necessarily follow the price movements of the portfolio securities subject to the hedge.
An option position may be closed out on an exchange that
provides a secondary market for an option with the same terms or in a private transaction. Although a Fund will generally write options
for which there appears to be an active secondary market, there is no assurance that a liquid secondary market on an exchange will exist
for any particular option. In such event, it might not be possible to effect closing purchase transactions in particular options.
Although the Adviser will attempt to take appropriate
measures to minimize the risks relating to a Fund’s writing of call options, there can be no assurance that the Fund will succeed
in any option-writing program it undertakes.
Convertible Securities. All
Funds—A convertible security is a bond, debenture, note, stock or other similar security that may be converted into or exchanged
for a prescribed amount of common stock or other equity security of the same or a different issuer within a particular period of time
at a specified price or formula. Before conversion, convertible securities have characteristics similar to non-convertible debt securities
in that they ordinarily provide a stream of income with generally higher yields than those of common stock of the same or similar issuers.
Convertible securities are senior in rank to common stock in an issuer’s capital structure and, therefore, generally entail less
risk than the issuer’s common stock.
The Funds believe that the characteristics of convertible
securities make them appropriate investments for an investment company seeking a high level of total return on its assets. These characteristics
include the potential for capital appreciation if the value of the underlying common stock increases, the relatively high yield received
from dividend or interest payments as compared to common stock dividends and decreased risks of decline in value, relative to the underlying
common stock due to their fixed income nature. As a result of the conversion feature, however, the interest rate or dividend preference
on a convertible security is generally less than would be the case if the securities were not convertible. During periods of rising interest
rates, it is possible that the potential for capital gain on a convertible security may be less than that of a common stock equivalent
if the yield on the convertible security is at a level that causes it to sell at a discount.
Every convertible security may be valued, on a theoretical
basis, as if it did not have a conversion privilege. This theoretical value is determined by the yield it provides in comparison with
the yields of other securities of comparable character and quality that do not have a conversion privilege. This theoretical value, which
may change with prevailing interest rates, the credit rating of the issuer and other pertinent factors, often referred to as the “investment
value,” represents the security’s theoretical price support level.
“Conversion value” is the amount a convertible
security would be worth in market value if it were to be exchanged for the underlying equity security pursuant to its conversion privilege.
Conversion value fluctuates directly with the price of the underlying equity security, usually common stock. If, because of low prices
for the common stock, the conversion value is substantially below the investment value, the price of the convertible security is governed
principally by the factors described in the preceding paragraph. If the conversion value rises near or above its investment value, the
price of the convertible security generally will rise above its investment value and, in addition, will sell at some premium over its
conversion value. This premium represents the price investors are willing to pay for the privilege of purchasing a fixed-income security
with a possibility of capital appreciation due to the conversion privilege. Accordingly, the conversion value of a convertible security
is subject to equity risk, that is, the risk that the price of an equity security will fall due to general market and economic conditions,
perceptions regarding the industry in which the issuer participates or the issuing company’s particular circumstances. If the appreciation
potential of a convertible security is not realized, its conversion value premium may not be recovered.
In its selection of convertible securities for a Fund,
the Adviser will not emphasize either investment value or conversion value, but will consider both in light of the Fund’s overall
investment objective.
A Fund may convert a convertible security that it holds:
•
when necessary to permit orderly
disposition of the investment when a convertible security approaches maturity or has been called for redemption;
•
to facilitate a sale of the position;
•
if the dividend rate on the
underlying common stock increases above the yield on the convertible security; or
•
whenever the Adviser believes it is otherwise in the best interests
of the Fund.
Convertible securities are generally not investment grade,
that is, not rated within the four highest categories by S&P and Moody’s. To the extent that such convertible securities, which
are acquired by the Fund consistent with the factors considered by the Adviser, as described in this Prospectus, are rated lower than
investment grade or are not rated, there would be a greater risk as to the timely repayment of the principal of, and timely payment of
interest or dividends on, those securities.
Emerging Markets. Renewables
Fund—The Fund may invest up to 25% of its net assets, plus borrowings for investment purposes, in publicly traded securities
of GRSI companies, whose primary operations or principal trading market is in an emerging market. In selecting the Fund’s emerging
markets securities, the Adviser primarily looks to the emerging market countries that are included in the MSCI Emerging Markets Index
(USD), which currently include Brazil, Chile, China, Colombia, Czech Republic, Egypt, Greece, Hungary, India, Indonesia, Korea, Kuwait,
Malaysia, Mexico, Peru, Philippines, Poland, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, South Africa, Taiwan, Thailand, Turkey and the United Arab Emirates.
Short Sales. All
Funds—A Fund may from time to time make short sales of securities, including short sales “against the box.” A
short sale is a transaction in which the Fund sells a security it does not own in anticipation that the market price of that security
will decline. A short sale against the box occurs when the Fund contemporaneously owns, or has the right to obtain at no added cost, securities
identical to those sold short.
Except for short sales against the box, a Fund will not
sell short more than 10% of the Fund’s net assets (plus the amount of any borrowing for investment purposes) and the market value
for the securities sold short of any one issuer will not exceed 5% of such issuer’s voting securities. In addition, a Fund may not
make short sales or maintain a short position if it would cause more than 25% of the Fund’s net assets (plus the amount of any borrowing
for investment purposes), taken at market value, to be held as collateral for such sales. The Fund may make short sales against the box
without respect to such limitations.
A Fund may make short sales in order to hedge against market
risks when it believes that the price of a security may decline, causing a decline in the value of a security owned by the Fund or a security
convertible into, or exchangeable for, such security, or when a Fund does not want to sell the security it owns. Such short sale transactions
may be subject to special tax rules, one of the effects of which may be to accelerate income to the Funds. Additionally, a Fund may use
short sales in conjunction with the purchase of a convertible security when it is determined that the convertible security can be bought
at a small conversion premium and has a yield advantage relative to the underlying common stock sold short.
When a Fund makes a short sale, it will often borrow the
security sold short and deliver it to the broker-dealer through which it made the short sale as collateral for its obligation to deliver
the security upon conclusion of the sale. In connection with such short sales, a Fund may pay a fee to borrow securities or maintain an
arrangement with a broker to borrow securities, and is often obligated to pay over any accrued interest and dividends on such borrowed
securities. In a short sale, the Funds do not immediately deliver the securities sold or receive the proceeds from the sale. A Fund may
close out a short position by purchasing and delivering an equal amount of the securities sold short, rather than by delivering securities
already held by the Fund, because the Fund may want to continue to receive interest and dividend payments on securities in its portfolio
that are convertible into the securities sold short.
If the price of the security sold short increases between
the time of the short sale and the time that a Fund replaces the borrowed security, the Fund will incur a loss; conversely, if the price
declines, the Fund will realize a capital gain. Any gain will be decreased, and any loss, increased, by the transaction costs described
above. The successful use of short selling may be adversely affected by imperfect correlation between movements in the price of the security
sold short and the securities being hedged.
To the extent that a Fund engages in short sales, it will
provide collateral to the broker-dealer and (except in the case of short sales against the box) will maintain additional asset coverage
in the form of segregated or “earmarked” assets on the records of the Adviser or with the Fund’s Custodian, consisting
of cash, U.S. government securities, or other liquid securities that is equal to the current market value of the securities sold short,
or (in the case of short sales against the box) will ensure that such positions are covered by offsetting positions, until the Fund replaces
the borrowed security. The Funds will engage in short selling to the extent permitted by the federal securities laws and rules and interpretations
thereunder, subject to the percentage limitations set forth above. To the extent a Fund engages in short selling in foreign (non-U.S.)
jurisdictions, the Fund will do so to the extent permitted by the laws and regulations of such jurisdiction.
Illiquid Investments. All
Funds—A Fund may invest up to 15% of its net assets (plus the amount of any borrowing for investment purposes) in illiquid
securities. Illiquid securities are securities that cannot be disposed of within seven days in the ordinary course of business at approximately
the value at which a Fund has valued the securities. Illiquid securities include, among other things, securities legally restricted as
to resale such as commercial paper issued pursuant to Section 4(a)(2) of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities
Act”), securities traded pursuant to Rule 144A of the Securities Act, written over-the-counter options, repurchase agreements with
maturities in excess of seven days, certain loan participation interests, fixed time deposits which are not subject to prepayment or provide
for withdrawal penalties upon prepayment (other than overnight deposits), and other securities whose disposition is restricted under the
federal securities laws. Section 4(a)(2) and Rule 144A securities may, however, be treated as liquid by the Adviser pursuant to procedures
adopted by the Board of Trustees, which require consideration of factors such as trading activity, availability of market quotations and
number of dealers willing to purchase the security. If a Fund invests in Rule 144A securities, the level of portfolio illiquidity may
be increased to the extent that eligible buyers exhibit weak demand for such securities.
It may be more difficult to sell unregistered securities
at an attractive price should their resale remain restricted than if such securities were in the future to become publicly traded. Where
registration is desired, a considerable period may elapse between a decision to sell the securities and the time when registration is
complete. Thus, a Fund may not be able to obtain as favorable a price at the time of the decision to sell as it might achieve in the future.
A Fund may also acquire securities with contractual restrictions on the resale of such securities. Such restrictions might prevent their
sale at a time when such sale would otherwise be desirable.
When-Issued, Delayed Delivery Securities
and Forward Commitments. All
Funds—A Fund may enter into forward commitments for the purchase or sale of securities, including on a “when-issued”
or “delayed delivery” basis, in excess of customary settlement periods for the type of security involved. In some cases, a
forward commitment may be conditioned upon the occurrence of a subsequent event, such as approval and consummation of a merger, corporate
reorganization or debt restructuring (i.e., a when, as and if issued security). When such transactions
are negotiated, the price is fixed at the time of the commitment, with payment and delivery taking place in the future, generally a month
or more after the date of the commitment. While it will only enter into a forward commitment with the intention of actually acquiring
the security, a Fund may sell the security before the settlement date if it is deemed advisable.
Securities purchased under a forward commitment are subject
to market fluctuation, and no interest (or dividends) accrues to a Fund prior to the settlement date. The Funds will segregate with its
custodian cash or liquid securities in an aggregate amount at least equal to the amount of its outstanding forward commitments.
Repurchase Agreements. All
Funds—Repurchase agreements may be seen as loans by the Funds collateralized by underlying debt securities. Under the terms
of a typical repurchase agreement, the Funds would acquire an underlying debt obligation for a relatively short period (usually not more
than one week) subject to an obligation of the seller to repurchase, and the Funds to resell, the obligation at an agreed price and time.
This arrangement results in a fixed rate of return to the Funds that is not subject to market fluctuations during the holding period.
A Fund bears a risk of loss in the event that the other party to a repurchase agreement defaults on its obligations and the Fund is delayed
in or prevented from exercising its rights to dispose of the collateral securities, including the risk of a possible decline in the value
of the underlying securities during the period in which it seeks to assert these rights. The Adviser, acting under the supervision of
the Board of Trustees, reviews the creditworthiness of those banks and dealers with which a Fund enters into repurchase agreements to
evaluate these risks and monitors on an ongoing basis the value of the securities subject to repurchase agreements to ensure that the
value is maintained at the required level. The Funds will not enter into repurchase agreements with the Adviser or any of its affiliates.
The Funds may also use the following
investment technique:
Defensive Investments. When
adverse market or economic conditions occur, each Fund may temporarily invest all or a portion of its assets in defensive investments
that are short-term and liquid. Such investments include U.S. government securities, certificates of deposit, banker’s acceptances,
time deposits, repurchase agreements, and other high quality debt instruments. When following a defensive strategy, a Fund will be less
likely to achieve its investment objective.
Investing in
the Funds involves the following risks:
Adviser Investment Risk. All
Funds—The Adviser and its affiliates (each, an “Adviser Investor”) may from time to time own a significant amount
of the Funds’ shares (an “Adviser Investment”). An Adviser Investor may make an Adviser Investment to enable a Fund
to reach critical mass or because the Adviser Investor has capital to invest and wants exposure to the Fund’s investment strategy
or for other reasons. If an Adviser Investment is substantial relative to a Fund’s overall asset size, a partial or complete redemption
of the Adviser Investment, which may occur at any time, including at the time of other inflows or outflows, may have a material adverse
effect on the Fund’s expense ratio, portfolio turnover and the overall ability to manage the Fund. The Adviser Investor reserves
the right to redeem its Adviser Investment at any time in accordance with applicable law in its sole and absolute discretion.
Asset Allocation Risk. Real
Assets Securities Fund—The Fund is subject to the risk that the Adviser’s selection and weighting of asset classes
may cause the Fund to fail to meet its investment objective, cause the Fund to underperform other funds with a similar investment objective
or cause an investor to lose money.
Bank Loans Risk. Real
Assets Securities Fund—The market for bank loans may not be highly liquid and the Fund may have difficulty selling them.
These investments expose the Fund to the credit risk of both the financial institution and the underlying borrower. These instruments
are considered predominantly speculative with respect to an issuer’s continuing ability to make principal and interest payments
and may be more volatile than other types of investments. An economic downturn or individual corporate developments could adversely affect
the market for these instruments and reduce the Fund’s ability to sell these instruments at an advantageous time or price. An economic
downturn would generally lead to a higher non-payment rate, and a bank loan may lose significant market value before a default occurs.
In addition, the bank loans in which the Fund invests may not be listed on any exchange and a secondary market for such loans may be less
liquid than markets for other more liquid fixed income securities. Consequently, transactions in bank loans may involve greater costs
than transactions in more actively traded instruments. Restrictions on transfers in loan agreements, a lack of publicly-available information,
irregular trading activity and wide bid/ask spreads, among other factors, may, in certain circumstances, make bank loans more difficult
to value accurately or sell at an advantageous time or price than other types of securities or instruments. These factors may result in
the Fund being unable to realize full value for the bank loans and/or may result in the Fund not receiving the proceeds from a sale of
a bank loan for an extended period after such sale, each of which could result in losses to the Fund. Bank loans may have extended trade
settlement periods, including settlement periods of greater than seven days, which may result in sale proceeds not being immediately available
to the Fund.
Commodity-Related Investments Risk. Infrastructure
Fund and Real Assets Securities Fund—The value of commodities investments will generally be affected by overall market movements
and factors specific to a particular industry or commodity, which may include weather, embargoes, tariffs, and health, political, international
and regulatory developments. Economic and other events (whether real or perceived) can reduce the demand for commodities, which may reduce
market prices and cause the value of Fund shares to fall. The frequency and magnitude of such changes cannot be predicted. Exposure to
commodities and commodities markets may subject a fund to greater volatility than investments in traditional securities. No active trading
market may exist for certain commodities investments, which may impair the ability of a fund to sell or to realize the full value of such
investments in the event of the need to liquidate such investments. In addition, adverse market conditions may impair the liquidity of
actively traded commodities investments. Certain types of commodities instruments (such as commodity swaps) are subject to the risk that
the counterparty to the instrument will not perform or will be unable to perform in accordance with the terms of the instrument.
Concentration Risk. All
Funds—Because the Global Real Estate Fund, the Infrastructure Fund, the Real Assets Securities Fund and the Renewables Fund
will each invest more than 25% of their net assets (plus the amount of any borrowing for investment purposes) in: securities in the real
estate industry, securities in the infrastructure industry, investments offering exposure to real assets, and securities of issuers directly
or indirectly engaged in the renewable and sustainable infrastructure industry, respectively, each as defined in this Prospectus, the
Funds may be subject to greater volatility with respect to their portfolio securities than a fund that does not concentrate its investments.
Construction and Development Risk. All
Funds—Funds that invest in new or development stage infrastructure projects, likely retain some risk that the project will
not be completed within budget, within the agreed time frame and to the agreed specification. During the construction or development phase,
the major risks of delay include political opposition, regulatory and permitting delays, delays in procuring sites, strikes, disputes,
environmental issues, force majeure, or failure by one or more of the infrastructure investment participants to perform in a timely manner
their contractual, financial or other commitments. These delays in the projected completion of a project could result in delays in the
commencement of cash flow and an increase in the capital needed to complete construction, which may have a material adverse effect on
the Funds’ financial performance.
Credit Risk. Infrastructure
Fund and Real Assets Securities Fund—The risk that the issuer or guarantor of a debt instrument is unable or unwilling to
meet its financial obligations. The credit quality of securities held by the Funds can change rapidly in certain market environments,
particularly during volatile markets, and the default of a single holding could cause significant NAV deterioration. A debt security’s
issuer (or a borrower or counterparty to a repurchase agreement or reverse repurchase agreement) may not be able to meet its financial
obligations (e.g., may not be able to make principal and/or interest payments when they are due
or otherwise default on other financial terms) and/or may go bankrupt. This is also sometimes described as counterparty risk.
Derivatives Risk. All
Funds—The Funds may gain exposure to commodities through related derivative instruments, such as futures, forwards, swaps,
options on futures and structured notes. Many of the risks applicable to trading the underlying asset are also applicable to derivatives
trading. However, there are a number of additional risks associated with derivatives trading. Transactions in certain derivatives are
subject to clearance on a U.S. national exchange and to regulatory oversight, while other derivatives are subject to risks of trading
in the OTC markets or on non-U.S. exchanges. Additional risks associated with derivatives trading include:
Counterparty Risk. Because
some of the derivative transactions in which a Fund may engage (for example, certain swaps) may involve instruments that are not traded
on an exchange but are instead traded between counterparties based on contractual relationships, the Funds are subject to the risk that
a counterparty will not perform its obligations under the related contracts. Although the Funds intend to enter into transactions only
with counterparties which the Adviser believes to be creditworthy, there can be no assurance that a counterparty will not default and
that a Fund will not sustain a loss on a transaction as a result.
Some types of cleared derivatives are required to be executed
on an exchange or on a swap execution facility. A swap execution facility is a trading platform where multiple market participants can
execute derivatives by accepting bids and offers made by multiple other participants in the platform. While this execution requirement
is designed to increase transparency and liquidity in the cleared derivatives market, trading on a swap execution facility can create
additional costs and risks for a Fund.
In the event of the counterparty’s bankruptcy or
insolvency, a Fund’s collateral may be subject to the conflicting claims of the counterparty’s creditors, and the Fund may
be exposed to the risk of a court treating the Fund as a general unsecured creditor of the counterparty, rather than as the owner of the
collateral. The Funds are subject to the risk that issuers of the instruments in which they invest and trade may default on their obligations
under those instruments, and that certain events may occur that have an immediate and significant adverse effect on the value of those
instruments. There can be no assurance that an issuer of an instrument in which a Fund invests will not default, or that an event that
has an immediate and significant adverse effect on the value of an instrument will not occur, and that the Fund will not sustain a loss
on a transaction as a result.
Liquidity Risk. Derivative
instruments, including options and swaps, especially when traded in large amounts, may not be liquid in all circumstances, so that in
volatile markets a Fund may not be able to close out a position without incurring a loss. In addition, daily limits on price fluctuations
and speculative position limits on exchanges on which a Fund may conduct its transactions in derivative instruments may prevent profitable
liquidation of positions, subjecting the Fund to the potential of greater losses.
Financial Leverage Risk. Trading
in derivative instruments can result in large amounts of financial leverage. Thus, the leverage offered by trading in derivative instruments
will magnify the gains and losses experienced by the Funds and could cause the value of the Fund’s net assets to be subject to wider
fluctuations than would be the case if the Fund did not use the leverage feature of derivative instruments.
Over-the-Counter Trading
Risk. Derivative instruments, such as swap agreements,
that may be purchased or sold by a Fund may include instruments not traded on an exchange. The risk of nonperformance by the counterparty
to an instrument is generally greater than, and the ease with which a Fund can dispose of or enter into closing transactions with respect
to an instrument is generally less than, the risk associated with an exchange traded instrument. In addition, greater disparities may
exist between “bid” and “asked” prices for derivative instruments that are not traded on an exchange. Derivative
instruments not traded on exchanges also are not subject to the same type of government regulation as exchange traded instruments, and
many of the protections afforded to participants in a regulated environment may not be available in connection with the transactions.
Tracking Risk. The
value of the derivatives that a Fund uses to gain commodities exposure may not correlate to the values of the underlying commodities.
When used for hedging purposes, an imperfect or variable degree of correlation between price or rate movements of the derivative instrument
and the underlying investment sought to be hedged may prevent a Fund from achieving the intended hedging effect or expose the Fund to
risk of loss.
Regulation
Risk. The SEC recently adopted Rule 18f-4 under
the 1940 Act, which regulates the use of derivatives, short sales, reverse repurchase agreements and certain other transactions for certain
funds registered under the 1940 Act. Among other things, Rule 18f-4 requires funds that invest in derivative instruments beyond a specified
limited amount to apply a value-at-risk (“VaR”) based limit to their use of certain derivative instruments and financing transactions
and to adopt and implement a derivatives risk management program. Consequently, unless a fund qualifies as a “limited derivatives
user” as defined in Rule 18f-4, the fund has established a comprehensive derivatives risk management program to comply with a VaR
based leverage limit, appointed a derivatives risk manager and will provide additional disclosure both publicly and to the SEC regarding
its derivatives positions. If a fund qualifies as a limited derivatives user, Rule 18f-4 requires the fund to have policies and procedures
to manage its aggregate derivatives risk, which may require the fund to alter, perhaps materially, its use of derivatives, short sales,
and reverse repurchase agreements and similar financing transactions as part of its investment strategies. In connection with the adoption
of Rule 18f-4, the SEC also eliminated the asset segregation framework for covering derivatives and certain financial instruments arising
from SEC and staff guidance. In sum, Rule 18f-4 places certain limits on our ability to use derivatives and/or enter into certain financial
contracts.
Emerging Markets Risk. All
Funds—The Funds invest in equity securities of emerging market companies as part of its principal investment strategy. Investments
in emerging markets involve risks in addition to those generally associated with investments in foreign securities.
Political and economic structures
in many emerging markets may be undergoing significant evolution and rapid development, and such countries may lack the social, political
and economic stability characteristic of more developed countries. As a result, the risks described above relating to investments in foreign
securities, including the risks of nationalization or expropriation of assets, would be heightened. In addition, unanticipated political
or social developments may affect the values of the Funds’ investments and the availability to the Funds of additional investments
in such emerging markets. The small size and inexperience of the securities markets in certain emerging markets and the limited volume
of trading in securities in those markets may make the Funds’ investments in such countries less liquid and more volatile than investments
in countries with more developed securities markets (such as the U.S., Japan and most Western European countries).
In addition, the U.S. and other nations and international
organizations may impose economic sanctions or take other actions that may adversely affect issuers located in certain countries. In particular,
the U.S. and other countries have imposed economic sanctions on certain Russian individuals and corporate entities. The U.S. or other
countries could also institute broader sanctions on Russia. Such sanctions, any future sanctions or other actions, or even the threat
of further sanctions or other actions, may negatively affect the value and liquidity of the Funds’ portfolios. For example, the
Funds may be prohibited from investing in securities issued by companies subject to such sanctions. In addition, the sanctions may require
the Funds to freeze their existing investments in companies located in certain countries, prohibiting the Funds from buying, selling or
otherwise transacting in these investments. Countries subject to sanctions may undertake countermeasures or retaliatory actions which
may further impair the value and liquidity of the Funds’ portfolios and potentially disrupt their operations. Such events may have
an adverse impact on the economies and debts of other emerging markets as well.
Furthermore, the availability and reliability
of information material to the Funds’ investment decisions, particularly financial information, from emerging market companies may
be limited in comparison to the scope and reliability of financial information provided by U.S. companies. Notably, regulatory authorities
in some of these markets currently do not provide the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (“PCAOB”) with the ability
to inspect public accounting firms, including sufficient access to inspect audit work papers and practices, or otherwise do not cooperate
with U.S. regulators.
Environmental Risk. Renewables
Fund—GRSI assets may be subject to numerous laws, rules and regulations relating to environmental protection. Under various
environmental statutes, rules and regulations, a current or previous owner or operator of real property may be liable for non-compliance
with applicable environmental and health and safety requirements and for the costs of investigation, monitoring, removal or remediation
of hazardous materials. These laws often impose liability, whether or not the owner or operator knew of or was responsible for the presence
of hazardous materials. The presence of these hazardous materials on a property could also result in personal injury or property damage
or similar claims by private parties. Persons who arrange for the disposal or treatment of hazardous materials may also be liable for
the costs of removal or remediation of these materials at the disposal or treatment facility, whether or not that facility is or ever
was owned or operated by that person. The Fund may be exposed to substantial risk of loss from environmental claims arising in respect
of its investments, and such loss may exceed the value of such investments. Furthermore, changes in environmental laws or in the environmental
condition of a portfolio investment may create liabilities that did not exist at the time of acquisition of an investment and that could
not have been foreseen. For example, new environmental regulations may create costly compliance procedures for GRSI assets.
In addition, the Fund’s investments
can have a substantial environmental impact. As a result, community and environmental groups may protest about the development or operation
of GRSI assets, and these protests may induce government action to the detriment of the owner of the GRSI asset. Ordinary operation or
occurrence of an accident with respect to GRSI assets could cause major environmental damage, which could cause GRSI companies significant
financial distress to the particular asset, substantial liabilities for environmental cleanup and restoration costs, claims made by neighboring
landowners and other third parties for personal injury and property damage and fines or penalties for related violations of environmental
laws or regulations. GRSI companies may not be able to recover these costs from insurance. In addition, the costs of remediation of, to
the extent possible, the resulting environmental damage, and repairing relations with the affected community, could be significant.
Failure to comply with environmental
laws and regulations may trigger a variety of administrative, civil and criminal enforcement measures, including the assessment of monetary
penalties, the imposition of remedial requirements and the issuance of orders enjoining future operations. Voluntary initiatives and mandatory
controls have been adopted or are being discussed both in the United States and worldwide to reduce emissions of “greenhouse gases”
such as carbon dioxide, a by-product of burning fossil fuels, and methane, the major constituent of natural gas, which many scientists
and policymakers believe contribute to global climate change. These
measures and future measures could result in increased costs to certain
companies in which the Fund may invest. Generally, the Fund will conduct environmental due diligence before making an investment to assess
the status of environmental regulatory compliance. There can be no assurance, however, that such due diligence will reveal all environmental
liabilities relating to an investment.
Equity Securities Risk. All
Funds—Equity securities are subject to the risk that stock prices may rise and fall in periodic cycles and may perform poorly
relative to other investments. This risk may be greater in the short term. Equity securities represent an ownership interest in an issuer,
rank junior in a company’s capital structure to debt securities and consequently may entail greater risk of loss than fixed income
securities.
Exchange-Traded Fund
Risk. Real Assets Securities
Fund and Renewables Fund—ETFs are typically open-end investment companies that are bought and sold on a national securities
exchange. When a Fund invests in an ETF, it will bear additional expenses based on its pro rata
share of the ETF’s operating expenses, including the potential duplication of management fees. The risk of owning an ETF generally
reflects the risks of owning the underlying securities it holds. Many ETFs seek to replicate a specific benchmark index. However, an ETF
may not fully replicate the performance of its benchmark index for many reasons, including because of the temporary unavailability of
certain index securities in the secondary market or discrepancies between the ETF and the index with respect to the weighting of securities
or the number of stocks held. Inverse ETFs are subject to the risk that their performance will fall as the value of their benchmark indices
rises. Lack of liquidity in an ETF could result in an ETF being more volatile than the underlying portfolio of securities it holds. In
addition, because of ETF expenses, compared to owning the underlying securities directly, it may be more costly to own an ETF. The Funds
also will incur brokerage costs when it purchases ETFs.
If the Funds invest in shares of another
mutual fund, shareholders will indirectly bear fees and expenses charged by the underlying mutual funds in which they invest in addition
to their direct fees and expenses. Furthermore, investments in other mutual funds could affect the timing, amount and character of distributions
to shareholders and therefore may increase the amount of taxes payable by investors in the Funds.
Exchange-Traded Note
Risk. Real Assets Securities
Fund and Renewables Fund—ETNs are subject to the credit risk of the issuer. The value of an ETN will vary and will be influenced
by its time to maturity, level of supply and demand for the ETN, volatility and lack of liquidity in underlying securities, currency and
commodities markets as well as changes in the applicable interest rates, changes in the issuer’s credit rating, and economic, legal,
political, or geographic events that affect the referenced index. There may be restrictions on the Funds’ right to redeem their
investment in an ETN, which is meant to be held until maturity. The Funds’ decision to sell their ETN holdings may be limited by
the availability of a secondary market.
Fixed Income Risk. All
Funds—The market value of fixed income investments changes in response to interest rate changes and other factors. During
periods of falling interest rates, the values of outstanding fixed income securities generally rise. During periods of rising interest
rates, the values of outstanding fixed income securities generally fall. Moreover, while securities with longer maturities tend to produce
higher yields, the prices of longer maturity securities are also subject to greater market fluctuations as a result of changes in interest
rates. As the average maturity or duration of a security lengthens, the risk that the price of such security will become more volatile
increases. These risks may be greater in the current market environment because certain interest rates are near historically low levels.
It is likely that there will be less governmental action in the near future to maintain low interest rates. The negative impact on fixed
income securities from the resulting rate increases for that and other reasons may be swift and significant. In contrast to maturity which
measures only time until final payment, duration combines consideration of yield, interest payments, final maturity and call features.
Additional risk associated with fixed income securities includes:
Call Risk. During
periods of falling interest rates, certain debt obligations with high interest rates may be prepaid (or “called”) by the issuer
prior to maturity.
Extension Risk. An
issuer may exercise its right to pay principal on an obligation held by a Fund later than expected. This may happen when there is a rise
in interest rates. Under these circumstances, the value of the obligation will decrease.
Credit Risk. The
possibility that an issuer will be unable to make timely payments of either principal or interest.
Event Risk. Securities
may suffer declines in credit quality and market value due to issuer restructurings or other factors.
Foreign Currency Risk. All
Funds—Although a Fund will report its NAV and pay dividends in U.S. dollars, foreign securities often are purchased with
and make interest payments in foreign currencies. Therefore, when a Fund invests in foreign securities, it will be subject to foreign
currency risk, which means that the Fund’s NAV could decline as a result of changes in the exchange rates between foreign currencies
and the U.S. dollar. Certain foreign countries may impose restrictions on the ability of issuers of foreign securities to make payment
of principal and interest to investors located outside the country, due to blockage of foreign currency exchanges or otherwise. A Fund
may engage in various investments that are designed to hedge the Fund’s foreign currency risks. While these transactions will be
entered into to seek to manage these risks, these investments may not prove to be successful or may have the effect of limiting the gains
from favorable market movements.
Foreign (Non-U.S.) Securities Risk. All
Funds—Investing in foreign securities involves certain risks not involved in domestic investments, including, but not limited
to:
•
future foreign economic, financial, political and social developments;
•
different legal systems;
•
the possible imposition of exchange controls or other foreign governmental laws
or restrictions;
•
less governmental supervision;
•
regulation changes;
•
changes in currency exchange rates;
•
less publicly available information
about companies due to less rigorous disclosure or accounting standards or regulatory practices;
•
high and volatile rates of inflation;
•
fluctuating interest rates;
•
different accounting, auditing and financial record-keeping standards and requirements;
and
•
dividend income a Fund receives
from these foreign securities may not be eligible for the special tax treatment applicable to qualified income.
Investments in foreign securities, especially in emerging
market countries, will expose a Fund to the direct or indirect consequences of political, social or economic changes in the countries
that issue the securities or in which the issuers are located. Certain countries in which a Fund may invest, especially emerging market
countries, have historically experienced, and may continue to experience, high rates of inflation, high interest rates, exchange rate
fluctuations, large amounts of external debt, balance of payments and trade difficulties and extreme poverty and unemployment. Many of
these countries are also characterized by political uncertainty and instability. The cost of servicing external debt will generally be
adversely affected by rising international interest rates because many external debt obligations bear interest at rates that are adjusted
based upon international interest rates. In addition, with respect to certain foreign countries, there is a risk of:
•
the possibility of expropriation of assets;
•
confiscatory
taxation;
•
difficulty in obtaining or enforcing a court judgment;
•
economic, political or social instability; and
•
diplomatic developments that could affect investments in those
countries.
In addition, individual foreign economies may differ favorably
or unfavorably from the U.S. economy in such respects as:
•
growth of gross domestic product;
•
rates of inflation;
•
capital reinvestment;
•
resources;
•
self-sufficiency; and
•
balance of payments position.
To the extent a Fund’s investments are concentrated
in a geographic region or country, the Fund will be subject, to a greater extent than if the Fund’s assets were less concentrated,
to the risks of adverse changes in that region or country. In addition, certain investments in foreign securities also may be subject
to foreign withholding taxes.
In addition, investments in foreign
countries could be affected by other factors generally not thought to be present in the U.S. Such factors include the unavailability of
financial information or the difficulty of interpreting financial information prepared under foreign accounting standards; less liquidity
and more volatility in foreign securities markets; the possibility of expropriation; the imposition of foreign withholding and other taxes;
the impact of political, social or diplomatic developments; limitations on the movement of funds or other assets of any of the Funds between
different countries; difficulties in invoking legal process abroad and enforcing contractual obligations; and the difficulty of assessing
economic trends in foreign countries.
Foreign markets also have different
clearance and settlement procedures, and in certain markets there have been times when settlements have been unable to keep pace with
the volume of securities transactions. These delays in settlement could result in temporary periods when a portion of the assets of each
Fund is uninvested and no return is earned thereon. The inability of any of the Funds to make intended security purchases due to settlement
problems could cause such Fund to miss attractive investment opportunities. An inability to dispose of portfolio securities due to settlement
problems could result either in losses to such Fund due to subsequent declines in value of the portfolio securities or, if such Fund has
entered into a contract to sell the securities, could result in possible liability to the purchaser.
Investing in securities of non-U.S.
companies may entail additional risks especially in emerging countries due to the potential political and economic instability of certain
countries. These risks include expropriation nationalization, confiscation or the imposition of restrictions on foreign investment and
on repatriation of capital invested. Should one of these events occur, any of the Funds could lose their entire investment in any such
country. Each Fund’s investments would similarly be adversely affected by exchange control regulation in any of those countries.
Even though opportunities for investment
may exist in foreign countries, any changes in the leadership or policies of the governments of those countries, or in any other government
that exercises a significant influence over those countries, may halt the expansion of or reverse the liberalization of foreign investment
policies and thereby eliminate any investment opportunities that may currently exist. This is particularly true of emerging markets.
Certain countries in which the Funds may invest may
have minority groups that advocate religious or revolutionary philosophies or support ethnic independence. Any action on the part of such
individuals could carry the potential for destruction or confiscation of property owned by individuals and entities foreign to such country
and could cause the loss of the Funds’ investments in those countries.
Certain countries prohibit or impose
substantial restrictions on investments in their capital and equity markets by foreign entities like the Funds. Certain countries require
governmental approval prior to foreign investments or limit the amount of foreign investment in a particular company or limit the investment
to only a specific class of securities of a company that may have less advantageous terms than securities of the company available for
purchase by nationals. Moreover, the national policies of certain countries may restrict investment opportunities in issuers or industries
deemed sensitive to national interests. In addition, some countries require governmental approval for the repatriation of investment income,
capital or the proceeds of securities sales by foreign investors. The Funds could be adversely affected by delays in or a refusal to grant,
any required governmental approval for repatriation, as well as by the application to it of other restrictions on investments. In particular,
restrictions on repatriation could make it more difficult for the Funds to obtain cash necessary to satisfy the tax distribution requirements
that must be satisfied in order for the Funds to avoid federal income or excise tax.
General Risks of Investing in Infrastructure
Companies. Infrastructure
Fund and Real Assets Securities Fund—Securities and instruments of infrastructure companies are more susceptible to adverse
economic or regulatory occurrences affecting their industries. Infrastructure companies may be subject to a variety of factors that may
adversely affect their business or operations, including high interest costs in connection with capital construction programs, high leverage,
costs associated with environmental and other regulations, the effects of economic slowdown, surplus capacity, increased competition from
other providers of services, uncertainties concerning the availability of fuel at reasonable prices, the effects of energy conservation
policies and other factors. The following is a summary of specific risks infrastructure companies may be particularly affected by or subject
to:
Regulatory
Risk. Infrastructure companies may be subject
to regulation by various governmental authorities and may also be affected by governmental regulation of rates charged to services, the
imposition of special tariffs and changes in tax laws, environmental laws and regulations, regulatory policies, accounting standards and
general changes in market sentiment towards infrastructure assets. Infrastructure companies’ inability to predict, influence or
respond appropriately to changes in law or regulatory schemes could adversely impact their results of operations.
Technology
Risk. This risk arises where a change could occur
in the way a service or product is delivered rendering the existing technology obsolete. While the risk could be considered low in the
infrastructure sector given the massive fixed costs involved in constructing assets and the fact that many infrastructure technologies
are well-established, any technology change that occurs over the medium term could threaten the profitability of an infrastructure company.
If such a change were to occur, these assets may have very few alternative uses should they become obsolete.
Regional
or Geographic Risk. This risk arises where an infrastructure
company’s assets are not movable. Should an event that somehow impairs the performance of an infrastructure company’s assets
occur in the geographic location where the issuer operates those assets, the performance of the issuer may be adversely affected.
Natural
Disasters Risk. Natural risks, such as earthquakes,
flood, lightning, hurricanes and wind, are risks facing certain infrastructure companies. Extreme weather patterns, or the threat thereof,
could result in substantial damage to the facilities of certain companies located in the affected areas, and significant volatility in
the products or services of infrastructure companies could adversely impact the prices of the securities of such issuer.
Environmental
Risk. Infrastructure companies can have substantial
environmental impacts. Ordinary operations or operational accidents may cause major environmental damage, which could cause infrastructure
companies significant financial distress, substantial liabilities for environmental cleanup and restoration costs, claims made by neighboring
landowners and other third parties for personal injury
and property damage, and fines or penalties for related violations of environmental
laws or regulations. Infrastructure companies may not be able to recover these costs from insurance. Failure to comply with environmental
laws and regulations may trigger a variety of administrative, civil and criminal enforcement measures, including the assessment of monetary
penalties, the imposition of remedial requirements, and the issuance of orders enjoining future operations. Voluntary initiatives and
mandatory controls have been adopted or are being discussed both in the United States and worldwide to reduce emissions of “greenhouse
gases” such as carbon dioxide, a by-product of burning fossil fuels, and methane, the major constituent of natural gas, which many
scientists and policymakers believe contribute to global climate change. These measures and future measures could result in increased
costs to certain companies in which the Funds may invest.
Throughput
Risk. The revenue of many infrastructure companies
may be impacted by the number of users who use the products or services produced by the infrastructure company. A significant decrease
in the number of users may negatively impact the profitability of an infrastructure company.
Project
Risk. To the extent a Fund invests in infrastructure
companies which are dependent to a significant extent on new infrastructure projects, the Fund may be exposed to the risk that the project
will not be completed within budget, within the agreed time frame or to agreed specifications. Each of these factors may adversely affect
a Fund’s return from that investment.
Strategic
Asset Risk. Infrastructure companies may control
significant strategic assets. Strategic assets are assets that have a national or regional profile, and may have monopolistic characteristics.
The very nature of these assets could generate additional risk not common in other industry sectors. Given the national or regional profile
and/or their irreplaceable nature, strategic assets may constitute a higher risk target for terrorist acts or political actions. Given
the essential nature of the products or services provided by infrastructure companies, there is also a higher probability that the services
provided by such issuers will be in constant demand. Should an infrastructure company fail to make such services available, users of such
services may incur significant damage and may, due to the characteristics of the strategic assets, be unable to replace the supply or
mitigate any such damage, thereby heightening any potential loss.
Operation
Risk. The long-term profitability of an infrastructure
company may be partly dependent on the efficient operation and maintenance of its infrastructure assets. Should an infrastructure company
fail to efficiently maintain and operate the assets, the infrastructure company’s ability to maintain payments of dividends or interest
to investors may be impaired. The destruction or loss of an infrastructure asset may have a major impact on the infrastructure company.
Failure by the infrastructure company to carry adequate insurance or to operate the asset appropriately could lead to significant losses
and damages.
Customer
Risk. Infrastructure companies can have a narrow
customer base. Should these customers or counterparties fail to pay their contractual obligations, significant revenues could cease and
not be replaceable. This would affect the profitability of the infrastructure company and the value of any securities or other instruments
it has issued.
Interest
Rate Risk. Infrastructure assets can be highly
leveraged. As such, movements in the level of interest rates may affect the returns from these assets more significantly than other assets
in some instances. The structure and nature of the debt encumbering an infrastructure asset may therefore be an important element to consider
in assessing the interest risk of the infrastructure asset. In particular, the type of facilities, maturity profile, rates being paid,
fixed versus variable components and covenants in place (including the manner in which they affect returns to equity holders) are crucial
factors in assessing any interest rate risk. Due to the nature of infrastructure assets, the impact of interest rate fluctuations may
be greater for infrastructure companies than for the economy as a whole in the country in which the interest rate fluctuation occurs.
Inflation Risk. Many
companies operating in the infrastructure sector may have fixed income streams and, therefore, be unable to pay higher dividends. The
market value of infrastructure companies may decline in value in times of higher inflation rates. The prices that an infrastructure company
is able to charge users of its assets may not be linked to inflation. In this case, changes in the rate of inflation may affect the forecast
profitability of the infrastructure company.
Developing
Industries Risk. Some infrastructure companies
are focused on developing new technologies and are strongly influenced by technological changes. Product development efforts by such companies
may not result in viable commercial products. These companies may bear high research and development costs, which can limit their ability
to maintain operations during periods of organizational growth or instability. Some infrastructure companies in which the Funds invest
may be in the early stages of operations and may have limited operating histories and smaller market capitalizations on average than companies
in other sectors. As a result of these and other factors, the value of investments in such issuers may be considerably more volatile than
that in more established segments of the economy.
Risks
of Investing in Pipelines. Pipeline companies are
subject to the demand for natural gas, natural gas liquids, crude oil or refined products in the markets they serve, changes in the availability
of products for gathering, transportation, processing or sale due to natural declines in reserves and production in the supply areas serviced
by the companies’ facilities, sharp decreases in crude oil or natural gas prices that cause producers to curtail production or reduce
capital spending for exploration activities, and environmental regulation and related cost-intensive integrity management and testing
programs. Demand for gasoline, which accounts for a substantial portion of refined product transportation, depends on price, prevailing
economic conditions in the markets served, and demographic and seasonal factors.
Companies that own interstate pipelines
that transport natural gas, natural gas liquids, crude oil or refined petroleum products are subject to regulation by the Federal Energy
Regulation Commission (“FERC”) with respect to the tariff rates they may charge for transportation services. An adverse determination
by the FERC with respect to the tariff rates of such a company could have a material adverse effect on its business, financial condition,
results of operations and cash flows and its ability to pay cash distributions or dividends. In addition, the FERC has a tax allowance
policy, which permits such companies to include in their cost of service an income tax allowance to the extent that their owners have
an actual or potential tax liability on the income generated by them.
The ability of interstate pipelines held
in tax-pass-through entities such as MLPs to include an allowance for income taxes as a cost-of-service element in their regulated rates
has been subject to extensive litigation before the FERC and the courts for a number of years. It is currently the FERC’s policy
to permit pipelines to include in cost-of-service a tax allowance to reflect actual or potential income tax liability on their public
utility income attributable to all partnership or limited liability company interests, if the ultimate owner of the interest has an actual
or potential income tax liability on such income. Whether a pipeline’s owners have such actual or potential income tax liability
will be reviewed by the FERC on a case-by-case basis.
If the FERC’s income tax allowance
policy were to change in the future to disallow a material portion of the income tax allowance taken by such interstate pipeline companies,
it would adversely impact the maximum tariff rates that such companies are permitted to charge for their transportation services, which
would in turn could adversely affect such companies’ financial condition and ability to pay distributions or dividends to their
equity holders.
Further, intrastate pipelines are subject
to regulation in many states, which, while less comprehensive than FERC regulation, makes intrastate pipeline tariffs subject to protest
and complaint and may adversely affect such intrastate pipelines’ financial condition, cash flows and ability to pay distributions
or dividends.
Financing Risk. From
time to time, infrastructure companies may encounter difficulties in obtaining financing for construction programs during inflationary
periods. Issuers experiencing difficulties in financing construction programs may also experience lower profitability, which can result
in reduced income to the Funds.
Other factors that may affect the operations of infrastructure
companies include difficulty in raising capital in adequate amounts on reasonable terms in periods of high inflation and unsettled capital
markets, inexperience with and potential losses resulting from a developing deregulatory environment, increased susceptibility to terrorist
acts or political actions, and general changes in market sentiment towards infrastructure assets. In addition, the current presidential
administration could significantly impact the regulation of United States financial markets and dramatically alter existing trade, tax,
energy and infrastructure regulations or policies, among others. It is not possible to predict what, if any, changes will be made or their
potential effect on the economy, securities markets, or financial stability of the United States, or on the energy, natural resources,
real estate and other markets.
Geopolitical Risk. All
Funds—Occurrence of global events such as war, terrorist attacks, natural disasters, country instability, infectious disease
epidemics, pandemics and other public health issues, market instability, debt crises and downgrades, embargoes, tariffs, sanctions and
other trade barriers and other governmental trade or market control programs, the potential exit of a country from its respective union
and related geopolitical events, may result in market volatility and may have long-lasting impacts on both the U.S. and global financial
markets. Additionally, those events, as well as other changes in foreign and domestic political and economic conditions, could adversely
affect individual issuers or related groups of issuers, securities markets, interest rates, secondary trading, credit ratings, inflation,
investor sentiment and other factors affecting the value of a Fund’s investments. Certain of the Funds’ investments may be
subject to Brexit risk. About one year after the United Kingdom officially departed the European Union (commonly referred to as “Brexit”),
the United Kingdom and the European Union reached a trade agreement that became effective on December 31, 2020. Under the terms of the
trade deal, there will be no tariffs or quotas on the movement of goods between the United Kingdom and Europe. The decision made in the
United Kingdom referendum to leave the European Union has led to volatility in global financial markets, and in particular in the markets
of the United Kingdom and across Europe, and may also lead to weakening in consumer, corporate and financial confidence in the United
Kingdom and Europe.
There can be no assurance that the new trade agreement
will improve the instability in global financial markets caused by Brexit. Given the size and importance of the United Kingdom’s
economy, uncertainty or unpredictability about its legal, political and/or economic relationships with Europe has been, and may continue
to be, a source of instability and could lead to significant currency fluctuations and other adverse effects on international markets
and international trade even under the new trade guidelines.
Gold and Other Precious
Metals Risk. Global Real Estate
Fund, Infrastructure Fund and Real Assets Securities Fund—Investments related to gold and other precious metals are considered
speculative and are affected by a variety of worldwide economic, financial and political factors. The price of gold and other precious
metals may fluctuate sharply over short periods of time due to changes in inflation or expectations regarding inflation in various countries,
the availability of supplies of gold and other precious metals, changes in industrial and commercial demand, gold and other precious metals
sales by governments, central banks or international agencies, investment speculation, monetary and other economic policies of various
governments and government restrictions on private ownership of gold and other precious metals. No income is derived from holding physical
gold or other precious metals, which is unlike securities that may pay dividends or make other current payments. Although the Fund has
contractual protections with respect to the credit risk of their custodian, gold held in physical form (even in a segregated account)
involves the risk of delay in obtaining the assets in the case of bankruptcy or insolvency of the custodian. This could impair disposition
of the assets under those circumstances. If it holds physical gold, a Fund is also subject to an increased risk of loss and expense in
connection with the transportation of such assets to and from such Fund’s custodian. In addition, income derived from trading in
gold and other precious metals may result in negative tax consequences due to appreciation in value, which could limit the ability of
the Funds to sell their holdings of physical gold and certain ETFs at the desired time.
GRSI Companies Risk. Renewables
Fund—GRSI companies may be subject to a variety of factors that may adversely affect their business or operations, including
high interest costs in connection with capital construction programs, high leverage, costs associated with environmental and other regulations,
the effects of economic slowdown, surplus capacity, increased competition from other providers of services, uncertainties concerning the
availability of fuel at reasonable prices, the effects of energy conservation policies and other factors. While many of the risks below
could be present with respect to other investments, these risks may be particularly important to investments in GRSI companies. GRSI companies
maybe particularly affected by or subject to:
Regulatory
Risk. GRSI companies may be subject to substantial
governmental regulation and may also be affected by governmental regulation of rates charged to services, the imposition of special tariffs
and changes in tax laws, environmental laws and regulations, regulatory policies, accounting standards and general changes in market sentiment
towards GRSI assets. For example, GRSI companies engaged in businesses with monopolistic characteristics, such as electricity distribution,
could face caps placed by regulators on allowable returns. Often these price determinations are final with limited or no right of appeal.
Given the public interest aspect of the services that GRSI assets provide, political oversight of the sector is likely to remain pervasive
and unpredictable and, for political reasons, governments may attempt to take actions, which may negatively affect the operations, revenue,
profitability or contractual relationships of portfolio investments, including through expropriation. GRSI companies’ inability
to predict, influence or respond appropriately to changes in law or regulatory schemes could adversely impact their results of operations.
Technology
Risk. This risk arises where a change could occur
in the way a service or product is delivered, rendering the existing technology obsolete. While the risk could be considered low in the
GRSI sector given the massive fixed costs involved in constructing assets and the fact that many GRSI technologies are well-established,
any technology change that occurs over the medium term could threaten the profitability of a GRSI company. If such a change were to occur,
these assets may have very few alternative uses should they become obsolete.
Regional
or Geographic Risk. This risk arises where a GRSI
company’s assets are not movable. Should an event that somehow impairs the performance of a GRSI company’s assets occur in
the geographic location where the issuer operates those assets, the performance of the issuer may be adversely affected.
Force
Majeure Risk. The use of GRSI assets may be interrupted
or otherwise affected by a variety of events outside the Fund’s control, including serious traffic accidents, natural disasters
(such as earthquakes, flood, lightning, hurricanes and wind), man-made disasters, defective design and construction and other unforeseen
circumstances. Extreme weather patterns, or the threat thereof, could result in substantial damage to the facilities of certain companies
located in the affected areas, and significant volatility in the products or services of renewables and sustainable infrastructure companies
could adversely impact the prices of the securities of such issuer. While the Fund will seek to make investments where insurance and other
risk management products (to the extent available on commercially reasonable terms) are utilized to mitigate the potential loss resulting
from catastrophic events and other risks customarily covered by insurance, this may not always be practicable or feasible. Moreover, it
will not be possible to insure against all such risks, and such insurance proceeds as may be derived in a timely manner from covered risks
may be inadequate to completely, or even partially, cover a loss of revenues, an increase in operating and maintenance expenses and/or
are placement or rehabilitation.
Throughput
Risk. The revenue of many GRSI companies may be
impacted by the number of users who use the products or services produced by such company. A significant decrease in the number of users
may negatively impact the profitability of a GRSI company.
Project
Risk. To the extent the Fund invests in GRSI companies
which are dependent to a significant extent on new or development-stage GRSI projects, the Fund may be exposed to the risk that the project
will not be completed within budget, within the agreed time frame or to agreed specifications. During the construction or development
phase, the major risks of delay include political opposition, regulatory and permitting delays, site procurement delays, strikes, disputes,
environmental issues, force majeure, or failure by one or more of the investment participants to perform in a timely manner their contractual,
financial or other commitments. Each of these factors may adversely affect the Fund’s return from a particular investment.
Strategic
Asset Risk. GRSI companies may control significant
strategic assets. Strategic assets are assets that have a national or regional profile, and may have monopolistic characteristics. The
very nature of these assets could generate additional risk not common in other industry sectors. Given the national or regional profile
and/or their irreplaceable nature, strategic assets may constitute a higher risk target for terrorist acts or political actions. Given
the essential nature of the products or services provided by GRSI companies, there is also a higher probability that the services provided
by such issuers will be in constant demand. Should a GRSI company fail to make such services available, users of such services may incur
significant damage and may, due to the characteristics of the strategic assets, be unable to replace the supply or mitigate any such damage,
thereby heightening any potential loss.
Operation
Risk. The long-term profitability of a GRSI company
may be partly dependent on the efficient operation and maintenance of its GRSI assets. Should a GRSI company fail to efficiently maintain
and operate the assets, the GRSI company’s ability to maintain payments of dividends or interest to investors may be impaired. The
destruction or loss of a GRSI asset may have a major impact on the GRSI company. Failure by the GRSI company to carry adequate insurance
or to operate the asset appropriately could lead to significant losses and damages. In addition, the operations of the issuers of the
Fund’s investments may rely on government permits, licenses, concessions, leases or contracts. For example, certain portfolio investments
may need to use public ways or may operate under easements. Under the terms of agreements governing the use of public ways or easements,
government authorities may retain the right to restrict the use of such public ways or easements or to require portfolio companies to
remove, modify, replace or relocate their facilities at the company’s expense. If a government authority exercises these rights,
a GRSI company could incur significant costs, and its ability to provide service to its customers could be disrupted, which could adversely
impact the performance of the relevant portfolio investment. Government entities generally have significant influence over such companies
in respect of the various contractual and regulatory relationships they may have, and these government entities may exercise their authority
in a manner that causes delays in the operation of the business of the issuers of the Fund’s investments, obstacles to pursuit of
such issuers’ strategy or increased administrative expenses, all of which could materially and adversely affect the business and
operations of the Fund.
Customer
Risk. GRSI companies can have a narrow customer
base. Should these customers or counter parties fail to pay their contractual obligations, significant revenues could cease and not be
replaceable. This would affect the profitability of the GRSI company and the value of any securities or other instruments it has issued.
Interest
Rate Risk. GRSI assets can be highly leveraged.
As such, movements in the level of interest rates may affect the returns from these assets more significantly than other assets in some
instances. The structure and nature of the debt encumbering a GRSI asset may therefore be an important element to consider in assessing
the interest risk of the GRSI asset. In particular, the type of facilities, maturity profile, rates being paid, fixed versus variable
components and covenants in place (including the manner in which they affect returns to equity holders) are crucial factors in assessing
any interest rate risk. Furthermore, many GRSI businesses rely on concessions to mitigate the inflation risk to cash flows through escalation
provisions linked to the inflation rate (e.g., the toll set on a toll road). While these provisions
may protect against certain risks, they do not protect against the risk of a rise in real interest
rates, which is likely to create higher financing costs
for GRSI businesses and a reduction in the amount of cash available for distribution to investors. Due to the nature of GRSI assets, the
impact of interest rate fluctuations may be greater for GRSI companies than for the economy as a whole in the country in which the interest
rate fluctuation occurs.
Inflation
Risk. Many companies operating in the GRSI sector
may have fixed income streams and, therefore, be unable to pay higher dividends. The market value of GRSI companies may decline in value
in times of higher inflation rates. The prices that a GRSI company is able to charge users of its assets may not be linked to inflation.
In addition, the market value of portfolio investments may decline in times of higher inflation rates given that the most commonly used
methodologies for valuing investments (e.g., discounted cash flow analysis) are sensitive to rising
inflation and real interest rates. Finally, wage and price controls have been imposed at times in certain countries in an attempt to control
inflation, which could significantly affect the operation of portfolio investments. Accordingly, changes in the rate of inflation may
affect the forecast profitability of the GRSI company.
Developing
Industries Risk. Some GRSI companies are focused
on developing new technologies and are strongly influenced by technological changes. Product development efforts by such companies may
not result in viable commercial products. These companies may bear high research and development costs, which can limit their ability
to maintain operations during periods of organizational growth or instability. Some GRSI companies in which the Fund may invest may be
in the early stages of operations and may have limited operating histories and smaller market capitalizations on average than companies
in other sectors. As a result of these and other factors, the value of investments in such issuers may be considerably more volatile than
that in more established segments of the economy.
Financing
Risk. From time to time, GRSI companies may encounter
difficulties in obtaining financing for construction programs during inflationary periods. Issuers experiencing difficulties in financing
construction programs may also experience lower profitability, which can result in reduced income to the Fund.
Other factors that may affect the operations of GRSI
companies include difficulty in raising capital in adequate amounts on reasonable terms in periods of high inflation and unsettled capital
markets, inexperience with and potential losses resulting from a developing deregulatory environment, increased susceptibility to terrorist
acts or political actions and general changes in market sentiment towards GRSI assets. In addition, the current presidential administration
could significantly impact the regulation of United States financial markets and dramatically alter existing trade, tax, energy and infrastructure
regulations, among others. It is not possible to predict what, if any, changes will be made or their potential effect on the economy,
securities markets or financial stability of the United States, or on the energy, natural resources, infrastructure and other markets.
Health Crisis Risk. All
Funds—An outbreak of an infectious respiratory illness, COVID-19, caused by a novel coronavirus has resulted in travel restrictions,
disruption of healthcare systems, prolonged quarantines, cancellations, supply chain disruptions, lower consumer demand, layoffs, ratings
downgrades, defaults and other significant economic impacts. Certain markets have experienced temporary closures, extreme volatility,
severe losses, reduced liquidity and increased trading costs. In particular, COVID-19 has resulted in substantial market volatility and
global business disruption, impacting the global economy and the financial health of individual companies in significant and unforeseen
ways. The duration and future impact of COVID-19 are currently unknown, which may exacerbate other types of risks that apply to the Funds
and negatively impact Fund performance and the value of your investment in any of the Funds. It is not possible to determine the ultimate
impact of COVID-19 at this time. Further, the extent and strength of any economic recovery after the COVID-19 pandemic abates is uncertain
and subject to various factors and conditions, including the emergence of other infectious illness outbreaks that may have similar impacts.
Accordingly, an investment in any of the Funds is subject to an elevated degree of risk as compared to other market environments.
Inflation Risk. All
Funds—Inflation risk is the risk that the value of assets or income from investments will be worth less in the future as
inflation decreases the value of money. As inflation increases, the real value of a Fund’s shares and distributions thereon can
decline. Inflation risk is linked to increases in the prices of goods and services and a decrease in the purchasing power of money. Since
the beginning of 2021, inflation has risen at its highest rate in four decades in the U.S. Inflation may reduce the intrinsic value of
an investment in a Fund. Inflation can operate to effectively reduce investors’ real investment returns. This is particularly true
of fixed-income assets, as the fixed return yields of such assets become increasingly less valuable to the investor as inflation rises.
Consequently, as inflation increases, the value of a Fund’s assets can decline as can the value of the Fund’s distributions.
While the Biden Administration and the Federal Reserve have made efforts to reduce the effects of inflation on the U.S. economy and financial
markets, the mitigating effects of such efforts are uncertain.
Interest Rate Risk. All
Funds—Investments held by a Fund may decline in value because of changes in interest rates. Interest rate changes can be
sudden and unpredictable, and a Fund may lose money as a result of movements in interest rates. Fixed-income investments with longer durations
tend to be more sensitive to changes in interest rates, usually making them more volatile than securities with shorter durations. Given
the historically low interest rate environment, risks associated with rising interest rates are heightened. Recent and potential future
changes in government policy that may affect interest rates and current conditions may result in a rise in interest rates which may result
in a decline in the value of investments held by the Funds. Many factors can cause interest rates to rise, such as central bank monetary
policies, inflation rates, general economic conditions and expectations. As a result of any changes in interest rates, a Fund may experience
higher than normal redemptions and may be forced to sell investments during periods of reduced market liquidity at unfavorable prices
in order to meet fund redemption obligations.
Investment Risk. All
Funds—An investment in a Fund is subject to investment risk, including the possible loss of the entire principal amount that
you invest.
Issuer Risk. All
Funds—Issuer risk is the risk that the value of a security may decline for a reason directly related to the issuer, such
as management performance, financial leverage and reduced demand for the issuer’s goods or service.
Each Fund may also invest in securities of issuers that
are, or are about to be, involved in reorganizations, financial restructurings, or bankruptcy (also known as “distressed debt”).
To the extent that a Fund invests in distressed debt, the Fund is subject to the risk that it may lose a portion or all or its investment
in the distressed debt and may incur higher expenses trying to protect its interests in distressed debt.
“Junk” Bond Risk. All
Funds—Investments in high yield securities and unrated securities of similar credit quality (commonly known as “junk
bonds”) may be subject to greater levels of credit and liquidity risk than funds that do not invest in such securities. These securities
are considered predominately speculative with respect to the issuer’s continuing ability to make principal and interest payments.
Junk bonds tend to be volatile and more susceptible to adverse events and negative sentiments. An economic downturn or period of rising
interest rates could adversely affect the market for these securities and reduce a Fund’s ability to sell these securities (liquidity
risk). If the issuer of a security is in default with respect to interest or principal payments, a Fund may lose its entire investment.
Because of the risks involved in investing in high yield securities, an investment in a Fund that invests in such securities should be
considered speculative.
Leverage Risk. All
Funds—A Fund’s use of derivatives may create leverage (i.e., the Fund’s
investment exposures exceed its net asset value). Leverage increases the magnitude of a Fund’s losses when the value of its investments
declines. Because many derivatives have a leverage component (i.e., a notional value in excess
of the assets needed to establish or maintain the derivative position), adverse changes in the value or level of the underlying asset,
rate or index may result in a loss substantially greater than the amount invested in the derivative itself. The use of leverage is considered
to be a speculative investment practice and may result in substantial and potentially
unanticipated losses to a Fund. Some derivatives, such as derivatives that provide for short
exposure, have the potential for unlimited loss, regardless of the size of the initial investment. A Fund may manage some of its derivative
exposure by offsetting derivative positions against one another or against other assets. To the extent offsetting positions do not behave
in relation to one another as expected, a Fund may perform as if it were leveraged to a greater extent than intended.
Liquidity Risk. All
Funds—Liquidity risk exists when particular investments are difficult to sell. Although most of a Fund’s securities
must be liquid at the time of investment, securities may become illiquid after purchase by the Fund, particularly during periods of market
turmoil. Illiquid securities are securities that cannot be disposed of within seven days in the ordinary course of business at approximately
the value at which a Fund has valued the securities. When a Fund holds illiquid investments, its portfolio may be harder to value, especially
in changing markets. If a Fund is forced to sell these investments to meet redemptions or for other cash needs, the Fund may suffer a
loss. In addition, when there is illiquidity in the market for certain securities, a Fund, due to limitations on investments in illiquid
securities, may be unable to achieve its desired level of exposure to a certain sector. To the extent a Fund holds a material percentage
of the outstanding debt securities of an issuer, this practice may impact adversely the liquidity and market value of those investments.
As a result of increased redemptions, a Fund may have to liquidate portfolio securities at disadvantageous prices and times, which could
reduce the returns of a Fund. In addition, a reduction in dealer market-making capacity in the fixed income markets, that has occurred
in recent years, has the potential to decrease liquidity.
Management Risk. All
Funds—Each Fund has an actively managed portfolio. The Adviser investment techniques and risk analyses in making investment
decisions for a Fund, but there can be no guarantee that these will produce the desired results.
Market Risk. Global
economies and financial markets are increasingly interconnected, which increases the likelihood that events or conditions in one country
or region will adversely impact markets or issuers in other countries or regions. Securities in the Fund’s portfolio may underperform
in comparison to securities in general financial markets, a particular financial market, or other asset classes due to a number of factors,
including inflation (or expectations for inflation), deflation (or expectations for deflation), interest rates, global demand for particular
products or resources, market instability, debt crises and downgrades, embargoes, tariffs, sanctions and other trade barriers, regulatory
events, other governmental trade or market control programs and related geopolitical events. In addition, the value of the Fund’s
investments may be negatively affected by the occurrence of global events such as war, terrorism, environmental disasters, natural disasters
or events, country instability, and infectious disease epidemics or pandemics. For example, the outbreak of COVID-19, a novel coronavirus
disease, has negatively affected economies, markets and individual companies throughout the world, including those in which the Fund may
invest. The effects of this pandemic to public health and business and market conditions, including exchange trading suspensions and closures,
may continue to have a significant negative impact on the performance of the Fund’s investments, increase the Fund’s volatility,
exacerbate pre-existing political, social and economic risks to the Fund, and negatively impact broad segments of businesses and populations.
The Fund’s operations may be interrupted as a result, which may contribute to the negative impact on investment performance. In
addition, governments, their regulatory agencies, or self-regulatory organizations may take actions in response to the pandemic that affect
the instruments in which the Fund invests, or the issuers of such instruments, in ways that could have a significant negative impact on
the Fund’s investment performance. The full impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, or other future epidemics or pandemics, is currently
unknown.
Registered Investment
Companies/Exchange-Trade Funds. Renewables
Fund and Real Assets Securities Fund—The Funds may invest in registered investment companies and exchange-traded Funds (“ETFs”).
Most ETFs are similar to index funds in that they seek to achieve the same return as a particular market index and will primarily invest
in the securities of companies that are included in that index. Unlike index funds, however, ETFs are
traded on stock exchanges. ETFs are a convenient way to invest in both
broad market indexes and market sector indexes, particularly since ETFs can be bought and sold at any time during the day, like stocks.
ETFs, like mutual funds, charge asset-based fees. When a Fund invests in ETFs, the Fund will pay a proportionate share of the management
fee and the operating expenses of the ETF. The Fund will not invest in actively managed or leveraged ETFs.
In general, under the 1940 Act, an
investment company such as each Fund may not (i) own more than 3% of the outstanding voting securities of any one registered investment
company, (ii) invest more than 5% of its total assets in the securities of any single registered investment company or (iii) invest more
than 10% of its total assets in securities of other registered investment companies. Notwithstanding the limits discussed above, a Fund
may invest in other investment companies without regard to the limits set forth above provided that the Fund complies with Rules 12d1-1,
12d1-3 and 12d1-4 (subject to effectiveness of the rule) promulgated by the SEC under the 1940 Act.
Master Limited Partnership Risk. Infrastructure
Fund, Real Assets Securities Fund and Renewables Fund—As compared to common stockholders of a
corporation, holders of MLP units have more limited control and limited rights to vote on matters affecting the partnership. In addition,
there are certain tax risks associated with an investment in MLP units and conflicts of interest may exist between common unit holders
and the general partner, including those arising from incentive distribution payments.
A change in current tax law, or a change in the business
of a given MLP, could result in an MLP being treated as a corporation for U.S. federal income tax purposes, which would result in such
MLP being required to pay U.S. federal income tax on its taxable income. Thus, if any of the MLPs owned by a Fund were treated as corporations
for U.S. federal income tax purposes, the after-tax return to the Fund with respect to its investment in such MLPs would be materially
reduced, which could cause a decline in the value of the common stock.
To the extent that a Fund invests in the equity securities
of an MLP, the Fund will be a partner in such MLP. Accordingly, a Fund will be required to include in its taxable income the Fund’s
allocable share of the income, gains, losses, deductions and expenses recognized by each such MLP, regardless of whether the MLP distributes
cash to the Fund. A Fund will incur a current tax liability on its allocable share of an MLP’s income and gains that is not offset
by the MLP’s tax deductions, losses and credits, or its net operating loss carryforwards, if any. The portion, if any, of a distribution
received by a Fund from an MLP that is offset by the MLP’s tax deductions, losses or credits is essentially treated as a return
of capital. The percentage of an MLP’s income and gains that is offset by tax deductions, losses and credits will fluctuate over
time for various reasons. A significant slowdown in acquisition activity or capital spending by MLPs held in a Fund’s portfolio
could result in a reduction of accelerated depreciation generated by new acquisitions, which may result in increased current tax liability
for the Fund.
Because of a Fund’s investments in equity securities
of MLPs, the Fund’s earnings and profits may be calculated using accounting methods that are different from those used for calculating
taxable income. Because of these differences, a Fund may make distributions out of its current or accumulated earnings and profits, which
will be treated as dividends, in years in which the Fund’s distributions exceed its taxable income. In addition, changes in tax
laws or regulations, or future interpretations of such laws or regulations, could adversely affect the Funds or the MLP investments in
which the Funds invests.
Mortgage-Related and
Other Asset-Backed Securities Risk. Real
Assets Securities Fund and Renewables Fund—Mortgage-backed securities (residential and commercial) and asset-backed securities
represent interests in “pools” of mortgages or other assets, including consumer loans or receivables held in trust. Although
ABS and CMBS generally experience less prepayment than residential MBS, MBS and ABS, like traditional fixed-income securities, are subject
to credit, interest rate, prepayment and extension risks.
Small movements in interest rates (both increases and decreases) may quickly
and significantly reduce the value of certain mortgage-backed securities. The Fund’s investments in asset-backed securities are
subject to risks similar to those associated with mortgage-related securities, as well as additional risks associated with the nature
of the assets and the servicing of those assets. These securities also are subject to the risk of default on the underlying mortgage or
assets, particularly during periods of economic downturn. Certain CMBS are issued in several classes with different levels of yield and
credit protection. The Fund’s investments in CMBS with several classes may be in the lower classes that have greater risks than
the higher classes, including greater interest rate, credit and prepayment risks.
Mortgage-backed securities may be either pass-through securities
or collateralized mortgage obligations (“CMOs”). Pass-through securities represent a right to receive principal and interest
payments collected on a pool of mortgages, which are passed through to security holders. CMOs are created by dividing the principal and
interest payments collected on a pool of mortgages into several revenue streams (tranches) with different priority rights to portions
of the underlying mortgage payments. Certain CMO tranches may represent a right to receive interest only (“IOs”), principal
only (“POs”) or an amount that remains after floating-rate tranches are paid (an inverse floater). These securities are frequently
referred to as “mortgage derivatives” and may be extremely sensitive to changes in interest rates. Interest rates on inverse
floaters, for example, vary inversely with a short-term floating rate (which may be reset periodically). Interest rates on inverse floaters
will decrease when short-term rates increase, and will increase when short-term rates decrease. These securities have the effect of providing
a degree of investment leverage. In response to changes in market interest rates or other market conditions, the value of an inverse floater
may increase or decrease at a multiple of the increase or decrease in the value of the underlying securities. If the Fund invests in CMO
tranches (including CMO tranches issued by government agencies) and interest rates move in a manner not anticipated by Fund management,
it is possible that the Fund could lose all or substantially all of its investment.
The mortgage market in the United States has experienced
difficulties and may in the future experience similar or more severe difficulties that may adversely affect the performance and market
value of certain of the Fund’s mortgage-related investments. A decline in or flattening of real estate values (as has been experienced
in the past and may be experienced in the future) may exacerbate delinquencies and losses on mortgage loans (including subprime and second
lien mortgage loans). In the past, a number of mortgage loan originators experienced serious financial difficulties or bankruptcies. Reduced
investor demand for mortgage loans and mortgage-related securities and increased investor yield requirements may cause limited liquidity
in the secondary market for mortgage-related securities, which can adversely affect the market value of mortgage-related securities.
Asset-backed securities entail certain risks not presented
by mortgage-backed securities, including the risk that in certain states it may be difficult to perfect the liens securing the collateral
backing certain asset-backed securities. In addition, certain asset-backed securities are based on loans that are unsecured, which means
that there is no collateral to seize if the underlying borrower defaults. Certain mortgage-backed securities in which the Fund may invest
may also provide a degree of investment leverage, which could cause the Fund to lose all or substantially all of its investment.
New Fund Risk. Renewables
Fund—The Fund is new with limited operating history and there can be no assurance that the Fund will grow or maintain an
economically viable size, in which case the Board of the Fund may determine to liquidate the Fund.
Natural Resources Risk. Real
Assets Securities Fund—The Fund’s investments in natural resources securities involve risks. The market value of natural
resources securities may be affected by numerous factors, including events occurring in nature, inflationary pressures and international
politics. Because the Fund invests significantly in natural resources securities, there is the risk that the Fund will perform poorly
during a downturn in the natural resource sector. For example, events occurring in nature (such as earthquakes or fires in prime natural
resource areas) and political events (such as coups, military confrontations or acts of terrorism) can affect the overall supply of
a natural resource and the value of companies involved in such natural resource. Political
risks and the other risks to which foreign securities are subject may also affect domestic natural resource companies if they have significant
operations or investments in foreign countries. Rising interest rates and general economic conditions may also affect the demand for natural
resources.
Political Risks Relating to Russia’s
Invasion of Ukraine. All Funds—Russia
began its invasion of Ukraine in February 2022. The invasion significantly amplified already existing geopolitical tensions among Russia,
Ukraine, Europe, NATO and the United States. Russia’s military invasion of Ukraine, the resulting responses by the United States
and other countries, and the potential for wider conflict has increased volatility and uncertainty in the financial markets, specifically
on companies in the oil and gas sector, finance and resource extraction.
The extent and duration of Russia’s military actions,
resulting sanctions and consequent future market disruptions are impossible to predict, but could be significant and may negatively affect
global supply chains, inflation, oil and gas supply, and global growth.
The ramifications of the hostilities and sanctions, however,
may not be limited to Russia. Conflict between Ukraine and Russia is likely to negatively impact other regional and global economic markets
(including Europe, Asia and the United States), companies in other countries (particularly those that have exposure to Russia and Ukraine)
and on various sectors, industries and markets for securities and commodities globally, such as oil and natural gas and banking.
Portfolio Selection Risk. All
Funds—The Adviser’s judgment about the quality, relative yield, relative value or market trends affecting a particular
sector or region, market segment, security or about interest rates generally may prove to be incorrect.
Portfolio Turnover Risk. All
Funds—A high portfolio turnover rate (100% or more) has the potential to result in the realization and distribution to shareholders
of higher capital gains, which may subject you to a higher tax liability. A high portfolio turnover rate also leads to higher transaction
costs.
Preferred Securities Risk. All
Funds—Preferred securities are subject to credit risk, which is the risk that a security will decline in price, or the issuer
of the security will fail to make dividend, interest or principal payments when due, because the issuer experiences a decline in its financial
status. Preferred securities are also subject to interest rate risk and may decline in value because of changes in market interest rates.
In addition, an issuer may be permitted to defer or omit distributions. Preferred securities are also generally subordinated to bonds
and other debt instruments in a company’s capital structure. During periods of declining interest rates, an issuer may be able to
exercise an option to redeem (call) a security at par earlier than scheduled, and a Fund may be forced to reinvest in lower yielding securities.
Certain preferred securities may be substantially less liquid than many other securities, such as common stocks. Generally, preferred
security holders have no voting rights with respect to the issuing company unless certain events occur. Certain preferred securities may
give the issuers special redemption rights allowing the securities to be redeemed prior to a specified date if certain events occur, such
as changes to tax or securities laws.
Prepayment Risk. Real
Assets Securities Fund—A Fund investing in mortgage-backed securities, certain asset-backed securities, and other debt securities
that have embedded call options can be negatively impacted when interest rates fall because borrowers tend to refinance and prepay principal.
Receiving increasing prepayments in a falling interest rate environment causes the average maturity of the portfolio to shorten, reducing
its potential for price gains. It also requires the Fund to reinvest proceeds at lower interest rates, which reduces the Fund’s
total return and yield, and could result in a loss if bond prices fall below the level that the Fund paid for them.
Real Estate Market Risk. Global
Real Estate Fund and Real Assets Securities Fund—The Funds will not invest in real estate directly, but only in securities
issued by real estate companies. However, because of their policy of concentration in the securities of companies in the real estate industry,
the Funds are also subject to the risks associated with the direct ownership of real estate. These risks include:
•
declines in the value of real estate;
•
risks
related to general and local economic conditions;
•
possible lack of availability of mortgage funds;
•
overbuilding;
•
extended vacancies of properties;
•
increased competition;
•
increases in property taxes and operating expenses;
•
changes in zoning laws;
•
losses due to costs resulting from the clean-up of environmental problems;
•
liability to third parties for damages resulting from environmental problems;
•
casualty or condemnation losses;
•
limitations on rents;
•
changes in neighborhood values and the appeal of properties to tenants; and
•
changes in interest rates.
Thus, the value of the Funds’ shares may change at
different rates compared to the value of shares of a mutual fund with investments in a mix of different industries.
The current presidential administration could significantly
impact the regulation of United States financial markets and dramatically alter existing real estate regulations or policies, among others.
It is not possible to predict what, if any, changes will be made or their potential effect on the economy, securities markets, or financial
stability of the United States, or on the real estate markets. Additionally, actions taken may impact portions of the real estate market
in disparate ways or may impact specific issuers in the real estate sector in differing ways. The Adviser cannot predict the effects of
changing regulations or policies on a Fund’s portfolio, and a Fund may be affected by governmental action in ways that are not foreseeable.
There is a possibility that such actions could have a significant adverse effect on a Fund and its ability to achieve its investment objective.
At any time after the date of this Prospectus, legislation may be enacted that could negatively affect the assets of a Fund or the issuers
of such assets. Legislation or regulation may change the way in which a Fund itself is regulated. The Adviser cannot predict the effects
of any new governmental regulation that may be implemented, and there can be no assurance that any new governmental regulation will not
adversely affect a Fund’s ability to achieve its investment objective.
Redemption Risk. All
Funds— A Fund may need to sell its holdings in order to meet shareholder redemption requests. A Fund could experience a loss
when selling securities to meet redemption requests if the redemption requests are unusually large or frequent, occur in times of overall
market turmoil or declining prices for the securities sold, or when the securities the Fund wishes to or is required to sell are illiquid.
A Fund may be unable to sell illiquid securities at its desired time or price. Illiquidity can be caused by a drop in overall market trading
volume, an inability to find a ready buyer, or legal restrictions on the securities’ resale. Certain securities that were liquid
when purchased may later become illiquid, particularly in times of overall economic distress.
REIT Risk. Global
Real Estate Fund and Real Assets Securities Fund—In addition to the risks of securities linked to the real estate industry,
equity REITs may be affected by changes in the value of the underlying property owned by the trusts, while mortgage REITs may be affected
by the quality of any credit extended. Further, REITs are dependent upon management skills and are typically invested in a limited number
of projects or in a particular market segment or geographic region, and therefore are more susceptible to adverse developments affecting
a single project, market segment or geographic region than more broadly diversified investments. REITs
are also subject to heavy cash flow dependency, defaults by borrowers and self-liquidation.
REITs may have limited financial resources and may experience sharper swings in market values and trade less frequently and in a more
limited volume than securities of larger issuers. In addition, REITs could possibly fail to qualify for pass-through of income under the
Code, or to maintain their exemptions from registration under the 1940 Act. The above factors may also adversely affect a borrower’s
or a lessee’s ability to meet its obligations to the REIT. In the event of a default by a borrower or lessee, the REIT may experience
delays in enforcing its rights as a mortgagee or lessor and may incur substantial costs associated with protecting its investments. Foreign
REIT-like entities will be subject to foreign securities risk (see “Foreign (Non-U.S.) Securities
Risk”).
In addition to its own expenses, a Fund will indirectly
bear its proportionate share of any management and other expenses paid by REITs in which it invests.
Many real estate companies, including REITs, utilize leverage
(and some may be highly leveraged), which increases investment risk and could adversely affect a real estate company’s operations
and market value. In addition, capital to pay or refinance a REIT’s debt may not be available or reasonably priced. Financial covenants
related to real estate company leveraging may affect the company’s ability to operate effectively.
Renewable and Sustainable
Infrastructure Risk. Renewables
Fund—Renewable and sustainable infrastructure companies may be subject to a variety of factors that may adversely affect
their business or operations, including high interest costs in connection with capital construction programs, high leverage, costs associated
with environmental and other regulations, the effects of economic slowdown, surplus capacity, increased competition from other providers
of services, uncertainties concerning the availability of fuel at reasonable prices, the effects of energy conservation policies and other
factors. Some of the specific risks that renewable and sustainable infrastructure companies may be particularly affected by, or subject
to, include the following: regulatory risk, technology risk, regional or geographic risk, natural disasters risk, through-put risk, project
risk, strategic asset risk, operation risk, customer risk, interest rate risk, inflation risk and financing risk.
Other factors that may affect the operations
of renewable and sustainable infrastructure companies include difficulty in raising capital in adequate amounts on reasonable terms in
periods of high inflation and unsettled capital markets, inexperience with and potential losses resulting from a developing deregulatory
environment, increased susceptibility to terrorist acts or political actions, and general changes in market sentiment towards infrastructure
assets. In addition, the current presidential administration could significantly impact the regulation of United States financial markets
and dramatically alter existing trade, tax, energy and infrastructure regulations, among others. It is not possible to predict what, if
any, changes will be made or their potential effect on the economy, securities markets, or financial stability of the United States, or
on the energy, natural resources, infrastructure and other markets. Renewable and sustainable infrastructure companies may also be subject
to higher risk of government regulation. In addition, the physical location, maintenance and operation of certain renewable and sustainable
assets may pose health and safety risks to those involved during maintenance, replacement or decommissioning. As a result, renewable and
sustainable infrastructure companies may be liable under environmental and health and safety legislation for any accidents.
Return of Capital Risk. All
Funds—Each Fund expects to make quarterly distributions at a level percentage rate regardless of its quarterly performance.
Because distributions may be made from a return of capital and, to the extent that shareholders do not reinvest such distributions in
additional Fund shares, a Fund’s quarterly cash distributions will reduce the amount of assets available for investment in the Fund.
It is possible for a Fund to suffer substantial investment losses and simultaneously experience additional asset reductions as a result
of its quarterly distributions to shareholders. Moreover, even if a Fund’s assets grow over time, it is possible that such growth
will be insufficient to enable a Fund to maintain the amount of scheduled cash distributions without returning capital to shareholders.
Therefore, such distributions may represent a return of capital. A return of capital is the portion of the distribution representing the
return of your investment in a Fund. A return of capital is tax-free to the extent of a shareholder’s basis in a Fund’s shares
and reduces the shareholder’s basis to that extent.
Small- and Mid-Capitalization Risk. All
Funds—Each Fund may invest across large-, mid-, and small-capitalization stocks. From time to time, a Fund may invest its
assets in small- and medium-size companies. Such investments entail greater risk than investments in larger, more established companies.
Small- and medium-size companies may have narrower markets and more limited managerial and financial resources than larger, more established
companies. As a result of these risks and uncertainties, the returns from these small- and medium-size stocks may trail returns from the
overall stock market. Historically, these stocks have been more volatile in price than the large-capitalization stocks.
Stapled Securities Risk. Infrastructure
Fund and Real Assets Securities Fund—A stapled security, which is widely used in Australia, is a security that is comprised
of two parts that cannot be separated from one another. The two parts of a stapled security are a unit of a trust and a share of a company.
The resulting security is influenced by both parts, and must be treated as one unit at all times, such as when buying or selling a security.
The value of stapled securities and the income derived from them may fall as well as rise. Stapled securities are not obligations of,
deposits in, or guaranteed by a Fund. The listing of stapled securities on a domestic or foreign exchange does not guarantee a liquid
market for stapled securities.
Portfolio Holdings
A description of the Funds’ policies and procedures
with respect to the disclosure of each Fund’s portfolio securities is available in the Funds’ Statement of Additional Information
(“SAI”).
MANAGEMENT OF THE FUNDS
The Adviser
Brookfield Public Securities Group
LLC (the “Adviser”), a Delaware limited liability company and a registered investment adviser under the Investment Advisers
Act of 1940, as amended, serves as the investment adviser and administrator to the Funds. Founded in 1989, the Adviser is an indirect
wholly-owned subsidiary of Brookfield Asset Management ULC, an unlimited liability company formed under the laws of British Columbia,
Canada (“BAM ULC”). Brookfield Corporation, a publicly traded company (NYSE: BN; TSX: BN), holds a 75% interest in BAM ULC,
while Brookfield Asset Management Ltd., a publicly traded company (NYSE: BAM; TSX: BAMA) (“Brookfield Asset Management”),
holds a 25% interest in BAM ULC. Brookfield Asset Management is a leading global alternative asset manager focused on real estate, renewable
power, infrastructure and private equity, with assets under management of approximately $750 billion as of December 31, 2022. In addition
to Brookfield Investment Funds (the “Trust”), the Adviser’s clients include financial institutions, public and private
pension plans, insurance companies, endowments and foundations, sovereign wealth funds and high net-worth investors. The Adviser specializes
in global listed real assets strategies and its investment philosophy incorporates a value-based approach towards investment. The Adviser
also provides advisory services to several other registered investment companies. As of December 31, 2022, the Adviser and its affiliates
had approximately $22 billion in assets under management. The Adviser’s principal offices are located at Brookfield Place, 250 Vesey
Street, New York, New York 10281-1023.
As compensation for its services and the related expenses
the Adviser bears, the Adviser is contractually entitled to an advisory fee (an “advisory fee”), computed daily and payable
monthly, at annual rates set forth in the table below.
|
|
Fund |
|
|
|
Annual Advisory Fee-Contractual Rate (as a percentage of average daily net assets)
|
|
|
|
|
Global Real Estate Fund |
|
|
|
|
|
0.75% |
|
|
|
|
|
Infrastructure Fund |
|
|
|
|
|
0.85% |
|
|
|
|
|
Renewables Fund |
|
|
|
|
|
0.85% |
|
|
|
|
|
Real Assets Securities Fund |
|
|
|
|
|
0.75% |
|
|
|
As a result of the Adviser’s
fee waiver and expense reimbursement arrangements with the Funds, the Adviser was effectively paid for the fiscal year ended December
31, 2022, the amounts set forth in the table below.
|
|
Fund |
|
|
|
Advisory Fee-Net of Fee Waiver and Expense Reimbursement as of December 31, 2022 (as a percentage
of average daily net assets) |
|
|
|
|
Global Real Estate Fund |
|
|
|
|
|
0.75%
|
|
|
|
|
|
Infrastructure Fund |
|
|
|
|
|
0.79% |
|
|
|
|
|
Renewables Fund |
|
|
|
|
|
(3.15)% |
|
|
|
|
|
Real Assets Securities Fund |
|
|
|
|
|
0.24% |
|
|
|
Pursuant to the Funds’ administration agreements,
the Adviser provides administrative services reasonably necessary for the Funds’ operations, other than those services that the
Adviser provides to the Funds pursuant to the investment advisory agreements. The Adviser does not receive any compensation for its administration
services pursuant to the Funds’ administration agreements.
The Adviser has contractually agreed
to waive all or a portion of its investment advisory or administration fees and/or to reimburse certain expenses of each Fund to the extent
necessary to maintain the Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses (excluding any front-end or contingent deferred sales loads, brokerage
commissions and other transactional expenses, acquired fund fees and expenses, interest, taxes, and extraordinary expenses, such as litigation;
and other expenses not incurred in the ordinary course of the Fund’s business) at the levels set forth in the Fees and Expenses
Tables of the Funds until at least April 30, 2024, and may not be terminated by any Fund
or the Adviser before such time. Thereafter, this arrangement may only
be terminated or amended to increase the expense cap as of April 30th
of each calendar year, provided that in the case of a termination by the Adviser, the Adviser will provide the Board of Trustees with
written notice of its intention to terminate the arrangement prior to the expiration of its then current term.
In addition, each Fund has agreed, during the three year
period following any waiver or reimbursement by the Adviser, to repay such amount to the extent, after giving effect to the repayment,
such adjusted Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses would not exceed the amount listed in the respective Fee Table.
A discussion regarding the basis
for the Board of Trustees’ approval of the investment advisory agreements for the Funds is available in the Funds’ semi-annual
report to shareholders for the period ended June 30, 2022.
See “Management” in the SAI for further information
about the Funds’ investment advisory arrangements.
The Portfolio Managers
Leonardo Anguiano
— Managing Director and Portfolio Manager. Mr. Anguiano
has 25 years of industry experience and is a Portfolio Manager on the Public Securities Group’s Infrastructure Securities team.
In this role he oversees and contributes to the portfolio construction process, including execution of buy/sell decisions. Before focusing
on his portfolio manager duties, he was responsible for covering European securities focusing on the water, transportation and energy
infrastructure sectors. His past experience includes both direct and listed infrastructure investing and he has spent the majority of
his career in London. Prior to joining the firm in 2015, Mr. Anguiano worked for Santander in Madrid where he was in specialty sales covering
infrastructure and utilities. Prior to Santander, he worked at Arcus Infrastructure Partners and Babcock & Brown focusing on direct
infrastructure investing. Leonardo started his career at JP Morgan Cazenove on the sell side. He earned a Master of Philosophy degree
from Cambridge University and a Bachelor of Science degree from the London School of Economics He has served as Portfolio Manager of the
Infrastructure Fund and the Real Assets Securities Fund since September 2016.
Larry Antonatos —
Managing Director and Portfolio Manager. Mr. Antonatos has
32 years of industry experience and is a Portfolio Manager for the Public Securities Group’s Real Asset Solutions team. In this
role he oversees the portfolio construction process, including execution of asset allocation. Mr. Antonatos joined Brookfield in 2011
as Product Manager for the firm’s equity investment strategies. Prior to joining Brookfield, he was a portfolio manager for a U.S.
REIT strategy for 10 years. He also has investment experience with direct property, CMBS, and mortgage loans. Mr. Antonatos earned a Master
of Business Administration degree from the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania and a Bachelor of Engineering degree from
Vanderbilt University. He has served as Co-Portfolio Manager of the Real Assets Securities Fund since February 2016.
Brandon Benjamin —
Director and Portfolio Manager. Mr. Benjamin has 16 years
of industry experience and is a Director on the Public Securities Group’s Real Estate Securities team. Mr. Benjamin assists in construction,
execution and daily oversight of several portfolio strategies. He focuses on U.S. Residential and Japanese Developers. Prior to joining
the firm in 2019, Mr. Benjamin was a Global Real Estate Senior Investment Analyst at American Century Investments, where he covered U.S.
Residential and Self Storage REITs, homebuilders, and commercial real estate brokers, as well as Japan. Prior to American Century Investments,
he held positions at Harrison Street Securities, NAREIT and Cambridge Associates. Mr. Benjamin is a member of the National Association
of Real Estate Investment Trusts (NAREIT). He earned a Juris Doctor degree from Indiana University Maurer School of Law, a Master of Business
Administration degree from Indiana University Kelley School of Business, and a Bachelor of Arts degree in Economics & Business from
Lafayette College. Mr. Benjamin has served as Portfolio Manager of the Global Real Estate Fund since June 2022.
Joe Idaszak —
Director and Portfolio Manager. Mr. Idaszak has 11 years of
industry experience and is a Portfolio Manager on the Public Securities Group’s Global Renewables & Sustainable Infrastructure
Securities team. In this role he oversees and contributes to the portfolio construction process, including execution of buy/sell decisions.
He is also responsible for covering North American and European infrastructure securities focusing on the
Utilities, Renewables, Clean Technology and Social Infrastructure sectors
on the broader Infrastructure Securities team. Prior to joining the firm in 2016, Mr. Idaszak was an Investment Associate at Silverpath
Capital Management where he focused on Renewables, Utilities and MLPs. Prior to that, he was an Investment Banking Analyst at Goldman,
Sachs & Co. where he focused on Renewables, Clean Technology, Industrials and Healthcare. Mr. Idaszak earned a Bachelor of Business
Administration degree from the University of Notre Dame.
Bernhard Krieg, CFA
— Managing Director and Portfolio Manager. Mr. Krieg
has 23 years of industry experience and is a Portfolio Manager on the Public Securities Group’s Real Estate Securities team. In
his role he oversees and contributes to the portfolio construction process, including execution of buy/sell decisions. Prior to joining
the firm in 2006, Mr. Krieg was a Senior Vice President at Haven Funds and a Vice President at Security Capital. He holds the Chartered
Financial Analyst® designation. Bernhard earned a Master
of Business Administration degree from Texas A&M University and his undergraduate equivalent in Business Administration and Civil
Engineering from the Technical University in Dresden, Germany. Mr. Krieg has served as Co-Portfolio Manager of the Global Real Estate
Fund and Real Assets Securities Fund since their respective inception dates.
Iñigo Mijangos
— Director and Portfolio Manager. Mr. Mijangos has 20
years of industry experience and is a Portfolio Manager on the Public Securities Group’s Global Renewables & Sustainable Infrastructure
Securities team. In this role he oversees and contributes to the portfolio construction process, including execution of buy/sell decisions.
He is also responsible for Utilities and Renewables coverage, across Europe and North America, for the broader Infrastructure Securities
team. Prior to joining the firm in 2018, Mr. Mijangos worked at Santander UK as a Portfolio Manager and Research Analyst, where he co-managed
a European equity absolute return long/short strategy. Prior to Santander, he worked as a Research Analyst for T. Rowe Price and Kepler
Cheuvreux. He started his career as a Senior Financial Auditor at Arthur Andersen. Mr. Mijangos earned a Degree in Economics from Universidad
San Pablo CEU.
Tom Miller, CFA —
Managing Director and Portfolio Manager. Mr. Miller has 13
years of industry experience and is a Portfolio Manager on the Public Securities Group’s Infrastructure Equities team.In this role
he oversees and contributes to the portfolio construction process, including execution of buy/sell decisions. Before focusing on his portfolio
manager duties, he was responsible for covering North American infrastructure securities focusing on MLPs and the Energy Infrastructure
sector. Prior to joining the firm in 2013, Mr. Miller worked at FactSet. He holds the Chartered Financial Analyst®
designation and earned a Bachelor of Science degree from Indiana University.
Julian Perlmutter —
Director and Portfolio Manager. Julian Perlmutter has 20 years
of industry experience and is a Director on the Public Securities Group’s Real Estate Securities team. Mr. Perlmutter assists in
construction, execution and daily oversight of several portfolio strategies. He focuses on the U.S. Self Storage, Towers, and Data Center
sectors, as well as Hong Kong. Prior to joining the firm in 2012, he was a Vice President at Cohen & Steers Capital Management Inc.
based in New York and then Hong Kong covering Asian securities. Mr. Perlmutter also worked as an analyst at Morningstar Inc. focusing
on the U.S. Hotel and Apartment REIT sectors. He holds the Chartered Financial Analyst designation and earned a Bachelor of Business Administration
degree from Loyola University in Chicago. Mr. Perlmutter has served as Portfolio Manager of the Global Real Estate Fund since June 2022.
Michael Shoemacher —
Director and Portfolio Manager. Mr. Shoemacher has 19 years
of industry experience and is a Director on the Public Securities Group’s Real Estate Securities team. He assists in construction,
execution and daily oversight of several portfolio strategies. He focuses on U.S. Industrial and Healthcare, United Kingdom and Australia.
Prior to joining the firm in 2012, Mr. Shoemacher was part of the global portfolio management team at Heitman as Assistant Portfolio Manager
for the European region. He was based in Frankfurt and London during his tenure at Heitman. He began his career at TCF National Bank in
the commercial-lending division with a focus on underwriting commercial real estate loans and other asset-backed credit facilities. Mr.
Shoemacher earned a Bachelor of Science degree from Miami University. Mr. Shoemacher has served as Portfolio Manager of the Global Real
Estate Fund since June 2022.
Richard Sweigard — Director
and Portfolio Manager. Mr. Sweigard has 22 years of industry
experience and is a Director on the Public Securities Group’s Real Estate Securities team. Mr. Sweigard assists in construction,
execution and daily oversight of several portfolio strategies. In addition, he focuses on the U.S. Office and continental Europe. Prior
to joining the firm in 2005, he was an analyst at KeyBanc Capital Markets, a division of McDonald Investments. Mr. Sweigard earned a Bachelor
of Business Administration degree from the University of Wisconsin-Madison. Mr. Sweigard has served as Portfolio Manager of the Global
Real Estate Fund since June 2022.
Gaal Surugeon, CFA
— Managing Director and Portfolio Manager. Mr. Surugeon
has 14 years of industry experience and is a Portfolio Manager for Public Securities Group’s Real Assets Solutions team. He is responsible
for portfolio construction and asset allocation for the firm’s diversified real asset portfolios. Prior to joining the firm in 2019,
Mr. Surugeon was an Executive Director at Oppenheimer Asset Management where he served as a manager of the firm’s multi-asset portfolios
and Director of Asset Allocation and Research. Prior to that, he was an Associate Economist at Decision Economics, Inc. Mr. Surugeon holds
the Chartered Financial Analyst® designation and is a member
of the CFA Society of Chicago. He earned a Bachelor of Arts in Economics from the University of Michigan.
Messrs. Krieg, Benjamin, Perlmutter,
Shoemacher and Sweigard are jointly and primarily responsible for the day-to-day management of the Global Real Estate Fund.
Messrs. Anguiano and Miller are jointly and primarily
responsible for the day-to-day management of the Infrastructure Fund.
Mr. Mijangos was recently joined
by Mr. Joseph Idaszak as a Portfolio Manager of the Fund. Messrs. Mijangos and Idaszak are jointly and primary responsible for the day-to-day
management of the Fund.
Messrs. Antonatos and Surugeon are jointly and primarily
responsible for the day-to-day management of the Real Assets Securities Fund. Messrs. Antonatos and Surugeon draw upon the expertise of
colleagues within the Public Securities Group in managing the Fund, and have the authority to adjust the allocation of assets across asset
classes.
The Funds’ SAI provides additional information about
the portfolio managers’ compensation, other accounts they manage, and their ownership of securities in the Funds.
DISTRIBUTION OF FUND SHARES
Distributor
Quasar Distributors, LLC (the “Distributor”
or “Quasar”) is located at 111 East Kilbourn Avenue, Suite 2200, Milwaukee, Wisconsin 53202 and is the distributor for the
shares of the Funds. Quasar is a registered broker-dealer and a member of the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (“FINRA”).
Shares of the Funds are offered on a continuous basis.
Payments to Financial
Intermediaries
Each Fund may pay service fees to intermediaries such
as banks, broker-dealers, financial advisers or other financial institutions, including affiliates of the Adviser, for sub-administration,
sub-transfer agency and other shareholder services associated with shareholders whose shares are held of record in omnibus, other group
accounts or accounts traded through registered securities clearing agents.
The Adviser and its affiliates, out of their own resources,
and without additional cost to a Fund or its shareholders, may provide additional cash payments or non-cash compensation to intermediaries
who sell shares of the Fund. These additional cash payments are generally made to intermediaries that provide shareholder servicing, marketing
support and/or access to sales meetings, sales representatives and management representatives of the intermediary. Cash compensation may
also be paid to intermediaries for inclusion of the Fund on a sales list, including a preferred or select sales list, in other sales programs
or as an expense reimbursement in cases where the intermediary provides shareholder services to the Fund’s shareholders. The Adviser
and its affiliates may also pay cash compensation in the form of finder’s fees that vary depending on the Fund and the dollar amount
of the shares sold.
In addition, in certain cases, intermediaries, such as
banks, broker-dealers, financial advisers or other financial institutions, may have agreements pursuant to which shares of the Funds owned
by their clients are held of record on the books of the Funds in omnibus accounts maintained by each intermediary, and the intermediaries
provide those Fund shareholders with sub-administration and sub-transfer agency services. Pursuant to the Trust’s transfer agency
agreement, the Trust pays the transfer agent a charge for each shareholder account. As a result, the use of one omnibus account for multiple
beneficial shareholders can create a cost savings to the Trust. The Board of Trustees may, from time to time, authorize the Trust to pay
a portion of the fees charged by these intermediaries to the extent of any transfer agency savings to the Trust as a result of the use
of the omnibus account. These payments compensate these intermediaries for the provision of sub-administration and sub-transfer agency
services associated with their clients whose shares are held of record in this manner.
SHAREHOLDER INFORMATION
Description
of Share Classes
|
|
|
Class A Shares
|
|
|
Class C Shares
|
|
|
Class I Shares
|
|
Front End Sales Load? |
|
|
Yes. The percentage declines as the amount invested increases. |
|
|
No. |
|
|
No. |
|
Contingent Deferred Sales Charge? |
|
|
No, except for shares redeemed within eighteen months after purchase of an investment greater than $1
million if no front-end sales charge was paid at the time of purchase. |
|
|
Yes, for shares redeemed within twelve months after purchase.
|
|
|
No. |
|
Rule 12b-1 Fee |
|
|
0.25% |
|
|
1.00% |
|
|
None. |
|
Convertible to Another Class? |
|
|
No. |
|
|
Yes, automatic conversion into Class A Shares eight years after the original date of purchase or, if
you acquired your Class C Shares through an exchange or conversion from another share class, eight years after the date you acquired
your Class C Shares. |
|
|
No. |
|
Fund Expense Levels |
|
|
Lower annual expenses than Class C Shares. Higher annual expenses than Class I Shares.
|
|
|
Higher annual expenses than Class A Shares or Class I Shares.
|
|
|
Lower annual expenses than Class A Shares and Class C Shares.
|
|
Three classes of the Funds’ shares
are offered in this Prospectus—Class A Shares, Class C Shares and Class I Shares. Class I Shares are (1) offered at net asset value,
(2) sold without a front-end sales load, (3) offered to foundations, endowments, institutions, and employee benefit plans acquiring shares
directly from the Funds’ Distributor or from a financial intermediary with whom the Funds’ Distributor has entered into an
agreement expressly authorizing the sale by such intermediary of Class I Shares and whose initial investment is not less than the initial
minimum amount set forth in this Prospectus from time to time, (4) available through certain “wrap,” retirement and other
prograams sponsored by certain financial intermediaries with whom the Funds and/or their Distributor have entered into an agreement, as
well as employees, officers, and trustees of the Trust, the Adviser and its affiliates and their immediate family members (i.e.,
spouse, domestic partner, parents, grandparents, children, grandchildren and siblings (including step and in-law)) of any of the above,
as set forth in this Propsectus, and (5) not subject to ongoing distribution fees or service fees. A Fund may accept, in its sole discretion,
investments in Class I Shares from purchasers not listed above or that do not meet the investment minimum requirement.
For information on a Fund’s expenses
and investment minimums for each class of shares, please see the section of this Prospectus entitled “Summary.” The table
above summarizes the differences among the classes of shares.
•
A “front-end sales load,” or sales charge, is a fee charged at the
time of purchase of shares.
•
A “contingent deferred sales charge” (“CDSC”)
is a fee charged at the time of redemption.
•
A “Rule 12b-1
fee” is a recurring annual fee for distributing shares and servicing shareholder accounts based on the Fund’s average daily
net assets attributable to the particular class of shares.
|
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If you... |
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then you should consider... |
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|
•
qualify
for a reduced or waived front-end sales load
|
|
|
|
purchasing Class A Shares instead of Class C Shares |
|
|
|
|
•
do not qualify for a reduced or waived front-end sales load and
intend to hold your shares for only a few years
|
|
|
|
purchasing Class C Shares instead of Class A Shares |
|
|
|
|
•
do not qualify for a reduced or waived front-end sales load and
intend to hold your shares indefinitely
|
|
|
|
purchasing Class A Shares instead of Class C Shares |
|
|
|
|
•
are
eligible to purchase shares through certain “wrap” programs or similar programs sponsored by certain financial intermediaries
with whom the Funds and/or their distributor have entered into an agreement
|
|
|
|
purchasing Class I Shares |
|
|
In selecting a class of shares of a Fund in which to
invest, you should consider:
•
the length of time you plan to hold the shares;
•
the amount of sales charge
and Rule 12b-1 fees, recognizing that your share of Rule 12b-1 fees as a percentage of your investment increases if the Fund’s assets
increase in value and decreases if the Fund’s assets decrease in value;
•
whether you qualify for a reduction or waiver of the Class A sales charge;
•
whether you qualify to purchase
Class I Shares through certain wrap, retirement or other programs sponsored by certain financial intermediaries with whom the Funds and/or
their distributor have entered into an agreement; and
•
whether you qualify to purchase Class I Shares (direct institutional
purchases of $1 million or more).
The following sections include important information about
sales charges and sales charge reductions and waivers available to investors in Class A and Class C Shares and describes information or
records you may need to provide to the respective Fund or your broker in order to be eligible for sales charge reductions and waivers.
The availability of the sales charge reductions and waivers discussed below may depend upon whether you purchase your shares directly
from the Funds or through a financial intermediary. Financial intermediaries may have different policies and procedures regarding the
availability of these reductions or waivers. Information with respect to specific intermediaries that offer individualized sales charge
waiver and/or reduction categories is disclosed in Appendix A, “Sales Charge Reductions and Waivers Available Through Certain Intermediaries,”
attached to the Funds’ Prospectus.
Information about sales charges and sales charge reductions
and waivers to the various classes of each Fund’s Shares is also available free of charge and in a clear and prominent format on
our website at https://publicsecurities.brookfield.com/en.
Shareholder Account
Information — Initial Sales Charges (Class A Shares Only)
Unless you are eligible for a sales charge reduction or
a waiver, as set out in Appendix A to this Prospectus, an initial sales charge applies to all other purchases of Class A Shares. The sales
charge is imposed on Class A Shares of a Fund at the time of purchase in accordance with the following schedule:
|
Amount of Investment |
|
|
Sales Charge as % of the Offering Price (1)
|
|
|
Sales Charge as % of Amount Invested |
|
|
Reallowance to Broker-Dealers |
|
|
Less than $50,000 |
|
|
|
|
4.75% |
|
|
|
|
|
4.99% |
|
|
|
|
|
4.75% |
|
|
|
$50,000 but under $100,000 |
|
|
|
|
4.25% |
|
|
|
|
|
4.44% |
|
|
|
|
|
4.25% |
|
|
|
$100,000 but under $250,000 |
|
|
|
|
3.50% |
|
|
|
|
|
3.63% |
|
|
|
|
|
3.50% |
|
|
|
$250,000 but under $500,000 |
|
|
|
|
2.50% |
|
|
|
|
|
2.56% |
|
|
|
|
|
2.50% |
|
|
|
$500,000 but under $1 million |
|
|
|
|
2.00% |
|
|
|
|
|
2.04% |
|
|
|
|
|
2.00% |
|
|
|
$1 million or more (2) |
|
|
|
|
None |
|
|
|
|
|
None |
|
|
|
|
|
None |
|
|
(1)
Includes
front-end sales load.
(2)
No sales charge
is payable at the time of purchase on investments of $1 million or more, although for such investments each Fund will impose a
CDSC of 1.00% on certain redemptions made within eighteen months of the purchase. If imposed, the CDSC is based on the original cost
of the shares being redeemed.
No sales charge is imposed on reinvestment of distributions
selected in advance of the distributions.
Breakpoints or
Volume Discounts — (Class A Shares Only)
Each Fund offers you the benefit of discounts on the sales
charges that apply to purchases of Class A Shares in certain circumstances. These discounts, which are also known as breakpoints, can
reduce or, in some instances, eliminate the initial sales charges that would otherwise apply to your investment in Class A Shares. Mutual
funds are not required to offer breakpoints and different mutual fund groups may offer different types of breakpoints.
Breakpoints or Volume Discounts allow larger investments
in Class A Shares to be charged lower sales charges. If you invest $50,000 or more in Class A Shares of a Fund, then you are eligible
for a reduced sales charge. Initial sales charges are eliminated completely for purchases of $1,000,000 or more, although a 1%
CDSC will apply if shares are redeemed within eighteen months after purchase.
The Adviser may pay a sales commission of up to 1.00%
of the offering price of Class A Shares to brokers that initiate and are responsible for purchases of $1,000,000 or more. This
does not apply with respect to shares purchased by “advisory accounts” for the benefit of clients of broker-dealers, financial
advisers or other financial institutions; provided the broker-dealer, financial adviser or financial institution charges its client(s)
an advisory fee based on the assets under management on an annual basis.
Additional information can also be found in Appendix A,
“Sales Charge Reductions and Waivers Available Through Certain Intermediaries,” attached to the Fund’s Prospectus.
Sales Charge Reductions
and Waivers — (Class A Shares Only)
Reduced sales charges are available to (1) investors who
are eligible to combine their purchases of Class A Shares to receive Volume Discounts and (2) investors who sign a Letter of Intent
(the “Letter”) agreeing to make purchases over time. Certain types of investors are eligible for sales charge waivers.
You may qualify for a reduced sales charge, or a waiver
of sales charges, on purchases of Class A Shares. The requirements are described in the following paragraphs. To receive a reduction that
you qualify for, you may have to provide additional information to your broker or other service agent. For more information about sales
charge discounts and waivers, consult with your broker or other service provider. Additional information can also be found in Appendix
A, “Sales Charge Reductions and Waivers Available Through Certain Intermediaries,” attached to the Funds’ Prospectus.
Volume Discounts/Rights of Accumulation. You
may qualify for a reduced sales charge by combining a new purchase (or combined purchases as described below) with shares previously purchased
and still owned; provided the cumulative value of such shares (valued at NAV) amounts to $50,000 or more. In determining the shares previously
purchased, the calculation will include, in addition to other Class A shares of any other open-end investment company managed by the Adviser
or its affiliates that were previously purchased, shares of other classes of the respective Fund, as well as shares of any class of any
other open-end investment company managed by the Adviser
or its affiliates. In order to determine whether you qualify for a reduced sales charge,
you may combine your new purchase with shares previously purchased and still owned with those of your immediate family (spouse and children
under 21), your and their IRAs and other employee benefit plans and trusts and other fiduciary accounts for your and their benefit. You
may also include shares of any class of any other open-end investment company managed by the Adviser or its affiliates that are held in
any of the foregoing accounts. If the new purchase is made directly through the Fund’s transfer agent, U.S. Bancorp Fund Services,
LLC (the “Transfer Agent” or “USBFS”), only shares held directly at the Transfer Agent may apply toward the rights
of accumulation. Shares held in the name of a nominee or custodian under pension, profit-sharing or other employee benefit plans may not
be combined with other shares to qualify for the rights of accumulation. Each Fund uses the current NAV of these holdings when combining
them with new and existing investments for purposes of determining whether you qualify for the rights of accumulation. In order to receive
a sales charge reduction under this program, you must provide certain information or records to permit verification that the purchase
qualifies for a reduction as described below under “Required Shareholder Information and Records.”
Letter of Intent. By
signing a Letter of Intent (LOI) you can reduce your Class A sales charge. Your individual purchases will be made at the applicable
sales charge based on the amount you intend to invest over a 13-month period. The LOI will apply to all purchases of Class A Shares.
Any shares purchased within 90 days of the date you sign the letter of intent may be used as credit toward completion, but the reduced
sales charge will only apply to new purchases made on or after that date. Purchases resulting from the reinvestment of dividends and capital
gains do not apply toward fulfillment of the LOI. Shares equal to 4.75% of the amount of the LOI will be held in escrow during the 13-month
period. If, at the end of that time, the total amount of purchases made is less than the amount intended, you will be required to pay
the difference between the reduced sales charge and the sales charge applicable to the individual purchases had the LOI not been in effect.
This amount will be obtained from redemption of the escrow shares. Any remaining escrow shares will be released to you.
Required Shareholder Information and Records. In
order for you to take advantage of sales charge reductions, you or your broker must notify the respective Fund that you qualify for a
reduction. Without notification, the Fund is unable to ensure that the reduction is applied to your account. You may have to provide information
or records to your broker or the Fund to verify eligibility for breakpoint privileges or other sales charge waivers. This may include
information or records, including account statements, regarding shares of the Fund or shares of any other open-end investment company
managed by the Adviser or its affiliates held in:
•
all of your accounts at the Fund or a broker;
•
any Fund account of yours at another broker; and
•
Fund accounts of related parties of yours, such as members of
the same family, at any broker.
You should therefore keep copies of these types of records.
Investors Eligible For Sales Charge Waivers. Class
A Shares of each Fund may be offered without a sales charge to: (1) any other investment company in connection with the combination of
such company with the Fund by merger, acquisition of assets, or otherwise; (2) any unit investment trusts registered under the 1940 Act
which have shares of the Fund as a principal investment; (3) persons investing in certain fee-based programs under which they pay advisory
fees to a broker-dealer or other financial institution that has entered into an agreement with the Funds and/or their distributor; and
(4) financial intermediaries who have entered into an agreement with the Funds and/or their distributor to offer shares to self-directed
investment brokerage accounts that may or may not charge a transaction fee to its customers.
In addition, shareholders who redeemed Class A shares
of each Fund that were originally subject to a front-end sales load may buy back Class A shares of the Fund into the same shareholder
account within 45 days of the redemption date without paying a sales charge on the reinstated shares (the “Reinstatement Privilege”).
The amount eligible to be repurchased under the Reinstatement Privilege may not exceed the amount of your redemption proceeds originally
received from the reinstated shares. Reinstatements will be priced at the Fund’s current NAV. To exercise the Reinstatement Privilege,
you must notify your financial consultant or the Fund’s Transfer Agent at the time of your transaction that you believe you qualify
for the privilege.
Additional categories of sales charge reductions and waivers are also set
out in Appendix A to this Funds’ Prospectus. Investors who qualify under any of the categories described above or those set out
in Appendix A to this Funds’ Prospectus should contact their brokerage firm. Some of these investors may also qualify to invest
in Class I Shares.
Shareholder Account
Information — (Class C Shares Only)
The Distributor pays a sales commission of up to 1.00% of
the purchase price of Class C Shares of a Fund at the time of sale to brokers who initiate and are responsible for purchases of such Class
C Shares of the Fund. These payments to brokers are financed solely by the Adviser. The Adviser will subsequently be reimbursed for the
payments it has financed. As described more fully below under the section of this Prospectus entitled “Rule 12b-1 Plans,”
you will also pay distribution and service fees of 1.00% each year under a distribution plan that the Funds have adopted for Class C Shares
under Rule 12b-1. Proceeds from the CDSC and the 1.00% distribution plan payments made in the first year after purchase are paid to the
Distributor and are used in whole or in part by the Distributor to pay the Adviser for financing the 1.00% up-front commission to brokers
who sell Class C Shares. During the first year, the Adviser may retain the full 1.00% Rule 12b-1 fee to recoup the up-front payment made
at the time of purchase. Once the Distributor has reimbursed the Adviser for the amounts financed, brokers will receive from the Distributor
the ongoing Rule 12b-1 fees associated with their clients’ investments in Class C Shares.
Class C Shares Conversion Feature. Class C
Shares will convert automatically into Class A Shares eight years after the original date of purchase or, if you acquired your
Class C Shares through an exchange or conversion from another share class, eight years after the date you acquired your Class C
Shares. When Class C Shares that you acquired through a purchase or exchange convert, any other Class C Shares that you purchased
with reinvested distributions also will convert into Class A Shares on a pro rata basis.
A shorter holding period may apply depending on your financial intermediary.
Contingent Deferred
Sales Charges — (Class A and Class C Shares Only)
You will pay a CDSC when you redeem:
•
Class A Shares within eighteen months
of buying them as part of an investment greater than $1 million if no front-end sales charge was paid at the time of purchase; and
•
Class C Shares within twelve months of buying them.
The CDSC payable upon redemption of Class A Shares and Class
C Shares in the circumstances described above is 1.00%. Your CDSC will be based on the original cost of the shares being redeemed.
You will not pay a CDSC to the extent that the value of
the redeemed shares represents reinvestment of distributions or capital appreciation of shares redeemed. When you redeem shares, we will
assume that you are first redeeming shares representing reinvestment of distributions, then any appreciation on shares redeemed, and then
any remaining shares held by you for the longest period of time. We will calculate the holding period of shares acquired through an exchange
of shares of another fund from the date you acquired the original shares of the other fund. Certain financial intermediaries may have
procedures which differ from those of the Funds with regards to calculation of the holding period of shares acquired through an exchange.
Investors should refer to their intermediary’s policies.
We will waive the CDSC payable upon redemptions of shares
for:
•
redemptions and distributions from retirement plans made after the death or disability
of a shareholder;
?
•
minimum required
distributions made from an IRA or other retirement plan account after you reach age 701/2 1/2;
•
involuntary redemptions made by the Funds;
•
a distribution from a tax-deferred retirement plan after your retirement; and
•
returns of excess contributions to retirement plans following
the shareholder’s death or disability.
Additionally, shareholders who reinvest the full value of their Class C
redemption proceeds back into Class C shares of the Fund in the same shareholder account within 45 days of the redemption will receive
a reimbursement of the CDSC that they paid at the time of redemption (the “CDSC Reimbursement). The CDSC Reimbursement will be made
in the form of additional Class C shares of the Fund based on the Fund’s NAV on the reinvestment date. Class C shares acquired with
proceeds from a CDSC Reimbursement will be subject to a CDSC if redeemed within 12 months. To receive the CDSC Reimbursement, you must
notify your financial consultant or the Fund’s Transfer Agent at the time of your transaction that you believe you qualify for the
reimbursement.
Shareholders of certain intermediaries may also have their
CDSC waived or reduced under other circumstances. Please refer to Appendix A, “Sales Charge Reductions and Waivers Available Through
Certain Intermediaries,” attached to the Funds’ Prospectus.
Rule 12b-1 Plans—(Class
A and Class C Shares Only)
The Funds have adopted distribution plans under Rule 12b-1
(the “Plans”) for Class A and Class C Shares of each Fund (each, a “Plan”). Under these Plans, a Fund may use
its assets to finance activities relating to the sale of its Class A and Class C Shares and the provision of certain shareholder services.
To the extent that any activity is one that the Fund may finance without a distribution plan, the Fund may also make payments to compensate
such activities outside the Plan and not be subject to its limitations.
The Class A Plan authorizes payments by each Fund on an
annual basis of 0.25% of its average daily net assets attributable to Class A Shares to finance distribution of its Class A Shares or
pay shareholder service fees. The Class C Plan authorizes payments on an annual basis of 0.75% of its average daily net assets attributable
to Class C Shares to finance distribution of its Class C Shares and 0.25% for shareholder service fees.
Because the Rule 12b-1 fees are higher for Class C Shares
than for Class A Shares, Class C Shares will have higher annual expenses. Because Rule 12b-1 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. Due to the payment of Rule 12b-1 fees, long-term shareholders may indirectly pay more than the equivalent of the maximum
permitted front-end sales charge.
Pricing of Fund
Shares
The net asset value of each Fund is calculated as of the
close of regular trading (generally, 4:00 p.m., Eastern Time) on each day that the New York Stock Exchange (“NYSE”) is open
for unrestricted business. However, a Fund’s NAV may be calculated earlier if trading on the NYSE is restricted or as permitted
by the SEC. The NYSE is closed on weekends and most national holidays, including New Year’s Day, Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, Washington’s
Birthday/Presidents’ Day, Good Friday, Memorial Day, Juneteenth National Independence Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving
Day and Christmas Day. The NAV will not be calculated on days when the NYSE is closed for trading.
Purchase and redemption requests are priced at the NAV per
share next calculated plus any applicable sales charge after receipt of such requests. The NAV is the value of the Fund’s securities,
cash and other assets, minus all expenses and liabilities (assets – liabilities = NAV). NAV per share is determined by dividing
NAV by the number of shares outstanding (NAV/# of shares = NAV per share). The NAV takes into account the expenses and fees of the Fund,
including management and administration fees, which are accrued daily.
In calculating the NAV, portfolio securities are valued
using current market values or official closing prices, if available. Market values represent the prices at which securities actually
trade or evaluations based on the judgment of the Fund’s outside pricing services. Each security owned by the Fund that is listed
on a securities exchange is valued at its last sale price on that exchange on the date as of which assets are valued. Where the security
is listed on more than one exchange, the Fund will use the price of the exchange that the Fund generally considers to be the principal
exchange on which the security is traded.
When market quotations are not readily
available, a security or other asset is valued at its fair value as determined under procedures approved by the Board of Trustees (the
“Board”) of Brookfield Investment Funds (the “Trust”). These fair value procedures will also be used to price
a security when corporate events, events in the securities market and/or world events cause the Adviser to believe that a security’s
last sale price may not reflect
its actual market value. Other types of securities that the Fund may
hold for which fair value pricing might be required The Board has adopted procedures for the valuation of the Funds’ securities.
The Adviser oversees the day to day responsibilities for valuation determinations under these procedures. The Board regularly reviews
the application of these procedures to the securities in the Funds’ portfolios.
The Board has designated the Adviser
as the valuation designee pursuant to Rule 2a-5 under the 1940 Act to perform fair value determination relating to any or all Fund investments.
The Board oversees the Adviser in its role as the valuation designee in accordance with the requirements of Rule 2a-5 under the 1940 Act.
Investments in equity securities listed
or traded on any securities exchange or traded in the over-the-counter market are valued at the last trade price as of the close of business
on the valuation date. If the NYSE closes early, then the equity security will be valued at the last traded price before the NYSE close.
Prices of foreign equities that are principally traded on certain foreign markets will generally be adjusted daily pursuant to a fair
value pricing service approved by the Board in order to reflect an adjustment for the factors occurring after the close of certain foreign
markets but before the NYSE close. When fair value pricing is employed, the value of the portfolio securities used to calculate the Fund’s
NAV may differ from quoted or official closing prices. Investments in open-end registered investment companies, if any, are valued at
the NAV as reported by those investment companies.
Securities for which market prices
are not readily available, cannot be determined using the sources described above, or for which the Adviser determines the quotation or
price for a portfolio security provided by a broker-dealer or an independent pricing service is inaccurate, will be valued at a fair value
determined by the Adviser following the procedures adopted by the Adviser under the supervision of the Board. The Adviser’s valuation
procedure establishes parameters for the sources, methodologies, and inputs the Adviser uses in determining fair value.
The fair valuation methodology may
include or consider the following guidelines, as appropriate: (1) evaluation of all relevant factors, including but not limited to, pricing
history, current market level, supply and demand of the respective security; (2) comparison to the values and current pricing of securities
that have comparable characteristics; (3) knowledge of historical market information with respect to the security; (4) other factors relevant
to the security which would include, but not be limited to, duration, yield, fundamental analytical data, the Treasury yield curve, and
credit quality. The fair value may be difficult to determine and thus judgment plays a greater role in the valuation process. Imprecision
in estimating fair value can also impact the amount of unrealized appreciation or depreciation recorded for a particular portfolio security
and differences in the assumptions used could result in a different determination of fair value, and those differences could be material.
For those securities valued by fair valuations, the Adviser reviews and affirms the reasonableness of the valuations based on such methodologies
and fair valuation determinations on a regular basis after considering all relevant information that is reasonably available. There can
be no assurance that the Fund could purchase or sell a portfolio security at the price used to calculate the Fund’s NAV.
An internal pricing hierarchy has been
established to maximize the use of observable market data and minimize the use of unobservable inputs and to establish classification
of fair value measurements for disclosure purposes. Observable inputs are inputs that reflect the assumptions market participants would
use in pricing the asset or liability developed based on market data obtained from sources independent of the reporting entity. Unobservable
inputs are inputs that reflect the reporting entity’s own assumptions about the assumptions market participants would use in pricing
the asset or liability developed based on the best information available in the circumstances.
Trading in Foreign Securities. In
the case of foreign securities, the occurrence of certain events after the close of foreign markets, but prior to the time a Fund’s
NAV per share is calculated (such as a significant surge or decline in the United States or other markets) often will result in an adjustment
to the trading prices of foreign securities when foreign markets open on the following business day. If such events occur, the Fund will
value foreign securities at fair value, taking into account such events, in calculating the NAV per share. In such cases, use of fair
valuation can reduce an investor’s ability to seek to profit by estimating the Fund’s NAV per share in advance of the time
the NAV per share is calculated. The Adviser anticipates that the Fund’s portfolio holdings will be fair valued when market quotations
for those holdings are considered unreliable.
Purchase of Fund Shares
You may purchase shares of the Funds by check, by wire
transfer, via electronic funds transfer through the Automated Clearing House (“ACH”) network or through a bank or through
one or more brokers authorized by the Fund to receive purchase orders. Please use the appropriate account application when purchasing
by mail or wire. If you have any questions or need further information about how to purchase shares of a Fund, you may call a customer
service representative of the Fund toll-free at 1-855-244-4859. Each Fund reserves the right to reject any purchase order. For example,
a purchase order may be refused if, in the Adviser’s opinion, it is so large that it would disrupt the management of the Fund. Orders
may also be rejected from persons believed by the Fund to be “market timers.”
All checks must be in U.S. dollars drawn on a domestic
financial institution. The Funds will not accept payment in cash or money orders. To prevent check fraud, the Funds will not accept third
party checks, Treasury checks, credit card checks, traveler’s checks or starter checks for the purchase of shares. The Funds are
unable to accept post-dated checks or any conditional order or payment.
To buy shares of a Fund, complete an account application
and send it together with your check for the amount you wish to invest in the Fund to the address below. To make additional investments
once you have opened your account, write your account number on the check and send it together with the most recent confirmation statement
received from the Transfer Agent. If your payment is returned for any reason, your purchase will be canceled and a $25 fee will be assessed
against your account by the Transfer Agent. You may also be responsible for any loss sustained by the Fund.
In addition to cash purchases, Fund shares may be purchased
by tendering payment in-kind in the form of shares of stock, bonds or other securities. Any securities used to buy Fund shares must be
readily marketable, their acquisition consistent with the respective Fund’s investment objective and otherwise acceptable to the
Adviser and the Board. For further information, you may call a customer service representative of the Fund toll-free at 1-855-244-4859.
In compliance with the USA PATRIOT Act of 2001, please
note that the Transfer Agent will verify certain information on your account application as part of the Trust’s Anti-Money Laundering
Program. As requested on the account application, you should supply your full name, date of birth, social security number and permanent
street address. If you are opening the account in the name of a legal entity (e.g., partnership,
limited liability company, business trust, corporation, etc.), you must also supply the identity of the beneficial owners. Mailing addresses
containing only a P. O. Box will not be accepted. The Funds reserve the right to request additional clarifying information and may close
your account if such clarifying information is not received by the Funds within a reasonable time of the request or if the Funds cannot
form a reasonable belief as to your true identity. Please contact the Transfer Agent at 1-855-244-4859 if you need additional assistance
when completing your account application.
If the Transfer Agent does not have a reasonable belief
of the identity of an investor, the account application will be rejected or the investor will not be allowed to perform a transaction
on the account until such information is received. The Fund may also reserve the right to close the account within five business days
if clarifying information/documentation is not received.
Shares of the Funds have not been registered for sale
outside of the United States. The Adviser generally does not sell shares to investors residing outside of the United States, even if they
are United States citizens or lawful permanent residents, except to investors with United States military APO or FPO addresses.
Your mutual fund account may be transferred to your state
of residence if no activity occurs within your account during the “inactivity period” specified in your State’s abandoned
property laws.
Lost Shareholder. It
is important that the Funds maintain a correct address for each investor. An incorrect address may cause an investor’s account statements
and other mailings to be returned to the Fund. Based upon statutory requirements for returned mail, the Funds will attempt to locate the
investor or rightful owner of the account. If the Funds are unable to locate the investor, then they will determine whether the investor’s
account can legally be considered abandoned. The Funds are legally obligated to escheat (or transfer) abandoned property to the appropriate
state’s unclaimed property administrator in accordance with statutory requirements. The investor’s last known address of record
determines which state has jurisdiction.
If you are a resident of the state of Texas, you may designate a representative
to receive notifications that, due to inactivity, your mutual fund account assets may be delivered to the Texas Comptroller. Please contact
the Transfer Agent if you wish to complete a Texas Designation of Representative form.
Purchasing Shares by Mail. Please
complete the account application and mail it with your check, payable to the [Name of Fund], to the Transfer Agent at the following address:
Brookfield Investment Funds
c/o U.S. Bancorp Fund
Services, LLC
P.O. Box 701
Milwaukee, Wisconsin 53201-0701
You may not send an account application via overnight
delivery to a United States Postal Service post office box. The Funds do not consider the U.S. Postal Service or other independent delivery
services to be their agents. Therefore, a deposit in the mail or with such services, or receipt at U.S. Bancorp Fund Services, LLC’s
post office box, of purchase orders or redemption requests does not constitute receipt by the Transfer Agent. If you wish to use an overnight
delivery service, send your account application and check to the Transfer Agent at the following address:
Brookfield Investment Funds
c/o U.S. Bancorp Fund
Services, LLC
615 East Michigan Street, 3rd Floor
Milwaukee,
Wisconsin 53202
Purchasing Shares by Telephone. If
you accepted telephone transaction privileges (either by completing the required portion of your account application or by subsequent
arrangement in writing with the Fund), and your account has been open for 15 days, you may purchase additional shares by calling
toll-free at 1-855-244-4859. You may not make your initial purchase of Fund shares by telephone. Telephone orders will be accepted via
electronic funds transfer from your pre-designated bank account through the ACH network. You must have banking information established
on your account prior to making a telephone purchase. Only bank accounts held at domestic institutions that are ACH members may be used
for telephone transactions. If your order is received prior to 4:00 p.m., Eastern Time, shares will be purchased at the applicable
price next calculated. For security reasons, requests by telephone may be recorded. Once a telephone transaction has been placed, it cannot
be cancelled or modified.
Purchasing Shares by Wire. If
you are making your initial investment in a Fund, before wiring funds, the Transfer Agent must have a completed account application. You
can mail or overnight deliver your account application to the Transfer Agent at the above address. Upon receipt of your completed account
application, the Transfer Agent will establish an account on your behalf. Once your account is established, you may instruct your bank
to send the wire. Your bank must include the name of the Fund, your name and your account number so that monies can be correctly applied.
Your bank should transmit immediately available funds by wire to:
U.S. Bank National Association
777 East Wisconsin
Avenue
Milwaukee, Wisconsin 53202
ABA #075000022
Credit: U.S. Bancorp Fund Services, LLC
A/C#112-952-137
FFC: Brookfield
Investment Funds
Shareholder Registration
Shareholder Account Number
If you are making a subsequent purchase, your bank should wire funds as
indicated above. Before each wire purchase, you should be sure to notify the Transfer Agent. It is essential
that your bank include complete information about your account in all wire transactions. If you have questions about how to invest
by wire, you may call the Transfer Agent at 1-855-244-4859. Your bank may charge you a fee for sending a wire payment to the Fund.
Wired funds must be received prior to 4:00 p.m. Eastern
Time to be eligible for same day pricing. Neither the Funds nor U.S. Bank N.A. are responsible for the consequences of delays resulting
from the banking or Federal Reserve wire system or from incomplete wiring instructions.
Automatic Investment Plan. Once
your account has been opened with the initial minimum investment, you may make additional purchases of shares at regular intervals through
the Automatic Investment Plan (“AIP”). The AIP provides a convenient method to have monies deducted from your bank account,
for investment into a Fund, on a monthly or quarterly basis. In order to participate in the AIP, each purchase must be in the amount of
$100 or more, and your financial institution must be a member of the ACH network. If your bank rejects your payment, the Transfer Agent
will charge a $25 fee to your account. To begin participating in the AIP, please complete the Automatic Investment Plan section on the
account application or call the Transfer Agent at 1-855-244-4859 for additional information. Any request to change or terminate your AIP
should be submitted to the Transfer Agent at least five calendar days prior to the automatic investment date.
Retirement Accounts. The
Funds offer prototype documents for a variety of retirement accounts for individuals and small businesses. Please call 1-855-244-4859
for information on:
•
Individual Retirement Plans, including Traditional IRAs and Roth IRAs.
•
Small Business Retirement Plans, including Simple IRAs and SEP
IRAs.
There may be special distribution requirements for a retirement
account, such as required distributions or mandatory Federal income tax withholdings. For more information, call the number listed above.
You may be charged a $15 annual account maintenance fee for each retirement account up to a maximum of $30 annually and a
$25 fee for transferring assets to another custodian or for closing a retirement account. Fees charged by institutions may vary.
Purchasing and Selling Shares through a Broker. You
may buy and sell shares of each Fund through certain brokers and financial intermediaries (and their agents) (collectively, “Brokers”)
that have made arrangements with the Funds to sell their shares. When you place your order with such a Broker, your order is treated as
if you had placed it directly with the Transfer Agent, and you will pay or receive the next price calculated by the Fund. The Broker holds
your shares in an omnibus account in the Broker’s name, and the Broker maintains your individual ownership records. A Fund or the
Adviser may pay the Broker for maintaining these records as well as providing other shareholder services. The Broker may charge you a
fee for handling your order. The Broker is responsible for processing your order correctly and promptly, keeping you advised regarding
the status of your individual account, confirming your transactions and ensuring that you receive copies of the Fund’s Prospectus.
Purchases In–Kind. You
may, subject to the approval of a Fund, purchase shares of that Fund with securities that are eligible for purchase by the Fund (consistent
with the Fund’s investment restrictions, policies, and objectives) and that have a value that is readily ascertainable in accordance
with the Fund’s valuation policies. To ascertain whether your securities will qualify to be accepted as a purchase in-kind for a
Fund, please contact the Transfer Agent at 1-855-244-4859. If accepted, the securities will be valued using the same criteria and methods
for valuing securities to compute a Fund’s net asset value.
Redemption of Fund Shares
You may sell (redeem) your Fund shares on any day the Fund
and the NYSE are open for business either directly to the Fund or through your financial intermediary.
In Writing. You
may redeem your shares by simply sending a written request to the Transfer Agent. You should provide your account number and state whether
you want all or some of your shares redeemed. The letter should be signed by all of the shareholders whose names appear on the account
registration and include a signature guarantee(s), if necessary. You should send your redemption request to:
Regular Mail |
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Overnight Express Mail |
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Brookfield Investment Funds c/o U.S. Bancorp Fund Services, LLC P.O. Box
701 Milwaukee, Wisconsin 53201‑0701 |
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Brookfield Investment Funds c/o U.S. Bancorp Fund Services, LLC 615 East
Michigan Street, 3rd Floor Milwaukee, Wisconsin 53202 |
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NOTE:
The Funds do not consider the
U.S. Postal Service or other independent delivery services to be its agents. Therefore, a deposit in the mail or with such services, or
receipt at U.S. Bancorp Fund Services, LLC’s post office box, of purchase orders or redemption requests does not constitute receipt
by the Transfer Agent.
By Telephone. If
you accepted telephone options on the account application, you may redeem all or some of your shares by calling the Transfer Agent at
1-855-244-4859 before the close of trading on the NYSE, which is normally 4:00 p.m., Eastern Time; however, the maximum amount that can
be redeemed by telephone for Class A or C Shares is $50,000. There is no telephone redemption maximum for Class I Shares. Redemption proceeds
can be sent by check to the address of record or via ACH to a previously established bank account. If you request, redemption proceeds
will be wired on the next business day to the bank account you designated on the account application. The minimum amount that may be wired
is $1,000. A wire fee of $15 will be deducted from your redemption proceeds for a complete redemption of your shares. In the case
of a partial redemption, the fee will be deducted from the remaining account balance. Telephone redemptions cannot be made if you notified
the Transfer Agent of a change of address within 15 calendar days before the redemption request. If you have a retirement account, you
may not redeem your shares by telephone.
You may request telephone redemption privileges after
your account is opened by calling the Transfer Agent at 1-855-244-4859 for instructions.
You may encounter higher than usual call wait times during
periods of high market activity. Please allow sufficient time to ensure that you will be able to complete your telephone transaction prior
to market close. If you are unable to contact the Fund by telephone, you may mail your redemption request in writing to the address noted
above. Once a telephone transaction has been accepted, it may not be canceled or modified.
Shareholders with telephone transaction privileges established
on their account may redeem Fund shares by telephone. Upon receipt of any instructions or inquiries by telephone from the shareholder,
the respective Fund or its authorized agents may carry out the instructions and/or respond to the inquiry consistent with the shareholder’s
previously established account service options. For joint accounts, instructions or inquiries from either party will be carried out without
prior notice to the other account owners. In acting upon telephone instructions, the Fund and its agents use procedures that are reasonably
designed to ensure that such instructions are genuine. These include recording all telephone calls, requiring pertinent information about
the account and sending written confirmation of each transaction to the registered owner.
USBFS will employ reasonable procedures to confirm that
instructions communicated by telephone are genuine. If USBFS fails to employ reasonable procedures, the Fund and USBFS may be liable for
any losses due to unauthorized or fraudulent instructions. If these procedures are followed, however, to the extent permitted by applicable
law, neither the Fund nor its agents will be liable for any loss, liability, cost or expense arising out of any redemption request, including
any fraudulent or unauthorized request. For additional information, contact USBFS.
Payment of Redemption Proceeds. Payment
of your redemption proceeds will be made promptly, but not later than seven days after the receipt of your written request in good order.
If you did not purchase your shares with a wire payment, the Fund may delay payment of your redemption proceeds for up to 15 calendar
days from purchase or until your payment has cleared, whichever occurs first.
Shareholders who have an IRA or other retirement plan must indicate on their
written redemption request whether or not to withhold federal income tax. Redemption requests failing to indicate an election not to have
tax withheld will generally be subject to 10% withholding.
Under normal circumstances, the Funds expect to meet redemption
requests by using cash or by selling portfolio assets to generate cash. During periods of stressed market conditions, when a significant
portion of a Fund’s portfolio may be comprised of less-liquid investments, the Fund may be more likely to limit cash redemptions
and may determine to pay redemption proceeds by borrowing under a line of credit it has established with a lender, and/or transferring
portfolio securities in-kind to you in lieu of cash.
Systematic Withdrawal Plan. As
another convenience, you may redeem your shares through the Systematic Withdrawal Plan (“SWP”). Under the SWP, shareholders
or their financial intermediaries may request that a payment drawn in a predetermined amount be sent to them on a monthly, quarterly or
annual basis. In order to participate in the SWP, your account balance must be at least $5,000 and each withdrawal amount must be for
a minimum of $100. If you elect this method of redemption, the Fund will send a check directly to your address of record or will
send the payment directly to your bank account via electronic funds transfer through the ACH network. For payment through the ACH network,
your bank must be an ACH member and your bank account information must be previously established on your account. The SWP may be terminated
at any time by the Funds. You may also elect to terminate your participation in the SWP by communicating in writing or by telephone to
the Transfer Agent no later than five days before the next scheduled withdrawal at the addresses shown above or at 1-855-244-4859.
A withdrawal under the SWP involves a redemption of shares
and may result in a gain or loss for federal income tax purposes. In addition, if the amount withdrawn exceeds the dividends credited
to your account, the account ultimately may be depleted. To establish a SWP, an investor must complete the appropriate sections of the
account application. For additional information on the SWP, please call the Transfer Agent at 1-855-244-4859.
Redemption “In-Kind”.
Each Fund reserves the right to pay redemption proceeds to you in whole or in part by a distribution of securities from the Fund’s
portfolio (a “redemption in-kind”). It is not expected that the Fund would do so except during unusual market conditions.
If the Fund pays your redemption proceeds by a distribution of securities, you could incur brokerage or other charges in converting the
securities to cash and will bear any market risks associated with such securities until they are converted into cash. A redemption in-kind
is a taxable event on which you may incur a gain or loss.
Signature Guarantees. Signature
guarantees will generally be accepted from domestic banks, brokers, dealers, credit unions, national securities exchanges, registered
securities associations, clearing agencies and savings associations, as well as from participants in the New York Stock Exchange Medallion
Signature Program and the Securities Transfer Agents Medallion Program. A notary public is not an acceptable
signature guarantor.
A signature guarantee, from either a Medallion program member
or a non-Medallion program member, is required to redeem shares in the following situations:
•
When ownership is being changed on your account;
•
When redemption proceeds are payable or sent to any person, address or bank account
not on record;
•
Written requests to wire redemption proceeds (if not previously authorized on
the account);
•
If a change of address was received by the Transfer Agent within the last 15
calendar days; and
•
For all redemptions of Class A or C Shares in excess of
$50,000 from any shareholder account.
Non-financial transactions, including establishing or
modifying certain services on an account, may require a signature guarantee, signature verification from a Signature Validation Program
member, or other acceptable form of authentication from a financial institution source.
In addition to the situations described above, a Fund
and/or the Transfer Agent may require a signature guarantee or signature validation program stamp in other instances based on the facts
and circumstances.
Other Information about Redemptions. The
Fund may redeem the shares in your account if the value of your account is less than $500 as a result of redemptions you have made. This
does not apply to retirement plan accounts. You will be notified that the value of your account is less than $500 before the Fund makes
an involuntary redemption. You will then have 30 days in which to make an additional investment to bring the value of your account
to at least $500 before the Fund takes any action.
Exchange of Shares
You can exchange shares of each Fund you hold for shares
in an identically registered account of the same class of any other Fund in the Trust, based on their relative NAVs. Class C Shares will
continue to age from the date of the original purchase of such shares and will assume the CDSC rate such shares had at the time of exchange.
In effecting an exchange:
•
you must meet the minimum investment
requirements for the Fund whose shares you wish to purchase through exchange;
•
you will realize a taxable gain or loss; and
•
you should be aware that brokers may charge a fee for handling
an exchange for you.
You may exchange your shares directly through the Distributor,
through the Transfer Agent, through a registered broker-dealer, or through your financial intermediary.
•
Exchange By Telephone. You
may give exchange instructions by telephone by calling 1-855-244-4859.
•
Exchange
By Mail. You may send a written request for exchanges to the following address:
Brookfield Investment Funds
c/o U.S. Bancorp Fund
Services, LLC
615 East Michigan Street, 3rd Floor
Milwaukee,
Wisconsin 53202
Your letter should state your name, your account number,
the dollar amount or number of shares you wish to exchange, the name and class of the Fund(s) whose shares you wish to exchange, and the
name of the Fund(s) whose shares you wish to acquire.
The Fund may modify or terminate the exchange privilege
at any time. You will be given notice 60 days prior to any material change to the exchange privilege.
Your broker may charge you a processing fee for assisting
you in purchasing or redeeming shares of the Fund. This charge is set by your broker and does not benefit the Fund or the Adviser in any
way. It is in addition to the sales charges and other costs, if any, described in this Prospectus and must be disclosed to you by your
broker.
Conversion of Shares
Between Classes
Shareholders participating in or moving into certain advisory
fee-based programs or similar programs (“Programs”) sponsored by certain financial intermediaries with whom a Fund and/or
its distributor have entered into an agreement, or accounts held through a registered investment adviser, may exchange their existing
Class A or Class C Shares for Class I Shares of the same Fund. Any account with an existing CDSC liability (Class C Shares held for less
than 12 months) will assess the CDSC before converting to Class I Shares. In addition, shareholders may exchange Class I Shares of a Fund
held through a Program for Class A Shares of the same Fund without paying an initial sales charge if the shareholder is leaving or has
left the Program and provided that the Class A Shares received in the exchange will be held at the financial intermediary that sponsored
the Program. Shareholders should note that the Class A Shares of the Funds are subject to 12b-1 fees and have higher annual operating
expenses than the Class I Shares of the Funds. An exchange of shares for shares of a different class in a Fund will generally not constitute
a taxable transaction for federal income tax purposes. Shareholders should, however, consult with their tax adviser regarding the state
and local tax consequences of this type of an exchange of shares. A conversion of shares between classes is exempt from the Funds’
short-term trading policies described in this Prospectus.
Fund Mailings
Statements and reports that the Funds send to you include
the following:
•
Confirmation statements (after
every transaction that affects your account balance or your account registration);
•
Annual and Semi-Annual shareholder reports (every six months); and
•
Quarterly account statements.
Householding
In an effort to decrease costs, the Transfer Agent intends
to reduce the number of duplicate prospectuses, annual and semi-annual reports, proxy statements and other regulatory documents you receive
by sending only one copy of each to those addresses shared by two or more accounts and to shareholders the Transfer Agent reasonably believes
are from the same family or household. Once implemented, if you would like to discontinue householding for your accounts, please call
toll-free at 1-855-244-4859 to request individual copies of these documents. Once the Transfer Agent receives notice to stop householding,
the Transfer Agent will begin sending individual copies thirty days after receiving your request. This householding policy does not apply
to account statements.
DIVIDENDS AND DISTRIBUTIONS
Each Fund will make distributions of dividends and capital
gains, if any, at least annually, typically in December. Additionally, each Fund currently intends to make quarterly distributions at
a variable rate. This policy may be changed by the Board at any time. Each Fund may make an additional payment of dividends or distributions
of capital gains if it deems it desirable at any other time of the year or in order to comply with applicable law.
Each Fund generally expects to distribute to shareholders
substantially all of its income (for example, interest and dividends) as well as substantially all of its net long-term and short-term
capital gains (for example, from the sale of its variable rate holdings or distributions from other funds its holds). In addition, pursuant
to its quarterly distribution policy, each Fund may make distributions that are treated as a return of capital. There is no guarantee
that a Fund will realize net investment income or capital gains in any given year, or that a Fund’s distribution rates will reflect
in any period a Fund’s net investment income. Each Fund will provide information with each quarterly distribution that estimate
the percentages of the current and year-to-date distributions that represent net investment income, other income or capital gains, and
return of capital (if any). At the end of the year, each Fund may be required under applicable law to recharacterize distributions for
the year among ordinary income, capital gains, and return of capital (if any) for purposes of tax reporting to shareholders.
All distributions will be reinvested in Fund shares unless
you choose one of the following options: (1) receive dividends in cash while reinvesting capital gain distributions in additional
Fund shares; (2) reinvest dividends in additional Fund shares and receive capital gains in cash; or (3) receive all distributions
in cash. Distributions (other than any return of capital) are taxable to you, whether received in cash or reinvested in additional shares,
and reinvestment does not avoid or defer taxable income to you.
If you elect to receive distributions in cash and the
U.S. Postal Service cannot deliver the check, or if a check remains outstanding for six months, each Fund reserves the right to reinvest
the distribution check in your account, at the respective Fund’s current NAV per share, and to reinvest all subsequent distributions.
If you wish to change your distribution option, notify the Transfer Agent in writing or by telephone in advance of the payment date for
the distribution.
Any dividend or capital gain distribution paid by a Fund
has the effect of reducing the NAV per share on the ex-dividend date by the amount of the dividend or capital gain distribution. You should
note that a dividend or capital gain distribution paid on shares purchased shortly before that dividend or capital gain distribution was
declared will be subject to income taxes even though the dividend or capital gain distribution represents, in substance, a partial return
of capital to you.
TOOLS TO COMBAT FREQUENT TRANSACTIONS
The Board has adopted policies and procedures to prevent
frequent transactions in the Funds. Each Fund discourages excessive, short-term trading and other abusive trading practices that may disrupt
portfolio management strategies and harm a Fund’s performance. The Funds take steps to reduce the frequency and effect of these
activities in each Fund. These steps include monitoring trading activity and using fair value pricing. Although these efforts (which are
described in more detail below) are designed to discourage abusive trading practices, these tools cannot eliminate the possibility that
such activity may occur. Further, while the Funds make efforts to identify and restrict frequent trading, each Fund receives purchase
and sale orders through financial intermediaries and cannot always know or detect frequent trading that may be facilitated by the use
of intermediaries or the use of group or omnibus accounts by those intermediaries. Each Fund seeks to exercise its judgment in implementing
these tools to the best of its abilities in a manner that the Fund believes is consistent with shareholder interests.
Monitoring Trading Practices.
Each Fund monitors selected trades in an effort to detect excessive short-term trading activities. If, as a result of this monitoring,
a Fund believes that a shareholder has engaged in excessive short-term trading, it may, in its discretion, ask the shareholder to stop
such activities or refuse to process purchases in the shareholder’s accounts. In making such judgments, the Fund seeks to act in
a manner that it believes is consistent with the best interests of shareholders. Due to the complexity and subjectivity involved in identifying
abusive trading activity and the volume of shareholder transactions the Fund handles, there can be no assurance that the Fund’s
efforts will identify all trades or trading practices that may be considered abusive. In addition, the Fund’s ability to monitor
trades that are placed by individual shareholders within group or omnibus accounts maintained by financial intermediaries is limited because
the Fund does not have simultaneous access to the underlying shareholder account information.
In compliance with Rule 22c-2 of the 1940 Act the Funds’
Distributor, on behalf of the Funds, has entered into written agreements with each of the Funds’ financial intermediaries, under
which the intermediary must, upon request, provide the Funds with certain shareholder and identity trading information so that each Fund
can enforce its market timing policies.
Fair
Value Pricing. Each Fund employs fair value pricing selectively to ensure greater accuracy in its daily NAV and to
prevent dilution by frequent traders or market timers who seek to take advantage of temporary market anomalies. The Board has designated
the Adviser as the valuation designee pursuant to Rule 2a-5 under the 1940 Act to perform fair value determination relating to any or
all Fund investments. The Board oversees the Adviser in its role as the valuation designee in accordance with the requirements of Rule
2a-5 under the 1940 Act. When fair value pricing is employed, the value of the portfolio securities used to calculate the Fund’s
NAV may differ from quoted or official closing prices. Securities for which market prices are not readily available, cannot be reasonably
determined in accordance with applicable procedures, or the Adviser’s Valuation Committee determines that the quotation or price
for a portfolio security provided by a broker-dealer or an independent pricing service is inaccurate will be valued at a fair value determined
by the Adviser’s Valuation Committee following the procedures adopted by the Adviser under the supervision of the Board. The Adviser’s
valuation policy establishes parameters for the sources, methodologies, and inputs the Adviser’s Valuation Committee uses in determining
fair value. There can be no assurance that the Fund will obtain the fair value assigned to a security if it were to sell the security
at approximately the time at which the Fund determines its NAV per share.
Fair value pricing may be applied to non-U.S. securities.
The trading hours for most non-U.S. securities end prior to the close of the NYSE, the time that the Fund’s NAV is calculated. The
occurrence of certain events after the close of non-U.S. markets, but prior to the close of the NYSE (such as a significant surge or decline
in the U.S. market) often will result in an adjustment to the trading prices of non-U.S. securities when non-U.S. markets open on the
following business day. If such events occur, the Fund may value non-U.S. securities at fair value, taking into account such events, when
it calculates its NAV.
More detailed information regarding fair value pricing can
be found under the heading titled, “Pricing of Fund Shares.”
TAX CONSEQUENCES
Each Fund has elected and intends to continue to qualify
to be taxed as a regulated investment company under Subchapter M of the Code. As a regulated investment company, the Fund will not be
subject to federal income tax if it distributes its income as required by the tax law for qualification as a regulated investment company
and satisfies certain other requirements that are described in the SAI.
Each Fund typically makes distributions of dividends and
capital gains. Dividends are taxable to you as ordinary income or, as qualified dividend income, depending on the source of such income
to the distributing Fund and the holding period of the Fund for its dividend-paying securities and of you for your Fund shares. The rate
you pay on capital gain distributions will depend on how long the Fund held the securities that generated the gains, not on how long you
owned your Fund shares. Dividends and capital gains distributions (but not any returns of capital) from the Fund generally are subject
to the 3.8% tax on net investment income for shareholders in the higher income tax brackets. You will be taxed in the same manner whether
you receive your dividends and capital gain distributions in cash or reinvest them in additional Fund shares. Return of capital distributions
generally are not taxable to shareholders until their cost basis has been reduced to zero. Not all dividends paid by a Fund may qualify
for this reduced tax rate. If a shareholder’s cost basis is at zero, then return of capital distributions will be treated as capital
gains. Qualified dividend income, the amount of which will be reported to you by the Fund, is currently taxed at a maximum federal rate
of 20% and is dependent on the sources of income earned by each Fund. Funds that invest primarily in REITs and investments that produce
interest income generate little, if any, income that is eligible for the preferential federal tax rates applicable to qualified dividends.
Although distributions are generally taxable when received, certain distributions declared in October, November, or December to shareholders
of record on a specified date in such a month but paid the following January are taxable as if received during the prior December. A Fund
may make taxable distributions even during periods in which the Fund’s share price has declined.
By law, the Fund must withhold as backup withholding a
percentage (currently 24%) of your taxable distributions and redemption proceeds if you do not provide your correct social security or
taxpayer identification number and certify that you are not subject to backup withholding, or if the Internal Revenue Service instructs
the Fund to do so.
If you sell your Fund shares, it is considered a taxable
event for you. Depending on the purchase price and the sale price of the shares you sell, you may have a gain or a loss on the transaction,
which will be a capital gain or loss if you hold your Fund shares as capital assets. You are responsible for any tax liabilities generated
by your transaction.
Tax consequences are not the primary consideration of
the Funds in implementing its investment strategy. Additional information concerning the taxation of each Fund and its shareholders is
contained in the SAI. You should consult your own tax advisor concerning federal, state and local taxation of distributions from a Fund.
FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS
The financial highlights
in the following tables are intended to help you understand the financial performance of the Class A Shares, Class C Shares and Class
I Shares of the Global Listed Real Estate Fund, Infrastructure Fund, the Renewables Fund and the Real Assets Securities Fund for the periods
indicated. Certain information reflects financial results for a single Fund share. The total returns in the tables represent the rate
that an investor would have earned or lost on an investment in a Fund (assuming reinvestment of all dividends and distributions). This
information has been audited by Deloitte & Touche LLP, whose report, along with each Fund’s financial statements, are included
in the annual report, which is available upon request.
BROOKFIELD
GLOBAL LISTED REAL ESTATE FUND
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Per Share Operating Performance:
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Net asset value, beginning of year
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Net investment income (1)
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Net realized and change in unrealized gain (loss) on investment transactions
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Net increase (decrease) in net asset value resulting from operations
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Distributions from net investment income
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Distributions from net realized gains
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Return of capital distributions
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Total distributions paid (*)
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Net asset value, end of year
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Class A: |
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December 31, 2022 |
|
|
|
$ |
14.05 |
|
|
|
|
|
0.20 |
|
|
|
|
|
(3.31) |
|
|
|
|
|
(3.11) |
|
|
|
|
|
(0.19) |
|
|
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
|
|
(0.01) |
|
|
|
|
|
(0.20) |
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|
|
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$ |
10.74 |
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December 31, 2021 |
|
|
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$ |
11.63 |
|
|
|
|
|
0.11 |
|
|
|
|
|
2.59 |
|
|
|
|
|
2.70 |
|
|
|
|
|
(0.28) |
|
|
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
|
|
— |
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|
|
|
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(0.28) |
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|
|
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$ |
14.05 |
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December 31, 2020 |
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$ |
13.51 |
|
|
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0.18 |
|
|
|
|
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(1.67) |
|
|
|
|
|
(1.49) |
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|
|
|
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(0.35) |
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|
|
|
|
(0.03) |
|
|
|
|
|
(0.01) |
|
|
|
|
|
(0.39) |
|
|
|
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$ |
11.63 |
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December 31, 2019 |
|
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$ |
11.79 |
|
|
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0.29 |
|
|
|
|
|
2.06 |
|
|
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|
2.35 |
|
|
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|
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(0.60) |
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|
|
|
|
(0.03) |
|
|
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
|
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(0.63) |
|
|
|
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$ |
13.51 |
|
|
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December 31, 2018 |
|
|
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$ |
13.34 |
|
|
|
|
|
0.24 |
|
|
|
|
|
(1.31) |
|
|
|
|
|
(1.07) |
|
|
|
|
|
(0.25) |
|
|
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
|
|
(0.23) |
|
|
|
|
|
(0.48) |
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|
|
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$ |
11.79 |
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Class C: |
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December 31, 2022 |
|
|
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$ |
13.98 |
|
|
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|
|
0.10 |
|
|
|
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(3.28) |
|
|
|
|
|
(3.18) |
|
|
|
|
|
(0.11) |
|
|
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
|
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(0.01) |
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|
|
(0.12) |
|
|
|
|
$ |
10.68 |
|
|
|
December 31, 2021 |
|
|
|
$ |
11.57 |
|
|
|
|
|
0.01 |
|
|
|
|
|
2.58 |
|
|
|
|
|
2.59 |
|
|
|
|
|
(0.18) |
|
|
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
|
|
(0.18) |
|
|
|
|
$ |
13.98 |
|
|
|
December 31, 2020 |
|
|
|
$ |
13.42 |
|
|
|
|
|
0.10 |
|
|
|
|
|
(1.65) |
|
|
|
|
|
(1.55) |
|
|
|
|
|
(0.26) |
|
|
|
|
|
(0.03) |
|
|
|
|
|
(0.01) |
|
|
|
|
|
(0.30) |
|
|
|
|
$ |
11.57 |
|
|
|
December 31, 2019 |
|
|
|
$ |
11.72 |
|
|
|
|
|
0.18 |
|
|
|
|
|
2.06 |
|
|
|
|
|
2.24 |
|
|
|
|
|
(0.51) |
|
|
|
|
|
(0.03) |
|
|
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
|
|
(0.54) |
|
|
|
|
$ |
13.42 |
|
|
|
December 31, 2018 |
|
|
|
$ |
13.28 |
|
|
|
|
|
0.16 |
|
|
|
|
|
(1.33) |
|
|
|
|
|
(1.17) |
|
|
|
|
|
(0.20) |
|
|
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
|
|
(0.19) |
|
|
|
|
|
(0.39) |
|
|
|
|
$ |
11.72 |
|
|
|
Class I: |
|
|
December 31, 2022 |
|
|
|
$ |
14.08 |
|
|
|
|
|
0.23 |
|
|
|
|
|
(3.32) |
|
|
|
|
|
(3.09) |
|
|
|
|
|
(0.21) |
|
|
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
|
|
(0.01) |
|
|
|
|
|
(0.22) |
|
|
|
|
$ |
10.77 |
|
|
|
December 31, 2021 |
|
|
|
$ |
11.65 |
|
|
|
|
|
0.15 |
|
|
|
|
|
2.60 |
|
|
|
|
|
2.75 |
|
|
|
|
|
(0.32) |
|
|
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
|
|
(0.32) |
|
|
|
|
$ |
14.08 |
|
|
|
December 31, 2020 |
|
|
|
$ |
13.53 |
|
|
|
|
|
0.21 |
|
|
|
|
|
(1.67) |
|
|
|
|
|
(1.46) |
|
|
|
|
|
(0.38) |
|
|
|
|
|
(0.03) |
|
|
|
|
|
(0.01) |
|
|
|
|
|
(0.42) |
|
|
|
|
$ |
11.65 |
|
|
|
December 31, 2019 |
|
|
|
$ |
11.80 |
|
|
|
|
|
0.30 |
|
|
|
|
|
2.09 |
|
|
|
|
|
2.39 |
|
|
|
|
|
(0.63) |
|
|
|
|
|
(0.03) |
|
|
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
|
|
(0.66) |
|
|
|
|
$ |
13.53 |
|
|
|
December 31, 2018 |
|
|
|
$ |
13.37 |
|
|
|
|
|
0.28 |
|
|
|
|
|
(1.34) |
|
|
|
|
|
(1.06) |
|
|
|
|
|
(0.27) |
|
|
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
|
|
(0.24) |
|
|
|
|
|
(0.51) |
|
|
|
|
$ |
11.80 |
|
|
(*)
Distributions
for annual periods determined in accordance with federal income tax regulations.
?
(1)
Per share
amounts presented are based on average shares outstanding throughout the period indicated.
BROOKFIELD GLOBAL
LISTED REAL ESTATE FUND
|
|
|
Ratios to Average Net Assets/Supplementary Data:
|
|
|
|
|
Total Investment Return (†)
|
|
|
Net assets, end of year (000s)
|
|
|
Gross operating expenses
|
|
|
Net expenses, including fee waivers and reimbursement
|
|
|
Net investment income
|
|
|
Net investment income, excluding the effect of fee waivers and reimbursement
|
|
|
Portfolio turnover rate
|
|
Class A: |
|
December 31, 2022 |
|
|
|
|
(22.21)% |
|
|
|
|
$ |
7,215 |
|
|
|
|
|
1.32% |
|
|
|
|
|
1.20% |
|
|
|
|
|
1.60% |
|
|
|
|
|
1.48% |
|
|
|
|
|
99% |
|
|
December 31, 2021 |
|
|
|
|
23.42% |
|
|
|
|
$ |
14,140 |
|
|
|
|
|
1.27% |
|
|
|
|
|
1.20% |
|
|
|
|
|
0.84% |
|
|
|
|
|
0.77% |
|
|
|
|
|
65% |
|
|
December 31, 2020 |
|
|
|
|
(10.60)% |
|
|
|
|
$ |
13,944 |
|
|
|
|
|
1.27% |
|
|
|
|
|
1.20% |
|
|
|
|
|
1.64% |
|
|
|
|
|
1.57% |
|
|
|
|
|
114% |
|
|
December 31, 2019 |
|
|
|
|
20.09% |
|
|
|
|
$ |
11,332 |
|
|
|
|
|
1.23% |
|
|
|
|
|
1.20% |
|
|
|
|
|
2.15% |
|
|
|
|
|
2.12% |
|
|
|
|
|
83% |
|
|
December 31, 2018 |
|
|
|
|
(8.23)% |
|
|
|
|
$ |
5,556 |
|
|
|
|
|
1.22% |
|
|
|
|
|
1.20% |
|
|
|
|
|
1.90% |
|
|
|
|
|
1.88% |
|
|
|
|
|
82% |
|
|
Class C: |
|
December 31, 2022 |
|
|
|
|
(22.78)% |
|
|
|
|
$ |
2,182 |
|
|
|
|
|
2.05% |
|
|
|
|
|
1.95% |
|
|
|
|
|
0.81% |
|
|
|
|
|
0.71% |
|
|
|
|
|
99% |
|
|
December 31, 2021 |
|
|
|
|
22.53% |
|
|
|
|
$ |
5,024 |
|
|
|
|
|
2.01% |
|
|
|
|
|
1.95% |
|
|
|
|
|
0.09% |
|
|
|
|
|
0.03% |
|
|
|
|
|
65% |
|
|
December 31, 2020 |
|
|
|
|
(11.25)% |
|
|
|
|
$ |
5,229 |
|
|
|
|
|
2.02% |
|
|
|
|
|
1.95% |
|
|
|
|
|
0.89% |
|
|
|
|
|
0.83% |
|
|
|
|
|
114% |
|
|
December 31, 2019 |
|
|
|
|
19.19% |
|
|
|
|
$ |
11,160 |
|
|
|
|
|
1.98% |
|
|
|
|
|
1.95% |
|
|
|
|
|
1.36% |
|
|
|
|
|
1.33% |
|
|
|
|
|
83% |
|
|
December 31, 2018 |
|
|
|
|
(8.98)% |
|
|
|
|
$ |
7,949 |
|
|
|
|
|
1.97% |
|
|
|
|
|
1.95% |
|
|
|
|
|
1.27% |
|
|
|
|
|
1.25% |
|
|
|
|
|
82% |
|
|
Class I: |
|
December 31, 2022 |
|
|
|
|
(22.00)% |
|
|
|
|
$ |
428,733 |
|
|
|
|
|
0.95% |
|
|
|
|
|
0.95% |
|
|
|
|
|
1.90% |
|
|
|
|
|
1.90% |
|
|
|
|
|
99% |
|
|
December 31, 2021 |
|
|
|
|
23.76% |
|
|
|
|
$ |
660,595 |
|
|
|
|
|
0.94% |
|
|
|
|
|
0.95% |
|
|
|
|
|
1.09% |
|
|
|
|
|
1.10% |
|
|
|
|
|
65% |
|
|
December 31, 2020 |
|
|
|
|
(10.35)% |
|
|
|
|
$ |
352,509 |
|
|
|
|
|
1.02% |
|
|
|
|
|
0.95% |
|
|
|
|
|
1.89% |
|
|
|
|
|
1.82% |
|
|
|
|
|
114% |
|
|
December 31, 2019 |
|
|
|
|
20.42% |
|
|
|
|
$ |
715,495 |
|
|
|
|
|
0.98% |
|
|
|
|
|
0.95% |
|
|
|
|
|
2.27% |
|
|
|
|
|
2.24% |
|
|
|
|
|
83% |
|
|
December 31, 2018 |
|
|
|
|
(8.12)% |
|
|
|
|
$ |
1,211,816 |
|
|
|
|
|
0.97% |
|
|
|
|
|
0.95% |
|
|
|
|
|
2.16% |
|
|
|
|
|
2.14% |
|
|
|
|
|
82% |
|
|
(†)
Total investment return
is computed based upon the net asset value of the Fund’s shares and excludes the effects of sales charges or contingent deferred
sales charges, if applicable. Distributions are assumed to be reinvested at the net asset value of the Class on the ex-date of the distribution.
BROOKFIELD GLOBAL
LISTED INFRASTRUCTURE FUND
|
|
|
|
Per Share Operating Performance:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net asset value, beginning of year
|
|
|
Net investment income (1)
|
|
|
Net realized and change in unrealized gain (loss) on investment transactions
|
|
|
Net increase (decrease) in net asset value resulting from operations
|
|
|
Distributions from net investment income
|
|
|
Distributions from net realized gains
|
|
|
Return of capital distributions
|
|
|
Total distributions paid(*)
|
|
|
Net asset value, end of year
|
|
|
Class A: |
|
|
December 31, 2022 |
|
|
|
$ |
13.97 |
|
|
|
|
|
0.15 |
|
|
|
|
|
(0.92) |
|
|
|
|
|
(0.77) |
|
|
|
|
|
(0.14) |
|
|
|
|
|
(0.73) |
|
|
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
|
|
(0.87) |
|
|
|
|
$ |
12.33 |
|
|
|
December 31, 2021 |
|
|
|
$ |
12.60 |
|
|
|
|
|
0.11 |
|
|
|
|
|
1.86 |
|
|
|
|
|
1.97 |
|
|
|
|
|
(0.35) |
|
|
|
|
|
(0.25) |
|
|
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
|
|
(0.60) |
|
|
|
|
$ |
13.97 |
|
|
|
December 31, 2020 |
|
|
|
$ |
13.55 |
|
|
|
|
|
0.11 |
|
|
|
|
|
(0.62) |
|
|
|
|
|
(0.51) |
|
|
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
|
|
(0.44) |
|
|
|
|
|
(0.44) |
|
|
|
|
$ |
12.60 |
|
|
|
December 31, 2019 |
|
|
|
$ |
11.25 |
|
|
|
|
|
0.14 |
|
|
|
|
|
2.66 |
|
|
|
|
|
2.80 |
|
|
|
|
|
(0.29) |
|
|
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
|
|
(0.21) |
|
|
|
|
|
(0.50) |
|
|
|
|
$ |
13.55 |
|
|
|
December 31, 2018 |
|
|
|
$ |
12.73 |
|
|
|
|
|
0.17 |
|
|
|
|
|
(1.20) |
|
|
|
|
|
(1.03) |
|
|
|
|
|
(0.06) |
|
|
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
|
|
(0.39) |
|
|
|
|
|
(0.45) |
|
|
|
|
$ |
11.25 |
|
|
|
Class C: |
|
|
December 31, 2022 |
|
|
|
$ |
13.78 |
|
|
|
|
|
0.04 |
|
|
|
|
|
(0.90) |
|
|
|
|
|
(0.86) |
|
|
|
|
|
(0.04) |
|
|
|
|
|
(0.73) |
|
|
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
|
|
(0.77) |
|
|
|
|
$ |
12.15 |
|
|
|
December 31, 2021 |
|
|
|
$ |
12.43 |
|
|
|
|
|
0.01 |
|
|
|
|
|
1.84 |
|
|
|
|
|
1.85 |
|
|
|
|
|
(0.25) |
|
|
|
|
|
(0.25) |
|
|
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
|
|
(0.50) |
|
|
|
|
$ |
13.78 |
|
|
|
December 31, 2020 |
|
|
|
$ |
13.37 |
|
|
|
|
|
0.02 |
|
|
|
|
|
(0.62) |
|
|
|
|
|
(0.60) |
|
|
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
|
|
(0.34) |
|
|
|
|
|
(0.34) |
|
|
|
|
$ |
12.43 |
|
|
|
December 31, 2019 |
|
|
|
$ |
11.11 |
|
|
|
|
|
0.05 |
|
|
|
|
|
2.62 |
|
|
|
|
|
2.67 |
|
|
|
|
|
(0.24) |
|
|
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
|
|
(0.17) |
|
|
|
|
|
(0.41) |
|
|
|
|
$ |
13.37 |
|
|
|
December 31, 2018 |
|
|
|
$ |
12.58 |
|
|
|
|
|
0.08 |
|
|
|
|
|
(1.19) |
|
|
|
|
|
(1.11) |
|
|
|
|
|
(0.05) |
|
|
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
|
|
(0.31) |
|
|
|
|
|
(0.36) |
|
|
|
|
$ |
11.11 |
|
|
|
Class I: |
|
|
December 31, 2022 |
|
|
|
$ |
13.99 |
|
|
|
|
|
0.18 |
|
|
|
|
|
(0.91) |
|
|
|
|
|
(0.73) |
|
|
|
|
|
(0.18) |
|
|
|
|
|
(0.73) |
|
|
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
|
|
(0.91) |
|
|
|
|
$ |
12.35 |
|
|
|
December 31, 2021 |
|
|
|
$ |
12.62 |
|
|
|
|
|
0.18 |
|
|
|
|
|
1.83 |
|
|
|
|
|
2.01 |
|
|
|
|
|
(0.39) |
|
|
|
|
|
(0.25) |
|
|
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
|
|
(0.64) |
|
|
|
|
$ |
13.99 |
|
|
|
December 31, 2020 |
|
|
|
$ |
13.58 |
|
|
|
|
|
0.14 |
|
|
|
|
|
(0.63) |
|
|
|
|
|
(0.49) |
|
|
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
|
|
(0.47) |
|
|
|
|
|
(0.47) |
|
|
|
|
$ |
12.62 |
|
|
|
December 31, 2019 |
|
|
|
$ |
11.27 |
|
|
|
|
|
0.17 |
|
|
|
|
|
2.68 |
|
|
|
|
|
2.85 |
|
|
|
|
|
(0.32) |
|
|
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
|
|
(0.22) |
|
|
|
|
|
(0.54) |
|
|
|
|
$ |
13.58 |
|
|
|
December 31, 2018 |
|
|
|
$ |
12.76 |
|
|
|
|
|
0.21 |
|
|
|
|
|
(1.21) |
|
|
|
|
|
(1.00) |
|
|
|
|
|
(0.07) |
|
|
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
|
|
(0.42) |
|
|
|
|
|
(0.49) |
|
|
|
|
$ |
11.27 |
|
|
(*)
Distributions
for annual periods determined in accordance with federal income tax regulations.
?
(1)
Per share
amounts presented are based on average shares outstanding throughout the period indicated.
BROOKFIELD GLOBAL
LISTED INFRASTRUCTURE FUND
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Ratios to Average Net Assets/Supplementary Data:
|
|
|
|
|
Total Investment Return (†)
|
|
|
Net assets, end of year (000s)
|
|
|
Gross operating expenses
|
|
|
Net expenses, including fee waivers and reimbursement
|
|
|
Net investment income
|
|
|
Net investment income (loss), excluding the effect of fee waivers and
reimbursement |
|
|
Portfolio turnover rate
|
|
Class A: |
|
December 31, 2022 |
|
|
|
|
(5.61)% |
|
|
|
|
$ |
7,267 |
|
|
|
|
|
1.41% |
|
|
|
|
|
1.25% |
|
|
|
|
|
1.13% |
|
|
|
|
|
0.97% |
|
|
|
|
|
74% |
|
|
December 31, 2021 |
|
|
|
|
15.90% |
|
|
|
|
$ |
7,698 |
|
|
|
|
|
1.37% |
|
|
|
|
|
1.28% |
|
|
|
|
|
0.85% |
|
|
|
|
|
0.76% |
|
|
|
|
|
62% |
|
|
December 31, 2020 |
|
|
|
|
(3.42)% |
|
|
|
|
$ |
5,807 |
|
|
|
|
|
1.44% |
|
|
|
|
|
1.35% |
|
|
|
|
|
0.93% |
|
|
|
|
|
0.84% |
|
|
|
|
|
138% |
|
|
December 31, 2019 |
|
|
|
|
25.06% |
|
|
|
|
$ |
7,313 |
|
|
|
|
|
1.43% |
|
|
|
|
|
1.35% |
|
|
|
|
|
1.09% |
|
|
|
|
|
1.01% |
|
|
|
|
|
82% |
|
|
December 31, 2018 |
|
|
|
|
(8.23)% |
|
|
|
|
$ |
6,273 |
|
|
|
|
|
1.44% |
|
|
|
|
|
1.35% |
|
|
|
|
|
1.35% |
|
|
|
|
|
1.26% |
|
|
|
|
|
75% |
|
|
Class C: |
|
December 31, 2022 |
|
|
|
|
(6.35)% |
|
|
|
|
$ |
1,736 |
|
|
|
|
|
2.20% |
|
|
|
|
|
2.00% |
|
|
|
|
|
0.29% |
|
|
|
|
|
0.09% |
|
|
|
|
|
74% |
|
|
December 31, 2021 |
|
|
|
|
15.06% |
|
|
|
|
$ |
3,462 |
|
|
|
|
|
2.11% |
|
|
|
|
|
2.03% |
|
|
|
|
|
0.07% |
|
|
|
|
|
(0.01)% |
|
|
|
|
|
62% |
|
|
December 31, 2020 |
|
|
|
|
(4.19)% |
|
|
|
|
$ |
4,180 |
|
|
|
|
|
2.19% |
|
|
|
|
|
2.10% |
|
|
|
|
|
0.18% |
|
|
|
|
|
0.09% |
|
|
|
|
|
138% |
|
|
December 31, 2019 |
|
|
|
|
24.13% |
|
|
|
|
$ |
7,780 |
|
|
|
|
|
2.18% |
|
|
|
|
|
2.10% |
|
|
|
|
|
0.37% |
|
|
|
|
|
0.29% |
|
|
|
|
|
82% |
|
|
December 31, 2018 |
|
|
|
|
(8.92)% |
|
|
|
|
$ |
8,576 |
|
|
|
|
|
2.19% |
|
|
|
|
|
2.10% |
|
|
|
|
|
0.66% |
|
|
|
|
|
0.57% |
|
|
|
|
|
75% |
|
|
Class I: |
|
December 31, 2022 |
|
|
|
|
(5.36)% |
|
|
|
|
$ |
224,185 |
|
|
|
|
|
1.06% |
|
|
|
|
|
1.00% |
|
|
|
|
|
1.30% |
|
|
|
|
|
1.24% |
|
|
|
|
|
74% |
|
|
December 31, 2021 |
|
|
|
|
16.14% |
|
|
|
|
$ |
451,114 |
|
|
|
|
|
1.05% |
|
|
|
|
|
1.01% |
|
|
|
|
|
1.37% |
|
|
|
|
|
1.33% |
|
|
|
|
|
62% |
|
|
December 31, 2020 |
|
|
|
|
(3.23)% |
|
|
|
|
$ |
75,004 |
|
|
|
|
|
1.19% |
|
|
|
|
|
1.10% |
|
|
|
|
|
1.18% |
|
|
|
|
|
1.09% |
|
|
|
|
|
138% |
|
|
December 31, 2019 |
|
|
|
|
25.42% |
|
|
|
|
$ |
75,197 |
|
|
|
|
|
1.18% |
|
|
|
|
|
1.10% |
|
|
|
|
|
1.31% |
|
|
|
|
|
1.23% |
|
|
|
|
|
82% |
|
|
December 31, 2018 |
|
|
|
|
(8.03)% |
|
|
|
|
$ |
61,974 |
|
|
|
|
|
1.19% |
|
|
|
|
|
1.10% |
|
|
|
|
|
1.73% |
|
|
|
|
|
1.64% |
|
|
|
|
|
75% |
|
|
(†)
Total investment return
is computed based upon the net asset value of the Fund’s shares and excludes the effects of sales charges or contingent deferred
sales charges, if applicable. Distributions are assumed to be reinvested at the net asset value of the Class on the ex-date of the distribution.
BROOKFIELD
GLOBAL RENEWABLES AND SUSTAINABLE INFRASTRUCTURE FUND
|
|
|
|
Per Share Operating Performance: |
|
|
|
|
|
Net asset value, beginning of year |
|
|
Net investment income (1)
|
|
|
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) on investment transactions
|
|
|
Net increase (decrease) in net asset value resulting from operations
|
|
|
Distributions from net investment income |
|
|
Distributions from net realized gains |
|
|
Return of capital distributions |
|
|
Total distributions paid(*)
|
|
|
Net asset value, end of year |
|
|
Class I: |
|
|
December 31, 2022 |
|
|
|
$ |
10.00 |
|
|
|
|
|
0.13 |
|
|
|
|
|
(0.51) |
|
|
|
|
|
(0.38) |
|
|
|
|
|
(0.12) |
|
|
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
|
|
(0.12) |
|
|
|
|
$ |
9.50 |
|
|
(*)
Distributions for annual periods determined in accordance with federal income tax regulations.
?
(1)
Per share amounts presented are based on average shares outstanding throughout the period indicated.
BROOKFIELD
GLOBAL RENEWABLES AND SUSTAINABLE INFRASTRUCTURE FUND
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Ratios to Average Net Assets/Supplementary Data: |
|
|
|
|
Total Investment Return (†)
|
|
|
Net assets, end of period (000s) |
|
|
Gross operating expenses |
|
|
Net expenses, including fee waivers and reimbursement and excluding
interest expense |
|
|
Net investment income |
|
|
Net investment income, excluding the effect of fee waivers and reimbursement
|
|
|
Portfolio turnover rate |
|
Class I: |
|
December 31, 2022 |
|
|
|
|
(3.79)% |
|
|
|
|
$ |
17,503 |
|
|
|
|
|
5.00% |
|
|
|
|
|
1.00% |
|
|
|
|
|
1.46% |
|
|
|
|
|
(2.54)% |
|
|
|
|
|
62% |
|
|
(†)
Total
investment return is computed based upon the net asset value of the Fund’s shares and excludes the effects of sales charges or contingent
deferred sales charges, if applicable. Distributions are assumed to be reinvested at the net asset value of the Class on the ex-date of
the distribution.
BROOKFIELD REAL ASSETS
SECURITIES FUND
|
|
|
|
Per Share Operating Performance:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net asset value, beginning of year
|
|
|
Net investment income (1)
|
|
|
Net realized and change in unrealized gain (loss) on investment transactions
|
|
|
Net increase (decrease) in net asset value resulting from operations
|
|
|
Distributions from net investment income
|
|
|
Distributions from net realized gains
|
|
|
Return of capital distributions
|
|
|
Total distributions paid(*)
|
|
|
Net asset value, end of year
|
|
|
Class A: |
|
|
December 31, 2022 |
|
|
|
$ |
10.58 |
|
|
|
|
|
0.17 |
|
|
|
|
|
(1.27) |
|
|
|
|
|
(1.10) |
|
|
|
|
|
(0.14) |
|
|
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
|
|
(0.14) |
|
|
|
|
$ |
9.34 |
|
|
|
December 31, 2021 |
|
|
|
$ |
9.12 |
|
|
|
|
|
0.10 |
|
|
|
|
|
1.53 |
|
|
|
|
|
1.63 |
|
|
|
|
|
(0.17) |
|
|
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
|
|
(0.17) |
|
|
|
|
$ |
10.58 |
|
|
|
December 31, 2020 |
|
|
|
$ |
9.77 |
|
|
|
|
|
0.12 |
|
|
|
|
|
(0.46) |
|
|
|
|
|
(0.34) |
|
|
|
|
|
(0.30) |
|
|
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
|
|
(0.01) |
|
|
|
|
|
(0.31) |
|
|
|
|
$ |
9.12 |
|
|
|
December 31, 2019 |
|
|
|
$ |
8.30 |
|
|
|
|
|
0.17 |
|
|
|
|
|
1.66 |
|
|
|
|
|
1.83 |
|
|
|
|
|
(0.28) |
|
|
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
|
|
(0.08) |
|
|
|
|
|
(0.36) |
|
|
|
|
$ |
9.77 |
|
|
|
December 31, 2018 |
|
|
|
$ |
9.39 |
|
|
|
|
|
0.19 |
|
|
|
|
|
(0.97) |
|
|
|
|
|
(0.78) |
|
|
|
|
|
(0.16) |
|
|
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
|
|
(0.15) |
|
|
|
|
|
(0.31) |
|
|
|
|
$ |
8.30 |
|
|
|
Class C: |
|
|
December 31, 2022 |
|
|
|
$ |
10.59 |
|
|
|
|
|
0.10 |
|
|
|
|
|
(1.27) |
|
|
|
|
|
(1.17) |
|
|
|
|
|
(0.07) |
|
|
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
|
|
(0.07) |
|
|
|
|
$ |
9.35 |
|
|
|
December 31, 2021 |
|
|
|
$ |
9.15 |
|
|
|
|
|
0.02 |
|
|
|
|
|
1.53 |
|
|
|
|
|
1.55 |
|
|
|
|
|
(0.11) |
|
|
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
|
|
(0.11) |
|
|
|
|
$ |
10.59 |
|
|
|
December 31, 2020 |
|
|
|
$ |
9.78 |
|
|
|
|
|
0.06 |
|
|
|
|
|
(0.45) |
|
|
|
|
|
(0.39) |
|
|
|
|
|
(0.23) |
|
|
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
|
|
(0.01) |
|
|
|
|
|
(0.24) |
|
|
|
|
$ |
9.15 |
|
|
|
December 31, 2019 |
|
|
|
$ |
8.32 |
|
|
|
|
|
0.09 |
|
|
|
|
|
1.67 |
|
|
|
|
|
1.76 |
|
|
|
|
|
(0.23) |
|
|
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
|
|
(0.07) |
|
|
|
|
|
(0.30) |
|
|
|
|
$ |
9.78 |
|
|
|
December 31, 2018 |
|
|
|
$ |
9.41 |
|
|
|
|
|
0.18 |
|
|
|
|
|
(1.00) |
|
|
|
|
|
(0.82) |
|
|
|
|
|
(0.14) |
|
|
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
|
|
(0.13) |
|
|
|
|
|
(0.27) |
|
|
|
|
$ |
8.32 |
|
|
|
Class I: |
|
|
December 31, 2022 |
|
|
|
$ |
10.45 |
|
|
|
|
|
0.19 |
|
|
|
|
|
(1.24) |
|
|
|
|
|
(1.05) |
|
|
|
|
|
(0.17) |
|
|
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
|
|
(0.17) |
|
|
|
|
$ |
9.23 |
|
|
|
December 31, 2021 |
|
|
|
$ |
9.01 |
|
|
|
|
|
0.14 |
|
|
|
|
|
1.48 |
|
|
|
|
|
1.62 |
|
|
|
|
|
(0.18) |
|
|
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
|
|
(0.18) |
|
|
|
|
$ |
10.45 |
|
|
|
December 31, 2020 |
|
|
|
$ |
9.65 |
|
|
|
|
|
0.14 |
|
|
|
|
|
(0.45) |
|
|
|
|
|
(0.31) |
|
|
|
|
|
(0.32) |
|
|
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
|
|
(0.01) |
|
|
|
|
|
(0.33) |
|
|
|
|
$ |
9.01 |
|
|
|
December 31, 2019 |
|
|
|
$ |
8.19 |
|
|
|
|
|
0.19 |
|
|
|
|
|
1.65 |
|
|
|
|
|
1.84 |
|
|
|
|
|
(0.29) |
|
|
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
|
|
(0.09) |
|
|
|
|
|
(0.38) |
|
|
|
|
$ |
9.65 |
|
|
|
December 31, 2018 |
|
|
|
$ |
9.30 |
|
|
|
|
|
0.19 |
|
|
|
|
|
(0.95) |
|
|
|
|
|
(0.76) |
|
|
|
|
|
(0.18) |
|
|
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
|
|
(0.17) |
|
|
|
|
|
(0.35) |
|
|
|
|
$ |
8.19 |
|
|
(*)
Distributions
determined in accordance with federal income tax regulations.
?
(1)
Per share
amounts presented are based on average shares outstanding throughout the period indicated.
BROOKFIELD REAL ASSETS
SECURITIES FUND
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Ratios to Average Net Assets/Supplementary Data:
|
|
|
|
|
Total Investment Return (†)
|
|
|
Net assets, end of year (000s)
|
|
|
Gross operating expenses
|
|
|
Net expenses, including fee waivers and reimbursement
|
|
|
Net investment income
|
|
|
Net investment income (loss), excluding the effect of fee waivers and
reimbursement |
|
|
Portfolio turnover rate
|
|
Class A: |
|
December 31, 2022 |
|
|
|
|
(10.42)% |
|
|
|
|
$ |
270 |
|
|
|
|
|
1.70% |
|
|
|
|
|
1.15% |
|
|
|
|
|
1.72% |
|
|
|
|
|
1.17% |
|
|
|
|
|
92% |
|
|
December 31, 2021 |
|
|
|
|
17.99% |
|
|
|
|
$ |
303 |
|
|
|
|
|
1.81% |
|
|
|
|
|
1.21% |
|
|
|
|
|
0.98% |
|
|
|
|
|
0.38% |
|
|
|
|
|
79% |
|
|
December 31, 2020 |
|
|
|
|
(3.10)% |
|
|
|
|
$ |
184 |
|
|
|
|
|
1.85% |
|
|
|
|
|
1.35% |
|
|
|
|
|
1.42% |
|
|
|
|
|
0.92% |
|
|
|
|
|
154% |
|
|
December 31, 2019 |
|
|
|
|
22.23% |
|
|
|
|
$ |
187 |
|
|
|
|
|
1.72% |
|
|
|
|
|
1.35% |
|
|
|
|
|
1.81% |
|
|
|
|
|
1.44% |
|
|
|
|
|
99% |
|
|
December 31, 2018 |
|
|
|
|
(8.50)% |
|
|
|
|
$ |
3 |
|
|
|
|
|
1.68% |
|
|
|
|
|
1.35% |
|
|
|
|
|
2.11% |
|
|
|
|
|
1.78% |
|
|
|
|
|
83% |
|
|
Class C: |
|
December 31, 2022 |
|
|
|
|
(11.10)% |
|
|
|
|
$ |
95 |
|
|
|
|
|
2.50% |
|
|
|
|
|
1.90% |
|
|
|
|
|
0.97% |
|
|
|
|
|
0.37% |
|
|
|
|
|
92% |
|
|
December 31, 2021 |
|
|
|
|
17.08% |
|
|
|
|
$ |
107 |
|
|
|
|
|
2.59% |
|
|
|
|
|
1.96% |
|
|
|
|
|
0.18% |
|
|
|
|
|
(0.45)% |
|
|
|
|
|
79% |
|
|
December 31, 2020 |
|
|
|
|
(3.76)% |
|
|
|
|
$ |
126 |
|
|
|
|
|
2.60% |
|
|
|
|
|
2.10% |
|
|
|
|
|
0.67% |
|
|
|
|
|
0.17% |
|
|
|
|
|
154% |
|
|
December 31, 2019 |
|
|
|
|
21.29% |
|
|
|
|
$ |
183 |
|
|
|
|
|
2.47% |
|
|
|
|
|
2.10% |
|
|
|
|
|
0.99% |
|
|
|
|
|
0.62% |
|
|
|
|
|
99% |
|
|
December 31, 2018 |
|
|
|
|
(8.90)% |
|
|
|
|
$ |
29 |
|
|
|
|
|
2.43% |
|
|
|
|
|
2.10% |
|
|
|
|
|
2.11% |
|
|
|
|
|
1.78% |
|
|
|
|
|
83% |
|
|
Class I: |
|
December 31, 2022 |
|
|
|
|
(10.14)% |
|
|
|
|
$ |
49,320 |
|
|
|
|
|
1.41% |
|
|
|
|
|
0.90% |
|
|
|
|
|
1.97% |
|
|
|
|
|
1.46% |
|
|
|
|
|
92% |
|
|
December 31, 2021 |
|
|
|
|
18.19% |
|
|
|
|
$ |
54,543 |
|
|
|
|
|
1.47% |
|
|
|
|
|
0.92% |
|
|
|
|
|
1.38% |
|
|
|
|
|
0.83% |
|
|
|
|
|
79% |
|
|
December 31, 2020 |
|
|
|
|
(2.80)% |
|
|
|
|
$ |
5,380 |
|
|
|
|
|
1.60% |
|
|
|
|
|
1.10% |
|
|
|
|
|
1.67% |
|
|
|
|
|
1.17% |
|
|
|
|
|
154% |
|
|
December 31, 2019 |
|
|
|
|
22.63% |
|
|
|
|
$ |
5,553 |
|
|
|
|
|
1.47% |
|
|
|
|
|
1.10% |
|
|
|
|
|
2.09% |
|
|
|
|
|
1.72% |
|
|
|
|
|
99% |
|
|
December 31, 2018 |
|
|
|
|
(8.31)% |
|
|
|
|
$ |
7,409 |
|
|
|
|
|
1.43% |
|
|
|
|
|
1.10% |
|
|
|
|
|
2.12% |
|
|
|
|
|
1.79% |
|
|
|
|
|
83% |
|
|
(†)
Total investment return
is computed based upon the net asset value of the Fund’s shares and excludes the effects of sales charges or contingent deferred
sales charges, if applicable. Distributions are assumed to be reinvested at the net asset value of the Class on the ex-date of the distribution.
Investment Adviser and Administrator
Brookfield Public Securities Group LLC
Brookfield
Place
250 Vesey Street, 15th Floor
New York, New York
10281-1023
Independent Registered
Public Accounting Firm
Deloitte & Touche LLP
111 South Wacker Drive
Chicago,
Illinois 60606
Legal Counsel
Paul Hastings LLP
200 Park Avenue
New York,
New York 10166
Custodian
U.S. Bank National Association
1555 North River
Center Drive, Suite 302
Milwaukee, Wisconsin 53212
Transfer Agent and Fund
Accountant
U.S. Bancorp Fund Services, LLC
615 East Michigan
Street
Milwaukee, Wisconsin 53202
Sub-Administrator
U.S. Bancorp Fund Services, LLC
1201 South Alma
School Road, Suite 3000
Mesa, Arizona 85210
Distributor
Quasar Distributors, LLC
111 East Kilbourn Avenue,
Suite 2200
Milwaukee, Wisconsin 53202
JOINT NOTICE OF PRIVACY POLICY
Brookfield Public Securities Group LLC (“PSG”),
on its own behalf and on behalf of the funds managed by PSG and its affiliates, recognizes and appreciates the importance of respecting
the privacy of our clients and shareholders. Our relationships are based on integrity and trust and we maintain high standards to safeguard
your nonpublic personal information (“Personal Information”) at all times. This privacy policy (“Policy”) describes
the types of Personal Information we collect about you, the steps we take to safeguard that information and the circumstances in which
it may be disclosed.
If you hold shares of a Fund through a financial intermediary,
such as a broker, investment adviser, bank or trust company, the privacy policy of your financial intermediary will also govern how your
Personal Information will be shared with other parties.
What information do we collect?
We collect the following Personal Information about you:
•
Information we receive from you
in applications or other forms, correspondence or conversations, including but not limited to name, address, phone number, social security
number, assets, income and date of birth.
•
Information about transactions
with us, our affiliates, or others, including but not limited to account number, balance and payment history, parties to transactions,
cost basis information, and other financial information.
•
Information we may receive from
our due diligence, such as your creditworthiness and your credit history.
WHAT IS OUR PRIVACY
POLICY?
We may share your Personal Information with our affiliates
in order to provide products or services to you or to support our business needs. We will not disclose your Personal Information to nonaffiliated
third parties unless 1) we have received proper consent from you; 2) we are legally permitted to do so; or 3) we reasonably believe, in
good faith, that we are legally required to do so. For example, we may disclose your Personal Information with the following in order
to assist us with various aspects of conducting our business, to comply with laws or industry regulations, and/or to effect any transaction
on your behalf:
•
Unaffiliated service providers
(e.g., transfer agents, securities broker-dealers, administrators, investment advisers or other
firms that assist us in maintaining and supporting financial products and services provided to you);
•
Government agencies, other regulatory
bodies and law enforcement officials (e.g., for reporting suspicious transactions);
•
Other organizations, with your consent or as directed by you; and
?
•
Other organizations,
as permitted or required by law (e.g., for fraud protection).
When we share your Personal Information, the information
is made available for limited purposes and under controlled circumstances designed to protect your privacy. We require third parties to
comply with our standards for security and confidentiality.
How do we protect
client information?
We restrict access to your Personal Information to those
persons who require such information to assist us with providing products or services to you. It is our practice to maintain and monitor
physical, electronic, and procedural safeguards that comply with federal standards to guard client nonpublic personal information. We
regularly train our employees on privacy and information security and on their obligations to protect client information.
Contact Information
For questions concerning our Privacy Policy, please contact
our client services representative at 1-855-777-8001.
Appendix A
Sales Charge Reductions
and Waivers Available Through Certain Intermediaries
Specific intermediaries may have different policies and
procedures regarding the availability of front-end sales load waivers or CDSC waivers, which are discussed below. In all instances, it
is the purchaser’s responsibility to notify the Funds or the purchaser’s financial intermediary at the time of purchase of
any relationship or other facts qualifying the purchaser for sales charge reductions or waivers. Not all
intermediaries will offer the same reductions and waivers to persons purchasing shares of the Funds. In order to receive these reductions
or waivers shareholders will have to purchase Fund shares through an intermediary offering such reductions or waivers or directly from
the Funds if the Funds offer such reductions or waivers. Please see the section entitled “Description of Share Classes”
for more information on sales charge reductions and waivers available for different classes of shares that are available for purchase
directly from the Funds. An intermediary’s administration and implementation of its particular policies with respect to any variations,
reductions and/or waivers is neither supervised nor verified by the Funds, the Adviser or the Distributor. The information provided below
was provided to the Funds by the applicable intermediary and has not been independently verified by the Funds, the Adviser or the Distributor.
The information in this Appendix is a part of, and incorporated
into, the Prospectus for the Funds, and must be delivered with the Prospectus.
******************
Ameriprise Financial
The following information
applies to Class A shares purchases if you have an account with or otherwise purchase Fund shares through Ameriprise Financial:
Shareholders purchasing Fund shares
through an Ameriprise Financial brokerage account are eligible for the following front-end sales charge waivers, which may differ from
those disclosed elsewhere in this Fund’s prospectus or SAI:
Front-end Sales Charge
Waivers on Class A Shares available at Ameriprise Financial
?
•
Employer-sponsored
retirement plans (e.g., 401(k) plans, 457 plans, employer-sponsored 403(b) plans, profit sharing and money purchase pension plans and
defined benefit plans). For purposes of this provision, employer-sponsored retirement plans do not include SEP IRAs, Simple IRAs or SAR-SEPs.
?
•
Shares purchased
through reinvestment of capital gains distributions and dividend reinvestment when purchasing shares of the same Fund (but not any
other fund within the same fund family).
?
•
Employees and
registered representatives of Ameriprise Financial or its affiliates and their immediate family members.
?
•
Shares purchased
by or through qualified accounts (including IRAs, Coverdell Education Savings Accounts, 401(k)s, 403(b) TSCAs subject to ERISA and defined
benefit plans) that are held by a covered family member, defined as an Ameriprise financial advisor and/or the advisor’s spouse,
advisor’s lineal ascendant (mother, father, grandmother, grandfather, great grandmother, great grandfather), advisor’s lineal
descendant (son, step-son, daughter, step-daughter, grandson, granddaughter, great grandson, great granddaughter) or any spouse of a covered
family member who is a lineal descendant.
?
•
Shares purchased
from the proceeds of redemptions within the same fund family, provided (1) the repurchase occurs within 90 days following the redemption,
(2) the redemption and purchase occur in the same account, and (3) redeemed shares were subject to a front-end or deferred sales load
(i.e. Rights of Reinstatement).
Merrill Lynch,
Pierce, Fenner & Smith Incorporated (“Merrill Lynch”)
Shareholders purchasing Fund shares through a Merrill Lynch
platform or account will be eligible only for the following load waivers (front-end sales charge waivers and contingent deferred, or back-end,
sales charge waivers) and discounts, which may differ from those disclosed elsewhere in the Funds’ Prospectus or SAI.
Front-end Sales Load Waivers on Class A Shares available
at Merrill Lynch
?
•
Employer-sponsored
retirement, deferred compensation and employee benefit plans (including health savings accounts) and trusts used to fund those plans,
provided that the shares are not held in a commission-based brokerage account and shares are held for the benefit of the plan.
?
•
Shares purchased
by a 529 Plan (does not include 529 Plan units or 529-specific share classes or equivalents).
?
•
Shares purchased
through a Merrill Lynch affiliated investment advisory program.
?
•
Shares exchanged
due to the holdings moving from a Merrill Lynch affiliated investment advisory program to a Merrill Lynch brokerage (non-advisory) account
pursuant to Merrill Lynch’s policies relating to sales load discounts and waivers.
?
•
Shares purchased
by third party investment advisors on behalf of their advisory clients through Merrill Lynch’s platform.
?
•
Shares of
funds purchased through the Merrill Edge Self-Directed platform (if applicable).
?
•
Shares purchased
through reinvestment of capital gains distributions and dividend reinvestment when purchasing shares of the same fund (but not any other
fund within the fund family).
?
•
Shares exchanged
from Class C (i.e., load-level) shares of the same fund pursuant to Merrill Lynch’s policies
relating to sales load discounts and waivers.
?
•
Employees
and registered representatives of Merrill Lynch or its affiliates and their family members.
?
•
Directors
or Trustees of the Funds, and employees of the Funds’ investment adviser or any of its affiliates, as described in this Prospectus.
?
•
Eligible
shares purchased from the proceeds of redemptions within the same fund family, provided (1) the repurchase occurs within 90 days following
the redemption, (2) the redemption and purchase occur in the same account, and (3) redeemed shares were subject to a front-end or deferred
sales load (known as Rights of Reinstatement). Automated transactions (i.e., systematic purchases
and withdrawals) and purchases made after shares are automatically sold to pay Merrill Lynch’s account maintenance fees are not
eligible for reinstatement.
CDSC Waivers on Class A and C Shares available
at Merrill Lynch
?
•
Death or
disability of the shareholder.
?
•
Shares sold
as part of a systematic withdrawal plan as described in the Funds’ Prospectus.
?
•
Return of
excess contributions from an IRA Account.
?
•
Shares sold
as part of a required minimum distribution for IRA and retirement accounts pursuant to the Internal Revenue Code.
?
•
Shares sold
to pay Merrill Lynch fees but only if the transaction is initiated by Merrill Lynch.
?
•
Shares acquired
through a right of reinstatement.
?
•
Shares held
in retirement brokerage accounts, that are exchanged for a lower cost share class due to transfer to certain fee based accounts or platforms
(applicable to Class A and C Shares only).
?
•
Shares received
through an exchange due to the holdings moving from a Merrill Lynch affiliated investment advisory program to a Merrill Lynch brokerage
(non-advisory) account pursuant to Merrill Lynch’s policies relating to sales load discounts and waivers.
Front-end load Discounts Available at Merrill Lynch:
Breakpoints, Rights of Accumulation & Letters of Intent
?
•
Breakpoints
as described in this Prospectus.
?
•
Rights
of Accumulation (ROA) which entitle shareholders to breakpoint discounts as described in the Fund’s prospectus will be automatically
calculated based on the aggregated holding of fund family assets held by accounts (including 529 program holdings, where applicable) within
the purchaser’s household at Merrill Lynch. Eligible fund family assets not held at Merrill Lynch may be included in the ROA calculation
only if the shareholder notifies his or her financial advisor about such assets.
?
•
Letters
of Intent (LOI) which allow for breakpoint discounts based on anticipated purchases within a fund family, through Merrill Lynch, over
a 13-month period of time (if applicable).
In order to receive the
applicable Merrill Lynch reductions or waivers shareholders will have to purchase Fund shares through Merrill Lynch or directly from a
Fund if that Fund offers such reductions or waivers. Merrill Lynch’s specific sales charge waivers and/or discounts are implemented
and solely administered by Merrill Lynch. Please contact Merrill Lynch to ensure that you understand the steps that you must take to qualify
for available waivers and discounts.
Morgan Stanley
Wealth Management (“Morgan Stanley”)
Shareholders purchasing Fund shares through a Morgan Stanley
Wealth Management transactional brokerage account will be eligible only for the following front-end sales charge waivers with respect
to Class A shares, which may differ from and may be more limited than those disclosed elsewhere in the Funds’ Prospectus or SAI.
Front-end Sales Charge Waivers on Class
A Shares available at Morgan Stanley Wealth Management
?
•
Employer-sponsored
retirement plans (e.g., 401(k) plans, 457 plans, employer-sponsored 403(b) plans, profit sharing
and money purchase pension plans and defined benefit plans). For purposes of this provision, employer-sponsored retirement plans do not
include SEP IRAs, Simple IRAs, SAR-SEPs or Keogh plans.
?
•
Morgan
Stanley employee and employee-related accounts according to Morgan Stanley’s account linking rules.
?
•
Shares
purchased through reinvestment of dividends and capital gains distributions when purchasing shares of the same fund.
?
•
Shares purchased
through a Morgan Stanley self-directed brokerage account.
?
•
Class C
(i.e., level-load) shares that are no longer subject to a contingent deferred sales charge and
are converted to Class A shares of the same fund pursuant to Morgan Stanley’s share class conversion program.
•
Shares purchased from the proceeds
of redemptions within the same fund family, provided (i) the repurchase occurs within 90 days following the redemption, (ii) the redemption
and purchase occur in the same account, and (iii) redeemed shares were subject to a front-end or deferred sales charge.
Raymond James
& Associates, Inc., Raymond James Financial Services, Inc., & each entity's affiliates (“Raymond James”)
Shareholders purchasing Fund shares through a Raymond
James platform or account, or through an introducing broker-dealer or independent registered investment adviser for which Raymond James
provides trade execution, clearance, and/or custody services, will be eligible only for the following load waivers (front-end sales charge
waivers and contingent deferred, or back-end, sales charge waivers) and discounts, which may differ from those disclosed elsewhere in
the Funds’ prospectus or SAI.
Raymond James Intermediary-Defined Sales
Charge Waiver Policies
The availability of certain initial or deferred sales
charge waivers and discounts may depend on the particular financial intermediary or type of account through which you purchase or hold
Fund shares.
Intermediaries may have different policies and procedures regarding the
availability of front-end sales load waivers or contingent deferred (back-end) sales load (“CDSC”) waivers, which are discussed
below. In all instances, it is the purchaser’s responsibility to notify the Fund or the purchaser’s financial intermediary
at the time of purchase of any relationship or other facts qualifying the purchaser for sales charge waivers or discounts. For waivers
and discounts not available through a particular intermediary, shareholders will have to purchase fund shares directly from the Fund or
through another intermediary to receive these waivers or discounts.
Front-end Sales Load Waivers on Class
A Shares available at Raymond James
•
Shares purchased in an investment advisory program.
•
Shares purchased within the same
fund family through a systematic reinvestment of capital gains and distributions.
•
Employees and registered representatives
of Raymond James or its affiliates and their family members as designated by Raymond James.
•
Shares purchased from the proceeds
of redemptions within the same fund family, provided (1) the repurchase occurs within 90 days following the redemption, (2) the redemption
and purchase occur in the same account, and (3) redeemed shares were subject to a front-end or deferred sales load (known as Rights of
Reinstatement).
•
A shareholder in the Fund’s
Class C shares will have their shares converted at net asset value to Class A shares (or the appropriate share class) of the Fund if the
shares are no longer subject to a CDSC and the conversion is in line with the policies and procedures of Raymond James.
CDSC Waivers on Classes A and C Shares
available at Raymond James
•
Death or disability of the shareholder.
•
Shares sold as part of a systematic withdrawal plan as described
in the Fund's prospectus.
•
Return of excess contributions from an IRA account.
•
Shares sold as part of a required
minimum distribution for IRA and retirement accounts due to the shareholder reaching age 701/2
as described in the Fund's prospectus.
•
Shares sold to pay Raymond James fees but only if the transaction is initiated
by Raymond James.
•
Shares acquired through a right of reinstatement.
Front-end load Discounts Available at
Raymond James: Breakpoints, Rights of Accumulation and/or Letters of Intent
•
Breakpoints as described in this Prospectus.
•
Rights of accumulation which entitle
shareholders to breakpoint discounts will be automatically calculated based on the aggregated holding of fund family assets held by accounts
within the purchaser’s household at Raymond James. Eligible fund family assets not held at Raymond James may be included in the
calculation of rights of accumulation calculation only if the shareholder notifies his or her financial advisor about such assets.
•
Letters of intent which allow
for breakpoint discounts based on anticipated purchases within a fund family, over a 13-month time period. Eligible fund family assets
not held at Raymond James may be included in the calculation of letters of intent only if the shareholder notifies his or her financial
advisor about such assets.
Janney Montgomery
Scott LLC
If you purchase Fund shares through a Janney Montgomery
Scott LLC (“Janney”) brokerage account, you will be eligible for the following load waivers (front-end sales charge waivers
and contingent deferred sales charge (“CDSC”), or back-end sales charge waivers) and discounts, which may differ from those
disclosed elsewhere in this Fund’s prospectus or SAI.
Front-end Sales Charge* Waivers on Class A Shares available
at Janney
•
Shares purchased through reinvestment
of capital gains distributions and dividend reinvestment when purchasing shares of the same fund (but not any other fund within the fund
family).
•
Shares purchasedby employees and
registered representatives of Janney or its affiliates and their family members as designated by Janney.
•
Shares purchased from the proceeds
of redemptions within the same fund family, provided (1) the repurchase occurs within ninety (90) days following the redemption, (2) the
redemption and purchase occur in the same account, and (3) redeemed shares were subject to a front-end or deferred sales load (i.e.,
right of reinstatement).
•
Employer-sponsored retirement
plans (e.g., 401(k) plans, 457 plans, employer-sponsored 403(b) plans, profit sharing and money
purchase pension plans and defined benefit plans). For purposes of this provision, employer-sponsored retirement plans do not include
SEP IRAs, Simple IRAs, SAR-SEPs or Keogh plans.
•
Shares acquired through a right of reinstatement.
•
Class C shares that are no longer
subject to a contingent deferred sales charge and are converted to Class A shares of the same fund pursuant to Janney's policies and procedures.
CDSC Waivers on Classes A and C Shares
available at Janney
•
Shares sold upon the death or disability of the shareholder.
•
Shares sold as part of a systematic withdrawal plan as described
in the Fund's prospectus.
•
Shares purchased in connection with a return of excess contributions from an
IRA account.
•
Shares sold as part of a required
minimum distribution for IRA and other retirement accounts due to the shareholder reaching age 701/2
as described in the Fund's prospectus.
•
Shares sold to pay Janney fees but only if the transaction is initiated by Janney.
•
Shares acquired through a right of reinstatement.
•
Shares exchanged into the same share class of a different fund.
Front-end Sales Charge* Discounts Available
at Janney: Breakpoints, Rights of Accumulation and/or Letters of Intent
•
Breakpoints as described in this Prospectus.
•
Rights of accumulation (“ROA”),
which entitle shareholders to breakpoint discounts, will be automatically calculated based on the aggregated holding of fund family assets
held by accounts within the purchaser’s household at Janney. Eligible fund family assets not held at Janney may be included in the
ROA calculation only if the shareholder notifies his or her financial advisor about such assets.
•
Letters of intent which allow
for breakpoint discounts based on anticipated purchases within a fund family, over a 13-month time period. Eligible fund family assets
not held at Janney may be included in the calculation of letters of intent only if the shareholder notifies his or her financial advisor
about such assets.
* Also referred to as an “initial sales charge.”
Oppenheimer &
Co. Inc.
Shareholders purchasing Fund shares through an Oppenheimer
& Co. Inc. (“OPCO”) platform or account are eligible for the following load waivers (front-end sales charge waivers and
contingent deferred, or back-end, sales charge waivers) and discounts, which may differ from those disclosed elsewhere in this Fund’s
prospectus or SAI.
Front-end Sales Load Waivers on Class A Shares available
at OPCO
•
Employer-sponsored retirement,
deferred compensation and employee benefit plans (including health savings accounts) and trusts used to fund those plans, provided that
the shares are not held in a commission-based brokerage account and shares are held for the benefit of the plan
?
•
Shares purchased
by or through a 529 Plan.
?
•
Shares purchased
through a OPCO affiliated investment advisory program.
•
Shares purchased through reinvestment
of capital gains distributions and dividend reinvestment when purchasing shares of the same fund (but not any other fund within the fund
family).
?
•
Shares
purchased from the proceeds of redemptions within the same fund family, provided (1) the repurchase occurs within 90 days following the
redemption, (2) the redemption and purchase occur in the same account, and (3) redeemed shares were subject to a front-end or deferred
sales load (known as Rights of Restatement).
?
•
A shareholder
in the Fund’s Class C shares will have their shares converted at net asset value to Class A shares (or the appropriate share class)
of the Fund if the shares are no longer subject to a CDSC and the conversion is in line with the policies and procedures of OPCO.
?
•
Employees
and registered representatives of OPCO or its affiliates and their family members.
?
•
Directors
or Trustees of the Fund, and employees of the Fund’s investment adviser or any of its affiliates, as described in this prospectus.
CDSC Waivers on A and C Shares available
at OPCO
?
•
Death or
disability of the shareholder.
?
•
Shares sold
as part of a systematic withdrawal plan as described in the Fund’s prospectus.
?
•
Return of
excess contributions from an IRA account.
?
•
Shares
sold as part of a required minimum distribution for IRA and retirement accounts due to the shareholder the qualified age based on applicable
IRS regulations as described in the prospectus.
•
Shares sold to pay OPCO fees but only if the transaction is initiated by OPCO
?
•
Shares acquired
through a right of reinstatement.
Front-end Load Discounts Available at
OPCO: Breakpoints, Rights of Accumulation and Letters of Intent
•
Breakpoints as described in this Prospectus.
•
Rights of accumulation (“ROA”),
which entitle shareholders to breakpoint discounts, will be automatically calculated based on the aggregated holding of fund family assets
held by accounts within the purchaser’s household at OPCO. Eligible fund family assets not held at OPCO may be included in the ROA
calculation only if the shareholder notifies his or her financial advisor about such assets.
Robert
W. Baird & Co.
Shareholders purchasing Fund shares
through an Robert W. Baird & Co. (“Baird”) platform or account will only be eligible for the following sales charge waivers
(front-end sales charge waivers and CDSC waivers) and discounts, which may differ from those disclosed elsewhere in this Fund’s
prospectus or SAI.
Front-End Sales Charge
Waivers on Investors A-shares Available at Baird
?
•
Shares
purchased through reinvestment of capital gains distributions and dividend reinvestment when purchasing shares of the same fund.
?
•
Shares
purchased by employees and registers representatives of Baird or its affiliate and their family members as designated by Baird.
?
•
Shares purchased using the proceeds of redemptions
within the same fund family, provided (1) the repurchase occurs within 90 days following the redemption, (2) the redemption and purchase
occur in the same accounts, and (3) redeemed shares were subject to a front-end or deferred sales charge (known as rights of reinstatement).
?
•
A shareholder
in the Funds Investor C Shares will have their share converted at net asset value to Investor A shares of the same fund if the shares
are no longer subject to CDSC and the conversion is in line with the policies and procedures of Baird.
?
•
Employer-sponsored
retirement plans or charitable accounts in a transactional brokerage account at Baird, including 401(k) plans, 457 plans, employer-sponsored
403(b) plans, profit sharing and money purchase pension plans and defined benefit plans. For purposes of this provision, employer-sponsored
retirement plans do not include SEP IRAs, Simple IRAs or SAR-SEPs.
CDSC Waivers on Classes
A and C Shares available at Baird
?
•
Shares sold due to death or disability of the shareholder.
?
•
Shares sold as part of a systematic withdrawal plan as described
in the Fund’s prospectus.
?
•
Shares bought due to returns of excess contributions from an IRA
account.
?
•
Shares
sold as part of a required minimum distribution for IRA and retirement accounts due to the shareholder reaching the qualified age based
on applicable Internal Revenue Service regulations as described in the Fund’s Prospectus.
?
•
Shares sold to pay Baird fees but only if the transaction is initiated
by Baird.
?
•
Shares acquired through a right of reinstatement.
Front-End Sales Charge
Discounts Available at Baird: Breakpoints and/or Rights of Accumulation
?
•
Breakpoints as described in the Fund’s Prospectus.
?
•
Rights
of accumulation which entitle shareholders to breakpoint discounts will be automatically calculated based on the aggregated holding of
fund family assets held by accounts within the purchaser’s household at Baird. Eligible fund family assets not held at Baird may
be included in the rights of accumulation calculation only if the shareholder notifies his or her financial advisor about such assets.
?
•
Letters
of Intent (LOI) allow for breakpoint discounts based on anticipated purchases of fund family assets through Baird, over a 13-month period
of time.
BROOKFIELD INVESTMENT FUNDS
Brookfield Global Listed Real Estate
Fund
Brookfield Global Listed Infrastructure
Fund
Brookfield Global
Renewables & Sustainable Infrastructure Fund
Brookfield Real Assets Securities Fund
Class A, C and I Shares
For More Information
You can find more information about the Funds in the following
documents:
Statement of Additional
Information (SAI):
The SAI provides additional details about the investments
and techniques of the Funds and certain other additional information. A current SAI is on file with the SEC and is incorporated into this
Prospectus by reference. This means that the SAI is legally considered a part of this Prospectus even though it is not physically within
this Prospectus.
Annual and Semi-Annual
Reports:
The Funds’ annual and semi-annual reports (collectively,
the “Shareholder Reports”) provide the most recent financial reports and portfolio listings. The annual report contains a
discussion of the market conditions and investment strategies that affected the Funds’ performance during the Funds’ previous
fiscal year.
Appendix A to this
Prospectus:
Appendix A to this Prospectus titled “Sales Charge
Reductions and Waivers Available Through Certain Intermediaries,” is a separate document that is incorporated by reference into
(or legally considered part of) this Prospectus and contains information about sales charge reductions and waivers available through certain
financial intermediaries that differ from the sales charge reductions and waivers disclosed in this Prospectus and the related Statement
of Additional Information.
The SAI and Shareholder Reports are available free of
charge on the Funds’ website at https://publicsecurities.brookfield.com/en. You can obtain a free copy of the SAI and Shareholder
Reports, request other information, or make general inquiries about the Funds by calling the Funds (toll-free) at 1-855-244-4859 or by
writing to:
Brookfield Investment Funds
c/o U.S. Bancorp Fund
Services, LLC
P.O. Box 701
Milwaukee, Wisconsin 53201-0701
https://publicsecurities.brookfield.com/en
Reports and other information (including the SAI) about
the Funds are available:
•
Free of charge from the SEC’s EDGAR database on the SEC’s
website at http://www.sec.gov; or
•
For a fee, by electronic request at the following e-mail address:
publicinfo@sec.gov.
|
OAKTREE EMERGING MARKETS EQUITY FUND
|
|
|
Class A – OEQAX |
|
|
|
Class C – OEQCX |
|
|
|
Class I – OEQIX |
|
The U.S. Securities and Exchange
Commission has not approved or disapproved these securities or passed upon the adequacy of this Prospectus. Any representation to the
contrary is a criminal offense.
SUMMARY
Oaktree Emerging
Markets Equity Fund
Investment
Objective
The Oaktree Emerging Markets Equity Fund (the “Fund,”
or the “Emerging Markets Fund”) seeks long-term growth of capital.
Fees
and Expenses of the Fund
This table describes the fees and
expenses that you may pay if you buy, hold and sell shares of the Fund. You may pay other fees, such as brokerage commissions and other
fees to financial intermediaries, which are not reflected in the tables and examples below. You
may qualify for sales charge discounts if you and your family invest, or agree to invest in the future, at least $50,000
in the Brookfield Investment Funds. You may also qualify for sales charge discounts or waivers through certain financial
intermediaries. You may pay other fees, such as brokerage commissions and other fees to financial intermediaries, which are not reflected
in the table and Example below. More information about these and other discounts is available from your financial professional and in
the section entitled “Shareholder Account Information — Initial Sales Charges (Class A Shares Only)” on page 25 of the
Fund’s Prospectus and in Appendix A, “Sales Charge Reductions and Waivers Available Through Certain Intermediaries,”
attached to the Fund’s Prospectus.
|
|
|
|
Class A Shares
|
|
|
Class C Shares
|
|
|
Class I Shares
|
|
|
Shareholder
Fees (fees
paid directly from your investment): |
|
|
Maximum Sales Charge (Load) Imposed
on Purchases (as a percentage of offering price) |
|
|
|
|
4.75% |
|
|
|
|
|
None |
|
|
|
|
None |
|
|
Maximum Deferred Sales Charge (Load) (as a percentage of
original cost of shares redeemed) |
|
|
|
|
None (1) |
|
|
|
|
|
1.00% |
(2) |
|
|
|
|
None |
|
|
Annual
Fund Operating Expenses (expenses
that you pay each year as a percentage of the value of your investment): |
|
|
Management Fees |
|
|
|
|
0.90% |
|
|
|
|
|
0.90% |
|
|
|
|
|
0.90% |
|
|
|
Distribution and/or Service (Rule 12b-1) Fees |
|
|
|
|
0.25% |
|
|
|
|
|
1.00% |
|
|
|
|
|
None |
|
|
Other Expenses (3) |
|
|
|
|
0.52%
|
|
|
|
|
|
0.73%
|
|
|
|
|
|
0.73%
|
|
|
|
Acquired Fund Fees and
Expenses (4)
|
|
|
|
|
0.02% |
|
|
|
|
|
0.02% |
|
|
|
|
|
0.02% |
|
|
|
Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses |
|
|
|
|
1.69%
|
|
|
|
|
|
2.65%
|
|
|
|
|
|
1.65%
|
|
|
|
Less
Fee Waiver and/or Expense Reimbursement (5) |
|
|
|
|
(0.32)%
|
|
|
|
|
|
(0.53)%
|
|
|
|
|
|
(0.53)%
|
|
|
|
Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses After Fee Waiver and/or
Expense Reimbursement (5) |
|
|
|
|
1.37% |
|
|
|
|
|
2.12% |
|
|
|
|
|
1.12% |
|
|
(1)
(2)
?
(3)
(4)
?
(5)
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 (taking into account the expense
limitation for the first year). Although your actual
costs may be higher or lower, based on these assumptions your costs would be:
|
|
|
|
1 Year
|
|
|
3 Years
|
|
|
5 Years |
|
|
10 Years |
|
|
Class A Shares |
|
|
$608
|
|
|
$953
|
|
|
$1,321
|
|
|
$2,353
|
|
|
Class C Shares |
|
|
$315
|
|
|
$773
|
|
|
$1,358
|
|
|
$2,944
|
|
|
Class I Shares |
|
|
$114
|
|
|
$469
|
|
|
$847
|
|
|
$1,910
|
|
You
would pay the following expenses if you did not redeem your shares:
|
|
|
|
1 Year
|
|
|
3 Years
|
|
|
5 Years |
|
|
10 Years |
|
|
Class C Shares |
|
|
$215
|
|
|
$773
|
|
|
$1,358
|
|
|
$2,944
|
|
Portfolio
Turnover
The Fund pays transaction costs, such
as commissions, when it buys and sells securities (or “turns over” its portfolio). A higher portfolio turnover rate may indicate
higher transaction costs and may result in higher taxes when Fund shares are held in a taxable account. These costs, which are not reflected
in annual fund operating expenses or in the example, affect the Fund’s performance. During the most recent fiscal year ended December
31, 2022, the Fund’s portfolio turnover rate was 45%
of the average value of its portfolio.
Principal
Investment Strategies
Under normal market conditions, the Fund invests at least
80% of its net assets, plus borrowings for investment purposes, in equity securities, including common and preferred stocks, of emerging
market companies (the “80% Policy”). The Fund invests in the securities of companies that the Adviser believes have been undervalued
in the market relative to their ability to generate strong cash flows and attractive returns on capital, which may include securities
of small- or mid-capitalization companies. The Fund may also invest in securities of companies denominated in U.S. dollars or foreign
currencies, such as the Euro.
The Adviser considers emerging market
companies to be those companies that are located in, or economically tied to, emerging market countries or that maintain securities that
principally trade on exchanges located in emerging market countries. In constructing the Fund’s portfolio, the Adviser primarily
looks to the emerging market countries that comprise the MSCI Emerging Markets Index as the investable universe from which emerging market
companies may be included in the Fund’s portfolio and are located in, or economically tied to, such emerging market countries or
that maintain securities that principally trade on exchanges located in such emerging market countries. In limited circumstances, the
Fund may also invest in other countries with similar characteristics
to those included in the MSCI Emerging Markets Index. As of March 31,
2023, the MSCI Emerging Markets Index includes the following 24 emerging market countries: Brazil, Chile, China, Colombia, Czech Republic,
Egypt, Greece, Hungary, India, Indonesia, Korea, Kuwait, Malaysia, Mexico, Peru, Philippines, Poland, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, South Africa,
Taiwan, Thailand, Turkey and United Arab Emirates.
The Adviser believes that the long-term
investment opportunities in emerging markets are favorable compared to those available in more developed markets and that the opportunity
for bottom-up managers with experience in undervalued situations will be significant due in part to the high rate of change in, and the
volatility of, the emerging markets. While there are numerous risks in the emerging markets that are not equally prevalent in more developed
markets, the Adviser’s goal is to manage the risks and seek to earn a more-than commensurate return for bearing such risks.
The Adviser uses proprietary, fundamental research to identify
companies with solid businesses for investment that it believes have an intrinsic value that is higher than the company’s value
as determined by its current stock price. When selecting individual companies for investment, the Adviser normally looks for:
•
Sound management
•
Quality business model
•
Positive cash flow generation
•
Strong market position
•
Industry growth potential
•
Sustainable advantages
•
Stock trading at a significant discount to intrinsic value
In constructing the overall portfolio of investments for
the Fund, the Adviser actively considers the risk of loss that can occur as a result of unpredictable market events and seeks to construct
a portfolio that is appropriately diversified across various countries and sectors. The Adviser also carefully monitors developments on
both the company level and global macro level to seek to identify circumstances that could cause the risk in the portfolio to increase
beyond desired levels. Furthermore, the Adviser considers a company’s sustainable competitive advantages, such as strong market
position, industry growth potential, or positive cash flow generation across diversified geographies and industries. As described more
fully below, the Adviser integrates environmental, social, and governance factors into its investment process and as part of its overall
portfolio decision making process.
The Adviser may sell or reduce the Fund’s investment
in a portfolio security if the Adviser detects a less appealing risk/reward profile for the company, price appreciation in the company’s
stock resulting in overvaluation, deceleration of the company’s revenue or earnings growth, deterioration in the company’s
business, or issues developing with company management.
The Fund may change the 80% Policy without shareholder approval.
The Fund will provide shareholders with written notice at least 60 days prior to the implementation of any such changes.
The Adviser strives to deliver superior
investment results with risk under control while conducting its business with the highest integrity. The Adviser believes that Environmental,
Social and Governance (“ESG”) considerations can directly and materially impact investment outcomes. As long-term investors,
the Adviser believes a consistent focus on ESG throughout the investment lifecycle allows it to avoid undue risk and better identify valuable
opportunities. In fact, the Adviser believes integrating ESG analysis into its investment process helps ensure that it is aligned with
its clients, their beneficiaries and society’s collective long-term interests. At the same time, ESG fits squarely with the Adviser’s
commitment to excellence in bottom-up investment analysis.
This approach is well-aligned with
the Adviser’s investment philosophy, which guides the management of all investment strategies. The primacy of risk control is a
key tenet of the Adviser’s investment philosophy. The Adviser’s investment processes are concentrated on gauging risk and
avoiding the downside. Its ESG policy dovetails nicely with this goal, as it focuses on ESG integration and engagement is geared toward
highlighting ESG-related risks that may materially impact investment outcomes.
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 following summarizes the principal risks that have been identified for the Fund.
Inflation
Risk. Inflation risk is the risk that the value
of assets or income from investments will be worth less in the future as inflation decreases the value of money. As inflation increases,
the real value of the Fund’s shares and distributions thereon can decline. Inflation risk is linked to increases in the prices of
goods and services and a decrease in the purchasing power of money. Since the beginning of 2021, inflation has risen at its highest rate
in four decades in the U.S. Inflation may reduce the intrinsic value of an investment in the Fund. While the Biden Administration and
the Federal Reserve have made efforts to reduce the effects of inflation on the U.S. economy and financial markets, the mitigating effects
of such efforts are uncertain.
Recent
Market, Economic and Social Development Risks. Periods
of market volatility remain, and may continue to occur in the future, in response to various political, social and economic events both
within and outside the United States. These conditions have resulted in, and in many cases continue to result in, greater price volatility,
less liquidity, widening credit spreads and a lack of price transparency, with many securities remaining illiquid and of uncertain value.
Such market conditions may adversely affect the Fund, including by making valuation of some of the Fund’s securities uncertain and/or
result in sudden and significant valuation increases or declines in the Fund’s holdings. If there is a significant decline in the
value of the Fund’s portfolio, this may impact the asset coverage levels for the Fund’s outstanding leverage.
Risks
resulting from any future debt or other economic crisis could also have a detrimental impact on the global economic recovery, the financial
condition of financial institutions and the Fund’s business, financial condition and results of operation. Market and economic disruptions
have affected, and may in the future affect, consumer confidence levels and spending, personal bankruptcy rates, levels of incurrence
and default on consumer debt and home prices, among other factors. To the extent uncertainty regarding the U.S. or global economy negatively
impacts consumer confidence and consumer credit factors, the Fund’s business, financial condition and results of operations could
be significantly and adversely affected. Downgrades to the credit ratings of major banks could result in increased borrowing costs for
such banks and negatively affect the broader economy. Moreover, Federal Reserve policy, including with respect to certain interest rates,
may also adversely affect the value, volatility and liquidity of dividend- and interest-paying securities. Market volatility, rising interest
rates and/or unfavorable economic conditions could impair the Fund’s ability to achieve its investment objective.
Financial
Sector Risk. While the Fund does not concentrate
or focus its investments in the financial sector, a sizable portion of its investments may be in the sector at any given time. The Fund’s
investments in companies within the financial sector means that market or economic factors impacting that sector could have a significant
effect on the value of the Fund’s investments and could make the Fund’s performance more volatile. Financial companies, such
as retail and commercial banks, insurance companies and financial services companies, are especially subject to the adverse effects of
economic recession, currency exchange rates, extensive government regulation, decreases in the availability of capital, volatile interest
rates, portfolio concentrations in geographic markets, industries or products (such as commercial and residential real estate loans) and
competition from new entrants in their fields of business.
Materials
Sector Risk. While the Fund does not concentrate
or focus its investments in the materials sector, a sizable portion of its investments may be in the sector at any given time. The Fund’s
investments in companies within the materials sector means that market or economic factors impacting that sector could have a significant
effect on the value of the Fund’s investments and could make the Fund’s performance more volatile. Companies in the materials
sector may be adversely affected by commodity price volatility, exchange rates, import controls, increased competition, depletion of resources,
technical advances, labor relations, over-production, litigation and government regulations, among other factors. Companies in the materials
sector are also at risk for environmental damage and product liability claims. Production of materials may exceed demand as a result of
market imbalances or economic downturns, leading to poor investment returns.
Asia
Risk. A significant portion of the Fund’s
investments may be in Asia at any given time. Many of the economies of countries in Asia are considered emerging market economies. Countries
in Asia can be reliant on only a few industries or commodities. Many Asian economies are characterized by high inflation, undeveloped
financial service sectors, frequent currency fluctuations, devaluations, or restrictions, political and social instability, and less efficient
markets. The economies of many Asian countries are heavily dependent on international trade and can be adversely affected by trade barriers,
exchange controls and other measures imposed or negotiated by countries with which they trade.
China
Risk. The Fund may invest significantly in the
securities of Chinese issuers. Therefore, in addition to the risks associated with investments in non-U.S. securities generally, the Fund
is subject to certain risks associated specifically with investments in securities of Chinese issuers, including those issuers with securities
listed on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange. China is an emerging market and demonstrates significantly higher volatility from time to time
in comparison to developed markets. The central government has historically exercised substantial control over virtually every sector
of the Chinese economy through administrative regulation and/or state ownership and actions of the Chinese central and local government
authorities continue to have a substantial effect on economic conditions in China. Furthermore, China’s economy is dependent on
the economies of other Asian countries and can be significantly affected by currency fluctuations and increasing competition from Asia’s
other emerging economies. China has experienced security concerns, such as terrorism and strained international relations. Incidents involving
China’s or the region’s security may cause uncertainty in Chinese markets and may adversely affect the Chinese economy and
the value of the Fund’s investments. Export growth continues to be a major driver of China’s rapid economic growth. Reduction
in spending on Chinese products and services, institution of tariffs or other trade barriers, or a downturn in any of the economies of
China’s key trading partners may have an adverse impact on the Chinese economy. Recent developments in relations between the U.S.
and China have heightened concerns of increased tariffs and restrictions on trade between the two countries. An increase in tariffs or
trade restrictions, or even the threat of such developments, could lead to a significant reduction in international trade, which could
have a negative impact on China’s export industry and a commensurately negative impact on the Fund. From time to time, China has
experienced outbreaks of infectious illnesses, and the country may be subject to other public health threats, infectious illnesses, diseases
or similar issues in the future. Any spread of an infectious illness, public health threat or similar issue could reduce consumer demand
or economic output, result in market closures, travel restrictions or quarantines, and generally have a significant impact on the Chinese
economy, which in turn could adversely affect the Fund’s investments.
Adviser
Investment Risk. The Adviser and its affiliates
(each, an “Adviser Investor”) may, from time to time, own a significant amount of the Fund’s shares (an “Adviser
Investment”). An Adviser Investor may make an Adviser Investment to enable the Fund to reach critical mass or because the Adviser
Investor has capital to invest and wants exposure to the Fund’s investment strategy or for other reasons. If an Adviser Investment
is substantial relative to the Fund’s overall asset size, a partial or complete redemption of the Adviser Investment, which may
occur at any time, including at the time of other inflows or outflows, may have a material adverse effect on the Fund’s expense
ratio, portfolio turnover and the overall ability to manage the Fund. The Adviser Investor reserves the right to redeem its Adviser Investment
at any time in accordance with applicable law in its sole and absolute discretion.
Emerging
Markets Risk. Securities of companies in emerging
markets may be more volatile than those of companies in more developed markets. Emerging market countries generally have less developed
markets and economies and, in some countries, less mature governments and governmental institutions. Investing in securities of companies
in emerging markets may entail special risks relating to potential economic, political or social instability and the risks of expropriation,
nationalization, confiscation or the imposition of restrictions on foreign investment, the lack of hedging instruments, and on repatriation
of capital invested. In addition, the availability and reliability of information material to an investment decision, particularly financial
information from these companies in emerging markets, may be limited in comparison to the scope and reliability of financial information
provided by U.S. companies.
Foreign
(Non-U.S.) Securities Risk. Risks of investing
in foreign securities include currency risks, future political and economic developments and possible imposition of foreign withholding
taxes on income payable on the securities. In addition, there may be less publicly available information about a foreign issuer than about
a domestic issuer, and foreign issuers may not be subject to the same accounting, auditing and financial recordkeeping standards and requirements
as domestic issuers.
Foreign
Currency Risk. The Fund will invest in instruments
denominated in U.S. and foreign currencies. The Fund’s net asset value (“NAV”) could decline as a result of changes
in the exchange rates between foreign currencies in which a security is denominated and the U.S. dollar. Certain foreign countries may
impose restrictions on the ability of issuers of foreign securities to make payment of principal and interest to investors located outside
the country, due to blockage of foreign currency exchanges or otherwise.
Equity
Securities Risk. Equity securities represent an
ownership interest in an issuer, rank junior in a company’s capital structure to debt securities and consequently may entail greater
risk of loss than debt securities. Equity securities are subject to the risk that stock prices may rise and fall in periodic cycles and
may perform poorly relative to other investments. This risk may be greater in the short term.
Value
Style Risk. Over time, a value oriented investing
style may go in and out of favor, which may cause the Fund to underperform other equity funds that use different investing styles.
Investment
Risk. An investment in the Fund is subject to investment
risk, including the possible loss of the entire principal amount that you invest.
Issuer
Risk. Issuer risk is the risk that the value of
a security may decline for a reason directly related to the issuer, such as management performance, financial leverage and reduced demand
for the issuer’s goods or service.
Management
Risk. The Fund has an actively managed portfolio.
The Adviser applies investment techniques and risk analyses in making investment decisions for the Fund, but there can be no guarantee
that these will produce the desired results.
Portfolio
Selection Risk. The Adviser’s judgment about
the quality, relative yield, relative value or market trends affecting a particular sector or region, market segment, security or about
interest rates generally may prove to be incorrect.
Geopolitical
Risk. Occurrence of global events such as war,
terrorist attacks, natural disasters, country instability, infectious disease epidemics, pandemics and other public health issues, market
instability, debt crises and downgrades, embargoes, tariffs, sanctions and other trade barriers and other governmental trade or market
control programs, the potential exit of a country from its respective union and related geopolitical events, may result in market volatility
and may have long-lasting impacts on both the U.S. and global financial markets. Additionally, those events, as well as other changes
in foreign and domestic political and economic conditions, could adversely affect individual issuers or related groups of issuers, securities
markets, interest rates, secondary trading, credit ratings, inflation, investor sentiment and other factors affecting the value of the
Fund’s investments.
Political
Risks Relating to Russia’s Invasion of Ukraine. Russia
began its invasion of Ukraine in February 2022. The invasion significantly amplified already existing geopolitical tensions among Russia,
Ukraine, Europe, NATO and the United States. Russia’s military invasion of Ukraine, the resulting responses by the United States
and other countries, and the potential for wider conflict has increased volatility and uncertainty in the financial markets, specifically
for companies in the oil and gas sector, finance and resource extraction.
The ramifications
of the hostilities and sanctions, however, may not be limited to Russia. Conflict between Ukraine and Russia is likely to negatively impact
other regional and global economic markets (including Europe, Asia and the United States), companies in other countries (particularly
those that have exposure to Russia and Ukraine) and on various sectors, industries and markets for securities and commodities globally,
such as oil and natural gas and banking.
Health
Crisis Risk. An outbreak of an infectious respiratory
illness, COVID-19, caused by a novel coronavirus has resulted in travel restrictions, disruption of healthcare systems, prolonged quarantines,
cancellations, supply chain disruptions, lower consumer demand, layoffs, ratings downgrades, defaults and other significant economic impacts.
Certain markets have experienced temporary closures, extreme volatility, severe losses, reduced liquidity and increased trading costs.
In particular, COVID-19 has resulted in substantial market volatility and global business disruption, impacting the global economy and
the financial health of individual companies in significant and unforeseen ways. The duration and future impact of COVID-19 are currently
unknown, which may exacerbate other types of risks that apply to the Fund and negatively impact Fund performance and the value of your
investment in the Fund. It is not possible to determine the ultimate impact of COVID-19 at this time. Further, the extent and strength
of any economic recovery after the COVID-19 pandemic abates is uncertain and subject to various factors and conditions, including the
emergence of other infectious illness outbreaks that may have similar impacts. Accordingly, an investment in the Fund is subject to an
elevated degree of risk as compared to other market environments.
Preferred
Securities Risk. There are various risks associated
with investing in preferred securities, including credit risk, interest rate risk, deferral and omission of distributions, subordination
to bonds and other debt securities in a company’s capital structure, limited liquidity, limited voting rights and special redemption
rights.
Market
Risk. Global economies and financial markets are
increasingly interconnected, which increases the likelihood that events or conditions in one country or region will adversely impact markets
or issuers in other countries or regions. Securities in the Fund’s portfolio may underperform in comparison to securities in general
financial markets, a particular financial market, or other asset classes due to a number of factors, including inflation (or expectations
for inflation), deflation (or expectations for deflation), interest rates, global demand for particular products or resources, market
instability, debt crises and downgrades, embargoes, tariffs, sanctions and other trade barriers, regulatory events, other governmental
trade or market control programs and related geopolitical events. In addition, the value of the Fund’s investments may be negatively
affected by the occurrence of global events such as war, terrorism, environmental disasters, natural disasters or events, country instability,
and infectious disease epidemics or pandemics. For example, the outbreak of COVID-19, a novel coronavirus disease, has negatively affected
economies, markets and individual companies throughout the world, including those in which the Fund may invest. The effects of this pandemic
to public health and business and market conditions, including exchange trading suspensions and closures, may continue to have a significant
negative impact on the performance of the Fund’s investments, increase the Fund’s volatility, exacerbate pre-existing political,
social and economic risks to the Fund, and negatively impact broad segments of businesses and populations. The Fund’s operations
may be interrupted as a result, which may contribute to the negative impact on investment performance. In addition, governments, their
regulatory agencies, or self-regulatory organizations may take actions in response to the pandemic that affect the instruments in which
the Fund invests, or the issuers of such instruments, in ways that could have a significant negative impact on the Fund’s investment
performance. The full impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, or other future epidemics or pandemics, is currently unknown.
New
Fund Risk. The Fund is new with limited operating
history and there can be no assurance that the Fund will grow or maintain an economically viable size, in which case the Board of the
Fund may determine to liquidate the Fund.
Small-
and Mid-Capitalization Risk. The risk that returns
from small- and mid-capitalization stocks may trail returns from the overall stock market. Historically, these stocks have been more volatile
in price than the large-capitalization stocks.
The
Fund’s shares will change in value, and you could lose money by investing in the Fund. The Fund may not achieve
its investment objective. An investment in the Fund is not a deposit
with a bank and is not insured or guaranteed by the FDIC or any other government agency.
Performance
The
accompanying bar chart and table provide some indication of the risks of investing in the Fund by showing how the Fund’s total return
has varied for annual periods through December 31, 2022, and by showing how the Fund’s average annual total returns for one-year
and since inception compare with those of a broad measure of market performance. The Fund’s performance (before
and after taxes) is not an indication of how the Fund will perform in the future. Updated performance is available at https://publicsecurities.brookfield.com/en
or by calling 1-855-244-4859.
Class I Shares(1)
Calendar Year Returns
as of December 31
?
(1)
The return
shown in the bar chart is for the Class I Shares. Although the Fund’s Class A Shares have not been in operation for a full calendar
year as of the date of this Prospectus, the performance information for the Fund’s Class A Shares would have substantially similar
returns because the shares are invested in the same portfolio of securities, and the returns would differ only to the extent that the
classes do not have the same expenses.
During the period of time shown in
the bar chart, the highest return for a calendar quarter
was 14.03%
(quarter ended December 31,
2022) and the lowest return for a calendar quarter
was –11.80%
(quarter ended June 30,
2022).
|
Average
Annual Total Returns for the periods ended December 31, 2022, with maximum sales charge, if applicable |
|
|
|
|
|
One Year |
|
|
Since Inception (1)
|
|
|
Class I Shares |
|
|
Return Before Taxes |
|
|
|
|
(12.86)% |
|
|
|
|
|
(15.35)% |
|
|
|
Return After Taxes on Distributions |
|
|
|
|
(13.29)% |
|
|
|
|
|
(15.69)% |
|
|
|
Return After Taxes on Distributions and Sale of Fund Shares |
|
|
|
|
(7.10)% |
|
|
|
|
|
(11.46)% |
|
|
|
Class A Shares |
|
|
Return Before Taxes |
|
|
|
|
N/A |
|
|
|
|
(3.68)% |
|
|
|
MSCI Emerging Markets Net Total Return (USD) Index (2) |
|
|
|
|
(20.09)% |
|
|
|
|
|
(18.65)% |
|
|
(1)
?
(2)
After
tax returns are calculated using the historical highest individual federal marginal income tax rates and do not reflect the impact of
state and local taxes. Actual after-tax returns depend on your situation and may differ from those shown. After-tax
returns are shown only for Class I Shares and after-tax returns for other classes will vary due to the differences in expenses.
Furthermore, the after-tax returns shown are not relevant
to those who hold their shares through tax-deferred arrangements such as 401(k) plans or individual retirement accounts (“IRAs”).
In certain cases, the figures representing “Return
After Taxes on Distributions and Sale of Fund Shares” may be higher than other returns for the same period. A higher after-tax return
results when a capital loss occurs upon redemption and provides an annual tax deduction that benefits shareholders.
Management
Investment Adviser: Oaktree
Fund Advisors, LLC
Portfolio Managers: Frank
J. Carroll, Managing Director and Portfolio Manager, and Janet L. Wang, Managing Director and Co-Portfolio Manager, each of Oaktree Fund
Advisors, LLC, have served as Portfolio Managers of the Fund since its inception. The Portfolio Managers are jointly and primarily responsible
for the day-to-day investment decision making for the Fund.
Purchase and Sale of Fund Shares
Class: A (OEQAX),
C (OEQCX), I (OEQIX)
You may purchase, redeem or exchange Fund shares on any
business day by written request via mail (Oaktree Emerging Markets Equity Fund, c/o U.S. Bancorp Fund Services, LLC (d/b/a U.S. Bank Global
Fund Services), P.O. Box 701, Milwaukee, WI 53201-0701), by wire transfer or by telephone at 1-855-244-4859, or through a broker-dealer
or other financial intermediary. The minimum initial investment for Class A and C is $1,000 and the minimum for additional investments
is $100. The minimum initial investment for Class I is $1 million and there is no minimum for additional Class I investments.
Class I Shares are (1) offered at net asset value, (2) sold
without a front-end sales load, (3) offered to foundations, endowments, institutions, and employee benefit plans acquiring shares directly
from the Fund’s distributor or from a financial intermediary with whom the Fund’s distributor has entered into an agreement
expressly authorizing the sale by such intermediary of Class I Shares and whose initial investment is not less than the initial minimum
amount set forth in this Prospectus from time to time, (4) available through certain “wrap,” retirement and other programs
sponsored by certain financial intermediaries with whom the Fund and/or its distributor have entered into an agreement, as well as employees,
officers, and trustees of the Trust, the Adviser and its affiliates and their immediate family members (i.e.,
spouse, domestic partner, parents, grandparents, children, grandchildren and siblings (including step and in-law)) of any of the above,
as set forth in this Prospectus, and (5) not subject to ongoing distribution fees or service fees. The Fund may accept, in its sole discretion,
investments in Class I Shares from purchasers not listed above or that do not meet the investment minimum requirement.
Tax Information
The Fund’s distributions are generally taxable to
you as ordinary income, capital gains, or some combination of both, unless you are investing through a tax-deferred arrangement, such
as a 401(k) plan or individual retirement account.
Payments to Broker-Dealers and Other Financial Intermediaries
If you purchase shares of the Fund through a broker-dealer
or other financial intermediary (such as a bank), the Fund, the Adviser and the Fund’s distributor or its related companies may
pay the intermediary for the sale of Fund shares and related services. These payments may create a conflict of interest by influencing
the broker-dealer or other intermediary and your salesperson or financial adviser to recommend the Fund over another investment. Ask your
salesperson or visit your financial intermediary’s website for more information.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION ABOUT THE FUND’S
INVESTMENT OBJECTIVES,
INVESTMENT STRATEGIES, AND RELATED RISKS
The Oaktree Emerging Markets Equity Fund seeks long-term
growth of capital. There can be no assurance that the Fund will achieve its investment objective. The Fund’s investment objective
is not fundamental and may be changed without shareholder approval. Shareholders will be provided with at least 60 days’ prior written
notice of any change in the Fund’s investment objective.
The Fund seeks to achieve its investment objective by investing
at least 80% of its net assets, plus borrowings for investment purposes, in equity securities, including common and preferred stocks,
of emerging market companies (the “80% Policy”). The Fund invests in the securities of companies that the Fund’s adviser,
Oaktree Fund Advisors, LLC (the “Adviser” or “Oaktree”), believes have been undervalued in the market relative
to their ability to generate strong cash flows and attractive returns on capital, which may include securities of small- or mid-capitalization
companies. The Fund may also invest in securities of companies denominated in U.S. dollars or foreign currencies, such as the Euro.
As described more fully below, Oaktree seeks to achieve attractive, risk-adjusted
returns by investing in companies that are fundamentally undervalued and have catalysts to close their valuation gap. Oaktree’s
investment process is driven by bottom-up stock selection and in-house research. The investment team researches industries, builds in-house
models and values companies by searching for valuation anomalies and opportunities. This research is augmented with extensive travel to
meet company management. Stocks are selected based on a combination of valuation, investment thesis, portfolio construction, and risk
management. Oaktree’s investment process results in a diversified portfolio and limits exposure by country and industry in order
to avoid concentrated positions that could expose the portfolio to heightened risk. The Fund will hold companies across all market capitalizations;
less liquid companies will only be included if the Adviser concludes that there is significant upside potential.
The Adviser considers emerging market
companies to be those companies that are located in, or economically tied to, emerging market countries or that maintain securities that
principally trade on exchanges located in emerging market countries. In constructing the Fund’s portfolio, the Adviser primarily
looks to the emerging market countries that comprise the MSCI Emerging Markets Index as the investable universe from which emerging market
companies may be included in the Fund’s portfolio and are located in, or economically tied to, such emerging market countries or
that maintain securities that principally trade on exchanges located in such emerging market countries. In limited circumstances, the
Fund may also invest in other countries with similar characteristics to those included in the MSCI Emerging Markets Index. As of March
31, 2023, the MSCI Emerging Markets Index includes the following 24 emerging market countries: Brazil, Chile, China, Colombia, Czech Republic,
Egypt, Greece, Hungary, India, Indonesia, Korea, Kuwait, Malaysia, Mexico, Peru, Philippines, Poland, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, South Africa,
Taiwan, Thailand, Turkey and United Arab Emirates.
The Adviser believes that the long-term investment opportunities
in emerging markets are favorable compared to those available in more developed markets and that the opportunity for bottom-up managers
with experience in undervalued situations will be significant due in part to the high rate of change in, and the volatility of, the emerging
markets. While there are numerous risks in the emerging markets that are not equally prevalent in more developed markets, the Adviser’s
goal is to manage the risks and seeks to earn a more-than-commensurate return for bearing such risks.
The Adviser uses proprietary, fundamental research to
identify companies with solid businesses for investment that it believes have an intrinsic value that is higher than the company’s
value as determined by its current stock price. When selecting individual companies for investment, the Adviser normally looks for:
•
Sound management
•
Quality business model
•
Positive cash flow generation
•
Strong market position
•
Industry growth potential
•
Sustainable advantages
•
Stock trading at a significant discount to intrinsic value
In constructing the overall portfolio of investments for
the Fund, the Adviser actively considers the risk of loss that can occur as a result of unpredictable market events and seeks to construct
a portfolio that is appropriately diversified across various countries and sectors. The Adviser also carefully monitors developments on
both the company level and global macro level to seek to identify circumstances that could cause the risk in the portfolio to increase
beyond desired levels. Furthermore, the Adviser considers a company’s sustainable competitive advantages, such as strong market
position, industry growth potential, or positive cash flow generation across diversified geographies and industries. As described more
fully below, the Adviser integrates environmental, social, and governance factors into its investment process and as part of its overall
portfolio decision making process.
The Adviser may sell or reduce the Fund’s investment
in a portfolio security if the Adviser detects a less appealing risk/reward profile for the company, price appreciation in the company’s
stock resulting in overvaluation, deceleration of the company’s revenue or earnings growth, deterioration in the company’s
business, or issues developing with company management.
The Fund may change the 80% Policy without shareholder approval. The Fund
will provide shareholders with written notice at least 60 days prior to the implementation of any such changes.
The Adviser strives to deliver superior
investment results with risk under control while conducting its business with the highest integrity. The Adviser believes that Environmental,
Social and Governance (“ESG”) considerations can directly and materially impact investment outcomes. As long-term investors,
the Adviser believes a consistent focus on ESG throughout the investment lifecycle allows it to avoid undue risk and better identify valuable
opportunities. In fact, the Adviser believes integrating ESG analysis into its investment process helps ensure that it is aligned with
its clients, their beneficiaries and society’s collective long-term interests. At the same time, ESG fits squarely with the Adviser’s
commitment to excellence in bottom-up investment analysis.
This approach is well-aligned with
the Adviser’s investment philosophy, which guides the management of all investment strategies. The primacy of risk control is a
key tenet of the Adviser’s investment philosophy. The Adviser’s investment processes are concentrated on gauging risk and
avoiding the downside. Its ESG policy dovetails nicely with this goal, as it focuses on ESG integration and engagement is geared toward
highlighting ESG-related risks that may materially impact investment outcomes.
The Adviser’s ESG policy applies
to every investment strategy at the firm. To provide more specificity and adapt the Adviser’s policy to the nuances of each investment
strategy, each strategy is required to have an ESG Integration Plan that describes the team’s implementation of Oaktree’s
ESG policy.
The Fund’s principal investment strategies and main
risks associated with investing in the Fund are described in the Summary section of this Prospectus. More detailed descriptions of certain
of the Fund’s principal investments, main risks and additional risks are described below.
Emerging Markets. The
Fund defines emerging market companies as those that are located in, or economically tied to, emerging market countries or that maintain
securities that principally trade on exchanges located in emerging market countries. The Fund considers a company “economically
tied to” an emerging market country if such company derives at least 50% of its revenues or profits from goods produced or sold,
investments made, or services performed, or has at least 50% of its assets, in an emerging market country. The Fund may invest in eligible
securities, such as China A-Shares, that are listed and traded on the Shanghai and Shenzhen Stock Exchanges through the China—Hong
Kong Stock Connect program.
Foreign (Non-U.S.) Securities. The
Fund invests primarily in equity securities of foreign market and emerging market companies as part of its principal investment strategy.
The Adviser is responsible for determining whether a particular issuer would be considered a foreign or emerging market issuer. Normally,
foreign or emerging market governments and their agencies and instrumentalities are considered foreign or emerging market issuers, respectively.
In the case of non-governmental issuers, the Adviser may consider an issuer to be a foreign or emerging market issuer if: (i) the company
has been classified by MSCI, FTSE, or S&P indices as a foreign or emerging market issuer; (ii) the equity securities of the company
principally trade on stock exchanges in one or more foreign or emerging market countries; (iii) a company derives a substantial portion
of its total revenue from goods produced, sales made or services performed in one or more foreign or emerging market countries or a substantial
portion of its assets are located in one or more foreign or emerging market countries; (iv) the company is organized under the laws of
a foreign or emerging market country or its principal executive offices are located in a foreign or emerging market country; or (v) the
Adviser otherwise determines an issuer to be a foreign or emerging markets issuer in its discretion based on any other factors relevant
to a particular issuer. Oaktree may weigh those factors differently when making a classification decision. Certain companies that are
organized under the laws of a foreign or emerging market country may nevertheless be classified as a domestic issuer. This may occur when
the company’s economic fortunes and risks are primarily linked to the U.S. and the company’s principal operations are conducted
from the U.S. or when the company’s equity securities trade principally on a U.S. stock exchange.
Equity Securities. Equity
securities represent an ownership interest, or the right to acquire an ownership interest, in an issuer. The Fund may invest in common
and preferred stocks.
Common Stock. Common
stocks are shares of a corporation or other entity that entitle the holder to a pro rata share
of the profits of the corporation, if any, without preference over any other shareholder or class of shareholders. In the event an issuer
is liquidated or declares bankruptcy, the claims of owners of bonds and preferred stock take precedence over the claims of those who own
common stock. Common stock usually carries with it the right to vote and frequently, an exclusive right to do so.
Preferred Stock.
Preferred stock generally has a preference as to dividends and upon liquidation over an issuer’s common stock but ranks junior to
debt securities in an issuer’s capital structure. Preferred stock generally pays dividends in cash or in additional shares of preferred
stock at a defined rate. Unlike interest payments on debt securities, preferred stock dividends are payable only if declared by the issuer’s
board of directors. Dividends on preferred stock may be cumulative, meaning that, in the event the issuer fails to make one or more dividend
payments on the preferred stock, no dividends may be paid on the issuer’s common stock until all unpaid preferred stock dividends
have been paid. Preferred stock also may be subject to optional or mandatory redemption provisions and generally carry no voting rights.
ESG Integration. Oaktree’s
incorporation of environmental, social and/or governance (“ESG”) considerations in its investment process may cause it to
make different investments for the Fund than funds that have a similar investment universe and/or investment style but that do not incorporate
such considerations in their investment strategy or processes. As a result, the Fund may forego opportunities to buy certain securities
when it might otherwise be advantageous to do so or sell securities when it might be otherwise disadvantageous for it to do so. Additionally,
the Fund’s relative investment performance may be affected depending on whether such investments are in or out of favor with the
market.
The Adviser is dependent on available information to assist
in the social evaluation process, and, because there are few generally accepted standards to use in evaluation, the process employed for
the Fund may differ from processes employed for other funds.
The Fund may seek to identify companies that reflect certain
ESG considerations, but investors may differ in their views of what constitutes positive or negative ESG-related outcomes. As a result,
the Fund may invest in companies that do not reflect the beliefs and values of any particular investor.
Temporary Defensive Positioning. If
market conditions, tactical portfolio trading considerations or other financial or business conditions occur which in the judgment of
the Adviser could result in the longer term impairment of the Fund’s assets with respect to all or a portion of the Fund’s
portfolio, the Adviser may, but is not required to, implement strategies to place the portfolio or individual securities in the portfolio
in defensive posture for a period of time (a “temporary defensive period”) until, in the Adviser’s assessment, such
condition or circumstance has abated. In the case of a perceived impairment with respect to all or a portion of the Fund’s portfolio,
the Fund may, without limitation, hold cash or invest its assets in money market instruments and repurchase agreements in respect of those
instruments. The money market instruments in which the Fund may invest are obligations of the U.S. government, its agencies or instrumentalities;
commercial paper rated A-1 or higher by S&P or Prime-1 by Moody’s; and certificates of deposit and bankers’ acceptances
issued by domestic branches of U.S. banks that are members of the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation. In addition, during temporary
defensive periods, the Fund may invest up to 30% of its net asset value in various strategic transactions to hedge the portfolio or individual
securities in the portfolio and mitigate risks, including the purchase and sale of put and call options, exchange-traded notes, exchange-traded
funds and total return swaps.
Taking a temporary defensive position is inconsistent with
the Fund’s principal investment strategies. As a result, the Fund may not achieve its investment objective during a temporary defensive
period or be able to sustain its then historical distribution levels. Also, higher levels of portfolio turnover may accompany such periods
and may result in the Fund’s recognition of gains that will be taxable as ordinary income and may increase the Fund’s current
and accumulated earnings and profits, which will result in a greater portion of distributions to Fund shareholders being treated as dividends.
Investing in the Fund involves the
following risks:
The Fund’s principal risks
are set forth below. Before you decide whether to invest in the Fund, carefully consider these risk factors and special considerations
associated with investing in the Fund, which may cause investors to lose money.
Inflation Risk. Inflation
risk is the risk that the value of assets or income from investments will be worth less in the future as inflation decreases the value
of money. As inflation increases, the real value of the Fund’s shares and distributions thereon can decline. Inflation risk is linked
to increases in the prices of goods and services and a decrease in the purchasing power of money. Since the beginning of 2021, inflation
has risen at its highest rate in four decades in the U.S. Inflation may reduce the intrinsic value of an investment in the Fund. While
the Biden Administration and the Federal Reserve have made efforts to reduce the effects of inflation on the U.S. economy and financial
markets, the mitigating effects of such efforts are uncertain.
Recent Market, Economic
and Social Development Risks. Periods of market volatility
remain, and may continue to occur in the future, in response to various political, social and economic events both within and outside
the United States. These conditions have resulted in, and in many cases continue to result in, greater price volatility, less liquidity,
widening credit spreads and a lack of price transparency, with many securities remaining illiquid and of uncertain value. Such market
conditions may adversely affect the Fund, including by making valuation of some of the Fund’s securities uncertain and/or result
in sudden and significant valuation increases or declines in the Fund’s holdings. If there is a significant decline in the value
of the Fund’s portfolio, this may impact the asset coverage levels for the Fund’s outstanding leverage.
Risks resulting from any future debt
or other economic crisis could also have a detrimental impact on the global economic recovery, the financial condition of financial institutions
and the Fund’s business, financial condition and results of operation. Market and economic disruptions have affected, and may in
the future affect, consumer confidence levels and spending, personal bankruptcy rates, levels of incurrence and default on consumer debt
and home prices, among other factors. To the extent uncertainty regarding the U.S. or global economy negatively impacts consumer confidence
and consumer credit factors, the Fund’s business, financial condition and results of operations could be significantly and adversely
affected. Downgrades to the credit ratings of major banks could result in increased borrowing costs for such banks and negatively affect
the broader economy. Moreover, Federal Reserve policy, including with respect to certain interest rates, may also adversely affect the
value, volatility and liquidity of dividend- and interest-paying securities. Market volatility, rising interest rates and/or unfavorable
economic conditions could impair the Fund’s ability to achieve its investment objective.
Materials Sector Risk. While
the Fund does not concentrate or focus its investments in the materials sector, a sizable portion of its investments may be in the sector
at any given time. The Fund’s investments in companies within the materials sector means that market or economic factors impacting
that sector could have a significant effect on the value of the Fund’s investments and could make the Fund’s performance more
volatile. Companies in the materials sector may be adversely affected by commodity price volatility, exchange rates, import controls,
increased competition, depletion of resources, technical advances, labor relations,over-production, litigation and government regulations,
among other factors. Companies in the materials sector are also at risk for environmental damage and product liability claims. Production
of materials may exceed demand as a result of market imbalances or economic downturns, leading to poor investment returns.
Financial Sector Risk. While
the Fund does not concentrate or focus its investments in the financial sector, a sizable portion of its investments may be in the sector
at any given time. The Fund’s investments in companies within the financial sector means that market or economic factors impacting
that sector could have a significant effect on the value of the Fund’s investments and could make the Fund’s performance more
volatile. Financial companies, such as retail and commercial banks, insurance companies and financial services companies, are especially
subject to the adverse effects of economic recession, currency exchange rates, extensive government regulation, decreases in the availability
of capital, volatile interest rates, portfolio concentrations in geographic markets, industries or products (such as commercial and residential
real estate loans) and competition from new entrants in their
fields of business. Profitability is largely dependent on the availability and cost of capital
funds and can fluctuate significantly when interest rates change or due to increased competition. In addition, deterioration of the credit
markets generally may cause an adverse impact in a broad range of markets, including U.S. and international credit and interbank money
markets generally, thereby affecting a wide range of financial institutions and markets. Credit losses resulting from financial difficulties
of borrowers and financial losses associated with investment activities can negatively impact the sector. Insurance companies may be subject
to severe price competition. Adverse economic, business or political developments could adversely affect financial institutions engaged
in mortgage finance or other lending or investing activities directly or indirectly connected to the value of real estate.
Asia Risk. A
significant portion of the Fund’s investments may be in Asia at any given time. Many of the economies of countries in Asia are considered
emerging market economies. Countries in Asia can be reliant on only a few industries or commodities. Many Asian economies are characterized
by high inflation, undeveloped financial service sectors, frequent currency fluctuations, devaluations, or restrictions, political and
social instability, and less efficient markets. The economies of many Asian countries are heavily dependent on international trade and
can be adversely affected by trade barriers, exchange controls and other measures imposed or negotiated by countries with which they trade.
China Risk. The
Fund may invest significantly in the securities of Chinese issuers. Therefore, in addition to the risks associated with investments in
non-U.S. securities generally, the Fund is subject to certain risks associated specifically with investments in securities of Chinese
issuers, including those issuers with securities listed on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange. China is an emerging market and demonstrates
significantly higher volatility from time to time in comparison to developed markets. The central government has historically exercised
substantial control over virtually every sector of the Chinese economy through administrative regulation and/or state ownership and actions
of the Chinese central and local government authorities continue to have a substantial effect on economic conditions in China. Furthermore,
China’s economy is dependent on the economies of other Asian countries and can be significantly affected by currency fluctuations
and increasing competition from Asia’s other emerging economies. China has experienced security concerns, such as terrorism and
strained international relations. Incidents involving China’s or the region’s security may cause uncertainty in Chinese markets
and may adversely affect the Chinese economy and the value of the Fund’s investments. Export growth continues to be a major driver
of China’s rapid economic growth. Reduction in spending on Chinese products and services, institution of tariffs or other trade
barriers, or a downturn in any of the economies of China’s key trading partners may have an adverse impact on the Chinese economy.
Recent developments in relations between the U.S. and China have heightened concerns of increased tariffs and restrictions on trade between
the two countries. An increase in tariffs or trade restrictions, or even the threat of such developments, could lead to a significant
reduction in international trade, which could have a negative impact on China’s export industry and a commensurately negative impact
on the Fund. From time to time, China has experienced outbreaks of infectious illnesses, and the country may be subject to other public
health threats, infectious illnesses, diseases or similar issues in the future. Any spread of an infectious illness, public health threat
or similar issue could reduce consumer demand or economic output, result in market closures, travel restrictions or quarantines, and generally
have a significant impact on the Chinese economy, which in turn could adversely affect the Fund’s investments.
Adviser Investment Risk. The
Adviser and its affiliates (each, an “Adviser Investor”) may, from time to time, own a significant amount of the Fund’s
shares (an “Adviser Investment”). An Adviser Investor may make an Adviser Investment to enable the Fund to reach critical
mass or because the Adviser Investor has capital to invest and wants exposure to the Fund’s investment strategy or for other reasons.
If an Adviser Investment is substantial relative to the Fund’s overall asset size, a partial or complete redemption of the Adviser
Investment, which may occur at any time, including at the time of other inflows or outflows, may have a material adverse effect on the
Fund’s expense ratio, portfolio turnover and the overall ability to manage the Fund. The Adviser Investor reserves the right to
redeem its Adviser Investment at any time in accordance with applicable law in its sole and absolute discretion.
Emerging Markets Risk. The
Fund invests in equity securities of emerging market companies as part of its principal investment strategy. Investments in emerging markets
involve risks in addition to those generally associated with investments in foreign securities.
Political and economic structures in many emerging markets
may be undergoing significant evolution and rapid development, and such countries may lack the social, political and economic stability
characteristic of more developed countries. As a result, the risks described above relating to investments in foreign securities, including
the risks of nationalization or expropriation of assets, would be heightened. In addition, unanticipated political or social developments
may affect the values of the Fund’s investments and the availability to the Fund of additional investments in such emerging markets.
The small size and inexperience of the securities markets in certain emerging markets and the limited volume of trading in securities
in those markets may make the Fund’s investments in such countries less liquid and more volatile than investments in countries with
more developed securities markets (such as the U.S., Japan and most Western European countries).
In addition, the U.S. and other nations and international
organizations may impose economic sanctions or take other actions that may adversely affect issuers located in certain countries. In particular,
the U.S. and other countries have imposed economic sanctions on certain Russian individuals and corporate entities. The U.S. or other
countries could also institute broader sanctions on Russia. Such sanctions, any future sanctions or other actions, or even the threat
of further sanctions or other actions, may negatively affect the value and liquidity of the Fund’s portfolio. For example, the Fund
may be prohibited from investing insecurities issued by companies subject to such sanctions. In addition, the sanctions may require the
Fund to freeze its existing investments in companies located in certain countries, prohibiting the Fund from buying, selling or otherwise
transacting in these investments. Countries subject to sanctions may undertake countermeasures or retaliatory actions which may further
impair the value and liquidity of the Fund’s portfolio and potentially disrupt its operations. Such events may have an adverse impact
on the economies and debts of other emerging markets as well.
Furthermore, the availability and reliability of information
material to the Fund’s investment decisions, particularly financial information, from emerging market companies may be limited in
comparison to the scope and reliability of financial information provided by U.S. companies. Notably, regulatory authorities in some of
these markets currently do not provide the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (“PCAOB”) with the ability to inspect
public accounting firms, including sufficient access to inspect audit work papers and practices, or otherwise do not cooperate with U.S.
regulators.
Foreign (Non-U.S.) Securities Risk. Investing
in securities of foreign companies and governments may involve risks which are not ordinarily associated with investing in domestic securities.
These risks include changes in currency exchange rates and currency exchange control regulations or other foreign or U.S. laws or restrictions
applicable to such investments. A decline in the exchange rate may also reduce the value of certain portfolio securities. Even though
the securities are denominated in U.S. dollars, exchange rate changes may adversely affect the company’s operations or financial
health.
Fixed commissions on foreign securities exchanges are
generally higher than negotiated commissions on U.S. exchanges, although the Fund endeavors to achieve the most favorable net results
on portfolio transactions. There is generally less government supervision and regulation of securities exchanges, brokers, dealers and
listed companies than in the U.S. Mail service between the U.S. and foreign countries maybe slower or less reliable than within the U.S.,
thus increasing the risk of delayed settlements of portfolio transactions or loss of certificates for portfolio securities. Individual
foreign economies may also differ favorably or unfavorably from the U.S. economy in such respects as growth of gross national product,
rate of inflation, capital reinvestment, resource self-sufficiency and balance of payments position.
In addition, investments in foreign countries could be affected by other
factors generally not thought to be present in the U.S. Such factors include the unavailability of financial information or the difficulty
of interpreting financial information prepared under foreign accounting standards; less liquidity and more volatility in foreign securities
markets; the possibility of expropriation; the imposition of foreign withholding and other taxes; the impact of political, social or diplomatic
developments; limitations on the movement of funds or other assets of the Fund between different countries; difficulties in invoking legal
process abroad and enforcing contractual obligations; and the difficulty of assessing economic trends in foreign countries.
Foreign markets also have different clearance and settlement
procedures, and in certain markets there have been times when settlements have been unable to keep pace with the volume of securities
transactions. These delays in settlement could result in temporary periods when a portion of the assets of the Fund is uninvested and
no return is earned thereon. The inability of the Fund to make intended security purchases due to settlement problems could cause the
Fund to miss attractive investment opportunities. An inability to dispose of portfolio securities due to settlement problems could result
either in losses to the Fund due to subsequent declines in value of the portfolio securities or, if the Fund has entered into a contract
to sell the securities, could result in possible liability to the purchaser.
Investing in securities of non-U.S. companies may entail
additional risks especially in emerging countries due to the potential political and economic instability of certain countries. These
risks include expropriation nationalization, confiscation or the imposition of restrictions on foreign investment and on repatriation
of capital invested. Should one of these events occur, the Fund could lose its entire investment in any such country. The Fund’s
investments would similarly be adversely affected by exchange control regulation in any of those countries.
Even though opportunities for investment may exist in
foreign countries, any changes in the leadership or policies of the governments of those countries, or in any other government that exercises
a significant influence over those countries, may halt the expansion of or reverse the liberalization of foreign investment policies and
thereby eliminate any investment opportunities that may currently exist. This is particularly true of emerging markets.
Certain countries in which the Fund may invest may have
minority groups that advocate religious or revolutionary philosophies or support ethnic independence. Any action on the part of such individuals
could carry the potential for destruction or confiscation of property owned by individuals and entities foreign to such country and could
cause the loss of the Fund’s investment in those countries.
Certain countries prohibit or impose substantial restrictions
on investments in their capital and equity markets by foreign entities like the Fund. Certain countries require governmental approval
prior to foreign investments or limit the amount of foreign investment in a particular company or limit the investment to only a specific
class of securities of a company that may have less advantageous terms than securities of the company available for purchase by nationals.
Moreover, the national policies of certain countries may restrict investment opportunities in issuers or industries deemed sensitive to
national interests. In addition, some countries require governmental approval for the repatriation of investment income, capital or the
proceeds of securities sales by foreign investors. The Fund could be adversely affected by delays in or a refusal to grant, any required
governmental approval for repatriation, as well as by the application to it of other restrictions on investments. In particular, restrictions
on repatriation could make it more difficult for the Fund to obtain cash necessary to satisfy the tax distribution requirements that must
be satisfied in order for the Fund to avoid federal income or excise tax.
Foreign Currency Risk. The
Fund will invest in instruments denominated in U.S. and foreign currencies. The Fund’s net asset value (“NAV”) could
decline as a result of changes in the exchange rates between foreign currencies in which a security is denominated and the U.S. dollar.
Certain foreign countries may impose restrictions on the ability of issuers of foreign securities to make payment of principal and interest
to investors located outside the country, due to blockage of foreign currency exchanges or otherwise.
Equity Securities Risk. Equity
securities represent an ownership interest in an issuer, rank junior in a company’s capital structure to debt securities and consequently
may entail greater risk of loss than debt securities. Equity securities are subject to the risk that stock prices may rise and fall in
periodic cycles and may perform poorly relative to other investments. This risk may be greater in the short term.
Value Style Risk. Over
time, a value oriented investing style may go in and out of favor, which may cause the Fund to underperform other equity funds that use
different investing styles.
Investment Risk. An
investment in the Fund is subject to investment risk, including the possible loss of the entire principal amount that you invest.
Issuer Risk. Issuer
risk is the risk that the value of a security may decline for a reason directly related to the issuer, such as management performance,
financial leverage and reduced demand for the issuer’s goods or service.
Management Risk. The
Fund has an actively managed portfolio. The Adviser applies investment techniques and risk analyses in making investment decisions for
the Fund, but there can be no guarantee that these will produce the desired results.
Portfolio Selection Risk. The
Adviser’s judgment about the quality, relative yield, relative value or market trends affecting a particular sector or region, market
segment, security or about interest rates generally may prove to be incorrect.
Geopolitical Risk. Occurrence
of global events such as war, terrorist attacks, natural disasters, country instability, infectious disease epidemics, pandemics and other
public health issues, market instability, debt crises and downgrades, embargoes, tariffs, sanctions and other trade barriers and other
governmental trade or market control programs, the potential exit of a country from its respective union and related geopolitical events,
may result in market volatility and may have long-lasting impacts on both the U.S. and global financial markets. Additionally, those events,
as well as other changes in foreign and domestic political and economic conditions, could adversely affect individual issuers or related
groups of issuers, securities markets, interest rates, secondary trading, credit ratings, inflation, investor sentiment and other factors
affecting the value of the Fund’s investments.
Political Risks Relating
to Russia’s Invasion of Ukraine. Russia began its invasion
of Ukraine in February 2022. The invasion significantly amplified already existing geopolitical tensions among Russia, Ukraine, Europe,
NATO and the United States. Russia’s military invasion of Ukraine, the resulting responses by the United States and other countries,
and the potential for wider conflict has increased volatility and uncertainty in the financial markets, specifically on companies in the
oil and gas sector, finance and resource extraction.
The ramifications of the hostilities and sanctions, however,
may not be limited to Russia. Conflict between Ukraine and Russia is likely to negatively impact other regional and global economic markets
(including Europe, Asia and the United States), companies in other countries (particularly those that have exposure to Russia and Ukraine)
and on various sectors, industries and markets for securities and commodities globally, such as oil and natural gas and banking.
Health Crisis Risk. An
outbreak of an infectious respiratory illness, COVID-19, caused by a novel coronavirus has resulted in travel restrictions, disruption
of healthcare systems, prolonged quarantines, cancellations, supply chain disruptions, lower consumer demand, layoffs, ratings downgrades,
defaults and other significant economic impacts. Certain markets have experienced temporary closures, extreme volatility, severe losses,
reduced liquidity and increased trading costs. In particular, COVID-19 has resulted in substantial market volatility and global business
disruption, impacting the global economy and the financial health of individual companies in significant and unforeseen ways. The duration
and future impact of COVID-19 are currently unknown, which may exacerbate other types of risks that apply to the Fund and negatively impact
Fund performance and the value of your investment in the Fund. It is not possible to determine the ultimate impact of COVID-19 at this
time. Further, the extent and strength of any economic recovery after the COVID-19 pandemic abates is uncertain and subject to various
factors and conditions, including the emergence of other infectious illness outbreaks that may have similar impacts. Accordingly, an investment
in the Fund is subject to an elevated degree of risk as compared to other market environments.
Preferred Securities Risk. Preferred
securities are subject to credit risk, which is the risk that a security will decline in price, or the issuer of the security will fail
to make dividend, interest or principal payments when due, because the issuer experiences a decline in its financial status. Preferred
securities are also subject to interest rate risk and may decline in value because of changes in market interest rates. In addition, an
issuer may be permitted to
defer or omit distributions. Preferred securities are also generally subordinated to bonds
and other debt instruments in a company’s capital structure. During periods of declining interest rates, an issuer may be able to
exercise an option to redeem (call) a security at par earlier than scheduled, and the Fund may be forced to reinvest in lower yielding
securities. Certain preferred securities may be substantially less liquid than many other securities, such as common stocks. Generally,
preferred security holders have no voting rights with respect to the issuing company unless certain events occur. Certain preferred securities
may give the issuers special redemption rights allowing the securities to be redeemed prior to a specified date if certain events occur,
such as changes to tax or securities laws.
Market Risk. Global
economies and financial markets are increasingly interconnected, which increases the likelihood that events or conditions in one country
or region will adversely impact markets or issuers in other countries or regions. Securities in the Fund’s portfolio may underperform
in comparison to securities in general financial markets, a particular financial market, or other asset classes due to a number of factors,
including inflation (or expectations for inflation), deflation (or expectations for deflation), interest rates, global demand for particular
products or resources, market instability, debt crises and downgrades, embargoes, tariffs, sanctions and other trade barriers, regulatory
events, other governmental trade or market control programs and related geopolitical events. In addition, the value of the Fund’s
investments may be negatively affected by the occurrence of global events such as war, terrorism, environmental disasters, natural disasters
or events, country instability, and infectious disease epidemics or pandemics. For example, the outbreak of COVID-19, a novel coronavirus
disease, has negatively affected economies, markets and individual companies throughout the world, including those in which the Fund may
invest. The effects of this pandemic to public health and business and market conditions, including exchange trading suspensions and closures,
may continue to have a significant negative impact on the performance of the Fund’s investments, increase the Fund’s volatility,
exacerbate pre-existing political, social and economic risks to the Fund, and negatively impact broad segments of businesses and populations.
The Fund’s operations may be interrupted as a result, which may contribute to the negative impact on investment performance. In
addition, governments, their regulatory agencies, or self-regulatory organizations may take actions in response to the pandemic that affect
the instruments in which the Fund invests, or the issuers of such instruments, in ways that could have a significant negative impact on
the Fund’s investment performance. The full impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, or other future epidemics or pandemics, is currently
unknown.
New Fund Risk. The
Fund is new with limited operating history and there can be no assurance that the Fund will grow or maintain an economically viable size,
in which case the Board of the Fund may determine to liquidate the Fund.
Liquidity Risk. Some
securities, including options and swaps, held by the Fund may be difficult to sell, not publicly traded, or illiquid, particularly during
times of market turmoil or adverse investor perceptions. Such securities may include securities that are not readily marketable and may
be difficult to value. If the Fund desires to sell such securities when a ready buyer is not available at a price that the Fund deems
representative of their value, the value of the Fund could be adversely affected. If the Fund is forced to sell an illiquid asset to meet
redemption requests or other cash needs, the Fund may be forced to sell at a loss.
Small- and Mid-Capitalization Risk. The
Fund may invest across large-, mid-, and small-capitalization stocks. From time to time, the Fund may invest its assets in small- and
medium-size companies. Such investments entail greater risk than investments in larger, more established companies. Small- and medium-size
companies may have narrower markets and more limited managerial and financial resources than larger, more established companies. As a
result of these risks and uncertainties, the returns from these small- and medium-size stocks may trail returns from the overall stock
market. Historically, these stocks have been more volatile in price than the large-capitalization stocks.
Portfolio Holdings
A description of the Fund’s policies and procedures
with respect to the disclosure of the Fund’s portfolio securities is available in the Fund’s Statement of Additional Information
(“SAI”).
MANAGEMENT OF THE FUND
The Adviser
Oaktree Fund Advisors, LLC (the “Adviser”),
a Delaware limited liability company and a registered investment adviser under the Investment Advisers Act of 1940, as amended, serves
as the investment advisor to the Fund. The Adviser is an affiliate of Oaktree Capital Management, L.P. (“OCM”), a leading
global investment management firm headquartered in Los Angeles, California focused on less efficient markets and alternative investments,
and is a subsidiary of Oaktree Capital Group, LLC (“OCG,” together with OCM and the Adviser, “Oaktree”). Oaktree
was formed in April 1995 and is a leading global investment management firm headquartered in Los Angeles, California, with more than 1,050
employees throughout offices in 20 cities worldwide. As of December 31, 2022, Oaktree had approximately $170 billion in assets under management.
Oaktree’s senior executives and investment professionals have focused on less efficient markets and alternative investments for
the past 37 years. Oaktree emphasizes an opportunistic, value-oriented approach to investments in distressed debt, corporate debt (including
mezzanine finance, direct lending, high yield debt and senior loans), control investing, convertible securities, real estate, listed equities
and multi-strategy solutions.
The firm’s competitive advantages
include its experienced team of investment professionals, a global platform and a unifying investment philosophy. This investment philosophy
— the six tenets of which are risk control, consistency, market inefficiency, specialization, bottom-up analysis and disavowal of
market timing — is complemented by a set of core business principles that articulate Oaktree’s commitment to excellence in
investing; commonality of interests with clients; a collaborative and cooperative culture; and a disciplined, opportunistic approach to
the expansion of offerings.
As a result of consistent application
of our philosophy and principles, Oaktree has earned a large and distinguished clientele. Among Oaktree’s clients are 69 of the
100 largest U.S. pension plans, more than 500 corporations around the world, 39 of the 50 state retirement plans in the United States,
over 300 endowments and foundations globally, and 15 sovereign wealth funds.
The firm’s expertise in investing
across the capital structure has allowed Oaktree to cultivate a diversified mix of global investment strategies in four categories: credit,
private equity, real assets and listed equities. Importantly, the expansion of our strategies has been achieved primarily through “step-outs”
into highly related fields, based on identifying markets that (a) we believe have the potential for attractive returns, and (b) can be
exploited in a manner consistent with the firm’s philosophy focused on risk control.
In 2019, Brookfield Asset Management
ULC (formerly, Brookfield Asset Management Inc.), an unlimited liability company formed under the laws of British Columbia, Canada (“BAM
ULC”) (“Brookfield”), acquired a majority interest in Oaktree. Brookfield Corporation, a publicly traded company (NYSE:
BN; TSX: BN), holds a 75% interest in BAM ULC, while Brookfield Asset Management Ltd., a publicly traded company (NYSE: BAM; TSX: BAMA)
(“Brookfield Asset Management”), holds a 25% interest in BAM ULC. Brookfield Asset Management is a leading global alternative
asset manager focused on real estate, renewable power, infrastructure and private equity, with approximately $750 billion of assets under
management as of December 31, 2022. Together, Brookfield and Oaktree provide investors with one of the most comprehensive offerings of
alternative investment products available today. While partnering to leverage one another’s strengths, Oaktree operates as an independent
business within the Brookfield family, with its own product offerings and investment, marketing, and support teams. As of December 31,
2022, Oaktree had approximately $5.6 billion under management.
As compensation for the advisory services and the related
expenses the Adviser bears, the Adviser is contractually entitled to an advisory fee (an “advisory fee”), computed daily and
payable monthly, at an annual rate set forth in the table below.
|
|
Fund |
|
|
|
Annual Advisory Fee-Contractual Rate (as a percentage of average daily net assets)
|
|
|
|
|
Oaktree Emerging Markets Equity Fund |
|
|
|
|
|
0.90% |
|
|
|
Pursuant to the Fund’s administration agreement,
Brookfield Public Securities Group LLC (“PSG”), a wholly owned subsidiary of Brookfield, provides administrative services
reasonably necessary for the Fund’s operations, other than those services that the Adviser provides to the Fund pursuant to the
investment advisory agreement. PSG will not receive any compensation for its administration services pursuant to the Fund’s administration
agreement.
The Adviser has contractually agreed to waive all
or a portion of its investment advisory fees and/or to reimburse certain expenses of the Fund to the extent necessary to maintain the
Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses (excluding any front-end or contingent deferred sales loads, brokerage commissions and other transactional
expenses, acquired fund fees and expenses, interest, taxes, and extraordinary expenses, such as litigation; and other expenses not incurred
in the ordinary course of the Fund’s business) at the levels set forth in the Fee and Expense Table of the Fund for a period of
no less than one year and may not be terminated by the Fund or the Adviser before such time. Thereafter, this arrangement may only be
terminated or amended to increase the expense cap, provided that in the case of a termination by the Adviser, the Adviser will provide
the Board with written notice of its intention to terminate the arrangement prior to the expiration of its then current term. Any waivers
and/or reimbursements made by the Adviser are subject to recoupment from the Fund for a period not to exceed three years after the occurrence
of the waiver and/or reimbursement, provided that the Fund may only make repayments to the Adviser if such repayment does not cause the
Fund’s expense ratio (after the repayment is taken into account) to exceed both: (1) the expense cap in place at the time such amounts
were waived; and (2) the Fund’s current expense cap.
A discussion regarding the basis
for the Board’s approval of the investment advisory agreement is available in the Fund’s Semi-Annual Report to shareholders
for the period ended June 30, 2022. See “Management” in the SAI for further information about the Fund’s investment
advisory arrangements.
The Portfolio Managers
Frank Carroll —
Managing Director and Portfolio Manager. Mr. Carroll is a
managing director and has served as the co-portfolio manager of Oaktree’s Emerging Markets Equity strategy since its inception in
2011. Previously, Mr. Carroll was co-portfolio manager of Oaktree’s Long/Short Emerging Markets Absolute Return strategy from 2005
to 2018 and, prior thereto, served as head trader for the strategy since he joined Oaktree in 1999. Mr. Carroll co-founded and co-chairs
Oaktree’s ESG Governance Committee and is a longtime member of Oaktree’s Diversity and Inclusion Council. Prior to joining
Oaktree in 1999, Mr. Carroll was the Head of Trading for Columbus Advisors. Before that, he was the Head Trader for Latin American Fixed
Income at Banco Santander and Bankers Trust. Mr. Carroll started his career as an emerging markets trader for Salomon Brothers in 1989.
He received a B.A. degree in History from Fairfield University. Mr. Carroll previously served as the Chairman of the Board of Trustees
at Fairfield University, as well as a Trustee at Brunswick School in Greenwich, Connecticut. He is based in Hong Kong.
Janet Wang —
Managing Director and Co-Portfolio Manager. Ms. Wang is a
Managing Director and a Co-Portfolio Manager for Oaktree’s Emerging Markets Equity strategy. She has covered a range of sectors
at Oaktree including energy, cement, chemicals, consumer and utilities. Ms. Wang also contributed to the development of the Emerging Markets
Equity team’s Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) process and is a longtime member of Oaktree’s Diversity and Inclusion
(D&I) Awareness team, having co-led the group from 2017 to 2019. Before joining Oaktree in 2002, Ms. Wang worked for ABN Amro Asia
as a research assistant, covering the building materials and airline sectors. Prior thereto, she worked for Evergreen Funds in the Institutional
Services department where she served as an institutional services representative. Ms. Wang holds a B.S. degree in finance and marketing
from Boston College and an MBA with a concentration in finance from Columbia Business School. She is fluent in Mandarin.
The SAI provides additional information about the portfolio
managers’ compensation, other accounts they manage, and their ownership of securities in the Fund.
PRIOR PERFORMANCE OF ACCOUNTS SIMILAR
TO THE FUND
(The composite performance information shown is not
of the Fund, but similar accounts
managed by affiliates of the Adviser)
The following table presents the
past performance of the Oaktree Emerging Markets Equity (MSCI) Composite (the “Oaktree Composite”), which represents historical
performance data of accounts managed by the Adviser’s affiliates. The Oaktree Composite is comprised of all private investment accounts
under fully discretionary management by Oaktree Capital Management, L.P. and Oaktree Capital Management (UK) LLP (collectively, “Oaktree
Capital”), each an affiliate of the Adviser, that have investment objectives, policies, and strategies substantially similar to
those of the Fund. Returns include the reinvestment of income and are time-weighted (i.e., the
method used to eliminate the distorting effects on growth rates created by cash inflows and outflows) rates of return net of commissions,
transaction costs, and foreign withholding taxes on interest, dividends, and capital gains. Reclaimable foreign withholding taxes are
accrued. Returns are presented in U.S. dollars. Oaktree Capital has prepared and presented the historical performance shown for the Oaktree
Composite (gross) in compliance with the Global Investment Performance Standards (GIPS®).
The GIPS method for computing historical performance differs from the SEC’s method. The gross performance data shown in the table
does not reflect the deduction of investment advisory fees paid by the accounts comprising the Oaktree Composite or certain other expenses
that would be applicable to mutual funds. To calculate the performance of the Oaktree Composite net of expenses, the Adviser applied the
estimated net Fund operating expenses payable by the A, C and I Classes of shares of the Fund for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2022,
as applicable, as disclosed in the “Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses After Fee Waiver and/or Expense Reimbursement” line
item of the Fund’s fee table in the Summary section of this Prospectus. The net performance data may be more relevant to potential
investors in the Fund in their analysis of the historical experience of the Adviser in managing portfolios with substantially similar
investment strategies and techniques to those of the Fund.
The
historical performance of the Oaktree Composite is not that of the Oaktree Emerging Markets Equity Fund and is not necessarily indicative
of the Fund’s future results. The Fund’s actual performance may vary significantly from the past performance of the
Oaktree Composite. While the accounts comprising the Oaktree Composite incur inflows and outflows of cash from clients, there can be no
assurance that the continuous offering of the Fund’s shares and the Fund’s obligation to redeem its shares will not adversely
impact the Fund’s performance. Also, none of the accounts currently comprising the Oaktree Composite are subject to certain investment
limitations, diversification requirements and other restrictions imposed by the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the “1940
Act”), and the Internal Revenue Code. If these limitations, requirements, and restrictions were applicable to the accounts in the
Oaktree Composite, they may have had an adverse effect on the performance results of the Oaktree Composite. However, the Adviser does
not believe that such accounts would have been managed in a significantly different manner had they been subject to such investment limitations,
diversification requirements and other restrictions.
OAKTREE EMERGING MARKETS EQUITY (MSCI)
COMPOSITE*
|
|
|
|
Average Annual Total Returns for the periods ended December 31, 2022 |
|
|
Composite(1)
|
|
|
1 Year
|
|
|
3 Years |
|
|
5 Years
|
|
|
Since Inception
|
|
|
Composite net of all Class A operating expenses |
|
|
|
|
-14.78%
|
|
|
|
|
|
-1.76% |
|
|
|
|
|
0.80%
|
|
|
|
|
|
1.37%
|
|
|
|
Composite net of all Class C operating expenses |
|
|
|
|
-15.43%
|
|
|
|
|
|
-2.50% |
|
|
|
|
|
0.04%
|
|
|
|
|
|
0.61% |
|
|
|
Composite net of all Class I operating expenses |
|
|
|
|
-14.56%
|
|
|
|
|
|
-1.52% |
|
|
|
|
|
1.05%
|
|
|
|
|
|
1.62%
|
|
|
|
Composite gross of all operating expenses |
|
|
|
|
-13.60%
|
|
|
|
|
|
-0.42% |
|
|
|
|
|
2.17%
|
|
|
|
|
|
2.75%
|
|
|
|
MSCI Emerging Markets (ND) Index(2) |
|
|
|
|
-20.09% |
|
|
|
|
|
-2.69% |
|
|
|
|
|
-1.40% |
|
|
|
|
|
0.85% |
|
|
For the Periods Ended December 31
|
|
|
|
2013 |
|
|
2014 |
|
|
2015 |
|
|
2016 |
|
|
2017 |
|
|
2018 |
|
|
2019 |
|
|
2020 |
|
|
2021 |
|
|
2022 |
|
|
Composite net of all Class A
operating expenses |
|
|
|
|
0.39% |
|
|
|
|
|
-6.61% |
|
|
|
|
|
-20.18% |
|
|
|
|
|
13.57% |
|
|
|
|
|
32.93% |
|
|
|
|
|
-12.24% |
|
|
|
|
|
25.05% |
|
|
|
|
|
15.01% |
|
|
|
|
|
-3.27% |
|
|
|
|
|
-14.78% |
|
|
|
Composite net of all Class C operating expenses |
|
|
|
|
-0.36% |
|
|
|
|
|
-7.32% |
|
|
|
|
|
-20.79% |
|
|
|
|
|
12.73% |
|
|
|
|
|
31.96% |
|
|
|
|
|
-12.90% |
|
|
|
|
|
24.13% |
|
|
|
|
|
14.15% |
|
|
|
|
|
-3.99% |
|
|
|
|
|
-15.43% |
|
|
|
Composite net of all Class I
operating expenses |
|
|
|
|
0.64% |
|
|
|
|
|
-6.38% |
|
|
|
|
|
-19.98% |
|
|
|
|
|
13.85% |
|
|
|
|
|
33.26% |
|
|
|
|
|
-12.02% |
|
|
|
|
|
25.36% |
|
|
|
|
|
15.29% |
|
|
|
|
|
-3.03% |
|
|
|
|
|
-14.56% |
|
|
|
Composite gross of all operating
expenses |
|
|
|
|
1.76% |
|
|
|
|
|
-5.34% |
|
|
|
|
|
-19.07% |
|
|
|
|
|
15.10% |
|
|
|
|
|
34.70% |
|
|
|
|
|
-11.03% |
|
|
|
|
|
26.72% |
|
|
|
|
|
16.56% |
|
|
|
|
|
-1.95% |
|
|
|
|
|
-13.60% |
|
|
|
MSCI Emerging Markets (ND)
Index(2) |
|
|
|
|
-2.60% |
|
|
|
|
|
-2.19% |
|
|
|
|
|
-14.92% |
|
|
|
|
|
11.19% |
|
|
|
|
|
37.28% |
|
|
|
|
|
-14.57% |
|
|
|
|
|
18.42% |
|
|
|
|
|
18.31% |
|
|
|
|
|
-2.54% |
|
|
|
|
|
-20.09% |
|
|
(1)
This is not the performance of Oaktree Emerging Markets Equity Fund. As of December 31, 2022, the Oaktree Composite was comprised of 7
accounts totaling approximately $2.5 billion. The inception date of Oaktree Composite was July 1, 2011.
(2)
The MSCI Emerging Markets (ND) Index is a market capitalization weighted index of equity securities in more than 20 emerging market economies.
This unmanaged index does not reflect fees and expenses and is not available for direct investments.
DISTRIBUTION OF FUND SHARES
Distributor
Quasar Distributors, LLC (the “Distributor”
or “Quasar”) is located at 111 East Kilbourn Avenue, Suite 2200, Milwaukee, Wisconsin 53202 and is the distributor for the
shares of the Fund. Quasar is a registered broker-dealer and a member of the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (“FINRA”).
Shares of the Fund are offered on a continuous basis.
PAYMENTS TO FINANCIAL
INTERMEDIARIES
The Fund may pay service fees to intermediaries such as
banks, broker-dealers, financial advisers or other financial institutions, including affiliates of the Adviser, for sub-administration,
sub-transfer agency and other shareholder services associated with shareholders whose shares are held of record in omnibus, other group
accounts or accounts traded through registered securities clearing agents.
The Adviser and its affiliates, out of their own resources,
and without additional cost to the Fund or its shareholders, may provide additional cash payments or non-cash compensation to intermediaries
who sell shares of the Fund. These additional cash payments are generally made to intermediaries that provide shareholder servicing, marketing
support and/or access to sales meetings, sales representatives and management representatives of the intermediary. Cash compensation may
also be paid to intermediaries for inclusion of the Fund on a sales list, including a preferred or select sales list, in other sales programs
or as an expense reimbursement in cases where the intermediary provides shareholder services to the Fund’s shareholders. The Adviser
and its affiliates may also pay cash compensation in the form of finder’s fees that vary depending on the Fund and the dollar amount
of the shares sold.
In addition, in certain cases, intermediaries,
such as banks, broker-dealers, financial advisers or other financial institutions, may have agreements pursuant to which shares of the
Fund owned by its clients are held of record on the books of the Fund in omnibus accounts maintained by each intermediary, and the intermediaries
provide those Fund shareholders with sub-administration and sub-transfer agency services. Pursuant to the Trust’s transfer agency
agreement, the Trust pays the transfer agent a charge for each shareholder account. As a result, the use of one omnibus account for multiple
beneficial shareholders can create a cost savings to the Trust. The Board
may, from time to time, authorize the Trust to pay a
portion of the fees charged by these intermediaries to the extent of any transfer agency savings to the Trust as a result of the use of
the omnibus account. These payments compensate these intermediaries for the provision of sub-administration and sub-transfer agency services
associated with their clients whose shares are held of record in this manner.
SHAREHOLDER INFORMATION
Description
of Share Classes
|
|
|
Class A Shares
|
|
|
Class C Shares
|
|
|
Class I Shares
|
|
Front End Sales Load? |
|
|
Yes. The percentage declines as the amount invested increases. |
|
|
No. |
|
|
No. |
|
Contingent Deferred Sales Charge? |
|
|
No, except for shares redeemed within eighteen months after purchase of an investment greater than $1
million if no front-end sales charge was paid at the time of purchase. |
|
|
Yes, for shares redeemed within twelve months after purchase.
|
|
|
No. |
|
Rule 12b-1 Fee |
|
|
0.25% |
|
|
1.00% |
|
|
None. |
|
Convertible to Another Class? |
|
|
No. |
|
|
Yes, automatic conversion into Class A Shares eight years after the original date of purchase or, if
you acquired your Class C Shares through an exchange or conversion from another share class, eight years after the date you acquired
your Class C Shares. |
|
|
No. |
|
Fund Expense Levels |
|
|
Lower annual expenses than Class C Shares. Higher annual expenses than Class I Shares.
|
|
|
Higher annual expenses than Class A Shares, Class I Shares. |
|
|
Lower annual expenses than Class A Shares and Class C Shares.
|
|
Three classes of the Fund’s shares
are offered in this Prospectus—Class A Shares, Class C Shares and Class I Shares. Class I Shares are (1) offered at net asset value,
(2) sold without a front-end sales load, (3) offered to foundations, endowments, institutions, and employee benefit plans acquiring shares
directly from the Fund’s Distributor or from a financial intermediary with whom the Fund’s Distributor has entered into an
agreement expressly authorizing the sale by such intermediary of Class I Shares and whose initial investment is not less than the initial
minimum amount set forth in this Prospectus from time to time, (4) available through certain “wrap,” retirement and other
programs sponsored by certain financial intermediaries with whom the Fund and/or its Distributor have entered into an agreement, as well
as employees, officers, and trustees of the Trust, the Adviser and its affiliates and their immediate family members (i.e.,
spouse, domestic partner, parents, grandparents, children, grandchildren and siblings (including step and in-law)) of any of the above,
as set forth in this Prospectus, and (5) not subject to ongoing distribution fees or service fees.The Fund may accept, in its sole discretion,
investments in Class I Shares from purchasers not listed above or that do not meet the investment minimum requirement.
For information on the Fund’s expenses
and investment minimums for each class of shares, please see the section of this Prospectus entitled “Summary.” The table
above summarizes the differences among the classes of shares.
•
A “front-end sales load,” or sales charge, is a fee charged at the
time of purchase of shares.
•
A “contingent deferred sales charge” (“CDSC”)
is a fee charged at the time of redemption.
•
A “Rule 12b-1 fee” is a recurring annual fee for distributing
shares and servicing shareholder accounts based on the Fund’s average daily net assets attributable to the particular class of shares.
|
|
If you... |
|
|
|
then you should consider... |
|
|
|
|
•
qualify
for a reduced or waived front-end sales load
|
|
|
|
purchasing Class A Shares instead of Class C Shares |
|
|
|
|
•
do not qualify for a reduced or waived front-end sales load and intend
to hold your shares for only a few years
|
|
|
|
purchasing Class C Shares instead of Class A Shares |
|
|
|
|
•
do not qualify for a reduced or waived front-end sales load and intend
to hold your shares indefinitely
|
|
|
|
purchasing Class A Shares instead of Class C Shares |
|
|
|
|
•
are eligible to purchase shares through certain “wrap” programs
or similar programs sponsored by certain financial intermediaries with whom the Fund and/or their distributor have entered into an agreement
|
|
|
|
purchasing Class I Shares |
|
|
In selecting a class of shares of the Fund in which to
invest, you should consider:
•
the length of time you plan to hold the shares;
•
the amount of sales charge
and Rule 12b-1 fees, recognizing that your share of Rule 12b-1 fees as a percentage of your investment increases if the Fund’s assets
increase in value and decreases if the Fund’s assets decrease in value;
•
whether you qualify for a reduction or waiver of the Class A sales charge;
•
whether you qualify to purchase
Class I Shares through certain wrap, retirement or other programs sponsored by certain financial intermediaries with whom the Fund and/or
its distributor have entered into an agreement; and
•
whether you qualify to purchase Class I Shares (direct institutional
purchases of $1 million or more).
The following sections include important information about
sales charges and sales charge reductions and waivers available to investors in Class A and Class C Shares and describes information or
records you may need to provide to the respective Fund or your broker in order to be eligible for sales charge reductions and waivers.
The availability of the sales charge reductions and waivers discussed below may depend upon whether you purchase your shares directly
from the Fund or through a financial intermediary. Financial intermediaries may have different policies and procedures regarding the availability
of these reductions or waivers. Information with respect to specific intermediaries that offer individualized sales charge waiver and/or
reduction categories is disclosed in Appendix A, “Sales Charge Reductions and Waivers Available Through Certain Intermediaries,”
attached to the Fund’s Prospectus.
Information about sales charges and sales charge reductions
and waivers to the various classes of the Fund’s Shares is also available free of charge and in a clear and prominent format on
our website at https://publicsecurities.brookfield.com/en.
Shareholder Account
Information — Initial Sales Charges (Class A Shares Only)
Unless you are eligible for a sales charge reduction or
a waiver, as set out in Appendix A to this Prospectus, an initial sales charge applies to all other purchases of Class A Shares. The sales
charge is imposed on Class A Shares of the Fund at the time of purchase in accordance with the following schedule:
|
Amount of Investment |
|
|
Sales Charge as % of the Offering Price (1)
|
|
|
Sales Charge as % of Amount Invested |
|
|
Reallowance to Broker-Dealers |
|
|
Less than $50,000 |
|
|
|
|
4.75% |
|
|
|
|
|
4.99% |
|
|
|
|
|
4.75% |
|
|
|
$50,000 but under $100,000 |
|
|
|
|
4.25% |
|
|
|
|
|
4.44% |
|
|
|
|
|
4.25% |
|
|
|
$100,000 but under $250,000 |
|
|
|
|
3.50% |
|
|
|
|
|
3.63% |
|
|
|
|
|
3.50% |
|
|
|
$250,000 but under $500,000 |
|
|
|
|
2.50% |
|
|
|
|
|
2.56% |
|
|
|
|
|
2.50% |
|
|
|
$500,000 but under $1 million |
|
|
|
|
2.00% |
|
|
|
|
|
2.04% |
|
|
|
|
|
2.00% |
|
|
|
$1 million or more (2) |
|
|
|
|
None |
|
|
|
|
|
None |
|
|
|
|
|
None |
|
|
(1)
Includes
front-end sales load.
(2)
No sales charge
is payable at the time of purchase on investments of $1 million or more, although for such investments the Fund will impose
a CDSC of 1.00% on redemptions made within eighteen months of the purchase. If imposed, the CDSC is based on the original cost of
the shares being redeemed.
No sales charge is imposed on reinvestment of distributions
selected in advance of the distributions.
Breakpoints or
Volume Discounts — (Class A Shares Only)
The Fund offers you the benefit of discounts on the sales
charges that apply to purchases of Class A Shares in certain circumstances. These discounts, which are also known as breakpoints,
can reduce or, in some instances, eliminate the initial sales charges that would otherwise apply to your investment in Class A Shares.
Mutual funds are not required to offer breakpoints and different mutual fund groups may offer different types of breakpoints.
Breakpoints or Volume Discounts allow larger investments
in Class A Shares to be charged lower sales charges. If you invest $50,000 or more in Class A Shares of the Fund, then you are
eligible for a reduced sales charge. Initial sales charges are eliminated completely for purchases of $1,000,000 or more, although
a 1% CDSC will apply if shares are redeemed within eighteen months after purchase.
The Adviser may pay a sales commission of up to 1.00%
of the offering price of Class A Shares to brokers that initiate and are responsible for purchases of $1,000,000 or more.
This does not apply with respect to shares purchased by “advisory accounts” for the benefit of clients of broker-dealers,
financial advisers or other financial institutions; provided the broker-dealer, financial adviser or financial institution charges its
client(s) an advisory fee based on the assets under management on an annual basis.
Sales Charge Reductions
and Waivers — (Class A Shares Only)
Reduced sales charges are available to (1) investors
who are eligible to combine their purchases of Class A Shares to receive Volume Discounts and (2) investors who sign a Letter
of Intent (the “Letter”) agreeing to make purchases over time. Certain types of investors are eligible for sales charge waivers.
You may qualify for a reduced sales charge, or a waiver
of sales charges, on purchases of Class A Shares. The requirements are described in the following paragraphs. To receive a reduction
that you qualify for, you may have to provide additional information to your broker or other service agent. For more information about
sales charge discounts and waivers, consult with your broker or other service provider. Additional information can be found in Appendix A,
“Sales Charge Reductions and Waivers Available Through Certain Intermediaries,” attached to the Fund’s Prospectus.
Volume Discounts/Rights of Accumulation. You
may qualify for a reduced sales charge by combining a new purchase (or combined purchases as described below) with shares previously purchased
and still owned; provided the cumulative value of such shares (valued at NAV) amounts to $50,000 or more. In determining the shares previously
purchased, the calculation will include, in addition to other Class A shares of any other open-end investment company managed by the Adviser
or its affiliates that were previously purchased, shares of other classes of the Fund, as well as shares of any class of any other open-end
investment company managed by the Adviser or its affiliates. In order to determine whether you qualify for a reduced sales charge, you
may combine your new purchase with shares previously purchased and still owned with those of your immediate family (spouse and children
under 21),
your and their IRAs and other employee benefit plans and trusts and other fiduciary accounts
for your and their benefit. You may also include shares of any class of any other open-end investment company managed by the Adviser or
its affiliates that are held in any of the foregoing accounts. If the new purchase is made directly through the Fund’s transfer
agent, U.S. Bancorp Fund Services, LLC (the “Transfer Agent” or “USBFS”), only shares held directly at the Transfer
Agent may apply toward the rights of accumulation. Shares held in the name of a nominee or custodian under pension, profit-sharing or
other employee benefit plans may not be combined with other shares to qualify for the rights of accumulation. The Fund uses the current
NAV of these holdings when combining them with new and existing investments for purposes of determining whether you qualify for the rights
of accumulation. In order to receive a sales charge reduction under this program, you must provide certain information or records to permit
verification that the purchase qualifies for a reduction as described below under “Required Shareholder Information and Records.”
Letter of Intent. By
signing a Letter of Intent (LOI) you can reduce your Class A sales charge. Your individual purchases will be made at the applicable
sales charge based on the amount you intend to invest over a 13-month period. The LOI will apply to all purchases of Class A Shares.
Any shares purchased within 90 days of the date you sign the letter of intent may be used as credit toward completion, but the reduced
sales charge will only apply to new purchases made on or after that date. Purchases resulting from the reinvestment of dividends and capital
gains do not apply toward fulfillment of the LOI. Shares equal to 4.75% of the amount of the LOI will be held in escrow during the 13-month
period. If, at the end of that time, the total amount of purchases made is less than the amount intended, you will be required to pay
the difference between the reduced sales charge and the sales charge applicable to the individual purchases had the LOI not been in effect.
This amount will be obtained from redemption of the escrow shares. Any remaining escrow shares will be released to you.
Required Shareholder Information and Records. In
order for you to take advantage of sales charge reductions, you or your broker must notify the Fund that you qualify for a reduction.
Without notification, the Fund is unable to ensure that the reduction is applied to your account. You may have to provide information
or records to your broker or the Fund to verify eligibility for breakpoint privileges or other sales charge waivers. This may include
information or records, including account statements, regarding shares of the Fund or shares of any other open-end investment company
managed by the Adviser or its affiliates held in:
•
all of your accounts at the Fund or a broker;
•
any Fund account of yours at another broker; and
•
Fund accounts of related parties of yours, such as members of
the same family, at any broker.
You should therefore keep copies of these types of records.
Investors Eligible For Sales Charge Waivers. Class
A Shares of the Fund may be offered without a sales charge to: (1) any other investment company in connection with the combination of
such company with the Fund by merger, acquisition of assets, or otherwise; (2) any unit investment trusts registered under the 1940 Act
which have shares of the Fund as a principal investment; (3) persons investing in certain fee-based programs under which they pay advisory
fees to a broker-dealer or other financial institution that has entered into an agreement with the Fund and/or its distributor; and (4)
financial intermediaries who have entered into an agreement with the Fund and/or its distributor to offer shares to self-directed investment
brokerage accounts that may or may not charge a transaction fee to its customers.
In addition, shareholders who redeemed Class A shares
of the Fund that were originally subject to a front-end sales load may buy back Class A shares of the Fund into the same shareholder
account within 45 days of the redemption date without paying a sales charge on the reinstated shares (the “Reinstatement Privilege”).
The amount eligible to be repurchased under the Reinstatement Privilege may not exceed the amount of your redemption proceeds originally
received from the reinstated shares. Reinstatements will be priced at the Fund’s current NAV. To exercise the Reinstatement Privilege,
you must notify your financial consultant or the Fund’s Transfer Agent at the time of your transaction that you believe you qualify
for the privilege.
Additional categories of sales charge reductions and waivers are also set
out in Appendix A to this Fund’s Prospectus. Investors who qualify under any of the categories described above or those set
out in Appendix A to this Fund’s Prospectus should contact their brokerage firm. Some of these investors may also qualify to
invest in Class I Shares.
Shareholder Account
Information — (Class C Shares Only)
The Distributor pays a sales commission of up to 1.00% of
the purchase price of Class C Shares of the Fund at the time of sale to brokers who initiate and are responsible for purchases of such
Class C Shares of the Fund. These payments to brokers are financed solely by the Adviser. The Adviser will subsequently be reimbursed
for the payments it has financed. As described more fully below under the section of this Prospectus entitled “Rule 12b-1 Plans,”
you will also pay distribution and service fees of 1.00% each year under a distribution plan that the Fund has adopted for Class C Shares
under Rule 12b-1. Proceeds from the CDSC and the 1.00% distribution plan payments made in the first year after purchase are paid to the
Distributor and are used in whole or in part by the Distributor to pay the Adviser for financing the 1.00% up-front commission to brokers
who sell Class C Shares. During the first year, the Adviser may retain the full 1.00% Rule 12b-1 fee to recoup the up-front payment made
at the time of purchase. Once the Distributor has reimbursed the Adviser for the amounts financed, brokers will receive from the Distributor
the ongoing Rule 12b-1 fees associated with their clients’ investments in Class C Shares.
Class C Shares Conversion Feature. Class C
Shares will convert automatically into Class A Shares eight years after the original date of purchase or, if you acquired your
Class C Shares through an exchange or conversion from another share class, eight years after the date you acquired your Class C
Shares. When Class C Shares that you acquired through a purchase or exchange convert, any other Class C Shares that you purchased
with reinvested distributions also will convert into Class A Shares on a pro rata basis.
A shorter holding period may apply depending on your financial intermediary.
Contingent Deferred
Sales Charges — (Class A and Class C Shares Only)
You will pay a CDSC when you redeem:
•
Class A Shares within eighteen months
of buying them as part of an investment greater than $1 million if no front-end sales charge was paid at the time of purchase; and
•
Class C Shares within twelve months of buying them.
The CDSC payable upon redemption of Class A Shares
and Class C Shares in the circumstances described above is 1.00%. Your CDSC will be based on the original cost of the shares being
redeemed.
You will not pay a CDSC to the extent that the value of
the redeemed shares represents reinvestment of distributions or capital appreciation of shares redeemed. When you redeem shares, we will
assume that you are first redeeming shares representing reinvestment of distributions, then any appreciation on shares redeemed, and then
any remaining shares held by you for the longest period of time. We will calculate the holding period of shares acquired through an exchange
of shares of another fund from the date you acquired the original shares of the other fund. Certain financial intermediaries may have
procedures which differ from those of the Fund with regards to calculation of the holding period of shares acquired through an exchange.
Investors should refer to their intermediary’s policies.
We will waive the CDSC payable upon redemptions of shares
for:
•
redemptions and distributions from retirement plans made after the death or disability
of a shareholder;
•
minimum required distributions made
from an IRA or other retirement plan account after you reach age 701∕2;
•
involuntary redemptions made by the Fund;
•
a distribution from a tax-deferred retirement plan after your retirement; and
•
returns of excess contributions to retirement plans following
the shareholder’s death or disability.
Additionally, shareholders who reinvest the full value of their Class C
redemption proceeds back into Class C shares of the Fund in the same shareholder account within 45 days of the redemption will
receive a reimbursement of the CDSC that they paid at the time of redemption (the “CDSC Reimbursement”). The CDSC Reimbursement
will be made in the form of additional Class C shares of the Fund based on the Fund’s NAV on the reinvestment date. Class C
shares acquired with proceeds from a CDSC Reimbursement will be subject to a CDSC if redeemed within 12 months. To receive the CDSC
Reimbursement, you must notify your financial consultant or the Fund’s Transfer Agent at the time of your transaction that you believe
you qualify for the reimbursement.
Shareholders of certain intermediaries may also have their
CDSC waived or reduced under other circumstances. Please refer to Appendix A, “Sales Charge Reductions and Waivers Available
Through Certain Intermediaries,” attached to the Fund’s Prospectus.
Rule 12b-1
Plans — (Class A and Class C Shares Only)
The Fund has adopted distribution plans under Rule 12b-1
(the “Plans”) for Class A and Class C Shares of the Fund (each, a “Plan”). Under these Plans, the Fund
may use its assets to finance activities relating to the sale of its Class A and Class C Shares and the provision of certain
shareholder services. To the extent that any activity is one that the Fund may finance without a distribution plan, the Fund may also
make payments to compensate such activities outside the Plan and not be subject to its limitations.
The Class A Plan authorizes payments by the Fund
on an annual basis of 0.25% of its average daily net assets attributable to Class A Shares to finance distribution of its Class A
Shares or pay shareholder service fees. The Class C Plan authorizes payments on an annual basis of 0.75% of its average daily net
assets attributable to Class C Shares to finance distribution of its Class C Shares and 0.25% for shareholder service fees.
Because the Rule 12b-1 fees are higher for Class C
Shares than for Class A Shares, Class C Shares will have higher annual expenses. Because Rule 12b-1 fees are paid out of
the Fund’s assets on an ongoing basis, over time these fees will increase the cost of your investment and may cost you more than
paying other types of sales charges. Due to the payment of Rule 12b-1 fees, long-term shareholders may indirectly pay more than the
equivalent of the maximum permitted front-end sales charge.
Pricing of Fund
Shares
The net asset value of the Fund is calculated as of the
close of regular trading (generally, 4:00 p.m., Eastern Time) on each day that the New York Stock Exchange (“NYSE”) is open
for unrestricted business. However, the Fund’s NAV may be calculated earlier if trading on the NYSE is restricted or as permitted
by the SEC. The NYSE is closed on weekends and most national holidays, including New Year’s Day, Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, Washington’s
Birthday/Presidents’ Day, Good Friday, Memorial Day, Juneteenth National Independence Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving
Day and Christmas Day. The NAV will not be calculated on days when the NYSE is closed for trading.
Purchase and redemption requests are priced at the NAV
per share next calculated plus any applicable sales charge after receipt of such requests. The NAV is the value of the Fund’s securities,
cash and other assets, minus all expenses and liabilities (assets – liabilities = NAV). NAV per share is determined by dividing
NAV by the number of shares outstanding (NAV/# of shares = NAV per share). The NAV takes into account the expenses and fees of the Fund,
including management and administration fees, which are accrued daily.
In calculating the NAV, portfolio securities are valued
using current market values or official closing prices, if available. Market values represent the prices at which securities actually
trade or evaluations based on the judgment of the Fund’s outside pricing services. Each security owned by the Fund that is listed
on a securities exchange is valued at its last sale price on that exchange on the date as of which assets are valued. Where the security
is listed on more than one exchange, the Fund will use the price of the exchange that the Fund generally considers to be the principal
exchange on which the security is traded.
Under these procedures, the Adviser
oversees the day to day responsibilities for valuation determinations. The Board regularly reviews the application of these procedures
to the securities in the Fund’s portfolio.
The Board has designated the Adviser
as the valuation designee pursuant to Rule 2a-5 under the 1940 Act to perform fair value determination relating to any or all Fund investments.
The Board oversees the Adviser in its role as the valuation designee in accordance with the requirements of Rule 2a-5 under the 1940 Act.
Investments in equity securities listed or traded
on any securities exchange or traded in the over-the-counter market are valued at the last trade price as of the close of business on
the valuation date. If the NYSE closes early, then the equity security will be valued at the last traded price before the NYSE close.
Prices of foreign equities that are principally traded on certain foreign markets will generally be adjusted daily pursuant to a fair
value pricing service approved by the Board in order to reflect an adjustment for the factors occurring after the close of certain foreign
markets but before the NYSE close. When fair value pricing is employed, the value of the portfolio securities used to calculate the Fund’s
NAV may differ from quoted or official closing prices. Investments in open-end registered investment companies, if any, are valued at
the NAV as reported by those investment companies.
Securities for which market prices
are not readily available, cannot be determined using the sources described above, or for which the Adviser determines the quotation or
price for a portfolio security provided by a broker-dealer or an independent pricing service is inaccurate, will be valued at a fair value
determined by the Adviser following the procedures adopted by the Adviser under the supervision of the Board. The Adviser’s valuation
procedure establishes parameters for the sources, methodologies, and inputs the Adviser uses in determining fair value.
The fair valuation methodology may
include or consider the following guidelines, as appropriate: (1) evaluation of all relevant factors, including but not limited to, pricing
history, current market level, supply and demand of the respective security; (2) comparison to the values and current pricing of securities
that have comparable characteristics; (3) knowledge of historical market information with respect to the security; (4) other factors relevant
to the security which would include, but not be limited to, duration, yield, fundamental analytical data, the Treasury yield curve, and
credit quality. The fair value may be difficult to determine and thus judgment plays a greater role in the valuation process. Imprecision
in estimating fair value can also impact the amount of unrealized appreciation or depreciation recorded for a particular portfolio security
and differences in the assumptions used could result in a different determination of fair value, and those differences could be material.
For those securities valued by fair valuations, the Adviser reviews and affirms the reasonableness of the valuations based on such methodologies
and fair valuation determinations on a regular basis after considering all relevant information that is reasonably available. There can
be no assurance that the Fund could purchase or sell a portfolio security at the price used to calculate the Fund’s NAV.
An internal pricing hierarchy has
been established to maximize the use of observable market data and minimize the use of unobservable inputs and to establish classification
of fair value measurements for disclosure purposes. Observable inputs are inputs that reflect the assumptions market participants would
use in pricing the asset or liability developed based on market data obtained from sources independent of the reporting entity. Unobservable
inputs are inputs that reflect the reporting entity’s own assumptions about the assumptions market participants would use in pricing
the asset or liability developed based on the best information available in the circumstances.
Trading in Foreign Securities. In
the case of foreign securities, the occurrence of certain events after the close of foreign markets, but prior to the time the Fund’s
NAV per share is calculated (such as a significant surge or decline in the United States or other markets) often will result in an adjustment
to the trading prices of foreign securities when foreign markets open on the following business day. If such events occur, the Fund will
value foreign securities at fair value, taking into account such events, in calculating the NAV per share. In such cases, use of fair
valuation can reduce an investor’s ability to seek to profit by estimating the Fund’s NAV per share in advance of the time
the NAV per share is calculated. The Adviser anticipates that the Fund’s portfolio holdings will be fair valued when market quotations
for those holdings are considered unreliable.
Purchase of Fund Shares
You may purchase shares of the Fund by check, by wire
transfer, via electronic funds transfer through the Automated Clearing House (“ACH”) network or through a bank or through
one or more brokers authorized by the Fund to receive purchase orders. Please use the appropriate account application when purchasing
by mail or wire. If you have any questions or need further information about how to purchase shares of the Fund, you may call a customer
service representative of the Fund toll-free at 1-855-244-4859. The Fund reserves the right to reject any purchase order. For example,
a purchase order may be refused if, in the Adviser’s opinion, it is so large that it would disrupt the management of the Fund. Orders
may also be rejected from persons believed by the Fund to be “market timers.”
All checks must be in U.S. dollars drawn on a domestic financial institution.
The Fund will not accept payment in cash or money orders. To prevent check fraud, the Fund will not accept third party checks, Treasury
checks, credit card checks, traveler’s checks or starter checks for the purchase of shares. The Fund is unable to accept post-dated
checks or any conditional order or payment.
To buy shares of the Fund, complete an account application
and send it together with your check for the amount you wish to invest in the Fund to the address below. To make additional investments
once you have opened your account, write your account number on the check and send it together with the most recent confirmation statement
received from the Transfer Agent. If your payment is returned for any reason, your purchase will be canceled and a $25 fee will be assessed
against your account by the Transfer Agent. You may also be responsible for any loss sustained by the Fund.
In addition to cash purchases, Fund shares may be purchased
by tendering payment in-kind in the form of shares of stock, bonds or other securities. Any securities used to buy Fund shares must be
readily marketable, their acquisition consistent with the Fund’s investment objective and otherwise acceptable to the Adviser and
the Board. For further information, you may call a customer service representative of the Fund toll-free at 1-855-244-4859.
In compliance with the USA PATRIOT Act of 2001, please note
that the Transfer Agent will verify certain information on your account application as part of the Trust’s Anti-Money Laundering
Program. As requested on the account application, you should supply your full name, date of birth, social security number and permanent
street address. Mailing addresses containing only a P. O. Box will not be accepted. Please contact the Transfer Agent at 1-855-244-4859
if you need additional assistance when completing your account application.
If the Transfer Agent does not have a reasonable belief
of the identity of an investor, the account application will be rejected or the investor will not be allowed to perform a transaction
on the account until such information is received. The Fund may also reserve the right to close the account within five business days
if clarifying information/documentation is not received.
Shares of the Fund have not been registered for sale outside
of the United States. The Adviser generally does not sell shares to investors residing outside of the United States, even if they are
United States citizens or lawful permanent residents, except to investors with United States military APO or FPO addresses.
Your mutual fund account may be transferred to your state
of residence if no activity occurs within your account during the “inactivity period” specified in your State’s abandoned
property laws.
Lost Shareholder. It
is important that the Fund maintains a correct address for each investor. An incorrect address may cause an investor’s account statements
and other mailings to be returned to the Fund. Based upon statutory requirements for returned mail, the Fund will attempt to locate the
investor or rightful owner of the account. If the Fund is unable to locate the investor, then they will determine whether the investor’s
account can legally be considered abandoned. The Fund is legally obligated to escheat (or transfer) abandoned property to the appropriate
state’s unclaimed property administrator in accordance with statutory requirements. The investor’s last known address of record
determines which state has jurisdiction.
Purchasing Shares by Mail. Please
complete the account application and mail it with your check, payable to the [Name of Fund], to the Transfer Agent at the following address:
Brookfield Investment Funds
c/o U.S. Bancorp Fund Services,
LLC
P.O. Box 701
Milwaukee, Wisconsin 53201-0701
You may not send an account application via overnight delivery
to a United States Postal Service post office box. The Fund does not consider the U.S. Postal Service or other independent delivery services
to be their agents. Therefore, a deposit in the mail or with such services, or receipt at U. S. Bancorp Fund Services, LLC’s
post office box, of purchase orders or redemption requests does not constitute receipt by the Transfer Agent. If you wish to use an overnight
delivery service, send your account application and check to the Transfer Agent at the following address:
Brookfield Investment Funds
c/o U.S. Bancorp Fund Services,
LLC
615 East Michigan Street, 3rd Floor
Milwaukee, Wisconsin
53202
Purchasing Shares by Telephone. If
you accepted telephone transaction privileges (either by completing the required portion of your account application or by subsequent
arrangement in writing with the Fund), and your account has been open for 15 days, you may purchase additional shares by calling
toll-free at 1-855-244-4859. You may not make your initial purchase of Fund shares by telephone. Telephone orders will be accepted via
electronic funds transfer from your pre-designated bank account through the ACH network. You must have banking information established
on your account prior to making a telephone purchase. Only bank accounts held at domestic institutions that are ACH members may be used
for telephone transactions. If your order is received prior to 4:00 p.m., Eastern Time, shares will be purchased at the applicable
price next calculated. For security reasons, requests by telephone may be recorded. Once a telephone transaction has been placed, it cannot
be cancelled or modified.
Purchasing Shares by Wire. If
you are making your initial investment in the Fund, before wiring funds, the Transfer Agent must have a completed account application.
You can mail or overnight deliver your account application to the Transfer Agent at the above address. Upon receipt of your completed
account application, the Transfer Agent will establish an account on your behalf. Once your account is established, you may instruct your
bank to send the wire. Your bank must include the name of the Fund, your name and your account number so that monies can be correctly
applied. Your bank should transmit immediately available funds by wire to:
U.S. Bank National Association
777 East Wisconsin
Avenue
Milwaukee, Wisconsin 53202
ABA #075000022
Credit: U.S. Bancorp Fund Services, LLC
A/C#112-952-137
FFC:
Brookfield Investment Funds
Shareholder Registration
Shareholder Account Number
If you are making a subsequent purchase, your bank should
wire funds as indicated above. Before each wire purchase, you should be sure to notify the Transfer Agent. It
is essential that your bank include complete information about your account in all wire transactions. If you have questions about
how to invest by wire, you may call the Transfer Agent at 1-855-244-4859. Your bank may charge you a fee for sending a wire payment to
the Fund.
Wired funds must be received prior to 4:00 p.m. Eastern
Time to be eligible for same day pricing. Neither the Fund nor U.S. Bank N.A. are responsible for the consequences of delays resulting
from the banking or federal Reserve wire system or from incomplete wiring instructions.
Automatic Investment Plan. Once
your account has been opened with the initial minimum investment, you may make additional purchases of shares at regular intervals through
the Automatic Investment Plan (“AIP”). The AIP provides a convenient method to have monies deducted from your bank account,
for investment into the Fund, on a monthly or quarterly basis. In order to participate in the AIP, each purchase must be in the amount
of $100 or more, and your financial institution must be a member of the ACH network. If your bank rejects your payment, the Transfer
Agent will charge a $25 fee to your account. To begin participating in the AIP, please complete the Automatic Investment Plan section
on the account application or call the Transfer Agent at 1-855-244-4859 for additional information. Any request to change or terminate
your AIP should be submitted to the Transfer Agent at least five calendar days prior to the automatic investment date.
Retirement Accounts. The
Fund offers prototype documents for a variety of retirement accounts for individuals and small businesses. Please call 1-855-244-4859
for information on:
•
Individual Retirement Plans, including Traditional IRAs and Roth IRAs.
•
Small Business Retirement Plans, including Simple IRAs and SEP
IRAs.
There may be special distribution requirements for a retirement
account, such as required distributions or mandatory Federal income tax withholdings. For more information, call the number listed above.
You may be charged a $15 annual account maintenance fee for each retirement account up to a maximum of $30 annually and a $25 fee
for transferring assets to another custodian or for closing a retirement account. Fees charged by institutions may vary.
Purchasing and Selling Shares through a
Broker. You may buy and sell shares of the Fund through certain
brokers and financial intermediaries (and their agents) (collectively, “Brokers”) that have made arrangements with the Fund
to sell its shares. When you place your order with such a Broker, your order is treated as if you had placed it directly with the Transfer
Agent, and you will pay or receive the next price calculated by the Fund. The Broker holds your shares in an omnibus account in the Broker’s
name, and the Broker maintains your individual ownership records. The Fund or the Adviser may pay the Broker for maintaining these records
as well as providing other shareholder services. The Broker may charge you a fee for handling your order. The Broker is responsible for
processing your order correctly and promptly, keeping you advised regarding the status of your individual account, confirming your transactions
and ensuring that you receive copies of the Fund’s Prospectus.
Purchases In-Kind. You
may, subject to the approval of the Fund, purchase shares of the Fund with securities that are eligible for purchase by the Fund (consistent
with the Fund’s investment restrictions, policies, and objectives) and that have a value that is readily ascertainable in accordance
with the Fund’s valuation policies. To ascertain whether your securities will qualify to be accepted as a purchase in-kind for the
Fund, please contact the Transfer Agent at 1-855-244-4859. If accepted, the securities will be valued using the same criteria and methods
for valuing securities to compute the Fund’s net asset value.
Redemption of Fund Shares
You may sell (redeem) your Fund shares on any day the
Fund and the NYSE are open for business either directly to the Fund or through your financial intermediary.
In Writing. You
may redeem your shares by simply sending a written request to the Transfer Agent. You should provide your account number and state whether
you want all or some of your shares redeemed. The letter should be signed by all of the shareholders whose names appear on the account
registration and include a signature guarantee(s), if necessary. You should send your redemption request to:
Regular Mail |
|
|
Overnight Express Mail |
|
Brookfield Investment Funds
c/o U.S. Bancorp Fund Services, LLC
P.O. Box 701
Milwaukee, Wisconsin 53201-0701 |
|
|
Brookfield Investment Funds
c/o U.S. Bancorp Fund Services, LLC
615 East Michigan Street, 3rd Floor
Milwaukee, Wisconsin 53202 |
|
NOTE: The Fund
does not consider the U.S. Postal Service or other independent delivery services to be its agents. Therefore, a deposit in the mail or
with such services, or receipt at U.S. Bancorp Fund Services, LLC’s post office box, of purchase orders or redemption requests
does not constitute receipt by the Transfer Agent.
By Telephone. If
you accepted telephone options on the account application, you may redeem all or some of your shares by calling the Transfer Agent at
1-855-244-4859 before the close of trading on the NYSE, which is normally 4:00 p.m., Eastern Time; however, the maximum amount that can
be redeemed by telephone for Class A or C Shares is $50,000. There is no telephone redemption maximum for Class I Shares. Redemption proceeds
can be sent by check to the address of record or via ACH to a previously established bank
account. If you request, redemption proceeds will be wired on the next business day to the bank account you designated on the account
application. The minimum amount that may be wired is $1,000. A wire fee of $15 will be deducted from your redemption proceeds for
a complete redemption of your shares. In the case of a partial redemption, the fee will be deducted from the remaining account balance.
Telephone redemptions cannot be made if you notified the Transfer Agent of a change of address within 15 calendar days before the redemption
request. If you have a retirement account, you may not redeem your shares by telephone.
You may request telephone redemption privileges after your
account is opened by calling the Transfer Agent at 1-855-244-4859 for instructions.
You may encounter higher than usual call wait times during
periods of high market activity. Please allow sufficient time to ensure that you will be able to complete your telephone transaction prior
to market close. If you are unable to contact the Fund by telephone, you may mail your redemption request in writing to the address noted
above. Once a telephone transaction has been accepted, it may not be canceled or modified.
Shareholders with telephone transaction privileges established
on their account may redeem Fund shares by telephone. Upon receipt of any instructions or inquiries by telephone from the shareholder,
the respective Fund or its authorized agents may carry out the instructions and/or respond to the inquiry consistent with the shareholder’s
previously established account service options. For joint accounts, instructions or inquiries from either party will be carried out without
prior notice to the other account owners. In acting upon telephone instructions, the Fund and its agents use procedures that are reasonably
designed to ensure that such instructions are genuine. These include recording all telephone calls, requiring pertinent information about
the account and sending written confirmation of each transaction to the registered owner.
USBFS will employ reasonable procedures to confirm that
instructions communicated by telephone are genuine. If USBFS fails to employ reasonable procedures, the Fund and USBFS may be liable for
any losses due to unauthorized or fraudulent instructions. If these procedures are followed, however, to the extent permitted by applicable
law, neither the Fund nor its agents will be liable for any loss, liability, cost or expense arising out of any redemption request, including
any fraudulent or unauthorized request. For additional information, contact USBFS.
Payment of Redemption Proceeds. Payment
of your redemption proceeds will be made promptly, but not later than seven days after the receipt of your written request in good order.
If you did not purchase your shares with a wire payment, the Fund may delay payment of your redemption proceeds for up to 15 calendar
days from purchase or until your payment has cleared, whichever occurs first.
Shareholders who have an IRA or other retirement plan must
indicate on their written redemption request whether or not to withhold federal income tax. Redemption requests failing to indicate an
election not to have tax withheld will generally be subject to 10% withholding.
Under normal circumstances, the Fund expects to meet redemption
requests by using cash or by selling portfolio assets to generate cash. During periods of stressed market conditions, when a significant
portion of the Fund’s portfolio may be comprised of less-liquid investments, the Fund may be more likely to limit cash redemptions
and may determine to pay redemption proceeds by borrowing under a line of credit it has established with a lender, and/or transferring
portfolio securities in-kind to you in lieu of cash.
Systematic Withdrawal Plan. As
another convenience, you may redeem your shares through the Systematic Withdrawal Plan (“SWP”). Under the SWP, shareholders
or their financial intermediaries may request that a payment drawn in a predetermined amount be sent to them on a monthly, quarterly or
annual basis. In order to participate in the SWP, your account balance must be at least $5,000 and each withdrawal amount must be for
a minimum of $100. If you elect this method of redemption, the Fund will send a check directly to your address of record or will
send the payment directly to your bank account via electronic funds transfer through the ACH network. For
payment through the ACH network, your bank must be an ACH member and your bank account information
must be previously established on your account. The SWP may be terminated at any time by the Fund. You may also elect to terminate your
participation in the SWP by communicating in writing or by telephone to the Transfer Agent no later than five days before the next scheduled
withdrawal at the addresses shown above or at 1-855-244-4859.
A withdrawal under the SWP involves a redemption of shares
and may result in a gain or loss for federal income tax purposes. In addition, if the amount withdrawn exceeds the dividends credited
to your account, the account ultimately may be depleted. To establish a SWP, an investor must complete the appropriate sections of the
account application. For additional information on the SWP, please call the Transfer Agent at 1-855-244-4859.
Redemption “In-Kind”. The
Fund reserves the right to pay redemption proceeds to you in whole or in part by a distribution of securities from the Fund’s portfolio
(a “redemption in-kind”). It is not expected that the Fund would do so except during unusual market conditions. If the Fund
pays your redemption proceeds by a distribution of securities, you could incur brokerage or other charges in converting the securities
to cash and will bear any market risks associated with such securities until they are converted into cash. A redemption in-kind is a taxable
event on which you may incur a gain or loss.
Signature Guarantees. Signature
guarantees will generally be accepted from domestic banks, brokers, dealers, credit unions, national securities exchanges, registered
securities associations, clearing agencies and savings associations, as well as from participants in the New York Stock Exchange Medallion
Signature Program and the Securities Transfer Agents Medallion Program. A notary public is not an acceptable
signature guarantor.
A signature guarantee, from either a Medallion program
member or a non-Medallion program member, is required to redeem shares in the following situations:
•
When ownership is being changed on your account;
•
When redemption proceeds are payable or sent to any person, address or bank account
not on record;
•
Written requests to wire redemption proceeds (if not previously authorized on
the account);
•
If a change of address was received by the Transfer Agent within the last 15
calendar days; and
•
For all redemptions of Class A or C Shares in excess of
$50,000 from any shareholder account.
Non-financial transactions, including establishing or modifying
certain services on an account, may require a signature guarantee, signature verification from a Signature Validation Program member,
or other acceptable form of authentication from a financial institution source.
In addition to the situations described above, the Fund
and/or the Transfer Agent may require a signature guarantee or signature validation program stamp in other instances based on the facts
and circumstances.
Other Information about Redemptions. The
Fund may redeem the shares in your account if the value of your account is less than $500 as a result of redemptions you have made. This
does not apply to retirement plan accounts. You will be notified that the value of your account is less than $500 before the Fund makes
an involuntary redemption. You will then have 30 days in which to make an additional investment to bring the value of your account
to at least $500 before the Fund takes any action.
Exchange of Shares
You can exchange shares of the Fund you hold for shares
in an identically registered account of the same class of any other Fund in the Trust, based on their relative NAVs. Class C Shares
will continue to age from the date of the original purchase of such shares and will assume the CDSC rate such shares had at the time of
exchange.
In effecting an exchange:
•
you must meet the minimum investment
requirements for the Fund whose shares you wish to purchase through exchange;
•
you
will realize a taxable gain or loss; and
•
you should be aware that brokers may charge a fee for handling
an exchange for you.
You may exchange your shares directly through the Distributor,
through the Transfer Agent, through a registered broker-dealer, or through your financial intermediary.
•
Exchange By Telephone.
You may give exchange instructions by telephone by calling 1-855-244-4859.
•
Exchange
By Mail. You may send a written request for exchanges to the following address:
Brookfield Investment Funds
c/o U.S. Bancorp
Fund Services, LLC
615 East Michigan Street, 3rd Floor
Milwaukee, Wisconsin 53202
Your letter should state your name, your account number,
the dollar amount or number of shares you wish to exchange, the name and class of the Fund(s) whose shares you wish to exchange, and the
name of the Fund(s) whose shares you wish to acquire.
The Fund may modify or terminate the exchange privilege
at any time. You will be given notice 60 days prior to any material change to the exchange privilege.
Your broker may charge you a processing fee for assisting
you in purchasing or redeeming shares of the Fund. This charge is set by your broker and does not benefit the Fund or the Adviser in any
way. It is in addition to the sales charges and other costs, if any, described in this Prospectus and must be disclosed to you by your
broker.
Conversion of Shares
Between Classes
Shareholders participating in or moving into certain advisory
fee-based programs or similar programs (“Programs”) sponsored by certain financial intermediaries with whom the Fund and/or
its Distributor have entered into an agreement, or accounts held through a registered investment adviser, may exchange their existing
Class A or Class C Shares for Class I Shares of the Fund. Any account with an existing CDSC liability (Class C Shares held for less than
12 months) will assess the CDSC before converting to Class I Shares. In addition, shareholders may exchange Class I Shares held through
a Program for Class A Shares without paying an initial sales charge if the shareholder is leaving or has left the Program and provided
that the Class A Shares received in the exchange will be held at the financial intermediary that sponsored the Program. Shareholders should
note that the Class A Shares of the Fund are subject to a 12b-1 fee and have higher annual operating expenses than the Class I Shares
of the Fund. An exchange of shares for shares of a different class in the Fund will generally not constitute a taxable transaction for
federal income tax purposes. Shareholders should, however, consult with their tax adviser regarding the state and local tax consequences
of this type of an exchange of shares. A conversion of shares between classes is exempt from the Fund’s short-term trading policies
described in this Prospectus.
Fund Mailings
Statements and reports that the Fund sends to you include
the following:
•
Confirmation statements (after every
transaction that affects your account balance or your account registration);
•
Annual and Semi-Annual shareholder reports (every six months); and
•
Quarterly account statements.
Householding
In an effort to decrease costs, the Transfer Agent intends
to reduce the number of duplicate prospectuses, annual and semi-annual reports, proxy statements and other regulatory documents you receive
by sending only one copy of each to those addresses shared by two or more accounts and to shareholders the Transfer Agent reasonably believes
are from the same family or household. Once implemented, if you would like to discontinue
householding for your accounts, please call toll-free at 1-855-244-4859 to request individual
copies of these documents. Once the Transfer Agent receives notice to stop householding, the Transfer Agent will begin sending individual
copies thirty days after receiving your request. This householding policy does not apply to account statements.
DIVIDENDS AND DISTRIBUTIONS
The Fund will make distributions of dividends and capital
gains, if any, at least annually, typically in December. This policy may be changed by the Board at any time. The Fund may make an additional
payment of dividends or distributions of capital gains if it deems it desirable at any other time of the year or in order to comply with
applicable law.
The Fund generally expects to distribute to shareholders
substantially all of its income (for example, interest and dividends) as well as substantially all of its net long-term and short-term
capital gains (for example, from the sale of its holdings or distributions from other funds its holds). In addition, pursuant to its quarterly
distribution policy, the Fund may make distributions that are treated as a return of capital. There is no guarantee that the Fund will
realize net investment income or capital gains in any given year, or that the Fund’s distribution rates will reflect in any period
the Fund’s net investment income. The Fund will provide information with each quarterly distribution that estimate the percentages
of the current and year-to-date distributions that represent net investment income, other income or capital gains, and return of capital
(if any). At the end of the year, the Fund may be required under applicable law to recharacterize distributions for the year among ordinary
income, capital gains, and return of capital (if any) for purposes of tax reporting to shareholders.
All distributions will be reinvested in Fund shares unless
you choose one of the following options: (1) receive dividends in cash while reinvesting capital gain distributions in additional Fund
shares; (2) reinvest dividends in additional Fund shares and receive capital gains in cash; or (3) receive all distributions in cash.
Distributions (other than any return of capital) are taxable to you, whether received in cash or reinvested in additional shares, and
reinvestment does not avoid or defer taxable income to you.
If you elect to receive distributions in cash and the
U.S. Postal Service cannot deliver the check, or if a check remains outstanding for six months, the Fund reserves the right to reinvest
the distribution check in your account, at the respective Fund’s current NAV per share, and to reinvest all subsequent distributions.
If you wish to change your distribution option, notify the Transfer Agent in writing or by telephone in advance of the payment date for
the distribution.
Any dividend or capital gain distribution paid by the
Fund has the effect of reducing the NAV per share on the ex-dividend date by the amount of the dividend or capital gain distribution.
You should note that a dividend or capital gain distribution paid on shares purchased shortly before that dividend or capital gain distribution
was declared will be subject to income taxes even though the dividend or capital gain distribution represents, in substance, a partial
return of capital to you.
TOOLS TO COMBAT FREQUENT TRANSACTIONS
The Board has adopted policies and procedures to prevent
frequent transactions in the Fund. The Fund discourages excessive, short-term trading and other abusive trading practices that may disrupt
portfolio management strategies and harm the Fund’s performance. The Fund takes steps to reduce the frequency and effect of these
activities in the Fund. These steps include monitoring trading activity and using fair value pricing. Although these efforts (which are
described in more detail below) are designed to discourage abusive trading practices, these tools cannot eliminate the possibility that
such activity may occur. Further, while the Fund makes efforts to identify and restrict frequent trading, the Fund receives purchase and
sale orders through financial intermediaries and cannot always know or detect frequent trading that may be facilitated by the use of intermediaries
or the use of group or omnibus accounts by those intermediaries. The Fund seeks to exercise its judgment in implementing these tools to
the best of its abilities in a manner that the Fund believes is consistent with shareholder interests.
Monitoring Trading Practices.
The Fund monitors selected trades in an effort to detect excessive short-term trading activities. If, as a result of this monitoring,
the Fund believes that a shareholder has engaged in excessive short-term trading, it may, in its discretion, ask the shareholder to stop
such activities or refuse to process purchases in the shareholder’s accounts. In making such judgments, the Fund seeks to act in
a manner that it believes is consistent with the best interests of shareholders. Due to the complexity and subjectivity involved in identifying
abusive trading activity and the volume of shareholder transactions the Fund handles, there can be no assurance that the Fund’s
efforts will identify all trades or trading practices that may be considered abusive. In addition, the Fund’s ability to monitor
trades that are placed by individual shareholders within group or omnibus accounts maintained by financial intermediaries is limited because
the Fund does not have simultaneous access to the underlying shareholder account information.
In compliance with Rule 22c-2 of the 1940 Act, the Fund’s
Distributor, on behalf of the Fund, has entered into written agreements with each of the Fund’s financial intermediaries, under
which the intermediary must, upon request, provide the Fund with certain shareholder and identity trading information so that the Fund
can enforce its market timing policies.
Fair
Value Pricing. The Fund employs fair value pricing selectively to ensure greater accuracy in its daily NAV and to prevent dilution
by frequent traders or market timers who seek to take advantage of temporary market anomalies. The Board has designated the Adviser as
the valuation designee pursuant to Rule 2a-5 under the 1940 Act to perform fair value determination relating to any or all Fund investments.
The Board oversees the Adviser in its role as the valuation designee in accordance with the requirements of Rule 2a-5 under the 1940 Act.
When fair value pricing is employed, the value of the portfolio securities used to calculate the Fund’s NAV may differ from quoted
or official closing prices. Securities for which market prices are not readily available, cannot be reasonably determined in accordance
with applicable procedures, or the Adviser’s Valuation Committee determines that the quotation or price for a portfolio security
provided by a broker-dealer or an independent pricing service is inaccurate will be valued at a fair value determined by the Adviser’s
Valuation Committee following the procedures adopted by the Adviser under the supervision of the Board. The Adviser’s valuation
policy establishes parameters for the sources, methodologies, and inputs the Adviser’s Valuation Committee uses in determining fair
value. There can be no assurance that the Fund will obtain the fair value assigned to a security if it were to sell the security at approximately
the time at which the Fund determines its NAV per share.
Fair value pricing may be applied
to non-U.S. securities. The trading hours for most non-U.S. securities end prior to the close of the NYSE, the time that the Fund’s
NAV is calculated. The occurrence of certain events after the close of non-U.S. markets, but prior to the close of the NYSE (such as a
significant surge or decline in the U.S. market) often will result in an adjustment to the trading prices of non-U.S. securities when
non-U.S. markets open on the following business day. If such events occur, the Fund may value non-U.S. securities at fair value, taking
into account such events, when it calculates its NAV.
More detailed information regarding
fair value pricing can be found under the heading titled, “Pricing of Fund Shares.”
TAX CONSEQUENCES
The Fund has elected and intends to continue to qualify
to be taxed as a regulated investment company under Subchapter M of the Code. As a regulated investment company, the Fund will not be
subject to federal income tax if it distributes its income as required by the tax law for qualification as a regulated investment company
and satisfies certain other requirements that are described in the SAI.
The Fund typically makes distributions of dividends and
capital gains. Dividends are taxable to you as ordinary income or, as qualified dividend income, depending on the source of such income
to the distributing Fund and the holding period of the Fund for its dividend-paying securities and of you for your Fund shares. The rate
you pay on capital gain distributions will depend on how long the Fund held the securities that generated the gains, not on how long you
owned your Fund shares. Dividends and capital gains distributions (but not any returns of capital) from the Fund generally are subject
to the 3.8% tax on net investment income for shareholders in the higher income tax brackets. You will be taxed in the same manner whether
you receive your dividends and capital gain distributions in cash or reinvest them in additional Fund shares. Return of capital distributions
generally are not taxable to shareholders and instead reduce a shareholder’s cost basis in the Fund shares until such shareholder’s
cost basis in Fund shares has been reduced to zero. Not all dividends paid by the Fund may qualify for this reduced tax rate. If a shareholder’s
cost basis in Fund shares is at zero, then return of capital distributions will be treated as capital gains. Qualified dividend income,
the amount of which will be reported to you by the Fund, is currently taxed at a maximum federal rate of 20% and is dependent on the sources
of income earned by the Fund. Funds that invest primarily in REITs and investments that produce interest income generate little, if any,
income that is eligible for the preferential federal tax rates applicable to qualified dividends. Although distributions are generally
taxable when received, certain distributions declared in October, November, or December to shareholders of record on a specified date
in such a month but paid the following January are taxable as if received during the prior December. The Fund may make taxable distributions
even during periods in which the Fund’s share price has declined.
By law, the Fund must withhold as backup withholding a
percentage (currently 24%) of your taxable distributions and redemption proceeds if you do not provide your correct social security or
taxpayer identification number and certify that you are not subject to backup withholding, or if the Internal Revenue Service instructs
the Fund to do so.
If you sell your Fund shares, it is considered a taxable
event for you. Depending on the purchase price and the sale price of the shares you sell, you may have a gain or a loss on the transaction,
which will be a capital gain or loss if you hold your Fund shares as capital assets. You are responsible for any tax liabilities generated
by your transaction.
Tax consequences are not the primary consideration of
the Fund in implementing its investment strategy. Additional information concerning the taxation of the Fund and its shareholders is contained
in the SAI. You should consult your own tax advisor concerning federal, state and local taxation of distributions from the Fund.
FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS
The financial highlights in the following
table is intended to help you understand the financial performance of the Class I Shares of the Fund for the period indicated. No financial
information is available for Class C Shares of the Fund because such Class did not commence operations as of the fiscal year ended December
31, 2022. Certain information reflect financial results for a single Fund share. The total returns in the table represents the rate that
an investor would have earned or lost on an investment in a Fund (assuming reinvestment of all dividends and distributions).
The financial highlights for the
period shown through December 31, 2022 have been audited by Deloitte & Touche LLP, the Fund’s independent registered public
accounting firm, whose report, along with the Fund’s financial statements, is included in the annual report. The Fund’s 2022
Annual Report for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2022 is available, without charge, upon request.
Class A
|
|
|
For the Period May 16, 2022 (1)
through December 31, 2022 |
|
Per Share Operating Performance |
|
Net asset value, beginning of period |
|
|
|
$ |
7.55 |
|
|
Income from Investment Operations: |
|
Net investment income (2)
|
|
|
|
|
0.10 |
|
|
Net realized and change in unrealized loss |
|
|
|
|
(0.01) |
|
|
Net decrease in net asset value resulting from operations |
|
|
|
|
(0.09) |
|
|
Distributions to Shareholders: |
|
From net investment income |
|
|
|
|
(0.18) |
|
|
From net realized gains |
|
|
|
|
— |
|
|
Total distributions paid (3)
|
|
|
|
|
(0.18) |
|
|
Net asset value, end of period |
|
|
|
$ |
7.46 |
|
|
Total Investment Return (4) |
|
|
|
|
1.16% (5) |
|
|
Ratio to Average Net Assets/Supplemental Data: |
|
Net assets, end of period (000s) |
|
|
|
$ |
1,198 |
|
|
Gross operating expenses |
|
|
|
|
1.67% (6) |
|
|
Net expenses, including fee waivers and reimbursement |
|
|
|
|
1.35% (6) |
|
|
Net investment income |
|
|
|
|
2.15% (6) |
|
|
Net investment income, excluding the effect of fee waivers and
reimbursement |
|
|
|
|
1.83% (6) |
|
|
Portfolio turnover rate |
|
|
|
|
45% (5) |
|
|
(1)
Commencement of operations.
?
(2)
Per share amounts presented are based on average shares outstanding throughout the period indicated.
?
(3)
Distributions for annual periods determined in accordance with federal income tax regulations.
?
(4)
Total
investment return is computed based upon the net asset value of the Fund’s shares and excludes the effects of sales charges or contingent
deferred sales charges, if applicable. Distributions are assumed to be reinvested at the net asset value of the Class on the ex-date of
the distribution.
?
(5)
Not annualized.
?
(6)
Annualized.
Class I
|
|
|
For the Year Ended December 31, 2022 |
|
|
For the Period June 3, 2021 (1)
through December 31, 2021 |
|
Per Share Operating Performance |
|
Net asset value, beginning of period |
|
|
|
$ |
8.76 |
|
|
|
|
$ |
10.00 |
|
Income from Investment Operations: |
|
Net investment income (2)
|
|
|
|
|
0.31 |
|
|
|
|
|
0.14 |
|
Net realized and change in unrealized loss |
|
|
|
|
(1.44) |
|
|
|
|
|
(1.32) |
|
|
Net decrease in net asset value resulting from operations |
|
|
|
|
(1.13) |
|
|
|
|
|
(1.18) |
|
|
Distributions to Shareholders: |
|
From net investment income |
|
|
|
|
(0.20) |
|
|
|
|
|
(0.05) |
|
|
From net realized gains |
|
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
|
|
(0.01) |
|
|
Total distributions paid (3)
|
|
|
|
|
(0.20) |
|
|
|
|
|
(0.06) |
|
|
Net asset value, end of period |
|
|
|
$ |
7.43 |
|
|
|
|
$ |
8.76 |
|
Total Investment Return (4) |
|
|
|
|
-12.86% |
|
|
|
|
|
-11.78% (5) |
|
|
Ratio to Average Net Assets/Supplemental Data: |
|
Net assets, end of period (000s) |
|
|
|
$ |
122,792 |
|
|
|
|
$ |
20,553 |
|
Gross operating expenses |
|
|
|
|
1.63% |
|
|
|
|
|
6.31% (6) |
|
|
Net expenses, including fee waivers and reimbursement |
|
|
|
|
1.10% |
|
|
|
|
|
1.10% (6) |
|
|
Net investment income |
|
|
|
|
4.22% |
|
|
|
|
|
2.73% (6) |
|
|
Net investment income (loss), excluding the effect
of fee waivers and reimbursement |
|
|
|
|
3.69% |
|
|
|
|
|
(2.48)% (6) |
|
|
Portfolio turnover rate |
|
|
|
|
45% |
|
|
|
|
|
49% (5) |
|
|
(1)
Commencement of operations.
(2)
Per
share amounts presented are based on average shares outstanding throughout the period indicated.
?
(3)
Distributions
for annual periods determined in accordance with federal income tax regulations.
(4)
Total investment return
is computed based upon the net asset value of the Fund’s shares and excludes the effects of sales charges or contingent deferred
sales charges, if applicable. Distributions are assumed to be reinvested at the net asset value of the Class on the ex-date of the distribution.
?
(5)
Not annualized.
?
(6)
Annualized.
Investment Adviser
Oaktree Fund Advisors, LLC
333 South Grand Avenue,
28th Floor
Los Angeles, California 90071
Independent Registered
Public Accounting Firm
Deloitte & Touche LLP
111 South Wacker Drive
Chicago,
Illinois 60606
Legal Counsel
Paul Hastings LLP
200 Park Avenue
New York,
New York 10166
Custodian
U.S. Bank National Association
1555 North River
Center Drive, Suite 302
Milwaukee, Wisconsin 53212
Transfer Agent and Fund
Accountant
U.S. Bancorp Fund Services, LLC
615 East Michigan
Street
Milwaukee, Wisconsin 53202
Administrator
Brookfield Public Securities Group LLC
Brookfield
Place
250 Vesey Street, 15th Floor
New York, New York
10281-1023
Sub-Administrator
U.S. Bancorp Fund Services, LLC
1201 South Alma
School Road, Suite 3000
Mesa, Arizona 85210
Distributor
Quasar Distributors, LLC
111 East Kilbourne Avenue,
Suite 2200
Milwaukee, Wisconsin 53202
JOINT NOTICE OF PRIVACY POLICY
Oaktree
PRIVACY
NOTICE FOR SEPARATELY MANAGED ACCOUNT CLIENTS, INVESTORS IN OAKTREE’S INVESTMENT FUNDS AND PERSONS CONNECTED WITH INVESTMENTS OF
OAKTREE FUNDS
Oaktree Capital Management, L.P.,
its corporate affiliates, and the investment funds under their management (the “Funds”) (collectively referred to herein as
“Oaktree,” “we” or “our”) are providing this privacy notice to you to satisfy disclosure requirements
required under data protection and privacy regulations adopted by regulatory authorities in the jurisdictions in which Oaktree conducts
business, including Regulation S-P, which implements the requirements of the Gramm-Leach Bliley Act with respect to financial institutions
subject to the jurisdiction of the Securities and Exchange Commission. These regulations require that Oaktree (as a data controller) ensure
that our clients, investors and their proxies understand how we collect and process personal information about them and with whom we share
such information. If you provide personal information to us about any person other than yourself, you must ensure that they understand
how their information will be used, and that you have obtained their consent to, or are otherwise authorized to, provide their personal
information to us.
COLLECTION OF
PERSONAL INFORMATION
In connection with making available
investment products and services to current and prospective clients and investors, as well as to fulfill regulatory requirements, we collect
personal information directly from you as a managed account client or fund investor and/or the beneficial owners of your interests in
the Funds (“beneficial owners”). In connection with investments made by our Funds (including portfolio companies, loan portfolios,
properties and investments in other companies and businesses), we, or our appointed service providers, may collect personal information
from you directly and from other third parties (for example from our business or operating partners, servicers and other agents). Depending
on the nature of your relationship with Oaktree, the personal information we collect and may have collected over the past twelve (12)
months may include, but is not limited to, identifiers (such as name, address, email address and other contact details, date of birth
and place of birth), characteristics of protected classifications under applicable law (such as nationality(ies)), employment information,
details from passports or other government issued documents (including identifying numbers, country and date of issuance, and expiration
date) social security number (where permitted), or other tax or national identification numbers (some of which may constitute sensitive
person information in some jurisdictions), and commercial information (such as nature and extent of the interest in the Funds, account
name, account number, financial institution, wire transfer instructions and other financial status (including source of funds), investor
profile, and suitability information (including AML/KYC information) as required to determine eligibility to invest). We may also collect
personal information, such as identifiers (name, address, email address and other contact details, date of birth and place of birth),
commercial information (nature and extent of the interest in the Funds), social security number (where permitted) or other tax or national
identification number of your individual representatives, proxies, underlying investors and/or beneficial owners, and control persons,
where applicable (some of which may constitute sensitive personal information in some jurisdictions). You should also be aware that telephone
conversations and electronic messages (e.g., SMS/MMS text messages, WhatsApp, etc.) with certain Oaktree staff members may be recorded.
In addition to above, if you are
connected to the underlying investments of the Funds, the employment information we collect may include professional information, such
as salary, the nature of your profession or business and other remuneration details. Further, we may collect the amounts outstanding under
a loan (or other financial instruments), and the previous performance of such loan as well as related documentation and correspondence,
information relating to your financial circumstances such as your income, assets and liabilities, and sensitive information such as criminal
records.
We, or our appointed service providers,
may also collect certain Internet or other similar network activity information about you through the use of technology, such as cookies
and tags, which compile information about your usage of data sites containing information and documents about the Funds (such as when
you entered the site and which documents you have viewed and printed) and your interaction with marketing communication, electronic messages
and emails we (or others on our behalf) send (for example, which links in an email you have clicked). For details on the information we
collect via technology and cookies used on our website, see the section entitled
“Use of Technology and Cookies” below. If you are connected
to the underlying investments of the Funds, we, or our appointed service providers, may also collect personal information, such as identifiers
(name, address, email address and other contact details) of your individual representatives, where applicable (for instance, we may process
information about your family, guarantors or sponsors in respect of personal guarantees or your tenant) through use of similar/the same
technology.
We do not knowingly process any personal information about
anyone under the age of 18.
In addition to collecting personal information directly
from you or your beneficial owners, we collect personal information from other sources, as detailed further above and below.
SOURCES OF PERSONAL
INFORMATION
If you are a current or prospective client or investor,
we collect personal information directly from you through the following: (i) limited partnership subscription agreements and group trust
participation agreements; (ii) information from your transactions and interactions with us, including through electronic communication,
for which secure third party providers may have access to the content of such communication, and/or custodian banks and administrators;
and (iii) forms or other documents prepared in the course of establishing and maintaining a relationship with us.
Third parties from whom we collect personal information
about you include: (i) companies who maintain anti-money laundering and terrorism sanction screening and know your customer databases;
(ii) publicly available sources of know your customer information, including those made available through the Internet and public registers;
and (iii) third-parties acting on your behalf such as consultants, accountants, custodians, legal advisors proxies and other service providers
or agents.
If you are a proxy on behalf of a
client or investor, we may collect your personal information from (i) the current or prospective client or investor you act on behalf
of and (ii) third party institutions, such as banks, to verify certain information you have provided.
If you are an individual connected with the underlying
investments of the Funds, we, or our appointed service providers, may collect personal information directly from you and through the following:
(i) vendors or other relevant parties connected with our investments during the acquisition process (including vendors of relevant assets,
properties, investments, loan portfolios or other instruments during the acquisition process); (ii) our affiliates, agents and delegates
(including special service providers and sub-service providers) and operating partners (including asset or property managers); (iii) professional
advisers or third party financiers; and (iv) third parties acting on your behalf such as consultants, accountants, financial intermediaries,
legal advisors and other agents.
USES OF PERSONAL
INFORMATION
If you are a current or prospective client or investor,
your personal information and/or information on your beneficial owners may be processed on any of the following grounds: (i) in order
to comply with our legal and regulatory obligations; (ii) because we need the information for reasons of substantial public interest;
(iii) in order to comply with our obligations under contract; and/or (iv) because we have a legitimate business interest in processing
it, including for any of the following purposes:
•
maintaining the register of limited
partners and participants in the Funds, including accurate and up-to-date information on beneficial owners of interests in the Funds;
•
processing subscriptions, redemptions and transfers of interests
in the Funds;
•
processing distributions of income or capital from the Funds;
•
complying with applicable anti-money
laundering, anti-corruption and bribery, terrorism financing rules, sanctions, and the prevention and detection of crime or other applicable
laws or regulations of jurisdictions in which Oaktree conducts business;
•
filing information with legal or regulatory authorities in various
jurisdictions;
•
handling and resolving complaints or dealing with other client
and investor inquiries;
•
marketing investment management services as well as interests
in the Funds and future Funds;
•
exchanging mail correspondence or documentation which may involve providing
your contact details to couriers and service providers in charge of the delivery service;
•
contacting you to set up meetings and/or phone calls between you
and your Oaktree business contact(s);
?
•
providing
appropriate management of the client and investor relationship and developing new investment products and services; or
•
organizing, operating and investing
separately managed accounts and Funds including carrying out all customary operational, risk management and supervisory functions.
If you are resident in California,
we process sensitive personal information for the following purposes:
?
•
processing distributions of income or capital from the Funds;
?
•
complying
with applicable anti-money laundering, anti-corruption and bribery, terrorism financing rules, sanctions, and the prevention and detection
of crime or other applicable laws or regulations of jurisdictions in which Oaktree conducts business; or
?
•
filing information with legal or regulatory authorities in various
jurisdictions.
Where required by applicable law, we will obtain your prior
consent before using your personal data for direct marketing purposes.
If you are a proxy on behalf of a client
or investor, your personal information (which may include information which constitutes sensitive personal information in some jurisdictions)
will be processed to enable you to act on behalf of the clients or investors you represent, including inputting information regarding
such clients or investors on our systems. This processing is based on our legitimate business interest in processing it as detailed under
(iv) in the preceding paragraph.
If you are an individual connected with the underlying investments
of the Funds, your personal information may be processed: (i) in order to comply with our legal and regulatory obligations; (ii) because
we need the information in order to comply with our obligations under contract; and/or (iii) because we have a legitimate business interest
in processing it, including for the following purposes (where relevant):
•
managing our business;
•
managing and administering our
investment in your company and/or business and/or asset and/or any loan we have made to you in this respect (including your ability to
repay the loan and to determine the appropriate strategy) and any related guarantee(s) or security including the collection of the debt
owed by you;
•
managing the properties owned or investments made by our Funds
under management; and
•
establishing the value of our assets and investments.
Where Oaktree is relying on its legitimate business interests
as the ground for processing your personal information or information on your beneficial owners, we will carry out an assessment to determine
any conflicts between our interests and any rights in relation to the protection of your personal information that you may have.
USE OF TECHNOLOGY
AND COOKIES
We collect certain information about you through the use
of cookies. Cookies are pieces of information, or files, placed on your device’s disk that provide information including how and
when pages on our website are accessed by users. To find out more about cookies please visit www.allaboutcookies.org.
We use cookies that are essential in order to enable you
to move around our website and use its features. Without these cookies, services you have asked for, such as remembering your login details,
cannot be provided.
SHARING OF PERSONAL
INFORMATION
We do not disclose any personal information about
prospective, current or former clients, investors (or their respective proxies), and persons connected with underlying investments of
the Funds except: (i) to our affiliates and nonaffiliated third parties that provide services to Oaktree and the Funds as permitted by
applicable law or regulation; and (ii) where required by law (e.g., filing information with regulatory authorities in various jurisdictions).
We disclose and in the past twelve (12) months we may have disclosed personal information received about you with affiliates and nonaffiliated
third parties such as:
•
third parties acting on your
behalf such as consultants, accountants, custodians, legal advisors and other service providers or agents;
•
co-general partners of the Funds who provide investment management
advice;
•
custodian banks, prime brokers,
administrators and other service providers who provide services to Oaktree or the Funds in order to fulfill the operations of its investment
management services, operational, risk management and other supervisory functions and other services;
•
lenders who provide loans to the Funds to facilitate the making
of investments;
•
counterparties to investment transactions engaged in by the Funds;
•
consultants engaged to enhance
and maintain portfolio management, accounting, and client relationship management systems, and to create and process client and investor
reporting;
•
vendors engaged to assist in
the due diligence, validation and reporting in connection with tax and other regulatory reporting forms;
•
third party service providers
engaged to assist in know your customer and identity verification and anti-money laundering and terrorism screening;
•
vendors engaged to assist in
arranging Oaktree conferences, facilitating the distribution of legal documents and other Fund-related materials and marketing communications;
•
combined marketing efforts, which
could include, sending marketing communications on our behalf, sending their own marketing communications and facilitating joint marketing
activities;
•
advisors who provide audit,
financial, tax and legal advice to Oaktree, the Funds and other third party experts (such as notaries);
•
courier services or other package delivery services;
•
governmental bodies, public
registers and regulatory and tax authorities in various jurisdictions to comply with reporting and notification requirements;
•
other parties to a merger, acquisition,
reorganization, funding/investment round or similar transaction or proceeding involving Oaktree, or steps in contemplation of such activities;
•
our consultants, agents, delegates
(including special service providers and sub-service providers), operating partners, property or asset managers; and
•
third-party financiers connected
with a particular investment or property, other parties to a merger, acquisition, reorganization, funding/investment round or similar
transaction or proceeding involving Oaktree, or steps in contemplation of such activities.
If you are resident in California,
we disclose and in the past twelve (12) months may have disclosed sensitive personal information with:
?
•
third party
service providers engaged to assist in know your customer and identity verification and anti-money laundering and terrorism screening;
and
?
•
governmental
bodies, public registers as well as regulatory and tax authorities in various jurisdictions to comply with reporting and notification
requirements.
Oaktree may also disclose your personal information,
including sensitive and special category personal information, to other parties pursuant to your express consent, to fulfill your instructions,
to comply with applicable laws and regulations or to fulfill other applicable requirements. If you are a proxy, we will also disclose
your personal information to the client or investor you represent.
We do not collect, use or disclose
personal information, including sensitive and special category personal information, for purposes other than those specified in this Notice.
Further, we only use and disclose sensitive and special category personal information for purposes permitted by applicable law, or otherwise
with your consent. Oaktree does not, has not in the past twelve (12) months and will not, “sell” or “share”, as
these terms are defined in the California Consumer Privacy Act, as modified by the California Privacy Rights Act (“CCPA”),
personal information collected about you.
SECURITY OF PERSONAL
INFORMATION
We limit access to personal information about you to those
employees, agents and other parties who need to know the information to enable Oaktree to provide relevant investment products or services
to you, as well as to satisfy regulatory and/or legal obligations. We maintain physical, electronic and procedural safeguards that comply
with applicable statutory and legislative requirements to adequately secure your personal information.
TRANSFER OF PERSONAL
INFORMATION
Your personal information may be
transferred to or shared with entities in countries where data protection laws might not exist or be of a lower standard than in Europe,
the United Kingdom, or the Cayman Islands. This includes the transfer of personal information among Oaktree affiliated entities. As at
the date of this notice, Oaktree has affiliates within the United Kingdom and the EEA as well as affiliates in the United States, Dubai,
Hong Kong, China, Japan, Singapore, South Korea, India and Australia. We may also share your personal information with third parties located
in the same jurisdictions as the Oaktree entities and jurisdictions in which our Funds are domiciled (such as the Cayman Islands) as well
as other jurisdictions and information may be stored and processed manually and electronically through global systems and tools for the
purposes outlined in this notice. For example, we may share your personal information with our legal advisers and lenders. For information
on your rights including the right to object to the processing/transfer of your personal information, please see “Your Rights”
section below.
When transferring personal information outside the EEA,
the UK or the Cayman Islands, we seek to comply with the EU General Data Protection Regulation and the UK General Data Protection Regulation
by using the appropriate Standard Contractual Clauses or by adopting other means to ensure that adequate safeguards are applied (including,
where relevant, transfers to a recipient with an appropriate arrangements in compliance with obligations in the Cayman Islands). If you
would like more information on how we comply with transfer requirements contact the relevant regional client services email address detailed
on Annex 1. If you are an individual connected with underlying investments of the Funds, please contact Oaktree’s Data Privacy Team
at DataPrivacyTeam@oaktreecapital.com.
RETENTION OF
PERSONAL INFORMATION
We will retain your personal information only for as long
as you maintain your account or as long as we consider necessary in connection with the purposes set out in this Privacy Notice, unless
applicable law or regulations require or permit a longer retention period, as described further in our document retention policies. In
addition, we may retain your personal information for the duration of any period necessary to establish, exercise or defend any legal
rights.
Where we store telephone conversations and electronic
messages, we do so in line with Oaktree’s policy governing records retention to which the firm is subject and as necessary to comply
with legal requirements.
If you would like to find out more information on how
long your data is retained, please contact us using the contact details set out further below.
YOUR RIGHTS
The rights described in this paragraph
are applicable to you only if you reside in a jurisdiction where the provision of such rights are required by the data protection and
privacy laws and regulations of the governing regulatory authority. As such, where required by applicable law or regulation, you may ask
the relevant Oaktree entity for information about our collection, use, and disclosure of your personal information (specifically the pieces
of personal information collected, categories of personal information
collected, categories of sources from whom the personal information is collected, the purpose for collecting the personal information,
and the categories of third parties with whom we have shared the personal information), to correct it, to delete it, or to transfer it
to other organizations. You may also have rights to object to some processing and, where we have asked for your consent to process your
personal information, to withdraw this consent, as well as to lodge a complaint with your data protection supervisory authority. You have
rights to object to direct marketing at any time. You may also have the right to be free from discrimination for exercising any or some
of the rights above.
You should also be aware that these
rights may be limited (for example, where we are required by law to collect and process your personal information, or where we are permitted
by law to deny your request to delete certain information we hold about you). Where we must collect and process personal information in
order to comply with applicable law or enter into and perform services under an agreement with you, if you or your beneficial owners do
not provide the personal information we may not be able to enter into the agreement or provide services as contemplated by any agreement
we have in place and you or your beneficial owners may be exposed to criminal sanctions where the personal information is required to
satisfy a Fund’s filing obligation with a regulatory authority. Where we are not able to fulfil a request you make regarding the
rights associated with our processing of your personal information because your rights are limited, we will inform you of the reasons
why when responding.
Should you have any questions or
requests in relation to your rights, refer to the relevant regional client services email address detailed on Annex 1. Where relevant,
you may exercise your data rights by using our webform made available via www.oaktreecapital.com. If you are an individual connected with
underlying investments of the Funds, please contact Oaktree’s Data Privacy Team at DataPrivacyTeam@oaktreecapital.com. We will attempt
to deal with all requests at the earliest opportunity. We may need to collect information from you to verify your identity, such as your
email address, government issued ID or date of birth, before providing a substantive response to the request. You may designate, in writing
or through a power of attorney document, an authorized agent to make requests on your behalf to exercise your rights. Before accepting
such a request from an agent, we will require that the agent provide proof you have authorized them to act on your behalf, and we may
need you to verify your identity directly with us. In addition, if you have unresolved concerns you also have the right to complain, where
permitted, to competent data protection authorities.
UPDATES TO THIS
PRIVACY NOTICE
This notice may be updated periodically to reflect changes
in law, or in our data protection and privacy practices. We will distribute any material updates to you and indicate below the date of
the most recent update to this notice.
For more information on who is considered the data controller
in connection with the collection of your personal information or if you have any other queries relating to this notice, contact us using
the relevant regional client services email address detailed on Annex 1 or contact your local client services representative directly.
If you are an individual connected with underlying investments of the Funds, please contact Oaktree’s Data Privacy Team at DataPrivacyTeam@oaktreecapital.com.
Dated: March 31, 2023
Annex 1: Oaktree Entities*
|
|
Oaktree Capital Management, L.P. 333 South Grand Avenue 28th
Floor Los Angeles, CA 90071 Tel: +1 213 830‑6300 |
|
|
|
OCM Investments, LLC 333 South Grand Avenue 28th Floor
Los Angeles, CA 90071 Tel: +1 213 830‑6300 |
|
|
|
Oaktree Fund Advisors, LLC 333 South Grand Avenue 28th
Floor Los Angeles, CA 90071 T el: +1 213 830‑6300 |
|
|
|
Oaktree Capital Management (UK) LLP Verde, 10 Bressenden Place
London, SW1E 5DH United Kingdom Tel: +44 20 7201‑4600 |
|
|
|
|
Oaktree Capital Management (Europe) LLP Verde, 10 Bressenden
Place London, SW1E 5DH United Kingdom Tel: +44 20 7201‑4600 |
|
|
|
Oaktree Capital Management (International) Limited Verde,
10 Bressenden Place London, SW1E 5DH United Kingdom Tel: +44 20 7201‑4600
|
|
|
|
LFE European Asset Management S.à.r.l. 26A, Boulevard Royal,
7th Floor L‑2449 Luxembourg Tel: +352 26 63 25 47 24 |
|
|
|
Oaktree Luxembourg CoopSA 26A, Boulevard Royal, 7th Floor
L‑2449 Luxembourg Tel: +352 26 63 25 47 24 |
|
|
|
|
Oaktree Capital Management (Dubai) Limited Dubai International
Financial Centre, Office 5, The Gate Building, Level 15, PO Box 121208 Dubai, United Arab Emirates Tel: +1 971 440‑19877
|
|
|
|
OCM Netherlands Opportunities Cooperatief U.A. and OCM Netherlands Global
Opportunities Cooperatief U.A Barbara Strozzilaan 201 1083 HN Amsterdam The Netherlands Tel: +31 20 579‑2128
|
|
|
|
Oaktree Capital Management (Ireland) Limited 2nd Floor 27
Merrion Square Dublin 2 Ireland Tel: +353 1 662 1301 |
|
|
|
Oaktree France S.A.S 39 Rue de Courcelles Paris, 75008
France Tel: +33 1 42 99 15 15 |
|
|
|
|
LFE Europoean Asset Management S.à r.l., French Branch 39
Rue de Courcelles Paris, 75008 France Tel: +33 1 42 99 15 15 |
|
|
|
Oaktree GMBH Frankfurter Welle An der Welle 3 9th
Floor 60322 Frankfurt Am Main, Germany Tel: +49 69 244 339‑3000 |
|
|
|
LFE European Asset Management S.à r.l., German Branch Frankfurter
Welle An der Welle 3 9th Floor 60322 Frankfurt Am Main, Germany Tel: +49 69 244 339‑3000
|
|
|
|
LFE European Asset Management Suomen sivuliike Life Science Centre ‑ Keilaranta
16 02150 Espoo Finland Tel: +358 201277660 |
|
|
|
|
LFE European Asset Management, S.à.r.l., Sucursal en España Calle Serrano, 21, 2A, 28001 Madrid
Spain Tel: +352 26 63 25 47 24 |
|
|
|
Oaktree Capital (Hong Kong) Limited Suite
2001, 20/F Champion Tower 3 Garden Road Central, Hong Kong Tel: +852 3655‑6800
|
|
|
|
Oaktree (Beijing) Investment Management Co., Ltd. Room
67, Level 14 China World Office 1, No. 1 Jianguomenwai Ave. Chaoyang District Beijing 100004, China Tel: +86 10
6535‑0208 |
|
|
|
Oaktree Overseas Investment Fund Management (Shanghai) Co., Ltd. Suite 833, Level 8Shanghai International
Finance Centre, Tower 2No. 8 Century Ave.PudongShanghai, PRC, 200120Tel: +86 21 60627389
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OCM India Services Private Limited 1st Floor,25 Sej PlazaMarve Road, Malad West, Near Nutan Vidya Mandir
SchoolMumbai, India |
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Oaktree Japan, Inc. Atago Green Hills Mori Tower37th Floor2‑5‑1 Atago, Minato‑ku,
TokyoJapan 105‑6237Tel: +81 3 5776‑6760 |
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Oaktree Capital (Australia) Pty Limited ACN 625 802 593 / AFSL 511218Suite 4, Level 27Governor Macquarie
Tower1 Farrer PlaceSydney, NSW 2000 AustraliaTel: +612 8278 9248
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Oaktree Capital Management Pte. Ltd. 80 Raffles Place#51‑03 UOB Plaza 1Singapore 048624Tel: +65
6350‑6550 |
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Oaktree Capital (Seoul) Limited Suite 2203, 22/F Trade Tower
511 Yeongdong‑daero, Gangnam‑gu, Seoul 06164 Republic of Korea Tel: +82 2 2191‑8000
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(*)
For information related to the regulated status of Oaktree offices, please refer to www.oaktreecapital.com/contact-us.
Oaktree Client Services Contacts:
|
Americas csus@oaktreecapital.com |
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Europe and Middle East cslondon@oaktreecapital.com |
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Asia Pacific csasia@oaktreecapital.com |
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Brookfield
Brookfield Public Securities Group LLC (“PSG”),
on its own behalf and on behalf of the funds managed by PSG and its affiliates, recognizes and appreciates the importance of respecting
the privacy of our clients and shareholders. Our relationships are based on integrity and trust and we maintain high standards to safeguard
your nonpublic personal information (“Personal Information”) at all times. This privacy policy (“Policy”) describes
the types of Personal Information we collect about you, the steps we take to safeguard that information and the circumstances in which
it may be disclosed.
If you hold shares of the Fund through a financial intermediary,
such as a broker, investment adviser, bank or trust company, the privacy policy of your financial intermediary will also govern how your
Personal Information will be shared with other parties.
What information do we collect?
We collect the following Personal Information about you:
•
Information we receive from
you in applications or other forms, correspondence or conversations, including but not limited to name, address, phone number, social
security number, assets, income and date of birth.
•
Information about transactions
with us, our affiliates, or others, including but not limited to account number, balance and payment history, parties to transactions,
cost basis information, and other financial information.
•
Information we may receive from
our due diligence, such as your creditworthiness and your credit history.
WHAT IS OUR PRIVACY
POLICY?
We may share your Personal Information with our affiliates
in order to provide products or services to you or to support our business needs. We will not disclose your Personal Information to nonaffiliated
third parties unless 1) we have received proper consent from you; 2) we are legally permitted to do so; or 3) we reasonably believe, in
good faith, that we are legally required to do so. For example, we may disclose your Personal Information with the following in order
to assist us with various aspects of conducting our business, to comply with laws or industry regulations, and/or to effect any transaction
on your behalf:
•
Unaffiliated service providers
(e.g., transfer agents, securities broker-dealers, administrators, investment advisers or other
firms that assist us in maintaining and supporting financial products and services provided to you);
•
Government agencies, other regulatory
bodies and law enforcement officials (e.g., for reporting suspicious transactions);
•
Other organizations, with your consent or as directed by you; and
?
•
Other organizations,
as permitted or required by law (e.g., for fraud protection).
When we share your Personal Information, the information
is made available for limited purposes and under controlled circumstances designed to protect your privacy. We require third parties to
comply with our standards for security and confidentiality.
How do we protect
client information?
We restrict access to your Personal Information to those
persons who require such information to assist us with providing products or services to you. It is our practice to maintain and monitor
physical, electronic, and procedural safeguards that comply with federal standards to guard client nonpublic personal information. We
regularly train our employees on privacy and information security and on their obligations to protect client information.
Contact Information
For questions concerning our Privacy Policy, please contact
our client services representative at 1-855-777-8001.
Appendix A
Sales Charge Reductions
and Waivers Available Through Certain Intermediaries
Specific intermediaries may have different policies and
procedures regarding the availability of front-end sales load waivers or CDSC waivers, which are discussed below. In all instances, it
is the purchaser’s responsibility to notify the Fund or the purchaser’s financial intermediary at the time of purchase of
any relationship or other facts qualifying the purchaser for sales charge reductions or waivers. Not all
intermediaries will offer the same reductions and waivers to persons purchasing shares of the Fund. In order to receive these reductions
or waivers shareholders will have to purchase Fund shares through an intermediary offering such reductions or waivers or directly from
the Fund if the Fund offers such reductions or waivers. Please see the section entitled “Description of Share Classes”
for more information on sales charge reductions and waivers available for different classes of shares that are available for purchase
directly from the Fund.
The information in this Appendix is a part of, and incorporated
into, the Prospectus for the Fund, and must be delivered with the Prospectus.
******************
FINANCIAL INTERMEDIARIES
At this time, there are no special arrangements with any
financial intermediaries with respect to sales charge variations, waivers and discounts.
BROOKFIELD INVESTMENT FUNDS
Oaktree Emerging Markets Equity Fund
Class A, C and I Shares
For More Information
You can find more information about the Fund in the following
documents:
Statement of Additional
Information (SAI):
The SAI provides additional details about the investments
and techniques of the Fund and certain other additional information. A current SAI is on file with the SEC and is incorporated into this
Prospectus by reference. This means that the SAI is legally considered a part of this Prospectus even though it is not physically within
this Prospectus.
Annual and Semi-Annual
Reports:
The Fund’s annual and semi-annual reports (collectively,
the “Shareholder Reports”) provide the most recent financial reports and portfolio listings. The annual report contains a
discussion of the market conditions and investment strategies that affected the Fund’s performance during the Fund’s previous
fiscal year.
Appendix A to this
Prospectus:
Appendix A to this Prospectus titled “Sales Charge
Reductions and Waivers Available Through Certain Intermediaries,” is a separate document that is incorporated by reference into
(or legally considered part of) this Prospectus and contains information about sales charge reductions and waivers available through certain
financial intermediaries that differ from the sales charge reductions and waivers disclosed in this Prospectus and the related Statement
of Additional Information.
The SAI and Shareholder Reports are available free of
charge on the Fund’s website at https://www.oaktreefunds.com/. You can obtain a free copy of the SAI and Shareholder Reports,
request other information, or make general inquiries about the Fund by calling the Fund (toll-free) at 1-855-244-4859 or by writing to:
Brookfield Investment Funds
c/o U.S. Bancorp Fund
Services, LLC
P.O. Box 701
Milwaukee, Wisconsin 53201-0701
https://www.oaktreefunds.com/
Reports and other information (including the SAI) about
the Fund are available:
•
Free of charge from the SEC’s EDGAR database on the SEC’s
website at http://www.sec.gov; or
•
For a fee, by electronic request at the following e-mail address:
publicinfo@sec.gov.
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xbrli:pure
iso4217:USD
BROOKFIELD INVESTMENT FUNDS
Brookfield Global Listed Real Estate
Fund
Class A — (BLRAX)
Class C — (BLRCX)
Class I — (BLRYX)
Brookfield Global Listed Infrastructure
Fund
Class A — (BGLAX)
Class C — (BGLCX)
Class I — (BGLYX)
Brookfield Global
Renewables & Sustainable Infrastructure Fund
Class A —
(GRSAX)
Class C —
(GRSCX)
Class I —
(GRSIX)
Brookfield Real Assets Securities Fund
Class A — (RASAX)
Class C — (RASCX)
Class I — (RASYX)
Statement of Additional Information
May 1, 2023
Brookfield Investment Funds (the “Trust”)
currently consists of six separate investment series referred to as Brookfield Global Listed Real Estate Fund (the “Global Real
Estate Fund”), Brookfield Global Listed Infrastructure Fund (the “Infrastructure Fund”), Brookfield Real Assets Securities
Fund (the “Real Assets Securities Fund”), Brookfield Global Renewables & Sustainable Infrastructure Fund (the “Renewables
Fund”), Center Coast Brookfield Midstream Focus Fund and Oaktree Emerging Markets Equity Fund (each, a “Fund,” and
collectively, the “Funds”). This Statement of Additional Information (the “SAI”) relates only to the Global
Real Estate Fund, the Infrastructure Fund, the Renewables Fund and the Real Assets Securities Fund.
This SAI, which is not a prospectus, provides information
about each of the Funds. The SAI should be read in conjunction with the Funds’ Prospectus for Class A Shares, Class C
Shares and Class I Shares dated May 1, 2023. In addition, the Funds’ financial statements for the fiscal year ended December 31,
2022, are incorporated herein by reference to the Funds’ annual report dated December 31, 2022. A copy of each Prospectus
and/or annual report may be obtained, without charge, on the Funds’ website at https://publicsecurities.brookfield.com/en, by writing
to the Funds’ transfer agent, U.S. Bancorp Fund Services, LLC (d/b/a U.S. Bank Global Fund Services), 615 East Michigan
Street, Milwaukee, Wisconsin 53202, or by calling 1-855-244-4859.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
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GENERAL INFORMATION
The Trust is an open-end management investment company
organized as a statutory trust under the laws of the State of Delaware on May 12, 2011. The Trust operates a multi-class structure
pursuant to Rule 18f-3 of the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the “1940 Act”). The Global Real Estate Fund,
the Infrastructure Fund and the Renewables Fund each seek total return through growth of capital and current income. The Real Assets Securities
Fund seeks total return, which is targeted to be in excess of inflation, through growth of capital and current income. There can be no
assurance that each Fund will achieve its investment objective. Except for the fundamental investment restrictions listed below (see “Investment
Restrictions”), each Fund’s investment objective is not fundamental and may be changed by the Board of Trustees of the Trust
(the “Board” or “Board of Trustees”), without shareholder approval. The Global Real Estate Fund, the Infrastructure
Fund, the Real Assets Securities Fund and the Renewables Fund are diversified as that term is defined in the 1940 Act.
INVESTMENT STRATEGIES AND RISKS
The Prospectus discusses the investment objectives of each Fund and the
principal strategies to be employed to achieve those objectives. This section contains supplemental information concerning certain types
of securities and other instruments in which each Fund may invest, additional strategies that each Fund may utilize, and certain risks
associated with such investments and strategies.
Common Stocks (All Funds)
The marketplace for publicly traded equity securities is volatile, and
the price of equity securities fluctuates based on changes in a company’s financial condition and overall market and economic circumstances.
Although common stocks have historically generated higher average total returns than fixed income securities over the long-term, common
stocks also have experienced significantly more volatility in those returns and, in certain periods, have significantly under-performed
relative to fixed income securities. An adverse event, such as an unfavorable earnings report, may depress the value of a particular common
stock held by the Funds.
A common stock may also decline due to factors which affect a particular
industry or industries, such as labor shortages or increased production costs and competitive circumstances within an industry. The value
of a particular common stock held by the Funds may decline for a number of other reasons which directly relate to the issuer, such as
management performance, financial leverage, the issuer’s historical and prospective earnings, the value of its assets and reduced
demand for its goods and services. Also, the price of common stocks is sensitive to general movements in the stock market and a drop in
the stock market may depress the price of common stocks to which the Funds have exposure. Common stock prices fluctuate for several reasons,
including changes in investors’ perceptions of the financial condition of an issuer or the general condition of the relevant stock
market, or when political or economic events affecting the issuers occur. In addition, common stock prices may be particularly sensitive
to rising interest rates, as the cost of capital rises and borrowing costs increase. Common stock in which the Funds may invest is structurally
subordinated to preferred stock, bonds and other debt instruments in a company’s capital structure and is therefore inherently
more risky than preferred stock or debt instruments of such issuers.
Convertible Securities (All Funds)
Each Fund may invest in convertible securities. Convertible securities
are preferred stocks or debt obligations that are convertible at a stated exchange rate or formula into common stock or other equity securities.
Convertible securities generally offer lower interest or dividend yields than non-convertible securities of similar quality. Convertible
securities rank senior to common stocks in an issuer’s capital structure and consequently may be of higher quality and entail less
risk than the issuer’s common stock. A convertible security entitles the holder to receive interest that is generally paid or accrued
until the convertible security matures, or is redeemed, converted or exchanged. Convertible securities have both equity and fixed-income
risk characteristics. Like all fixed-income securities, the value of convertible securities is susceptible to the risk of market losses
attributable to changes in interest rates. Generally, the market value of convertible securities tends to decline as interest rates increase
and, conversely, to increase as interest rates decline. However, when the market price of the common stock underlying a convertible security
approaches or exceeds the conversion price of the convertible security, the convertible security tends to reflect the market price of
the underlying common stock. As the market price of the underlying common stock declines, the convertible security, like a fixed-income
security, tends to trade increasingly on a yield basis, and thus, may not decline in price to the same extent as the underlying common
stock. The markets for convertible securities may be less liquid than markets for common stocks or bonds. A convertible security may also
be called for redemption or conversion by the issuer after a particular date and under certain circumstances (including a specified price)
established upon issue. If a
convertible security held by a Fund is called for redemption or conversion, the Fund could
be required to tender it for redemption, convert it into the underlying common stock, or sell it to a third party. Convertible securities
are also subject to credit risk, and are often lower-quality securities.
Equity Securities and Related Investments (All Funds)
Investments in Equity
Securities. Equity securities, such as common stock, generally represent an ownership interest in a company. While equity
securities have historically generated higher average returns than fixed income securities, equity securities have also experienced significantly
more volatility in those returns. An adverse event, such as an unfavorable earnings report, may depress the value of a particular equity
security held by a Fund. Also, the prices of equity securities, particularly common stocks, are sensitive to general movements in the
stock market. A drop in the stock market may depress the price of equity securities held by a Fund.
Warrants and Stock
Purchase Rights. A Fund may invest in warrants, which are securities permitting, but not obligating, their holder to subscribe
for other securities. Warrants do not carry with them the right to dividends or voting rights with respect to the securities that they
entitle their holders to purchase, and they do not represent any rights in the assets of the issuer. Because a warrant, which is a security
permitting, but not obligating, its holder to subscribe for another security, does not carry with it the right to dividends or voting
rights with respect to the securities that the warrant holder is entitled to purchase, and because a warrant does not represent any rights
to the assets of the issuer, a warrant may be considered more speculative than certain other types of investments. In addition, the value
of a warrant does not necessarily change with the value of the underlying security and a warrant ceases to have value if it is not exercised
prior to its expiration date. The investment by a Fund in warrants valued at the lower of cost or market, may not exceed 5% of the value
of the Fund’s net assets (plus the amount of any borrowing for investment purposes).
Each Fund may also invest in stock purchase rights. Stock purchase rights
are instruments, frequently distributed to an issuer’s shareholders as a dividend, that entitle the holder to purchase a specific
number of shares of common stock on a specific date or during a specific period of time. The exercise price on the rights is normally
at a discount from market value of the common stock at the time of distribution. The rights do not carry with them the right to dividends
or to vote and may or may not be transferable. Stock purchase rights are frequently used outside of the United States as a means of raising
additional capital from an issuer’s current shareholders.
As a result, an investment in warrants or stock purchase rights may be
considered more speculative than certain other types of investments. In addition, the value of a warrant or a stock purchase right does
not necessarily change with the value of the underlying securities, and warrants and stock purchase rights expire worthless if they are
not exercised on or prior to their expiration date.
Preferred Shares.
Each Fund may invest in preferred shares. Preferred shares are securities that represent an ownership interest providing the holder with
claims on the issuer’s earnings and assets before common shareholders, but after bond holders and other creditors. Preferred shares
are equity securities, but they have many characteristics of fixed income securities, such as a fixed (or floating) dividend payment rate
and/or a liquidity preference over the issuer’s common shares. However, because preferred shares are equity securities, they may
be more susceptible to risks traditionally associated with equity investments than the Fund’s fixed income securities. Unlike debt
securities, the obligations of an issuer of preferred stock, including dividend and other payment obligations, may not typically be accelerated
by the holders of such preferred stock on the occurrence of an event of default or other non-compliance by the issuer of the preferred
stock. Investments in preferred stock present market and liquidity risks. The value of a preferred stock may be highly sensitive to the
economic condition of the issuer, and markets for preferred stock may be less liquid than the market for the issuer’s common stock.
Preferred stocks may differ in many of their provisions. Among the features
that differentiate preferred stocks from one another are the dividend rights, which may be cumulative or noncumulative and participating
or non-participating, redemption provisions, and voting rights. Such features will establish the income return and may affect the prospects
for capital appreciation or risks of capital loss.
The market prices of preferred stocks are subject to changes in interest
rates and are more sensitive to changes in an issuer’s creditworthiness than are the prices of debt securities. Shareholders of
preferred stock may suffer a loss of value if dividends are not paid. Under ordinary circumstances, preferred stock does not carry voting
rights.
Foreign (Non-U.S.) Securities (All Funds)
General. Each
Fund may invest in securities of foreign (non-U.S.) companies, or sponsored and unsponsored depositary receipts for such securities.
Foreign securities may include debt securities of governmental and corporate issuers, preferred
stock, common stock, and convertible securities of corporate issuers, rights and warrants to buy common stocks, depositary receipts evidencing
ownership of shares of a foreign issuer, and exchange traded funds and other investment companies that provide exposure to foreign issuers.
Investment in foreign securities is subject to special investment risks
that differ in some respects from those related to investments in securities of U.S. domestic issuers. These risks include political,
social or economic instability in the country of the issuer, the difficulty of predicting international trade patterns, the possibility
of the imposition of exchange controls, expropriation, limits on removal of currency or other assets, nationalization of assets, foreign
withholding and income taxation, and foreign trading practices (including higher trading commissions, custodial charges and delayed settlements).
Foreign securities also may be subject to greater fluctuations in price than securities issued by U.S. corporations. The principal markets
on which these securities trade may have less volume and liquidity, and may be more volatile, than securities markets in the United States.
In addition, there may be less publicly available information about a
foreign company than about a U.S. domiciled company. Foreign companies generally are not subject to uniform accounting, auditing and financial
reporting standards comparable to those applicable to U.S. domestic companies. There is also generally less government regulation of securities
exchanges, brokers and listed companies abroad than in the United States. Confiscatory taxation or diplomatic developments could also
affect investment in those countries. In addition, foreign branches of U.S. banks, foreign banks and foreign issuers may be subject to
less stringent reserve requirements and to different accounting, auditing, reporting, and record keeping standards than those applicable
to domestic branches of U.S. banks and U.S. domestic issuers.
Emerging Markets. Each
Fund may invest in or have exposure to securities issued by governmental and corporate issuers that are located in emerging market countries.
Such investments involve special risks. The economies, markets, and political structures of a number of the emerging market countries
in which a Fund can invest do not compare favorably with the United States and other mature economies in terms of wealth and stability.
Therefore, investments in these countries may be riskier, and will be subject to erratic and abrupt price movements. Some economies are
less well developed and less diverse (for example, Latin America, Eastern Europe, and certain Asian countries) and more vulnerable to
the ebb and flow of international trade, trade barriers, and other protectionist or retaliatory measures. Similarly, many of these countries,
particularly in Southeast Asia, Latin America, and Eastern Europe, are grappling with severe inflation or recession, high levels of national
debt, currency exchange problems, and government instability. Investments in countries that have recently begun moving away from central
planning and state owned industries toward free markets, such as the Eastern European or Chinese economies, should be regarded as speculative.
Certain emerging market countries have historically experienced, and
may continue to experience, high rates of inflation, high interest rates, exchange rate fluctuations, large amounts of external debt,
balance of payments and trade difficulties, and extreme poverty and unemployment. The issuer or governmental authority that controls the
repayment of an emerging market country’s debt may not be able or willing to repay the principal and/or interest when due in accordance
with the terms of such debt. A debtor’s willingness or ability to repay principal and interest due in a timely manner may be affected
by, among other factors, its cash flow situation, and, in the case of a government debtor, the extent of its foreign reserves, the availability
of sufficient foreign exchange on the date a payment is due, the relative size of the debt service burden to the economy as a whole, and
the political constraints to which a government debtor may be subject. Government debtors may default on their debt and may also be dependent
on expected disbursements from foreign governments, multilateral agencies and others abroad to reduce principal and interest arrearages
on their debt. Holders of government debt may be requested to participate in the rescheduling of such debt and to extend further loans
to government debtors. If such an event occurs, the Fund may have limited legal recourse against the issuer and/or guarantor. Remedies
must, in some cases, be pursued in the courts of the defaulting party itself, and the ability of the holder of foreign government fixed
income securities to obtain recourse may be subject to the political climate in the relevant country. In addition, no assurance can be
given that the holders of commercial bank debt will not contest payments to the holders of other foreign government debt obligations in
the event of default under their commercial bank loan agreements.
The economies of individual emerging market countries may differ favorably
or unfavorably from the U.S. economy in such respects as growth of gross domestic product, rate of inflation, currency depreciation, capital
reinvestment, resource self-sufficiency, and balance of payments position. Further, the economies of developing countries generally are
heavily dependent upon international trade and, accordingly, have been, and may continue to be, adversely affected by trade barriers,
exchange controls, managed adjustments in relative currency values, and other protectionist measures imposed or negotiated by the countries
with which they trade. These economies also have been, and may continue to be, adversely affected by economic conditions in the countries
with which they trade.
Investing in emerging market countries may entail purchasing securities
issued by or on behalf of entities that are insolvent, bankrupt, in default, or otherwise engaged in an attempt to reorganize or reschedule
their obligations, and in entities
that have little or no proven credit rating or credit history. In any such case, the issuer’s
poor or deteriorating financial condition may increase the likelihood that the Fund will experience losses or diminution in available
gains due to bankruptcy, insolvency, or fraud.
Depositary Receipts. The
Funds’ investments in foreign securities may include investment in depositary receipts, including American Depositary Receipts
(“ADRs”), European Depositary Receipts (“EDRs”), and Global Depositary Receipts (“GDRs”). U.S.
dollar-denominated ADRs, which are traded in the United States on exchanges or over-the-counter, are issued by domestic banks. ADRs represent
the right to receive securities of foreign issuers deposited in a domestic bank or a correspondent bank. ADRs do not eliminate all the
risk inherent in investing in the securities of foreign issuers. However, by investing in ADRs rather than directly in foreign issuers’
stock, a Fund can avoid currency risks during the settlement period for either purchases or sales. In general, there is a large, liquid
market in the United States for many ADRs. The information available for ADRs is subject to the accounting, auditing and financial reporting
standards of the domestic market or exchange on which they are traded, which standards are more uniform and more exacting than those to
which many foreign issuers may be subject. The Funds also may invest in EDRs, GDRs, and in other similar instruments representing securities
of foreign companies. EDRs and GDRs are securities that are typically issued by foreign banks or foreign trust companies, although U.S.
banks or U.S. trust companies may issue them. EDRs and GDRs are structured similarly to the arrangements of ADRs. EDRs, in bearer form,
are designed for use in European securities markets and are not necessarily denominated in the currency of the underlying security.
Certain depositary receipts, typically those denominated as unsponsored,
require the holders thereof to bear most of the costs of the facilities while issuers of sponsored facilities normally pay more of the
costs thereof. The depository of an unsponsored facility frequently is under no obligation to distribute shareholder communications received
from the issuer of the deposited securities or to pass through the voting rights to facility holders in respect to the deposited securities,
whereas the depository of a sponsored facility typically distributes shareholder communications and passes through voting rights.
Custodian Services
and Related Investment Costs. Custodial services and other costs relating to investment in international securities markets
generally are more expensive than in the United States. Such markets have settlement and clearance procedures that differ from those in
the United States. In certain markets there have been times when settlements have been unable to keep pace with the volume of securities
transactions, making it difficult to conduct such transactions. The inability of a Fund to make intended securities purchases due to settlement
problems could cause the Fund to miss attractive investment opportunities. Inability to dispose of a portfolio security caused by settlement
problems could result either in losses to a Fund due to a subsequent decline in value of the portfolio security or could result in possible
liability to the Fund. In addition, security settlement and clearance procedures in some emerging countries may not fully protect a Fund
against loss or theft of its assets.
Withholding and Other
Taxes. The Funds will be subject to taxes, including withholding taxes, on income (possibly including, in some cases, capital
gains) that are or may be imposed by certain countries with respect to the Funds’ investments in such countries. These taxes will
reduce the return achieved by the Funds. Treaties between the United States and such countries may not be available to reduce the otherwise
applicable tax rates.
Inflation/Deflation Risk (All Funds)
Inflation risk is the risk that the value of assets
or income from investments will be worth less in the future as inflation decreases the value of money. As inflation increases, the real
value of a Fund’s shares and distributions thereon can decline. Inflation risk is linked to increases in the prices of goods and
services and a decrease in the purchasing power of money. Recently, inflation has risen at its highest rate in four decades in the U.S.
Inflation may reduce the intrinsic value of an investment in the Fund. Inflation can operate to effectively reduce investors’ real
investment returns. This is particularly true of fixed-income assets, as the fixed return yields of such assets become increasingly less
valuable to the investor as inflation rises. In addition, during any periods of rising inflation, dividend rates of any variable rate
preferred stock or debt securities issued by the Fund would likely increase, which would tend to further reduce returns to shareholders.
Deflation risk is the risk that prices throughout the economy decline over time (the opposite of inflation). Deflation may have an adverse
effect on the creditworthiness of issuers and may make issuer defaults more likely, which will result in a decline in the value of the
Fund’s portfolio.
Derivatives (All Funds)
Generally, a derivative is a financial contract the value of which depends
upon, or is derived from, the value of an underlying asset, reference rate or index. Derivatives generally take the form of contracts
under which the parties agree to payments between them based upon the performance of a wide variety of underlying references, such as
stocks, bonds, commodities,
interest rates, currency exchange rates, and various domestic and foreign indices. Derivative
instruments that the Funds may use include options contracts, futures contracts, options on futures contracts, and forward currency contracts.
The Funds may use derivatives for a variety of reasons, including as a
substitute for investing directly in securities and currencies, as an alternative to selling a security short, as part of a hedging strategy
(that is, for the purpose of reducing risk to a Fund), or for other purposes related to the management of the Funds. Derivatives permit
a Fund to increase or decrease the level of risk, or change the character of the risk, to which its portfolio is exposed in much the same
way as the Fund can increase or decrease the level of risk, or change the character of the risk, of its portfolio by making investments
in specific securities. However, derivatives may entail investment exposures that are greater than their cost would suggest. As a result,
a small investment in derivatives could have a large impact on a Fund’s performance.
Derivatives can be volatile and involve various types and degrees of risk,
depending upon the characteristics of the particular derivative and the portfolio as a whole. If a Fund invests in derivatives at inopportune
times or judges market conditions incorrectly, such investments may lower the Fund’s return or result in a loss. A Fund also could
experience losses or limit its gains if the performance of its derivatives is poorly correlated with the underlying instruments or the
Fund’s other investments, or if the Fund is unable to liquidate its position because of an illiquid secondary market. The market
for derivatives is, or suddenly can become, illiquid. Changes in liquidity may result in significant, rapid and unpredictable changes
in the prices for derivatives.
While transactions in some derivatives may be effected on established exchanges,
many other derivatives are privately negotiated and entered into in the over-the-counter market with a single counterparty. When exchange-traded
derivatives are purchased and sold, a clearing agency associated with the exchange stands between each buyer and seller and effectively
guarantees performance of each contract, either on a limited basis through a guaranty fund or to the full extent of the clearing agency’s
balance sheet. Transactions in over-the-counter derivatives have no such protection. Each party to an over-the-counter derivative bears
the risk that its direct counterparty will default. In addition, over-the-counter derivatives may be less liquid than exchange-traded
derivatives since the other party to the transaction may be the only investor with sufficient understanding of the derivative to be interested
in bidding for it.
Derivatives generally involve leverage in the sense that the investment
exposure created by the derivative is significantly greater than a Fund’s initial investment in the derivative. A Fund may be required
to segregate permissible liquid assets, or engage in other permitted measures, to “cover” the Fund’s obligations
relating to its transactions in derivatives. For example, in the case of futures contracts or forward contracts that are not contractually
required to cash settle, a Fund must set aside liquid assets equal to such contracts’ full notional value (generally, the total
numerical value of the asset underlying a future or forward contract at the time of valuation) while the positions are open. With respect
to futures contracts or forward contracts that are contractually required to cash settle, however, a Fund is permitted to set aside liquid
assets in an amount equal to the Fund’s daily mark-to-market net obligation (i.e., the
Fund’s daily net liability) under the contracts, if any, rather than such contracts’ full notional value. By setting aside
assets equal to only its net obligations under cash-settled futures and forward contracts, a Fund may employ leverage to a greater extent
than if the Fund were required to segregate assets equal to the full notional value of such contracts.
Derivatives also may involve other types of leverage. For example, an instrument
linked to the value of a securities index may return income calculated as a multiple of the price movement of the underlying index. This
leverage will increase the volatility of these derivatives since they may increase or decrease in value more quickly than the underlying
instruments.
The Funds may employ new derivative instruments and strategies when they
are developed, if those investment methods are consistent with the particular Fund’s investment objective and are permissible under
applicable regulations governing the Fund.
The regulation of the derivatives markets has increased
over the past several years, and additional future regulation of the derivatives markets may make derivatives more costly, may limit the
availability or reduce the liquidity of derivatives or may otherwise adversely affect the value or performance of derivatives. For example,
the SEC recently adopted Rule 18f-4 under the 1940 Act, which regulates the use of derivatives, short sales, reverse repurchase agreements
and certain other transactions for certain funds registered under the 1940 Act. Among other things, Rule 18f-4 requires funds that invest
in derivative instruments beyond a specified limited amount to apply a value-at-risk (“VaR”) based limit to their use of
certain derivative instruments and financing transactions and to adopt and implement a derivatives risk management program. Consequently,
unless a fund qualifies as a “limited derivatives user” as defined in Rule 18f-4, the fund has established a comprehensive
derivatives risk management program to comply with a VaR based leverage limit, appointed a derivatives risk manager and will provide additional
disclosure both publicly and to the SEC regarding its derivatives positions. If a fund qualifies as a limited derivatives user, Rule 18f-4
requires the fund to have policies and procedures to manage its aggregate derivatives risk, which may require the fund to alter, perhaps
materially, its use of derivatives, short sales, and
reverse repurchase agreements and similar financing transactions as
part of its investment strategies. In connection with the adoption of Rule 18f-4, the SEC also eliminated the asset segregation framework
for covering derivatives and certain financial instruments arising from SEC and staff guidance. Since the Funds are each “limited
derivatives users,” each Fund has adopted and implemented policies and procedures reasonably designed to manage their derivatives
risks, including counterparty risk, leverage risk, liquidity risk, market risk, operational risk, and legal risk.
Swaps. Each
Fund may enter into total rate of return, credit default or other types of swaps and related derivatives for the purpose of hedging and
risk management. These transactions generally provide for the transfer from one counterparty to another of certain risks inherent in the
ownership of a financial asset such as a debt instrument or common stock. Such risks include, among other things, the risk of default
and insolvency of the obligor of such asset, the risk that the credit of the obligor or the underlying collateral will decline or the
risk that the common stock of the underlying issuers will decline in value. The transfer of risk pursuant to a derivative of this type
may be complete or partial, and may be for the life of the related asset or for a shorter period. These derivatives may be used as a risk
management tool for a pool of financial assets, providing a Fund with the opportunity to gain or reduce exposure to one or more reference
securities or other financial assets (each, a “Reference Asset”) without actually owning or selling such assets in order,
for example, to increase or reduce a concentration risk or to diversify a portfolio. Conversely, these derivatives may be used by the
Fund to reduce exposure to an owned asset without selling it.
In the event that a Fund is a credit default swap seller, the full notional
amount of the credit default swap(s) will be segregated by the Fund to cover the outstanding positions.
Because a Fund would not own the Reference Assets, the Fund may not have
any voting rights with respect to the Reference Assets, and in such cases all decisions related to the obligors or issuers of the Reference
Assets, including whether to exercise certain remedies, will be controlled by the swap counterparties.
Total rate of return swaps and similar derivatives are subject to many
risks, including the possibility that the market will move in a manner or direction that would have resulted in gain for a Fund had the
swap or other derivative not been utilized (in which case it would have been better had the Fund not engaged in the interest rate hedging
transactions), the risk of imperfect correlation between the risk sought to be hedged and the derivative transactions utilized, the possible
inability of the counterparty to fulfill its obligations under the swap and potential illiquidity of the hedging instrument utilized,
which may make it difficult for the Fund to close out or unwind one or more hedging transactions.
Total rate of return swaps and related derivatives present certain legal,
tax and market uncertainties that present risks in entering into such arrangements. There is currently little or no case law or litigation
characterizing total rate of return swaps or related derivatives, interpreting their positions, or characterizing their tax treatment.
In addition, additional regulations and laws may apply to these types of derivatives that have not previously been applied. There can
be no assurance that future decisions construing similar provisions to those in any swap agreement or other related documents or additional
regulations and laws will not have an adverse effect on a Fund that utilizes these instruments.
Futures Contracts. Each
Fund may purchase and sell financial futures contracts and options on such contracts. A financial futures contract is an agreement to
buy or sell a specific security or financial instrument at a particular price on a stipulated future date. Although some financial futures
contracts call for making or taking delivery of the underlying securities or instruments, in most cases these obligations are closed out
before the settlement date. The closing of a contractual obligation may be accomplished by purchasing or selling an identical offsetting
futures contract. Other financial futures contracts by their terms call for cash settlements.
Each Fund may also buy and sell index futures contracts with respect to
any stock or bond index traded on a recognized stock exchange or board of trade. An index futures contract is a contract to buy or sell units
of an index on a specified future date at a price agreed upon when the contract is made. The stock index futures contract specifies that
no delivery of the actual stocks making up the index will take place. Instead, settlement in cash must occur upon the termination of the
contract, with the settlement being the difference between the contract price and the actual level of the stock index at the expiration
of the contract. In addition, a Fund may enter into foreign currency futures contracts as described below under “Foreign Currency
Contracts and Currency Hedging Transactions.”
At the time a Fund purchases a futures contract, an amount of cash or liquid
portfolio securities generally equal to the settlement price less any margin deposit market value of the futures contract will be designated
as segregated at that Fund’s custodian. When writing a futures contract, a Fund will maintain with its custodian similar liquid
assets that, when added to the amounts deposited with a futures commission merchant or broker as margin, are equal to the market value
of the instruments underlying the contract. Alternatively, a Fund may “cover” its position by owning the instruments underlying
the contract (or, in the case of an index futures contract, a portfolio with a volatility substantially similar to that
of the index on which the futures contract is based), or holding a call option permitting
a Fund to purchase the same futures contract at a price no higher than the price of the contract written by a Fund (or at a higher price
if the difference is maintained in liquid assets with the Funds’ custodian).
Each Fund will be authorized to use financial futures contracts and related
options for hedging and non- hedging purposes, for example to enhance total return or provide market exposure pending the investment of
cash balances. A Fund may lose the expected benefit of the transactions if currency exchange rates or securities prices change in an unanticipated
manner. Such unanticipated changes in currency exchange rates or securities prices may also result in poorer overall performance than
if a Fund had not entered into any futures transactions.
Options on Securities
and Stock Indexes. Each Fund may write covered call and put options and purchase call and put options on securities or stock
indices that are traded on U.S. exchanges.
An option on a security is a contract that gives the purchaser of the option,
in return for the premium paid, the right to buy a specified security (in the case of a call option) or to sell a specified security (in
the case of a put option) from or to the writer of the option at a designated price during the term of the option. An option on a securities
index gives the purchaser of the option, in return for the premium paid, the right to receive from the seller cash equal to the difference
between the closing price of the index and the exercise price of the option.
A Fund may write a call or put option only if the option is “covered.”
A call option on a security written by a Fund is covered if that Fund owns the underlying security covered by the call or has an absolute
and immediate right to acquire that security without additional cash consideration (or for additional cash consideration held in a segregated
account by its custodian) upon conversion or exchange of other securities held in its portfolio. A call option on a security is also covered
if a Fund owns a call option on the same security and in the same principal amount as the call option written where the exercise price
of the call option held (a) is equal to or less than the exercise price of the call option written or (b) is greater than the exercise
price of the call option written if the difference is maintained by that Fund in cash or liquid portfolio securities in a segregated account
with its custodian. A put option on a security written by a Fund is “covered” if that Fund maintains similar liquid assets
with a value equal to the exercise price designated as segregated at its custodian, or else owns a put option on the same security and
in the same principal amount as the put option written where the exercise price of the put option held is equal to or greater than the
exercise price of the put option written.
A Fund will cover call options on stock indices by owning securities whose
price changes, in the opinion of the investment adviser, are expected to be similar to those of the index, or in such other manner as
may be in accordance with the rules of the exchange on which the option is traded and applicable laws and regulations. Nevertheless, where
a Fund covers a call option on a stock index through ownership of securities, such securities may not match the composition of the index.
In that event, that Fund will not be fully covered and could be subject to risk of loss in the event of adverse changes in the value of
the index. A Fund will cover put options on stock indices by segregating assets equal to the option’s exercise price, or in such
other manner as may be in accordance with the rules of the exchange on which the option is traded and applicable laws and regulations.
A Fund will receive a premium for writing a put or call option, which will
increase the Fund’s gross income in the event the option expires unexercised or is closed out at a profit. If the value of a security
or an index on which a Fund has written a call option falls or remains the same, that Fund will realize a profit in the form of the premium
received (less transaction costs) that could offset all or a portion of any decline in the value of the portfolio securities being hedged.
A rise in the value of the underlying security or index, however, exposes that Fund to possible loss or loss of opportunity to realize
appreciation in the value of the underlying index or security. By writing a put option, a Fund assumes the risk of a decline in the underlying
security or index. To the extent that the price changes of the portfolio securities being hedged correlate with changes in the value of
the underlying security or index, writing covered put options on securities or indices will increase a Fund’s losses in the event
of a market decline, although such losses will be offset in part by the premium received for writing the option.
A Fund may also purchase put options to hedge its investments against a
decline in value. By purchasing a put option, a Fund will seek to offset a decline in the value of the portfolio securities being hedged
through appreciation of the put option. If the value of a Fund’s investments does not decline as anticipated, that Fund’s
loss will be limited to the premium paid for the option plus related transaction costs. The success of this strategy will depend, in part,
on the accuracy of the correlation between the changes in value of the underlying security or index and the changes in value of that Fund’s
security holdings being hedged.
Call options may be purchased by a Fund in order to acquire the underlying
securities for a price that avoids any additional cost that would result from a substantial increase in the market value of a security.
A Fund may also purchase call options
to increase its return at a time when the call is expected to increase in value due to
anticipated appreciation of the underlying security. When purchasing call options, a Fund will bear the risk of losing all or a portion
of the premium paid if the value of the underlying security or index does not rise.
There can be no assurance that a liquid market will exist when a Fund
seeks to close out an option position. Trading could be interrupted, for example, because of supply and demand imbalances arising from
a lack of either buyers or sellers, or the options exchange could suspend trading after the price has risen or fallen more than the maximum
specified by the exchange. Although a Fund may be able to offset to some extent any adverse effects of being unable to liquidate an option
position, that Fund may experience losses in some cases as a result of such inability.
Interest Rate Futures
Contracts and Options Thereon. A Fund may purchase or sell interest rate futures contracts to take advantage of or to protect
the Fund against fluctuations in interest rates affecting the value of debt securities that the Fund holds or intends to acquire. For
example, if interest rates are expected to increase, the Fund might sell futures contracts on debt securities, the values of which historically
have a high degree of positive correlation to the values of the Fund’s portfolio securities. Such a sale would have an effect similar
to selling an equivalent value of the Fund’s portfolio securities. If interest rates increase, the value of the Fund’s portfolio
securities will decline, but the value of the futures contracts to the Fund will increase at approximately an equivalent rate thereby
keeping the net asset value of the Fund from declining as much as it otherwise would have. The Fund could accomplish similar results by
selling debt securities with longer maturities and investing in debt securities with shorter maturities when interest rates are expected
to increase. However, since the futures market may be more liquid than the cash market, the use of futures contracts as a risk management
technique allows the Fund to maintain a defensive position without having to sell its portfolio securities.
Similarly, the Fund may purchase interest rate futures contracts when
it is expected that interest rates may decline. The purchase of futures contracts for this purpose constitutes a hedge against increases
in the price of debt securities (caused by declining interest rates), which the Fund intends to acquire. Since fluctuations in the value
of appropriately selected futures contracts should approximate that of the debt securities that will be purchased, the Fund can take advantage
of the anticipated rise in the cost of the debt securities without actually buying them. Subsequently, the Fund can make its intended
purchase of the debt securities in the cash market and currently liquidate its futures position. To the extent the Fund enters into futures
contracts for this purpose, it will maintain in a segregated asset account with the Fund’s Custodian, assets sufficient to cover
the Fund’s obligations with respect to such futures contracts, which will consist of cash or other liquid securities from its portfolio
in an amount equal to the difference between the fluctuating market value of such futures contracts and the aggregate value of the initial
margin deposited by the Fund with its Custodian with respect to such futures contracts.
The purchase of a call option on a futures contract is similar in some
respects to the purchase of a call option on an individual security. Depending on the pricing of the option compared to either the price
of the futures contract upon which it is based or the price of the underlying debt securities, it may or may not be less risky than ownership
of the futures contract or underlying debt securities. As with the purchase of futures contracts, when the Fund is not fully invested
it may purchase a call option on a futures contract to hedge against a market advance due to declining interest rates.
The purchase of a put option on a futures contract is similar to the
purchase of protective put options on portfolio securities. The Fund will purchase a put option on a futures contract to hedge the Fund’s
portfolio against the risk of rising interest rates and a consequent reduction in the value of portfolio securities.
The writing of a call option on a futures contract constitutes a partial
hedge against declining prices of the securities that are deliverable upon exercise of the futures contract. If the futures price at expiration
of the option is below the exercise price, the Fund will retain the full amount of the option premium, which provides a partial hedge
against any decline that may have occurred in the Fund’s portfolio holdings. The writing of a put option on a futures contract
constitutes a partial hedge against increasing prices of the securities that are deliverable upon exercise of the futures contract. If
the futures price at expiration of the option is higher than the exercise price, the Fund will retain the full amount of the option premium,
which provides a partial hedge against any increase in the price of debt securities that the Fund intends to purchase. If a put or call
option the Fund has written is exercised, the Fund will incur a loss which will be reduced by the amount of the premium it received. Depending
on the degree of correlation between changes in the value of its portfolio securities and changes in the value of its futures positions,
the Fund’s losses from options on futures it has written may to some extent be reduced or increased by changes in the value of
its portfolio securities.
Foreign Currency Contracts
and Currency Hedging Transactions. In order to hedge against foreign currency exchange rate risks, each Fund may enter into
forward foreign currency exchange contracts (“forward contracts”) and foreign currency futures contracts (“foreign
currency futures”), as well as purchase put or call options on foreign currencies, as described below. Each Fund may also conduct
its foreign currency exchange transactions on a spot (i.e., cash) basis at the spot rate prevailing
in the foreign currency exchange market.
A Fund may enter into forward contracts to attempt to minimize the
risk to that Fund from adverse changes in the relationship between the U.S. dollar and foreign currencies. A forward contract is an obligation
to purchase or sell a specific currency for an agreed price on a future date which is individually negotiated and privately traded by
currency traders and their customers. A Fund may enter into a forward contract, for example, when it enters into a contract for the purchase
or sale of a security denominated in a foreign currency or expects to receive a dividend or interest payment on a portfolio holding, in
order to “lock in” the U.S. dollar value of the security or payment. In addition, for example, when a Fund believes that
a foreign currency may experience a substantial movement against another currency, it may enter into a forward contract to sell an amount
of the former foreign currency (or another currency which acts as a proxy for that currency) approximating the value of some or all of
that Fund’s portfolio securities denominated in such foreign currency. This second investment practice is generally referred to
as “cross-hedging.” Because in connection with a Fund’s foreign currency forward transactions an amount of that Fund’s
assets equal to the amount of that Fund’s current commitment under the forward contract will be segregated to be used to pay for
the commitment, the Fund will always have cash or other liquid assets available that are sufficient to cover any commitments under these
contracts or to limit any potential risk. The segregated assets will be marked-to-market on a daily basis. Forward contracts may limit
potential gain from a positive change in the relationship between the U.S. dollar and foreign currencies. Unanticipated changes in currency
prices may result in poorer overall performance for a Fund than if it had not engaged in such contracts.
A Fund may enter into exchange-traded foreign currency futures for the
purchase or sale for future delivery of foreign currencies. Certain types of forward contracts are now regulated as swaps by the Commodity
Futures Trading Commission (“CFTC”). The regulation of such forward contracts as swaps is a recent development and there
can be no assurance that the additional regulation of these types of derivatives will not have an adverse effect on a Fund that utilizes
these instruments. This investment technique will be used only to hedge against anticipated future changes in exchange rates which otherwise
might adversely affect the value of a Fund’s portfolio securities or adversely affect the prices of securities that a Fund intends
to purchase at a later date.
A Fund may purchase and write put and call options on foreign currencies
for the purpose of protecting against declines in the dollar value of foreign portfolio securities and against increases in the U.S. dollar
cost of foreign securities to be acquired. As is the case with other kinds of options, however, the writing of an option on foreign currency
will constitute only a partial hedge, up to the amount of the premium received, and that a Fund could be required to purchase or sell
foreign currencies at disadvantageous exchange rates, thereby incurring losses. The purchase of an option on foreign currency may constitute
an effective hedge against fluctuation in exchange rates although, in the event of rate movements adverse to that Fund’s position,
the Fund may forfeit the entire amount of the premium plus related transaction costs.
The successful use of forward contracts and foreign currency futures will
usually depend on the investment adviser’s ability to forecast currency exchange rate movements correctly. Should exchange rates
move in an unexpected manner, a Fund may not achieve the anticipated benefits of forward contracts, foreign currency futures or may realize
losses.
Securities Index Futures
Contracts and Options Thereon. Purchases or sales of securities index futures contracts are used for hedging purposes to
attempt to protect a Fund’s current or intended investments from broad fluctuations in stock or bond prices. For example, the Fund
may sell securities index futures contracts in anticipation of or during a market decline to attempt to offset the decrease in market
value of the Fund’s securities portfolio that might otherwise result. If such decline occurs, the loss in value of portfolio securities
may be offset, in whole or part, by gains on the futures position. When the Fund is not fully invested in the securities market and anticipates
a significant market advance, it may purchase securities index futures contracts in order to gain rapid market exposure that may, in part
or entirely, offset increases in the cost of securities that the Fund intends to purchase. As such purchases are made, the corresponding
positions in securities index futures contracts may be closed out. The Fund may write put and call options on securities index futures
contracts for hedging purposes.
Risks of Options, Futures
and Forward Contracts. Options, futures and forward contracts are forms of derivatives. The use of options, futures and
forward contracts as hedging techniques may not succeed where the price movements of the securities underlying the options, futures and
forward contracts do not follow the price movements of the portfolio securities subject to the hedge. Gains on investments in options,
futures and forward contracts depend on the investment adviser’s ability to predict correctly the direction of stock prices, interest
rates, currencies and other economic factors and unanticipated changes may cause poorer overall performance for a Fund than if it had
not engaged in such transactions. Where a liquid secondary market for options, futures or forward contracts does not exist, a Fund may
not be able to close its position and, in such an event would be unable to control its losses. The loss from investing in certain options,
futures and forward contracts is potentially unlimited. The use of forward contracts may limit gains from a positive change in the relationship
between the U.S. dollar and foreign currencies.
A Fund’s futures transactions will ordinarily be entered into for traditional
hedging purposes. There is, however, no limit on the amount of a Fund’s assets that can be put at risk through the use of futures
contracts and the value of a Fund’s futures contracts and options thereon may equal or exceed 100% of that Fund’s total
assets. No Fund, however, has a current intention of entering into futures transactions other than for traditional hedging purposes.
Exclusion from Definition
of Commodity Pool Operator. Pursuant to Rule 4.5 under the Commodity Exchange Act (“CEA”), Brookfield
Public Securities Group LLC (the “Adviser”) has filed a notice of exemption from registration as a “commodity pool
operator” with respect to each Fund. Each Fund and the Adviser are therefore not subject to registration or regulation as a pool
operator under the CEA. In order to claim the Rule 4.5 exemption, each Fund is significantly limited in its ability to invest in
commodity futures, options, swaps (including securities futures, broad- based stock index futures and financial futures contracts). As
a result, in the future, each Fund will be more limited in its ability to use these instruments than in the past and these limitations
may have a negative impact on the ability of the Adviser to manage each Fund, and on each Fund’s performance.
Regulation of Certain Options, Currency Transactions
and Other Derivative Transactions as Swaps or Security-Based Swaps (All Funds)
Title VII of the Dodd-Frank Act, enacted in July 2010, the “Derivatives
Title,” includes provisions that comprehensively regulate the over-the-counter (i.e., not
exchange-traded) derivatives markets for the first time. This regulation requires that certain of the options, currency transactions and
other derivative transactions entered into by a Fund are regulated as swaps by the CFTC or regulated as security-based swaps by the Securities
and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) (collectively, “swaps”).
The SEC, other U.S. regulators, and to a lesser extent the CFTC (the
“Regulators”) still are in the process of adopting regulations to implement the Derivatives Title, though certain aspects
of the new regulatory structure are substantially complete. Until the Regulators complete their rulemaking efforts, the full extent to
which the Derivatives Title and the rules adopted thereunder will impact a Fund is unclear. It is possible that the continued development
of this new regulatory structure for swaps may jeopardize certain trades and/or trading strategies that may be employed by the Adviser,
or at least make them more costly.
Current regulations require the mandatory central clearing and mandatory
exchange trading of particular types of interest rate swaps and index credit default swaps (together, “Covered Swaps”).
Together, these regulatory requirements change a Fund’s trading of Covered Swaps. With respect to mandatory central clearing, a
Fund is now required to clear its Covered Swaps through a clearing broker, which requires, among other things, posting initial margin
and variation margin to the Fund’s clearing broker in order to enter into and maintain positions in Covered Swaps. With respect
to mandatory exchange trading, the Adviser may be required to become a participant of a new type of execution platform called a swap execution
facility (“SEF”) or may be required to access the SEF through an intermediary (such as an executing broker) in order to
be able to trade Covered Swaps for a Fund. In either scenario, the Adviser and/or a Fund may incur additional legal and compliance costs
and transaction fees. Just as with the other regulatory changes imposed as a result of the implementation of the Derivatives Title, the
increased costs and fees associated with trading Covered Swaps may jeopardize certain trades and/or trading strategies that may be employed
by the Adviser, or at least make them more costly.
Additionally, the Regulators have finalized regulations with a phased
implementation that may require swap dealers to collect from the Fund’s initial margin and variation margin for uncleared derivatives
transactions in certain circumstances. The Regulators also plan to finalize proposed regulations that would impose upon swap dealers certain
new capital requirements. These requirements, when finalized and implemented, may make certain types of trades and/or trading strategies
more costly or impermissible. The Derivatives Title also requires swap dealers and major swap participants to register with the SEC and/or
the CFTC, as appropriate. Swap dealers and major swap participants are subject to a panoply of new regulations, including among others,
capital and margin requirements and business conduct standards. Additionally, it is expected that swap dealers will transfer at least
some of their compliance costs to counterparties in the form of higher fees or less favorable marks on swap transactions. This means that
the Fund could face increased transaction costs when entering into swaps with a swap dealer.
These requirements of the Derivatives Title may also increase the cost
of certain hedging and other derivatives transactions. Until the Regulators complete the rulemaking process for the Derivatives Title,
it is unknown the extent to which such risks may materialize. There can be no assurance that these developments will not adversely affect
the business and investment activities of the Adviser and a Fund.
Short-Term Investments (All Funds)
For temporary defensive or cash management purposes, each Fund may invest
in short-term investments including, but not limited to: (a) commercial paper and other short- term commercial obligations; (b) obligations
(including certificates of deposit and bankers’ acceptances) of banks; (c) obligations issued or guaranteed by a governmental issuer,
including governmental agencies or instrumentalities; (d) fixed income securities of non-governmental issuers; and (e) other cash equivalents
or cash. Subject to the Fund’s restrictions regarding investment in non-U.S. securities, these securities may be denominated in
any currency.
Risks Associated with Long Term Objective — Not
a Complete Investment Program (All Funds)
The Funds are intended for investors seeking a high level of total return,
with an emphasis on income. The Funds are not meant to provide a vehicle for those who wish to exploit short-term swings in the stock
market and is intended for long-term investors. An investment in shares of the Funds should not be considered a complete investment program.
Each shareholder should take into account the Funds’ investment objective as well as the shareholder’s other investments
when considering an investment in the Funds.
GRSI Companies Risk
Renewables Fund—GRSI
companies may be subject to a variety of factors that may adversely affect their business or operations, including high interest costs
in connection with capital construction programs, high leverage, costs associated with environmental and other regulations, the effects
of economic slowdown, surplus capacity, increased competition from other providers of services, uncertainties concerning the availability
of fuel at reasonable prices, the effects of energy conservation policies and other factors. While many of the risks below could be present
with respect to other investments, these risks may be particularly important to investments in GRSI companies. GRSI companies maybe particularly
affected by or subject to:
Regulatory
Risk. GRSI companies may be subject to substantial governmental regulation and may also be affected by governmental regulation
of rates charged to services, the imposition of special tariffs and changes in tax laws, environmental laws and regulations, regulatory
policies, accounting standards and general changes in market sentiment towards GRSI assets. For example, GRSI companies engaged in businesses
with monopolistic characteristics, such as electricity distribution, could face caps placed by regulators on allowable returns. Often
these price determinations are final with limited or no right of appeal. Given the public interest aspect of the services that GRSI assets
provide, political oversight of the sector is likely to remain pervasive and unpredictable and, for political reasons, governments may
attempt to take actions, which may negatively affect the operations, revenue, profitability or contractual relationships of portfolio
investments, including through expropriation. GRSI companies’ inability to predict, influence or respond appropriately to changes
in law or regulatory schemes could adversely impact their results of operations.
Technology
Risk. This risk arises where a change could occur in the way a service or product is delivered, rendering the existing technology
obsolete. While the risk could be considered low in the GRSI sector given the massive fixed costs involved in constructing assets and
the fact that many GRSI technologies are well-established, any technology change that occurs over the medium term could threaten the profitability
of a GRSI company. If such a change were to occur, these assets may have very few alternative uses should they become obsolete.
Regional
or Geographic Risk. This risk arises where a GRSI company’s assets are not movable. Should an event that somehow
impairs the performance of a GRSI company’s assets occur in the geographic location where the issuer operates those assets, the
performance of the issuer may be adversely affected.
Force
Majeure Risk. The use of GRSI assets may be interrupted or otherwise affected by a variety of events outside the Fund’s
control, including serious traffic accidents, natural disasters (such as earthquakes, flood, lightning, hurricanes and wind), man-made
disasters, defective design and construction and other unforeseen circumstances. Extreme weather patterns, or the threat thereof, could
result in substantial damage to the facilities of certain companies located in the affected areas, and significant volatility in the products
or services of renewables and sustainable infrastructure companies could adversely impact the prices of the securities of such issuer.
While the Fund will seek to make investments where insurance and other risk management products (to the extent available on commercially
reasonable terms) are utilized to mitigate the potential loss resulting from catastrophic events and other risks customarily covered by
insurance, this may not always be practicable or feasible. Moreover, it will not be possible to insure against all such risks, and such
insurance proceeds as may be derived in a timely manner from covered risks may be inadequate to completely, or even partially, cover a
loss of revenues, an increase in operating and maintenance expenses and/or are placement or rehabilitation.
Through-put
Risk. The revenue of many GRSI companies may be impacted by the number of users who use the products or services produced
by such company. A significant decrease in the number of users may negatively impact the profitability of a GRSI company.
Project
Risk. To the extent the Fund invests in GRSI companies which are dependent to a significant extent on new or development-stage
GRSI projects, the Fund may be exposed to the risk that the project will not be completed within budget, within the agreed time frame
or to agreed specifications. During the construction or development phase, the major risks of delay include political opposition, regulatory
and permitting delays, site procurement delays, strikes, disputes, environmental issues, force majeure, or failure by one or more of the
investment participants to perform in a timely manner their contractual, financial or other commitments. Each of these factors may adversely
affect the Fund’s return from a particular investment.
Strategic
Asset Risk. GRSI companies may control significant strategic assets. Strategic assets are assets that have a national or
regional profile, and may have monopolistic characteristics. The very nature of these assets could generate additional risk not common
in other industry sectors. Given the national or regional profile and/or their irreplaceable nature, strategic assets may constitute a
higher risk target for terrorist acts or political actions. Given the essential nature of the products or services provided by GRSI companies,
there is also a higher probability that the services provided by such issuers will be in constant demand. Should a GRSI company fail to
make such services available, users of such services may incur significant damage and may, due to the characteristics of the strategic
assets, be unable to replace the supply or mitigate any such damage, thereby heightening any potential loss.
Operation
Risk. The long-term profitability of a GRSI company may be partly dependent on the efficient operation and maintenance of
its GRSI assets. Should a GRSI company fail to efficiently maintain and operate the assets, the GRSI company’s ability to maintain
payments of dividends or interest to investors may be impaired. The destruction or loss of a GRSI asset may have a major impact on the
GRSI company. Failure by the GRSI company to carry adequate insurance or to operate the asset appropriately could lead to significant
losses and damages. In addition, the operations of the issuers of the Fund’s investments may rely on government permits, licenses,
concessions, leases or contracts. For example, certain portfolio investments may need to use public ways or may operate under easements.
Under the terms of agreements governing the use of public ways or easements, government authorities may retain the right to restrict the
use of such public ways or easements or to require portfolio companies to remove, modify, replace or relocate their facilities at the
company’s expense. If a government authority exercises these rights, a GRSI company could incur significant costs, and its ability
to provide service to its customers could be disrupted, which could adversely impact the performance of the relevant portfolio investment.
Government entities generally have significant influence over such companies in respect of the various contractual and regulatory relationships
they may have, and these government entities may exercise their authority in a manner that causes delays in the operation of the business
of the issuers of the Fund’s investments, obstacles to pursuit of such issuers’ strategy or increased administrative expenses,
all of which could materially and adversely affect the business and operations of the Fund.
Customer
Risk. GRSI companies can have a narrow customer base. Should these customers or counter parties fail to pay their contractual
obligations, significant revenues could cease and not be replaceable. This would affect the profitability of the GRSI company and the
value of any securities or other instruments it has issued.
Interest
Rate Risk. GRSI assets can be highly leveraged. As such, movements in the level of interest rates may affect the returns
from these assets more significantly than other assets in some instances. The structure and nature of the debt encumbering a GRSI asset
may therefore be an important element to consider in assessing the interest risk of the GRSI asset. In particular, the type of facilities,
maturity profile, rates being paid, fixed versus variable components and covenants in place (including the manner in which they affect
returns to equity holders) are crucial factors in assessing any interest rate risk. Furthermore, many GRSI businesses rely on concessions
to mitigate the inflation risk to cash flows through escalation provisions linked to the inflation rate (e.g., the toll set on a toll
road). While these provisions may protect against certain risks, they do not protect against the risk of a rise in real interest rates,
which is likely to create higher financing costs for GRSI businesses and a reduction in the amount of cash available for distribution
to investors. Due to the nature of GRSI assets, the impact of interest rate fluctuations may be greater for GRSI companies than for the
economy as a whole in the country in which the interest rate fluctuation occurs.
Inflation
Risk. Many companies operating in the GRSI sector may have fixed income streams and, therefore, be unable to pay higher
dividends. The market value of GRSI companies may decline in value in times of higher inflation rates. The prices that a GRSI company
is able to charge users of its assets may not be linked to inflation. In addition, the market value of portfolio investments may decline
in times of higher inflation rates given that the most commonly used methodologies for valuing investments (e.g., discounted cash flow
analysis) are sensitive to rising inflation and real interest rates. Finally, wage and price controls have been imposed at times in certain
countries in an attempt to control inflation, which could significantly
affect the operation of portfolio investments. Accordingly, changes
in the rate of inflation may affect the forecast profitability of the GRSI company.
Developing
Industries Risk. Some GRSI companies are focused on developing new technologies and are strongly influenced by technological
changes. Product development efforts by such companies may not result in viable commercial products. These companies may bear high research
and development costs, which can limit their ability to maintain operations during periods of organizational growth or instability. Some
GRSI companies in which the Fund may invest may be in the early stages of operations and may have limited operating histories and smaller
market capitalizations on average than companies in other sectors. As a result of these and other factors, the value of investments in
such issuers may be considerably more volatile than that in more established segments of the economy.
Financing
Risk. From time to time, GRSI companies may encounter difficulties in obtaining financing for construction programs during
inflationary periods. Issuers experiencing difficulties in financing construction programs may also experience lower profitability, which
can result in reduced income to the Fund.
Other factors that may affect the operations of GRSI
companies include difficulty in raising capital in adequate amounts on reasonable terms in periods of high inflation and unsettled capital
markets, inexperience with and potential losses resulting from a developing deregulatory environment, increased susceptibility to terrorist
acts or political actions and general changes in market sentiment towards GRSI assets. In addition, the current presidential administration
could significantly impact the regulation of United States financial markets and dramatically alter existing trade, tax, energy and infrastructure
regulations, among others. It is not possible to predict what, if any, changes will be made or their potential effect on the economy,
securities markets or financial stability of the United States, or on the energy, natural resources, infrastructure and other markets.
Debt Securities and Related Investments (All Funds)
Debt Securities Rating
Information. The Funds may each invest in debt securities of any rating, including below investment grade debt securities
or comparable unrated securities, but may not invest in securities in default. All Funds may invest in convertible debt securities rated
“D” or better, or comparable unrated securities as determined by the Adviser. Investment grade debt securities are those
rated “BBB” or higher by Standard & Poor’s Ratings Group (“Standard & Poor’s”) or the
equivalent of other nationally recognized statistical rating organizations (“NRSROs”). Debt securities rated BBB are considered
medium grade obligations with speculative characteristics, and adverse economic conditions or changing circumstances may weaken the issuer’s
ability to pay interest and repay principal. Below investment grade debt securities are those rated “BB” and below by Standard
& Poor’s or the equivalent rating of other NRSROs. See “Appendix A” for a description of rating categories.
Below investment grade debt securities or comparable unrated securities
are commonly referred to as “junk bonds” and are considered predominantly speculative and may be questionable as to principal
and interest payments. Changes in economic conditions are more likely to lead to a weakened capacity to make principal payments and interest
payments. The issuers of high yield securities also may be more adversely affected than issuers of higher rated securities by specific
corporate or governmental developments or the issuers’ inability to meet specific projected business forecasts. The amount of high
yield securities outstanding has proliferated as an increasing number of issuers have used high yield securities for corporate financing.
The recent economic downturn has severely affected the ability of many highly leveraged issuers to service their debt obligations or to
repay their obligations upon maturity. Factors having an adverse impact on the market value of lower quality securities will have an adverse
effect on a Fund’s net asset value to the extent that it invests in such securities. In addition, a Fund may incur additional expenses
to the extent it is required to seek recovery upon a default in payment of principal or interest on its portfolio holdings or to take
other steps to protect its investment in an issuer.
The secondary market for high yield securities is not usually as liquid
as the secondary market for more highly rated securities, a factor which may have an adverse effect on a Fund’s ability to dispose
of a particular security when necessary to meet its liquidity needs. Under adverse market or economic conditions, such as those recently
prevailing, the secondary market for high yield securities could contract further, independent of any specific adverse changes in the
condition of a particular issuer. As a result, a Fund could find it more difficult to sell these securities or may be able to sell the
securities only at prices lower than if such securities were widely traded. Prices realized upon the sale of such lower rated or unrated
securities, under these and other circumstances, may be less than the prices used in calculating a Fund’s net asset value.
Since investors generally perceive that there are greater risks associated
with lower quality debt securities of the type in which a Fund may invest, the yields and prices of such securities may tend to fluctuate
more than those for higher rated securities. In the lower quality segments of the debt securities market, changes in perceptions of issuers’
creditworthiness tend to occur more frequently and in a more pronounced manner than do changes in higher quality segments of the debt
securities market, resulting in greater yield and price volatility.
Lower rated and comparable unrated debt securities tend to offer higher yields than higher
rated securities with the same maturities because the historical financial condition of the issuers of such securities may not have been
as strong as that of other issuers. However, lower rated securities generally involve greater risks of loss of income and principal than
higher rated securities.
For purposes of a Fund’s credit quality policies, if a security
receives different ratings from nationally recognized statistical rating organizations, the Fund will use the lower rating. The ratings
of nationally recognized statistical rating organizations represent their opinions as to the quality of the securities that they undertake
to rate and may not accurately describe the risk of the security. If a rating organization downgrades the quality rating assigned to one
or more of a Fund’s portfolio securities, the Adviser will consider what actions, if any, are appropriate in light of the Fund’s
investment objectives and policies including selling the downgraded security or purchasing additional investment grade securities of the
appropriate credit quality as soon as it is prudent to do so.
U.S. Government Securities. U.S.
government securities in which the Funds invest include debt obligations of varying maturities issued by the U.S. Treasury or issued or
guaranteed by an agency, authority or instrumentality of the U.S. government, including the Federal Housing Administration, Federal Financing
Bank, Farm Service Agency, Export-Import Bank of the U.S., Small Business Administration, Government National Mortgage Association (“GNMA”),
General Services Administration, National Bank for Cooperatives, Federal Farm Credit Banks, Federal Home Loan Banks (“FHLBs”),
Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation (“FHLMC”), Federal National Mortgage Association (“FNMA”), Maritime
Administration, Tennessee Valley Authority and various institutions that previously were or currently are part of the Farm Credit System
(which has been undergoing reorganization since 1987). Some U.S. government securities, such as U.S. Treasury bills, Treasury notes and
Treasury bonds, which differ only in their interest rates, maturities and times of issuance, are supported by the full faith and credit
of the United States. Others are supported by: (i) the right of the issuer to borrow from the U.S. Treasury, such as securities of the
FHLBs; (ii) the discretionary authority of the U.S. government to purchase the agency’s obligations, such as securities of FNMA;
or (iii) only the credit of the issuer. Although the U.S. government has recently provided financial support to FNMA and FHLMC, no assurance
can be given that the U.S. government will provide financial support in the future to these or other U.S. government agencies, authorities
or instrumentalities that are not supported by the full faith and credit of the United States. Securities guaranteed as to principal and
interest by the U.S. government, its agencies, authorities or instrumentalities include: (i) securities for which the payment of principal
and interest is backed by an irrevocable letter of credit issued by the U.S. government or any of its agencies, authorities or instrumentalities;
(ii) participations in loans made to non-U.S. governments or other entities that are so guaranteed; and (iii) as a result of initiatives
introduced in response to the recent financial market difficulties, securities of commercial issuers or financial institutions that qualify
for guarantees by U.S. government agencies like the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation. The secondary market for certain loan participations
described above is limited and, therefore, the participations may be regarded as illiquid.
U.S. government securities may include zero coupon securities that may
be purchased when yields are attractive and/or to enhance portfolio liquidity. Zero coupon U.S. government securities are debt obligations
that are issued or purchased at a significant discount from face value. The discount approximates the total amount of interest the security
will accrue and compound over the period until maturity or the particular interest payment date at a rate of interest reflecting the market
rate of the security at the time of issuance. Zero coupon U.S. government securities do not require the periodic payment of interest.
These investments may experience greater volatility in market value than U.S. government securities that make regular payments of interest.
The Funds accrue income on these investments for tax and accounting purposes, which is distributable to shareholders and which, because
no cash is received at the time of accrual, may require the liquidation of other portfolio securities to satisfy each Fund’s distribution
obligations, in which case a Fund will forgo the purchase of additional income producing assets with these funds. Zero coupon U.S. government
securities include STRIPS and CUBES, which are issued by the U.S. Treasury as component parts of U.S. Treasury bonds and represent scheduled
interest and principal payments on the bonds.
Subordinated Securities. The
Funds may each also invest in other types of fixed income securities which are subordinated or “junior” to more senior securities
of the issuer, or which represent interests in pools of such subordinated or junior securities. Such securities may include so-called
“high yield” or “junk” bonds (i.e., bonds that are rated below investment
grade by a rating agency or that are of equivalent quality) and preferred stock. Under the terms of subordinated securities, payments
that would otherwise be made to their holders may be required to be made to the holders of more senior securities, and/or the subordinated
or junior securities may have junior liens, if they have any rights at all, in any collateral (meaning proceeds of the collateral are
required to be paid first to the holders of more senior securities). As a result, subordinated or junior securities will be disproportionately
adversely affected by a default or even a perceived decline in creditworthiness of the issuer.
Structured Securities. The
Funds may each invest in structured securities. The value of the principal and/or interest on such securities is determined by reference
to changes in the value of specific currencies, interest rates, commodities, indices or other financial indicators (the “Reference”)
or the relative change in two or more References. The interest rate or the principal amount payable upon maturity or redemption may be
increased or decreased depending upon changes in the Reference. The terms of the structured securities may provide in certain circumstances
that no principal is due at maturity and therefore may result in a loss of a Fund’s investment. Changes in the interest rate or
principal payable at maturity may be a multiple of the changes in the value of the Reference. Structured securities are a type of derivative
instrument and the payment and credit qualities from these securities derive from the assets embedded in the structure from which they
are issued. Structured securities may entail a greater degree of risk than other types of fixed income securities.
Inflation-Linked Fixed-Income
Securities (Real Assets Securities Fund). The Fund may invest in inflation-linked fixed income securities. Inflation-linked
fixed income securities are securities which have a principal value that is periodically adjusted according to the rate of inflation.
If an index measuring inflation falls, the principal value of inflation-indexed bonds will typically be adjusted downward, and consequently
the interest payable on these securities (calculated with respect to a smaller principal amount) will be reduced. In the case of Treasury
Inflation-Protected Securities, also known as TIPS, repayment of original bond principal upon maturity (as adjusted for inflation) is
guaranteed by the U.S. Treasury. For inflation-linked bonds that do not provide a similar guarantee, the adjusted principal value of the
inflation-linked bond repaid at maturity may be less than the original principal.
Such bonds may also be issued by or related to sovereign governments of
developed countries, by countries deemed to be emerging markets, and inflation-linked bonds issued by or related to companies or other
entities not affiliated with governments. Because of their inflation adjustment feature, inflation-linked bonds typically have lower yields
than conventional fixed-rate bonds. In addition, inflation-linked bonds also normally decline in price when real interest rates rise.
In the event of deflation, in which prices decline over time, the principal and income of inflation-linked bonds would likely decline,
resulting in losses to the Fund.
The Fund’s investments in inflation-linked debt securities can cause
the Fund to accrue income for tax purposes without a corresponding receipt of cash, which, because no cash is received at the time of
accrual, may require the liquidation of assets (including when not advantageous to do so) to satisfy the Fund’s distribution obligations
as a regulated investment company.
Floating Rate Loans. A
floating rate loan is typically originated, negotiated and structured by a U.S. or foreign commercial bank, insurance company, finance
company or other financial institution for a group of investors. The financial institution typically acts as an agent for the investors,
administering and enforcing the loan on their behalf. In addition, an institution, typically but not always the agent, holds any collateral
on behalf of the investors.
The interest rates are adjusted based on a base rate
plus a premium or spread or minus a discount. The base rate is a reference rate that is intended to represent the rate at which contributing
banks may obtain short-term borrowings within certain financial markets. There has been a recent transition to other reference rates,
including the Secured Overnight Financing Rate (“SOFR”).
Floating rate loans include loans to corporations and institutionally traded
floating rate debt obligations issued by an asset-backed pool, and interests therein. The Funds may each invest in loans in different
ways. A Fund may: (i) make a direct investment in a loan by participating as one of the lenders; (ii) purchase an assignment of a
loan; or (iii) purchase a participation interest in a loan.
Direct Investment
in Loans It can be advantageous to a Fund to make a direct investment in a loan as one of the lenders. When a new issue
is purchased, such an investment is typically made at par. This means that a Fund receives a return at the full interest rate for the
loan. Secondary purchases of loans may be made at par, at a premium from par or at a discount from par. When a Fund invests in an assignment
of, or a participation interest in, a loan, a Fund may pay a fee or forgo a portion of the interest payment. Consequently, a Fund’s
return on such an investment may be lower than it would have been if the Fund had made a direct investment in the underlying corporate
loan. A Fund may be able, however, to invest in corporate loans only through assignments or participation interests at certain times when
reduced direct investment opportunities in corporate loans may exist. At other times, however, such as recently, assignments or participation
interests may trade at significant discounts from par.
Assignments An
assignment represents a portion of a loan previously attributable to a different lender. The purchaser of an assignment typically succeeds
to all the rights and obligations under the loan agreement of the assigning investor and becomes an investor under the loan agreement
with the same rights and obligations as the assigning investor. Assignments may, however, be arranged through private negotiations between
potential assignees and potential assignors, and the rights and
obligations acquired by the purchaser of an assignment may differ from, and be more limited
than, those held by the assigning investor.
Participation
Interests Participation interests are interests issued by a lender or other financial institution, which represent a fractional
interest in a corporate loan. A Fund may acquire participation interests from the financial institution or from another investor. A Fund
typically will have a contractual relationship only with the financial institution that issued the participation interest. As a result,
a Fund may have the right to receive payments of principal, interest and any fees to which it is entitled only from the financial institution
and only upon receipt by such entity of such payments from the borrower. In connection with purchasing a participation interest, a Fund
generally will have no right to enforce compliance by the borrower with the terms of the loan agreement, nor any rights with respect to
any funds acquired by other investors through set-off against the borrower and the Fund may not directly benefit from the collateral supporting
the loan in which it has purchased the participation interest. As a result, a Fund may assume the credit risk of both the borrower and
the financial institution issuing the participation interest. In the event of the insolvency of the financial institution issuing a participation
interest, a Fund may be treated as a general creditor of such entity.
Other Information
About Floating Rate Loans Loans typically have a senior position in a borrower’s capital structure. The capital structure
of a borrower may include loans, senior unsecured loans, senior and junior subordinated debt, preferred stock and common stock, typically
in descending order of seniority with respect to claims on the borrower’s assets.
Although loans typically have the most senior position in a borrower’s
capital structure, they remain subject to the risk of non-payment of scheduled interest or principal. Such non-payment would result in
a reduction of income to a Fund, a reduction in the value of the investment and a potential decrease in the net asset value of the Fund.
There can be no assurance that the liquidation of any collateral securing a loan would satisfy a borrower’s obligation in the event
of non-payment of scheduled interest or principal payments, or that such collateral could be readily liquidated. In the event of bankruptcy
of a borrower, a Fund could experience delays or limitations with respect to its ability to realize the benefits of the collateral securing
a loan. Although a loan may be senior to equity and other debt securities in an issuer’s capital structure, such obligations may
be structurally subordinated to obligations of the issuer’s subsidiaries. For example, if a holding company were to issue a loan,
even if that issuer pledges the capital stock of its subsidiaries to secure the obligations under the loan, the assets of the operating
companies are available to the direct creditors of an operating company before they would be available to the holders of the loan issued
by the holding company.
In order to borrow money pursuant to a loan, a borrower will frequently,
for the term of the loan, pledge collateral, including, but not limited to: (i) working capital assets, such as accounts receivable and
inventory; (ii) tangible fixed assets, such as real property, buildings and equipment; (iii) intangible assets, such as trademarks and
patent rights (but excluding goodwill); and (iv) security interests in shares of stock of subsidiaries or affiliates. In the case of loans
made to non -public companies, the company’s shareholders or owners may provide collateral in the form of secured guarantees and/or
security interests in assets that they own. In many instances, a loan may be secured only by stock in the borrower or its subsidiaries.
Collateral may consist of assets that may not be readily liquidated, and there is no assurance that the liquidation of such assets would
satisfy fully a borrower’s obligations under a loan.
In the process of buying, selling and holding loans, a Fund may receive
and/or pay certain fees. Any fees received are in addition to interest payments received and may include facility fees, commitment fees,
commissions and prepayment penalty fees. When a Fund buys a loan it may receive a facility fee and when it sells a loan it may pay a facility
fee. On an ongoing basis, a Fund may receive a commitment fee based on the undrawn portion of the underlying line of credit portion of
a loan. In certain circumstances, a Fund may receive a prepayment penalty fee upon the prepayment of a loan by a borrower. Other fees
received by a Fund may include covenant waiver fees and covenant modification fees.
A borrower must comply with various restrictive covenants contained in
a loan agreement or note purchase agreement between the borrower and the holders of the loan. Such covenants, in addition to requiring
the scheduled payment of interest and principal, may include restrictions on dividend payments and other distributions to stockholders,
provisions requiring the borrower to maintain specific minimum financial ratios, and limits on total debt.
In a typical loan, the agent administers the terms of the loan agreement.
In such cases, the agent is normally responsible for the collection of principal and interest payments from the borrower and the apportionment
of these payments to the credit of all institutions that are parties to the loan agreement. A Fund will generally rely upon the agent
or an intermediate participant to receive and forward to the Fund its portion of the principal and interest payments on the loan. Furthermore,
unless a Fund has direct recourse against the borrower, the Fund will rely on the agent and the other investors to use appropriate credit
remedies against the borrower.
For some loans, such as revolving credit facility loans (“revolvers”),
an investor may have certain obligations pursuant to the loan agreement that may include the obligation to make additional loans in certain
circumstances. A Fund generally will reserve against these contingent obligations by segregating or otherwise designating a sufficient
amount of permissible
liquid assets. Delayed draw term loans are similar to revolvers, except that once drawn
upon by the borrower during the commitment period, they remain permanently drawn and become term loans. A prefunded L/C term loan is a
facility created by the borrower in conjunction with an agent, with the loan proceeds acting as collateral for the borrower’s obligations
in respect of the letters of credit. Each participant in a prefunded L/C term loan fully funds its commitment amount to the agent for
the facility.
A Fund may acquire interests in loans that are designed to provide temporary
or “bridge” financing to a borrower pending the sale of identified assets or the arrangement of longer-term loans or the
issuance and sale of debt obligations. Bridge loans often are unrated. A Fund may also invest in loans of borrowers that have obtained
bridge loans from other parties. A borrower’s use of bridge loans involves a risk that the borrower may be unable to locate permanent
financing to replace the bridge loan, which may impair the borrower’s perceived creditworthiness.
From time to time, the Adviser and its affiliates may borrow money from
various banks in connection with their business activities. Such banks may also sell interests in loans to or acquire them from a Fund
or may be intermediate participants with respect to loans in which the Fund owns interests. Such banks may also act as agents for loans
held by a Fund.
Inverse Floating Rate
Securities. The Funds may invest in inverse floating rate obligations. The interest on an inverse floater resets in the
opposite direction from the market rate of interest to which the inverse floater is indexed. An inverse floater may be considered to be
leveraged to the extent that its interest rate varies by a magnitude that exceeds the magnitude of the change in the index rate of interest.
The higher degree of leverage inherent in inverse floaters is associated with greater volatility in their market values.
Event-linked Bonds. The
Funds may invest in “event-linked” bonds, which sometimes are referred to as “insurance-linked” or “catastrophe”
bonds. Event-linked bonds are debt obligations for which the return of principal and the payment of interest are contingent on the non-occurrence
of a pre-defined “trigger” event, such as a hurricane or an earthquake of a specific magnitude. For some event-linked bonds,
the trigger event’s magnitude may be based on losses to a company or industry, index-portfolio losses, industry indexes or readings
of scientific instruments rather than specified actual losses. If a trigger event, as defined within the terms of an event-linked bond,
involves losses or other metrics exceeding a specific magnitude in the geographic region and time period specified therein, the Fund may
lose a portion or all of its accrued interest and/or principal invested in such event-linked bond. The Fund is entitled to receive principal
and interest payments so long as no trigger event occurs of the description and magnitude specified by the instrument.
Event-linked bonds may be issued by government agencies, insurance companies,
reinsurers, special purpose corporations or other on-shore or off-shore entities. In addition to the specified trigger events, event-linked
bonds may also expose the Fund to other risks, including but not limited to issuer (credit) default, adverse regulatory or jurisdictional
interpretations and adverse tax consequences. Event-linked bonds are subject to the risk that the model used to calculate the probability
of a trigger event was not accurate and underestimated the likelihood of a trigger event. This may result in more frequent and greater
than expected loss of principal and/or interest, which would adversely impact the Fund’s total returns. Further, to the extent
there are events that involve losses or other metrics, as applicable, that are at, or near, the threshold for a trigger event, there may
be some delay in the return of principal and/or interest until it is determined whether a trigger event has occurred. Finally, to the
extent there is a dispute concerning the definition of the trigger event relative to the specific manifestation of a catastrophe, there
may be losses or delays in the payment of principal and/or interest on the event-linked bond. As a relatively new type of financial instrument,
there is limited trading history for these securities, and there can be no assurance that a liquid market in these instruments will develop.
Lack of a liquid market may impose the risk of higher transactions costs and the possibility that the Fund may be forced to liquidate
positions when it would not be advantageous to do so.
Event-linked bonds are typically rated by at least one nationally recognized
rating agency, but also may be unrated. Although each rating agency utilizes its own general guidelines and methodology to evaluate the
risks of an event-linked bond, the average rating in the current market for event-linked bonds is “BB” by Standard &
Poor’s or the equivalent rating for another NRSROs. However, there are event-linked bonds rated higher or lower than “BB.”
The Fund’s investments in event-linked bonds generally will be rated
B, BB or BBB at the time of purchase, although the Fund may invest in event-linked bonds rated higher or lower than these ratings, as
well as event-linked bonds that are unrated. The rating for an event-linked bond primarily reflects the rating agency’s calculated
probability that a pre-defined trigger event will occur. This rating also assesses the bond’s credit risk and model used to calculate
the probability of the trigger event.
Event-linked bonds typically are restricted to qualified institutional
buyers and, therefore, are not subject to registration with the SEC or any state securities commission and are not listed on any national
securities exchange. The amount of public information available with respect to event-linked bonds is generally less extensive than that
available for issuers of registered
or exchange listed securities. Event-linked bonds may be subject to the risks of adverse
regulatory or jurisdictional determinations. There can be no assurance that future regulatory determinations will not adversely affect
the overall market for event-linked bonds.
Event-linked Swaps. The
Funds may each obtain event-linked exposure by investing in event-linked swaps, which typically are contingent, or formulaically related
to defined trigger events, or by pursuing similar event-linked derivative strategies. Trigger events include hurricanes, earthquakes and
weather-related phenomena. If a trigger event occurs, the Fund may lose the swap’s notional amount. As derivative instruments,
event-linked swaps are subject to risks in addition to the risks of investing in event-linked bonds, including counterparty risk and leverage
risk.
Debt Obligations
of Non-U.S. Governments. The Funds may each invest in debt obligations of non-U.S. governments. An investment in debt obligations
of non-U.S. governments and their political subdivisions (sovereign debt) involves special risks that are not present in corporate debt
obligations. The non-U.S. issuer of the sovereign debt or the non-U.S. governmental authorities that control the repayment of the debt
may be unable or unwilling to repay principal or interest when due, and a Fund may have limited recourse in the event of a default. During
periods of economic uncertainty, the market prices of sovereign debt may be more volatile than prices of debt obligations of U.S. issuers.
In the past, certain non-U.S. countries have encountered difficulties in servicing their debt obligations, withheld payments of principal
and interest and declared moratoria on the payment of principal and interest on their sovereign debt.
A sovereign debtor’s willingness or ability to repay principal
and pay interest in a timely manner may be affected by, among other factors, its cash flow situation, the extent of its foreign currency
reserves, the availability of sufficient foreign exchange, the relative size of the debt service burden, the sovereign debtor’s
policy toward its principal international lenders and local political constraints. Sovereign debtors may also be dependent on expected
disbursements from non-U.S. governments, multinational agencies and other entities to reduce principal and interest arrearages on their
debt. The failure of a sovereign debtor to implement economic reforms, achieve specified levels of economic performance or repay principal
or interest when due may result in the cancellation of third-party commitments to lend funds to the sovereign debtor, which may further
impair such debtor’s ability or willingness to service its debts.
Eurodollar
Instruments and Samurai and Yankee Bonds A Fund may invest in Eurodollar instruments and Samurai and Yankee bonds. Eurodollar
instruments are bonds of corporate and government issuers that pay interest and principal in U.S. dollars but are issued in markets outside
the United States, primarily in Europe. Samurai bonds are yen-denominated bonds sold in Japan by non-Japanese issuers. Yankee bonds are
U.S. dollar denominated bonds typically issued in the United States by non-U.S. governments and their agencies and non-U.S. banks and
corporations. A Fund may also invest in Eurodollar Certificates of Deposit (“ECDs”), Eurodollar Time Deposits (“ETDs”)
and Yankee Certificates of Deposit (“Yankee CDs”). ECDs are U.S. dollar-denominated certificates of deposit issued by non-U.S.
branches of domestic banks; ETDs are U.S. dollar-denominated deposits in a non-U.S. branch of a U.S. bank or in a non-U.S. bank; and Yankee
CDs are U.S. dollar-denominated certificates of deposit issued by a U.S. branch of a non-U.S. bank and held in the United States. These
investments involve risks that are different from investments in securities issued by U.S. issuers, including potential unfavorable political
and economic developments, non-U.S. withholding or other taxes, seizure of non-U.S. deposits, currency controls, interest limitations
or other governmental restrictions which might affect payment of principal or interest.
Bank Obligations (All Funds)
Time deposits are non-negotiable deposits maintained in a banking institution
for a specified period of time (in no event longer than seven days) at a stated interest rate. Time deposits which may be held by a Fund
will not benefit from insurance from the Bank Insurance Fund or the Savings Association Insurance Fund administered by the Federal Deposit
Insurance Corporation (“FDIC”). Certificates of deposit are certificates evidencing the obligation of a bank to repay funds
deposited with it for a specified period of time. Bankers’ acceptances are credit instruments evidencing the obligation of a bank
to pay a draft drawn on it by a customer. These instruments reflect the obligation both of the bank and of the drawer to pay the face
amount of the instrument upon maturity.
Commercial Paper (All Funds)
Commercial paper includes short-term unsecured promissory notes, variable
rate demand notes, and variable rate master demand notes issued by domestic and foreign bank holding companies, corporations, and financial
institutions (see “Variable and Floating Rate Demand and Master Demand Notes” below for more details) as well as similar
taxable and tax-exempt instruments issued by government agencies and instrumentalities. Each Fund establishes its own standards of creditworthiness
for issuers of such instruments.
Certificates Of Deposit (All Funds)
Domestic commercial banks organized under federal law are supervised and
examined by the Comptroller of the Currency and are required to be members of the Federal Reserve System and to have their deposits insured
by the FDIC. Domestic banks organized under state law are supervised and examined by state banking authorities but are members of the
Federal Reserve System only if they elect to join. In addition, state banks whose certificates of deposit (“CDs”) may be
purchased by the Funds are insured by the FDIC (although such insurance may not be of material benefit to a Fund, depending upon the principal
amount of the CDs of each bank held by the Fund) and are subject to federal examination and to a substantial body of federal law and regulation.
As a result of federal or state laws and regulations, domestic banks, among other things, generally are required to maintain specified
levels of reserves, limited in the amounts which they can loan to a single borrower and subject to other regulations designed to promote
financial soundness.
The Funds may purchase CDs issued by banks, savings and loan associations,
and similar institutions with less than one billion dollars in assets, which have deposits insured by the Bank Insurance Fund or the Savings
Association Insurance Fund administered by the FDIC, provided a Fund purchases any such CD in a principal amount of no more than $250,000,
which amount would be fully insured by the FDIC. Interest payments on such a CD are not insured by the FDIC. A Fund would not own more
than one such CD per issuer.
Variable and Floating Rate Demand and Master Demand Notes
(All Funds)
A Fund may, from time to time, buy variable or floating rate demand notes
issued by corporations, bank holding companies, and financial institutions, and similar taxable and tax exempt instruments issued by government
agencies and instrumentalities. These securities will typically have a maturity longer than one year but carry with them the right of
the holder to put the securities to a remarketing agent or other entity at designated time intervals and on specified notice. The obligation
of the issuer of the put to repurchase the securities may be backed up by a letter of credit or other obligation issued by a financial
institution. The purchase price is ordinarily par plus accrued and unpaid interest. Generally, the remarketing agent will adjust the interest
rate every seven days (or at other specified intervals) in order to maintain the interest rate at the prevailing rate for securities with
a seven-day or other designated maturity. A Fund’s investment in demand instruments which provide that the Fund will not receive
the principal note amount within seven days’ notice, in combination with the Fund’s other investments which are not readily
marketable, will be limited to an aggregate total of 15% of that Fund’s net assets.
A Fund may also buy variable rate master demand notes. The terms of these
obligations permit a Fund to invest fluctuating amounts at varying rates of interest pursuant to direct arrangements between the Fund,
as lender, and the borrower. These instruments permit weekly and, in some instances, daily changes in the amounts borrowed. The Fund has
the right to increase the amount under the note at any time up to the full amount provided by the note agreement, or to decrease the amount,
and the borrower may repay up to the full amount of the note without penalty. The notes may or may not be backed by bank letters of credit.
Because the notes are direct lending arrangements between a Fund and borrower, it is not generally contemplated that they will be traded,
and there is no secondary market for them, although they are redeemable (and, thus, immediately repayable by the borrower) at the principal
amount, plus accrued interest, at any time. In connection with any such purchase and on an ongoing basis, the Adviser will consider the
earning power, cash flow, and other liquidity ratios of the issuer, and its ability to pay principal and interest on demand, including
a situation in which all holders of such notes make demand simultaneously. While master demand notes, as such, are not typically rated
by credit rating agencies, a Fund may, under its minimum rating standards, invest in them only if, at the time of an investment, the issuer
meets the criteria set forth in this SAI for commercial paper obligations.
Investment Company Securities (All Funds)
The Funds may invest in shares of other investment companies, subject to
the limitations of the 1940 Act, and subject to such investments being consistent with the overall investment objective and policies of
the Fund. To the extent that a Fund invests in the securities of other investment companies, shareholders in the Fund may be subject to
duplicative advisory and administrative fees.
Exchange-Traded Funds (All Funds)
The Funds may invest in exchange-traded funds (“ETFs”). ETFs
are a type of index fund bought and sold on a securities exchange. An ETF trades like common stock and represents a portfolio of securities
designed to track a particular market index. The Fund could purchase an ETF to gain exposure to all or a portion of the U.S. market, a
foreign market, a region, a commodity, a currency, or to any other index that an ETF tracks. The risks of owning an ETF generally reflect
the risks of owning the underlying securities they are designed to track, although lack of liquidity in an ETF could result in it being
more volatile and ETFs have management fees that increase their costs. An ETF may fail to accurately track the returns
of the market segment or index that it is designed to track, and the price of an ETF’s
shares may fluctuate. In addition, because they, unlike traditional mutual funds, are traded on an exchange, ETFs are subject to the following
risks: (i) the performance of the ETF may not replicate the performance of the underlying index that it is designed to track; (ii) the
market price of the ETF’s shares may trade at a premium or discount to the ETF’s net asset value; (iii) an active trading
market for an ETF may not develop or be maintained; and (iv) there is no assurance that the requirements of the exchange necessary to
maintain the listing of the ETF will continue to be met or remain unchanged. In the event substantial market or other disruptions affecting
ETFs should occur in the future, the liquidity and value of the Fund’s shares could also be substantially and adversely affected.
An investment company’s investments in other investment companies
are typically subject to statutory limitations prescribed by the 1940 Act. Many ETFs, however, have obtained exemptive relief from the
SEC to permit unaffiliated funds, such as the Fund, to invest in their shares beyond these statutory limits, subject to certain conditions
and pursuant to contractual arrangements between the ETFs and the investing funds. The Fund may rely on these exemptive orders in investing
in ETFs.
Exchange-Traded Notes (All Funds)
The Funds may invest in exchange-traded notes (“ETNs”).
ETNs are a type of senior, unsecured, unsubordinated debt security issued by financial institutions that combines both aspects of bonds
and ETFs. An ETN’s returns are based on the performance of a market index 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 market index to which the ETN is linked minus certain fees.
Unlike regular bonds, ETNs do not make periodic interest payments and
principal is not protected. ETNs are subject to credit risk and the value of an ETN may drop due to a downgrade in the issuer’s
credit rating, despite the underlying market benchmark or strategy remaining unchanged. The value of an ETN may also be influenced by
time to maturity, level of supply and demand for the ETN, volatility and lack of liquidity in underlying assets, changes in the applicable
interest rates, changes in the issuer’s credit rating, and economic, legal, political, or geographic events that affect the referenced
underlying asset. When a Fund invests in ETNs it will bear its proportionate share of any fees and expenses borne by the ETN. The Fund’s
decision to sell its ETN holdings may be limited by the availability of a secondary market. In addition, although an ETN may be listed
on an exchange, the issuer may not be required to maintain the listing and there can be no assurance that a secondary market will exist
for an ETN.
ETNs are also subject to tax risk. No assurance can be given that the
Internal Revenue Service (“IRS”) will accept, or a court will uphold, how the Fund characterizes and treats ETNs for tax
purposes. Further, the IRS and Congress have considered proposals that would change the timing and character of income and gains from
ETNs.
An ETN that is tied to a specific market benchmark or strategy may not
be able to replicate and maintain exactly the composition and relative weighting of securities, commodities or other components in the
applicable market benchmark or strategy. 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. Leveraged ETNs are subject to the same risk as other instruments that use leverage in any form.
The market value of ETN shares may differ from their market benchmark or
strategy. 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 securities, commodities or other components underlying the market
benchmark or strategy that the ETN seeks to track. As a result, there may be times when an ETN share trades at a premium or discount to
its market benchmark or strategy.
Interest Rate Risk (All Funds)
Investments held by a Fund may decline in value because of changes in interest
rates. Interest rate changes can be sudden and unpredictable, and a Fund may lose money as a result of movements in interest rates. Fixed
income investments with longer durations tend to be more sensitive to changes in interest rates, usually making them more volatile than
securities with shorter durations. Given the historically low interest rate environment, risks associated with rising interest rates are
heightened. Recent and potential future changes in government policy that may affect interest rates and current conditions may result
in a rise in interest rates which may result in a decline in the value of investments held by the Fund. Many factors can cause interest
rates to rise, such as central bank monetary policies, inflation rates, general economic conditions and expectations. As a result of any
changes in interest rates, a Fund may experience higher than normal redemptions and may be forced to sell investments during periods of
reduced market liquidity at unfavorable prices in order to meet redemption obligations.
Limited Partnerships (All Funds)
The Funds may obtain interests in limited partnerships. A limited partnership
interest entitles the Fund to participate in the investment return of the partnership’s assets as defined by the agreement among
the partners. As a limited partner, the Fund generally is not permitted to participate in the management of the partnership. However,
unlike a general partner whose liability is not limited, a limited partner’s liability generally is limited to the amount of its
commitment to the partnership.
Master Limited Partnerships (All Funds)
The Funds may invest in equity securities of master limited partnerships
(“MLPs”), and their affiliates. An MLP generally has two classes of partners, the general partner and the limited partners.
The general partner normally controls the MLP through an equity interest plus units that are subordinated to the common (publicly
traded) units for an initial period and then only converting to common if certain financial tests are met. As a motivation for the general
partner to successfully manage the MLP and increase cash flows, the terms of most MLPs typically provide that the general partner receives
a larger portion of the net income as distributions reach higher target levels. As cash flow grows, the general partner receives a greater
interest in the incremental income compared to the interest of limited partners. The general partner’s incentive compensation typically
increases to up to 50% of incremental income. Nevertheless, the aggregate amount distributed to limited partners will increase as MLP
distributions reach higher target levels. Given this incentive structure, the general partner has an incentive to streamline operations
and undertake acquisitions and growth projects in order to increase distributions to all partners.
MLP common units represent an equity ownership interest in a partnership,
providing limited voting rights and entitling the holder to a share of the company’s success through distributions and/or capital
appreciation. Unlike shareholders of a corporation, common unit holders do not elect directors annually and generally have the right to
vote only on certain significant events, such as mergers, a sale of substantially all of the assets, removal of the general partner or
material amendments to the partnership agreement. MLPs are required by their partnership agreements to distribute a large percentage
of their current operating earnings. Common unit holders generally have first right to a minimum quarterly distribution prior to distributions
to the convertible subordinated unit holders or the general partner (including incentive distributions). Common unit holders typically
have arrearage rights if the minimum quarterly distribution is not met. In the event of liquidation, MLP common unit holders have first
right to the partnership’s remaining assets after bondholders, other debt holders, and preferred unit holders have been paid in
full. MLP common units trade on a national securities exchange or over-the-counter. Some limited liability companies (“LLCs”)
may be treated as MLPs for federal income tax purposes. Similar to MLPs, LLCs typically do not pay federal income tax at the entity level
and are required by their operating agreements to distribute a large percentage of their current operating earnings. In contrast
to MLPs, LLCs have no general partner and there are no incentives that entitle management or other unit holders to increased percentages
of cash distributions as distributions reach higher target levels. In addition, LLC common unit holders typically have voting rights with
respect to the LLC, whereas MLP common units have limited voting rights. MLP common units and other equity securities can be
affected by macro-economic and other factors affecting the stock market in general, expectations of interest rates, investor sentiment
towards MLPs or a MLP’s business sector, changes in a particular issuer’s financial condition, or unfavorable or unanticipated
poor performance of a particular issuer (in the case of MLPs, generally measured in terms of distributable cash flow). Prices of common units
of individual MLPs and other equity securities can also be affected by fundamentals unique to the partnership or company, including earnings
power and coverage ratios.
MLP convertible subordinated units are typically issued by MLPs
to founders, corporate general partners of MLPs, entities that sell assets to the MLP, and institutional investors, and may be purchased
in direct placements from such persons. The purpose of the convertible subordinated units is to increase the likelihood that during
the subordination period there will be available cash to be distributed to common unit holders. Convertible subordinated units generally
are not entitled to distributions until holders of common units have received specified minimum quarterly distributions, plus any
arrearages, and may receive less in distributions upon liquidation. Convertible subordinated unit holders generally are entitled to a
minimum quarterly distribution prior to the payment of incentive distributions to the general partner, but are not entitled to arrearage
rights. Therefore, they generally entail greater risk than MLP common units. They are generally convertible automatically into the
senior common units of the same issuer at a one-to-one ratio upon the passage of time or the satisfaction of certain financial tests.
These units do not trade on a national exchange or over-the-counter, and there is no active market for convertible subordinated units.
The value of a convertible security is a function of its worth if converted into the underlying common units.
Convertible subordinated units generally have similar voting rights to MLP common units.
Because convertible subordinated units generally convert to common units on a one-to-one ratio, the price that the Fund could
be expected to pay upon purchase or to realize upon resale is generally tied to the common unit price less a discount. The size of the
discount varies depending on a variety of factors including the likelihood of conversion, and the length of time remaining to conversion,
and the size of the block purchased.
MLP I-Shares represent an indirect investment in MLP I-units. I-units are
equity securities issued to affiliates of MLPs, typically a limited liability company, that own an interest in and manage the MLP. The
issuer has management rights but is not entitled to incentive distributions. The I-Share issuer’s assets consist exclusively of
MLP I-units. Distributions by MLPs to I-unit holders are made in the form of additional I-units, generally equal in amount to the cash
received by common unit holders of MLPs. Distributions to I-Share holders are made in the form of additional I-Shares, generally equal
in amount to the I-units received by the I-Share issuer. The issuer of the I-Share is taxed as a corporation for federal income tax purposes;
however, the MLP does not allocate income or loss to the I-Share issuer. Accordingly, investors receive a Form 1099, are not allocated
their proportionate share of income of the MLPs and are not subject to state income tax filing obligations. The price of I-Shares and
their volatility tend to be correlated to the price of common units, although the price correlation is not precise.
Real Estate Investment Trusts (All Funds)
The Funds may invest in Real Estate Investment Trusts (“REITs”).
REITs are companies that invest primarily in income producing real estate or real estate-related loans or interests. REITs are generally
classified as equity REITs, mortgage REITs or a combination of equity and mortgage REITs. Equity REITs invest the majority of their assets
directly in real property and derive income primarily from the collection of rents. Equity REITs can also realize capital gains by selling
properties that have appreciated in value. Mortgage REITs invest the majority of their assets in real estate mortgages and derive income
from the collection of interest payments. REITs are not taxed on income distributed to shareholders provided they comply with the applicable
requirements of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”). The Fund will indirectly bear its proportionate
share of any management and other expenses paid by REITs in which it invests in addition to the expenses paid by the Fund. Debt securities
issued by REITs are, for the most part, general and unsecured obligations and are subject to risks associated with REITs.
Investing in REITs involves certain unique risks in addition to those risks
associated with investing in the real estate industry in general. An equity REIT may be affected by changes in the value of the underlying
properties owned by the REIT. A mortgage REIT may be affected by changes in interest rates and the ability of the issuers of its portfolio
mortgages to repay their obligations. REITs are dependent upon the skills of their managers and are not diversified. REITs are generally
dependent upon maintaining cash flows to repay borrowings and to make distributions to shareholders and are subject to the risk of default
by lessees or borrowers. REITs whose underlying assets are concentrated in properties used by a particular industry, such as health care,
are also subject to risks associated with such industry.
REITs (especially mortgage REITs) are also subject to interest rate risk.
When interest rates decline, the value of a REIT’s investment in fixed rate obligations can be expected to rise. Conversely, when
interest rates rise, the value of a REIT’s investment in fixed rate obligations can be expected to decline. If the REIT invests
in adjustable rate mortgage loans the interest rates on which are reset periodically, yields on a REIT’s investments in such loans
will gradually align themselves to reflect changes in market interest rates. This causes the value of such investments to fluctuate less
dramatically in response to interest rate fluctuations than would investments in fixed rate obligations.
REITs may have limited financial resources, may trade less frequently and
in a limited volume and may be subject to more abrupt or erratic price movements than larger company securities. Historically REITs have
been more volatile in price than the larger capitalization stocks included in Standard & Poor’s 500 Stock Index (the “S&P
500”).
Mortgage-Backed Securities (All Funds)
The Funds may invest in mortgage pass-through certificates and multiple-class
pass-through securities, such as real estate mortgage investment conduits (“REMIC”) pass-through certificates, collateralized
mortgage obligations (“CMOs”) and stripped mortgage-backed securities (“SMBS”), and other types of mortgage-backed
securities (“MBS”) that may be available in the future. A mortgage-backed security is an obligation of the issuer backed
by a mortgage or pool of mortgages or a direct interest in an underlying pool of mortgages. Some mortgage-backed securities, such as CMOs,
make payments of both principal and interest at a variety of intervals; others make semi-annual interest payments at a predetermined rate
and repay principal at maturity (like a typical bond). Mortgage-backed securities are based on different types of mortgages including
those on commercial real estate or residential properties. Mortgage- backed securities often have stated maturities of up to thirty years
when they are issued, depending upon the length of the mortgages underlying the securities. In
practice, however, unscheduled or early payments of principal and interest on the underlying
mortgages may make the securities’ effective maturity shorter than this, and the prevailing interest rates may be higher or lower
than the current yield of a Fund’s portfolio at the time the Fund receives the payments for reinvestment. Mortgage-backed securities
may have less potential for capital appreciation than comparable fixed income securities, due to the likelihood of increased prepayments
of mortgages as interest rates decline. If a Fund buys mortgage-backed securities at a premium, mortgage foreclosures and prepayments
of principal by mortgagors (which may be made at any time without penalty) may result in some loss of the Fund’s principal investment
to the extent of the premium paid.
The value of mortgage-backed securities may also change due to shifts
in the market’s perception of issuers. In addition, regulatory or tax changes may adversely affect the mortgage securities markets
as a whole. Non-governmental mortgage-backed securities may offer higher yields than those issued by government entities, but also may
be subject to greater price changes than governmental issues.
Through its investments in mortgage-backed securities, including those
that are issued by private issuers, a Fund may have exposure to subprime loans as well as to the mortgage and credit markets generally.
Private issuers include commercial banks, savings associations, mortgage companies, investment banking firms, finance companies and special
purpose finance entities (called special purpose vehicles or “SPVs”) and other entities that acquire and package mortgage
loans for resale as MBS.
Unlike mortgage-backed securities issued or guaranteed by the U.S. government
or one of its sponsored entities, mortgage-backed securities issued by private issuers do not have a government or government-sponsored
entity guarantee, but may have credit enhancement provided by external entities such as banks or financial institutions or achieved through
the structuring of the transaction itself. Examples of such credit support arising out of the structure of the transaction include the
issue of senior and subordinated securities (e.g., the issuance of securities by an SPV in multiple
classes or “tranches,” with one or more classes being senior to other subordinated classes as to the payment of principal
and interest, with the result that defaults on the underlying mortgage loans are borne first by the holders of the subordinated class);
creation of “reserve funds” (in which case cash or investments, sometimes funded from a portion of the payments
on the underlying mortgage loans, are held in reserve against future losses); and “overcollateralization” (in which
case the scheduled payments on, or the principal amount of, the underlying mortgage loans exceeds that required to make payment of the
securities and pay any servicing or other fees). However, there can be no guarantee that credit enhancements, if any, will be sufficient
to prevent losses in the event of defaults on the underlying mortgage loans.
In addition, mortgage-backed securities that are issued by private issuers
are not subject to the underwriting requirements for the underlying mortgages that are applicable to those mortgage-backed securities
that have a government or government-sponsored entity guarantee. As a result, the mortgage loans underlying private mortgage-backed securities
may, and frequently do, have less favorable collateral, credit risk or other underwriting characteristics than government or government-sponsored
mortgage-backed securities and have wider variances in a number of terms including interest rate, term, size, purpose and borrower characteristics.
Privately issued pools more frequently include second mortgages, high loan-to-value mortgages and manufactured housing loans. The coupon
rates and maturities of the underlying mortgage loans in a private mortgage-backed securities pool may vary to a greater extent than those
included in a government guaranteed pool, and the pool may include subprime mortgage loans. Subprime loans refer to loans made to borrowers
with weakened credit histories or with a lower capacity to make timely payments on their loans. For these reasons, the loans underlying
these securities have had in many cases higher default rates than those loans that meet government underwriting requirements.
The risk of non-payment is greater for mortgage-backed securities that
are backed by mortgage pools that contain subprime loans, but a level of risk exists for all loans. Market factors adversely affecting
mortgage loan repayments may include a general economic turndown, high unemployment, a general slowdown in the real estate market, a drop
in the market prices of real estate, or an increase in interest rates resulting in higher mortgage payments by holders of adjustable rate
mortgages.
If the Funds purchase subordinated mortgage-backed securities, the subordinated
mortgage-backed securities may serve as a credit support for the senior securities purchased by other investors. In addition, the payments
of principal and interest on these subordinated securities generally will be made only after payments are made to the holders of securities
senior to a Fund’s securities. Therefore, if there are defaults on the underlying mortgage loans, a Fund will be less likely to
receive payments of principal and interest, and will be more likely to suffer a loss.
Privately issued mortgage-backed securities are not traded on an exchange
and there may be a limited market for the securities, especially when there is a perceived weakness in the mortgage and real estate market
sectors. Without an active trading market, mortgage-backed securities held in a Fund’s portfolio may be particularly difficult
to value because of the complexities involved in assessing the value of the underlying mortgage loans.
In the case of private issue mortgage-related securities whose underlying
assets are neither U.S. government securities nor U.S. government-insured mortgages, to the extent that real properties securing such
assets may be located in the same
geographical region, the security may be subject to a greater risk of default than other
comparable securities in the event of adverse economic, political or business developments that may affect such region and, ultimately,
the ability of residential homeowners to make payments of principal and interest on the underlying mortgages.
Guaranteed Mortgage
Pass-Through Securities. Guaranteed mortgage pass-through securities represent participation interests in pools of residential
mortgage loans and are issued by U.S. governmental or private lenders and guaranteed by the U.S. government or one of its agencies or
instrumentalities, including but not limited to GNMA, FNMA and FHLMC. GNMA certificates are guaranteed by the full faith and credit of
the U.S. government for timely payment of principal and interest on the certificates. FNMA certificates are guaranteed by FNMA, a federally
chartered and privately owned corporation, for full and timely payment of principal and interest on the certificates. FHLMC certificates
are guaranteed by FHLMC, a corporate instrumentality of the U.S. government, for timely payment of interest and the ultimate collection
of all principal of the related mortgage loans.
Commercial banks, savings and loan institutions, private mortgage insurance
companies, mortgage bankers and other secondary market issuers also create pass-through pools of conventional residential mortgage loans.
Such issuers may, in addition, be the originators and/or servicers of the underlying mortgage loans as well as the guarantors of the mortgage-related
securities. Because there are no direct or indirect government or agency guarantees of payments in pools created by such non-governmental
issuers, they generally offer a higher rate of interest than government and government-related pools. Timely payment of interest and principal
of these pools may be supported by insurance or guarantees, including individual loan, title, pool and hazard insurance and letters of
credit. The insurance and guarantees are issued by governmental entities, private insurers and the mortgage poolers. There can be no assurance
that the private insurers or guarantors can meet their obligations under the insurance policies or guarantee arrangements.
Mortgage-related securities without insurance or guarantees may be purchased
if the Adviser determines that the securities meet the Fund’s quality standards. Mortgage-related securities issued by certain
private organizations may not be readily marketable.
Multiple-Class Pass-Through
Securities and Collateralized Mortgage Obligations (“CMOs”). CMOs and REMIC pass-through or participation
certificates may be issued by, among others, U.S. government agencies and instrumentalities as well as private issuers. REMICs are CMO
vehicles that qualify for special tax treatment under the Code and invest in mortgages principally secured by interests in real property
and other investments permitted by the Code. CMOs and REMIC certificates are issued in multiple classes and the principal of and interest
on the mortgage assets may be allocated among the several classes of CMOs or REMIC certificates in various ways. Each class of CMO or
REMIC certificate, often referred to as a “tranche,” is issued at a specific adjustable or fixed interest rate and must
be fully retired no later than its final distribution date. Generally, interest is paid or accrues on all classes of CMOs or REMIC certificates
on a monthly basis.
Typically, CMOs are collateralized by GNMA, FNMA or FHLMC certificates
but also may be collateralized by other mortgage assets such as whole loans or private mortgage pass-through securities.
Debt service on CMOs is provided from payments of principal and interest
on collateral of mortgaged assets and any reinvestment income thereon.
Stripped Mortgage-Backed
Securities (“SMBS”). SMBS are multiple-class mortgage-backed securities that are created when a U.S. government
agency or a financial institution separates the interest and principal components of a mortgage-backed security and sells them as individual
securities. The Fund may invest in SMBS that are usually structured with two classes that receive different proportions of interest and
principal distributions on a pool of mortgage assets. A typical SMBS will have one class receiving some of the interest and most of the
principal, while the other class will receive most of the interest and the remaining principal. The holder of the “principal-only”
security (“PO”) receives the principal payments made by the underlying mortgage-backed security, while the holder of the
“interest-only” security (“IO”) receives interest payments from the same underlying security. The prices of
SMBS may be particularly affected by changes in interest rates. As interest rates fall, prepayment rates tend to increase, which tends
to reduce prices of IOs and increase prices of POs. Rising interest rates can have the opposite effect. The Adviser may determine that
certain SMBS issued by the U.S. government, its agencies or instrumentalities are not readily marketable. If so, these securities, together
with privately-issued SMBS, will be considered illiquid for purposes of the Fund’s limitation on investments in illiquid securities.
The yields and market risk of interest-only and principal-only SMBS, respectively, may be more volatile than those of other fixed income
securities.
A Fund also may invest in planned amortization class (“PAC”)
and target amortization class (“TAC”) CMO bonds which involve less exposure to prepayment, extension and interest rate risks
than other mortgage-backed securities (“MBS”), provided that prepayment rates remain within expected prepayment ranges or
“collars.” To the extent that the prepayment rates remain within these prepayment ranges, the residual or support tranches
of PAC and TAC CMOs assume the extra prepayment, extension and interest rate risks associated with the underlying mortgage assets.
Other Risk Factors Associated with
Mortgage-Backed Securities. Investing in MBS involves certain risks, including the failure of a counterparty to meet its
commitments, adverse interest rate changes and the effects of prepayments on mortgage cash flows. In addition, investing in the lowest
tranche of CMOs and REMIC certificates involves risks similar to those associated with investing in equity securities. However, due to
adverse tax consequences under current tax laws, a Fund does not intend to acquire “residual” interests in REMICs. Further,
the yield characteristics of MBS differ from those of traditional fixed income securities. The major differences typically include more
frequent interest and principal payments (usually monthly), the adjustability of interest rates of the underlying instrument, and the
possibility that prepayments of principal may be made substantially earlier than their final distribution dates.
Prepayment rates are influenced by changes in current interest rates
and a variety of economic, geographic, social and other factors and cannot be predicted with certainty. Both adjustable rate mortgage
loans and fixed rate mortgage loans may be subject to a greater rate of principal prepayments in a declining interest rate environment
and to a lesser rate of principal prepayments in an increasing interest rate environment. Under certain interest rate and prepayment rate
scenarios, a Fund may fail to recoup fully its investment in mortgage-backed securities notwithstanding any direct or indirect governmental,
agency or other guarantee. When a Fund reinvests amounts representing payments and unscheduled prepayments of principal, it may obtain
a rate of interest that is lower than the rate on existing adjustable rate mortgage pass-through securities. Thus, MBS, and adjustable
rate mortgage pass-through securities in particular, may be less effective than other types of U.S. government securities as a means of
“locking in” interest rates.
Illiquid Securities and Rule 144A Securities (All
Funds)
Each Fund may invest its net assets in securities as to which a liquid
trading market does not exist, provided such investments are consistent with the Fund’s investment objective. Such securities may
include securities that are not readily marketable, such as certain securities that are subject to legal or contractual restrictions on
resale, repurchase agreements providing for settlement in more than seven days after notice, and certain privately negotiated, non-exchange
traded options and securities used to cover such options. As to these securities, the Fund is subject to a risk that should the Fund desire
to sell them when a ready buyer is not available at a price the Fund deems representative of their value, the value of the Fund’s
net assets could be adversely affected. Illiquid securities do not include securities eligible for resale pursuant to Rule 144A of
the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”), or other restricted securities, which have been determined
to be liquid in accordance with procedures established by the Board.
The Funds have adopted non-fundamental policies with respect to investments
in illiquid securities (see Investment Restriction No. 12 below). Securities that have not been registered under the Securities Act are
referred to as private placements or restricted securities and are purchased directly from the issuer or in the secondary market. Mutual
funds do not typically hold a significant amount of these restricted or illiquid securities because of the potential for delays on resale
and uncertainty in valuation. Limitations on resale may have an adverse effect on the marketability of portfolio securities and a mutual
fund might be unable to dispose of restricted or illiquid securities promptly or at reasonable prices and might thereby experience difficulty
satisfying redemptions within seven days. A mutual fund might also have to register such restricted securities in order to dispose of
them resulting in additional expense and delay. Adverse market conditions could impede such a public offering of securities.
A large institutional market has developed for certain securities that
are not registered under the Securities Act, including repurchase agreements, commercial paper, foreign securities, municipal securities,
and corporate bonds and notes. Institutional investors depend on an efficient institutional market in which the unregistered security
can be readily resold or on an issuer’s ability to honor a demand for repayment. As a result, the fact that there are contractual
or legal restrictions on resale to the general public or to certain institutions may not be indicative of the liquidity of such investments.
Each Fund may invest up to 15% of its net assets (plus the amount of
any borrowing for investment purposes) in illiquid securities, including certain restricted securities issued under Section 4(a)(2)
of the Securities Act. Section 4(a)(2) instruments are restricted in the sense that they can only be resold through the issuing dealer
and only to institutional investors; they cannot be resold to the general public without registration. Restricted securities issued under
Section 4(a)(2) of the Securities Act will generally be treated as illiquid and subject to each Fund’s investment restriction
on illiquid securities unless such securities are eligible for resale under Rule 144A and are deemed to be liquid in accordance with
the procedures described below.
Rule 144A under the Securities Act allows a broader institutional
trading market for securities otherwise subject to restriction on resale to the general public. Rule 144A establishes a “safe
harbor” from the registration requirements of the Securities Act applicable to resales of certain securities to qualified institutional
buyers. It is the intent of the Funds to invest, pursuant to procedures established by the Board and subject to applicable investment
restrictions, in securities eligible for resale under Rule 144A which are determined to be liquid based upon the trading markets
for the securities.
The Adviser will monitor the liquidity of restricted securities eligible
for resale under Rule 144A in a Fund’s portfolio under the supervision of the Trustees. In reaching liquidity decisions, the
Adviser will consider, inter alia, the following factors:
(1) the frequency of trades and quotes for the security over the course of six months
or as determined in the discretion of the Adviser; (2) the number of dealers wishing to purchase or sell the security and the number of
other potential purchasers over the course of six months or as determined in the discretion of the Adviser; (3) dealer undertakings
to make a market in the security; (4) the nature of the security and the nature of how the marketplace trades (e.g.,
the time needed to dispose of the security, the method of soliciting offers, and the mechanics of the transfer); and (5) other factors,
if any, which the Adviser deems relevant. The Adviser will also monitor the purchase of Rule 144A securities which are considered
to be illiquid to assure that the total of all such Rule 144A securities held by a Fund does not exceed 15% of the Fund’s
average daily net assets.
In October 2016, the SEC adopted a new liquidity risk management rule
requiring open-end funds, such as the Funds, to establish a liquidity risk management program and enhance disclosures regarding fund liquidity.
Rule 22e-4 under the 1940 Act (“Liquidity Rule”), which requires open-end funds, such as the Funds, to establish a
liquidity risk management program and make certain disclosure regarding fund liquidity. As required by the Liquidity Rule, the Funds have
implemented a liquidity risk management program (the “Liquidity Program”), and the Board has appointed the Adviser as the
liquidity risk program administrator of the Liquidity Program. The Liquidity Rule may impact a Fund’s performance and ability to
achieve its investment objective.
Structured Notes (Real Assets Securities
Fund and Renewables Fund)
The Funds may invest in a broad category of instruments
known as “structured notes.” These instruments are debt obligations issued by industrial corporations, financial institutions
or governmental or international agencies. Traditional debt obligations typically obligate the issuer to repay the principal plus a specified
rate of interest. Structured notes, by contrast, obligate the issuer to pay amounts of principal or interest that are determined by reference
to changes in some external factor or factors, or the principal and interest rate may vary from the stated rate because of changes in
these factors. For example, the issuer’s obligations could be determined by reference to changes in the value of a foreign currency,
an index of securities (such as the S&P 500 Index) or an interest rate (such as the U.S. Treasury bill rate). In some cases, the issuer’s
obligations are determined by reference to changes over time in the difference (or “spread”) between two or more external
factors (such as the U.S. prime lending rate and the total return of the stock market in a particular country, as measured by a stock
index). In some cases, the issuer’s obligations may fluctuate inversely with changes in an external factor or factors (for example,
if the U.S. prime lending rate goes up, the issuer’s interest payment obligations are reduced). In some cases, the issuer’s
obligations may be determined by some multiple of the change in an external factor or factors (for example, three times the change in
the U.S. Treasury bill rate). In some cases, the issuer’s obligations remain fixed (as with a traditional debt instrument) so long
as an external factor or factors do not change by more than the specified amount (for example, if the value of a stock index does not
exceed some specified maximum), but if the external factor or factors change by more than the specified amount, the issuer’s obligations
may be sharply reduced.
Structured notes can serve many different purposes in the management of
a fund. For example, they can be used to increase a fund’s exposure to changes in the value of assets that a fund would not ordinarily
purchase directly (such as stocks traded in a market that is not open to U.S. investors). They also can be used to hedge the risks associated
with other investments a fund holds. For example, if a structured note has an interest rate that fluctuates inversely with general changes
in a country’s stock market index, the value of the structured note would generally move in the opposite direction to the value
of holdings of stocks in that market, thus moderating the effect of stock market movements on the value of a fund’s portfolio as
a whole. The cash flow on the underlying instruments may be apportioned among the newly issued structured notes to create securities with
different investment characteristics such as varying maturities, payment priorities or interest rate provisions; the extent of the payments
made with respect to structured notes is dependent on the extent of the cash flow on the underlying instruments.
Structured notes involve special risks. As with any debt obligation, structured
notes involve the risk that the issuer will become insolvent or otherwise default on its payment obligations. This risk is in addition
to the risk that the issuer’s obligations (and thus the value of a fund’s investment) will be reduced because of adverse
changes in the external factor or factors to which the obligations are linked. The value of structured notes will in many cases be more
volatile (that is, will change more rapidly or severely) than the value of traditional debt instruments. Volatility will be especially
high if the issuer’s obligations are determined by reference to some multiple of the change in the external factor or factors.
Structured notes also may be more difficult to accurately price than less complex securities and instruments or more traditional debt
securities. Many structured notes have limited or no liquidity, so that a fund would be unable to dispose of the investment prior to maturity.
As with all investments, successful use of structured notes depends in significant part on the accuracy of the Adviser’s analysis
of the issuer’s creditworthiness and financial prospects, and of the Adviser’s forecast as to changes in relevant economic
and financial market conditions and factors. In instances where the issuer of a structured note is a foreign entity, the usual risks associated
with investments in foreign securities apply. Structured notes may be considered derivative securities.
Commodity Index-Linked Notes (Real Assets Securities
Fund and Renewables Fund)
A commodity index-linked note is a type of structured note that is a derivative
instrument. The prices of commodity-linked derivative instruments such as commodity index-linked notes may move in different directions
than investments in traditional equity and debt securities when the value of those traditional securities is declining due to adverse
economic conditions. As an example, during periods of rising inflation, debt securities have historically tended to decline in value.
Conversely, during those same periods of rising inflation, the prices of certain commodities, such as oil and metals, have historically
tended to increase. There can be no assurance, however, that derivative instruments will perform in that manner in the future, and, at
certain times in the past, the price movements of commodity-linked investments have been parallel to debt and equity securities.
During the period 1970 through 2001, the correlation between the quarterly
investment returns of commodities and the quarterly investment returns of traditional financial assets such as stocks and bonds generally
was negative. This inverse relationship occurred generally because commodities have historically tended to increase and decrease in value
during different parts of the business cycle than have financial assets. Nevertheless, at various times, commodities prices may move in
tandem with the prices of financial assets and thus may not provide overall portfolio diversification benefits.
The reverse may be true during “bull markets,” when the value
of traditional securities such as stocks and bonds is increasing. Under such favorable economic conditions, a fund’s investments
in commodity index-linked notes may be expected not to perform as well as an investment in traditional securities. Over the long term,
the returns on a fund’s investments in commodity index-linked notes are expected to exhibit low or negative correlation with stocks
and bonds.
Hybrid Instruments (Real Assets
Securities Fund and Renewables Fund)
A hybrid instrument is a type of derivative that combines a traditional
stock or bond with an option or forward contract. Generally, the principal amount, amount payable upon maturity or redemption, or interest
rate of a hybrid is tied (positively or negatively) to the price of some currency or securities index or another interest rate or some
other economic factor (each, a “benchmark”). The interest rate or (unlike most fixed income securities) the principal amount
payable at maturity of a hybrid security may be increased or decreased, depending on changes in the value of the benchmark. An example
of a hybrid could be a bond issued by an oil company that pays a small base level of interest with additional interest that accrues in
correlation to the extent to which oil prices exceed a certain predetermined level. Such a hybrid instrument would be economically similar
to a combination of a bond and a call option on oil.
Hybrids can be used as an efficient means of pursuing
a variety of investment goals, including currency hedging, duration management and increased total return. Hybrids may not bear interest
or pay dividends. The value of a hybrid or its interest rate may be a multiple of a benchmark and, as a result, may be leveraged and move
(up or down) more steeply and rapidly than the benchmark. These benchmarks may be sensitive to economic and political events, such as
currency devaluations, which cannot be readily foreseen by the purchaser of a hybrid. Under certain conditions, the redemption value of
a hybrid could be zero. Thus, an investment in a hybrid may entail significant market risks that are not associated with a similar investment
in a traditional, U.S. dollar-denominated bond that has a fixed principal amount and pays a fixed rate or floating rate of interest. The
purchase of hybrids also exposes the Funds to the credit risk of the issuer of the hybrids. These risks may cause significant fluctuations
in the NAV of the Funds.
Certain hybrid instruments may provide exposure to the commodities markets.
These are derivative securities with one or more commodity-linked components that have payment features similar to commodity futures contracts,
commodity options or similar instruments. Commodity-linked hybrid instruments may be either equity or debt securities, leveraged or unleveraged,
and are considered hybrid instruments because they have both security and commodity-like characteristics. A portion of the value of these
instruments may be derived from the value of a commodity, futures contract, index or other economic variable and therefore are subject
to many of the same risks as investments in those underlying securities, instruments or commodities.
Certain issuers of structured products such as hybrid
instruments may be deemed to be investment companies as defined in the 1940 Act. As a result, the Funds’ investments in these products
may be subject to limits applicable to investments in investment companies and may be subject to restrictions contained in the 1940 Act.
Short Sales (All Funds)
The Funds may make short sales of securities, including short sales “against
the box.” A short sale is a transaction in which a Fund sells a security it does not own in anticipation that the market price
of that security will decline. A short sale against the box occurs when, at the time of the sale, a Fund owns, or has the immediate and
unconditional right to acquire at no additional cost, the identical security.
The Funds expect to make short sales both to obtain capital gains from anticipated declines
in securities and as a form of hedging to offset potential declines in long positions in the same or similar securities. The short sale
of a security is considered a speculative investment technique. Short sales against the box may be subject to special tax rules, one of
the effects of which may be to accelerate income to the Fund.
For short sales, the market value of the securities sold short of any
one issuer will not exceed either 10% of the Funds’ net assets (plus the amount of any borrowing for investment purposes) or 5%
of such issuer’s voting securities. A Fund will not make a short sale, if, after giving effect to such sale, the market value of
all securities sold short exceeds 10% of the value of its assets or the Funds’ aggregate short sales of a particular class of securities
exceeds 5% of the outstanding securities of that class. A Fund may make short sales against the box without respect to such limitations.
When a Fund makes a short sale, it must borrow the security sold short
and deliver it to the broker-dealer through which it made the short sale in order to satisfy its obligation to deliver the security upon
conclusion of the sale. A Fund may have to pay a fee to borrow particular securities and is often obligated to pay over any payments received
on such borrowed securities. The Funds may close out a short position by purchasing and delivering an equal amount of securities sold
short, rather than by delivering securities already held by the Funds, because the Funds may want to continue to receive interest and
dividend payments on securities in its portfolio that are convertible into the securities sold short.
To the extent that a Fund engages in short sales, it will provide collateral
to the broker-dealer and (except in the case of short sales against the box) will maintain additional asset coverage in the form of segregated
or “earmarked” assets on the records of the Adviser or with the Fund’s Custodian, consisting of cash, U.S. government
securities or other liquid securities that are equal to the current market value of the securities sold short, or (in the case of short
sales against the box) will ensure that such positions are covered by offsetting positions, until the Fund replaces the borrowed security.
Depending on arrangements made with the broker-dealer from which it borrowed the security regarding payment over of any payments received
by the Fund on such security, the Fund may not receive any payments (including interest) on its collateral deposited with such broker-dealer.
If the price of the security sold short increases between the time of the short sale and the time the Fund replaces the borrowed security,
the Fund will incur a loss; conversely, if the price declines, the Fund will realize a capital gain. Any gain will be decreased, any loss
increased, by the transaction costs described above. Although a Fund’s gain is limited to the price at which it sold the security
short, its potential loss is theoretically unlimited.
Repurchase Agreements (All Funds)
Repurchase agreements involve the acquisition by a Fund of a security,
subject to an obligation of the seller to repurchase, and the Funds to resell, the security at a fixed price, usually not more than one
week after its purchase. The Funds’ custodian will have custody of securities acquired by a Fund under a repurchase agreement.
Repurchase agreements are considered by the SEC to be loans by a Fund. In an attempt to reduce the risk of incurring a loss on the repurchase
agreement, a Fund will enter into repurchase agreements only with domestic banks with total assets in excess of one billion dollars or
primary government securities dealers reporting to the Federal Reserve Bank of New York with respect to the highest rated securities of
the type in which a Fund may invest. It will also require that the repurchase agreement be at all times fully collateralized in an amount
at least equal to the repurchase price including accrued interest earned on the underlying securities, and that the underlying securities
be marked to market every business day to assure that the repurchase agreement remains fully collateralized. Certain costs may be incurred
by a Fund in connection with the sale of the securities if the seller does not repurchase them in accordance with the repurchase agreement.
If bankruptcy proceedings are commenced with respect to the seller of the securities, realization on the securities by the Funds may be
delayed or limited. A Fund will consider on an ongoing basis the creditworthiness of the institutions with which it enters into repurchase
agreements.
Reverse Repurchase Agreements (All Funds)
The Funds may enter into reverse repurchase agreements. Reverse repurchase
agreements involve sales by a Fund of portfolio assets concurrently with an agreement by a Fund to repurchase the same assets at a later
date at a fixed price. Generally, the effect of such a transaction is that a Fund can recover all or most of the cash invested in the
portfolio securities involved during the term of the reverse repurchase agreement, while a Fund will be able to keep the interest income
associated with those portfolio securities. Such transactions are advantageous only if the interest cost to a Fund of the reverse repurchase
transaction is less than the cost of obtaining the cash otherwise. Opportunities to achieve this advantage may not always be available,
and the Funds intend to use the reverse repurchase technique only when this will be advantageous to a Fund. The Funds will establish a
segregated account with the Trust’s custodian bank in which a Fund will maintain cash or cash equivalents or other portfolio securities
equal in value to a Fund’s obligations in respect of reverse repurchase agreements. Such reverse repurchase agreements could be
deemed to be a borrowing, but are not senior securities.
Borrowing (All Funds)
Though the Funds do not currently intend to borrow
money, each Fund is authorized to borrow money from time to time for temporary, extraordinary or emergency purposes or for clearance of
transactions, and not for the purpose of leveraging its investments, in amounts not to exceed at any time 331∕3%
of the value of its total assets at the time of such borrowings, as allowed under the 1940 Act. The use of borrowing by the Funds involves
special risk considerations that may not be associated with other funds having similar objectives and policies. Since substantially all
of the Funds’ assets fluctuate in value, while the interest obligation resulting from a borrowing will be fixed by the terms of
a Fund’s agreement with its lender, the NAV per share of the Funds will tend to increase more when its portfolio securities increase
in value and to decrease more when its portfolio assets decrease in value than would otherwise be the case if the Funds did not borrow.
In addition, interest costs on borrowings may fluctuate with changing market rates of interest and may partially offset or exceed the
return earned on borrowed funds. Under adverse market conditions, the Funds might have to sell portfolio securities to meet interest or
principal payments at a time when fundamental investment considerations would not favor such sales.
Securities Lending (All Funds)
Although the Funds have no present intention to do so, each Fund reserves
the right, pending receipt of Board approval, to lend securities from its portfolio to brokers, dealers and financial institutions (but
not individuals) in order to increase the return on its portfolio. The SEC currently requires that the following conditions must be met
whenever a Fund’s portfolio securities are loaned: (1) the Fund must receive at least 100% cash collateral (which may include cash,
U.S. government or agency securities, or irrevocable letters of credit) from the borrower; (2) the borrower must increase such collateral
whenever the market value of the securities rises above the level of such collateral; (3) the Fund must be able to terminate the loan
at any time; (4) the Fund must receive reasonable interest on the loan, as well as any dividends, interest or other distributions on the
loaned securities, and any increase in market value; (5) the Fund may pay only reasonable custodian fees approved by the Board in connection
with the loan; (6) while voting rights on the loaned securities may pass to the borrower, the Board must terminate the loan and regain
the right to vote the securities if a material event adversely affecting the investment occurs, and (7) the Fund may not loan its portfolio
securities so that the value of the loaned securities is more than one-third of its total asset value, including collateral received from
such loans. These conditions may be subject to future modification. Such loans will be terminable at any time upon specified notice. A
Fund might experience the risk of loss if the institution with which it has engaged in a portfolio loan transaction breaches its agreement
with a Fund. The principal risk of portfolio lending is potential default or insolvency of the borrower. In either of these cases, a Fund
could experience delays in recovering securities or collateral or could lose all or part of the value of the loaned securities. As part
of participating in a lending program, a Fund may be required to invest in collateralized debt or other securities that bear the risk
of loss of principal. In addition, all investments made with the collateral received are subject to the risks associated with such investments.
If such investments lose value, a Fund will have to cover the loss when repaying the collateral.
Any loans of portfolio securities are fully collateralized based on values
that are marked-to-market daily. Any securities that a Fund may receive as collateral will not become part of the Fund’s investment
portfolio at the time of the loan and, in the event of a default by the borrower, the Fund will, if permitted by law, dispose of such
collateral except for such part thereof that is a security in which the Fund is permitted to invest. During the time securities are on
loan, the borrower will pay the Funds any accrued income on those securities, and the Funds may invest the cash collateral and earn income
or receive an agreed-upon fee from a borrower that has delivered cash-equivalent collateral.
Usage Charges (Infrastructure Fund
and Renewables Fund)
Some investments may derive substantial revenues from collecting usage
charges from public and/or private users (such as rates charged for usage of toll roads, bridges, tunnels and water utilities). Patronage
forecasts are inherently uncertain. There is no guarantee that forecast patronage levels for an investment will be achieved.
When-Issued or Delayed-Delivery Securities (All Funds)
New issues of fixed-income securities usually are offered on a when-issued
or delayed-delivery basis, which means that delivery and payment for such securities ordinarily take place within 45 days after the
date of the commitment to purchase. The payment obligation and the interest rate that will be received on such securities are fixed at
the time a Fund enters into the commitment. A Fund will make commitments to purchase such securities only with the intention of actually
acquiring the securities, but the Fund may sell these securities before the settlement date if it is deemed advisable. A Fund will not
accrue income in respect of a when-issued or delayed-delivery security prior to its stated delivery date. No additional when-issued commitments
will be made if more than 20% of a Fund’s net assets (plus the amount of any borrowing for investment purposes) would be so committed.
Securities purchased on a when-issued or delayed-delivery basis and certain other securities
held in a Fund’s portfolio are subject to changes in value (both generally changing in the same way, i.e.,
appreciating when interest rates decline and depreciating when interest rates rise) based on the public’s perception of the creditworthiness
of the issuer and changes, real or anticipated, in the level of interest rates. Securities purchased on a when-issued or delayed-delivery
basis may expose a Fund to the risk that such fluctuations will occur prior to their actual delivery. Purchasing securities on a when-issued
or delayed-delivery basis can involve an additional risk that the yield available in the market when the delivery takes place actually
may be higher than that obtained in the transaction itself. A segregated account of a Fund consisting of cash or other liquid securities
at least equal at all times to the amount of the when-issued commitments will be established and maintained at the Fund’s custodian
bank.
Zero Coupon and Payment In Kind Securities (All Funds)
A Fund may invest in zero coupon bonds, deferred interest bonds, and bonds
on which the interest is payable in kind (“PIK securities”). Zero coupon and deferred interest bonds are debt obligations
which are issued at a significant discount from face value. The discount approximates the total amount of interest the bonds will accrue
and compound over the period until maturity or the first interest accrual date at a rate of interest reflecting the market rate of the
security at the time of issuance. While zero coupon bonds do not require the periodic payment of interest, deferred interest bonds provide
for a period of delay before the regular payment of interest begins. Although this period of delay is different for each deferred interest
bond, a typical period is approximately one-third of the bond’s term to maturity. PIK securities are debt obligations which provide
that the issuer thereof may, at its option, pay interest on such bonds in cash or in the form of additional debt obligations. Such investments
benefit the issuer by mitigating its need for cash to meet debt service, but also require a higher rate of return to attract investors
who are willing to defer receipt of such cash. Such investments experience greater volatility in market value due to changes in interest
rates than debt obligations which provide for regular payments of interest. A Fund will accrue income on such investments based on an
effective interest method, which is distributable to shareholders and which, because no cash is received at the time of accrual, may require
the liquidation of other portfolio securities to satisfy the Fund’s distribution obligations. As a result, a Fund may have to sell
securities at a time when it may be disadvantageous to do so.
Health Crisis Risk (All Funds)
The global pandemic outbreak of an infectious respiratory
illness caused by a novel coronavirus known as COVID-19 was first detected in China in December 2019 and has since spread globally. In
March 2020, the World Health Organization declared the COVID-19 outbreak a pandemic. COVID-19 has resulted in numerous deaths, travel
restrictions, closed international borders, enhanced health screenings at ports of entry and elsewhere, disruption of and delays in healthcare
service preparation and delivery, prolonged quarantines and the imposition of both local and more widespread “work from home”
measures, cancellations, supply chain disruptions, and lower consumer demand, as well as general concern and uncertainty. The ongoing
pandemic has had, and is expected to continue to have, a material adverse impact on local economies in the affected jurisdictions and
also on the global economy, as cross border commercial activity and market sentiment have been and continue to be impacted by the pandemic
and government and other measures seeking to mitigate or contain its spread. The impact of COVID-19, and other infectious illness outbreaks
that may arise in the future, could adversely affect individual issuers and capital markets in ways that cannot necessarily be foreseen.
In addition, actions taken by government and quasi-governmental authorities and regulators throughout the world in response to the COVID-19
pandemic, including significant fiscal and monetary policy changes, may affect the value, volatility, pricing and liquidity of some securities
or other assets, including those held by or invested in by the Fund. Public health crises caused by the COVID-19 pandemic may exacerbate
other pre-existing political, social and economic risks in certain countries or globally. The duration of COVID-19 related economic disruption
and its ultimate impact on the Fund, and on the global economy, cannot be determined with certainty. The COVID-19 pandemic and its effects
may last for an extended period of time, and could result in significant and continued market volatility, exchange trading suspensions
and closures, declines in global financial markets, higher default rates, and a substantial economic downturn or recession. The foregoing
could impair the Fund’s ability to maintain operational standards (such as with respect to satisfying redemption requests), disrupt
the operations of the Fund’s service providers, adversely affect the value and liquidity of the Fund’s investments, and
negatively impact the Fund’s performance and your investment in the Fund. The extent to which COVID-19 will affect the Fund and
the Fund’s service providers and portfolio investments will depend on future developments, which are highly uncertain and cannot
be predicted.
Government Intervention in Financial Markets (All Funds)
Global economies and financial markets are increasingly interconnected,
which increases the possibility that conditions in one country or region may adversely affect companies in a different country or region.
In the past, instability in the financial
markets has led governments and regulators around the world to take a number of unprecedented
actions designed to support certain financial institutions and segments of the financial markets that have experienced extreme volatility,
and in some cases a lack of liquidity.
Governments, their regulatory agencies, or self-regulatory organizations
may take actions that affect the regulation of the instruments in which a Fund invests, or the issuers of such instruments, in ways that
are unforeseeable. Legislation or regulation may also change the way in which a Fund itself is regulated. Such legislation or regulation
could limit or preclude a Fund’s ability to achieve its investment objective.
Governments or their agencies may also acquire distressed assets from
financial institutions and acquire ownership interests in those institutions. The implications of government ownership and disposition
of these assets are unclear, and such a program may have positive or negative effects on the liquidity, valuation and performance of a
Fund’s portfolio holdings. Furthermore, volatile financial markets can expose a Fund to greater market and liquidity risk and potential
difficulty in valuing portfolio instruments held by the Fund.
The SEC and its staff are reportedly engaged in various initiatives and
reviews that seek to improve and modernize the regulatory structure governing investment companies. These efforts appear to be focused
on risk identification and controls in various areas, including imbedded leverage through the use of derivatives and other trading practices,
cybersecurity, liquidity, enhanced regulatory and public reporting requirements and the evaluation of systemic risks. Any new rules, guidance
or regulatory initiatives resulting from these efforts could increase a Fund’s expenses and impact its returns to shareholders
or, in the extreme case, impact or limit its use of various portfolio management strategies or techniques and adversely impact the Fund.
Following the November 2022 U.S. elections, the Democratic
Party controls the executive branch of government and the Senate by a narrow margin, while the Republican Party controls the House of
Representatives. Changes in federal policy, including tax policies, and at regulatory agencies occur over time through policy and personnel
changes following elections, which lead to changes involving the level of oversight and focus on the financial services industry or tax
rates paid by corporate entities. The nature, timing and economic and political effects of potential changes to the current legal and
regulatory framework affecting markets remains highly uncertain. Uncertainty surrounding future changes may adversely affect the Funds’
operating environments and therefore their investment performance.
In addition, the tax legislation commonly referred to as the Tax Cuts and
Jobs Act (the “Act”) made substantial changes to the Code. Among those changes were a significant permanent reduction in
the generally applicable corporate tax rate, changes in the taxation of individuals and other non-corporate taxpayers that generally but
not universally reduce their taxes on a temporary basis subject to “sunset” provisions, the elimination or modification
of various previously allowed deductions (including substantial limitations on the deductibility of interest and, in the case of individuals,
the deduction for personal state and local taxes), certain additional limitations on the deduction of net operating losses, certain preferential
rates of taxation on certain dividends and certain business income derived by non-corporate taxpayers in comparison to other ordinary
income recognized by such taxpayers, and significant changes to the international tax rules. The effect of these, and the many other changes
made in the Act are subject to developing guidance and their full effect may be highly uncertain, both in terms of their direct effect
on the taxation of an investment in a Fund’s shares and their indirect effect on the value of the Fund’s assets, the Fund’s
shares or market conditions generally. Furthermore, many of the provisions of the Act will require guidance through the issuance of Treasury
regulations in order to assess their effect. There may be a substantial delay before such regulations are promulgated, increasing the
uncertainty as to the ultimate effect of the statutory amendments on the Funds. It is also likely that there will be technical corrections
legislation proposed with respect to the Act, the effect of which cannot be predicted and may be adverse to the Funds, or Fund shareholders.
Certain of the Funds’ investments may provide
exposure to coupon rates that are based on LIBOR, SOFR, the Euro Interbank Offered Rate and other similar types of reference rates (each,
a “Reference Rate”). These Reference Rates are generally intended to represent the rate at which contributing banks may
obtain short-term borrowings within certain financial markets. Most maturities and currencies of LIBOR were phased out at the end of 2021,
with the remaining ones to be phased out on June 30, 2023. These events and any additional regulatory or market changes may have an adverse
impact on the Funds or their investments, including increased volatility or illiquidity in markets for instruments that rely on LIBOR.
SOFR has been selected by a committee established by the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System and the Federal Reserve Bank
of New York to replace LIBOR as a Reference Rate in the United States and U.S. law requires that contracts without a practicable LIBOR
alternative default to SOFR plus a set spread beginning mid-2023. SOFR is a secured, nearly risk-free rate, while LIBOR is an unsecured
rate that includes an element of bank credit risk. In addition, SOFR is a strictly overnight rate, while LIBOR historically has been published
for various maturities, ranging from overnight to one year. Thus, LIBOR may be expected to be higher than SOFR, and the spread between
the two is likely to widen in times of market stress. Certain existing contracts provide for a spread adjustment when transitioning to
SOFR from LIBOR, but there is no assurance that it will provide adequate compensation.
Other countries have undertaken similar initiatives to identify replacement
Reference Rates for LIBOR in their respective markets. However, there are obstacles to converting certain existing investments and transactions
to a new Reference Rate, as well as risks associated with using a new Reference Rate with respect to new investments and transactions.
There remains uncertainty regarding the impact of the transition from LIBOR on the Funds and the financial markets generally. The transition
process, or the failure of an industry to transition, could lead to increased volatility and illiquidity in markets for instruments that
currently rely on LIBOR to determine interest rates and a reduction in the values of some LIBOR-based investments. Since the usefulness
of LIBOR as a benchmark could deteriorate during the transition period, these effects could occur prior to June 30, 2023. Further, U.S.
issuers are currently not obligated to include any particular fallback language in transaction documents for new issuances of LIBOR-linked
securities. In addition, the alternative reference or benchmark rate may be an ineffective substitute, potentially resulting in prolonged
adverse market conditions for the Funds. The elimination of a Reference Rate or any other changes or reforms to the determination or supervision
of Reference Rates could have an adverse impact on the market for or value of any securities or payments linked to those Reference Rates
and other financial obligations held by the Funds or on their overall financial conditions or results of operations. Any substitute Reference
Rate and any pricing adjustments imposed by a regulator or by counterparties or otherwise may adversely affect the Funds’ performance
and/or NAV. At this time, it is not possible to completely identify or predict the effect of any such changes, any establishment of alternative
Reference Rates or any other reforms to Reference Rates that may be enacted in the UK or elsewhere.
Political Risks Relating to Russia’s Invasion
of Ukraine (All Funds)
Russia began its invasion of Ukraine in February 2022. The invasion significantly
amplified already existing geopolitical tensions among Russia, Ukraine, Europe, NATO and the United States. Russia’s military invasion
of Ukraine, the resulting responses by the United States and other countries, and the potential for wider conflict has increased volatility
and uncertainty in the financial markets, specifically on companies in the oil and gas sector, finance and resource extraction. The United
States and other countries and certain international organizations have imposed broad-ranging economic sanctions on Russia and certain
Russian individuals, banking entities and corporations as a response to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. These sanctions froze certain
Russian assets and prohibited, among other things, trading in certain Russian securities and doing business with specific Russian corporate
entities, large financial institutions, officials and oligarchs. The sanctions also included the removal of some Russian banks from the
Society for Worldwide Interbank Financial Telecommunications (SWIFT), the electronic network that connects banks globally, and imposed
restrictive measures to prevent the Russian Central Bank from undermining the impact of the sanctions. These sanctions could become broader
in the future, including banning Russia from global payments systems that facilitate cross-border payments. A number of large corporations
have also announced plans to divest interests or otherwise curtail business dealings with certain Russian businesses.
The extent and duration of Russia’s military actions, resulting
sanctions and consequent future market disruptions are impossible to predict, but could be significant and may negatively affect global
supply chains, inflation, oil and gas supply, and global growth. Russian military action (including cyberattacks and espionage) or actual
and threatened responses to such actions, including purchasing and financing restrictions, boycotts or changes in consumer or purchaser
preferences, sanctions, tariffs or cyberattacks on the Russian government and Russian individuals, may have an impact not only on Russia,
but the global economy.
The ramifications of the hostilities and sanctions, however, may not be
limited to Russia, conflict between Ukraine and Russia is likely to negatively impact other regional and global economic markets (including
Europe, Asia and the United States), companies in other countries (particularly those that have exposure to Russia and Ukraine) and on
various sectors, industries and markets for securities and commodities globally, such as oil and natural gas and banking. Accordingly,
the actions discussed above and the potential for a wider conflict could increase financial market volatility, cause severe negative effects
on regional and global economic markets, industries, and companies and have a negative effect on the Funds’ investments and performance
beyond any direct exposure to Russian and Ukrainian issuers or those of adjoining geographic regions. These and any related events could
have a significant impact on the Funds’ performance and the value of an investment in the Funds.
Special Risks Related to Cyber Security (All Funds)
Each Fund and its service providers are susceptible to cyber security risks
that include, among other things, theft, unauthorized monitoring, release, misuse, loss, destruction or corruption of confidential and
highly restricted data; denial of service attacks; unauthorized access to relevant systems, compromises to networks or devices that the
Fund and its service providers use to service the Fund’s operations; or operational disruption or failures in the physical infrastructure
or operating systems that support the Fund and its service providers. Cyber attacks against or security breakdowns of each Fund or its
service providers may adversely impact a Fund and its shareholders, potentially resulting in, among other things, financial
losses; the inability of Fund shareholders to transact business and the Fund to process
transactions; inability to calculate each Fund’s NAV; violations of applicable privacy and other laws; regulatory fines, penalties,
reputational damage, reimbursement or other compensation costs; and/or additional compliance costs. Each Fund may incur additional costs
for cyber security risk management and remediation purposes. In addition, cyber security risks may also impact issuers of securities in
which each Fund invests, which may cause each Fund’s investment in such issuers to lose value. There can be no assurance that each
Fund or its service providers will not suffer losses relating to cyber attacks or other information security breaches in the future.
Environmental Risk (All Funds)
Assets may be subject to numerous laws, rules and regulations relating
to environmental protection. Under various environmental statutes, rules and regulations, a current or previous owner or operator of real
property may be liable for non-compliance with applicable environmental and health and safety requirements and for the costs of investigation,
monitoring, removal or remediation of hazardous materials. These laws often impose liability, whether or not the owner or operator knew
of or was responsible for the presence of hazardous materials. The presence of these hazardous materials on a property could also result
in personal injury or property damage or similar claims by private parties. Persons who arrange for the disposal or treatment of hazardous
materials may also be liable for the costs of removal or remediation of these materials at the disposal or treatment facility, whether
or not that facility is or ever was owned or operated by that person. The Fund may be exposed to substantial risk of loss from environmental
claims arising in respect of its investments and such loss may exceed the value of such investments. Furthermore, changes in environmental
laws or in the environmental condition of a portfolio investment may create liabilities that did not exist at the time of acquisition
of an investment and that could not have been foreseen.
Natural Resources Risk (Real Assets
Securities Fund). The Fund’s investments in natural resources securities involve risks. The market value of natural
resources securities may be affected by numerous factors, including events occurring in nature, inflationary pressures and international
politics. Because the Fund invests significantly in natural resources securities, there is the risk that the Fund will perform poorly
during a downturn in the natural resource sector. For example, events occurring in nature (such as earthquakes or fires in prime natural
resource areas) and political events (such as coups, military confrontations or acts of terrorism) can affect the overall supply of a
natural resource and the value of companies involved in such natural resource. Political risks and the other risks to which foreign securities
are subject may also affect domestic natural resource companies if they have significant operations or investments in foreign countries.
Rising interest rates and general economic conditions may also affect the demand for natural resources.
INVESTMENT RESTRICTIONS
Each Fund is subject to fundamental and non-fundamental investment policies
and limitations. Under the 1940 Act, fundamental investment policies and limitations may not be changed without the vote of a majority
of the outstanding voting securities (as defined in the 1940 Act) of the Fund.
The following policies and limitations supplement those described in the
Prospectus and this SAI. Investment restrictions numbered 1 through 8 below have been adopted by the Trust as fundamental policies. Investment
restrictions 9 through 13 are not fundamental policies and may be changed by a vote of the Board at any time.
Fundamental Restrictions
(1)
No Fund may borrow money, except
that a Fund may (a) borrow from banks (as defined in the 1940 Act) and through reverse repurchase agreements in amounts up to 331∕3%
of its total assets (including the amount borrowed), (b) borrow amounts equal to an additional 5% of its total assets for temporary purposes,
(c) invest in permitted leveraged investments, (d) engage in transactions in mortgage dollar rolls and other similar transactions, and
(e) engage in other transactions that may entail borrowing or otherwise borrow money to the extent permitted by applicable law.
(2)
No Fund may lend its assets
or money to other persons, except by (a) purchasing debt obligations (including privately placed debt obligations), (b) lending cash or
securities as permitted by applicable law, (c) entering into repurchase agreements, (d) investing in permitted leveraged investments and
(e) as otherwise permitted by applicable law.
(3)
Each Fund shall invest at least
75% of its total assets in some combination of the following: (a) cash and cash items, (b) Government Securities (as defined in the 1940
Act), (c) securities of other investment companies, and (d) other securities. With regard to (d), other securities (acquired pursuant
to this policy) are limited as to any single issuer to an amount not greater than 5% of a Fund’s total assets and not more than
10% of the outstanding voting securities of any such issuer, or as otherwise permitted by applicable law.
(4)
No Fund will make investments
that will result in the concentration (as that term is used in the 1940 Act) of its assets in securities of issuers in any one industry,
except that: (a) the Global Real Estate Fund will invest in securities of issuers directly or indirectly engaged in the real estate industry,
as defined in the Prospectus; (b) the Infrastructure Fund will invest in the securities of issuers directly or indirectly engaged in the
infrastructure industry, as defined in the Prospectus; and (c) the Real Assets Securities Fund will invest at least 25% of its net assets
in investments offering exposure to real assets, which includes Real Estate Securities, Infrastructure Securities and Natural Resources
Securities, as defined in the Prospectus.
(5)
No Fund may underwrite any issue
of securities, except to the extent that the sale of portfolio securities in accordance with the Fund’s investment objective, policies
and limitations may be deemed to be an underwriting, and except that the Fund may acquire securities under circumstances in which, if
the securities were sold, the Fund might be deemed to be an underwriter for purposes of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “1933
Act”).
(6)
No Fund, except the Real Assets
Securities Fund, may purchase or sell real estate, or direct or indirect interests in real estate, except as otherwise permitted by applicable
law. The Real Assets Securities Fund may not purchase or sell real estate, although it may purchase and sell securities or other instruments
that are secured by, or linked to, real estate or interests therein, securities of real estate investment trusts, and mortgage-related
securities. The Real Assets Securities Fund may hold and sell real estate it acquired as a result of the ownership of securities or other
instruments.
(7)
No Fund may purchase or sell
commodities or commodity contracts, except as otherwise permitted by applicable law.
(8)
No Fund may issue senior securities,
except as otherwise permitted by its fundamental policy on borrowing or by applicable law.
Non-Fundamental Restrictions
(9)
No Fund may purchase securities
of other investment companies, other than a security acquired in connection with a merger, consolidation, acquisition, reorganization
or offer of exchange and except as otherwise permitted under the 1940 Act.
(10)
No Fund may invest in companies
for the purpose of exercising control or management.
(11)
No Fund may purchase warrants
if, as a result, the investments (valued at the lower of cost or market) would exceed 5% of the value of the Fund’s net assets
(plus the amount of any borrowing for investment purposes). For purposes of this restriction, warrants acquired by a Fund in units
or attached to securities may be deemed to be without value.
(12)
No Fund may invest, in the aggregate, more than 15% of its net assets
(plus the amount of any borrowing for investment purposes) in illiquid securities. For purposes of this restriction, these securities
include securities which are restricted from public sale, securities for which market quotations are not readily available, and repurchase
agreements maturing or terminable in more than seven days. Securities freely saleable among qualified institutional investors pursuant
to Rule 144A under the 1933 Act (“Rule 144A Securities”), and as adopted by the SEC, may be treated as liquid
if they satisfy liquidity standards established by the Board. The continued liquidity of such securities is not as well assured as that
of publicly traded securities, and accordingly, the Board will monitor their liquidity.
(13)
Each of the Funds invests, under
normal circumstances, at least 80% of its net assets (plus the amount of any borrowing for investment purposes) in the types of investments
implied by its name. Each of the Funds will provide shareholders at least 60 days’ prior notice before changing this non-fundamental
policy.
Notes to Investment Restrictions
The percentage limitations in the restrictions listed above apply at
the time of purchases of securities and a later increase or decrease in percentage resulting from a change in value of net assets, or
in any ratings, will not be deemed to result in a violation of the restriction, except that there is an ongoing asset coverage requirement
in the case of borrowings. For purposes of investment restriction No. 4 above, the Trust may use the industry classifications reflected
by the S&P 500 Index, if applicable at the time of determination. For all other portfolio holdings, the Trust may use the Directory
of Companies Required to File Annual Reports with the SEC and Bloomberg Inc. In addition, the Trust may select its own industry classifications,
provided such classifications are reasonable. When determining compliance with its own concentration policy, to the extent that a Fund
may invest in any affiliated and/or unaffiliated investment companies, the Fund will consider the investments of such underlying investment
companies to the extent practicable. The Trust’s use of these classification systems is not a fundamental policy of any Fund and
therefore, can be changed without shareholder approval.
PORTFOLIO HOLDINGS INFORMATION
A Fund’s portfolio holdings are publicly available: (1) at the
time such information is filed with the SEC in a publicly available filing; or (2) the day next following the day such information is
posted on the Funds’ website. A Fund’s publicly available portfolio holdings, which may be provided to third parties without
prior approval, are:
(1)
Complete portfolio holdings
disclosed in the Fund’s semi-annual or annual reports and filed with the SEC on Form N-CSR.
(2)
Complete portfolio holdings disclosed
in the Fund’s first and third fiscal quarter reports that are filed with the SEC on Form N-PORT.
Non-Public Portfolio Holdings
Disclosure of a Fund’s non-public portfolio holdings provides
the recipient with information more current than the most recent publicly available portfolio holdings. Pursuant to the Funds’
policies and procedures, the disclosure of non- public portfolio holdings may be considered permissible and within a Fund’s legitimate
business purposes with respect to: (1) certain service providers; (2) rating and ranking organizations; and (3) certain other recipients.
These policies and procedures must be followed when disclosing a Fund’s portfolio holdings to any party when such disclosure would
provide information more current than the Fund’s most recent publicly available portfolio holdings. In addition, neither a Fund,
the Adviser nor any other party is permitted to receive compensation or other consideration from or on behalf of the recipient in connection
with disclosure to the recipient of a Fund’s non-public portfolio holdings.
Service Providers. A
service provider or other third party that receives information about a Fund’s non- public portfolio holdings where necessary to
enable the provider to perform its contractual services for the Fund (e.g., Adviser, auditors,
custodian, administrator, sub-administrator, transfer agent, counsel to the funds or the independent trustees, pricing services, broker-
dealer, financial printers or proxy voting services) may receive non-public portfolio holdings without limitation on the condition that
the non-public portfolio holdings will be used solely for the purpose of servicing the Fund and subject to, either by written agreement
or by virtue of their duties to the Funds, a duty of confidentiality and a duty not to use the information for trading. In addition, information
may be disclosed to the Funds’ pricing services, ICE Data Services and Bloomberg L.P., and the Funds’ financial printers,
Toppan Merrill and Donnelley Financial Solutions.
Rating And Ranking
Organizations. Any Fund officer may provide a Fund’s non-public portfolio holdings to a rating and ranking organization,
without limitation on the condition that the non-public portfolio holdings will be used solely for the purposes of developing a rating
and subject to an agreement requiring confidentiality and prohibiting the use of the information for trading. The Funds currently have
ongoing arrangements with Lipper and Morningstar by which their third parties receive portfolio holdings information routinely.
Other Recipients. Requests
for information concerning portfolio holdings that cannot be answered via the disclosures: annual and semi-annual reports, and not already
disclosed in the public domain as required through filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, must first be submitted for consideration
to the Fund’s Chief Compliance Officer. The recipient is required to sign a confidentiality agreement that provides that the non-public
portfolio holdings: (1) will be kept confidential; (2) may not be used to trade; and (3) may not be disseminated or used for any purpose
other than the purpose approved by the Fund’s Chief Compliance Officer. If the Fund’s Chief Compliance Officer concludes
that disclosing the information serves a legitimate business purpose and is in the best interests of shareholders, such conclusions will
be documented in writing. A written response containing the requested information will then be prepared and approved by the Fund’s
Chief Compliance Officer. The Fund’s Chief Compliance Officer will report such disclosures to the Funds’ Board at the next
scheduled board meeting.
Media. Non-public
portfolio holdings may not be disclosed to members of the media.
Waivers Of Restrictions. The
Funds’ policy may not be waived, or exceptions made, without the consent of the Funds’ Chief Compliance Officer. All waivers
and exceptions will be disclosed to the Funds’ Board no later than its next regularly scheduled quarterly meeting.
Conflicts Of Interest. If
the disclosure of non-public portfolio holdings presents a conflict of interest between the interests of the Funds’ shareholders
and the interests of the Funds’ service providers or other third parties or affiliates thereof, then the conflict of interest will
be presented to the Board for review prior to the dissemination of the portfolio holdings information.
Board Review. As
part of the annual review of the compliance policies and procedures of the Funds, the Chief Compliance Officer will discuss the operation
and effectiveness of this Policy and any changes to the Policy that have been made or recommended with the Board.
TRUSTEES AND OFFICERS
The Trust’s Board is responsible for establishing the Funds’
policies and for overseeing the management of the Funds. The Board also elects the Trust’s officers who conduct the daily business
of the Funds. Information pertaining to the Trustees and executive officers of the Funds is set forth below.
Name, Position(s) Address (1)
and Year of Birth |
|
|
Term of Office and Length of Time Served (2)
|
|
|
Number of Funds in Fund Complex Overseen by Trustee (3)
|
|
|
Principal Occupation(s) During Past Five Years
|
|
|
Other Directorships Held by Trustee During Past Five Years (4)
|
|
INDEPENDENT
TRUSTEES (5) |
|
Edward A. Kuczmarski
Trustee and Independent Chair of the Board, Member of the Audit Committee, Member of the Nominating and Compensation Committee Born:
1949 |
|
|
Since 2011 |
|
|
9 |
|
|
Retired. |
|
|
Director/Trustee of several
investment companies advised by the Adviser (2011 – Present). |
|
William H. Wright II
Trustee, Chair of the Audit Committee, Member of the Nominating and Compensation Committee Born: 1960 |
|
|
Since 2020 |
|
|
9 |
|
|
Retired. |
|
|
Director/Trustee of several
investment companies advised by the Adviser (2020 – Present); Director of Alcentra Capital Corporation (1940 Act BDC) (2018 –
2019); Advisory Director of Virtus Global Dividend & Income Fund, Virtus Global Multi-Sector Income Fund, Virtus Total Return Fund
and Duff & Phelps Select Energy MLP Fund (2013 – 2019); Director of the Carlyle Group, TCG BDC I, Inc., TCG BDC II, Inc. and
Carlyle Secured Lending III (2021 – Present). |
|
Name, Position(s) Address (1)
and Year of Birth |
|
|
Term of Office and Length of Time Served (2)
|
|
|
Number of Funds in Fund Complex Overseen by Trustee (3)
|
|
|
Principal Occupation(s) During Past Five Years
|
|
|
Other Directorships Held by Trustee During Past Five Years (4)
|
|
Stuart A. McFarland Trustee, Member
of the Audit Committee, Member of the Nominating and Compensation Committee Born: 1947 |
|
|
Since 2013 |
|
|
9 |
|
|
Managing Partner of Federal City Capital Advisors
(1997 – 2021). |
|
|
Director/Trustee of several investment companies
advised by the Adviser (2006 – Present); Director of Drive Shack Inc. (formerly, New Castle Investment Corp.) (2000 – Present);
Lead Independent Director of New America High Income Fund (2013 – Present); Director of New Senior Investment Group, Inc. (2014
– 2021); Director of Steward Partners (2017 – 2021). |
|
Heather S. Goldman Trustee, Member
of the Audit Committee, Chair of the Nominating and Compensation Committee Born: 1967 |
|
|
Since 2013 |
|
|
9 |
|
|
CFO of My Flex, Inc., an EQBR company (2022
– Present). |
|
|
Director/Trustee of several investment companies
advised by the Adviser (2013 – Present); CEO Board Director of Gesher USA (2015 – Present); Trustee of Nevada Museum of
Art (2016 – 2018); Co-founder, CEO and Chair of Capstak, Inc. (2014– 2018); Member of the Honorary Board of University Settlement
House (2014 – Present). |
|
(1)
Address: Brookfield Place, 250
Vesey Street, 15th Floor, New York, New York, 10281-1023, unless
otherwise noted.
(2)
Each Trustee will hold office
for an indefinite term until the earliest of (i) the next meeting of shareholders if any, called for the purpose of considering
the election or re-election of such Trustee and until the election and qualification of his or her successor, if any, elected at such
meeting, or (ii) the date a Trustee resigns or retires, or a Trustee is removed by the Board or shareholders, in accordance with
the Trust’s By-Laws and Amended and Restated Agreement and Declaration of Trust. Each officer will hold office for an indefinite
term or until the date he or she resigns or retires or until his or her successor is elected and qualified.
(3)
The Fund Complex is comprised
of the Brookfield Investment Funds (six series of underlying portfolios), Brookfield Real Assets Income Fund Inc., Center Coast Brookfield
MLP & Energy Infrastructure Fund and Oaktree Diversified Income Fund Inc.
(4)
This column includes only directorships
of companies required to report to the SEC under the 1934 Act, (i.e., public companies) or other
investment companies registered under the 1940 Act.
(5)
Trustees who are not considered
to be “interested persons” of the Trust, as defined in the 1940 Act, are considered to be “Independent Trustees.”
Name, Position(s) Address (1)
and Year of Birth |
|
|
Term of Office and Length of Time Served (2)
|
|
|
Number of Funds in Fund Complex Overseen by Trustee (3)
|
|
|
Principal Occupation(s) During Past Five Years
|
|
|
Other Directorships Held by Trustee During Past Five Years (4)
|
|
INTERESTED TRUSTEE/OFFICERS (5) |
|
David W. Levi Trustee
Born: 1971 |
|
|
Since April 2017 |
|
|
9 |
|
|
Chief Executive Officer of the Adviser (2019
– Present); Head of Brookfield Oaktree Wealth Solutions (2021 – Present); President of the Adviser (2016 – 2019);
Managing Partner of Brookfield (2015 – Present). |
|
|
Director/Trustee of several investment companies
advised by the Adviser (2017 – Present). |
|
Name, Position(s) Address (1)
and Year of Birth |
|
|
Term of Office and Length of Time Served (2)
|
|
|
Number of Funds in Fund Complex Overseen by Trustee (3)
|
|
|
Principal Occupation(s) During Past Five Years
|
|
|
Other Directorships Held by Trustee During Past Five Years (4)
|
|
Brian F. Hurley President Born:
1977 |
|
|
Since 2014 |
|
|
N/A |
|
|
President of several investment
companies advised by the Adviser (2014 – Present); Managing Director (2014 – Present); General Counsel (2017 – Present)
of the Adviser; Managing Partner of Brookfield (2016 – Present); Director of Brookfield Soundvest Capital Management (2015 –
2018). |
|
|
N/A |
|
Casey P. Tushaus Treasurer Born:
1982 |
|
|
Since 2021 |
|
|
N/A |
|
|
Treasurer of several investment
companies advised by the Adviser (2021 – Present); Assistant Treasurer of the Adviser (2016 – 2021); Director of the Adviser
(2021 – Present); Vice President of the Adviser (2014 – 2021). |
|
|
N/A |
|
Craig A. Ruckman Secretary Born:
1977 |
|
|
Since 2022 (6)
|
|
|
N/A |
|
|
Secretary of several investment
companies advised by the Adviser (November 2022 – Present); Managing Director of the Adviser (October 2022 – Present); Director
of Allianz Global Investors U.S. Holdings LLC (2016 – 2022); Assistant Secretary of 63 funds in the Allianz Global Investors Fund
Complex (2017 – 2020); and Chief Legal Officer of Allianz Global Investors Distributors LLC (2019 – 2022). |
|
|
N/A |
|
Adam R. Sachs Chief Compliance
Officer (“CCO”) Born: 1984 |
|
|
Since 2017 |
|
|
N/A |
|
|
CCO of several investment
companies advised by the Adviser (2017 – Present); Director of the Adviser (2017 – Present); CCO of Brookfield Public Securities
Group (Canada) LLC (2017 – Present). |
|
|
N/A |
|
Mohamed S. Rasul Assistant Treasurer
Born: 1981 |
|
|
Since 2016 |
|
|
N/A |
|
|
Assistant Treasurer of several
investment companies advised by the Adviser (2016 – Present); Vice President of the Adviser (2019 – Present); Assistant
Vice President of the Adviser (2014 – 2019). |
|
|
N/A |
|
(1)
Address: Brookfield Place, 250
Vesey Street, 15th Floor, New York, New York, 10281-1023, unless
otherwise noted.
(2)
Mr. Levi will hold office as
Trustee for an indefinite term until the earliest of (i) the next meeting of shareholders if any, called for the purpose of considering
the election or re-election of Mr. Levi and until the election and qualification of his successor, if any, elected at such meeting, or
(ii) the date Mr. Levi resigns or retires, or is removed by the Board or shareholders, in accordance with the Trust’s By-Laws
and Declaration of Trust. Each officer will hold office for an indefinite term or until the date he or she resigns or retires or until
his or her successor is elected and qualified.
(3)
The Fund Complex is comprised
of the Brookfield Investment Funds (six series of underlying portfolios), Brookfield Real Assets Income Fund Inc., Center Coast Brookfield
MLP & Energy Infrastructure Fund and Oaktree Diversified Income Fund Inc.
(4)
This column includes only directorships of companies required to report
to the SEC under the 1934 Act, (i.e., public companies) or other investment companies registered
under the 1940 Act.
(5)
Trustees who are not considered
to be “interested persons” of the Trust, as defined in the 1940 Act, are considered to be “Independent Trustees.”
?
(6)
Mr. Craig
A. Ruckman was appointed by the Board as the Secretary of the Fund on November 17, 2022.
Additional Information Concerning Our Board of Trustees
The Role of the Board
The business and affairs of the Fund are managed under the direction
of the Board. The Board provides oversight of the management and operations of the Trust. As is the case with virtually all investment
companies (as distinguished from operating companies), the day-to-day management and operation of the Trust is the responsibility of various
service providers to the Trust, such as the Trust’s investment adviser and administrator, the sub-administrator, custodian and
transfer agent, each of whom are discussed in greater detail in this SAI. The Board approves all significant agreements between the Trust
and its service providers. The Board has appointed senior employees of the Adviser as officers of the Trust, with responsibility to monitor
and report to the Board on the Trust’s day-to-day operations. In conducting this oversight, the Board receives regular reports
from these officers and service providers regarding the Trust’s operations. The Board has elected a Chief Compliance Officer who
administers the Trust’s compliance program and regularly reports to the Board as to compliance matters. Some of these reports are
provided as part of formal “Board meetings” which typically are held quarterly, in person, and involve the Board’s
review of recent Trust operations. From time to time, one or more members of the Board may also meet with management in less formal settings,
between scheduled “Board meetings,” to discuss various topics. In all cases, however, the role of the Board and of any individual
Trustee is one of oversight and not of management of the day-to-day affairs of the Trust and its oversight role does not make the Board
a guarantor of the Trust’s investments, operations or activities.
Board Leadership Structure
The Board has structured itself in a manner that it believes allows it
to effectively perform its oversight function. It has established three standing committees, an Audit Committee, a Nominating and Compensation
Committee, and a Qualified Legal Compliance Committee (the “QLCC”) (collectively, the “Committees”), which
are discussed in greater detail below. Currently, four of the five members of the Board, including the Chairman of the Board, are Independent
Trustees, which are Trustees that are not affiliated with the Adviser or its affiliates, and each of the Audit Committee, Nominating and
Compensation Committee and QLCC are comprised entirely of Independent Trustees. Each of the Independent Trustees helps identify matters
for consideration by the Board and the Chairman of the Board has an active role in the agenda setting process for Board meetings. The
Audit Committee Chairman also has an active role in the agenda setting process for the Audit Committee meetings. The Trust has adopted
Fund Governance Policies and Procedures to ensure that the Board is properly constituted in accordance with the 1940 Act and to set
forth examples of certain of the significant matters for consideration by the Board and/or its Committees in order to facilitate the Board’s
oversight function.
The Board has determined that its leadership structure is appropriate.
In addition, the Board also has determined that the structure, function and composition of the Committees are appropriate means to provide
effective oversight. The Independent Trustees have engaged their own independent counsel to advise them on matters relating to their responsibilities
to the Trust.
Board Oversight of Risk Management
As part of its oversight function, the Board receives and reviews various
risk management reports and assessments and discusses these matters with appropriate management and other personnel of the Adviser. Because
risk management is a broad concept comprised of many elements, Board oversight of different types of risks is handled in different ways.
For example, the full Board receives and reviews reports from senior personnel of the Adviser (including senior compliance, financial
reporting and investment personnel) or their affiliates regarding various types of risks, including, but not limited to, operational,
compliance, investment, and business continuity risks, and how they are being managed. From time to time, the full Board meets with the
Trust’s Chief Compliance Officer to discuss compliance risks relating to the Funds, the Adviser and the Trust’s other service
providers. The Audit Committee supports the Board’s oversight of risk management in a variety of ways, including meeting regularly
with the Trust’s Treasurer and with the Trust’s independent registered public accounting firm and, when appropriate, with
other personnel employed by the Adviser to discuss, among other things, the internal control structure of the Trust’s financial
reporting function and compliance with the requirements of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002. The Audit Committee also meets regularly with
the Trust’s Chief Compliance Officer to discuss compliance and operational risks and receives reports from the Adviser’s
internal audit group as to these and other matters.
Information about Each Trustee’s Qualification, Experience, Attributes
or Skills
The Board believes that each of the Trustees has the qualifications,
experience, attributes and skills (“Trustee Attributes”) appropriate to serve as a Trustee of the Trust in light of the
Trust’s business and structure. Certain of these business and professional experiences are set forth in detail in the table above.
The Trustees have substantial board experience or other professional experience and have demonstrated a commitment to discharging their
oversight responsibilities as Trustees. The Board, with the assistance of the Nominating and Compensation Committee, annually conducts
a “self-assessment” wherein the performance of the Board and the effectiveness of the Board and the Committees are reviewed.
In addition to the information provided in the table above, below is
certain additional information regarding each particular Trustee and certain of their Trustee Attributes. The information provided below,
and in the table above, is not all-inclusive. Many Trustee Attributes involve intangible elements, such as intelligence, integrity, work
ethic, the ability to work together, the ability to communicate effectively, the ability to exercise judgment, the ability to ask incisive
questions, and commitment to shareholder interests. In conducting its self-assessment, the Board has determined that the Trustees have
the appropriate attributes and experience to serve effectively as Trustees of the Trust.
Edward
A. Kuczmarski. Mr. Kuczmarski has financial accounting experience as a Certified Public Accountant. He also has served on
the board of directors/trustees for several other investment management companies. In having served on these boards, Mr. Kuczmarski has
come to understand and appreciate the role of a director/trustee and has been exposed to many of the challenges facing a board and the
appropriate ways of dealing with those challenges. Mr. Kuczmarski serves as Chair of the Board of Trustees, and is a member of the Nominating
and Compensation Committee and the Audit Committee.
Heather
S. Goldman. Ms. Goldman has extensive experience in executive leadership, business development and marketing of investment
vehicles similar to those managed by the Adviser. Ms. Goldman is a capital markets financial services and tech executive, who over a twenty-plus
year career has worked in a senior capacity across a diverse array of firms in the private equity, investment management and commercial
banking industries. She is currently CFO of My Flex, Inc., an EQBR company, a technology provider of Web 3.0 commercial solutions for
enterprise. Ms. Goldman previously served as head of global marketing for the Adviser, and as such has extensive knowledge of the Adviser,
its operations and personnel. She also has experience working in other roles for the parent company of the Adviser. Prior to working with
the Adviser, and for nearly five years, she acted as CEO and Chairman, co-founding and managing Capital Thinking, a financial services
risk-management technology company in New York. Ms. Goldman is a member of the Audit Committee and is Chair of the Nominating and Compensation
Committee.
Stuart A. McFarland.
Mr. McFarland has extensive experience in executive leadership, business development and operations, corporate restructuring and corporate
finance. He previously served in senior executive management roles in the private sector, including serving as the Executive Vice President
and Chief Financial Officer of Fannie Mae and as the Executive Vice President and General Manager of GE Capital Mortgage Services, Corp.
Mr. McFarland currently serves on the board of directors/trustees for various other investment management companies and non-profit entities,
and was the Managing Partner of Federal City Capital Advisors. Mr. McFarland is a member of the Audit Committee and the Nominating and
Compensation Committee.
William
H. Wright II. Mr. Wright has extensive experience in executive leadership, investment banking and corporate finance. He
previously served as a Managing Director of Morgan Stanley until his retirement in 2010, having joined the firm in 1982. During his career
in investment banking at Morgan Stanley, Mr. Wright headed the corporate finance execution group where he was responsible for leading
and coordinating teams in the execution of complex equity offerings for multinational corporations. Following his career in investment
banking, Mr. Wright served on the board of directors/trustees for various other investment management companies and non-profit
entities. Mr. Wright serves as Chair of the Audit Committee and is a member of the Nominating and Compensation Committee.
David
W. Levi. David Levi is a Managing Partner at Brookfield, Head of Brookfield Oaktree Wealth Solutions and Chief Executive
Officer of Brookfield’s Public Securities Group. He has over 27 years of industry experience in asset management. Mr. Levi’s
background includes extensive strategy-related, client-facing and business development experience globally within both the institutional
and high net worth markets. Prior to joining the firm in 2014, Mr. Levi was Managing Director and Head of Global Business Development
at Nuveen Investments, after holding similar positions at AllianceBernstein Investments and Legg Mason and senior strategy roles within
J.P. Morgan Asset Management. Mr. Levi was a Fellow of the 2019 class of the Aspen Finance Leaders Fellowship, is a member of the Aspen
Global Leadership Network, and holds the Chartered Financial Analyst®
designation. He earned a Master of Business Administration degree from Columbia University and a Bachelor of Arts degree from Hamilton
College. His position of responsibility at the
Adviser, in addition to his knowledge of the firm and experience in
financial services, has been determined to be valuable to the Board in its oversight of the Fund.
Board Committees
The Trust has established the following three standing committees and the
membership of each committee to assist in its oversight functions, including its oversight of the risks the Trust faces: the Audit Committee,
the QLCC, and the Nominating and Compensation Committee. There is no assurance, however, that the Board’s committee structure will
prevent or mitigate risks in actual practice. The Trust’s committee structure is specifically not intended or designed to prevent
or mitigate the Fund’s investment risks. Each Fund is designed for investors that are prepared to accept investment risk, including
the possibility that as yet unforeseen risks may emerge in the future.
The Audit Committee is comprised of Messrs. Wright,
Kuczmarski and McFarland and Ms. Goldman. It does not include any interested Trustees. The Audit Committee meets regularly with respect
to the various series of the Trust. The function of the Audit Committee, with respect to each Fund, is to review the scope and results
of the audit and any matters bearing on the audit or the Funds’ financial statements and to ensure the integrity of the Funds’
pricing and financial reporting. During the fiscal year ended December 31, 2022, the Audit Committee met four times.
The Audit Committee also serves as the QLCC for the
Trust for the purpose of compliance with Rules 205.2(k) and 205.3(c) of the Code of Federal Regulations, regarding alternative reporting
procedures for attorneys retained or employed by an issuer who appear and practice before the SEC on behalf of the issuer (the “issuer
attorneys”). An issuer’s attorney who becomes aware of evidence of a material violation by the Trust, or by any officer,
director, employee, or agent of the Trust, may report evidence of such material violation to the QLCC as an alternative to the reporting
requirements of Rule 205.3(b) (which requires reporting to the chief legal officer and potentially “up the ladder”
to other entities). The QLCC meets as needed, and did not meet during the fiscal year ended December 31, 2022.
The Nominating and Compensation Committee is comprised
of Ms. Goldman and Messrs. Kuczmarski, McFarland and Wright. The Nominating and Compensation Committee is responsible for seeking and
reviewing candidates for consideration as nominees for Trustees, as is considered necessary from time to time and meets only as necessary.
The Declaration of Trust (as defined below) does not permit shareholders to nominate persons for election as Trustees. During the fiscal
year ended December 31, 2022, the Nominating and Compensation Committee met four times.
Trustee Ownership of Fund Shares and Other Interests
Set forth in the table below is the dollar range of
equity securities in the Funds beneficially owned by each Trustee and the aggregate dollar range of equity securities in the Fund Complex
beneficially owned by each Trustee as of December 31, 2022.
Name of Trustee |
|
|
Dollar Range of Equity Securities Held in the Global Real Estate Fund (1)
|
|
|
Dollar Range of Equity Securities Held in the Infrastructure Fund (1)
|
|
|
Dollar Range of Equity Securities Held in the Renewables Fund (1)
|
|
|
Dollar Range of Equity Securities Held in the Real Assets Securities Fund (1)
|
|
|
Aggregate Dollar Range of Equity Securities Held in Fund Complex (1) (2)
|
|
INTERESTED TRUSTEE: |
|
David Levi |
|
|
A |
|
|
A |
|
|
A |
|
|
A |
|
|
A |
|
INDEPENDENT TRUSTEES: |
|
Edward A. Kuczmarski |
|
|
A |
|
|
A |
|
|
A |
|
|
A |
|
|
E |
|
Stuart A. McFarland |
|
|
A |
|
|
A |
|
|
A |
|
|
A |
|
|
E |
|
Heather S. Goldman |
|
|
A |
|
|
A |
|
|
A |
|
|
C |
|
|
D |
|
William H. Wright II |
|
|
A |
|
|
A |
|
|
A |
|
|
A |
|
|
A |
|
(1)
Key to Dollar Ranges — A.
None B. $1 – $10,000 C. $10,001 – $50,000 D. $50,001 – $100,000 E. Over $100,000
?
(2)
The aggregate
dollar range of equity securities owned by each Trustee of the Funds and of all funds overseen by each Trustee in each of Brookfield’s
and Oaktree’s family of investment companies (the “Fund Complex”) as of December 31, 2022. As of the date
of this SAI, the Fund Complex is comprised of the Brookfield Investment Funds (6 series of underlying portfolios), Brookfield Real
Assets Income Fund Inc., Center Coast Brookfield MLP & Energy Infrastructure Fund and Oaktree Diversified Income Fund Inc.
As of December 31, 2022, neither the Independent Trustees nor
members of their immediate family, own securities beneficially or of record in the Adviser, the Distributor, as defined below, or an affiliate
of the Adviser or Distributor. Accordingly, neither the Independent Trustees nor members of their immediate family, have direct or indirect
interest, the value of which exceeds $120,000, in the Adviser, the Distributor or any of their affiliates. In addition, during the two
most recently completed calendar years, neither the Independent Trustees nor members of their immediate families have conducted any
transactions (or series of transactions) in which the amount involved exceeds $120,000 and to which the Adviser, the Distributor or any
affiliate thereof was a party.
Trustee and Officer Compensation
No remuneration is paid by any of the Funds to persons
who are directors, officers or employees of the Adviser or any affiliate thereof for their services as Trustees or officers of such Fund.
Set forth below is the compensation received by the Independent Trustees from the Funds and the Fund Complex for the fiscal year ended
December 31, 2022. For the fiscal year ended December 31, 2022, the aggregate annual retainer paid to each Independent Trustee of the
Board for the Fund Complex was $205,000. Effective January 1, 2023, the aggregate annual retainer paid to each Independent Trustee of
the Board for the Fund Complex is $225,000. The Independent Chair of the Trust receives an additional payment of $45,000 per year.
The Chair of the Audit Committee receives an additional payment of $40,000 per year. The Chair of the Nominating and Compensation Committee
receives an additional payment of $10,000 per year. The Independent Trustees also receive reimbursement from the Trust for expenses
incurred in connection with attendance at regular meetings. The Trust does not have a pension or retirement plan. No other entity affiliated
with the Trust pays any compensation to the Trustees.
COMPENSATION TABLE
Name of Person and Position |
|
|
Aggregate Compensation from the Funds
|
|
|
Total Compensation from the Funds and Fund Complex (1)
|
|
Interested Trustee |
|
David W. Levi |
|
|
N/A |
|
|
N/A(9) |
|
Independent Trustees |
|
Edward A. Kuczmarski |
|
|
$55,074 |
|
|
$235,000(9) |
|
Stuart A. McFarland |
|
|
$48,043 |
|
|
$205,000(9) |
|
Heather Goldman |
|
|
$55,006 |
|
|
$213,482(9) |
|
William H. Wright II |
|
|
$55,074 |
|
|
$235,000(9) |
|
?
(1)
Represents
the total compensation paid to such persons for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2022. The parenthetical number represents the number
of investment companies (including the Funds) or portfolios thereof from which such person received compensation and which were considered
part of the Fund Complex as of December 31, 2022.
CODE OF ETHICS
The Trust, its Adviser and Distributor have adopted codes of ethics (the
“Codes of Ethics”) under Rule 17j-1 of the 1940 Act. The Codes of Ethics permit personnel, subject to the Codes of
Ethics and their restrictive provisions, to invest in securities, including securities that may be purchased or held by the Trust.
PROXY VOTING POLICIES
Proxy Voting Responsibility. The
Adviser has adopted policies and procedures for the voting of proxies relating to portfolio securities for the client accounts over which
it has been delegated and/or granted proxy voting authority, including the Funds (the “Policies”). The Policies, which have
been adopted by the Board on behalf of each Fund, enable the Fund to vote proxies in a manner consistent with the best interests of each
Fund’s shareholders. A committee has been established (the “Proxy Voting Committee”) to administer the voting of
all proxies in accordance with the Policies. The Proxy Voting Committee meets regularly with representatives of the Legal, Compliance,
Operations and Investment teams.
The Proxy Voting Committee has engaged the services of a third-party proxy
voting agent to act as agent to vote proxies, and oversees such third-party proxy voting agent’s compliance with the Policies,
including any deviations by the proxy voting agent from the third-party proxy voting guidelines (the “Guidelines”). Under
the Policies, the Adviser has adopted the Guidelines as the basis for how proxy proposals are evaluated and voted upon.
Each Fund is generally a passive investor in holding portfolio securities,
seeking to maximize shareholder value, but not necessarily to exercise control over the issuers of portfolio securities, or otherwise
advance a particular agenda.
In addition, in accordance with local law or business practices, many foreign companies
prevent the sales of shares that have been voted for a certain period beginning prior to the shareholder meeting and ending on the day
following the meeting. The costs of voting proxies with respect to shares of foreign companies include the potentially serious portfolio
management consequences of reduced flexibility to sell the shares at the most advantageous time for each Fund. As a result, such proxies
generally will not be voted in the absence of an unusual, significant vote of compelling economic importance. In determining whether to
vote proxies under these circumstances, the Adviser, in consultation with the Proxy Voting Committee, considers whether the costs of voting
proxies with respect to such shares of foreign companies generally outweigh any benefits that may be achieved by voting such proxies.
Case-By-Case Voting Matters. Under
the Guidelines, certain voting matters are determined on a case-by-case basis. In these circumstances, and in proposals not specifically
addressed by the Policies, the Proxy Voting Committee generally will rely on the guidance or a recommendation from the third-party proxy
voting agent, or other sources. The Proxy Voting Committee may propose to deviate from the Guidelines or guidance or recommendations from
the third-party proxy voting agent. In these instances, the Proxy Voting Committee will recommend the vote that will maximize value for,
and is in the best interests of, each Fund’s shareholders.
Conflicts of Interest. Members
of the Proxy Voting Committee will seek to resolve any conflicts of interest presented by a proxy vote. In practice, application of the
Guidelines will in most instances adequately address any possible conflicts of interest, as votes generally are effected according to
the guidance or recommendations of the third-party proxy voting agent.
However, if a situation arises where a vote presents a conflict between
the interests of each Fund’s shareholders and the interests of the Adviser, and the conflict is known to the Proxy Voting Committee,
the Committee may retain an independent fiduciary for advice on how to vote the proposal or the Committee may direct the Adviser to abstain
from voting because voting on the proposal is impracticable and/or is outweighed by the cost of voting.
Proxy Voting Records. The
Proxy Voting Committee will be responsible for documenting its basis for: (a) any determination to vote a particular proxy in a manner
contrary to the Guidelines; (b) any determination to vote a particular proxy in a non-uniform manner; and (c) any other material
determination made by the Proxy Voting Committee, as well as for ensuring the maintenance of records of each proxy vote, as required by
applicable law. The third-party proxy voting agent will maintain records of voting decisions for each vote cast on behalf of the Fund.
The proxy voting record for the most recent twelve-month period ended June 30 is available: (i) without charge, upon request,
by calling toll-free at 1-855-244-4859; and (ii) on the SEC’s website at http://www.sec.gov.
Board Reporting. Each
Fund’s Chief Compliance Officer will provide a summary report of proxy voting matters at each quarterly meeting of the Board, which
describes any Proxy Voting Committee meeting(s) held during the prior quarter.
CONTROL PERSONS AND PRINCIPAL SHAREHOLDERS
A principal shareholder is any person who owns of record or beneficially
5% or more of any class of the outstanding shares of a Fund. A control person is one who owns beneficially or through controlled companies
more than 25% of the voting securities of a company or acknowledges the existence of control. Shareholders with a controlling interest
could affect the outcome of voting or the direction of management of a Fund.
As of March 31, 2023, the officers and Trustees,
as a group, owned beneficially less than 1% of the shares (aggregating all classes) of each of the Funds.
As of March 31, 2023, the following persons were
known to own of record or beneficially 25% or more of the outstanding shares of the indicated Funds:
Brookfield Global Listed Real Estate Fund
Name and Address |
|
|
% of Shares
|
|
|
Parent Company
|
|
|
Jurisdiction
|
|
|
Nature of Ownership(1)
|
|
National Financial Services LLC
499 Washington Blvd. FL 4 Jersey City, NJ 07310 |
|
|
34.86% |
|
|
Wells Fargo & Company |
|
|
DE |
|
|
Record |
|
Brookfield Global Listed Infrastructure Fund
Name and Address |
|
|
% of Shares
|
|
|
Parent Company
|
|
|
Jurisdiction
|
|
|
Nature of Ownership(1)
|
|
The Northern Trust Company
PO Box 92956 Chicago, IL 60675 |
|
|
32.48% |
|
|
The Northern Trust Corporation |
|
|
IL |
|
|
Record |
|
Brookfield Global Renewables &
Sustainable Infrastructure Fund
Name and Address |
|
|
% of Shares |
|
|
Parent Company |
|
|
Jurisdiction |
|
|
Nature of Ownership |
|
BIM US Holdings LP, 181 Bay Street, Toronto ON M5J 2T3 |
|
|
73.87% |
|
|
Brookfield Asset Management ULC |
|
|
DE |
|
|
Record |
|
Brookfield Real Assets Securities Fund
Name and Address |
|
|
% of Shares
|
|
|
Parent Company
|
|
|
Jurisdiction
|
|
|
Nature of Ownership(1)
|
|
Brookfield Asset Management ULC
181 Bay Street, Suite 300 Toronto, Ontario M5J 2T3 Canada |
|
|
47.28% |
|
|
Brookfield Asset Management ULC |
|
|
DE |
|
|
Beneficial |
|
Pershing LLC PO Box 2052 Jersey City, NJ 07303 |
|
|
28.05% |
|
|
BNY Mellon |
|
|
DE |
|
|
Record |
|
As of March 31, 2023, the following persons were
known to own of record or beneficially 5% or more of the outstanding shares of the share class and Fund indicated:
Brookfield Global Listed Real Estate Fund
Class A Shares
Name and Address |
|
|
% of Shares
|
|
|
Nature of Ownership(1)
|
|
Morgan Stanley Smith Barney 1 New York Plz Fl 12 New
York, NY 10004‑1965 |
|
|
42.79% |
|
|
Record |
|
Wells Fargo Clearing Services LLC 2801 Market Street Saint
Louis, MO 63103‑2523 |
|
|
19.70% |
|
|
Record |
|
Charles Schwab & Co Inc 211 Main Street San Francisco,
CA 94105 |
|
|
16.89% |
|
|
Record |
|
UBS WM USA 1000 Harbor Blvd Weehawken, NJ 07086 |
|
|
9.45% |
|
|
Record |
|
Merrill Lynch Pierce Fenner & Smith 4800 Deer Lake Dr
E Jacksonville, FL 32246 |
|
|
5.46% |
|
|
Record |
|
Class C Shares
Name and Address |
|
|
% of Shares
|
|
|
Nature of Ownership(1)
|
|
Morgan Stanley Smith Barney 1 New York Plz Fl 12 New York, NY 10004-1965 |
|
|
48.46% |
|
|
Record |
|
Name and Address |
|
|
% of Shares
|
|
|
Nature of Ownership(1)
|
|
UBS WM USA 1000 Harbor Boulevard Weehawken, NJ 07086-6761 |
|
|
13.23% |
|
|
Record |
|
Raymond James & Associates, Inc. 880 Carillion Parkway St. Petersburg, FL 33716-1100
|
|
|
9.79% |
|
|
Record |
|
Ameriprise Financial Services LLC 707 2nd Ave S Minneapolis, MN 55402-2405 |
|
|
6.75% |
|
|
Record |
|
Merrill Lynch Pierce Fenner & Smith 4800 Deer Lake Drive E., Floor 1 Jacksonville,
FL 32246-6484 |
|
|
5.52% |
|
|
Record |
|
Class I Shares
Name and Address |
|
|
% of Shares
|
|
|
Nature of Ownerships(1)
|
|
National Financial Services LLC 499 Washington Boulevard, Floor 5 Jersey City, NJ 07310-1995
|
|
|
35.50% |
|
|
Record |
|
SEI Private Trust Company One Freedom Valley Drive Oaks, PA 19456 |
|
|
22.82% |
|
|
Record |
|
MAC & Co. 500 Grant Street Room 151-1010 Pittsburgh, PA 15219 |
|
|
6.51% |
|
|
Record |
|
Princeton Theological Seminary 64 Mercer St Princeton, NJ 08540 |
|
|
5.83% |
|
|
Beneficial |
|
Brookfield Global Listed Infrastructure Fund
Class A Shares
Name and Address |
|
|
% of Shares
|
|
|
Nature of Ownership(1)
|
|
Wells Fargo Clearing Services LLC 2801 Market Street Saint Louis, MO 63103-2523
|
|
|
29.55% |
|
|
Record |
|
Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC 1 New York Plaza, Floor 12 New York, NY 10004
|
|
|
16.50% |
|
|
Record |
|
Merrill Lynch Pierce Fenner & Smith 4800 Deer Lake Dr E Jacksonville, FL 32246
|
|
|
11.05% |
|
|
Record |
|
UBS WM USA 1000 Harber Blvd Weehawken, NJ 07086 |
|
|
8.09% |
|
|
Record |
|
Stifel Nicolaus& Company Inc. 501 N Broadway Saint Louis, MO 63102 |
|
|
7.49% |
|
|
Record |
|
Ameriprise Financial Services LLC 707 2nd Ave S Minneapolis, MN 55402 |
|
|
7.34% |
|
|
Record |
|
RBC Capital Markets LLC 60 6th Street Minneapolis,MN 55402 |
|
|
7.29% |
|
|
Record |
|
Class C Shares
Name and Address |
|
|
% of Shares
|
|
|
Nature of Ownership(1)
|
|
Wells Fargo Clearing Services LLC 2801 Market Street Saint Louis, MO 63103-2523
|
|
|
44.37% |
|
|
Record |
|
Name and Address |
|
|
% of Shares
|
|
|
Nature of Ownership(1)
|
|
Ameriprise Financial Services LLC 707 2nd Ave S Minneapolis, MN 55402 |
|
|
16.63% |
|
|
Record |
|
UBS WM USA 1000 Harbor Blvd Weehawken, NJ 07086-6761 |
|
|
14.61% |
|
|
Record |
|
Charles Schwab & Co Inc 211 Main Street San Francisco, CA 94105 |
|
|
7.39% |
|
|
Record |
|
Raymond James 880 Carillon Pkwy St. Petersbury, FL 33716 |
|
|
6.71% |
|
|
Record |
|
Class I Shares
Name and Address |
|
|
% of Shares
|
|
|
Nature of Ownership(1)
|
|
The Northern Trust Company PO Box 92956 Chicago, IL 60675 |
|
|
33.66% |
|
|
Record |
|
Charles Schwab & Company Inc. 211 Main Street San Francisco, CA 94105-1905
|
|
|
19.62% |
|
|
Record |
|
Saxon & Co. P.O. Box 94597 Cleveland, OH 44101-4597 |
|
|
14.99% |
|
|
Record |
|
National Financial Services LLC 499 Washington Blvd Jersey City, NJ 07310 |
|
|
10.11% |
|
|
Record |
|
Brookfield Global Renewables &
Sustainable Infrastructure Fund
Class I
Name and Address |
|
|
% of Shares |
|
|
Nature of Ownership(1)
|
|
BIM US Holdings LP 181 Bay St Ste 300 Toronto, ON M5J 2T3 Canada |
|
|
73.87% |
|
|
Record |
|
Brookfield Public Securities Group LLC 110 N Wacker Drive, Suite 2700 Chicago, IL 60606
|
|
|
10.52% |
|
|
Beneficial |
|
Saxon & Co PO Box 94597 Cleveland, OH 44101 |
|
|
8.91% |
|
|
Record |
|
Brookfield Real Assets Securities Fund
Class A Shares
Name and Address |
|
|
% of Shares
|
|
|
Nature of Ownership(1)
|
|
Raymond James 880 Carillon Parkway St. Petersburg, FL 33716-1100 |
|
|
47.23% |
|
|
Record |
|
RBC Capital Markets LLC Attn Mutual Fund Ops Manager 250 Nicollet Mall Minneapolis,
MN 55401 |
|
|
36.93% |
|
|
Record |
|
Stifel Nicholas & Company Inc. 501 N Broadway Saint Louis, MO 63102-2137 |
|
|
9.24% |
|
|
Record |
|
US Bank NA 15881 Punta Espada Loop Corpus Christi, TX 78418 |
|
|
6.59% |
|
|
Beneficial |
|
Class C Shares
Name and Address |
|
|
% of Shares
|
|
|
Nature of Ownership(1)
|
|
RBC Capital Markets LLC 60 S 6th
Street, Suite 700 #P08 Minneapolis, MN 55402-4413 |
|
|
56.15% |
|
|
Record |
|
Raymond James 880 Carillon Parkway St. Petersburg, FL 33716-1100 |
|
|
43.85% |
|
|
Record |
|
Class I Shares
Name and Address |
|
|
% of Shares
|
|
|
Nature of Ownership (1)
|
|
Brookfield Asset Management ULC 181 Bay Street, Ste 300 Toronto, ON M5J 2T3 Canada
|
|
|
47.63% |
|
|
Beneficial |
|
Pershing LLC PO Box 2052 Jersey City, NJ 07303 |
|
|
28.26% |
|
|
Record |
|
Brookfield Partners Foundation 181 Bay Street, Ste 300 Toronto, ON M5J 2T3 Canada
|
|
|
16.01% |
|
|
Beneficial |
|
?
(1)
“Record”
ownership means the shareholder of record, or the exact name of the shareholder on the account, i.e.,
“ABC Brokerage, Inc.” “Beneficial” ownership refers to the actual pecuniary, or financial, interest in the
security, i.e., “Jane Doe Shareholder.”
INVESTMENT ADVISORY AND OTHER SERVICES
Investment Adviser
Brookfield Public Securities Group LLC (the “Adviser”)
a Delaware limited liability company and a registered investment adviser under the Investment Advisers Act of 1940, as amended, serves
as the investment adviser and administrator to the Funds. Founded in 1989, the Adviser is an indirect wholly-owned subsidiary of Brookfield
Asset Management ULC, an unlimited liability company formed under the laws of British Columbia, Canada (“BAM ULC”). Brookfield
Corporation, a publicly traded company (NYSE: BN, TSX: BN), holds a 75% interest in BAM ULC, while Brookfield Asset Management Ltd., a
publicly traded company (NYSE: BAM; TSX: BAM)(“Brookfield Asset Management”), holds a 25% interest in BAM ULC. Brookfield
Asset Management is a a leading global alternative asset manager focused on real estate, renewable power, infrastructure and private equity
with assets under management over $750 billion as of December 31, 2022. In addition to the Trust, the Adviser’s clients include
financial institutions, public and private pension plans, insurance companies, endowments and foundations, sovereign wealth funds and
high net-worth investors. The Adviser specializes in global listed real assets strategies and its investment philosophy incorporates a
value-based approach towards investment. The Adviser provides advisory services to several other registered investment companies. As of
December 31, 2022, the Adviser and its affiliates had approximately $22 billion in assets under management. The business address
of the Adviser and its officers and directors is Brookfield Place, 250 Vesey Street, New York, New York 10281-1023.
The Adviser currently serves as the investment adviser to all the Funds
pursuant to investment advisory agreements (the “Advisory Agreements”). Pursuant to the Advisory Agreements, the Adviser
furnishes a continuous investment program for the Funds’ portfolios, makes the day-to-day investment decisions for the Funds, arranges
the portfolio transactions of the Funds, and generally manages the Funds’ investments in accordance with the stated policies of
the Fund, subject to the general supervision of the Board.
The Advisory Agreements will continue in effect for successive annual periods
so long as such continuation is specifically approved at least annually by (i) the vote of the Board or (ii) a vote of a majority (as
defined in the 1940 Act) of the outstanding voting securities of each applicable Fund, provided that in either event the continuance also
is approved by a majority of the Trustees who are not “interested persons” (as defined pursuant to the 1940 Act)
of the applicable Funds, the Adviser, as applicable by vote cast in person at a meeting called for the purpose of voting on such approval.
The Advisory Agreements are terminable at any time, without payment of any penalty, by vote of the Trust’s Board of Trustees, or
by a vote of a majority (as defined in the 1940 Act) of the outstanding voting securities of each applicable Fund, or by the Adviser,
in each case on not more than 60 days’ nor less than 30 days’ prior written notice to the other party. The Advisory
Agreements will terminate automatically in the event of their assignment (as defined in the 1940 Act).
As compensation for its services and the related expenses the Adviser bears, the Adviser
is contractually entitled to an advisory fee (an “Advisory Fee”), computed daily and payable monthly, at annual rates set
forth in the table below.
|
|
|
Annual Advisory Fee-Contractual Rate (as a percentage of average daily net assets)
|
|
Global Real Estate Fund |
|
|
|
|
0.75% |
|
|
Infrastructure Fund |
|
|
|
|
0.85% |
|
|
Renewables Fund |
|
|
|
|
0.85% |
|
|
Real Assets Securities Fund |
|
|
|
|
0.75% |
|
|
The tables below set forth the total advisory fees
paid by each Fund to the Adviser for the three most recent fiscal periods ended December 31. Advisory fees waived by the Adviser
were done pursuant to expense limitation agreements (see the “Expense Limitation Agreements” section below).
2022 |
|
|
Global Real Estate Fund |
|
|
Infrastructure Fund |
|
|
Renewables Fund(1)
|
|
|
Real Assets Securities Fund |
|
Advisory Fees |
|
|
$4,055,778 |
|
|
$2,978,622 |
|
|
$128,181 |
|
|
$391,902 |
|
Advisory Fees Waived |
|
|
$(22,656) |
|
|
$(208,956) |
|
|
$(603,058) |
|
|
$(266,521) |
|
Net Advisory Fees Paid to Adviser |
|
|
$4,033,122 |
|
|
$2,769,666 |
|
|
$(474,877) |
|
|
$125,381 |
|
2021 |
|
|
Global Real Estate Fund |
|
|
Infrastructure Fund |
|
|
Renewables Fund(1)
|
|
|
Real Assets Securities Fund
|
|
Advisory Fees |
|
|
$4,915,018 |
|
|
$3,064,387 |
|
|
N/A |
|
|
$404,646 |
|
Advisory Fees Waived |
|
|
$(52,556) |
|
|
$(146,970) |
|
|
N/A |
|
|
$(295,222) |
|
Net Advisory Fees Paid to Adviser |
|
|
$4,862,462 |
|
|
$2,917,417 |
|
|
N/A |
|
|
$109,424 |
|
2020 |
|
|
Global Real Estate Fund
|
|
|
Infrastructure Fund |
|
|
Renewables Fund(1)
|
|
|
Real Assets Securities Fund
|
|
Advisory Fees |
|
|
$5,724,226 |
|
|
$1,858,414 |
|
|
N/A |
|
|
$507,879 |
|
Advisory Fees Waived |
|
|
$(518,898) |
|
|
$(197,712) |
|
|
N/A |
|
|
$(297,711) |
|
Net Advisory Fees Paid to Adviser |
|
|
$5,205,328 |
|
|
$1,660,702 |
|
|
N/A |
|
|
$210,168 |
|
(1)
As of the close of business on February 4, 2022, the Renewables Fund acquired all the assets, subject to liabilities, of Brookfield Global
Renewables & Sustainable Infrastructure LP (the “Predecessor Fund”) through a tax-free reorganization.
Administration Agreements
Pursuant to administration agreements with the Funds (the “Administration
Agreements”), the Adviser also performs various administrative services to the Funds, including, among other responsibilities,
the preparation and coordination of reports and other materials to be supplied to the Board; prepare and/or supervise the preparation
and filing with the applicable regulatory authority of all securities filings, periodic financial reports, prospectuses, statements of
additional information, marketing materials, tax returns, shareholder reports and other regulatory reports and filings required of the
Funds; supervise and monitor the preparation of all required filings necessary to maintain the Funds’ qualification and/or registration
to sell shares in all states where the Funds currently do, or intend to do business; coordinate the preparation, printing and mailing
of all materials required to be sent to shareholders; coordinate the preparation and payment of Fund-related expenses; monitor and oversee
the activities of the Funds’ other service providers; review and adjust as necessary the Funds’ daily expense accruals;
monitor daily, monthly and periodic compliance with respect to the federal and state securities laws; send periodic information (i.e.,
performance figures) to service organizations that track investment company information; and perform such additional services as may be
agreed upon by the Funds and the Adviser.
For its services under the Administration Agreements, the Adviser does
not receive any compensation. Prior to April 30, 2021, the Adviser previously received from each Fund, respectively, an annual fee equal
to 0.15% of its average daily net assets for its administrative services.
Prior to April 30, 2021, for its services under the
Administration Agreements, the Adviser received from each Fund, respectively, an annual fee equal to 0.15% of its average daily net assets,
payable monthly in arrears. The Adviser was responsible for any fees due to the Sub-Administrator. Effective April 30, 2021, the Adviser
does not receive any compensation for its administration services pursuant to the Administration Agreements and the Funds are responsible
for any fees due to the Sub-Administrator.
The table below sets forth the total administration
fees paid by each Fund to the Adviser for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2020 and for the period from January 1, 2021 to April 30,
2021.
|
|
|
2021 |
|
|
2020 |
|
Global Real Estate Fund |
|
|
$324,544 |
|
|
$1,144,845 |
|
Infrastructure Fund |
|
|
$157,018 |
|
|
$327,955 |
|
Renewables Fund |
|
|
N/A |
|
|
N/A |
|
Real Assets Securities Fund |
|
|
$24,076 |
|
|
$89,626 |
|
The table below sets forth the total sub-administration
fees paid by each Fund to the Adviser for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2022 and the period from April 30, 2021 through December
31, 2021.
|
|
|
2022 |
|
|
2021 |
|
Global Real Estate Fund |
|
|
$191,420 |
|
|
$136,630 |
|
Infrastructure Fund |
|
|
$128,085 |
|
|
$80,914 |
|
Renewables Fund |
|
|
$15,867 |
|
|
N/A |
|
Real Assets Securities Fund |
|
|
$29,711 |
|
|
$18,427 |
|
Expense Limitation Agreements
Though each Fund is responsible for its own operating expenses, the Adviser
has contractually agreed to waive a portion or all of its fees payable to it by each Fund and/or to pay Fund operating expenses to the
extent necessary to limit each Fund’s aggregate annual operating expenses (excluding acquired fund fees and expenses, interest,
taxes and extraordinary expenses) to the limit set forth in the Annual Fund Operating Expenses tables of the Funds’ Prospectus.
Any such waivers made by the Adviser in its fees or payment of expenses which are a Fund’s obligation are subject to recoupment
by the Adviser from the Fund, if so requested by the Adviser, in subsequent fiscal years if the aggregate amount actually paid by
the Fund toward the operating expenses for such fiscal year (taking into account the recoupment) does not exceed the applicable limitation
on Fund expenses. The Adviser is permitted to recoup only for its fee waivers and expense payments made in the previous three fiscal years.
Any such recoupment is also contingent upon the Board’s subsequent review and ratification of the recouped amounts. Such recoupment
may not be paid prior to the Fund’s payment of current ordinary operating expenses.
Claims Against Brookfield; Regulatory Investigations
Brookfield is a global asset manager with many investment strategies and
offices and employees around the world. Given the broad spectrum of operations of Brookfield and its affiliates, claims (or threats of
claims) and governmental investigations, examinations, requests for information, audits, inquiries, subpoenas and other regulatory or
civil proceedings can and do occur in the ordinary course of its and its affiliates’ (including the Adviser’s) business.
Such investigations, actions and proceedings may impact the Funds, including by virtue of reputational damage to Brookfield (including
the Adviser) or otherwise. The unfavorable resolution of such items could result in criminal or civil liability, fines, settlements, charges,
penalties or other monetary or non-monetary remedies or sanctions that could negatively impact Brookfield (including the Adviser). In
addition, such actions and proceedings may involve claims of strict liability or similar risks against the Funds in certain jurisdictions
or in connection with certain types of activities. While Brookfield (including the Adviser) has implemented policies and procedures designed
to protect against non-compliance with applicable rules and regulations, there is no guarantee that such policies and procedures will
be adequate or will protect Brookfield in all instances.
For example, Brookfield faced anti-bribery and corruption investigations
in North America related to a Brazilian subsidiary, and an action against the Brazilian subsidiary and three employees was commenced by
a public prosecutor in Brazil in 2012. Based on the results of both internal and independent investigations by a major New York based
law firm which has a specialty in this area, as well as the results of investigations concluded by North American regulatory authorities,
Brookfield does not believe that the Brazilian subsidiary engaged in any wrongdoing. However, the final outcome of this or any other claims,
governmental investigations, audits or inquiries cannot be predicted with certainty and any unfavorable resolution could negatively impact
Brookfield (including the Adviser).
SERVICE PROVIDERS
Sub-Administrator, Transfer Agent and Fund Accountant
Pursuant to a sub-administration agreement (the “Sub-Administration
Agreement”), U.S. Bancorp Fund Services, LLC, (“USBFS” or the “Sub-Administrator”) 1201 South
Alma School Road, Suite 3000, Mesa, Arizona 85210, acts as the Sub-Administrator to the Funds. USBFS provides certain services to the
Funds including, among other responsibilities,
coordinating the negotiation of contracts and fees with, and the monitoring of performance
and billing of, the Funds’ independent contractors and agents; preparation for signature by an officer of the Trust of all documents
required to be filed for compliance by the Trust and the Funds with applicable laws and regulations, excluding those of the securities
laws of various states; arranging for the computation of performance data, including NAV per share and yield; responding to shareholder
inquiries; and arranging for the maintenance of books and records of the Funds, and providing, at its own expense, office facilities,
equipment and personnel necessary to carry out its duties. In this capacity, USBFS does not have any responsibility or authority for the
management of the Fund, the determination of investment policy, or for any matter pertaining to the distribution of Fund shares.
Pursuant to a fund accounting and servicing agreement (the “Fund
Accounting Servicing Agreement”), USBFS, 615 Michigan Street, Milwaukee, Wisconsin 53202, acts as the fund accountant (the “Fund
Accountant”) for the Funds. USBFS provides certain accounting services to the Funds including, among other responsibilities, portfolio
accounting services; expense accrual and payment services; fund valuation and financial reporting services; tax accounting services; and
compliance control services.
Pursuant to the Sub-Administration Agreement and the Fund Accounting Servicing
Agreement, as compensation for its services, USBFS receives an annual fee based upon the average net assets in the Fund Complex of: 0.04%
on the first $2 billion, 0.035% on the next $2 billion, 0.03% on the next $2.5 billion and 0.02% on the remaining assets, with a minimum
annual fee for the Fund Complex of $534,000. USBFS also is entitled to certain out-of-pocket expenses. USBFS also acts as transfer
agent (the “Transfer Agent”) and dividend disbursing agent under a separate agreement.
The Funds are responsible for any fees due to the
Sub-Administrator, the Fund Accountant and the Transfer Agent.
Custodian
Pursuant to a Custody Agreement between the Trust and U.S. Bank National
Association, located at 1555 North Rivercenter Drive, Suite 302, Milwaukee, Wisconsin 53212 (the “Custodian”), the Custodian
serves as the custodian of the Funds’ assets, holds the Funds’ portfolio securities in safekeeping, and keeps all necessary
records and documents relating to its duties. The Custodian is compensated with an asset-based fee plus transaction fees and is reimbursed
for out-of-pocket expenses.
The Custodian and Sub-Administrator do not participate in decisions relating
to the purchase and sale of securities by the Funds. The Sub-Administrator, Fund Accountant, Transfer Agent, Custodian and the Funds’
Distributor (as defined below) are affiliated entities under the common control of U.S. Bancorp. The Custodian and its affiliates may
participate in revenue sharing arrangements with the service providers of mutual funds in which the Funds may invest.
Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
Deloitte & Touche LLP, 111 South Wacker Drive, Chicago, Illinois 60606,
serves as the independent registered public accounting firm to the Trust.
Legal Counsel
Paul Hastings LLP, 200 Park Avenue, New York, New York 10166, serves as
legal counsel to the Trust.
PORTFOLIO TRANSACTIONS AND BROKERAGE
Pursuant to the Advisory Agreements, the Adviser determines which securities
are to be purchased and sold by the respective Funds and which broker-dealers are eligible to execute the Funds’ portfolio transactions.
The Funds do not intend to use any affiliated broker-dealers.
In placing portfolio transactions, the Adviser will seek best execution.
The full range and quality of services available will be considered in making these determinations, such as: the price of the security;
the commission rate; the execution capability, including execution speed and reliability; trading expertise and knowledge of the other
side of the trade; reputation and integrity; market depth and available liquidity; recent order flow; timing and size of an order; and
other factors. In those instances where it is reasonably determined that more than one broker-dealer can offer the services needed to
obtain the most favorable price and execution available, consideration may be given to those broker-dealers which furnish or supply research
and statistical information to the Adviser that it may lawfully and appropriately use in its investment advisory capacities, as well as
provide other services in addition to execution services. The Adviser considers such information, which is in addition to and not in lieu
of the services required to be performed by the Adviser under the Advisory Agreements, to be useful in varying degrees, but of indeterminable
value.
While it is each Fund’s general policy to first seek to obtain the most favorable
price and execution available in selecting a broker-dealer to execute portfolio transactions for the Fund, in accordance with Section 28(e)
under the Securities and Exchange Act of 1934, when it is determined that more than one broker can deliver best execution, weight is also
given to the ability of a broker-dealer to furnish brokerage and research services to the Funds or to the Adviser, even if the specific
services are not directly useful to the Funds and may be useful to the Adviser in advising other clients. In negotiating commissions with
a broker or evaluating the spread to be paid to a dealer, the Funds may therefore pay a higher commission or spread than would be the
case if no weight were given to the furnishing of these supplemental services, provided that the amount of such commission or spread has
been determined in good faith by the Adviser to be reasonable in relation to the value of the brokerage and/or research services provided
by such broker-dealer.
Investment decisions for the Funds are made independently from those of
other client accounts or mutual funds managed or advised by the Adviser. Nevertheless, it is possible that at times identical securities
will be acceptable for both the Funds and one or more of such client accounts or mutual funds. In such event, the position of the Funds
and such client account(s) or mutual funds in the same issuer may vary and the length of time that each may choose to hold its investment
in the same issuer may likewise vary. However, to the extent any of these client accounts or mutual funds seek to acquire the same security
as a Fund at the same time, the Fund may not be able to acquire as large a portion of such security as it desires, or it may have to pay
a higher price or obtain a lower yield for such security. Similarly, a Fund may not be able to obtain as high a price for, or as large
an execution of, an order to sell any particular security at the same time. If one or more of such client accounts or mutual funds simultaneously
purchases or sells the same security that a Fund is purchasing or selling, each day’s transactions in such security will be allocated
between the Fund and all such client accounts or mutual funds in a manner deemed equitable by the Adviser, taking into account the respective
sizes of the accounts and the amount of cash available for investment, the investment objective of the account, and the ease with which
a client’s appropriate amount can be bought, as well as the liquidity and volatility of the account and the urgency involved in
making an investment decision for the client. It is recognized that in some cases this system could have a detrimental effect on the price
or value of the security insofar as a Fund is concerned. In other cases, however, it is believed that the ability of a Fund to participate
in volume transactions may produce better executions for the Fund.
For the fiscal years ended December 31, the amount of brokerage commissions
paid by the Funds is set forth below.
|
|
|
2022 |
|
|
2021 |
|
|
2020 |
|
Global Real Estate Fund |
|
|
$1,088,721 |
|
|
$952,575 |
|
|
$1,990,605 |
|
Infrastructure Fund |
|
|
$683,804 |
|
|
$544,679 |
|
|
$638,195 |
|
Renewables Fund |
|
|
$20,858 |
|
|
N/A |
|
|
N/A |
|
Real Assets Securities Fund |
|
|
$73,337 |
|
|
$66,354 |
|
|
$173,736 |
|
The table below indicates the portion of each Fund’s
brokerage commissions (from the table above) for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2022, that was directed to brokers who, in addition
to providing trade execution, also supplied that Fund or the Adviser with research services.
Name of Fund |
|
|
Dollar Value of Securities Traded
|
|
|
Related Soft Dollar Brokerage Commissions
|
|
Global Real Estate Fund |
|
|
$1,140,187,779 |
|
|
$388,632 |
|
Infrastructure Fund |
|
|
$701,262,598 |
|
|
$196,541 |
|
Renewables Fund |
|
|
$22,955,673 |
|
|
$5,842 |
|
Real Assets Securities Fund |
|
|
95,464,365 |
|
|
$20,909 |
|
PORTFOLIO TURNOVER
Although the Funds generally will not invest for short-term trading purposes,
portfolio securities may be sold without regard to the length of time they have been held when, in the opinion of the Adviser, investment
considerations warrant such action. Portfolio turnover rate is calculated by dividing (i) the lesser of purchases or sales of portfolio
securities for the fiscal year by (ii) the monthly average of the value of portfolio securities owned during the fiscal year. A 100% turnover
rate would occur if all the securities in a Fund’s portfolio, with the exception of securities whose maturities at the time of
acquisition were one year or less, were sold and either repurchased or replaced within one year. A high rate of portfolio turnover (100%
or more) generally leads to above-average transaction costs, could generate capital gains that must be distributed to shareholders as
short-term capital gains taxed at ordinary income tax rates (currently as high as 37% for individuals) and could increase brokerage commission
costs. To the extent that a Fund experiences an increase in brokerage commissions due to a higher portfolio turnover rate, the performance
of the Funds could be negatively impacted by the increased expenses incurred by the Funds and may result in a greater number of taxable
transactions. The following table shows each Fund’s portfolio turnover rate for the three most recent fiscal years ended December 31:
|
|
|
2022 |
|
|
2021 |
|
|
2020 |
|
Global Real Estate Fund |
|
|
99% |
|
|
65% |
|
|
114% |
|
Infrastructure Fund |
|
|
74% |
|
|
62% |
|
|
138% |
|
Renewables Fund |
|
|
62% (1) |
|
|
N/A |
|
|
N/A |
|
Real Assets Securities Fund |
|
|
92% |
|
|
79% |
|
|
154% |
|
?
(1)
For the period
from commencement of operations on February 5, 2022 to December 31, 2022.
PORTFOLIO MANAGERS
The information below provides summary information
regarding the individuals identified in the Prospectus as primarily responsible for day-to-day management of the Funds (“Portfolio
Managers”). All asset information is as of December 31, 2022.
Leonardo Anguiano
— Managing Director and Portfolio Manager. Mr. Anguiano has 25 years of industry experience and is a Portfolio Manager
on the Public Securities Group’s Infrastructure Securities team. In this role he oversees and contributes to the portfolio construction
process, including execution of buy/sell decisions. Before focusing on his portfolio manager duties, he was responsible for covering European
securities focusing on the water, transportation and energy infrastructure sectors. His past experience includes both direct and listed
infrastructure investing and he has spent the majority of his career in London. Prior to joining the firm in 2015, Mr. Anguiano worked
for Santander in Madrid where he was in specialty sales covering infrastructure and utilities. Prior to Santander, he worked at Arcus
Infrastructure Partners and Babcock & Brown focusing on direct infrastructure investing. Mr. Anguiano started his career at JP Morgan
Cazenove on the sell side. He earned a Master of Philosophy degree from Cambridge University and a Bachelor of Science degree from the
London School of Economics He has served as Portfolio Manager of the Infrastructure Fund and the Real Assets Securities Fund since September
2016.
Larry Antonatos
— Managing Director and Portfolio Manager. Mr. Antonatos has 32 years of industry experience and is a Portfolio Manager
for the Public Securities Group’s Real Asset Solutions team. In this role he oversees the portfolio construction process, including
execution of asset allocation. He joined the firm in 2011 as Product Manager for the firm’s equity investment strategies. Prior
to joining Brookfield, he was a portfolio manager for a U.S. REIT strategy for 10 years. He also has investment experience with direct
property, CMBS, and mortgage loans. Mr. Antonatos earned a Master of Business Administration degree from the Wharton School of the University
of Pennsylvania and a Bachelor of Engineering degree from Vanderbilt University. He has served as Co-Portfolio Manager of the Real Assets
Securities Fund since February 2016.
Brandon Benjamin
— Director and Portfolio Manager. Mr. Benjamin has 16 years of industry experience and is a Director for Public Securities
Group’s Real Estate Securities team. He assists in construction, execution, and daily oversight of several portfolio strategies.
He focuses on U.S. Residential and Japanese Developers. Prior to joining the firm in 2019, Brandon was a Global Real Estate Senior Investment
Analyst at American Century Investments where he covered U.S. Residential and Self Storage REITs, homebuilders, and commercial real estate
brokers, as well as Japan. Prior to American Century Investments, he held positions at Harrison Street Securities, NAREIT and Cambridge
Associates. Brandon is a member of the National Association of Real Estate Investment Trusts (NAREIT). He earned a Juris Doctor degree
from Indiana University Maurer School of Law, a Master of Business Administration degree from Indiana University Kelley School of Business,
and a Bachelor of Arts degree in Economics & Business from Lafayette College. Mr. Benjamin has served as Portfolio Manager of the
Global Real Estate Fund since June 2022.
Joe Idaszak —
Director and Portfolio Manager. Mr. Idaszak has 11 years of industry experience and is a Portfolio Manager on the Public
Securities Group’s Global Renewables & Sustainable Infrastructure Securities team. In this role he oversees and contributes
to the portfolio construction process, including execution of buy/sell decisions. He is also responsible for covering North American and
European infrastructure securities focusing on the Utilities, Renewables, Clean Technology and Social Infrastructure sectors on the broader
Infrastructure Securities team. Prior to joining the firm in 2016, Joseph was an Investment Associate at Silverpath Capital Management
where he focused on Renewables, Utilities and MLPs. Prior to that, he was an Investment Banking Analyst at Goldman, Sachs & Co. where
he focused on Renewables, Clean Technology, Industrials and Healthcare. Joseph earned a Bachelor of Business Administration degree from
the University of Notre Dame.
Bernhard Krieg, CFA — Managing
Director and Portfolio Manager. Mr. Krieg has 25 years of industry experience and is a Portfolio Manager on the Public Securities
Group’s Real Estate Securities team. In this role he oversees and contributes to the portfolio construction process, including
execution of buy/sell decisions. Prior to joining the firm in 2006, Mr. Kreig was a Senior Vice President at Haven Funds and a Vice President
at Security Capital. He holds the Chartered Financial Analyst designation. Mr. Krieg earned a Master of Business Administration degree
from Texas A&M University and his undergraduate equivalent in Business Administration and Civil Engineering from the Technical University
in Dresden, Germany. Mr. Krieg has served as Portfolio Manager of the Global Real Estate Fund and Real Assets Securities Fund since their
respective inception dates.
Iñigo Mijangos—
Director and Portfolio Manager. Mr. Mijangos has 20 years of industry experience and is a Portfolio Manager on the Public
Securities Group’s Global Renewables & Sustainable Infrastructure Securities team. In this role he oversees and contributes
to the portfolio construction process, including execution of buy/sell decisions. He is also responsible for Utilities and Renewables
coverage, across Europe and North America, for the broader Infrastructure Securities team. Prior to joining the firm in 2018, Mr. Mijangos
worked at Santander UK as a Portfolio Manager and Research Analyst, where he co-managed a European equity absolute return long/short strategy.
Prior to Santander, he worked as a Research Analyst for T. Rowe Price and Kepler Cheuvreux. He started his career as a Senior Financial
Auditor at Arthur Andersen. Iñigo earned a Degree in Economics from Universidad San Pablo CEU.
Tom Miller, CFA
— Director and Portfolio Manager. Mr. Miller has 13 years of industry experience and is a Portfolio Manager
on the Public Securities Group’s Infrastructure Securities team. In this role he oversees and contributes to the portfolio construction
process, including execution of buy/sell decisions. Before focusing on his portfolio manager duties, he was responsible for covering North
American infrastructure securities focusing on MLPs and the Energy Infrastructure sector. Prior to joining the firm in 2013, Mr. Miller
worked at FactSet. He holds the Chartered Financial Analyst®
designation and earned a Bachelor of Science degree from Indiana University.
Julian Perlmutter
— Director and Portfolio Manager. Mr. Perlmutter has 20 years of industry experience and is a Director on the Public
Securities Group’s Real Estate Securities team. He assists in construction, execution and daily oversight of several portfolio
strategies. He focuses on the U.S. Self Storage, Towers, and Data Center sectors, as well as Hong Kong. Prior to joining the firm in 2012,
Mr. Perlmutter was a Vice President at Cohen & Steers Capital Management Inc. based in New York and then Hong Kong covering Asian
securities. He also worked as an analyst at Morningstar Inc. focusing on the U.S. Hotel and Apartment REIT sectors. He holds the Chartered
Financial Analyst designation and earned a Bachelor of Business Administration degree from Loyola University in Chicago. Mr. Perlmutter
has served as Portfolio Manager of the Global Real Estate Fund since June 2022.
Michael Shoemacher
— Director and Portfolio Manager. Mr. Shoemacher has 19 years of industry experience and is a Director on the Public
Securities Group’s Real Estate Securities team. Mr. Shoemacher assists in construction, execution and daily oversight of several
portfolio strategies. He focuses on U.S. Industrial and Healthcare, United Kingdom and Australia. Prior to joining the firm in 2012, Mr.
Shoemacher was part of the global portfolio management team at Heitman as Assistant Portfolio Manager for the European region. He was
based in Frankfurt and London during his tenure at Heitman. He began his career at TCF National Bank in the commercial-lending division
with a focus on underwriting commercial real estate loans and other asset-backed credit facilities. Mr. Shoemacher earned a Bachelor of
Science degree from Miami University. Mr. Shoemacher has served as Portfolio Manager of the Global Real Estate Fund since June 2022.
Richard Sweigard
— Director and Portfolio Manager. Mr. Sweigard has 22 years of industry experience and is a Director on the Public
Securities Group’s Real Estate Securities team. Richard assists in construction, execution and daily oversight of several portfolio
strategies. In addition, he focuses on the U.S. Office and continental Europe. Prior to joining the firm in 2005, he was an analyst at
KeyBanc Capital Markets, a division of McDonald Investments. Richard earned a Bachelor of Business Administration degree from the University
of Wisconsin-Madison. Mr. Sweigard has served as Portfolio Manager of the Global Real Estate Fund since June 2022.
Gaal Surugeon, CFA
— Managing Director and Portfolio Manager. Mr. Surugeon has 14 years of industry experience and is a Portfolio Manager
for Public Securities Group’s Real Assets Solutions team. He is responsible for portfolio construction and asset allocation for
the firm’s diversified real asset portfolios. Prior to joining the firm in 2019, Mr. Surugeon was an Executive Director at Oppenheimer
Asset Management where he served as a manager of the firm’s multi-asset portfolios and Director of Asset Allocation and Research.
Prior to that, he was an Associate Economist at Decision Economics, Inc. Mr. Surugeon holds the Chartered Financial Analyst®
designation and is a member of the CFA Society of Chicago. He
earned a Bachelor of Arts in Economics from the University of Michigan.
Mr. Krieg is primarily responsible for the-day-to day investment decisions
for the Global Real Estate Fund.
Messrs. Anguiano and Miller are jointly and primarily responsible for
the day-to-day investment decisions for the Infrastructure Fund.
Messrs. Antonatos and Surugeon are jointly and primarily responsible for
the day-to-day management of the Real Assets Securities Fund. Messrs. Antonatos and Surugeon draw upon the expertise of colleagues within
the Public Securities Group in managing the Fund, and they have the authority to adjust the allocation of assets across asset classes.
The table below shows the number of other accounts
managed by each Portfolio Manager and the total assets in each of the following categories, as of December 31, 2022, unless otherwise
indicated: registered investment companies, other pooled investment vehicles and other accounts. For each category, the table also shows
the number of accounts and the total assets in the accounts with respect to which the advisory fee is based on account performance.
The following table provides information relating to
other accounts managed by Mr. Anguiano:
|
|
|
Registered Investment Companies
|
|
|
Other Pooled Investment Companies
|
|
|
Other Accounts
|
|
Number of Accounts Managed |
|
|
2 |
|
|
8 |
|
|
24 |
|
Number of Accounts Managed with Performance-Based Fees |
|
|
0 |
|
|
2 |
|
|
4 |
|
Assets Managed (assets in millions) |
|
|
$117.3 |
|
|
$400.7 |
|
|
$3,751.9 |
|
Assets Managed with Performance-Based Fees (assets in millions) |
|
|
$0 |
|
|
$137.5 |
|
|
$1,421.6 |
|
The following table provides information relating to
other accounts managed by Mr. Antonatos:
|
|
|
Registered Investment Companies
|
|
|
Other Pooled Investment Companies
|
|
|
Other Accounts
|
|
Number of Accounts Managed |
|
|
3 |
|
|
8 |
|
|
4 |
|
Number of Accounts Managed with Performance-Based Fees |
|
|
0 |
|
|
1 |
|
|
1 |
|
Assets Managed (assets in millions) |
|
|
$1,359.8 |
|
|
$1,203.3 |
|
|
$372.2 |
|
Assets Managed with Performance-Based Fees (assets in millions) |
|
|
$0 |
|
|
$366.3 |
|
|
$51.6 |
|
The following table provides information
relating to other accounts managed by Mr. Benjamin:
|
|
|
Registered Investment Companies |
|
|
Other Pooled Investment Companies |
|
|
Other Accounts |
|
Number of Accounts Managed |
|
|
2 |
|
|
6 |
|
|
19 |
|
Number of Accounts Managed with Performance-Based Fees |
|
|
0 |
|
|
1 |
|
|
1 |
|
Assets Managed (assets in millions) |
|
|
$101.6 |
|
|
$318.8 |
|
|
$1,815.5 |
|
Assets Managed with Performance-Based Fees (assets in millions) |
|
|
$0 |
|
|
$75.1 |
|
|
$299.5 |
|
The following table provides information
relating to other accounts managed by Mr. Krieg:
|
|
|
Registered Investment Companies
|
|
|
Other Pooled Investment Companies
|
|
|
Other Accounts
|
|
Number of Accounts Managed |
|
|
2 |
|
|
8 |
|
|
24 |
|
Number of Accounts Managed with Performance-Based Fees |
|
|
0 |
|
|
2 |
|
|
2 |
|
Assets Managed (assets in millions) |
|
|
$101.6 |
|
|
$363.3 |
|
|
$1,879.1 |
|
Assets Managed with Performance-Based Fees (assets in millions) |
|
|
$0 |
|
|
$88.6 |
|
|
$353.3 |
|
The following table provides information
relating to other accounts managed by Mr. Idaszak:
|
|
|
Registered Investment Companies |
|
|
Other Pooled Investment Companies |
|
|
Other Accounts |
|
Number of Accounts Managed |
|
|
0 |
|
|
8 |
|
|
1 |
|
Number of Accounts Managed with Performance-Based Fees |
|
|
0 |
|
|
0 |
|
|
1 |
|
Assets Managed (assets in millions) |
|
|
$0 |
|
|
$257.9 |
|
|
$144.0 |
|
Assets Managed with Performance-Based Fees (assets in millions) |
|
|
$0 |
|
|
$0 |
|
|
$144.0 |
|
The following table provides information
relating to other accounts managed by Mr. Mijangos:
|
|
|
Registered Investment Companies |
|
|
Other Pooled Investment Companies |
|
|
Other Accounts |
|
Number of Accounts Managed |
|
|
0 |
|
|
8 |
|
|
2 |
|
Number of Accounts Managed with Performance-Based Fees |
|
|
0 |
|
|
0 |
|
|
2 |
|
Assets Managed (assets in millions) |
|
|
$0 |
|
|
$257.9 |
|
|
$350.6 |
|
Assets Managed with Performance-Based Fees (assets in millions) |
|
|
$0 |
|
|
$0 |
|
|
$350.6 |
|
The following table provides information
relating to other accounts managed by Mr. Miller:
|
|
|
Registered Investment Companies
|
|
|
Other Pooled Investment Companies
|
|
|
Other Accounts
|
|
Number of Accounts Managed |
|
|
4 |
|
|
13 |
|
|
374 |
|
Number of Accounts Managed with Performance-Based Fees |
|
|
0 |
|
|
3 |
|
|
2 |
|
Assets Managed (assets in millions) |
|
|
$1,140.5 |
|
|
$5,067.7 |
|
|
$3,526.0 |
|
Assets Managed with Performance-Based Fees (assets in millions) |
|
|
$0 |
|
|
$157.0 |
|
|
$1,055.8 |
|
The following table provides information
relating to other accounts managed by Mr. Perlmutter:
|
|
|
Registered Investment Companies |
|
|
Other Pooled Investment Companies |
|
|
Other Accounts |
|
Number of Accounts Managed |
|
|
2 |
|
|
6 |
|
|
15 |
|
Number of Accounts Managed with Performance-Based Fees |
|
|
0 |
|
|
1 |
|
|
2 |
|
Assets Managed (assets in millions) |
|
|
$99.8 |
|
|
$304.1 |
|
|
$1,442.3 |
|
Assets Managed with Performance-Based Fees (assets in millions) |
|
|
$0 |
|
|
$67.4 |
|
|
$353.3 |
|
The following table provides information
relating to other accounts managed by Mr. Shoemacher:
|
|
|
Registered Investment Companies |
|
|
Other Pooled Investment Companies |
|
|
Other Accounts |
|
Number of Accounts Managed |
|
|
2 |
|
|
6 |
|
|
15 |
|
Number of Accounts Managed with Performance-Based Fees |
|
|
0 |
|
|
1 |
|
|
1 |
|
Assets Managed (assets in millions) |
|
|
$99.8 |
|
|
$304.1 |
|
|
$1,144.5 |
|
Assets Managed with Performance-Based Fees (assets in millions) |
|
|
$0 |
|
|
$67.4 |
|
|
$53.8 |
|
The following table provides information
relating to other accounts managed by Mr. Sweigard:
|
|
|
Registered Investment Companies |
|
|
Other Pooled Investment Companies |
|
|
Other Accounts |
|
Number of Accounts Managed |
|
|
2 |
|
|
6 |
|
|
20 |
|
Number of Accounts Managed with Performance-Based Fees |
|
|
0 |
|
|
1 |
|
|
0 |
|
Assets Managed (assets in millions) |
|
|
$101.6 |
|
|
$318.8 |
|
|
$1,523.1 |
|
Assets Managed with Performance-Based Fees (assets in millions) |
|
|
$0 |
|
|
$75.1 |
|
|
$0 |
|
The following table provides information
relating to other accounts managed by Mr. Surugeon:
|
|
|
Registered Investment Companies
|
|
|
Other Pooled Investment Companies
|
|
|
Other Accounts
|
|
Number of Accounts Managed |
|
|
3 |
|
|
8 |
|
|
4 |
|
Number of Accounts Managed with Performance-Based Fees |
|
|
0 |
|
|
1 |
|
|
1 |
|
Assets Managed (assets in millions) |
|
|
$1,359.8 |
|
|
$1,203.3 |
|
|
$372.2 |
|
Assets Managed with Performance-Based Fees (assets in millions) |
|
|
$0 |
|
|
$366.3 |
|
|
$51.6 |
|
Potential Conflicts of Interest
Actual or apparent conflicts of interest may arise when the Portfolio Managers
also have day-to-day management responsibilities with respect to one or more other accounts. The Adviser has adopted policies and procedures
that are
reasonably designed to identify and minimize the effects of these potential conflicts,
however, there can be no guarantee that these policies and procedures will be effective in detecting potential conflicts, or in eliminating
the effects of any such conflicts. These potential conflicts include:
Allocation of Limited
Time and Attention. As indicated in the tables above, the Portfolio Managers manage multiple accounts. As a result, the
Portfolio Managers will not be able to devote all of their time to management of a Fund. The Portfolio Managers, therefore, may not be
able to formulate as complete a strategy or identify equally attractive investment opportunities for each of those accounts as might be
the case if he/she were to devote all of his/her attention to the management of only a Fund.
Allocation of Limited
Investment Opportunities. As indicated above, the Portfolio Managers manage accounts with investment strategies and/or policies
that are similar to a Fund. If the Portfolio Managers identify an investment opportunity that may be suitable for multiple accounts, a
Fund may not be able to take full advantage of that opportunity because the opportunity may be allocated among these accounts or other
accounts managed primarily by other Portfolio Managers of the Adviser and its affiliates. In addition, in the event a Portfolio Manager
determines to purchase a security for more than one account in an aggregate amount that may influence the market price of the security,
accounts that purchased or sold the security first may receive a more favorable price than accounts that made subsequent transactions.
Pursuit of Differing
Strategies. At times, a Portfolio Manager may determine that an investment opportunity may be appropriate for only some
of the accounts for which the Portfolio Manager exercises investment responsibility, or may decide that certain of these funds or accounts
should take differing positions with respect to a particular security. In these cases, the Portfolio Manager may execute differing or
opposite transactions for one or more accounts which may affect the market price of the security or the execution of the transaction,
or both, to the detriment of one or more other accounts. For example, the sale of a long position or establishment of a short position
by an account may impair the price of the same security sold short by (and therefore benefit) the Adviser, its affiliates, or other accounts,
and the purchase of a security or covering of a short position in a security by an account may increase the price of the same security
held by (and therefore benefit) the Adviser, its affiliates, or other accounts.
Selection of Broker/Dealers. A
Portfolio Manager may be able to select or influence the selection of the brokers and dealers that are used to execute securities transactions
for the Funds or accounts that he/she supervises. In addition to providing execution of trades, some brokers and dealers provide portfolio
managers with brokerage and research services which may result in the payment of higher brokerage fees than might otherwise be available.
These services may be more beneficial to certain funds or accounts of the Adviser and its affiliates than to others. Although the payment
of brokerage commissions is subject to the requirement that the Adviser determines in good faith that the commissions are reasonable in
relation to the value of the brokerage and research services provided to a Fund, a Portfolio Manager’s decision as to the selection
of brokers and dealers could yield disproportionate costs and benefits among the Funds or other accounts that the Adviser and its affiliates
manage. In addition, with respect to certain types of accounts (such as pooled investment vehicles and other accounts managed for organizations
and individuals) the Adviser may be limited by the client concerning the selection of brokers or may be instructed to direct trades to
particular brokers. In these cases, the Adviser or its affiliates may place separate, non-simultaneous transactions in the same security
for a Fund and another account that may temporarily affect the market price of the security or the execution of the transaction, or both,
to the detriment of such Fund or the other accounts.
Variation in Compensation. A
conflict of interest may arise where the financial or other benefits available to a Portfolio Manager differ among the accounts that he/she
manages. If the structure of the Adviser’s management fee or the Portfolio Manager’s compensation differs among accounts
(such as where certain accounts pay higher management fees or performance-based management fees), the Portfolio Managers may be motivated
to favor certain accounts over others. The Portfolio Managers also may be motivated to favor accounts in which they have investment interests,
or in which the Adviser or its affiliates have investment interests. Similarly, the desire to maintain assets under management or to enhance
a Portfolio Manager’s performance record or to derive other rewards, financial or otherwise, could influence the Portfolio Manager
in affording preferential treatment to those accounts that could most significantly benefit the Portfolio Manager. For example, as reflected
above, if a Portfolio Manager manages accounts which have performance fee arrangements, certain portions of his/her compensation will
depend on the achievement of performance milestones on those accounts. The Portfolio Manager could be incented to afford preferential
treatment to those accounts and thereby be subject to a potential conflict of interest.
Certain Business Relationships. The
Adviser and the Funds have adopted compliance policies and procedures that are reasonably designed to address the various conflicts of
interest that may arise for the Adviser and its staff members. However, there is no guarantee that such policies and procedures will be
able to detect and prevent every situation in which an actual or potential conflict may arise.
Compensation
The Portfolio Managers are compensated based on the scale and complexity
of their portfolio responsibilities, the total return performance of funds and accounts managed by the Portfolio Manager on an absolute
basis and when compared to appropriate peer groups of similar size and strategy, as well as the management skills displayed in managing
their portfolio teams and the teamwork displayed in working with other members of the firm. Since the Portfolio Managers are responsible
for multiple funds and accounts, investment performance is evaluated on an aggregate basis almost equally weighted among performance,
management and teamwork. Base compensation for the Portfolio Managers varies in line with a Portfolio Manager’s seniority and position.
The compensation of Portfolio Managers with other job responsibilities (such as acting as an executive officer of their firm or supervising
various departments) includes consideration of the scope of such responsibilities and the Portfolio Manager’s performance in meeting
them. The Adviser seeks to compensate Portfolio Managers commensurate with their responsibilities and performance, and in a manner that
is competitive with other firms within the investment management industry. Salaries, bonuses and stock-based compensation in the industry
also are influenced by the operating performance of their respective firms and their parent companies. While the salaries of the Portfolio
Managers are comparatively fixed, cash bonuses and stock-based compensation may fluctuate significantly from year to year. Bonuses are
determined on a discretionary basis by the senior executives of the firm and measured by individual and team-oriented performance guidelines.
Awards under the Long Term Incentive Plan (LTIP) are approved annually and there is a rolling vesting schedule to aid in retention of
key people. A key component of this program is achievement of client objectives in order to properly align interests with our clients.
Further, the incentive compensation of all investment personnel who work on each strategy is directly tied to the relative performance
of the strategy and its clients.
The compensation structure of the Portfolio Managers and other investment
professionals has four primary components:
•
A base salary;
•
An annual cash bonus;
?
•
If applicable,
long-term compensation consisting of restricted stock or stock options of the Adviser’s ultimate parent company, Brookfield Asset
Management ULC; and
•
If applicable, long-term compensation
consisting generally of restricted share units tied to the performance of funds managed by the Adviser.
The Portfolio Managers also receive certain retirement, insurance and
other benefits that are broadly available to all employees. Compensation of the Portfolio Managers is reviewed on an annual basis by senior
management.
Securities Owned in the Funds by the Portfolio Managers
The table below identifies the dollar value (in
ranges) of investments beneficially held by the Portfolio Managers, if any, in the respective Funds as of December 31, 2022.
Portfolio Managers |
|
|
Dollar Range of Equity Securities in the Fund Beneficially Owned by Portfolio Managers (1)
|
|
Leonardo Anguiano |
|
|
A |
|
Larry Antonatos |
|
|
A |
|
Brandon Benjamin |
|
|
|
|
A |
|
|
Bernhard Krieg |
|
|
E |
|
Joe Idaszak |
|
|
|
|
C |
|
|
Inigo Mijangos |
|
|
|
|
E |
|
|
Tom Miller |
|
|
A |
|
Julian Perlmutter |
|
|
|
|
E |
|
|
Michael Shoemacher |
|
|
|
|
D |
|
|
Richard Sweigard |
|
|
|
|
A |
|
|
Gaal Surugeon |
|
|
A |
|
(1)
Key to Dollar Ranges: A) none;
B) $1–$10,000; C) $10,001–$50,000; D) $50,001–$100,000; E) $100,001–$500,000; F) $500,001–$1,000,000;
or G) over $1,000,000.
DISTRIBUTION AGREEMENT
The Trust has entered into a Distribution Agreement (the “Distribution
Agreement”) with Quasar Distributors, LLC, 111 East Kilbourn Avenue, Suite 2200, Milwaukee, WI 53202 (the “Distributor”),
pursuant to which the Distributor acts as the Funds’ distributor, provides certain administration services and promotes and arranges
for the sale of Fund shares. The offering of the Funds’ shares is continuous. The Distributor is a registered broker-dealer and
member of FINRA.
The Distribution Agreement will continue in effect only if such continuance
is specifically approved at least annually by the Board or by vote of a majority of each Fund’s outstanding voting securities and,
in either case, by a majority of the Trustees who are not parties to the Distribution Agreement or “interested persons”
(as defined in the 1940 Act) of any such party. The Distribution Agreement is terminable without penalty by the Trust on behalf
of the Fund on 60 days written notice when authorized either by a majority vote of each Fund’s shareholders or by vote of
a majority of the Board, including a majority of the Trustees who are not “interested persons” (as defined in the
1940 Act) of the Trust, or by the Distributor on 60 days written notice, and will automatically terminate in the event of its “assignment”
(as defined in the 1940 Act).
DISTRIBUTION PLANS
The Funds have adopted separate distribution and service plans (each, a
“Plan,” and collectively, the “Plans”) pursuant to Rule 12b-1 under the 1940 Act on behalf of each of
the Class A and Class C Shares of each Fund. Payments may be made by the Funds under each Plan for the purpose of financing
any activity primarily intended to result in the sales of shares of the class to which such Plan relates as determined by the Board. Such
activities typically include advertising; compensation for sales and marketing activities of the Distributor and other banks, broker-dealers,
and service providers; shareholder account servicing; production and dissemination of prospectus and sales and marketing materials; and
capital or other expenses of associated equipment, rent, fixtures, salaries, bonuses, reporting and recordkeeping, and other overhead.
To the extent any activity is one which the Funds may finance without a distribution plan, the Funds may also make payments to finance
such activity outside of the Plans and not be subject to its limitations. Payments under the Plans are not dependent on distribution expenses
actually incurred by the Distributor. The Plans compensate the Distributor regardless of expense, and accordingly a portion of the payments
by the Funds may be used indirectly to finance distribution activities on behalf of other funds in the Fund Complex and a portion
of the payments by such other funds may be used to finance distribution activities on behalf of the Funds. The Plans are intended to benefit
the Funds, among other things, by increasing its assets and thereby reducing the Funds’ expense ratio. The Independent Trustees
have concluded that there is a reasonable likelihood that the Plans will benefit these classes and their respective shareholders.
Under its terms, each Plan remains in effect so long as its continuance
is specifically approved at least annually by vote of the Funds’ Board, including a majority of the Independent Trustees. No Plan
may be amended to materially increase the amount to be spent for services provided by the Distributor thereunder without shareholder approval,
and all material amendments of any Plan must also be approved by the Board in the manner described above. Each Plan may be terminated
at any time, without penalty, by vote of a majority of the Independent Trustees, or by a vote of a majority of the outstanding voting
securities of the Funds (as defined in the 1940 Act). Under each Plan, the Distributor will provide the Trustees with periodic reports
of amounts expended under such Plan and the purpose for which such expenditures were made.
Pursuant to the Plans, each Fund pays the Distributor 0.25% of its average
daily net assets of Class A Shares and 1.00% of its average daily net assets of Class C Shares. In addition, pursuant to the
Plans, the Adviser, its affiliates, or the Distributor and its affiliates may make payments from time to time from their own resources,
which may include the investment advisory fee, administration fee, or the distribution fee received from each Fund, and past profits,
for any of the foregoing purposes. Due to the continuing nature of Rule 12b-1 payments, long-term investors may pay more than the
economic equivalent of the maximum front-end sales charge permitted by the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (“FINRA”).
Pursuant to the Distribution Agreement, each Fund appoints the Distributor as its general distributor and exclusive agent for the sale
of the Funds’ shares. The Funds have agreed to indemnify the Distributor to the extent permitted by applicable law against certain
liabilities under federal securities laws.
For the fiscal years ended December 31, the Funds made payments
under the Plans for Class A Shares and for Class C Shares to the Distributor as follows:
Name of the Fund |
|
|
2022 |
|
|
2021 |
|
|
2020 |
|
Global Real Estate Fund |
|
|
$60,829 |
|
|
$91,412 |
|
|
$94,225 |
|
Infrastructure Fund |
|
|
$43,950 |
|
|
$49,331 |
|
|
$66,344 |
|
Renewables Fund |
|
|
$0 (1) |
|
|
N/A |
|
|
N/A |
|
Real Assets Securities Fund |
|
|
$1,729 |
|
|
$1,715 |
|
|
$1,629 |
|
?
(1)
Class A and
Class C Shares had not commenced operations as of December 31, 2022.
The amounts paid by the Funds may include third party servicing fees paid to the providers
of various programs that make shares available to their customers. Subject to tax limitations and approvals by the Board, the Funds also
make payments to the providers of various programs that make shares available to their customers, out of its assets other than Rule 12b-1
payments, in amounts not greater than savings of expenses the Funds would incur in maintaining shareholder accounts for those who invest
in the Funds directly rather than through these programs. The Adviser and its affiliates may also pay for all or a portion of these program’s
charges out of their financial resources other than Rule 12b-1 fees.
Shares of the Funds may also be purchased through shareholder agents that
are not affiliated with the Funds or the Distributor. There are no sales or service charge imposed by the Funds other than as described
in the Prospectus for Class A and Class C Shares under the “Description of Share Classes” section, but agents
who do not receive distribution payments or sales charges may impose a charge to the investor for their services. Such fees may vary among
agents, and such agents may impose higher initial or subsequent investment requirements than those established by the Funds. Services
provided by broker- dealers may include allowing the investor to establish a margin account and to borrow on the value of the Funds’
shares in that account. It is the responsibility of the shareholder’s agent to establish procedures which would assure that, upon
receipt of an order to purchase shares of the Funds, the order will be transmitted so that it will be received by the Distributor before
the time when the price applicable to the buy order expires.
No Independent Trustee of the Funds had a direct or indirect financial
interest in the operation of any Plan or related agreements.
The Rule 12b-1 Plan is intended to benefit the Funds by increasing
their assets and thereby reducing the Funds’ expense ratio.
The following table shows the allocation of the Rule 12b-1
fees paid by each Fund during the fiscal year ended December 31, 2022:
|
|
|
Global Real Estate Fund
|
|
|
Infrastructure Fund |
|
|
Renewables Fund |
|
|
Real Assets Securities Fund
|
|
Advertising/Marketing |
|
|
$0 |
|
|
$0 |
|
|
$0 |
|
|
$0 |
|
Printing/Postage |
|
|
$0 |
|
|
$0 |
|
|
$0 |
|
|
$0 |
|
Payment to distributor |
|
|
$0 |
|
|
$0 |
|
|
$0 |
|
|
$0 |
|
Payment to dealers |
|
|
$60,829 |
|
|
$43,950 |
|
|
$0 |
|
|
$1,729 |
|
Compensation to sales personnel |
|
|
$0 |
|
|
$0 |
|
|
$0 |
|
|
$0 |
|
Other |
|
|
$0 |
|
|
$0 |
|
|
$0 |
|
|
$0 |
|
Total |
|
|
$60,829 |
|
|
$43,950 |
|
|
$0 |
|
|
$1,729 |
|
DETERMINATION OF SHARE PRICE
The NAV of each Fund is determined as of the close of regular trading on
the New York Stock Exchange (the “NYSE”) (generally 4:00 p.m., Eastern Time), each day the NYSE is open for trading.
The NYSE annually announces the days on which it will not be open for trading. It is expected that the NYSE will not be open for trading
on the following holidays: New Year’s Day, Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, Washington’s Birthday/Presidents’ Day, Good
Friday, Memorial Day, Juneteenth National Independence Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving Day and Christmas Day.
NAV per share is calculated separately for each share
class of each Fund. The NAV of Class A and Class C Shares of each Fund, as applicable, will generally be lower than the NAV
of Class I Shares as a result of the higher service and distribution-related fees to which Class A and Class C Shares are
subject. It is expected, however, that the NAV of each class will tend to converge immediately after the recording of dividends, if any,
which will differ by approximately the amount of the distribution and/or service fee expense accrual differential among the classes. The
Annual Report to Shareholders dated December 31, 2022, provides how the Fund calculated its NAV per share as of December 31,
2022.
Generally, the Funds’ investments are valued
at market value or, in the absence of a market value, at fair value as determined under procedures approved by the Board. The Adviser
oversees the day to day responsibilities for valuation determinations under these procedures. The Board regularly reviews the application
of these procedures to the securities in the Fund’s portfolio. The Adviser’s Valuation Committee is comprised of senior
members of the Adviser’s management team.
The Board has designated the Adviser as the valuation
designee pursuant to Rule 2a-5 under the 1940 Act to perform fair value determination relating to any or all Fund investments. The Board
oversees the Adviser in its role as the valuation designee in accordance with the requirements of Rule 2a-5 under the 1940 Act.
Investments in equity securities listed or traded on any securities
exchange or traded in the over-the-counter market are valued at the last trade price as of the close of business on the valuation date.
If the NYSE closes early, then the equity security will be valued at the last traded price before the NYSE close. Prices of foreign equities
that are principally traded on certain foreign markets will generally be adjusted daily pursuant to a fair value pricing service approved
by the Board in order to reflect an adjustment for the factors occurring after the close of certain foreign markets but before the NYSE
close. When fair value pricing is employed, the value of the portfolio securities used to calculate the Fund’s NAV may differ from
quoted or official closing prices. Investments in open-end registered investment companies, if any, are valued at the NAV as reported
by those investment companies.
Securities for which market prices are not readily
available, cannot be determined using the sources described above, or the Adviser’s Valuation Committee determines that the quotation
or price for a portfolio security provided by a broker-dealer or an independent pricing service is inaccurate will be valued at a fair
value determined by the Adviser’s Valuation Committee following the procedures adopted by the Adviser under the supervision of
the Board. The Adviser’s valuation policy establishes parameters for the sources, methodologies, and inputs the Adviser’s
Valuation Committee uses in determining fair value.
The fair valuation methodology may include or consider
the following guidelines, as appropriate: (1) evaluation of all relevant factors, including but not limited to, pricing history, current
market level, supply and demand of the respective security; (2) comparison to the values and current pricing of securities that have comparable
characteristics; (3) knowledge of historical market information with respect to the security; (4) other factors relevant to the security
which would include, but not be limited to, duration, yield, fundamental analytical data, the Treasury yield curve, and credit quality.
The fair value may be difficult to determine and thus judgment plays a greater role in the valuation process. Imprecision in estimating
fair value can also impact the amount of unrealized appreciation or depreciation recorded for a particular portfolio security and differences
in the assumptions used could result in a different determination of fair value, and those differences could be material. For those securities
valued by fair valuations, the Adviser’s Valuation Committee reviews and affirms the reasonableness of the valuations based on
such methodologies and fair valuation determinations on a regular basis after considering all relevant information that is reasonably
available. There can be no assurance that the Fund could purchase or sell a portfolio security at the price used to calculate the Fund’s
NAV.
An internal pricing hierarchy has been established
to maximize the use of observable market data and minimize the use of unobservable inputs and to establish classification of fair value
measurements for disclosure purposes. Observable inputs are inputs that reflect the assumptions market participants would use in pricing
the asset or liability developed based on market data obtained from sources independent of the reporting entity. Unobservable inputs are
inputs that reflect the reporting entity’s own assumptions about the assumptions market participants would use in pricing the asset
or liability developed based on the best information available in the circumstances.
Securities primarily traded in the NASDAQ Global Market® for which
market quotations are readily available shall be valued using the NASDAQ® Official Closing Price (“NOCP”). If the NOCP
is not available, such securities shall be valued at the last sale price on the day of valuation, or if there has been no sale on such
day, at the mean between the bid and asked prices. OTC securities which are not traded in the NASDAQ Global Market® shall be valued
at the most recent sales price. Securities and assets for which market quotations are not readily available (including restricted securities
which are subject to limitations as to their sale) are valued at fair value as determined in good faith under procedures approved by or
under the direction of the Board.
The Funds’ securities, including ADRs, EDRs and GDRs, which are
traded on securities exchanges are valued at the last sale price on the exchange on which such securities are traded, as of the close
of business on the day the securities are being valued or, lacking any reported sales, at the mean between the last available bid and
asked price. Securities that are traded on more than one exchange are valued on the exchange determined by the Adviser to be the primary
market.
In the case of foreign securities, the occurrence of certain events after
the close of foreign markets, but prior to the time a Fund’s NAV is calculated (such as a significant surge or decline in the United
States or other markets) often will result in an adjustment to the trading prices of foreign securities when foreign markets open on the
following business day. If such events occur, the Fund will value foreign securities at fair value, taking into account such events, in
calculating the NAV. In such cases, use of fair valuation can reduce an investor’s ability to seek to profit by estimating the
Fund’s NAV in advance of the time the NAV is calculated. The Adviser anticipates that a Fund’s portfolio holdings will be
fair valued only if market quotations for those holdings are considered unreliable or are unavailable.
All other assets of the Funds are valued in such manner as the Board in
good faith deems appropriate to reflect their fair value.
ADDITIONAL PURCHASE AND REDEMPTION INFORMATION
The information provided below supplements the information contained in
the Prospectus regarding the purchase and redemption of Fund shares.
How to Buy Shares
You may purchase shares of a Fund from securities brokers, dealers or financial
intermediaries (collectively, “Financial Intermediaries”), which may charge you a fee for this service and may require different
minimum initial and subsequent investments than the Fund. Financial Intermediaries may also impose other charges or restrictions different
from those applicable to a direct investor in a Fund. In addition, a broker may charge a commission to its customers on transactions in
Fund shares, provided the broker acts solely on an agency basis for its customer and does not receive any distribution-related payment
in connection with the transaction. Investors should contact their Financial Intermediary directly for appropriate instructions, as well
as information pertaining to accounts and any service or transaction fees that may be charged. The Funds may enter into arrangements with
certain Financial Intermediaries whereby such Financial Intermediaries are authorized to accept your order on behalf of a Fund. If you
transmit your order to these Financial Intermediaries before the close of regular trading (generally 4:00 p.m., Eastern Time) on
a day that the NYSE is open for business, shares will be purchased at the appropriate per share price next computed after it is received
by the Financial Intermediary. Investors should check with their Financial Intermediary to determine if it participates in these arrangements.
The Funds, the Adviser, the Distributor, the Transfer Agent, and each of their respective directors, trustees, officers, employees, and
agents are not responsible for the failure of any Financial Intermediary to carry out its obligations to its customers.
Though shareholders do not pay an initial sales charge at the time of purchase
of Class C Shares, the Distributor compensates selling Financial Intermediaries by paying 1.00% of the purchase price for Class C
Shares. If Class C Shares are redeemed within approximately twelve months after purchase, shareholders are charged a contingent
deferred sales charge (“CDSC”) of 1.00%. You will not pay a CDSC to the extent that the value of the redeemed shares represents
reinvestment of distributions or capital appreciation of shares redeemed. Proceeds from the CDSC and the 1.00% payments made by the Funds
under the Plan, on behalf of the Class C Shares of each Fund, in the first year after purchase are paid to the Distributor and are
used in whole or in part by the Distributor to pay the Adviser for financing of the 1.00% up-front commission to Financial Intermediaries
who sell Class C Shares. Financial Intermediaries will generally become eligible to receive some or all of such payments one year
after purchase. The combination of the CDSC and the ongoing Plan fee on Class C Shares facilitates the ability of a Fund to sell
Class C Shares without a sales charge being deducted at the time of purchase. Imposition of the CDSC and the Plan fee on Class C
Shares is limited by the FINRA asset-based sales charge rule.
The public offering price of Fund shares is the NAV per share plus any
applicable sales charge. Shares are purchased at the public offering price next determined after the Transfer Agent receives your order
in good order. In most cases, in order to receive that day’s public offering price, the Transfer Agent must receive your order
in good order before the close of regular trading on the New York Stock Exchange (“NYSE”), normally 4:00 p.m., Eastern
Time.
The Trust reserves the right in its sole discretion (i) to suspend the
continued offering of a Fund’s shares, (ii) to reject purchase orders in whole or in part when in the judgment of the Adviser or
the Distributor such rejection is in the best interest of the Fund, and (iii) to reduce or waive the minimum for initial and subsequent
investments for certain fiduciary accounts or under circumstances where certain economies can be achieved in sales of a Fund’s
shares.
In addition to cash purchases, Fund shares may be purchased by tendering
payment in-kind in the form of shares of stock, bonds or other securities. Any securities used to buy Fund shares must be readily marketable,
their acquisition consistent with the Fund’s investment restrictions, policies and objectives and otherwise acceptable to the Adviser
and the Board. If accepted, the securities will be valued using the same criteria and methods as described in “Pricing of Fund Shares”
in the Prospectus.
How to Sell Shares and Delivery of Redemption Proceeds
You can sell your Fund shares any day the NYSE is open for regular trading,
either directly to your Fund or through your Financial Intermediary.
Payments to shareholders for shares of a Fund redeemed directly from the
Fund will be made as promptly as possible, but no later than seven days after receipt by the Transfer Agent of the written request in
proper form, with the appropriate documentation as stated in the Prospectus, except that the Fund may suspend the right of redemption
or postpone the date of payment during any period when (a) trading on the NYSE is restricted as determined by the SEC or the NYSE
is closed for other than weekends and holidays; (b) an emergency exists as determined by the SEC making disposal of portfolio
securities or valuation of net assets of the Fund not reasonably practicable; or (c) for
such other period as the SEC may permit for the protection of the Fund’s shareholders. Under unusual circumstances, the Fund may
suspend redemptions, or postpone payment for more than seven days, but only as authorized by SEC rules.
The value of shares on redemption or repurchase may be more or less than
the investor’s cost, depending upon the market value of the Fund’s portfolio securities at the time of redemption or repurchase.
Telephone Redemptions
Shareholders with telephone transaction privileges established on their
account may redeem Fund shares by telephone. Upon receipt of any instructions or inquiries by telephone from the shareholder, the respective
Fund or its authorized agents may carry out the instructions and/or respond to the inquiry consistent with the shareholder’s previously
established account service options. For joint accounts, instructions or inquiries from either party will be carried out without prior
notice to the other account owners. In acting upon telephone instructions, the Fund and its agents use procedures that are reasonably
designed to ensure that such instructions are genuine. These include recording all telephone calls, requiring pertinent information about
the account and sending written confirmation of each transaction to the registered owner.
USBFS will employ reasonable procedures to confirm that instructions communicated
by telephone are genuine. If USBFS fails to employ reasonable procedures, the Fund and USBFS may be liable for any losses due to unauthorized
or fraudulent instructions. If these procedures are followed, however, to the extent permitted by applicable law, neither the Fund nor
its agents will be liable for any loss, liability, cost or expense arising out of any redemption request, including any fraudulent or
unauthorized request. For additional information, contact USBFS.
Redemptions In-Kind
The Trust has filed an election under SEC Rule 18f-1 committing to
pay in cash all redemptions by a shareholder of record up to amounts specified by the rule (in excess of the lesser of (i) $250,000
or (ii) 1% of the Fund’s assets). Each Fund has reserved the right to pay the redemption price of its shares in excess of the amounts
specified by the rule, either totally or partially, by a distribution in-kind of portfolio securities (instead of cash). The securities
so distributed would be valued at the same amount as that assigned to them in calculating the NAV per share for the shares being sold.
If a shareholder receives a distribution in-kind, the shareholder could incur brokerage or other charges in converting the securities
to cash. A distribution in-kind is a taxable event for shareholders.
Each Fund does not intend to hold any significant percentage
of its portfolio in illiquid securities, although the Funds, like virtually all mutual funds, may from time to time hold a small percentage
of securities that are illiquid. In the unlikely event a Fund were to elect to make an in-kind redemption, the Fund expects that it would
follow the normal protocol of making such distribution by way of a pro rata distribution based
on its entire portfolio. If the Fund held illiquid securities, such distribution may contain a pro rata
portion of such illiquid securities or the Fund may determine, based on a materiality assessment, not to include illiquid securities
in the in-kind redemption. The Fund does not anticipate that it would ever selectively distribute a greater than pro rata
portion of any illiquid securities to satisfy a redemption request. If such securities are included in the distribution, shareholders
may not be able to liquidate such securities and may be required to hold such securities indefinitely. Shareholders’ ability to
liquidate such securities distributed in-kind may be restricted by resale limitations or substantial restrictions on transfer imposed
by the issuers of the securities or by law. Shareholders may only be able to liquidate such securities distributed in-kind at a substantial
discount from their value, and there may be higher brokerage costs associated with any subsequent disposition of these securities by the
recipient.
TAXES
The following is a summary of certain U.S. federal income tax considerations
generally affecting the Funds and their shareholders that may not be described in the Prospectus. This is not intended to be a detailed
explanation of the tax treatment of the Fund or its shareholders, and the discussions here and in the Prospectus are not intended as substitutes
for thorough tax planning.
Qualification as a Regulated Investment Company
Each Fund has elected to qualify and intends to continue
to qualify as a regulated investment company under Subchapter M of the Code, as long as it is in the best interest of its shareholders.
To qualify as a regulated investment company, a Fund must distribute to its shareholders at least 90% of its investment company taxable
income (which includes, among other items, dividends, gains from the sale or other disposition of stock or securities, taxable interest
and the excess of net short-term capital gains over net long-term capital losses), and meet certain other requirements (including diversification
of assets
and sources of income) discussed below. By meeting these requirements,
a Fund generally will not be subject to U.S. federal income tax on investment company taxable income and net capital gains (the excess
of net long-term capital gains over net short-term capital losses, reported by a Fund as capital gain dividends) distributed to shareholders.
There can be no assurance that the Fund will meet all of the requirements for such qualification each year. As of December 31, 2022,
the Infrastructure Fund did not have any capital loss carryforwards; the Real Estate Fund’s capital loss carryforwards were $91,444,748,
which can be used to offset future realized short-term capital gains, and $8,640,718, which can be used to offset future realized long-term
capital gains; the Renewables Fund’s capital loss carryforwards were $325,223, which can be used to offset future realized short-term
capital gains; and the Real Assets Securities Fund’s capital loss carryforwards were $3,778,451, which can be used to offset future
realized short-term capital gains. The capital loss carryforwards will not expire.
Each Fund must satisfy an asset diversification test in order to qualify
as a regulated investment company. Under this test, at the close of each quarter of a Fund’s taxable year, at least 50% of the
value of that Fund’s total assets must consist of cash and cash items (including receivables), U.S. government securities, securities
of other regulated investment companies, and securities of other issuers as to which the Fund has not invested more than 5% of the value
of the Fund’s total assets in securities of such issuer and as to which the Fund does not hold more than 10% of the outstanding
voting securities of such issuer, and no more than 25% of the value of its total assets may be invested in the securities of any one issuer
(other than U.S. government securities and securities of other regulated investment companies), in two or more issuers that the Fund controls
(by owning 20% or more of the outstanding voting securities of such issuer) and which are engaged in the same or similar or related trades
or businesses, or in the securities of one or more qualified publicly traded partnerships. Generally, an option (call or put) with respect
to a security is treated as issued by the issuer of the security, not the issuer of the option.
In addition to satisfying the requirements described above, a regulated
investment company must derive at least 90% of its gross income from dividends, interest, certain payments with respect to securities
loans, gains from the sale or other disposition of stock or securities or foreign currencies, 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 and net income derived from interests in qualified publicly traded partnerships.
If, for any taxable year, a Fund does not qualify as a regulated investment
company, all of its taxable income would be subject to tax at regular corporate rates without any deduction for distributions to shareholders,
and any distributions would be taxable to the shareholders as ordinary or qualified dividends to the extent of the Fund’s current
or accumulated earnings and profits.
Excise Tax on Regulated Investment Companies
Amounts, other than tax-exempt interest, not distributed on a timely basis
may be subject to a nondeductible 4% excise tax at the Fund level. To prevent imposition of the excise tax, the Funds must distribute
during the calendar year an amount equal to the sum of (1) at least 98% of their ordinary income (excluding any capital gains
or losses) for the calendar year, (2) at least 98.2% of the excess of their capital gains over capital losses (adjusted for certain losses)
for the one-year period ending October 31 of such year (or, at the election of a regulated investment company having a taxable year ending
November 30 or December 31, for its taxable year), and (3) any deficiencies from distributions in prior years.
Fund Distributions
Each Fund will make distributions of dividends and capital gains, if any,
at least annually, typically in December. Additionally, each Fund currently intends to make quarterly distributions at a variable rate.
In particular, the distribution payments will be fixed each quarter, after which the distribution rate may be adjusted on a quarterly
basis following receipt of the quarterly distributions from a Fund’s underlying holdings. Each Fund may make an additional payment
of dividends or distributions of capital gains if it deems it desirable at any other time of the year or in order to comply with applicable
law. Each Fund distributes all or substantially all (and in no event less than 90%) of its investment company taxable income each year.
Distributions of investment company taxable income, including net short-term capital gains, generally are taxable to shareholders as ordinary
income. Distributions of net long-term capital gains, if any, reported by the Funds as capital gain dividends are taxable to shareholders
as long-term capital gains, regardless of the length of time the shareholder has held its shares of a Fund. In determining the amount
of net capital gains to be distributed, any capital loss carryover from prior years, if any, will be applied against capital gains
to reduce the amount of distributions paid. Shareholders will be notified annually as to the U.S. federal tax status of distributions.
A distribution will be treated as paid during the calenar year if it is
paid during the calendar year or declared by the Fund in October, November or December of that year, payable to shareholders of record
on a date during any such month and paid
by the Fund during January of the following year. Any such distributions paid during January
of the following year will be deemed to be received on December 31 of the year the distributions are declared, rather than when the distributions
are received.
If any net capital gains are retained by the Funds for reinvestment, requiring
federal income taxes thereon to be paid by it, the Funds can elect to treat such capital gains as having been distributed to shareholders.
In that event, shareholders will report such capital gains as net capital gains, will be able to claim their share of federal income taxes
paid by a Fund on such gains as a credit against their own federal income tax liability, and will be entitled to increase the adjusted
tax basis of their Fund shares by an amount equal to the difference between the amount of undistributed capital gains included in their
gross income and the tax deemed paid.
Distributions by a Fund that do not constitute ordinary income dividends
or capital gain dividends will be treated as a return of capital to the extent of (and in reduction of) the shareholder’s
tax basis in its shares; any excess will be treated as gain from the sale of its shares, as discussed below.
Dividends of investment company taxable income paid by the Fund generally
will qualify for the 70% dividends-received deduction generally available to corporate shareholders (other than certain corporations,
such as S corporations, which are not eligible for the deduction because of their special characteristics and other than for purposes
of special taxes such as the accumulated earnings tax and the personal holding company tax) to the extent of the amount of qualifying
dividends (as defined in the Code) received by the Fund from domestic corporations for the taxable year. In addition, the dividends-received
deduction for a corporate shareholder will be disallowed for shareholders who do not hold their shares in a Fund for at least 46 days
during the 91-day period beginning 45 days before a share in the Fund becomes ex-dividend with respect to such dividend and will
be disallowed with respect to an investment in the Fund that is debt financed. Shareholders will be notified at the end of the year as
to the amount of the dividends that qualify for the dividends-received deduction. In addition, pursuant to its quarterly distribution
policy, each Fund may make distributions that are treated as a return of capital.
Distributions (other than any return of capital) are taxable to shareholders
whether received in cash or reinvested in additional shares of the Fund. Shareholders receiving a distribution in the form of additional
shares will be treated as receiving a distribution in an amount equal to the amount of the cash dividend that otherwise would have been
distributable (where the additional shares are purchased in the open market), or the fair market value of the shares received, determined
as of the reinvestment date. Shareholders electing to receive distributions in the form of additional shares will have a cost basis for
U.S. federal income tax purposes in each share so received equal to the value of a share on the reinvestment date.
In general, gain or loss recognized by a Fund on the disposition of an
asset will be a capital gain or loss. However, gain recognized on the disposition of a debt obligation purchased by the Fund at a market
discount (generally, at a price less than its principal amount) will be treated as ordinary income to the extent of the portion of the
market discount which accrued during the period of time the Fund held the debt obligation.
Certain of the options, futures contracts, and forward foreign currency
exchange contracts in which the Funds may invest are so-called “section 1256 contracts.” With certain exceptions, realized
gains or losses on section 1256 contracts generally are considered 60% long-term and 40% short-term capital gains or losses (“60/40”).
Also, section 1256 contracts held by a Fund at the end of each taxable year (and, generally, for purposes of the nondeductible 4% excise
tax, on October 31 of each year) are “marked-to-market” with the result that unrealized gains or losses are treated
as though they were realized and the resulting gain or loss is treated as 60/40 gain or loss. Investors should consult their own tax advisers
in this regard.
Generally, the hedging transactions undertaken by a Fund may constitute
“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 a position that is 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 such losses are realized. Since only a few
regulations implementing the straddle rules have been promulgated, the tax consequences to a Fund of hedging transactions are not entirely
clear. A Fund may make one or more of the elections applicable to straddles available under the Code. If an election is made, the amount,
character, and timing of the recognition of gains or losses from the affected straddle positions will be determined pursuant to the rules
applicable to the election(s) made, which may accelerate the recognition of gains or losses from the affected straddle positions.
Because application of 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 must
be distributed to shareholders, and will be taxed to shareholders as ordinary income or long-term capital gain, may be increased or decreased
substantially as compared to a Fund that did not engage in such hedging transactions.
Gains or losses attributable to fluctuations in exchange rates resulting from transactions
in a foreign currency generally are treated as ordinary income or ordinary loss. These gains or losses may increase, decrease, or eliminate
the amount of a Fund’s investment company taxable income to be distributed to its shareholders as ordinary income.
Investors should carefully consider the tax implications of buying shares
prior to a distribution by the Funds. The price of shares purchased at that time generally would reflect the amount of the forthcoming
distributions. Distributions by a Fund reduce the NAV of the Fund’s shares, and if a distribution reduces the NAV below a stockholder’s
cost basis, such distribution, nevertheless, would be taxable to the shareholder as ordinary income or capital gain, as described above
even though, from an economic or investment standpoint, it may constitute a partial return of capital.
The Funds may invest in stocks of real estate investment trusts, or REITs.
In order to qualify for the special tax treatment that effectively eliminates the corporate tax at the REIT level, REITs are required
to distribute at least 90% of their net taxable income on an annual basis, earn certain percentages of their income from real estate
assets, such as rent and interest on mortgages, and other generally passive income, and hold at least 75% of their assets in real estate
and loans secured by mortgages on real estate. However, there are numerous situations in which a REIT may incur and pay some amount of
federal, state, local or foreign taxes. A 4% nondeductible excise tax applies to certain undistributed REIT income. In addition, REITs
are subject to requirements related to their organization, tax reporting, diversity of stock ownership and sales of assets. REITs frequently
use taxable subsidiaries to conduct activities or earn income that might compromise their ability to qualify as a REIT. REIT dividends
generally are not “qualified dividends” eligible for the maximum 20% federal tax rate. The REIT rules are complex. Certain
cure provisions may apply if a REIT violates a requirement, but nonetheless the failure to maintain REIT status could result in corporate
income tax at the REIT level, thus resulting in a significant adverse impact to REIT shareholders.
The Funds may invest in stocks of foreign companies that are classified
under the Code as passive foreign investment companies (“PFICs”). In general, a foreign company is classified as a PFIC
under the Code if at least one-half of its assets (based on a quarterly average) constitutes investment-type assets or if 75% or more
of its gross income is investment-type income. Under the PFIC rules, distribution of accumulated earnings or gain from the sale of stock
of the PFIC (referred to as an “excess distribution”) received with respect to PFIC stock is treated as having been realized
ratably over the period during which the Fund held the PFIC stock.
A Fund itself will be subject to tax on the portion, if any, of the excess
distribution that is allocated to the Fund’s holding period in prior taxable years (and an interest factor will be added to
the tax, as if the tax had actually been payable in such prior taxable years) even though the Fund distributes the corresponding
income to shareholders. All excess distributions are taxable as ordinary income.
A Fund may be able to elect alternative tax treatment with respect to the
PFIC stock it holds. One election that is currently available, provided the appropriate information is received from the PFIC, requires
a Fund to generally include in its gross income its share of the earnings of a PFIC on a current basis, regardless of whether any distributions
are received from the PFIC. If this election is made, the special rules, discussed above, relating to the taxation of excess distributions,
would not apply. In addition, other elections may become available that would affect the tax treatment of PFIC stock held by a Fund. Each
Fund’s intention to qualify annually as a regulated investment company may limit its elections with respect to PFIC stock.
Because the application of the PFIC rules may affect, among other things,
the character of gains, the amount of gain or loss, and the timing of the recognition of income and loss with respect to PFIC stock, as
well as subject a Fund itself to tax on certain income from PFIC stock, the amount that must be distributed to shareholders by a Fund
that holds PFIC stock, which will be taxed to shareholders as ordinary income or long-term capital gain, may be increased or decreased
substantially as compared to a fund that did not invest in PFIC stock. Investors should consult their own tax advisers in this regard.
Dividends and interest paid by foreign issuers may be subject to withholding
and other foreign taxes, which may decrease the net return on foreign investments as compared to dividends and interest paid by domestic
issuers. It is uncertain whether the Funds will be able to qualify to make this pass through election in current or future years.
The Funds will be required to report to the Internal Revenue Service all
distributions of taxable income and capital gains as well as gross proceeds from the redemption or exchange of Fund shares, except in
the case of exempt shareholders, which include most corporations. Under the backup withholding provisions, distributions of taxable income
and capital gains and proceeds from the redemption or exchange of the shares of a regulated investment company may be subject to withholding
of U.S. federal income tax at the current rate of 24% in the case of non-exempt shareholders who fail to furnish the Company with their
taxpayer identification numbers and their required certifications regarding their status under the
U.S. federal income tax law. If the withholding provisions are applicable, any such distributions
and proceeds, whether taken in cash or reinvested in additional shares, will be reduced by the amounts required to be withheld. Corporate
shareholders should provide the Funds with their taxpayer identification numbers and should certify their exempt status in order to avoid
possible erroneous application of backup withholding. Backup withholding is not an additional tax and may be credited to a taxpayer’s
U.S. federal tax liability if the appropriate documentation is provided.
A Fund’s distributions are not designed to comply with any required
minimum distribution rules applicable to tax-deferred retirement accounts. In any given year, a Fund’s distributions in cash may
exceed or may be insufficient to meet the required amount for shareholders who are subject to such rules. Shareholders receiving cash
distributions from a Fund within such accounts will need to include those distributions as appropriate in the computation of their annual
required minimum distribution. Retirement account investors subject to the required minimum distribution rules should seek advice from
their own tax advisers to ensure compliance with tax requirements.
Sale or Redemption of Shares
Upon the taxable disposition (including a sale or redemption) of shares
of a Fund, a shareholder may realize a gain or loss depending upon its basis in the shares. 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 or short-term, generally depending
upon the shareholder’s holding period for the shares. Non-corporate shareholders are currently subject to tax at a maximum federal
rate of 20% on capital gains resulting from the disposition of shares held for more than 12 months. However, a loss realized by a shareholder
on the disposition of Fund shares with respect to which capital gains dividends have been paid will, to the extent of such capital gain
dividends, also be treated as a long-term capital loss if such shares have been held by the shareholder for six months or less. Further,
a loss realized on a disposition will be disallowed to the extent the shares disposed of are replaced (whether by reinvestment of distributions
or otherwise) within a period of 61 days beginning 30 days before and ending 30 days after the shares are disposed of. In such a case,
the basis of the shares acquired will be adjusted to reflect the disallowed loss. Capital losses in any year are deductible only to the
extent of capital gains plus, in the case of a non-corporate taxpayer, $3,000 of ordinary income ($1,500 for married individuals filing
separately). An exchange from one share class within a Fund to another share class within the same Fund generally is not a taxable transaction,
provided that such classes have identical rights with respect to Fund assets.
Foreign Shareholders
The foregoing discussion of U.S. federal income tax law relates solely
to the application of that law to U.S. persons, i.e., U.S. citizens and residents and U.S. domestic
corporations, partnerships, trusts, and estates. Each shareholder who is not a U.S. person should consult his or her tax adviser regarding
the U.S. and foreign tax consequences of ownership of Fund shares, including the possibility that such a shareholder may be subject to
a U.S. withholding tax at a rate of 30% (or at a lower rate under an applicable income tax treaty) on amounts received by such person,
and, for non-individual foreign shareholders, a 30% branch profits tax.
The Foreign Account Tax Compliance Act (“FATCA”)
A 30% withholding tax on a Fund’s distributions
generally applies if paid to a foreign entity unless: (i) if the foreign entity is a “foreign financial institution,” it
undertakes certain due diligence, reporting, withholding and certification obligations (including, if applicable, complying with an intergovernmental
agreement); (ii) if the foreign entity is not a “foreign financial institution,” it identifies certain of its U.S. investors;
or (iii) the foreign entity is otherwise excepted under FATCA. If applicable, and subject to any intergovernmental agreements, withholding
under FATCA is required generally with respect to distributions from the Funds. Under proposed Treasury regulations, which may be relied
upon by taxpayers until final Treasury regulations are published, there is no FATCA withholding on gross proceeds from a sale or disposition
of Fund shares. If withholding is required under FATCA on a payment related to your shares, investors that otherwise would not be subject
to withholding (or that otherwise would be entitled to a reduced rate of withholding) on such payment generally will be required to seek
a refund or credit from the IRS to obtain the benefits of such exemption or reduction. The Funds will not pay any additional amounts in
respect to amounts withheld under FATCA. You should consult your tax adviser regarding the effect of FATCA based on your individual circumstances.
State and Local Tax Considerations
The Funds may be subject to state or local tax in jurisdictions in which
a Fund is organized or may be deemed to be doing business.
Distributions may be subject to state and local income taxes. In addition,
the treatment of a Fund and its shareholders in those states that have income tax laws might differ from their treatment under the U.S.
federal income tax laws.
The foregoing is only a summary of certain material U.S. federal income
tax consequences affecting the Funds and their shareholders. Current and prospective shareholders are advised to consult their own tax
advisers with respect to the particular tax consequences to them of an investment in a Fund. The Funds do not expect to seek any rulings
from the Internal Revenue Service or opinions from tax counsel.
ANTI-MONEY LAUNDERING PROGRAM
The Trust has established an Anti-Money Laundering Program (the “Program”)
as required by the Uniting and Strengthening America by Providing Appropriate Tools Required to Intercept and Obstruct Terrorism Act of
2001 (“USA PATRIOT Act”). In order to ensure compliance with this law, the Trust’s Program provides for the development
of internal practices, procedures and controls, designation of anti-money laundering compliance officers, an ongoing training program
and an independent audit function to determine the effectiveness of the Program.
Procedures to implement the Program include, but are not limited to, determining
that the Funds’ Distributor and Transfer Agent have established proper anti-money laundering procedures, reporting suspicious and/or
fraudulent activity, checking shareholder names against designated government lists, including Office of Foreign Asset Control (“OFAC”),
and a complete and thorough review of all new opening account applications. The Funds will not transact business with any person or legal
entity whose identity and beneficial owners, if applicable, cannot be adequately verified under the provisions of the USA PATRIOT Act.
As a result of the Program, a Fund may be required to “freeze”
the account of a shareholder if the shareholder appears to be involved in suspicious activity or if certain account information matches
information on government lists of known terrorists or other suspicious persons, or the Fund may be required to transfer the account or
proceeds of the account to a governmental agency.
GENERAL INFORMATION
The Trust’s Amended and Restated Agreement
and Declaration of Trust dated as of September 27, 2011 (the “Declaration of Trust”), permits the Trustees to issue
an unlimited number of full and fractional shares of beneficial interest and to divide or combine the shares into a greater or lesser
number of shares without thereby materially changing the proportionate beneficial interest in a series or any class thereof. Upon a series’
liquidation, all shareholders would share pro rata in the net assets of such series available
for distribution to shareholders unless otherwise determined by the Trustees or otherwise provided by the Declaration of Trust.
With respect to each series, the Trust may offer more than one class of
shares. The Trust reserves the right to create and issue additional series or classes. Each share of a series or class represents an equal
proportionate interest in that series or class with each other share of that series or class. Currently, each series offers three classes
of shares of beneficial interest — “Class A” Shares, “Class C” Shares and “Class I”
Shares.
The shares of each series or class participate equally in the earnings,
dividends and assets of the particular series or class. General liabilities of the Trust which are not readily identifiable as belonging
to a specific series are allocated among any one or more series in a manner believed by the Trustees of the Trust to be fair and equitable.
Shares have no pre-emptive or conversion rights. Shares, when issued, are fully paid and non-assessable, except as set forth below. On
each matter submitted to a vote of shareholders, unless the Trustees determine otherwise, all shares of all series and classes shall vote
together as a single class; provided, however, that: (i) as to any matter with respect to which a separate vote of any series or
class is required by the 1940 Act or other applicable law or is required by attributes applicable to any series or class, such requirements
as to a separate vote by that series or class shall apply; (ii) unless the Trustees determine that this clause (ii) shall not
apply in a particular case, to the extent that a matter referred to in clause (i) above affects more than one series or class and
the interests of each such series or class in the matter are identical, then the shares of all such affected series or classes shall vote
together as a single class; and (iii) as to any matter which does not affect the interests of a particular series or class, only
the holders of shares of the one or more affected series or classes shall be entitled to vote. As determined by the Trustees, in their
sole discretion, without the vote or consent of shareholders, (except as required by the 1940 Act) on any matter submitted to a vote of
shareholders either (x) each whole share shall be entitled to one vote as to any matter on which it is entitled to vote and each
fractional share shall be entitled to a proportionate fractional vote or (y) each dollar of NAV (number of shares owned times NAV
per share of the Trust, if no series shall have been established, or of such series or class, as applicable) shall be entitled to one
vote on any matter on which such shares are entitled to vote and each fractional dollar amount shall be entitled to a proportionate fractional
vote. Without limiting the power of the Trustees in any way to designate otherwise in accordance with the preceding sentence, the Trustees
established that each whole share shall be entitled to one vote as to any matter on which it is entitled to vote and each fractional share
shall be entitled to a proportionate fractional vote. There is no cumulative voting in the election of Trustees. Shares may be voted in
person or by proxy or in any
manner provided for in the By-Laws or as determined by the Trustees. A proxy may be given
in writing, electronically, by telefax, or in any other manner provided for in the By-Laws or as determined by the Trustees.
The Trust is not required to hold annual meetings of shareholders but
will hold special meetings of shareholders of a series or class when, in the judgment of the Trustees, it is necessary or desirable to
submit matters for a shareholder vote. Shareholders also have, in certain circumstances, the right to remove one or more Trustees. Except
as specifically provided in the Declaration of Trust, the Trustees may, without shareholder vote, amend or otherwise supplement the Declaration
of Trust by making an amendment, a Declaration supplemental thereto or an amended and restated Declaration. Shareholders shall have the
right to vote: (i) on any amendment which would affect their right to vote granted in the Declaration of Trust, (ii) on any amendment
for which such vote is required by the 1940 Act and (iii) on any amendment submitted to them by the Trustees. Any amendment required or
permitted to be submitted to shareholders which, as the Trustees determine, shall affect the shareholders of one or more series or classes
shall be authorized by vote of the shareholders of each series or class affected and no vote of shareholders of a series or class not
affected shall be required. Anything in the Declaration of Trust to the contrary notwithstanding, any amendment to Article VIII (Compensation,
Limitation of Liability of Trustees) thereof shall not limit the rights to indemnification or insurance provided therein with respect
to action or omission of any persons protected thereby prior to such amendment. The Trustees may without shareholder vote, restate or
amend or otherwise supplement the By-Laws and the Certificate of Trust as the Trustees deem necessary or desirable. The Trust or any series
or class may be terminated by the Trustees by written notice to the series’ or class’ shareholders. Unless so terminated,
the Trust will continue indefinitely.
Rule 18f-2 under the 1940 Act provides that as to any investment
company which has two or more series outstanding and as to any matter required to be submitted to shareholder vote, such matter is not
deemed to have been effectively acted upon unless approved by the holders of a “majority” (as defined in the Rule)
of the voting securities of each series affected by the matter. Such separate voting requirements do not apply to the election of Trustees
or the ratification of the selection of accountants. The Rule contains special provisions for cases in which an advisory contract is approved
by one or more, but not all, series. A change in investment policy may go into effect as to one or more series whose holders so approve
the change even though the required vote is not obtained as to the holders of other affected series.
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
The Funds’ Financial Statements for the fiscal
year ended December 31, 2022, including the report thereon of Deloitte & Touche LLP, an independent registered public accounting
firm, also appearing therein, are incorporated herein by reference to the Funds’ Annual Report. The Funds’ Annual Report
is available upon request, and without charge, by calling 1-855-244-4859 or through the Funds’ website at https://publicsecurities.brookfield.com/en.
APPENDIX A
DESCRIPTION OF CORPORATE DEBT RATINGS
MOODY’S INVESTORS SERVICE, INC.
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Aaa: |
|
|
Obligations rated Aaa are judged to be of
the highest quality, with minimal credit risk. |
|
|
Aa: |
|
|
Obligations rated Aa are judged to be of high
quality and are subject to very low credit risk. |
|
|
A: |
|
|
Obligations rated A are considered as upper-medium
grade and are subject to low credit risk. |
|
|
Baa: |
|
|
Obligations rated Baa
are subject to moderate credit risk. They are considered medium grade and as such may possess certain speculative characteristics.
|
|
|
Ba: |
|
|
Obligations rated Ba are judged to have speculative
elements and are subject to substantial credit risk. |
|
|
B: |
|
|
Obligations rated B are considered speculative
and are subject to high credit risk. |
|
|
Caa: |
|
|
Obligations rated Caa are judged to be of
poor standing and are subject to very high credit risk. |
|
|
Ca: |
|
|
Obligations rated Ca
are highly speculative and are likely in, or very near default, with some prospect of recovery of principal and interest. |
|
|
C: |
|
|
Obligations rated C
are the lowest rated class of bonds and are typically in default, with little prospect for recovery of principal or interest. |
|
|
Unrated: |
|
|
Where no rating has been assigned or where a rating has been suspended or withdrawn, it may
be for reasons unrelated to the quality of the issue.
Should no rating be assigned, the reason may be one of the following:
1
An application for rating was not received or accepted. 2
The issue or issuer belongs to a group of securities that are not
rated as a matter of policy. 3
There is a lack of essential data pertaining
to the issue or issuer. 4
The issue was privately placed, in which case the rating is not published in Moody’s
Investors Service, Inc.’s publications. |
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Suspension or withdrawal may occur if new and material circumstances
arise, the effects of which preclude satisfactory analysis; if there is no longer available reasonable up-to-date data to permit a judgment
to be formed; if a bond is called for redemption; or for other reasons.
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Note: |
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Moody’s may apply
numerical modifiers, 1, 2 and 3 in each generic rating classification from Aa through B in its corporate bond rating system. The modifier
1 indicates that the security ranks in the higher end of its generic rating category; the modifier 2 indicates a mid-range ranking; and
the modifier 3 indicates that the issue ranks in the lower end of its generic rating category. |
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STANDARD & POOR’S RATINGS SERVICE
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AAA: |
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An obligation rated ‘AAA’
has the highest rating assigned by S&P. The obligor’s capacity to meet its financial commitment on the obligation is extremely
strong. |
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AA: |
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An obligation rated ‘AA’
differs from the highest rated obligations only in a small degree. The obligor’s capacity to meet its financial commitment on the
obligation is very strong. |
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A: |
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An obligation rated ‘A’
is somewhat more susceptible to the adverse effects of changes in circumstances and economic conditions than obligations in higher rated
categories. However, the obligor’s capacity to meet its financial commitment on the obligation is still strong. |
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BBB: |
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An obligation rated ‘BBB’
exhibits adequate protection parameters. However, adverse economic conditions or changing circumstances are more likely to lead to a weakened
capacity of the obligor to meet its financial commitment on the obligation. |
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BB, B, CCC, CC, C: |
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Obligations rated ‘BB’, ‘B’,
‘CCC’, ‘CC’, and ‘C’ are regarded as having significant speculative characteristics. ‘BB’
indicates the least degree of speculation and ‘C’ the highest. While such obligations will likely have some quality and
protective characteristics, these may be outweighed by large uncertainties or major exposures to adverse conditions. |
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C1: |
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The rating C1 is reserved for income bonds
on which no interest is being paid. |
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D: |
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Bonds rated D are in payment default, and
payment of interest and/or repayment of principal is in arrears. |
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Plus (+) or |
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The ratings from AA to CCC may be modified by the addition of
a plus or minus sign to show relative standing |
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Minus (-) |
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within the major rating categories.
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NR: |
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Indicates that no rating
has been requested, that there is insufficient information on which to base a rating, or that S&P does not rate a particular type
of obligation as a matter of policy. |
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Description of S&P and Moody’s commercial
paper ratings:
The designation A-1 by S&P indicates that the degree of safety regarding
timely payment is either overwhelming or very strong. Those issues determined to possess overwhelming safety characteristics are denoted
with a plus sign designation. Capacity for timely payment on issues with an A-2 designation is strong. However, the relative degree of
safety is not as high as for issues designated A-1.The rating Prime-1 (P-1) is the highest commercial paper rating assigned by Moody’s.
Issuers of P-1 paper must have a superior capacity for repayment of short-term promissory obligations, and ordinarily will be evidenced
by leading market positions in well established industries, high rates of return of funds employed, conservative capitalization structures
with moderate reliance on debt and ample asset protection, broad margins in earnings coverage of fixed financial charges and high internal
cash generation, and well established access to a range of financial markets and assured sources of alternate liquidity.
BROOKFIELD INVESTMENT FUNDS
Oaktree Emerging Markets Equity Fund
Class A — OEQAX
Class C — OEQCX
Class I — OEQIX
Statement of Additional Information
May 1, 2023
Brookfield Investment Funds (the “Trust”) currently consists
of six separate investment series referred to as Brookfield Global Listed Real Estate Fund, Brookfield Global Listed Infrastructure Fund,
Brookfield Global Renewables & Sustainable Infrastructure Fund, Brookfield Real Assets Securities Fund, Center Coast Brookfield Midstream
Focus Fund, and Oaktree Emerging Markets Equity Fund (the “Emerging Markets Fund,” or the “Fund”). This Statement
of Additional Information (the “SAI”) relates only to the Emerging Markets Fund.
This SAI, which is not a prospectus, provides information
about the Fund. The SAI should be read in conjunction with the Fund’s Prospectus for Class A Shares, Class C Shares and Class I
Shares dated May 1, 2023. A copy of the Fund’s Prospectus may be obtained, without charge, on the Fund’s website at https://www.oaktreefunds.com/,
by writing to the Fund’s transfer agent, U.S. Bancorp Fund Services, LLC, 615 East Michigan Street, Milwaukee, Wisconsin 53202,
or by calling 1-855-244-4859.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
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GENERAL INFORMATION
The Trust is a diversified, open-end management investment company organized
as a statutory trust under the laws of the State of Delaware on May 12, 2011. The Trust operates a multi-class structure pursuant
to Rule 18f-3 of the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the “1940 Act”). The Emerging Markets Fund seeks long-term
growth of capital. There can be no assurance that the Fund will achieve its investment objective. Except for the fundamental investment
restrictions listed below (see “Investment Restrictions”), the Fund’s investment objective is not fundamental and
may be changed by the Board of Trustees of the Trust (the “Board” or “Board of Trustees”), without shareholder
approval. Shareholders will be provided with at least 60 days’ prior written notice of any change in the Fund’s investment
objective. The Fund is diversified as that term is defined in the 1940 Act.
INVESTMENT STRATEGIES AND RISKS
The Prospectus discusses the investment objective of the Fund and the principal
strategies to be employed to achieve that objective. This section contains supplemental information concerning certain types of securities
and other instruments in which the Fund may invest, additional strategies that the Fund may utilize, and certain risks associated with
such investments and strategies.
Common Stocks
The marketplace for publicly traded equity securities is volatile, and
the price of equity securities fluctuates based on changes in a company’s financial condition and overall market and economic circumstances.
Although common stocks have historically generated higher average total returns than fixed income securities over the long-term, common
stocks also have experienced significantly more volatility in those returns and, in certain periods, have significantly under-performed
relative to fixed income securities. An adverse event, such as an unfavorable earnings report, may depress the value of a particular common
stock held by the Fund.
A common stock may also decline due to factors which affect a particular
industry or industries, such as labor shortages or increased production costs and competitive circumstances within an industry. The value
of a particular common stock held by the Fund may decline for a number of other reasons which directly relate to the issuer, such as management
performance, financial leverage, the issuer’s historical and prospective earnings, the value of its assets and reduced demand for
its goods and services. Also, the price of common stocks is sensitive to general movements in the stock market and a drop in the stock
market may depress the price of common stocks to which the Fund has exposure. Common stock prices fluctuate for several reasons, including
changes in investors’ perceptions of the financial condition of an issuer or the general condition of the relevant stock market,
or when political or economic events affecting the issuers occur. In addition, common stock prices may be particularly sensitive to rising
interest rates, as the cost of capital rises and borrowing costs increase. Common stock in which the Fund may invest is structurally subordinated
to preferred stock, bonds and other debt instruments in a company’s capital structure and is therefore inherently more risky than
preferred stock or debt instruments of such issuers.
Convertible Securities
The Fund may invest in convertible securities. Convertible securities are
preferred stocks or debt obligations that are convertible at a stated exchange rate or formula into common stock or other equity securities.
Convertible securities generally offer lower interest or dividend yields than non-convertible securities of similar quality. Convertible
securities rank senior to common stocks in an issuer’s capital structure and consequently may be of higher quality and entail less
risk than the issuer’s common stock. A convertible security entitles the holder to receive interest that is generally paid or accrued
until the convertible security matures, or is redeemed, converted or exchanged. Convertible securities have both equity and fixed-income
risk characteristics. Like all fixed-income securities, the value of convertible securities is susceptible to the risk of market losses
attributable to changes in interest rates. Generally, the market value of convertible securities tends to decline as interest rates increase
and, conversely, to increase as interest rates decline. However, when the market price of the common stock underlying a convertible security
approaches or exceeds the conversion price of the convertible security, the convertible security tends to reflect the market price of
the underlying common stock. As the market price of the underlying common stock declines, the convertible security, like a fixed-income
security, tends to trade increasingly on a yield basis, and thus, may not decline in price to the same extent as the underlying common
stock. The markets for convertible securities may be less liquid than markets for common stocks or bonds. A convertible security may also
be called for redemption or conversion by the issuer after a particular date and under certain circumstances (including a specified price)
established upon issue. If a convertible security held by the Fund is called for redemption or conversion, the Fund could be required
to tender it for redemption, convert it into the underlying common stock, or sell it to a third party. Convertible securities are also
subject to credit risk, and are often lower-quality securities.
Small- and Mid-Cap Stocks
The Fund may invest in stock of companies with market capitalizations that
are small compared to other publicly traded companies. Investments in larger companies present certain advantages in that such companies
generally have greater financial resources, more extensive research and development, manufacturing, marketing and service capabilities,
and more stability and greater depth of management and personnel. Investments in smaller, less seasoned companies may present greater
opportunities for growth but also may involve greater risks than customarily are associated with more established companies. The securities
of smaller companies may be subject to more abrupt or erratic market movements than larger, more established companies. These companies
may have limited product lines, markets or financial resources, or they may be dependent upon a limited management group. Their securities
may be traded in the over-the-counter market or on a regional exchange, or may otherwise have limited liquidity. As a result of owning
large positions in this type of security, the Fund is subject to the additional risk of possibly having to sell portfolio securities at
disadvantageous times and prices if redemptions require the Fund to liquidate its securities positions. In addition, it may be prudent
for the Fund, as its asset size grows, to limit the number of relatively small positions it holds in securities having limited liquidity
in order to minimize its exposure to such risks, to minimize transaction costs, and to maximize the benefits of research. As a consequence,
as the Fund’s asset size increases, the Fund may reduce its exposure to illiquid small capitalization securities, which could adversely
affect performance.
The Fund may also invest in stocks of companies with medium market capitalizations
(i.e., mid-cap companies). Such investments share some of the risk characteristics of investments
in stocks of companies with small market capitalizations described above, although mid cap companies tend to have longer operating histories,
broader product lines and greater financial resources and their stocks tend to be more liquid and less volatile than those of smaller
capitalization issuers.
Equity Securities and Related Investments
Investments in Equity
Securities. Equity securities, such as common stock, generally represent an ownership interest in a company. While equity
securities have historically generated higher average returns than fixed income securities, equity securities have also experienced significantly
more volatility in those returns. An adverse event, such as an unfavorable earnings report, may depress the value of a particular equity
security held by the Fund. Also, the prices of equity securities, particularly common stocks, are sensitive to general movements in the
stock market. A drop in the stock market may depress the price of equity securities held by the Fund.
Warrants and Stock
Purchase Rights. The Fund may invest in warrants, which are securities permitting, but not obligating, their holder to subscribe
for other securities. Warrants do not carry with them the right to dividends or voting rights with respect to the securities that they
entitle their holders to purchase, and they do not represent any rights in the assets of the issuer. Because a warrant, which is a security
permitting, but not obligating, its holder to subscribe for another security, does not carry with it the right to dividends or voting
rights with respect to the securities that the warrant holder is entitled to purchase, and because a warrant does not represent any rights
to the assets of the issuer, a warrant may be considered more speculative than certain other types of investments. In addition, the value
of a warrant does not necessarily change with the value of the underlying security and a warrant ceases to have value if it is not exercised
prior to its expiration date. The investment by the Fund in warrants valued at the lower of cost or market may not exceed 5% of the value
of the Fund’s net assets (plus the amount of any borrowing for investment purposes).
The Fund may also invest in stock purchase rights. Stock purchase rights
are instruments, frequently distributed to an issuer’s shareholders as a dividend, that entitle the holder to purchase a specific
number of shares of common stock on a specific date or during a specific period of time. The exercise price on the rights is normally
at a discount from market value of the common stock at the time of distribution. The rights do not carry with them the right to dividends
or to vote and may or may not be transferable. Stock purchase rights are frequently used outside of the United States as a means of raising
additional capital from an issuer’s current shareholders.
As a result, an investment in warrants or stock purchase rights may be
considered more speculative than certain other types of investments. In addition, the value of a warrant or a stock purchase right does
not necessarily change with the value of the underlying securities, and warrants and stock purchase rights expire worthless if they are
not exercised on or prior to their expiration date.
Preferred Shares. The
Fund may invest in preferred shares. Preferred shares are securities that represent an ownership interest providing the holder with claims
on the issuer’s earnings and assets before common shareholders, but after bond holders and other creditors. Preferred shares are
equity securities, but they have many characteristics of fixed income securities, such as a fixed (or floating) dividend payment rate
and/or a liquidity preference over the issuer’s common shares. However, because preferred shares are equity securities, they may
be more susceptible to risks traditionally associated with equity
investments than the Fund’s fixed income securities. Unlike debt securities, the
obligations of an issuer of preferred stock, including dividend and other payment obligations, may not typically be accelerated by the
holders of such preferred stock on the occurrence of an event of default or other noncompliance by the issuer of the preferred stock.
Investments in preferred stock present market and liquidity risks. The value of a preferred stock may be highly sensitive to the economic
condition of the issuer, and markets for preferred stock may be less liquid than the market for the issuer’s common stock.
Preferred stocks may differ in many of their provisions. Among the features
that differentiate preferred stocks from one another are the dividend rights, which may be cumulative or noncumulative and participating
or non-participating, redemption provisions, and voting rights. Such features will establish the income return and may affect the prospects
for capital appreciation or risks of capital loss.
The market prices of preferred stocks are subject
to changes in interest rates and are more sensitive to changes in an issuer’s creditworthiness than are the prices of debt securities.
Shareholders of preferred stock may suffer a loss of value if dividends are not paid. Under ordinary circumstances, preferred stock does
not carry voting rights.
Materials Sector Risk
While the Fund does not concentrate or focus its investments in the materials
sector, a sizable portion of its investments may be in the sector at any given time. The Fund’s investments in companies within
the materials sector means that market or economic factors impacting that sector could have a significant effect on the value of the Fund’s
investments and could make the Fund’s performance more volatile. Companies in the materials sector may be adversely affected by
commodity price volatility, exchange rates, import controls, increased competition, depletion of resources, technical advances, labor
relations,over-production, litigation and government regulations, among other factors. Companies in the materials sector are also at risk
for environmental damage and product liability claims. Production of materials may exceed demand as a result of market imbalances or economic
downturns, leading to poor investment returns.
Financial Sector Risk
While the Fund does not concentrate or focus its investments
in the financial sector, a sizable portion of its investments may be in the sector at any given time. The Fund’s investments in
companies within the financial sector means that market or economic factors impacting that sector could have a significant effect on the
value of the Fund’s investments and could make the Fund’s performance more volatile. Financial companies, such as retail
and commercial banks, insurance companies and financial services companies, are especially subject to the adverse effects of economic
recession, currency exchange rates, extensive government regulation, decreases in the availability of capital, volatile interest rates,
portfolio concentrations in geographic markets, industries or products (such as commercial and residential real estate loans) and competition
from new entrants in their fields of business. Profitability is largely dependent on the availability and cost of capital funds and can
fluctuate significantly when interest rates change or due to increased competition. In addition, deterioration of the credit markets generally
may cause an adverse impact in a broad range of markets, including U.S. and international credit and interbank money markets generally,
thereby affecting a wide range of financial institutions and markets. Credit losses resulting from financial difficulties of borrowers
and financial losses associated with investment activities can negatively impact the sector. Insurance companies may be subject to severe
price competition. Adverse economic, business or political developments could adversely affect financial institutions engaged in mortgage
finance or other lending or investing activities directly or indirectly connected to the value of real estate.
Investing Through Stock Connect
The Fund may invest in eligible securities, such as China A-Shares (“Stock
Connect Securities”) that are listed and traded on the Shanghai and Shenzhen Stock Exchanges through the China—Hong Kong
Stock Connect program (“Stock Connect”). Stock Connect is a mutual market access program that allows Chinese investors to
trade securities listed on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange via Chinese brokers and non-Chinese investors (such as the Fund) to purchase certain
Shanghai- and Shenzhen-listed securities through brokers in Hong Kong without obtaining a special license. Purchases of securities through
Stock Connect are subject to a number of restrictions, including market-wide trading volume and market cap quota limitations. Although
individual investment quotas do not apply, participants in Stock Connect are subject to daily and aggregate investment quotas, which could
restrict the Fund’s ability to invest in Stock Connect Securities.
Investments in Stock Connect Securities are generally subject to regulation
by both Hong Kong and China and Shanghai Stock Exchange or Shenzhen Stock Exchange listing rules, which are subject to change by these
regulators. Investors may not sell, purchase or transfer Stock Connect Securities except through Stock Connect. Regulators may suspend
or terminate Stock Connect trading in certain circumstances, which may adversely affect the Fund’s ability to trade Stock Connect
Securities. The Fund may also be prohibited from trading Stock Connect Securities during local holidays.
Stock Connect transactions are not subject to the investor protection programs of the Hong
Kong, Shanghai or Shenzhen Stock Exchanges. Although Chinese regulators have indicated that ultimate investors hold a beneficial interest
in Stock Connect Securities, the Chinese law surrounding the rights of beneficial owners of securities and the legal mechanisms available
to beneficial owners for enforcing their rights are underdeveloped and untested. As the law evolves, there is a risk that the Fund’s
ability to enforce its ownership rights may be uncertain, which could subject the Fund to significant losses. Trading in Stock Connect
Securities may be subject to various fees, taxes and market charges imposed by Chinese market participants and regulatory authorities
and may result in greater trading expenses borne by the Fund.
Inflation/Deflation Risk
Inflation risk is the risk that the value of assets or income from investments
will be worth less in the future as inflation decreases the value of money. As inflation increases, the real value of the Fund’s
shares and distributions thereon can decline. Inflation risk is linked to increases in the prices of goods and services and a decrease
in the purchasing power of money. Recently, inflation has risen at its highest rate in four decades in the U.S. Inflation may reduce the
intrinsic value of an investment in the Fund. In addition, during any periods of rising inflation, dividend rates of any variable rate
preferred stock or debt securities issued by the Fund would likely increase, which would tend to further reduce returns to Common Shareholders.
Deflation risk is the risk that prices throughout the economy decline over time (the opposite of inflation). Deflation may have an adverse
effect on the creditworthiness of issuers and may make issuer defaults more likely, which will result in a decline in the value of the
Fund’s portfolio.
Derivatives
Generally, a derivative is a financial contract the value of which depends
upon, or is derived from, the value of an underlying asset, reference rate or index. Derivatives generally take the form of contracts
under which the parties agree to payments between them based upon the performance of a wide variety of underlying references, such as
stocks, bonds, commodities, interest rates, currency exchange rates, and various domestic and foreign indices. Derivative instruments
that the Fund may use include options contracts, futures contracts, options on futures contracts, and forward currency contracts.
The Fund may use derivatives for a variety of reasons, including as a substitute
for investing directly in securities and currencies, as an alternative to selling a security short, as part of a hedging strategy (that
is, for the purpose of reducing risk to the Fund), or for other purposes related to the management of the Fund. Derivatives permit the
Fund to increase or decrease the level of risk, or change the character of the risk, to which its portfolio is exposed in much the same
way as the Fund can increase or decrease the level of risk, or change the character of the risk, of its portfolio by making investments
in specific securities. However, derivatives may entail investment exposures that are greater than their cost would suggest. As a result,
a small investment in derivatives could have a large impact on the Fund’s performance.
Derivatives can be volatile and involve various types and degrees of risk,
depending upon the characteristics of the particular derivative and the portfolio as a whole. If the Fund invests in derivatives at inopportune
times or judges market conditions incorrectly, such investments may lower the Fund’s return or result in a loss. The Fund also
could experience losses or limit its gains if the performance of its derivatives is poorly correlated with the underlying instruments
or the Fund’s other investments, or if the Fund is unable to liquidate its position because of an illiquid secondary market. The
market for derivatives is, or suddenly can become, illiquid. Changes in liquidity may result in significant, rapid and unpredictable changes
in the prices for derivatives.
While transactions in some derivatives may be effected on established exchanges,
many other derivatives are privately negotiated and entered into in the over-the-counter market with a single counterparty. When exchange-traded
derivatives are purchased and sold, a clearing agency associated with the exchange stands between each buyer and seller and effectively
guarantees performance of each contract, either on a limited basis through a guaranty fund or to the full extent of the clearing agency’s
balance sheet. Transactions in over-the-counter derivatives have no such protection. Each party to an over-the-counter derivative bears
the risk that its direct counterparty will default. In addition, over-the-counter derivatives may be less liquid than exchange-traded
derivatives since the other party to the transaction may be the only investor with sufficient understanding of the derivative to be interested
in bidding for it.
Derivatives generally involve leverage in the sense that the investment
exposure created by the derivative is significantly greater than the Fund’s initial investment in the derivative. The Fund may
be required to segregate permissible liquid assets, or engage in other permitted measures, to “cover” the Fund’s
obligations relating to its transactions in derivatives. For example, in the case of futures contracts or forward contracts that are not
contractually required to cash settle, the Fund must set aside liquid assets equal to such contracts’ full notional value (generally,
the total numerical value of the asset underlying a future or forward contract at the time of valuation) while the positions are open.
With respect to futures contracts or forward contracts that are contractually required to cash settle, however, the Fund is permitted
to set aside liquid
assets in an amount equal to the Fund’s daily mark-to-market net obligation (i.e.,
the Fund’s daily net liability) under the contracts, if any, rather than such contracts’ full notional value. By setting
aside assets equal to only its net obligations under cash-settled futures and forward contracts, the Fund may employ leverage to a greater
extent than if the Fund were required to segregate assets equal to the full notional value of such contracts.
Derivatives also may involve other types of leverage.
For example, an instrument linked to the value of a securities index may return income calculated as a multiple of the price movement
of the underlying index. This leverage will increase the volatility of these derivatives since they may increase or decrease in value
more quickly than the underlying instruments.
The SEC recently adopted Rule 18f-4 under the 1940
Act, which regulates the use of derivatives, short sales, reverse repurchase agreements and certain other transactions for certain funds
registered under the 1940 Act. Among other things, Rule 18f-4 requires funds that invest in derivative instruments beyond a specified
limited amount to apply a value-at-risk (“VaR”) based limit to their use of certain derivative instruments and financing
transactions and to adopt and implement a derivatives risk management program. Consequently, unless a fund qualifies as a “limited
derivatives user” as defined in Rule 18f-4, the fund has established a comprehensive derivatives risk management program to comply
with a VaR based leverage limit, appointed a derivatives risk manager and will provide additional disclosure both publicly and to the
SEC regarding its derivatives positions. If a fund qualifies as a limited derivatives user, Rule 18f-4 requires the fund to have policies
and procedures to manage its aggregate derivatives risk, which may require the fund to alter, perhaps materially, its use of derivatives,
short sales, and reverse repurchase agreements and similar financing transactions as part of its investment strategies. In connection
with the adoption of Rule 18f-4, the SEC also eliminated the asset segregation framework for covering derivatives and certain financial
instruments arising from SEC and staff guidance. Since the Fund is a “limited derivatives user,” the Fund has adopted and
implemented policies and procedures reasonably designed to manage the Fund’s derivatives risks, including counterparty risk, leverage
risk, liquidity risk, market risk, operational risk, and legal risk.
Swaps. The
Fund may enter into total rate of return, credit default or other types of swaps and related derivatives for the purpose of hedging and
risk management. These transactions generally provide for the transfer from one counterparty to another of certain risks inherent in the
ownership of a financial asset such as a debt instrument or common stock. Such risks include, among other things, the risk of default
and insolvency of the obligor of such asset, the risk that the credit of the obligor or the underlying collateral will decline or the
risk that the common stock of the underlying issuers will decline in value. The transfer of risk pursuant to a derivative of this type
may be complete or partial, and may be for the life of the related asset or for a shorter period. These derivatives may be used as a risk
management tool for a pool of financial assets, providing the Fund with the opportunity to gain or reduce exposure to one or more reference
securities or other financial assets (each, a “Reference Asset”) without actually owning or selling such assets in order,
for example, to increase or reduce a concentration risk or to diversify a portfolio. Conversely, these derivatives may be used by the
Fund to reduce exposure to an owned asset without selling it.
In the event that the Fund is a credit default swap seller, the full notional
amount of the credit default swap(s) will be segregated by the Fund to cover the outstanding positions.
Because the Fund would not own the Reference Assets, the Fund may not have
any voting rights with respect to the Reference Assets, and in such cases all decisions related to the obligors or issuers of the Reference
Assets, including whether to exercise certain remedies, will be controlled by the swap counterparties.
Total rate of return swaps and similar derivatives are subject to many
risks, including the possibility that the market will move in a manner or direction that would have resulted in gain for the Fund had
the swap or other derivative not been utilized (in which case it would have been better had the Fund not engaged in the interest rate
hedging transactions), the risk of imperfect correlation between the risk sought to be hedged and the derivative transactions utilized,
the possible inability of the counterparty to fulfill its obligations under the swap and potential illiquidity of the hedging instrument
utilized, which may make it difficult for the Fund to close out or unwind one or more hedging transactions.
Total rate of return swaps and related derivatives present certain legal,
tax and market uncertainties that present risks in entering into such arrangements. There is currently little or no case law or litigation
characterizing total rate of return swaps or related derivatives, interpreting their positions, or characterizing their tax treatment.
In addition, additional regulations and laws may apply to these types of derivatives that have not previously been applied. There can
be no assurance that future decisions construing similar provisions to those in any swap agreement or other related documents or additional
regulations and laws will not have an adverse effect on the Fund that utilizes these instruments.
Futures Contracts. The
Fund may purchase and sell financial futures contracts and options on such contracts. A financial futures contract is an agreement to
buy or sell a specific security or financial instrument at a particular price on a stipulated future date. Although some financial futures
contracts call for making or taking delivery of the underlying
securities or instruments, in most cases these obligations are closed out before the settlement
date. The closing of a contractual obligation may be accomplished by purchasing or selling an identical offsetting futures contract. Other
financial futures contracts by their terms call for cash settlements.
The Fund may also buy and sell index futures contracts with respect to
any stock or bond index traded on a recognized stock exchange or board of trade. An index futures contract is a contract to buy or sell units
of an index on a specified future date at a price agreed upon when the contract is made. The stock index futures contract specifies that
no delivery of the actual stocks making up the index will take place. Instead, settlement in cash must occur upon the termination of the
contract, with the settlement being the difference between the contract price and the actual level of the stock index at the expiration
of the contract. In addition, the Fund may enter into foreign currency futures contracts as described below under “Foreign Currency
Contracts and Currency Hedging Transactions.”
At the time the Fund purchases a futures contract, an amount of cash or
liquid portfolio securities generally equal to the settlement price less any margin deposit market value of the futures contract will
be designated as segregated at the Fund’s custodian. When writing a futures contract, the Fund will maintain with its custodian
similar liquid assets that, when added to the amounts deposited with a futures commission merchant or broker as margin, are equal to the
market value of the instruments underlying the contract. Alternatively, the Fund may “cover” its position by owning the
instruments underlying the contract (or, in the case of an index futures contract, a portfolio with a volatility substantially similar
to that of the index on which the futures contract is based), or holding a call option permitting the Fund to purchase the same futures
contract at a price no higher than the price of the contract written by the Fund (or at a higher price if the difference is maintained
in liquid assets with the Fund’s custodian).
The Fund will be authorized to use financial futures contracts and related
options for hedging and non-hedging purposes, for example to enhance total return or provide market exposure pending the investment of
cash balances. The Fund may lose the expected benefit of the transactions if currency exchange rates or securities prices change in an
unanticipated manner. Such unanticipated changes in currency exchange rates or securities prices may also result in poorer overall performance
than if the Fund had not entered into any futures transactions.
Options on Securities
and Stock Indexes. The Fund may write covered call and put options and purchase call and put options on securities or stock
indices that are traded on U.S. exchanges.
An option on a security is a contract that gives the purchaser of the option,
in return for the premium paid, the right to buy a specified security (in the case of a call option) or to sell a specified security (in
the case of a put option) from or to the writer of the option at a designated price during the term of the option. An option on a securities
index gives the purchaser of the option, in return for the premium paid, the right to receive from the seller cash equal to the difference
between the closing price of the index and the exercise price of the option.
The Fund may write a call or put option only if the option is “covered.”
A call option on a security written by the Fund is covered if the Fund owns the underlying security covered by the call or has an absolute
and immediate right to acquire that security without additional cash consideration (or for additional cash consideration held in a segregated
account by its custodian) upon conversion or exchange of other securities held in its portfolio. A call option on a security is also covered
if the Fund owns a call option on the same security and in the same principal amount as the call option written where the exercise price
of the call option held (a) is equal to or less than the exercise price of the call option written or (b) is greater than the
exercise price of the call option written if the difference is maintained by the Fund in cash or liquid portfolio securities in a segregated
account with its custodian. A put option on a security written by the Fund is “covered” if the Fund maintains similar liquid
assets with a value equal to the exercise price designated as segregated at its custodian, or else owns a put option on the same security
and in the same principal amount as the put option written where the exercise price of the put option held is equal to or greater than
the exercise price of the put option written.
The Fund will cover call options on stock indices by owning securities
whose price changes, in the opinion of the investment adviser, are expected to be similar to those of the index, or in such other manner
as may be in accordance with the rules of the exchange on which the option is traded and applicable laws and regulations. Nevertheless,
where the Fund covers a call option on a stock index through ownership of securities, such securities may not match the composition of
the index. In that event, the Fund will not be fully covered and could be subject to risk of loss in the event of adverse changes in the
value of the index. The Fund will cover put options on stock indices by segregating assets equal to the option’s exercise price,
or in such other manner as may be in accordance with the rules of the exchange on which the option is traded and applicable laws and regulations.
The Fund will receive a premium for writing a put or call option, which
will increase the Fund’s gross income in the event the option expires unexercised or is closed out at a profit. If the value of
a security or an index on which the Fund has written a call option falls or remains the same, the Fund will realize a profit in the form
of the premium received (less transaction
costs) that could offset all or a portion of any decline in the value of the portfolio
securities being hedged. A rise in the value of the underlying security or index, however, exposes the Fund to possible loss or loss of
opportunity to realize appreciation in the value of the underlying index or security. By writing a put option, the Fund assumes the risk
of a decline in the underlying security or index. To the extent that the price changes of the portfolio securities being hedged correlate
with changes in the value of the underlying security or index, writing covered put options on securities or indices will increase the
Fund’s losses in the event of a market decline, although such losses will be offset in part by the premium received for writing
the option.
The Fund may also purchase put options to hedge its investments against
a decline in value. By purchasing a put option, the Fund will seek to offset a decline in the value of the portfolio securities being
hedged through appreciation of the put option. If the value of the Fund’s investments does not decline as anticipated, the Fund’s
loss will be limited to the premium paid for the option plus related transaction costs. The success of this strategy will depend, in part,
on the accuracy of the correlation between the changes in value of the underlying security or index and the changes in value of the Fund’s
security holdings being hedged.
Call options may be purchased by the Fund in order to acquire the underlying
securities for a price that avoids any additional cost that would result from a substantial increase in the market value of a security.
The Fund may also purchase call options to increase its return at a time when the call is expected to increase in value due to anticipated
appreciation of the underlying security. When purchasing call options, the Fund will bear the risk of losing all or a portion of the premium
paid if the value of the underlying security or index does not rise.
There can be no assurance that a liquid market will exist when the Fund
seeks to close out an option position. Trading could be interrupted, for example, because of supply and demand imbalances arising from
a lack of either buyers or sellers, or the options exchange could suspend trading after the price has risen or fallen more than the maximum
specified by the exchange. Although the Fund may be able to offset to some extent any adverse effects of being unable to liquidate an
option position, the Fund may experience losses in some cases as a result of such inability.
Securities Index Futures
Contracts and Options Thereon. Purchases or sales of securities index futures contracts are used for hedging purposes to
attempt to protect the Fund’s current or intended investments from broad fluctuations in stock or bond prices. For example, the
Fund may sell securities index futures contracts in anticipation of or during a market decline to attempt to offset the decrease in market
value of the Fund’s securities portfolio that might otherwise result. If such decline occurs, the loss in value of portfolio securities
may be offset, in whole or part, by gains on the futures position. When the Fund is not fully invested in the securities market and anticipates
a significant market advance, it may purchase securities index futures contracts in order to gain rapid market exposure that may, in part
or entirely, offset increases in the cost of securities that the Fund intends to purchase. As such purchases are made, the corresponding
positions in securities index futures contracts may be closed out. The Fund may write put and call options on securities index futures
contracts for hedging purposes.
Risks of Options, Futures
and Forward Contracts. Options, futures and forward contracts are forms of derivatives. The use of options, futures and
forward contracts as hedging techniques may not succeed where the price movements of the securities underlying the options, futures and
forward contracts do not follow the price movements of the portfolio securities subject to the hedge. Gains on investments in options,
futures and forward contracts depend on the investment adviser’s ability to predict correctly the direction of stock prices, interest
rates, currencies and other economic factors and unanticipated changes may cause poorer overall performance for the Fund than if it had
not engaged in such transactions. Where a liquid secondary market for options, futures or forward contracts does not exist, the Fund may
not be able to close its position and in such an event would be unable to control its losses. The loss from investing in certain options,
futures and forward contracts is potentially unlimited. The use of forward contracts may limit gains from a positive change in the relationship
between the U.S. dollar and foreign currencies.
The Fund’s futures transactions will ordinarily be entered into
for traditional hedging purposes. There is, however, no limit on the amount of the Fund’s assets that can be put at risk through
the use of futures contracts and the value of the Fund’s futures contracts and options thereon may equal or exceed 100% of the
Fund’s total assets. The Fund, however, does not currently intend to enter into futures transactions other than for traditional
hedging purposes.
Exclusion from Definition
of Commodity Pool Operator. Pursuant to Rule 4.5 under the Commodity Exchange Act (“CEA”), Oaktree Fund
Advisors, LLC (the “Adviser,” or “Oaktree”) has filed a notice of exemption from registration as a “commodity
pool operator” with respect to the Fund. The Fund and the Adviser are therefore not subject to registration or regulation as a
pool operator under the CEA. In order to claim the Rule 4.5 exemption, the Fund is significantly limited in its ability to invest
in commodity futures, options, swaps (including securities futures, broad-based stock index futures and financial futures contracts).
As a result, in the future, the Fund will be more limited in its ability to use these instruments
than in the past and these limitations may have a negative impact on the ability of the
Adviser to manage the Fund, and on the Fund’s performance.
Foreign Currency Contracts
and Currency Hedging Transactions. In order to hedge against foreign currency exchange rate risks, the Fund may enter into
forward foreign currency exchange contracts (“forward contracts”) and foreign currency futures contracts (“foreign
currency futures”), as well as purchase put or call options on foreign currencies, as described below. The Fund may also conduct
its foreign currency exchange transactions on a spot (i.e., cash) basis at the spot rate prevailing
in the foreign currency exchange market.
The Fund may enter into forward contracts to attempt to minimize the risk
to the Fund from adverse changes in the relationship between the U.S. dollar and foreign currencies. A forward contract is an obligation
to purchase or sell a specific currency for an agreed price on a future date which is individually negotiated and privately traded by
currency traders and their customers. The Fund may enter into a forward contract, for example, when it enters into a contract for the
purchase or sale of a security denominated in a foreign currency or expects to receive a dividend or interest payment on a portfolio holding,
in order to “lock in” the U.S. dollar value of the security or payment. In addition, for example, when the Fund believes
that a foreign currency may experience a substantial movement against another currency, it may enter into a forward contract to sell an
amount of the former foreign currency (or another currency which acts as a proxy for that currency) approximating the value of some or
all of the Fund’s portfolio securities denominated in such foreign currency. This second investment practice is generally referred
to as “cross-hedging.” Because in connection with the Fund’s foreign currency forward transactions an amount of the
Fund’s assets equal to the amount of the Fund’s current commitment under the forward contract will be segregated to be used
to pay for the commitment, the Fund will always have cash or other liquid assets available that are sufficient to cover any commitments
under these contracts or to limit any potential risk. The segregated assets will be marked-to-market on a daily basis. Forward contracts
may limit potential gain from a positive change in the relationship between the U.S. dollar and foreign currencies. Unanticipated changes
in currency prices may result in poorer overall performance for the Fund than if it had not engaged in such contracts.
The Fund may enter into exchange-traded foreign currency futures for the
purchase or sale for future delivery of foreign currencies. Certain types of forward contracts are now regulated as swaps by the Commodity
Futures Trading Commission (“CFTC”). The regulation of such forward contracts as swaps is a recent development and there
can be no assurance that the additional regulation of these types of derivatives will not have an adverse effect on the Fund that utilizes
these instruments. This investment technique will be used only to hedge against anticipated future changes in exchange rates which otherwise
might adversely affect the value of the Fund’s portfolio securities or adversely affect the prices of securities that the Fund
intends to purchase at a later date.
The Fund may purchase and write put and call options on foreign currencies
for the purpose of protecting against declines in the dollar value of foreign portfolio securities and against increases in the U.S. dollar
cost of foreign securities to be acquired. As is the case with other kinds of options, however, the writing of an option on foreign currency
will constitute only a partial hedge, up to the amount of the premium received, and that the Fund could be required to purchase or sell
foreign currencies at disadvantageous exchange rates, thereby incurring losses. The purchase of an option on foreign currency may constitute
an effective hedge against fluctuation in exchange rates although, in the event of rate movements adverse to the Fund’s position,
the Fund may forfeit the entire amount of the premium plus related transaction costs.
The successful use of forward contracts and foreign currency futures will
usually depend on the investment adviser’s ability to forecast currency exchange rate movements correctly. Should exchange rates
move in an unexpected manner, the Fund may not achieve the anticipated benefits of forward contracts, foreign currency futures or may
realize losses.
Regulation of Certain Options, Currency Transactions
and Other Derivative Transactions as Swaps or Security-Based Swaps
It is possible that government regulation of various types of derivative
instruments, including futures and swap agreements, may limit or prevent the Funds from using such instruments as a part of its investment
strategy, and could ultimately prevent the Funds from being able to achieve its investment objectives. It is impossible to fully predict
the effects of past, present or future legislation and regulation in this area, but the effects could be substantial and adverse.
The futures markets are subject to comprehensive statutes, regulations,
and margin requirements. In addition, the SEC, CFTC and the exchanges are authorized to take extraordinary actions in the event of a market
emergency, including, for example, the implementation or reduction of speculative position limits, the implementation of higher margin
requirements, the establishment of daily price limits and the suspension of trading.
The regulation of swaps and futures transactions in the U.S. is a rapidly
changing area of law and is subject to modification by government and judicial action. There is a possibility of future regulatory changes
altering, perhaps to a material extent, the nature of an investment in the Funds or the ability of the Funds to continue to implement
its investment strategies.
In particular, the Dodd-Frank Act sets forth a legislative framework for OTC derivatives,
such as swaps, in which the Funds may invest. Title VII of the Dodd-Frank Act makes broad changes to the OTC derivatives market, grants
significant new authority to the SEC and the CFTC to regulate OTC derivatives and market participants, and, among other things, requires
clearing of many OTC derivatives transactions and imposes minimum margin and capital requirements on uncleared OTC derivatives transactions.
Short-Term Investments. The
Fund may acquire certificates of deposit, bankers’ acceptances and time deposits in U.S. Dollars. Certificates of deposit are negotiable
certificates issued against monies deposited in a commercial bank for a definite period of time and earning a specified return. Bankers’
acceptances are negotiable drafts or bills of exchange, normally drawn by an importer or exporter to pay for specific merchandise, which
are “accepted” by a bank, meaning in effect that the bank unconditionally agrees to pay the face value of the instrument
on maturity. These short-term instruments which the Fund may acquire must, at the time of purchase, have capital, surplus and undivided
profits in excess of $100 million (including assets of both domestic and foreign branches), based on latest published reports,
or less than $100 million if the principal amount of such bank obligations are fully insured by the U.S. Government.
Participatory Notes (“P-Notes”)
The Fund may invest in P-Notes, to seek to gain economic exposure to markets
where holding an underlying security is not feasible. P-Notes are participation interest notes that are issued by banks or broker-dealers
and are designed to offer a return linked to a particular underlying equity, debt, currency or market. When purchasing a P-Note, the posting
of margin is not required because the full cost of the P-Note (plus commission) is paid at the time of purchase. When the P-Note matures,
the issuer will pay to, or receive from, the purchaser the difference between the minimal value of the underlying instrument at the time
of purchase and that instrument’s value at maturity. Investments in P-Notes involve the same risks associated with a direct investment
in the underlying foreign companies or foreign securities markets that they seek to replicate.
In addition, there can be no assurance that the trading price of P-Notes
will equal the underlying value of the foreign companies or foreign securities markets that they seek to replicate. The holder of a P-Note
that is linked to a particular underlying security is entitled to receive any dividends paid in connection with an underlying security
or instrument. However, the holder of a P-Note does not receive the same voting rights as it would if it directly owned the underlying
security or instrument.
P-Notes are generally traded over-the-counter. P-Notes constitute general
unsecured contractual obligations of the banks or broker-dealers that issue them. There is also counterparty risk associated with these
investments because the Fund is relying on the creditworthiness of such counterparty and has no rights under a P-Note against the issuer
of the underlying security. In addition, the Fund will incur transaction costs as a result of investment in P-Notes.
Risks Associated with Long Term Objective — Not
a Complete Investment Program
The Fund is intended for investors seeking a high level of total return,
with an emphasis on growth and income. The Fund is not meant to provide a vehicle for those who wish to exploit short-term swings in the
stock market and is intended for long-term investors. An investment in shares of the Fund should not be considered a complete investment
program. Each shareholder should take into account the Fund’s investment objective as well as the shareholder’s other investments
when considering an investment in the Fund.
Debt Securities and Related Investments
Debt Securities Rating
Information. The Fund may invest in debt securities of any rating, including below investment grade debt securities or comparable
unrated securities, but may not invest in securities in default. The Fund may invest in convertible debt securities rated “D”
or better, or comparable unrated securities as determined by the Adviser. Investment grade debt securities are those rated “BBB”
or higher by Standard & Poor’s Ratings Group (“Standard & Poor’s”) or the equivalent of other nationally
recognized statistical rating organizations (“NRSROs”). Debt securities rated BBB are considered medium grade obligations
with speculative characteristics, and adverse economic conditions or changing circumstances may weaken the issuer’s ability to
pay interest and repay principal. Below investment grade debt securities are those rated “BB” and below by Standard &
Poor’s or the equivalent rating of other NRSROs. See “Appendix A” for a description of rating categories.
Below investment grade debt securities or comparable unrated securities
are commonly referred to as “junk bonds” and are considered predominantly speculative and may be questionable as to principal
and interest payments. Changes in economic conditions are more likely to lead to a weakened capacity to make principal payments and interest
payments. The issuers of high yield securities also may be more adversely affected than issuers of higher rated securities by specific
corporate or
governmental developments or the issuers’ inability to meet specific projected business
forecasts. The amount of high yield securities outstanding has proliferated as an increasing number of issuers have used high yield securities
for corporate financing. The recent economic downturn has severely affected the ability of many highly leveraged issuers to service their
debt obligations or to repay their obligations upon maturity. Factors having an adverse impact on the market value of lower quality securities
will have an adverse effect on the Fund’s net asset value (“NAV”) to the extent that it invests in such securities.
In addition, the Fund may incur additional expenses to the extent it is required to seek recovery upon a default in payment of principal
or interest on its portfolio holdings or to take other steps to protect its investment in an issuer.
The secondary market for high yield securities is not usually as liquid
as the secondary market for more highly rated securities, a factor which may have an adverse effect on the Fund’s ability to dispose
of a particular security when necessary to meet its liquidity needs. Under adverse market or economic conditions, such as those recently
prevailing, the secondary market for high yield securities could contract further, independent of any specific adverse changes in the
condition of a particular issuer. As a result, the Fund could find it more difficult to sell these securities or may be able to sell the
securities only at prices lower than if such securities were widely traded. Prices realized upon the sale of such lower rated or unrated
securities, under these and other circumstances, may be less than the prices used in calculating the Fund’s NAV.
Since investors generally perceive that there are greater risks associated
with lower quality debt securities of the type in which the Fund may invest, the yields and prices of such securities may tend to fluctuate
more than those for higher rated securities. In the lower quality segments of the debt securities market, changes in perceptions of issuers’
creditworthiness tend to occur more frequently and in a more pronounced manner than do changes in higher quality segments of the debt
securities market, resulting in greater yield and price volatility.
Lower rated and comparable unrated debt securities tend to offer higher
yields than higher rated securities with the same maturities because the historical financial condition of the issuers of such securities
may not have been as strong as that of other issuers. However, lower rated securities generally involve greater risks of loss of income
and principal than higher rated securities.
For purposes of the Fund’s credit quality policies, if a security
receives different ratings from nationally recognized statistical rating organizations, the Fund will use the lower rating. The ratings
of nationally recognized statistical rating organizations represent their opinions as to the quality of the securities that they undertake
to rate and may not accurately describe the risk of the security. If a rating organization downgrades the quality rating assigned to one
or more of the Fund’s portfolio securities, the Adviser will consider what actions, if any, are appropriate in light of the Fund’s
investment objectives and policies including selling the downgraded security or purchasing additional investment grade securities of the
appropriate credit quality as soon as it is prudent to do so.
U.S. Government Securities. U.S.
government securities in which the Fund invests include debt obligations of varying maturities issued by the U.S. Treasury or issued or
guaranteed by an agency, authority or instrumentality of the U.S. government, including the Federal Housing Administration, Federal Financing
Bank, Farm Service Agency, Export-Import Bank of the U.S., Small Business Administration, Government National Mortgage Association (“GNMA”),
General Services Administration, National Bank for Cooperatives, Federal Farm Credit Banks, Federal Home Loan Banks (“FHLBs”),
Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation (“FHLMC”), Federal National Mortgage Association (“FNMA”), Maritime
Administration, Tennessee Valley Authority and various institutions that previously were or currently are part of the Farm Credit System
(which has been undergoing reorganization since 1987). Some U.S. government securities, such as U.S. Treasury bills, Treasury notes and
Treasury bonds, which differ only in their interest rates, maturities and times of issuance, are supported by the full faith and credit
of the United States. Others are supported by: (i) the right of the issuer to borrow from the U.S. Treasury, such as securities of the
FHLBs; (ii) the discretionary authority of the U.S. government to purchase the agency’s obligations, such as securities of FNMA;
or (iii) only the credit of the issuer. Although the U.S. government has recently provided financial support to FNMA and FHLMC, no assurance
can be given that the U.S. government will provide financial support in the future to these or other U.S. government agencies, authorities
or instrumentalities that are not supported by the full faith and credit of the United States. Securities guaranteed as to principal and
interest by the U.S. government, its agencies, authorities or instrumentalities include: (i) securities for which the payment of principal
and interest is backed by an irrevocable letter of credit issued by the U.S. government or any of its agencies, authorities or instrumentalities;
(ii) participations in loans made to non-U.S. governments or other entities that are so guaranteed; and (iii) as a result of initiatives
introduced in response to the recent financial market difficulties, securities of commercial issuers or financial institutions that qualify
for guarantees by U.S. government agencies like the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation. The secondary market for certain loan participations
described above is limited and, therefore, the participations may be regarded as illiquid.
U.S. government securities may include zero coupon securities that may
be purchased when yields are attractive and/or to enhance portfolio liquidity. Zero coupon U.S. government securities are debt obligations
that are issued or purchased at a significant discount from face value. The discount approximates the total amount of interest the security
will accrue
and compound over the period until maturity or the particular interest payment date at
a rate of interest reflecting the market rate of the security at the time of issuance. Zero coupon U.S. government securities do not require
the periodic payment of interest. These investments may experience greater volatility in market value than U.S. government securities
that make regular payments of interest. The Fund accrues income on these investments for tax and accounting purposes, which is distributable
to shareholders and which, because no cash is received at the time of accrual, may require the liquidation of other portfolio securities
to satisfy the Fund’s distribution obligations, in which case the Fund will forgo the purchase of additional income producing assets
with these funds. Zero coupon U.S. government securities include STRIPS and CUBES, which are issued by the U.S. Treasury as component
parts of U.S. Treasury bonds and represent scheduled interest and principal payments on the bonds.
Debt Obligations of
Non-U.S. Governments. The Fund may invest in debt obligations of non-U.S. governments. An investment in debt obligations
of non-U.S. governments and their political subdivisions (sovereign debt) involves special risks that are not present in corporate debt
obligations. The non-U.S. issuer of the sovereign debt or the non-U.S. governmental authorities that control the repayment of the debt
may be unable or unwilling to repay principal or interest when due, and the Fund may have limited recourse in the event of a default.
During periods of economic uncertainty, the market prices of sovereign debt may be more volatile than prices of debt obligations of U.S.
issuers. In the past, certain non-U.S. countries have encountered difficulties in servicing their debt obligations, withheld payments
of principal and interest and declared moratoria on the payment of principal and interest on their sovereign debt.
A sovereign debtor’s willingness or ability to repay principal and
pay interest in a timely manner may be affected by, among other factors, its cash flow situation, the extent of its foreign currency reserves,
the availability of sufficient foreign exchange, the relative size of the debt service burden, the sovereign debtor’s policy toward
its principal international lenders and local political constraints. Sovereign debtors may also be dependent on expected disbursements
from non-U.S. governments, multinational agencies and other entities to reduce principal and interest arrearages on their debt. The failure
of a sovereign debtor to implement economic reforms, achieve specified levels of economic performance or repay principal or interest when
due may result in the cancellation of third-party commitments to lend funds to the sovereign debtor, which may further impair such debtor’s
ability or willingness to service its debts.
Bank Obligations
Time deposits are non-negotiable deposits maintained in a banking institution
for a specified period of time (in no event longer than seven days) at a stated interest rate. Time deposits which may be held by the
Fund will not benefit from insurance from the Bank Insurance Fund or the Savings Association Insurance Fund administered by the Federal
Deposit Insurance Corporation (“FDIC”). Certificates of deposit are certificates evidencing the obligation of a bank to
repay funds deposited with it for a specified period of time. Bankers’ acceptances are credit instruments evidencing the obligation
of a bank to pay a draft drawn on it by a customer. These instruments reflect the obligation both of the bank and of the drawer to pay
the face amount of the instrument upon maturity.
Commercial Paper
Commercial paper includes short-term unsecured promissory notes, variable
rate demand notes, and variable rate master demand notes issued by domestic and foreign bank holding companies, corporations, and financial
institutions (see “Variable and Floating Rate Demand and Master Demand Notes” below for more details) as well as similar
taxable and tax-exempt instruments issued by government agencies and instrumentalities. The Fund establishes its own standards of creditworthiness
for issuers of such instruments.
Certificates of Deposit
Domestic commercial banks organized under federal law are supervised and
examined by the Comptroller of the Currency and are required to be members of the Federal Reserve System and to have their deposits insured
by the FDIC. Domestic banks organized under state law are supervised and examined by state banking authorities but are members of the
Federal Reserve System only if they elect to join. In addition, state banks whose certificates of deposit (“CDs”) may be
purchased by the Fund are insured by the FDIC (although such insurance may not be of material benefit to the Fund, depending upon the
principal amount of the CDs of each bank held by the Fund) and are subject to federal examination and to a substantial body of federal
law and regulation. As a result of federal or state laws and regulations, domestic banks, among other things, generally are required to
maintain specified levels of reserves, limited in the amounts which they can loan to a single borrower and subject to other regulations
designed to promote financial soundness.
The Fund may purchase CDs issued by banks, savings and loan associations,
and similar institutions with less than one billion dollars in assets, which have deposits insured by the Bank Insurance Fund or the Savings
Association Insurance Fund
administered by the FDIC, provided the Fund purchases any such CD in a principal amount
of no more than $250,000, which amount would be fully insured by the FDIC. Interest payments on such a CD are not insured by the FDIC.
The Fund would not own more than one such CD per issuer.
Variable and Floating Rate Demand and Master Demand Notes
The Fund may, from time to time, buy variable or floating rate demand
notes issued by corporations, bank holding companies, and financial institutions, and similar taxable and tax-exempt instruments issued
by government agencies and instrumentalities. These securities will typically have a maturity longer than one year but carry with them
the right of the holder to put the securities to a remarketing agent or other entity at designated time intervals and on specified notice.
The obligation of the issuer of the put to repurchase the securities may be backed up by a letter of credit or other obligation issued
by a financial institution. The purchase price is ordinarily par plus accrued and unpaid interest. Generally, the remarketing agent will
adjust the interest rate every seven days (or at other specified intervals) in order to maintain the interest rate at the prevailing rate
for securities with a seven-day or other designated maturity. The Fund’s investment in demand instruments which provide that the
Fund will not receive the principal note amount within seven days’ notice, in combination with the Fund’s other investments
which are not readily marketable, will be limited to an aggregate total of 15% of the Fund’s net assets.
The Fund may also buy variable rate master demand notes. The terms of
these obligations permit the Fund to invest fluctuating amounts at varying rates of interest pursuant to direct arrangements between the
Fund, as lender, and the borrower. These instruments permit weekly and, in some instances, daily changes in the amounts borrowed. The
Fund has the right to increase the amount under the note at any time up to the full amount provided by the note agreement, or to decrease
the amount, and the borrower may repay up to the full amount of the note without penalty. The notes may or may not be backed by bank letters
of credit. Because the notes are direct lending arrangements between the Fund and borrower, it is not generally contemplated that they
will be traded, and there is no secondary market for them, although they are redeemable (and, thus, immediately repayable by the borrower)
at the principal amount, plus accrued interest, at any time. In connection with any such purchase and on an ongoing basis, the Adviser
will consider the earning power, cash flow, and other liquidity ratios of the issuer, and its ability to pay principal and interest on
demand, including a situation in which all holders of such notes make demand simultaneously. While master demand notes, as such, are not
typically rated by credit rating agencies, the Fund may, under its minimum rating standards, invest in them only if, at the time of an
investment, the issuer meets the criteria set forth in this SAI for commercial paper obligations.
Investment Company Securities
The Fund may invest in shares of other investment companies, subject
to the limitations of the 1940 Act, and subject to such investments being consistent with the overall investment objective and policies
of the Fund. To the extent that the Fund invests in the securities of other investment companies, shareholders in the Fund may be subject
to duplicative advisory and administrative fees.
Exchange-Traded Funds
The Fund may invest in exchange-traded funds (“ETFs”).
ETFs are a type of index fund bought and sold on a securities exchange. An ETF trades like common stock and represents a portfolio predominantly
of securities designed to track a particular market index. The Fund could purchase an ETF to gain exposure to all or a portion of the
U.S. market, a foreign market, a region, a commodity, a currency, or to any other index that an ETF tracks. The risks of owning an ETF
generally reflect the risks of owning the underlying securities they are designed to track, although lack of liquidity in an ETF could
result in it being more volatile and ETFs have management fees that increase their costs. An ETF may fail to accurately track the returns
of the market segment or index that it is designed to track, and the price of an ETF’s shares may fluctuate. In addition, because
they, unlike traditional mutual funds, are traded on an exchange, ETFs are subject to the following risks: (i) the performance of
the ETF may not replicate the performance of the underlying index that it is designed to track; (ii) the market price of the ETF’s
shares may trade at a premium or discount to the ETF’s net asset value; (iii) an active trading market for an ETF may not develop
or be maintained; and (iv) there is no assurance that the requirements of the exchange necessary to maintain the listing of the ETF will
continue to be met or remain unchanged. In the event substantial market or other disruptions affecting ETFs should occur in the future,
the liquidity and value of the Fund’s shares could also be substantially and adversely affected.
An investment company’s investments in other investment companies are typically
subject to statutory limitations prescribed by the 1940 Act. Many ETFs, however, have obtained exemptive relief from the SEC to permit
unaffiliated funds, such as the Fund, to invest in their shares beyond these statutory limits, subject to certain conditions and pursuant
to contractual arrangements between the ETFs and the investing funds. The Fund may rely on these exemptive orders in investing in ETFs.
Exchange-Traded Notes
The Fund may invest in exchange-traded notes (“ETNs”).
ETNs are a type of senior, unsecured, unsubordinated debt security issued by financial institutions that combines both aspects of bonds
and ETFs. An ETN’s returns are based on the performance of a market index 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 market index to which the ETN is linked minus certain fees.
Unlike regular bonds, ETNs do not make periodic interest payments and
principal is not protected. ETNs are subject to credit risk and the value of an ETN may drop due to a downgrade in the issuer’s
credit rating, despite the underlying market benchmark or strategy remaining unchanged. The value of an ETN may also be influenced by
time to maturity, level of supply and demand for the ETN, volatility and lack of liquidity in underlying assets, changes in the applicable
interest rates, changes in the issuer’s credit rating, and economic, legal, political, or geographic events that affect the referenced
underlying asset. When the Fund invests in ETNs it will bear its proportionate share of any fees and expenses borne by the ETN. The Fund’s
decision to sell its ETN holdings may be limited by the availability of a secondary market. In addition, although an ETN may be listed
on an exchange, the issuer may not be required to maintain the listing and there can be no assurance that a secondary market will exist
for an ETN.
ETNs are also subject to tax risk. No assurance can be given that the
Internal Revenue Service (“IRS”) will accept, or a court will uphold, how the Fund characterizes and treats ETNs for tax
purposes. Further, the IRS and Congress have considered proposals that would change the timing and character of income and gains from
ETNs.
An ETN that is tied to a specific market benchmark or strategy may not
be able to replicate and maintain exactly the composition and relative weighting of securities, commodities or other components in the
applicable market benchmark or strategy. 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. Leveraged ETNs are subject to the same risk as other instruments that use leverage in any form.
The market value of ETN shares may differ from their market benchmark
or strategy. 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 securities, commodities or other components underlying the market
benchmark or strategy that the ETN seeks to track. As a result, there may be times when an ETN share trades at a premium or discount to
its market benchmark or strategy.
Partnership Securities
The Fund may invest in securities issued by publicly
traded partnerships or master limited partnerships or limited liability companies (together referred to as “PTPs/MLPs”).
These entities may be publicly traded on stock exchanges or markets such as the New York Stock Exchange (“NYSE”), the NYSE
Alternext US LLC (“NYSE Alternext”) and NASDAQ. PTPs/MLPs often own businesses or properties relating to energy,
natural resources or real estate, or may be involved in the film industry or research and development activities. Generally, PTPs/MLPs
are operated under the supervision of one or more managing partners or members. Limited partners, unit holders, or members (such as the
Fund, if it invests in a partnership) are not involved in the day-to-day management of the company. Limited partners, unit holders, or
members are allocated income and capital gains associated with the partnership project in accordance with the terms of the partnership
or limited liability company agreement.
At times, PTPs/MLPs may potentially offer relatively
high yields compared to common stocks. Because PTPs/MLPs are generally treated as partnerships or similar limited liability “pass-through”
entities for tax purposes, they do not ordinarily pay income taxes, but pass their earnings on to unit holders (except in the case of
some publicly-traded firms that may be taxed as corporations). For tax purposes, limited partners, unit holders, or members may be allocated
taxable income with respect to only a portion of the distributions attributed to them because certain other portions may be attributed
to the repayment of initial investments and may thereby lower the cost basis of the units or shares owned by unit or shareholders. As
a result, unit holders may effectively defer taxation on the receipt of some distributions until they sell their units. These tax consequences
may differ for different types of entities.
Although the high yields potentially offered by these investments may be
attractive, PTPs/MLPs have some disadvantages and present some risks. Investors in a partnership or limited liability company may have
fewer protections under state law than investors in a corporation. Distribution and management fees may be substantial. Losses are generally
considered passive
and cannot offset income other than income or gains relating to the same entity. These
tax consequences may differ for different types of entities. Many PTPs/MLPs may operate in certain limited sectors such as, without limitation,
energy, natural resources, and real estate, which may be volatile or subject to periodic downturns. Growth may be limited because most
cash is paid out to limited partners, unit holders, or members rather than retained to finance growth. The performance of PTPs/MLPs may
be partly tied to interest rates. Rising interest rates, a poor economy, or weak cash flows are among the factors that can pose significant
risks for investments in PTPs/MLPs. Investments in PTPs/MLPs also may be illiquid at times. The Fund may also invest in relatively illiquid
securities issued by limited partnerships or limited liability companies that are not publicly traded. These securities, which may represent
investments in certain areas such as real estate or private equity, may present many of the same risks of PTPs/MLPs. In addition, they
may present other risks including higher management and distribution fees, uncertain cash flows, potential calls for additional capital,
and very limited liquidity.
Real Estate Investment Trusts
The Fund may invest in Real Estate Investment Trusts (“REITs”).
REITs are companies that invest primarily in income producing real estate or real estate-related loans or interests. REITs are generally
classified as equity REITs, mortgage REITs or a combination of equity and mortgage REITs. Equity REITs invest the majority of their assets
directly in real property and derive income primarily from the collection of rents. Equity REITs can also realize capital gains by selling
properties that have appreciated in value. Mortgage REITs invest the majority of their assets in real estate mortgages and derive income
from the collection of interest payments. REITs are not taxed on income distributed to shareholders provided they comply with the applicable
requirements of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”). The Fund will indirectly bear its proportionate
share of any management and other expenses paid by REITs in which it invests in addition to the expenses paid by the Fund. Debt securities
issued by REITs are, for the most part, general and unsecured obligations and are subject to risks associated with REITs.
Investing in REITs involves certain unique risks in addition to those risks
associated with investing in the real estate industry in general. An equity REIT may be affected by changes in the value of the underlying
properties owned by the REIT. A mortgage REIT may be affected by changes in interest rates and the ability of the issuers of its portfolio
mortgages to repay their obligations. REITs are dependent upon the skills of their managers and are not diversified. REITs are generally
dependent upon maintaining cash flows to repay borrowings and to make distributions to shareholders and are subject to the risk of default
by lessees or borrowers. REITs whose underlying assets are concentrated in properties used by a particular industry, such as health care,
are also subject to risks associated with such industry.
REITs (especially mortgage REITs) are also subject to interest rate risk.
When interest rates decline, the value of a REIT’s investment in fixed rate obligations can be expected to rise. Conversely, when
interest rates rise, the value of a REIT’s investment in fixed rate obligations can be expected to decline. If the REIT invests
in adjustable rate mortgage loans the interest rates on which are reset periodically, yields on a REIT’s investments in such loans
will gradually align themselves to reflect changes in market interest rates. This causes the value of such investments to fluctuate less
dramatically in response to interest rate fluctuations than would investments in fixed rate obligations.
REITs may have limited financial resources, may trade less frequently and
in a limited volume and may be subject to more abrupt or erratic price movements than larger company securities. Historically REITs have
been more volatile in price than the larger capitalization stocks included in Standard & Poor’s 500 Stock Index (the “S&P
500”).
Illiquid Securities and Rule 144A Securities
The Fund may invest its net assets in securities as to which a liquid trading
market does not exist, provided such investments are consistent with the Fund’s investment objective. Such securities may include
securities that are not readily marketable, such as certain securities that are subject to legal or contractual restrictions on resale,
repurchase agreements providing for settlement in more than seven days after notice, and certain privately negotiated, non-exchange traded
options and securities used to cover such options. As to these securities, the Fund is subject to a risk that should the Fund desire to
sell them when a ready buyer is not available at a price the Fund deems representative of their value, the value of the Fund’s
net assets could be adversely affected. Illiquid securities do not include securities eligible for resale pursuant to Rule 144A of the
Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”), or other restricted securities, which have been determined to
be liquid in accordance with procedures established by the Board.
The Fund has adopted non-fundamental policies with respect to investments
in illiquid securities. Securities that have not been registered under the Securities Act are referred to as private placements or restricted
securities and are purchased directly from the issuer or in the secondary market. Mutual funds do not typically hold a significant amount
of these restricted or illiquid securities because of the potential for delays on resale and uncertainty in valuation. Limitations on
resale may have an adverse effect on the marketability of portfolio securities and a mutual fund might be unable to dispose of restricted
or
illiquid securities promptly or at reasonable prices and might thereby experience difficulty
satisfying redemptions within seven days. A mutual fund might also have to register such restricted securities in order to dispose of
them resulting in additional expense and delay. Adverse market conditions could impede such a public offering of securities.
A large institutional market has developed for certain securities that
are not registered under the Securities Act, including repurchase agreements, commercial paper, foreign securities, municipal securities,
and corporate bonds and notes. Institutional investors depend on an efficient institutional market in which the unregistered security
can be readily resold or on an issuer’s ability to honor a demand for repayment. As a result, the fact that there are contractual
or legal restrictions on resale to the general public or to certain institutions may not be indicative of the liquidity of such investments.
The Fund may invest up to 15% of its net assets (plus the amount of any
borrowing for investment purposes) in illiquid securities, including certain restricted securities issued under Section 4(a)(2) of the
Securities Act. Section 4(a)(2) instruments are restricted in the sense that they can only be resold through the issuing dealer and only
to institutional investors; they cannot be resold to the general public without registration. Restricted securities issued under Section
4(a)(2) of the Securities Act will generally be treated as illiquid and subject to the Fund’s investment restriction on illiquid
securities unless such securities are eligible for resale under Rule 144A and are deemed to be liquid in accordance with the procedures
described below.
Rule 144A under the Securities Act allows a broader institutional trading
market for securities otherwise subject to restriction on resale to the general public. Rule 144A establishes a “safe harbor”
from the registration requirements of the Securities Act applicable to resales of certain securities to qualified institutional buyers.
It is the intent of the Fund to invest, pursuant to procedures established by the Board and subject to applicable investment restrictions,
in securities eligible for resale under Rule 144A which are determined to be liquid based upon the trading markets for the securities.
The Adviser will monitor the liquidity of restricted securities eligible
for resale under Rule 144A in the Fund’s portfolio under the supervision of the Trustees. In reaching liquidity decisions, the
Adviser will consider, inter alia, the following factors: (1) the frequency of trades and quotes for the security over the course of six
months or as determined in the discretion of the Adviser; (2) the number of dealers wishing to purchase or sell the security and the number
of other potential purchasers over the course of six months or as determined in the discretion of the Adviser; (3) dealer undertakings
to make a market in the security; (4) the nature of the security and the nature of how the marketplace trades (e.g.,
the time needed to dispose of the security, the method of soliciting offers, and the mechanics of the transfer); and (5) other factors,
if any, which the Adviser deems relevant. The Adviser will also monitor the purchase of Rule 144A securities which are considered to be
illiquid to assure that the total of all such Rule 144A securities held by the Fund does not exceed 15% of the Fund’s average daily
net assets.
In October 2016, the SEC adopted a new liquidity risk management rule requiring
open-end funds, such as the Fund, to establish a liquidity risk management program and enhance disclosures regarding fund liquidity. Rule
22e-4 under the 1940 Act (the “Liquidity Rule”), requires open-end funds, such as the Fund, to establish a liquidity risk
management program and make certain disclosures regarding fund liquidity. As required by the Liquidity Rule, the Fund has implemented
a liquidity risk management program (the “Liquidity Program”), and the Board has appointed the Adviser as the liquidity
risk program administrator of the Liquidity Program. The Liquidity Rule may impact the Fund’s performance and ability to achieve
its investment objective.
Repurchase Agreements
Repurchase agreements involve the acquisition by the Fund of a security,
subject to an obligation of the seller to repurchase, and the Fund to resell, the security at a fixed price, usually not more than one
week after its purchase. The Fund’s custodian will have custody of securities acquired by the Fund under a repurchase agreement.
Repurchase agreements are considered by the SEC to be loans by the Fund. In an attempt to reduce the risk of incurring a loss on the repurchase
agreement, the Fund will enter into repurchase agreements only with domestic banks with total assets in excess of one billion dollars
or primary government securities dealers reporting to the Federal Reserve Bank of New York with respect to the highest rated securities
of the type in which the Fund may invest. It will also require that the repurchase agreement be at all times fully collateralized in an
amount at least equal to the repurchase price including accrued interest earned on the underlying securities, and that the underlying
securities be marked to market every business day to assure that the repurchase agreement remains fully collateralized. Certain costs
may be incurred by the Fund in connection with the sale of the securities if the seller does not repurchase them in accordance with the
repurchase agreement. If bankruptcy proceedings are commenced with respect to the seller of the securities, realization on the securities
by the Fund may be delayed or limited. The Fund will consider on an ongoing basis the creditworthiness of the institutions with which
it enters into repurchase agreements.
Borrowing
Though the Fund does not currently intend to borrow money, the Fund is
authorized to borrow money from time to time for temporary, extraordinary or emergency purposes or for clearance of transactions, and
not for the purpose of leveraging its investments, in amounts not to exceed at any time 331/3%
of the value of its total assets at the time of such borrowings, as allowed under the 1940 Act. The use of borrowing by the Fund involves
special risk considerations that may not be associated with other funds having similar objectives and policies. Since substantially all
of the Fund’s assets fluctuate in value, while the interest obligation resulting from a borrowing will be fixed by the terms of
the Fund’s agreement with its lender, the NAV per share of the Fund will tend to increase more when its portfolio securities increase
in value and to decrease more when its portfolio assets decrease in value than would otherwise be the case if the Fund did not borrow.
In addition, interest costs on borrowings may fluctuate with changing market rates of interest and may partially offset or exceed the
return earned on borrowed funds. Under adverse market conditions, the Fund might have to sell portfolio securities to meet interest or
principal payments at a time when fundamental investment considerations would not favor such sales.
Securities Lending
Although the Fund has no present intention to do so, the Fund reserves
the right, pending receipt of Board approval, to lend securities from its portfolio to brokers, dealers and financial institutions (but
not individuals) in order to increase the return on its portfolio. The SEC currently requires that the following conditions must be met
whenever the Fund’s portfolio securities are loaned: (1) the Fund must receive at least 100% cash collateral (which may include
cash, U.S. government or agency securities, or irrevocable letters of credit) from the borrower; (2) the borrower must increase such collateral
whenever the market value of the securities rises above the level of such collateral; (3) the Fund must be able to terminate the loan
at any time; (4) the Fund must receive reasonable interest on the loan, as well as any dividends, interest or other distributions on the
loaned securities, and any increase in market value; (5) the Fund may pay only reasonable custodian fees approved by the Board in connection
with the loan; (6) while voting rights on the loaned securities may pass to the borrower, the Board must terminate the loan and regain
the right to vote the securities if a material event adversely affecting the investment occurs, and (7) the Fund may not loan its portfolio
securities so that the value of the loaned securities is more than one-third of its total asset value, including collateral received from
such loans. These conditions may be subject to future modification. Such loans will be terminable at any time upon specified notice. The
Fund might experience the risk of loss if the institution with which it has engaged in a portfolio loan transaction breaches its agreement
with the Fund. The principal risk of portfolio lending is potential default or insolvency of the borrower. In either of these cases, the
Fund could experience delays in recovering securities or collateral or could lose all or part of the value of the loaned securities. As
part of participating in a lending program, the Fund may be required to invest in collateralized debt or other securities that bear the
risk of loss of principal. In addition, all investments made with the collateral received are subject to the risks associated with such
investments. If such investments lose value, the Fund will have to cover the loss when repaying the collateral.
Any loans of portfolio securities are fully collateralized based on values
that are marked-to-market daily. Any securities that the Fund may receive as collateral will not become part of the Fund’s investment
portfolio at the time of the loan and, in the event of a default by the borrower, the Fund will, if permitted by law, dispose of such
collateral except for such part thereof that is a security in which the Fund is permitted to invest. During the time securities are on
loan, the borrower will pay the Fund any accrued income on those securities, and the Fund may invest the cash collateral and earn income
or receive an agreed-upon fee from a borrower that has delivered cash-equivalent collateral.
When-Issued or Delayed-Delivery Securities
New issues of fixed-income securities usually are offered on a when-issued
or delayed-delivery basis, which means that delivery and payment for such securities ordinarily take place within 45 days after the date
of the commitment to purchase. The payment obligation and the interest rate that will be received on such securities are fixed at the
time the Fund enters into the commitment. The Fund will make commitments to purchase such securities only with the intention of actually
acquiring the securities, but the Fund may sell these securities before the settlement date if it is deemed advisable. The Fund will not
accrue income in respect of a when-issued or delayed-delivery security prior to its stated delivery date. No additional when-issued commitments
will be made if more than 20% of the Fund’s net assets (plus the amount of any borrowing for investment purposes) would be so committed.
Securities purchased on a when-issued or delayed-delivery basis and certain
other securities held in the Fund’s portfolio are subject to changes in value (both generally changing in the same way, i.e.,
appreciating when interest rates decline and depreciating when interest rates rise) based on the public’s perception of the creditworthiness
of the issuer and changes, real or anticipated, in the level of interest rates. Securities purchased on a when-issued or delayed-delivery
basis may expose the Fund to the risk that such fluctuations will occur prior to their actual delivery. Purchasing securities on a when-issued
or delayed-delivery basis can involve an additional risk that the yield available in the
market when the delivery takes place actually may be higher than that obtained in the transaction itself. A segregated account of the
Fund consisting of cash or other liquid securities at least equal at all times to the amount of the when-issued commitments will be established
and maintained at the Fund’s custodian bank.
Government Intervention in Financial Markets
Global economies and financial markets are increasingly interconnected,
which increases the possibility that conditions in one country or region may adversely affect companies in a different country or region.
The global financial crisis has led governments and regulators around the world to take a number of unprecedented actions designed to
support certain financial institutions and segments of the financial markets that experienced extreme volatility, and in some cases a
lack of liquidity.
Governments, their regulatory agencies, or self-regulatory organizations
may take actions that the regulation of the issuers in which the Fund invests. Legislation or regulation may also change the way in which
the Fund itself is regulated. Such legislation or regulation could limit or preclude the Fund’s ability to achieve its investment
objective.
Governments or their agencies may also acquire distressed assets from financial
institutions and acquire ownership interests in those institutions. The implications of government ownership and disposition of these
assets are unclear, and such a program may have positive or negative effects on the liquidity, valuation and performance of the Fund’s
portfolio holdings. Furthermore, volatile financial markets can expose the Fund to greater market and liquidity risk and potential difficulty
in valuing portfolio instruments held by the Fund.
The SEC and its staff have been engaged in various initiatives and reviews
that seek to improve and modernize the regulatory structure governing investment companies. These efforts have been focused on risk identification
and controls in various areas, including imbedded leverage through the use of derivatives and other trading practices, cyber-security,
liquidity, enhanced regulatory and public reporting requirements and the evaluation of systemic risks. Any new rules, guidance or regulatory
initiatives resulting from these efforts could increase the Fund’s expenses and impact its returns to stockholders or, in the extreme
case, impact or limit its use of various portfolio management strategies or techniques and adversely impact the Fund.
In particular, the U.S. government has proposed and
adopted multiple regulations that could have a long-lasting impact on the Fund and on the mutual fund industry in general. The SEC’s
final rules and amendments that modernize reporting and disclosure and required the implementation of a liquidity risk management program,
along with other potential upcoming regulations, could, among other things, restrict the Fund’s ability to engage in transactions,
impact flows into the Fund and/or increase overall expenses of the Fund. The Board designated and approved a liquidity committee (“Liquidity
Committee”) to administer the Fund’s liquidity risk management program and related procedures, various aspects of which
went into effect in December 2018 and June 2019.
Following the November 2022 U.S. elections, the Democratic
Party controls the executive branch of government and the Senate by a narrow margin, while the Republican Party controls the House of
Representatives. Changes in federal policy, including tax policies, and at regulatory agencies occur over time through policy and personnel
changes following elections, which lead to changes involving the level of oversight and focus on the financial services industry or the
tax rates paid by corporate entities. The nature, timing and economic and political effects of potential changes to the current legal
and regulatory framework affecting markets remain highly uncertain. Uncertainty surrounding future changes may adversely affect the Fund’s
operating environment and therefore its investment performance.
In response to the current economic environment, the Biden administration
may call for an increased popular, political and judicial focus on finance related consumer protection. Financial institution practices
are also subject to greater scrutiny and criticism generally. In the case of transactions between financial institutions and the general
public, there may be a greater tendency toward strict interpretation of terms and legal rights in favor of the consuming public, particularly
where there is a real or perceived disparity in risk allocation and/or where consumers are perceived as not having had an opportunity
to exercise informed consent to the transaction. In the event of conflicting interests between retail investors holding shares of an open-end
investment company such as the Fund and a large financial institution, a court may similarly seek to strictly interpret terms and legal
rights in favor of retail investors.
In addition, the U.S. tax legislation commonly referred
to as the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (the “Act”) made substantial changes to the Code. Among those changes are a significant
permanent reduction in the generally applicable corporate tax rate, changes in the taxation of individuals and other non-corporate taxpayers
that generally but not universally reduce their taxes on a temporary basis subject to “sunset” provisions, the elimination
or modification of various previously allowed
deductions (including substantial limitations on the deductibility
of interest and, in the case of individuals, the deduction for personal state and local taxes), certain additional limitations on the
deduction of net operating losses, certain preferential rates of taxation on certain dividends and certain business income derived by
non-corporate taxpayers in comparison to other ordinary income recognized by such taxpayers, and significant changes to the international
tax rules. The effect of these, and the many other changes made in the Act is highly uncertain, both in terms of their direct effect on
the taxation of an investment in our common or preferred shares and their indirect effect on the value of our assets, our common or preferred
shares or market conditions generally. Furthermore, many of the provisions of the Act will require guidance through the issuance of Treasury
regulations in order to assess their effect. There may be a substantial delay before such Treasury regulations are promulgated, increasing
the uncertainty as to the ultimate effect of the statutory amendments on us. It is also likely that there will be technical corrections
legislation proposed with respect to the Act, the effect of which cannot be predicted and may be adverse to us or our shareholders.
The Fund may be affected by governmental action in ways that are not foreseeable,
and there is a possibility that such actions could have a significant adverse effect on the Fund and its ability to achieve its investment
objectives.
In addition, certain of the Fund’s investments
may provide exposure to coupon rates that are based on the London Interbank Offered Rate (“LIBOR”), the Secured Overnight
Financing Rate (“SOFR”), Euro Interbank Offered Rate and other similar types of reference rates (each, a “Reference
Rate”). These Reference Rates are generally intended to represent the rate at which contributing banks may obtain short-term borrowings
within certain financial markets. Most maturities and currencies of LIBOR were phased out at the end of 2021, with the remaining ones
to be phased out on June 30, 2023. These events and any additional regulatory or market changes may have an adverse impact on the Fund
or its investments, including increased volatility or illiquidity in markets for instruments that rely on LIBOR. There remains uncertainty
regarding the impact of the transition from LIBOR or the Fund and the financial markets generally. SOFR has been selected by a committee
established by the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System and the Federal Reserve Bank of New York to replace LIBOR as a Reference
Rate in the United States and U.S. law requires that contracts without a practicable LIBOR alternative default to SOFR plus a set spread
beginning in mid-2023. SOFR is a secured, nearly risk-free rate, while LIBOR is an unsecured rate that includes an element of bank credit
risk. In addition, SOFR is strictly an overnight rate, while LIBOR historically has been published for various maturities, ranging from
overnight to one year. Thus, LIBOR may be expected to be higher than SOFR, and the spread between the two is likely to widen in times
of market stress. Certain existing contracts provide for a spread adjustment when transitioning to SOFR from LIBOR, but there is no assurance
that it will provide adequate compensation.
Other countries have undertaken similar initiatives
to identify replacement Reference Rates for LIBOR in their respective markets. However, there are obstacles to converting certain existing
investments and transactions to a new Reference Rate, as well as risks associated with using a new Reference Rate with respect to new
investments and transactions. There remains uncertainty regarding the impact of the transition from LIBOR on the Fund and the financial
markets generally, and the termination of certain Reference Rates presents risk to the Fund. The transition process, or the failure of
an industry to transition, could lead to increased volatility and illiquidity in markets for instruments that currently rely on LIBOR
to determine interest rates and a reduction in the values of some LIBOR-based investments. Since the usefulness of LIBOR as a benchmark
could deteriorate during the transition period, these effects could occur prior to June 30, 2023. Further, U.S. issuers are currently
not obligated to include any particular fallback language in transaction documents for new issuances of LIBOR-linked securities. In addition,
the alternative reference or benchmark rate may be an ineffective substitute, potentially resulting in prolonged adverse market conditions
for the Fund. The elimination of a Reference Rate or any other changes or reforms to the determination or supervision of Reference Rates
could have an adverse impact on the market for or value of any securities or payments linked to those Reference Rates and other financial
obligations held by the Fund or on its overall financial conditions or results of operations. Any substitute Reference Rate and any pricing
adjustments imposed by a regulator or by counterparties or otherwise may adversely affect the Fund’s performance and/or NAV. At
this time, it is not possible to completely identify or predict the effect of any such changes, any establishment of alternative Reference
Rates or any other reforms to Reference Rates that may be enacted in the UK or elsewhere.
Political Risks Relating to Russia’s Invasion
of Ukraine
Russia began its invasion of Ukraine in February 2022. The invasion significantly
amplified already existing geopolitical tensions among Russia, Ukraine, Europe, NATO and the United States. Russia’s military invasion
of Ukraine, the resulting responses by the United States and other countries, and the potential for wider conflict has increased volatility
and uncertainty in the financial markets, specifically on companies in the oil and gas sector, finance and resource extraction. The United
States and other countries and certain international organizations have imposed broad-ranging economic sanctions on Russia and certain
Russian individuals, banking entities and corporations as a response to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. These sanctions froze certain
Russian assets and prohibited, among other things, trading in certain Russian securities
and doing business with specific Russian corporate entities, large financial institutions,
officials and oligarchs. The sanctions also included the removal of some Russian banks from the Society for Worldwide Interbank Financial
Telecommunications (SWIFT), the electronic network that connects banks globally, and imposed restrictive measures to prevent the Russian
Central Bank from undermining the impact of the sanctions. These sanctions could become broader in the future, including banning Russia
from global payments systems that facilitate cross-border payments. A number of large corporations have also announced plans to divest
interests or otherwise curtail business dealings with certain Russian businesses.
The extent and duration of Russia’s military actions, resulting
sanctions and consequent future market disruptions are impossible to predict, but could be significant and may negatively affect global
supply chains, inflation, oil and gas supply, and global growth. Russian military action (including cyberattacks and espionage) or actual
and threatened responses to such actions, including purchasing and financing restrictions, boycotts or changes in consumer or purchaser
preferences, sanctions, tariffs or cyberattacks on the Russian government and Russian individuals, may have an impact not only on Russia,
but the global economy.
The ramifications of the hostilities and sanctions, however, may not
be limited to Russia. Conflict between Ukraine and Russia is likely to negatively impact other regional and global economic markets (including
Europe, Asia and the United States), companies in other countries (particularly those that have exposure to Russia and Ukraine) and on
various sectors, industries and markets for securities and commodities globally, such as oil and natural gas and banking. Accordingly,
the actions discussed above and the potential for a wider conflict could increase financial market volatility, cause severe negative effects
on regional and global economic markets, industries, and companies and have a negative effect on the Fund’s investments and performance
beyond any direct exposure to Russian and Ukrainian issuers or those of adjoining geographic regions. These and any related events could
have a significant impact on Fund performance and the value of an investment in the Fund.
Special Risks Related to Cyber Security
The Fund and its service providers are susceptible to cyber security
risks that include, among other things, theft, unauthorized monitoring, release, misuse, loss, destruction or corruption of confidential
and highly restricted data; denial of service attacks; unauthorized access to relevant systems, compromises to networks or devices that
the Fund and its service providers use to service the Fund’s operations; or operational disruption or failures in the physical
infrastructure or operating systems that support the Fund and its service providers. Cyber attacks against or security breakdowns of the
Fund or its service providers may adversely impact the Fund and its shareholders, potentially resulting in, among other things, financial
losses; the inability of Fund shareholders to transact business and the Fund to process transactions; inability to calculate the Fund’s
NAV; violations of applicable privacy and other laws; regulatory fines, penalties, reputational damage, reimbursement or other compensation
costs; and/or additional compliance costs. The Fund may incur additional costs for cyber security risk management and remediation purposes.
In addition, cyber security risks may also impact issuers of securities in which the Fund invests, which may cause the Fund’s investment
in such issuers to lose value. There can be no assurance that the Fund or its service providers will not suffer losses relating to cyber
attacks or other information security breaches in the future.
Environmental Risk
Assets may be subject to numerous laws, rules and regulations relating
to environmental protection. Under various environmental statutes, rules and regulations, a current or previous owner or operator of real
property may be liable for non-compliance with applicable environmental and health and safety requirements and for the costs of investigation,
monitoring, removal or remediation of hazardous materials. These laws often impose liability, whether or not the owner or operator knew
of or was responsible for the presence of hazardous materials. The presence of these hazardous materials on a property could also result
in personal injury or property damage or similar claims by private parties. Persons who arrange for the disposal or treatment of hazardous
materials may also be liable for the costs of removal or remediation of these materials at the disposal or treatment facility, whether
or not that facility is or ever was owned or operated by that person. The Fund may be exposed to substantial risk of loss from environmental
claims arising in respect of its investments and such loss may exceed the value of such investments. Furthermore, changes in environmental
laws or in the environmental condition of a portfolio investment may create liabilities that did not exist at the time of acquisition
of an investment and that could not have been foreseen.
INVESTMENT RESTRICTIONS
The Fund is subject to fundamental and non-fundamental investment policies
and limitations. Under the 1940 Act, fundamental investment policies and limitations may not be changed without the vote of a majority
of the outstanding voting securities (as defined in the 1940 Act) of the Fund.
The following policies and limitations supplement those described in the
Fund’s Prospectus and this SAI.
Fundamental Restrictions
(1)
The Fund may not issue senior
securities or borrow money, except to the extent permitted by the 1940 Act or any rules, exemptions or interpretations thereunder that
may be adopted, granted or issued by the SEC;
(2)
The Fund may not act as underwriter,
except to the extent the Fund may be deemed to be an underwriter in connection with the sale of securities in its investment portfolio;
(3)
The Fund may not invest 25% or
more of its total assets in the securities of one or more issuers conducting their principal business activities in the same industry
(excluding the U.S. government or any of its agencies or instrumentalities);
(4)
The Fund may not purchase or sell
real estate or interests in real estate or real estate limited partnerships (although the Fund may purchase and sell securities which
are secured by real estate and securities of companies which invest or deal in real estate, such as real estate MLPs and real estate investment
trusts (REITs);
(5)
The Fund may not invest in commodities
or commodity contracts, except that the Fund may invest in currency and financial instruments and contracts that are commodities or commodity
contracts that are not deemed to be prohibited commodities or commodities contracts for the purpose of this restriction; or
?
(6)
The Fund
may not make loans of money, except (i) for purchases of debt securities consistent with the investment policies of the Fund, (ii) by
engaging in repurchase agreements or, (iii) through the loan of portfolio securities in an amount up to 331/3%
of the Fund’s net assets.
Notes to Investment Restrictions
The percentage limitations in the restrictions listed above apply at the
time of purchases of securities and a later increase or decrease in percentage resulting from a change in value of net assets, or in any
ratings, will not be deemed to result in a violation of the restriction, except that there is an ongoing asset coverage requirement in
the case of borrowings. For purposes of investment restriction No. 4 above, the Trust may use the industry classifications reflected by
the S&P 500 Index, if applicable at the time of determination. For all other portfolio holdings, the Trust may use the Directory of
Companies Required to File Annual Reports with the SEC and Bloomberg Inc. In addition, the Trust may select its own industry classifications,
provided such classifications are reasonable. When determining compliance with its own concentration policy, to the extent that the Fund
may invest in any affiliated and/or unaffiliated investment companies, the Fund will consider the investments of such underlying investment
companies to the extent practicable.
PORTFOLIO HOLDINGS INFORMATION
The Fund’s portfolio holdings are publicly available: (1) at the
time such information is filed with the SEC in a publicly available filing; or (2) the day next following the day such information is
posted on the Fund’s website. The Fund’s publicly available portfolio holdings, which may be provided to third parties without
prior approval, are:
(1)
Complete portfolio holdings
disclosed in the Fund’s semi-annual or annual reports and filed with the SEC on Form N-CSR.
(2)
Complete portfolio holdings disclosed
in the Fund’s first and third fiscal quarter reports that are filed with the SEC on Form N-PORT.
Non-Public Portfolio Holdings
Disclosure of the Fund’s non-public portfolio holdings provides
the recipient with information more current than the most recent publicly available portfolio holdings. Pursuant to the Fund’s
policies and procedures, the disclosure of non- public portfolio holdings may be considered permissible and within the Fund’s legitimate
business purposes with respect to: (1) certain service providers; (2) rating and ranking organizations; and (3) certain other recipients.
These policies and procedures must be followed when disclosing the Fund’s portfolio holdings to any party when such disclosure
would provide information more current than the Fund’s most recent publicly available portfolio holdings. In addition, neither
the Fund, the Adviser nor any other party is permitted to receive compensation or other consideration from or on behalf of the recipient
in connection with disclosure to the recipient of the Fund’s non-public portfolio holdings.
Service Providers. A
service provider or other third party that receives information about the Fund’s non-public portfolio holdings where necessary
to enable the provider to perform its contractual services for the Fund (e.g., Adviser, auditors,
custodian, administrator, sub-administrator, transfer agent, counsel to the Fund or the independent trustees, pricing services, broker-dealer,
financial printers or proxy voting services) may receive non-public portfolio holdings without limitation on the condition that the non-public
portfolio holdings will be used solely for the purpose of servicing the Fund and subject to, either by written agreement or by virtue
of their duties to the Fund, a duty of confidentiality and a duty not to use the information for trading. In addition, information may
be disclosed to the Fund’s pricing services, ICE Data Services and Bloomberg L.P., and the Fund’s financial printers, Toppan
Merrill and RR Donnelley Financial Solutions.
Rating And Ranking
Organizations. Any Fund officer may provide the Fund’s non-public portfolio holdings to a rating and ranking organization,
without limitation on the condition that the non-public portfolio holdings will be used solely for the purposes of developing a rating
and subject to an agreement requiring confidentiality and prohibiting the use of the information for trading. The Fund currently has ongoing
arrangements with Lipper and Morningstar by which their third parties receive portfolio holdings information routinely.
Other Recipients. Requests
for information concerning portfolio holdings that cannot be answered via the disclosures: annual and semi-annual reports, and not already
disclosed in the public domain as required through filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, must first be submitted for consideration
to the Fund’s Chief Compliance Officer. The recipient is required to sign a confidentiality agreement that provides that the non-public
portfolio holdings: (1) will be kept confidential; (2) may not be used to trade; and (3) may not be disseminated or used for any purpose
other than the purpose approved by the Fund’s Chief Compliance Officer. If the Fund’s Chief Compliance Officer concludes
that disclosing the information serves a legitimate business purpose and is in the best interests of shareholders, such conclusions will
be documented in writing. A written response containing the requested information will then be prepared and approved by the Fund’s
Chief Compliance Officer. The Fund’s Chief Compliance Officer will report such disclosures to the Fund’s Board at the next
scheduled board meeting.
Media. Non-public
portfolio holdings may not be disclosed to members of the media.
Waivers Of Restrictions. The
Fund’s policy may not be waived, or exceptions made, without the consent of the Fund’s Chief Compliance Officer. All waivers
and exceptions will be disclosed to the Fund’s Board no later than its next regularly scheduled quarterly meeting.
Conflicts Of Interest. If
the disclosure of non-public portfolio holdings presents a conflict of interest between the interests of the Fund’s shareholders
and the interests of the Fund’s service providers or other third parties or affiliates thereof, then the conflict of interest will
be presented to the Board for review prior to the dissemination of the portfolio holdings information.
Board Review. As
part of the annual review of the compliance policies and procedures of the Fund, the Chief Compliance Officer will discuss the operation
and effectiveness of this Policy and any changes to the Policy that have been made or recommended with the Board.
TRUSTEES AND OFFICERS
The Trust’s Board is responsible for establishing the Fund’s
policies and for overseeing the management of the Fund. The Board also elects the Trust’s officers who conduct the daily business
of the Fund. Information pertaining to the Trustees and executive officers of the Fund is set forth below.
Name, Position(s) Address (1)
and Year of Birth |
|
|
Term of Office and Length of Time Served (2)
|
|
|
Number of Funds in Fund Complex Overseen by Trustee (3)
|
|
|
Principal Occupation(s) During Past Five Years
|
|
|
Other Directorships Held by Trustee During Past Five Years (4)
|
|
INDEPENDENT
TRUSTEES (5) |
|
Name, Position(s) Address (1)
and Year of Birth |
|
|
Term of Office and Length of Time Served (2)
|
|
|
Number of Funds in Fund Complex Overseen by Trustee (3)
|
|
|
Principal Occupation(s) During Past Five Years
|
|
|
Other Directorships Held by Trustee During Past Five Years (4)
|
|
Edward A. Kuczmarski
Trustee and Independent Chair of the Board, Member of the Audit Committee, Member of the Nominating and Compensation Committee Born:
1949 |
|
|
Since 2011 |
|
|
9 |
|
|
Retired. |
|
|
Director/Trustee of several
investment companies advised by PSG (2011 – Present). |
|
William H. Wright II
Trustee, Chair of the Audit Committee, Member of the Nominating and Compensation Committee
Born: 1960 |
|
|
Since 2020 |
|
|
9 |
|
|
Retired. |
|
|
Director/Trustee of several
investment companies advised by PSG (2020 – Present); Director of Alcentra Capital Corporation (1940 Act BDC) (2018 – 2019);
Advisory Director of Virtus Global Dividend & Income Fund, Virtus Global Multi-Sector Income Fund, Virtus Total Return Fund and Duff
& Phelps Select Energy MLP Fund (2013 – 2019); Director of the Carlyle Group, TCG BDC I, Inc. and TCG BDC II, Inc. and Carlyle
Secured Lending III (2021 – Present). |
|
Stuart A. McFarland Trustee, Member
of the Audit Committee, Member of the Nominating and Compensation Committee Born: 1947 |
|
|
Since 2013 |
|
|
9 |
|
|
Managing Partner of Federal City Capital Advisors
(1997 – 2021). |
|
|
Director/Trustee of several investment companies
advised by PSG (2006 – Present); Director of Drive Shack Inc. (formerly, New Castle Investment Corp.) (2002 – Present);
Lead Independent Director of New America High Income Fund (2013 – Present); Director of New Senior Investment Group, Inc. (2014
– 2021); Director of Steward Partners (2017 – 2021). |
|
Heather S. Goldman Trustee Member
of the Audit Committee, Chair of the Nominating and Compensation Committee Born: 1967 |
|
|
Since 2013 |
|
|
9 |
|
|
CFO of My Flex Inc., an EQBR company (2022
– Present). |
|
|
Director/Trustee of several investment companies
advised by PSG (2013 – Present); CEO Board Director of Gesher USA (2015 – Present); Trustee of Nevada Museum of Art (2016
– 2018); Co-founder, CEO and Chair of Capstak, Inc. (2014 – 2018); Member of the Honorary Board of University Settlement
House (2014 – Present). |
|
(1)
Address: Brookfield Place, 250 Vesey
Street, 15th Floor, New York, New York, 10281-1023, unless otherwise
noted.
(2)
Each Trustee will hold office
for an indefinite term until the earliest of (i) the next meeting of shareholders if any, called for the purpose of considering
the election or re-election of such Trustee and until the election and qualification of his or her successor, if any, elected at such
meeting, or (ii) the date a Trustee resigns or retires, or a Trustee is removed by the Board or shareholders, in accordance with
the Trust’s By-Laws and Amended and Restated Agreement and Declaration of Trust. Each officer will hold office for an indefinite
term or until the date he or she resigns or retires or until his or her successor is elected and qualified.
(3)
The Fund Complex is comprised
of the Brookfield Investment Funds (six series of underlying portfolios), Brookfield Real Assets Income Fund Inc., Center Coast Brookfield
MLP & Energy Infrastructure Fund and Oaktree Diversified Income Fund Inc.
(4)
This column includes directorships
of companies required to report to the SEC under the 1934 Act, (i.e., public companies) or other
investment companies registered under the 1940 Act.
(5)
Trustees who are not considered to be “interested persons”
of the Trust, as defined in the 1940 Act, are considered to be “Independent Trustees.”
Name, Position(s) Address (1)
and Year of Birth |
|
|
Term of Office and Length of Time Served (2)
|
|
|
Number of Funds in Fund Complex Overseen by Trustee (3)
|
|
|
Principal Occupation(s) During Past Five Years
|
|
|
Other Directorships Held by Trustee During Past Five Years (4)
|
|
INTERESTED TRUSTEE/OFFICERS (5) |
|
David W. Levi Trustee Born:
1971 |
|
|
Since 2017 |
|
|
9 |
|
|
Chief Executive Officer
(“CEO”) of PSG (2019 – Present); Head of Brookfield Oaktree Wealth Solutions (2021 – Present); President of
PSG (2016 – 2019); Managing Partner of Brookfield (2015 – Present). |
|
|
Director/Trustee of several
investment companies advised by PSG (2017 – Present). |
|
Brian F. Hurley President Born:
1977 |
|
|
Since 2014 |
|
|
N/A |
|
|
President of several investment
companies advised by PSG (2014 – Present); Managing Director (2014 – Present); and General Counsel (2017 – Present)
of the PSG; Managing Partner of Brookfield (2016 – Present); Director of Brookfield Soundvest Capital Management (2015 –
2018). |
|
|
N/A |
|
Casey P. Tushaus Treasurer Born: 1982 |
|
|
Since 2016 |
|
|
N/A |
|
|
Treasurer of several investment
companies advised by PSG (2021 – Present); Assistant Treasurer of several investment companies advised by PSG (2016 – 2021);
Director of the Adviser (2021 – Present); Vice President of the Adviser (2014 – 2021). |
|
|
N/A |
|
Craig A. Ruckman Secretary Born:
1977 |
|
|
Since 2022 (6)
|
|
|
N/A |
|
|
Secretary of several investment
companies advised by PSG (November 2022 – Present); Managing Director of the Adviser (October 2022 – Present); Director
of Allianz Global Investors U.S. Holdings LLC (2016 – 2022); Assistant Secretary of 63 funds in the Allianz Global Investors Fund
Complex (2017 – 2020); and Chief Legal Officer of Allianz Global Investors Distributors LLC (2019 – 2022). |
|
|
N/A |
|
Adam R. Sachs Chief Compliance
Officer (“CCO”) Born: 1984 |
|
|
Since 2017 |
|
|
N/A |
|
|
CCO of several investment
companies advised by PSG (2017 – Present); Director of the Adviser (2017 – Present); CCO of Brookfield Public Securities
Group (Canada) Inc. (2017 – Present). |
|
|
N/A |
|
Mohamed S. Rasul Assistant Treasurer Born: 1981
|
|
|
Since 2016 |
|
|
N/A |
|
|
Assistant Treasurer of
several investment companies advised by PSG (2016 – Present); Vice President of PSG (2019 – Present); Assistant Vice President
of the Adviser (2014 – 2019). |
|
|
N/A |
|
(1)
Address: Brookfield Place, 250
Vesey Street, 15th Floor, New York, New York, 10281-1023, unless
otherwise noted.
(2)
Mr. Levi will hold office as Trustee for an indefinite term until the
earliest of (i) the next meeting of shareholders if any, called for the purpose of considering the election or re-election of
Mr. Levi and until the election and qualification of his successor, if any, elected at such meeting, or (ii) the date Mr. Levi resigns
or retires, or is removed by the Board or shareholders, in accordance with the Trust’s By-Laws and Declaration of Trust. Each officer
will hold office for an indefinite term or until the date he or she resigns or retires or until his or her successor is elected and qualified.
(3)
The Fund Complex is comprised
of the Brookfield Investment Funds (six series of underlying portfolios), Brookfield Real Assets Income Fund Inc., Center Coast Brookfield
MLP & Energy Infrastructure Fund and Oaktree Diversified Income Fund Inc.
(4)
This column includes directorships
of companies required to report to the SEC under the 1934 Act, (i.e., public companies) or other
investment companies registered under the 1940 Act.
(5)
Trustees who are not considered
to be “interested persons” of the Trust, as defined in the 1940 Act, are considered to be “Independent Trustees.”
?
(6)
Mr. Craig A.
Ruckman was appointed by the Board as the Secretary of the Fund on November 17, 2022.
Additional Information Concerning Our Board of Trustees
The Role of the Board
The business and affairs of the Fund are managed under the direction of
the Board. The Board provides oversight of the management and operations of the Trust. As is the case with virtually all investment companies
(as distinguished from operating companies), the day-to-day management and operation of the Trust is the responsibility of various service
providers to the Trust, such as the Trust’s investment adviser and administrator, the sub-administrator, custodian and transfer
agent, each of whom are discussed in greater detail in this SAI. The Board approves all significant agreements between the Trust and its
service providers. The Board has appointed senior employees of the Adviser as officers of the Trust, with responsibility to monitor and
report to the Board on the Trust’s day-to-day operations. In conducting this oversight, the Board receives regular reports from
these officers and service providers regarding the Trust’s operations. The Board has elected a Chief Compliance Officer who administers
the Trust’s compliance program and regularly reports to the Board as to compliance matters. Some of these reports are provided
as part of formal “Board meetings” which typically are held quarterly, in person, and involve the Board’s review
of recent Trust operations. From time to time, one or more members of the Board may also meet with management in less formal settings,
between scheduled “Board meetings,” to discuss various topics. In all cases, however, the role of the Board and of any individual
Trustee is one of oversight and not of management of the day-to-day affairs of the Trust and its oversight role does not make the Board
a guarantor of the Trust’s investments, operations or activities.
Board Leadership Structure
The Board has structured itself in a manner that it believes allows it
to effectively perform its oversight function. It has established three standing committees, an Audit Committee, a Nominating and Compensation
Committee, and a Qualified Legal Compliance Committee (the “QLCC”) (collectively, the “Committees”), which
are discussed in greater detail below. Currently, four of the five members of the Board, including the Chairman of the Board, are Independent
Trustees, which are Trustees that are not affiliated with the Adviser or its affiliates, and each of the Audit Committee, Nominating and
Compensation Committee and QLCC are comprised entirely of Independent Trustees. Each of the Independent Trustees helps identify matters
for consideration by the Board and the Chairman of the Board has an active role in the agenda setting process for Board meetings. The
Audit Committee Chairman also has an active role in the agenda setting process for the Audit Committee meetings. The Trust has adopted
Fund Governance Policies and Procedures to ensure that the Board is properly constituted in accordance with the 1940 Act and to set
forth examples of certain of the significant matters for consideration by the Board and/or its Committees in order to facilitate the Board’s
oversight function.
The Board has determined that its leadership structure is appropriate.
In addition, the Board also has determined that the structure, function and composition of the Committees are appropriate means to provide
effective oversight. The Independent Trustees have engaged their own independent counsel to advise them on matters relating to their responsibilities
to the Trust.
Board Oversight of Risk Management
As part of its oversight function, the Board receives and reviews various
risk management reports and assessments and discusses these matters with appropriate management and other personnel of the Adviser. Because
risk management is a broad concept comprised of many elements, Board oversight of different types of risks is handled in different ways.
For example, the full Board receives and reviews reports from senior personnel of the Adviser (including senior compliance, financial
reporting and investment personnel) or their affiliates regarding various types of risks, including, but not limited to,
operational, compliance, investment, and business continuity risks, and how they are
being managed. From time to time, the full Board meets with the Trust’s Chief Compliance Officer to discuss compliance risks relating
to the Fund, the Adviser and the Trust’s other service providers. The Audit Committee supports the Board’s oversight of
risk management in a variety of ways, including meeting regularly with the Trust’s Treasurer and with the Trust’s independent
registered public accounting firm and, when appropriate, with other personnel employed by the Adviser to discuss, among other things,
the internal control structure of the Trust’s financial reporting function and compliance with the requirements of the Sarbanes-Oxley
Act of 2002. The Audit Committee also meets regularly with the Trust’s Chief Compliance Officer to discuss compliance and operational
risks and receives reports from the Adviser’s internal audit group as to these and other matters.
Information about Each Trustee’s Qualification,
Experience, Attributes or Skills
The Board believes that each of the Trustees has the qualifications,
experience, attributes and skills (“Trustee Attributes”) appropriate to serve as a Trustee of the Trust in light of the
Trust’s business and structure. Certain of these business and professional experiences are set forth in detail in the table above.
The Trustees have substantial board experience or other professional experience and have demonstrated a commitment to discharging their
oversight responsibilities as Trustees. The Board, with the assistance of the Nominating and Compensation Committee, annually conducts
a “self-assessment” wherein the performance of the Board and the effectiveness of the Board and the Committees are reviewed.
In addition to the information provided in the table above, below is certain
additional information regarding each particular Trustee and certain of their Trustee Attributes. The information provided below, and
in the table above, is not all-inclusive. Many Trustee Attributes involve intangible elements, such as intelligence, integrity, work ethic,
the ability to work together, the ability to communicate effectively, the ability to exercise judgment, the ability to ask incisive questions,
and commitment to shareholder interests. In conducting its self-assessment, the Board has determined that the Trustees have the appropriate
attributes and experience to serve effectively as Trustees of the Trust.
Edward
A. Kuczmarski. Mr. Kuczmarski has financial accounting experience as a Certified Public Accountant. He also has served on
the board of directors/trustees for several other investment management companies. In having served on these boards, Mr. Kuczmarski has
come to understand and appreciate the role of a director/trustee and has been exposed to many of the challenges facing a board and the
appropriate ways of dealing with those challenges. Mr. Kuczmarski serves as Chair of the Board of Trustees, and is a member of the Nominating
and Compensation Committee and the Audit Committee.
Heather
S. Goldman. Ms. Goldman has extensive experience in executive leadership, business development and marketing of investment
vehicles similar to those managed by the Adviser. Ms. Goldman is a capital markets financial services and tech executive, who over a twenty-plus
year career has worked in a senior capacity across a diverse array of firms in the private equity, investment management and commercial
banking industries. She is currently CFO of My Flex, Inc., an EQBR company, a technology provider of Web 3.0 commercial solutions for
enterprise. Ms. Goldman previously served as head of global marketing for the Adviser, and as such has extensive knowledge of the Adviser,
its operations and personnel. She also has experience working in other roles for the parent company of the Adviser. Prior to working with
the Adviser, and for nearly five years, she acted as CEO and Chairman, co-founding and managing Capital Thinking, a financial services
risk-management technology company in New York. Ms. Goldman is a member of the Audit Committee and is Chair of the Nominating and Compensation
Committee.
Stuart A. McFarland.
Mr. McFarland has extensive experience in executive leadership, business development and operations, corporate restructuring and corporate
finance. He previously served in senior executive management roles in the private sector, including serving as the Executive Vice President
and Chief Financial Officer of Fannie Mae and as the Executive Vice President and General Manager of GE Capital Mortgage Services, Corp.
Mr. McFarland currently serves on the board of directors/trustees for various other investment management companies and non-profit entities,
and was the Managing Partner of Federal City Capital Advisors. Mr. McFarland is a member of the Audit Committee and the Nominating and
Compensation Committee.
William
H. Wright II. Mr. Wright has extensive experience in executive leadership, investment banking and corporate finance. He
previously served as a Managing Director of Morgan Stanley until his retirement in 2010, having joined the firm in 1982. During his career
in investment banking at Morgan Stanley, Mr. Wright headed the corporate finance execution group where he was responsible for leading
and coordinating teams in the execution of complex equity offerings for multinational corporations. Following his career in investment
banking, Mr. Wright served on the board of directors/trustees for various other investment management companies and non-profit
entities. Mr. Wright serves as Chair of the Audit Committee and is a member of the Nominating and Compensation Committee.
David W. Levi. David
Levi is a Managing Partner at Brookfield, Head of Brookfield Oaktree Wealth Solutions and Chief Executive Officer of Brookfield’s
Public Securities Group. He has over 27 years of industry experience in asset management. Mr. Levi’s background includes extensive
strategy-related, client-facing and business development experience globally within both the institutional and high net worth markets.
Prior to joining the firm in 2014, Mr. Levi was Managing Director and Head of Global Business Development at Nuveen Investments, after
holding similar positions at AllianceBernstein Investments and Legg Mason and senior strategy roles within J.P. Morgan Asset Management.
Mr. Levi was a Fellow of the 2019 class of the Aspen Finance Leaders Fellowship, is a member of the Aspen Global Leadership Network, and
holds the Chartered Financial Analyst® designation. He earned
a Master of Business Administration degree from Columbia University and a Bachelor of Arts degree from Hamilton College. His position
of responsibility at the Adviser, in addition to his knowledge of the firm and experience in financial services, has been determined to
be valuable to the Board in its oversight of the Fund.
Board Committees
The Trust has established the following three standing committees and
the membership of each committee to assist in its oversight functions, including its oversight of the risks the Trust faces: the Audit
Committee, the QLCC, and the Nominating and Compensation Committee. There is no assurance, however, that the Board’s committee
structure will prevent or mitigate risks in actual practice.
The Trust’s committee structure is specifically not intended or
designed to prevent or mitigate the Fund’s investment risks. The Fund is designed for investors that are prepared to accept investment
risk, including the possibility that as yet unforeseen risks may emerge in the future.
The Audit Committee is comprised of Messrs. Wright,
Kuczmarski, and McFarland and Ms. Goldman. It does not include any interested Trustees. The Audit Committee meets regularly with respect
to the various series of the Trust. The function of the Audit Committee, with respect to the Fund, is to review the scope and results
of the audit and any matters bearing on the audit or the Fund’s financial statements and to ensure the integrity of the Fund’s
pricing and financial reporting. During the fiscal year ended December 31, 2022, the Audit Committee met four times.
The Audit Committee also serves as the QLCC for
the Trust for the purpose of compliance with Rules 205.2(k) and 205.3(c) of the Code of Federal Regulations, regarding alternative reporting
procedures for attorneys retained or employed by an issuer who appear and practice before the SEC on behalf of the issuer (the “issuer
attorneys”). An issuer’s attorney who becomes aware of evidence of a material violation by the Trust, or by any officer,
director, employee, or agent of the Trust, may report evidence of such material violation to the QLCC as an alternative to the reporting
requirements of Rule 205.3(b) (which requires reporting to the chief legal officer and potentially “up the ladder” to other
entities). The QLCC meets as needed, and did not meet during the fiscal year ended December 31, 2022.
The Nominating and Compensation Committee is comprised
of Ms. Goldman and Messrs. Kuczmarski, McFarland and Wright. The Nominating and Compensation Committee is responsible for seeking and
reviewing candidates for consideration as nominees for Trustees, as is considered necessary from time to time and meets only as necessary.
The Declaration of Trust (as defined below) does not permit shareholders to nominate persons for election as Trustees. During the fiscal
year ended December 31, 2022, the Nominating and Compensation Committee met four times.
Trustee Ownership of Fund Shares and Other Interests
Set forth in the table below is the dollar range of
equity securities in the Fund beneficially owned by each Trustee and the aggregate dollar range of equity securities in the Fund Complex
( as defined below) beneficially owned by each Trustee as of December 31, 2022.
Name of Trustee |
|
|
|
|
|
Aggregate Range of Equity Securities Held in the Fund (1)
|
|
|
Aggregate Dollar Range of Equity Securities Held in Fund Complex (1) (2)
|
|
INTERESTED TRUSTEE: |
|
|
David Levi |
|
|
|
|
|
A |
|
|
A |
|
INDEPENDENT TRUSTEES: |
|
|
Edward A. Kuczmarski |
|
|
|
|
|
A |
|
|
E |
|
Stuart A. McFarland |
|
|
|
|
|
A |
|
|
E |
|
Heather S. Goldman |
|
|
|
|
|
A |
|
|
C |
|
William H. Wright II |
|
|
|
|
|
A |
|
|
A |
|
(1)
Key to Dollar Ranges. A. None B.
$1 – $10,000 C. $10,001 – $50,000 D. $50,001 – $100,000 E. Over $100,000
?
(2)
The aggregate dollar range of equity securities
owned by each Trustee of all funds overseen by each Trustee in each of Brookfield’s and Oaktree’s family of investment companies
(the “Fund Complex”) as of December 31, 2022. The Fund Complex is currently comprised of the Brookfield Investment
Funds (six series of underlying portfolios), Brookfield Real Assets Income Fund Inc., Center Coast Brookfield MLP & Energy Infrastructure
Fund and Oaktree Diversified Income Fund Inc.
As of December 31, 2022, none of the Independent Trustees
nor members of their immediate families own securities beneficially or of record in the Adviser, the Distributor, as defined below, or
any affiliate of the Adviser or the Distributor. Accordingly, neither the Independent Trustees nor members of their immediate families,
have direct or indirect interests, the value of which exceeds $120,000, in the Adviser, the Distributor or any of their respective affiliates.
In addition, during the two most recently completed calendar years, neither the Independent Trustees nor members of their immediate families
have conducted any transactions (or series of transactions) in which the amount involved exceeds $120,000 and to which the Adviser, the
Distributor or any affiliate thereof was a party.
Trustee and Officer Compensation
No remuneration is paid by the Fund to persons who
are directors, officers or employees of the Adviser or any affiliate thereof for their services as Trustees or officers of such Fund.
Set forth below is the compensation received by the Independent Trustees from the Fund Complex as of the fiscal year ended December 31,
2022. For the fiscal year ended December 31, 2022, the aggregate annual retainer paid to each Independent Trustee of the Board for the
Fund Complex was $205,000. Effective January 1, 2023, the aggregate annual retainer paid to each Independent Trustee of the Board for
the Fund Complex is $225,000. The Independent Chair of the Trust receives an additional payment of $45,000 per year. The Chair
of the Audit Committee receives an additional payment of $40,000 per year. The Chair of the Nominating & Compensation Committee receives
an additional payment of $10,000 per year. The Independent Trustees also receive reimbursement from the Trust for expenses incurred in
connection with attendance at regular meetings. The Trust does not have a pension or retirement plan. No other entity affiliated with
the Trust pays any compensation to the Trustees.
COMPENSATION TABLE
Name of Person and Position |
|
|
Compensation from the Fund
|
|
|
Total Compensation from the Fund and Fund Complex (1)
|
|
Interested Trustee |
|
David Levi |
|
|
N/A |
|
|
N/A(9) |
|
Independent Trustees |
|
Edward A. Kuczmarski |
|
|
$7,271 |
|
|
$235,000(9) |
|
William H. Wright II |
|
|
$7,271 |
|
|
$235,000(9) |
|
Stuart A. McFarland |
|
|
$6,342 |
|
|
$205,000(9) |
|
Heather S. Goldman |
|
|
$6,614 |
|
|
$213,482(9) |
|
?
(1)
The parenthetical
number represents the number of investment companies (including the Fund) or portfolios thereof from which such person receives compensation
and which are considered part of the Fund Complex.
CODE OF ETHICS
The Trust, its Adviser and Distributor have adopted codes of ethics (the
“Codes of Ethics”) under Rule 17j-1 of the 1940 Act. The Codes of Ethics permit personnel, subject to the Codes of
Ethics and their restrictive provisions, to invest in securities, including securities that may be purchased or held by the Trust.
PROXY VOTING POLICIES
Clients often grant Oaktree the authority to vote proxies on their behalf.
Proxy statements increasingly contain controversial issues involving shareholder rights and corporate governance, among others, which
deserve careful review and consideration. Oaktree has adopted and implemented policies and procedures that are reasonably designed to
ensure that proxies are voted in the best interest of investors and clients, in accordance with our fiduciary duties and SEC Rule 206(4)-6
under the Advisers Act. Our authority to vote the proxies of our clients is established by the investment management agreements or similar
documents.
Oaktree maintains written proxy voting guidelines, which are amended
as necessary. The proxy voting guidelines address a broad range of issues, including the selection of directors, executive compensation,
proxy contests and tender offer defenses. We generally vote in the manner as noted within the guidelines, unless a different vote is deemed
prudent under
the specific circumstances, taking into consideration the contractual obligations under
any investment management agreement, or other comparable document, and all other relevant facts and circumstances at the time of the vote.
It is our policy to perform a detailed review of each proxy statement when considering the voting recommendations of the guidelines.
DELEGATION OF VOTING RESPONSIBILITY AND ACCOUNT SET UP
It is the responsibility of the Legal personnel who prepares or reviews
an investment management agreement, or other comparable document, to ensure that such agreement, prior to, or at the time of execution,
assigns responsibility of voting proxies, whether it be retained by the client or delegated to Oaktree.
There may be certain instances in which Oaktree’s authority to vote
proxies may be limited and as such the proxy voting guidelines may not be followed or a vote may not be placed. Such occasions may include,
but are not limited to, when (i) the client has mandated that Oaktree vote in accordance with their proxy voting guidelines; or (ii) the
client has chosen to participate in a securities lending program which may result in voting authority being lost if a particular security
is out on loan on the record date. In the case where a Separate Account client has requested that Oaktree vote proxies in accordance with
their guidelines, the Legal personnel reviewing the investment management agreement shall ensure that such guidelines are received from
the client prior to funding of the account.
Additionally, Oaktree may in its discretion, under certain limited facts
and circumstances, abstain from voting proxies on behalf of its clients. Such facts and circumstances are documented and maintained as
evidence for abstaining from the proxy vote.
Upon receipt of an investment management agreement,
or other comparable document, the Compliance department sends the appropriate proxy voting provisions to the Corporate Actions department.
The Corporate Actions department is responsible for preparing the Proxy Account Guidelines Matrix which details the voting responsibility
for each Separate Account/Oaktree-Managed Fund and any other relevant details. The Corporate Actions department ensures that, for those
Separate Accounts/Oaktree-Managed Funds for which Oaktree has been delegated voting authority, contact is made with the appropriate custodian
bank and/or benefit plan trustee in order to receive proxy statements.
Note that Oaktree is not always delegated voting authority with respect
to the registered investment companies with which it maintains a subadvisory relationship. This is stipulated in a provision regarding
proxy voting in the investment management agreements between Oaktree and the investment adviser for each such registered investment company.
VOTING PROCEDURES
Determination of Vote
Proxies are generally considered by the investment professional responsible
for monitoring the security being voted. The Corporate Actions personnel responsible for proxies (with the exception of the Emerging Markets
and Japan Opportunities investment strategies, which handle the proxies relating to their investments) deliver to such investment professional
the proxy statement, the proxy voting guidelines and the Proxy Voting Form. The Proxy Voting Form serve as Oaktree’s record of
the following information:
?
(1)
whether
the investment was held as a passive investment or considered a significant holding;
?
(2)
whether any material conflict of interest
existed in connectionwith the vote (see further discussion below for description of the procedures
to be followed in the instance of such occurrence);
?
(3)
documentation
of the vote for each proposal, including any additional document created or utilized, if any, that was material to arriving
at such a determination; and
?
(4)
documentation
of the basis and rationale of the vote when the proxy voting guidelines were not followed, including the reasons why such guidelines were
not used.
Once the investment professional has completed his or her analysis, documented
the vote, the basis for such vote and signed the form, it should be forwarded to designated Compliance personnel for review. Such personnel
ensures that all required documentation has been included, the vote is in accordance with the proxy voting guidelines, or if not, documentation
supporting such exception has been created. The information is then taken to a Legal or Compliance Officer for a final review, which is
evidenced in the proxy documentation.
Corporate Actions personnel (with the exception of the Emerging Markets
and Japan Opportunities investment strategies, which handle the proxies relating to their investment strategies) then takes the recommended
vote from the Proxy Voting Form and submit/transmit such vote(s) online unless the securities are held in physical form. If they are held
in physical form,
the custodian banks will provide the physical proxy ballots to Oaktree for approval and
election. Oaktree will then forward the completed proxy ballots to the agent by mail in a timely manner. Copies of all such documents
must be maintained to evidence submission of each proxy vote (see discussion under record-keeping below for additional guidance).
The Emerging Markets and Japan Opportunities investment strategies follow
a similar process in which proxies are processed by the relevant Operations personnel supporting these strategies and forwarded to the
investment professional within each respective investment strategy for consideration. Once the investment professional has completed his
or her analysis, documented the vote, the rationale for such vote, and completed the Proxy Voting Form and received approval as necessary,
the documentation is forwarded to designated Compliance personnel for review and approval. Once approval is received, the relevant Operations
personnel then takes the recommended vote from the approved Proxy Voting Form and submit/transmit such vote(s) online.
Oaktree endeavors, on a best efforts basis, to vote all proxies for which
it has proxy voting authority in accordance with the applicable deadlines. Nevertheless, from time to time, proxies may not be voted or
are not voted in a timely manner due to various factors, for example receiving proxy notices late or after the cut-off time for voting,
not receiving sufficient information regarding proxy matters or certain custodian policies and restrictions.
Conflicts of Interest
Occasions may arise where a person or organization
involved in the proxy voting process may have a conflict of interest. A conflict of interest may exist, for example, if Oaktree has a
business relationship with (or is actively soliciting business from) either the company soliciting the proxy, a third party that has a
material interest in the outcome of a proxy vote or that is actively lobbying for a particular outcome of a proxy vote. Any person with
knowledge of a personal conflict of interest (e.g. familial relationship with company management)
regarding a particular proxy vote must notify Legal or Compliance personnel.
The Legal and Compliance department review such circumstances to determine
if a material conflict exists and address any such conflict by: (i) identifying the potential material conflict of interest on the proxy
voting form; and (ii) implementing appropriate procedures to address such material conflict of interest. Such procedures may include:
(i) having the investment professional remove him or herself from the voting process to be replaced with another research analyst not
directly involved; (ii) disclose the conflict to the client and obtain their consent prior to voting; or (iii) a determination that the
conflict is not material as neither Oaktree nor an Oaktree-Managed Fund or Separate Account owns more than 5% of the outstanding class
of securities subject to the vote.
TRACKING PROCEDURES
The Corporate Actions or Trade Support/Operations personnel in each investment
strategy in charge of proxies have been delegated the responsibility of communicating with each Separate Accounts’/Oaktree-Managed
Funds’ custodian bank, prime broker and/or benefit plan trustee to ensure that all proxies are received and for the correct amount
of holdings. In addition, such personnel are responsible for ensuring that proxies are responded to in a timely manner and for transmitting
appropriate voting instructions to the correct party. Information is documented on a Proxy Tracking Form as follows:
?
(1)
Matching
proxies received with stock holdings on the record date as indicated on the proxy card to internal holding reports;
(2)
Documenting reasons as to why proxies were not received for any stock holdings; and
?
(3)
Recording the dates on
which votes were submitted for each Separate Account/Oaktree-Managed Fund.
In addition to the above, Compliance personnel confirms whether the shares
subject to the proxy are held by more than one investment strategy. If the position is cross held, Compliance personnel may instruct coordination
of the vote between the various investment strategies where the combined position is material (more than 5% of the outstanding class of
securities subject to the vote). The ultimate decision to coordinate voting requires an evaluation of the relevant facts and circumstances
with the relevant portfolio managers and Legal personnel.
DISCLOSURE TO CLIENTS
Oaktree clients that request additional information regarding our proxy
voting policies and procedures, or details on how we have voted specific proxies, can forward their written requests to the attention
of the Chief Compliance Officer at Oaktree Capital Management, L.P., 333 South Grand Avenue, Los Angeles, California, 90071, or via facsimile
at (213) 830-6296. Disclosure of this option to clients is made through our Form ADV Part 2A. It is Oaktree’s policy not to release
proxy voting information to third parties.
In the event a request is received, the Compliance department will forward such requests
from clients to the appropriate Corporate Actions personnel or Trade Support/Operations personnel in charge of proxies to facilitate and
maintain the requested information.
RECORDKEEPING
Documentation that Oaktree has voted all proxies for Separate Accounts/Oaktree-Managed
Funds for which it has proxy voting authority is maintained by the Corporate Actions or Trade Support/Operations personnel responsible
for proxies. Such documentation includes for each proxy voted:
(1)
The proxy statement;
(2)
Proxy Voting Form indicating voting response, the basis and rationale for such vote, and any
documentation or materials used in determining the vote;
(3)
Proxy Tracking Form indicating
Separate Accounts/Oaktree-Managed Funds’ names, shares owned on record date, date voted, method of voting; and if Oaktree did not
vote for a particular Separate Account/Oaktree-Managed Fund the reasons behind such action; and
?
(4)
List of client requests
for proxy voting information.
CONTROL PERSONS AND PRINCIPAL SHAREHOLDERS
A principal shareholder is any person who owns of record or beneficially
5% or more of any class of the outstanding shares of the Fund. A control person is one who owns beneficially or through controlled companies
more than 25% of the voting securities of a company or acknowledges the existence of control. Shareholders with a controlling interest
could affect the outcome of voting or the direction of management of the Fund.
As of March 31, 2023, the officers and Trustees, as
a group, did not own any shares (aggregating all classes) of the Fund.
As of March 31, 2023, the following persons were known
to own of record or beneficially 25% or more of the outstanding shares of the indicated Funds:
Oaktree Emerging Markets Equity Fund
Name and Address |
|
|
% of Shares
|
|
|
Parent Company
|
|
|
Jurisdiction
|
|
|
Nature of Ownership(1)
|
|
National Financial Services LLC
499 Washington Blvd Jersey City, NJ 07310 |
|
|
47.46% |
|
|
Wells Fargo & Co. |
|
|
DE |
|
|
Record |
|
Charles Schwab & Co Inc
211 Main St San Francisco, CA 94105 |
|
|
28.30% |
|
|
Charles Schwab & Co Inc |
|
|
DE |
|
|
Record |
|
As of March 31, 2023, the following persons
were known to own of record or beneficially 5% or more of the outstanding shares of the share class and Fund indicated:
Class A
Name and Address |
|
|
% of Shares |
|
|
Nature of Ownership(1)
|
|
National Financial Services LLC Attn Mutual Funds Dept, 4th Floor, 499 Washington Blvd
Jersey City NJ 07310 |
|
|
99.94% |
|
|
Record |
|
Class I
Name and Address |
|
|
% of Shares
|
|
|
Nature of Ownership(1)
|
|
National Financial Services LLC Attn Mutual
Funds Dept, 4th Floor, 499 Washington Blvd Jersey City NJ 07310 |
|
|
47.08% |
|
|
Record |
|
Name and Address |
|
|
% of Shares
|
|
|
Nature of Ownership(1)
|
|
Charles Schwab & Co Inc 211 Main St San Francisco,
CA 94105 |
|
|
28.51% |
|
|
Record |
|
SEI Private Trust Company One Freedom Valley Drive Oaks
PA 19456 |
|
|
12.67% |
|
|
Record |
|
Wells Fargo Clearing Services LLC 2801 Market St Saint
Louis, MO 63103 |
|
|
8.43% |
|
|
Record |
|
INVESTMENT ADVISORY AND OTHER SERVICES
Investment Adviser
Oaktree Fund Advisors, LLC (the “Adviser”),
a Delaware limited liability company and a registered investment adviser under the Investment Advisers Act of 1940, as amended, serves
as the investment advisor to the Fund. The Adviser is an affiliate of Oaktree Capital Management, L.P. (“OCM”), a leading
global investment management firm headquartered in Los Angeles, California focused on less efficient markets and alternative investments,
and is a subsidiary of Oaktree Capital Group, LLC (“OCG,” together with OCM and the Adviser, “Oaktree”). Oaktree
was formed in April 1995 and is a leading global investment management firm headquartered in Los Angeles, California, with more than 1,050
employees throughout offices in 20 cities worldwide. As of December 31, 2022, Oaktree had approximately $170 billion in assets under management.
Oaktree’s senior executives and investment professionals have focused on less efficient markets and alternative investments for
the past 37 years. Oaktree emphasizes an opportunistic, value-oriented approach to investments in distressed debt, corporate debt (including
mezzanine finance, direct lending, high yield debt and senior loans), control investing, convertible securities, real estate, listed equities
and multi-strategy solutions.
The firm’s competitive advantages include its
experienced team of investment professionals, a global platform and a unifying investment philosophy. This investment philosophy —
the six tenets of which are risk control, consistency, market inefficiency, specialization, bottom-up analysis and disavowal of market
timing — is complemented by a set of core business principles that articulate Oaktree’s commitment to excellence in investing;
commonality of interests with clients; a collaborative and cooperative culture; and a disciplined, opportunistic approach to the expansion
of offerings.
As a result of consistent application of Oaktree’s
philosophy and principles, Oaktree has earned a large and distinguished clientele. Among our clients are 69 of the 100 largest U.S. pension
plans, more than 500 corporations around the world, 39 of the 50 state retirement plans in the United States, over 300 endowments and
foundations globally, and 15 sovereign wealth funds.
The firm’s expertise in investing across the
capital structure has allowed Oaktree to cultivate a diversified mix of global investment strategies in four categories: credit, private
equity, real assets and listed equities. Importantly, the expansion of our strategies has been achieved primarily through “step-outs”
into highly related fields, based on identifying markets that (a) we believe have the potential for attractive returns, and (b) can be
exploited in a manner consistent with the firm’s philosophy focused on risk control.
In 2019, Brookfield Asset Management ULC (formerly,
Brookfield Asset Management Inc.), an unlimited liability company formed under the laws of British Columbia, Canada (“BAM ULC”)
(“Brookfield”), acquired a majority interest in Oaktree. Brookfield Corporation, a publicly traded company (NYSE: BN; TSX:
BN), holds a 75% interest in BAM ULC, while Brookfield Asset Management Ltd., a publicly traded company (NYSE: BAM; TSX: BAMA) (“Brookfield
Asset Management”), holds a 25% interest in BAM ULC. Brookfield Asset Management is a leading global alternative asset manager
focused on real estate, renewable power, infrastructure and private equity, with approximately $750 billion of assets under management
as of December 31, 2022. Together, Brookfield and Oaktree provide investors with one of the most comprehensive offerings of alternative
investment products available today. While partnering to leverage one another’s strengths, Oaktree operates as an independent business
within the Brookfield family, with its own product offerings and investment, marketing, and support teams. As of December 31, 2022, Oaktree
had approximately $5.6 billion under management.
The Adviser currently serves as the investment adviser to the Fund pursuant
to an investment advisory agreement (the “Advisory Agreement”). Pursuant to the Advisory Agreement, the Adviser furnishes
a continuous investment program for the Fund’s portfolios, makes the day-to-day investment decisions for the Fund, arranges the
portfolio transactions of the Fund, and generally manages the Fund’s investments in accordance with the stated policies of the
Fund, subject to the general supervision of the Board.
After an initial two-year term, the Advisory Agreement will continue in effect for successive
annual periods so long as such continuation is specifically approved at least annually by (i) the vote of the Board or a (ii) a vote of
a majority (as defined in the 1940 Act) of the outstanding voting securities of the Fund, provided that in either event the continuance
also is approved by a majority of the Trustees who are not “interested persons” (as defined pursuant to the 1940
Act) of the Fund, the Adviser, as applicable by vote cast in person at a meeting called for the purpose of voting on such approval. The
Advisory Agreement is terminable at any time, without payment of any penalty, by vote of the Trust’s Board of Trustees, or by a
vote of a majority (as defined in the 1940 Act) of the outstanding voting securities of the Fund, or by the Adviser, in each case on not
more than 60 days’ nor less than 30 days’ prior written notice to the other party. The Advisory Agreement will terminate
automatically in the event of its assignment (as defined in the 1940 Act).
As compensation for its advisory services and the related expenses the
Adviser bears, the Adviser is contractually entitled to an advisory fee (an “Advisory Fee”), computed daily and payable
monthly, at an annual rate set forth in the table below.
|
|
|
Annual Advisory Fee-Contractual Rate (as a percentage of average daily net assets)
|
|
Emerging Markets Fund |
|
|
|
|
0.90% |
|
|
The table below sets forth the total advisory
fees paid by the Fund to the Adviser for the most recent fiscal year ended December 31. Advisory fees waived by the Adviser were done
pursuant to an expense limitation agreement (see the “Expense Limitation Agreement” section below).
2022 |
|
|
Oaktree Emerging Markets Equity Fund |
|
Advisory Fees |
|
|
|
$ |
674,139 |
|
|
Advisory Fees Waived |
|
|
|
$ |
(395,849) |
|
|
Net Advisory Fees Paid to Adviser |
|
|
|
$ |
278,290 |
|
|
Administration Agreement
Pursuant to an administration agreement with the Fund (the “Administration
Agreement”), Brookfield Public Securities Group LLC (“PSG”) performs various administrative services to the Fund,
including, among other responsibilities, the preparation and coordination of reports and other materials to be supplied to the Board;
prepare and/or supervise the preparation and filing with the applicable regulatory authority of all securities filings, periodic financial
reports, prospectuses, statements of additional information, marketing materials, tax returns, shareholder reports and other regulatory
reports and filings required of the Fund; supervise and monitor the preparation of all required filings necessary to maintain the Fund’s
qualification and/or registration to sell shares in all states where the Fund currently does, or intends to do business; coordinate the
preparation, printing and mailing of all materials required to be sent to shareholders; coordinate the preparation and payment of Fund-related
expenses; monitor and oversee the activities of the Fund’s other service providers; review and adjust as necessary the Fund’s
daily expense accruals; monitor daily, monthly and periodic compliance with respect to the federal and state securities laws; send periodic
information (i.e., performance figures) to service organizations that track investment company
information; and perform such additional services as may be agreed upon by and among the Fund, PSG and the Adviser.
For its services under the Administration Agreement, the Administrator
does not receive any compensation. The Administrator may receive compensation for its administrative services to the Fund from the Advisor
out of its Advisory Fee.
Expense Limitation Agreement
Though the Fund is responsible for its own operating expenses, the Adviser
has contractually agreed to waive a portion or all of its fees payable to it by the Fund and/or to pay Fund operating expenses to the
extent necessary to limit the Fund’s aggregate annual operating expenses (excluding acquired fund fees and expenses, interest,
taxes and extraordinary expenses) to the limit set forth in the Annual Fund Operating Expenses table of the Prospectus. Any waivers and/or
reimbursements made by the Adviser are subject to recoupment from the Fund for a period not to exceed three years after the occurrence
of the waiver and/or reimbursement, provided that the Fund may only make repayments to the Adviser if such repayment does not cause the
Fund’s expense ratio (after the repayment is taken into account) to exceed both: (1) the expense cap in place at the time such
amounts were waived; and (2) the Fund’s current expense cap. Such recoupment may not be paid prior to the Fund’s payment
of current ordinary operating expenses.
SERVICE PROVIDERS
Sub-Administrator, Transfer Agent and Fund Accountant
Pursuant to a sub-administration agreement (the “Sub-Administration
Agreement”), U.S. Bancorp Fund Services, LLC (“USBFS” or the “Sub-Administrator”), 1201 South Alma
School Road, Suite 3000, Mesa, Arizona 85210, acts as the Sub-Administrator to the Fund. USBFS provides certain services to the Fund including,
among other responsibilities, coordinating the negotiation of contracts and fees with, and the monitoring of performance and billing of,
the Fund’s independent contractors and agents; preparation for signature by an officer of the Trust of all documents required to
be filed for compliance by the Trust and the Fund with applicable laws and regulations, excluding those of the securities laws of various
states; arranging for the computation of performance data, including NAV per share and yield; responding to shareholder inquiries; and
arranging for the maintenance of books and records of the Fund, and providing, at its own expense, office facilities, equipment and personnel
necessary to carry out its duties. In this capacity, USBFS does not have any responsibility or authority for the management of the Fund,
the determination of investment policy, or for any matter pertaining to the distribution of Fund shares.
Pursuant to a fund accounting and servicing agreement (the “Fund
Accounting Servicing Agreement”), USBFS, 615 Michigan Street, Milwaukee, Wisconsin 53202, acts as the fund accountant (the “Fund
Accountant”) for the Fund. USBFS provides certain accounting services to the Fund including, among other responsibilities, portfolio
accounting services; expense accrual and payment services; fund valuation and financial reporting services; tax accounting services; and
compliance control services.
Pursuant to the Sub-Administration Agreement and the Fund Accounting Servicing
Agreement, as compensation for its services, USBFS receives an annual fee based upon the average net assets in the Fund Complex of: 0.04%
on the first $2 billion, 0.035% on the next $2 billion, 0.03% on the next $2.5 billion and 0.02% on the remaining assets, with a minimum
annual fee for the Fund Complex of $534,000. USBFS also is entitled to certain out-of-pocket expenses. The Fund will pay its allocable
portion of all such fees directly to USBFS pursuant to an amended and restated sub-administration agreement, entered into by and among
Brookfield Public Securities Group LLC, USBFS and the Trust. USBFS also acts as transfer agent (the “Transfer Agent”) and
dividend disbursing agent under a separate agreement.
Custodian
Pursuant to a Custody Agreement between the Trust and U.S. Bank National
Association, located at 1555 North River Center Drive, Suite 302, Milwaukee, Wisconsin 53212 (the “Custodian”), the Custodian
serves as the custodian of the Fund’s assets, holds the Fund’s portfolio securities in safekeeping, and keeps all necessary
records and documents relating to its duties. The Custodian is compensated with an asset-based fee plus transaction fees and is reimbursed
for out-of-pocket expenses.
The Custodian and Sub-Administrator do not participate in decisions relating
to the purchase and sale of securities by the Fund. The Sub-Administrator, Fund Accountant, Transfer Agent, Custodian and the Fund’s
Distributor (as defined below) are affiliated entities under the common control of U.S. Bancorp. The Custodian and its affiliates may
participate in revenue sharing arrangements with the service providers of mutual funds in which the Fund may invest.
Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
Deloitte & Touche LLP, 111 South Wacker Drive, Chicago, Illinois 60606,
serves as the independent registered public accounting firm to the Trust.
Legal Counsel
Paul Hastings LLP, 200 Park Avenue, New York, New York 10166, serves as
legal counsel to the Trust.
PORTFOLIO TRANSACTIONS AND BROKERAGE
Pursuant to the Advisory Agreement, the Adviser determines which securities
are to be purchased and sold by the Fund and which broker-dealers are eligible to execute the Fund’s portfolio transactions. The
Fund does not intend to use any affiliated broker-dealers.
Oaktree’s objective in selecting brokers and dealers and in effecting
portfolio transactions is to seek to obtain the best combination of price and execution on transactions effected for accounts. The best
net price, giving effect to brokerage commissions, spreads and other costs, is normally an important factor in this decision, but a number
of other judgmental factors will be considered as they are deemed relevant.
These factors include, but are not limited to, Oaktree’s knowledge of negotiated
commission rates and spreads currently available; the nature of the security or instrument being traded; the size and type of the transaction;
the nature and character of the markets for the security or instrument to be purchased or sold; the desired timing of the trade; the activity
existing and expected in the market for the particular security or instrument; confidentiality; the execution, clearance, and settlement
capabilities as well as the reputation and perceived soundness of the broker or dealer selected and other brokers or dealers considered;
Oaktree’s knowledge of actual or apparent operational problems of any broker or dealer; the broker’s or dealer’s
execution services rendered on a continuing basis and in other transactions; the reasonableness of spreads or commissions; and the research
services and products furnished by the broker or dealer, if any.
In seeking to obtain best execution, Oaktree generally will not seek in
advance competitive bidding for the most favorable commission rate or spread applicable to any particular portfolio transaction or to
select any broker or dealer on the basis of its purported or “posted” commission rate. Oaktree will endeavor to be aware
of the current level of the charges of eligible brokers or dealers and to minimize the expense incurred for effecting portfolio transactions
to the extent consistent with the interests and policies of its accounts. Although Oaktree generally seeks competitive commission rates
and dealer spreads, it will not necessarily pay the lowest commission or commission equivalent. Transactions may involve specialized services
on the part of the broker or dealer involved and would thereby entail higher commissions or their equivalents than would be the case with
other transactions requiring more routine services.
Oaktree does not direct any account transactions to
a particular broker-dealer in return for soft dollar benefits. However, in the event that Oaktree would elect to do so, the procedures
described below are followed. Consistent with obtaining best execution, brokerage commissions (including dealer spreads paid on certain
principal transactions in accordance with SEC interpretations) on the portfolio transactions of the Fund may be directed by Oaktree to
a broker or dealer in recognition of research services furnished by the broker or dealer or a designated third party (also referred to
as “soft dollar benefits”), as well as for services rendered in the execution of orders by such broker or dealer. In considering
such research, Oaktree first determines that the product or service will provide lawful and appropriate assistance in the performance
of its investment decision-making responsibilities. A determination is then made that the amount of commissions paid is reasonable in
light of the value of the brokerage and research services provided. Moreover, Oaktree may benefit from these services as it may not have
to pay for such research services and products out of its own resources. In Europe, however, because of certain regulatory requirements
some of Oaktree’s affiliates pay for research that they receive from third parties such as broker-dealers or investment banks.
The receipt of investment research and information and related services permits Oaktree to supplement its own research and analysis and
makes available to Oaktree the views and information of individuals and research staffs of other firms. The views and information may
include written materials on certain companies, industries, areas of the economy or market factors and other areas that might affect the
economy or securities prices. Research services may also include statistical information; accounting and tax law interpretations that
relate to an investment; political developments that may affect investments and the markets in which Oaktree invests; legal developments
affecting portfolio securities; technical market actions; pricing and appraisal services; credit, risk measurement and performance analysis;
analysis of corporate responsibility issues; portfolio strategy; and analytic computer software. They may also include advice from brokers
or dealers as to the value of securities, availability of securities, availability of buyers, and availability of sellers. In addition,
they may include recommendations as to the purchase and sale of individual securities and timing of transactions.
These research services may be received through online information services
provided by the broker or dealer or a designated third party. Due to the receipt of various research materials through online services,
products may include software used in connection with gaining access to the information and may be considered a mixed-use item, having
both research and non-research functions. When products or services, including online services, are used for both research and other purposes,
Oaktree will make a good faith allocation of the cost of the product or service between the research and non-research functions. The non-research
portion will be paid in cash by Oaktree, while the portion attributable to research will be paid through brokerage commissions. Brokers
or dealers selected by Oaktree may be paid commissions for effecting transactions for the Fund in excess of the amounts other brokers
or dealers would have charged for effecting these transactions if Oaktree determines in good faith that such amounts are reasonable in
relation to the value of the brokerage or research services provided by such brokers or dealers, viewed either in terms of a particular
transaction or Oaktree’s overall duty to its discretionary accounts.
For the most recent fiscal year ended December 31,
the amount of brokerage commissions paid by the Fund is set forth below.
|
|
|
2022 |
|
|
2021 |
|
Oaktree Emerging Markets Equity Fund |
|
|
$174,287 |
|
|
23,183 |
|
The table below indicates the portion of the Fund’s brokerage
commissions for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2022 (from the table above), that was directed to brokers who, in addition to providing
trade execution, also supplied that Fund or the Adviser with research services.
Oaktree Emerging Markets Equity Fund |
|
|
Dollar Value of Securities Traded
|
|
|
Related Soft Dollar Brokerage Commissions |
|
2022 |
|
|
$173,829,843 |
|
|
$0 |
|
2021 |
|
|
$28,762,620 |
|
|
$0 |
|
PORTFOLIO TURNOVER
Although the Fund generally will not invest for short-term trading purposes,
portfolio securities may be sold without regard to the length of time they have been held when, in the opinion of the Adviser, investment
considerations warrant such action. Portfolio turnover rate is calculated by dividing (i) the lesser of purchases or sales of portfolio
securities for the fiscal year by (ii) the monthly average of the value of portfolio securities owned during the fiscal year. A 100% turnover
rate would occur if all the securities in the Fund’s portfolio, with the exception of securities whose maturities at the time of
acquisition were one year or less, were sold and either repurchased or replaced within one year. A high rate of portfolio turnover (100%
or more) generally leads to above-average transaction costs, could generate capital gains that must be distributed to shareholders as
short-term capital gains taxed at ordinary income tax rates (currently as high as 35%) and could increase brokerage commission costs.
To the extent that the Fund experiences an increase in brokerage commissions due to a higher portfolio turnover rate, the performance
of the Fund could be negatively impacted by the increased expenses incurred by the Fund and may result in a greater number of taxable
transactions.
PORTFOLIO MANAGERS
The information below provides summary information
regarding the individuals identified in the Prospectus as primarily responsible for day-to-day management of the Fund (“Portfolio
Managers”). All asset information is as of December 31, 2022.
Frank J. Carroll
— Managing Director and Portfolio Manager. Mr. Carroll is a managing director and has served as the co-portfolio
manager of Oaktree’s Emerging Markets strategy since its inception in 2011. Previously, Mr. Carroll was co-portfolio manager of
Oaktree’s Long/Short Emerging Markets Absolute Return strategy from 2005 to 2018 and, prior thereto, served as head trader for
the strategy since he joined Oaktree in 1999. Mr. Carroll co-founded and co-chairs Oaktree’s ESG Governance Committee and is a
longtime member of Oaktree’s Diversity and Inclusion Council. Prior to joining Oaktree in 1999, Mr. Carroll was the Head of Trading
for Columbus Advisors. Before that, he was the Head Trader for Latin American Fixed Income at Banco Santander and Bankers Trust. Mr. Carroll
started his career as an emerging markets trader for Salomon Brothers in 1989. He received a B.A. degree in History from Fairfield University.
Mr. Carroll previously served as the Chairman of the Board of Trustees at Fairfield University, as well as a Trustee at Brunswick School
in Greenwich, Connecticut. He is based in Hong Kong.
Janet L. Wang —
Managing Director and Co-Portfolio Manager. Ms. Wang is a managing director and co-portfolio manager for Oaktree’s
Emerging Markets Equity strategy. She has covered a range of sectors at Oaktree including energy, cement, chemicals, consumer and utilities.
Ms. Wang also contributed to the development of the Emerging Markets Equity team’s Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) process
and is a longtime member of Oaktree’s Diversity and Inclusion (D&I) Awareness team, having co-led the group from 2017 to 2019.
Before joining Oaktree in 2002, Ms. Wang worked for ABN Amro Asia as a research assistant, covering the building materials and airline
sectors. Prior thereto, she worked for Evergreen Funds in the Institutional Services department where she served as an institutional services
representative. Ms. Wang holds a B.S. degree in finance and marketing from Boston College and an M.B.A. with a concentration in finance
from Columbia Business School. She is fluent in Mandarin.
The table below shows the number of other accounts
managed by each Portfolio Manager and the total assets in each of the following categories, as of December 31, 2022: registered investment
companies, other pooled investment vehicles and other accounts. For each category, the table also shows the number of accounts and the
total assets in the accounts with respect to which the advisory fee is based on account performance.
The following table provides information relating to
other accounts managed by Mr. Carroll:
|
|
|
Registered Investment Companies
|
|
|
Other Pooled Investment Companies
|
|
|
Other Accounts
|
|
Number of Accounts Managed |
|
|
4 |
|
|
2 |
|
|
4 |
|
|
|
|
Registered Investment Companies
|
|
|
Other Pooled Investment Companies
|
|
|
Other Accounts
|
|
Number of Accounts Managed with Performance-Based Fees |
|
|
1 |
|
|
0 |
|
|
0 |
|
Assets Managed (assets in millions) |
|
|
$500 |
|
|
$1,776 |
|
|
$1,698 |
|
Assets Managed with Performance-Based Fees (assets in millions) |
|
|
$171 |
|
|
$0 |
|
|
$0 |
|
The following table provides information relating to
other accounts managed by Ms. Wang:
|
|
|
Registered Investment Companies
|
|
|
Other Pooled Investment Companies
|
|
|
Other Accounts
|
|
Number of Accounts Managed |
|
|
4 |
|
|
2 |
|
|
4 |
|
Number of Accounts Managed with Performance-Based Fees |
|
|
1 |
|
|
0 |
|
|
0 |
|
Assets Managed (assets in millions) |
|
|
$500 |
|
|
$1,776 |
|
|
$1,698 |
|
Assets Managed with Performance-Based Fees (assets in millions) |
|
|
$171 |
|
|
$0 |
|
|
$0 |
|
Potential Conflicts of Interest
Oaktree and its affiliates manage a number of different
investment strategies which present the possibility of overlapping investments, and thus the potential for conflicts of interest. Various
accounts managed by Oaktree and its affiliates invest in a broad range of asset classes throughout the corporate capital structure, including
loans and debt securities, preferred equity securities and common equity securities. In some cases Oaktree accounts will hold an interest
in one part of a company’s capital structure while one or more other accounts holds an interest in another part of that company’s
capital structure. In such cases the interests of each account, including the Fund, may conflict with one another. If any matter arises
that Oaktree determines in its good faith judgment constitutes an actual conflicts of interest between the Fund and any other Oaktree
accounts, Oaktree may take such actions as may be necessary or appropriate to prevent or reduce the conflict. There is no guarantee that
any conflicts that arise between the Fund, any Oaktree account, or Oaktree and its affiliates will be resolved in favor of the Fund. Such
conflicts could have the effect of benefiting other Oaktree accounts, or Oaktree and its affiliates, and may have an adverse effect on
the Fund or its investments.
In the course of providing investment management services, Oaktree and
all principals, partners, officers, employees of Oaktree, as well as certain consultants and other external service providers, and its
affiliates (collectively, “Oaktree Representatives”), likely will come into possession of material, nonpublic information
which, if disclosed, might affect an investor’s decision to buy, sell or hold a security. Under applicable law, Oaktree and Oaktree
Representatives may be prohibited from improperly disclosing or using such information for their personal benefit or for the benefit of
any other person, including the Fund. In addition, certain accounts have acquired, and may in the future acquire, interests in companies
that provide services to one or more other accounts. The payment of fees by accounts to a service provider owned in whole or in part by
other accounts may give rise to potential conflicts of interest to the extent Oaktree directed or initiated such transaction. If Oaktree
believes such instances may give rise to a conflict of interest, Oaktree will address such conflicts based on the facts and circumstances
presented by each situation and attempt to employ measures to ensure that the accounts using the company’s services are charged
arm’s-length prices for the services they receive. Such measures may include, where appropriate, having the company’s management
control the negotiation of fees with the accounts to which services are provided and/or obtaining a “most favored nations”
clause so that the accounts will automatically receive the benefit of the most favorable fees charged by the service provider to similarly
situated clients. Oaktree and its employees may also receive certain benefits, such as discounts on products or services from companies
in which an Oaktree account holds a significant ownership interest.
Conflicts Relating
to Brookfield Asset Management. Since Brookfield’s acquisition of a majority economic interest in Oaktree business
in September 2019, Brookfield and Oaktree have continued to operate their respective investment businesses largely independently, with
each remaining under its own brand and led by its own management and investment teams.
Brookfield and Oaktree manage their investment team independently of each other pursuant
to an information barrier.
Oaktree accounts and their portfolio companies sometimes engage in activities
and have business relationships that give rise to conflicts (and potential conflicts) of interest between them, on the one hand, and,
Brookfield and Brookfield’s clients (together, “Brookfield Accounts”) and their portfolio companies on the other
hand. For so long as Brookfield and Oaktree manage their investment teams independently of each other pursuant to an information barrier,
Oaktree, Oaktree accounts and their respective portfolio companies generally will not be treated as affiliates of Brookfield, Brookfield
Accounts and their portfolio companies, and conflicts (and potential conflicts) considerations, including in connection with allocation
of investment opportunities, investment and trading activities, and agreements, transactions and other arrangements entered into with
Oaktree, Oaktree accounts and their portfolio companies, generally will be managed in accordance with disclosures set out in the governing
documents and independently.
There is (and in the future will continue to be) overlap in investment
strategies and investments pursued by Oaktree and Brookfield. Nevertheless, Oaktree generally does not coordinate or consult with Brookfield
with respect to investment decisions of Oaktree accounts. While this absence of coordination and consultation, and the information barrier
described above, in some respects serves to mitigate conflicts of interests between Oaktree and Brookfield, these same factors also give
rise to certain conflicts and risks in connection with Brookfield’s and Oaktree’s investment activities, and make it more
difficult to mitigate, ameliorate or avoid such situations. For example, because neither Brookfield nor Oaktree generally coordinate or
consult with the other about investment activities and/or decisions made by the other, and neither Brookfield nor Oaktree is subject to
any internal approvals over its respective investment activities and decisions by any person who would have knowledge and/or decision-making
control of the investment decisions of the other, Brookfield will pursue investment opportunities for Brookfield Accounts which would
also be suitable for Oaktree accounts, but which are not made available to such Oaktree accounts. Brookfield Accounts and Oaktree accounts
compete, from time to time, for the same investment opportunities. Such competition could, under certain circumstances, adversely impact
the purchase price of investments. Brookfield has no obligation to, and generally will not, share investment opportunities that would
also be suitable for the Oaktree accounts, and Oaktree and Oaktree accounts have no rights with respect to any such opportunities.
In addition, Brookfield is not restricted from forming or establishing
new Brookfield Accounts, such as additional funds or successor funds, which directly compete with Oaktree accounts for investment opportunities.
Brookfield Accounts also are not restricted from pursuing investment opportunities based in whole or in part on information, support and
knowledge provided directly or indirectly by Oaktree. For example, Oaktree may provide Brookfield, from time to time, with access to marketing-related
support, including, for example, introductions to investor relationships and other marketing facilitation activities. Such Brookfield
Accounts could compete with or otherwise conduct their affairs without regard to any adverse impact on Oaktree accounts. In addition,
Brookfield Accounts are permitted to make investments suitable for Oaktree accounts without the consent of the Oaktree accounts or Oaktree.
From time to time, Brookfield Accounts and Oaktree accounts may purchase or sell an investment from or to each other, as well as jointly
pursue investments.
In addition, from time to time, Brookfield Accounts hold interests in investments
held by Oaktree accounts (or potential Oaktree account investments) and/or subsequently purchase (or sell) an interest in an investment
held by Oaktree accounts (or potential Oaktree account investments). In such situations, Brookfield Accounts could benefit from Oaktree
accounts’ activities. Conversely, Oaktree accounts could be adversely impacted by Brookfield’s activities. In addition,
as a result of different investment objectives, views and/or interests in investments, Brookfield may manage certain Brookfield Accounts’
investments in particular issuers in a way that is different from Oaktree accounts’ investments in the same issuers (including,
for example, by investing in different portions of the issuer’s capital structure, short selling securities, voting securities
or exercising rights it holds in a different manner and/or buying or selling its interests at different times than the Oaktree accounts),
which could adversely impact Oaktree accounts’ interests. Brookfield and its affiliates may take positions, give advice and provide
recommendations that are different from, and potentially contrary to, those which are taken by, given or provided to Oaktree accounts,
and are expected to hold interests that potentially are adverse to those held by Oaktree accounts. Brookfield has no obligation or duty
to make available for the benefit of Oaktree accounts any information regarding its activities, strategies and/or views.
Brookfield and Oaktree are likely to be deemed to be affiliates of each
other for purposes of certain laws and regulations, notwithstanding their operational independence and the existence of an information
barrier between them, and from time to time Brookfield Accounts and Oaktree accounts will have positions (which in some cases will be
significant) in the same issuers. In those cases Brookfield and Oaktree will frequently need to aggregate their investment holdings, including
holdings of Brookfield Accounts and Oaktree accounts, for certain securities law purposes (including trading restrictions under Rule 144
under the Securities Act, reporting obligations under Section 13 of the Exchange Act and reporting and short-swing profit disgorgement
obligations under Section 16 of the Exchange Act) and other regulatory purposes (including for example, (i) public utility companies and
public utility holding companies; (ii) bank holding companies; (iii) owners of
broadcast licenses, airlines, railroads, water carriers and trucking concerns; (iv) casinos
and gaming businesses; and (v) public service companies (such as those providing gas, electric or telephone services)). Consequently,
Brookfield’s activities could result in earlier public disclosure of investments held by Oaktree accounts and/or restrictions on
transactions by such Oaktree accounts (including the ability to make or dispose of investments at times that Oaktree may otherwise have
recommended), adverse effects on the prices of such Oaktree accounts’ investments, potential short-swing profit disgorgement, penalties
and/or regulatory remedies, or otherwise create conflicts of interests for such Oaktree accounts. In managing its investment activities,
Brookfield will act for its own account or on behalf of Brookfield accounts and act in its or their own interest, without regard to the
interests of Oaktree accounts.
The potential conflicts of interest described herein may be magnified as
a result of the general lack of information sharing and coordination between Brookfield and Oaktree with respect to investment activities.
For example, Oaktree’s investment teams, in many cases will not be aware of, and as a result will not have the ability to manage,
such conflicts. Even if Oaktree investment teams become aware of Brookfield’s investment activities through public information,
the information barrier between Oaktree and Brookfield will generally preclude the Oaktree investment teams from coordinating with Brookfield
to manage such conflicts.
Brookfield and Oaktree may decide at any time, and without notice to investors
and clients, to remove or modify the existing information barrier between Brookfield and Oaktree. If the information barrier is removed
or modified, it is expected that Brookfield and Oaktree will jointly evaluate, in their sole discretion, whether to adopt new or different
protocols to address potential conflicts and other considerations relating to the management of their investment activities as a result
of such removal or modification of the information barrier.
Breaches (including inadvertent breaches) of the information barrier and
related internal controls by Brookfield and/or Oaktree could result in significant consequences to Oaktree (and Brookfield) as well as
have a significant adverse impact on Oaktree accounts, including potential regulatory investigations and claims for securities laws violations
in connection with Oaktree accounts’ investment activities. These events could have adverse effects on Oaktree’s reputation,
result in the imposition of regulatory or financial sanctions, negatively impact Oaktree’s ability to provide investment management
services to Oaktree accounts and result in negative financial impact to an Oaktree account’s investments.
To the extent that the information barrier is removed or otherwise ineffective
and Oaktree has the ability to access analysis, models and/or information developed by Brookfield and its personnel, Oaktree will not
be under any obligation or other duty to access such information or effect transactions on behalf of Oaktree accounts in accordance with
such analysis and models, and in fact may be restricted by securities laws from doing so. Oaktree accounts may make investment decisions
that differ from those they would have made if Oaktree had pursued such information, which may be disadvantageous to such Oaktree accounts.
Brookfield has engaged and may in the future engage Oaktree, Oaktree accounts
and/or their portfolio companies to provide certain services to Brookfield Accounts and their portfolio companies, including investing
in Oaktree accounts and obtaining non-investment management services that would otherwise be provided by third-party service providers
or Brookfield affiliates. Each such engagement will be in accordance with any disclosures set out in the relevant governing documents
(including offering documents).
In addition, Oaktree has engaged and may in the future engage Brookfield,
Brookfield Accounts or their portfolio companies to provide services to Oaktree accounts and/or their portfolio companies, and the conflicts
(and potential conflicts) of interest described above will apply equally for each such engagement.
This does not purport to be a complete list or explanation of all actual
or potential conflicts that may arise as a result of Brookfield’s majority ownership interest in Oaktree. In addition, conflicts
not yet known by Brookfield or Oaktree may arise in the future and such conflicts will not necessarily be resolved in favor of the Oaktree
accounts’ interests. Because of the extensive scope of both Brookfield’s and Oaktree’s activities and the complexities
involved in combining certain aspects of their businesses, the policies and procedures to identify and resolve such conflicts of interest
will continue to be developed over time.
Compensation
The following section describes the structure of, and the methods used
to determine the different types of compensation (e.g., salary, bonus, deferred compensation,
retirement plans and arrangements) for the Fund’s Portfolio Managers as of the most recent practicable date.
The compensation structure of the Portfolio Managers is determined by Oaktree
in accordance with its own internal policies. All other Portfolio Managers receive a salary that is capped so that a significant portion
of their compensation is derived from their bonus, which is a function of Oaktree’s profitability and the Portfolio Manager’s
responsibilities and
performance, and equity participation as one of the most senior employees. No Portfolio
Manager’s compensation is specifically dependent on the performance of the Fund that they manage, on an absolute basis or relative
to a specific benchmark. No Portfolio Manager is compensated based on the growth of the Fund’s, or any other clients’, assets
except to the extent that such growth contributes to Oaktree’s overall asset growth, which in turn contributes to its overall profitability.
Portfolio Managers do not receive a percentage of the revenue earned on any client portfolios, and their compensation is not increased
or decreased specifically as a result of any performance fee that may be earned by Oaktree with respect to the funds or accounts they
manage.
Securities Owned in the Fund by the Portfolio Managers
The table below identifies the dollar value (in
ranges) of investments beneficially held by the Portfolio Managers in the Fund as of December 31, 2022.
Portfolio Managers |
|
|
Dollar Range of Equity Securities in the Fund Beneficially Owned by Portfolio Managers (1)
|
|
Frank J. Carroll |
|
|
G |
|
Janet L. Wang |
|
|
E |
|
(1)
Key to Dollar Ranges: A) none; B)
$1–$10,000; C) $10,001–$50,000; D) $50,001–$100,000; E) $100,001–$500,000; F) $500,001–$1,000,000;
or G) over $1,000,000.
DISTRIBUTION AGREEMENT
The Trust has entered into a Distribution Agreement (the “Distribution
Agreement”) with Quasar Distributors, LLC, 111 East Kilbourn Avenue, Suite 2200, Milwaukee, WI 53202 (the “Distributor”),
pursuant to which the Distributor acts as the Fund’s distributor, provides certain administration services and promotes and arranges
for the sale of Fund shares. The offering of the Fund’s shares is continuous. The Distributor is a registered broker-dealer and
member of FINRA.
The Distribution Agreement will continue in effect only if such continuance
is specifically approved at least annually by the Board or by vote of a majority of the Fund’s outstanding voting securities and,
in either case, by a majority of the Trustees who are not parties to the Distribution Agreement or “interested persons”
(as defined in the 1940 Act) of any such party. The Distribution Agreement is terminable without penalty by the Trust on behalf
of the Fund on 60 days written notice when authorized either by a majority vote of the Fund’s shareholders or by vote of a majority
of the Board, including a majority of the Trustees who are not “interested persons” (as defined in the 1940 Act)
of the Trust, or by the Distributor on 60 days’ written notice, and will automatically terminate in the event of its “assignment”
(as defined in the 1940 Act).
DISTRIBUTION PLANS
The Fund has adopted separate distribution and service plans (each, a
“Plan,” and collectively, the “Plans”) pursuant to Rule 12b-1 under the 1940 Act on behalf of each of the
Class A and Class C Shares of the Fund. Payments may be made by the Fund under each Plan for the purpose of financing any activity primarily
intended to result in the sales of shares of the class to which such Plan relates as determined by the Board. Such activities typically
include advertising; compensation for sales and marketing activities of the Distributor and other banks, broker-dealers, and service providers;
shareholder account servicing; production and dissemination of prospectuses and sales and marketing materials; and capital or other expenses
of associated equipment, rent, fixtures, salaries, bonuses, reporting and recordkeeping, and other overhead. To the extent any activity
is one which the Fund may finance without a distribution plan, the Fund may also make payments to finance such activity outside of the
Plans and not be subject to its limitations. Payments under the Plans are not dependent on distribution expenses actually incurred by
the Distributor. The Plans compensate the Distributor regardless of expense, and accordingly a portion of the payments by the Fund may
be used indirectly to finance distribution activities on behalf of other funds in the Fund Complex and a portion of the payments by such
other funds may be used to finance distribution activities on behalf of the Fund. The Plans are intended to benefit the Fund, among other
things, by increasing its assets and thereby reducing the Fund’s expense ratio. The Independent Trustees have concluded that there
is a reasonable likelihood that the Plans will benefit these classes and their respective shareholders.
Under its terms, each Plan remains in effect so long as its continuance
is specifically approved at least annually by vote of the Fund’s Board, including a majority of the Independent Trustees. No Plan
may be amended to materially increase the amount to be spent for services provided by the Distributor thereunder without shareholder approval,
and all material amendments of any Plan must also be approved by the Board in the manner described above. Each Plan may be terminated
at any time, without penalty, by vote of a majority of the Independent Trustees, or by a vote of a majority of the outstanding voting
securities of the Fund (as defined in the 1940 Act). Under each Plan, the Distributor will provide the Trustees with periodic reports
of amounts expended under such Plan and the purpose for which such expenditures were made.
Pursuant to the Plans, the Fund pays the Distributor 0.25% of its average daily net assets
of Class A Shares and 1.00% of its average daily net assets of Class C Shares. In addition, pursuant to the Plans, the Adviser, its affiliates,
or the Distributor and its affiliates may make payments from time to time from their own resources, which may include the investment advisory
fee, administration fee, or the distribution fee received from the Fund, and past profits, for any of the foregoing purposes. Due to the
continuing nature of Rule 12b-1 payments, long-term investors may pay more than the economic equivalent of the maximum front-end sales
charge permitted by the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (“FINRA”). Pursuant to the Distribution Agreement, the Fund
appoints the Distributor as its general distributor and exclusive agent for the sale of the Fund’s shares. The Fund has agreed
to indemnify the Distributor to the extent permitted by applicable law against certain liabilities under federal securities laws.
For the fiscal year ended December 31, 2022, the Fund
made payments under the Plans for Class A shares and Class C shares to the Distributor in the following amounts:
For the Fiscal Year Ended December 31, |
|
|
Class A |
|
|
Class C |
|
2022 |
|
|
$948 |
|
|
N/A |
|
The Rule 12b-1 Plan is intended to benefit the Fund by increasing its assets
and thereby reducing the Fund’s expense ratio.
Class C Shares were not launched as of the date
of this SAI, and therefore no 12b-1 fees were paid.
The following table shows the allocation of the
Rule 12b-1 fees paid by the Fund during the fiscal year ended December 31, 2022.
|
Advertising/Marketing |
|
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
Printing/Postage |
|
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
Payment to Distributor |
|
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
Payments to dealers |
|
|
|
$ |
948 |
|
|
|
Compensation to sales personnel |
|
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
Other |
|
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
Total |
|
|
|
$ |
948 |
|
|
DETERMINATION OF SHARE PRICE
The NAV of the Fund is determined as of the close of regular trading
on the New York Stock Exchange (the “NYSE”) (generally 4:00 p.m., Eastern Time), each day the NYSE is open for trading.
The NYSE annually announces the days on which it will not be open for trading. It is expected that the NYSE will not be open for trading
on the following holidays: New Year’s Day, Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, Washington’s Birthday/Presidents’ Day, Good
Friday, Memorial Day, Juneteenth National Independence Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving Day and Christmas Day.
NAV per share is calculated separately for each share class of the Fund.
The NAV of Class A and Class C Shares of the Fund, as applicable, will generally be lower than the NAV of Class I Shares, as applicable,
as a result of the higher service and distribution-related fees to which Class A and Class C Shares are subject. It is expected, however,
that the NAV of each class will tend to converge immediately after the recording of dividends, if any, which will differ by approximately
the amount of the distribution and/or service fee expense accrual differential among the classes.
Generally, the Fund’s investments are valued
at market value or, in the absence of a market value, at fair value as determined under procedures approved by the Board. The Board has
adopted procedures for the valuation of the Fund’s securities. The Adviser oversees the day to day responsibilities for valuation
determinations under these procedures. The Board regularly reviews the application of these procedures to the securities in the Fund’s
portfolio. The Adviser’s Valuation Committee is comprised of senior members of the Adviser’s management team.
The Board has designated the Adviser as the valuation
designee pursuant to Rule 2a-5 under the 1940 Act to perform fair value determination relating to any or all Fund investments. The Board
oversees the Adviser in its role as the valuation designee in accordance with the requirements of Rule 2a-5 under the 1940 Act.
Investments in equity securities listed or traded
on any securities exchange or traded in the over-the-counter market are valued at the last trade price as of the close of business on
the valuation date. If the NYSE closes early, then the equity security will be valued at the last traded price before the NYSE close.
Prices of foreign equities that are principally traded on certain foreign markets will generally be adjusted daily pursuant to a fair
value pricing service approved by the Board in order to reflect an adjustment for the factors occurring after the close of certain foreign
markets but before the NYSE close. When fair value pricing is employed, the value of the portfolio securities used to calculate the Fund’s
NAV may differ from quoted or official closing prices. Investments in open-end registered investment companies, if any, are valued at
the NAV as reported by those investment companies.
Securities for which market prices are not readily available, cannot
be determined using the sources described above, or the Adviser’s Valuation Committee determines that the quotation or price for
a portfolio security provided by a broker-dealer or an independent pricing service is inaccurate will be valued at a fair value determined
by the Adviser’s Valuation Committee following the procedures adopted by the Adviser under the supervision of the Board. The Adviser’s
valuation policy establishes parameters for the sources, methodologies, and inputs the Adviser’s Valuation Committee uses in determining
fair value.
The fair valuation methodology may include or consider
the following guidelines, as appropriate: (1) evaluation of all relevant factors, including but not limited to, pricing history, current
market level, supply and demand of the respective security; (2) comparison to the values and current pricing of securities that have comparable
characteristics; (3) knowledge of historical market information with respect to the security; (4) other factors relevant to the security
which would include, but not be limited to, duration, yield, fundamental analytical data, the Treasury yield curve, and credit quality.
The fair value may be difficult to determine and thus judgment plays a greater role in the valuation process. Imprecision in estimating
fair value can also impact the amount of unrealized appreciation or depreciation recorded for a particular portfolio security and differences
in the assumptions used could result in a different determination of fair value, and those differences could be material. For those securities
valued by fair valuations, the Adviser’s Valuation Committee reviews and affirms the reasonableness of the valuations based on
such methodologies and fair valuation determinations on a regular basis after considering all relevant information that is reasonably
available. There can be no assurance that the Fund could purchase or sell a portfolio security at the price used to calculate the Fund’s
NAV.
An internal pricing hierarchy has been established
to maximize the use of observable market data and minimize the use of unobservable inputs and to establish classification of fair value
measurements for disclosure purposes. Observable inputs are inputs that reflect the assumptions market participants would use in pricing
the asset or liability developed based on market data obtained from sources independent of the reporting entity. Unobservable inputs are
inputs that reflect the reporting entity’s own assumptions about the assumptions market participants would use in pricing the asset
or liability developed based on the best information available in the circumstances.
Securities primarily traded in the NASDAQ Global Market® for which
market quotations are readily available shall be valued using the NASDAQ® Official Closing Price (“NOCP”). If the NOCP
is not available, such securities shall be valued at the last sale price on the day of valuation, or if there has been no sale on such
day, at the mean between the bid and asked prices. OTC securities which are not traded in the NASDAQ Global Market® shall be valued
at the most recent sales price. Securities and assets for which market quotations are not readily available (including restricted securities
which are subject to limitations as to their sale) are valued at fair value as determined in good faith under procedures approved by or
under the direction of the Board.
The Fund’s securities, including ADRs, EDRs and GDRs, which are
traded on securities exchanges are valued at the last sale price on the exchange on which such securities are traded, as of the close
of business on the day the securities are being valued or, lacking any reported sales, at the mean between the last available bid and
asked price. Securities that are traded on more than one exchange are valued on the exchange determined by the Adviser to be the primary
market.
In the case of foreign securities, the occurrence of certain events after
the close of foreign markets, but prior to the time the Fund’s NAV is calculated (such as a significant surge or decline in the
United States or other markets) often will result in an adjustment to the trading prices of foreign securities when foreign markets open
on the following business day. If such events occur, the Fund will value foreign securities at fair value, taking into account such events,
in calculating the NAV. In such cases, use of fair valuation can reduce an investor’s ability to seek to profit by estimating the
Fund’s NAV in advance of the time the NAV is calculated. The Adviser anticipates that the Fund’s portfolio holdings will
be fair valued only if market quotations for those holdings are considered unreliable or are unavailable.
All other assets of the Fund are valued in such manner as the Board in
good faith deems appropriate to reflect their fair value.
ADDITIONAL PURCHASE AND REDEMPTION
INFORMATION
The information provided below supplements the information contained in
the Prospectus regarding the purchase and redemption of Fund shares.
How to Buy Shares
You may purchase shares of the Fund from securities brokers, dealers or
financial intermediaries (collectively, “Financial Intermediaries”), which may charge you a fee for this service and may
require different minimum initial and subsequent investments than the Fund. Financial Intermediaries may also impose other charges or
restrictions different from those
applicable to a direct investor in the Fund. In addition, a broker may charge a commission
to its customers on transactions in Fund shares, provided the broker acts solely on an agency basis for its customer and does not receive
any distribution-related payment in connection with the transaction. Investors should contact their Financial Intermediary directly for
appropriate instructions, as well as information pertaining to accounts and any service or transaction fees that may be charged. The Fund
may enter into arrangements with certain Financial Intermediaries whereby such Financial Intermediaries are authorized to accept your
order on behalf of the Fund. If you transmit your order to these Financial Intermediaries before the close of regular trading (generally
4:00 p.m., Eastern Time) on a day that the NYSE is open for business, shares will be purchased at the appropriate per share price next
computed after it is received by the Financial Intermediary. Investors should check with their Financial Intermediary to determine if
it participates in these arrangements. The Fund, the Adviser, the Distributor, the Transfer Agent, and each of their respective directors,
trustees, officers, employees, and agents are not responsible for the failure of any Financial Intermediary to carry out its obligations
to its customers.
Though shareholders do not pay an initial sales charge at the time of purchase
of Class C Shares, the Distributor compensates selling Financial Intermediaries by paying 1.00% of the purchase price for Class C Shares.
If Class C Shares are redeemed within approximately twelve months after purchase, shareholders are charged a contingent deferred sales
charge (“CDSC”) of 1.00%. You will not pay a CDSC to the extent that the value of the redeemed shares represents reinvestment
of distributions or capital appreciation of shares redeemed. Proceeds from the CDSC and the 1.00% payments made by the Fund under the
Plan, on behalf of the Class C Shares of the Fund, in the first year after purchase are paid to the Distributor and are used in whole
or in part by the Distributor to pay the Adviser for financing of the 1.00% up-front commission to Financial Intermediaries who sell Class
C Shares. Financial Intermediaries will generally become eligible to receive some or all of such payments one year after purchase. The
combination of the CDSC and the ongoing Plan fee on Class C Shares facilitates the ability of the Fund to sell Class C Shares without
a sales charge being deducted at the time of purchase. Imposition of the CDSC and the Plan fee on Class C Shares is limited by the FINRA
asset-based sales charge rule.
The public offering price of Fund shares is the NAV per share plus any
applicable sales charge. Shares are purchased at the public offering price next determined after the Transfer Agent receives your order
in good order. In most cases, in order to receive that day’s public offering price, the Transfer Agent must receive your order
in good order before the close of regular trading on the NYSE, normally 4:00 p.m., Eastern Time.
The Trust reserves the right in its sole discretion (i) to suspend the
continued offering of the Fund’s shares, (ii) to reject purchase orders in whole or in part when in the judgment of the Adviser
or the Distributor such rejection is in the best interest of the Fund, and (iii) to reduce or waive the minimum for initial and subsequent
investments for certain fiduciary accounts or under circumstances where certain economies can be achieved in sales of the Fund’s
shares.
In addition to cash purchases, Fund shares may be purchased by tendering
payment in-kind in the form of shares of stock, bonds or other securities. Any securities used to buy Fund shares must be readily marketable,
their acquisition consistent with the Fund’s investment restrictions, policies and objectives and otherwise acceptable to the Adviser
and the Board.
If accepted, the securities will be valued using the same criteria and
methods as described in “Pricing of Fund Shares” in the Prospectus.
How to Sell Shares and Delivery of Redemption Proceeds
You can sell your Fund shares any day the NYSE is open for regular trading,
either directly to your Fund or through your Financial Intermediary.
Payments to shareholders for shares of the Fund redeemed directly from
the Fund will be made as promptly as possible, but no later than seven days after receipt by the Transfer Agent of the written request
in proper form, with the appropriate documentation as stated in the Prospectus, except that the Fund may suspend the right of redemption
or postpone the date of payment during any period when (a) trading on the NYSE is restricted as determined by the SEC or the NYSE
is closed for other than weekends and holidays; (b) an emergency exists as determined by the SEC making disposal of portfolio securities
or valuation of net assets of the Fund not reasonably practicable; or (c) for such other period as the SEC may permit for the protection
of the Fund’s shareholders. Under unusual circumstances, the Fund may suspend redemptions, or postpone payment for more than seven
days, but only as authorized by SEC rules.
The value of shares on redemption or repurchase may be more or less than
the investor’s cost, depending upon the market value of the Fund’s portfolio securities at the time of redemption or repurchase.
Telephone Redemptions
Shareholders with telephone transaction privileges established on their
account may redeem Fund shares by telephone. Upon receipt of any instructions or inquiries by telephone from the shareholder, the respective
Fund or its authorized agents may carry out the instructions and/or respond to the inquiry consistent with the shareholder’s previously
established
account service options. For joint accounts, instructions or inquiries from either party
will be carried out without prior notice to the other account owners. In acting upon telephone instructions, the Fund and its agents use
procedures that are reasonably designed to ensure that such instructions are genuine. These include recording all telephone calls, requiring
pertinent information about the account and sending written confirmation of each transaction to the registered owner.
USBFS will employ reasonable procedures to confirm that instructions communicated
by telephone are genuine. If USBFS fails to employ reasonable procedures, the Fund and USBFS may be liable for any losses due to unauthorized
or fraudulent instructions. If these procedures are followed, however, to the extent permitted by applicable law, neither the Fund nor
its agents will be liable for any loss, liability, cost or expense arising out of any redemption request, including any fraudulent or
unauthorized request. For additional information, contact USBFS.
Redemptions In-Kind
The Trust has filed an election under SEC Rule 18f-1 committing to pay
in cash all redemptions by a shareholder of record up to amounts specified by the rule (in excess of the lesser of (i) $250,000
or (ii) 1% of the Fund’s assets). The Fund has reserved the right to pay the redemption price of its shares in excess of the amounts
specified by the rule, either totally or partially, by a distribution in-kind of portfolio securities (instead of cash). The securities
so distributed would be valued at the same amount as that assigned to them in calculating the NAV per share for the shares being sold.
If a shareholder receives a distribution in-kind, the shareholder could incur brokerage or other charges in converting the securities
to cash. A distribution in-kind is a taxable event for shareholders.
The Fund does not intend to hold any significant percentage of its portfolio
in illiquid securities, although the Fund, like virtually all mutual funds, may from time to time hold a small percentage of securities
that are illiquid. In the unlikely event the Fund were to elect to make an in-kind redemption, the Fund expects that it would follow the
normal protocol of making such distribution by way of a pro rata distribution based on its entire
portfolio. If the Fund held illiquid securities, such distribution may contain a pro rata portion
of such illiquid securities or the Fund may determine, based on a materiality assessment, not to include illiquid securities in the in-kind
redemption. The Fund does not anticipate that it would ever selectively distribute a greater than pro rata portion of any illiquid securities
to satisfy a redemption request. If such securities are included in the distribution, shareholders may not be able to liquidate such securities
and may be required to hold such securities indefinitely. Shareholders’ ability to liquidate such securities distributed in-kind
may be restricted by resale limitations or substantial restrictions on transfer imposed by the issuers of the securities or by law. Shareholders
may only be able to liquidate such securities distributed in-kind at a substantial discount from their value, and there may be higher
brokerage costs associated with any subsequent disposition of these securities by the recipient.
U.S. FEDERAL INCOME TAX CONSIDERATIONS
The following is a summary of certain U.S. federal income tax considerations
generally affecting the Fund and its shareholders that may not be described in the Prospectus. This is not intended to be a detailed explanation
of the tax treatment of the Fund or its shareholders, and the discussions here and in the Prospectus are not intended as substitutes for
thorough tax planning.
Qualification as a Regulated Investment Company
The Fund has elected to qualify and intends to continue
to qualify as a regulated investment company under Subchapter M of the Code, as long as it is in the best interest of its shareholders.
To qualify as a regulated investment company, the Fund must distribute to its shareholders at least 90% of its investment company taxable
income (which includes, among other items, dividends, gains from the sale or other disposition of stock or securities, taxable interest
and the excess of net short-term capital gains over net long-term capital losses), and meet certain other requirements (including diversification
of assets and sources of income) discussed below. By meeting these requirements, the Fund generally will not be subject to U.S. federal
income tax on investment company taxable income and net capital gains (the excess of net long-term capital gains over net short-term capital
losses, reported by the Fund as capital gain dividends) distributed to shareholders. There can be no assurance that the Fund will meet
all of the requirements for such qualification each year. As of December 31, 2022, the Fund’s capital loss carryforwards were $1,431,258
and $50,882 from short-term and long-term capital gains, respectively, which can be used to offset future realized short-term and future
long-term capital gains, respectively.
The Fund must satisfy an asset diversification test in order to qualify
as a regulated investment company. Under this test, at the close of each quarter of the Fund’s taxable year, at least 50% of the
value of that Fund’s total assets must consist of cash and cash items (including receivables), U.S. government securities, securities
of other regulated investment companies, and securities of other issuers as to which the Fund has not invested more than 5% of the value
of the Fund’s total assets in securities of such issuer and as to which the Fund does not hold more than 10% of the outstanding
voting securities of such
issuer, and no more than 25% of the value of its total assets may be invested in the securities
of any one issuer (other than U.S. government securities and securities of other regulated investment companies), in two or more issuers
that the Fund controls (by owning 20% or more of the outstanding voting securities of such issuer) and which are engaged in the same or
similar or related trades or businesses, or in the securities of one or more qualified publicly traded partnerships. Generally, an option
(call or put) with respect to a security is treated as issued by the issuer of the security, not the issuer of the option.
In addition to satisfying the requirements described above, a regulated
investment company must derive at least 90% of its gross income from dividends, interest, certain payments with respect to securities
loans, gains from the sale or other disposition of stock or securities or foreign currencies, 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 and net income derived from interests in qualified publicly traded partnerships.
If, for any taxable year, the Fund does not qualify as a regulated investment
company, all of its taxable income would be subject to tax at regular corporate rates without any deduction for distributions to shareholders,
and any distributions would be taxable to the shareholders as ordinary or qualified dividends to the extent of the Fund’s current
or accumulated earnings and profits.
Excise Tax on Regulated Investment Companies
Amounts, other than tax-exempt interest, not distributed on a timely basis
may be subject to a nondeductible 4% excise tax at the Fund level. To prevent imposition of the excise tax, the Fund must distribute during
the calendar year an amount equal to the sum of (1) at least 98% of its ordinary income (excluding any capital gains or losses)
for the calendar year, (2) at least 98.2% of the excess of its capital gains over capital losses (adjusted for certain losses) for the
one-year period ending October 31 of such year (or, at the election of a regulated investment company having a taxable year ending November
30 or December 31, for its taxable year), and (3) any deficiencies from distributions in prior years.
Fund Distributions
The Fund will make distributions of dividends and capital gains, if any,
at least annually, typically in December. Additionally, the Fund currently intends to make quarterly distributions at a level percentage
rate of such Fund’s net asset value as established by the Board of Trustees. The Fund may make an additional payment of dividends
or distributions of capital gains if it deems it desirable at any other time of the year or in order to comply with applicable law. The
Fund’s policy is to declare dividends quarterly. The Fund distributes all or substantially all (and in no event less than 90%)
of its investment company taxable income each year. Distributions of investment company taxable income, including net short-term capital
gains, generally are taxable to shareholders as ordinary income. Distributions of net long-term capital gains, if any, reported by the
Fund as capital gain dividends are taxable to shareholders as long-term capital gains, regardless of the length of time the shareholder
has held its shares of the Fund. In determining the amount of net capital gains to be distributed, any capital loss carryover from prior
years, if any, will be applied against capital gains to reduce the amount of distributions paid. Shareholders will be notified annually
as to the U.S. federal tax status of distributions.
A distribution will be treated as paid during the calendar year if it is
paid during the calendar year or declared by the Fund in October, November or December of that year, payable to shareholders of record
on a date during any such month and paid by the Fund during January of the following year. Any such distributions paid during January
of the following year will be deemed to be received on December 31 of the year the distributions are declared, rather than when the distributions
are received.
If any net capital gains are retained by the Fund for reinvestment, requiring
federal income taxes thereon to be paid by it, the Fund can elect to treat such capital gains as having been distributed to shareholders.
In that event, shareholders will report such capital gains as net capital gains, will be able to claim their share of federal income taxes
paid by the Fund on such gains as a credit against their own federal income tax liability, and will be entitled to increase the adjusted
tax basis of their Fund shares by an amount equal to the difference between the amount of undistributed capital gains included in their
gross income and the tax deemed paid.
Distributions by the Fund that do not constitute ordinary income dividends
or capital gain dividends will be treated as a return of capital to the extent of (and in reduction of) the shareholder’s
tax basis in its shares; any excess will be treated as gain from the sale of its shares, as discussed below.
Dividends of investment company taxable income paid by the Fund generally
will qualify for the 70% dividends-received deduction generally available to corporate shareholders (other than certain corporations,
such as S corporations, which are not eligible for the deduction because of their special characteristics and other than for purposes
of special taxes such as the
accumulated earnings tax and the personal holding company tax) to the extent of the amount
of qualifying dividends (as defined in the Code) received by the Fund from domestic corporations for the taxable year. In addition, the
dividends-received deduction for a corporate shareholder will be disallowed for shareholders who do not hold their shares in the Fund
for at least 46 days during the 91-day period beginning 45 days before a share in the Fund becomes ex-dividend with respect to such dividend
and will be disallowed with respect to an investment in the Fund that is debt financed. Shareholders will be notified at the end of the
year as to the amount of the dividends that qualify for the dividends-received deduction. In addition, pursuant to its quarterly distribution
policy, the Fund may make distributions that are treated as a return of capital.
Distributions (other than any return of capital) are taxable to shareholders
whether received in cash or reinvested in additional shares of the Fund. Shareholders receiving a distribution in the form of additional
shares will be treated as receiving a distribution in an amount equal to the amount of the cash dividend that otherwise would have been
distributable (where the additional shares are purchased in the open market), or the fair market value of the shares received, determined
as of the reinvestment date. Shareholders electing to receive distributions in the form of additional shares will have a cost basis for
U.S. federal income tax purposes in each share so received equal to the value of a share on the reinvestment date.
In general, gain or loss recognized by the Fund on the disposition of an
asset will be a capital gain or loss. However, gain recognized on the disposition of a debt obligation purchased by the Fund at a market
discount (generally, at a price less than its principal amount) will be treated as ordinary income to the extent of the portion of the
market discount which accrued during the period of time the Fund held the debt obligation.
Certain of the options, futures contracts, and forward foreign currency
exchange contracts in which the Fund may invest are so-called “section 1256 contracts.” With certain exceptions, realized
gains or losses on section 1256 contracts generally are considered 60% long-term and 40% short-term capital gains or losses (“60/40”).
Also, section 1256 contracts held by the Fund at the end of each taxable year (and, generally, for purposes of the nondeductible 4% excise
tax, on October 31 of each year) are “marked-to-market” with the result that unrealized gains or losses are treated as though
they were realized and the resulting gain or loss is treated as 60/40 gain or loss. Investors should consult their own tax advisers in
this regard.
Generally, the hedging transactions undertaken by the Fund may constitute
“straddles” for U.S. federal income tax purposes. The straddle rules may affect the character of gains (or losses) realized
by the Fund. In addition, losses realized by the Fund on a position that is 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 such losses are realized. Since only
a few regulations implementing the straddle rules have been promulgated, the tax consequences to the Fund of hedging transactions are
not entirely clear. The Fund may make one or more of the elections applicable to straddles available under the Code. If an election is
made, the amount, character, and timing of the recognition of gains or losses from the affected straddle positions will be determined
pursuant to the rules applicable to the election(s) made, which may accelerate the recognition of gains or losses from the affected straddle
positions.
Because application of 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 must
be distributed to shareholders, and will be taxed to shareholders as ordinary income or long-term capital gain, may be increased or decreased
substantially as compared to the Fund that did not engage in such hedging transactions.
Gains or losses attributable to fluctuations in exchange rates resulting
from transactions in a foreign currency generally are treated as ordinary income or ordinary loss. These gains or losses may increase,
decrease, or eliminate the amount of the Fund’s investment company taxable income to be distributed to its shareholders as ordinary
income.
Investors should carefully consider the tax implications of buying shares
prior to a distribution by the Fund. The price of shares purchased at that time generally would reflect the amount of the forthcoming
distributions. Distributions by the Fund reduce the NAV of the Fund’s shares, and if a distribution reduces the NAV below a stockholder’s
cost basis, such distribution, nevertheless, would be taxable to the shareholder as ordinary income or capital gain, as described above
even though, from an economic or investment standpoint, it may constitute a partial return of capital.
The Fund may invest in stocks of real estate investment trusts, or REITs.
In order to qualify for the special tax treatment that effectively eliminates the corporate tax at the REIT level, REITs are required
to distribute at least 90% of their net taxable income on an annual basis, earn certain percentages of their income from real estate assets,
such as rent and interest on mortgages, and other generally passive income, and hold at least 75% of their assets in real estate and loans
secured by mortgages on real estate. However, there are numerous situations in which a REIT may incur and pay some amount of federal,
state, local or foreign taxes. A 4% nondeductible excise tax applies to certain undistributed REIT income. In addition, REITs are subject
to requirements related to their organization, tax reporting, diversity of stock ownership and sales of assets. REITs frequently use taxable
subsidiaries to conduct activities or earn income that might compromise their ability to
qualify as a REIT. REIT dividends generally are not “qualified dividends”
eligible for the maximum 20% federal tax rate. The REIT rules are complex. Certain cure provisions may apply if a REIT violates a requirement,
but nonetheless the failure to maintain REIT status could result in corporate income tax at the REIT level, thus resulting in a significant
adverse impact to REIT shareholders.
The Fund may invest in stocks of foreign companies that are classified
under the Code as passive foreign investment companies (“PFICs”). In general, a foreign company is classified as a PFIC
under the Code if at least one-half of its assets (based on a quarterly average) constitute investment-type assets or if 75% or more of
its gross income is investment-type income. Under the PFIC rules, distribution of accumulated earnings or gain from the sale of stock
of the PFIC (referred to as an “excess distribution”) received with respect to PFIC stock is treated as having been realized
ratably over the period during which the Fund held the PFIC stock.
The Fund itself will be subject to tax on the portion, if any, of the excess
distribution that is allocated to the Fund’s holding period in prior taxable years (and an interest factor will be added to the
tax, as if the tax had actually been payable in such prior taxable years) even though the Fund distributes the corresponding income to
shareholders. All excess distributions are taxable as ordinary income.
The Fund may be able to elect alternative tax treatment with respect to
the PFIC stock it holds. One election that is currently available, provided the appropriate information is received from the PFIC, requires
the Fund to generally include in its gross income its share of the earnings of a PFIC on a current basis, regardless of whether any distributions
are received from the PFIC. If this election is made, the special rules, discussed above, relating to the taxation of excess distributions,
would not apply. In addition, other elections may become available that would affect the tax treatment of PFIC stock held by the Fund.
The Fund’s intention to qualify annually as a regulated investment company may limit its elections with respect to PFIC stock.
Because the application of the PFIC rules may affect, among other things,
the character of gains, the amount of gain or loss, and the timing of the recognition of income and loss with respect to PFIC stock, as
well as subject the Fund itself to tax on certain income from PFIC stock, the amount that must be distributed to shareholders by the Fund
that holds PFIC stock, which will be taxed to shareholders as ordinary income or long-term capital gain, may be increased or decreased
substantially as compared to a fund that did not invest in PFIC stock. Investors should consult their own tax advisers in this regard.
Dividends and interest paid by foreign issuers may be subject to withholding
and other foreign taxes, which may decrease the net return on foreign investments as compared to dividends and interest paid by domestic
issuers.
The Fund will be required to report to the Internal Revenue Service all
distributions of taxable income and capital gains as well as gross proceeds from the redemption or exchange of Fund shares, except in
the case of exempt shareholders, which include most corporations. Under the backup withholding provisions, distributions of taxable income
and capital gains and proceeds from the redemption or exchange of the shares of a regulated investment company may be subject to withholding
of U.S. federal income tax at the current rate of 24% in the case of non-exempt shareholders who fail to furnish the Company with their
taxpayer identification numbers and their required certifications regarding their status under the U.S. federal income tax law. If the
withholding provisions are applicable, any such distributions and proceeds, whether taken in cash or reinvested in additional shares,
will be reduced by the amounts required to be withheld. Corporate shareholders should provide the Fund with their taxpayer identification
numbers and should certify their exempt status in order to avoid possible erroneous application of backup withholding. Backup withholding
is not an additional tax and may be credited to a taxpayer’s U.S. federal tax liability if the appropriate documentation is provided.
The Fund’s distributions are not designed to comply with any required
minimum distribution rules applicable to tax-deferred retirement accounts. In any given year, the Fund’s distributions in cash
may exceed or may be insufficient to meet the required amount for shareholders who are subject to such rules. Shareholders receiving cash
distributions from the Fund within such accounts will need to include those distributions as appropriate in the computation of their annual
required minimum distribution. Retirement account investors subject to the required minimum distribution rules should seek advice from
their own tax advisers to ensure compliance with tax requirements.
Sale or Redemption of Shares
Upon the taxable disposition (including a sale or redemption) of shares
of the Fund, a shareholder may realize a gain or loss depending upon its basis in the shares. 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 or short-term, generally depending
upon the shareholder’s holding period for the shares. Non-corporate shareholders are currently subject to tax at a maximum federal
rate of 20% on capital
gains resulting from the disposition of shares held for more than 12 months. However, a
loss realized by a shareholder on the disposition of Fund shares with respect to which capital gains dividends have been paid will, to
the extent of such capital gain dividends, also be treated as a long-term capital loss if such shares have been held by the shareholder
for six months or less. Further, a loss realized on a disposition will be disallowed to the extent the shares disposed of are replaced
(whether by reinvestment of distributions or otherwise) within a period of 61 days beginning 30 days before and ending 30 days after the
shares are disposed of. In such a case, the basis of the shares acquired will be adjusted to reflect the disallowed loss. Capital losses
in any year are deductible only to the extent of capital gains plus, in the case of a non-corporate taxpayer, $3,000 of ordinary income
($1,500 for married individuals filing separately). An exchange from one share class within the Fund to another share class within the
same Fund generally is not a taxable transaction, provided that such classes have identical rights with respect to Fund assets.
Foreign Shareholders
The foregoing discussion of U.S. federal income tax law relates solely
to the application of that law to U.S. persons, i.e., U.S. citizens and residents and U.S. domestic
corporations, partnerships, trusts, and estates. Each shareholder who is not a U.S. person should consult his or her tax adviser regarding
the U.S. and foreign tax consequences of ownership of Fund shares, including the possibility that such a shareholder may be subject to
a U.S. withholding tax at a rate of 30% (or at a lower rate under an applicable income tax treaty) on amounts received by such person,
and, for non-individual foreign shareholders, a 30% branch profits tax.
The Foreign Account Tax Compliance Act (“FATCA”)
A 30% withholding tax on the Fund’s distributions generally applies
if paid to a foreign entity unless: (i) if the foreign entity is a “foreign financial institution,” it undertakes certain
due diligence, reporting, withholding and certification obligations (including, if applicable, complying with an intergovernmental agreement);
(ii) if the foreign entity is not a “foreign financial institution,” it identifies certain of its U.S. investors; or (iii)
the foreign entity is otherwise excepted under FATCA. If applicable, and subject to any intergovernmental agreements, withholding under
FATCA is required generally with respect to distributions from the Fund. Under proposed Treasury regulations, which may be relied upon
by taxpayers until final Treasury regulations are published, there is no FATCA withholding on certain capital gains distributions and
gross proceeds from a sale or disposition of Fund shares or on certain capital gains distributions. If withholding is required under FATCA
on a payment related to your shares, investors that otherwise would not be subject to withholding (or that otherwise would be entitled
to a reduced rate of withholding) on such payment generally will be required to seek a refund or credit from the IRS to obtain the benefits
of such exemption or reduction. The Fund will not pay any additional amounts in respect to amounts withheld under FATCA. You should consult
your tax adviser regarding the effect of FATCA based on your individual circumstances.
State and Local Tax Considerations
The Fund may be subject to state or local tax in jurisdictions in which
the Fund is organized or may be deemed to be doing business.
Distributions may be subject to state and local income taxes. In addition,
the treatment of the Fund and its shareholders in those states that have income tax laws might differ from their treatment under the U.S.
federal income tax laws.
The foregoing is only a summary of certain material U.S.
federal income tax consequences affecting the Fund and its shareholders. Current and prospective shareholders are advised to consult their
own tax advisers with respect to the particular tax consequences to them of an investment in the Fund. The Fund does not expect to seek
any rulings from the Internal Revenue Service or opinions from tax counsel.
ANTI-MONEY LAUNDERING PROGRAM
The Trust has established an Anti-Money Laundering Program (the “Program”)
as required by the Uniting and Strengthening America by Providing Appropriate Tools Required to Intercept and Obstruct Terrorism Act of
2001 (“USA PATRIOT Act”). In order to ensure compliance with this law, the Trust’s Program provides for the development
of internal practices, procedures and controls, designation of anti-money laundering compliance officers, an ongoing training program
and an independent audit function to determine the effectiveness of the Program.
Procedures to implement the Program include, but are not limited to, determining
that the Fund’s Distributor and Transfer Agent have established proper anti-money laundering procedures, reporting suspicious and/or
fraudulent activity, checking shareholder names against designated government lists, including Office of Foreign Asset Control (“OFAC”),
and a complete
and thorough review of all new opening account applications. The Fund will not transact
business with any person or legal entity whose identity and beneficial owners, if applicable, cannot be adequately verified under the
provisions of the USA PATRIOT Act.
As a result of the Program, the Fund may be required to “freeze”
the account of a shareholder if the shareholder appears to be involved in suspicious activity or if certain account information matches
information on government lists of known terrorists or other suspicious persons, or the Fund may be required to transfer the account or
proceeds of the account to a governmental agency.
GENERAL INFORMATION
The Trust’s Amended and Restated Agreement
and Declaration of Trust dated as of September 27, 2011 (the “Declaration of Trust”), permits the Trustees to issue an unlimited
number of full and fractional shares of beneficial interest and to divide or combine the shares into a greater or lesser number of shares
without thereby materially changing the proportionate beneficial interest in a series or any class thereof. Upon a series’ liquidation,
all shareholders would share pro rata in the net assets of such series available for distribution
to shareholders unless otherwise determined by the Trustees or otherwise provided by the Declaration of Trust.
With respect to each series, the Trust may offer more than one class of
shares. The Trust reserves the right to create and issue additional series or classes. Each share of a series or class represents an equal
proportionate interest in that series or class with each other share of that series or class. Currently, the Fund offers three classes
of shares of beneficial interest — “Class A” Shares, “Class C” Shares and “Class I” Shares.
The shares of each series or class participate equally in the earnings,
dividends and assets of the particular series or class. General liabilities of the Trust which are not readily identifiable as belonging
to a specific series are allocated among any one or more series in a manner believed by the Trustees of the Trust to be fair and equitable.
Shares have no pre-emptive or conversion rights. Shares, when issued, are fully paid and non-assessable, except as set forth below. On
each matter submitted to a vote of shareholders, unless the Trustees determine otherwise, all shares of all series and classes shall vote
together as a single class; provided, however, that: (i) as to any matter with respect to which a separate vote of any series or class
is required by the 1940 Act or other applicable law or is required by attributes applicable to any series or class, such requirements
as to a separate vote by that series or class shall apply; (ii) unless the Trustees determine that this clause (ii) shall not apply in
a particular case, to the extent that a matter referred to in clause (i) above affects more than one series or class and the interests
of each such series or class in the matter are identical, then the shares of all such affected series or classes shall vote together as
a single class; and (iii) as to any matter which does not affect the interests of a particular series or class, only the holders of shares
of the one or more affected series or classes shall be entitled to vote. As determined by the Trustees, in their sole discretion, without
the vote or consent of shareholders, (except as required by the 1940 Act) on any matter submitted to a vote of shareholders either (x)
each whole share shall be entitled to one vote as to any matter on which it is entitled to vote and each fractional share shall be entitled
to a proportionate fractional vote or (y) each dollar of NAV (number of shares owned times NAV per share of the Trust, if no series shall
have been established, or of such series or class, as applicable) shall be entitled to one vote on any matter on which such shares are
entitled to vote and each fractional dollar amount shall be entitled to a proportionate fractional vote. Without limiting the power of
the Trustees in any way to designate otherwise in accordance with the preceding sentence, the Trustees established that each whole share
shall be entitled to one vote as to any matter on which it is entitled to vote and each fractional share shall be entitled to a proportionate
fractional vote. There is no cumulative voting in the election of Trustees. Shares may be voted in person or by proxy or in any manner
provided for in the By-Laws or as determined by the Trustees. A proxy may be given in writing, electronically, by telefax, or in any other
manner provided for in the By-Laws or as determined by the Trustees.
The Trust is not required to hold annual meetings of shareholders but will
hold special meetings of shareholders of a series or class when, in the judgment of the Trustees, it is necessary or desirable to submit
matters for a shareholder vote. Shareholders also have, in certain circumstances, the right to remove one or more Trustees. Except as
specifically provided in the Declaration of Trust, the Trustees may, without shareholder vote, amend or otherwise supplement the Declaration
of Trust by making an amendment, a Declaration supplemental thereto or an amended and restated Declaration. Shareholders shall have the
right to vote: (i) on any amendment which would affect their right to vote granted in the Declaration of Trust, (ii) on any amendment
for which such vote is required by the 1940 Act and (iii) on any amendment submitted to them by the Trustees. Any amendment required or
permitted to be submitted to shareholders which, as the Trustees determine, shall affect the shareholders of one or more series or classes
shall be authorized by vote of the shareholders of each series or class affected and no vote of shareholders of a series or class not
affected shall be required. Anything in the Declaration of Trust to the contrary notwithstanding, any amendment to Article VIII (Compensation,
Limitation of Liability of Trustees) thereof shall not limit the rights to indemnification or insurance provided therein with respect
to action or omission of
any persons protected thereby prior to such amendment. The Trustees may without shareholder
vote, restate or amend or otherwise supplement the By-Laws and the Certificate of Trust as the Trustees deem necessary or desirable. The
Trust or any series or class may be terminated by the Trustees by written notice to the series’ or class’ shareholders.
Unless so terminated, the Trust will continue indefinitely.
Rule 18f-2 under the 1940 Act provides that as to any investment company
which has two or more series outstanding and as to any matter required to be submitted to shareholder vote, such matter is not deemed
to have been effectively acted upon unless approved by the holders of a “majority” (as defined in the Rule) of the
voting securities of each series affected by the matter. Such separate voting requirements do not apply to the election of Trustees or
the ratification of the selection of accountants. The Rule contains special provisions for cases in which an advisory contract is approved
by one or more, but not all, series. A change in investment policy may go into effect as to one or more series whose holders so approve
the change even though the required vote is not obtained as to the holders of other affected series.
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
The Fund’s Financial Statements for the fiscal
year ended December 31, 2022, including the report thereon of Deloitte & Touche LLP, an independent registered public accounting firm,
also appearing therein, are incorporated herein by reference to the Fund’s Annual Report. The Fund’s Annual Report is available
upon request, and without charge, by calling 1-855-244-4859 or through the Fund’s website at https://publicsecurities.brookfield.com/en.
APPENDIX A
DESCRIPTION OF CORPORATE DEBT RATINGS
MOODY’S INVESTORS SERVICE, INC.
|
Aaa: |
|
|
Obligations rated Aaa are judged to be of
the highest quality, with minimal credit risk. |
|
|
Aa: |
|
|
Obligations rated Aa are judged to be of high
quality and are subject to very low credit risk. |
|
|
A: |
|
|
Obligations rated A are considered as upper-medium
grade and are subject to low credit risk. |
|
|
Baa: |
|
|
Obligations rated Baa
are subject to moderate credit risk. They are considered medium grade and as such may possess certain speculative characteristics.
|
|
|
Ba: |
|
|
Obligations rated Ba are judged to have speculative
elements and are subject to substantial credit risk. |
|
|
B: |
|
|
Obligations rated B are considered speculative
and are subject to high credit risk. |
|
|
Caa: |
|
|
Obligations rated Caa are judged to be of
poor standing and are subject to very high credit risk. |
|
|
Ca: |
|
|
Obligations rated Ca
are highly speculative and are likely in, or very near default, with some prospect of recovery of principal and interest. |
|
|
C: |
|
|
Obligations rated C
are the lowest rated class of bonds and are typically in default, with little prospect for recovery of principal or interest. |
|
|
Unrated: |
|
|
Where no rating has been assigned or where a rating has been suspended or withdrawn, it may
be for reasons unrelated to the quality of the issue.
Should no rating be assigned, the reason may be one of the following:
1
An application for rating was not received or accepted. 2
The issue or issuer belongs to a group of securities that are not
rated as a matter of policy. 3
There is a lack of essential data pertaining
to the issue or issuer. 4
The issue was privately placed, in which case the rating is not published in Moody’s
Investors Service, Inc.’s publications. |
|
Suspension or withdrawal may occur if new and material circumstances
arise, the effects of which preclude satisfactory analysis; if there is no longer available reasonable up-to-date data to permit a judgment
to be formed; if a bond is called for redemption; or for other reasons.
|
Note: |
|
|
Moody’s may apply
numerical modifiers, 1, 2 and 3 in each generic rating classification from Aa through B in its corporate bond rating system. The modifier
1 indicates that the security ranks in the higher end of its generic rating category; the modifier 2 indicates a mid-range ranking; and
the modifier 3 indicates that the issue ranks in the lower end of its generic rating category. |
|
STANDARD & POOR’S RATINGS SERVICE
|
AAA: |
|
|
An obligation rated ‘AAA’
has the highest rating assigned by S&P. The obligor’s capacity to meet its financial commitment on the obligation is extremely
strong. |
|
|
AA: |
|
|
An obligation rated ‘AA’
differs from the highest rated obligations only in a small degree. The obligor’s capacity to meet its financial commitment on the
obligation is very strong. |
|
|
A: |
|
|
An obligation rated ‘A’
is somewhat more susceptible to the adverse effects of changes in circumstances and economic conditions than obligations in higher rated
categories. However, the obligor’s capacity to meet its financial commitment on the obligation is still strong. |
|
|
BBB: |
|
|
An obligation rated ‘BBB’
exhibits adequate protection parameters. However, adverse economic conditions or changing circumstances are more likely to lead to a weakened
capacity of the obligor to meet its financial commitment on the obligation. |
|
|
BB, B, CCC, CC, C: |
|
|
Obligations rated ‘BB’, ‘B’,
‘CCC’, ‘CC’, and ‘C’ are regarded as having significant speculative characteristics. ‘BB’
indicates the least degree of speculation and ‘C’ the highest. While such obligations will likely have some quality and
protective characteristics, these may be outweighed by large uncertainties or major exposures to adverse conditions. |
|
|
C1: |
|
|
The rating C1 is reserved for income bonds
on which no interest is being paid. |
|
|
D: |
|
|
Bonds rated D are in payment default, and
payment of interest and/or repayment of principal is in arrears. |
|
|
Plus (+) or |
|
|
The ratings from AA to CCC may be modified by the addition of
a plus or minus sign to show relative standing |
|
|
Minus (-) |
|
|
within the major rating categories.
|
|
|
NR: |
|
|
Indicates that no rating
has been requested, that there is insufficient information on which to base a rating, or that S&P does not rate a particular type
of obligation as a matter of policy. |
|
Description of S&P and Moody’s commercial
paper ratings:
The designation A-1 by S&P indicates that the degree of safety regarding
timely payment is either overwhelming or very strong. Those issues determined to possess overwhelming safety characteristics are denoted
with a plus sign designation. Capacity for timely payment on issues with an A-2 designation is strong. However, the relative degree of
safety is not as high as for issues designated A-1.The rating Prime-1 (P-1) is the highest commercial paper rating assigned by Moody’s.
Issuers of P-1 paper must have a superior capacity for repayment of short-term promissory obligations, and ordinarily will be evidenced
by leading market positions in well established industries, high rates of return of funds employed, conservative capitalization structures
with moderate reliance on debt and ample asset protection, broad margins in earnings coverage of fixed financial charges and high internal
cash generation, and well established access to a range of financial markets and assured sources of alternate liquidity.
BROOKFIELD INVESTMENT
FUNDS (THE “REGISTRANT”)
PART C —
OTHER INFORMATION
Item 28. Exhibits.
(a)(1) |
Certificate
of Trust as filed with the State of Delaware on May 12, 2011.(1) |
|
|
(a)(2) |
Amended
and Restated Agreement and Declaration of Trust dated September 27, 2011.(2) |
|
|
(a)(3) |
Certificate
of Establishment and Designation of Registrant, on behalf of its series, Brookfield Real Assets Debt Fund dated May 14, 2015.(11) |
|
|
(a)(4) |
Certificate
of Establishment and Designation of Registrant, on behalf of its series, Brookfield MLP Fund, dated August 24, 2017.(11) |
|
|
(a)(5) |
Amended
and Restated Certificate of Establishment and Designation of Registrant, on behalf of its series, Center Coast Brookfield MLP Focus Fund
(formerly, Brookfield MLP Fund), dated November 16, 2017.(11) |
|
|
(a)(6) |
Certificate
of Establishment and Designation of Registrant, on behalf of its series, Center Coast Brookfield Energy Infrastructure Fund, dated May 17,
2018.(13) |
|
|
(a)(7) |
Amended
and Restated Certificate of Establishment and Designation of Registrant, on behalf of its series, Center Coast Brookfield Midstream Focus
Fund (formerly, Center Coast Brookfield MLP Focus Fund), dated January 24, 2020.(16) |
|
|
(a)(8) |
Certificate
of Establishment and Designation of Registrant, on behalf of its series, Oaktree Emerging Markets Equity Fund.(19) |
|
|
(a)(9) |
Certificate
of Establishment and Designation of Registrant, on behalf of its series, Brookfield Global Renewables & Sustainable Infrastructure
Fund.(21) |
|
|
(b) |
By-laws
of Registrant dated September 27, 2011.(2) |
|
|
(c) |
Instruments Defining Rights of Security Holders. |
(d)(1) |
Form of
Investment Advisory Agreement between Registrant, on behalf of its series, Brookfield Global Listed Real Estate Fund, and Brookfield Investment
Management Inc.(2) |
|
|
(d)(2) |
Form of
Investment Advisory Agreement between Registrant, on behalf of its series, Brookfield Global Listed Infrastructure Fund, and Brookfield
Investment Management Inc.(2) |
|
|
(d)(3) |
Form of
Investment Advisory Agreement between Registrant, on behalf of its series, Brookfield Global High Yield Fund, and Brookfield Investment
Management Inc.(2) |
|
|
(d)(4) |
Form of
Investment Advisory Agreement between Registrant, on behalf of its series, Brookfield High Yield Fund, and Brookfield Investment Management
Inc.(2) |
(d)(5) |
Form of
Investment Advisory Agreement between Registrant, on behalf of its series, Brookfield U.S. Listed Real Estate Fund, and Brookfield Investment
Management Inc.(6) |
|
|
(d)(6) |
Form of
Investment Advisory Agreement between Registrant, on behalf of its series, Brookfield Real Assets Securities Fund, and Brookfield Investment
Management Inc.(8) |
|
|
(d)(7) |
Form of
Investment Advisory Agreement between Registrant, on behalf of its series, Brookfield Real Assets Debt Fund, and Brookfield Investment
Management Inc.(9) |
|
|
(d)(8) |
Form of
Investment Advisory Agreement between Registrant, on behalf of its series, Center Coast Brookfield MLP Focus Fund, and Brookfield Investment
Management Inc.(11) |
|
|
(d)(9) |
Form of
Investment Advisory Agreement between Registrant, on behalf of its series, Center Coast Brookfield Energy Infrastructure Fund, and Brookfield
Investment Management Inc.(13) |
|
|
(d)(10) |
Form of
Investment Sub-Advisory Agreement between Registrant, on behalf of its series, Brookfield Global Listed Real Estate Fund, and Brookfield
Investment Management Inc.(2) |
|
|
(d)(11) |
Investment
Advisory Agreement between Registrant, on behalf of its series, Oaktree Emerging Markets Equity Fund, and Oaktree Fund Advisors, LLP.(19) |
|
|
(d)(12) |
Investment
Advisory Agreement between Registrant, on behalf of its series, Brookfield Global Renewables & Sustainable Infrastructure Fund,
and Brookfield Public Securities Group LLC.(21) |
|
|
(e)(1) |
Distribution
Agreement between Registrant and Quasar Distributors, LLC dated March 31, 2020.(17) |
|
|
(e)(2) |
First
Amendment to the Distribution Agreement.(21) |
|
|
(f) |
Not applicable. |
|
|
(g)(1) |
Form of
Custody Agreement between Registrant and U.S. Bank National Association.(2) |
|
|
(g)(2) |
Form of
First Amendment to the Custody Agreement.(6) |
|
|
(g)(3) |
Form of
Second Amendment to the Custody Agreement.(8) |
|
|
(g)(4) |
Form of
Third Amendment to the Custody Agreement.(9) |
|
|
(g)(5) |
Form of
Fourth Amendment to the Custody Agreement.(11) |
|
|
(g)(6) |
Form of
Fifth Amendment to the Custody Agreement.(13) |
|
|
(g)(7) |
Sixth
Amendment to the Custody Agreement.(19) |
|
|
(g)(8) |
Seventh
Amendment to the Custody Agreement.(21) |
|
|
(h)(1) |
Form of
Administration Agreement between Registrant, on behalf of its series, Brookfield Global Listed Real Estate Fund, and Brookfield Investment
Management Inc.(2) |
|
|
(h)(2) |
Form of
Administration Agreement between Registrant, on behalf of its series, Brookfield Global Listed Infrastructure Fund, and Brookfield Investment
Management Inc.(2) |
|
|
(h)(3) |
Form of
Administration Agreement between Registrant, on behalf of its series, Brookfield Global High Yield Fund, and Brookfield Investment Management
Inc.(2) |
(h)(4) |
Form of
Administration Agreement between Registrant, on behalf of its series, Brookfield High Yield Fund, and Brookfield Investment Management
Inc.(2) |
|
|
(h)(5) |
Form of
Administration Agreement between Registrant, on behalf of its series, Brookfield U.S. Listed Real Estate Fund, and Brookfield Investment
Management Inc.(6) |
|
|
(h)(6) |
Form of
Administration Agreement between Registrant, on behalf of its series, Brookfield Real Assets Securities Fund, and Brookfield Investment
Management Inc.(8) |
|
|
(h)(7) |
Form of
Administration Agreement between Registrant, on behalf of its series, Brookfield Real Assets Debt Fund, and Brookfield Investment Management
Inc.(9) |
|
|
(h)(8) |
Form of
Administration Agreement between Registrant, on behalf of its series, Center Coast Brookfield MLP Focus Fund, and Brookfield Investment
Management Inc.(11) |
|
|
(h)(9) |
Form of
Administration Agreement between Registrant, on behalf of its series, Center Coast Brookfield Energy Infrastructure Fund, and Brookfield
Investment Management Inc.(13) |
|
|
(h)(10) |
Administration
Agreement between Registrant, on behalf of its series, Oaktree Emerging Markets Equity Fund, and Brookfield Public Securities Group LLC.(19) |
|
|
(h)(11) |
Administration
Agreement between Registrant, on behalf of its series, Brookfield Global Renewables & Sustainable Infrastructure Fund, and Brookfield
Public Securities Group LLC.(21) |
|
|
(h)(12) |
Form of
Amended and Restated Fund Sub-Administration Servicing Agreement.(19) |
|
|
(h)(13) |
First
Amendment to the Fund Sub-Administration Servicing Agreement.(21) |
|
|
(h)(14) |
Addendum
to the Fund Sub-Administration Servicing Agreement.(23) |
|
|
(h)(15) |
Form of
Fund Accounting Servicing Agreement between Registrant and U.S. Bancorp Fund Services, LLC.(2) |
|
|
(h)(16) |
Form of
First Amendment to the Fund Accounting Servicing Agreement.(6) |
|
|
(h)(17) |
Form of
Second Amendment to the Fund Accounting Servicing Agreement.(8) |
|
|
(h)(18) |
Form of
Third Amendment to the Fund Accounting Servicing Agreement.(9) |
|
|
(h)(19) |
Form of
Fourth Amendment to the Fund Accounting Servicing Agreement.(11) |
|
|
(h)(20) |
Form of
Fifth Amendment to the Fund Accounting Servicing Agreement.(13) |
|
|
(h)(21) |
Sixth
Amendment to the Fund Accounting Servicing Agreement.(19) |
|
|
(h)(22) |
Seventh
Amendment to the Fund Accounting Servicing Agreement.(21) |
|
|
(h)(23) |
Form of
Transfer Agent Servicing Agreement between Registrant and U.S. Bancorp Fund Services, LLC.(2) |
|
|
(h)(24) |
Form of
First Amendment to the Transfer Agent Servicing Agreement.(6) |
(h)(28) |
Form of
Fifth Amendment to the Transfer Agent Servicing Agreement.(13) |
|
|
(h)(29) |
Sixth
Amendment to the Transfer Agent Servicing Agreement.(19) |
|
|
(h)(30) |
Seventh
Amendment to the Transfer Agent Servicing Agreement.(21) |
|
|
(h)(31) |
Form of
Operating Expenses Limitation Agreement.(2) |
|
|
(h)(32) |
Form of
Operating Expenses Limitation Agreement (U.S. Listed Real Estate Fund).(6) |
|
|
(h)(33) |
Form of
Operating Expenses Limitation Agreement (Real Assets Securities Fund).(8) |
|
|
(h)(34) |
Form of
Operating Expenses Limitation Agreement (Real Assets Debt Fund).(9) |
|
|
(h)(35) |
Form of
Operating Expenses Limitation Agreement (Center Coast Brookfield MLP Focus Fund).(11) |
|
|
(h)(36) |
Form of
Operating Expenses Limitation Agreement (Center Coast Brookfield Energy Infrastructure Fund).(13) |
|
|
(h)(37) |
Operating
Expenses Limitation Agreement (Oaktree Emerging Markets Equity Fund).(19) |
|
|
(h)(38) |
Operating
Expenses Limitation Agreement (Brookfield Global Renewables & Sustainable Infrastructure Fund).(21) |
|
|
(i)(1) |
Legal
Opinion and Consent of Richards, Layton & Finger, special Delaware Counsel for Registrant.(3) |
|
|
(i)(2) |
Legal
Opinion and Consent of Richards, Layton & Finger regarding legality of shares (U.S. Listed Real Estate Fund).(6) |
|
|
(i)(3) |
Legal
Opinion and Consent of Richards, Layton & Finger regarding legality of shares (Real Assets Securities Fund).(8) |
|
|
(i)(4) |
Legal
Opinion and Consent of Richards, Layton & Finger regarding legality of shares (Real Assets Debt Fund).(9) |
|
|
(i)(5) |
Legal
Opinion and Consent of Richards, Layton & Finger regarding legality of shares (Center Coast Brookfield MLP Focus Fund).(11) |
|
|
(i)(6) |
Legal
Opinion and Consent of Richards, Layton & Finger regarding legality of shares (Center Coast Brookfield Energy Infrastructure
Fund).(13) |
|
|
(i)(7) |
Legal
Opinion and Consent of Richards, Layton & Finger regarding legality of shares (Oaktree Emerging Markets Equity Fund).(19) |
|
|
(i)(8) |
Legal
Opinion and Consent of Richards, Layton & Finger regarding legality of shares (Brookfield Global Renewables & Sustainable
Infrastructure Fund).(21) |
|
|
(j)(1) |
Consent
of Tait, Weller & Baker LLP.(12) |
|
|
(j)(2) |
Consent
of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm.(24) |
(7) |
Incorporated
by reference to the Registrant’s Post-Effective Amendment No. 10 to the Registration Statement on Form N-1A (1933 Act
File No. 333-174323) as filed with the Commission on April 30, 2014. |
|
|
(8) |
Incorporated
by reference to the Registrant’s Post-Effective Amendment No. 13 to the Registration Statement on Form N-1A (1933 Act
File No. 333-174323) as filed with the Commission on October 15, 2014. |
|
|
(9) |
Incorporated
by reference to the Registrant’s Post-Effective Amendment No. 19 to the Registration Statement on Form N-1A (1933 Act
File No. 333-174323) as filed with the Commission on July 1, 2015. |
|
|
(10) |
Incorporated
by reference to the Registrant’s Post-Effective Amendment No. 24 to the Registration Statement on Form N-1A (1933 Act
File No. 333-174323) as filed with the Commission on May 1, 2017. |
|
|
(11) |
Incorporated
by reference to the Registrant’s Post-Effective Amendment No. 32 to the Registration Statement on Form N-1A (1933 Act
File No. 333-174323) as filed with the Commission on December 22, 2017. |
|
|
(12) |
Incorporated
by reference to the Registrant’s Post-Effective Amendment No. 34 to the Registration Statement on Form N-1A (1933 Act
File No. 333-174323) as filed with the Commission on January 31, 2018. |
|
|
(13) |
Incorporated
by reference to the Registrant’s Post-Effective Amendment No. 39 to the Registration Statement on Form N-1A (1933 Act
File No. 333-174323) as filed with the Commission on September 5, 2018. |
|
|
(14) |
Incorporated
by reference to the Registrant’s Post-Effective Amendment No. 41 to the Registration Statement on Form N-1A (1933 Act
File No. 333-174323) as filed with the Commission on January 28, 2019. |
|
|
(15) |
Incorporated
by reference to the Registrant’s Post-Effective Amendment No. 43 to the Registration Statement on Form N-1A (1933 Act
File No. 333-174323) as filed with the Commission on April 30 2019. |
|
|
(16) |
Incorporated
by reference to the Registrant’s Post-Effective Amendment No. 45 to the Registration Statement on Form N-1A (1933 Act
File No. 333-174323) as filed with the Commission on January 28, 2020. |
|
|
(17) |
Incorporated
by reference to the Registrant’s Post-Effective Amendment No. 47 to the Registration Statement on Form N-1A (1933 Act
File No. 333-174323) as filed with the Commission on April 29, 2020. |
Item 29. Persons controlled by or Under
Common Control with the Fund.
The Registrant, a diversified, open-end
management investment company organized as a statutory trust under the laws of the State of Delaware, may be deemed to be under common
control with Brookfield Real Assets Income Fund Inc., a diversified, closed-end management investment company organized as a Maryland
Corporation; Center Coast Brookfield MLP & Energy Infrastructure Fund, a non-diversified, closed-end management investment company
organized as a Delaware statutory trust; and Oaktree Diversified Income Fund Inc., a diversified closed-end management investment company
organized as a Maryland Corporation.
Item 30. Indemnification.
Pursuant to 12 Del. C. § 3817,
subject to such standards and restrictions, if any, as are set forth in the governing instrument of a statutory trust, a statutory trust
shall have the power to indemnify and hold harmless any trustee or beneficial owner or other person from and against any and all claims
and demands whatsoever.
The Registrant has purchased insurance
on behalf of its officers and Trustees protecting such persons from liability arising from their activities as officers or Trustees of
the Registrant. The insurance policy has certain exclusions, including, but not limited to, those acts determined to be fraudulent, dishonest
or criminal acts or omissions and improper personal profit or advantage.
Reference is made to the provisions
of Article VIII, Sections 8.2, 8.4, 8.5 and 8.6 of the Registrant’s Amended and Restated Agreement and Declaration of Trust.
Incorporated by reference to the Registrant’s Pre-Effective Amendment No. 1 to the Registration Statement on Form N-1A
(1933 Act File No. 333-174323) as filed with the Commission on October 4, 2011.
Reference is made to Section 7
of the Distribution Agreement between Registrant and Quasar Distributors, LLC. Incorporated by reference to the Registrant’s Pre-Effective
Amendment No. 47 to the Registration Statement on Form N-1A (1933 Act File No. 333-174323) as filed with the Commission
on April 29, 2020.
Insofar as indemnification for liability
arising under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “1933 Act”) may be permitted to trustees, officers and controlling
persons of the Registrant pursuant to the foregoing provisions, or otherwise, the Registrant has been advised that, in the opinion of
the SEC such indemnification is against public policy as expressed in the 1933 Act and is, therefore, unenforceable. In the event that
a claim for indemnification against such liabilities (other than the payment by the Registrant of expenses incurred or paid by a trustee,
officer or controlling person of the Registrant in the successful defense of any action, suit or proceeding) is asserted by such trustee,
officer or controlling person in connection with the securities being registered, the Registrant will, unless in the opinion of its counsel
the matter has been settled by controlling precedent, submit to a court of appropriate jurisdiction the question whether such indemnification
by it is against public policy as expressed in the 1933 Act and will be governed by the final adjudication of such issue.
Item 31. Business and Other Connections
of Investment Adviser.
Brookfield Public Securities Group
LLC (“PSG”), a Delaware limited liability company and a registered investment adviser under the Investment Advisers Act
of 1940, serves as investment adviser to the Registrant. PSG’s offices are located at Brookfield Place, 250 Vesey Street, New York,
New York 10281-1023.
Information as to the officers and
directors of PSG is included in its current Form ADV (File No. 801-34605) filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission.
Oaktree Fund Advisors, LLC (“Oaktree”),
a Delaware limited liability company and a registered investment adviser under the Investment Advisers Act of 1940, serves as investment
adviser to the Oaktree Diversified Income Fund Inc. and the Oaktree Emerging Markets Equity Fund, a series of the Registrant. Oaktree’s
offices are located at 333 South Grand Avenue, 28th Floor, Los Angeles, California 90071.
Information as to the officers and
directors of Oaktree is included in its current Form ADV (File No. 801-112570) filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission.
Item 32. Principal Underwriters.
|
(a) |
Quasar Distributors, LLC, the Registrant’s principal
underwriter, acts as principal underwriter for the following investment companies registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940,
as amended: |
|
1. |
AAM Bahl & Gaynor Small/Mid Cap Income
Growth ETF, Series of ETF Series Solutions |
|
2. |
AAM Low Duration Preferred and Income Securities
ETF, Series of ETF Series Solutions |
|
3. |
AAM S&P 500 Emerging Markets High Dividend
Value ETF, Series of ETF Series Solutions |
|
4. |
AAM S&P 500 High Dividend Value ETF,
Series of ETF Series Solutions |
|
5. |
AAM S&P Developed Markets High Dividend
Value ETF, Series of ETF Series Solutions |
|
6. |
AAM Transformers
ETF, Series of ETF Series Solutions |
|
7. |
Abbey Capital Futures Strategy Fund, Series
of The RBB Fund, Inc. |
|
8. |
Abbey Capital Multi-Asset Fund, Series
of The RBB Fund, Inc. |
|
9. |
Adara Smaller Companies Fund, Series of
The RBB Fund, Inc. |
|
10. |
Allied Asset Advisors Funds |
|
11. |
AlphaMark Actively Managed Small Cap ETF,
Series of ETF Series Solutions |
|
12. |
American Trust Allegiance Fund, Series
of Advisors Series Trust |
|
13. |
Angel Oak Funds Trust |
|
14. |
Angel Oak Strategic Credit Fund |
|
15. |
Aptus Collared Income Opportunity ETF,
Series of ETF Series Solutions |
|
16. |
Aptus Defined Risk ETF, Series of ETF Series
Solutions |
|
17. |
Aptus Drawdown Managed Equity ETF, Series
of ETF Series Solutions |
|
18. |
Aptus Enhanced Yield ETF, Series of ETF
Series Solutions |
|
19. |
Aquarius International Fund, Series of
The RBB Fund, Inc. |
|
20. |
ATAC Rotation Fund, Series of Managed Portfolio
Series |
|
21. |
Barrett Growth Fund, Series of Trust for
Professional Managers |
|
22. |
Barrett Opportunity Fund, Inc. |
|
23. |
Blue Horizon BNE ETF, Series of ETF Series
Solutions |
|
24. |
Boston Partners All Cap Value Fund, Series
of The RBB Fund, Inc. |
|
25. |
Boston Partners Emerging Markets Dynamic
Equity Fund, Series of The RBB Fund, Inc. |
|
26. |
Boston Partners Emerging Markets Fund,
Series of The RBB Fund, Inc. |
|
27. |
Boston Partners
Global Equity Fund, Series of The RBB Fund, Inc. |
|
28. |
Boston Partners Global Long/Short Fund,
Series of The RBB Fund, Inc. |
|
29. |
Boston Partners Global Sustainability Fund,
Series of The RBB Fund, Inc. |
|
30. |
Boston Partners Long/Short Equity Fund,
Series of The RBB Fund, Inc. |
|
31. |
Boston Partners Long/Short Research Fund,
Series of The RBB Fund, Inc. |
|
32. |
Boston Partners Small Cap Value Fund II,
Series of The RBB Fund, Inc. |
|
33. |
Bridges Investment Fund, Inc. |
|
34. |
Bright Rock Mid Cap Growth Fund, Series
of Trust for Professional Managers |
|
35. |
Bright Rock Quality Large Cap Fund, Series
of Trust for Professional Managers |
|
36. |
Brookfield Investment Funds |
|
37. |
BTD Capital Fund, Series of ETF Series
Solutions |
|
38. |
Buffalo Funds |
|
39. |
Campbell Systematic Macro Fund, Series
of The RBB Fund, Inc. |
|
40. |
Capital Advisors Growth Fund, Series of
Advisors Series Trust |
|
41. |
Carbon Strategy ETF, Series of ETF Series
Solutions |
|
42. |
Chase Growth Fund, Series of Advisors Series
Trust |
|
43. |
ClearShares OCIO ETF, Series of ETF Series
Solutions |
|
44. |
ClearShares Piton Intermediate Fixed Income
Fund, Series of ETF Series Solutions |
|
45. |
ClearShares Ultra-Short Maturity ETF, Series
of ETF Series Solutions |
|
46. |
Core Alternative ETF, Series of Listed
Funds Trust |
|
47. |
Cove Street Capital Small Cap Value Fund,
Series of Managed Portfolio Series |
|
48. |
CrossingBridge
Low Duration High Yield Fund, Series of Trust for Professional Managers |
|
49. |
CrossingBridge Responsible Credit Fund,
Series of Trust for Professional Managers |
|
50. |
CrossingBridge Ultra-Short Duration Fund,
Series of Trust for Professional Managers |
|
51. |
Cushingâ Mutual Funds Trust |
|
52. |
Davidson Multi Cap Equity Fund, Series
of Advisors Series Trust |
|
53. |
Dearborn Partners Rising Dividend Fund,
Series of Trust for Professional Managers |
|
54. |
Distillate International Fundamental Stability
& Value ETF, Series of ETF Series Solutions |
|
55. |
Distillate Small/Mid Cash Flow ETF, Series
of ETF Series Solutions |
|
56. |
Distillate U.S. Fundamental Stability &
Value ETF, Series of ETF Series Solutions |
|
57. |
DoubleLine Funds Trust |
|
58. |
EA Series Trust (f/k/a Alpha Architect
ETF Trust) |
|
59. |
Ecofin Global Energy Transition Fund, Series
of Managed Portfolio Series |
|
60. |
Ecofin Global
Renewables Infrastructure Fund, Series of Managed Portfolio Series |
|
61. |
Ecofin Global Water ESG Fund, Series of
Managed Portfolio Series |
|
62. |
Ecofin Sustainable Water Fund, Series of
Managed Portfolio Series |
|
63. |
Ecofin Tax-Advantaged Social Impact Fund,
Inc. |
|
64. |
Edgar Lomax Value Fund, Series of Advisors
Series Trust |
|
65. |
ETFB Green SRI REITs ETF, Series of ETF
Series Solutions |
|
66. |
First American Funds, Inc. |
|
67. |
First Sentier American Listed Infrastructure
Fund, Series of Advisors Series Trust |
|
68. |
First Sentier Global Listed Infrastructure
Fund, Series of Advisors Series Trust |
|
69. |
Fort Pitt Capital Total Return Fund, Series
of Advisors Series Trust |
|
70. |
FundX Investment Trust |
|
71. |
Great Lakes Disciplined Equity Fund, Series
of Managed Portfolio Series |
|
72. |
Great Lakes Large Cap Value Fund, Series
of Managed Portfolio Series |
|
73. |
Great Lakes Small Cap Opportunity Fund,
Series of Managed Portfolio Series |
|
74. |
Greenspring Fund, Incorporated |
|
75. |
Greenspring Income Opportunities Fund,
Series of Manager Directed Portfolios |
|
76. |
Harding, Loevner Funds, Inc. |
|
77. |
Hennessy Funds Trust |
|
78. |
Hood River International Opportunity Fund,
Series of Manager Directed Portfolios |
|
79. |
Hood River Small-Cap Growth Fund, Series
of Manager Directed Portfolios |
|
80. |
Horizon Funds |
|
81. |
Hotchkis & Wiley Funds |
|
82. |
Hoya Capital High Dividend Yield ETF, Series
of ETF Series Solutions |
|
83. |
Hoya Capital Housing ETF, Series of ETF
Series Solutions |
|
84. |
Huber Large Cap Value Fund, Series of Advisors
Series Trust |
|
85. |
Huber Mid Cap Value Fund, Series of Advisors
Series Trust |
|
86. |
Huber Select Large Cap Value Fund, Series
of Advisors Series Trust |
|
87. |
Huber Small Cap Value Fund, Series of Advisors
Series Trust |
|
88. |
iBET Sports Betting & Gaming ETF, Series
of ETF Series Solutions |
|
89. |
International Drawdown Managed Equity ETF,
Series of ETF Series Solutions |
|
90. |
Intrepid Capital Management Funds Trust |
|
91. |
Jackson Square Large-Cap Growth Fund, Series
of Managed Portfolio Series |
|
92. |
Jackson Square SMID-Cap Growth Fund, Series
of Managed Portfolio Series |
|
93. |
Jacob Funds Inc. |
|
94. |
Jensen Global Quality Growth Fund, Series
of Trust for Professional Managers |
|
95. |
Jensen Quality Value Fund, Series of Trust
for Professional Managers |
|
96. |
Kensington Active Advantage Fund, Series
of Managed Portfolio Series |
|
97. |
Kensington Dynamic Growth Fund, Series
of Managed Portfolio Series |
|
98. |
Kensington Managed Income Fund, Series
of Managed Portfolio Series |
|
99. |
Kirr, Marbach Partners Funds, Inc. |
|
100. |
LHA Market State Alpha Seeker ETF, Series
of ETF Series Solutions |
|
101. |
LHA Market State Tactical Beta ETF, Series
of ETF Series Solutions |
|
102. |
LHA Market State Tactical Q ETF, Series
of ETF Series Solutions |
|
103. |
LK Balanced Fund, Series of Managed Portfolio
Series |
|
104. |
LKCM Funds |
|
105. |
LoCorr Investment Trust |
|
106. |
Logan Capital Broad Innovative Growth ETF,
Series of Advisors Series Trust |
|
107. |
Loncar Cancer Immunotherapy ETF, Series
of ETF Series Solutions |
|
108. |
Loncar China BioPharma ETF, Series of ETF
Series Solutions |
|
109. |
MainGate Trust |
|
110. |
Mar Vista Strategic Growth Fund, Series
of Manager Directed Portfolios |
|
111. |
Matrix Advisors Funds Trust |
|
112. |
Matrix Advisors Value Fund, Inc. |
|
113. |
McElhenny Sheffield Managed Risk ETF, Series
of ETF Series Solutions |
|
114. |
Monetta Trust |
|
115. |
Motley Fool 100 Index ETF, Series of The
RBB Fund, Inc. |
|
116. |
Motley Fool Capital Efficiency 100 Index
ETF, Series of The RBB Fund, Inc. |
|
117. |
Motley Fool Global Opportunities ETF, Series
of The RBB Fund, Inc. |
|
118. |
Motley Fool Mid-Cap Growth ETF, Series
of The RBB Fund, Inc. |
|
119. |
Motley Fool Next Index ETF, Series of The
RBB Fund, Inc. |
|
120. |
Motley Fool Small-Cap Growth ETF, Series
of The RBB Fund, Inc. |
|
121. |
Muhlenkamp Fund, Series of Managed Portfolio
Series |
|
122. |
Nationwide Dow Jones® Risk-Managed
Income ETF, Series of ETF Series Solutions |
|
123. |
Nationwide Nasdaq-100 Risk-Managed Income
ETF, Series of ETF Series Solutions |
|
124. |
Nationwide Russell 2000® Risk-Managed
Income ETF, Series of ETF Series Solutions |
|
125. |
Nationwide S&P 500® Risk-Managed
Income ETF, Series of ETF Series Solutions |
|
126. |
NETLease Corporate Real Estate ETF, Series
of ETF Series Solutions |
|
127. |
Nicholas Equity Income Fund, Inc. |
|
128. |
Nicholas Fund, Inc. |
|
129. |
Nicholas II, Inc. |
|
130. |
Nicholas Limited Edition, Inc. |
|
131. |
Nuance Concentrated Value Fund, Series
of Managed Portfolio Series |
|
132. |
Nuance Concentrated Value Long Short Fund,
Series of Managed Portfolio Series |
|
133. |
Nuance Mid Cap Value Fund, Series of Managed
Portfolio Series |
|
134. |
Optima Strategic Credit Fund, Series of
The RBB Fund, Inc. |
|
135. |
Opus Small Cap Value ETF, Series of ETF
Series Solutions |
|
136. |
O'Shaughnessy Market Leaders Value Fund,
Series of Advisors Series Trust |
|
137. |
Permanent Portfolio Family of Funds |
|
138. |
Perritt Funds, Inc. |
|
139. |
PIA BBB Bond Fund, Series of Advisors Series
Trust |
|
140. |
PIA High Yield (MACS) Fund, Series of Advisors
Series Trust |
|
141. |
PIA High Yield Fund, Series of Advisors
Series Trust |
|
142. |
PIA MBS Bond Fund, Series of Advisors Series
Trust |
|
143. |
PIA Short-Term Securities Fund, Series
of Advisors Series Trust |
|
144. |
Poplar Forest Cornerstone Fund, Series
of Advisors Series Trust |
|
145. |
Poplar Forest Partners Fund, Series of
Advisors Series Trust |
|
146. |
Port Street Quality Growth Fund, Series
of Managed Portfolio Series |
|
147. |
Principal Street High Income Municipal
Fund, Series of Managed Portfolio Series |
|
148. |
Principal Street Short Term Municipal Fund,
Series of Managed Portfolio Series |
|
149. |
Procure ETF Trust II |
|
150. |
Professionally Managed Portfolios |
|
151. |
Prospector Funds, Inc. |
|
152. |
Provident Mutual Funds, Inc. |
|
153. |
PSYK ETF, Series of ETF Series Solutions |
|
154. |
Pzena Emerging Markets Value Fund, Series
of Advisors Series Trust |
|
155. |
Pzena International Small Cap Value Fund,
Series of Advisors Series Trust |
|
156. |
Pzena International Value Fund, Series
of Advisors Series Trust |
|
157. |
Pzena Mid Cap Value Fund, Series of Advisors
Series Trust |
|
158. |
Pzena Small Cap Value Fund, Series of Advisors
Series Trust |
|
159. |
RBC Funds Trust |
|
160. |
Reinhart Genesis PMV Fund, Series of Managed
Portfolio Series |
|
161. |
Reinhart International PMV Fund, Series
of Managed Portfolio Series |
|
162. |
Reinhart Mid Cap PMV Fund, Series of Managed
Portfolio Series |
|
163. |
Reverb ETF, Series of Advisors Series Trust |
|
164. |
Rockefeller Climate Solutions Fund, Series
of Trust for Professional Managers |
|
165. |
Roundhill Acquirers
Deep Value ETF, Series of ETF Series Solutions |
|
166. |
Scharf Fund, Series of Advisors Series
Trust |
|
167. |
Scharf Global Opportunity Fund, Series
of Advisors Series Trust |
|
168. |
Scharf Multi-Asset Opportunity Fund, Series
of Advisors Series Trust |
|
169. |
Semper MBS Total Return Fund, Series of
Advisors Series Trust |
|
170. |
Semper Short Duration Fund, Series of Advisors
Series Trust |
|
171. |
Series Portfolios Trust |
|
172. |
SGI Global Equity Fund, Series of The RBB
Fund, Inc. |
|
173. |
SGI Peak Growth Fund, Series of The RBB
Fund, Inc. |
|
174. |
SGI Prudent Growth Fund, Series of The
RBB Fund, Inc. |
|
175. |
SGI Small Cap Core Fund, Series of The
RBB Fund, Inc. |
|
176. |
SGI U.S. Large Cap Equity Fund, Series
of The RBB Fund, Inc. |
|
177. |
SGI U.S. Small Cap Equity Fund, Series
of The RBB Fund, Inc. |
|
178. |
Shenkman Capital Floating Rate High Income
Fund, Series of Advisors Series Trust |
|
179. |
Shenkman Capital Short Duration High Income
Fund, Series of Advisors Series Trust |
|
180. |
Terra Firma US Concentrated Realty Fund,
Series of Trust for Professional Managers |
|
181. |
The Acquirers Fund, Series of ETF Series
Solutions |
|
182. |
The Aegis Funds |
|
183. |
The Glenmede Fund, Inc. |
|
184. |
The Glenmede Portfolios |
|
185. |
The GoodHaven Funds Trust |
|
186. |
The Jensen Quality Growth Fund Inc. |
|
187. |
The RBB Fund Trust |
|
188. |
Thompson IM Funds, Inc. |
|
189. |
Tortoise MLP & Energy Income Fund,
Series of Managed Portfolio Series |
|
190. |
Tortoise MLP & Pipeline Fund, Series
of Managed Portfolio Series |
|
191. |
Tortoise North American Pipeline Fund,
Series of Managed Portfolio Series |
|
192. |
TrimTabs ETF Trust |
|
193. |
Trust for Advised Portfolios |
|
194. |
U.S. Global GO GOLD and Precious Metal
Miners ETF, Series of ETF Series Solutions |
|
195. |
U.S. Global JETS ETF, Series of ETF Series
Solutions |
|
196. |
U.S. Global Sea to Sky Cargo ETF, Series
of ETF Series Solutions |
|
197. |
US Treasury 10 Year Note ETF, Series of
The RBB Fund, Inc. |
|
198. |
US Treasury 2 Year Note ETF, Series of
The RBB Fund, Inc. |
|
199. |
US Treasury 3 Month Bill ETF, Series of
The RBB Fund, Inc. |
|
200. |
US Vegan Climate ETF, Series of ETF Series
Solutions |
|
201. |
USQ Core Real Estate Fund |
|
202. |
VegTech Plant-based Innovation & Climate
ETF, Series of Advisors Series Trust |
|
203. |
Vert Global Sustainable Real Estate Fund,
Series of Manager Directed Portfolios |
|
204. |
V-Shares MSCI World ESG Materiality and
Carbon Transition ETF, Series of Managed Portfolio Series |
|
205. |
V-Shares US Leadership Diversity ETF, Series
of Managed Portfolio Series |
|
206. |
Wahed Dow Jones Islamic World ETF, Series
of Listed Funds Trust |
|
207. |
Wahed FTSE USA Shariah ETF, Series of Listed
Funds Trust |
|
208. |
Wall Street EWM Funds Trust |
|
209. |
Wisconsin Capital Funds, Inc. |
|
210. |
WPG Partners Select Small Cap Value Fund,
Series of The RBB Fund, Inc. |
|
211. |
WPG Partners Small/Micro Cap Value Fund,
Series of The RBB Fund, Inc. |
Control
Persons of Quasar Distributors, LLC:
Foreside Distributors,
LLC
Foreside Financial Group,
LLC
GC Mountaintop Acquisition
Corp
GC Mountaintop Holdings,
LLC
Stargen X, LP
Genstar Capital Partners
X (EU) LP
Genstar Capital Partners
X, LP
Genstar Capital X, LP
Genstar X GP, LLC
Entities
under common control with Quasar Distributors, LLC:
2-10 HBW Holdings, L.P.
Abracon TopCo LLC (DBA:
Abracon)
ACA Intermediate Co 1,
LLC
Adviser Compliance Associates,
LLC
Catelas, Inc.
ACA Compliance (Europe)
Limited
ACA Performance (Europe)
Limited
Cordium Consulting Limited
Alera Investment Advisors,
LLC
AMBA Investment Holdings,
Inc. (DBA: AMBA, LLC)
GC Propel Aggregator,
LLC (DBA: AmeriLife)
Apex Group Ltd (DBA: Apex
Fund Services)
Arrowhead GS Holdings,
Inc.
Bearcat Buyer, Inc. (DBA:
Advarra)
BI Gen Holdings, Inc.
(DBA: Signant Health)
Blackbird Holdco, Inc.
(DBA: Ohio Transmission Corporation)
Breeze Investment Holdings,
L.P. (DBA: MASA Holdings)
Brinker Capital Investments,
LLC
Brinker Capital Securities,
LLC
BS Holdings LP (DBA: Stack
Sports)
Cerity Partners Equity
Holding LLC (DBA: Cerity Partners)
Cetera Advisors LLC
Cetera Advisors Networks
LLC
Cetera Advisory Services
LLC
Cetera Financial Specialists
LLC
Cetera Investment Advisers
LLC
Cetera Investment Management
LLC
Cetera Investment Services
LLC
Cipperman Compliance Services,
LLC
Compass Distributors,
LLC
Consilio Investment Holdings,
Inc. (DBA: 20-20 Technologies)
Diamond Parent L.P. (DBA:
Daxko)
Dormie Buyer, Inc. (DBA:
Lightspeed Systems)
First Allied Securities,
Inc.
Foreside Advisory Services,
LLC
Foreside Consulting Services,
LLC
Foreside Distribution
Services, L.P.
Foreside Distributors,
LLC
Foreside Financial Group,
LLC
Foreside Financial Services,
LLC
Foreside Fund Officer
Services, LLC
Foreside Fund Services,
LLC
Foreside Funds Distributors
LLC
Foreside Global Services
Limited
Foreside Global Services,
LLC
Foreside Management Services,
LLC
Funds Distributor, LLC
GC EOS Investco, LLC (DBA:
BBB)
GC Overdrive Holdings
LLC (DBA: OEConnection)
GC Two Holdings, Inc.
(DBA: Cetera)
GC Waves Holdings, Inc.
(DBA: Mercer Advisors)
Genstar Alera Group Holdings,
Inc. (DBA: Alera Group, Inc.)
Genstar Capital Partners
IX, L.P.
Genstar Capital Partners
VII, L.P.
Genstar Capital Partners
VIII, L.P.
Genstar Capital Partners
VI, L.P.
Genstar SCF Topco LLC
(DBA: Sonny’s Enterprises)
Genstar Trident Holdings,
L.P. (DBA: Tekni-Plex)
GC Champion Holdings LLC
(DBA: Numerix)
GS Overdrive Holdings,
LLC
GS TruckLite Holdings,
LLC (DBA: Clarience Technologies)
GT Polaris Holdings, L.P.
(DBA: Orion)
Hardin Compliance Consulting,
LLC
IMST Distributors, LLC
Jester Parent LLC (DBA:
All Web Leads, Inc.)
JOHCM Funds Distributors,
LLC
Juniper Ultimate Holdings,
LLC (DBA: JSSI)
LM Indigo Holdings LLC
(DBA: Inside Real Estate)
LM Indigo Investment Holdings
V-A LLC
Marcone Yellowstone Holdings,
L.P. (DBA: Marcone)
Mekone Parent, LLC (DBA:
Prometheus Group)
Merion Rose Holdings,
Inc. (DBA: Brook & Whittle)
MGI Funds Distributors,
LLC
Mirabella Financial Services,
LLP
Mirabella Advisers, LLP
Mirabella Malta Limited
Mirabella Malta Advisers
Limited
Northern Funds Distributors,
LLC
OBS Holdings, L.P. (DBA:
Obsidian)
Orbis Investments (U.S.),
LLC
Parnassus Funds Distributor,
LLC
Procure
TopCo, L.P. (DBA: Procure Analytics)
PSKW Holdings, LLC (DBA:
ConnectiveRx)
Saybrus Equity Services,
LLC (US broker-dealer)
Sterling Capital Distributors,
LLC
The Waterford Group, LLC
Thunder Holdco Inc. (DBA:
Telestream Holdings Corp.)
Thunder Topco LP (DBA:
Vector Solutions)
Titan
DI Holdings, Inc.
VT Distributors LLC
|
(b) |
To the best of Registrant’s knowledge, the directors
and executive officers of Quasar Distributors, LLC are as follows: |
Name
and Principal Business Address |
|
Positions
and Offices with Quasar Distributors, LLC |
|
Positions
and Offices with Registrant |
Teresa Cowan(2) |
|
President and Manager |
|
None |
|
|
|
|
|
Chris Lanza(1) |
|
Vice President |
|
None |
|
|
|
|
|
Kate Macchia(1) |
|
Vice President |
|
None |
|
|
|
|
|
Susan L. LaFond(2) |
|
Vice President,
Chief Compliance Officer and Treasurer |
|
None |
|
|
|
|
|
Jennifer A.
Brunner(2) |
|
Vice President
and Chief Compliance Officer |
|
None |
|
|
|
|
|
Kelly B. Whetstone(1) |
|
Secretary |
|
None |
(1) |
This individual is located at Three
Canal Plaza, Suite 100, Portland, Maine 04101. |
|
|
(2) |
This individual is located at 111
East Kilbourne Avenue, Suite 2200, Milwaukee, Wisconsin, 53202. |
Item 33. Location of Accounts and Records.
All accounts, books and
other documents required to be maintained by Section 31(a) of the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, relating to the
Registrant are maintained at the following offices:
|
1. |
Brookfield Public Securities Group LLC
Brookfield Place
250 Vesey Street, 15th Floor
New York, New York 10281-1023 |
|
2. |
U.S. Bancorp Fund Services, LLC
615 East Michigan Street Milwaukee, Wisconsin 53202 |
|
3. |
U.S. Bank National Association
1555 North River Center Drive, Suite 302
Milwaukee, Wisconsin 53212 |
|
4. |
Quasar Distributors, LLC
111 East Kilbourne Avenue, Suite 2200
Milwaukee, WI 53202 |
Item 34. Management Services.
None.
Item 35. Undertakings.
Not applicable.
SIGNATURES
Pursuant
to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, the Registrant, BROOKFIELD
INVESTMENT FUNDS, certifies that it meets all the requirements for effectiveness of this Registration Statement under rule 485(b) under
the Securities Act and has duly caused this Post-Effective Amendment No. 70 to its Registration Statement to be signed on its behalf
by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, in the City of New York, and State of New York, on the 28th day of April,
2023.
|
BROOKFIELD INVESTMENT FUNDS |
|
|
|
By: |
/s/ Brian
F. Hurley |
|
|
Brian F. Hurley |
|
|
President |
Pursuant
to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, this Post-Effective Amendment No. 70 to the Registration Statement
has been signed below by the following persons in the capacities and on the date(s) indicated.
SIGNATURE |
|
CAPACITY |
|
DATE |
|
|
|
|
|
/s/
Brian F. Hurley |
|
President |
|
April 28, 2023 |
Brian F. Hurley |
|
(Principal Executive Officer) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
/s/
Casey P. Tushaus |
|
Treasurer |
|
April 28, 2023 |
Casey P. Tushaus |
|
(Principal Financial and Accounting Officer) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
* |
|
Trustee |
|
April 28, 2023 |
Heather S. Goldman |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
* |
|
Trustee |
|
April 28, 2023 |
David Levi |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
* |
|
Trustee |
|
April 28, 2023 |
Edward A. Kuczmarski |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
* |
|
Trustee |
|
April 28, 2023 |
Stuart A. McFarland |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
* |
|
Trustee |
|
April 28, 2023 |
William H. Wright II |
|
|
|
|
*By: |
/s/ Brian
F. Hurley |
|
April 28, 2023 |
|
Brian F. Hurley |
|
|
|
Attorney-In-Fact, pursuant to a Power of Attorney
previously filed. |
Exhibit List