As
filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission on
File No. 333-191495
File No. 811-22895
U.S. SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
FORM
REGISTRATION STATEMENT UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933 | x | |
PRE-EFFECTIVE AMENDMENT NO. | ||
POST-EFFECTIVE AMENDMENT NO. 129 | ||
and/or | ||
REGISTRATION STATEMENT UNDER THE INVESTMENT COMPANY ACT OF 1940 | x | |
AMENDMENT NO. 130 |
(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in Charter)
225 Pictoria Drive, Suite 450, Cincinnati, Ohio 45246
(Address of Principal Executive Offices, Zip Code)
513-587-3400
(Registrant’s Telephone Number, including Area Code)
Matthew J. Miller
President and Chief Executive Officer
Capitol Series Trust
225 Pictoria Drive, Suite 450, Cincinnati, Ohio 45246
(Name and Address of Agent for Service)
Copy to:
Thomas G. Sheehan
Practus LLP
11300 Tomahawk Creek Pkwy
Suite 310
Leawood, KS 66211
It is proposed that this filing will become effective:
x | immediately upon filing pursuant to paragraph (b) |
o | on [ ] pursuant to paragraph (b) |
o | 60 days after filing pursuant to paragraph (a)(i) |
o | on pursuant to paragraph (a)(i) |
o | 75 days after filing pursuant to paragraph (a)(ii) |
o | on pursuant to paragraph (a)(ii) of Rule 485 |
If appropriate, check the following box:
o | This post-effective amendment designates a new effective date for a previously filed post-effective amendment. |
Preserver Alternative Opportunities Fund
Institutional Shares –
PROSPECTUS
Preserver Partners, LLC
425 Madison Avenue
Memphis, TN 38103
(844) 838-2119 or (901) 755-4737
The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has not approved or disapproved these securities or passed upon the adequacy or accuracy of this Prospectus. Any representation to the contrary is a criminal offense.
The Prospectus gives you important information about the fund that you should know before you invest. Please read this Prospectus carefully before investing and use it for future reference.
Not A Deposit ● Not FDIC Insured ● May Lose Value ● No Bank Guarantee ● Not Insured By Any Government Agency |
Table of Contents |
PAGE | SECTION |
1 | Summary Section |
1 | Investment Objective |
1 | Fees and Expenses of the Fund |
2 | Principal Investment Strategies |
3 | Principal Investment Risks |
7 | Performance |
9 | Portfolio Management |
9 | Purchase and Sale of Fund Shares |
9 | Tax Information |
9 | Payments to Brokers-Dealers and Other Financial Intermediaries |
10 | Additional Information Regarding Principal Investment Strategies |
10 | Overview of Fund |
11 | Description of Principal Investments |
12 | Investment Process |
13 | Temporary Defensive Position |
13 | Portfolio Holdings Information |
13 | Additional Information Regarding Principal Investment Risks |
19 | Account Information |
20 | How to Buy Shares |
22 | How to Redeem Shares |
25 | Purchasing and Selling through Financial Intermediaries |
26 | Determination of Net Asset Value |
27 | Dividends, Distributions, and Taxes |
27 | Dividends and Distributions |
27 | Taxes |
29 | Additional Information about Management of the Fund |
29 | The Adviser |
30 | Portfolio Manager |
31 | Financial Highlights |
Back Cover | For More Information |
The investment objective of the Preserver Alternative Opportunities Fund (the Fund) is to seek current income and capital appreciation with low volatility compared to the major equity and fixed income markets.
This table describes the fees and expenses that you may pay if you buy and hold shares of the Fund.
Institutional Shares | |
Shareholder Fees (fees paid directly from your investment) | |
Redemption Fee (as a % of amount redeemed within 60 days of purchase) |
Annual Fund Operating Expenses (expenses that you pay each year as a percentage of the value of your investment) | Institutional Shares |
Management Fee | |
Distribution and/or Service Fee (12b-1) Fees | |
Other Expenses (1) | |
Acquired Fund Fees and Expenses | |
Total Annual Operating Expenses (2) | |
Expense Waiver/Reimbursement (3) | ( |
Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses After Fee Waiver/Expense Reimbursement (2)(3) | |
(1) |
(2) |
(3) |
1
This Example is intended to help you compare the cost of investing in the Fund with the cost of investing in other mutual funds.
1 Year | 3 Years | 5 Years | 10 Years | |
Institutional Shares | $ |
$ |
$ |
$ |
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 Funds performance. The Funds
portfolio turnover rate for the most recent fiscal year was
The Fund pursues its investment objective by principally investing in equity and fixed income securities pursuant to a variety of alternative investment strategies employed by Preserver Partners, LLC (the Adviser). In addition to the employment of alternative investment strategies, the Adviser may employ a long-only strategy involving the purchase of equity and fixed income securities that the Adviser believes are undervalued based on traditional fundamental analysis. At no time, however, will the long-only strategy be the only strategy employed to manage the Funds assets.
Permissible Investments.
Equity Securities. The equity securities in which the Fund primarily invests are common and preferred stock of U.S. issuers, similar securities issued by foreign issuers, American Depositary Receipts or ADRs relating to foreign issuers as well as the exchange-traded (including NASDAQ traded) common securities of master limited partnerships (each an MLP), business development companies (each a BDC) and real estate investment trusts (each a REIT) (collectively, Equity Securities). The Fund may invest in the Equity Securities of companies of all sizes.
Fixed Income Securities. The fixed income securities in which the Fund primarily invests are mortgage-backed securities (collateralized mortgage obligations, commercial mortgage-backed securities, residential mortgage-backed securities), corporate debt obligations, and asset-backed securities (collateralized loan obligations (each a CLO)) and loan participations) issued by U.S. issuers as well as U.S. government securities (Fixed Income Securities and collectively with Equity Securities, Securities). The Fund may invest in fixed or variable rate Fixed Income Securities across the credit and maturity spectrum including junk bonds which are Fixed Income Securities that are not rated in the top four rating categories of a nationally recognized statistical rating organization (Investment Grade Securities) or are unrated and not deemed to be of comparable quality to Investment Grade Securities by the Adviser.
Alternative Investment Strategies and Long-Only Investing. Alternative investment strategies are investment strategies that are not intended to correlate with the performance of the general equity and bond markets. The alternative investment strategies that the Adviser principally employs to manage the Funds portfolio are described in the following table. The alternative strategies included in the table are organized alphabetically and the order in which they are presented is not representative of the allocation of Fund assets to any one strategy.
2
Alternative Investment Strategies.
Event Driven Strategy | Seeks to capitalize on the effect of events on the value of Equity and/or Fixed Income Securities by purchasing those securities whose value is expected to increase due to an anticipated event. Securities subject to this strategy may include Equity and Fixed Income Securities of distressed companies (e.g., companies whose Securities are available at a reduced price but are expected to be worth more after emergence from bankruptcy or upon liquidation) and companies subject to potential mergers as well as companies initiating spin offs, restructurings and recapitalizations. |
Structured Credit Strategy | Involves the purchase of residential and commercial mortgage-backed securities, corporate debt obligations, loan participations and CLOs (collectively, Structured Credit Securities) that the Adviser believes are undervalued. |
Tactical Trading Strategy | Attempts to capitalize on increases in the values of Equity and/or Fixed Income Securities in response to economic and political changes such as changes in interest rates, exchange rates, liquidity and political leadership. |
Fundamental Long-Only Strategy. In addition to the alternative investment strategies discussed above, the Adviser may employ a fundamental long-only strategy involving the purchase of Equity and Fixed Income Securities that the Adviser believes are undervalued based on traditional fundamental analysis. Traditional fundamental analysis includes the assessment of market-based factors such as the condition of the overall economy and industry-related economic data as well as issuer-specific factors such as financial condition, management and product/service offerings. Pursuant to this strategy, the Adviser may also invest Fund assets in U.S. Treasury securities or maintain a portion of Fund assets in cash to hedge/provide protection against a decline in the value of equity securities and/or the credit risk associated with fixed income securities held in the Funds portfolio.
Pooled Investment Vehicles. The Adviser may implement the alternative investment strategies described above by investing the Funds assets in the common securities of exchange-traded closed-end funds and exchange-traded funds (each an ETF) registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the 1940 Act), and the common securities issued by hedge funds, private investment funds exempt from registration as an investment company under the 1940 Act (each a, Private Fund).
Illiquid Securities. The Fund limits its investment in illiquid securities to 15% of the Funds net assets. The Fund intends to treat the CLOs, loan participations and Private Funds in which it invests as illiquid for purposes of the Funds limitation on illiquid investments.
Investment Process. The Adviser looks for long-term return potential over a full market cycle similar to that of a diversified liquid alternatives index. A full market cycle is a peak-to peak period that includes a recession and a price decline of at least 20% from the previous market peak, followed by a rebound that establishes a new, higher peak. The Adviser also searches for Equity and/or Fixed Income Securities with current income potential of greater than 2-3% for equity-focused strategies and greater than 6% for other strategies, lower volatility as compared to equity and fixed income markets, and liquidity.
In conducting its evaluation of potential portfolio securities, where applicable, the Adviser will look to invest in securities that meet its Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) criteria. If the Adviser believes that the Funds ESG criteria are partially or wholly inapplicable to a certain class of portfolio securities, the Adviser may only apply certain of its ESG criteria, or none of its ESG criteria, as appropriate, to that class of securities.
All
investments involve risks, and the Fund cannot guarantee that it will achieve its investment objective.
ADR Risk. Investments in ADRs are subject to many of the same risks that are associated with direct investments in securities of foreign issues (See also Foreign Security Risk below). These risks may adversely affect the value of ADRs. In addition, ADRs may not track the price of the underlying foreign securities, and their value may change materially at times when the U.S. markets are not open for trading. In a sponsored ADR arrangement, the foreign issuer assumes the obligation to pay some or all of the depositorys transaction fees. Under an unsponsored ADR arrangement, the foreign issuer assumes no obligations and the depositarys transaction fees are paid directly by the ADR holders. Because unsponsored ADR arrangements are organized independently and without the cooperation of the issuer of the underlying securities, available information concerning the foreign issuer may not be as current as for sponsored ADRs and voting rights with respect to the deposited securities are not passed through.
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BDC Risk. A BDC may invest in the equity and fixed income securities of smaller and developing companies as well as companies that are experiencing financial crises (Portfolio Companies). Investments in smaller and developing Portfolio Companies involve a greater risk of loss due to their youth and limited track records and are more susceptible to competition and economic and market changes due to limited products and market shares. Because Portfolio Companies may have limited capital resources, there is also a greater risk of default on fixed income securities issued and non-payment of dividends on any preferred and common stock issued. Investments in Portfolio Companies typically have limited liquidity and a BDC may not be able to liquidate investments in Portfolio Companies at their perceived value and may not be able to reduce exposure to such investments during adverse market or economic conditions. A BDC may use leverage (e.g. borrowing and the issuance of fixed income and preferred securities) to finance its own operations and may suffer significant losses if market fluctuations cause the BDCs net asset value (NAV) to decline or if related interest charges exceed investment income. BDCs are permitted to use a higher level of leverage than a registered investment company, typically have high management fees, including incentive fees that registered investment companies are not permitted to impose. The Fund has no control over the investments made by BDCs, and BDCs are subject to additional risks such as the fact that their shares may trade at a market price above or below their NAVs or an active market may not develop for their shares.
See also Fee Layering Risk below.
Collateralized Loan Obligation Risk. A CLO is an asset-backed security with respect to which an investor bears the investment risks associated with Fixed Income Securities and asset-backed securities. See Fixed Income Security Risk and Mortgage-backed and Asset-backed Securities Risk below. The Fund classifies CLOs as an illiquid investment and may have difficulty valuing such securities, which may cause the Funds NAV to fluctuate significantly. The Fund may lose money if it cannot sell such securities when it chooses to do.
Equity Security Risk. The value of Equity Securities is influenced by a number of factors which may relate directly to the issuer of the Equity Securities or broader economic or market events, including changes in interest rates. Common stock ranks below preferred stock and debt securities with respect to claims for dividends and for assets of the company issuing the Equity Securities in a liquidation or bankruptcy.
ESG Risk. Applying ESG criteria to the investment process may exclude securities of certain issuers for both investment and non-investment reasons and therefore the Fund may forgo some market opportunities available to funds that do not use ESG or sustainability criteria. Securities of companies with certain focused ESG practices may shift into and out of favor depending on market and economic conditions, and the Funds performance may at times be better or worse than the performance of funds that do not use ESG or sustainability criteria.
Fee Layering Risk. When the Fund invests in a BDC, MLP, Private Fund, another registered investment company or REIT, the Fund will indirectly bear its proportionate share of any fees and expenses payable directly by that entity. Therefore, the Fund will incur additional expenses which may be duplicative of the Funds own operational expenses. As a result, the Funds investments in these entities may result in the Fund paying higher expenses than other funds with similar investment objectives and strategies or than if it invested directly in the securities held by these entities.
Fixed Income Security Risk. Generally, Fixed Income Securities are subject to the following investment risks:
Call Risk. Some Fixed Income Securities give the issuer the option to call, or redeem, the bonds before their maturity date. If an issuer calls its bonds during a time of declining interest rates, the Fund may have to invest the proceeds in an investment offering a lower yield. During periods of market illiquidity or rising interest rates, prices of the Funds callable issues may be more volatile.
Credit Risk. The value of Fixed Income Securities change in response to changes in the credit ratings of those securities. Generally, investment risk and price volatility increase as a securitys credit rating declines. Investments in fixed income securities issued by U.S. Government sponsored entities such as the Federal National Mortgage Association, the Federal Home Loan Mortgage Association, and the Federal Home Loan Banks involve credit risk as they are not backed by the full faith and credit of the U.S. Government.
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Interest Rate Risk. An increase in interest rates typically causes a fall in the value of the Fixed Income Securities.
Prepayment/Extension Risk. Issuers may experience acceleration in prepayments of mortgage loans or other receivables backing the issuers Fixed Income Securities when interest rates decline, which can shorten the maturity of the security, force investors to acquire Fixed Income Securities with lower interest rates, and reduce return. Issuers may decrease prepayments of principal when interest rates increase, extending the maturity of a Fixed Income Security and causing the value of the security to decline.
Variable Rate Securities. The interest income generated by variable rate Fixed Income Securities will decline as interest rates decline and the securitys benchmark interest rate may not change as quickly as interest rates fluctuate causing the interest payments to be less than anticipated as interest rates rise. A secondary market may not exist for variable rate securities and such securities and an investor may not be able to sell such securities upon default of the issuer.
Foreign Security Risk. Foreign investments, including ADRs, are subject to sovereign risk and may be adversely affected by changes in currency exchange rates, future political and economic developments, and the possible imposition of exchange controls or other foreign governmental laws or restrictions. There may be less publicly available information about a foreign company than about a U.S. company, and accounting, auditing and financial reporting standards and requirements may not be comparable.
Investment Company Risk. The 1940 Act, and the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the IRC), impose numerous constraints on the operations of registered investment companies, like the Fund. These restrictions may prohibit the Fund from making certain investments thus potentially limiting its profitability. Moreover, failure to satisfy certain requirements required under the IRC may prevent the Fund from qualifying as a regulated investment company, thus requiring the Fund to pay unexpected taxes and penalties, which could be material.
In addition, the Fund will be affected by losses incurred by these investment companies and the level of risk arising from the investment practices of the investment companies (such as the use of leverage). The Fund has no control over the investments made by these investment companies. See also Fee Layering Risk above.
Exchange-traded closed-end funds and ETFs are subject to additional risks such as the fact that their shares may trade at a market price above or below their NAVs or an active market may not develop for their shares.
Large Company Risk. Larger, more established companies may be unable to attain the high growth rates of successful, smaller companies, especially during extended periods of economic expansion. Larger, more established companies may be unable to respond quickly to new competitive challenges such as changes in consumer tastes or innovative smaller competitors, potentially resulting in lower market prices for their common stock.
Loan Participation Risk. The purchaser of a loan participation assumes the credit risk associated with the corporate borrower and may assume the credit risk associated with an interposed bank or other financial intermediary. Unless, under the terms of the loan, the Fund has direct recourse against the corporate borrower, the Fund may have to rely on the agent bank or other financial intermediary to apply appropriate credit remedies against a corporate borrower. The Fund classifies loan participations as an illiquid investment and may have difficulty valuing such securities, which may cause the Funds NAV to fluctuate significantly. The Fund may lose money if it cannot sell such securities when it chooses to do. See also, Fixed Income Security Risk above.
Management Risk. The performance of the Fund depends on the Advisers success in selecting investments on behalf of the Fund. The Advisers judgments about the attractiveness, value, the potential income to be generated by individual securities and the potential appreciation of a particular asset class or individual security in which the Fund invests may fail to produce the intended result. The securities selected by the Adviser may underperform other assets or the overall market. The 1940 Act and the IRC impose numerous investment constraints on the operations of registered investment companies that do not apply to the other types of investment accounts managed by the Adviser.
Market Risk. Movements in the stock market may adversely affect the securities held by the Fund on a daily basis, and as a result, such movements may negatively affect the Funds net asset value (NAV) and investment return. Prices for securities in which the Fund invests may move up or down, sometimes rapidly and unpredictably, as a result of market influences. The Funds investments may decline in value due to factors affecting securities markets generally, or particular industries or sectors represented in those markets. The Funds investments are subject to the following market-related risks, among others: inflation risk; geopolitical risks, including wars, terrorism, government shutdowns, and concerns about sovereign debt; natural and environmental disasters, including earthquakes, tsunamis and hurricanes; widespread disease, including pandemics and epidemics; and market manipulation and other fraudulent practices. For additional information regarding Market Risk, including the effect of pandemics such as the novel coronavirus disease on financial markets, please see Market Risk in the section titled Additional Information Regarding Principal Investment Risks in this prospectus.
5
Medium/Small Company Risk. Smaller companies involve greater risk of loss and price fluctuation than larger companies. Many of these companies are young and have a limited track record. Their securities may also be less liquid and more volatile and investors may have greater difficulty buying or selling these securities at an acceptable price, especially in periods of market volatility.
MLP Risk. MLPs are subject to many risks, including those that differ from the risks involved in an investment in the common stock of a corporation. Holders of MLP interests have limited control and voting rights on matters affecting the partnership and are exposed, under certain circumstances, to a possibility of liability for all of the obligations of that MLP. Holders of MLP interests are also exposed to the risk that they will be required to repay amounts to the MLP that are wrongfully distributed to them. In addition, the value of an investors investment in an MLP will depend in part on the MLPs treatment as a partnership for U.S. federal income tax purposes. MLP interests may not be as liquid as other more commonly traded equity securities and have relatively high distribution rates compared to corporate securities. The characterization of these distributions as either long-term capital gains or as some other type of return may not be ascertainable until the end of a taxable year and may complicate the calculation of the Funds and its shareholders taxes. See also Fee Laying Risk above.
Mortgage-backed and Asset-backed Securities Risk. Guarantees of mortgage-backed securities relate to the principal and interest payments and not the market value of such securities. Mortgage-backed securities do not have a fixed maturity and their expected maturities may vary when interest rates rise or fall. An increased rate of prepayments on mortgage-backed securities will result in an unforeseen loss of interest income to investors as investors as they may be required to reinvest assets at a lower interest rate. A decreased rate of prepayments lengthens the expected maturity of a mortgage-backed security. The prices of mortgage-backed securities may decrease more than prices of other fixed-income securities when interest rates rise. See also Fixed Income Security Risk above.
The value of asset-backed securities depends on many factors, including changes in interest rates, the availability of information concerning the pool and its structure, the credit quality of the underlying assets, the markets perception of the servicer of the pool, and any credit enhancement provided. In addition, asset-backed securities have prepayment risks similar to those of mortgage-backed securities.
Non-Investment Grade Securities Risk. Non-Investment Grade Securities or Junk Bonds are generally subject to greater market, credit and liquidity risks than Investment Grade Securities and are considered speculative with respect to the issuers ability to make principal and interest payments. The prices of Junk Bonds may fall dramatically in response to bad news about the issuer or its industry, or the economy in general.
Private Fund Risk. The Fund, as an investor in a Private Fund, will not have the benefit of protections afforded by the 1940 Act to investors in registered investment companies. See, Investment Company Risk above. The following additional risks are relevant to the Funds investments in Private Funds:
Control Risk. The Adviser will not have control of, or have the ability to exercise influence over, the trading policies or strategies of a Private Fund. A Private Funds investment strategies may evolve over time in response to fluctuating market conditions without notice to investors.
Investment Risk. The Fund will be affected by losses incurred by these Private Funds and the level of risk arising from their investment policies. The Fund has no control over the investments made by Private Funds.
Liquidity Risk. The Funds interests in Private Funds are illiquid and subject to substantial restrictions on transferability. The Fund may not be able to acquire initial interests (or additional interests) in a Private Fund or withdraw all or a portion of its investment from a Private Fund promptly after it has made a decision to do so because of limitations set forth in that funds governing documents (or in such negotiated side letter or similar arrangement as the Adviser may be able to negotiate on behalf of the Fund).
6
Transparency Risk. Private Funds typically provide limited portfolio information. This may result in a Private Fund using investment strategies that are not fully disclosed to the Adviser. Absent the availability of strategy and investment details, the Fund may not be in a position to timely liquidate interests in a Private Fund as changes to the Private Fund strategies and investments evolve over time.
Valuation Risk. Market quotations for Private Funds are not readily available and, therefore, the value of the Funds investment in a Private Fund will be valued at fair value pursuant to procedures approved by the Board. Given the subjectivity inherent in fair valuation and the limited portfolio information typically available from a Private Fund, the price at which the Fund values its interest in the Fund may differ from any periodic valuation of the Funds interest provided by the Private Fund and the price at which the Fund ultimately sells its interest in the Private Fund.
See also Fee Layering Risk above.
Regulatory Risk. Changes in government regulations may adversely affect the operations and value of the Fund or the companies in which it invests. Industries and markets that are not adequately regulated may be susceptible to the initiation of inappropriate practices that adversely affect the Fund or the companies in which it invests.
REIT Risk. REITs are subject to the risks generally associated with real estate investments, such as: (1) fluctuations in the value of real estate; (2) adverse general and local economic conditions; (3) possible lack of availability of mortgage funds or other limits on obtaining capital; (4) changes in interest rates; (5) environmental problems; (6) overbuilding; (7) extended vacancies of properties; (8) increases in property taxes; and (9) changes in zoning laws and regulations. REITs are also subject to the risks related to their structure and focus such as dependency upon management and heavy cash flow, and limited diversification (e.g., focus on certain types of real estate such as apartment buildings or real estate located in certain areas). These reasons may cause REITs to be less liquid and more volatile than other exchange-traded securities. See also Fee Layering Risk above.
Sector Risk. Although the Fund will not concentrate its portfolio in any particular industry or group of industries, the Adviser may allocate more of the Funds investments to a particular sector or sectors in the market. If the Fund invests a significant portion of its total assets in certain sectors, its investment portfolio will be more susceptible to the financial, economic, business, and political developments that affect those sectors.
Value Investing Risk. The determination that a security is undervalued is subjective. The market may not agree with the Advisers determination and the securitys price may not rise to what the Adviser believes is its full fair value. The security may even decrease in value.
Visit
7
The bar chart shows the changes in annual total returns on a calendar year-by-year basis for the Funds Institutional Shares.
During
the period shown in the bar chart,
The average annual total returns table portrays how the Funds average annual returns compare with those of its benchmark, the Wilshire Liquid Alternative Index TR.
Average Annual Total Returns
for the period ended December 31, 2021
1 Year | 5 Years | Since inception(1) | |
Preserver Alternative Opportunities Fund – Institutional Shares | |||
Return After Taxes on Distributions(2)(3) | |||
Return After Taxes on Distributions and Sale of Fund Shares(2)(3) | |||
Wilshire Liquid Alternative Index TR(4) |
(1) |
(2) |
(3) |
(4) |
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Portfolio Management
The Funds Adviser is Preserver Partners, LLC. Dr. Floyd Tyler, CFA, is the President and Chief Investment Officer of the Adviser and Portfolio Manager for the Adviser.
Dr. Tyler is also the Funds Portfolio Manager and is responsible for the day-to-day management of the Fund. Dr. Tyler has managed the Funds portfolio since its inception in March 2016. Dr. Tyler founded the Adviser in 2009 and has served as President and Chief Investment Officer of the Adviser since that date.
Purchase and Sale of Fund Shares
Minimum Initial Investment | To Place Buy or Sell Orders | ||
Institutional Shares - $2,000 for all account types | By Mail: | Preserver
Alternative Opportunities Fund c/o Ultimus Fund Solutions, LLC P.O. Box 46707 Cincinnati, OH 45246-0707 | |
Minimum Subsequent Investment | By Phone: | (844) 838-2119 | |
Institutional Shares - $100 for all account types |
Minimums may be modified or waived for certain financial intermediaries that aggregate trades on behalf of investors.
You may also purchase and redeem shares through your dealer or financial adviser. Please contact your financial intermediary directly to find out if additional requirements apply.
Tax Information
The Fund has distributions that are taxable and will be taxed as ordinary income or capital gains, unless you are investing through a tax-deferred account, such as a 401(k) plan, individual retirement account (IRA) or 529 college savings plan, or are a tax-exempt investor. You should be aware that investments in tax-deferred accounts may be taxable at withdrawal. You should discuss any tax-related concerns with your tax adviser or attorney.
Payments to Brokers-Dealers and Other Financial Intermediaries
If you purchase Fund shares through a bank, broker-dealer, 401(k) plan, financial adviser or financial supermarket (each a Financial Intermediary), the Fund and its related companies may pay the Financial Intermediary for the sale of Fund shares and related services. These payments may create conflicts of interest by influencing the Financial Intermediary and your salesperson to recommend the Fund over another investment. Ask your salesperson or visit your Financial Intermediarys website for more information.
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Additional Information Regarding Principal Investment Strategies
Overview of Fund
Investment Objective | ● Current income and capital appreciation with low volatility compared to the major equity and fixed income markets. ● Objective may be changed upon notice to shareholders without shareholder approval. |
|
Principal Investment Strategies | ● Alternative Investment Strategies. Utilizes the following alternative investment strategies employed by the Adviser: | |
Event Driven Strategy | Seeks to capitalize on the effect of events on the value of Equity and/or Fixed Income Securities by purchasing those securities whose value is expected to increase due to an anticipated event. Securities subject to this strategy may include Equity and Fixed Income Securities of distressed companies (e.g., companies whose securities are available at a reduced price but are expected to be worth more after emergence from bankruptcy or upon liquidation) and companies subject to potential mergers as well as companies initiating spin offs, restructurings and recapitalizations. | |
Structured Credit Strategy | Involves the purchase of Structured Credit Securities that the Adviser believes are undervalued. | |
Tactical Trading Strategy | Seeks to capitalize on increases in the values of Equity and/or Fixed Income Securities in response to economic and political changes such as changes in interest rates, exchange rates, liquidity and political leadership. | |
● Fundamental Long-Only Strategy. May, in addition to the above alternative investment strategies, utilize a long-only strategy to purchase Equity and Fixed Income Securities that the Adviser believes are undervalued based on traditional fundamental analysis that includes an assessment of market-based factors such as the condition of the overall economy and industry-related economic data as well as issuer-specific factors such as financial condition, management and product/service offerings. Pursuant to this strategy, the Adviser may also invest Fund assets in U.S. Treasury securities or maintain a portion of Fund assets in cash to hedge/provide protection against a decline in the value of equity securities and/or the credit risk associated with fixed income securities held in the Funds portfolio. | ||
Principal Investments | ● Equity Securities.
● Private Funds. | |
Credit Quality Limitations (Fixed Income Securities) | ● None. | |
Market Capitalization Limitations (Equity Securities) | ● None. | |
Maturity Limitations (Fixed Income Securities) | ● None. |
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Illiquid Securities | ● Limited to 15% of the Funds net assets.
● Interests in CLOs, loan participations and Private Funds are considered illiquid investments for purposes of the Funds limitation on illiquid investments.
● Investments in a Private Fund are limited to less than 5% of that Private Funds outstanding voting securities. |
Description of Principal Investments
The following table describes the types of assets in which the Fund principally invests:
Security Type |
Description | |
ADR | An ADR is a receipt typically issued by a U.S. bank or trust company and evidences the right to receive securities of foreign issuers deposited in that U.S. bank. | |
Asset-Backed Security | An asset-backed security is an interest in a pool of assets including commercial and consumer loans, or other receivables. | |
BDC | A BDC is an exchange-traded closed-end investment company that seeks capital appreciation and income by investing in smaller companies during their initial or growth stages of development. | |
Closed-end Fund | An exchange-traded closed-end fund is an investment company registered under the 1940 Act. A closed-end fund sells a fixed number of shares at one time (in an initial public offering), after which the shares typically trade on an exchange. | |
Common Stock | A common stock represents an ownership interest in a corporation and the right to a portion of the assets of the corporation in the event of liquidation. | |
Collateralized Mortgage Obligation | A collateralized mortgage obligation is a mortgage-backed security that represents an interest in an entity that owns mortgages and receives mortgage repayments (called a pool). The mortgages serve as collateral, and are organized into classes based on their risk profile. Income received from the mortgages is passed to investors based on a predetermined set of rules, and investors receive money based on the specific slice of mortgages invested in (called a tranche). | |
Collateralized Loan Obligation | A CLO is a pool of commercial loans that are made by banks to businesses. The pool is managed by a collateral manager and is divided into various tranches for investment by third parties. The investment rewards and risks of each tranche vary based on the yields, maturities, seniority and credit quality of loans comprising the tranche. | |
Corporate Bond | A corporate bond is a fixed income security with a long-term maturity, usually 5 years or longer, issued by a corporation. | |
ETF | An ETF is an exchange-traded open-end investment company that may invest in a variety of assets including Equity and Fixed Income Securities. | |
Hedge Fund | A hedge fund is a type of pooled investment vehicle that is not registered under the 1940 Act and that utilizes various alternative investment strategies to implement its investment objective. A hedge fund is typically structured as a limited partnership or limited liability company. Because a hedge fund is not registered under the 1940 Act, interests therein are generally available for purchase only by those investors that satisfy specific financial criteria. | |
Loan Participation | A loan participation typically represent a direct participation, together with other parties, in a loan to a corporate borrower, and generally are offered by banks or other financial institutions or lending syndicates. |
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Security Type | Description | |
MLP | An MLP is an exchange- traded partnership that predominately operates, or directly or indirectly owns, energy-related assets. | |
Mortgage-Backed Security | A mortgage-backed security is an interest in a pool of mortgage loans originated by lenders such as commercial banks, savings associations and mortgage bankers and brokers. A commercial mortgage-backed security represents an interest in a pool of loans on commercial properties while a residential mortgage-backed security represents an interest in a pool of loans on residential properties. | |
Preferred Stock | A preferred stock represents an ownership interest in a corporation and the right to a portion of the assets of the corporation in the event of liquidation. Preferred stock has a preference in liquidation (and, generally dividends) over common stock but is subordinated in liquidation to debt. | |
REIT | A REIT is a company that pools investor funds to invest primarily in income producing real estate or real estate related loans or interests. | |
U.S. Government Security | A U.S. Government Security is a security issued by the U.S. Treasury or a U.S. Government agency/instrumentality. |
Investment Process
In identifying investments for the Fund, the Adviser looks for long-term return potential over a full market cycle similar to that of a diversified liquid alternatives index. A full market cycle is a peak-to peak period that includes a recession and a price decline of at least 20% from the previous market peak, followed by a rebound that establishes a new, higher peak. The Adviser also searches for Equity and/or Fixed Income Securities with current income potential of greater than 2-3% for equity-focused strategies and greater than 6% for other strategies, lower volatility as compared to equity and fixed income markets and liquidity.
In conducting its evaluation of potential portfolio securities, the Adviser employs two layers of environmental, social, and governance (ESG) considerations in addition to financial and qualitive criteria noted above. First, the Adviser uses negative screening to exclude companies that receive material (>33%) revenue from alcohol, tobacco, firearms and defense products and services. The Adviser defines defense products and services to include weapons design and manufacture, but not to include peripheral services such as software, information technology, or other services not directly related to lethality. Second, the Adviser uses positive screening to identify companies that the Adviser believes engage in, relative to their industry peers, superior:
● | Sustainable environmental practices, responsible resource management, and energy efficiency; |
● | Socially responsible policies related to employee welfare, diversity and inclusion; or |
● | Governance practices that align the interests of shareholders and management and emphasize a commitment to ESG disclosure. |
The Adviser will use third party data in conjunction with its own judgment in order to determine which companies meet or fail these ESG considerations and will continue to conduct ESG monitoring of portfolio companies after purchase in order to ensure that the portfolio continues to meet these standards.
The Adviser will use third party ESG data from Sustainalytics, a leading independent provider of ratings of listed companies based on their environmental, social and corporate governance performance. Sustainalytics offers broad coverage of major global markets and flexible environmental, social and governance research tools designed to be easily incorporated into investment processes and systems. An overall percentile rank is assigned to each company based on its environmental, social and governance total score relative to its industry peers. The combination of the ranks leads to an aggregate ESG performance rank that encompasses a companys level of preparedness, disclosure and involvement across ESG themes.
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Temporary Defensive Position
From time to time, the Fund may take temporary defensive positions that are inconsistent with the Funds principal investment strategies, in attempting to respond to adverse market, economic, political or other conditions. For example, the Fund may hold all or a portion of its assets in cash, money market mutual funds, investment grade short-term money market instruments, U.S. Government Securities, commercial paper, certificates of deposit, repurchase agreements and other cash equivalents. The Fund also may invest in such instruments at any time to maintain liquidity or pending selection of investments in accordance with its investment strategies. As a result of engaging in these temporary measures, the Fund may not achieve its investment objective.
Portfolio Holdings Information
A description of the Funds policies and procedures with respect to the disclosure of portfolio securities is available in the Funds Statement of Additional Information (SAI).
Additional Information Regarding Principal Investment Risks
All investments involve risks, and the Fund cannot guarantee that it will achieve its investment objective. An investment in the Fund is not a deposit of a bank and is not insured or guaranteed by any government agency. The Funds returns and share price will fluctuate, and you may lose money by investing in the Fund. In addition, investing in the Fund may be subject to the following principal risks.
ADR Risk
Investments in ADRs are subject to many of the same risks that are associated with direct investments in the securities of foreign companies. See also Foreign Security Risk below. The securities underlying ADRs are typically denominated (or quoted) in a currency other than U.S. dollars and trade on foreign exchanges at times when the U.S. markets are not open for trading. As a result, the value of ADRs may not track the price of the underlying securities and may change materially at times when the U.S. markets are not open for trading. A depository may establish an unsponsored facility without participation by (or even necessarily the permission of) the issuer of the deposited securities. Holders of unsponsored depository receipts generally bear all the costs of such facility including fees for the deposit and withdrawal of the deposited securities, the conversion of dividends into U.S. dollars, the disposition of non-cash distributions, and the performance of other services. The depository of an unsponsored facility frequently is under no obligation to pass through voting rights to depository receipt holders in respect of the deposited securities. In addition, an unsponsored facility is generally not obligated to distribute communications received from the issuer of the deposited securities or to disclose material information about such issuer in the U.S. Sponsored depository receipt facilities enter into a deposit agreement with the applicable issuer that sets out the rights and responsibilities of the issuer, the depository, and the depository receipt holders. With sponsored facilities, the issuer of the deposited securities generally will bear some of the costs relating to the facility (such as dividend payment fees of the depository), although depositary receipt holders continue to bear certain other costs (such as deposit and withdrawal fees). Under the terms of most sponsored arrangements, depositaries agree to distribute notices of shareholder meetings and voting instructions, and to provide shareholder communications and other information to the depository receipt holders at the request of the issuer of the deposited securities.
BDC Risk
A BDC may invest in the equity and debt securities of Portfolio Companies, which include smaller and developing companies as well as companies that are experiencing financial crisis. Investments in smaller and developing Portfolio Companies involve a greater risk of loss due to their youth and limited track records and are more susceptible to competition and economic and market changes due to limited products and market shares. Because Portfolio Companies may have limited capital resources, there is also a greater risk of default on debt securities issued and non-payment of dividends on any preferred and common stock issued. Portfolio Companies may also not be able to secure required financing thus potentially limiting the growth and success of these companies. Investments in Portfolio Companies typically have limited liquidity and a BDC may not be able to liquidate investments in Portfolio Companies at their perceived value and may not be able to reduce its exposure to such investments during adverse market or economic conditions. A BDC also may not be able to make investments in Portfolio Companies pursuant to reasonable terms due to the competitive market environment in which such companies operate. A BDC may use leverage (e.g.
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borrowing and the issuance of debt and preferred securities) to finance its own operations and may suffer significant losses if market fluctuations cause the BDCs NAV to decline or if related interest payments exceed investment income. A BDC may also not be able to make desired investments in Portfolio Companies if credit is not available due to, among other things, disruptions in the credit markets, thus limiting the growth and success of the BDC. BDCs are permitted to use a higher level of leverage than a registered investment company, typically have high management fees, including incentive fees that registered investment companies are not permitted to impose. The Fund has no control over the investments made by BDCs. See also Fee Layering Risk below.
Collateralized Loan Obligation Risk
A CLO is an asset-backed security with respect to which an investor bears the investment risks associated with Fixed Income Securities and asset-backed securities. See Fixed Income Security Risk and Mortgage-backed and Asset-backed Securities Risk below. The Fund classifies CLOs as an illiquid investment and may have difficulty valuing such securities, which may cause the Funds NAV to fluctuate significantly. The Fund may lose money if it cannot sell such securities when it chooses to do.
Equity Security Risk
The value of Equity Securities is influenced by a number of factors which may relate directly to the issuer of the Equity Securities such as management performance, financial leverage and reduced demand for the issuers goods or services. The value of Equity Securities may also be affected by broader economic or market events including changes in interest rates. Common stock ranks below preferred stock and debt securities in claims for dividends and for assets of the company issuing the equity securities in a liquidation or bankruptcy.
ESG Risk
Applying ESG criteria to the investment process may exclude securities of certain issuers for both investment and non-investment reasons and therefore the Fund may forgo some market opportunities available to funds that do not use ESG or sustainability criteria. Securities of companies with certain focused ESG practices may shift into and out of favor depending on market and economic conditions, and the Funds performance may at times be better or worse than the performance of funds that do not use ESG or sustainability criteria.
Fee Layering Risk
When the Fund invests in a BDC, MLP, Private Fund, another registered investment company or REIT, the Fund will indirectly bear its proportionate share of any fees and expenses payable directly by that entity. Therefore, the Fund will incur additional expenses may be duplicative of the Funds own operational expenses. As a result, the Funds investments in these entities may result in the Fund paying higher expenses than other funds with similar investment objectives and strategies or than if it invested directly in the securities held by these entities.
Fixed Income Security Risk
Generally, a Fixed Income Security is subject to the following investment risks:
Call Risk. Some fixed income securities give the issuer the option to call, or redeem, the bonds before their maturity date. If an issuer calls its bonds during a time of declining interest rates, the Fund may have invest the proceeds in an investment offering a lower yield. During periods of market illiquidity or rising interest rates, prices of the Funds callable issues may be more volatile.
Credit Risk. The value of the Fund may change in response to the credit ratings of that Funds portfolio securities. The degree of risk for a particular security may be reflected in its credit rating. Generally, investment risk and price volatility increase as a securitys credit rating declines. The financial condition of an issuer of a Fixed Income Security held by the Fund may cause it to default or become unable to pay interest or principal due on the security. The Fund cannot collect interest and principal payments on a Fixed Income Security if the issuer defaults. Investments in Fixed Income Securities issued by U.S. Government sponsored entities such as the Federal National Mortgage Association, the Federal Home Loan Mortgage Association, and the Federal Home Loan Banks involve credit risk as they are not backed by the full faith and credit of the U.S. Government.
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Interest Rate Risk. The value of the Fund may change in response to changes in interest rates. An increase in interest rates typically causes a fall in the value of the Fixed Income Securities. The longer the duration of a Fixed Income Security, the more its value typically falls in response to an increase in interest rates.
Prepayment/Extension Risk. The Fund may be forced to invest in Fixed Income Securities with lower yields thus reducing its income if issuers prepay certain Fixed Income Securities. Issuers may decrease prepayments of principal when interest rates increase, extending the average life and duration of a Fixed Income Security and causing the value of the security to decline. The Fund may be exposed to greater pre-payment/extension risk because the Fund may invest in mortgage-backed and asset-backed securities. See, Mortgage-backed and Asset-backed Securities Risk below.
Variable Rate Securities. The interest income generated by variable rate Fixed Income Securities typically will decline as interest rates decline and the securitys benchmark interest rate may not change as quickly as interest rates fluctuate causing the interest payments to be less than anticipated as interest rates rise. A secondary market may not exist for variable rate securities and such securities and an investor may not be able to sell such securities upon default of the issuer.
Foreign Security Risk
Foreign investments, including ADRs, are subject to sovereign risk and may be adversely affected by changes in currency exchange rates, future political and economic developments, and the possible imposition of exchange controls or other foreign governmental laws or restrictions. There may be less publicly available information about a foreign company than about a U.S. company, and accounting, auditing and financial reporting standards and requirements may not be comparable. There may also be less governmental supervision of foreign issuers of securities. Securities of some foreign companies are less liquid or more volatile than securities of U.S. companies.
Investment Company Risk
The 1940 Act and the IRC impose numerous constraints on the operations of registered investment companies, like the Fund. For example, the 1940 Act limits the amount of Fund assets that can be invested in other investment companies (registered and unregistered) and the amount of leverage that can be utilized. These restrictions may prohibit the Fund from making certain investment thus potentially limiting its profitability. Moreover, in order to qualify for regulated investment company tax treatment under subchapter M of the IRC (e.g. to be treated as a corporation for tax purposes and to pass through income and capital gains to investors), the Fund must satisfy source-of-income, asset diversification and other requirements. The failure to comply with these provisions in a timely manner may prevent the Fund from qualifying as a regulated investment company, thus requiring the Fund to pay unexpected taxes and penalties, which could be material.
The Fund will be affected by losses incurred by these investment companies and the level of risk arising from the investment practices of the investment companies (such as the use of leverage). The Fund has no control over the investments made by these investment companies. Exchange-traded closed-end funds and ETFs are subject to the following additional risks: (1) their shares may trade at a market price that is above or below their NAV (2) an active trading market for their shares may not develop or be maintained; (3) trading of their shares may be halted if the listing exchanges officials deem such action appropriate, the shares are delisted from the exchange, or the activation of market-wide circuit breakers (which are tied to large decreases in stock prices) halts stock trading generally. See also Fee Layering Risk above.
Large Company Risk
Larger, more established companies may be unable to attain the high growth rates of successful, smaller companies, especially during extended periods of economic expansion. Larger, more established companies may be unable to respond quickly to new competitive challenges such as changes in consumer tastes or innovative smaller competitors, potentially resulting in lower market prices for their common stock.
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Loan Participation Risk
The purchaser of a loan participation assumes the credit risk associated with the corporate borrower and may assume the credit risk associated with an interposed bank or other financial intermediary. Unless, under the terms of the loan, the Fund has direct recourse against the corporate borrower, the Fund may have to rely on the agent bank or other financial intermediary to apply appropriate credit remedies against a corporate borrower. The Fund classifies CLOs as an illiquid investment and may have difficulty valuing such securities, which may cause the Funds NAV to fluctuate significantly. The Fund may lose money if it cannot sell such securities when it chooses to do. See also, Fixed Income Security Risk above.
Management Risk
The performance of the Fund depends on the Advisers success in selecting investments on behalf of the Fund. The Advisers judgments about the attractiveness, value, the potential income to be generated by individual securities, and the about potential appreciation of a particular asset class or individual security in which the Fund invests, may fail to produce the intended result. The securities selected by the Adviser may underperform other assets or the overall market. The 1940 Act and the IRC impose numerous investment constraints on the operations of registered investment companies that do not apply to the other types of investment accounts managed by the Adviser.
Market Risk
The market prices of securities owned by the Fund may go up or down, sometimes rapidly or unpredictably. A principal risk of investing in the Fund is that the investments in the Funds portfolio will decline in value due to factors affecting securities markets generally or particular industries or sectors represented in those markets. The values of securities may decline due to general market conditions that are not specifically related to a particular company, such as real or perceived adverse economic conditions, changes in the general outlook for corporate earnings, changes in interest or currency rates, adverse changes to credit markets or adverse investor sentiment generally. They may also decline due to factors that disproportionately affect a particular industry, group of related industries or sector, such as labor shortages or increased production costs and competitive conditions within an industry or sector. The market price of equity securities and other types of investments may decline due to changes in interest rates or other factors affecting the applicable markets generally. Equity securities generally have greater price volatility than fixed income securities, although under certain market conditions fixed income securities may have comparable or greater price volatility. During a general downturn in securities markets, multiple asset classes may decline in value simultaneously.
The Funds investments are also subject to inflation risk, which is the risk that the value of the Funds investments does not keep pace with inflation, thus reducing purchasing power. Inflation has adverse consequences for most types of bonds because it makes their fixed interest payments less valuable. Bonds generally offer a series of fixed interest payments that represent a percentage of the face value of the bond. When inflation develops and prices rise, the purchasing power of the interest payment decreases. High inflation has historically correlated with lower returns on equities, and value stocks tends to perform better than growth stocks in high inflation periods. Persistently high inflation erodes the real value of investment capital, requiring a higher nominal return to maintain purchasing power. It also introduces distortions that may affect real economic outcomes, including policy implementation by governmental agencies and planning by households and businesses.
The Fund is subject to the risk that geopolitical and other events will disrupt securities markets, adversely affect global economies and markets and thereby decrease the value of the Funds investments. The wars in Iraq and Afghanistan have had a substantial effect on the economies and securities markets of the U.S. and other countries. Russias recent military incursions in Ukraine have led to, and may lead to, additional sanctions being levied by the United States, European Union and other countries against Russia. Russias military incursion and the resulting sanctions could adversely affect global energy and financial markets and thus could affect the value of the Funds investments, even beyond any direct exposure the Fund may have to Russian issuers or the adjoining geographic regions. The extent and duration of the military action, sanctions and resulting market disruptions are impossible to predict, but could be substantial. Any such disruptions caused by Russian military action or resulting sanctions may magnify the impact of other risks described in this section.
Terrorism in the U.S. and around the world has had a similar global impact and has increased geopolitical risk. The terrorist attacks on September 11, 2001 resulted in the closure of some U.S. securities markets for four days, and
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similar attacks are possible in the future. Securities markets may be susceptible to market manipulation or other fraudulent trade practices, which could disrupt the orderly functioning of these markets or adversely affect the value of investments traded in these markets, including investments of the Fund. During such market disruptions, the Funds exposure to the risks described elsewhere in this section will likely increase. While the U.S. government has honored its credit obligations continuously for the last 200 years, it remains possible that the U.S. could default on its obligations. While it is impossible to predict the consequences of such an unprecedented event, it is likely that a default by the U.S. would be highly disruptive to the U.S. and global securities markets and could significantly impair the value of the Funds investments. Similarly, political events within the U.S. at times have resulted, and may in the future result, in a shutdown of government services, which could negatively affect the U.S. economy, decrease the value of many Fund investments, and increase uncertainty in or impair the operation of the U.S. or other securities markets. The uncertainty surrounding the sovereign debt of a significant number of European Union countries, as well as the continued existence of the European Union itself, have disrupted and may continue to disrupt markets in the U.S. and around the world. If one or more countries leave the European Union or the European Union dissolves, the worlds securities markets likely will be significantly disrupted. Substantial government interventions (e.g., currency controls) also could negatively impact the Fund. War, terrorism, economic uncertainty, and related geopolitical events have led, and in the future may lead, to increased short-term market volatility and may have adverse long-term effects on U.S. and world economies and markets generally. Likewise, natural and environmental disasters, such as the earthquake and tsunami in Japan in early 2011, and systemic market dislocations of the kind surrounding the insolvency of Lehman Brothers in 2008, if repeated, would be highly disruptive to economies and markets, adversely affecting individual companies and industries, securities markets, interest rates, credit ratings, inflation, investor sentiment, and other factors affecting the value of the Funds investments.
Widespread disease, including pandemics and epidemics, may also affect financial markets. For example, the novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19) that has recently emerged has resulted in closing borders, quarantines, cancellations, disruptions to supply chains and customer activity, as well as general concern and uncertainty, thus causing significant disruptions to global business activity and financial markets, the broad effects of which are currently difficult to assess.
Medium/Small Company Risk
Smaller companies involve greater risk of loss and price fluctuation than larger companies. Many of these companies are young and have a limited track record. Their securities may trade less frequently and in more limited volume than those of more mature companies, making them more volatile and more difficult to buy or sell at an acceptable price. These companies may also lack the managerial, financial or other resources necessary to implement their business plans or succeed in the face of competition.
MLP Risk
MLPs are subject to many risks, including those that differ from the risks involved in an investment in the common stock of a corporation. Holders of MLP interests have limited control and voting rights on matters affecting the partnership. Holders of MLPs are exposed to a possibility of liability for all of the obligations of that MLP in the event that a court determines that the rights of the holders of MLP interests to vote to remove or replace the general partner of that MLP, to approve amendments to that MLPs partnership agreement, or to take other action under the partnership agreement of that MLP would constitute control of the business of that MLP, or a court or governmental agency determines that the MLP is conducting business in a state without complying with the partnership statute of that state. Holders of MLPs are also exposed to the risk that they will be required to repay amounts to the MLP that are wrongfully distributed to them. In addition, the value of an investors investment in an MLP will depend in part on the MLPs treatment as a partnership for U.S. federal income tax purposes. If an MLP does not meet current legal requirements to maintain partnership status, or if it is unable to do so because of tax law changes, it would be treated as a corporation for U.S. federal income tax purposes. In that case, the MLP would be obligated to pay income tax at the entity level and distributions received by an investor generally would be taxed as dividend income. As a result, there could be a material reduction in the amount of distributions received by an investor from its MLP interests. Furthermore, MLP interests may not be as liquid as other more commonly traded equity securities. In addition, MLPs have relatively high distribution rates compared to corporate securities. The characterization of these distributions as either long-term capital gains or as some other type of return may not be ascertainable until the end of a taxable year and may complicate the calculation of the Funds and its shareholders taxes.
See also Fee Layering Risk above.
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Mortgage-backed and Asset-backed Securities Risk
Guarantees of mortgage-backed securities relate to the principal and interest payments and not the market value of such securities. Mortgage-backed securities do not have a fixed maturity and their expected maturities may vary when interest rates rise or fall. An increased rate of prepayments on mortgage-backed securities will result in an unforeseen loss of interest income to investors as they may be required to reinvest assets at a lower interest rate. A decreased rate of prepayments lengthens the expected maturity of a mortgage-backed security. The prices of mortgage-backed securities may decrease more than prices of other fixed income securities when interest rates rise. See also, Fixed Income Security Risk above.
The value of asset-backed securities depends on many factors, including changes in interest rates, the availability of information concerning the pool and its structure, the credit quality of the underlying assets, the markets perception of the servicer of the pool, and any credit enhancement provided. In addition, asset-backed securities have prepayment risks similar to those of mortgage-backed securities.
Non-Investment Grade Security Risk
Non-Investment Grade Securities or Junk Bonds are generally subject to greater market, credit and liquidity risks than Investment Grade Securities and are considered speculative with respect to the issuers ability to make principal and interest payments. The prices of Junk Bonds may fall dramatically in response to bad news about the issuer or its industry, or the economy in general.
Private Fund Risk
Private Funds are not registered as investment companies under the 1940 Act. Accordingly, the Fund, as an investor in Private Funds will not have the benefit of protections afforded by the 1940 Act to investors in registered investment companies (See, Investment Company Risk, above). The following additional risks are relevant to the Funds investments in Private Funds:
Control Risk. The Adviser will not have control of, or have the ability to exercise influence over, the trading policies or strategies of a Private Fund. A Private Funds investment strategies may evolve over time in response to fluctuating market conditions without notice to investors. A Private Fund may also fail to pursue its investment objective and strategies,
Investment Risk. The Fund will be affected by losses incurred by these Private Funds and the level of risk arising from their investment policies. The Fund has no control over the investments made by Private Funds.
Liquidity Risk. The Funds interests in Private Funds are illiquid and subject to substantial restrictions on transferability. The Fund may not be able to acquire initial interests (or additional interests) in a Private Fund or withdraw all or a portion of its investment from a Private Fund promptly after it has made a decision to do so because of limitations set forth in the governing documents (or in such negotiated side letter or similar arrangement as the Adviser may be able to negotiate on behalf of the Fund). Certain Private Funds may: (1) impose lock-up periods or periods during which an investor may not redeem its investment; (2) impose gates or limitations on the size of an investment withdrawal by an individual investor or by investors, collectively during a specific period; and/or (3) assess fees on investment withdrawals.
Transparency Risk. Private Funds typically provide limited portfolio information. This may result in a Private Fund using investment strategies that are not fully disclosed to the Adviser. For example, if two or more Private Funds invest significantly in the same company or industry, the Funds investments could be concentrated in the same company or industry without the Adviser having the opportunity to assess the risks of such concentration. Absent the availability of strategy and investment details, the Fund may not be in a position to timely liquidate interests in a Private Fund as changes to the Private Fund strategies and investments evolve over time.
Valuation Risk. Market quotations for Private Funds are not readily available and, therefore, the value of the Funds investment in a Private Fund will be valued at fair value pursuant to procedures approved by the Board. Given the subjectivity inherent in fair valuation and the limited portfolio information typically available from a Private Fund, the price at which the Fund values its interest in the Fund may differ from any periodic valuation of the Funds interest provided by the Private Fund and the price at which the Fund ultimately sells its interest in the Private Fund.
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See also Fee Laying Risk above.
Regulatory Risk
Changes in government regulations may adversely affect the operations and value of the Fund or the companies in which it invests. Federal, state, and other governments, their regulatory agencies, or self-regulatory organizations may take actions that affect the regulation of the securities in which the Fund invests, or the issuers of such instruments, in ways that are unforeseeable. Legislation or regulation may also change the way in which the Fund itself is regulated. Such legislation or regulation could limit or preclude the Funds ability to achieve its investment objective. Industries and markets that are not adequately regulated may be susceptible to the initiation of inappropriate practices that adversely affect the Fund or the companies in which it invests.
REIT Risk
REITs are subject to the risks generally associated with real estate investments such as: (1) fluctuations in the value of real estate; (2) adverse general and local economic conditions; (3) possible lack of availability of mortgage funds or other limits on obtaining capital; (4) changes in interest rates; (5) environmental problems; (6) overbuilding; (7) extended vacancies of properties; (8) increases in property taxes; and (9) changes in zoning laws and regulations. In addition, REITs are subject to certain other risks specific to their structure and focus: (a) dependency upon management and heavy cash flow; (b) limited diversification of investments (e.g., focus on certain types of real estate such as apartment buildings or real estate located in a specific area; (c) the potential inability to effectively locate and manage financing for projects; (d) possible default by borrowers; (e) the costs and potential losses of self-liquidation of one or more holdings; (f) the possibility of failing to maintain exemptions from securities registration; and (g) in many cases, relatively small market capitalizations, which may result in less market liquidity and greater price volatility.
See also Fee Layering Risk above.
Sector Risk
Although the Adviser will not concentrate the Funds investment in any particular industry or group of industries, the Adviser may allocate more of the Funds investments to a particular sector or sectors in the market. If the Fund invests a significant portion of its total assets in certain sectors, its investment portfolio will be more susceptible to the financial, economic, business, and political developments that affect those sectors.
Value Investing Risk
The determination that a security is undervalued is subjective. Investments in value securities may never reach what the Adviser believes are their full fair market values, either because the market fails to recognize what the Adviser considers to be the companies true business values or because the Adviser misjudges those values. In addition, value stocks may fall out of favor with investors, decrease in value, and underperform growth stocks during given periods.
Before you invest, we encourage you to carefully read the Fund profiles included in this Prospectus and consider whether the Fund is appropriate for your particular financial situation, risk tolerance and goals. As always, your investment professional can provide you with valuable assistance in making this decision.
Account Information
To help the government fight the funding of terrorism and money laundering activities, federal law requires all financial institutions to obtain, verify, and record information that identifies each person who opens an account. This means that when you open an account, we will ask for your name, residential address, date of birth, government identification number and other information that will allow us to identify you. We may also ask to see your drivers license or other identifying documents, and may take additional steps to verify your identity. If we do not receive these required pieces of information, there may be a delay in processing your investment request, which could subject your investment to market risk. If we are unable to immediately verify your identity, the Fund may restrict further
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investment until your identity is verified. If we restrict further investment because we are unable to verify your identity, your investment will be subject to market fluctuation, which could result in a loss of a portion of your principal investment. In addition, if we are unable to verify your identity, the Fund reserves the right to close your account without notice and return your investment to you at the NAV determined on the day in which your account is closed.
How to Buy Shares
Requests to purchase shares are processed at the NAV of the Fund class next calculated after we receive your order in proper form. Proper form means that you have provided sufficient information to process your request as outlined in this Prospectus, including any required signatures, documents and payment.
Classes of Shares. The Fund currently offers one share class: Institutional Shares.
Institutional Shares. Institutional Shares are offered primarily through certain Financial Intermediaries. Institutional Shares may also be offered for direct investment to other investors such as pension and profit sharing plans, employee benefit trusts and plan alliances, endowments, foundations, corporations and high net worth individuals. Institutional Shares are subject to the satisfaction of investment minimums described below.
● | Institutional Shares are available for purchase for a minimum initial investment of $2,000. The minimum subsequent investment is $100. Minimums may be modified or waived for certain Financial Intermediaries that aggregate trades on behalf of investors. |
The Fund reserves the right to change the above eligibility criteria. The Adviser may waive the minimum investment amounts at its discretion, including for existing clients of the Adviser. The Fund may waive or lower investment minimums for investors who invest in the Fund through an asset-based fee program made available through a Financial Intermediary. If your investment is aggregated into an omnibus account established by an investment adviser, broker or other Financial Intermediary, the account minimums apply to the omnibus account, not to your individual investment; however, the Financial Intermediary may also impose minimum requirements that are different from those set forth in this Prospectus. If you choose to purchase or redeem shares directly from the Fund, you will not incur charges on purchases and redemptions. However, if you purchase or redeem shares through a broker-dealer or another intermediary, you may be charged a fee by that intermediary.
Initial Purchase.
By Mail. Your initial purchase request must include:
● | a completed and signed investment application form; |
● | a personal check with name pre-printed (in the applicable minimum amount) made payable to the Fund. |
Mail the application and check to:
U.S. Mail: | Overnight: |
Preserver
Alternative Opportunities Fund c/o Ultimus Fund Solutions, LLC P.O. Box 46707 Cincinnati, OH 45246-0707 |
Preserver
Alternative Opportunities Fund c/o Ultimus Fund Solutions, LLC 225 Pictoria Drive, Suite 450 Cincinnati, OH 45246 |
By Wire. You may also purchase shares of the Fund by wiring funds from your bank, which may charge you a fee for doing so. To wire money, you must call Shareholder Services at (844) 838-2119 to obtain instructions on how to set up your account and to obtain an account number.
You must provide a signed application to the Funds transfer agent, Ultimus Fund Solutions, LLC, at the above address in order to complete your initial wire purchase. Wire orders will be accepted only on a day on which the Fund and its custodian and transfer agent are open for business. Any delays which may occur in wiring money, including delays that may occur in processing by banks, are not the responsibility of the Fund or the transfer agent. There is presently no fee for the receipt of wired funds, but the Fund may charge shareholders for this service in the future.
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A purchase will not be considered made until the corresponding check or wired money is received and the purchase is accepted by the Fund. The purchase price per share will be the NAV next determined after the purchase order is received in proper form. ACH transactions are not available for initial purchase.
Additional Investments. You may purchase additional shares of the Fund class at any time by mail, telephone, wire, or automatic investment. To make purchases through your online account, please refer to Transactions through www.preserverfunds.com in this Prospectus. Each additional mail purchase request must contain:
● | Your name; |
● | The name on your account(s); |
● | Your account number(s); |
● | A wire or a check (in the applicable minimum amount) made payable to the Fund. |
Checks should be sent to the Fund at the address listed under the heading Initial Purchase – By Mail above. To send a bank wire or make purchases by telephone, call Shareholder Services at (844) 838-2119 to obtain instructions.
Automatic Investment Plan. You may make regular investments in the Fund with an Automatic Investment Plan by completing the appropriate section of the account application or completing a systematic investment plan form with the proper signature guarantee and attaching a voided personal check. Investments may be made monthly to allow dollar-cost averaging by automatically deducting $100 or more from your bank checking account. You may change the amount of your monthly purchase at any time. If an Automatic Investment purchase is rejected by your bank, you will be responsible for any loss incurred by the Fund. You may also be prohibited or restricted from making future purchases in the Fund.
Automated Clearing House (ACH). Once an account is open, shares may be purchased or redeemed through ACH in minimum amounts of $100. ACH is the electronic transfer of funds directly from an account you maintain with a financial institution to the Fund. In order to use the ACH service, the ACH Authorization section of the account application must be completed. For existing accounts, an ACH Authorization Form may be obtained by calling the Funds transfer agent at (844) 838-2119. Allow at least two weeks for processing before using ACH. To place a purchase or redemption order by ACH, call the Funds transfer agent at (844) 838-2119. There are no charges for ACH transactions imposed by the Fund or the transfer agent. ACH share purchase transactions are completed when payment is received, approximately two business days following the placement of your order. When shares are purchased through ACH, the proceeds from the redemption of those shares may not be paid until the ACH transfer has been converted to federal funds, which could take up to 15 calendar days. The shareholder will be held responsible for any fees incurred or losses suffered by the Fund as a result of any ACH transaction rejected for insufficient funds. Failure to notify the Fund in advance of an ACH transfer could result in a delay in completing your transaction.
Tax Sheltered Retirement Plans. Fund shares may be an appropriate investment for tax-sheltered retirement plans, including: individual retirement plans (IRAs); simplified employee pension plans (SEPs); 401(k) plans; qualified corporate pension and profit-sharing plans (for employees); tax deferred investment plans (for employees of public school systems and certain types of charitable organizations); and other qualified retirement plans. You should contact Shareholder Services at (844) 838-2119 for the procedure to open an IRA or SEP plan directly with the Fund, as well as more specific information regarding these retirement plan options. Please consult with an attorney or tax adviser regarding these plans. You must pay custodial fees for your IRA by redemption of sufficient shares of the Fund from the IRA unless you pay the fees directly to the IRA custodian. Call Shareholder Services about the IRA custodial fees at (844) 838-2119. In addition, you should be aware that investments in tax-deferred accounts may be taxable at withdrawal. You should discuss any tax-related concerns with your tax adviser or attorney.
Other Purchase Information. The Fund may limit the amount of purchases and refuse to sell shares to any person. If your check or electronic payment does not clear, you will be responsible for any loss incurred by the Fund and will be charged a fee to defray bank charges. You may be prohibited or restricted from making future purchases in the Fund. Checks must be made payable to the Fund. The Fund and its transfer agent may refuse any purchase order for any reason. Cash, third party checks, counter checks, starter checks, travelers checks, money orders, credit card checks, and checks drawn on non-U.S. financial institutions will not be accepted. Cashiers checks may be accepted in amounts greater than $10,000. In such cases, a 15 business day hold will be applied to the funds. This means that, while you may request a redemption during the 15 business days after your purchase, and the redemption will be calculated at the NAV of the Fund on the day that the redemption request is received in good order, you will not
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receive your proceeds until the holding period has expired. You may avoid this holding period by making your purchase by wire.
The Fund has authorized certain Financial Intermediaries (including their designated intermediaries) to accept on its behalf purchase and sell orders. The Fund is deemed to have received an order when the authorized person or designee accepts the order, and the order is processed at the NAV next calculated thereafter. It is the responsibility of the Financial Intermediary to transmit orders promptly to the Funds transfer agent.
The USA PATRIOT Act requires financial institutions, including mutual funds, to adopt certain policies and programs to prevent money laundering activities, including procedures to verify the identity of customers opening new accounts. When completing the account application, you will be required to supply the Fund with information, such as your taxpayer identification number, that will assist the Fund in verifying your identity. Until such verification is made, the Fund may temporarily limit additional share purchases. In addition, the Fund may limit additional share purchases or close an account if it is unable to verify a customers identity. As required by law, the Fund may employ various procedures, such as comparing the information to fraud databases or requesting additional information or documentation from you, to ensure that the information supplied by you is correct. Your information will be handled by the Fund or its Transfer Agent as discussed in the Trusts privacy statement.
How to Redeem Shares
Requests to sell shares are processed at the NAV of the Fund class next calculated (minus any applicable redemption fee) after we or a Financial Intermediary has received your order in proper form. Proper form means that you have provided sufficient information to process your request as outlined in this Prospectus, including any required signatures, documents, payment and any applicable signature guarantees.
You may receive redemption payments in the form of a check, ACH or federal wire transfer. The proceeds may be more or less than the purchase price of your shares, depending on the market value of the Funds securities at the time of your redemption. The redemption minimum by wire transfer is $1,000. A wire transfer fee of $15 is charged to defray custodial charges for redemptions paid by wire transfer. This fee is subject to change. Any charges for wire redemptions will be deducted from the shareholders account by redemption of shares. The minimum redemption by ACH is $100. The Fund does not intend to redeem shares in any form except cash. However, if the amount you are redeeming is over the lesser of $250,000 or 1% of the Funds NAV, the Fund has the right to redeem your shares by giving you the amount that exceeds the lesser of $250,000 or 1% of the Funds NAV in securities instead of cash, which is referred to as a redemption in kind. In the event that a redemption in-kind is made, a shareholder may incur additional expenses, such as the payment of brokerage commissions, on the sale or other disposition of the securities received from the Fund. For additional information regarding redemptions in kind, please refer to the sub-section below titled Additional Information.
If you redeem your shares through a Financial Intermediary or other institution, you may be charged a fee by that institution.
By Mail. You may redeem any part of your account in the Fund at no charge by mail. Your request should be addressed to:
U.S. Mail: | Overnight: |
Preserver
Alternative Opportunities Fund c/o Ultimus Fund Solutions, LLC P.O. Box 46707 Cincinnati, OH 45246-0707 |
Preserver
Alternative Opportunities Fund c/o Ultimus Fund Solutions, LLC 225 Pictoria Drive, Suite 450 Cincinnati, OH 45246 |
Your request for a redemption must include your letter of instruction, including the class name, account number, account name(s), the address, and the dollar amount or number of shares you wish to redeem. Your request must also be signed by all registered share owner(s) in the exact name(s) and any special capacity in which they are registered. The Fund may require that signatures be guaranteed if you request the redemption check be made payable to any person other than the shareholder(s) of record or mailed to an address other than the address of record, if the mailing address has been changed within 15 days of the redemption request, or in certain other circumstances, such as to prevent unauthorized account transfers or redemptions. The Fund requires a signature guarantee for redemptions of
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$50,000 or more or if a redemption is requested to new bank instructions. Signature guarantees are for the protection of shareholders. The Transfer Agent will accept signatures guaranteed by a domestic bank or trust company, broker, dealer, clearing agency, savings association or other financial institution that participates in the STAMP Medallion Program sponsored by the Securities Transfer Association. Signature guarantees from financial institutions that do not participate in the STAMP Medallion Program will not be accepted. A notary public cannot provide a signature guarantee. The Transfer Agent has adopted standards for accepting signature guarantees from the above institutions. For joint accounts, both signatures must be guaranteed. Please call Shareholder Services at (844) 838-2119 if you have questions. At the discretion of the Fund or the Funds transfer agent, a shareholder, prior to redemption, may be required to furnish additional legal documents to insure proper authorization.
Shareholders who redeem shares held in an IRA must indicate on their redemption request whether or not to withhold federal income taxes. If no such instruction is provided, IRA redemptions will be subject to federal tax withholding. Please consult your tax adviser for any tax related IRA distribution questions.
By Telephone. You may redeem any part of your account (up to $50,000) in the Fund by calling Shareholder Services at (844) 838-2119. You must first complete the Transaction Privileges section of the investment applications to institute this option. Neither the Fund, the transfer agent, nor the custodian are liable for following redemption instructions communicated by telephone that they reasonably believe to be genuine. However, if they do not employ such reasonable procedures to confirm that telephone instructions are genuine, they may be liable for any losses due to unauthorized or fraudulent instructions. Procedures employed may include recording telephone instructions and requiring a form of personal identification from the caller.
IRA distributions may also be made by telephone. Shareholders who redeem shares held in an IRA will be asked to designate whether or not to withhold federal income taxes from the distribution. If no such instruction is provided, IRA redemptions will be subject to federal tax withholding. Please consult your tax adviser for any tax related IRA distribution questions.
The Fund or its transfer agent may terminate the telephone redemption privileges at any time. During periods of extreme market activity it is possible that shareholders may encounter some difficulty in telephoning the Fund, although neither the Fund nor the transfer agent anticipates difficulties in receiving and in a timely fashion responding to telephone requests for redemptions. During periods of high market activity, you may encounter higher than usual wait times. Please allow sufficient time to ensure that you will be able to complete your telephone transaction prior to market close. Neither the Fund nor its transfer agent will be held liable if you are unable to place your trade due to high call volume. If you are unable to reach the Fund by telephone, you may request a redemption by mail.
Systematic Withdrawals. If you own shares of the Fund with an aggregate value of at least $10,000, you may request a specified amount of money from your account once each month or once each quarter on a specified date. These payments are sent from your account to a designated bank account by ACH payment. Systematic withdrawals must be for at least $100. To enroll in systematic withdrawals, complete the systematic withdrawal section of the application, attach a voided check to your application, and mail your completed application to the Fund at:
U.S. Mail: | Overnight: |
Preserver Alternative Opportunities Fund c/o Ultimus Fund Solutions, LLC P.O. Box 46707 Cincinnati, OH 45246-0707 |
Preserver Alternative Opportunities Fund c/o Ultimus Fund Solutions, LLC 225 Pictoria Drive, Suite 450 Cincinnati, OH 45246 |
Transactions through www.preserverfunds.com. You may purchase subsequent shares and redeem Fund shares through the Funds website at www.preserverfunds.com. To establish internet transaction privileges you must enroll through the website. You automatically have the ability to establish internet transaction privileges unless you decline the privileges on your new account application or IRA application. You will be required to enter into a Users Agreement through the website in order to enroll in these privileges.
In order to conduct internet transactions, you must have telephone transaction privileges. To purchase subsequent shares through the website you must also have ACH instructions on your account. Shares from an account in any of the Funds tax sheltered retirement plans cannot be redeemed through the Funds website.
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Redemption proceeds may be sent to you by check, to the address of record, or if your account has existing bank information, by wire or ACH. Only bank accounts held at domestic financial institutions that are ACH members can be used for transactions through the Funds website. Transactions through the website are subject to the same minimums as other transaction methods.
You should be aware that the internet is an unsecured, unstable, unregulated and unpredictable environment. Your ability to use the website for transactions is dependent upon the internet and equipment, software, systems, data and services provided by various vendors and third parties. While the Fund and its service providers have established certain security procedures, the Fund, its distributor and Transfer Agent cannot assure you that trading information will be completely secure.
There may also be delays, malfunctions, or other inconveniences generally associated with this medium. There also may be times when the website is unavailable for Fund transactions or other purposes. Should this happen, you should consider purchasing or redeeming shares by another method. Neither the Fund nor its Transfer Agent, distributor, or Adviser will be liable for any such delays or malfunctions or unauthorized interception or access to communications or account information.
Policy on Market Timing. The Fund discourages market timing and does not accommodate frequent purchases and redemptions of Fund shares by Fund shareholders. Market timing is an investment strategy using frequent purchases and redemptions in an attempt to profit from short-term market movements. Market timing may result in dilution of the value of Fund shares held by long-term shareholders, disrupt portfolio management and increase Fund expenses for all shareholders. The Board has adopted a policy directing the Fund to reject any purchase order with respect to any investor, a related group of investors or their agent(s), where it detects a pattern of purchases and sales of the Fund that indicates market timing or trading that it determines is abusive. This policy generally applies to all Fund shareholders. Ultimus Fund Solutions, LLC, the Funds transfer agent, performs automated monitoring of short-term trading activity with respect to the Fund.
The Board also has adopted a redemption policy to discourage short-term traders and/or market timers from investing in the Fund. A 2.00% short-term redemption fee will be assessed by the Fund against investment proceeds redeemed within 60 calendar days of investment. Fund shares received from reinvested distributions or capital gains are not subject to the redemption fee. After excluding any shares that are associated with reinvested distributions from the redemption fee calculation, the Fund uses a first-in, first-out method to determine the 60 calendar day holding period. Thus, if you bought shares on different days, the shares purchased first will be redeemed first for purposes of determining whether the redemption fee applies. The proceeds collected from redemption fees will be retained by the Fund for the benefit of existing shareholders. Additionally, the transfer of shares from one retirement account to another, accounts participating in a wrap fee program and redemptions caused by decisions of employer-sponsored retirement plans may be exempt from the redemption fee. Redemption fees may be waived for mandatory retirement withdrawals, systematic withdrawals, redemptions made to pay for various administrative fees and, at the sole discretion of the Adviser, due to change in an investors circumstances, such as death. No exceptions will be granted to persons believed to be market-timers.
While the Fund attempts to deter market timing, there is no assurance that it will be able to identify and eliminate all market timers. For example, certain accounts called omnibus accounts include multiple shareholders. Despite the Funds efforts to detect and prevent abusive trading activities, it may be difficult to identify such activity in certain omnibus accounts traded through Financial Intermediaries. Omnibus accounts typically provide the Fund with a net purchase or redemption request on any given day where purchasers of Fund shares and redeemers of Fund shares are netted against one another and the identities of individual purchasers and redeemers whose orders are aggregated are not known by the Fund. Consequently, the Fund may not have knowledge of the identity of investors and their transactions. Under a federal rule, the Fund is required to have an agreement with many of its Financial Intermediaries obligating the Intermediaries to provide, upon the Funds request, information regarding the Financial Intermediaries customers and their transactions. However, there can be no guarantee that all excessive, short-term or other abusive trading activities will be detected, even with such an agreement in place. Certain Financial Intermediaries, in particular retirement plan sponsors and administrators, may have less restrictive policies regarding short-term trading. The Fund reserves the right to reject any purchase order for any reason, including purchase orders that it does not think are in the best interests of the Fund or its shareholders, or if the Fund thinks that the trading is abusive. The Fund has not entered into any arrangements with any person to permit frequent purchases and redemptions of Fund shares.
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Additional Information. If you are not certain of the requirements for a redemption, please call Shareholder Services at (844) 838-2119. Redemptions specifying a certain date or share price cannot be accepted and will be returned.
The length of time the Fund typically expects to pay redemption proceeds is similar regardless of whether the payment is made by check, wire, or ACH. The Fund typically expects to pay redemption proceeds for shares redeemed within the time frames set forth below measured as of the date of the Transfer Agents receipt of a redemption request in proper form:
● | For payment by check, the Fund typically expects to mail the check within one to three business days; |
● | For payment by wire or ACH, the Fund typically expects to process the payment within one to three business days. |
Payment of redemption proceeds may take longer than the time the Fund typically expects and may take up to 7 days as permitted under the 1940 Act. Under unusual circumstances as permitted by the SEC, the Fund may suspend the right of redemption or delay payment of redemption proceeds for more than 7 days. When shares are purchased by check or through ACH, the proceeds from the redemption of those shares will not be paid until the purchase check or ACH transfer has been converted to federal funds, which could take up to 15 calendar days.
Generally, all redemptions will be paid in cash. The Fund typically expects to satisfy redemption requests by using holdings of cash or cash equivalents or selling portfolio assets. On a less regular basis, and if the Adviser believes it is in the best interest of the Fund and its shareholders not to sell portfolio assets, the Fund may satisfy redemption requests by using short-term borrowing from the Funds custodian. These methods normally will be used during both regular and stressed market conditions. In addition to paying redemption proceeds in cash, the Fund reserves the right to make redemptions in kind (by exchanging shares for securities rather than cash). Redemptions in kind will be made only under extraordinary circumstances and if the Fund deems it advisable for the benefit of all shareholders, such as a very large redemption that could affect Fund operations (for example, more than 1% of the Funds net assets). A redemption in kind will consist of securities equal in market value to the Fund shares being redeemed, using the same valuation procedures that the Fund uses to compute its NAV. Pursuant to procedures adopted by the Board, redemption in kind transactions will typically be made by delivering readily marketable securities to the redeeming shareholder within 7 days after the Funds receipt of the redemption order in proper form. Marketable securities are assets that are regularly traded or where updated price quotations are available. Illiquid securities are investments that the Fund reasonably expects cannot be sold or disposed of in current market conditions in seven calendar days or less without the sale or disposition significantly changing the market value of the investment. Certain illiquid securities may be valued using estimated prices from one of the Trusts approved pricing agents. If the Fund redeems your shares in kind, it will value the securities pursuant to the policies and procedures adopted by the Board. You will bear the market risks associated with maintaining or selling the securities that are transferred as redemption proceeds. In addition, when you sell these securities, you will pay taxes and brokerage charges associated with selling the securities.
Redemption proceeds, including dividends and other distributions, sent via check by the Fund and not cashed within 180 days will be reinvested in the Fund at the current days NAV. Redemption proceeds that are reinvested are subject to the risk of loss like any other investment in the Fund. Because the Fund incurs certain fixed costs in maintaining shareholder accounts, the Fund may require you to redeem all of your shares in the Fund on 30 days written notice if the value of your shares in the Fund is less than $2,000 in Institutional Class due to redemptions, or such other minimum amount as the Fund may determine from time to time. You may increase the value of your shares in the Fund to the minimum amount within the 30 day period. All shares of the Fund also are subject to involuntary redemption if the Board determines to liquidate the Fund. In such event, the Fund will provide notice to shareholders, but the Fund will not be required to obtain shareholder approval prior to such liquidation. An involuntary liquidation will create a capital gain or capital loss, which may have tax consequences about which you should consult your tax adviser.
Purchasing and Selling through Financial Intermediaries
General. If you invest in the Fund through an investment adviser, bank, broker-dealer, 401(k) plan, trust company or other Financial Intermediary, the policies and fees for transacting business may be different than those described in this Prospectus. Some Financial Intermediaries may charge transaction fees and may set different minimum investments or limitations on buying or selling shares.
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Some Financial Intermediaries do not charge a direct transaction fee, but instead charge a fee for services such as sub-transfer agency, accounting and/or shareholder services that the Financial Intermediary provides on the Funds behalf. This fee may be based on the number of accounts or may be a percentage of the average value of the Funds shareholder accounts for which the Financial Intermediary provides services. The Fund may pay a portion of this fee, which is intended to compensate the Financial Intermediary for providing the same services that would otherwise be provided by the Funds transfer agent or other service providers if the shares were purchased directly from the Fund. To the extent that these fees are not paid by the Fund, the Adviser may pay a fee to Financial Intermediaries for such services.
Compensation of Financial Intermediaries by Adviser. To the extent that the Adviser pays a fee, sometimes referred to as revenue sharing, to a Financial Intermediary for distribution or shareholder servicing, the Adviser may consider a number of factors in determining the amount of payment associated with such distribution or services, including the amount of sales, assets invested in the Fund and the nature of the services provided by the Financial Intermediary. Although neither the Fund nor the Adviser pays for the Fund to be included in a Financial Intermediarys preferred list or other promotional program, some Financial Intermediaries that receive compensation as described above may have such programs in which the Fund may be included. The Adviser may pay for the opportunity to distribute the Fund through a Financial Intermediarys system. Financial Intermediaries that receive these types of payments may have a conflict of interest in recommending or selling the Funds shares rather than other mutual funds, particularly where such payments exceed those associated with other funds.
Purchase of Securities of Financial Intermediaries. The Fund may from time to time purchase securities issued by Financial Intermediaries that provide such services; however, in selecting investments for the Fund, no preference will be shown for such securities.
Determination of Net Asset Value
The price you pay for your shares is based on the Funds NAV for the applicable class. The NAV of the Fund class is calculated at the close of trading (normally 4:00 p.m. Eastern time) on each day the New York Stock Exchange is open for business (the Stock Exchange is closed on weekends, most Federal holidays and Good Friday). The NAV of the Fund class is calculated by dividing the value of its total assets (including interest and dividends accrued but not yet received) minus liabilities (including accrued expenses) by the total number of shares outstanding. Requests to purchase and sell shares are processed at the applicable NAV next calculated after the Fund or an authorized broker-dealer or other financial institution accepts your order in proper form.
The Funds assets generally are valued at their market value. If market quotations are not readily available (including when they are not reliable), or if an event occurs after the close of the trading market but before the calculation of the NAV that materially affects the value of a security, the security will be valued at a fair value, pursuant to procedures approved by the Board. Under the procedures adopted by the Board, the Board has designated the performance of fair value determinations to the Adviser, subject to the supervision of the Board. When pricing securities using the fair value procedures established by the Board, the Adviser seeks to assign the value that represents the amount that the Fund might reasonably expect to receive upon a current sale of the securities. However, given the subjectivity inherent in fair valuation and the fact that events could occur after NAV calculation, the actual market prices for a security may differ from the fair value of that security at the time of NAV calculation. Thus, discrepancies between fair values and actual market prices may occur on a regular and recurring basis. These discrepancies do not necessarily indicate that the Funds fair value methodology is inappropriate. The Fund will adjust the fair values assigned to securities in the Funds portfolio, to the extent necessary, as soon as market prices become available. The Fund (and its service providers) monitors and evaluates the appropriateness of its fair value methodologies.
Foreign securities are valued in the same manner as described above. The Funds foreign securities generally are valued at their market value. Since the Fund may invest in securities that are primarily listed on foreign exchanges that trade on weekends or other days when the Fund does not price its shares, the NAV of the Funds shares may change on days when shareholders will not be able to purchase or redeem the Funds shares. If market quotations are not readily available (including when they are not reliable), or if an event occurs after the close of the trading market but before the calculation of the NAV that materially affects the value of a foreign security, the security will be valued at a fair value, pursuant to procedures approved by the Board and as described in greater detail above.
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To the extent the Fund invests in other mutual funds, the Fund class NAV is calculated based, in part, upon the NAVs of such mutual funds; the Prospectuses for those mutual funds in which the Fund will invest describe the circumstances under which those mutual funds will use fair value pricing, which, in turn, affects their NAVs.
Dividends, Distributions, and Taxes
Dividends and Distributions
The Fund typically distributes to its shareholders, as dividends, substantially all of its net investment income and realized net capital gains. The Fund expects that its distributions will consist primarily of income and/or realized net capital gains. The Fund may also distribute return of capital received from entities in which it invests. Return of capital is a distribution that is in excess of the current and accumulated net income of an entity. Typically, the return of capital distributed to the Fund by these entities is paid in cash and results from depreciation taken on assets owned by such entities.
The Funds distributions, including any distributions of return of capital, are automatically reinvested in the Fund class in which you are invested unless you request cash distributions on your application or through a written request to that Fund.
Taxes
Net investment income distributed by the Fund generally will consist of interest income, if any, and dividends received on investments, less expenses. The dividends you receive, whether or not reinvested, will be taxed as ordinary income, except as described below. Please see the table below for additional information. Dividends normally will be distributed by the Fund on an annual basis.
The Fund will normally distribute net realized capital gains, if any, to its shareholders once a year. Capital gains are generated when the Fund sells its capital assets for a profit. Capital gains are taxed differently depending on how long the Fund has held the capital asset sold. Distributions of gains recognized on the sale of capital assets held for one year or less are taxed at ordinary income rates; distributions of gains recognized on the sale of capital assets held longer than one year are taxed at long-term capital gains rates regardless of how long you have held your shares. If the Fund distributes an amount exceeding its income and gains, this excess will generally be treated as a non-taxable return of capital.
The Funds distributions, whether received in cash or reinvested in additional shares of the Fund, may be subject to federal income tax. Unless you indicate another option on your account application, any dividends and capital gain distributions paid to you by the Fund automatically will be invested in additional shares of the Fund class in which you invest. Alternatively, you may elect to have: (1) dividends paid to you in cash and the amount of any capital gain distributions reinvested; or (2) the full amount of any dividends and capital gain distributions paid to you in cash. The Fund will send dividends and capital gain distributions elected to be received as cash to the address of record or bank of record on the applicable account. Your distribution option will automatically be converted to having all dividends and other distributions reinvested in additional shares if any of the following occur:
● | Postal or other delivery service is unable to deliver checks to the address of record; |
● | Dividends and capital gain distributions are not cashed within 180 days; or |
● | Bank account of record is no longer valid. |
Dividends and capital gain distribution checks issued by the Fund which are not cashed within 180 days will be reinvested in the Fund class at the current days NAV for that Fund class. When reinvested, those amounts are subject to market risk like any other investment in the Fund.
You may want to avoid making a substantial investment when the Fund is about to make a taxable distribution because you would be responsible for any taxes on the distribution regardless of how long you have owned your shares.
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Selling shares (including redemptions) and receiving distributions (whether reinvested or taken in cash) usually are taxable events to the Funds shareholders, as described in the chart below.
Summary of Certain Federal Income Tax Consequences for Taxable Accounts. The following discussion reflects current law.
Type of Transaction |
Tax Status |
Qualified dividend income | Generally maximum 15% rate on non-corporate taxpayers whose income is equal to or less than $459,750 (individual filers), $517,200 (married filing jointly) or $488,500 (head of household) and 20% on individual taxpayers whose income exceeds these thresholds and on most trusts and estates. |
Net short-term capital gain distributions | Ordinary income rates. |
Net long-term capital gain distributions | Generally maximum 15% rate on non-corporate taxpayers whose income is equal to or less than $459,750 (individual filers), $517,200 (married filing jointly) or $488,500 (head of household) and 20% on individual taxpayers whose income exceeds these thresholds and on most trusts and estates. |
Sales of shares (including redemptions and exchanges) owned more than one year | Gains taxed at generally maximum 15% rate on non-corporate taxpayers whose income is equal to or less than $459,750 (individual filers), $517,200 (married filing jointly) or $488,500 (head of household) and 20% on individual taxpayers whose income exceeds these thresholds and on most trusts and estates. Losses are subject to special rules concerning the use of long-term capital losses. |
Sales of shares (including redemptions and exchanges) owned for one year or less | Gains are taxed at the same rate as ordinary income; losses are subject to special rules. |
An additional 3.8% Medicare tax generally will be imposed on certain net investment income of non-corporate taxpayers whose modified adjusted gross income exceeds $200,000 (individual filers) or $250,000 (married filing jointly). Net investment income includes dividends and capital gain distributions received from the Fund and gains from the sale of shares, including redemptions.
As described generally above, designated dividends paid by the Fund to non-corporate shareholders generally will qualify for a maximum federal income tax rate of 15% or 20% to the extent such dividends are attributable to qualified dividend income from the Funds investment in common and preferred stock of U.S. and qualified foreign corporations, provided that certain holding period and other requirements are met. However, to the extent that the Fund has ordinary income from investments in debt securities, for example, such as interest income, income dividends paid by the Fund and attributable to that will not qualify for the reduced tax rate. The portion of the taxable dividends the Fund pays and that are attributable to dividends received from any REIT in which it invests may be subject to the 35% ordinary income tax rate because most REIT distributions are attributable to mortgage income and rent and therefore will not qualify for the reduced rate attributed to qualified dividend income.
If shares of the Fund are purchased within 30 days before or after redeeming other shares of the Fund at a loss, all or a portion of that loss will not be deductible and will increase the basis of the newly purchased shares. If shares of the Fund are sold at a loss after being held by a shareholder for six months or less, the loss will be long-term, instead of short-term, capital loss to the extent of any capital gain distributions received on the shares.
If you are a non-corporate shareholder and if the Fund does not have your correct social security or other taxpayer identification number, federal law requires us to withhold and pay to the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) 28% of your distributions and sales proceeds. If you are subject to back up withholding, we also will withhold and pay to the IRS 28% of your distributions (under current law). Any tax withheld may be applied against the tax liability on your federal income tax return.
Because your tax situation is unique, you should consult your tax professional about federal, state and local tax consequences.
Cost Basis Reporting. Federal law requires mutual fund companies to report their shareholders cost basis, gain/loss, and holding period to the IRS on Fund shareholders Form 1099s when covered securities are sold. Covered
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securities are any regulated investment company and/or dividend reinvestment plan shares. The Fund has chosen Average Cost as its standing (default) tax lot identification method for all shareholders. A tax lot identification method is the way the Fund will determine which specific shares are deemed to be sold when there are multiple purchases on different dates at differing NAVs, and the entire position is not sold at one time. The Funds standing tax lot identification method is the method covered shares will be reported on your Form 1099 if you do not select a specific tax lot identification method. You may choose a method different than the Funds standing method and will be able to do so at the time of your purchase or upon the sale of covered shares. Please refer to the appropriate IRS regulations or consult your tax adviser with regard to your personal circumstances. For those securities defined as covered under current IRS cost basis tax reporting regulations, the Fund is responsible for maintaining accurate cost basis and tax lot information for tax reporting purposes. The Fund is not responsible for the reliability or accuracy of the information for those securities that are not covered. The Fund and its service providers do not provide tax advice.
You should consult independent sources, which may include a tax professional, with respect to any decisions you may make with respect to choosing a tax lot identification method.
Return of Capital. A portion of the periodic returns distributed to the Fund by entities in which it invests may be attributable to return of capital. The Fund may pass through return of capital distributions received from these entities to its shareholders. The tax treatment of the Funds receipt of and distribution of return of capital to shareholders is as follows:
(1) | Return of capital received by the Fund from the entities in which it invests is a tax-deferred distribution. The distribution of return of capital to the Fund by an entity in which the Fund invests decreases the Funds basis in its investment in that entity. If the Fund sells its investment in that entity in excess of its basis therein, the Fund will incur a taxable gain that ultimately will be passed on to shareholders; |
(2) | Return of capital paid by the Fund to its shareholders is also a tax-deferred distribution. The distribution of return of capital to shareholders will decrease the basis of each shareholders investment in the Fund. If a shareholder sells its investment in the Fund in excess of its basis therein, the shareholder will incur a taxable gain. |
Since any payment of return of capital to the Fund by an entity in which it invests or by the Fund to a shareholder decreases the Funds basis of its investment in that entity and the shareholders basis in its investment in the Fund, respectively, the gain incurred by the Fund and the shareholder may be higher than if no return of capital had been paid.
Additional Information about Management of the Fund
The Adviser
Preserver Partners, LLC, Inc., 425 Madison Avenue, Memphis, TN 38103, serves as investment adviser to the Fund. Founded in 2009, the Adviser is a registered investment adviser that manages private investment funds for public and corporate pension funds, institutions, separate managed accounts, foundations and individual investors. As of November 30, 2022, the Adviser had over $241 million in assets under management.
Subject to Board supervision, the Adviser is responsible for providing general investment advice and guidance to the Fund. The Adviser also provides trading, proxy voting, record-keeping and other administrative services for the Fund.
For its advisory services, the Adviser is entitled to receive an annual fee of 0.75% of the Funds average daily net assets. The Adviser also has contractually agreed to waive its management fee and/or reimburse certain operating expenses of the Fund, but only to the extent necessary so that total annual operating expenses (excluding (i) interest; (ii) taxes; (iii) brokerage fees and commissions; (iv) dividend expense on short sales; and (v) indirect expenses, such as acquired fund fees and expenses) of the Fund do not exceed 1.35% of its average daily net assets through December 31, 2023. During any fiscal year that the Investment Advisory Agreement between the Adviser and Capitol Series Trust is in effect, the Adviser may recoup the sum of all fees previously waived or expenses reimbursed, less any reimbursement previously paid, provided that the Adviser is only permitted to recoup fees or expenses within 36 months from the date the fee waiver or expense reimbursement first occurred and provided further that such recoupment can be achieved within the Expense Limitation Agreement currently in effect and the Expense Limitation Agreement in place when the waiver/reimbursement occurred. This Expense Limitation Agreement may not be
29
terminated by the Adviser prior to its expiration date, but the Board of Trustees (the Board) may terminate such agreement at any time. The Expense Limitation Agreement terminates automatically upon the termination of the Advisory Agreement with the Adviser. During the fiscal year ended August 31, 2022, the Fund paid the Adviser a management fee equal to 0.59% of the Funds average daily net assets, after fee waivers and reimbursements.
A discussion regarding the basis for the Boards approval of the continuation of the investment advisory agreement with the Adviser on behalf of the Fund is included in the Funds annual report to shareholders for the fiscal year ended August 31, 2022.
Portfolio Manager
Dr. Floyd Tyler, CFA, President and Chief Investment Officer of the Adviser and Portfolio Manager for the Adviser and the Fund, is responsible for the day-to day management of the Fund. He has managed the Funds portfolio since its inception in March 2016. Dr. Tyler founded the Adviser in 2009 and has served as President and Chief Investment Officer of the Adviser since that date. He has served as the Portfolio Manager for all of the Advisers private investments funds. Dr. Tyler received his Bachelor of Business Administration in Economics from the University of Tennessee in 1989, his Master of Science from Carnegie Mellon University in 1991, and his Ph.D. in Finance from The Florida State University.
The Funds SAI provides additional information about the Funds portfolio manager, including compensation, other accounts managed, and ownership of Fund securities.
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Financial Highlights
The financial highlights tables below are intended to help you understand the financial performance of each class of shares of the Fund since the date that each class of shares was first offered. This information has been derived from the financial statements audited by Ernst & Young LLP, independent registered public accounting firm, whose report, along with the Funds financial statements, are included in the Funds annual report to shareholders. The annual and semiannual reports are incorporated by reference in the SAI and are available free of charge upon request from the Funds distributor. The following information should be read in conjunction with the financial statements and notes thereto.
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Preserver
Alternative Opportunities Fund - Institutional Shares
Financial Highlights
(For a share outstanding during each period)
For
the Year Ended August 31, 2022 |
For
the Year Ended August 31, 2021 |
For
the Year Ended August 31, 2020 |
For
the Year Ended August 31, 2019 |
For
the Year Ended August 31, 2018 |
||||||||||||||||
Selected Per Share Data | ||||||||||||||||||||
Net asset value, at beginning of year | $ | 14.45 | $ | 12.75 | $ | 11.62 | $ | 11.98 | $ | 11.65 | ||||||||||
Income from investment operations: | ||||||||||||||||||||
Net investment income | 0.17 | 0.15 | 0.10 | 0.21 | 0.16 | |||||||||||||||
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) on investments | (1.87 | ) | 2.18 | 1.22 | (0.17 | ) | 0.53 | |||||||||||||
Total from investment operations | (1.70 | ) | 2.33 | 1.32 | 0.04 | 0.69 | ||||||||||||||
Less distributions to shareholders from: | ||||||||||||||||||||
Net investment income | (0.13 | ) | (0.12 | ) | (0.19 | ) | (0.06 | ) | (0.16 | ) | ||||||||||
Net realized gains | (0.99 | ) | (0.51 | ) | — | (0.34 | ) | (0.20 | ) | |||||||||||
Total distributions | (1.12 | ) | (0.63 | ) | (0.19 | ) | (0.40 | ) | (0.36 | ) | ||||||||||
Paid in capital from redemption fees | — | (a) | — | (a) | — | (a) | — | (a) | — | |||||||||||
Net asset value, at end of year | $ | 11.63 | $ | 14.45 | $ | 12.75 | $ | 11.62 | $ | 11.98 | ||||||||||
Total Return(b) | (12.75 | )% | 18.85 | % | 11.46 | % | 0.88 | % | 6.05 | % | ||||||||||
Ratios and Supplemental Data: | ||||||||||||||||||||
Net assets, end of year (000 omitted) | $ | 18,056 | $ | 30,534 | $ | 24,221 | $ | 21,241 | $ | 20,705 | ||||||||||
Before waiver or recoupment: | ||||||||||||||||||||
Ratio of expenses to average net assets | 1.52 | % | 1.53 | % | 1.70 | % | 1.66 | % | 1.72 | % | ||||||||||
After waiver or recoupment: | ||||||||||||||||||||
Ratio of expenses to average net assets | 1.36 | %(c) | 1.36 | %(c) | 1.35 | % | 1.48 | % | 1.75 | % | ||||||||||
Ratio of net investment income to average net assets | 1.03 | % | 1.16 | % | 0.90 | % | 1.96 | % | 1.25 | % | ||||||||||
Portfolio turnover rate | 81 | % | 91 | % | 86 | % | 56 | % | 68 | % |
(a) | Rounds to less than $0.005 per share. |
(b) | Total return in the above table represents the rate that the investor would have earned or lost on an investment in the Fund, assuming reinvestment of distributions. Excludes redemption fee. |
(c) | Includes dividend and interest expense of 0.01% for the fiscal years ended August 31, 2022 and August 31, 2021. |
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For More Information
You can find additional information about the Fund in the following documents:
Annual and Semi-Annual Reports: While the Prospectus describes the Funds potential investments, the Annual and Semi-Annual Reports detail the Funds actual investments as of the report dates. The reports include a discussion by management of recent market conditions, economic trends, and investment strategies that significantly affected Fund performance during the reporting period.
Statement of Additional Information (SAI): The SAI supplements the Prospectus and contains additional information about the Fund and its investment restrictions, risks, policies, and operations, including the Funds policies and procedures relating to the disclosure of portfolio holdings. A current SAI for the Fund is on file with the SEC and is incorporated into this Prospectus by reference, which means it is considered part of this Prospectus.
How to Obtain Copies of Other Fund Documents
You can obtain free copies of the current SAI and the Funds Annual and Semi-Annual Reports, and request other information about the Fund or make shareholder inquiries, in any of the following ways:
On the Internet: | Download these documents from the Funds Internet site at: www.preserverfunds.com |
By Telephone: | Call Shareholder Services at (844) 838-2119 |
By Mail: | Send a written request to:
Preserver Alternative Opportunities Fund c/o Ultimus Fund Solutions, LLC P.O. Box 46707 Cincinnati, OH 45246-0707 |
You may obtain reports and other information about the Fund on the EDGAR Database on the SECs Internet site at http://www.sec.gov, and copies of this information may be obtained, after paying a duplication fee, by electronic request at the following e-mail address: publicinfo@sec.gov, or by writing the SECs Public Reference Section, Washington, D.C. 20549-1520.
Preserver Alternative Opportunities Fund Investment Company Act No. 811-22895
|
Not A Deposit ● Not FDIC Insured ● May Lose Value ● No Bank Guarantee ● Not Insured By Any Government Agency |
33
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Preserver Alternative Opportunities Fund
Institutional Shares – PAOIX
A series of Capitol Series Trust
STATEMENT OF ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
December 29, 2022
This Statement of Additional Information (SAI) provides general information about the Preserver Alternative Opportunities Fund (the Fund), a series of the Capitol Series Trust (the Trust). This SAI is not a prospectus and should be read in conjunction with the Funds current prospectus dated December 29, 2022, (the Prospectus), as supplemented and amended from time to time, which is incorporated herein by reference. To obtain a copy of the Funds Prospectus, free of charge, please write the transfer agent, Ultimus Fund Solutions, LLC, at P.O. Box 46707, Cincinnati, Ohio 45246-0707, call Shareholder Services at (844) 838-2119, or visit the Funds website at www.preserverfunds.com.
TABLE OF CONTENTS |
PAGE | |
DESCRIPTION OF THE TRUST AND FUND | 3 | |
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION ABOUT FUND INVESTMENTS AND RISK CONSIDERATIONS | 4 | |
INVESTMENT LIMITATIONS | 29 | |
INVESTMENT MANAGEMENT | 31 | |
TRUSTEES AND OFFICERS | 33 | |
CONTROL PERSONS AND PRINCIPAL HOLDERS OF SECURITIES | 39 | |
PORTFOLIO TURNOVER | 40 | |
ANTI-MONEY LAUNDERING COMPLIANCE PROGRAM | 40 | |
PORTFOLIO TRANSACTIONS AND BROKERAGE | 40 | |
CODE OF ETHICS | 41 | |
DISCLOSURE OF PORTFOLIO HOLDINGS | 41 | |
DETERMINATION OF NET ASSET VALUE | 42 | |
REDEMPTION IN-KIND | 43 | |
STATUS AND TAXATION OF THE FUND | 44 | |
CUSTODIAN | 48 | |
TRANSFER AGENT, FUND ACCOUNTING AGENT, AND ADMINISTRATOR | 49 | |
COMPLIANCE CONSULTING | 49 | |
INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM | 49 | |
DISTRIBUTOR | 50 | |
LEGAL COUNSEL | 50 | |
PROXY VOTING POLICIES | 50 | |
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS | 51 | |
APPENDIX A: DESCRIPTION OF SECURITIES RATINGS | A-1 |
2
DESCRIPTION OF THE TRUST AND FUND
A. | General Information |
The Preserver Alternative Opportunities Fund (the Fund) was organized as a diversified series of Capitol Series Trust (the Trust) on September 16, 2015. The Trust is an open-end investment company established under the laws of Ohio by an Agreement and Declaration of Trust dated September 18, 2013 (the Trust Agreement). The Fund currently offers one class of shares, Institutional Shares. Preserver Partners, LLC (the Adviser), serves as investment adviser to the Fund.
Expenses attributable to any series or class are borne by that series or class. Any general expenses of the Trust not readily identifiable as belonging to a particular series or class are allocated by or under the direction of the Trustees in such manner as the Trustees determine to be fair and equitable. No shareholder is liable to further calls or to assessment by the Trust without his or her express consent.
The Fund does not issue share certificates. Rather, all shares are held in non-certificated form registered on the books of the Fund and Ultimus Fund Solutions, LLC, the Funds transfer agent (the Transfer Agent) for the account of the shareholder.
B. | Shareholder Voting and Other Rights |
The Trust Agreement permits the Trusts Board of Trustees (the Board), without shareholder approval, to issue an unlimited number of shares of beneficial interest in separate series without par value and to divide series into classes of shares. The Board may from time to time, and without shareholder approval, divide or combine the shares of the Fund or class thereof into a greater or lesser number of shares of that Fund or class so long as the proportionate beneficial interest in the assets belonging to that Fund or class and the rights of shares of any other series or class are in no way affected.
Each share of the Fund represents an equal proportionate interest in the assets and liabilities belonging to that Fund and in such dividends and distributions out of income belonging to that Fund as declared by the Board.
Each Fund share has the same voting and other rights and preferences as any other shares of the Trust with respect to matters that affect the Trust as a whole. The Fund or class thereof votes separately with respect to the provisions of any Rule 12b-1 plan which pertains to that Fund or class and other matters for which separate series or class voting is appropriate under applicable law. Generally, shares will be voted separately by individual series except if: (1) the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the 1940 Act) requires shares to be voted in the aggregate and not by individual series; and (2) when the Trustees determine that the matter affects more than one series and all affected series must vote. The Trustees may also determine that a matter only affects certain series or classes of the Trust and thus only those series or classes are entitled to vote on the matter.
Ohio law does not require the Trust to hold annual meetings of shareholders, and it is anticipated that shareholder meetings will be held only when specifically required by Federal or state law. When matters are submitted to shareholders for a vote, each shareholder is entitled to one vote for each whole share owned and fractional votes for each fractional share owned.
The Fund shares do not have cumulative voting rights, any preemptive or conversion rights, or any sinking fund provisions. Any Trustee may be removed by vote of the shareholders holding not less than two-thirds of the outstanding shares of the Trust.
The Trust Agreement can be amended by the Trustees, except that certain amendments that could adversely affect the rights of shareholders must be approved by the shareholders affected.
C. | Redemptions |
Voluntary Redemptions. A shareholder may redeem shares of the Fund class at the net asset value per share of that Fund class next-calculated, minus any applicable redemption fee, after the Fund receives the shareholders redemption request in proper form.
3
Mandatory Redemption. Each share of each series and class thereof is subject to redemption by the Trust at the net asset value per share of that series or class next calculated, minus any applicable sales charge: (1) after the Trustees determine, in their sole discretion, that failure to redeem may have materially adverse consequences to any holders of Trust shares, or any series of class thereof or the applicable Fund or Fund class, or (2) upon such other conditions as may from time to time be determined by the Trustees and set forth in the current Prospectus of the Trust with respect to maintenance of shareholder accounts of a minimum amount.
D. | Termination or Reorganization |
Termination. The Trust may be terminated at any time by an instrument executed by a majority of the Trustees then in office upon prior written notice to the Trusts shareholders. Any series or class may be terminated at any time by an instrument executed by a majority of the Trustees upon prior written notice to the shareholders of that series or class.
Reorganization. The Trustees may sell, convey and transfer the assets of the Trust, or the assets belonging to any one or more series, to another trust, partnership, association or corporation organized under the laws of any state of the United States, or to the Trust to be held as assets belonging to another series of the Trust, in exchange for cash, shares or other securities (including, in the case of a transfer to another series of the Trust, shares of such other series) with such transfer being made subject to, or with the assumption by the transferee of, the liabilities belonging to each series the assets of which are being transferred. If required by the 1940 Act, any such transfer shall be subject to approval of the shareholders of the affected series.
In case of any liquidation of a series or class, the holders of shares of the series or class being liquidated will be entitled to receive as a class a distribution out of the assets, net of the liabilities, belonging to that series or class.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION ABOUT FUND INVESTMENTS AND RISK CONSIDERATIONS
Unless otherwise specified, percentage limitations on investments set forth in the Prospectus and this SAI will be applied at the time of investment. Therefore, these percentages could be exceeded due to a decline in each share class net asset value (NAV) due to fluctuations in the value of the Funds portfolio securities and the liquidation of portfolio securities to fulfill repurchase requests (which the Board has, in its sole discretion, authorized) or to pay expenses.
Except for the Funds fundamental policies listed below, no other policy of the Fund, including its investment objective, is a fundamental policy of the Fund and may be changed by the Board without the vote of the Funds shareholders.
A. | Corporate Equity Securities |
Generally. The Fund may invest in equity securities including common stocks, preferred stocks and convertible securities of U.S. and foreign corporate issuers including equity securities of smaller companies. The value of equity securities depends on business, economic and other factors affecting those issuers. Equity securities fluctuate in value, often based on factors unrelated to the value of the issuer of the securities, and such fluctuations may be pronounced.
Risks of Foreign Markets. Securities that trade in foreign markets may be subject to greater fluctuations in price than securities of U.S. companies because foreign markets may be smaller and less liquid than U.S. markets. Changes in foreign tax laws, investment regulations and policies on nationalization and expropriation as well as political instability may affect the operations of foreign companies and the value of their securities. Fluctuations in currency exchange rates and changes in regulations governing currency exchange may adversely affect the value of the Funds investments in foreign securities denominated or quoted in currencies other than the U.S. dollar. Foreign securities and their issuers may not be subject to the same degree of regulation as U.S. issuers regarding information disclosure, insider trading and market manipulation. There may be less publicly available information on foreign companies and foreign companies may not be subject to uniform accounting, auditing, and financial standards as are U.S. companies. Foreign securities registration, custody and settlements may be subject to delays or other operational and administrative problems. Certain foreign brokerage commissions and custody fees may be higher than those in the U.S. Dividends payable on the foreign securities contained in the Funds portfolio may be subject to foreign withholding taxes, thus reducing the income available for distribution to the Funds shareholders.
4
Risks of Emerging Markets. Securities that trade in emerging markets may be less liquid and the prices of these securities may be more volatile than the prices of those securities that trade in more developed foreign markets. Information regarding securities that trade in emerging markets is not always readily available. Greater political and economic uncertainties exist in emerging markets than in developed foreign markets and the securities markets and legal systems in emerging markets may not be well developed and may not provide the protections and advantages of the markets and systems available in more developed countries. Moreover, very high inflation rates may exist in emerging markets and could negatively impact a countrys economy and securities markets. Emerging markets may impose restrictions on the Funds ability to repatriate investment income or capital and thus, may adversely affect the operations of the Fund. Certain emerging markets may impose constraints on currency exchange and some currencies in emerging markets may have been devalued significantly against the U.S. dollar. Governments of some emerging markets exercise substantial influence over the private sector and may own or control many companies and government actions could have a significant effect on economic conditions in emerging markets, which, in turn, could affect the value of the Funds investments. Emerging markets may also be subject to less government supervision and regulation of business and industry practices, stock exchanges, brokers and listed companies.
For these and other reasons, the prices of securities in emerging markets can fluctuate more significantly than the prices of securities of companies in developed countries. The less developed the country, the greater affect these risks may have on your investment in the Fund, and as a result, an investment in the Fund may exhibit a higher degree of volatility than either the general the U.S. securities market or the securities markets of developed foreign countries.
Risks Specific to Smaller Company Equity Securities. To the extent that the Fund invests in the equity securities of smaller companies, it takes on additional risks. Generally, the smaller the market capitalization of a company, the fewer the number of shares traded daily, the less liquid its stock and the more volatile its price. Market capitalization is determined by multiplying the number of outstanding shares by the current market price per share. Companies with smaller market capitalizations also tend to have unproven track records, a limited product or service base and limited access to capital. These factors make smaller companies more likely to fail than companies with larger market capitalizations.
Common Stock. Common stock represents an equity (ownership) interest in a company, and usually possesses voting rights and earns dividends. Common stockholders are not creditors of the company, but rather, upon liquidation of the company are entitled to their pro rata share of the companys assets after creditors and, if applicable, preferred stockholders are paid. Dividends on common stock are not fixed but are declared at the discretion of the issuer. Common stock generally represents the riskiest investment in a company. In addition, common stock generally has the greatest appreciation and depreciation potential because increases and decreases in earnings are usually reflected in a companys stock price.
Preferred Stock. The Fund may invest in convertible and non-convertible preferred stock. Preferred stock has a preference in liquidation (and, generally dividends) over common stock but is subordinated in liquidation to debt. As a general rule the market value of preferred stocks with fixed dividend rates and no conversion rights varies inversely with interest rates and perceived credit risk, with the price determined by the dividend rate. Some preferred stocks are convertible into other securities, (for example, common stock) at a fixed price and ratio or upon the occurrence of certain events. The market price of convertible preferred stocks generally reflects an element of conversion value.
Risks of Preferred Stock. The fundamental risk of investing in preferred stock is the risk that the value of the stock might decrease. Stock values fluctuate in response to the activities of an individual company or in response to general market and/or economic conditions. The market value of all securities, including preferred stocks, is based upon the markets perception of value and not necessarily the book value of an issuer or other objective measures of a companys worth.
Because many preferred stocks lack a fixed maturity date, these securities generally fluctuate substantially in value when interest rates change; such fluctuations often exceed those of long-term bonds of the same issuer. Some preferred stocks pay an adjustable dividend that may be based on an index, formula, auction procedure or other dividend rate reset mechanism. In the absence of credit deterioration, adjustable rate preferred stocks tend to have more stable market values than fixed rate preferred stocks. All preferred stocks are also subject to the same types of credit risks of the issuer as corporate bonds. In addition, because preferred stock is junior to debt
5
securities and other obligations of an issuer, deterioration in the credit rating of the issuer will cause greater changes in the value of a preferred stock than in a more senior fixed income security with similar yield characteristics.
Convertible Securities. Convertible securities are fixed income securities, preferred stock or other securities that may be converted into or exchanged for a given amount of common stock of the same or a different issuer during a specified period of time at a specified price or formula. A convertible security entitles the holder to receive interest on debt or the dividend on preferred stock until the convertible security matures or is redeemed, converted or exchanged. Before conversion, convertible securities ordinarily provide a stream of income with generally higher yields than those of common stock of the same or similar issuers, but lower than the yield of non-convertible debt. Convertible securities rank senior to common stock in a companys capital structure but are usually subordinated to comparable non-convertible securities. By investing in convertible securities, the investor obtains the right to benefit from the capital appreciation potential in the underlying common stock upon the exercise of the conversion right, while earning higher current income than could be available if the stock was purchased directly. In general, the value of a convertible security is the higher of its investment value (its value as a fixed income security) and its conversion value (the value of the underlying shares of common stock if the security is converted).
Risks of Convertible Securities. The value of a convertible security generally increases when interest rates decline and generally decreases when interest rates rise. The credit standing of the issuer and other factors also may have an effect on the convertible securitys investment value. The conversion value of a convertible security is determined by the market price of the underlying common stock. If the conversion value is low relative to the investment value, the price of the convertible security is governed principally by its investment value. Generally, a convertible securitys conversion value decreases as the convertible security approaches maturity. To the extent the market price of the underlying common stock approaches or exceeds the conversion price, the price of the convertible security will be increasingly influenced by its conversion value. In addition, a convertible security generally will sell at a premium over its conversion value determined by the extent to which investors place value on the right to acquire the underlying common stock.
Because convertible securities are typically issued by smaller capitalized companies whose stock price may be volatile, the price of a convertible security may reflect variations in the price of the underlying common stock in a way that nonconvertible debt does not. Also, while convertible securities generally have higher yields than common stock, they have lower yields than comparable non-convertible securities and are subject to less fluctuation in value than the underlying stock since they have fixed income characteristics. A convertible security may be subject to redemption at the option of the issuer at a price established in the convertible securitys governing instrument. If a convertible security is called for redemption, the Fund will be required to permit the issuer to redeem the security, convert it into the underlying common stock or sell it to a third party.
B. | Master Limited Partnerships |
The Fund may invest in U.S.-based master limited partnerships (MLPs). MLPs are publicly traded partnerships that predominately operate, or directly or indirectly own, energy-related assets. See Status and Taxation of the Fund for information relating to tax-related restrictions on the Funds investments in MLPs.
Risks of Master Limited Partnerships. Holders of MLP units have limited control and voting rights on matters affecting the partnership and are exposed to a possibility of liability for all of the obligations of that MLP. Holders of MLP units are also exposed to the risk that they will be required to repay amounts to the MLP that are wrongfully distributed to them. In addition, the value of the Funds investment in an MLP will depend in part on the MLPs treatment as a partnership for U.S. federal income tax purposes. Furthermore, MLP interests may not be as liquid as other more commonly traded equity securities. In addition, MLPs have relatively high distribution rates compared to corporate securities. The characterization of these distributions as either return of capital, long-term capital gains or as some other type of return may not be ascertainable until the end of a taxable year and may complicate the calculation of the Funds and Fund shareholders taxes.
C. Other Investment Companies
Generally. The Fund may invest in other investment companies to the extent permitted by the 1940 Act. The Fund may invest in closed-end and open-end investment companies registered under the 1940 Act. Closed-end funds include business development companies (each a BDC), although such companies are not registered under the 1940
6
Act, and open-end funds include mutual funds and exchange traded funds (each an ETF). The Fund holds interests in investment companies that are not registered under the 1940 Act (each a Private Fund). Private Funds are typically organized as limited partnerships or limited liability companies. See Status and Taxation of the Fund for information regarding tax-related limitations on the Funds investments in Private Funds.
The Fund generally may purchase or redeem, without limitation, shares of any affiliated or unaffiliated money market mutual funds, including unregistered money market funds, so long as the Fund does not pay a sales load or service fee in connection with the purchase, sale or redemption or if such fees are paid, the Adviser waives its management fee in an amount necessary to offset the amounts paid.
With respect to investments in registered investment companies, the 1940 Act generally limits the Fund from acquiring (i) more than 3% of the total outstanding shares of another registered investment company; (ii) shares of another registered investment company having an aggregate value in excess of 5% of the value of the total assets of the Fund; or (iii) shares of another registered investment company and all other registered investment companies having an aggregate value in excess of 10% of the value of the total assets of the Fund. While the Funds investments in Private Funds are not subject to these limitations, the Fund will limit its investment in any one Private Fund to less than 5% of that Private Funds outstanding voting securities.
Risks of Investment Companies. The 1940 Act and the IRC impose numerous constraints on the operations of registered investment companies. These restrictions may prohibit the Fund from making certain investment thus potentially limiting its profitability. Moreover, in order to qualify for regulated investment company tax treatment under subchapter M of the IRC (e.g. to be treated as a corporation for tax purposes and to pass through income and capital gains to investors), a regulated investment company must satisfy source-of-income, asset diversification and other requirements. The failure to comply with these provisions in a timely manner may prevent qualification as a regulated investment company thus requiring the investment company to pay unexpected taxes and penalties, which could be material.
When the Fund invests in another investment company or BDC, the Fund indirectly will bear its proportionate share of any fees and expenses payable directly by the underlying fund. Therefore, the Fund will incur higher expenses, many of which may be duplicative to those paid the Fund. In addition, the Fund may be affected by losses of the underlying funds and the level of risk arising from the investment practices of the underlying funds (such as the use of leverage by the funds). The Fund has no control over the investments and related risks taken by the underlying funds in which it invests. Other investment companies may charge fees if interests are redeemed within a certain period of time.
Risks of Private Funds. As an investor in Private Funds, the Fund will not have the benefit of protections afforded by the 1940 Act to investors in registered investment companies. The Adviser will not have control of, or have the ability to exercise influence over, the trading policies or strategies of a Private Fund. A Private Funds investment strategies may evolve over time in response to fluctuating market conditions without notice to investors. In addition to its own expenses, the Fund will also bear its allocable share of the costs and expenses of each Private Fund, including its allocable share of the management and incentive compensation paid to a Private Funds investment manager. As a result, the Funds investments in Private Funds may result in the Fund paying higher expenses than other funds with similar investment objectives and strategies or if it invested directly in the securities held by the Private Funds. The Funds interests in Private Funds are illiquid and subject to substantial restrictions on transferability. The Fund may not be able to acquire initial interests (or additional interests) in a Private Fund or withdraw all or a portion of its investment from a Private Fund promptly after it has made a decision to do so because of limitations set forth in that funds governing documents (or in such negotiated side letter or similar arrangement as the Adviser may be able to negotiate on behalf of the Fund). Private Funds typically provide limited portfolio information. This may result in a Private Fund using investment strategies that are not fully disclosed to the Adviser. Absent the availability of strategy and investment details, the Fund may not be in a position to timely liquidate interests in a Private Fund as changes to the Private Fund strategies and investments evolve over time. Market quotations for Private Funds are not readily available and, therefore, the value of the Funds investment in a Private Fund will be valued at fair value pursuant to procedures approved by the Board. Given the subjectivity inherent in fair valuation and the limited portfolio information typically available from a Private Fund, the price at which the Fund values its interest in the Fund may differ from any periodic valuation of the Funds interest provided by the Private Fund and the price at which the Fund ultimately sells its interest in the Private Fund.
7
Closed-End Funds. Closed-end funds are investment companies that typically issue a fixed number of shares that trade on a securities exchange or over-the-counter. BDCs, while not registered under the 1940 Act, are publicly-traded closed-end funds that seek capital appreciation and income by investing in smaller companies during their initial or growth stages of development. The NAV per share of a closed-end fund will fluctuate depending upon the performance of the securities held by the fund. A closed-end fund is not required to buy its shares back from investors upon request.
Mutual Funds. Mutual funds are open-end investment companies and issue new shares continuously and redeem shares daily at their NAV. The NAV per share of an open-end fund will fluctuate daily depending upon the performance of the securities held by the fund.
Exchange-Traded Funds. ETFs are open-end investment companies that continuously issue shares that are bought and sold on a national securities exchange 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. The NAV of an ETF can fluctuate up or down due to changes in the market value of the securities owned by the fund. ETF shares are only redeemable from the fund in large blocks.
Risks of Closed-end Funds and ETFs. In addition to risks generally associated with investments in investment company securities, ETFs and closed-end funds are subject to the following risks that do not apply to traditional mutual funds: (1) shares may trade at a market price that is above or below its NAV; (2) an active trading market for shares may not develop or be maintained; (3) the ETF or closed-end fund may employ an investment strategy that utilizes high leverage ratios; or (4) trading of shares may be halted if the listing exchanges officials deem such action appropriate, the shares are de-listed from the exchange, or the activation of market-wide circuit breakers (which are tied to large decreases in stock prices) halts stock trading generally.
D. | Real Estate Investment Trusts (REITs) |
A REIT is a corporation or business trust that invests substantially all of its assets in income producing real estate or real estate related loans or interests. Equity REITs are those which purchase or lease land and buildings and generate income primarily from rental income. Equity REITs may also realize capital gains (or losses) when selling property that has appreciated (or depreciated) in value. Mortgage REITs invest in real estate mortgage securities and derive income primarily from interest payments. Hybrid REITs have characteristics of both Equity REITs and Mortgage REITs.
Risks of REITs. Equity REITs may be affected by changes in the value of the underlying property owned by the REITs, while mortgage REITs may be affected by the quality and maturity of any credit extended. REITs are dependent upon management skills, are not diversified, are subject to heavy cash flow dependency, default by borrowers and self-liquidation. REITs are also subject to the possibilities of failing to qualify for tax-free pass-through of income under the U.S. Internal Revenue Code and failing to maintain their exemptions from registration under the 1940 Act. REITs (especially mortgage REITs) are also subject to interest rate risks. When interest rates decline, the value of a REITs investment in fixed rate obligations can be expected to rise. Conversely, when interest rates rise, the value of a REITs investment in fixed rate obligations can be expected to decline. In contrast, as interest rates on adjustable rate mortgage loans are reset periodically, yields on a REITs investment in such loans will gradually align to reflect changes in market interest rates, causing the value of such investments to fluctuate less dramatically in response to interest rate fluctuations than would investments in fixed rate obligations.
Mortgage REITs are subject to certain additional risks. Rising interest rates tend to extend the duration of the mortgage securities in which they invest, making them more sensitive to changes in interest rates. As a result, in a period of rising interest rates, these securities may exhibit additional volatility. In addition, mortgage securities are subject to prepayment risk, which is the risk that when interest rates decline or are low but are expected to rise, borrowers may pay off their debts sooner than expected. This can reduce the returns of Mortgage REITs because the Fund will have to reinvest such prepaid funds at the lower prevailing interest rates. Mortgage securities are also subject to risk of default on the underlying mortgage or assets, particularly during periods of economic downturn.
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Investing in REITs involves risks similar to those associated with investing in small capitalization companies. 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.
E. | Depositary Receipts |
American Depositary Receipts (ADRs) are securities, typically issued by a U.S. financial institution (a depositary), that evidence ownership interests in a security or a pool of securities issued by a foreign issuer and deposited with the depositary. ADRs include American Depositary Shares and New York Shares. European Depositary Receipts (EDRs), which are sometimes referred to as Continental Depositary Receipts (CDRs), are securities, typically issued by a non-U.S. financial institution, that evidence ownership interests in a security or a pool of securities issued by either a U.S. or foreign issuer. Global Depositary Receipts (GDRs) are issued globally and evidence a similar ownership arrangement. Generally, ADRs are designed for trading in the U.S. securities markets, EDRs are designed for trading in European securities markets and GDRs are designed for trading in non-U.S. securities markets.
Depositary receipt facilities may be established as either unsponsored or sponsored. While depositary receipts issued under these two types of facilities are in some respects similar, there are distinctions between them relating to the rights and obligations of depositary receipt holders and the practices of market participants. A depositary may establish an unsponsored facility without participation by (or even necessarily the permission of) the issuer of the deposited securities, although typically the depositary requests a letter of non-objection from such issuer prior to the establishment of the facility. Holders of unsponsored depositary receipts generally bear all the costs of such facility. The depositary usually charges fees upon the deposit and withdrawal of the deposited securities, the conversion of dividends into U.S. dollars, the disposition of non-cash distributions, and the performance of other services. The depositary of an unsponsored facility frequently is under no obligation to pass through voting rights to depositary receipt holders in respect of the deposited securities. In addition, an unsponsored facility is generally not obligated to distribute communications received from the issuer of the deposited securities or to disclose material information about such issuer in the U.S. and there may not be a correlation between such information and the market value of the depositary receipts.
Sponsored depositary receipt facilities are created in generally the same manner as unsponsored facilities, except that the issuer of the deposited securities enters into a deposit agreement with the depositary. The deposit agreement sets out the rights and responsibilities of the issuer, the depositary, and the depositary receipt holders. With sponsored facilities, the issuer of the deposited securities generally will bear some of the costs relating to the facility (such as dividend payment fees of the depositary) although depositary receipt holders continue to bear certain other costs (such as deposit and withdrawal fees). Under the terms of most sponsored arrangements, depositaries agree to distribute notices of shareholder meetings and voting instructions, and to provide shareholder communications and other information to the depositary receipt holders at the request of the issuer of the deposited securities.
Risks of Depositary Receipts. The depositary bank may not have physical custody of the underlying securities at all times and may charge fees for various services, including forwarding dividends and interest and corporate actions. ADRs are alternatives to directly purchasing the underlying foreign securities in their national markets and currencies. However, ADRs continue to be subject to many of the risks associated with investing directly in foreign securities. These risks include foreign exchange risk as well as the political and economic risks of the underlying issuers country. See Equity Securities – Generally – Risks of Foreign Markets and Equity Securities – Generally – Risks of Emerging Markets for the risks of investing in foreign securities, generally.
F. | Fixed Income Securities |
Generally. The Fund may invest in mortgage-backed securities (including collateralized mortgage obligations of U.S. issuers), asset-back securities, municipal securities and corporate debt securities of U.S. and foreign issuers; commercial paper, zero coupon securities, loan participations and inflation-index securities of U.S. issuers, U.S. Government Securities, foreign government securities, U.S. short-term money market instruments, and foreign government securities.
Yields on fixed income securities, including municipal securities, are dependent on a variety of factors, including the general conditions of the fixed income securities markets, the size of a particular offering, the maturity of the obligation and the rating of the issue. Fixed income securities with longer maturities tend to produce higher yields
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and are generally subject to greater price movements than obligations with shorter maturities. A portion of the municipal securities held by the Fund may be supported by credit and liquidity enhancements such as letters of credit (which are not covered by federal deposit insurance) or puts or demand features of third party financial institutions, general domestic and foreign banks.
Risks of Fixed Income Securities. Investments in fixed income securities are subject to the following risks:
Credit Risk. Changes in the ability of an issuer to make payments of interest and principal and in the markets perception of an issuers creditworthiness will also affect the market value of that issuers debt securities. The financial condition of an issuer of a fixed income security held by the Fund may cause it to default on interest or principal payments due on a security. This risk generally increases as security credit ratings fall.
Interest Rate Risk. The market value of the interest-bearing debt securities held by the Fund will be affected by changes in interest rates. There is normally an inverse relationship between the market value of securities sensitive to prevailing interest rates and actual changes in interest rates. The longer the remaining maturity (and duration) of a security, the more sensitive the security is to changes in interest rates. All fixed income securities, including U.S. Government Securities, can change in value when there is a change in interest rates. As a result, an investment in the Fund is subject to risk even if all fixed income securities in the Funds investment portfolio are paid in full at maturity.
Pre-Payment and Extension Risk. Certain fixed income securities may be subject to extension risk, which refers to the change in total return on a security resulting from an extension or abbreviation of the securitys maturity. Issuers may prepay fixed rate securities when interest rates fall, forcing the Fund to invest in securities with lower interest rates. Issuers fixed income securities are also subject to the provisions of bankruptcy, insolvency and other laws affecting the rights and remedies of creditors that may restrict the ability of the issuer to pay, when due, the principal of and interest on its debt securities. The possibility exists therefore, that, as a result of bankruptcy, litigation or other conditions, the ability of an issuer to pay, when due, the principal of and interest on its debt securities may become impaired.
See Equity Securities – Generally – Risks of Foreign Markets and Equity Securities – Generally – Risks of Emerging Markets for the risks of investing in foreign securities, generally.
Credit Quality. The Fund may invest in investment grade fixed income securities. Fixed income securities are considered to be of investment grade quality if they are rated Baa or higher by Moodys Investors Service, Inc. (Moodys) or BBB or higher by Standard & Poors Corporation (S&P), or are unrated and are deemed to be of comparable quality by the Adviser (Investment Grade Securities), at the time of purchase. The Fund may also purchase fixed income securities that are not Investment Grade Securities otherwise known as Junk Bonds.
The Fund may retain securities whose rating has been lowered below investment grade (or that are unrated and determined by the Adviser to be of comparable quality to securities whose rating has been lowered below investment grade) if the Adviser or determines that retaining such security is in the best interests of the Fund. Because a downgrade often results in a reduction in the market price of the security, the sale of a downgraded security may result in a loss.
Moodys, S&P and other nationally recognized statistical rating organizations (NRSROs) are private services that provide ratings of the credit quality of debt obligations, including convertible securities, and preferred stock. A description of the range of ratings assigned to various types of bonds and other securities by several NRSROs is included in Appendix A to this SAI. The Fund may use these ratings to determine whether to purchase, sell or hold a security. Ratings are general and are not absolute standards of quality. Securities with the same maturity, interest rate and rating may have different market prices. To the extent that the ratings given by an NRSRO may change as a result of changes in such organizations or their rating systems, the Adviser will attempt to substitute comparable ratings. Credit ratings attempt to evaluate the safety of principal and interest payments and do not evaluate the risks of fluctuations in market value. Also, rating agencies may fail to make timely changes in credit ratings. An issuers current financial condition may be better or worse than a rating indicates.
Junk bonds generally offer a higher current yield than that available for investment grade issues. However, below investment grade debt securities involve higher risks, in that they are especially subject to adverse changes in general economic conditions and in the industries in which the issuers are engaged, to changes in the financial condition of
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the issuers, and to price fluctuations in response to changes in interest rates. During periods of economic downturn or rising interest rates, highly leveraged issuers may experience financial stress that could adversely affect their ability to make payments of interest and principal and increase the possibility of default. At times in recent years, the prices of many below investment grade debt securities declined substantially, reflecting an expectation that many issuers of such securities might experience financial difficulties. As a result, the yields on below investment grade debt securities rose dramatically, reflecting the risk that holders of such securities could lose a substantial portion of their value as a result of the issuers financial restructuring or default. There can be no assurance that such price declines will not recur. The market for below investment grade debt issues generally is thinner and less active than that for higher quality securities, which may limit the Funds ability to sell such securities at fair value in response to changes in the economy or financial markets. Adverse publicity and investor perceptions, whether based on fundamental analysis, may also decrease the values and liquidity of below investment grade debt securities, especially in a thinly traded market. Changes in the rating of a fixed income security by recognized rating services may affect the value of these investments. The Fund will not necessarily dispose of a security when its rating is reduced below its rating at the time of purchase. However, the Adviser will monitor the investment to determine whether continued investment in the security will assist in meeting the Funds investment objective.
Municipal Securities. The Fund may invest in tax-exempt and taxable municipal securities. Municipal securities are issued by the states, territories and possessions of the United States, their political subdivisions (such as cities, counties and towns) and various authorities (such as public housing or redevelopment authorities), instrumentalities, public corporations and special districts (such as water, sewer or sanitary districts) of the states, territories, and possessions of the U.S. or their political subdivisions. In addition, municipal securities include securities issued by or on behalf of public authorities to finance various privately operated facilities, such as industrial development bonds, that are backed only by the assets and revenues of the non-governmental user (such as hospitals and airports). The Fund may invest up to 5% of its total assets in municipal securities of issuers located in any one territory or possession of the U.S.
Municipal securities are issued to obtain funds for a variety of public purposes, including general financing for state and local governments, or financing for specific projects or public facilities. Municipal securities are classified as general obligation or revenue bonds or notes (notes are similar to bonds but have a shorter maturity). General obligation securities are secured by the issuers pledge of its full faith, credit and taxing power for the payment of principal and interest. Revenue securities are payable from revenue derived from a particular facility, class of facilities, or the proceeds of a special excise tax or other specific revenue source, but not from the issuers general taxing power. The Fund will not invest more than 25% of its total assets in a single type of revenue bond.
Private activity bonds do not carry the pledge of the credit of the issuing municipality, but generally are guaranteed by the corporate entity on whose behalf they are issued.
Municipal leases are entered into by state and local governments and authorities to acquire equipment and facilities such as fire and sanitation vehicles, telecommunications equipment, and other assets. Municipal leases (which normally provide for title to the leased assets to pass eventually to the government issuer) have evolved as a means for governmental issuers to acquire property and equipment without meeting the constitutional and statutory requirements for the issuance of debt. The debt-issuance limitations of many state constitutions and statutes are deemed to be inapplicable because of the inclusion in many leases or contracts of non-appropriation clauses that provide that the governmental issuer has no obligation to make future payments under the lease or contract unless money is appropriated for such purpose by the appropriate legislative body on a yearly or other periodic basis.
U.S. Government Securities. The Fund may invest in U.S. Government Securities. U.S. Government Securities include securities which are issued or guaranteed by the United States Treasury, by various agencies of the United States Government, and by various instrumentalities which have been established or sponsored by the United States Government. U.S. Treasury obligations are backed by the full faith and credit of the United States Government. U.S. Treasury obligations include Treasury bills, Treasury notes, and Treasury bonds. U.S. Treasury obligations also include the separate principal and interest components of U.S. Treasury obligations which are traded under the Separate Trading of Registered Interest and Principal of Securities (STRIPS) program.
Agencies or instrumentalities established by the United States Government include the Federal Home Loan Banks, the Federal Land Bank, the Government National Mortgage Association, the Federal National Mortgage Association, the Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation, the Student Loan Marketing Association, the Small Business Administration, the Bank for Cooperatives, the Federal Intermediate Credit Bank, the Federal Financing Bank, the Federal Farm Credit Banks, the Federal Agricultural Mortgage Corporation, the Resolution Funding Corporation, the
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Financing Corporation of America and the Tennessee Valley Authority. Some of these securities are supported by the full faith and credit of the United States Government while others are supported only by the credit of the agency or instrumentality, which may include the right of the issuer to borrow from the United States Treasury. In the case of securities not backed by the full faith and credit of the United States, the investor must look principally to the agency issuing or guaranteeing the obligation for ultimate repayment, and may not be able to assert a claim against the United States in the event the agency or instrumentality does not meet its commitments. Shares of the Fund are not guaranteed or backed by the United States Government.
When a U.S. Treasury notes or bond is stripped, each interest payment provided for by the note or bond and the principal due on the bond or note at maturity trade as separate securities. Its value to an investor consists of the difference between its face value at the time of maturity and the price for which it was acquired, which is generally an amount significantly less than its face value. Investing in STRIPS may help to preserve capital during periods of declining interest rates.
Since STRIPS do not entitle the holder to any periodic payments of interest prior to maturity, such securities usually trade at a deep discount from their face or par value and will be subject to greater fluctuations of market value in response to changing interest rates than fixed income obligations of comparable maturities which make periodic distributions of interest. On the other hand, because there are no periodic interest payments to be reinvested prior to maturity, STRIPS eliminate the reinvestment risk and lock in a rate of return to maturity. Current federal tax law requires that a holder of a STRIP security accrue a portion of the discount at which the security was purchased as income each year even though the holder received no interest payment in cash on the security during the year.
Foreign Government Securities. The Fund may invest in fixed income securities issued by foreign governments. Foreign government securities generally consist of fixed income securities supported by national, state or provincial governments or similar political subdivisions. Foreign government securities also include fixed income obligations of supranational entities, such as international organizations designed or supported by governmental entities to promote economic reconstruction or development, international banking institutions and related government agencies. Examples of these include, but are not limited to, the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development (the World Bank), the Asian Development Bank, the European Investment Bank, and the Inter-American Development Bank. Foreign government securities also include fixed income securities of quasi-governmental agencies that are either issued by entities owned by a national, state or equivalent government or are obligations of a political unit that are not backed by the national governments full faith and credit.
Corporate Fixed Income Securities. Corporate fixed income obligations include corporate bonds, debentures (an unsecured loan certificate issued by a company, backed by general credit rather than by specified assets), notes (similar to bonds but have shorter-maturities), commercial paper and other similar corporate debt instruments. These instruments are used by companies to borrow money from investors. The issuer pays the investor a fixed or variable rate of interest and must repay the amount borrowed at maturity. Commercial paper (short-term unsecured promissory notes) is issued by companies to finance their current obligations and normally has a maturity of less than 9 months.
Mortgage-Backed Securities (Generally). Mortgage-backed securities represent interests in a pool of mortgage loans originated by lenders such as commercial banks, savings associations and mortgage bankers and brokers. Mortgage-backed securities may be issued by governmental or government-related entities or by non-governmental entities such as special purpose trusts created by commercial lenders.
Pools of mortgages consist of whole mortgage loans or participations in mortgage loans. The terms and characteristics of the mortgage instruments are generally uniform within a pool but may vary among pools. For example, in addition to fixed-rate, fixed-term mortgages, the Fund may purchase pools of adjustable-rate mortgages. Mortgage poolers apply qualification standards to lending institutions, which originate mortgages for the pools as well as credit standards and underwriting criteria for individual mortgages included in the pools. In addition, many mortgages included in pools are insured through private mortgage insurance companies.
Mortgage-backed securities differ from other forms of fixed income securities, which normally provide for periodic payment of interest in fixed amounts with principal payments at maturity or on specified call dates. Most mortgage-backed securities, however, are pass-through securities, which means that investors receive payments consisting of a pro-rata share of both principal and interest (less servicing and other fees), as well as unscheduled prepayments, as loans in the underlying mortgage pool are paid off by the borrowers. Additional prepayments to holders of these securities are caused by prepayments resulting from the sale or foreclosure of the underlying property or refinancing
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of the underlying loans. As prepayment rates of individual pools of mortgage loans vary widely, it is not possible to predict accurately the average life of a particular mortgage-backed security. Although mortgage-backed securities are issued with stated maturities of up to forty years, unscheduled or early payments of principal and interest on the mortgages may shorten considerably the securities effective maturities. Because these scheduled and unscheduled principal payments must be reinvested at prevailing interest rates, mortgage-backed securities do not provide an effective means of locking in long-term interest rates for the investors.
Although the principal and interest payments of certain mortgage-backed securities are guaranteed by a third party or otherwise similarly secured, the market value of the security, which may fluctuate, is not secured. If the Fund purchases a mortgage-related security at a premium, that portion may be lost if there is a decline in the market value of the security whether resulting from changes in interest rates or prepayments in the underlying mortgage collateral.
Government and Agency Mortgage-Backed Securities. There are a number of important differences both among the agencies and instrumentalities of the U.S. Government that issue mortgage-backed securities and among the securities themselves. Ginnie Maes are Mortgage Pass-Through Certificates issued by GNMA, which is a wholly-owned U.S. Government corporation within the Department of Housing and Urban Development. Ginnie Maes are guaranteed as to the timely payment of principal and interest by GNMA and GNMAs guarantee is backed by the full faith and credit of the U.S. Treasury. In addition, Ginnie Maes are supported by the authority of GNMA to borrow funds from the U.S. Treasury to make payments under GNMAs guarantee. Mortgage-related securities issued by the FNMA include FNMA Guaranteed Mortgage Pass-Through Certificates (also known as Fannie Maes) which are solely the obligations of the FNMA. FNMA is a government-sponsored organization. Fannie Maes are guaranteed as to timely payment of principal and interest by FNMA but are not backed by or entitled to the full faith and credit of the U.S. Treasury. Mortgage-related securities issued by the FHLMC include FHLMC Mortgage Participation Certificates (also known as Freddie Macs or PCs). The FHLMC is a corporate instrumentality of the U.S. Government, created pursuant to an Act of Congress. Freddie Macs are not guaranteed by the U.S. Treasury or by any Federal Home Loan Bank and do not constitute a debt or obligation of the U.S. Government or of any Federal Home Loan Bank. Freddie Macs entitle the holder to timely payment of interest, which is guaranteed by the FHLMC. The FHLMC guarantees either ultimate collection or timely payment of all principal payments on the underlying mortgage loans. When the FHLMC does not guarantee timely payment of principal, FHLMC may remit the amount due on account of its guarantee of ultimate payment of principal at any time after default on an underlying mortgage, but in no event later than one year after it becomes payable.
In September 2008, the Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA) placed FNMA and FHLMC into conservatorship, and FHFA succeeded to all rights, titles, powers and privileges of FNMA and FHLMC. The U.S. Treasury entered into a Senior Preferred Stock Purchase Agreement with each of FNMA and FHLMC pursuant to which the U.S. Treasury will purchase up to an aggregate of $200 billion of each of FNMA and FHLMC to maintain a positive net worth in each enterprise; this agreement contains various covenants that severely limit each enterprises operation. The U.S. Treasury also announced the creation of a new secured lending facility that is available to FNMA and FHLMC as a liquidity backstop and announced the creation of a temporary program to purchase mortgage-backed securities issued by FNMA and FHLMC. FHFA has the power to repudiate any contract entered into by FNMA or FHLMC prior to FHFAs appointment if FHFA determines that performance of the contract is burdensome and the repudiation of the contract promotes the orderly administration of FNMAs or FHLMCs affairs. FHFA has indicated that it has no intention to repudiate the guaranty obligations of FNMA or FHLMC. FHFA also has the right to transfer or sell any asset or liability of FNMA or FHLMC without any approval, assignment or consent, although FHFA has stated that is has no present intention to do so. In addition, holders of mortgage-backed securities issued by FNMA and FHLMC may not enforce certain rights related to such securities against FHFA, or the enforcement of such rights may be delayed, during the conservatorship.
Privately Issued Mortgage-Backed Securities. Mortgage-backed securities offered by private issuers include pass-through securities consisting of pools of conventional residential mortgage loans; mortgage-backed bonds, which are considered to be debt obligations of the institution issuing the bonds and are collateralized by mortgage loans; and bonds and collateralized mortgage obligations that are collateralized by mortgage-backed securities issued by GNMA, FNMA or FHLMC or by pools of conventional mortgages of multi-family or of commercial mortgage loans. Privately-issued mortgage-backed securities generally offer a higher rate of interest (but greater credit and interest rate risk) than securities issued by U.S. Government issuers because there are no direct or indirect governmental guarantees of payment. Many non-governmental issuers or servicers of mortgage-backed securities guarantee or provide insurance for timely payment of interest and principal on the securities. The market
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for privately-issued mortgage-backed securities is smaller and less liquid than the market for mortgage-backed securities issued by U.S. government issuers.
Collateralized Mortgage Obligations. The Fund may invest in collateralized mortgage obligations (CMOs) issued by U.S. state and local governments and U.S. private issuers. CMOs may be collateralized by whole mortgage loans, but are more typically collateralized by portfolios of mortgage pass-through securities guaranteed by GNMA, FHLMC or FNMA (Mortgage Assets). CMOs are multiple-class debt obligations. Payments of principal and interest on the Mortgage Assets are passed through to the holders of the CMOs as they are received, although certain classes (often referred to as tranches) of CMOs have priority over other classes with respect to the receipt of mortgage prepayments. Each tranche is issued at a specific or floating coupon rate and has a stated maturity or final distribution date. Interest is paid or accrues in all tranches on a monthly, quarterly or semi-annual basis. Payments of principal and interest on Mortgage Assets are commonly applied to the tranches in the order of their respective maturities or final distribution dates, so that generally, no payment of principal will be made on any tranche until all other tranches with earlier stated maturity or distribution dates have been paid in full.
Risks of Mortgage-Backed Securities. The value of mortgage-backed securities may be significantly affected by changes in interest rates, the markets perception of issuers, the structure of the securities and the creditworthiness of the parties involved. The ability of the Fund to successfully utilize mortgage-backed securities depends in part upon the ability of the Adviser to forecast interest rates and other economic factors correctly. Some mortgage-backed securities have structures that make their reaction to interest rate changes and other factors difficult to predict.
Prepayments of principal of mortgage-backed securities by mortgagors or mortgage foreclosures affect the average life of the mortgage-backed securities. The occurrence of mortgage prepayments is affected by various factors, including the level of interest rates, general economic conditions, the location and age of the mortgages and other social and demographic conditions. In periods of rising interest rates, the prepayment rate tends to decrease, lengthening the average life of a pool of mortgage-backed securities.
In periods of falling interest rates, the prepayment rate tends to increase, shortening the average life of a pool. The volume of prepayments of principal on the mortgages underlying a particular mortgage-backed security will influence the yield of that security, affecting the Funds yield. Because prepayments of principal generally occur when interest rates are declining, it is likely that the Fund, to the extent it retains the same percentage of fixed income securities, may have to reinvest the proceeds of prepayments at lower interest rates than those of their previous investments. If this occurs, the Funds yield will correspondingly decline. Thus, mortgage-backed securities may have less potential for capital appreciation in periods of falling interest rates (when prepayment of principal is more likely) than other fixed income securities of comparable duration, although they may have a comparable risk of decline in market value in periods of rising interest rates. A decrease in the rate of prepayments may extend the effective maturities of mortgage-backed securities, reducing their sensitivity to changes in market interest rates. To the extent that the Fund purchases mortgage-backed securities at a premium, unscheduled prepayments, which are made at par, result in a loss equal to an unamortized premium.
To lessen the effect of the failures by obligors on mortgage assets to make payments, CMOs and other mortgage-backed securities may contain elements of credit enhancement, consisting of either (1) liquidity protection or (2) protection against losses resulting after default by an obligor on the underlying assets and allocation of all amounts recoverable directly from the obligor and through liquidation of the collateral. This protection may be provided through guarantees, insurance policies or letters of credit obtained by the issuer or sponsor from third parties, through various means of structuring the transaction or through a combination of these. The Fund will not pay any additional fees for credit enhancements for mortgage-backed securities, although the credit enhancement may increase the costs of the mortgage-backed securities.
Asset-backed Securities. Asset-backed securities have structural characteristics similar to mortgage-backed securities but have underlying assets that are not mortgage loans or interests in mortgage loans. Asset-backed securities represent fractional interests in, or are secured by and payable from, pools of assets such as motor vehicle installment sales contracts, installment loan contracts, leases of various types of real and personal property and receivables from revolving credit (for example, credit card) agreements. Regular payments received on asset-backed securities include both interest and principal.
Assets are securitized through the use of trusts and special purpose corporations that issue securities that are often backed by a pool of assets representing the obligations of a number of different parties. Repayments relating to the
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assets underlying the asset-backed securities depend largely on the cash flows generated by such assets. The credit quality of most asset-backed securities depends primarily on the credit quality of the assets underlying such securities, how well the entity issuing the security is insulated from the credit risk of the originator or any other affiliated entities, and the amount and quality of any credit enhancements associated with the securities. Payments or distributions of principal and interest on asset-backed securities may be supported by credit enhancements including letters of credit, an insurance guarantee, reserve funds and over collateralization. Asset-backed securities have structures and characteristics similar to those of mortgage-backed securities and, accordingly, are subject to many of the same risks, although often, to a greater extent.
Risks of Asset-Based Securities. Like mortgages-backed securities, the collateral underlying asset-backed securities are subject to prepayment, which may reduce the overall return to holders of asset-backed securities. Asset-backed securities present certain additional and unique risks. Asset-backed securities typically have no U.S. government backing. Additionally, the ability of an issuer of asset-backed securities to enforce its security interest in the underlying assets may be limited. Credit card receivables are generally unsecured and the debtors are entitled to the protection of a number of state and Federal consumer credit laws, many of which give such debtors the right to set-off certain amounts owed on the credit cards, thereby reducing the balance due. Automobile receivables generally are secured by automobiles. Most issuers of automobile receivables permit the loan servicers to retain possession of the underlying obligations. If the servicer were to sell these obligations to another party, there is a risk that the purchaser would acquire an interest superior to that of the holders of the asset-backed securities. In addition, because of the large number of vehicles involved in a typical issuance and the technical requirements under state laws, the trustee for the holders of the automobile receivables may not have a proper security interest in the underlying automobiles. As a result, the risk that recovery on repossessed collateral might be unavailable or inadequate to support payments on asset-backed securities is greater for asset-backed securities than for mortgage-backed securities.
Loan Participations. The Fund may purchase participations in commercial loans. These participations may be secured or unsecured. Loan participations typically represent direct participation, together with other parties, in a loan to a corporate borrower, and generally are offered by U.S. banks or other U.S. financial institutions or lending syndicates.
Risks of Loan Participations. When purchasing loan participations, the Fund assumes the credit risk associated with the corporate borrower and may assume the credit risk associated with an interposed bank or other financial intermediary. The loan participations in which the Fund may invest may not be Investment Grade Securities. A loan is often administered by an agent bank acting as agent for all holders. The agent bank administers the terms of the loan, as specified in the loan agreement. In addition, the agent bank is normally responsible for the collection of principal and interest payments from the corporate borrower and the apportionment of these payments to the credit of all institutions, which are parties to the loan agreement. Unless, under the terms of the loan or other indebtedness, the Fund has direct recourse against the corporate borrower, the Fund may have to rely on the agent bank or other financial intermediary to apply appropriate credit remedies against a corporate borrower. If assets held by the agent bank for the benefit of the Fund were determined to be subject to the claims of the agent banks general creditors, the Fund might incur certain costs and delays in realizing repayment and could suffer a loss of principal and/or interest. In situations involving other interposed financial institutions (e.g., an insurance company or governmental agency) similar risks may arise. Investors in loan participations depend primarily upon the creditworthiness of the corporate borrower for payment of principal and interest. If the Fund does not receive scheduled interest or principal payments on such indebtedness, the net asset value of the Fund may decline. Loans that are fully secured offer the Fund more protection than an unsecured loan in the event of non-payment of scheduled interest or principal. However, there is no assurance that the liquidation of collateral from a secured loan would satisfy the corporate borrowers obligation, or that the collateral can be liquidated. In the event of the bankruptcy of a borrower, the Fund could experience delays or limitations in its ability to realize the benefits of any collateral securing a loan. Loans participations may not be readily marketable and may be subject to restrictions on resale. In addition, valuation of illiquid indebtedness involves a greater degree of judgment in determining the Funds net asset value than if that value were based on available market quotations, and could result in significant variations in the Funds daily share price.
Inflation-Indexed Securities. Inflation-protected securities are fixed-income securities whose principal value or interest rate is adjusted periodically according to changes in a specific price index (such as the Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers). If the price index falls (deflation), the principal value or interest rate of the securities will be adjusted downward, and, consequently, the interest payable on these securities will be reduced. U.S. Treasury Inflation-Protected Securities, also known as TIPs, are adjusted as to principal; repayment of the original principal upon maturity of the security is guaranteed if the security is purchased when originally issued. With respect to other types of inflation-protected securities that are adjusted to the principal amount, the adjusted principal value of the
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security repaid at maturity may be less than the original principal. Most other types of inflation-protected securities, however, are adjusted with respect to the interest rate, which has a minimum of 0%, and the principal value does not change.
Risks of Inflation Indexed Securities. Interest payments on inflation-indexed securities can be unpredictable and will vary as the principal and/or interest is periodically adjusted based on the rate of inflation. If the index measuring inflation falls, the interest payable on these securities will be reduced.
While these securities adjust positively in response to inflation, their value may under certain circumstances decline or underperform relative to other fixed-income securities. The value of these securities generally may still decline in response to an increase in real interest rates. Real interest rates are measured by subtracting the expected rate of inflation from the nominal interest rate of fixed income securities. The value of inflation-indexed securities may also fall if there is a decline in the price index (deflation), which generally will reduce any previous adjustments made to the inflation-indexed securities. Inflation-indexed securities may also underperform other fixed income securities if inflationary expectations exceed the rate of inflation measured by the price index.
Any increase in principal value of inflation-indexed securities caused by an increase in the price index is taxable in the year the increase occurs, even though the Fund generally will not receive cash representing the increase at that time. As a result, the Fund could be required at times to liquidate other investments, including when it is not advantageous to do so, in order to satisfy its distribution requirements as a regulated investment company under the Internal Revenue Code. Also, to the extent that the Fund invests in inflation-indexed securities, income distributions are more likely to fluctuate. There is no assurance that the rate of inflation measured by the relevant price index will correspond to the inflation experienced by an investor.
Variable and Floating Rate Securities. The Fund may invest in variable and floating rate securities. Fixed income securities that have variable or floating rates of interest may, under certain limited circumstances, have varying principal amounts. These securities pay interest at rates that are adjusted periodically according to a specified formula, usually with reference to one or more interest rate indices or market interest rates (the underlying index). The interest paid on these securities is a function primarily of the underlying index upon which the interest rate adjustments are based. These adjustments minimize changes in the market value of the obligation. Similar to fixed rate debt instruments, variable and floating rate instruments are subject to changes in value based on changes in market interest rates or changes in the issuers creditworthiness. The rate of interest on securities may be tied to U.S. Government Securities or indices on those securities as well as any other rate of interest or index.
Variable and floating rate demand notes of corporations are redeemable upon a specified period of notice. These obligations include master demand notes that permit investment of fluctuating amounts at varying interest rates under direct arrangements with the issuer of the instrument. The issuer of these obligations often has the right, after a given period, to prepay the outstanding principal amount of the obligations upon a specified number of days notice.
Certain securities may have an initial principal amount that varies over time based on an interest rate index, and, accordingly, the Fund might be entitled to less than the initial principal amount of the security upon the securitys maturity. The Fund intends to purchase these securities only when the Adviser believes the interest income from the instrument justifies any principal risks associated with the instrument. The Adviser may attempt to limit any potential loss of principal by purchasing similar instruments that are intended to provide an offsetting increase in principal. There can be no assurance that the Adviser will be able to limit the effects of principal fluctuations and, accordingly, the Fund may incur losses on those securities even if held to maturity without issuer default.
There may not be an active secondary market for any particular floating or variable rate instruments, which could make it difficult for the Fund to dispose of the instrument during periods that the Fund is not entitled to exercise any demand rights it may have. The Fund could, for this or other reasons, suffer a loss with respect to those instruments. The Adviser monitors the liquidity of the Funds investment in variable and floating rate instruments, but there can be no guarantee that an active secondary market will exist.
Zero-Coupon Securities. Zero-coupon securities are debt obligations that are issued or sold at a significant discount from their face value and do not pay current interest to holders prior to maturity, a specified redemption date or cash payment date. The discount approximates the total interest the securities will accrue and compound over the period to maturity or the first interest payment date at a rate of interest reflecting the market rate of interest at the time of issuance. The original issue discount on the zero-coupon securities must be included ratably in the income of the
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holder as the income accrues, even though payment has not been received. The Fund distributes all of its net investment income, and may have to sell portfolio securities to distribute imputed income, which may occur at a time when the Adviser would not have chosen to sell such securities and which may result in a taxable gain or loss. Because interest on zero-coupon securities is not paid on a current basis but is in effect compounded, the value of these securities is subject to greater fluctuations in response to changing interest rates, and may involve greater credit risks, than the value of debt obligations which distribute income regularly.
Zero-coupon securities may be securities that have been stripped of their unmatured interest stream. Zero-coupon securities may be custodial receipts or certificates, underwritten by securities dealers or banks that evidence ownership of future interest payments, principal payments or both on certain U.S. Government securities. The underwriters of these certificates or receipts generally purchase a U.S. Government security and deposit the security in an irrevocable trust or custodial account with a custodian bank, which then issues receipts or certificates that evidence ownership of the purchased unmatured coupon payments and the final principal payment of the U.S. Government security. These certificates or receipts have the same general attributes as zero-coupon stripped U.S. Treasury securities but are not supported by the issuer of the U.S. Government security. The risks associated with stripped securities are similar to those of other zero-coupon securities, although stripped securities may be more volatile, and the value of certain types of stripped securities may move in the same direction as interest rates.
Short-term Money Market Instruments. Short-term money market instruments include short-term fixed or variable rate certificates of deposit, time deposits with a maturity no greater than 180 days, bankers acceptances, commercial paper rated A-1 or A-2 by S&P or Prime-1 or Prime-2 by Moodys (or paper of comparable quality as determined by the Adviser) or in similar other money market securities, and repurchase agreements. Time deposits are non-negotiable deposits with a banking institution that earn a specified interest rate over a given period.
Certificates of Deposit. Certificates of deposit are issued by national banks and state banks, trust companies and mutual savings banks, or banks or institutions the accounts of which are insured by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation or the Federal Savings and Loan Insurance Corporation. Certificates of deposit are negotiable certificates evidencing the indebtedness of a commercial bank to repay funds deposited with it for a definite period of time (usually from fourteen days to one year) at a stated or variable interest rate.
Bankers Acceptances. Bankers acceptances are negotiable drafts or bills of exchange typically drawn by an importer or exporter to pay for specific merchandise that are accepted by a bank, meaning, in effect, that the issuing bank unconditionally agrees to pay the face value of the instrument on maturity. Investments in bankers acceptances will be limited to those guaranteed by domestic and foreign banks having, at the time of investment, total assets of $1 billion or more (as of the date of the institutions most recently published financial statements).
Commercial Paper. Commercial paper consists of short-term (usually from one to two hundred seventy days) unsecured promissory notes issued by corporations in order to finance their current operations. Certain notes may have floating or variable rates. Unless deemed liquid by the Adviser, variable and floating rate notes with a demand notice period exceeding seven days generally are considered illiquid and, therefore, subject to the Trusts prohibition on illiquid investments (see Investment Limitations below).
Repurchase Agreements. The Fund may enter into repurchase agreements which are transactions in which the Fund purchases a security and simultaneously agrees to resell that security to the seller at an agreed upon price on an agreed upon future date, normally, one to seven days later. If the Fund enters into a repurchase agreement, it will maintain possession of the purchased securities and any underlying collateral. For purposes of the 1940 Act, a repurchase agreement is deemed to be a loan from the Fund to the seller of the U.S. government security subject to the repurchase agreement. Repurchase agreements are not considered to be the making of loans for purposes of the Funds fundamental investment limitations.
Repurchase transactions also involve credit risk. Credit risk is the risk that a counter-party to a transaction will be unable to honor its financial obligation. In the event that bankruptcy, insolvency or similar proceedings are commenced against a counterparty, the Fund may have difficulties in exercising its rights to the underlying securities or currencies, as applicable. The Fund may incur costs and expensive time delays in disposing of the underlying securities and it may suffer a loss of principal or a decline in interest payments regarding affected securities. Failure by the other party to deliver a security or currency purchased by the Fund may result in a missed opportunity to make an alternative investment. Favorable insolvency laws that allow the Fund, among other
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things, to liquidate the collateral held in the event of the bankruptcy of the counter-party reduce counter-party insolvency risk.
G. | Derivatives |
Generally. The Fund may engage in transactions involving derivatives including options, futures, rights, warrants and swaps. Derivatives are financial contracts whose value depends on, or is derived from, the value of an underlying assets, reference rate, or index. The Fund may also engage in forward contracts, also derivatives, which are further discussed in Foreign Currency Transactions, below. The Fund may also acquire rights/warrants issued in connection with common/preferred stock or bonds that it may hold.
Options, Futures and Other Strategies-Generally. The Fund may use options (both traded on an exchange and over-the-counter (OTC), futures contracts (sometimes referred to as futures), swaps, and other derivative securities (collectively, Financial Instruments) as a substitute for a comparable market position in the underlying security, to attempt to hedge or limit the exposure of a particular portfolio security, to create a synthetic money market position, for certain tax-related purposes, to close out previously established options and futures positions, to reduce volatility, to enhance income, and to gain market exposure.
The use of Financial Instruments is subject to applicable regulations of the SEC, the several exchanges upon which they are traded and the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (the CFTC). In addition, the Funds ability to use Financial Instruments will be limited by tax considerations. Pursuant to a claim for exemption filed with the National Futures Association on behalf of the Fund, the Fund is not deemed to be a commodity pool operator or a commodity pool under the Commodity Exchange Act and is not subject to registration or regulation as such under the Commodity Exchange Act. In addition to the instruments, strategies and risks described below, the Adviser may discover additional opportunities in connection with Financial Instruments and other similar or related techniques. These new opportunities may become available as the Adviser develops new investment techniques, as regulatory authorities broaden the range of permitted transactions and as new Financial Instruments or other techniques are developed. The Adviser may utilize these opportunities to the extent that they are consistent with the Funds investment objective and permitted by the Funds investment limitations and applicable regulatory authorities. This SAI will be supplemented to the extent that new products or techniques involve materially different risks than those described below.
General Risks of Options, Futures and Other Strategies. The use of Financial Instruments involves special considerations and risks, certain of which are described below. Risks pertaining to particular Financial Instruments are described in the sections that follow.
Successful use of most Financial Instruments may depend upon the Advisers ability to predict movements of the overall securities markets, which requires different skills than predicting changes in the prices of individual securities. The ordinary spreads between prices in the cash and futures markets, due to the differences in the natures of those markets, are subject to distortion. Due to the possibility of distortion, a correct forecast of market trends by the Adviser may still not result in a successful transaction. The Adviser may be incorrect in its expectations as to the extent of market movements or the time span within which the movements take place, which may result in the strategy being unsuccessful.
Options and futures prices can diverge from the prices of their underlying instruments. Options and futures prices are affected by such factors as current and anticipated short-term interest rates, changes in volatility of the underlying instrument and the time remaining until expiration of the contract, which may not affect security prices the same way. Imperfect or no correlation also may result from differing levels of demand in the options and futures markets and the securities markets, from structural differences in how options and futures and securities are traded, and from the imposition of daily price fluctuation limits or trading halts.
As described below, the Fund might be required to maintain assets as cover, maintain segregated accounts or make margin payments when it takes positions in Financial Instruments involving obligations to third parties (e.g., Financial Instruments other than purchased options). If the Fund is unable to close out its positions in such Financial Instruments, it might be required to continue to maintain such assets or accounts or make such payments until the position expires or matures. These requirements might impair the Funds ability to sell a portfolio security or make an investment when it would otherwise be favorable to do so or require that the Fund sells a portfolio security at a disadvantageous time. The Funds ability to close out a position in a Financial Instrument prior to expiration or maturity depends on the existence of a liquid secondary market or, in the absence of such a
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market, the ability and willingness of the other party to the transaction (the counterparty) to enter into a transaction closing out the position. Therefore, there is no assurance that any position can be closed out at a time and price that is favorable to the Fund.
Financial Instruments may entail investment exposures that are greater than their cost would suggest, meaning that a small position in a Financial Instrument could have a large potential impact on the Funds performance. Losses may arise due to unanticipated market price movements, lack of a liquid secondary market for any particular instrument at a particular time or due to losses from premiums paid by the Fund on options transactions.
Risks of Potential Government Regulation of Derivatives. It is possible that additional government regulation of various types of derivative instruments, including futures, options, and swap contracts, may limit or prevent the Fund from using such instruments as part of its investment strategy, and could ultimately prevent the Fund from being able to achieve its investment objective. 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. It is possible that legislative and regulatory activity could limit or restrict the ability of the Fund to use certain instruments as part of its investment strategy. Limits or restrictions applicable to the counterparties with which the Fund engages in derivative transactions could also prevent the Fund from using certain instruments.
There is a possibility of future regulatory changes altering, perhaps to a material extent, the nature of an investment in the Fund or the ability of the Fund to continue to implement its investment strategies. The futures, options, and swaps markets are subject to comprehensive statutes, regulations, and margin requirements. In addition, the SEC, the 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 futures, options, and swaps transactions in the U.S. is a rapidly changing area of law and is subject to modification by government action. In particular, the Dodd-Frank Act has changed the way in which the U.S. financial system is supervised and regulated. Title VII of the Dodd-Frank Act sets forth a new legislative framework for OTC derivatives, including Financial Instruments such as swaps. Title VII of the Dodd-Frank Act makes broad changes to the OTC derivatives markets, grants significant new authority to the SEC and the CFTC to regulate OTC derivatives and market participants, and will require clearing and exchange trading of many OTC derivative transactions. The CFTC and the SEC finalized the definition of swap and security-based swap.
Provisions in the Dodd-Frank Act include new capital and margin requirements and the mandatory use of clearinghouse mechanisms for many OTC derivative transactions. Any new position limits imposed on the Fund or its counterparties as a result of the Dodd-Frank Act and related rules and regulations enacted by the CFTC, the SEC and other federal regulators may impact the Funds ability to invest in futures, options, and swaps in a manner that efficiently meets its investment objective. These new requirements, even if not directly applicable to the Fund, including capital requirements and mandatory clearing, may increase the cost of the Funds investments and cost of doing business, which could adversely affect investors.
Cover. Transactions using Financial Instruments, other than purchasing options, expose the Fund to an obligation to another party. The Fund will not enter into any such transactions unless it owns either (1) an offsetting (covered) position in securities or other options or futures contracts or (2) cash and liquid assets with a value, marked-to-market daily, sufficient to cover its potential obligations to the extent not covered as provided in (1) above. The Fund will comply with SEC guidelines regarding cover for these instruments and will, if the guidelines so require, set aside cash or liquid assets in an account with its custodian, The Huntington National Bank, N.A. (the Custodian), in the prescribed amount as determined daily.
Assets used as cover or held in an account cannot be sold while the position in the corresponding Financial Instrument is open, unless they are replaced with other appropriate assets. As a result, the commitment of a large portion of the Funds assets to cover accounts could impede portfolio management or the Funds ability to meet redemption requests or other current obligations.
Options. An option contract is a bilateral agreement that permits, but does not obligate the purchaser, in return for a premium paid to the writer (seller) of the option, to buy an asset from (in the case of a call option) or sell an asset to (in the case of a put options) the writer (seller) at the exercise price on or before the expiration date of the contract. The Fund will only write calls on assets it holds in its portfolio (i.e. covered calls). The value of an option position
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will reflect, among other things, the current market value of the underlying investment, the time remaining until expiration, the relationship of the exercise price to the market price of the underlying investment and general market conditions. Options that expire unexercised have no value. Options currently are traded on the Chicago Board Options Exchange (CBOE), the American Stock and Options Exchange (AMEX) and other exchanges, as well as the OTC markets. Unlike exchange-traded options, which are standardized with respect to the underlying instrument, expiration date, contract size and strike price, the terms of OTC options (options not traded on exchanges) generally are established through negotiation with the other party to the option contract. While this type of arrangement allows the Fund additional flexibility to tailor the option to its needs, OTC options generally involve greater risk than exchange-traded options, which are guaranteed by the clearing organization.
The Fund may close out a call or put written on an asset by purchasing a call or put, respectively, on the asset and with same exercise price and expiration date. To close out a position as purchaser of an option, the Fund may sell the option previously purchased, although it could exercise the option should it deem it advantageous to do so. Closing transactions permit the Fund to realize profits or limit losses on an option position prior to its exercise or expiration.
The Fund may purchase and write options in combination with each other. For example, the Fund may purchase a put option and write a call option on the same underlying instrument in order to construct a combined position whose risk and return characteristics are similar to selling a futures contract. Another possible combined position would involve writing a call option at one strike price and buying a call option at a lower price, in order to reduce the risk of the written call option in the event of a substantial price increase. Because combined options positions involve multiple trades, they result in higher transaction costs and may be more difficult to open and close out.
Risks of Options on Commodities, Currencies and Securities. The buyer of call and put options risk losing the entire premium paid to purchase the options. The seller (writer) of a call option assumes the risk of a theoretical unlimited increase in the market value of the underlying asset above the exercise price. The seller (writer) of a put option assumes the risk of a theoretical unlimited decline in the market value of the underlying asset below the exercise price.
Exchange-traded options in the U.S. are issued by a clearing organization affiliated with the exchange on which the option is listed that, in effect, guarantees completion of every exchange-traded option transaction. In contrast, OTC options are contracts between the Fund and its counter-party (usually a securities dealer or a bank) with no clearing organization guarantee. Thus, when the Fund purchases an OTC option, it relies on the counterparty from whom it purchased the option to make (in the case of a call option) or take delivery of (in the case of a put option) the underlying asset upon exercise of the option. Failure by the counterparty to do so would result in the loss of any premium paid by the Fund as well as the loss of any expected benefit of the transaction.
The Funds ability to establish and close out positions in exchange-traded options depends on the existence of a liquid market. However, there can be no assurance that such a market will exist at any particular time. Closing transactions can be made for OTC options only by negotiating directly with the counterparty or by a transaction in the secondary market if any such market exists. There can be no assurance that the Fund will in fact be able to close out an OTC option position at a favorable price prior to expiration. In the event of insolvency of the counter-party, the Fund might be unable to close out an OTC option position at any time prior to its expiration.
If the Fund were unable to affect a closing transaction for an option it had purchased, it would have to exercise the option to realize any profit. The inability to enter into a closing purchase transaction for a covered call option written by the Fund could cause material losses because the Fund would be unable to sell the investment used as cover for the written option until the option expires or is exercised.
Options on Indices. The Fund may purchase and write (sell) put and call options on indices. An index fluctuates with changes in the market values of the securities included in the index. Options on indices operate consistent with options on a specific asset except that all settlements are in cash and gain or loss depends on changes in the index in question rather than on changes in the value of an individual asset. If the exercise price of a call option is less than the value of the index, the purchaser may exercise the option and receive a cash amount from the seller equal to the difference between the exercise price and the closing price of the index, multiplied by a factor (typically $100), on the date of exercise. If the strike price of a put option exceeds the value of the index, the purchaser may exercise the option and receive a cash amount from the seller equal to the difference between the exercise price and the closing price of the index, multiplied by a factor (typically $100), on the exercise date. Options on indices give the holder the right to receive an amount of cash upon exercise of the option.
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Each of the exchanges has established limitations governing the maximum number of call or put options on the same index that may be bought or written by a single investor, whether acting alone or in concert with others (regardless of whether such options are written on the same or different exchanges or are held or written on one or more accounts or through one or more brokers). Under these limitations, option positions of all investment companies advised by the Adviser are combined for purposes of these limits. Pursuant to these limitations, an exchange may order the liquidation of positions and may impose other sanctions or restrictions. These position limits may restrict the number of listed options that the Fund may buy or sell.
Risks of Options on Indices. If the Fund has purchased an index option and exercises it before the closing index value for that day is available, it runs the risk that the level of the underlying index may subsequently change. If such a change causes the exercised option to fall out-of-the-money, the Fund will be required to pay the difference between the closing index value and the exercise price of the option (times the applicable multiplier) to the assigned writer.
Futures Contracts and Options on Futures Contracts. A futures contract is a bilateral agreement where one party agrees to accept delivery/purchase of an asset (a long position), and the other party agrees to make delivery/sell the asset (a short position), as called for in the contract, on a specified date and at an agreed-upon price (the Settlement Price). When the Fund writes an option on a futures contract, it becomes obligated, in return for the premium received, to assume a position in the futures contract at a specified exercise price at any time during the term of the option. If the Fund writes a call, it assumes a short futures position. If the Fund writes a put, it assumes a long futures position. When the Fund purchases an option on a futures contract, it acquires the right in return for the premium it pays to assume a position in a futures contract (a long position if the option is a call and a short position if the option is a put).
Whether the Fund realizes a gain or loss from futures contracts depends upon movements in value of the underlying asset. The extent of the Funds loss from an unhedged short position in futures contracts or from writing unhedged call options on futures contracts is potentially unlimited. The Fund only purchases and sells futures contracts and options on futures contracts that are traded on a U.S. exchange or board of trade.
No price is paid upon entering into a futures contract. Instead, at the inception of a futures contract the Fund is required to deposit initial margin in an amount generally equal to 10% or less of the contract value. Margin also must be deposited when writing a call or put option on a futures contract, in accordance with applicable exchange rules. Unlike margin in securities transactions, initial margin does not represent a borrowing, but rather is in the nature of a performance bond or good-faith deposit that is returned to the Fund at the termination of the transaction if all contractual obligations have been satisfied. Under certain circumstances, such as periods of high volatility, the Fund may be required by an exchange to increase the level of its initial margin payment, and initial margin requirements might be increased generally in the future by regulatory action.
Subsequent variation margin payments are made to and from the futures commission merchant daily as the value of the futures position varies, a process known as marking-to-market. Variation margin does not involve borrowing, but rather represents a daily settlement of the Funds obligations to or from a futures commission merchant.
Purchasers and sellers of futures contracts and options on futures can enter into offsetting closing transactions, similar to closing transactions in options, by selling or purchasing, respectively, an instrument identical to the instrument purchased or sold. Positions in futures and options on futures contracts may be closed only on an exchange or board of trade that provides a secondary market.
Risks of Futures Contracts and Options on Futures Contracts. When the Fund purchases an option on a futures contract, the premium paid plus transaction costs is all that is at risk. In contrast, when the Fund purchases or sells a futures contract or writes a call or put option thereon, it is subject to daily variation margin calls that could be substantial in the event of adverse price movements. If the Fund has insufficient cash to meet daily variation margin requirements, it might need to sell securities at a time when such sales are disadvantageous.
There can be no assurance that a liquid secondary market will exist for a particular contract at a particular time. In such event, it may not be possible to close a futures contract or option position thereon. The liquidity of the futures market depends on participants entering into offsetting transactions rather than making or taking delivery.
Under certain circumstances, futures exchanges may establish daily limits on the amount that the price of a futures contract or an option on a futures contract can vary from the previous days settlement price. Once that limit is
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reached, no trades may be made that day at a price beyond the limit. Daily price limits do not limit potential losses because prices could move to the daily limit for several consecutive days with little or no trading, thereby preventing liquidation of unfavorable positions.
If the Fund were unable to liquidate a futures contract or an option on a futures position due to the absence of a liquid secondary market or the imposition of price limits, it could incur substantial losses. The Fund would continue to be subject to market risk with respect to the position. In addition, except in the case of purchased options, the Fund would continue to be required to make daily variation margin payments and might be required to maintain cash or liquid assets in an account.
Index Futures and Options on Index Futures. The Fund may invest in index futures and options on index futures. A index future obligates the seller to deliver (and the purchaser to take), effectively, an amount of cash equal to a specific dollar amount times the difference between the value of a specific stock index at the close of the last trading day of the contract and the price at which the agreement is made. No physical delivery of the underlying assets comprising the index is made. The Fund may purchase and sell futures contracts only for indices for which it can obtain the best price with consideration also given to liquidity.
Interest Rate Futures Contracts and Options on Interest Rate Futures Contracts. The Fund may invest in interest rate futures contracts and purchase options on interest rate futures contracts as a substitute for a comparable market position in the underlying asset or to speculate on the direction of interest rates. The Fund may also sell options on interest rate futures contracts as part of closing purchase transactions to terminate its options positions. No assurance can be given that such closing transactions can be effected or as to the degree of correlation between price movements in the options on interest rate futures and price movements in the Funds portfolio securities which are the subject of the transaction.
Swap Agreements. The Fund may enter into swap agreements including credit default, currency rate, equity index, interest rate, and total return swap agreements. Swap agreements are individually negotiated bilateral contracts created to gain exposure to of different types of investments or market factors. The term of swap agreement ranging from a few weeks to more than a year. For example, swap agreements may be structured to increase or decrease the Funds exposure to long-term or short-term interest rates, foreign currency values, corporate borrowing rates, or other factors such as security prices, baskets of securities or inflation rates. These transactions are entered into in an attempt to obtain a particular return when it is considered desirable to do so, possibly at a lower cost than if the Fund had invested directly in the asset that yielded the desired return.
These transactions generally do not involve the delivery of securities or other underlying assets or principal. Most swap agreements entered into by the Fund will require the calculation of the obligations of the parties to the agreements on a net basis. Consequently, the Funds obligations (or rights) under a swap agreement generally will be equal only to the net amount to be paid or received under the agreement based on the relative values of the positions held by each party to the agreement (the net amount). Therefore, the risk of loss with respect to swaps is thus limited to the net amount of payments that the Fund is contractually obligated to make. If the counterparty to a swap defaults, the Funds risk of loss consists of the net amount of payments that the Fund contractually is entitled to receive.
Risks of Swap Agreements. Swap agreements are sophisticated hedging instruments that typically involve a small investment of cash relative to the magnitude of risks assumed. As a result, swaps can be highly volatile and may have a considerable impact on the Funds performance. Depending on how they are used, swap agreements may increase or decrease the overall volatility of the Funds investments and its share price and yield. Additionally, whether the Funds use of swap agreements will be successful in furthering its investment objective will depend on the Advisers ability to correctly predict whether certain types of investments likely are to produce greater returns than other investments. Because they are two party contracts and because they may have terms of greater than seven days, swap agreements may be considered illiquid. The most significant factor in the performance of swap agreements is the change in the specific interest rate, currency, or other factor that determines the amounts of payments due to and from the Fund. If a swap agreement calls for payments by the Fund, the Fund must be prepared to make such payments when due. In addition, if the counterpartys creditworthiness declines, the value of a swap agreement likely would decline, potentially resulting in losses for the Fund. The Fund may also suffer losses if it is unable to terminate outstanding swap agreements (either by assignment or other disposition) or reduce its exposure through offsetting transactions (i.e., by entering into an offsetting swap agreement with the same party or a similarly creditworthy party).
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Interest Rate Swaps. Interest rate swaps involve the agreement by one party to make regular payments equal to a floating rate of interest times a notional principal amount (i.e., the return on or increase in value of a particular dollar amount invested at a particular interest rate), in return for payments from the counterparty equal to a fixed rate times the same amount, for a specific period of time. Payments may be made in the same or different currencies.
Forms include interest rate caps, under which, in return for a premium, one party agrees to make payments to the other to the extent interest rates exceed a specified rate or cap; interest rate floors, under which, in return for a premium, one party agrees to make payments to the other to the extent interest rates fall below a specified level or floor; and interest rate collars, under which a party sells a cap and purchases a floor or vice versa in an attempt to protect itself against interest rate movements exceeding given minimum or maximum levels.
Equity Index Swaps. Equity index swaps involve the exchange between parties of cash flows based upon the performance of an index or a portion of an index of securities which usually includes dividends. A party may purchase cash-settled options on equity index swaps. A cash-settled option on a swap gives the purchaser the right, but not the obligation, in return for the premium paid, to receive an amount of cash equal to the value of the underlying swap as of the exercise date. These options typically are purchased in privately negotiated transactions from financial institutions, including securities brokerage firms.
Currency Swaps. Currency swaps involve the exchange of rights to make or receive payments in specified foreign currencies. Currency swaps usually involve the delivery of the entire principal value of one designated currency in exchange for another designated currency. Therefore, the entire principal value of a currency swap is subject to the risk that the other party to the swap will default on its contractual delivery obligations. The use of currency swaps is a highly specialized activity which involves special investment techniques and risks. If an Adviser is incorrect in its forecasts of market values and currency exchange rates, the Funds performance will be adversely affected. If there is a default by the other party to such a transaction, the Fund will have contractual remedies pursuant to the agreements related to the transaction.
Credit Default Swaps. The buyer of a credit default swap makes periodic premium payments to the seller during the swap term in exchange for the seller agreeing to make certain defined payments to the buyer in the event certain defined credit events occur with respect to a particular security, issuer or basket of securities. If the Fund is a buyer and no credit event occurs, the Fund may recover nothing if the swap is held through its termination date. However, if a credit event occurs, the Fund generally may elect to receive the full notional value of the swap in exchange for an equal face amount of deliverable obligations of the underlying security whose value may have significantly decreased. As a seller, the Fund would effectively add leverage to its portfolio because, in addition to its total net assets, the Fund would be subject to investment exposure on the notional amount of the swap. If a credit event were to occur, the value of any deliverable obligation received by the seller, coupled with the upfront or periodic payments previously received, may be less than the full notional value it pays to the buyer, resulting in a loss of value to the seller. Credit default swap agreements may involve greater risks than if the Fund had invested in the underlying obligation directly since, in addition to risks relating to the reference obligation, credit default swaps are subject to illiquidity risk, counterparty risk and credit risk.
Total Return Swaps. A total return payor sells to the total return receiver an amount equal to all cash flows and price appreciation on a defined security or asset payable at periodic times during the swap term (i.e., credit risk) in return for a periodic payment from the total return receiver based fixed or floating rate plus the amount of any price depreciation on the reference security or asset. The total return payor does not need to own the underlying security or asset. The final payment at the end of the swap term includes final settlement of the current market price of the underlying reference security or asset, and payment by the applicable party for any appreciation or depreciation in value. Usually, collateral must be posted by the total return receiver to secure the periodic interest-based and market price depreciation payments depending on the credit quality of the underlying reference security and creditworthiness of the total return receiver, and the collateral amount is marked-to-market daily equal to the market price of the underlying reference security or asset between periodic payment dates.
Rights and Warrants. Warrants are instruments, typically issued with preferred stock or bonds that permit, but do not obligate, the holder to purchase securities at a specified price, usually during a specified period of time. Rights are similar to warrants but normally have a shorter duration and are offered or distributed to shareholders of a company. Warrants and rights have no voting rights with respect to securities they entitle the holder to purchase, receive no dividends and have no rights with respect to the assets of the issuer. Investments in warrants and rights involve certain risks, including the possible lack of a liquid market for their resale and potential price fluctuations as a result of
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speculation or other factors. If the underlying security does not rise above the conversion price of the right or warrant, the right or warrant may expire worthless. A warrant becomes worthless if it is not exercised within the specified time period.
H. | Foreign Currency Transactions |
The Fund may conduct foreign currency transactions. Foreign currency transactions include purchasing and selling foreign currencies on a spot (i.e. cash) basis, entering into forward or futures contracts to purchase or sell foreign currencies (see Forward Foreign Currency Contracts and Foreign Currency Futures Contracts below), and purchasing and selling options on foreign currencies (see Foreign Currency Options below). Foreign currency transactions may be used to hedge against uncertainty in the level of future foreign currency exchange rates and to increase current return.
Transaction hedging involves entering into foreign currency transactions with respect to specific receivables or payables generally arising in connection with the purchase or sale of portfolio securities. Transaction hedging is used to lock in the U.S. dollar price of a security to be purchased or sold, or the U.S. dollar equivalent of a dividend or interest payment in a foreign currency. The goal is to protect against a possible loss resulting from an adverse change in the relationship between the U.S. dollar and the applicable foreign currency during the period between the date on which the security is purchased or sold or on which the dividend or interest payment is declared, and the date on which such payments are made or received.
Position hedging involves entering into foreign currency transactions either to protect against: (1) a decline in the value of a foreign currency in which a security to be sold is denominated; or (2) an increase in the value of a foreign currency in which a security to be purchased is denominated.
Neither transaction nor position hedging eliminates fluctuations in the underlying prices of the securities that the Fund owns or intends to purchase or sell. They simply establish a rate of exchange that can be achieved at some future point in time. Additionally, although these techniques tend to minimize the risk of loss due to a decline in the value of the hedged currency, they also tend to limit any potential gain that might result from the increase in the value of such currency.
Hedging transactions are subject to correlation risk due to the fact that the amounts of foreign currency exchange transactions and the value of the portfolio securities involved will not generally be perfectly matched. This is because the future value of such securities in foreign currencies will change as a consequence of market movements in the values of those securities between the dates the currency exchange transactions are entered into and the dates they mature.
The cost of currency conversions also may affect the Funds investment returns. Although a fee is not charged to convert one currency into another, foreign exchange dealers profit on the spread between the currencies purchased and sold. A dealer may agree to sell a foreign currency at one rate and offer a lesser rate of exchange to repurchase the same currency from the Fund.
Forward Foreign Currency Contracts. A forward foreign currency contract or forward contract involves an obligation to purchase or sell a specific amount of a specific currency at a future date, which may be any fixed number of days (usually less than one year) from the date of the contract agreed upon by the parties, at a price set at the time of the contract. In the case of a cancelable forward contract, the holder has the unilateral right to cancel the contract at maturity by paying a specified fee. The contracts are traded in the interbank market conducted directly between currency traders (usually large commercial banks) and their customers. A forward contract generally has no deposit requirement, and no commissions are charged at any stage for trades. Forward contracts are considered to be derivatives.
The Fund may enter into forward contracts to lock in the U.S. dollar value of securities/financial interests it has agreed to buy or sell for the period between the trade date and the settlement date. The Fund may also enter into a forward contract to sell or buy the amount of a foreign currency it believes may experience a substantial movement against the U.S. dollar. In this case, the forward contract would approximate all or a portion of the securities/financial interests of the Fund denominated in that currency.
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The precise matching of forward contract amounts and the value of the securities/financial interests involved is generally not possible since the future value of such securities in foreign currencies will change between the date of the contract and the contracts maturity. The projection of short-term currency market movements is extremely difficult, and the successful execution of a short-term hedging strategy is highly uncertain. At the maturity of a forward contract, the Fund may either sell portfolio securities/financial interests and make delivery of the foreign currency, or it may retain the portfolio securities/interest and terminate its obligation to deliver the currency by purchasing an offsetting contract obligating it to purchase, on the same maturity date, the amount of the foreign currency.
Because it is impossible to forecast with absolute precision the market value of portfolio securities/financial interests at the expiration of a forward contract, it may be necessary for the Fund to purchase additional currency on the spot market (and bear the expense of such transaction) if the market value of the securities/financial interests is less than the amount of foreign currency the Fund is required to deliver and a decision is made to sell the securities/interests and deliver the currency. Conversely, it may be necessary to sell on the spot market some of the currency realized from the sale of portfolio securities/interests if the market value thereof exceeds the value of currency obligated to be delivered. If the Fund determines to maintain the portfolio securities/interests and enter into an offsetting forward contract to close out its currency delivery obligations, it will incur a gain or loss if there is movement in the forward contract prices. If an offsetting transaction is taken, the Fund will enter into a forward contract to sell the foreign currency. If forward prices decline between the date of the original forward contract and the offsetting contract, a gain will be realized if the price of currency it has agreed to sell is higher than the price of the currency it has agreed to purchase. If forward prices increase, a loss will be incurred if the price of the currency agreed to be purchased is higher than the price of the currency agreed to be sold. Although forward contracts can reduce the risk of loss due to a decline in the value of the hedged currencies, they also limit any potential gain that might result from an increase in the value of the currencies.
Foreign Currency Futures Contracts. A foreign currency futures contract is a standardized contract for the future delivery of a specified amount of a foreign currency at a future date at a price set at the time of the contract. Foreign currency futures contracts traded in the U.S. are designed by and traded on U.S. exchanges.
At the maturity of a currency futures contract, the Fund may either accept or make delivery of the currency specified in the contract, at or prior to maturity enter into a closing transaction involving the purchase or sale of an offsetting contract. Closing transactions with respect to futures contracts are effected on a commodities exchange; a clearing corporation associated with the exchange assumes responsibility for closing out such contracts.
See generally, Derivatives and Options, Futures and Other Strategies above.
Foreign Currency Options. Options on foreign currencies operate similarly to options on securities, and are traded primarily in the over-the-counter market (OTC options), although options on foreign currencies may also be listed on several exchanges. There can be no assurance that a liquid secondary market will exist for a particular option at any specific time. Options on foreign currencies are affected by all of those factors which influence exchange rates and investments generally.
Writing covered call options on currencies may offset some of the costs of hedging against fluctuations in currency exchange rates. For transaction hedging purposes, the Fund may also purchase exchange-listed and OTC put and call options on foreign currency futures contracts and on foreign currencies. A put option on a futures contract gives the Fund the right to assume a short position in the futures contract until expiration of the option. A call option on a futures contract gives the Fund the right to assume a long position in the futures contract until the expiration of the option.
The value of a foreign currency option is dependent upon the value of the foreign currency and the U.S. dollar, and may have no relationship to the investment merits of a foreign security. Because foreign currency transactions occurring in the interbank market involve substantially larger amounts than those that may be involved in the use of foreign currency options, investors may be disadvantaged by having to deal in an odd lot market (generally consisting of transactions of less than $1 million) for the underlying foreign currencies at prices that are less favorable than for round lots.
There is no systematic reporting of last sale information for foreign currencies and there is no regulatory requirement that quotations available through dealers or other market sources be firm or revised on a timely basis. Available quotation information is generally representative of very large transactions in the interbank market and thus may not reflect relatively smaller transactions (less than $1 million) where rates may be less favorable. The interbank market
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in foreign currencies is a global, around-the-clock market. To the extent that the U.S. options markets are closed while the markets for the underlying currencies remain open, significant price and rate movements may take place in the underlying markets that cannot be reflected in the U.S. options markets. Options contracts are generally valued at the mean of the bid and ask price as reported on the highest-volume exchange (in terms of the number of option contracts traded for that issue) on which such options are traded.
See generally, Derivatives and Options, Futures and Other Strategies above.
I. | Lending Portfolio Securities |
The Fund may lend securities from its portfolio to brokers, dealers and other financial institutions needing to borrow securities to complete certain transactions. The Fund will be entitled to payments in amounts equal to the interest, dividends or other distributions payable on the loaned securities which enable the Fund an opportunity to earn interest on the amount of the loan and on the loaned securities collateral. The Fund typically will receive collateral consisting of cash, U.S. Government securities or irrevocable letters of credit which will be maintained at all times in an amount equal to at least 100% of the current market value of the loaned securities. The Fund might experience risk of loss if the institution with which it has engaged in a portfolio loan transaction breaches its agreement with the Fund.
Other risks in lending portfolio securities include possible delay in receiving additional collateral or in the recovery of the loaned securities or the possible loss of rights in the collateral should the borrower fail financially. In addition, the Fund is responsible for any loss that might result from its investment of the borrowers collateral.
J. | Leverage |
The Fund may engage in various forms of leverage. Leverage can be employed in a variety of ways including using margin (an amount of cash or eligible securities an investor deposits with a broker when borrowing to buy equity and fixed income securities), selling short equity and fixed income securities, using derivatives and participating in other forms of direct or indirect borrowings.
Generally, leverage creates the risk of magnified capital. Leverage may involve the creation of a liability that requires the payment of interest (or the creation of a liability that does not entail any interest costs (for instance, a futures contract). The risks of leverage include a higher volatility of the NAV of the Fund and the relatively greater effect on the NAV caused by favorable or adverse market movements or changes in the cost of cash obtained by leveraging and the yield from invested cash. So long as the Fund is able to realize a net return on its investment portfolio that is higher than interest expense incurred, if any, leverage will result in higher current net investment income than if the portfolio was not leveraged. Changes in interest rates and related economic factors could cause the relationship between the cost of leveraging and the yield to change so that rates involved in the leveraging arrangement may substantially increase relative to the yield on the obligations in which the proceeds of the leveraging have been invested. To the extent that the interest expense involved in leveraging approaches the net return on the Funds investment portfolio, the benefit of leveraging will be reduced, and, if the interest expense on borrowings were to exceed the net return to investors, the use of leverage would result in a lower rate of return than if leverage was not employed. In an extreme case, if the Funds or the Funds investment income were not sufficient to meet the interest expense of leveraging, it could be necessary for the Fund, as applicable, to liquidate certain of its investments at an inappropriate time.
K. | Short Selling |
The Fund may make short sales of securities. In a short sale, the Fund sells a security, which it does not own, in anticipation of a decline in the market value of the security. To complete the sale, the Fund must borrow the security (generally from the broker through which the short sale is made) in order to make delivery to the buyer. The Fund is then obligated to replace the security borrowed by purchasing it at the market price at the time of replacement. The Fund is said to have a short position in the securities sold until it delivers them to the broker. The period during which the Fund has a short position can range from as little as one day to more than a year. Until the security is replaced, the proceeds of the short sale are retained by the broker, and the Fund is required to pay to the broker a negotiated portion of any dividends or interest which accrue during the period of the loan.
Short sales by the Fund create opportunities to increase the Funds return but, at the same time, involve specific risk considerations and may be considered a speculative technique. Since the Fund, in effect, profits from a decline in the price of the securities sold short without the need to invest the full purchase price of the securities on the date of the
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short sale, the Funds NAV per share will tend to increase more when the securities it has sold short decrease in value, and decrease more when the securities it has sold short increase in value, than would otherwise be the case if it had not engaged in such short sales. The amount of any gain will be decreased, and the amount of any loss increased, by the amount of any premium, dividends, or interest the Fund may be required to pay in connection with the short sale. Furthermore, under adverse market conditions, the Fund might have difficulty purchasing securities to meet its short sale delivery obligations, and might have to sell portfolio securities to raise the capital necessary to meet its short sale obligations at a time when fundamental investment considerations would not favor such sales. Short sales may involve additional transactions costs and other expenses that may exceed the return on the position, which may cause the Fund to lose money.
The Fund shall maintain a segregated account on the books of its custodian in an amount that, when combined with the amount of collateral deposited with the broker in connection with the short sale, equals the current market value of the security sold short. This segregation will not limit the Funds exposure to loss, and the Fund may incur investment risk with respect to the segregated assets to the extent that, but for the applicable segregation requirement, the Fund would sell the segregated assets. If the Fund does not maintain a segregated account, the Fund will cover the short sale by owning a call option on the shorted security with a strike price no higher than the price at which the security was sold short.
Short Sales Against the Box. Short Sales Against the Box are short sales of securities that the Fund owns or has the right to obtain (equivalent in kind or amount to the securities sold short). If the Fund enters into a short sale against the box, it will be required to set aside securities equivalent in kind and amount to the securities sold short (or securities convertible or exchangeable into such securities) and will be required to hold such securities while the short sale is outstanding. The Fund may incur investment risk with respect to the segregated assets to the extent that, but for the applicable segregation requirement, the Fund would sell the segregated assets. Alternatively, the Fund may cover the short sale by owning a call option on the shorted security with a strike price no higher than the price at which the security was sold short.
L. | When-Issued, Delayed Delivery and Forward Commitment Securities |
To reduce the risk of changes in securities prices and interest rates, the Fund may purchase securities on a forward commitment, when-issued or delayed delivery basis, which means delivery and payment take place a number of days after the date of the commitment to purchase. The payment obligation and the interest rate receivable with respect to such purchases are fixed when the Fund enters into the commitment, but the Fund does not make payment until it receives delivery from the counterparty. After the Fund commits to purchase such securities, but before delivery and settlement, it may sell the securities.
Risks of When-Issued, Delayed Delivery and Forward Commitment Securities. Securities purchased on a forward commitment, or when-issued or delayed delivery basis are subject to changes in value, i.e., appreciating when interest rates decline and depreciating when interest rates rise, based upon the publics perception of the creditworthiness of the issuer and changes, real or anticipated, in the level of interest rates and/or credit spreads. Securities so purchased may expose the Fund to risks because they may experience such fluctuations prior to their actual delivery. Purchasing securities on a when-issued or delayed delivery basis can involve the 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. Purchasing securities on a forward commitment, when-issued or delayed delivery basis when the Fund is fully or almost fully invested increases the Funds leverage which would magnify losses. In addition, there is a risk that securities purchased on a when-issued or delayed delivery basis may not be delivered and that the purchaser of securities sold by the Fund on a forward basis will not honor its purchase obligation. In such cases, the Fund may incur a loss.
Forward commitment transactions may also be conducted on a to be announced basis (TBA Transaction). In a TBA Transaction, the approximate purchase price is typically disclosed at the time of commitment, not the identity of the underlying security.
Dollar Roll Transactions. Dollar roll transactions are transactions wherein the Fund sells fixed-income securities, typically mortgage-backed securities and makes a commitment to purchase similar, but not identical, securities at a later date from the same party. Like a forward commitment, during the roll period no payment is made for the securities purchased and no interest or principal payments on the security accrue to the purchaser, but the Fund assumes the risk of ownership. The Fund is compensated for entering into dollar roll transactions by the difference between the current
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sales price and the forward price for the future purchase, as well as by the interest earned on the cash proceeds of the initial sale. Like other when-issued securities or firm commitment agreements, dollar roll transactions involve the risk that the market value of the securities sold by the Fund may decline below the price at which the Fund is committed to purchase similar securities. In the event the buyer of securities from the Fund under a dollar roll transaction becomes insolvent, the Funds use of the proceeds of the transaction may be restricted pending a determination by the other party, or its trustee or receiver, whether to enforce the Funds obligation to repurchase the securities.
Risks of Dollar Roll Transactions. In the event that the value of the securities decline between the purchase and settlement date, the Fund will incur a loss. The Fund shall maintain a segregated account containing cash, U.S. government securities or high quality debt instruments (Liquid Assets) equal to the value of the purchase commitments associated with all transactions conducted on a when-issued, forward commitment or delayed delivery basis (Purchase Commitments). If the value of the Liquid Assets decreases during the period between the commitment and settlement dates, the Fund will add additional Liquid Assets to the segregated account to the Funds outstanding purchase commitments. A sellers failure to complete a transaction may cause the Fund to miss a desired price or yield. In a TBA Transaction, the Fund assumes the risk that the security to be delivered will not be as favorable as originally anticipated.
M. | Borrowing |
The Fund may maintain a line of credit with the Trusts custodian and may borrow up to 5% of its total assets on a temporary or emergency basis. The Fund currently intends to use the line of credit to fund shareholder redemptions and to pay expenses as needed.
Risks of Borrowing. In the event that a credit facility utilized by the Fund is terminated by the third-party lender, the Fund may be required to liquidate investments and be forced to sell investments at unfavorable prices in order to repay outstanding borrowings. The rights of creditors to the assets of the Fund are senior to the Funds equity shareholders.
N. | Restricted and Illiquid Securities |
Restricted securities are any securities which are subject to restriction on resale under federal securities law, including commercial paper issued in reliance on the exemption from registration afforded by Section 4(2) of the 1933 Act, loan participations and interests in Private Funds. Illiquid investments are any investments that may not reasonably be expected to be sold or disposed of in current market conditions in seven calendar days or less without the conversion to cash significantly changing the market value of the investment. This may include securities for which there is a limited trading market and may, therefore, be difficult to sell at market value. The Fund intends to treat interests in loan participations and Private Funds as illiquid securities.
Section 4(2) commercial paper is generally sold to institutional investors which agree that they are purchasing the paper for investment purposes and not with a view to public distribution. Any resale by the purchaser must be in an exempt transaction. Section 4(2) commercial paper is normally resold to other institutional investors through or with the assistance of the issuer or investment dealers who make a market in Section 4(2) commercial paper, thus providing liquidity.
Risks of Restricted and Illiquid Securities. Because restricted and illiquid securities may be difficult to sell at an acceptable price, they may be subject to greater volatility and may result in a loss to the Fund.
O. | Temporary Defensive Position |
From time to time, the Fund may take temporary defensive positions that are inconsistent with the Funds principal investment strategies, in attempting to respond to adverse market, economic, political or other conditions. For example, the Fund may hold all or a portion of its assets in cash, money market mutual funds, investment grade short-term money market instruments, U.S. Government and agency securities, commercial paper, certificates of deposit, repurchase agreements and other cash equivalents. The Fund also may invest in such instruments at any time to maintain liquidity or pending selection of investments in accordance with its investment strategies. As a result of engaging in these temporary measures, the Fund may not achieve its investment objective.
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P. | Cybersecurity Risk |
With the increased use of technologies such as the Internet and the dependence on computer systems to perform necessary business functions, investment companies (such as the Fund) and their service providers (including the Adviser) may be prone to operational and information security risks resulting from cyber-attacks and/or other technological malfunctions. In general, cyber-attacks are deliberate, but unintentional events may have similar effects. Cyber-attacks include, among others, stealing or corrupting data maintained online or digitally, preventing legitimate users from accessing information or services on a website, releasing confidential information without authorization, and causing operational disruption. Successful cyber-attacks against, or security breakdowns of, the Fund, the Adviser, or a custodian, transfer agent, or other affiliated or third-party service provider may adversely affect the Fund or its shareholders. For instance, cyber-attacks may interfere with the processing of shareholder transactions, affect the Funds ability to calculate its NAV, cause the release of private shareholder information or confidential Fund information, impede trading, cause reputational damage, and subject the Fund to regulatory fines, penalties or financial losses, reimbursement or other compensation costs, and additional compliance costs. While the Adviser has established business continuity plans and systems designed to prevent cyber-attacks, there are inherent limitations in such plans and systems including the possibility that certain risks have not been identified. Similar types of cyber security risks also are present for issuers of securities in which the Fund invests, which could result in material adverse consequences for such issuers, and may cause the Funds investment in such securities to lose value.
Q. | Market Events |
U.S. and international markets have from time to time experienced significant volatility. The fixed income markets have experienced substantially lower valuations, reduced liquidity, price volatility, credit downgrades, increased likelihood of default and valuation difficulties. Concerns have spread to domestic and international equity markets. In some cases, the stock prices of individual companies have been negatively affected even though there may be little or no apparent degradation in the financial conditions or prospects of that company. Continued volatility, may have adverse effects on the Fund.
INVESTMENT LIMITATIONS
A. | Fundamental Limitations |
The investment limitations described below have been adopted by the Trust with respect to the Fund and are fundamental (Fundamental), i.e., they may not be changed without the affirmative vote of a majority of the outstanding shares of the Fund. As used in the Prospectus and this SAI, the term majority of the outstanding shares of the Fund means the lesser of (1) 67% or more of the outstanding shares of the Fund present at a meeting, if the holders of more than 50% of the outstanding shares of the Fund are present or represented at such meeting; or (2) more than 50% of the outstanding shares of the Fund. Other investment practices which may be changed by the Board without the approval of shareholders to the extent permitted by applicable law, regulation or regulatory policy are considered non-fundamental (Non-Fundamental).
Borrowing Money. The Fund will not borrow money, except (a) from a bank, provided that immediately after such borrowing there is an asset coverage of 300% for all borrowings of the Fund; or (b) from a bank or other persons for temporary purposes only, provided that such temporary borrowings are in an amount not exceeding 5% of the Funds total assets at the time when the borrowing is made. This limitation does not preclude the Fund from entering into reverse repurchase transactions, provided that the Fund has an asset coverage of 300% for all borrowings and repurchase commitments of the Fund pursuant to reverse repurchase transactions.
Senior Securities. The Fund will not issue senior securities. This limitation is not applicable to activities that may be deemed to involve the issuance or sale of a senior security by the Fund, provided that the Funds engagement in such activities is consistent with or permitted by the 1940 Act, the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder or interpretations of the SEC or its staff.
Underwriting. The Fund will not act as underwriter of securities issued by other persons. This limitation is not applicable to the extent that, in connection with the disposition of portfolio securities (including restricted securities), the Fund may be deemed an underwriter under certain federal securities laws.
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Real Estate. The Fund will not purchase or sell real estate. This limitation is not applicable to investments in marketable securities which are secured by or represent interests in real estate. This limitation does not preclude the Fund from investing in mortgage-related securities or investing in companies engaged in the real estate business or that have a significant portion of their assets in real estate (including REITs).
Commodities. The Fund will not purchase or sell commodities unless acquired as a result of ownership of securities or other investments. This limitation does not preclude the Fund from purchasing or selling options or futures contracts, including commodities futures contracts, from investing in securities or other instruments backed by commodities or from investing in companies which are engaged in a commodities business or have a significant portion of their assets in commodities.
Loans. The Fund will not make loans to other persons, except (a) by loaning portfolio securities, (b) by engaging in repurchase agreements, dollar rolls and similar transactions consistent with applicable law, or (c) by purchasing non-publicly offered debt securities. For purposes of this limitation, the term loans shall not include the purchase of a portion of an issue of publicly distributed bonds, debentures or other securities.
Concentration. The Fund will not invest 25% or more of its total assets in a particular industry. This limitation is not applicable to investments in obligations issued or guaranteed by the U.S. Government, its agencies and instrumentalities or repurchase agreements with respect thereto.
With respect to the percentages adopted by the Trust as maximum limitations on the Funds investment policies and limitations, an excess amount above the fixed percentage will not be a violation of the policy or limitation unless the excess amount results immediately and directly from the acquisition of any security or the action taken. This paragraph does not apply to the borrowing policy set forth above.
If the Funds borrowings exceed one-third of its total assets (including the amount borrowed) less liabilities (other than borrowings), such borrowings will be reduced within three days, (not including Sundays and holidays) or such longer period as may be permitted by the 1940 Act, to the extent necessary to comply with the one-third limitation.
Notwithstanding any of the foregoing limitations, any investment company, whether organized as a trust, association or corporation, or a personal holding company, may be merged or consolidated with or acquired by the Trust, provided that if such merger, consolidation or acquisition results in an investment in the securities of any issuer prohibited by said paragraphs, the Trust shall, within ninety days after the consummation of such merger, consolidation or acquisition, dispose of all of the securities of such issuer so acquired or such portion thereof as shall bring the total investment therein within the limitations imposed by said paragraphs above as of the date of consummation.
B. | Non-Fundamental |
The following limitations have been adopted by the Trust with respect to the Fund and are Non-Fundamental (see Investment Limitations—Fundamental Limitations above).
Pledging. The Fund not will mortgage, pledge, hypothecate or in any manner transfer, as security for indebtedness, any assets of the Fund except as may be necessary in connection with borrowings described in limitation (1) above. Margin deposits, security interests, liens and collateral arrangements with respect to transactions involving options, futures contracts, short sales and other permitted investments and techniques are not deemed to be a mortgage, pledge or hypothecation of assets for purposes of this limitation.
Borrowing. The Fund will not purchase any security while borrowings (including reverse repurchase agreements) representing more than 5% of its total assets are outstanding.
Illiquid Securities. The Fund will not invest greater than 15% of its net assets in illiquid or restricted securities.
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INVESTMENT MANAGEMENT
A. | General Information |
Preserver Partners, LLC, 425 Madison Avenue, Memphis, TN 38103, serves as the Funds investment adviser. Dr. Floyd Tyler controls the Adviser through his ownership of 97% of the Advisers membership interests.
B. | Investment Advisory Agreement |
Under the terms of the Investment Advisory Agreement with the Trust, the Adviser is primarily responsible for managing the Funds investments and providing a continuous investment program for the Fund, subject to the supervision of the Board. The Fund pays the Adviser a fee computed and accrued daily and paid monthly at an annual rate of 0.75% of average daily net assets of the Fund. The fee, if not waived, is assessed to each Fund class based on average daily net assets for the prior month.
The Adviser has contractually agreed to waive its management fee and/or to reimburse certain Fund operating expenses, but only to the extent necessary so that total annual operating expenses (excluding (i) interest; (ii) taxes; (iii) brokerage fees and commissions; (iv) extraordinary expenses not incurred in the ordinary course of the Funds business; (v) dividend expenses on short sales; (vi) expenses incurred under a Rule 12b-1 plan of distribution; and (vii) indirect expenses such as acquired fund fees and expenses) do not exceed 1.35% of the Funds average daily net assets through December 31, 2023 (Expense Limitation Agreement). During any fiscal year that the Investment Advisory Agreement between the Adviser and the Trust is in effect, the Adviser may recoup the sum of all fees previously waived or expenses reimbursed, less any reimbursement previously paid, provided that the Adviser is only permitted to recoup fees or expenses within 36 months from the date the fee waiver or expense reimbursement first occurred and provided further that such recoupment can be achieved within the Expense Limitation Agreement currently in effect and the Expense Limitation Agreement in place when the waiver/reimbursement occurred. This Expense Limitation Agreement may not be terminated by the Adviser prior to its expiration date, but the Board may terminate such agreement at any time. The Expense Limitation Agreement terminates automatically upon the termination of the Advisory Agreement with the Adviser.
For the fiscal period ended as indicated in the table below, the fees for the Fund payable to the Adviser, the reductions attributable to contractual fee waivers and the net fees paid (reimbursed) with respect to the Fund were as follows:
Fiscal Period Ended | Advisory
Fees Accrued |
Fee
Waiver/Expense Reimbursement |
Recoupment
of Previously Waived Fees or Reimbursed Expenses |
Net Advisory Fees |
August 31, 2022 | $202,728(1) | $42,737(1) | $0 | $159,991(1) |
August 31, 2021 | $199,414 | $44,388 | $0 | $155,026 |
August 31, 2020 | $165,742 | $77,724 | $0 | $88,018 |
(1) | At August 31, 2022, the Fund owed the Adviser $4,988. |
As of August 31, 2022, the Adviser may seek repayment of investment advisory fee waivers and expense reimbursements from the Fund in the amount of $42,737 no later than August 31, 2025, $44,388 no later than August 31, 2024, and $77,724 no later than August 31, 2023.
The continuation of the Investment Advisory Agreement for an additional one-year period was approved by the Board, including a majority of Trustees who are not interested persons of the Trust, as that term is defined under the 1940 Act, or interested parties to the Agreement (collectively, the Independent Trustees and, each an Independent Trustee), at an in-person meeting held on June 22 and 23, 2022. A discussion of the factors that the Board considered in approving the continuance of the Investment Advisory Agreement is included in the Funds Annual Report to shareholders for the fiscal year ended August 31, 2022.
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If the Adviser ceases to act as investment adviser to the Fund or, if the Adviser requests in writing, the Trust shall take prompt action to change the name of the Fund to a name that does not include the term Preserver.
C. | Payments to Financial Institutions |
The Adviser may pay certain financial institutions (which may include banks, broker-dealers and other industry professionals) a fee for providing distribution related services and/or for performing certain administrative servicing functions for Fund shareholders to the extent these institutions are allowed to do so by applicable statute, rule or regulation. These financial institutions may charge their customers fees for offering these services to the extent permitted by applicable regulatory authorities, and the overall return to those shareholders availing themselves of these services will be lower than to those shareholders who do not. The Fund may from time to time purchase securities issued by financial institutions that provide such services; however, in selecting investments for the Fund, no preference will be shown for such securities.
D. | The Portfolio Manager |
Other Accounts Managed By Portfolio Manager. The table below identifies the number of accounts managed (excluding the Fund) and the total assets in such accounts, within each of the following categories: other pooled investment vehicles and other accounts. The Portfolio Manager does not manage any other registered investment companies or any accounts with performance-based advisory fees. Information in the table is shown as of August 31, 2022. Asset amounts are approximate and have been rounded.
Team Member | Pooled Investment Vehicles | Other Accounts | ||
Number | Market Value | Number | Market Value | |
Dr. Floyd Tyler | 3 | $213,400,000 | 1 | $19,200,000(1) |
(1) | The market value for Other Accounts reported above includes $11,700,000 which is also reported in the market value for Pooled Investment Vehicles. |
Compensation. The portfolio manager receives a cash salary. Dr. Tyler is a principal of the Adviser, and therefore also shares in the Advisers profits. The portfolio manager is also eligible to receive an annual discretionary cash bonus. Bonuses are not based on the performance of the Fund or any other account, but is based on the Advisers evaluation of the members overall individual contributions to the Advisers investment program and the overall financial performance of the Adviser. The portfolio managers entire compensation package is paid by the Adviser and not by any client account.
Ownership of Fund Shares. As of August 31, 2022, the portfolio manager beneficially owned shares of the Fund as summarized in the following table:
Portfolio Manager | Dollar
Range of Beneficial Ownership in the Fund as of August 31, 2022 |
Dr. Floyd Tyler | $500,001 - $1,000,000 |
Potential Conflicts of Interest. As a general matter, certain actual or apparent conflicts of interest may arise in connection with the portfolio managers management of the Funds investments, on the one hand, and the investments of other accounts for which the portfolio manager is responsible, on the other. For example, the management of multiple accounts may result in the portfolio manager devoting unequal time and attention to the management of each account. Although the Adviser does not track the time the Portfolio Manager spends on a single portfolio, it does periodically assess whether the Portfolio Manager has adequate time and resources to effectively manage all of the accounts for which he is responsible. Moreover, variances in advisory fees charged from account to account may create an incentive for the Portfolio Manager to devote more attention to those accounts that pay higher advisory fees. It is also possible that the various accounts managed could have different investment strategies that, at times, might conflict with one another. Alternatively, to the extent that the same investment opportunities might be desirable for more than one account, possible conflicts could arise in determining how to allocate them. Other potential conflicts might include those relating to selection of brokers or dealers to execute portfolio trades and/or specific uses of commissions from portfolio trades (for example, research, or soft dollars).
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The Adviser has adopted and implemented policies and procedures, including brokerage and trade allocation policies and procedures, which it believes address the conflicts associated with managing multiple accounts for multiple clients.
TRUSTEES AND OFFICERS
A. | General Information |
The Board supervises the business activities of the Trust and is responsible for protecting the interests of shareholders. The Chairman of the Board is Walter B. Grimm, who is an Independent Trustee of the Trust.
Each Trustee serves as a Trustee for the lifetime of the Trust or until the earlier of his or her required retirement as a Trustee as of December 31 of the year that he or she turns, age 78, death, resignation, or removal. At the invitation of the Board, a Trustee may serve as an Emeritus Trustee for no more than 2 years after December 31 of the year that he or she turns 78, subject to such terms as the Board may specify, including with respect to compensation. Officers are re-elected annually by the Board. The address of each Trustee and Officer is 225 Pictoria Drive, Suite 450, Cincinnati, Ohio 45246.
As of the date of this SAI, the Trustees oversee the operations of 14 series.
Interested Trustee Background. The following table provides information regarding the Interested Trustee.
Name,
Address, (Age), Position with Trust, |
Principal
Occupation During Past 5 Years and Other Directorships | |
David
James* Birth Year: 1970 TRUSTEE Began Serving: March 2021 |
Principal Occupation(s): Executive Vice President and Chief Legal and Risk Officer of Ultimus Fund Solutions, LLC (2018 to present).
Previous Position(s): Managing Director and Senior Managing Counsel, State Street Bank and Trust Company (2009 to 2018). |
* | Mr. James is considered an interested person of the Trust within the meaning of Section 2(a)(19) of the 1940 Act because of his relationship with the Trusts administrator, transfer agent, and distributors. |
Independent Trustee Background. The following table provides information regarding the Independent Trustees.
Name,
Address, (Age), Position with Trust, |
Principal
Occupation During Past 5 Years and Other Directorships | |
Walter
B. Grimm Birth Year: 1945 Trustee and chair Began Serving: November 2013 |
Principal Occupations(s): President, Leigh Management Group, LLC (consulting firm) (October 2005 to present); President, Leigh Investments, Inc. (1988 to present); and Board member, Boys & Girls Club of Coachella (2018 to present). | |
Lori
Kaiser Birth Year: 1963 TRUSTEE Began Serving: July 2018 |
Principal Occupations(s): Founder and CEO, Kaiser Consulting since 1992. | |
Janet
Smith-Meeks Began Serving: July 2018 |
Principal Occupations(s): Co-Founder and CEO, Healthcare Alignment Advisors, LLC (consulting company) since August 2015.
Previous Position(s): President and Chief Operating Officer, Mount Carmel St. Anns Hospital (2006 to 2015). |
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Mary
Madick Birth Year: 1958 Trustee Began Serving: November 2013 |
Principal Occupations(s): President, US Health Holdings, a division of Ascension Insurance (2020 to present).
Previous Position(s): President (2019 to 2020) and Chief Operating Officer (2018 to 2019), Dignity Health Managed Services Organization; Chief Operating Officer, Pennsylvania Health and Wellness (fully owned subsidiary of Centene Corporation) (2016 to 2018); Vice President, Gateway Heath (2015 to 2016). |
** Mr. John C. Davis, Independent Trustee, passed away on September 15, 2021. The Board of the Trust, on behalf of shareholders, wishes to acknowledge the contributions of Mr. Davis and expresses their thanks and gratitude for his years of service to the Trust.**
Officers. The following table provides information regarding the Officers.
Name,
Address, (Age), Position with Trust, |
Principal
Occupation During Past 5 Years and Other Officer Positions | |
Matthew
J. Miller Birth Year: 1976 PRESIDENT and CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER Began Serving: September 2013 (as VP); September 2018 (as President) |
Principal Occupation(s): Assistant Vice President, Relationship Management, Ultimus Fund Solutions, LLC (December 2015 to present).
Previous Position(s): Vice President, Capitol Series Trust (September 2013 to March 2017); Chief Executive Officer and President, Capitol Series Trust (March 2017 to March 2018); Secretary, Capitol Series Trust (March 2018 to September 2018). | |
Zachary
P. Richmond Birth Year: 1980 TREASURER AND CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER Began Serving: August 2014 |
Principal Occupation(s): Vice President, Director of Financial Administration for Ultimus Fund Solutions, LLC (February 2019 to present).
Previous Position(s): Assistant Vice President, Associate Director of Financial Administration for Ultimus Fund Solutions, LLC (December 2015 to February 2019). | |
Martin
R. Dean Birth Year: 1963 CHIEF COMPLIANCE OFFICER Began Serving: May 2019 |
Principal Occupation(s): Senior Vice President, Head of Fund Compliance, Ultimus Fund Solutions, LLC (since January 2016).
| |
Paul
Leone Birth Year: 1963 SECRETARY Began Serving: June 2021 |
Principal Occupation(s): Vice President and Senior Counsel, Ultimus Fund Solutions, LLC (2020 to present).
Previous Position(s): Managing Director, Leone Law Office, P.C. (2019 to 2020); and served in the roles of Senior Counsel – Distribution and Senior Counsel - Compliance, Empower Retirement/Great-West Life & Annuity Ins. Co. (2015 to 2019). | |
Stephen
L. Preston Birth Year: 1966 ANTI-MONEY LAUNDERING OFFICER Began Serving: December 2016 |
Principal Occupation(s): Chief Compliance Officer, Ultimus Fund Distributors, LLC (June 2011 to present).
Previous Position(s): Chief Compliance Officer, Ultimus Fund Solutions, LLC (June 2011 to August 2019). |
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B. | Qualifications of the Trustees |
In addition to the information provided above, below is a summary of the specific experience, qualifications, attributes or skills of each Trustee and the reason why he or she was selected to serve as Trustee:
Mr. Walter B. Grimm – Mr. Grimm has over 20 years of experience in the financial services industry, including as a trustee of other mutual funds and as the head of Client Services and Relationship Management areas for a mutual fund servicing company. He was selected to serve as a Trustee of the Trust based primarily on his extensive knowledge of mutual fund operations. Mr. Grimm has been a Trustee since November 2013 and began serving as Chair of the Board in March 2018.
Mr. David James – Mr. James currently serves as Executive Vice President and Chief Legal and Risk Officer of Ultimus. Mr. James has over 25 years of experience in the mutual fund servicing industry. He has been a Trustee since March 2021. Before joining Ultimus in 2018, Mr. James served as the Department Head of State Street Bank and Trust Companys Fund Administration Legal Department, a group of over 54 attorneys and paralegals that provided legal regulatory services to over 60 mutual fund complexes. Mr. James spent 15 years at State Street, and prior to that role, he worked in the legal departments for Fidelity Investments and PNC Global Investment Servicing (US), Inc. Before entering the financial services industry in 1997, Mr. James began his legal career as a trial attorney in Boston. Mr. James serves on (i) ICIs Chief Risk Officer Committee, (ii) NICSAs Legal and Regulatory Committee, and (iii) NICSAs Compliance and Risk Committee. He has also served on industry panels for BoardIQ, Independent Directors Council of the ICI, NICSA, State Street, and Boston Financial Data Services. Mr. James holds law degree from Ohio Northern University Pettit College of Law (1995). He also holds a Bachelor of Science in Political Science from East Tennessee State University (1993). He is a member of the Massachusetts and New York Bars and maintains active Ohio Corporate Counsel Status.
Ms. Lori Kaiser - Ms. Kaiser is the CEO of Kaiser Consulting, an international professional services firm that she founded in 1992, which specializes in accounting, finance, and IT consulting. She is a Certified Public Accountant and a Chartered Global Management Accountant, with over 20-years experience serving the needs of auto/auto-parts manufacturers and various other industries, including financial, communications, not-for-profits, mutual funds, and insurance. She advises executive management on issues of risk identification and mitigation, mergers, acquisitions, and integrations. Prior to Kaiser Consulting, Ms. Kaiser was the Chief Financial Officer at Lowestpremium.com, an online insurance aggregator enabling users to search for the lowest auto insurance rates. Earlier in her career, Ms. Kaiser served as Corporate Controller for Nationwide Communications, Inc., the media subsidiary of Nationwide Insurance Company, and she began her career in the audit practice of KPMG, LLP in Columbus, Ohio.
Ms. Kaiser has board and community service experience with a variety of organizations. She is a Board member of the Business Advisory Council at Miami Universitys Farmer School of Business. Ms. Kaiser also serves on the Board of Trustees and is Chair for the Ohio Society of Certified Public Accountants. She also serves on the Board of National Church residences, the nations largest not-for-profit provider of affordable senior housing, and is on its Finance and Audit Committee. She also serves on the Board of Trustees for Franklin University and is also an Audit Committee member. As a member of the Executive Board of the Columbus Chamber of Commerce, she chairs its Small Business Council. She is also on the Governing Council of the AICPA. Ms. Kaiser completed a three-year term on the Board of Directors of the National Association of Women Business Owners, where she also served as Treasurer and as a member of the Executive Committee. Ms. Kaiser was selected to serve as a Trustee as a result of her board and executive level leadership experience, as well as her extensive financial, IT and risk management experience. Ms. Kaiser has been a Trustee since July 2018. Ms. Kaiser earned an MBA with honors from the University of Chicago and received a BS from Miami University, graduating cum laude. In addition, she is an adjunct professor in the MBA Program at Ohio State University Fisher School of Business. Ms. Kaiser also serves as Chair of the Trusts Audit Committee and has been designated as an audit committee financial expert to the Trusts Audit Committee, as that designation is defined by SEC rules.
Ms. Janet S. Meeks - Ms. Meeks has 43 years of experience in the healthcare and financial services industries. Ms. Meeks founded Healthcare Alignment Advisers, LLC in 2015, a consulting company located in Westerville, Ohio, that provides advice to healthcare executives with respect to, among other things, strategy development and implementation and currently serves as the Chief Executive Officer. Ms. Meeks previously served for nine years as President and Chief Operating Officer of Mount Carmel St. Anns Hospital (MCSA), a regional medical center located in Westerville, Ohio, and currently ranked among the Top 100 hospitals nationally. She served in executive roles for four nationally known healthcare systems, including Trinity Health and Vanderbilt University Medical Center. Before entering the healthcare sector, Ms. Meeks worked in the financial services industry for Bank of Mississippi.
As an experienced corporate director, Ms. Meeks currently serves on the Board of Directors of National Church Residences, where she also serves on the Executive Committee, the Healthcare Quality Committee and as Chairperson
35
of the Affordable Housing Subsidiary Committee, which oversees 300 properties nationally. Ms. Meeks also serves on the Advisory Board of LeaderStat, a national healthcare staffing, consulting and executive search organization. She has also served on the Governance Committee and Human Resources/Executive Compensation Committee of that organization. Ms. Meeks has served as a faculty member of the AHA Society for Healthcare Planning and Marketing National Conferences, the Healthcare Strategy Institute National Conferences, and as an Instructor for the University of Mississippi School of Business Administration. Ms. Meeks has published extensively and is an accomplished national speaker. Ms. Meeks was selected to serve as a Trustee as a result of her board and executive level leadership experience and her extensive financial industry, marketing, and strategy expertise. Ms. Meeks has been a Trustee since July 2018 and serves as Chair of the Valuation Committee. Ms. Meeks is a two-time graduate of the University of Mississippi, where she received an undergraduate degree in banking and finance and an MBA in finance.
Ms. Mary Madick – Ms. Madick has over 25 years of experience in customer service, processing operations, and systems implementation experience both in the managed care and financial services arenas. Prior to work in the managed care arena, Ms. Madick served as the Vice President in charge of Business Applications for a large mutual fund company and as a Senior Vice President of Transfer Agency Operations for a mutual fund services provider. She was selected to serve as a Trustee of the Trust based primarily on her significant corporate experience as well as her operational knowledge of mutual fund operations. Ms. Madick has been a Trustee since November 2013. Ms. Madick also serves as Chair of the Nominating Committee.
C. | Risk Management |
The overall management and affairs of the Trust are supervised by the Board. The Board consists of five individuals. The Trustees are fiduciaries and are governed by the laws of the State of Ohio in this regard. The Board establishes policies for the operation of the Trust and appoints the officers who conduct the daily business of the Trust. The Board provides oversight over the management and operations of the Trust. The day-to-day responsibility for the management and operation of the Trust is the responsibility of various officers and service providers to the Trust and its individual series, such as the Adviser, Distributor, 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, including the agreements with the Adviser, Distributor, administrator, custodian and Transfer Agent. The Board has appointed various individuals of certain of these service providers as officers of the Trust, with responsibility to monitor and report to the Board on the Trusts day-to-day operations. In all cases, 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 Trusts investments, operations or activities.
The Board has structured itself in a manner that it believes allows it to effectively perform its oversight function. The Board is comprised of four Independent Trustees – Mr. Walter Grimm, Ms. Lori Kaiser, Ms. Janet S. Meeks and Ms. Mary Madick – and one Interested Trustee – Mr. David James. Accordingly, four-fifths of the members of the Board are Independent Trustees and are not affiliated with any investment adviser to the Trust or their respective affiliates or other service providers to the Trust or any Trust series. The Board has established three standing committees, an Audit Committee, a Nominating Committee and a Valuation Committee, which are discussed in greater detail below. Each of the Audit Committee and Nominating Committee is comprised entirely of Independent Trustees. The Valuation Committee is comprised of all of the Trustees of the Trust, including the Independent Trustees, plus the Trusts President/Principal Executive Officer and its Treasurer/Principal Financial Officer. Non-Trustee members of the Valuation Committee serve as non-voting members.
As part of its efforts to oversee risk management associated with the Trust, the Board has established the Audit Committee, the Nominating Committee and the Valuation Committee as described below:
● | The Audit Committee consists of all of the Independent Trustees. The Audit Committee is responsible for overseeing the Trusts accounting and financial reporting policies and practices, internal controls and, as appropriate, the internal controls of certain service providers; overseeing the quality and objectivity of financial statements and the independent audits of the financial statements; and acting as a liaison between the independent auditors and the full Board. | ||
● | The Nominating Committee consists of all of the Independent Trustees. The Nominating Committee is responsible for identifying and nominating Trustee candidates to the full Board. The Nominating Committee will consider nominees recommended by shareholders. Recommendations should be submitted to the Nominating Committee in care of the Trust. |
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● | The Valuation Committee consists of all of the Trustees plus the Trusts President/Principal Executive Officer and its Treasurer/Principal Financial Officer. Non-Trustee members of the Valuation Committee serve as non-voting members. The Valuation Committee is responsible for reviewing or approving fair valuation determinations pursuant to the Trusts Portfolio Valuation Procedures. As part of its function, the Valuation Committee considers all fair value pricing methodologies proposed by the Valuation Designees and approves such methodologies, and any amendments thereto. |
The Audit Committee generally meets at least annually. The Audit Committee reviews reports provided by administrative service providers, legal counsel and independent accountants. The Nominating Committee and Valuation Committee meet as needed. The Committees report directly to the Board. For the fiscal year ended August 31, 2022, the Audit Committee met six times, two of which involved matters relating to the Fund. For the fiscal year ended August 31, 2022, the Nominating Committee did not meet and the Valuation Committee met four times. The Board has determined that the function and composition of the Audit Committee and the Nominating Committee are appropriate means to address any potential conflicts of interest that may arise. In addition, the inclusion of all Independent Trustees as members of the Audit Committee, Nominating Committee and Valuation Committee allow all such Trustees to participate in the full range of the Boards oversight duties, including oversight of risk management processes.
The Independent Trustees have engaged their own independent legal counsel to provide advice on regulatory, compliance and other topics. In addition, the Board has engaged on behalf of the Trust a full-time Chief Compliance Officer (CCO) who is responsible for overseeing compliance risks. He reports to the Board at least quarterly any material compliance items that have arisen, and annually he provides to the Board a comprehensive compliance report outlining the effectiveness of compliance policies and procedures of the Trust and its service providers. As part of the CCOs risk oversight function, the CCO seeks to understand the risks inherent in the operations of the Trusts series and their advisers and sub-advisers. Periodically the CCO provides reports to the Board that:
● | Assess the quality of the information the CCO receives from internal and external sources; |
● | Assess how Trust personnel monitor and evaluate risks; |
● | Assess the quality of the Trusts risk management procedures and the effectiveness of the Trusts organizational structure in implementing those procedures; |
● | Consider feedback from and provide feedback regarding critical risk issues to administrative and advisory personnel responsible for implementing risk management programs; and |
● | Consider economic, industry, and regulatory developments, and recommend changes to the Trusts compliance programs as necessary to meet new regulations or industry developments. |
The Trustees meet on a quarterly basis, typically for 1-2 days of meetings. Trustees also participate in special meetings and conference calls as needed. In addition to Board meetings, Trustees may participate in teleconferences to review and discuss 15(c) materials, and to interview advisers and sub-advisers whose contracts are up for renewal at the next regularly scheduled Board meeting. Legal counsel to the Trust provides quarterly reports to the Board regarding regulatory developments. On a quarterly basis, the Trustees review and discuss some or all of the following compliance and risk management reports relating to the series of the Trust:
● | Fund Performance/Morningstar Report/Portfolio Managers Commentary |
● | Code of Ethics review |
● | NAV Errors, if any |
● | Distributor Compliance Reports |
● | Timeliness of SEC Filings |
● | Dividends and other Distributions |
● | List of Brokers, Brokerage Commissions Paid and Average Commission Rate |
● | Review of 12b-1 Payments |
● | Multiple Class Expense Reports |
● | Anti-Money Laundering/Customer Identification Reports |
● | Administrator and CCO Compliance Reports |
● | Market Timing Reports |
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From time to time, one or more members of the Board may also meet with Trust officers in less formal settings, between formal Board meetings to discuss various topics.
The Board has not adopted a formal diversity policy. When soliciting future nominees for Trustee, the Nominating Committee will make efforts to identify and solicit qualified minorities and women.
The Board reviews its structure regularly in light of the characteristics and circumstances of the Trust, including the number of funds that comprise the Trust; the variety of asset classes that those funds reflect; the net assets of the Trust; and the distribution arrangements of the funds. At least annually, the Trustees conduct an assessment of the Boards and their individual effectiveness in overseeing the Trust. Based upon its assessment, the Board determines whether additional risk assessment or monitoring processes are required with respect to the Trust or any of its service providers.
Based on the qualifications of each of the Trusts Trustees and officers, the risk management practices adopted by the Board, including a regular review of several compliance and operational reports, and the committee structure adopted by the Board, the Trust believes that its leadership is appropriate.
D. | Trustee Ownership of Shares of the Fund and of the Fund Complex |
The following table provides information regarding shares of the Fund and other portfolios of the Trust owned by each Trustee as of December 31, 2021.
Trustee |
Dollar Range of the Funds Shares |
Aggregate
Dollar Range of Shares of All Series Within the Trust(1) | ||
Interested Trustee | ||||
David James | None | $1 - $10,000 | ||
Independent Trustees | ||||
Walter B. Grimm | $10,001 - $50,000 | $50,001 - $100,000 | ||
Lori Kaiser | None | None | ||
Janet Smith Meeks | None | None | ||
Mary Madick | None | None |
(1) | The Trust currently consists of 14 series. |
Set forth below is the annual compensation paid to the Independent Trustees and by the Trust on an aggregate basis. No Interested Trustee or officer receives compensation from the Trust although all Trustee and officer travel expenses incurred to attend Board and committee meetings are reimbursed. Trustees fees and Trustee and officer reimbursable travel expenses are Trust expenses and the Fund incurs its share of such expenses, which are allocated among the Funds in such manner as the Trustees determine to be fair and equitable. None of the Trustees receive pension or retirement benefits for his or her services to the Trust.
Trustee |
Compensation
from the Fund |
2021
Total Compensation From Trust | ||
Interested Trustee | ||||
David James | None | None | ||
Independent Trustees | ||||
Walter B. Grimm* | $3,000 | $37,000 | ||
Lori Kaiser* | $3,000 | $37,000 | ||
Janet Smith-Meeks* | $3,000 | $37,000 | ||
Mary Madick* | $3,000 | $37,000 |
* | Annual compensation for 2021. |
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CONTROL PERSONS AND PRINCIPAL HOLDERS OF SECURITIES
As of December 5, 2022, the Trustees and officers of the Trust in the aggregate owned less than 1% of the outstanding shares of the Fund and each Fund class.
As of December 5, 2022, certain shareholders of record owned 5% or more of a Fund class. These shareholders and any shareholder known by the Fund to own 5% or more of the Fund class are listed in the table below. Unless otherwise indicated below, the Trust has no knowledge as to whether all or any portion of the shares owned of record are also owned beneficially by any particular investor.
Preserver Alternative Opportunities Fund
5% Shareholders | Name and Address | Shares | % of Class | |||
Institutional Shares | CHARLES SCHWAB & CO INC SPECIAL CUSTODY A C FBO CUSTOMERS ATTN
MUTUAL FUNDS |
477,113.9630 | 32.77%
| |||
SEI
PRIVATE TRUST COMPANY C/O FIRST HORIZON ID 683 1 FREEDOM VALLEY DRIVE OAKS, PA 19456 |
93,090.9980 | 6.39% | ||||
TYRONE
A. BURROUGHS 2784 CALKING CREEK COVE GERMANTOWN, TN 38139 |
93,708.0210 | 6.44% | ||||
THE
ART OF LIVING COMMUNITY & SUPPORT SERVICES LLC 3548 DUKE CENTER WAY PEACHTREE CORNERS, GA 30092 |
78,828.1560 | 5.41% |
From time to time, certain shareholders may own a large percentage of the shares of the Fund. Accordingly, those shareholders may be able to greatly affect (if not determine) the outcome of a shareholder vote. As of December 5, 2022, the shareholders listed in the table below may be deemed to control the Fund. Control for this purpose is the ownership of more than 25% or more of the Funds voting securities. The beneficial ownership, either directly or indirectly, of 25% or more of the voting securities of a fund creates a presumption of control of a fund, under Section 2(a) (9) of the 1940 Act. As a controlling shareholder, each of these persons could control the outcome of any proposal submitted to the shareholders for approval, including changes to the Funds fundamental policies or the terms of the management agreement with the Adviser. To the best knowledge of the Trust, the names and addresses of the record and beneficial holders of 25% or more of the outstanding shares of the Funds voting securities and the percentage of the outstanding shares held by such holders, as of December 5, 2022, is set forth below. Unless otherwise indicated below, the Trust has no knowledge as to whether all or any portion of the shares owned of record are also owned beneficially by any particular investor.
Name and Address | Shares | % of Fund | |||
CHARLES
SCHWAB & CO INC SPECIAL CUSTODY A C FBO CUSTOMERS ATTN MUTUAL FUNDS 211 MAIN ST SAN FRANCISCO, CA 94105 |
477,113.9630 | 32.77% |
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PORTFOLIO TURNOVER
The Funds portfolio turnover rate is calculated by dividing the lesser of long-term purchases or sales of portfolio securities for the fiscal year by the monthly average of the value of the portfolio securities owned by the Fund during the fiscal year. The Funds portfolio turnover rate for the fiscal years ended August 31, 2022 and 2021, was 81% and 91%, respectively, of the average value of its portfolio. Although the Funds annual portfolio turnover rate cannot be accurately predicted, the Adviser anticipates that the Funds portfolio turnover rate normally will be below 100%. A 100% turnover rate would occur if all of the Funds portfolio securities were replaced once within a one year period. High turnover involves correspondingly greater commission expenses and transaction costs, which will be borne directly by the Fund, and may result in the Fund recognizing greater amounts of income and capital gains, which would increase the amount of income and capital gains which the Fund must distribute to shareholders in order to maintain its status as a regulated investment company and to avoid the imposition of federal income or excise taxes (see Taxes).
The Fund does not intend to use short-term trading as a primary means of achieving its investment objectives. Generally, the Fund intends to invest for long-term purposes. However, the rate of portfolio turnover will depend upon market and other conditions, and it will not be a limiting factor when the Adviser believes that portfolio changes are appropriate.
ANTI-MONEY LAUNDERING COMPLIANCE PROGRAM
Customer identification and verification is part of the Funds overall obligation to prevent money laundering under federal law. The Trust has, on behalf of the Fund, adopted an anti-money laundering compliance program designed to prevent the Fund from being used for money laundering or financing of terrorist activities (the AML Compliance Program). The Trust has delegated the responsibility to implement the AML Compliance Program to the Funds transfer agent, Ultimus Fund Solutions, LLC, subject to oversight by the CCO and, ultimately, by the Board.
When you open an account with the Fund, the transfer agent will request that you provide your name, physical address, date of birth, Social Security number or tax identification number. You may also be asked for other information that, in the transfer agents discretion, will allow the Fund to verify your identity. Entities are also required to provide additional documentation. This information will be verified to confirm the identity of all persons opening an account with the Fund. The Fund reserves the right to (1) refuse, cancel or rescind any purchase order, (2) freeze any account and/or suspend account activities, or (3) involuntarily redeem your account in cases of threatening conduct or suspected fraudulent or illegal activity. These actions will be taken upon authorization of the Trusts anti-money laundering officer if they are deemed to be in the best interest of the Fund, or in cases where the Fund is requested or compelled to do so by governmental or law enforcement authority.
PORTFOLIO TRANSACTIONS AND BROKERAGE
Subject to policies established by the Board, the Adviser is responsible for the Funds portfolio decisions and placing the Funds portfolio transactions. In placing portfolio transactions, the Adviser seeks the best qualitative execution for the Fund, taking into account such factors as price (including the applicable brokerage commission or dealer spread), the execution capability, financial responsibility and responsiveness of the broker or dealer and the brokerage and research services provided by the broker or dealer. The Adviser generally seeks favorable prices and commission rates that are reasonable in relation to the benefits received.
The Adviser is specifically authorized to select brokers or dealers to provide brokerage and research services to the Fund and/or the other accounts over which it exercises investment discretion and to pay such brokers or dealers a commission in excess of the commission another broker or dealer would charge if it determines in good faith that the commission is reasonable in relation to the value of the brokerage and research services provided. The determination may be viewed in terms of a particular transaction, or the Advisers overall responsibilities with respect to the Fund and to other accounts over which it exercises investment discretion.
Research services include securities and economic analyses, statistical services and information with respect to the availability of securities or purchasers or sellers of securities and analyses of reports concerning performance of accounts. The research services and other information furnished by brokers through whom the Fund effects securities transactions may also be used by the Adviser in servicing all of its accounts. Similarly, research and information
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provided by brokers or dealers serving other clients may be useful to the Adviser in connection with its services to the Fund.
Purchases and sales of equity securities traded on an exchange are typically executed through broker-dealers that charge a commission. Commission rates are negotiable. Over-the-counter equity transactions will be placed either directly with principal market makers or with broker-dealers, if the same or a better price, including commissions and executions, is available. Fixed income securities are normally purchased directly from the issuer, an underwriter or a market maker. Purchases include a concession paid by the issuer to the underwriter and the purchase price paid to a market maker may include the spread between the bid and ask prices.
For the fiscal years indicated below, the Adviser directed the following amounts in brokerage transactions to brokers, of which none of these commissions were directed to brokers on the basis of research services and none were paid to affiliates:
Fiscal Period Ended | Brokerage Commissions |
August 31, 2022 | $6,594 |
August 31, 2021 | $4,294 |
August 31, 2020 | $6,404 |
The Fund did not own any securities of the regular broker/dealers of the Trust as of the fiscal year ended August 31, 2022.
CODE OF ETHICS
The Trust, the Adviser and the Funds principal underwriter have each adopted a Code of Ethics (the Codes) pursuant to Rule 17j-1 of the 1940 Act and the Advisers Code of Ethics also conforms to Rule 204A-1 under the Investment Advisers Act of 1940, as amended. The personnel subject to the Codes are permitted to invest in securities, including securities that may be purchased or held by the Fund. You may obtain copies of the Codes from the Trust, free of charge, by calling Shareholder Services at (844) 838-2119.
DISCLOSURE OF PORTFOLIO HOLDINGS
The Fund is required to include a schedule of portfolio holdings in its annual and semi-annual reports to shareholders, which is sent to shareholders within 60 days of the end of the second and fourth fiscal quarters and filed with the SEC on Form N-CSR within 70 days of the end of the second and fourth fiscal quarters. The Fund also is required to file a schedule of portfolio holdings with the SEC as an exhibit to Form N-PORT within 60 days of the end of the first and third fiscal quarters. The Fund must provide a copy of the complete schedule of portfolio holdings as filed with the SEC to any shareholder of the Fund, upon request, free of charge.
The Fund may post its top ten portfolio positions, portfolio positions that are representative of its alternative investment strategies and long-only strategy, or certain other portfolio characteristics such as sector or geographic weightings as of each month end on its website at www.preserverfunds.com within 30 days of that month end.
The Fund releases portfolio holdings to third party servicing agents on a daily basis in order for those parties to perform their duties on behalf of the Fund. These third-party servicing agents include the Adviser, Distributor, Transfer Agent, fund accountant, administrator and Custodian. The Fund also may disclose portfolio holdings, as needed, to auditors, legal counsel, proxy voting services (if applicable), printers, pricing services, parties to merger and reorganization agreements with the Fund and their agents, and prospective or newly hired third party servicing agents. The lag between the date of the information and the date on which the information is disclosed will vary based on the identity of the party to whom the information is disclosed. For instance, the information may be provided to auditors within days of the end of an annual period, while the information may be given to legal counsel or prospective third party servicing agents without any time lag. This information is disclosed to all such third parties under conditions of confidentiality. Conditions of confidentiality include (1) confidentiality clauses in written agreements, (2) confidentiality implied by the nature of the relationship (e.g., attorney-client relationship), (3) confidentiality required by fiduciary or regulatory principles (e.g., custody relationships), or (4) understandings or expectations between the parties that the information will be kept confidential. Third party servicing agents generally are subject to an independent obligation not to trade on confidential information under their code of ethics and/or as a result of common
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law precedents; however, the Trust does not require an independent confirmation from the third parties that they will not trade on the confidential information.
Additionally, the Fund may enter into ongoing arrangements to release portfolio holdings to Morningstar, Inc., Lipper, Inc., Bloomberg, Standard & Poors, Thompson Financial and Vickers-Stock (Rating Agencies) in order for those organizations to assign a rating or ranking to the Fund. In these instances, portfolio holdings as of a month end will be supplied within approximately 25 days after that month end. The Rating Agencies may make the Funds top portfolio holdings and other portfolio characteristics available on their websites and may make the Funds complete portfolio holdings available to their subscribers for a fee. Neither the Fund, the Adviser, nor any of their affiliates receives any portion of this fee. Information released to Rating Agencies is not released under conditions of confidentiality nor is it subject to prohibitions on trading based on the information. Prior to disclosing portfolio holdings information to Rating Agencies, the CCO must find that: (1) the Fund has a legitimate business purpose for releasing the information in advance of release to all shareholders or the general public; and (2) the disclosure is in the best interests of shareholders.
Upon approval of the CCO, the Fund may also disclose portfolio information pursuant to regulatory request, court order or other legal proceeding.
The Trustees have adopted Portfolio Holdings Disclosure Policies (Disclosure Policies) detailing the circumstances under which the Funds portfolio holdings may be disclosed to third parties. The Disclosure Policies permit the Fund to adopt its own portfolio holdings disclosure policies, as set forth herein, that are consistent with the Disclosure Policies (Fund Policies). Prior to approving the Disclosure Policies and the Fund Policies, the Trustees considered the circumstances under which the Fund may disclosure its portfolio holdings as well as conflicts of interest between the Funds shareholders and the Adviser, the Distributor, or any affiliated person of the Fund, the Adviser or the Distributor resulting from such disclosures (Conflicts), and determined that the disclosure of portfolio holdings information under such circumstances were in the best interests of the Fund.
Except as described above, the Fund is prohibited from entering into any arrangements with any person to make available information about the Funds portfolio holdings without the prior authorization of the CCO and the specific approval of the Board. The Adviser must submit any proposed arrangement pursuant to which it intends to disclose the Funds portfolio holdings to the CCO, who will review such arrangement and any Conflicts to determine whether the arrangement is in the best interests of Fund shareholders. Additionally, the Adviser and any of its affiliated persons are prohibited from receiving compensation or other consideration, for themselves or on behalf of the Fund, as a result of disclosing the Funds portfolio holdings. Finally, the Fund will not disclose portfolio holdings as described above to third parties that the Fund knows will use the information for personal securities transactions.
To oversee the Disclosure Policies and the Fund Policies, the Trustees consider reports and recommendations by the CCO regarding the adequacy and implementation of the compliance programs of the Trust and its service procedures adopted pursuant to Rule 38a-1 under the 1940 Act. The Trustees reserves the right to amend the Disclosure Policies at any time without prior notice to shareholders in its sole discretion.
DETERMINATION OF NET ASSET VALUE
You may purchase or redeem shares of the Fund class at the NAV of those shares next calculated after the Transfer Agent receives your request in proper form, plus (or minus, in the case of a redemption) any applicable sales charge. For information concerning the purchase and redemption of Fund shares, see How to Buy Shares and How to Redeem Shares in the Funds Prospectus. For a description of the methods used to determine the share price and value of the Funds assets, see Determination of Net Asset Value in the Funds Prospectus and in this SAI.
The Fund may authorize one or more brokers and other intermediaries to receive, on its behalf, purchase and redemption orders. Such brokers would be permitted to designate other intermediaries to receive purchase and redemption orders on behalf of the Fund. The Fund will be deemed to have received a purchase or redemption order when an authorized broker or, if applicable, a brokers authorized designee, receives the order. Customer orders will be priced at the Fund class NAV next computed, plus (or minus, in the case of a redemption), after the orders are received by an authorized broker or such brokers authorized designee, and accepted by the Fund.
The price (NAV) of the shares of the Fund class is determined as of the close of trading on the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE), which is normally 4:00 p.m., Eastern time on each day the Trust is open for business. The Trust
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is open for business on every day on which the NYSE is open for trading. The NYSE is closed on Saturdays, Sundays and the following holidays: New Years Day, Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, Presidents Day, Good Friday, Memorial Day, Juneteenth National Independence Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving and Christmas.
An exchange-traded equity security (including an exchange traded fund) is generally valued by a pricing service at the last quoted sale price provided by market in which the security principally trades. Securities traded in the NASDAQ over-the-counter market are generally valued by the pricing service at the NASDAQ Official Closing Price. If, on a particular day, an exchange-traded or NASDAQ security does not trade, then the mean between the most recent quoted bid and asked prices will be used. All equity securities that are not traded on a listed exchange are valued at the last sale price in the over-the-counter market. If a non-exchange traded security does not trade on a particular day, then the mean between the last quoted closing bid and asked price will be used. Debt securities are valued by using the mean between the closing bid and ask prices provided by a pricing service. If the closing bid and asked prices are not readily available, the pricing service may provide a price determined by a matrix pricing method. Matrix pricing is a mathematical technique used to value fixed income securities without relying exclusively on quoted prices. Matrix pricing takes into consideration recent transactions, yield, liquidity, risk, credit quality, coupon, maturity, type of issue and any other factors or market data the pricing service deems relevant for the actual security being priced and for other securities with similar characteristics. Any discount or premium is accreted or amortized on a straight-line basis until maturity. Shares of mutual funds are valued at the NAVs of such companies for purchase and/or redemption orders placed on that day.
Foreign securities are priced in their local currencies as of the close of their primary exchange or market or as of the close of the NYSE, whichever is earlier. Foreign securities, currencies and other assets denominated in foreign currencies are then translated into U.S. dollars using the applicable currency exchange rates as of the close of the NYSE as provided by a pricing service. Trading in foreign securities generally is completed, and the values of such securities are determined, prior to the close of securities markets in the U.S. Foreign exchange rates are also determined prior to such close. On occasion, the values of securities and exchange rates may be affected by events occurring between the times as of which determination of such values or exchange rates are made and the time as of which the NAV of each Fund class is determined. When such events materially affect the values of securities held by the Fund or its liabilities, such securities and liabilities may be valued at fair value as determined in good faith in accordance with procedures approved by the Funds Board.
When market quotations are not readily available, when the Adviser determines that the price provided by the pricing service does not accurately reflect the current market value, or when restricted or illiquid securities are being valued, such securities are valued at a fair value as determined in good faith according to procedures established by and subject to review by the Board. The Board annually approves the pricing services used by the fund accounting agent. When-issued or TBA debt securities are debt securities traded prior to the time they are issued. If the pricing service does not provide a price for these securities they will be valued at fair value consistent with the Trusts valuation procedures. Fair valued securities held by the Fund (if any) are reviewed by the Trusts Valuation Committee on a quarterly basis.
The NAV per share of each Fund class is determined by taking the market value of that Fund class total assets (including interest and dividends accrued but not yet received), subtracting the class liabilities (including accrued expenses), and then dividing the result (net assets) by the number of outstanding shares of the Fund class at such time. Fund shares are offered for purchase at its NAV per Share which is calculated as follows:
NAV Per Share | = | Net Assets |
Shares Outstanding |
REDEMPTION IN KIND
The Fund intends to redeem shares in cash. However, if the amount you are redeeming is over the lesser of $250,000 or 1% of the Funds NAV, pursuant to an election filed by the Trust under Rule 18f-1 of the 1940 Act, the Fund has the right to redeem your shares by giving you the amount that exceeds the lesser of $250,000 or 1% of the Funds NAV in securities instead of cash, which is referred to as a redemption in kind. In the event that a redemption in kind is made, a shareholder may incur additional expenses, such as the payment of brokerage commissions, on the sale or other disposition of the securities received from the Fund.
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Redemptions in kind will be made only under extraordinary circumstances and if the Fund deems it advisable for the benefit of all shareholders, such as a very large redemption that could affect Fund operations (for example, more than 1% of the Funds net assets). A redemption in kind will consist of securities equal in market value to the Fund shares being redeemed, using the same valuation procedures that the Fund uses to compute its NAV. Pursuant to procedures adopted by the Board, redemption in kind transactions will typically be made by delivering readily marketable securities to the redeeming shareholder within 7 days after the Funds receipt of the redemption order in proper form. Marketable securities are assets that are regularly traded or where updated price quotations are available. Illiquid securities are investments that the Fund reasonably expects cannot be sold or disposed of in current market conditions in seven calendar days or less without the sale or disposition significantly changing the market value of the investment. Certain illiquid securities may be valued using estimated prices from one of the Trusts approved pricing agents. If the Fund redeems your shares in kind, it will value the securities pursuant to the policies and procedures adopted by the Board. You will bear the market risks associated with maintaining or selling the securities that are transferred as redemption proceeds. In addition, when you sell these securities, you will pay taxes and brokerage charges associated with selling the securities.
STATUS AND TAXATION OF THE FUND
The Fund was organized as a series of a business trust, and intends to qualify for treatment as a regulated investment company (RIC) under the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the Code) in each taxable year. There can be no assurance that it actually will so qualify. If the Fund qualifies as a RIC, its taxable dividend and capital gain distributions generally are subject only to a single level of taxation, to the shareholders. This differs from distributions of a regular business corporation which, in general, are taxed first as taxable income of the distributing corporation, and then again as dividend income of the shareholder.
If the Fund does qualify as a RIC but (in a particular calendar year) distributes less than 98% of its ordinary income and 98.2% of its capital gain net income (as the Code defines each such term), the Fund is subject to an excise tax. The excise tax, if applicable, is 4% of the excess of the amount required to have been distributed over the amount actually distributed for the applicable year. If the Fund does not qualify as a RIC, its income will be subject to taxation as a regular business corporation, without reduction by dividends paid to shareholders of the Fund. In such event, dividend distributions would be taxable to shareholders to the extent of the applicable Funds earnings and profits, and would be eligible for the dividends-received deduction for corporations.
To continue to qualify for treatment as a RIC under Subchapter M of the Code, the Fund must, among other requirements:
● | Derive at least 90% of its gross income each taxable year from (collectively, Qualifying Income): (1) dividends, interest, payments with respect to securities loans, gains from the sale or other disposition of stock or securities or foreign currencies, and certain other income (including gains from options, futures, or forward contracts derived with respect to the RICs business of investing in stock securities, or foreign currencies) ); and (2) net income from a qualified publicly traded partnership (the Income Requirement). A qualified publicly traded partnership (QPTP) is defined as a publicly traded partnership (generally, a partnership the interests in which are traded on an established securities market or are readily tradable on a secondary market (or the substantial equivalent thereof)) that derives less than 90% of its gross income from income described in clause (1); (the Income Requirement); | |
● | Diversify its assets so that at the close of each quarter of its taxable year: (1) at least 50% of the value of its total assets must consist of cash and cash items, government securities, securities of other registered investment companies, and securities of other issuers, with these other securities limited, in respect of any one issuer, to an amount that does not exceed 5% of the value of the Funds total assets and that does not represent more than 10% of the issuers outstanding voting securities (equity securities of a QPTP being considered voting securities for these purposes); and (2) no more than 25% of the value of its total assets may be invested in (a) the securities of any one issuer (other than government securities and securities of other RICs, (b) the securities (other than securities of other RICs) of two or more issuers that the Fund controls and that are engaged in the same, similar, or related trades or businesses, or (c) the securities of one or more QPTPs (the Asset Diversification Requirement); and | |
● | Distribute annually to its shareholders at least 90% of its investment company taxable income (generally, taxable net investment income less net capital gain) (the Distribution Requirement). |
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Pursuant to the Regulated Investment Company Modernization Act of 2010 (the Modernization Act), if the Fund fails the Income Requirement test for a taxable year, it will nevertheless be considered to have satisfied the test for such year if (1) the Fund satisfies certain procedural requirements and (2) the Funds failure to satisfy the gross income test is due to reasonable cause and not due to willful neglect. However, in such case, a tax is imposed on the Fund for the taxable year in which, absent the application of this provision, it would have failed the gross income test equal to the amount by which (1) the Funds non-qualifying gross income exceeds (2) one-ninth of the Funds qualifying gross income, each as determined for purposes of applying the gross income test for such year.
Also pursuant to the Modernization Act, if the Fund fails the Asset Diversification Requirement as of the end of a quarter, it will nevertheless be considered to have satisfied the test as of the end of such quarter in the following circumstances. If the Funds failure to satisfy the Asset Diversification Requirement at the end of the quarter is due to the ownership of assets the total value of which does not exceed the lesser of (1) one percent of the total value of the Funds assets at the end of such quarter and (2) $10,000,000 (a de minimis failure), the Fund will be considered to have satisfied the Asset Diversification Requirement as of the end of such quarter if, within six months of the last day of the quarter in which the Fund identifies that it failed the Asset Diversification Requirement (or such other prescribed time period), the Fund either disposes of assets in order to satisfy the Asset Diversification Rest, or otherwise satisfies the Asset Diversification Requirement.
In the case of a failure to satisfy the Asset Diversification Requirement at the end of a quarter in a case that does not constitute a de minimis failure, the Fund will nevertheless be considered to have satisfied the Asset Diversification Requirement as of the end of such quarter if (1) the Fund satisfies certain procedural requirements; (2) the Funds failure to satisfy the Asset Diversification Requirement is due to reasonable cause and not due to willful neglect; and (3) within six months of the last day of the quarter in which the Fund identifies that it failed the Asset Diversification Requirement (or such other prescribed time period), the Fund either disposes of assets in order to satisfy the Asset Diversification Requirement, or otherwise satisfies the Asset Diversification Requirement. However, in this case, a tax is imposed on the Fund, at the current rate of 35%, on the net income generated by the assets that caused the Fund to fail the Asset Diversification Requirement during the period for which the Asset Diversification Requirement was not met. However, in all events, such tax will not be less than $50,000.
The Fund intends to distribute net investment income on a quarterly basis. Net investment income distributed by the Fund generally will consist of interest income, if any, and dividends received on investments, less expenses. Generally, you are not subject to Federal income tax on the Funds distributions of its tax-exempt interest income other than the AMT.
The Funds distributions of taxable interest, other investment income and short-term capital gain, whether or not reinvested, are taxable to you as ordinary income, except as described below.
The Fund will normally distribute net realized capital gains, if any, to its shareholders once a year. Capital gains are generated when the Fund sells its capital assets for a profit. Capital gains are taxed differently depending on how long the Fund has held the capital asset sold. The Funds taxable distributions, whether received in cash or reinvested in additional shares of the Fund, may be subject to federal income tax. Distributions of gains recognized on the sale of capital assets held for one year or less are taxed at ordinary income rates for Federal income tax purposes; distributions of gains recognized on the sale of capital assets held longer than one year are taxed at long-term capital gains rates for Federal income tax purposes regardless of how long you have held your shares. If the Fund distributes an amount exceeding its income and gains, this excess will generally be treated as a non-taxable return of capital.
Taxable Fund distributions received by your qualified retirement plan, such as a 401(k) plan or IRA, are generally tax-deferred; this means that you are not required to report Fund distributions on your income tax return when paid to your plan, but, rather, when your plan makes payments to you or your beneficiary. Special rules apply to payouts from Roth and Education IRAs.
The portion of the taxable dividends the Fund pays (other than capital gain distributions and any dividends received from any REIT in which the Fund invests) that does not exceed the aggregate dividends it receives from U.S. corporations will be eligible for the dividends received deduction allowed to corporations; however, dividends received by a corporate shareholder and deducted by it pursuant to the dividends received deduction are subject indirectly to the AMT.
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A portion of the periodic returns distributed to the Fund by entities in which it invests may be attributable to return of capital. The Fund may pass through return of capital distributions received from these entities to its shareholders. The tax treatment of the Funds receipt of and distribution of return of capital to shareholders is as follows:
(1) | Return of capital received by the Fund from the entities in which it invests is a tax-deferred distribution. The distribution of return of capital to the Fund by an entity in which the Fund invests decreases the Funds basis in its investment in that entity. If the Fund sells its investment in that entity in excess of its basis therein, the Fund will incur a taxable gain that ultimately will be passed on to shareholders; |
(2) | Return of capital paid by the Fund to its shareholders is also a tax-deferred distribution. The distribution of return of capital to shareholders will decrease the basis of each shareholders investment in the Fund. If a shareholder sells its investment in the Fund in excess of its basis therein, the shareholder will incur a taxable gain. |
Since any payment of return of capital to the Fund by an entity in which it invests or by the Fund to a shareholder decreases the Funds basis of its investment in that entity and the shareholders basis in its investment in the Fund, respectively, the gain incurred by the Fund and the shareholder may be higher than if no return of capital had been paid.
If you are a non-retirement plan holder, the Fund will send you a Form 1099 each year that tells you the amount of distributions you received for the prior calendar year, the tax status of those distributions, and a list of reportable sale transactions. Generally, the Funds taxable distributions are taxable to you in the year you received them. However, any taxable dividends that are declared in October, November or December but paid in January are taxable as if received in December of the year they are declared. Investors should be careful to consider the tax consequences of buying shares shortly before a distribution. The price of shares purchased at that time may reflect the amount of the anticipated distribution. However, any such distribution will be taxable to the purchaser of the shares and may result in a decline in the share value by the amount of the distribution.
If shares of the Fund are sold at a loss after being held by a shareholder for six months or less, the loss will be treated as long-term, instead of a short-term, capital loss to the extent of any capital gain distributions received on such shares.
The Funds net realized capital gains from securities transactions will be distributed only after reducing such gains by the amount of any available capital loss carry forwards. Capital losses incurred generally may be carried forward to offset any capital gains.
Derivative Investments. When a put or call option purchased by the Fund expires unexercised, the premium it paid gives rise to short-term or long-term capital loss at the time of expiration (depending on the length of the exercise period for the option). When the Fund exercises a call option, the basis in the underlying security is increased by the amount of the premium it paid for the option. When the Fund exercises a put option, the gain (or loss) from the sale of the underlying security is decreased (or increased) by the premium it paid for the option. When a put or call option written by the Fund is exercised, the purchase price (or the selling price in the case of a call) of the underlying security is decreased (or increased in the case of a call) for tax purposes by the premium received.
Certain derivatives in which the Fund invests may be subject to Code section 1256 (Section 1256 contracts). Any Section 1256 contracts the Fund holds at the end of its taxable year (and generally for excise tax purposes on October 31 of each year) must be marked to market (that is, treated as having been sold at that time for their fair market value) for federal tax purposes, with the result that unrealized gains or losses will be treated as though they were realized. Sixty percent of any net gain or loss recognized on these deemed sales, and 60% of any net realized gain or loss from any actual sales of Section 1256 contracts, will be treated as long-term capital gain or loss, and the balance will be treated as short-term capital gain or loss; however, certain foreign currency gains or losses arising from Section 1256 contracts will be treated as ordinary income or loss. These rules may operate to increase the amount that the Fund must distribute to satisfy the Distribution Requirement (i.e., with respect to the portion treated as short-term capital gain, which will be includible in investment company taxable income and thus taxable to its shareholders as ordinary income when distributed to them), and to increase the net capital gain the Fund recognizes, even though the Fund may not have closed the transactions and received cash to pay the distributions. The Fund may elect not to have the foregoing rules apply to any mixed straddle (that is, a straddle, which the Fund clearly identifies in accordance with applicable regulations, at least one (but not all) of the positions of which are Section 1256 contracts), although
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doing so may have the effect of increasing the relative proportion of short-term capital gain (distributions of which are taxable to its shareholders as ordinary income) and thus increasing the amount of dividends it must distribute.
Any option, futures contract, forward contract or other position entered into or held by the Fund in conjunction with any other position it holds may constitute a straddle for federal income tax purposes. In general, straddles are subject to certain rules that may affect the amount, character, and timing of the Funds gains and losses with respect to the straddle positions by requiring, among other things, that (1) any loss realized on disposition of one position of a straddle may not be recognized to the extent that the Fund has unrealized gains with respect to the other positions in the straddle, (2) the Funds holding period in straddle positions be suspended while the straddle exists (possibly resulting in a gain being treated as short-term rather than long-term capital gain), (3) the losses recognized with respect to certain straddle positions that are part of a mixed straddle and are non-Section 1256 contracts be treated as 60% long-term and 40% short-term capital loss, and (4) losses recognized with respect to certain straddle positions that would otherwise constitute short-term capital losses be treated as long-term capital losses. In addition, the deduction of interest and carrying charges attributable to certain straddle positions may be deferred. Various elections are available to the Fund, which may mitigate the effects of the straddle rules, particularly with respect to mixed straddles. In general, the straddle rules described above do not apply to any straddles held by the Fund if all of the offsetting positions consist of Section 1256 contracts.
Foreign Investments. Gains or losses attributable to fluctuations in exchange rates that occur between the time that the Fund accrues interest, dividends or other receivables or accrues expenses or other liabilities denominated in a foreign currency and the time that the Fund actually collects such receivables or pays such liabilities are treated as ordinary income or ordinary losses. Similarly, gains or losses from the disposition of a foreign currency, or from the disposition of a fixed-income security or a forward contract denominated in a foreign currency that are attributable to fluctuations in the value of the foreign currency between the date of acquisition of the asset and the date of its disposition, also are treated as ordinary income or ordinary losses. These gains or losses increase or decrease the amount of the Funds investment company taxable income available to be distributed to its shareholders as ordinary income, rather than increasing or decreasing the amount of its net capital gain.
If the Fund owns shares in a foreign corporation that constitutes a passive foreign investment company for federal tax purposes (a PFIC) and the Fund does not make either of the elections described in the next two paragraphs, it will be subject to federal income taxation on a portion of any excess distribution it receives from the PFIC or any gain it derives from the disposition of such shares, even if it distributes such income as a taxable dividend to its shareholders. The Fund may also be subject to additional interest charges in respect of deferred taxes arising from such distributions or gains. Any tax paid by the Fund as a result of its ownership of shares in a PFIC will not give rise to any deduction or credit to the Fund or to any shareholder. A PFIC is any foreign corporation (with certain exceptions) that, in general, meets either of the following tests for the taxable year: (1) at least 75% of its gross income is derived from passive income (including interest and dividends) or (2) an average of at least 50% of the value (or adjusted tax basis, if elected) of its assets produce, or are held for the production of, passive income. The Funds distributions of income from any PFICs will not be eligible for the 15% and 20% maximum federal income tax rates on individual shareholders qualified dividend income described in the Prospectus.
The Fund could elect to mark to market its stock in a PFIC. Under such an election, the Fund would include in gross income (and treat as ordinary income) each taxable year an amount equal to the excess, if any, of the fair market value of the PFIC stock as of the close of the taxable year over the Funds adjusted basis in the PFIC stock. The Fund would be allowed a deduction for the excess, if any, of that adjusted basis over that fair market value, but only to the extent of any net mark-to-market gains included by the Fund for prior taxable years. The Funds adjusted basis in the PFIC stock would be adjusted to reflect the amounts included in, or deducted from, income under this election. Amounts so included, as well as gain realized on the disposition of the PFIC stock, would be treated as ordinary income. The deductible portion of any mark-to-market loss, as well as loss realized on the disposition of the PFIC stock to the extent that such loss does not exceed the net mark-to-market gains previously included by the Fund, would be treated as ordinary loss. The Fund generally would not be subject to the deferred tax and interest charge provisions discussed above with respect to PFIC stock for which a mark-to-market election has been made.
If the Fund purchases shares in a PFIC and elects to treat the PFIC as a qualified electing fund, the Fund would be required to include in its income each taxable year its pro rata share of the ordinary income and net capital gains of the PFIC, even if the income and gains were not distributed to the Fund. Any such income would be subject to the Distribution Requirement and the calendar year excise tax distribution requirement described above. In most instances
47
it will be very difficult, if not impossible, to make this election because some of the information required to make this election may not be easily obtainable.
Investors should be aware that the Fund may not be able, at the time it acquires a foreign corporations shares, to ascertain whether the corporation is a PFIC and that a foreign corporation may become a PFIC after the Fund acquires shares therein. While the Fund generally will seek not to invest in PFIC shares to avoid the tax consequences detailed above, there are no guarantees that it will be able to do so, and it reserves the right to make such investments as a matter of its investment policy.
Investment income received by the Fund from sources within foreign countries and U.S. possessions (collectively, foreign sources) and gains that the Fund realizes on the disposition of foreign securities may be subject to foreign income, withholding, or other taxes withheld at the source. The United States has entered into tax treaties with many foreign countries that may entitle the Fund to a reduced rate of such taxes or exemption from taxes on such income. It is impossible to know the effective rate of foreign tax in advance, since the amount of the Funds assets to be invested within various countries will vary.
LLC/LP Investments. The Fund may invest in LLCs and LPs that are classified for federal tax purposes as partnerships. An LLC or LP in which the Fund invests may be (1) a publicly traded partnership (that is, a partnership the interests in which are traded on an established securities market or readily tradable on a secondary market (or the substantial equivalent thereof)) (a PTP) or (2) a non-PTP at least 90% of the income of which satisfies the Income Requirement. Certain of those PTPs will be QPTPs.
If an LLC or LP in which the Fund invests is a QPTP, all its net income (regardless of source) would be qualifying income for the Fund under the Income Requirement. The Funds investment in QPTPs (including MLPs), together with certain other investments, however, may not exceed 25% of the value of its total assets in order to satisfy the Asset Diversification Requirement. In addition, if the Fund holds more than 10% of a QPTPs (including MLPs) equity securities, none of those securities will count toward its satisfying those requirements.
With respect to non-QPTPs, (1) if the LLC or LP is treated for federal tax purposes as a corporation, distributions from it to the Fund would likely be treated as qualified dividend income and disposition of the Funds interest therein would be gain from the disposition of a security, or (2) if the LLC or LP is not treated as a corporation, the Fund would be treated as having earned its proportionate share of each item of income the LLC or LP earned. In the latter case, the Fund would be able to treat its share of the entitys income as qualifying income under the Income Requirement only to the extent that income would be qualifying income if realized directly by the Fund in the same manner as realized by the LLC or LP.
Certain LLCs and LPs (e.g., private funds) in which the Fund invests may generate income and gains that are not qualifying income under the Income Requirement.
The foregoing is only a summary of some of the important federal income tax considerations affecting the Fund and its shareholders and is not intended as a substitute for careful tax planning.
Prospective investors should consult their own tax advisers for more detailed information regarding the above and for information regarding federal, state, local and foreign taxes.
CUSTODIAN
Huntington National Bank, 41 South High Street, Columbus, Ohio 43215, is custodian of the Funds investments. The custodian acts as the Funds depository, safekeeps the Funds portfolio securities, collects all income and other payments with respect thereto, disburses funds at the Funds request and maintains records in connection with its duties.
For its custodial services, the custodian receives a monthly fee from the Fund based on the market value of the assets under custody. The monthly fee is equal to an annual rate: of 0.0100% of the first $100 million of the Funds market value; 0.0075% of the Funds market value in excess of $100 million and of less than $200 million; and 0.0050% of the Funds market value in excess of $200 million (subject to minimum annual fees). The custodian also receives asset-based administration and safekeeping fees for securities custodied outside the U.S. as well as various transaction-based fees. The fees paid to the custodian by the Fund are subject to a $400 monthly minimum fee per Fund account.
48
TRANSFER AGENT, FUND ACCOUNTING AGENT, AND ADMINISTRATOR
Effective March 18, 2021, under the terms of a Mutual Fund Services Agreement between the Trust and Ultimus Fund Solutions, LLC (UFS), 225 Pictoria Drive, Suite 450, Cincinnati, Ohio 45246, UFS serves as Transfer Agent and shareholder services agent, fund accounting agent, and administrator for the Fund. Prior to March 18, 2021, Ultimus Asset Services, LLC (UAS), served as Transfer Agent, shareholder services agent, fund accounting agent and administrator for the Fund pursuant to the terms of a Mutual Fund Services Agreement with the Trust. UAS is a wholly-owned subsidiary of UFS.
As transfer agent and shareholder services agent, UFS maintains the records of each shareholders account, answers shareholders inquiries concerning their accounts, processes purchases and redemptions of the Funds shares, acts as dividend and distribution disbursing agent and performs other shareholder service functions. As fund accounting agent, UFS calculates the daily NAV per share and maintains the financial books and records of the Fund. As administrative services agent for the Trust, UFS supplies non-investment related administrative and compliance services for the Fund. UFS prepares tax returns, reports to shareholders, reports to and filings with the SEC and state securities commissions, and materials for meetings of the Board.
For its transfer agency services to the Fund, UFS receives a yearly fixed amount per shareholder account, subject to yearly minimum fees per portfolio and/or share class. UFS is also entitled to receive additional amounts that may be activity or time-based charges, account/transaction fees related to the administration of the Trusts Anti-Money Laundering Compliance Program plus reimbursement for out-of-pocket expenses. For its fund administration, fund accounting and compliance services to the Fund, UFS receives a monthly fee based, in part, on a sliding scale calculated according to the average daily net assets of the Fund (subject to minimum annual fees per Fund share class). In addition, the Fund pays UFSs out-of-pocket expenses including, but not limited to, literature fulfillment services; statement, confirmation and tax form production; record storage, telephone and mailing charges, bank fees; special reports; and edgarization fees.
The following table provides information regarding transfer agent, fund accounting, administrative and compliance services fees paid by the Fund during the fiscal periods indicated.
Fiscal Period Ended | Fees
Paid for Transfer Agent Services |
Fees
Paid for Accounting Services |
Fees
Paid for Administrative Services |
Fees
Paid for Compliance Services |
August 31, 2020 | $13,334 | $23,333 | $23,333 | $6,000 |
August 31, 2021 | $15,000 | $25,000 | $25,000 | $6,000 |
August 31, 2022 | $15,187 | $25,104 | $25,104 | $6,000 |
COMPLIANCE CONSULTING
Effective September 14, 2022, under the terms of a Compliance Consulting Agreement with the Trust, Northern Lights Compliance Services, LLC (NLCS) provides an individual with the requisite background and familiarity with the federal securities laws to serve as the Trusts CCO and to administer the Trusts compliance policies and procedures. For these services, the Fund pays NLCS a base fee per annum. In addition, the Fund reimburses NLCS for its reasonable out-of-pocket expenses relating to these compliance services. NLCSs principal address is 4221 North 203rd Street, Suite 100, Elkhorn, Nebraska 68022. Martin Dean currently serves as the Trusts Chief Compliance Officer. Prior to September 14, 2022, compliance consulting related fees were paid to UFS (or UAS for amounts paid prior to March 18, 2021) pursuant to the respective Mutual Fund Services Agreement, as detailed in the table immediately above.
INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM
The firm of Ernst & Young LLP, 221 East 4th Street, Suite 2900, Cincinnati, OH 45202 has been selected as the Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm for the Fund for its fiscal year ending August 31, 2023. Ernst & Young LLP provides audit services, tax return preparation and assistance, and audit-related services in connection with certain SEC filings.
49
DISTRIBUTOR
Pursuant to a Distribution Agreement between the Trust, on behalf of the Fund, the Adviser and Ultimus Fund Distributors, LLC (the Distributor), 225 Pictoria Drive, Suite 450, Cincinnati, Ohio 45246, the Distributor is the exclusive agent for distribution of shares of the Fund. The Distributor is a wholly owned subsidiary of Ultimus Fund Solutions, LLC. Certain officers of the Trust also are officers of the Distributor. As a result, such persons may be deemed to be affiliates of the Distributor.
Under the Distribution Agreement, the Distributor is obligated to sell the shares of the Fund on a best efforts basis. Shares of the Fund are offered to the public on a continuous basis.
Pursuant to the Distribution Agreement, the Distributor also agrees to (1) review all proposed advertising materials and sales literature for compliance with applicable laws and regulations, and file with appropriate regulators those advertising materials and sales literature it believes are in compliance with such laws and regulations; (2) enter into agreements with such qualified broker-dealers and other financial intermediaries (the Financial Intermediaries), as requested by the Fund in order that such Financial Intermediaries may sell shares of the Fund; (3) prepare reports for the Board regarding its activities under the agreement and payments made under the Funds Rule 12b-1 Distribution Plan as from time to time shall be reasonably requested by the Board; and (4) monitor amounts paid under Rule 12b-1 plans and pursuant to sales loads to ensure compliance with applicable FINRA rules. For these services, the Adviser pays the Distributor a basis point fee, subject to an annual minimum fee.
LEGAL COUNSEL
Practus, LLP, 11300 Tomahawk Creek Parkway, Suite 310, Leawood, Kansas 66211, is legal counsel to the Trust.
PROXY VOTING POLICIES
The Trust and the Adviser have adopted proxy voting policies and procedures reasonably designed to ensure that proxies are voted in shareholders best interests. As a brief summary, the Trusts policy delegates responsibility regarding proxy voting to the Adviser and for proxies to be voted in accordance with the Advisers proxy voting policy, subject to the supervision of the Board.
The Trusts policy provides that if a proxy proposal raises a material conflict of interest between the interests of the Adviser, the Trusts principal underwriter, or an affiliated person of the Fund, the Adviser, or a principal underwriter and that of the Fund (a Conflict), the Adviser shall resolve such conflict by: (1) voting the proxy consistent with a pre-determined voting policy for various types of proposals (Pre-Determined Voting Policy) if the Adviser has little or no discretion to deviate from such policy with respect to the proposal in question; or (2) disclosing the conflict to the Board and obtain the Boards consent to the proposed vote prior to voting on such proposal if the Adviser has discretion to deviate from its Pre-Determined Voting Policy or does not maintain a Pre-Determined Voting Policy. Under the policy, the Board may vote a proxy subject to a Conflict disclosed by the Adviser based on the recommendation of an independent third party.
The Advisers proxy voting policies and procedures state that all proxies are considered and voted on a case-by-case basis. In voting proxies on behalf of clients, the Adviser is guided by general fiduciary principles and its goal is to act prudently and solely in the best interest of its shareholders. The Adviser relies on its portfolio manager(s) to make the final decision on how to cast proxy votes consistent with the Advisers proxy voting procedures.
When exercising its voting responsibilities, the Adviser generally votes with management on governance matters that foster good corporate governance practices (e.g. the election of directors if a majority of the board of directors will continue to be comprised of independent directors). With respect to matters relating to capital structure, the Adviser will typically support any offer to repurchase shares and any proposal to increase authorized common shares or to issue a new class of securities if shareholder interests are not disadvantaged. The Adviser, however, will generally vote against: (1) equity compensation that it believes to be excessive or that significantly dilutes shareholder equity; (2) any proposal that limits shareholder rights; and (3) any proposal that discourages a takeover of a company.
Information regarding how the Fund voted proxies relating to portfolio securities during the most recent 12-month period ended June 30 is available (1) without charge, upon request, by calling Shareholder Services at (844) 838-2119 and (2) on the SECs website at http://www.sec.gov.
50
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
The audited financial statements of the Fund for the fiscal year ended August 31, 2022, and the report of Ernst & Young LLP, independent registered public accounting firm, including the financial highlights, are included in the Funds Annual Report to shareholders, and are incorporated by reference and made a part of this document. The Funds Annual Report to shareholders for the fiscal year ended August 31, 2022, has been previously sent to shareholders of the Fund pursuant to Section 30(d) of the 1940 Act and previously filed with the SEC. You can obtain a copy of the Annual Report without charge by calling Shareholder Services at (844) 838-2119 or upon written request to:
Ultimus Fund Solutions, LLC
P.O. Box 46707
Cincinnati, OH 45246-0707
51
APPENDIX A
DESCRIPTION OF SECURITIES RATINGS
Corporate Bonds (Including Convertible Bonds)
Moodys Investors Service, Inc.
Aaa | Bonds that are rated Aaa are judged to be of the best quality. They carry the smallest degree of investment risk and are generally referred to as gilt edged. Interest payments are protected by a large or by an exceptionally stable margin and principal is secure. While the various protective elements are likely to change, such changes as can be visualized are most unlikely to impair the fundamentally strong position of such issues. | |
Aa | Bonds that are rated Aa are judged to be of high quality by all standards. Together with the Aaa group they comprise what are generally known as high-grade bonds. They are rated lower than the best bonds because margins of protection may not be as large as in Aaa securities or fluctuation of protective elements may be of greater amplitude or there may be other elements present that make the long-term risk appear somewhat larger than the Aaa securities. | |
A | Bonds that are rated A possess many favorable investment attributes and are to be considered as upper-medium-grade obligations. Factors giving security to principal and interest are considered adequate, but elements may be present which suggest a susceptibility to impairment some time in the future. | |
Baa | Bonds that are rated Baa are considered as medium-grade obligations (i.e., they are neither highly protected nor poorly secured). Interest payments and principal security appear adequate for the present but certain protective elements may be lacking or may be characteristically unreliable over any great length of time. Such bonds lack outstanding investment characteristics and in fact have speculative characteristics as well. | |
Ba | Bonds that are rated Ba are judged to have speculative elements; their future cannot be considered as well assured. Often the protection of interest and principal payments may be very moderate, and thereby not well safeguarded during both good and bad times over the future. Uncertainty of position characterizes bonds in this class. | |
B | Bonds that are rated B generally lack characteristics of the desirable investment. Assurance of interest and principal payments or of maintenance of other terms of the contract over any long period of time may be small. | |
Caa | Bonds that are rated Caa are of poor standing. Such issues may be in default or there may be present elements of danger with respect to principal or interest. | |
Ca | Ca Bonds that are rated Ca represent obligations that are speculative in a high degree. Such issues are often in default or have other marked shortcomings. | |
C | Bonds which are rated C are the lowest rated class of bonds, and issues so rated can be regarded as having extremely poor prospects of ever attaining any real investment standing. | |
Note | Moodys applies numerical modifiers 1, 2, and 3 in each generic rating classification from Aa through Caa. The modifier 1 indicates that the obligation ranks in the higher end of its generic rating category; the modifier 2 indicates a mid-range ranking; and the modifier 3 indicates a ranking in the lower end of that generic rating category. |
A - 1
Standard & Poors Ratings Services
AAA | An obligation rated AAA has the highest rating assigned by S&P. The obligors 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 small degree. The obligors 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 obligors 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. | |
Note | 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, large uncertainties or major exposures to adverse conditions may outweigh these. | |
BB | An obligation rated BB is less vulnerable to nonpayment than other speculative issues. However, it faces major ongoing uncertainties or exposure to adverse business, financial, or economic conditions that could lead to the obligors inadequate capacity to meet its financial commitment on the obligation. | |
B | An obligation rated B is more vulnerable to nonpayment than obligations rated BB, but the obligor currently has the capacity to meet its financial commitment on the obligation. Adverse business, financial, or economic conditions will likely impair the obligors capacity or willingness to meet its financial commitment on the obligation. | |
CCC | An obligation rated CCC is currently vulnerable to nonpayment, and is dependent upon favorable business, financial, and economic conditions for the obligor to meet its financial commitment on the obligation. In the event of adverse business, financial, or economic conditions, the obligor is not likely to have the capacity to meet its financial commitment on the obligation. | |
CC | An obligation rated CC is currently highly vulnerable to nonpayment. | |
C | The C rating may be used to cover a situation where a bankruptcy petition has been filed or similar action has been taken, but payments on this obligation are being continued. | |
D | An obligation rated D is in payment default. The D rating category is used when payments on an obligation are not made on the date due even if the applicable grace period has not expired, unless S&P believes that such payments will be made during such grace period. The D rating also will be used upon the filing of a bankruptcy petition or the taking of a similar action if payments on an obligation are jeopardized. | |
Note | Plus (+) or minus (-). The ratings from AA to CCC may be modified by the addition of a plus or minus sign to show relative standing within the major rating categories. | |
The r symbol is attached to the ratings of instruments with significant noncredit risks. It highlights risks to principal or volatility of expected returns that are not addressed in the credit rating. Examples include: obligations linked or indexed to equities, currencies, or commodities; obligations exposed to severe prepayment risk-such as interest-only or principal-only mortgage securities; and obligations with unusually risky interest terms, such as inverse floaters. |
A - 2
Fitch Ratings
AAA | Highest credit quality. AAA ratings denote the lowest expectation of credit risk. They are assigned only in case of exceptionally strong capacity for timely payment of financial commitments. This capacity is highly unlikely to be adversely affected by foreseeable events. | |
AA | Very high credit quality. AA ratings denote a very low expectation of credit risk. They indicate very strong capacity for timely payment of financial commitments. This capacity is not significantly vulnerable to foreseeable events. | |
A | High credit quality. A ratings denote a low expectation of credit risk. The capacity for timely payment of financial commitments is considered strong. This capacity may, nevertheless, be more vulnerable to changes in circumstances or in economic conditions than is the case for higher ratings. | |
BBB | Good credit quality. BBB ratings indicate that there is currently a low expectation of credit risk. The capacity for timely payment of financial commitments is considered adequate, but adverse changes in circumstances and in economic conditions are more likely to impair this capacity. This is the lowest investment-grade category. | |
BB | Speculative. BB ratings indicate that there is a possibility of credit risk developing, particularly as the result of adverse economic change over time; however, business or financial alternatives may be available to allow financial commitments to be met. Securities rated in this category are not investment grade. | |
B | Highly speculative. B ratings indicate that significant credit risk is present, but a limited margin of safety remains. Financial commitments are currently being met; however, capacity for continued payment is contingent upon a sustained, favorable business and economic environment. | |
CCC, CC, C |
High default risk. Default is a real possibility. Capacity for meeting financial commitments is solely reliant upon sustained, favorable business or economic developments. A CC rating indicates that default of some kind appears probable. C ratings signal imminent default. | |
DDD, DD, D |
Default. Securities are not meeting current obligations and are extremely speculative. DDD designates the highest potential for recovery of amounts outstanding on any securities involved. For U.S. corporates, for example, DD indicates expected recovery of 50% – 90% of such outstanding amounts and D the lowest recovery potential, i.e. below 50%. |
Preferred Stock
Moodys Investors Service, Inc.
aaa | An issue that is rated aaa is considered to be a top-quality preferred stock. This rating indicates good asset protection and the least risk of dividend impairment within the universe of preferred stocks. | |
aa | An issue that is rated aa is considered a high-grade preferred stock. This rating indicates that there is a reasonable assurance the earnings and asset protection will remain relatively well maintained in the foreseeable future. | |
a | An issue which is rated a is considered to be an upper-medium grade preferred stock. While risks are judged to be somewhat greater than in the aaa and aa classification, earnings and asset protection are, nevertheless, expected to be maintained at adequate levels. | |
b | An issue that is rated b generally lacks the characteristics of a desirable investment. Assurance of dividend payments and maintenance of other terms of the issue over any long period of time may be small. | |
caa | An issue that is rated caa is likely to be in arrears on dividend payments. This rating designation does not purport to indicate the future status of payments. | |
ca | An issue that is rated ca is speculative in a high degree and is likely to be in arrears on dividends with little likelihood of eventual payments. |
A - 3
c | This is the lowest rated class of preferred or preference stock. Issues so rated can thus be regarded as having extremely poor prospects of ever attaining any real investment standing. | |
Note | Moodys applies numerical modifiers 1, 2, and 3 in each rating classification: 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 & Poors Ratings Services
AAA | This is the highest rating that may be assigned by S&P to a preferred stock issue and indicates an extremely strong capacity to pay the preferred stock obligations. | |
AA | A preferred stock issue rated AA also qualifies as a high-quality, fixed-income security. The capacity to pay preferred stock obligations is very strong, although not as overwhelming as for issues rated AAA. | |
A | An issue rated A is backed by a sound capacity to pay the preferred stock obligations, although it is somewhat more susceptible to the adverse effects of changes in circumstances and economic conditions. | |
BBB | An issue rated BBB is regarded as backed by an adequate capacity to pay the preferred stock obligations. Whereas it normally exhibits adequate protection parameters, adverse economic conditions or changing circumstances are more likely to lead to a weakened capacity to make payments for a preferred stock in this category than for issues in the A category. | |
BB,
B, CCC |
Preferred stock rated BB, B, and CCC is regarded, on balance, as predominantly speculative with respect to the issuers capacity to pay preferred stock obligations. BB indicates the lowest degree of speculation and CCC the highest. While such issues will likely have some quality and protective characteristics, large uncertainties or major risk exposures to adverse conditions outweigh these. | |
CC | The rating CC is reserved for a preferred stock issue that is in arrears on dividends or sinking fund payments, but that is currently paying. | |
C | A preferred stock rated C is a nonpaying issue. | |
D | A preferred stock rated D is a nonpaying issue with the issuer in default on debt instruments. | |
N.R. | This 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. | |
Note | Plus (+) or minus (-). To provide more detailed indications of preferred stock quality, ratings from AA to CCC may be modified by the addition of a plus or minus sign to show relative standing within the major rating categories. |
Short Term Ratings
Moodys Investors Service, Inc.
Moodys employs the following three designations, all judged to be investment grade, to indicate the relative repayment ability of rated issuers: | ||
Prime-1 | Issuers rated Prime-1 (or supporting institutions) have a superior ability for repayment of senior short-term debt obligations. Prime-1 repayment ability will often be evidenced by many of the following characteristics: | |
● Leading market positions in well-established industries. | ||
● High rates of return on funds employed. | ||
● Conservative capitalization structure with moderate reliance on debt and ample asset protection. | ||
● Broad margins in earnings coverage of fixed financial charges and high internal cash generation. | ||
● Well-established access to a range of financial markets and assured sources of alternate liquidity. | ||
Prime-2 | Issuers rated Prime-2 (or supporting institutions) have a strong ability for repayment of senior short-term debt obligations. This will normally be evidenced by many of the characteristics cited above but to a lesser degree. |
A - 4
Earnings trends and coverage ratios, while sound, may be more subject to variation. Capitalization characteristics, while still appropriate, may be more affected by external conditions. Ample alternate liquidity is maintained. | ||
Prime-3 | Issuers rated Prime-3 (or supporting institutions) have an acceptable ability for repayment of senior short-term obligations. The effect of industry characteristics and market compositions may be more pronounced. Variability in earnings and profitability may result in changes in the level of debt protection measurements and may require relatively high financial leverage. Adequate alternate liquidity is maintained. | |
Not Prime | Issuers rated Not Prime do not fall within any of the Prime rating categories. |
Standard & Poors Ratings Services
A-1 | A short-term obligation rated A-1 is rated in the highest category by S&P. The obligors capacity to meet its financial commitment on the obligation is strong. Within this category, certain obligations are designated with a plus sign (+). This indicates that the obligors capacity to meet its financial commitment on these obligations is extremely strong. | |
A-2 | A short-term obligation rated A-2 is somewhat more susceptible to the adverse effects of changes in circumstances and economic conditions than obligations in higher rating categories. However, the obligors capacity to meet its financial commitment on the obligation is satisfactory. | |
A-3 | A short-term obligation rated A-3 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. | |
B | A short-term obligation rated B is regarded as having significant speculative characteristics. The obligor currently has the capacity to meet its financial commitment on the obligation; however, it faces major ongoing uncertainties that could lead to the obligors inadequate capacity to meet its financial commitment on the obligation. | |
C | A short-term obligation rated C is currently vulnerable to nonpayment and is dependent upon favorable business, financial, and economic conditions for the obligor to meet its financial commitment on the obligation. | |
D | A short-term obligation rated D is in payment default. The D rating category is used when payments on an obligation are not made on the date due even if the applicable grace period has not expired, unless S&P believes that such payments will be made during such grace period. The D rating also will be used upon the filing of a bankruptcy petition or the taking of a similar action if payments on an obligation are jeopardized. |
Fitch Ratings
F1 | Obligations assigned this rating have the highest capacity for timely repayment under Fitchs national rating scale for that country, relative to other obligations in the same country. This rating is automatically assigned to all obligations issued or guaranteed by the sovereign state. Where issues possess a particularly strong credit feature, a + is added to the assigned rating. | |
F2 | Obligations supported by a strong capacity for timely repayment relative to other obligors in the same country. However, the relative degree of risk is slightly higher than for issues classified as F1 and capacity for timely repayment may be susceptible to adverse changes in business, economic, or financial conditions. | |
F3 | Obligations supported by an adequate capacity for timely repayment relative to other obligors in the same country. Such capacity is more susceptible to adverse changes in business, economic, or financial conditions than for obligations in higher categories. | |
B | Obligations for which the capacity for timely repayment is uncertain relative to other obligors in the same country. The capacity for timely repayment is susceptible to adverse changes in business, economic, or financial conditions. | |
C | Obligations for which there is a high risk of default to other obligors in the same country or which are in default. |
A - 5
PART C: OTHER INFORMATION
Item 29. Persons Controlled by or under Common Control with the Funds
No person is directly or indirectly controlled by or under common control with the Registrant.
Item 30. Indemnification
(k) | Article VI, Section 6.4 of the Agreement and Declaration of Trust of the Registrant, an Ohio business trust, provides that: |
Indemnification of Trustees, Officers, etc. Subject to and except as otherwise provided in the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and the 1940 Act, the Trust shall indemnify each of its Trustees and officers (including persons who serve at the Trusts request as directors, officers or trustees of another organization in which the Trust has any interest as a shareholder, creditor or otherwise (hereinafter referred to as a Covered Person) against all liabilities, including but not limited to amounts paid in satisfaction of judgments, in compromise or as fines and penalties, and expenses, including reasonable accountants and counsel fees, incurred by any Covered Person in connection with the defense or disposition of any action, suit or other proceeding, whether civil or criminal, before any court or administrative or legislative body, in which such Covered Person may be or may have been involved as a party or otherwise or with which such person may be or may have been threatened, while in office or thereafter, by reason of being or having been such a Trustee or officer, director or trustee, and except that no Covered Person shall be indemnified against any liability to the Trust or its Shareholders to which such Covered Person would otherwise be subject by reason of willful misfeasance, bad faith, gross negligence or reckless disregard of the duties involved in the conduct of such Covered Persons office.
Insofar as indemnification for liabilities may be permitted pursuant to Section 17 of the Investment Company Act of 1940 for Trustees, Officers, and controlling persons of the Registrant by the Registrant pursuant to the Agreement and Declaration of Trust or otherwise, the Registrant is aware of the position of the Securities and Exchange Commission as set forth in Investment Company Act Release No. IC-11330. Therefore, the Registrant undertakes that in addition to complying with the applicable provisions of the Agreement and Declaration of Trust or otherwise, in the absence of a final decision on the merits by a court
or other body before which the proceeding was brought, that an indemnification payment will not be made unless in the absence of such a decision, a reasonable determination based upon factual review has been made (i) by a majority vote of a quorum of non-party Trustees who are not interested persons of the Registrant or (ii) by independent legal counsel in a written opinion that the indemnitee was not liable for an act of willful misfeasance, bad faith, gross negligence, or reckless disregard of duties. The Registrant further undertakes that advancement of expenses incurred in the defense of a proceeding (upon undertaking for repayment unless it is ultimately determined that indemnification is appropriate) against an officer, trustee, or controlling person of the Registrant will not be made absent the fulfillment of at least one of the following conditions: (i) the indemnitee provides security for his undertaking; (ii) the Registrant is insured against losses arising by reason of any lawful advances; or (iii) a majority of a quorum of disinterested non-party trustees or independent legal counsel in a written opinion makes a factual determination that there is reason to believe the indemnitee will be entitled to indemnification.
Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the Securities Act of 1933 (Securities Act) may be permitted to Trustees, officers, and controlling persons of the Registrant by the Registrant pursuant to the Agreement and Declaration of Trust or otherwise, the Registrant is aware that in the opinion of the Securities and Exchange Commission, such indemnification is against public policy as expressed in the Securities Act and, therefore, is 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 trustees, officers, or controlling persons of the Registrant in connection with the successful defense of any act, suit, or proceeding) is asserted by such trustees, officers, or controlling persons in connection with the shares 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 Securities Act and will be governed by the final adjudication of such issues.
(b) Section 7 of the Investment Advisory Agreement between the Registrant and each Adviser, on behalf of the Preserver Alternative Opportunities Fund provides that:
The Adviser shall indemnify the Trust, each Fund and the Trusts officers, directors, employees, affiliates and agents (each, a Trust Indemnitee) for, and shall defend and hold each Trust Indemnitee harmless from, all losses, costs, damages and expenses (including reasonable legal fees) (collectively, the Losses) incurred by the Trust Indemnitee and arising from or in connection with the performance of this Agreement or a Subadvisory Agreement and resulting from the Advisers bad faith, willful misfeasance, or negligence in the performance of its duties under this Agreement or a Subadvisory Agreement, the Advisers reckless disregard of its duties or obligations under this Agreement or a Subadvisory Agreement, or the breach of its fiduciary duty to the Trust under federal securities laws or state laws; provided, however, no such indemnification shall be required to the extent that the Losses result from the Trusts bad faith, willful misfeasance, or negligence in the performance of its duties under this Agreement or the Trusts reckless disregard of its duties or obligations under this Agreement.
The Trust shall indemnify the Adviser, its officers, directors, employees, affiliates and agents (each, an Adviser Indemnitee) for, and shall defend and hold each Adviser Indemnitee harmless from all Losses incurred by the Adviser Indemnitee and arising from or in connection with the performance of its duties under this Agreement; provided, however, no such indemnification shall be required to the extent that the Losses result from the Advisers bad faith, willful misfeasance, or negligence in the performance of its duties under this Agreement or a Subadvisory Agreement, the Advisers reckless disregard of its duties or obligations under this Agreement or a Subadvisory Agreement, or the Advisers breach of its fiduciary duty under federal securities laws and state law.
Upon the assertion of a claim for which a party may be required to indemnify an Trust Indemnitee or an Adviser Indemnity (each, an Indemnitee), the Indemnitee must promptly notify the indemnifying party of such assertion, and shall keep the indemnifying party advised with respect to all developments concerning such claim. The indemnifying party shall have the option to participate with the Indemnitee in the defense of such claim or to defend against said claim in its own name or in the name of the Indemnitee. The Indemnitee shall in no case confess any claim or make any compromise in any case in which the indemnifying party may be required to indemnify it except with the indemnifying partys prior written consent, which shall not be unreasonably withheld, conditioned or delayed; notwithstanding Sections 7(a) and 7(b) hereof, in the event the Indemnitee has not secured such consent from the indemnifying party, the indemnifying party shall have no obligation to indemnify the Indemnitee.
Sections 4.3 through 4.5 of the Distribution Agreement between the Registrant and Ultimus Fund Distributors, LLC provide that:
Trust Indemnification. The Trust will indemnify, defend and hold harmless the Distributor, its several officers and directors, and any person who controls the Distributor within the meaning of Section 15 of the 1933 Act, from and against any losses, claims, damages or liabilities, joint or several, to which any of them may become subject under the 1933 Act or otherwise, insofar as such losses, claims, damages or liabilities (or actions or proceedings in respect thereof) arise out of, or are based upon, any untrue statement or alleged untrue statement of a material fact contained in the Registration Statement, the Prospectuses or in any application or other document executed by or on behalf of the Trust, or arise out of, or are based upon, information furnished by or on behalf of the Trust filed in any state in order to qualify the Shares under the securities or blue sky laws thereof (Blue Sky Application), or arise out of, or are based upon, the omission or alleged omission to state therein a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein not misleading, and will reimburse the Distributor, its several officers and directors, and any person who controls the Distributor within the meaning of Section 15 of the 1933 Act, for any legal or other expenses reasonably incurred by any of them in investigating, defending or preparing to defend any such action, proceeding or claim; provided, however, that the Trust shall not be liable in any case to the extent that such loss, claim, damage or liability arises out of, or is based upon, any untrue statement, alleged untrue statement, or omission or alleged omission made in the Registration Statement, the Prospectuses, any Blue Sky Application or any application or other document executed by or on behalf of the Trust in reliance upon and in conformity with written information furnished to the Trust by, or on behalf of, and with respect to, the Distributor specifically for inclusion therein. In no event shall anything contained herein be so construed as to protect the Distributor against any liability to the Funds or their shareholders to which the Distributor would otherwise be subject by reason of willful misfeasance, bad faith, or gross negligence in the performance of its duties under this Agreement or by reason of its reckless disregard of its obligations under this Agreement.
The Trust shall not indemnify any person pursuant to this Section 4.3 unless the court or other body before which the proceeding was brought has rendered a final decision on the merits that such person was not liable by reason of his willful misfeasance, bad faith or gross negligence in the performance of his duties, or his reckless disregard of obligations and duties, under this Agreement (disabling conduct) or, in the absence of such a decision, a reasonable determination (based upon a review of the facts) that such person was not liable by reason of disabling conduct has been made by the vote of a majority of Trustees who are neither interested persons of the Trust (as defined in the 1940 Act) nor parties to the proceeding, or in a written opinion by an independent legal counsel retained by the Trust.
The Trust shall advance attorneys fees and other expenses incurred by any person in defending any claim, demand, action or suit which is the subject of a claim for indemnification pursuant to this Section 4.3, so long as such person shall: (i) undertake to repay all such advances unless it is ultimately determined that he is entitled to indemnification hereunder; and (ii) provide security for such undertaking, or the Trust shall be
insured against losses arising by reason of any lawful advances, or a majority of a quorum of disinterested non-party Trustees of the Trust (or an independent legal counsel in a written opinion) shall determine based on a review of readily available facts (as opposed to a full trial-type inquiry) that there is reason to believe that such person ultimately will be found entitled to indemnification hereunder.
Distributors Indemnification. The Distributor will indemnify, defend and hold harmless the Trust, the Trusts several officers and Trustees and any person who controls the Trust within the meaning of Section 15 of the 1933 Act, from and against any losses, claims, damages or liabilities, joint or several, to which any of them may become subject under the 1933 Act or otherwise, insofar as such losses, claims, damages, liabilities (or actions or proceedings in respect hereof) arise out of, or are based upon, any breach of its representations and warranties in Section 4.2 hereof, or the willful misfeasance, bad faith, or gross negligence in the performance of its duties under this Agreement or by reason of its reckless disregard of its obligations under this Agreement, or which arise out of, or are based upon, any untrue statement or alleged untrue statement of a material fact contained in the Registration Statement, the Prospectuses, any Blue Sky Application or any application or other document executed by or on behalf of the Trust, or the omission or alleged omission to state therein a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein not misleading, which statement or omission was made in reliance upon and in conformity with written information furnished to the Trust or any of its several officers and Trustees by, or on behalf of, and with respect to, the Distributor specifically for inclusion therein, and will reimburse the Trust, the Trusts several officers and Trustees, and any person who controls the Trust within the meaning of Section 15 of the 1933 Act, for any legal or other expenses reasonably incurred by any of them in investigating, defending or preparing to defend any such action, proceeding or claim.
General Indemnity Provisions. No indemnifying party shall be liable under its indemnity agreement contained in Section 4.3 or 4.4 hereof with respect to any claim made against such indemnifying party unless the indemnified party shall have notified the indemnifying party in writing within a reasonable time after the summons or other first legal process giving information of the nature of the claim shall have been served upon the indemnified party (or after the indemnified party shall have received notice of such service on any designated agent), but failure to notify the indemnifying party of any such claim shall not relieve it from any liability which it may otherwise have to the indemnified party. The indemnifying party will be entitled to participate at its own expense in the defense or, if it so elects, to assume the defense of any suit brought to enforce any such liability, and if the indemnifying party elects to assume the defense, such defense shall be conducted by counsel chosen by it and reasonably satisfactory to the indemnified party. In the event the indemnifying party elects to assume the defense of any such suit and retain such counsel, the indemnified party shall bear the fees and expenses of any additional counsel retained by the indemnified party.
(d) Sections 11.3 through 11.5 of the Distribution Agreement between the Registrant and Ultimus Fund Distributors, LLC provide that:
Each party (the Indemnifying Party) agrees to indemnify, defend, and protect the other party, including its trustees or directors, officers, employees, and other agents (collectively, the Indemnitees), and shall hold the Indemnitees harmless from and against any actions, suits, claims, losses, damages, liabilities, and reasonable costs, charges, expenses (including attorney fees and investigation expenses) (collectively, Losses) arising directly or indirectly out of (1) the Indemnifying Partys failure to exercise the standard of care set forth above unless such Losses were caused in part by the Indemnitees own willful misfeasance, bad faith or gross negligence; (2) any violation of Applicable Law by the Indemnifying Party or its affiliated persons or agents relating to this Agreement and the activities thereunder; and (3) any material breach by the Indemnifying Party or its affiliated persons or agents of this Agreement.
Notwithstanding the foregoing provisions, the Trust, a Fund, or the Advisor shall indemnify Distributor for Distributors Losses arising from circumstances under Section 11.2.A.
Upon the assertion of a claim for which either party may be required to indemnify the other, the party seeking indemnification shall promptly notify the other party of such assertion, and shall keep the other party advised with respect to all developments concerning such claim. The party who may be required to indemnify shall have the option to participate with the party seeking indemnification in the defense of such claim or to defend against said claim in its own name or in the name of the other party. The party seeking indemnification shall in no case confess any claim or make any compromise in any case in which the other party may be required to indemnify it except with the other partys prior written consent.
Dealer Agreement Indemnification. Distributor acknowledges and agrees that certain dealers require that Distributor enter into dealer agreements (the Non-Standard Dealer Agreements) that contain certain representations, undertakings, and indemnification that are not included in the Distributors standard dealer agreement (the Standard Dealer Agreement).
To the extent that Distributor is requested or required by the Trust to enter into any Non-Standard Dealer Agreement, the Trust shall indemnify, defend and hold the Distributor Indemnitees free and harmless from and against any and all Losses that any Distributor Indemnitee may incur arising out of or relating to (a) the Distributors actions or failures to act pursuant to any Non-Standard Dealer Agreement; (b) any representations made by the Distributor in any Non-Standard Dealer Agreement to the extent that the Distributor is not required to make such representations in the Standard Dealer Agreement; or (c) any indemnification provided by the Distributor under a Non-Standard Dealer Agreement to the extent that such indemnification is beyond the indemnification the Distributor provides to intermediaries in the Standard Dealer Agreement. In no event shall anything contained herein be so construed as to protect the Distributor Indemnitees against any liability to the Trust or its shareholders to which the Distributor Indemnitees would otherwise be subject by reason of willful misfeasance, bad faith, or gross negligence in the performance of Distributors obligations or duties under the Non-Standard Dealer Agreement or by reason of Distributors reckless disregard of its obligations or duties under the Non-Standard Dealer Agreement.
The provisions of this Section 11 shall survive termination of this Agreement.
Sections 6 and 7 of the ETF Distribution Agreement between the Registrant and Northern Lights Distributors, LLC provide that:
Indemnification of Distributor
(a) The Trust agrees to indemnify and hold harmless the Distributor and each of its managers and officers and each person, if any, who controls the Distributor within the meaning of Section 15 of the 1933 Act against any loss, liability, claim, damages or expense (including the reasonable cost of investigating or defending any alleged loss, liability, claim, damages, or expense and reasonable counsel fees and disbursements incurred in connection therewith), arising by reason of any person acquiring any Shares or Creation Units, based upon (i) the ground that the registration statement, prospectus, shareholder reports or other information filed or made public by the Trust (as from time to time amended) included an untrue statement of a material fact or omitted to state a material fact required to be stated or necessary in order to make the statements made not misleading, (ii) the Trusts failure to maintain an effective registration statement and prospectus with respect to Shares of the Fund that are the subject of the claim or demand, (iii) the Trusts failure to properly register Fund Shares under applicable state laws, (iv) instructions given by the Trust, the Trusts failure to perform its duties hereunder or any inaccuracy of its representations, (v) any claim brought under Section 11 of the 1933 Act, or (vi) all actions taken by Distributor hereunder resulting from Distributors reliance on instructions received from an officer, agent or approved service provider of the Trust.
(b) In no case (i) is the indemnity of the Trust to be deemed to protect the Distributor or any other person against any liability to which the Distributor or such person otherwise would be subject by reason of willful misfeasance, bad faith or gross negligence in the performance of duties or by reason of reckless disregard of obligations and duties under this Agreement (Disqualifying Conduct) by such party, or (ii) is the Trust to be liable to the Distributor under the indemnity agreement contained in this Section 6 with respect to any claim made against the Distributor or any person indemnified unless the Distributor or other person shall have notified the Trust in writing of the claim within a reasonable time after the summons or other first written notification giving information of the nature of the claim shall have been served upon the Distributor or such other person (or after the Distributor or the person shall have received notice of service on any designated agent). However, failure to notify the Trust of any claim shall not relieve the Trust from any liability which it may have to the Distributor or any person against whom such action is brought otherwise than on account of its indemnity agreement contained in this paragraph.
(c) The Trust shall be entitled to participate at its own expense in the defense or, if it so elects, to assume the defense of any suit brought to enforce any claims subject to this indemnity provision. If the Trust elects to assume the defense of any such claim, the defense shall be conducted by counsel chosen by the Trust and satisfactory to the indemnified defendants in the suit whose approval shall not be unreasonably withheld. In the event that the Trust elects to assume the defense of any suit and retain counsel, the indemnified defendants shall bear the fees and expenses of any additional counsel retained by them. If the Trust does not elect to assume the defense of a suit, it will reimburse the indemnified defendants for the reasonable fees and expenses of any counsel retained by the indemnified defendants.
(d) The Trust agrees to notify the Distributor promptly of the commencement of any litigation or proceedings against it or any of its officers or Trustees in connection with the issuance or sale of Shares or Creation Units.
Indemnification of Trust
(a) The Distributor covenants and agrees that it will indemnify and hold harmless the Trust and each of its Trustees and officers and each person, if any, who controls the Trust within the meaning of Section 15 of the 1933 Act, against any loss, liability, damages, claim or expense (including the reasonable cost of investigating or defending any alleged loss, liability, damages, claim or expense and reasonable counsel fees and disbursements incurred in connection therewith) arising out of or based upon any Disqualifying Conduct by Distributor in connection with the offering and sale of any Shares.
(b) In no case (i) is the indemnity of the Distributor in favor of the Trust or any other person indemnified to be deemed to protect the Trust or any other person against any liability to which the Trust or such other person would otherwise be subject by reason of Disqualifying Conduct by such party, or (ii) is the Distributor to be liable under its indemnity agreement contained in this Section 7 with respect to any claim made against the Trust or any person indemnified unless the Trust or person, as the case may be, shall have notified the Distributor in writing of the claim within a reasonable time after the summons or other first written notification giving information of the nature of the claim shall have been served upon the Trust or upon any person (or after the Trust or such person shall have received notice of service on any designated agent). However, failure to notify the Distributor of any claim shall not relieve the Distributor from any liability which it may have to the Trust or any person against whom the action is brought otherwise than on account of its indemnity agreement contained in this paragraph.
(c) The Distributor shall be entitled to participate, at its own expense, in the defense or, if it so elects, to assume the defense of any suit brought to enforce the claim subject to this indemnity provision,
but if the Distributor elects to assume the defense, the defense shall be conducted by counsel chosen by the Distributor and satisfactory to the indemnified defendants whose approval shall not be unreasonably withheld. In the event that the Distributor elects to assume the defense of any suit and retain counsel, the defendants in the suit shall bear the fees and expenses of any additional counsel retained by them. If the Distributor does not elect to assume the defense of any suit, it will reimburse the indemnified defendants in the suit for the reasonable fees and expenses of any counsel retained by them.
(d) The Distributor agrees to notify the Trust promptly of the commencement of any litigation or proceedings against it or any of its officers in connection with the sale of Shares or Creation Units.
Item 31. Business and other Connections of the Investment Advisers
Each Adviser to the Registrant is registered under the Investment Advisers Act of 1940. The current Uniform Application for Investment Adviser Registration (Form ADV) filed with the SEC by each Adviser is incorporated by reference in response to this item. A list of each Advisers File No. and CRD No. is below. The current Form ADV may be accessed through the SECs website at https://www.adviserinfo.sec.gov/.
Adviser | File No. | CRD No. |
Meritage Portfolio Management, Inc. | 801-39348 | 107177 |
Fuller & Thaler Asset Management, Inc. | 801-43915 | 107033 |
Preserver Partners, LLC | 801-106636 | 152356 |
Canterbury Investment Management, LLC | 801-61876 | 125680 |
Hedeker Wealth LLC | 801-61654 | 124341 |
Reynders, McVeigh Capital Management, LLC | 801-64812 | 137342 |
Alta Capital Management, LLC | 801-50778 | 106786 |
Guardian Capital LP | 801-56081 | 105078 |
GuardCap Asset Management Limited | 801-113537 | 297056 |
Cornerstone Capital Inc. | 801-80216 | 169232 |
ARK Investment Management, LLC | 801-79081 | 169525 |
Green Alpha Advisors, LLC | 801-77535 | 144413 |
KBI Global Investors (North America) Ltd | 801-60358 | 113606 |
RBC Global Asset Management (U.S.) Inc. | 801-20303 | 107173 |
Schroder Investment Management North America Inc. | 801-15834 | 105820 |
Schroder Investment Management North America Ltd | 801-37163 | 106585 |
Clockwise Capital LLC | 801-123024 | 175233 |
Cary Street Partners Asset Management LLC | 801-110994 | 289178 |
Fairlead Strategies, LLC | 801-122857 | 297384 |
Item 32. Principal Underwriter
(a) | Ultimus Fund Distributors, LLC and Northern Lights Distributor, LLC each serve as a principal underwriter of the Registrant. |
Ultimus Fund Distributors, LLC, 225 Pictoria Drive, Suite 450, Cincinnati, OH 45246 acts as the principal underwriter for the following other open-end investment companies:
Williamsburg Investment Trust | Schwartz Investment Trust |
Papp Investment Trust | CM Advisors Family of Funds |
AlphaMark Investment Trust | Ultimus Managers Trust |
Chesapeake Investment Trust | The Cutler Trust |
Connors Funds | Eubel Brady & Suttman Mutual Fund Trust |
The Investment House Funds | Centaur Mutual Funds Trust |
Hussman Investment Trust | Peachtree Alternative Strategies Fund |
Oak Associates Funds | Conestoga Funds |
Unified Series Trust | Caldwell & Orkin Funds, Inc. |
Valued Advisers Trust | James Alpha Funds Trust |
Segall Bryant & Hamill Trust | Red Cedar Fund Trust |
Yorktown Funds | Bruce Fund, Inc. |
HC Capital Trust | Commonwealth International Series Trust |
Cross Shore Discovery Fund | Index Funds |
VELA Funds | Waycross Independent Trust |
Lind Capital Partners Municipal Credit Income Fund | Hamilton Capital Management Dynamic Alternatives Fund |
Cantor Fitzgerald Sustainable Infrastructure Fund | Fairway Private Equity & Venture Capital Opportunities Fund |
Cantor Select Portfolios Trust | Flat Rock Global LLC |
Dynamic Alternatives Fund | F/m Funds Trust |
Volumetric Fund | MSS Series Trust |
Northern Lights Distributors, LLC, 4221 North 203rd Street, Suite 100, Elkhorn, Nebraska 68022, also acts as the principal underwriter for the following other open-end investment companies: Arrow ETF Trust, Arrow Investments Trust (ETF), Boyar Value Fund Inc., Copeland Trust, Humankind Benefit Corporation, Miller Investment Trust, Mutual Fund and Variable Insurance Trust, Mutual Fund Series Trust, North Country Funds, Northern Lights Fund Trust, Northern Lights Fund Trust II, Northern Lights Fund Trust III, Northern Lights Fund Trust IV, Northern Lights Variable Trust, OCM Mutual Fund, PREDEX, Princeton Private Investment Access Fund, The Saratoga Advantage Trust, THOR Financial Technologies Trust, Tributary Funds, Inc., Two Roads Shared Trust, Ultimus Managers Trust (ETF), Valued Advisers Trust (ETF), and Unified Series Trust (ETF).
(b) | The following list sets forth the directors and executive officers of Ultimus Fund Distributors, LLC. |
Name | Position with Distributor | Position
with Registrant |
Kevin Guerette | President | None |
Stephen L. Preston | Vice President, Financial Operations Principal, Chief Compliance Officer and Anti-Money Laundering Compliance Officer | Anti-Money Laundering Officer |
Douglas K. Jones | Vice President | None |
Melvin Van Cleave | Chief Information Security Officer | None |
The address of all of the above-named persons is 225 Pictoria Drive, Suite 450, Cincinnati, Ohio 45246.
The following list sets forth the directors and executive officers of Northern Lights Distributors, LLC.
Name | Position with Distributor | Position
with Registrant |
Kevin Guerette | President | None |
Stephen L. Preston | Treasurer, FINOP, Chief Compliance Officer and Anti-Money Laundering Compliance Officer | Anti-Money Laundering Officer |
David James | Manager | Interested Trustee |
Melvin Van Cleave | Chief Information Security Officer | None |
Bill Strait | Secretary, General Counsel and Manager | None |
(c) | Not applicable |
Item 33. Location of Accounts and Records
(1) | Ultimus Fund Solutions, LLC and Ultimus Asset Services, LLC (a wholly owned subsidiary of Ultimus Fund Solutions, LLC), maintain all records required to be maintained by the Registrant under Section 31(a) of the 1940 Act and the rules (Records) which relate to the administration, fund accounting, and transfer agency services it provides to the Registrant. Ultimus Fund Solutions, LLC and Ultimus Asset Services, LLC are located at 225 Pictoria Drive, Suite 450, Cincinnati, OH 45246. |
(2) | The Huntington National Bank maintains all Records relating to the custodial services it provides to the Registrant. The Huntington National Bank is located at 41 S. High Street, Columbus, Ohio 43215. |
(3) | Meritage Portfolio Management, Inc. maintains all Records relating to the advisory services it provides to the Registrant. Meritage Portfolio Management, Inc. is located at 7500 College Boulevard, Suite 1212, Overland Park, Kansas, 66210. |
(4) | Fuller & Thaler Asset Management, Inc. maintains all Records relating to the advisory services it provides to the Registrant. Fuller & Thaler Asset Management, Inc. is located at 411 Borel Avenue, Suite 300, San Mateo, CA 94402. |
(5) | Preserver Partners, LLC maintains all Records relating to the advisory services it provides to the Registrant. PreserverPartners, LLC is located at 425 Madison Avenue, Memphis, Tennessee 38103. |
(6) | Canterbury Investment Management, LLC, maintains all Records relating to the advisory services it provides to the Registrant. Canterbury Investment Management, LLC is located at 23 East Cedar Street, Zionsville, Indiana 46077. |
(7) | Hedeker Wealth LLC, maintains all Records relating to the advisory services it provides to the Registrant. Hedeker Wealth LLC is located at One Overlook Point, Suite 610, Lincolnshire, Illinois 60069. |
(8) | Reynders, McVeigh Capital Management, LLC, maintains all Records relating to the advisory services it provides to the Registrant. Reynders, McVeigh Capital Management, LLC is located at 121 High Street, 4th Floor, Boston, MA 02110. |
(9) | Alta Capital Management, LLC maintains all Records relating to the advisory services it provides to the Registrant. Alta Capital Management, LLC is located at 6440 South Wasatch Boulevard, Suite 260, Salt Lake City, Utah 84121. |
(10) | Ultimus Fund Distributors, LLC maintains all Records relating to the distribution services it provides to the Registrant. Ultimus Fund Distributors, LLC is located at 225 Pictoria Drive, Suite 450, Cincinnati, OH 45246. |
(11) | Guardian Capital LP maintains all Records relating to the advisory services it provides to the Registrant. Guardian Capital LP is located at Commerce Court West, 199 Bay Street, Suite 3100, P.O. Box 201, Toronto, Ontario M5L 1E8. |
(12) | GuardCap Asset Management Limited maintains all records relating to the subadvisory services it provides to the Registrant. GuardCap Asset Management Limited is located at 6th Floor, 11 Charles II Street, St. Jamess, London SW1Y 4NS. |
(13) | Cornerstone Capital Inc. maintains all Records relating to the advisory services it provides to the Registrant. Cornerstone Capital Inc. is located at 550 Fifth Avenue, 11th Floor, New York, NY 10036. |
(14) | ARK Investment Management, LLC maintains all Records relating to the sub-advisory services it provides to the Registrant. ARK Investment Management, LLC is located at 3 E. 28th Street, Floor 7, New York, NY 10016. |
(15) | Green Alpha Advisors, LLC maintains all Records relating to the sub-advisory services it provides to the Registrant. Green Alpha Advisors, LLC is located at 263 2nd Ave, Suite 106B, Niwot, CO 80544. |
(16) | KBI Global Investors (North America) Ltd maintains all Records relating to the sub-advisory services it provides to the Registrant. KBI Global Investors (North America) Ltd is located at 3rd Floor, 2 Harbourmaster Place, IFSC, Dublin 1. |
(17) | RBC Global Asset Management (U.S.) Inc. maintains all Records relating to the sub-advisory services it provides to the Registrant. RBC Global Asset Management (U.S.) Inc. is located at 50 South Sixth Street, Suite 2350, Minneapolis, MN 55402. |
(18) | Schroder Investment Management North America Inc. maintains all Records relating to the sub-advisory services it provides to the Registrant. Schroder Investment Management North America Inc. is located at 7 Bryant Park, 19th Floor, New York, NY 10018. |
(19) | Schroder Investment Management North America Ltd. maintains all Records relating to the sub-advisory services it provides to the Registrant. Schroder Investment Management North America Ltd is located at 1 London Wall Place, London, EC2Y 5AU. |
(20) | Brown Brothers Harriman & Co., 50 Post Office Square, Boston, MA 02110, maintains records relating to the custodial and transfer agents services it provides to the Registrant. |
(21) | Northern Lights Distributors, LLC, 4221 North 203rd Street, Suite 100, Elkhorn, NE 68022, maintains records relating to the distribution services it provides to the Registrant. |
(22) | Clockwise Capital LLC, 1395 Brickell Avenue, Unit 800, Miami, Florida 33131, maintains all records relating to the advisory services it provides to the Registrant. |
(23) | Northern Lights Compliance Services, LLC, 4221 North 203rd Street, Suite 100, Elkhorn, NE 68022, maintains records relating to the compliance services it provides to the Registrant. |
(24) | Cary Street Partners Asset Management LLC, 901 East Byrd Street, Richmond, VA 23219, maintains records relating to the advisory services it provides to the Registrant. |
(25) | Fairlead Strategies LLC, 110 Davenport Drive, Stamford, CT 06902, maintains records relating to the subadvisory services it provides to the Registrant. |
Item 34. Management Services
Not applicable.
Item 35. Undertakings
Not applicable.
SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, (File No. 333-191495) and the Investment Company Act of 1940 (File No. 811-22895), the Registrant, Capitol Series Trust, has duly caused this Post-Effective Amendment No. 129 to the Registration Statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereto duly authorized, in the City of Cincinnati and State of Ohio, on the 29th day of December, 2022.
Capitol Series Trust | ||
(Registrant) | ||
/s/ Paul Leone | ||
Paul Leone | ||
Secretary |
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, this Post-Effective Amendment No. 129 to the Registration Statement has been signed below by the following persons in the capacities and on the 29th day of December, 2022:
Signature | Title | ||
* | Trustee and Chair | ||
Walter B. Grimm | |||
* | Trustee | ||
Mary Madick | |||
* | Trustee | ||
David James | |||
* | Trustee | ||
Lori Kaiser | |||
* | Trustee | ||
Janet S. Meeks | |||
/s/ Matthew J. Miller | President and Chief Executive Officer | ||
Matthew J. Miller | |||
/s/ Zachary P. Richmond | Treasurer/Chief Financial Officer and Principal Accounting Officer | ||
Zachary P. Richmond | |||
/s/ Tiffany R. Franklin | |||
* By: Tiffany R. Franklin | |||
Power of Attorney |
Exhibits