N-1A/A 1 sfs-n1aa_112420.htm AMENDMENT TO FORM N-1A

As filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on November 24, 2020

Securities Act Registration No. 333-240338

Investment Company Act Reg. No. 811-23599

 

 

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION 

WASHINGTON, DC 20549

 

FORM N-1A

 

REGISTRATION STATEMENT UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933
  Pre-Effective Amendment No. 2
  Post-Effective Amendment No. ___

and/or

 

 
REGISTRATION STATEMENT UNDER THE INVESTMENT COMPANY ACT OF 1940
  Amendment No. 2

(Check appropriate box or boxes.)

 

SFS Series Trust 

(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in Charter)

 

633 Rogers St, Suite 106

Downers Grove, IL 60515 

(Address of Principal Executive Offices) (Zip Code)

 

Registrant’s Telephone Number, including Area Code: (502) 410-1912

 

Capitol Services, Inc.

1675 South State Street, Suite B 

Dover, Delaware 19901 

(Name and Address of Agent for Service)

 

With Copies To:

 

John H. Lively
Practus, LLP
11300 Tomahawk Creek Pkwy, Suite 310
Leawood, KS 66211

 

Approximate Date of Proposed Public Offering: As soon as practicable after this Registration Statement becomes effective.

 

The Registrant hereby amends this registration statement on such date or dates as may be necessary to delay its effective date until the Registrant shall file a further amendment which specifically states that this registration statement shall thereafter become effective in accordance with Section 8(a) of the Securities Act of 1933 or until the registration statement shall become effective on such date as the Commission, acting pursuant to said Section 8(a), may determine.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

HERCULES FUND

 

PROSPECTUS

__________, 2020

 

Ticker: NFLHX

 

633 Rogers St, Suite 106

Downers Grove, IL 60515

 

This prospectus describes the Hercules Fund (the “Fund”). This Prospectus has information about the Fund that you should know before you invest. You should read it carefully and keep it with your investment records.

 

IMPORTANT NOTE: Beginning on January 1, 2021, as permitted by regulations adopted by the Securities and Exchange Commission, paper copies of the Fund’s shareholder reports will no longer be sent by mail, unless you specifically request paper copies of the reports from the Fund or from your financial intermediary, such as a broker-dealer or bank. Instead, the reports will be made available on a website, and you will be notified by mail each time a report is posted and provided with a website link to access the report.

 

If you already elected to receive shareholder reports electronically, you will not be affected by this change and you need not take any action. You may elect to receive shareholder reports and other communications from the Fund or your financial intermediary electronically by calling or sending an email request. You may elect to receive all future reports in paper free of charge. You can inform the Fund or your financial intermediary that you wish to continue receiving paper copies of your shareholder reports by calling or sending an email request. Your election to receive reports in paper will apply to all Funds held with the Fund complex or your financial intermediary.

 

The Securities and Exchange Commission has not approved or disapproved these securities or determined if this prospectus is truthful or complete. Any representation to the contrary is a criminal offense.

 

The information in this Prospectus is not complete and may be changed. The Fund may not sell these securities until the registration statement filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission is effective. This Prospectus is not an offer to sell these securities and is not soliciting an offer to buy these securities in any state where the offer or sale is not permitted.

 

Subject to Completion, dated November 24, 2020

 

 

 

TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

FUND SUMMARY 1
   
Investment Objective 1
   
Fees and Expenses 1
   
Portfolio Turnover 1
   
Principal Investment Strategies 1
   
Principal Risks 2
   
Performance Information 4
   
Investment Adviser 4
   
Portfolio Manager 4
   
Purchase and Sale of Fund Shares 4
   
Tax Information 4
   
Payments to Broker-Dealers and Other Financial Intermediaries 5
   
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION ABOUT FUND INVESTMENTS 6
   
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION ABOUT RISK 6
   
THE INVESTMENT ADVISER 10
   
THE TRUST 12
   
HOW TO BUY SHARES 13
   
HOW TO SELL SHARES 14
   
DIVIDENDS, DISTRIBUTIONS AND TAXES 16
   
NET ASSET VALUE 17
   
PRICING 17
   
FREQUENT TRADING 18
   
GENERAL INFORMATION 18
   
FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS 19
   
FOR MORE INFORMATION ABOUT THE FUND 20

 

 

 

FUND SUMMARY

 

Investment Objective

 

The Hercules Fund (the “Fund”) seeks aggressive growth of capital.

 

Fees and Expenses

 

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

 

Shareholder Transaction Fees (fees paid directly from your investment) None

Annual Fund Operating Expenses

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

Management Fee(1) 2.00%
Distribution (12b-1) and Service Fees None
Other Expenses(2) 1.21%
Acquired Fund Fees and Expenses(2) 0.02%
Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses 3.23%
   
(1)Based on estimated amounts for the current fiscal year. The Fund pays Hercules Investments, LLC (the “Adviser”) a base fee of 2.00% per annum, plus a 20% performance fee based on the Fund’s pre-performance fee high watermark total return. The Fund’s Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses does not include the impact of the performance fee and, if such performance fee was paid to the Adviser, the Management Fee along with Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses would be higher than what is stated above.

(2)Based on estimated amounts for the current fiscal year.

 

Example

 

This example is intended to help you compare the cost of investing in the Fund with the cost of investing in other mutual funds. The example assumes that you invest $10,000 in the Fund for the time periods indicated and then redeem all of your shares at the end of those periods. The example also assumes that your investment has a 5% return each year and that the Fund's operating expenses remain the same. The cost information shown below does not include an adjustment for the performance fee and, if a performance fee was paid during the noted periods, the costs that you would pay would be higher than those stated below. Although your actual costs may be higher or lower, based on these assumptions your costs would be:

 

1 Year 3 Years  
$327 $998

 

Portfolio Turnover

 

The Fund pays transaction costs, such as commissions, when it buys and sells securities (or “turns over” its portfolio). A higher portfolio turnover rate may indicate higher transaction costs and may result in higher taxes when Fund shares are held in a taxable account. These costs, which are not reflected in Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses or in the example, affect the Fund’s performance. Because the Fund has not yet commenced operations as of the date of this prospectus, the Fund’s portfolio turnover rate for the most recent fiscal year is not available.

 

Principal Investment Strategies

 

The Fund seeks to achieve its investment objective by investing primarily in U.S. exchange traded derivatives (e.g. equity and index options, futures and options on futures) and exchange-traded funds (“ETFs”) that invest in equity securities of any market capitalization. The Fund may also invest directly in equity securities or other types of investment companies besides ETFs (i.e. mutual funds and closed-end funds). The Adviser implements the Fund’s strategy with the intent of capturing alpha (i.e. the Fund’s excess return above its benchmark index, the S&P 500 Index) from market volatility. The Fund’s volatility trading can involve positions that are designed to hedge or profit from either an increase or decrease in volatility. The Adviser’s rules-based technical and systematic strategy is designed to identify highly liquid (i.e. can be converted to cash with minimal impact on its value), growth focused investments that, at times, may be hedged in order to protect the Fund from market declines or leveraged to capture market appreciation (i.e. all-weather performance). The Fund’s all-weather strategy is designed to generate positive absolute returns through all market cycles and it will allocate investments so that the Fund maintains a low correlation to the broad equity markets (i.e. the S&P 500 Index). There are several core investment principles that make up the foundation for the Fund’s all-weather investment strategy. First, the Fund will be actively managed. The all-weather strategy is dynamic and may result in frequent trading in the Fund’s portfolio. Second, the Adviser will focus the Fund’s investments in highly liquid and growth focused investments. Third, the Adviser will attempt to generate alpha from market volatility by investing in exchange traded derivatives or structured trades in such derivatives that are designed to track or hedge against market volatility. Fourth, the Adviser will use exchange traded derivatives and/or ETFs to hedge the Fund’s market risk and protect the Fund from periods of market down cycles. Last, the Adviser seeks to reduce risk in the Fund’s portfolio by actively managing the Fund’s exposure to different asset classes primarily through its investments in ETFs and exchanged traded derivatives.

 

1

 

 

The Fund’s investments in exchange traded derivatives may create financial leverage for the Fund which means the Fund’s potential for gain or loss is magnified and therefore amplify the effect of market volatility on the Fund’s share price. The Adviser intends to use leverage when it believes the market, or a particular investment is positioned for continued growth/price appreciation. The Fund may also invest in exchange traded derivatives to hedge the Fund’s portfolio against market risk and/or to generate premium income by writing (selling) call options. Each of these investment strategies can have the effect of reducing the Fund’s correlation to the broad equity markets which is a key component of the Adviser’s all-weather strategy. The Fund’s investments in exchange traded derivatives may require the Fund to comply with certain collateral requirements set by brokers. In addition to any broker related requirements, the Fund will be required to maintain a segregated account with its custodian to collateralize its derivative positions as required by current Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) or staff interpretations. As a result, the Fund is required to maintain higher levels of cash or liquid assets (such as U.S. Treasury bills, money market accounts, repurchase agreements, certificates of deposit, high quality commercial paper and long equity positions) for collateral needs than if it did not use derivatives. The Fund will modify its asset segregation policies as necessary to ensure compliance with any changes in the positions taken by the SEC or its staff.

 

The Fund’s all-weather strategy may result in active and frequent trading of portfolio instruments to achieve its investment objective. Also, the Fund may invest in a limited number of sectors but has no intention to concentrate its investments in any industry. The Fund is classified as “non-diversified” for purposes of the Investment Company Act of 1940 as amended (the “1940 Act”), which means that it is not limited by the 1940 Act with regard to the portion of its assets that may be invested in the securities of a single issuer.

 

Principal Risks

 

It is important that you closely review and understand the risks of investing in the Fund. The Fund’s net asset value (“NAV”) and investment return will fluctuate based upon changes in the value of its portfolio securities. You could lose money on your investment in the Fund, and the Fund could underperform other investments. There is no guarantee that the Fund will meet its investment objective. An investment in the Fund is not a deposit of a bank and is not insured or guaranteed by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation or any other government agency. The Principal Risks described herein pertain to direct risks of making an investment in the Fund. The Fund may gain exposure to these risks through its investments in ETFs.

 

  Market Risk. Market risk refers to the risk that the value of securities in the Fund’s portfolio may decline due to daily fluctuations in the securities markets, including fluctuation in interest rates, national and international economic conditions and general equity market conditions. Local, regional, and global events such as war, acts of terrorism, the spread of infectious diseases or other public health issues, recessions, or other events could have a significant impact on the Fund’s investments.
     
  Management Risk. The Adviser’s reliance on its strategy and judgments about the attractiveness, value, and potential appreciation of the particular securities and the tactical allocation among the Fund’s investments may prove to be incorrect and may not produce the desired results.
     
  Management Style Risk. Different types of securities tend to shift into and out of favor with stock market investors depending on market and economic conditions. Because the Adviser’s strategy is designed to manage the Fund’s exposure to the equity markets based on its view of the markets and the overall economy it is possible the Adviser’s view may prove to be inaccurate, which could result in portfolio losses.
     
  Strategy Risk. Investors in the Fund bear the risk that the Fund’s investment strategy may not be successful. Additionally, the Adviser may not implement the investment strategy successfully and the Fund may fail to attract sufficient assets to realize economies of scale. Any of the foregoing could result in the Fund being liquidated at any time without shareholder approval and at a time that may not be favorable for all shareholders. Such liquidation could have negative tax consequences.
     
  Quantitative Model Risk. The risk that investments selected using quantitative models to identify market trends may perform differently from the market as a whole or from their expected performance. There can be no assurance that use of a quantitative model will enable the Fund to achieve positive returns or outperform the market.

 

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  Other Investment Company Securities Risk. When the Fund invests in other investment companies, such as mutual funds and closed-end funds, the Fund indirectly will bear its proportionate share of any fees and expenses payable directly by the investment company. Therefore, the Fund will incur higher expenses, many of which may be duplicative. In addition, the Fund may be affected by losses of the investment company and the level of risk arising from the investment practices of the investment company (such as the use of leverage).
     
  Exchange-Traded Fund Risk. In addition to risks generally associated with investments in investment company securities, ETFs are subject to the following risks that do not apply to traditional mutual funds: (i) an ETF’s shares may trade at a market price that is above or below its NAV; (ii) an active trading market for an ETF’s shares may not develop or be maintained; (iii) the ETF may employ an investment strategy that utilizes high leverage ratios; or (iv) trading of an ETF’s shares may be halted if the listing exchange’s 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.

 

Derivatives Risk. The Fund's portfolio may use derivative instruments such as put and call options on stocks and stock indices, and index futures contracts and options thereon. There is no guarantee such strategies will work. If the Adviser is not successful in employing such instruments in managing the Fund’s portfolio, the Fund's performance will be worse than if it did not employ such strategies. Successful use by the Adviser of options on stock indices, index futures contracts (and options thereon) will be subject to its ability to correctly predict movements in the direction of the securities generally or of a particular market segment. In addition, the Fund will pay commissions and other costs in connection with such investments, which may increase the Fund's expenses and reduce the return. In utilizing certain derivatives, the Fund’s losses are potentially unlimited. Derivative instruments may also involve the risk that other parties to the derivative contract may fail to meet their obligations, which could cause losses.

 

  Options Risk. The Fund may invest in options or options on futures contracts. Options or options on futures contracts give the holder of the option the right to buy (or to sell) a position in a security or in a contract to the writer of the option, at a certain price. They are subject to correlation risk because there may be an imperfect correlation between the options and the securities markets that cause a given transaction to fail to achieve its objectives. 
     
  Futures Risk. The Fund may invest in futures contracts. Futures contracts are typically exchange-traded contracts that call for the future delivery of an asset at a certain price and date, or cash settlement of the terms of the contract. Risks of futures contracts may be caused by an imperfect correlation between movements in the price of the instruments and the price of the underlying securities and/or the inability to enter into a closing transaction because of an illiquid market.
     
  Liquidity Risk. In certain circumstances, it may be difficult for the Fund to purchase and sell a particular investment within a reasonable time at a fair price, causing the Fund to be less liquid. While the Fund intends to invest in liquid securities and financial instruments, under certain market conditions, such as when trading in a particular investment has been halted temporarily by an exchange because the maximum price change of that investment has been realized, it may be difficult or impossible for the Fund to liquidate such investments.
     
  Equity Risk. To the extent the Fund invests directly in equity securities or in ETFs that invest in equity securities, the Fund is subject to the risk that stock prices will fall over short or extended periods of time. Historically, the equity markets have moved in cycles, and the value of the Fund’s equity securities may fluctuate drastically from day to day. Individual companies may report poor results or be negatively affected by industry and/or economic trends and developments. The prices of securities issued by such companies may suffer a decline in response. These factors contribute to price volatility, which is the principal risk of investing in the Fund.

 

Risks of Small and Medium Capitalization Companies. The Fund (either directly or indirectly through its investments in ETFs) may invest in the stocks of small and medium capitalization companies, which may subject the Fund to additional risks. The earnings and prospects of these companies are more volatile than larger companies. Small and medium capitalization companies may have limited product lines and markets and may experience higher failure rates than do larger companies.

 

Sector Risk. Sector risk is the possibility that all stocks within the same group of industries will decline in price due to sector-specific market or economic developments. The Fund (either directly or indirectly through its investments in ETFs) may be overweight in certain sectors at various times.
   
 Hedging Risk. The Fund may invest in derivatives to hedge or reduce the risks associated with other Fund holdings. There can be no assurance that the Fund’s hedging strategy will reduce risk or that hedging transactions will be either available or cost effective. The Fund’s portfolio will be actively managed so hedging may not take place at all times.

 

3

 

 

Leverage Risk. To the extent the Fund’s investments are subject to leverage risk, the Fund will also be more sensitive to movement in the value of those instruments. In particular, investments in options and derivative instruments may provide the economic effect of financial leverage by creating additional investment exposure such that increases or decreases in the value of the Fund’s portfolio will be magnified.

 

Asset Segregation Risk. To the extent the Fund invests in certain derivatives it will be required to segregate liquid assets, or engage in other measures, to “cover” open positions with respect to certain kinds of these derivatives.

 

Margin Risk. The Fund may hold securities that are subject to collateral requirements at various executing brokers. These collateral requirements may change at the discretion of the brokers, the exchanges through which the securities are traded or through regulatory requirements. Changes to collateral requirements, especially emergency adjustments that are done in response to market volatility, may force the Fund to sell certain securities on short notice for non-investment related reasons. If the Fund is forced to sell securities over a short period of time it may result in unfavorable execution prices and unfavorable investment results.

 

Risk of Non-Diversification. The Fund is a non-diversified portfolio, which means that it has the ability to take larger positions in a smaller number of securities than a portfolio that is "diversified.” Non-diversification increases the risk that the value of the Fund could go down because of the poor performance of a single investment. Because the Fund may invest a significant percentage of its assets in a limited number of securities there is a risk that events negatively affecting these fewer positions will have a greater negative impact on the Fund’s performance.

 

Cash or Cash Equivalents Risk. At any time, the Fund may have significant investments in cash or cash equivalents. When a substantial portion of a portfolio is held in cash or cash equivalents, there is the risk that the value of the cash account, including interest, will not keep pace with inflation.

 

Portfolio Turnover Risk. The Fund’s investment strategy involves active trading and may result in a high portfolio turnover rate. A high portfolio turnover can result in correspondingly greater brokerage commission expenses. A high portfolio turnover may result in the distribution to shareholders of additional capital gains for tax purposes, some of which may be taxable at ordinary income rates. These factors may negatively affect performance.

 

Performance Information

 

Because the Fund has not yet commenced investment operations, no performance information is presented for the Fund at this time. In the future, performance information will be presented in this section of this Prospectus. Updated performance information will be available at no cost by calling 1-(855) 644-3444 or by visiting the Fund’s website at www.herculesfund.com.

 

Investment Adviser

 

Hercules Investments, LLC serves as the investment adviser to the Fund. The Adviser is responsible for the day to day management of the Fund’s investments, subject to supervision of the Board of Trustees.

 

Portfolio Manager

 

James A. McDonald, Chief Executive Officer and Chief Investment Officer of the Adviser, has managed the Fund since its inception.

 

Purchase and Sale of Fund Shares

 

The Fund is only available for purchase by persons who are “qualified investors” (persons who are “qualified clients” as defined in Rule 205-3(d)(1) of the Investment Advisers Act of 1940, as amended (the “Advisers Act”)). If you satisfy the requirements for a “qualified investor” you may purchase or redeem shares of the Fund on days when the New York Stock Exchange (“NYSE”) is open for regular trading directly from the Fund by mail at Hercules Fund, 8730 Stony Point Parkway, Suite 205, Richmond, VA 23235 or by telephone at 1-(855) 644-3444. Purchases and redemptions by telephone are only permitted if you previously established this option on your account. The minimum initial purchase or exchange into the Fund is $1,000. Subsequent investments must be in amounts of $1,000.

 

Tax Information

 

The Fund intends to make distributions that will generally be taxed as ordinary income or capital gain.

 

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Payments to Broker-Dealers and Other Financial Intermediaries

 

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

 

5

 

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION ABOUT FUND INVESTMENTS

 

The Fund’s investment objective is to seek aggressive growth of capital. The Fund’s investment objective may be changed by the Board of Trustees without shareholder approval upon 60 days’ written notice to shareholders.

 

The Fund seeks to achieve its investment objective by investing primarily in U.S. exchange traded derivatives (e.g. equity and index options, futures and options on futures) and ETFs that invest in equity securities of any market capitalization. The Fund may also invest directly in equity securities or other types of investment companies besides ETFs (i.e. mutual funds and closed-end funds). The Adviser implements the Fund’s strategy with the intent of capturing alpha (i.e. the Fund’s excess return above its benchmark index, the S&P 500 Index) from market volatility. The Fund’s volatility trading can involve positions that are designed to hedge or profit from either an increase or decrease in volatility. The Adviser’s rules-based technical and systematic strategy is designed to identify highly liquid (i.e. can be converted to cash with minimal impact on its value), growth focused investments that, at times, may be hedged in order to protect the Fund from market declines or leveraged to capture market appreciation (i.e. all-weather performance). The Fund’s all-weather strategy is designed to generate positive absolute returns through all market cycles and it will allocate investments so that the Fund maintains a low correlation to the broad equity markets (i.e. the S&P 500 Index). There are several core investment principals that make up the foundation for the Fund’s all-weather investment strategy. First, the Fund will be actively managed. The all-weather strategy is dynamic and may result in frequent trading in the Fund’s portfolio Second, the Adviser will focus the Fund’s investments in highly liquid and growth focused investments. Third, the Adviser will attempt to generate alpha from market volatility by investing in exchange traded derivatives or structured trades in such derivatives that are designed to track or hedge against market volatility. Fourth, the Adviser will use exchange traded derivatives and/or ETFs to hedge the Fund’s market risk and protect the Fund from periods of market down cycles. Last, the Adviser seeks to reduce risk in the Fund’s portfolio by actively managing the Fund’s exposure to different asset classes primarily through its investments in ETFs and exchanged traded derivatives.

 

The Fund investments in exchange traded derivatives may create financial leverage for the Fund which means the Fund’s potential for gain or loss is magnified and therefore amplify the effect of market volatility on the Fund’s share price. The Adviser intends to use leverage when it believes the market, or a particular investment is positioned for continued growth/price appreciation. The Fund may also invest in exchange traded derivatives to hedge the Fund’s portfolio against market risk and/or to generate premium income by writing (selling) call options. Each of these investment strategies can have the effect of reducing the Fund’s correlation to the broad equity markets which is a key component of the Adviser’s all-weather strategy. The Fund’s investments in exchange traded derivatives may require the Fund to comply with certain collateral requirements set by brokers. In addition to any broker related requirements, the Fund will be required to maintain a segregated account with its custodian to collateralize its derivative positions as required by current SEC or staff interpretations. As a result, the Fund is required to maintain higher levels of cash or liquid assets (such as U.S. Treasury bills, money market accounts, repurchase agreements, certificates of deposit, high quality commercial paper and long equity positions) for collateral needs than if it did not use derivatives. The Fund will modify its asset segregation policies as necessary to ensure compliance with any changes in the positions taken by the SEC or its staff.

 

The Fund’s all-weather strategy may result in active and frequent trading of portfolio instruments to achieve its investment objective. Also, the Fund may invest in a limited number of sectors but has no intention to concentrate its investments in any industry. The Fund is classified as “non-diversified” for purposes of the 1940 Act, which means that it is not limited by the 1940 Act with regard to the portion of its assets that may be invested in the securities of a single issuer.

 

Additional Information about Risk

 

It is important that you closely review and understand the risks of investing in the Fund. The Fund’s NAV and investment return will fluctuate based upon changes in the value of its portfolio securities. You could lose money on your investment in the Fund, and the Fund could underperform other investments. There is no guarantee that the Fund will meet its investment objective. An investment in the Fund is not a deposit of a bank and is not insured or guaranteed by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation or any other government agency. Below are some of the specific risks of investing in the Fund. Insofar as the Fund invests in ETFs or other similar investments, it may be directly subject to the risks described in this section of the prospectus.

 

Principal Risks

 

Market Risk. Economies and financial markets throughout the world are becoming increasingly interconnected, which increases the likelihood that events or conditions in one country or region will adversely impact markets or issuers in other countries or regions. The prices of securities held by the Fund may decline in response to certain events taking place around the world, including those directly involving the companies whose securities are owned by the Fund; conditions affecting the general economy; overall market changes; local, regional or global political, social or economic instability; the spread of infectious diseases or other public health issues; and currency, interest rate and commodity price fluctuations. The securities purchased by the Fund may involve large price swings and potential for loss. Investors in the Fund should have a long-term perspective and be able to tolerate potentially sharp declines in value. Financial markets are currently experiencing heightened volatility and, therefore, the Fund’s investments are subject to increased risks related to volatility.

 

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Management Risk. The Adviser’s reliance on its strategy and judgments about the attractiveness, value, and potential appreciation of the particular securities and the tactical allocation among the Fund’s investments may prove to be incorrect and may not produce the desired results. The Adviser and the Fund’s portfolio manager will apply investment techniques and risk analysis in making decisions for the Fund, but there is no guarantee that these decisions will produce the desired results or expected returns, causing the Fund to fail to meet its investment objective or underperform its benchmark index or funds with similar investment objectives and strategies. Additionally, legislative, regulatory or tax restrictions, policies or developments may affect the investment techniques available to the Adviser in connection with managing the Fund and also may adversely affect the ability of the Fund to achieve its investment objective. Active trading that can accompany active management will increase the costs the Fund incurs because of higher brokerage charges or mark-up charges, which are passed on to shareholders of the Fund and, as a result, may lower the Fund’s performance. Active trading also may result in adverse tax consequences.

 

Management Style Risk. Different types of securities tend to shift into and out of favor with stock market investors depending on market and economic conditions. Because the Adviser’s strategy is designed to manage the Fund’s exposure to the equity markets based on its view of the markets and the overall economy it is possible the Adviser’s view may prove to be inaccurate, which could result in portfolio losses. The Fund may use investment techniques that may be considered aggressive. Risks associated with the use of derivatives, including futures contracts and options, include potentially dramatic price changes (losses) in the value of the instruments and imperfect correlations between the price of the contract and the underlying security or index. These instruments may increase the volatility of the Fund and may involve a small investment of cash relative to the magnitude of the risk assumed.

 

Strategy Risk. Investors in the Fund bear the risk that the Fund’s investment strategy may not be successful. Additionally, the Adviser may not implement the investment strategy successfully and the Fund may fail to attract sufficient assets to realize economies of scale. Any of the foregoing could result in the Fund being liquidated at any time without shareholder approval and at a time that may not be favorable for all shareholders. Such liquidation could have negative tax consequences.

 

Quantitative Model Risk. The risk that investments selected using quantitative models to identify market trends may perform differently from the market as a whole or from their expected performance. In addition, the quantitative models used by the Adviser may be similar to the models used by other managers. To the extent that they are similar, the Fund’s price movements may have a high degree of correlation to other funds. This potential portfolio overlap with other funds could lead to periods of high volatility, especially in the event that other managers choose to rapidly sell securities or derivative contracts. There can be no assurance that use of a quantitative model will enable the Fund to achieve positive returns or outperform the market.

 

Other Investment Company Securities Risk. When the Fund invests in other investment companies, such as mutual funds and closed-end funds, the Fund indirectly will bear its proportionate share of any fees and expenses payable directly by the investment company. Therefore, the Fund will incur higher expenses, many of which may be duplicative. In addition, the Fund may be affected by losses of the investment company and the level of risk arising from the investment practices of the investment company (such as the use of leverage). The Fund has no control over the investments and related risks taken by the investment company in which it invests. Because the Fund is not required to hold shares of an investment company for any minimum period, it may be subject to, and may have to pay, short-term redemption fees imposed by the investment company.

 

ETFs Risk. The Fund will incur higher and duplicative expenses when it invests in ETFs. ETFs are investment companies that are traded on stock exchanges like stocks. Typically, ETFs hold assets such as stocks, commodities or bonds, and track an index such as a stock or bond index. There is also the risk that the Fund may suffer losses due to the investment practices of the underlying funds. When the Fund invests in an underlying mutual fund or ETF, the Fund will be subject to substantially the same risks as those associated with the direct ownership of securities comprising the underlying fund or index on which the ETF or other vehicle is based and the value of the Fund’s investments will fluctuate in response to the performance and risks of the underlying investments or index. In addition to the brokerage costs associated with the underlying fund’s purchase and sale of the securities, ETFs and closed-end fund incur fees that are separate from those of the Fund. As a result, the Fund’s shareholders will indirectly bear a proportionate share of the operating expenses of these investment vehicles in addition to Fund expenses. Because the Fund is not required to hold shares of underlying funds for any minimum period, it may be subject to, and may have to pay, short-term redemption fees imposed by the underlying funds. The Fund has no control over the investments and related risks taken by the underlying funds in which it invests. The 1940 Act and the rules and regulations adopted thereunder may impose conditions on investment companies which invest in other investment companies, and as a result, the Fund is generally restricted on the amount of shares of another investment company to shares amounting to no more than 3% of the outstanding voting shares of such other investment company.

 

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In addition to risks generally associated with investments in investment company securities, ETFs are subject to the following risks that do not apply to traditional mutual funds: (i) an ETF’s shares may trade at a market price that is above or below its NAV; (ii) an active trading market for an ETF’s shares may not develop or be maintained; (iii) the ETF may employ an investment strategy that utilizes high leverage ratios; or (iv) trading of an ETF’s shares may be halted if the listing exchange’s 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 (which is a risk of any security that trades on a listed exchange).

 

To the extent the Fund invests in an ETF that is intended to track a target index, it is subject to the risk that the ETF may track its target index less closely. For example, an adviser to the ETF may select securities that are not fully representative of the index, and the ETF’s transaction expenses, and the size and timing of its cash flows, may result in the ETF’s performance being different than that of its index. Additionally, the ETF will generally reflect the performance of its target index even when the index does not perform well.

 

Derivatives Risk. The Fund's portfolio may use derivative instruments such as put and call options on stocks and stock indices, and index futures contracts and options thereon. There is no guarantee such strategies will work. If the Adviser is not successful in employing such instruments in managing the Fund’s portfolio, the Fund's performance will be worse than if it did not employ such strategies. Successful use by the Adviser of options on stock indices, index futures contracts (and options thereon) will be subject to its ability to correctly predict movements in the direction of the securities generally or of a particular market segment. Financial markets are currently experiencing heightened volatility and, therefore, the Fund’s derivative investments are subject to increased risks in this regard. In addition, the Fund will pay commissions and other costs in connection with such investments, which may increase the Fund's expenses and reduce the return. In utilizing certain derivatives, the Fund’s losses are potentially unlimited. Derivative instruments may also involve the risk that other parties to the derivative contract may fail to meet their obligations, which could cause losses.

 

Options Risk. The Fund may invest in options or options on futures contracts. Options or options on futures contracts give the holder of the option the right to buy (or to sell) a position in a security or in a contract to the writer of the option, at a certain price. They are subject to correlation risk because there may be an imperfect correlation between the options and the securities markets that cause a given transaction to fail to achieve its objectives. The successful use of options depends on the Adviser’s ability to correctly predict future price fluctuations and the degree of correlation between the options and securities markets.  Options also are particularly subject to leverage risk and can be subject to liquidity risk.

 

Futures Risk. The Fund may invest in futures contracts. Futures contracts are typically exchange-traded contracts that call for the future delivery of an asset at a certain price and date, or cash settlement of the terms of the contract. Risks of futures contracts may be caused by an imperfect correlation between movements in the price of the instruments and the price of the underlying securities. In addition, there is the risk that the Fund may not be able to enter into a closing transaction because of an illiquid market. Futures markets are highly volatile and the use of futures may increase the volatility of the Fund’s NAV. Futures also are subject to leverage risks and to liquidity risk.

 

Liquidity Risk. In certain circumstances, it may be difficult for the Fund to purchase and sell a particular security or derivative instrument within a reasonable time at a fair price. To the extent that there is not an established retail market for instruments in which the Fund may invest, trading in such instruments may be relatively inactive. Dislocations experienced by certain segments of the market have contributed to reduced liquidity for certain investments. It is uncertain when financial markets will improve. The liquidity of financial markets also may be affected by government intervention. In addition, liquidity risk also refers to the risk of unusually high redemption requests, or other unusual market conditions that may make it difficult for the Fund to sell investments within the allowable time period to meet redemptions. Meeting such redemption requests could require the Fund to sell securities at reduced prices or under unfavorable conditions, which would reduce the value of the Fund. Current market conditions have elevated this risk for the Fund.

 

Equity Risk. To the extent the Fund invests directly in equity securities or in ETFs that invest in equity securities, the Fund is subject to the risk that stock prices will fall over short or extended periods of time. Historically, the equity markets have moved in cycles, and the value of the Fund’s equity securities may fluctuate drastically from day to day. Individual companies may report poor results or be negatively affected by industry and/or economic trends and developments. The prices of securities issued by such companies may suffer a decline in response. These factors contribute to price volatility, which is the principal risk of investing in the Fund. Such volatility could cause equity securities to underperform other segments of the market as a whole. Equity securities generally have greater price volatility than fixed income securities. Equity securities are currently experiencing heightened volatility and therefore, the Fund’s investments in equity securities are subject to increased risks related to volatility.

 

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Risks of Small and Medium Capitalization Companies. The Fund (either directly or indirectly through its investments in ETFs) may invest in the stocks of small and medium capitalization companies, which may subject the Fund to additional risks. The earnings and prospects of these companies are more volatile than larger companies. Small and medium capitalization companies may have limited product lines and markets and may experience higher failure rates than do larger companies.

 

Sector Risk. Sector risk is the possibility that all stocks within the same group of industries will decline in price due to sector-specific market or economic developments. The Fund (either directly or indirectly through its investments in ETFs) may be overweight in certain sectors at various times.

 

Hedging Risk. The Fund may invest in derivatives to hedge or reduce the risks associated with other Fund holdings. A hedge is an investment, transaction or strategy designed to reduce the risk and impact of adverse market movements or changes in the price or value of a portfolio security or other investment. Hedging may be ineffective as a result of unexpected changes in market conditions, such as those experienced currently, changes in the prices or values of the related instrument, or changes in the correlation of the instrument and the Fund’s hedging investment or transaction. Hedging investments or transactions involve costs and may reduce the Fund’s gains or result in losses, which may adversely affect the value of the Fund’s portfolio and performance. There can be no assurance that the Fund’s hedging strategy will reduce risk or that hedging transactions will be either available or cost effective. The Fund’s portfolio will be actively managed so hedging may not take place at all times.

 

Leverage Risk. To the extent the Fund invests in derivatives that give rise to leverage or underlying funds that are subject to leverage risk, the Fund will be more sensitive to movement in the value of those instruments. In particular, investments in options and derivative instruments may provide the economic effect of financial leverage by creating additional investment exposure such that increases or decreases in the value of the Fund’s portfolio will be magnified. Leverage will cause the value of the Fund’s shares to be more volatile than if the Fund did not use leverage. This is because leverage tends to exaggerate the effect of any increase or decrease in the value of the Fund’s portfolio securities or other investments. The use of leverage also may cause the Fund to liquidate portfolio positions when it would not be advantageous to do so in order to satisfy its obligations or to meet segregation requirements.

 

Asset Segregation Risk. To the extent the Fund invests in certain derivatives it will be required to segregate liquid assets, or engage in other measures, to “cover” open positions with respect to certain kinds of these derivatives. In the case of futures contracts that do not cash settle, for example, the Fund must set aside liquid assets equal to the full notional value of the contracts (less any amounts the Fund has posted as margin) while the positions are open. With respect to futures contracts that do cash settle, however, the Fund is permitted to set aside liquid assets in an amount equal to the Fund’s daily marked-to-market net obligations under the contracts (less any amounts the Fund has posted as margin), if any, rather than their full notional value. The Fund reserves the right to modify its asset segregation policies in the future to comply with any changes in the positions from time to time articulated by the SEC or its staff regarding asset segregation. By setting aside assets equal to only its net obligations under cash-settled instruments, the Fund will have the ability to employ leverage to a greater extent than if the Fund were required to segregate assets equal to the full notional amount of the instruments. The Fund may incur losses on derivatives and other leveraged investments (including the entire amount of the Fund’s investment in such investments) even if they are covered.

 

Margin Risk. The Fund may hold securities that are subject to collateral requirements at various executing brokers. These collateral requirements may change at the discretion of the brokers, the exchanges through which the securities are traded or through regulatory requirements. Changes to collateral requirements, especially emergency adjustments that are done in response to market volatility, may force the Fund to sell certain securities on short notice for non-investment related reasons. If the Fund is forced to sell securities over a short period of time it may result in unfavorable execution prices and unfavorable investment results.

 

Risk of Non-Diversification. The Fund is a non-diversified portfolio, which means that it has the ability to take larger positions in a smaller number of securities than a portfolio that is "diversified.” Non-diversification increases the risk that the value of the Fund could go down because of the poor performance of a single investment. Because the Fund may invest a significant percentage of its assets in a limited number of securities there is a risk that events negatively affecting these fewer positions will have a greater negative impact on the Fund’s performance.

 

Cash or Cash Equivalents Risk. At any time, the Fund may have significant investments in cash or cash equivalents. When a substantial portion of a portfolio is held in cash or cash equivalents, there is the risk that the value of the cash account, including interest, will not keep pace with inflation.

 

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Portfolio Turnover Risk. The Fund’s investment strategy involves active trading and may result in a high portfolio turnover rate. A high portfolio turnover can result in correspondingly greater brokerage commission expenses. A high portfolio turnover may result in the distribution to shareholders of additional capital gains for tax purposes, some of which may be taxable at ordinary income rates. These factors may negatively affect performance.

 

Other Risk Considerations

 

Health Crisis Risk. A widespread health crisis, such as a global pandemic, could cause substantial market volatility, exchange trading suspensions or restrictions and closures of securities exchanges and businesses, impact the ability to complete redemptions, and adversely impact Fund performance. An outbreak of an infectious respiratory illness, COVID-19, caused by a novel coronavirus, was first detected in China in December 2019 and spread globally. As of the date of this prospectus, this outbreak has resulted in travel restrictions, closed international borders, enhanced health screenings at ports of entry and elsewhere, disruption of and delays in healthcare service preparation and delivery, prolonged quarantines, cancellations, supply chain disruptions, disruptions in markets, lower consumer demand, layoffs, defaults and other significant economic impacts, as well as general concern and uncertainty. These types of market disruptions may adversely impact the Fund’s investments, including impairing hedging activity to the extent the Fund engages in such activity, as expected correlations between related markets or instruments may no longer apply. In addition, to the extent the Fund invests in short-term instruments that have negative yields, the Fund’s value may be impaired as a result. Any suspension of trading in markets in which the Fund invests will have an impact on the Fund and its investments and will impact the Fund’s ability to purchase or sell securities in those markets. The impact of this outbreak has adversely affected the economies of many nations and the entire global economy and may impact individual issuers and capital markets in ways that cannot be foreseen. The duration of the outbreak and its effects cannot be determined with any certainty.

 

In the past, governmental and quasigovernmental authorities and regulators throughout the world have responded to major economic disruptions with a variety of fiscal and monetary policy changes, including direct capital infusions into companies and other issuers, new monetary policy tools, and lower interest rates. An unexpected or sudden reversal of these policies, or the ineffectiveness of such policies, is likely to increase market volatility, which could adversely affect the Fund’s investments.

 

The outbreak could also impair the information technology and other operational systems upon which the Fund’s service providers rely and could otherwise disrupt the ability of employees of the Fund’s service providers to perform critical tasks relating to the Fund. Other infectious illness outbreaks that may arise in the future could have similar or other unforeseen effects. Public health crises may exacerbate other pre-existing political, social, and economic risks in certain countries or globally.

 

RIC Qualification Risk. To qualify for treatment as a regulated investment company (“RIC”) under the Code, the Fund must meet certain income source, asset diversification and annual distribution requirements. Among other means of not satisfying the qualifications to be treated as a RIC, the Fund’s investments in ETFs that invest in physical commodities may make it more difficult for the Fund to meet these requirements. If, in any year, the Fund fails to qualify as a RIC for any reason, the Fund would be taxed as an ordinary corporation and would become (or remain) subject to corporate income tax. The resulting corporate taxes could substantially reduce the Fund’s net assets, the amount of income available for distribution and the amount of our distributions. Such a failure would have a material adverse effect on the Fund and its shareholders. In such case, distributions to shareholders generally would be eligible (i) for treatment as qualified dividend income in the case of individual shareholders, and (ii) for the dividends-received deduction in the case of corporate shareholders, provided certain holding period requirements are satisfied. In such circumstances, the Fund could be required to recognize unrealized gains, pay substantial taxes and interest and make substantial distributions before requalifying as a RIC that is accorded special treatment.

 

Temporary Investments. To respond to adverse market, economic, political or other conditions, the Fund may invest 100% of its total assets, without limitation, in high-quality short-term debt securities.  These short-term debt securities include: treasury bills, commercial paper, certificates of deposit, bankers’ acceptances, U.S. Government securities, money market instruments, including money market funds, and repurchase agreements.  While the Fund is in a defensive position, the opportunity to achieve its investment objective will be limited.  The Fund may also invest a substantial portion of its assets in such instruments at any time to maintain liquidity or pending selection of investments in accordance with its policies. When the Fund takes such a position, it may not achieve its investment objective.

 

THE INVESTMENT ADVISER

 

Hercules Investments, LLC (the “Adviser”), located at 633 W. 5th Street – Suite 6770, Los Angeles, California 90071, manages the investments of the Fund pursuant to an investment advisory agreement (the "Advisory Agreement"). As of August 2020, the Adviser had approximately $50 million in assets under management. Mr. James A. McDonald is Chief Executive Officer and Chief Investment Officer of the Adviser.

 

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The Adviser manages the investment portfolio of the Fund, subject to the policies adopted by the Trust's Board of Trustees. Under the Advisory Agreement, the Adviser, at its own expense and without reimbursement from the Trust, furnishes office space and all necessary office facilities, equipment, and executive personnel necessary for managing the assets of the Funds. For its services the Adviser receives an investment management fee, calculated and accrued daily and paid monthly, equal to 2.00% of the Fund's average daily net assets (the “Base Fee”). In addition to the Base Fee, the Adviser is entitled to receive a performance fee of 20% (the “Performance Fee”) of the Fund’s total return prior to the application of the Performance Fee (“Pre-Performance Fee”), subject to a high watermark test. Fund shares will not bear the Performance Fee for any day on which the Fund’s Pre-Performance fee cumulative total return does not exceed its Pre-Performance fee cumulative total return as of the day on which the Performance Fee was last accrued. Conversely, Fund shares will bear the Performance Fee for any day on which the Fund’s Pre-Performance fee cumulative total return exceeds its Pre-Performance fee cumulative total return as of the day on which the Performance Fee was last accrued. This high watermark test is measured from the Fund’s commencement of operations and therefore could result in either Fund shares bearing a Performance Fee in a calendar year when the Fund’s return is negative, or not bearing a Performance Fee in a calendar year when the Fund’s total return is positive. In either event, the Adviser will not reimburse previously accrued performance fees because of any negative total returns occurring after their accrual. The Performance Fee, payable monthly, is calculated and accrued daily, based on the value of the Fund’s then current assets.

 

A discussion regarding the basis for the Board’s approval of the Advisory Agreement with the Adviser will be available in the Fund’s semi-annual report to shareholders for the period ended April 30, 2021.

 

Portfolio Manager

 

James A. McDonald. James McDonald founded Hercules Investments, LLC in 2019. He is a 25-year veteran of the investment industry. Prior to founding Hercules Investment, LLC, he was CIO of Vishnu Wealth Management and CEO and founder of Index Strategy Advisors, Inc. where he led the firm for 9 years. Prior to Index Strategy Advisors, Inc., he was Director of Strategy for the $12 billion Wealth Management group at BBVA Compass. He holds a bachelor’s degree in Economics from Harvard University.

 

The Fund’s statement of additional information (“SAI”) provides additional information about the Portfolio Manager’s compensation, other accounts managed and ownership of shares of the Fund.

 

Adviser Related Performance

 

The data below is provided to illustrate the past performance of Hercules Investments, LLC, the Fund’s adviser, in managing fully discretionary portfolios that are managed in accordance with the Hercules Systematic Volatility (“HSV”) investment strategy as measured against market indices, and does not represent the performance of the Fund, nor should it be considered a substitute for the Fund’s performance. You should not consider this performance data as a prediction or an indication of future performance of the Fund or the performance that one might achieve by investing in the Fund.

 

The HSV Composite represents all fully discretionary separately managed accounts with assets of $500,000 or more that are managed in accordance with the HSV strategy. The HSV strategy invests in exchange traded derivatives (options) and exchange traded funds in accordance with systematic volatility-based trading methodology. The Fund is also managed in a manner that is substantially similar to the manner in which the HSV Composite is managed. The investment objectives, strategies, and policies of the Fund are substantially similar to the accounts included in the HSV Composite. The HSV Composite inception date was March 1, 2020.

 

The manner in which the performance was calculated for the HSV Composite differs from that of registered mutual funds like the Fund. The SEC standard method for calculation of performance information for mutual funds was not utilized to calculate the performance of the HSV Composite. The performance information shown below is not representative of the performance information that typically would be shown for a registered mutual fund. The accounts that are included in the HSV Composite are not subject to the same type of expenses to which the Fund is subject and are not subject to the diversification requirements, specific tax restrictions, and investment limitations imposed on the Fund by the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, or the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended. Consequently, the performance results for the HSV Composite could have been adversely affected if the accounts in the Composite were subject to the same federal securities tax laws as the Fund. In addition, the accounts in the Composite are not subject to the same adverse effects of cash inflows and outflows of investor money that a public mutual fund such as the Fund may be subject to, and accordingly the performance of these accounts may be higher than for a public mutual fund managed under the same investment strategy. The performance results listed below for the HSV Composite are net of all fees and expenses, including any performance fees. Because of variation in fee levels, the HSV Composite returns may not be reflective of performance in any one particular account included in the Composite. The use of a methodology different than that used below to calculate performance could result in different performance data.

 

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The operating expenses incurred by the accounts in the Composite differ from the anticipated operating expenses of the Fund, with some higher and some lower. The Adviser believes that the net effect of these differences would not have been material to its prior performance results.

 

The Adviser’s HSV Composite
(March 1, 2020 through September 30, 2020)

The following data illustrates the past performance of the Adviser in managing the Composite and does not represent the performance of the Fund.

 

HSV Composite Total Returns (as of September 30, 2020)

 

Time Period
Number of Accounts in HSV Composite

Total Return of HSV Composite
(net of fees and expense)
Total Return of S&P 500 Index Total Return of Barclays Hedge Fund Index
Since Inception* 19 34.18% 13.84% 4.75%

*Inception Date: March 1, 2020

 

THE TRUST

 

The Fund is a series of the SFS Series Trust, an open-end management investment company organized as a Delaware statutory trust on July 14, 2020. The Trustees supervise the operations of the Fund according to applicable state and federal law, and the Trustees are responsible for the overall management of the Fund’s business affairs.

 

Other Service Providers

 

Sudrania Fund Services Corp. (“SFS” or the “Administrator” or the “Transfer Agent”), 633 Rogers Street, Suite 106, Downers Grove, IL 60515, serves as the Fund’s administrator, fund accountant and transfer agent. In the performance of its administrative responsibilities to the Fund, the Administrator coordinates the services of vendors to the Fund and provides the Fund with certain administrative and fund accounting services. SFS, as Transfer Agent, will provide, or cause to be provided, certain shareholder and other services to the Fund, including furnishing account and transaction information and maintaining shareholder account records.

 

Commonwealth Fund Services, Inc. ("CFS" or the “Sub-Transfer Agent”), located at 8730 Stony Point Parkway, Suite 205, Richmond, Virginia 23235, serves as the Fund’s sub-transfer agent. As sub-transfer agent, CFS provides certain shareholder and other services to the Fund, including BlueSky registration services, furnishing account and transaction information and maintaining shareholder account records.

 

Rafferty Capital Markets, LLC (the “Distributor”), located at 1010 Franklin Avenue - 3rd Floor, Garden City, NY 11530, serves as the principal underwriter of the Fund’s shares. The Distributor may sell the Fund’s shares to or through qualified securities dealers or others.

 

Other Expenses

 

In addition to the investment advisory fees, the Fund pays all expenses not assumed by the Adviser, including, without limitation, the following: the fees and expenses of its independent accountants and legal counsel; the fees and expenses of its transfer agent, fund accounting agent and administrator; the costs of printing and mailing to shareholders annual and semi-annual reports, proxy statements, prospectuses, statements of additional information, and supplements thereto; the costs of printing registration statements; bank transaction charges and custodian’s fees; any proxy solicitors’ fees and expenses; filing fees; any federal, state, or local income or other taxes; any interest; any membership fees of the Investment Company Institute and similar organizations; fidelity bond and Trustees’ liability insurance premiums; and any extraordinary expenses, such as indemnification payments or damages awarded in litigation or settlements made.

 

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Portfolio Holdings

 

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

 

HOW TO BUY SHARES

 

Only “qualified investors” may invest in the Fund. A “qualified investor” is defined as one who meets the SEC’s definition of the term “qualified client” set forth in Rule 205-3(d)(1) under the Advisers Act. The term qualified client includes:

 

(a)an individual who, or a corporation, partnership, trust or other company that, the Fund (and any person acting on its behalf) reasonably believes, immediately prior to the purchase has a net worth (in the case of an individual, together with assets held jointly with a spouse, excluding the value of the primary residence of such individual and debt secured by the property), of more than $2,100,000 at the time of purchase; or

 

(b)an individual who, or a company that, immediately after the purchase of Fund shares has at least $1,000,000 under management with the Adviser.

 

In order to establish an account and purchase Fund shares, you must submit a completed account application along with copies of tax forms, brokerage statements or any other documentation that you believe would substantiate that you satisfy the qualified investor requirement to the Transfer Agent at 8730 Stony Point Parkway, Suite 205, Richmond, VA 23235. Your purchase order will not be processed until the Fund has determined that you satisfy the qualified investor requirement. The Fund will contact you if additional documentation is required to verify that you satisfy the qualified investor requirement. If you have any questions regarding the account setup process, please call 1-(855) 644-3444 and a shareholder representative will assist you.

 

The requirement that Fund shares be purchased only by qualified investors applies to both initial and subsequent investments in the Fund. Qualified investors (or any persons acting on their behalf) must represent to the Fund and the Adviser that they are investing in the Fund for their own accounts and not with a view to transferring their Fund shares or any interest in them to another person. The Fund has imposed restrictions on transfers of the Fund’s shares in order to prevent persons who are not qualified investors from purchasing them.

 

You may purchase shares of the Fund directly from the Distributor. You may request a copy of this prospectus by calling toll-free at 1-(855) 644-3444 or it can be downloaded at www.herculesfund.com. The price you pay for a share of the Fund is the NAV next determined upon receipt of your completed account application and required documentation to satisfy the qualified investor requirement by the Transfer Agent. The Fund will be deemed to have received your purchase or redemption order when the Transfer Agent receives the completed account application and required documentation to satisfy the qualified investor requirement.

 

Fund shares are not deposits or obligations of, or guaranteed by, any depository institution. Shares are not insured by the FDIC, Federal Reserve Board, or any other agency and are subject to investment risks including the possible loss of principal amount invested. Neither the Fund nor the Fund’s distributor is a bank. You should read the prospectus carefully before you invest or send money.

 

Small Account Balances. If the value of your account falls below $500, the Fund may ask you to increase your balance. If the account value is still below the minimum balance after 60 days, the Fund may close your account and send you the proceeds. The Fund will not close your account if it falls below this amount solely as a result of Fund performance. You should note that should such a redemption occur with regards to a non-retirement account, such redemption would be subject to taxation. Please refer to the section entitled “Dividends, Distributions and Taxes” below.

 

Proper Form. Your order to buy shares is in proper form when your completed and signed account application and check or wire payment is received, and the Fund has determined that you satisfy the qualified investor requirement. Your written request to sell or exchange shares is in proper form when written instructions signed by all registered owners, with a signature guarantee if necessary, is received by the Fund. If your status has changed and you no longer meet the qualified investor requirement, please contact the Fund 1-(855) 644-3444 before making any subsequent investments into the Fund.

 

Minimum Investments. The minimum initial investment is $1,000. Subsequent investments must be in amounts of $1,000 or more. The Trust may change or waive policies concerning minimum investment amounts at any time. The Trust retains the right to refuse to accept an order.

 

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Customer Identification Program. Federal regulations require that the Trust obtain certain personal information about you when opening a new account. As a result, the Trust must obtain the following information for each person that opens a new account:

 

ØName;

ØDate of birth (for individuals);

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

ØSocial security number, taxpayer identification number, or other identifying number.

 

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

 

After an account is opened, the Trust may restrict your ability to purchase additional shares until your identity is verified. The Trust also may close your account or take other appropriate action if it is unable to verify your identity within a reasonable time.

 

If your account is closed for this reason, your shares will be redeemed at the NAV next calculated after the account is closed.

 

Purchases by Mail. For initial purchases by qualified investors, the account application should be completed, signed and mailed to the Transfer Agent at 8730 Stony Point Parkway, Suite 205, Richmond, VA 23235 together with your check payable to the Fund. For subsequent purchases, include with your check the tear-off stub from a prior purchase confirmation or otherwise identify the name(s) of the registered owner(s) and social security number(s).

 

Investing by Wire. You may purchase shares by requesting your bank to transmit by wire directly to the Transfer Agent. To invest by wire, please call the Fund toll-free at 1-(855) 644-3444 to advise the Fund of your investment and to receive further instructions. Your bank may charge you a small fee for this service. Once you have arranged to purchase shares by wire, please complete and mail the account application promptly to the Transfer Agent. This account application is required to complete the Fund's records. You will not have access to your shares until the Fund's records are complete. Once your account is opened, you may make additional investments using the wire procedure described above. Be sure to include your name and account number in the wire instructions you provide your bank.

 

General. The Trust reserves the right in its sole discretion to withdraw all or any part of the offering of shares of the Fund when, in the judgment of the Fund's management, such withdrawal is in the best interest of the Fund. An order to purchase shares is not binding on, and may be rejected by, the Fund until it has been confirmed in writing by the Fund and payment has been received. Once accepted, the purchase will be effected at the NAV next determined after the request was received by the Fund. See above, review the SAI or call the Fund at 1-(855) 644-3444 for further information. The price you pay for a share of the Fund is the NAV next determined upon receipt by the Transfer Agent or Financial Intermediary.

 

HOW TO SELL SHARES

 

You may redeem your shares of the Fund at any time and in any amount by contacting the Fund by mail or telephone. For your protection, the Transfer Agent will not redeem your shares until it has received all information and documents necessary for your request to be considered in “proper form.” The Transfer Agent will promptly notify you if your redemption request is not in proper form. The Transfer Agent cannot accept redemption requests which specify a particular date for redemption or which specify any special conditions. The Fund’s procedure is to redeem shares at the NAV next determined after the Transfer Agent receives the redemption request in proper form. Payment of redemption proceeds will be made promptly as instructed via check, wire or automated clearing house (ACH), but no later than the seventh calendar day following the receipt of the request in proper form. The Fund may suspend the right to redeem shares for any period during which the NYSE is closed or the SEC determines that there is an emergency. In such circumstances, you may withdraw your redemption request or permit your request to be held for processing after the suspension is terminated.

 

The Fund typically expects to meet redemption requests through cash holdings or cash equivalents and anticipates using these types of holdings on a regular basis. The Fund typically expects to pay redemption proceeds for shares redeemed within the following days after receipt by the transfer agent of a redemption request in proper form: (i) for payment by check, the Fund typically expects to mail the check within two business days; and (ii) for payment by wire or ACH, the Fund typically expects to process the payment within two business days. Payment of redemption proceeds may take up to 7 days as permitted under the 1940 Act. Under unusual circumstances as permitted by the Securities and Exchange Commission (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.

 

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To the extent cash holdings or cash equivalents are not available to meet redemption requests, the Fund will meet redemption requests by either (i) rebalancing their overweight securities or (ii) selling portfolio assets. In addition, if the Fund determines that it would be detrimental to the best interest of the Fund’s remaining shareholders to make payment in cash, the Fund may pay redemption proceeds in whole or in part by a distribution-in-kind of readily marketable securities.

 

Delivery of the proceeds of a redemption of shares purchased and paid for by check shortly before the receipt of the redemption request may be delayed until the Fund determines that the Transfer Agent has completed collection of the purchase check, which may take up to 15 days. Also, payment of the proceeds of a redemption request for an account for which purchases were made by wire may be delayed until the Fund receives a completed account application for the account to permit the Fund to verify the identity of the person redeeming the shares and to eliminate the need for backup withholding.

 

Redemption by Mail. To redeem shares by mail, send a written request for redemption, signed by the registered owner(s) exactly as the account is registered, to: the name of the Fund, Attn: Commonwealth Fund Services, Inc. 8730 Stony Point Parkway, Suite 205 Richmond, Virginia 23235. Certain written requests to redeem shares may require signature guarantees. For example, signature guarantees may be required if you sell a large number of shares, if your address of record on the account application has been changed within the last 30 days, or if you ask that the proceeds be sent to a different person or address. Signature guarantees are used to help protect you and the Fund. You can obtain a signature guarantee from most banks or securities dealers, but not from a Notary Public. Please call the Transfer Agent at 1-(855) 644-3444 to learn if a signature guarantee is needed or to make sure that it is completed appropriately in order to avoid any processing delays. There is no charge to shareholders for redemptions by mail.

 

Redemption by Telephone. You may redeem your shares by telephone provided that you requested this service on your initial account application. If you request this service at a later date, you must send a written request along with a signature guarantee to the Transfer Agent. Once your telephone authorization is in effect, you may redeem shares by calling the Transfer Agent toll-free at 1-(855) 644-3444. There is no charge to shareholders for redemptions by telephone. If it should become difficult to reach the Transfer Agent by telephone during periods when market or economic conditions lead to an unusually large volume of telephone requests, a shareholder may send a redemption request by overnight mail to the Transfer Agent at 8730 Stony Point Parkway, Suite 205 Richmond, Virginia 23235.

 

Redemption by Wire. If you request that your redemption proceeds be wired to you, please call your bank for instructions prior to writing or calling the Transfer Agent. Be sure to include your name, Fund name, Fund account number, your account number at your bank and wire information from your bank in your request to redeem by wire. The Fund will not be responsible for any losses resulting from unauthorized transactions (such as purchases, sales or exchanges) if it follows reasonable security procedures designed to verify the identity of the investor. You should verify the accuracy of your confirmation statements immediately after you receive them. There is no charge for shareholders for redemptions by wire.

 

Redemption in Kind. The Fund typically expects to satisfy 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 Fund’s custodian to the extent such arrangements are in place with the custodian. In addition to paying redemption proceeds in cash, the Fund reserves the right to make payment for a redemption in securities rather than cash, which is known as a “redemption in kind.” While the Fund does not intend, under normal circumstances, to redeem its shares by payment in kind, it is possible that conditions may arise in the future which would, in the opinion of the Trustees, make it undesirable for the Fund to pay for all redemptions in cash. In such a case, the Trustees may authorize payment to be made in readily marketable portfolio securities of the Fund, either through the distribution of selected individual portfolio securities or a pro-rata distribution of all portfolio securities held by the Fund. Securities delivered in payment of redemptions would be valued at the same value assigned to them in computing the Fund’s NAV per share. Shareholders receiving them may incur brokerage costs when these securities are sold and will be subject to market risk until such securities are sold. An irrevocable election has been filed under Rule 18f-1 of the 1940 Act, wherein the Fund must pay redemptions in cash, rather than in kind, to any shareholder of record of the Fund who redeems during any 90-day period, the lesser of (a) $250,000 or (b) 1% of the Fund’s net assets at the beginning of such period. Redemption requests in excess of this limit may be satisfied in cash or in kind at the Fund’s election. The Fund’s methods of satisfying shareholder redemption requests will normally be used during both regular and stressed market conditions.

 

15

 

 

DIVIDENDS, DISTRIBUTIONS AND TAXES

 

Dividends and Capital Gain Distributions. Dividends from net investment income, if any, are declared and paid annually for the Fund. The Fund intends to distribute annually any net capital gain.

 

Dividends and distributions will automatically be reinvested in additional shares of the Fund, unless you elect to have the distributions paid to you in cash. There are no sales charges or transaction fees for reinvested dividends and all shares will be purchased at NAV. Shareholders will be subject to tax on all dividends and distributions whether paid to them in cash or reinvested in shares. If the investment in shares is made within an IRA, all dividends and capital gain distributions must be reinvested.

 

Unless you are investing through a tax deferred retirement account, such as an IRA, it is not to your advantage to buy shares of the Fund shortly before the next distribution, because doing so can cost you money in taxes. This is known as "buying a dividend". To avoid buying a dividend, check the Fund's distribution schedule before you invest.

 

Taxes. The following information is meant as a general summary of the federal income tax provisions regarding the taxation of the shareholders. Additional tax information appears in the SAI. Shareholders should rely on their own tax advisers for advice about the particular federal, state, and local tax consequences of investing in the Fund.

 

The Fund will distribute all or substantially all of its net investment income and net realized capital gain to its shareholders at least annually. Shareholders may elect to take in cash or reinvest in additional Fund shares any dividends from net investment income or capital gains distributions. Although the Fund is not taxed on amounts it distributes, shareholders will generally be taxed on distributions, regardless of whether distributions are paid by the Fund in cash or are reinvested in additional Fund shares. Distributions to non-corporate investors attributable to ordinary income and short-term capital gains are generally taxed as ordinary income, although certain income dividends may be taxed to non-corporate shareholders as qualified dividend income at long-term capital gains rates provided certain holding period requirements are satisfied. Distributions of long-term capital gains are generally taxed as long-term capital gain, regardless of how long a shareholder has held Fund shares. Distributions may be subject to state and local taxes, as well as federal taxes.

 

Taxable distributions paid by the Fund to corporate shareholders will be taxed at corporate tax rates. Corporate shareholders may be entitled to a dividends-received deduction ("DRD") for a portion of the dividends paid and designated by the Fund as qualifying for the DRD provided certain holding period requirements are met.

 

In general, a shareholder who sells or redeems shares will realize a capital gain or loss, which will be long-term or short-term, depending upon the shareholder’s holding period for the Fund shares, provided that any loss recognized on the sale of Fund shares held for six months or less will be treated as long-term capital loss to the extent of capital gain dividends received with respect to such shares. An exchange of shares may be treated as a sale and any gain may be subject to tax.

 

Investment income received by the Fund from sources within foreign countries may be subject to foreign income taxes withheld at the source. The United States has entered into tax treaties with many foreign countries which may entitle the Fund to a reduced rate of or exemption from taxes on such income. It is impossible to determine the effective rate of foreign tax for the Fund in advance since the amount of the assets to be invested within various countries is not known. If more than 50% of the total assets of the Fund at the close of its taxable year consist of foreign stocks or securities, the Fund may “pass through” to you certain foreign income taxes (including withholding taxes) paid by the Fund. This means that you will be considered to have received as an additional dividend your share of such foreign taxes, but you may be entitled to either a corresponding tax deduction in calculating your taxable income, or, subject to certain limitations, a credit in calculating your federal income tax.

 

As with all mutual funds, the Fund may be required to withhold U.S. federal income tax (presently at the rate of 24%) on all taxable distributions payable to shareholders who fail to provide the Fund with their correct taxpayer identification numbers or to make required certifications, or who have been notified by the IRS that they are subject to backup withholding. Backup withholding is not an additional tax; rather, it is a way in which the IRS ensures it will collect taxes otherwise due. Any amounts withheld may be credited against a shareholder’s U.S. federal income tax liability.

 

Possible Tax Law Changes. At the time that this prospectus is being prepared, the coronavirus (COVID-19) is affecting the United States. Various administrative and legislative changes to the federal tax laws are under consideration, but it is not possible at this time to determine whether any of these changes will take place or what the changes might entail.

 

Shareholders should consult with their own tax advisers to ensure distributions and sale of Fund shares are treated appropriately on their income tax returns.

 

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Cost Basis Reporting. Federal law requires that mutual fund companies report their shareholders' cost basis, gain/loss, and holding period to the IRS on the Fund’s shareholders’ Consolidated Form 1099s. The Fund has chosen average cost as their 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 Fund’s standing tax lot identification method is the method covered shares will be reported on your Consolidated Form 1099 if you do not select a specific tax lot identification method. You may choose a method different than the Fund’s standing method and will be able to do so at the time of your purchase or upon the sale of shares. Please refer to the appropriate Internal Revenue Service regulations or consult your tax adviser with regard to your personal circumstances.

 

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.

 

NET ASSET VALUE

 

The Fund's share price, called its NAV per share, is determined as of the close of trading on the NYSE (generally, 4:00 p.m. Eastern time) on each business day that the NYSE is open (the "Valuation Time"). As of the date of this prospectus, the Fund has been informed that the NYSE observes the following holidays: New Year's Day, Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, Presidents' Day, Good Friday, Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving Day and Christmas Day. NAV per share is computed by adding the total value of the Fund's investments and other assets attributable to the Fund, subtracting any liabilities, and then dividing by the total number of shares outstanding.

 

Shares of the Fund are bought or exchanged at the Fund’s NAV next determined after a request has been received in proper form. Shares of the Fund held by you are sold or exchanged at the NAV per share next determined after a request has been received in proper form, less any applicable deferred sales charge. Any request received in proper form before the Valuation Time, will be processed the same business day. Any request received in proper form after the Valuation Time, will be processed the next business day.

 

PRICING

 

The Fund's securities are valued at current market prices. Investments in securities traded on the national securities exchanges are valued at the last reported sale price. Investments in securities included in the NASDAQ National Market System are valued at the NASDAQ Official Closing Price. Other securities traded in the over-the-counter market and listed securities for which no sales are reported on a given date are valued at the last reported bid price. Short-term debt securities (less than 60 days to maturity) are valued at their fair market value using amortized cost. Depositary Receipts will be valued at the closing price of the instrument last determined prior to the Valuation Time unless the Fund is aware of a material change in value. Securities for which such a value cannot be readily determined on any day will be valued at the closing price of the underlying security adjusted for the exchange rate. The value of a foreign security is determined as of the close of trading on the foreign exchange on which it is traded or as of the scheduled close of trading on the NYSE, whichever is earlier. Portfolio securities that are listed on foreign exchanges may experience a change in value on days when shareholders will not be able to purchase or redeem shares of the Fund. Generally, trading in corporate bonds, U.S. government securities and money market instruments is substantially completed each day at various times before the scheduled close of the NYSE. The value of these securities used in computing the NAV is determined as of such times.

 

The Trust has a policy that contemplates the use of fair value pricing to determine the NAV per share of the Fund when market prices are unavailable as well as under special circumstances, such as: (i) if the primary market for a portfolio security suspends or limits trading or price movements of the security; and (ii) when an event occurs after the close of the exchange on which a portfolio security is principally traded that is likely to have changed the value of the security.

 

When the Trust uses fair value pricing to determine the NAV per share of the Fund, securities will not be priced on the basis of quotations from the primary market in which they are traded, but rather may be priced by another method that the Board believes accurately reflects fair value. Any method used will be approved by the Board and results will be monitored to evaluate accuracy. The Trust's policy is intended to result in a calculation of the Fund's NAV that fairly reflects security values as of the time of pricing. However, fair values determined pursuant to the Trust's procedures may not accurately reflect the price that the Fund could obtain for a security if it were to dispose of that security as of the time of pricing.

 

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FREQUENT TRADING

 

The Fund discourages market timing. Market timing (“Frequent Trading”) is an investment strategy using frequent purchases, redemptions and/or exchanges 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 of Trustees also has adopted a policy directing the Fund to reject any purchase order with respect to one 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 applies uniformly to all Fund shareholders. 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. Omnibus accounts typically provide the Funds 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 identity of individual purchasers and redeemers whose orders are aggregated are not known by the Funds. The netting effect often makes it more difficult for the Funds to detect market timing, and there can be no assurance that the Funds will be able to do so. However, the Fund will establish information sharing agreements with intermediaries as required by Rule 22c-2 under the 1940 Act, and otherwise use reasonable efforts to work with intermediaries to identify excessive short-term trading in underlying accounts. The Fund may invest in small- to mid-capitalization companies, and therefore may have additional risks associated with market timing. Because the Fund may invest in securities that are, among other things, thinly traded, traded infrequently or relatively illiquid, the Fund has the risk that the current market price for the securities may not accurately reflect current market values. This can create opportunities for market timing by shareholders and could dilute the value of Fund shares held by long term shareholders, disrupt portfolio management and increase Fund expenses for all shareholders.

 

GENERAL INFORMATION

 

Signature Guarantees. To help protect you and the Fund from fraud, signature guarantees are required for: (1) all redemptions ordered by mail if you require that the check be made payable to another person or that the check be mailed to an address other than the one indicated on the account registration; (2) all requests to transfer the registration of shares to another owner; and (3) all authorizations to establish or change telephone redemption service, other than through your initial account application. Signature guarantees may be required for certain other reasons. For example, a signature guarantee may be required if you sell a large number of shares or if your address of record on the account has been changed within the last thirty (30) days.

 

In the case of redemption by mail, signature guarantees must appear on either: (1) the written request for redemption; or (2) a separate instrument of assignment (usually referred to as a "stock power") specifying the total number of shares being redeemed. The Trust may waive these requirements in certain instances.

 

An original signature guarantee assures that a signature is genuine so that you are protected from unauthorized account transactions. Notarization is not an acceptable substitute. Acceptable guarantors only include participants in the Securities Transfer Agents Medallion Program (STAMP2000). Participants in STAMP2000 may include financial institutions such as banks, savings and loan associations, trust companies, credit unions, broker-dealers and member firms of a national securities exchange.

 

Automatic Investment Plan. Existing shareholders, who wish to make regular monthly investments in amounts of $100 or more, may do so through the Automatic Investment Plan. Under the Automatic Investment Plan, your designated bank or other financial institution debits a pre-authorized amount from your account on or about the 15th day of each month and applies the amount to the purchase of Fund shares. To use this service, you must authorize the transfer of funds by completing the Automatic Investment Plan section of the account application and sending a blank voided check.

 

Account Statements and Shareholder Reports. Each time you purchase, redeem or transfer shares of the Fund, you will receive a written confirmation. You will also receive a year-end statement of your account if any dividends or capital gains have been distributed, and an annual and a semi-annual report.

 

Shareholder Communications. The Fund may eliminate duplicate mailings of portfolio materials to shareholders who reside at the same address, unless instructed to the contrary. Investors may request that the Fund send these documents to each shareholder individually by calling the Fund at 1(855) 644-3444.

 

General. The Fund will not be responsible for any losses from unauthorized transactions (such as purchases, sales or exchanges) if it follows reasonable security procedures designed to verify the identity of the investor. You should verify the accuracy of your confirmation statements immediately after you receive them.

 

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FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS

 

Because the Fund has not yet commenced investment operations, no financial highlights are available for the Fund at this time.

 

19

 

FOR MORE INFORMATION ABOUT THE FUND

 

The Fund's annual and semi-annual reports will contain more information about the Fund. The Fund's annual reports will contain a discussion of the market conditions and investment strategies that had a significant effect on the Fund's performance during the last fiscal year.

 

For more information about the Fund, you may wish to refer to the Fund's current SAI, which is on file with the SEC and incorporated by reference into this prospectus. You can obtain a free copy of the annual and semi-annual reports, and SAI by writing to SFS Series Trust, 633 Rogers St, Suite 106, Downers Grove, IL 60515, by calling toll free 1-(855) 644-3444, or on the Fund’s website at www.herculesfund.com. General inquiries regarding the Fund may also be directed to the above address or telephone number.

 

Copies of these documents and other information about the Fund are available on the EDGAR Database on the Commission’s Internet site at http://www.sec.gov, and copies of these documents may also be obtained, after paying a duplication fee, by electronic request at the following e-mail address: publicinfo@sec.gov.

 

Investment Company Act #811-23599

 

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HERCULES FUND

 

Ticker: NFLHX

 

633 Rogers St, Suite 106

Downers Grove, IL 60515

1-(855) 644-3444

 

STATEMENT OF ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

  

_____________, 2020

 

This Statement of Additional Information (“SAI”) is not a prospectus. It should be read in conjunction with the current prospectus of the Hercules Fund (the “Fund”) dated _____, 2020 as listed below, as it may be supplemented or revised from time to time. Because this SAI is not itself a prospectus, no investment in shares of the Fund should be made solely upon the information contained herein. Copies of the Fund’s Prospectus, Annual Report, and/or Semi-Annual Report may be obtained, free of charge, by writing to SFS Series Trust, 633 Rogers St, Suite 106, Downers Grove, IL 60515, downloaded at www.herculesfund.com, or by calling 1-(855) 644-3444.

 

The information in this Statement of Additional Information is not complete and may be changed. The Funds may not sell these securities until the registration statement filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission is effective. This Statement of Additional Information is not an offer to sell these securities and is not soliciting an offer to buy these securities in any state where the offer or sale is not permitted.

 

Subject to Completion, dated November 24, 2020

 

 

 

 

TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

THE TRUST 1
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION ABOUT INVESTMENT OBJECTIVES AND POLICIES 1
DESCRIPTION OF PERMITTED INVESTMENTS 1
INVESTMENT LIMITATIONS 10
INVESTMENT ADVISER AND ADVISER 12
PORTFOLIO MANAGER 13
SERVICE PROVIDERS 14
TRUSTEES & OFFICERS OF THE TRUST 16
BOARD OF TRUSTEES 20
CONTROL PERSONS AND PRINCIPAL SECURITIES HOLDERS 22
DETERMINATION OF NET ASSET VALUE 22
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION ABOUT PURCHASES AND SALES 23
SHAREHOLDER SERVICES 23
TAXES 25
BROKERAGE ALLOCATION AND OTHER PRACTICES 37
DISCLOSURE OF PORTFOLIO SECURITIES HOLDINGS 39
DESCRIPTION OF THE TRUST 42
PROXY VOTING 43
CODES OF ETHICS 43
FINANCIAL INFORMATION 44
EXHIBIT A 46
EXHIBIT B 49
EXHIBIT C 51

 

 

THE TRUST

 

General. SFS Series Trust (the “Trust”) was organized as a Delaware statutory trust on July 14, 2020. The Trust is an open-end management investment company registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the “1940 Act”) and commonly known as a “mutual fund”. The Declaration of Trust permits the Trust to offer separate series (“funds”) of shares of beneficial interest (“shares”). The Trust reserves the right to create and issue shares of additional funds. Each fund is a separate mutual fund, and each share of the fund represents an equal proportionate interest in that fund. All consideration received by the Trust for shares of any fund and all assets of such fund belong solely to that fund and would be subject to liabilities related thereto. The Fund pays its (i) operating expenses, including fees of its service providers, expenses of preparing prospectuses, proxy solicitation material and reports to shareholders, costs of custodial services and registering its shares under federal and state securities laws, pricing, insurance expenses, brokerage costs, interest charges, taxes and organization expenses; and (ii) pro rata share of the Fund’s other expenses, including audit and legal expenses. Expenses attributable to a specific fund shall be payable solely out of the assets of that fund. Expenses not attributable to a specific fund are allocated across all of the funds on the basis of relative net assets. The other mutual funds of the Trust, other than the Hercules Fund (the “Fund”), are described in separate prospectuses and SAIs.

 

The Fund. This SAI relates to the Fund, and it should be read in conjunction with the prospectus of the Fund. This SAI is incorporated by reference into the Fund’s prospectus. No investment in shares should be made without reading the prospectus. The Fund is a separate investment portfolio or series of the Trust. The Fund is “non-diversified” as that term is defined in the 1940 Act, the rules and regulations thereunder and the interpretations thereof. A “non-diversified” portfolio can invest in fewer securities at any one time than a diversified portfolio and can invest more of its assets in securities of a single issuer than a diversified portfolio.

 

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION ABOUT INVESTMENT OBJECTIVES AND POLICIES

 

The Fund’s investment objective and principal investment strategies are described in the prospectus. The Fund is a “non-diversified” series as that term is defined in the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”). The following information supplements, and should be read in conjunction with, the prospectus. For a description of certain permitted investments discussed below, see “Description of Permitted Investments” in this SAI.

 

Portfolio Turnover. Average annual portfolio turnover rate is the ratio of the lesser of sales or purchases to the monthly average value of the portfolio securities owned during the year, excluding from both the numerator and the denominator all securities with maturities at the time of acquisition of one year or less. A higher portfolio turnover rate involves greater transaction expenses to the Fund and may result in the realization of net capital gains, which would be taxable to shareholders when distributed. Although the Adviser is responsible for selecting securities for the Fund’s portfolio, the Adviser is responsible for implementing the trades at the Adviser’s direction. Accordingly, the Adviser makes purchases and sales for the Fund’s portfolio whenever necessary, in the Adviser’s opinion, to meet the Fund’s objective. Because the Fund has not yet commenced operations as of the date of this SAI, the Fund’s portfolio turnover rate for the most recent fiscal year is not available.

 

DESCRIPTION OF PERMITTED INVESTMENTS

 

The following discussion of investment techniques and instruments supplements, and should be read in conjunction with, the investment information in the Fund’s prospectus. In seeking to meet its investment objective, the Fund may invest in any type of security whose characteristics are consistent with its investment programs. The Fund generally attempts to implement its investment strategies and achieve its objective by investing in the securities of exchange-traded products, including index exchange-traded funds (“ETFs”) and exchange-traded equity and index options. In that regard, certain of the descriptions of the investments or techniques set forth below reflect that the investments and techniques are occurring indirectly through investments in Underlying Funds.

 

1 

 

 

Equity Securities. Equity securities are common stocks, preferred stocks, convertible preferred stocks, convertible debentures, American Depositary Receipts, rights and warrants. Convertible preferred stock is preferred stock that can be converted into common stock pursuant to its terms. Convertible debentures are debt instruments that can be converted into common stock pursuant to their terms. Warrants are options to purchase equity securities at a specified price valid for a specific time period. Rights are similar to warrants, but normally have shorter durations.

 

Investment Company Securities and ETFs. Subject to the restrictions and limitations of the 1940 Act and any Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) exemptive orders thereunder, the Fund will invest primarily in the securities of other investment companies (i.e., Underlying Funds). The Fund may invest in ETFs, including ETFs that hold a portfolio of securities which closely tracks the price performance and/or dividend yield of various indices (described below). When the Fund invests in other investment companies, it will indirectly bear its proportionate share of any fees and expenses payable directly by the investment company. In connection with its investments in other investment companies, the Fund will incur higher expenses, many of which may be duplicative. For example, shareholders may incur expenses associated with capital gains distributions by the Fund as well as the Underlying Funds in which the Fund invests. Shareholders may also incur increased transaction costs as a result of the Fund’s portfolio turnover rate and/or because of high portfolio turnover rates in the Underlying Funds. The Fund is not required to hold securities for any minimum period and, as a result, may incur short-term redemption fees and increased trading costs. When selecting Underlying Funds for investment, the Fund will not be precluded from investing in an Underlying Fund with a higher than average expense ratio. The Fund is independent from any of the Underlying Funds in which it invests and it has no voice in or control over the investment strategies, policies or decisions of the Underlying Funds. The Fund’s only option is to liquidate its investment in an Underlying Fund in the event of dissatisfaction with the fund.

 

The Underlying Funds (particularly the ETFs) may attempt to replicate the performance of a particular index. An Underlying Fund may not always hold all of the same securities as the index it attempts to track. An Underlying Fund may use statistical sampling techniques to attempt to replicate the returns of an index. Statistical sampling techniques attempt to match the investment characteristics of the index and the fund by taking into account such factors as capitalization, industry exposures, dividend yield, price/earnings (P/E) ratio, price/book (P/B) ratio, and earnings growth. An Underlying Fund may not track the index perfectly because differences between the index and the fund’s portfolio can cause differences in performance. In addition, expenses and transaction costs, the size and frequency of cash flow into and out of the fund, and differences between how and when the fund and the index are valued can cause differences in performance. Furthermore, because the Fund invests in shares of ETFs and Underlying Funds, its performance is directly related to the ability of the ETFs and Underlying Funds to meet their respective investment objectives, as well as the allocation of the Fund’s assets among the ETFs and Underlying Funds. Accordingly, the Fund’s investment performance will be influenced by the investment strategies of and risks associated with the ETFs and Underlying Funds in direct proportion to the amount of assets the Fund allocates to the ETFs and Underlying Funds utilizing such strategies.

 

2 

 

 

Investments in ETFs involve certain inherent risks generally associated with investments in a broadly-based portfolio of stocks, including risks that: (1) the general level of stock prices may decline, thereby adversely affecting the value of each unit of the ETF or other instrument; (2) an ETF may not fully replicate the performance of its benchmark index 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 weightings of securities or number of stocks held; (3) an ETF may also be adversely affected by the performance of the specific index, market sector or group of industries on which it is based; and (4) an ETF may not track an index as well as a traditional index mutual fund because ETFs are valued by the market and, therefore, there may be a difference between the market value and the ETF’s net asset value (“NAV”). Additionally, investments in fixed income ETFs involve certain inherent risks generally associated with investments in fixed income securities, including the risk of fluctuation in market value based on interest rates rising or declining and risks of a decrease in liquidity, such that no assurances can be made that an active trading market for underlying ETFs will be maintained.

 

The Fund may also invest in leveraged and inverse ETFs, including double inverse (or ultra-short) ETFs. Leveraged ETFs are riskier than traditional ETFs as they use borrowings and derivative instruments to generate a return in multiples of a benchmark index. Investments in inverse and leveraged ETFs may magnify and compound changes in the Fund’s share price and results in increased volatility and potential loss. Inverse ETFs seek to negatively correlate to the performance of the particular index that they track by using various forms of derivative transactions, including by short-selling the underlying index. Ultra-short ETFs seek to multiply the negative return of the tracked index (e.g., twice the inverse return). As a result, an investment in an inverse ETF will decrease in value when the value of the underlying index rises. By investing in ultra-short ETFs and gaining magnified short exposure to a particular index, the Fund can commit less assets to the investment in the securities represented on the index than would otherwise be required. ETFs that seek to multiply the negative return on the tracked index are subject to a special form of correlation risk which is the risk that for periods greater than one day, the use of leverage tends to cause the performance of the ETF to be either greater than or less than the index performance times the stated multiple in the ETF’s investment objective.

 

There is also a risk that the Underlying Funds or ETFs may terminate due to extraordinary events. For example, any of the service providers to the Underlying Fund or ETF, such as the trustee or sponsor, may close or otherwise fail to perform their obligations to the Underlying Fund or ETF, and the Underlying Fund or ETF may not be able to find a substitute service provider. Also, the Underlying Fund or ETF may be dependent upon licenses to use the various indices as a basis for determining their compositions and/or otherwise to use certain trade names. If these licenses are terminated, the respective Underlying Fund or ETF may also terminate. In addition, an Underlying Fund or ETF may terminate if its net assets fall below a certain amount. Although the Fund believes that in the event of the termination of an Underlying Fund or ETF, it will be able to invest instead in shares of an alternate Underlying Fund or ETF tracking the same market index or another index covering the same general market, there can be no assurance that shares of an alternate Underlying Fund or ETF would be available for investment at that time.

 

The Fund may invest in securities issued by other investment companies. Such securities will be acquired by the Fund within the limits prescribed by the 1940 Act, which with the exception of master/feeder arrangements, fund of fund arrangements and certain money market fund investments, generally include a prohibition that a fund may not acquire shares of another investment company (including ETFs) if, immediately after such acquisition, (i) such fund would hold more than 3% of the other investment company’s total outstanding shares, (ii) such fund’s investment in securities of the other investment company would be more than 5% of the value of the total assets of the fund, or (iii) more than 10% of such fund’s total assets would be invested in investment companies. The SEC has granted orders for exemptive relief to certain ETFs that permit investments in those ETFs by other investment companies (such as the Fund) in excess of these limits. The Fund may invest in ETFs that have received such exemptive orders from the SEC, pursuant to the conditions specified in such orders. Additionally, in accordance with Section 12(d)(1)(F)(i) of the 1940 Act, the Fund may also invest in ETFs and other investment companies that have not received such exemptive orders as long as the Fund (and all of its affiliated persons, including its adviser and Adviser) does not acquire more than 3% of the total outstanding stock of such Underlying Fund, unless otherwise permitted to do so pursuant to permission granted by the SEC. If the Fund seeks to redeem shares of an Underlying Fund purchased in reliance on Section 12(d)(1)(F), the Underlying Fund is not obligated to redeem an amount exceeding 1% of the Underlying Fund’s outstanding shares during a period of less than 30 days.

 

3 

 

 

As of the date of this Registration Statement the SEC has proposed Rule 12d1-4 under the 1940 Act. Subject to certain conditions, proposed Rule 12d1-4 would provide an exemption to permit acquiring funds to invest in ETFs in excess of the limits of section 12(d)(1) of the 1940 Act, including those described above.

 

Common Stocks. Common stocks represent units of ownership in a company. Common stocks usually carry voting rights and earn dividends. Unlike preferred stocks, which are described below, dividends on common stocks are not fixed but are declared at the discretion of the company’s board of directors.

 

Preferred Stock. The Underlying Funds in which the Fund invests may invest in preferred stock, which is a class of capital stock that pays dividends at a specified rate and that has preference over common stock in the payment of dividends and the liquidation of assets. Preferred stock does not ordinarily carry voting rights.

 

Most preferred stock is cumulative; if dividends are passed (not paid for any reason), they accumulate and must be paid before common dividends. A passed dividend on non-cumulative preferred stock is generally gone forever. Participating preferred stock entitles its holders to share in profits above and beyond the declared dividend, along with common shareholders, as distinguished from non-participating preferred, which is limited to the stipulated dividend.

 

Adjustable rate preferred stock pays a dividend that is adjustable, usually quarterly, based on changes in the Treasury bill rate or other money market rates.

 

Convertible Securities. The Underlying Funds in which the Fund invests may invest in convertible securities and the Fund considers such securities to be “equity securities” for purposes of its investment strategies. Traditional convertible securities include corporate bonds, notes and preferred stocks that may be converted into or exchanged for common stock, and other securities that also provide an opportunity for equity participation. These securities are convertible either at a stated price or a stated rate (that is, for a specific number of shares of common stock or other security). As with fixed income securities, the price of a convertible security generally varies inversely with interest rates. While providing a fixed income stream, a convertible security also affords the investor an opportunity, through its conversion feature, to participate in the capital appreciation of the common stock into which it is convertible. As the market price of the underlying common stock declines, convertible securities tend to trade increasingly on a yield basis and so may not experience market value declines to the same extent as the underlying common stock. When the market price of the underlying common stock increases, the price of a convertible security tends to rise as a reflection of higher yield or capital appreciation. In such situations, the Fund may have to pay more for a convertible security than the value of the underlying common stock.

 

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Warrants. The Underlying Funds in which the Fund invests may invest in warrants. A warrant gives the right to buy a stock and specifies the amount of the underlying stock, the purchase (or “exercise”) price, and the date the warrant expires. If the price of the underlying stock does not rise above the exercise price before the warrant expires, the warrant generally expires without any value and the Fund loses any amount it paid for the warrant. Thus, investments in warrants may involve more risk than investments in common stock. Warrants may trade in the same markets as their underlying stock; however, the price of the warrant does not necessarily move with the price of the underlying stock.

 

Illiquid Securities. The Fund (and an Underlying Fund) may hold up to 15% of its net assets in illiquid securities. For this purpose, the term “illiquid securities” means securities that the holder 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 security. Illiquid securities include generally, among other things, certain written over-the-counter options, securities or other liquid assets as cover for such options, repurchase agreements with maturities in excess of seven days, certain loan participation interests and other securities whose disposition is restricted under the federal securities laws.

 

Master Limited Partnerships (“MLPs”). The Underlying Funds in which the Fund invests may invest in MLPs. MLPs are limited partnerships or limited liability companies, whose partnership units or limited liability interests are listed and traded on a U.S. securities exchange, and are treated as publicly traded partnerships for federal income tax purposes. To qualify to be treated as a partnership for tax purposes, an MLP must receive at least 90% of its income from qualifying sources as set forth in Section 7704(d) of the Code. These qualifying sources include activities such as the exploration, development, mining, production, processing, refining, transportation, storage and marketing of mineral or natural resources. MLPs generally have two classes of owners, the general partner and limited partners. MLPs that are formed as limited liability companies generally have two analogous classes of owners, the managing member and the members. For purposes of this section, references to general partners also apply to managing members and references to limited partners also apply to members. The general partner is typically owned by a major energy company, an investment fund, the direct management of the MLP or is an entity owned by one or more of such parties. The general partner may be structured as a private or publicly traded corporation or other entity. The general partner typically controls the operations and management of the MLP through an equity interest of as much as 2% in the MLP plus, in many cases, ownership of common units and subordinated units. Limited partners own the remainder of the MLP through ownership of common units and have a limited role in the MLP’s operations and management.

 

MLPs are typically structured such that common units and general partner interests have first priority to receive quarterly cash distributions up to an established minimum amount (“minimum quarterly distributions” or “MQD”). Common and general partner interests also accrue arrearages in distributions to the extent the MQD is not paid. Once common and general partner interests have been paid, subordinated units receive distributions of up to the MQD; however, subordinated units do not accrue arrearages. Distributable cash in excess of the MQD paid to both common and subordinated units is distributed to both common and subordinated units generally on a pro rata basis. The general partner is also eligible to receive incentive distributions if the general partner operates the business in a manner which results in distributions paid per common unit surpassing specified target levels. As the general partner increases cash distributions to the limited partners, the general partner receives an increasingly higher percentage of the incremental cash distributions. A common arrangement provides that the general partner can reach a tier where it receives 50% of every incremental dollar paid to common and subordinated unit holders. These incentive distributions encourage the general partner to streamline costs, increase capital expenditures and acquire assets in order to increase the partnership’s cash flow and raise the quarterly cash distribution in order to reach higher tiers. Such results benefit all security holders of the MLP.

 

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General partner interests of MLPs are typically retained by an MLP’s original sponsors, such as its founders, corporate partners, entities that sell assets to the MLP and investors such as the Fund. A holder of general partner interests can be liable under certain circumstances for amounts greater than the amount of the holder’s investment in the general partner interest. General partner interests often confer direct board participation rights and in many cases, operating control, over the MLP. These interests themselves are not publicly traded, although they may be owned by publicly traded entities. General partner interests receive cash distributions, typically 2% of the MLP’s aggregate cash distributions, which are contractually defined in the partnership agreement. In addition, holders of general partner interests typically hold incentive distribution rights (“IDRs”), which provide them with a larger share of the aggregate MLP cash distributions as the distributions to limited partner unit holders are increased to prescribed levels. General partner interests generally cannot be converted into common units. The general partner interest can be redeemed by the MLP if the MLP unit-holders choose to remove the general partner, typically with a supermajority vote by limited partner unit-holders.

 

U.S. Government Securities. U.S. government securities may be backed by the credit of the government as a whole or only by the issuing agency. U.S. Treasury bonds, notes, and bills and some agency securities, such as those issued by the Federal Housing Administration and the Government National Mortgage Association (“GNMA”), are backed by the full faith and credit of the U.S. government as to payment of principal and interest and are the highest quality government securities. Other securities issued by U.S. government agencies or instrumentalities, such as securities issued by the Federal Home Loan Banks and the Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation, are supported only by the credit of the agency that issued them, and not by the U.S. government. Securities issued by the Federal Farm Credit System, the Federal Land Banks, and the Federal National Mortgage Association (“FNMA”) are supported by the agency’s right to borrow money from the U.S. Treasury under certain circumstances, but are not backed by the full faith and credit of the U.S. government.

 

Zero Coupon and Pay-in-Kind Bonds. Corporate debt securities and municipal obligations include so-called “zero coupon” bonds and “pay-in-kind” bonds. Zero coupon bonds do not make regular interest payments. Instead they are sold at a deep discount from their face value. Because a zero coupon bond does not pay current income, its price can be very volatile when interest rates change.

 

The Federal Reserve creates Separate Trading of Registered Interest and Principal of Securities (“STRIPS”) by separating the coupon payments and the principal payment from an outstanding Treasury security and selling them as individual securities. A broker-dealer creates a derivative zero by depositing a Treasury security with a custodian for safekeeping and then selling the coupon payments and principal payment that will be generated by this security separately. Examples are Certificates of Accrual on Treasury Securities (CATs), Treasury Investment Growth Receipts (TIGRs) and generic Treasury Receipts (TRs). These derivative zero coupon obligations are not considered to be government securities unless they are part of the STRIPS program. Original issue zeros are zero coupon securities issued directly by the U.S. government, a government agency or by a corporation.

 

Pay-in-kind bonds allow the issuer, at its option, to make current interest payments on the bonds either in cash or in additional bonds. The value of zero coupon bonds and pay-in-kind bonds is subject to greater fluctuation in response to changes in market interest rates than bonds which make regular payments of interest. Both of these types of bonds allow an issuer to avoid the need to generate cash to meet current interest payments. Accordingly, such bonds may involve greater credit risks than bonds which make regular payment of interest.

 

6 

 

 

Options. The Fund and/or the Underlying Funds in which the Fund invests may enter into option transactions. An option involves either (a) the right or the obligation to buy or sell a specific instrument at a specific price until the expiration date of the option, or (b) the right to receive payments or the obligation to make payments representing the difference between the closing price of a market index and the exercise price of the option expressed in dollars times a specified multiple until the expiration date of the option. Options are sold (written) on securities and market indices. The purchaser of an option on a security pays the seller (the writer) a premium for the right granted but is not obligated to buy or sell the underlying security. The purchaser of an option on a market index pays the seller a premium for the right granted, and in return the seller of such an option is obligated to make the payment. Options are traded on organized exchanges and in the over-the-counter market. The use of options is a highly specialized activity that involves investment techniques and risks different from those associated with ordinary portfolio securities transactions.

 

Options on securities indices are similar to options on a security or other instrument except that, rather than settling by physical delivery of the underlying instrument, they settle by cash settlement, i.e., an option on an index gives the holder the right to receive, upon exercise of the option, an amount of cash if the closing level of the index upon which the option is based exceeds, in the case of a call, or is less than, in the case of a put, the exercise price of the option. This amount of cash is equal to the excess of the closing price of the index over the exercise price of the option, which also may be multiplied by a formula value. The seller of the option is obligated, in return for the premium received, to make delivery of this amount. The gain or loss on an option on an index depends on price movements in the instruments making up the market, market segment, industry or other composite on which the underlying index is based, rather than price movements in individual securities, as is the case with respect to options on securities.

 

Because certain derivatives may be viewed as creating leverage, that is, the amount invested may be smaller than the full economic exposure of the derivative instrument and the Fund/Underlying Fund could lose more than it invested, federal securities laws, regulations and guidance may require the Fund/Underlying Fund to earmark assets to reduce the risks associated with derivatives or to otherwise hold instruments that offset the Fund/Underlying Fund’s obligations under the derivatives instrument. This process is known as “cover.” The Fund and/or Underlying Fund should not enter into any derivative transaction unless it can comply with SEC guidance regarding cover, and, if SEC guidance so requires, the Fund and/or Underlying Fund will generally earmark cash or liquid assets with a value sufficient to cover its obligations under a derivative transaction or otherwise “cover” the transaction in accordance with applicable SEC guidance. If a large portion of the Fund’s assets are used for cover, it could affect portfolio management or the Fund’s ability to meet redemption requests or other current obligations. The leverage involved in certain derivative transactions may result in the Fund’s NAV being more sensitive to changes in the value of the related investment.

 

Futures Contracts. The Fund and/or Underlying Funds may purchase and sell futures contracts to hedge against changes in prices. The Fund and/or Underlying Funds may utilize Treasury futures to hedge against interest rate risk and inflation risk.

 

The Fund and/or Underlying Funds may engage in futures transactions for speculative or hedging purposes. The Fund and/or Underlying Funds may also write call options and purchase put options on futures contracts as a hedge to attempt to protect securities in its portfolio against decreases in value. Writing a call option on a futures contract is undertaking the obligation of selling a futures contract at a fixed price at any time during a specified period if the option is exercised. Conversely, as purchaser of a put option on a futures contract, the funds are entitled (but not obligated) to sell a futures contract at the fixed price during the life of the option.

 

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When the Fund and/or Underlying Fund purchases futures contracts, an amount of cash and cash equivalents equal to the underlying commodity value of the futures contracts (less any related margin deposits) will be segregated on the books and records of the funds to collateralize the position and thereby insure that the use of such futures contract is unleveraged. When the Fund and/or Underlying Fund sells futures contracts or related option contracts, it will either own or have the right to receive the underlying future or security, or will make deposits to collateralize the position as discussed above. When futures and options on futures are used as hedging devices, there is a risk that the prices of the securities subject to the futures contracts may not correlate perfectly with the prices of the securities in the funds’ portfolio. This may cause the futures contract and any related options to react differently than the portfolio securities to market changes. In addition, an investment adviser could be incorrect in its expectations about the direction or extent of market factors such as stock price movements. In these events, the Fund and/or Underlying Fund may lose money on the futures contract or option. It is not certain that a secondary market for positions in futures contracts or for options will exist at all times. There is no assurance that a liquid secondary market on an exchange or otherwise will exist for any particular futures contract or option at any particular time. The Fund and/or Underlying Fund’s ability to establish and close out futures and options positions depends on this secondary market.

 

The Fund is being operated by an investment adviser that has claimed an exemption from registration with the Commodity Futures Trading Commission as a commodity pool operator under the Commodity Exchange Act, and therefore the investment adviser is not subject to registration or regulation as a commodity pool operator under that Act. This claim of exemption from registration as a commodity pool operator is pursuant to Rule 4.5 promulgated under the Commodity Exchange Act. Specifically, in accordance with the requirements of Rule 4.5(b)(1), the Fund will limit its use of commodity futures contracts and commodity options contracts to no more than (i) five percent (5%) of the Fund’s liquidation value being committed as aggregate initial premium or margin for such contracts or (ii) one hundred percent (100%) of the Fund’s liquidation value in aggregate net notional value of commodity futures, commodity options and swaps positions.

 

Cash Equivalents. The Fund and/or Underlying Funds may invest in cash and high-quality short-term fixed-income securities. All money market instruments can change in value when interest rates or an issuer’s creditworthiness change dramatically. These short-term fixed-income securities are described below:

 

a.       Repurchase Agreements. Repurchase agreements are agreements by which the Fund purchases a security and obtains a simultaneous commitment from the seller to repurchase the security at an agreed upon price and date. The resale price is in excess of the purchase price and reflects an agreed upon market rate unrelated to the coupon rate on the purchased security. Repurchase agreements must be fully collateralized and can be entered into only with well-established banks and broker-dealers that have been deemed creditworthy by the Adviser. Repurchase transactions are intended to be short-term transactions, usually with the seller repurchasing the securities within seven days. Repurchase agreements that mature in more than seven days are subject to the Fund’s limit on illiquid securities. When the Fund enters into a repurchase agreement it may lose money if the other party defaults on its obligation and the Fund is delayed or prevented from disposing of the collateral. A loss may be incurred if the value of the collateral declines, and it might incur costs in selling the collateral or asserting its legal rights under the agreement. If a defaulting seller filed for bankruptcy or became insolvent, disposition of collateral might be delayed pending court action.

 

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b.       Bank Obligations. Bank obligations include banker’s acceptances, negotiable certificates of deposit and non-negotiable time deposits, including U.S. dollar-denominated instruments issued or supported by the credit of U.S. or foreign banks or savings institutions. All investments in bank obligations are limited to the obligations of financial institutions having more than $1 billion in total assets at the time of purchase, and investments by the Fund in the obligations of foreign banks and foreign branches of U.S. banks will not exceed 10% of the Fund’s total assets at the time of purchase.

  

c.       Commercial Paper. The Fund and/or the Underlying Funds may hold commercial paper. Commercial paper will consist of issues rated at the time of investment as A-1 and/or P-1 by S&P, Moody’s or similar rating by another nationally recognized rating agency. In addition, the Underlying Fund may acquire unrated commercial paper and corporate bonds.

 

d.       Investment Company Securities. (See Above). The Fund may invest in Underlying Funds such as money market funds and short-term bond funds.

 

Temporary Investments. To maintain cash for redemptions and distributions and for temporary defensive purposes, the Fund may invest in money market instruments, including money market funds, and in investment grade short-term fixed income securities including short-term U.S. government securities, negotiable certificates of deposit, commercial paper, banker’s acceptances and repurchase agreements.

 

Health Crisis Risk. A widespread health crisis, such as a global pandemic, could cause substantial market volatility, exchange trading suspensions or restrictions and closures of securities exchanges and businesses, impact the ability to complete redemptions, and adversely impact Fund performance. An outbreak of an infectious respiratory illness, COVID-19, caused by a novel coronavirus, was first detected in China in December 2019 and spread globally. As of the date of this prospectus, this outbreak has resulted in travel restrictions, closed international borders, enhanced health screenings at ports of entry and elsewhere, disruption of and delays in healthcare service preparation and delivery, prolonged quarantines, cancellations, supply chain disruptions, disruptions in markets, lower consumer demand, layoffs, defaults and other significant economic impacts, as well as general concern and uncertainty. These types of market disruptions may adversely impact the Fund’s investments, including impairing hedging activity to the extent the Fund engages in such activity, as expected correlations between related markets or instruments may no longer apply. In addition, to the extent the Fund invests in short-term instruments that have negative yields, the Fund’s value may be impaired as a result. Any suspension of trading in markets in which the Fund invests will have an impact on the Fund and its investments and will impact the Fund’s ability to purchase or sell securities in those markets. The impact of this outbreak has adversely affected the economies of many nations and the entire global economy and may impact individual issuers and capital markets in ways that cannot be foreseen. The duration of the outbreak and its effects cannot be determined with any certainty.

 

In the past, governmental and quasigovernmental authorities and regulators throughout the world have responded to major economic disruptions with a variety of fiscal and monetary policy changes, including direct capital infusions into companies and other issuers, new monetary policy tools, and lower interest rates. An unexpected or sudden reversal of these policies, or the ineffectiveness of such policies, is likely to increase market volatility, which could adversely affect the Fund’s investments.

 

The outbreak could also impair the information technology and other operational systems upon which the Fund’s service providers rely and could otherwise disrupt the ability of employees of the Fund’s service providers to perform critical tasks relating to the Fund. Other infectious illness outbreaks that may arise in the future could have similar or other unforeseen effects. Public health crises may exacerbate other pre-existing political, social, and economic risks in certain countries or globally.

 

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INVESTMENT LIMITATIONS

 

Fundamental. The investment limitations described below have been adopted by the Trust with respect to the Fund and are fundamental (“Fundamental”), which means 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 the SAI, the term “majority” of the outstanding shares of a 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”).

 

As a matter of fundamental policy, the Fund:

 

1.        May not borrow money except as permitted under the 1940 Act, and as interpreted or modified by regulatory authority having jurisdiction, from time to time. 

2.        May not issue senior securities to others, except as permitted under the 1940 Act, and as interpreted or modified by regulatory authority having jurisdiction, from time to time.

3.        May not underwrite securities issued by others except to the extent the Fund may be deemed to be an underwriter under the federal securities laws, in connection with the disposition of portfolio securities.

4.        May not purchase or sell real estate except as permitted under the 1940 Act, and as interpreted or modified by regulatory authority having jurisdiction, from time to time.

5.        May invest in commodities only as permitted by the 1940 Act or other governing statute, by the Rules thereunder or by the SEC or other regulatory agency with authority over the Funds.

6.        May not make loans to others, except as permitted under the 1940 Act, and as interpreted or modified by regulatory authority having jurisdiction, from time to time.

7.        May not invest more than 25% of the value of its net assets in any one industry or group of industries (except that securities of the U.S. government, its agencies and instrumentalities are not subject to these limitations).

 

The investment techniques, restrictions and operating policies of the Fund that are not fundamental policies can be changed by the Board without shareholder approval or prior notice.

 

With respect to the percentages adopted by the Trust as maximum limitations on its investment policies and limitations, an excess above the fixed percentage will not be a violation of the policy or limitation unless the excess 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 in paragraph 1 above as the coverage ratio described in paragraph 1 must be met at all times.

 

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.

 

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Except with respect to borrowing and circumstances where the Fund is required to “cover” its respective positions, if a percentage or rating restriction on investment or use of assets set forth herein or in the Prospectus is adhered to at the time a transaction is effected, later changes in percentage resulting from any cause other than actions by the Fund will not be considered a violation. Currently, subject to modification to conform to the 1940 Act as interpreted or modified from time to time, the Fund is permitted, consistent with the 1940 Act, to borrow, and pledge, its shares to secure such borrowing, provided, that immediately thereafter there is asset coverage of at least 300% for all borrowings by the Fund from a bank. If borrowings exceed this 300% asset coverage requirement by reason of a decline in net assets of the Fund, the Fund will reduce its borrowings within three days (not including Sundays and holidays) to the extent necessary to comply with the 300% asset coverage requirement. The 1940 Act also permits the Fund to borrow for temporary purposes only in an amount not exceeding 5% of the value of its total assets at the time when the loan is made. A loan shall be presumed to be for temporary purposes if it is repaid within 60 days and is not extended or renewed. To the extent outstanding borrowings of the Fund exceed 5% of the value of the total assets of the Fund, the Fund will not make additional purchases of securities – the foregoing shall not be construed to prevent the Fund from settling portfolio transactions or satisfying shareholder redemptions orders. The SEC has indicated, however, that certain types of transactions, which could be deemed “borrowings” (such as firm commitment agreements and reverse repurchase agreements), are permissible if the Fund “covers” the agreements by establishing and maintaining segregated accounts.

 

Currently, with respect to senior securities, the 1940 Act and regulatory interpretations of relevant provisions of the 1940 Act establish the following general limits, subject to modification to conform to the 1940 Act as interpreted or modified from time to time: Open-end registered investment companies such as the Fund are not permitted to issue any class of senior security or to sell any senior security of which they are the issuers. The Trust is, however, permitted to issue separate series of shares (the Fund is a series of the Trust) and to divide those series into separate classes. The Fund has no intention of issuing senior securities, except that the Trust has issued its shares in separate series and may divide those series into classes of shares. Collateral arrangements with respect to forward contracts, futures contracts or options, including deposits of initial and variation margin, are not considered to be the issuance of a senior security for purposes of this restriction.

 

The following descriptions of certain provisions of the 1940 Act may assist investors in understanding the above policies and restrictions:

 

1.Borrowing. The 1940 Act presently allows a fund to borrow from any bank (including pledging, mortgaging or hypothecating assets) in an amount up to 33 1/3% of its total assets (including the amount borrowed, but excluding temporary borrowings not in excess of 5% of its total assets).

 

2.Senior Securities. Senior securities may include any obligation or instrument issued by a fund evidencing indebtedness. The 1940 Act generally prohibits funds from issuing senior securities, although it does not treat certain transactions as senior securities, such as certain borrowings, short sales, reverse repurchase agreements, firm commitment agreements and standby commitments, with appropriate earmarking or segregation of assets to cover such obligation.

 

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3.Underwriting. Under the 1940 Act, underwriting securities involves a fund purchasing securities directly from an issuer for the purpose of selling (distributing) them or participating in any such activity either directly or indirectly.

 

4.Real Estate. The 1940 Act does not directly restrict an investment company’s ability to invest in real estate, but does require that every investment company have a fundamental investment policy governing such investments. The Fund will not purchase or sell real estate, except that the Fund may purchase marketable securities issued by companies which own or invest in real estate (including REITs).

 

5.Commodities. The Fund will not purchase or sell physical commodities or commodities contracts, except that the Fund may purchase: (i) marketable securities issued by companies which own or invest in commodities or commodities contracts; and (ii) commodities contracts relating to financial instruments, such as financial futures contracts and options on such contracts.

 

6.Lending. Under the 1940 Act, a fund may only make loans if expressly permitted by its investment policies. The Fund’s current investment policy on lending is as follows: the Fund may not make loans if, as a result, more than 33 1/3% (including any loan collateral) of its total assets would be lent to other parties, except that the Fund may: (i) purchase or hold debt instruments in accordance with its investment objective and policies; (ii) enter into repurchase agreements; and (iii) lend its securities (subject to the 33 1/3% limit on its total assets (including any loan collateral) discussed above.) With respect to securities lending, if the market value of the loaned securities increases, the borrower of the securities must furnish additional collateral to the lending Fund so that the collateral is maintained in an amount equal to at least 100% of the current market value of the loaned securities.

 

7.Concentration. Concentration is defined as investing more than 25% of an investment company’s total assets in an industry or group of industries, with certain exceptions.

 

INVESTMENT ADVISER

 

The Adviser, Hercules Investments, LLC (the “Adviser”), located at 633 West 5th Street – Suite 6770, Los Angeles, California 90071, manages the investments of the Fund pursuant to an investment advisory agreement (the “Advisory Agreement”). The Adviser is a limited liability company and was organized on June, 2019 and became registered as an investment adviser with the Securities and Exchange Commission in October 2020. As of August 2020, the Adviser had approximately $50 million in assets under management. Mr. James A. McDonald is Chief Executive Officer and Chief Investment Officer of the Adviser.

 

Under the Advisory Agreement, the Adviser, at its own expense and without reimbursement from the Trust, furnishes office space and all necessary office facilities, equipment, and executive personnel necessary for managing the assets of the Funds. For its services the Adviser receives an investment management fee, calculated and accrued daily and paid monthly, equal to 2.00% of the Fund’s average daily net assets (the “Base Fee”). In addition to the Base Fee, the Adviser is entitled to receive a performance fee of 20% (the “Performance Fee”) of the Fund’s total return prior to the application of the Performance Fee (“Pre-Performance Fee”), subject to a high watermark test. Fund shares will not bear the Performance Fee for any day on which the Fund’s Pre-Performance fee cumulative total return does not exceed its Pre-Performance fee cumulative total return as of the day on which the Performance Fee was last accrued. Conversely, Fund shares will bear the Performance Fee for any day on which the Fund’s Pre-Performance fee cumulative total return exceeds its Pre-Performance fee cumulative total return as of the day on which the Performance Fee was last accrued. This high watermark test is measured from the Fund’s commencement of operations and therefore could result in either Fund shares bearing a Performance Fee in a calendar year when the Fund’s return is negative, or not bearing a Performance Fee in a calendar year when the Fund’s total return is positive. In either event, the Adviser will not reimburse previously accrued performance fees because of any negative total returns occurring after their accrual. The Performance Fee, payable monthly, is calculated and accrued daily, based on the value of the Fund’s then current assets.

 

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The Adviser retains the right to use the name “Hercules” or any derivative thereof in connection with another investment company or business enterprise with which the Adviser is or may become associated. The Trust’s right to use the name “Hercules” or any derivative thereof automatically ceases ninety days after termination of the Advisory Agreement and may be withdrawn by the Adviser on ninety days written notice. The services furnished by the Adviser under the Advisory Agreement are not exclusive, and the Adviser is free to perform similar services for others.

 

PORTFOLIO MANAGER

 

Portfolio Manager. As described in the prospectus, Mr. James A. McDonald serves as the Portfolio Manager responsible for the day-to-day investment management of the Fund and has done so since the Fund’s inception. This section of the SAI includes information about the Portfolio Manager, including information about other accounts they manage, the dollar range of Fund shares owned and compensation.

 

The following table provides information as of September 30, 2020, regarding any other accounts managed by the Fund’s Portfolio Manager. As noted in the table, the Portfolio Manager may also manage or be a member of management teams for other similar accounts.

 

Portfolio Manager Registered Investment Companies Other Pooled Investment Vehicles Other Accounts
Number
of
Accounts
Total Assets
(in millions)
Number
of
Accounts

Total Assets  

(in millions)

Number
of
Accounts

Total 

Assets

(in millions) 

James A. McDonald            
Accounts where compensation is based upon account performance         120 $65.06

 

Conflicts of Interest. A Portfolio Manager’s management of “other accounts” may give rise to potential conflicts of interest in connection with their management of the Fund’s investments, on the one hand, and the investments of the other accounts, on the other. The other accounts may have the same investment objective as the Fund. Therefore, a potential conflict of interest may arise as a result of the identical investment objectives, whereby the Portfolio Manager could favor one account over another. Another potential conflict could include the Portfolio Manager’s knowledge about the size, timing and possible market impact of Fund trades, whereby the Portfolio Manager could use this information to the advantage of other accounts and to the disadvantage of the Fund. However, the Adviser has established policies and procedures to ensure that the purchase and sale of securities among all accounts it manages are fairly and equitably allocated.

 

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Compensation. The Portfolio Manager receives a salary from the Adviser. In addition to base salary, the Portfolio Manager may receive additional bonus compensation which is tied to the overall financial operating results of the Adviser. The Portfolio Manager does not receive compensation that is based upon the Fund, any separate account strategy, partnership or any other commingled account’s, or any private account’s pre- or after-tax performance, or the value of the assets held by such entities. The Portfolio Manager does not receive any special or additional compensation from the Adviser for their service as Portfolio Manager.

 

Fund Shares Owned by the Portfolio Manager. The following table shows the dollar range of equity securities beneficially owned by the Portfolio Manager in the Fund as of the Fund’s inception date.

 

Name of Portfolio Manager Dollar Range of Equity Securities in the Fund
James A. McDonald None

 

SERVICE PROVIDERS

 

Administrator, Fund Accountant and Transfer Agent. Pursuant to a Fund Administration Agreement, Sudrania Fund Services Corp. (“SFS” or the “Administrator” or the “Transfer Agent”), 633 Rogers Street, Suite 106, Downers Grove, IL 60515, serves as the Fund’s administrator, fund accountant and transfer agent. In its capacity as administrator, SFS supervises all aspects of the operations of the Fund except those performed by the Adviser and the other service providers to the Fund. SFS will provide, or cause to be provided, certain administrative services for the Fund, including preparing and maintaining certain books, records, and monitoring compliance with state and federal regulatory requirements. SFS, as administrative agent for the Fund, will provide, or cause to be provided, shareholder, recordkeeping, and administrative services. SFS receives, for administrative services, an asset-based fee computed daily and paid monthly on the average daily net assets of the Fund, subject to a minimum fee plus out-of-pocket expenses.

 

As Transfer Agent, SFS will provide, or cause to be provided, certain shareholder and other services to the Fund, including furnishing account and transaction information and maintaining shareholder account records. SFS will mail, or cause to be mailed, proxy materials (and receive and tabulate proxies), shareholder reports, confirmation forms for purchases and redemptions and prospectuses to shareholders. SFS will disburse, or caused to be disbursed, income dividends and capital distributions and prepare and file appropriate tax-related information concerning dividends and distributions to shareholders. SFS receives, for transfer agency services, per account fees computed daily and paid monthly, subject to a minimum fee plus out-of-pocket expenses.

 

SFS also provides accounting services to the Fund. SFS will be responsible for accounting relating to the Fund and its investment transactions; maintaining certain books and records of the Fund; determining daily the net asset value per share of the Fund; and preparing security position, transaction and cash position reports. SFS also monitors periodic distributions of gains or losses on portfolio sales and maintains a daily listing of portfolio holdings. SFS is responsible for providing expenses accrued and payment reporting services, tax-related financial information to the Trust, and for monitoring compliance with the regulatory requirements relating to maintaining accounting records. SFS receives, for fund accounting services, an asset-based fee, computed daily and paid monthly on the average daily net assets of the Fund, subject to a minimum fee plus out-of-pocket expenses.

 

14 

 

 

Commonwealth Fund Services, Inc. (“CFS” or the “Sub-Transfer Agent”), located at 8730 Stony Point Parkway, Suite 205, Richmond, Virginia 23235, serves as the Fund’s sub-transfer agent. As sub-transfer agent, CFS provides certain shareholder and other services to the Fund, including BlueSky registration services, furnishing account and transaction information and maintaining shareholder account records. CFS will be responsible for processing orders and payments for share purchases. CFS receives, for sub-transfer agency services, per account fees computed daily and paid monthly, subject to a minimum fee plus out-of-pocket expenses. These fees and expenses will be paid by SFS, not the Fund.

 

CorrCast Administration LLC (“CorrCast”) provides the Fund with various management and administrative services. For these services, the Fund pays an asset-based fee computed daily and paid monthly on the average daily net assets of the Fund, subject to a minimum annual fee. Mr. Joseph McDonald is the controlling member of CorrCast and is the brother of James A. McDonald, Chief Executive Officer and Chief Investment Officer of the Adviser.

 

Custodian. Fifth Third Bank (the “Custodian”), 38 Fountain Square Plaza, Cincinnati, Ohio 45263, serves as the custodian of the Fund’s assets.

 

Distributor and Principal Underwriter. Rafferty Capital Markets, LLC (the “Distributor”), located at 1010 Franklin Avenue - 3rd Floor, Garden City, NY 11530, serves as the principal underwriter of the Fund’s shares. The Distributor is a broker-dealer and acts as the Fund’s principal underwriter in a continuous public offering of the Fund’s shares pursuant to a Distribution Agreement (the “Distribution Agreement”). Under the Distribution Agreement, the Distributor serves as the Fund’s principal underwriter and acts as exclusive agent for the Fund in selling its shares to the public on a “best efforts” basis and then only in respect to orders placed – that is, the Distributor is under no obligations to sell any specific number of Shares. The continuance of the Distribution Agreement must be specifically approved at least annually (i) by the vote of the Trustees or by a vote of the shareholders of the Fund and (ii) by the vote of a majority of the Trustees who are not “interested persons” of the Trust and have no direct or indirect financial interest in the operations of the Distribution Agreement or any related agreement, cast in person at a meeting called for the purpose of voting on such approval.

 

The Distributor is registered as a broker-dealer and is a member of the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority. The offering of the Fund’s shares is continuous.

 

Legal Counsel. Practus, LLP, 11300 Tomahawk Creek Parkway, Suite 310, Leawood, KS 66211, serves as legal counsel to the Trust and the Fund.

 

Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm. The Fund’s independent registered public accounting firm, BBD, LLP, located at 1835 Market Street, 3rd Floor, Philadelphia, PA 19103, audits the Fund’s annual financial statements, assistance and consultation in connection with SEC filings, and prepares the Trust’s tax returns.

 

15 

 

 

TRUSTEES & OFFICERS OF THE TRUST

 

Trustees and Officers. The Trust is governed by the Board, which is responsible for protecting the interests of shareholders. The trustees are experienced businesspersons who meet throughout the year to oversee the Trust’s activities, review contractual arrangements with companies that provide services to the Fund and review performance. The names, addresses and ages of the trustees and officers of the Trust, together with information as to their principal occupations during the past five years, are listed below.

 

Each Trustee was nominated to serve on the Board of Trustees based on their particular experiences, qualifications, attributes and skills. Generally, the Trust believes that each Trustee is competent to serve because of their individual overall merits including: (i) experience; (ii) qualifications; (iii) attributes; and (iv) skills. The Trust does not believe any one factor is determinative in assessing a Trustee’s qualifications, but that the collective experience of each Trustee makes them each highly qualified.

 

[Chris Meader – Mr. Meader has worked in the fund administration business for more than twenty-five years. He currently serves as Senior Vice President of Client Success at SFS. Mr. Meader is the founding director of the North American Fund Administration Association, a trade group for alternative fund administration industry focused on developing best practices and standards and being a forum for fund administrators to gather and discuss industry trends. He received an undergraduate degree in Business Administration with a dual concentration in accounting and finance from the Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts.]

 

[Louis G. Hutt, Jr. – Mr. Hutt is a certified public accountant and an attorney with extensive experience in financial accounting, auditing, law and business management. His practice concentration areas include regulatory compliance, business compliance, business planning law, tax controversies and management advisory services. Mr. Hutt serves as an independent trustee for another investment company. He received an undergraduate degree in Business Administration from Washington University in St. Louis and a Juris Doctor from the University of Maryland School of Law.]

 

[Daniel Strachman - Mr. Strachman has been in the financial services industry for more than twenty years, working in such areas as investment management, institutional brokerage, insurance, hedge fund and mutual fund development, marketing and distribution. Mr. Strachman is Managing Director of A&C Advisors, LLC, a firm that provides strategic advice and counsel along with fund governance services to the investment management industry. He is the Co-Founder of the Investment Management Due Diligence Association, an independent educational organization focused on setting best practices for both operational and investment management due diligence around the globe. Mr. Strachman is an accomplished author having written nine books on the investment management industry. He received his Bachelor of Arts from Clark University where he was a Clark Writing Fellow and Editor and Chief of the campus newspaper.]

 

The Chairman of the Board of Trustees is [           ], who is not an “interested person” of the Trust, within the meaning of the 1940 Act. The Trust also has an independent Audit Committee that allows the Board to access the expertise necessary of oversee the Trust, identify risks, recognize shareholder concerns and needs and highlight opportunities. The Audit Committee is able to focus Board time and attention to matters of interest to shareholders and, through its private sessions with the Trust’s auditor, Chief Compliance Officer and legal counsel, stay fully informed regarding management decisions.

 

16 

 

 

Mutual funds face a number of risks, including investment risk, compliance risk and valuation risk. The Board oversees management of the Fund’s risks directly and through its officers. While day-to-day risk management responsibilities rest with the Trust’s Chief Compliance Officer, investment advisers and other service providers, the Board monitors and tracks risk by: (1) receiving and reviewing quarterly reports related to the performance and operations of the Fund; (2) reviewing and approving, as applicable, the compliance policies and procedures of the Trust, including the Trust’s valuation policies and transaction procedures; (3) periodically meeting with the portfolio managers to review investment strategies, techniques and related risks; (4) meeting with representatives of key service providers, including the Fund’s investment advisers, administrator, distributor, transfer agent and the independent registered public accounting firm, to discuss the activities of the Fund; (5) engaging the services of the Chief Compliance Officer of the Trust to monitor and test the compliance procedures of the Trust and its service providers; (6) receiving and reviewing reports from the Trust’s independent registered public accounting firm regarding the Fund’s financial condition and the Trust’s internal controls; and (7) receiving and reviewing an annual written report prepared by the Chief Compliance Officer reviewing the adequacy of the Trust’s compliance policies and procedures and the effectiveness of their implementation. The Board has concluded that its general oversight of the investment advisers and other service providers as implemented through the reporting and monitoring process outlined above allows the Board to effectively administer its risk oversight function.

 

Following is a list of the Trustees and executive officers of the Trust and their principal occupation over the last five years. The mailing address of each Trustee and officer is 633 Rogers Street, Suite 106, Downers Grove, Illinois 60515, unless otherwise indicated.

 

INTERESTED TRUSTEES

 

NAME, YEAR
OF BIRTH AND
POSITION
WITH THE
TRUST
TERM OF
OFFICE
AND
LENGTH
OF TIME
SERVED
PRINCIPAL
OCCUPATION(S)
DURING THE PAST
FIVE YEARS
NUMBER OF
FUNDS IN
FUND
COMPLEX
OVERSEEN
BY
TRUSTEE
OTHER
DIRECTORSHIPS
HELD BY
TRUSTEE
DURING THE
PAST 5 YEARS

Nilesh Sudrania;

(1978);

Initial Trustee, President and Treasurer

Indefinite, Since Inception Founder and Chief Executive Officer, Sudrania Fund Services (2016 – Present); Director of Client Success, Nirvana Financial Solutions (2015 – 2016). 1 N/A

 

17 

 

 

NAME, YEAR
OF BIRTH AND
POSITION
WITH THE
TRUST
TERM OF
OFFICE
AND
LENGTH
OF TIME
SERVED
PRINCIPAL
OCCUPATION(S)
DURING THE PAST
FIVE YEARS
NUMBER OF
FUNDS IN
FUND
COMPLEX
OVERSEEN
BY
TRUSTEE
OTHER
DIRECTORSHIPS
HELD BY
TRUSTEE
DURING THE
PAST 5 YEARS
[Chris Meader;
(1970);
Trustee]
Indefinite, Since Inception Senior Vice President of Client Success at Sudrania Fund Services (January 2020 to present); Founder of the North American Fund Administration Association, a trade group for alternative fund administration industry (2018 to present); Senior Managing Director within the Alternative Investment Solutions division at State Street Bank in Boston (2015 to 2017) 1 N/A

 

INDEPENDENT TRUSTEES

 

NAME, YEAR
OF BIRTH AND
POSITION
WITH THE
TRUST
TERM OF
OFFICE
AND
LENGTH
OF TIME
SERVED
PRINCIPAL
OCCUPATION(S)
DURING THE PAST
FIVE YEARS
NUMBER OF
FUNDS IN
FUND
COMPLEX
OVERSEEN
BY
TRUSTEE
OTHER
DIRECTORSHIPS
HELD BY
TRUSTEE
DURING THE
PAST 5 YEARS

[Daniel Strachman;
1971;
Trustee]

 

 

Indefinite, Since Inception Managing Director of A&C Advisors, LLC, a firm that provides strategic advice and counsel along with fund governance services to the investment management industry (September 2001 to present) 1 Independent Trustee for Arca U.S. Treasury Fund (the first SEC-registered fund that issues digital shares on the blockchain).

 

18 

 

 

NAME, YEAR
OF BIRTH AND
POSITION
WITH THE
TRUST
TERM OF
OFFICE
AND
LENGTH
OF TIME
SERVED
PRINCIPAL
OCCUPATION(S)
DURING THE PAST
FIVE YEARS
NUMBER OF
FUNDS IN
FUND
COMPLEX
OVERSEEN
BY
TRUSTEE
OTHER
DIRECTORSHIPS
HELD BY
TRUSTEE
DURING THE
PAST 5 YEARS
[Louis G. Hutt, Jr.;
1955;
Trustee]
Indefinite, Since Inception Managing Member of The Hutt Co., LLC (certified public accountants) from 1983 to present; Managing Member of The Hutt Law Firm (from 1983 to present). 1 Independent Trustee for Brown Capital Management Mutual Fund’s four series (all registered investment companies). Member of Board of Trustees and Chair of Audit Committee of Washington University, St. Louis.

  

OFFICERS WHO ARE NOT TRUSTEES

 

NAME, YEAR
OF BIRTH AND
POSITION(S)
WITH THE
TRUST
TERM OF
OFFICE
AND
LENGTH
OF TIME
SERVED
PRINCIPAL
OCCUPATION(S)
DURING THE PAST
FIVE YEARS
NUMBER OF
FUNDS IN
FUND
COMPLEX
OVERSEEN
BY
TRUSTEE
OTHER
DIRECTORSHIPS
HELD BY
TRUSTEE
         

John H. Lively
(1969)
Secretary

Indefinite, Since Inception Attorney, Practus, LLP (law firm) (May 2018-present); Attorney,The Law Offices of John H. Lively & Associates, Inc. (law firm) (2010-May 2018). N/A N/A

Wade Bridge
(1968)

Assistant Secretary

Indefinite, Since Inception Attorney, Practus, LLP (law firm) (May 2018 – present); Attorney, The Law Offices of John H. Lively & Associates, Inc. (law firm) (2017-May 2018); Vice President – Fund Administration, Ultimus Fund Solutions, LLC (fund administrator and transfer agent) (2002 – 2017) N/A N/A

 

19 

 

 

NAME, YEAR
OF BIRTH AND
POSITION(S)
WITH THE
TRUST
TERM OF
OFFICE
AND
LENGTH
OF TIME
SERVED
PRINCIPAL
OCCUPATION(S)
DURING THE PAST
FIVE YEARS
NUMBER OF
FUNDS IN
FUND
COMPLEX
OVERSEEN
BY
TRUSTEE
OTHER
DIRECTORSHIPS
HELD BY
TRUSTEE

Julian G. Winters

(1968)

Chief Compliance Officer

Indefinite, Since Inception Managing Member of Watermark Solutions, LLC (investment compliance and consulting) since March 2007. N/A N/A

  

BOARD OF TRUSTEES

 

The Board of Trustees oversees the Trust and certain aspects of the services provided by the Adviser and the Fund’s other service providers. Each Trustee will hold office until their successors have been duly elected and qualified or until their earlier resignation or removal. Each officer of the Trust serves at the pleasure of the Board and for a term of one year or until their successors have been duly elected and qualified.

 

Trustee Standing Committees. The Trust’s committees are responsible for certain aspects of risk oversight relating to financial statements, the valuation of the Trust’s assets, and compliance and governance matters. The Board of Trustees currently has established the following standing committees:

 

The Trust has a standing Audit Committee of the Board composed of the Independent Trustees. The functions of the Audit Committee are to meet with the Trust’s independent auditors to review the scope and findings of the annual audit, discuss the Trust’s accounting policies, discuss any recommendations of the independent auditors with respect to the Trust’s management practices, review the impact of changes in accounting standards on the Trust’s financial statements, recommend to the Board the selection of independent registered public accounting firm, and perform such other duties as may be assigned to the Audit Committee by the Board.

 

The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee is comprised of the Independent Trustees. The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee’s purposes, duties and powers are set forth in its written charter, which is described in Exhibit C – the charter also describes the process by which shareholders of the Trust may make nominations. The members of the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee shall make all nominations for trustee membership on the Board of Trustees.

 

The Valuation Committee is comprised of the Independent Trustees. The Valuation Committee meets as needed in the event that the Fund holds any securities that are subject to valuation and it reviews the fair valuation of such securities on an as needed basis.

 

The Qualified Legal Compliance Committee is comprised of the Independent Trustees. The Qualified Legal Compliance Committee receives, investigates, and makes recommendations as to the appropriate remedial action in connection with any report of evidence of a material violation of the securities laws or breach of fiduciary duty or similar violation by the Trust, its officers, Trustees, or agents.

 

20 

 

 

Trustee Compensation. Each Trustee who is not an “interested person” of the Trust may receive compensation for their services to the Trust. All Trustees are reimbursed for any out-of-pocket expenses incurred in connection with attendance at meetings. Each Trustee receives a retainer fee at the annualized rate of $5,000. Compensation anticipated to be paid to the Independent Trustees during the Fund’s next fiscal year is as follows:

 

Name of
Person /
Position

Aggregate

Compensation
From Fund

Pension or Retirement
Benefits Accrued As
Part of Fund Expenses
Estimated Annual
Benefits upon
Retirement
Total Compensation From
Fund and Fund Complex
Paid To Trustees (*)(1)
[Daniel Strachman $5,000 $0 $0 $5,000
         
Louis G. Hutt, Jr.] $5,000 $0 $0 $5,000
         
*Company does not pay deferred compensation.
(1)The “Fund Complex” consists of the Fund.

 

Trustee Ownership of Fund Shares – The table below shoes for each Trustee, the amount of Fund equity securities beneficially owned by each Trustee, and the aggregate value of all investments in equity securities of the Fund of the Trust, as of October 31, 2020, and stated as one of the following ranges: A = None; B = $1-$10,000; C = $10,001-$50,000; D = $50,001-$100,000; and E = over $100,000.

 

Name of Trustee Dollar Range of Equity
Securities in the Fund
Aggregate Dollar Range of Equity
Securities in all Registered Investment
Companies Overseen by the Trustees
in Family of Investment Companies
Independent Trustees    
[Daniel Strachman A A
Louis G. Hutt, Jr.] A A

 

Policies Concerning Personal Investment Activities. The Fund, the Adviser, and the Distributor have each adopted a Code of Ethics, pursuant to Rule 17j-1 under the 1940 Act that permit investment personnel, subject to their particular code of ethics, to invest in securities, including securities that may be purchased or held by the Fund, for their own account.

 

The Codes of Ethics are on file with, and can be reviewed and copied at the SEC Public Reference Room in Washington, D.C. In addition, the Codes of Ethics are also available on the EDGAR Database on the SEC’s Internet website at http://www.sec.gov.

 

21 

 

 

CONTROL PERSONS AND PRINCIPAL SECURITIES HOLDERS

 

A principal shareholder is any person who owns (either of record or beneficially) 5% or more of the outstanding shares of the Fund. A control person is one who owns, either directly or indirectly, more than 25% of the voting securities of the Fund or acknowledges the existence of such control. 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 Fund’s fundamental policies or the terms of the management agreement with the Adviser.

 

As of the date of this SAI, the Fund has not yet commenced investment operations. As of the date of this SAI, the Trustees and officers of the Trust beneficially owned less than 1% of the outstanding shares of the Fund.

 

DETERMINATION OF NET ASSET VALUE

 

General Policy. The Fund adheres to Section 2(a)(41), and Rule 2a-4 thereunder, of the 1940 Act with respect to the valuation of portfolio securities. In general, securities for which market quotations are readily available are valued at current market value, and all other securities are valued at fair value as determined in good faith by the Board. In complying with the 1940 Act, the Trust relies on guidance provided by the SEC and by the SEC staff in various interpretive letters and other guidance.

 

Equity Securities. Securities listed on a securities exchange, market or automated quotation system for which quotations are readily available (except for securities traded on NASDAQ), including securities traded over the counter, are valued at the last quoted sale price on the primary exchange or market (foreign or domestic) on which they are traded on valuation date (or at approximately 4:00 p.m. ET if a security’s primary exchange is normally open at that time), or, if there is no such reported sale on the valuation date, at the most recent quoted bid price. For securities traded on NASDAQ, the NASDAQ Official Closing Price will be used. If such prices are not available or determined to not represent the fair value of the security as of the Fund’s pricing time, the security will be valued at fair value as determined in good faith using methods approved by the Trust’s Board of Trustees.

 

Money Market Securities and other Debt Securities. If available, money market securities and other debt securities are priced based upon valuations provided by recognized independent, third-party pricing agents. Such values generally reflect the last reported sales price if the security is actively traded. The third-party pricing agents may also value debt securities by employing methodologies that utilize actual market transactions, broker-supplied valuations, or other methodologies designed to identify the market value for such securities. Such methodologies generally consider such factors as security prices, yields, maturities, call features, ratings and developments relating to specific securities in arriving at valuations. Money market securities and other debt securities with remaining maturities of sixty days or less may be valued at their amortized cost, which approximates market value. If such prices are not available or determined to not represent the fair value of the security as of the Fund’s pricing time, the security will be valued at fair value as determined in good faith using methods approved by the Trust’s Board of Trustees.

 

Use of Third-Party Pricing Agents. Pursuant to contracts with the Administrator, market prices for securities held by the Fund are generally provided daily by third-party independent pricing agents that are approved by the Board of Trustees of the Trust. The valuations provided by third-party independent pricing agents are reviewed daily by the Administrator.

 

22 

 

 

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION ABOUT PURCHASES AND SALES

 

Purchasing Shares. You may purchase shares of the Fund directly from the Distributor. The offering price per share is equal to the NAV next determined after the Fund receives your purchase order and qualified investors supporting documentation.

 

The Fund reserve the right to reject any purchase order and to suspend the offering of shares. Under certain circumstances the Trust or the Adviser may waive the minimum initial investment for purchases by officers, trustees, and employees of the Trust and its affiliated entities and for certain related advisory accounts and retirement accounts (such as IRAs). The Fund may also change or waive policies concerning minimum investment amounts at any time.

 

Selling Shares. You may sell your shares by giving instructions to the Transfer Agent by mail or by telephone. The Fund will use reasonable procedures to confirm that instructions communicated by telephone are genuine and, if the procedures are followed, will not be liable for any losses due to unauthorized or fraudulent telephone transactions.

 

The Fund’s procedure is to redeem shares at the NAV next determined after the Transfer Agent receives the redemption request in proper form, less any applicable deferred sales charge on purchases held for less than one year and for which no sales charge was paid at the time of purchase. Payment will be made promptly, but no later than the seventh day following the receipt of the redemption request in proper form. The Board may suspend the right of redemption or postpone the date of payment during any period when (a) trading on the New York Stock Exchange is restricted as determined by the SEC or such exchange is closed for other than weekends and holidays, (b) the SEC has by order permitted such suspension, or (c) an emergency, as defined by rules of the SEC, exists during which time the sale of Fund shares or valuation of securities held by the Fund is not reasonably practicable.

 

SHAREHOLDER SERVICES

 

As described briefly in the applicable prospectus, the Fund offers the following shareholder services to qualified investors:

 

Only “qualified investors” may invest in the Fund. A “qualified investor” is defined as one who meets the SEC’s definition of the term “qualified client” set forth in Rule 205-3(d)(1) under the Advisers Act. The term qualified client includes:

 

(a)an individual who, or a corporation, partnership, trust or other company that, the Fund (and any person acting on its behalf) reasonably believes, immediately prior to the purchase has a net worth (in the case of an individual, together with assets held jointly with a spouse, excluding the value of the primary residence of such individual and debt secured by the property), of more than $2,100,000 at the time of purchase; or

 

(b)an individual who, or a company that, immediately after the purchase of Fund shares has at least $1,000,000 under management with the Adviser.

 

In order to establish an account and purchase Fund shares, you must submit a completed account application along with copies of tax forms, brokerage statements or any other documentation that you believe would substantiate that you satisfy the qualified investor requirement. Your purchase order will not be processed until the Fund has determined that you satisfy the qualified investor requirement. The Fund will contact you if additional documentation is required to verify that you satisfy the qualified investor requirement. If you have any questions regarding the account setup process, please call 1-(855) 644-3444 and a shareholder representative will assist you.

 

23 

 

 

The requirement that Fund shares be purchased only by qualified investors applies to both initial and subsequent investments in the Fund. Qualified investors (or any persons acting on their behalf) must represent to the Fund and the Adviser that they are investing in the Fund for their own accounts and not with a view to transferring their Fund shares or any interest in them to another person. The Fund has imposed restrictions on transfers of the Fund’s shares in order to prevent persons who are not qualified investors from purchasing them.

 

Regular Account. The regular account allows for voluntary investments to be made at any time. Available to individuals, custodians, corporations, trusts, estates, corporate retirement plans and others, investors are free to make additions and withdrawals to or from their account as often as they wish. Simply use the account application provided with the prospectus to open your account.

 

Telephone Transactions. A shareholder may redeem shares by telephone if this service is requested at the time the shareholder completes the initial account application. If it is not elected at that time, it may be elected at a later date by making a request in writing to the Transfer Agent and having the signature on the request guaranteed. The Fund employs reasonable procedures designed to confirm the authenticity of instructions communicated by telephone and, if it does not, it may be liable for any losses due to unauthorized or fraudulent transactions. As a result of this policy, a shareholder authorizing telephone redemptions bears the risk of loss which may result from unauthorized or fraudulent transactions which the Fund believes to be genuine. When requesting a telephone redemption, the shareholder will be asked to respond to certain questions designed to confirm he shareholder’s identity as the shareholder of record. Cooperation with these procedures helps to protect the account and the Fund from unauthorized transactions.

 

Automatic Investment Plan. Any shareholder may utilize this feature, which provides for automatic monthly investments into your account. Upon your request, the Transfer Agent will withdraw a fixed amount each month from a checking or savings account for investment into the Fund. This does not require a commitment for a fixed period of time. A shareholder may change the monthly investment, skip a month or discontinue the Automatic Investment Plan as desired by notifying the Transfer Agent at 1-(855) 644-3444.

 

Retirement Plans. Fund shares are available for purchase in connection with the following tax-deferred prototype retirement plans:

 

1.       Individual Retirement Arrangements (IRAs). IRAs are available for use by individuals with compensation for services rendered who wish to use shares of the Fund as the funding medium for individual retirement savings. IRAs include traditional IRAs, Roth IRAs and Rollover IRAs.

 

2.       Simplified Employee Pension Plans (SEPs). SEPs are a form of retirement plan for sole proprietors, partnerships and corporations.

 

For information about eligibility requirements and other matters concerning these plans and to obtain the necessary forms to participate in these plans, please call the Trust at 1-(855) 644-3444. Each plan’s custodian charges nominal fees in connection with plan establishment and maintenance. These fees are detailed in the plan documents. You may wish to consult with your attorney or other tax adviser for specific advice concerning your tax status and plans.

 

24 

 

 

TAXES

 

The following discussion is a summary of certain U.S. federal income tax considerations affecting the Fund and its shareholders. The discussion reflects applicable federal income tax laws of the U.S. as of the date of this SAI, which tax laws may be changed or subject to new interpretations by the courts or the Internal Revenue Service (the “IRS”), possibly with retroactive effect. No attempt is made to present a detailed explanation of all U.S. income, estate or gift tax, or foreign, state or local tax concerns affecting the Fund and its shareholders (including shareholders owning large positions in the Fund). The discussion set forth herein does not constitute tax advice. Investors are urged to consult their own tax advisers to determine the tax consequences to them of investing in the Fund.

 

In addition, no attempt is made to address tax concerns applicable to an investor with a special tax status such as a financial institution, real estate investment trust, insurance company, regulated investment company (“RIC”), individual retirement account, other tax-exempt entity, dealer in securities or non-U.S. investor. Furthermore, this discussion does not reflect possible application of the alternative minimum tax (“AMT”). Unless otherwise noted, this discussion assumes shares of the Fund is held by U.S. shareholders and that such shares are held as capital assets.

 

A U.S. shareholder is a beneficial owner of shares of the Fund that is for U.S. federal income tax purposes:

 

a citizen or individual resident of the United States (including certain former citizens and former long-term residents);
a corporation or other entity treated as a corporation for U.S. federal income tax purposes, created or organized in or under the laws of the United States or any state thereof or the District of Columbia;
an estate, the income of which is subject to U.S. federal income taxation regardless of its source; or
a trust with respect to which a court within the United States is able to exercise primary supervision over its administration and one or more U.S. shareholders have the authority to control all of its substantial decisions or the trust has made a valid election in effect under applicable Treasury regulations to be treated as a U.S. person.

 

A “Non-U.S. shareholder” is a beneficial owner of shares of the Fund that is an individual, corporation, trust or estate and is not a U.S. shareholder. If a partnership (including any entity treated as a partnership for U.S. federal income tax purposes) holds shares of the Fund, the tax treatment of a partner in the partnership generally depends upon the status of the partner and the activities of the partnership. A prospective shareholder who is a partner of a partnership holding the Fund shares should consult its tax advisors with respect to the purchase, ownership and disposition of its Fund shares.

 

Taxation as a RIC. The Fund intends to qualify and remain qualified as a RIC under the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Internal Revenue Code”). The Fund will qualify as a RIC if, among other things, it meets the source-of-income and the asset-diversification requirements. With respect to the source-of-income requirement, the Fund must derive in each taxable year at least 90% of its gross income (including tax-exempt interest) from (i) dividends, interest, payments with respect to certain securities loans, gains from the sale or other disposition of stock, securities or foreign currencies, or other income (including but not limited to gains from options, futures and forward contracts) derived with respect to its business of investing in such shares, securities or currencies and (ii) net income derived from an interest in a “qualified publicly traded partnership” (the “90% Test”). A “qualified publicly traded partnership” is generally defined as a publicly traded partnership under Internal Revenue Code section 7704. However, for these purposes, a qualified publicly traded partnership does not include a publicly traded partnership if 90% or more of its income is described in (i) above. Income derived from a partnership (other than a qualified publicly traded partnership) or trust is qualifying income to the extent such income is attributable to items of income of the partnership or trust which would be qualifying income if realized by the Fund in the same manner as realized by the partnership or trust.

 

25 

 

 

The Fund intends to invest in ETFs that are taxable as RICs under the Internal Revenue Code. Accordingly, the income the Fund receive from such ETFs should be qualifying income for purposes of the Fund satisfying the 90% Test described above. However, the Fund may also invest in one or more ETFs that are not taxable as RICs under the Internal Revenue Code and that may generate non-qualifying income for purposes of satisfying the 90% Test. The Fund anticipates monitoring its investments in such ETFs so as to keep the Fund’s non-qualifying income within acceptable limits of the 90% Test, however, it is possible that such non-qualifying income will be more than anticipated which could cause the Fund to inadvertently fail the 90% Test thereby causing the Fund to fail to qualify as a RIC. In such a case, the Fund would be subject to the rules described below.

 

If a RIC fails this 90% source-of-income test it is no longer subject to a 21% penalty as long as such failure was due to reasonable cause and not willful neglect. Instead, the amount of the penalty for non-compliance is the amount by which the non-qualifying income exceeds one-ninth of the qualifying gross income.

 

With respect to the asset-diversification requirement, the Fund must diversify its holdings so that, at the end of each quarter of each taxable year (i) at least 50% of the value of the Fund’s total assets is represented by cash and cash items, U.S. government securities, the securities of other RICs and other securities, if such other securities of any one issuer do not represent more than 5% of the value of the Fund’s total assets or more than 10% of the outstanding voting securities of such issuer, and (ii) not more than 25% of the value of the Fund’s total assets is invested in the securities other than U.S. government securities or the securities of other RICs of (a) one issuer, (b) two or more issuers that are controlled by the Fund and that are engaged in the same, similar or related trades or businesses, or (c) one or more qualified publicly traded partnerships.

 

If a RIC fails this asset-diversification test, such RIC, in addition to other cure provisions previously permitted, has a 6-month period to correct any failure without incurring a penalty if such failure is “de minimis,” meaning that the failure does not exceed the lesser of 1% of the RIC’s assets, or $10 million.

 

Similarly, if a RIC fails this asset-diversification test and the failure is not de minimis, a RIC can cure failure if: (a) the RIC files with the Treasury Department a description of each asset that causes the RIC to fail the diversification tests; (b) the failure is due to reasonable cause and not willful neglect; and (c) the failure is cured within six months (or such other period specified by the Treasury). In such cases, a tax is imposed on the RIC equal to the greater of: (a) $50,000 or (b) an amount determined by multiplying the highest rate of tax (currently 21%) by the amount of net income generated during the period of diversification test failure by the assets that caused the RIC to fail the diversification test.

 

If the Fund qualifies as a RIC and distributes to its shareholders, for each taxable year, at least 90% of the sum of (i) its “investment company taxable income” as that term is defined in the Internal Revenue Code (which includes, among other things, dividends, taxable interest, the excess of any net short-term capital gains over net long-term capital losses and certain net foreign exchange gains as reduced by certain deductible expenses) without regard to the deduction for dividends paid, and (ii) the excess of its gross tax-exempt interest, if any, over certain deductions attributable to such interest that are otherwise disallowed, the Fund will be relieved of U.S. federal income tax on any income of the Fund, including long-term capital gain, distributed to shareholders. However, any ordinary income or capital gain retained by the Fund will be subject to U.S. federal income tax at regular corporate federal income tax rates (currently at a maximum rate of 21%). The Fund intends to distribute at least annually all or substantially all of its investment company taxable income, net tax-exempt interest, and net capital gain.

 

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The Fund will generally be subject to a nondeductible 4% federal excise tax on the portion of its undistributed ordinary income with respect to each calendar year and undistributed capital gains if it fails to meet certain distribution requirements with respect to the one-year period ending on October 31 in that calendar year. To avoid the 4% federal excise tax, the required minimum distribution is generally equal to the sum of (i) 98% of the Fund’s ordinary income (computed on a calendar year basis), (ii) 98.2% of the Fund’s capital gain net income (generally computed for the one-year period ending on October 31) and (iii) any income realized, but not distributed, and on which we paid no federal income tax in preceding years. The Fund generally intends to make distributions in a timely manner in an amount at least equal to the required minimum distribution and therefore, under normal market conditions, does not expect to be subject to this excise tax.

 

The Fund may be required to recognize taxable income in circumstances in which it does not receive cash. For example, if the Fund holds debt obligations that are treated under applicable tax rules as having original issue discount (such as debt instruments with payment in kind interest or, in certain cases, with increasing interest rates or that are issued with warrants), the Fund must include in income each year a portion of the original issue discount that accrues over the life of the obligation regardless of whether cash representing such income is received by the Fund in the same taxable year. Because any original issue discount accrued will be included in the Fund’s “investment company taxable income” (discussed above) for the year of accrual, the Fund may be required to make a distribution to its shareholders to satisfy the distribution requirement, even though it will not have received an amount of cash that corresponds with the income earned.

 

To the extent that the Fund has capital loss carryforwards from prior tax years, those carryforwards will reduce the net capital gains that can support the Fund’s distribution of Capital Gain Dividends. If the Fund uses net capital losses incurred in taxable years beginning on or before December 22, 2010 (pre-2011 losses), those carryforwards will not reduce the Fund’s current earnings and profits, as losses incurred in later years will. As a result, if the Fund then makes distributions of capital gains recognized during the current year in excess of net capital gains (as reduced by carryforwards), the portion of the excess equal to pre-2011 losses factoring into net capital gain will be taxable as an ordinary dividend distribution, even though that distributed excess amount would not have been subject to tax if retained by the Fund. Capital loss carryforwards are reduced to the extent they offset current-year net realized capital gains, whether the Fund retains or distributes such gains. Beginning in 2011, a RIC is permitted to carry forward net capital losses indefinitely and may allow losses to retain their original character (as short or as long-term). For net capital losses recognized prior to such date, such losses are permitted to be carried forward up to 8 years and are characterized as short-term. These capital loss carryforwards may be utilized in future years to offset net realized capital gains of the Fund, if any, prior to distributing such gains to shareholders.

 

Except as set forth in “Failure to Qualify as a RIC,” the remainder of this discussion assumes that the Fund will qualify as a RIC for each taxable year.

  

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Failure to Qualify as a RIC. If the Fund is unable to satisfy the 90% distribution requirement or otherwise fails to qualify as a RIC in any year, it will be subject to corporate level income tax on all of its income and gain, regardless of whether or not such income was distributed. Distributions to the Fund’s shareholders of such income and gain will not be deductible by the Fund in computing its taxable income. In such event, the Fund’s distributions, to the extent derived from the Fund’s current or accumulated earnings and profits, would constitute ordinary dividends, which would generally be eligible for the dividends received deduction available to corporate shareholders, and non-corporate shareholders would generally be able to treat such distributions as “qualified dividend income” eligible for reduced rates of U.S. federal income taxation, if holding period and other requirements are satisfied.

 

Distributions in excess of the Fund’s current and accumulated earnings and profits would be treated first as a return of capital to the extent of the shareholders’ tax basis in their Fund shares, and any remaining distributions would be treated as a capital gain. To qualify as a RIC in a subsequent taxable year, the Fund would be required to satisfy the source-of-income, the asset diversification, and the annual distribution requirements for that year and dispose of any earnings and profits from any year in which the Fund failed to qualify for tax treatment as a RIC. Subject to a limited exception applicable to RICs that qualified as such under the Internal Revenue Code for at least one year prior to disqualification and that requalify as a RIC no later than the second year following the nonqualifying year, the Fund would be subject to tax on any unrealized built-in gains in the assets held by it during the period in which the Fund failed to qualify for tax treatment as a RIC that are recognized within the subsequent 10 years, unless the Fund made a special election to pay corporate-level tax on such built-in gain at the time of its requalification as a RIC.

 

Taxation for U.S. Shareholders. Distributions paid to U.S. shareholders by the Fund from its investment company taxable income (which is, generally, the Fund’s ordinary income plus net realized short-term capital gains in excess of net realized long-term capital losses) are generally taxable to U.S. shareholders as ordinary income to the extent of the Fund’s earnings and profits, whether paid in cash or reinvested in additional shares. Such distributions (if designated by the Fund) may qualify (i) for the dividends received deduction in the case of corporate shareholders under Section 243 of the Internal Revenue Code to the extent that the Fund’s income consists of dividend income from U.S. corporations, excluding distributions from tax-exempt organizations, exempt farmers’ cooperatives or real estate investment trusts or (ii) in the case of individual shareholders, as qualified dividend income eligible to be taxed at reduced rates under Section 1(h)(11) of the Internal Revenue Code (which provides for a maximum 20% rate) to the extent that the Fund receives qualified dividend income, and provided in each case certain holding period and other requirements are met. Qualified dividend income is, in general, dividend income from taxable domestic corporations and qualified foreign corporations (e.g., generally, foreign corporations incorporated in a possession of the United States or in certain countries with a qualified comprehensive income tax treaty with the United States, or the stock with respect to which such dividend is paid is readily tradable on an established securities market in the United States). A qualified foreign corporation generally excludes any foreign corporation, which for the taxable year of the corporation in which the dividend was paid, or the preceding taxable year, is a passive foreign investment company. Distributions made to a U.S. shareholder from an excess of net long-term capital gain over net short-term capital losses (“capital gain dividends”), including capital gain dividends credited to such shareholder but retained by the Fund, are taxable to such shareholder as long-term capital gain if they have been properly designated by the Fund, regardless of the length of time such shareholder owned the shares of the Fund. The maximum tax rate on capital gain dividends received by individuals is generally 20%. Distributions in excess of the Fund’s earnings and profits will be treated by the U.S. shareholder, first, as a tax-free return of capital, which is applied against and will reduce the adjusted tax basis of the U.S. shareholder’s shares and, after such adjusted tax basis is reduced to zero, will constitute capital gain to the U.S. shareholder (assuming the shares are held as a capital asset). The Fund is not required to provide written notice designating the amount of any qualified dividend income or capital gain dividends and other distributions. The Forms 1099 will instead serve this notice purpose.

 

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As a RIC, the Fund will be subject to the AMT, but any items that are treated differently for AMT purposes must be apportioned between the Fund and the shareholders and this may affect the shareholders’ AMT liabilities. The Fund intends in general to apportion these items in the same proportion that dividends paid to each shareholder bear to the Fund’s taxable income (determined without regard to the dividends paid deduction).

 

For purpose of determining (i) whether the annual distribution requirement is satisfied for any year and (ii) the amount of capital gain dividends paid for that year, the Fund may, under certain circumstances, elect to treat a dividend that is paid during the following taxable year as if it had been paid during the taxable year in question. If the Fund makes such an election, the U.S. shareholder will still be treated as receiving the dividend in the taxable year in which the distribution is made. However, any dividend declared by the Fund in October, November or December of any calendar year, payable to shareholders of record on a specified date in such a month and actually paid during January of the following year, will be treated as if it had been received by the U.S. shareholders on December 31 of the year in which the dividend was declared.

 

The Fund intends to distribute all realized capital gains, if any, at least annually. If, however, the Fund were to retain any net capital gain, the Fund may designate the retained amount as undistributed capital gains in a notice to shareholders who, if subject to U.S. federal income tax on long-term capital gains, (i) will be required to include in income as long-term capital gain, their proportionate shares of such undistributed amount, and (ii) will be entitled to credit their proportionate shares of the federal income tax paid by the Fund on the undistributed amount against their U.S. federal income tax liabilities, if any, and to claim refunds to the extent the credit exceeds such liabilities. If such an event occurs, the tax basis of shares owned by a shareholder of the Fund will, for U.S. federal income tax purposes, generally be increased by the difference between the amount of undistributed net capital gain included in the shareholder’s gross income and the tax deemed paid by the shareholders.

 

Sales and other dispositions of the shares of the Fund, such as exchanges, generally are taxable events. U.S. shareholders should consult their own tax adviser with reference to their individual circumstances to determine whether any particular transaction in the shares of the Fund is properly treated as a sale or exchange for federal income tax purposes, as the following discussion assumes, and the tax treatment of any gains or losses recognized in such transactions. The sale or other disposition of shares of the Fund will generally result in capital gain or loss to the shareholder equal to the difference between the amount realized and his adjusted tax basis in the shares sold or exchanged, and will be long-term capital gain or loss if the shares have been held for more than one year at the time of sale. Any loss upon the sale or exchange of shares held for six months or less will be treated as long-term capital loss to the extent of any capital gain dividends received (including amounts credited as an undistributed capital gain dividend) by such shareholder with respect to such shares. A loss realized on a sale or exchange of shares of the Fund generally will be disallowed if other substantially identical shares are acquired within a 61-day period beginning 30 days before and ending 30 days after the date that the shares are disposed. In such case, the basis of the shares acquired will be adjusted to reflect the disallowed loss. Present law taxes both long-term and short-term capital gain of corporations at the rates applicable to ordinary income of corporations. For non-corporate taxpayers, short-term capital gain will currently be taxed at the rate applicable to ordinary income, while long-term capital gain generally will be taxed at a maximum rate of 20%. Capital losses are subject to certain limitations.

 

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Federal law requires that mutual fund companies report their shareholders’ cost basis, gain/loss, and holding period to the Internal Revenue Service on the Fund’s shareholders’ Consolidated Form 1099s when “covered” securities are sold. Covered securities are any regulated investment company and/or dividend reinvestment plan shares acquired on or after January 1, 2012.

 

The Fund has chosen average cost as the 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 net asset values, and the entire position is not sold at one time. The Fund has chosen average cost as its standing (default) tax lot identification method for all shareholders. The Fund’s standing tax lot identification method is the method covered shares will be reported on your Consolidated Form 1099 if you do not select a specific tax lot identification method. You may choose a method different than the Fund’s 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 Internal Revenue Service regulations or consult your tax advisor with regard to your personal circumstances.

 

For those securities defined as “covered” under current Internal Revenue Service 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 their 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.

 

Certain U.S. shareholders, including individuals and estates and trusts, will be subject to an additional 3.8% Medicare tax on all or a portion of their “net investment income,” which should include dividends from the Fund and net gains from the disposition of shares of the Fund. U.S. shareholders are urged to consult their own tax advisors regarding the implications of the additional Medicare tax resulting from an investment in the Fund.

 

Straddles. When the Fund enters into an offsetting position to limit the risk on another position, the “straddle” rules usually come into play. An option or other position entered into or held by the Fund in conjunction with any other position held by the Fund may constitute a “straddle” for Federal income tax purposes. In general, straddles are subject to certain rules that may affect the character and timing of the Fund’s gains and losses with respect to straddle positions. The key features of the straddle rules are as follows:

 

The Fund may have to wait to deduct any losses. If the Fund has a capital gain in one position of a straddle and a capital loss in the other, the Fund may not recognize the loss for federal income tax purposes until the Fund disposes of both positions. This might occur, for example, if the Fund had a highly appreciated stock position and the Fund purchased protective put options (which give the Fund the right to sell the stock to someone else for a period of time at a predetermined price) to offset the risk. If the stock continued to increase in value and the put options expired worthless, the Fund must defer recognition of the loss on its put options until the Fund sells and recognizes the gain on the original, appreciated position.

 

The Fund’s capital gain holding period may be limited. The moment the Fund enters into a typical straddle, the capital gains holding period on its offsetting positions is frozen. If the Fund held the original position for one year or less (thus not qualifying for the long-term capital gains rate), not only is the holding period frozen, it starts all over again when the Fund disposes of the offsetting position.

 

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Losses recognized with respect to certain straddle positions that would otherwise constitute short-term capital losses may be treated as long-term capital losses. This generally has the effect of reducing the tax benefit of such losses.

 

The Fund may not be able to deduct any interest expenses or carrying charges. During the offsetting period, any interest or carrying charges associated with the straddle are not currently tax deductible, but must be capitalized (added to cost basis).

 

Original Issue Discount, Pay-In-Kind Securities, Market Discount and Commodity-Linked Notes. Some debt obligations with a fixed maturity date of more than one year from the date of issuance (and zero-coupon debt obligations with a fixed maturity date of more than one year from the date of issuance) that may be acquired by the Fund may be treated as debt obligations that are issued originally at a discount. Generally, the amount of the original issue discount (“OID”) is treated as interest income and is included in the Fund’s taxable income (and required to be distributed by the Fund) over the term of the debt obligation, even though payment of that amount is not received until a later time, upon partial or full repayment or disposition of the debt security.

 

Some debt obligations (with a fixed maturity date of more than one year from the date of issuance) that may be acquired by the Fund in the secondary market may be treated as having “market discount.” Very generally, market discount is the excess of the stated redemption price of a debt obligation (or in the case of an obligations issued with OID, its “revised issue price”) over the purchase price of such obligation. Generally, any gain recognized on the disposition of, and any partial payment of principal on, a debt obligation having market discount is treated as ordinary income to the extent the gain, or principal payment, does not exceed the “accrued market discount” on such debt obligation. Alternatively, the Fund may elect to accrue market discount currently, in which case the Fund will be required to include the accrued market discount in the Fund’s income (as ordinary income) and thus distribute it over the term of the debt security, even though payment of that amount is not received until a later time, upon partial or full repayment or disposition of the debt security. The rate at which the market discount accrues, and thus is included in the Fund’s income, will depend upon which of the permitted accrual methods the Fund elects. In the case of higher-risk securities, the amount of market discount may be unclear. See “Higher-Risk Securities.”

 

Some debt obligations (with a fixed maturity date of one year or less from the date of issuance) that may be acquired by the Fund may be treated as having “acquisition discount” (very generally, the excess of the stated redemption price over the purchase price), or OID in the case of certain types of debt obligations. The Fund will be required to include the acquisition discount, or OID, in income (as ordinary income) over the term of the debt obligation, even though payment of that amount is not received until a later time, upon partial or full repayment or disposition of the debt security. The Fund may make one or more of the elections applicable to debt obligations having acquisition discount, or OID, which could affect the character and timing of recognition of income.

 

In addition, payment-in-kind securities will, and commodity-linked notes may, give rise to income that is required to be distributed and is taxable even though the Fund holding the security receives no interest payment in cash on the security during the year.

 

If the Fund holds the foregoing kinds of securities, they may be required to pay out as an income distribution each year an amount that is greater than the total amount of cash interest the Fund actually received. Such distributions may be made from the cash assets of the Fund or by liquidation of portfolio securities, if necessary (including when it is not advantageous to do so). The Fund may realize gains or losses from such liquidations. In the event the Fund realizes net capital gains from such transactions, its shareholders may receive a larger capital gain distribution than they would in the absence of such transactions.

 

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Higher-Risk Securities. To the extent such investments are permissible for the Fund, the Fund may invest in debt obligations that are in the lowest rating categories or are unrated, including debt obligations of issuers not currently paying interest or who are in default. Investments in debt obligations that are at risk of or in default present special tax issues for the Fund. Tax rules are not entirely clear about issues such as when the Fund may cease to accrue interest, OID or market discount, when and to what extent deductions may be taken for bad debts or worthless securities and how payments received on obligations in default should be allocated between principal and income. In limited circumstances, it may also not be clear whether the Fund should recognize market discount on a debt obligation, and if so, what amount of market discount the Fund should recognize. These and other related issues will be addressed by the Fund when, as and if it invests in such securities, in order to seek to ensure that it distributes sufficient income to preserve its status as a regulated investment company and does not become subject to U.S. federal income or excise tax.

 

Issuer Deductibility of Interest. A portion of the interest paid or accrued on certain high yield discount obligations owned by the Fund may not be deductible to (and thus, may affect the cash flow of) the issuer. If a portion of the interest paid or accrued on certain high yield discount obligations is not deductible, that portion will be treated as a dividend for purposes of the corporate dividends-received deduction. In such cases, if the issuer of the high yield discount obligations is a domestic corporation, dividend payments by the Fund may be eligible for the dividends-received deduction to the extent of the deemed dividend portion of such accrued interest.

 

Interest paid on debt obligations owned by the Fund, if any, that are considered for U.S. tax purposes to be payable in the equity of the issuer or a related party will not be deductible to the issuer, possibly affecting the cash flow of the issuer.

 

Tax-Exempt Shareholders. A tax-exempt shareholder could recognize UBTI by virtue of its investment in the Fund if shares in the Fund constitute debt-financed property in the hands of the tax-exempt shareholder within the meaning of Internal Revenue Code Section 514(b). Furthermore, a tax-exempt shareholder may recognize UBTI if the Fund recognizes “excess inclusion income” derived from direct or indirect investments in residual interests in REMICs or equity interests in TMPs if the amount of such income recognized by the Fund exceeds the Fund’s investment company taxable income (after taking into account deductions for dividends paid by the Fund).

 

In addition, special tax consequences apply to charitable remainder trusts (“CRTs”) that invest in regulated investment companies that invest directly or indirectly in residual interests in REMICs or equity interests in TMPs. Under legislation enacted in December 2006, a CRT (as defined in section 664 of the Internal Revenue Code) that realizes any UBTI for a taxable year, must pay an excise tax annually of an amount equal to such UBTI. Under IRS guidance issued in October 2006, a CRT will not recognize UBTI solely as a result of investing in the Fund that recognizes “excess inclusion income.” Rather, if at any time during any taxable year a CRT (or one of certain other tax-exempt shareholders, such as the United States, a state or political subdivision, or an agency or instrumentality thereof, and certain energy cooperatives) is a record holder of a share in the Fund that recognizes “excess inclusion income,” then the regulated investment company will be subject to a tax on that portion of its “excess inclusion income” for the taxable year that is allocable to such shareholders, at the highest federal corporate income tax rate. The extent to which this IRS guidance remains applicable in light of the December 2006 legislation is unclear. To the extent permitted under the 1940 Act, the Fund may elect to specially allocate any such tax to the applicable CRT, or other shareholder, and thus reduce such shareholder’s distributions for the year by the amount of the tax that relates to such shareholder’s interest in the Fund. The Fund has not yet determined whether such an election will be made. CRTs and other tax-exempt investors are urged to consult their tax advisers concerning the consequences of investing in the Fund.

 

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Foreign Taxation. Income received by the Fund from sources within foreign countries may be subject to withholding and other taxes imposed by such countries. Tax conventions between certain countries and the U.S. may reduce or eliminate such taxes.

 

The ETFs in which the Fund invests may invest in foreign securities. Dividends and interest received by an ETF’s holding of foreign securities may give rise to withholding and other taxes imposed by foreign countries. Tax conventions between certain countries and the United States may reduce or eliminate such taxes. If the ETF in which the Fund invests is taxable as a RIC and meets certain other requirements, which include a requirement that more than 50% of the value of such ETF’s total assets at the close of its respective taxable year consists of stocks or securities of foreign corporations, then the ETF should be eligible to file an election with the IRS that may enable its shareholders, including the Fund in effect, to receive either the benefit of a foreign tax credit, or a tax deduction, with respect to any foreign and U.S. possessions income taxes paid the by Fund, subject to certain limitations.

 

A “qualified fund of funds” is a RIC that has at least 50% of the value of its total interests invested in other RICs at the end of each quarter of the taxable year. If the Fund satisfies this requirement or if it meets certain other requirements, which include a requirement that more than 50% of the value of the Fund’s total assets at the close of its taxable year consist of stocks or securities of foreign corporations, then the Fund should be eligible to file an election with the IRS that may enable its shareholders to receive either the benefit of a foreign tax credit, or a tax deduction, with respect to any foreign and U.S. possessions income taxes paid by the Fund, subject to certain limitations.

 

Foreign Shareholders. Capital Gain Dividends are generally not subject to withholding of U.S. federal income tax. Absent a specific statutory exemption, dividends other than Capital Gain Dividends paid by the Fund to a shareholder that is not a “U.S. person” within the meaning of the Internal Revenue Code (such shareholder, a “foreign shareholder”) are subject to withholding of U.S. federal income tax at a rate of 30% (or lower applicable treaty rate) even if they are funded by income or gains (such as portfolio interest, short-term capital gains, or foreign-source dividend and interest income) that, if paid to a foreign person directly, would not be subject to withholding.

 

A regulated investment company is not required to withhold any amounts (i) with respect to distributions (other than distributions to a foreign person (a) that does not provide a satisfactory statement that the beneficial owner is not a U.S. person, (b) to the extent that the dividend is attributable to certain interest on an obligation if the foreign person is the issuer or is a 10% shareholder of the issuer, (c) that is within a foreign country that has inadequate information exchange with the United States, or (d) to the extent the dividend is attributable to interest paid by a person that is a related person of the foreign person and the foreign person is a controlled foreign corporation) from U.S.-source interest income of types similar to those not subject to U.S. federal income tax if earned directly by an individual foreign person, to the extent such distributions are properly reported as such by the Fund in a written notice to shareholders (“interest-related dividends”), and (ii) with respect to distributions (other than (a) distributions to an individual foreign person who is present in the United States for a period or periods aggregating 183 days or more during the year of the distribution and (b) distributions subject to special rules regarding the disposition of U.S. real property interests as described below) of net short-term capital gains in excess of net long-term capital losses to the extent such distributions are properly reported by the regulated investment company (“short-term capital gain dividends”). If the Fund invests in an Underlying Fund that pays such distributions to the Fund, such distributions retain their character as not subject to withholding if properly reported when paid by the Fund to foreign persons.

 

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The Fund is permitted to report such part of its dividends as interest-related or short-term capital gain dividends as are eligible, but is not required to do so. These exemptions from withholding will not be available to foreign shareholders of the Fund that do not currently report their dividends as interest-related or short-term capital gain dividends.

 

In the case of shares held through an intermediary, the intermediary may withhold even if the Fund reports all or a portion of a payment as an interest-related or short-term capital gain dividend to shareholders. Foreign persons should contact their intermediaries regarding the application of these rules to their accounts.

 

Under U.S. federal tax law, a beneficial holder of shares who is a foreign shareholder generally is not subject to U.S. federal income tax on gains (and is not allowed a deduction for losses) realized on the sale of shares of the Fund or on Capital Gain Dividends unless (i) such gain or dividend is effectively connected with the conduct of a trade or business carried on by such holder within the United States, (ii) in the case of an individual holder, the holder is present in the United States for a period or periods aggregating 183 days or more during the year of the sale or the receipt of the Capital Gain Dividend and certain other conditions are met, or (iii) the special rules relating to gain attributable to the sale or exchange of “U.S. real property interests” (“USRPIs”) apply to the foreign shareholder’s sale of shares of the Fund or to the Capital Gain Dividend the foreign shareholder received (as described below).

 

Special rules would apply if the Fund were either a “U.S. real property holding corporation” (“USRPHC”) or would be a USRPHC but for the operation of certain exceptions to the definition thereof. Very generally, a USRPHC is a domestic corporation that holds USRPIs the fair market value of which equals or exceeds 50% of the sum of the fair market values of the corporation’s USPRIs, interests in real property located outside the United States, and other assets. USRPIs are generally defined as any interest in U.S. real property and any interest (other than solely as a creditor) in a USRPHC or former USRPHC.

 

If the Fund were a USRPHC or would be a USRPHC but for the exceptions referred to above, any distributions by the Fund to a foreign shareholder (including, in certain cases, distributions made by the Fund in redemption of its shares) attributable to gains realized by the Fund on the disposition of USRPIs or to distributions received by the Fund from a lower-tier regulated investment company or REIT that the Fund is required to treat as USRPI gain in its hands generally would be subject to U.S. tax withholding. In addition, such distributions could result in the foreign shareholder being required to file a U.S. tax return and pay tax on the distributions at regular U.S. federal income tax rates. The consequences to a foreign shareholder, including the rate of such withholding and character of such distributions (e.g., as ordinary income or USRPI gain), would vary depending upon the extent of the foreign shareholder’s current and past ownership of the Fund. On and after January 1, 2012, this “look-through” USRPI treatment for distributions by the Fund, if it were either a USRPHC or would be a USRPHC but for the operation of the exceptions referred to above, to foreign shareholders applies only to those distributions that, in turn, are attributable to distributions received by the Fund from a lower-tier REIT, unless Congress enacts legislation providing otherwise.

  

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In addition, if the Fund were a USRPHC or former USRPHC, it could be required to withhold U.S. tax on the proceeds of a share redemption by a greater-than-5% foreign shareholder, in which case such foreign shareholder generally would also be required to file U.S. tax returns and pay any additional taxes due in connection with the redemption.

 

Whether or not the Fund is characterized as a USRPHC will depend upon the nature and mix of the Fund’s assets. The Fund does not expect to be a USRPHC. Foreign shareholders should consult their tax advisors concerning the application of these rules to their investment in the Fund.

 

If a beneficial holder of Fund shares who is a foreign shareholder has a trade or business in the United States, and the dividends are effectively connected with the beneficial holder’s conduct of that trade or business, the dividend will be subject to U.S. federal net income taxation at regular income tax rates.

 

If a beneficial holder of Fund shares who is a foreign shareholder is eligible for the benefits of a tax treaty, any effectively connected income or gain will generally be subject to U.S. federal income tax on a net basis only if it is also attributable to a permanent establishment maintained by that beneficial holder in the United States.

 

To qualify for any exemptions from withholding described above or for lower withholding tax rates under income tax treaties, or to establish an exemption from backup withholding, a foreign shareholder must comply with special certification and filing requirements relating to its non-US status (including, in general, furnishing an IRS Form W-8BEN or substitute form). Foreign shareholders in the Fund should consult their tax advisers in this regard.

 

A beneficial holder of Fund shares who is a foreign shareholder may be subject to state and local tax and to the U.S. federal estate tax in addition to the federal tax on income referred to above.

 

Backup Withholding. The Fund generally is required to withhold and remit to the U.S. Treasury a percentage of the taxable distributions and redemption proceeds paid to any individual shareholder who fails to properly furnish the Fund with a correct taxpayer identification number, who has under-reported dividend or interest income, or who fails to certify to the Fund that he or she is not subject to such withholding. The backup withholding tax rate is currently 24%.

 

Backup withholding is not an additional tax. Any amounts withheld may be credited against the shareholder’s U.S. federal income tax liability, provided the appropriate information is furnished to the IRS.

 

Tax Shelter Reporting Regulations. Under U.S. Treasury regulations, if a shareholder recognizes a loss with respect to the Fund’s shares of $2 million or more for an individual shareholder or $10 million or more for a corporate shareholder, the shareholder must file with the IRS a disclosure statement on Form 8886. Direct shareholders of portfolio securities are in many cases excepted from this reporting requirement, but under current guidance, shareholders of a regulated investment company are not excepted. Future guidance may extend the current exception from this reporting requirement to shareholders of most or all regulated investment companies. The fact that a loss is reportable under these regulations does not affect the legal determination of whether the taxpayer’s treatment of the loss is proper. Shareholders should consult their tax advisers to determine the applicability of these regulations in light of their individual circumstances.

 

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Shareholder Reporting Obligations with Respect to Foreign Financial Assets. Certain individuals (and, if provided in future guidance, certain domestic entities) must disclose annually their interests in “specified foreign financial assets” on IRS Form 8938, which must be attached to their U.S. federal income tax returns for taxable years beginning after March 18, 2010. The IRS has not yet released a copy of the Form 8938 and has suspended the requirement to attach Form 8938 for any taxable year for which an income tax return is filed before the release of Form 8938. Following Form 8938’s release, individuals will be required to attach to their next income tax return required to be filed with the IRS a Form 8938 for each taxable year for which the filing of Form 8938 was suspended. Until the IRS provides more details regarding this reporting requirement, including in Form 8938 itself and related Treasury regulations, it remains unclear under what circumstances, if any, a shareholder’s (indirect) interest in the Fund’s “specified foreign financial assets,” if any, will be required to be reported on this Form 8938.

 

Other Reporting and Withholding Requirements. Rules enacted in March 2010 require the reporting to the IRS of direct and indirect ownership of foreign financial accounts and foreign entities by U.S. persons. Failure to provide this required information can result in a 30% withholding tax on certain payments (“withholdable payments”) made after December 31, 2013. Specifically, withholdable payments subject to this 30% withholding tax include payments of U.S.-source dividends and interest made on or after January 1, 2014, and payments of gross proceeds from the sale or other disposal of property that can produce U.S.-source dividends or interest made on or after January 1, 2015.

 

The IRS has issued only very preliminary guidance with respect to these new rules; their scope remains unclear and potentially subject to material change. Very generally, it is possible that distributions made by the Fund after the dates noted above (or such later dates as may be provided in future guidance) to a shareholder, including a distribution in redemption of shares and a distribution of income or gains otherwise exempt from withholding under the rules applicable to non-U.S. shareholders described above (e.g., Capital Gain Dividends, Short-Term Capital Gain Dividends and interest-related dividends, as described above) will be subject to the new 30% withholding requirement. Payments to a foreign shareholder that is a “foreign financial institution” will generally be subject to withholding, unless such shareholder enters into a timely agreement with the IRS. Payments to shareholders that are U.S. persons or foreign individuals will generally not be subject to withholding, so long as such shareholders provide the Fund with such certifications or other documentation, including, to the extent required, with regard to such shareholders’ direct and indirect owners, as the Fund requires to comply with the new rules. Persons investing in the Fund through an intermediary should contact their intermediary regarding the application of the new reporting and withholding regime to their investments in the Fund.

 

Shareholders are urged to consult a tax advisor regarding this new reporting and withholding regime, in light of their particular circumstances.

 

Shares Purchased through Tax-Qualified Plans. Special tax rules apply to investments through defined contribution plans and other tax-qualified plans. Shareholders should consult their tax advisers to determine the suitability of shares of the Fund as an investment through such plans, and the precise effect of an investment on their particular tax situation.

 

FATCA. Payments to a shareholder that is either a foreign financial institution (“FFI”) or a non-financial foreign entity (“NFFE”) within the meaning of the Foreign Account Tax Compliance Act (“FATCA”) may be subject to a generally nonrefundable 30% withholding tax on: (a) income dividends paid by the Fund after June 30, 2014 and (b) certain capital gain distributions and the proceeds arising from the sale of Fund shares paid by the Fund after December 31, 2016. FATCA withholding tax generally can be avoided: (a) by an FFI, subject to any applicable intergovernmental agreement or other exemption, if it enters into a valid agreement with the IRS to, among other requirements, report required information about certain direct and indirect ownership of foreign financial accounts held by U.S. persons with the FFI and (b) by an NFFE, if it: (i) certifies that it has no substantial U.S. persons as owners or (ii) if it does have such owners, reports information relating to them. The Fund may disclose the information that it receives from its shareholders to the IRS, non-U.S. taxing authorities or other parties as necessary to comply with FATCA. Withholding also may be required if a foreign entity that is a shareholder of the Fund fails to provide the Fund with appropriate certifications or other documentation concerning its status under FATCA.

 

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Possible Tax Law Changes. At the time that this SAI is being prepared, the coronavirus (COVID-19) is affecting the United States. Various administrative and legislative changes to the federal tax laws are under consideration, but it is not possible at this time to determine whether any of these changes will take place or what the changes might entail.

 

The foregoing is a general and abbreviated summary of the provisions of the Internal Revenue Code and the Treasury regulations in effect as they directly govern the taxation of the Fund and its shareholders. These provisions are subject to change by legislative and administrative action, and any such change may be retroactive. Shareholders are urged to consult their tax advisers regarding specific questions as to U.S. federal income, estate or gift taxes, or foreign, state, local taxes or other taxes.

 

BROKERAGE ALLOCATION AND OTHER PRACTICES

 

Brokerage Transactions. Generally, equity securities are bought and sold through brokerage transactions for which commissions are payable. Purchases from underwriters will include the underwriting commission or concession, and purchases from dealers serving as market makers will include a dealer’s mark-up or reflect a dealer’s mark-down. The purchase price for securities bought from dealers serving as market makers will similarly include the dealer’s mark up or reflect a dealer’s mark down. When the Fund executes transactions in the over-the-counter market, it will generally deal with primary market makers unless prices that are more favorable are otherwise obtainable.

 

In selecting brokers and dealers to execute portfolio transactions, the Adviser may consider research and brokerage services furnished to the Adviser or its affiliates. The Adviser may not consider sales of shares of the Fund as a factor in the selection of brokers and dealers, but may place portfolio transactions with brokers and dealers that promote or sell the Fund’s shares so long as such transactions are done in accordance with the policies and procedures established by the Trustees that are designed to ensure that the selection is based on the quality of execution and not on sales efforts. When placing portfolio transactions with a broker or dealer, the Adviser may aggregate securities to be sold or purchased for the Fund with those to be sold or purchased for other advisory accounts managed by the Adviser. In aggregating such securities, the Adviser will average the transaction as to price and will allocate available investments in a manner that the Adviser believes to be fair and reasonable to the Fund and such other advisory accounts. An aggregated order will generally be allocated on a pro rata basis among all participating accounts, based on the relative dollar values of the participating accounts, or using any other method deemed to be fair to the participating accounts, with any exceptions to such methods involving the Trust being reported to the Trustees.

 

Section 28(e) of the 1934 Act permits the Adviser, under certain circumstances, to cause the Fund to pay a broker or dealer a commission for effecting a transaction in excess of the amount of commission another broker or dealer would have charged for effecting the transaction in recognition of the value of brokerage and research services provided by the broker or dealer. In addition to agency transactions, the Adviser may receive brokerage and research services in connection with certain riskless principal transactions, in accordance with applicable SEC guidance. Brokerage and research services include: (1) furnishing advice as to the value of securities, the advisability of investing in, purchasing or selling securities, and the availability of securities or purchasers or sellers of securities; (2) furnishing analyses and reports concerning issuers, industries, securities, economic factors and trends, Fund strategy, and the performance of accounts; and (3) effecting securities transactions and performing functions incidental thereto (such as clearance, settlement, and custody). In the case of research services, the Adviser believes that access to independent investment research is beneficial to its investment decision-making processes and, therefore, to the Fund.

 

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To the extent that research services may be a factor in selecting brokers, such services may be in written form or through direct contact with individuals and may include information as to particular companies and securities as well as market, economic, or institutional areas and information which assists in the valuation and pricing of investments. Examples of research-oriented services for which the Adviser might utilize Fund commissions include research reports and other information on the economy, industries, sectors, groups of securities, individual companies, statistical information, political developments, technical market action, pricing and appraisal services, credit analysis, risk measurement analysis, performance and other analysis. The Adviser may use research services furnished by brokers in servicing all client accounts and not all services may necessarily be used in connection with the account that paid commissions to the broker providing such services. Information so received by the Adviser will be in addition to and not in lieu of the services required to be performed by the Adviser under the Advisory Agreement. Any advisory or other fees paid to the Adviser are not reduced as a result of the receipt of research services.

 

In some cases the Adviser may receive a service from a broker that has both a “research” and a “non-research” use. When this occurs, the Adviser makes a good faith allocation, under all the circumstances, between the research and non-research uses of the service. The percentage of the service that is used for research purposes may be paid for with client commissions, while the Adviser will use its own funds to pay for the percentage of the service that is used for non-research purposes. In making this good faith allocation, the Adviser faces a potential conflict of interest, but the Adviser believes that its allocation procedures are reasonably designed to ensure that it appropriately allocates the anticipated use of such services to their research and non-research uses.

 

From time to time, the Fund may purchase new issues of securities in a fixed price offering. In these situations, the seller may be a member of the selling group that will, in addition to selling securities, provide the Adviser with research services. The Financial Industry Regulatory Authority has adopted rules expressly permitting these types of arrangements under certain circumstances. Generally, the seller will provide research “credits” in these situations at a rate that is higher than that which is available for typical secondary market transactions. These arrangements may not fall within the safe harbor of Section 28(e).

 

Brokerage with Fund Affiliates. The Fund may execute brokerage or other agency transactions through registered broker-dealer affiliates of either the Fund, the Adviser or the Distributor for a commission in conformity with the 1940 Act, the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (the “1934 Act”) and rules promulgated by the SEC. These rules further require that commissions paid to the affiliate by the Fund for exchange transactions not exceed “usual and customary” brokerage commissions. The rules define “usual and customary” commissions to include amounts which are “reasonable and fair compared to the commission, fee or other remuneration received or to be received by other brokers in connection with comparable transactions involving similar securities being purchased or sold on a securities exchange during a comparable period of time.” The Trustees, including those who are not “interested persons” of the Fund, have adopted procedures for evaluating the reasonableness of commissions paid to affiliates and review these procedures periodically.

 

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Securities of “Regular Broker-Dealers.The Fund is required to identify any securities of its “regular brokers and dealers” (as such term is defined in the 1940 Act) which the Fund may hold at the close of its most recent fiscal year.

 

Allocation. When two or more clients managed by the Adviser are simultaneously engaged in the purchase or sale of the same security, the transactions are allocated in a manner deemed equitable to each client. In some cases this procedure could have a detrimental effect on the price or volume of the security as far as the Fund is concerned. In other cases, however, the ability to participate in volume transactions will be beneficial to the Fund. The Board believes that these advantages, when combined with the other benefits available because of the Adviser’s organization, outweigh the disadvantages that may exist from this treatment of transactions.

 

DISCLOSURE OF PORTFOLIO SECURITIES HOLDINGS

 

This Disclosure of Portfolio Securities Holdings Policy (the “Policy”) shall govern the disclosure of the portfolio securities holdings of each Fund series of the Trust. The Trust maintains this Policy to ensure that disclosure of information about portfolio securities is in the best interests of the Fund and the Fund’s shareholders. The Board reviews these policies and procedures as necessary and compliance will be periodically assessed by the Board in connection with a report from the Trust’s Chief Compliance Officer. In addition, the Board has reviewed and approved the provision of portfolio holdings information to entities described below that may be prior to and more frequently than the public disclosure of such information (i.e., “non-standard disclosure”). The Board has also delegated authority to the officers of the Trust and Adviser to provide such information in certain circumstances (see below).

 

The Trust is required by the SEC to publicly file its complete portfolio holdings schedule with the SEC on a quarterly basis. This schedule is filed with the Trust’s annual and semi-annual reports on Form N-CSR for the second and fourth fiscal quarters and on Form N-PORT for the first and third fiscal quarters. Certain portfolio information is also included on Form N-PORT that is filed for the second and fourth fiscal quarters. The portfolio holdings information provided in these reports is as of the end of the respective quarter. Form N-CSR must be filed with the SEC no later than ten (10) calendar days after the Trust transmits its annual or semi-annual report to its shareholders. Form N-PORT must be filed with the SEC and will be made publicly available no later than sixty (60) calendar days after the end of the applicable quarter.

 

Additionally, the Trust’s service providers which have contracted to provide services to the Trust and its funds, including, for example, the custodian, fund accountants, and other service providers assisting with materials utilized in the Board’s 15c processes that require portfolio holdings information in order to perform those services, may receive non-standard disclosure. Non-standard disclosure of portfolio holdings information may also be provided to a third-party when the Trust has a legitimate business purpose for doing so. The Trust has the following ongoing arrangements with certain third parties to provide the Fund’s portfolio holdings information:

 

1.to the Trust’s auditors within sixty (60) days after the applicable fiscal period or other periods as necessary for use in providing audit opinions and other advice related to financial, regulatory, or tax reporting;

 

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2.to financial printers within sixty (60) days after the applicable fiscal period for the purpose of preparing Trust regulatory filings; and

 

3.to the Trust’s administrator, custodian, transfer agent and accounting services provider on a daily basis in connection with their providing services to the Fund.

 

The Trust’s service providers may also disclose non-public portfolio holdings information if such disclosure is required by applicable laws, rules or regulations, or by regulatory authorities. Additionally, the Adviser may establish ongoing arrangements with certain third parties to provide the Fund’s portfolio holdings information that the Adviser determines that the Fund has a legitimate business purpose for doing so and the recipient is subject to a duty of confidentiality. These third parties may include:

 

1.financial data processing companies that provide automated data scanning and monitoring services for the Fund;

 

2.research companies that allow the Adviser to perform attribution analysis for the Fund; and

 

3.the Adviser’s proxy voting agent to assess and vote proxies on behalf of the Fund.

 

From time to time, employees of the Adviser may express their views orally or in writing on the Fund’s portfolio securities or may state that the Fund has recently purchased or sold, or continues to own, one or more securities. The securities subject to these views and statements may be ones that were purchased or sold since the Fund’s most recent quarter-end and therefore may not be reflected on the list of the Fund’s most recent quarter-end portfolio holdings. These views and statements may be made to various persons, including members of the press, brokers and other financial intermediaries that sell shares of the Fund, shareholders in the Fund, persons considering investing in the Fund or representatives of such shareholders or potential shareholders, such as fiduciaries of a 401(k) plan or a trust and their advisers, and other entities for which the Adviser may determine. The nature and content of the views and statements provided to these persons may differ.

 

From time to time, employees of the Adviser also may provide oral or written information (“portfolio commentary”) about the Fund, including, but not limited to, how the Fund’s investments are divided among various sectors, industries, countries, investment styles and capitalization sizes, and among stocks, bonds, currencies and cash, security types, bond maturities, bond coupons and bond credit quality ratings. This portfolio commentary may also include information on how these various weightings and factors contributed to Fund performance. The Adviser may also provide oral or written information (“statistical information”) about various financial characteristics of the Fund or its underlying portfolio securities including, but not limited to, alpha, beta, R-squared, coefficient of determination, duration, maturity, information ratio, sharpe ratio, earnings growth, payout ratio, price/book value, projected earnings growth, return on equity, standard deviation, tracking error, weighted average quality, market capitalization, percent debt to equity, price to cash flow, dividend yield or growth, default rate, portfolio turnover, and risk and style characteristics. This portfolio commentary and statistical information about the Fund may be based on the Fund’s portfolio as of the most recent quarter-end or the end of some other interim period, such as month-end. The portfolio commentary and statistical information may be provided to various persons, including those described in the preceding paragraph. The nature and content of the information provided to these persons may differ.

 

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Additionally, employees of the Adviser may disclose one or more of the portfolio securities of the Fund when purchasing and selling securities through broker-dealers, requesting bids on securities, obtaining price quotations on securities, or in connection with litigation involving the Fund’s portfolio securities. The Adviser does not enter into formal non-disclosure or confidentiality agreements in connection with these situations; however, the Fund would not continue to conduct business with a person who the Adviser believed was misusing the disclosed information.

 

The Adviser or its affiliates may manage products sponsored by companies other than itself, including investment companies, offshore funds, and separate accounts and affiliates of the Adviser may provide investment related services, including research services, to other companies, including other investment companies, offshore funds, institutional investors and other entities. In each of these instances, the sponsors of these other companies and the affiliates of the Adviser may receive compensation for their services. In many cases, these other products are managed in a similar fashion to the Fund and thus have similar portfolio holdings, and the other investment related services provided by affiliates of the Adviser may involve disclosure of information that is also utilized by the Adviser in managing the Fund. The sponsors of these other products may disclose the portfolio holdings of their products at different times than the Adviser discloses portfolio holdings for the Fund, and affiliates of the Adviser may provide investment related services to its clients at times that are different than the times disclosed to the Fund.

 

The Trust and the Adviser currently have no other arrangements for the provision of non-standard disclosure to any party or shareholder. Other than the non-standard disclosure discussed above, if a third-party requests specific, current information regarding the Fund’s portfolio holdings, the Trust will refer the third-party to the latest regulatory filing.

 

All of the arrangements above are subject to the policies and procedures adopted by the Board to ensure such disclosure is for a legitimate business purpose and is in the best interests of the Trust and its shareholders. The Trust’s CCO is responsible for monitoring the use and disclosure of information relating to Portfolio Securities. Although no material conflicts of interest are believed to exist that could disadvantage the Fund and its shareholders, various safeguards have been implemented to protect the Fund and its shareholders from conflicts of interest, including: the adoption of Codes of Ethics pursuant to Rule 17j-1 under the 1940 Act designed to prevent fraudulent, deceptive or manipulative acts by officers and employees of the Trust, the Adviser and the Distributor in connection with their personal securities transactions; the adoption by the Adviser and Distributor of insider trading policies and procedures designed to prevent their employees’ misuse of material non-public information; and the adoption by the Trust of a Code of Ethics for Officers that requires the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer of the Trust to report to the Board any affiliations or other relationships that could potentially create a conflict of interest with the Fund. There may be instances where the interests of the Trust’s shareholders respecting the disclosure of information about portfolio holdings may conflict or appear to conflict with the interests of the Adviser, any principal underwriter for the Trust or an affiliated person of the Trust, the Adviser or the Distributor. In such situations, the conflict must be disclosed to the Board and the Board will attempt to resolve the situation in a manner that it deems in the best interests of the Fund.

 

Affiliated persons of the Trust who receive non-standard disclosure are subject to restrictions and limitations on the use and handling of such information, including requirements to maintain the confidentiality of such information, pre-clear securities trades and report securities transactions activity, as applicable. Except as provided above, affiliated persons of the Trust and third party service providers of the Trust receiving such non-standard disclosure will be instructed that such information must be kept confidential and that no trading on such information should be allowed.

 

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Neither the Trust, the Fund nor the Adviser receives compensation or other consideration in connection with the non-standard disclosure of information about portfolio securities.

 

DESCRIPTION OF THE TRUST

 

The Trust was organized as a Delaware statutory trust on July 14, 2020. The Trust’s Agreement and Declaration of Trust authorizes the Board to issue an unlimited number of full and fractional shares of beneficial interest in the Trust and to classify or reclassify any unissued shares into one or more series of shares. The Agreement and Declaration of Trust further authorizes the trustees to classify or reclassify any series of shares into one or more classes. The Trust’s shares of beneficial interest have no par value.

 

Shares have no preemptive rights and only such conversion or exchange rights as the Board may grant in its discretion. When issued for payment as described in the applicable prospectus, shares will be fully paid and non-assessable. In the event of a liquidation or dissolution of the Trust or an individual fund, shareholders of a fund are entitled to receive the assets available for distribution belonging to the particular fund, and a proportionate distribution, based upon the relative asset values of the respective fund, of any general assets of the Trust not belonging to any particular fund which are available for distribution.

 

Shareholders are entitled to one vote for each full share held, and a proportionate fractional vote for each fractional share held, and will vote in the aggregate and not by class, except as otherwise expressly required by law or when the Board determines that the matter to be voted on affects only the interests of shareholders of a particular class. Voting rights are not cumulative and, accordingly, the holders of more than 50% of the aggregate of the Trust’s outstanding shares may elect all of the trustees, irrespective of the votes of other shareholders.

 

Rule 18f-2 under the 1940 Act provides that any matter required to be submitted to the holders of the outstanding voting securities of an investment company such as the Trust shall not be deemed to have been effectively acted upon unless approved by the holders of a majority of the outstanding shares of the fund affected by the matter. A particular fund is deemed to be affected by a matter unless it is clear that the interests of the fund in the matter are substantially identical or that the matter does not affect any interest of the fund. Under the Rule, the approval of an investment management agreement or any change in an investment objective, if fundamental, or in a fundamental investment policy would be effectively acted upon with respect to a fund only if approved by a majority of the outstanding shares of such fund. However, the Rule also provides that the ratification of the appointment of independent public accountants, the approval of principal underwriting contracts and the election of trustees may be effectively acted upon by shareholders of the Trust voting without regard to series or class.

 

Each fund is a separate mutual fund, and each share of each fund represents an equal proportionate interest in that fund. All consideration received by the Trust for shares of any fund and all assets of such fund belong solely to that fund and would be subject to liabilities related thereto. Each fund of the Trust pays its (i) operating expenses, including fees of its service providers, expenses of preparing prospectuses, proxy solicitation material and reports to shareholders, costs of custodial services and registering its shares under federal and state securities laws, pricing, insurance expenses, brokerage costs, interest charges, taxes and organization expenses; and (ii) pro rata share of the fund’s other expenses, including audit and legal expenses. Expenses attributable to a specific fund shall be payable solely out of the assets of that fund. Expenses not attributable to a specific fund are allocated across all of the funds on the basis of relative net assets.

 

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The Trust does not presently intend to hold annual meetings of shareholders except as required by the 1940 Act or other applicable law. Upon the written request of shareholders owning at least 25% of the Trust’s shares, the Trust will call for a meeting of shareholders to consider the removal of one or more trustees and other certain matters. To the extent required by law, the Trust will assist in shareholder communication in such matters.

 

The Board has full power and authority, in its sole discretion, and without obtaining shareholder approval, to divide or combine the shares of any class or series thereof into a greater or lesser number, to classify or reclassify any issued shares or any class or series thereof into one or more classes or series of shares, and to take such other action with respect to the Trust’s shares as the Board may deem desirable. The Agreement and Declaration of Trust authorizes the trustees, without shareholder approval, to cause the Trust to merge or to consolidate with any corporation, association, trust or other organization in order to change the form of organization and/or domicile of the Trust or to sell or exchange all or substantially all of the assets of the Trust, or any series or class thereof, in dissolution of the Trust, or any series or class thereof. The Agreement and Declaration of Trust permits the termination of the Trust or of any series or class of the Trust by the trustees without shareholder approval. However, the exercise of such authority by the Board without shareholder approval may be subject to certain restrictions or limitations under the 1940 Act.

 

PROXY VOTING

 

The Board of Trustees of the Trust has delegated responsibility for decisions regarding proxy voting for securities held by the Fund to the Adviser, which in turn has delegated such responsibility to the Adviser. The Adviser will vote such proxies in accordance with its proxy policies and procedures, which are included in Exhibit A to this SAI. The Board of Trustees will periodically review the Fund’s proxy voting record. The proxy voting policies and procedures of the Trust are included as Exhibit B to this SAI.

 

The Trust is required to disclose annually the Fund’s complete proxy voting record on Form N-PX. Any material changes to the proxy policies and procedures will be submitted to the Board for approval. Information regarding how the Fund voted proxies relating to portfolio securities for the most recent 12-month period ending June 30, will be available (1) without charge, upon request by calling 1-(855) 644-3444 or by writing to the Fund at 633 Rogers Street, Suite 106, Downers Grove, Illinois 60515; and (2) on the SEC’s website at http://www.sec.gov.

 

CODES OF ETHICS

 

The Board of Trustees, on behalf of the Trust, has adopted a Code of Ethics pursuant to Rule 17j-1 under the 1940 Act. In addition, the Adviser, Adviser and Distributor have each adopted Codes of Ethics pursuant to Rule 17j-1. These Codes of Ethics apply to the personal investing activities of trustees, officers and certain employees (“access persons”). Rule 17j-1 and the Codes of Ethics are designed to prevent unlawful practices in connection with the purchase or sale of securities by access persons. Under each Code of Ethics, access persons are permitted to engage in personal securities transactions, but are required to report their personal securities transactions for monitoring purposes. The personnel subject to the Codes are permitted to invest in securities, including securities that may be purchased or held by the Fund. In addition, certain access persons are required to obtain approval before investing in initial public offerings or private placements, or are prohibited from making such investments. Copies of these Codes of Ethics are on file with the SEC, and are available to the public on the EDGAR Database on the SEC’s Internet website at http://www.sec.gov.

  

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FINANCIAL INFORMATION

 

The financial statement of the Fund as of November 20, 2020, which have been audited by BBD, LLP, is set forth below:

 

 

Hercules Fund

 

Financial Statements and Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

 

November 20, 2020

 

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Hercules Fund

 

Index to Financial Statement

 

  Pages
   
Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm 46
   
Statement of Assets and Liabilities as of November 20, 2020 47
   
Notes to Financial Statement 48

 

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REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM

 

To the Board of Trustees of SFS Series Trust

and the Shareholder of Hercules Fund

 

Opinion on the Financial Statement

We have audited the accompanying statement of assets and liabilities of Hercules Fund, a series of shares of beneficial interest in SFS Series Trust (the “Fund”), as of November 20, 2020, and the related notes (collectively referred to as the “financial statement”). In our opinion, the financial statement presents fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of the Fund as of November 20, 2020, in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America.

 

Basis for Opinion

This financial statement is the responsibility of the Fund’s management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the Fund’s financial statement based on our audit. We are a public accounting firm registered with the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States) (“PCAOB”) and are required to be independent with respect to the Fund in accordance with the U.S. federal securities law and the applicable rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission and the PCAOB.

 

We conducted our audit in accordance with the standards of the PCAOB. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statement is free of material misstatement, whether due to error or fraud. The Fund is not required to have, nor were we engaged to perform, an audit of its internal control over financial reporting. As part of our audit we are required to obtain an understanding of internal control over financial reporting but not for the purpose of expressing an opinion on the effectiveness of the Fund’s internal control over financial reporting. Accordingly, we express no such opinion.

 

Our audit included performing procedures to assess the risk of material misstatement of the financial statement, whether due to error or fraud, and performing procedures that respond to those risks. Such procedures included examining, on a test basis, evidence regarding the amounts and disclosures in the financial statement. Our audit also included evaluating the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall presentation of the financial statement. We believe that our audit provides a reasonable basis for our opinion.

 

 

BBD, LLP

 

We have served as the auditor of the Fund since 2020.

 

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

November 23, 2020

 

46 

 

 

Hercules Fund

 

STATEMENT OF ASSETS AND LIABILITIES

 

As of November 20, 2020

 

ASSETS    
Cash  $100,000 
      
Total Assets  $100,000 
      
LIABILITIES  $ 
      
NET ASSETS  $100,000 
      
NET ASSETS CONSIST OF:     
Paid-in capital  $100,000 
      
Net Asset Value Per Share:     
10,000 shares issued and outstanding, unlimited shares authorized  $10.00 

 

47 

 

 

Hercules Fund

 

NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

1.    Organization

 

Hercules Fund (the “Fund”) is a series of the SFS Series Trust (the “Trust”). The Trust was organized on July 14, 2020 as a Delaware statutory trust and is registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the “1940 Act”), as an open-end management investment company. The investment objective of the Fund is to seek aggressive growth of capital. The Fund’s all-weather strategy is designed to generate positive absolute returns through all market cycles and it will allocate investments so that the Fund maintains a low correlation to the broad equity markets (i.e. the S&P 500 Index). The Fund has had no operations through November 20, 2020, other than those relating to organizational matters and the sale of 10,000 shares of the Fund to its sole shareholder, which represented the initial capital of $100,000 at $10 per share.

 

The Fund currently offers one class of shares, which has no front-end sales load, no deferred sales charge, and no redemption fee. The Fund may issue an unlimited number of shares of beneficial interest, with no par value. All shares of the Fund have equal rights and privileges.

 

2. Significant Accounting Policies

 

The following significant accounting policies are in conformity with United States generally accepted accounting principles (“U.S. GAAP”). Such policies are consistently followed by the Fund in preparation of its financial statement. Management has determined that the Fund is an investment company in accordance with the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) Topic 946, “Financial Services – Investment Companies,” for the purpose of financial reporting.

 

Use of Estimates

 

The preparation of the financial statement in conformity with U.S. GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statement. Actual results could differ from those estimates. The Fund’s financial statement is stated in U.S. dollars.

 

Income Taxes

 

The Fund intends to elect to be treated as a regulated investment company (“RIC”) under Subchapter M of the Code and intends each year to qualify and be eligible to be treated as such.

 

If the Fund qualifies as a RIC and satisfies certain distribution requirements, the Fund (but not its shareholders) will not be subject to U.S. federal income tax to the extent it distributes its investment company taxable income and net capital gains in a timely manner to its shareholders in the form of dividends or capital gains distributions. Therefore, no provision for federal income tax should be required. Additionally, the Fund has concluded that there are no significant uncertain tax positions that would require recognition in the financial statement as of November 20, 2020.

 

48 

 

 

Distribution of Income and Gains

 

The Fund intends to declare and make distributions of investment company taxable income after payment of the Fund’s operating expenses and net capital gains annually. Distributions from net realized gains for book purposes may include short-term capital gains, which are included as ordinary income for tax purposes.

 

Organizational and Offering Costs

 

Hercules Investments LLC and Sudrania Fund Services Corp (“Sudrania”) have agreed to bear all organizational and offering expenses for the Fund.

 

3. Investment Advisory and Other Agreements

 

Hercules Investments, LLC (the “Adviser”), serves as the investment adviser to the Fund. Pursuant to an Investment Advisory Agreement (“Advisory Agreement”) between the Trust, on behalf of the Fund, and the Adviser, the Adviser provides management services to the Fund and oversees the day-to-day operations of the Fund, subject to the supervision of the Board of Trustees (the “Board”) and the officers of the Trust. The Adviser administers the Fund’s business affairs, provides office facilities and equipment and certain clerical, bookkeeping and administrative services. For services provided to the Fund, the Fund pays the Adviser a management fee at an annual rate of 2.00% based on the Fund’s average daily net assets. In addition to the management Fee, the Adviser is entitled to receive a performance fee of 20% of the Fund’s total return prior to the application of the Performance Fee, subject to a high watermark test. Fund shares will not bear the Performance Fee for any day on which the Fund’s Pre-Performance fee cumulative total return does not exceed its Pre-Performance fee cumulative total return as of the day on which the Performance Fee was last accrued. Conversely, Fund shares will bear the Performance Fee for any day on which the Fund’s Pre-Performance fee cumulative total return exceeds its Pre-Performance fee cumulative total return as of the day on which the Performance Fee was last accrued. This high watermark test is measured from the Fund’s commencement of operations. The Performance Fee, payable monthly, is calculated and accrued daily, based on the value of the Fund’s then current assets.

 

Sudrania serves as the Fund’s administrator and, in that capacity performs various administrative and accounting services for the Fund. Sudrania also serves as the Fund’s fund accountant, transfer agent, dividend disbursing agent and registrar. Certain officers of the Trust are also officers and directors of Sudrania.

 

Commonwealth Fund Services (“Commonwealth”) serves as the Fund’s sub-administrator and sub-transfer agent. As sub-transfer agent, Commonwealth provides certain shareholder and other services to the Fund, including furnishing account and transaction information and maintaining shareholder account records. In its capacity as sub-administrator, Commonwealth will provide certain administrative services for the Fund, including the preparation and filing of certain financial and shareholder reports with the SEC.

 

Rafferty Capital Markets serves as the principal underwriter of the Funds’ shares, and acts as the Fund’s distributor in a continuous public offering of the Fund’s shares.

 

Fifth Third Bank, serves as the Fund’s custodian (the “Custodian”). As of November 20, 2020, there were no fees incurred from the service providers described above as the Fund had not commenced operations.

 

BBD, LLP serves as Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm to the Trust, and the Fund.

 

49 

 

 

Practus LLP serves as Legal Counsel to the Trust, and the Fund.

 

4. Beneficial Ownership

 

The beneficial ownership, either directly or indirectly, of more than 25% of the voting securities of a fund creates a presumption of control of the fund, under Section 2(a)(9) of the Investment Company Act of 1940. As of the date of this financial statement, the sole shareholder of the Fund owned 100% of the outstanding shares.

 

5. Guarantees and Indemnifications

 

In the normal course of business, the Fund enters into contracts with third-party service providers that contain a variety of representations and warranties and that provide general indemnifications. Additionally, under the Fund organizational documents, the officers and Trustees are indemnified against certain liabilities arising out of the performance of their duties to the Fund. The Fund’s maximum exposure under these arrangements is unknown, as it involves possible future claims that may or may not be made against the Fund. The Adviser is of the view that the risk of loss to the Fund in connection with the Fund indemnification obligations is remote; however, there can be no assurance that such obligations will not result in material liabilities that adversely affect the Fund.

 

6.Valuation

 

The Fund’s securities are valued at current market prices. Investments in securities traded on the national securities exchanges are valued at the last reported sale price. Investments in securities included in the NASDAQ National Market System are valued at the NASDAQ Official Closing Price. Other securities traded in the over-the-counter market and listed securities for which no sales are reported on a given date are valued at the last reported bid price. Short-term debt securities (less than 60 days to maturity) are valued at their fair market value using amortized cost. Depositary Receipts will be valued at the closing price of the instrument last determined prior to the Valuation Time unless the Trust is aware of a material change in value. Securities for which such a value cannot be readily determined on any day will be valued at the closing price of the underlying security adjusted for the exchange rate. The value of a foreign security is determined as of the close of trading on the foreign exchange on which it is traded or as of the scheduled close of trading on the NYSE, whichever is earlier. Portfolio securities that are listed on foreign exchanges may experience a change in value on days when shareholders will not be able to purchase or redeem shares of the Fund. Generally, trading in corporate bonds, U.S. Government securities and money market instruments is substantially completed each day at various times before the scheduled close of the NYSE. The value of these securities used in computing the net asset value (“NAV”) is determined as of such times.

 

The Trust has a policy that contemplates the use of fair value pricing to determine the NAV per share of the Fund when market prices are unavailable as well as under special circumstances, such as: (i) if the primary market for a portfolio security suspends or limits trading or price movements of the security; and (ii) when an event occurs after the close of the exchange on which a portfolio security is principally traded that is likely to have changed the value of the security.

 

When the Trust uses fair value pricing to determine the NAV per share of the Fund, securities will not be priced on the basis of quotations from the primary market in which they are traded, but rather may be priced by another method that the Board believes accurately reflects fair value. Any method used will be approved by the Board and results will be monitored to evaluate accuracy. The Trust’s policy is intended to result in a calculation of the Fund’s NAV that fairly reflects security values as of the time of pricing. However, fair values determined pursuant to the Trust’s procedures may not accurately reflect the price that the Fund could obtain for a security if it were to dispose of that security as of the time of pricing. 

 

50 

 

 

Currently, the Fund does not own any securities.

 

6. Subsequent Events

 

In preparing this financial statement, management has evaluated events and transactions for potential recognition or disclosure through the date the financial statement was available to be issued. Management has determined that there were no material events that would require disclosure in the Fund’s financial statement through the date this financial statement was issued.

51 

 

  

You may request a copy of the annual and semi-annual reports, when available, for the Fund at no charge by contact the Fund at:

 

Hercules Fund

c/o SFS Series Trust

633 Rogers St, Suite 106

Downers Grove, IL 60515

Telephone: 1-(855) 644-3444

www.herculesfund.com

 

52 

 

 

EXHIBIT A

 

PROXY VOTING POLICY

Of

Hercules Investments, LLC

 

RULE 206(4)-6

 

In accordance with the requirements of Rule 206(4)-6 under the Investment Advisers Act of 1940 (the “Advisers Act”), Hercules Investments LLC (“HERCULES”) has adopted the following proxy voting policy with respect to those assets for which a client has vested HERCULES with discretionary investment management authority (the “assets”).

 

Statement of Policy

 

HERCULES as a matter of policy and practice has no authority to vote proxies on behalf of its advisory non-fund clients. HERCULES may offer assistance as to proxy matters upon a client’s request, but the client always retains the proxy voting responsibility. The policy with respect to voting proxies for its mutual fund clients is described below.

 

HERCULES discloses its proxy voting policy in its Form ADV. Moreover, HERCULES’s advisory agreements with its non-fund clients provide that it has no proxy voting responsibilities and that the advisory clients expressly retain such voting authority.

 

Voting Policy for Mutual Fund Clients

 

Unless a client directs otherwise, in writing, HERCULES shall be responsible for: (1) directing the manner in which proxies solicited by issuers of securities beneficially owned by the client shall be voted, and (2) making all elections relative to any mergers, acquisitions, and tender offers. However, the client shall maintain exclusive responsibility for all legal proceedings or other type events pertaining to the assets, including, but not limited to, class action lawsuits. HERCULES and/or the client shall correspondingly instruct each custodian of the assets to forward to HERCULES copies of all proxies and shareholder communications relating to the assets. Absent mitigating circumstances and/or conflicts of interest (to the extent any such circumstance or conflict is presented, if ever, information pertaining to how HERCULES addressed any such circumstance or conflict shall be maintained by HERCULES - see examples below), it is HERCULES’s general policy to vote proxies consistent with the recommendation of the senior management of the issuer. HERCULES shall monitor corporate actions of individual issuers and investment companies consistent with HERCULES’s fiduciary duty to vote proxies in the best interests of its clients. With respect to individual issuers, HERCULES may be solicited to vote on matters including corporate governance, adoption or amendments to compensation plans (including stock options), and matters involving social issues and corporate responsibility. With respect to investment companies (e.g., mutual funds), HERCULES may be solicited to vote on matters including the approval of advisory contracts, distribution plans, and mergers. HERCULES shall maintain records pertaining to proxy voting as required pursuant to Rule 204-2 (c)(2) under the Advisers Act.

 

Copies of Rules 206(4)-6 and 204-2(c)(2) are available upon written request. In addition, information pertaining to how HERCULES voted on any specific proxy issue is also available upon written request. Any questions regarding HERCULES’s proxy voting policy shall be directed to the Chief Compliance Officer of HERCULES.

 

53 

 

 

Mitigating Circumstances/Conflicts of Interest

 

The following are examples of mitigating circumstances and/or conflicts of interest: (1) an adviser or its affiliate may manage a pension plan, administer employee benefit plans, or provide brokerage, underwriting, insurance, or banking services to a company whose management is soliciting proxies; (2) an adviser may have business or personal relationships with participants in proxy contests, corporate directors, or candidates for directorships, etc.; (3) an adviser has a business relationship not with the company but with a proponent of a proxy proposal that may affect how it casts votes on client securities; and (4) senior management’s recommendation, in the opinion of HERCULES, is not in the best interests of the client.

 

Implementation/Adoption

 

The Chief Compliance Officer, or his/her designee shall be primarily responsible for determining how client proxies are voted and recording how HERCULES addressed any mitigating circumstance or conflict of interest. The CCO shall be primarily responsible for the ongoing review and evaluation of HERCULES’s proxy voting policy and corresponding compliance with the requirements of Rules 206(4)-6 and 204-2(c)(2).  

 

Proxy Vote Record Retention

 

HERCULES shall maintain records of proxies voted in accordance with Section 204-2 of the Act, including proxy statements, and a record of each vote cast. HERCULES shall also keep a copy of its policies and procedures and each written request from a Client for proxy voting records and HERCULES’s written response to any Client request, either written or oral, for such records. All proxy voting records are to be retained for five years, with the first two years in the offices of HERCULES.

 

Form N-PX Filing

 

HERCULES shall be responsible for ensuring that it maintains a complete proxy vote log and confirms the timely voting of proxies. The proxy vote log will be maintained in such a manner that the following information is contained within the log in accordance with the requirements of submitting Form N-PX for proxies voted on behalf of HERCULES’s mutual fund(s) Clients:

 

the name of the issuer;

the exchange ticker symbol, if available;

the CUSIP number, if available;

the shareholder meeting date;

a brief identification of the matter voted on;

whether the matter was proposed by the issuer or a security holder;

whether HERCULES cast its vote on the matter;

how HERCULES cast its vote on the matter (for, against, abstain, or withhold regarding the election of directors); and

whether HERCULES cast its vote for or against management.

 

54 

 

 

HERCULES shall provide the information necessary to complete the Form N-PX to the appropriate fund service provider/administrator who will timely submit the filings, generally prior to August 31 for the 12-month period ended June 30 each year.

 

Adopted: July 29, 2020

 

55 

 

 

EXHIBIT B

 

SFS Series Trust

 

PROXY VOTING POLICY AND PROCEDURES

 

The SFS Series Trust (the “Trust”) is registered as an open-end management investment company under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (“1940 Act”). The Trust offers multiple series (each a “Fund” and, collectively, the “Funds”). Consistent with its fiduciary duties and pursuant to Rule 30b1-4 under the 1940 Act (the “Proxy Rule”), the Board of Trustees of the Trust (the “Board”) has adopted this proxy voting policy on behalf of the Trust (the “Policy”) to reflect its commitment to ensure that proxies are voted in a manner consistent with the best interests of the Funds’ shareholders.

 

Delegation of Proxy Voting Authority to Fund Adviser

 

The Board believes that the investment adviser, or the investment sub-adviser as appropriate, of each Fund (each an “Adviser”), as the entity that selects the individual securities that comprise its Fund’s portfolio, is the most knowledgeable and best-suited to make decisions on how to vote proxies of portfolio companies held by that Fund. The Trust shall therefore defer to, and rely on, the Adviser of each Fund to make decisions on how to cast proxy votes on behalf of such Fund.

 

The Trust hereby designates the Adviser of each Fund as the entity responsible for exercising proxy voting authority with regard to securities held in the Fund’s investment portfolio. Consistent with its duties under this Policy, each Adviser shall monitor and review corporate transactions of corporations in which the Fund has invested, obtain all information sufficient to allow an informed vote on all proxy solicitations, ensure that all proxy votes are cast in a timely fashion, and maintain all records required to be maintained by the Fund under the Proxy Rule and the 1940 Act. Each Adviser shall perform these duties in accordance with the Adviser’s proxy voting policy, a copy of which shall be presented to this Board for its review. Each Adviser shall promptly provide to the Board updates to its proxy voting policy as they are adopted and implemented.

 

Conflict of Interest Transactions

 

In some instances, an Adviser may be asked to cast a proxy vote that presents a conflict between the interests of the Fund’s shareholders and those of the Adviser or an affiliated person of the Adviser. In such case, the Adviser is instructed to abstain from making a voting decision and to forward all necessary proxy voting materials to the Trust to enable the Board to make a voting decision. When the Board is required to make a proxy voting decision, only the Trustees without a conflict of interest with regard to the security in question or the matter to be voted upon shall be permitted to participate in the decision of how the Fund’s vote will be cast. In the event that the Board is required to vote a proxy because an Adviser has a conflict of interest with respect to the proxy, the Board will vote such proxy in accordance with the Adviser’s proxy voting policy, to the extent consistent with the shareholders’ best interests, as determined by the Board in its discretion. The Board shall notify the Adviser of its final decision on the matter and the Adviser shall vote in accordance with the Board’s decision.

 

Availability of Proxy Voting Policy and Records Available to Fund Shareholders

 

If the Fund has a website, the Fund may post a copy of its Adviser’s proxy voting policy and this Policy on such website. A copy of such policies and the Fund’s proxy voting record shall also be made available, without charge, upon request of any shareholder of the Fund, by calling the applicable Fund’s toll-free telephone number as printed in the Fund’s prospectus. The Trust’s administrator shall reply to any Fund shareholder request within three business days of receipt of the request, by first-class mail or other means designed to ensure equally prompt delivery.

 

56 

 

 

Each Adviser shall provide a complete voting record, as required by the Proxy Rule, for each series of the Trust for which it acts as adviser, to the Trust’s administrator within 30 days following the end of each 12-month period ending June 30. The Trust’s administrator will file a report based on such record on Form N-PX on an annual basis with the U. S. Securities and Exchange Commission no later than August 31st of each year.

 

Adopted: December __, 2020

 

57 

 

 

EXHIBIT C

 

Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee Charter

 

SFS Series Trust

 

Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee Membership

 

1.The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee of SFS Series Trust (the “Trust”) shall be composed entirely of Independent Trustees.

 

Board Nominations and Functions

 

1.The Committee shall make nominations for Trustee membership on the Board of Trustees, including the Independent Trustees. The Committee shall evaluate candidates’ qualifications for Board membership and their independence from the investment advisers to the Trust’s series portfolios and the Trust’s other principal service providers. Persons selected as Independent Trustees must not be “interested person” as that term is defined in the Investment Company Act of 1940, nor shall Independent Trustee have and affiliations or associations that shall preclude them from voting as an Independent Trustee on matters involving approvals and continuations of Rule 12b-1 Plans, Investment Advisory Agreements and such other standards as the Committee shall deem appropriate. The Committee shall also consider the effect of any relationships beyond those delineated in the 1940 Act that might impair independence, e.g., business, financial or family relationships with managers or service providers. See Appendix A for Procedures with Respect to Nominees to the Board.
2.The Committee shall periodically review Board governance procedures and shall recommend any appropriate changes to the full Board of Trustees.
3.The Committee shall periodically review the composition of the Board of Trustees to determine whether it may be appropriate to add individuals with different backgrounds or skill sets from those already on the Board.
4.The Committee shall periodically review trustee compensation and shall recommend any appropriate changes to the Independent Trustees as a group.

 

Committee Nominations and Functions

 

1.The Committee shall make nominations for membership on all committees and shall review committee assignments at least annually.
2.The Committee shall review, as necessary, the responsibilities of any committees of the Board, whether there is a continuing need for each committee, whether there is a need for additional committees of the Board, and whether committees should be combined or reorganized. The Committee shall make recommendations for any such action to the full Board.

 

Other Powers and Responsibilities

 

1.The Committee shall have the resources and authority appropriate to discharge its responsibilities, including authority to retain special counsel and other experts or consultants at the expense of the Trust.

 

58 

 

 

2.The Committee shall review this Charter at least annually and recommend any changes to the full Board of Trustees.

  

Adopted:             _______, 2020

 

59 

 

 

APPENDIX A TO THE NOMINATING AND CORPORATE GOVERNANCE
COMMITTEE CHARTER

SFS SERIES TRUST

 

PROCEDURES WITH RESPECT TO NOMINEES TO THE BOARD

 

I.Identification of Candidates. When a vacancy on the Board of Trustees exists or is anticipated, and such vacancy is to be filled by an Independent Trustee, the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee shall identify candidates by obtaining referrals from such sources as it may deem appropriate, which may include current Trustees, management of the Trust, counsel and other advisors to the Trustees, and shareholders of the Trust who submit recommendations in accordance with these procedures. In no event shall the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee consider as a candidate to fill any such vacancy an individual recommended by any investment adviser of any series portfolio of the Trust, unless the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee has invited management to make such a recommendation.

 

II.Shareholder Candidates. The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee shall, when identifying candidates for the position of Independent Trustee, consider any such candidate recommended by a shareholder if such recommendation contains: (i) sufficient background information concerning the candidate, including evidence the candidate is willing to serve as an Independent Trustee if selected for the position; and (ii) is received in a sufficiently timely manner as determined by the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee in its discretion. Shareholders shall be directed to address any such recommendations in writing to the attention of the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee, c/o the Secretary of the Trust. The Secretary shall retain copies of any shareholder recommendations which meet the foregoing requirements for a period of not more than 12 months following receipt. The Secretary shall have no obligation to acknowledge receipt of any shareholder recommendations.

 

III.Evaluation of Candidates. In evaluating a candidate for a position on the Board of Trustees, including any candidate recommended by shareholders of the Trust, the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee shall consider the following: (i) the candidate’s knowledge in matters relating to the mutual fund industry; (ii) any experience possessed by the candidate as a director or senior officer of public companies; (iii) the candidate’s educational background; (iv) the candidate’s reputation for high ethical standards and professional integrity; (v) any specific financial, technical or other expertise possessed by the candidate, and the extent to which such expertise would complement the Board’s existing mix of skills, core competencies and qualifications; (vi) the candidate’s perceived ability to contribute to the ongoing functions of the Board, including the candidate’s ability and commitment to attend meetings regularly and work collaboratively with other members of the Board; (vii) the candidate’s ability to qualify as an Independent Trustee and any other actual or potential conflicts of interest involving the candidate and the Trust; and (viii) such other factors as the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee determines to be relevant in light of the existing composition of the Board and any anticipated vacancies. Prior to making a final recommendation to the Board, the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee shall conduct personal interviews with those candidates it concludes are the most qualified candidates.

 

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PART C

 

FORM N-1A

 

OTHER INFORMATION

 

 

 

ITEM 28. Exhibits

 

  (a) Agreement and Declaration of Trust (“Trust Instrument”) is herein incorporated by reference for the Registrant’s Initial N-1A filing on August 4, 2020.
     
  (b) By-Laws is herein incorporated by reference for the Registrant’s Initial N-1A filing on August 4, 2020.
     
  (c) Articles II, VI, VII, VIII and IX of the Trust Instrument, Exhibit 28(a) hereto, and Articles II, VIII and IX of the By-Laws, Exhibit 28(b) hereto, defines the rights of holders of the securities being registered. (Certificates for shares are not issued.)
     
  (d) Form of Investment Advisory Agreement between the Registrant, on behalf of the Hercules Fund, and Hercules Investments, LLC is herein incorporated by reference for the Registrant’s Initial N-1A filing on August 4, 2020.
     
  (e) Form of Distribution Agreement, dated December 3, 2020, between the Registrant, on behalf of the Hercules Fund, and Rafferty Capital Markets, LLC. (Filed herewith)
     
  (f) Not Applicable.
     
  (g) Form of Custody Agreement, dated October 15, 2020, between the Registrant, on behalf of the Hercules Fund and Fifth Third Bank, N.A. (Filed herewith)
     
 

(h)(1)

Form of Fund Services Agreement for Accounting, Administration and Transfer Agency Services dated December 3, 2020, between the Registrant, on behalf of the Hercules Fund, and Sudrania Fund Services Corp. (Filed herewith)
     
  (h)(2) Form of Fund Services Agreement for Sub-Transfer Agency dated December 3, 2020, between Sudrania Fund Services Corp. and Commonwealth Fund Services, Inc. (Filed herewith)
     
  (h)(3) Form of Management Agreement for Management and Administrative Services dated December 3, 2020 between Registrant, on behalf of the Hercules Fund, and CorrCast Administration, LLC. (Filed herewith)
     
  (i) Form of Opinion and Consent of Practus, LLP regarding the legality of the securities registered with respect to the Hercules Fund.( Filed herewith)
     
  (j) Consent of Independent Public Accountants for the Hercules Fund (Filed herewith).
     
  (k) Not applicable.
     
  (l) Form of Initial Subscription Agreement. (Filed herewith)
     
  (m) Not applicable.
     
  (n) Not applicable.
     
  (o) Reserved.
     
  (p)(1) Code of Ethics for the Registrant. (Filed herewith)
     
  (p)(2) Code of Ethics for Hercules Investments, LLC. (Filed herewith)
     
  (q) Powers of Attorney. (to be filed by amendment)

 

 

 

 

ITEM 29. Persons Controlled by or Under Common Control with the Registrant

 

No person is controlled by or under common control with the Registrant.

 

ITEM 30. Indemnification

 

As permitted by Section 17(h) and (i) of the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, officers, trustees, employees and agents of the Registrant will not be liable to the Registrant, any shareholder, officer, trustee, employee, agent or other person for any action or failure to act, except for bad faith, willful misfeasance, gross negligence or reckless disregard of duties, and those individuals may be indemnified against liabilities in connection with the Registrant, subject to the same exceptions.

 

The Registrant’s Trust Instrument (Exhibit 28(a) to the Registrant Statement), investment advisory agreements (Exhibit 28(d) to the Registration Statement), distribution agreements (Exhibit 28(e) to the Registration Statement) and administration agreements (Exhibit 28(h) to the Registrant Statement) provide for indemnification of certain persons acting on behalf of the Registrant. The Registrant may, from time to time, enter other contractual arrangements that provide for indemnification.

 

Insofar as indemnification for liability arising under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “1933 Act”), may be permitted to directors, officers and controlling persons of the Registrant pursuant to the foregoing provisions, or otherwise, the Registrant has been advised that in the opinion of the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission such indemnification is against public policy as expressed in the 1933 Act and is, therefore, unenforceable. In the event a claim for indemnification against such liabilities (other than the payment by the Registrant of expenses incurred or paid by a director, officer or controlling person of the Registrant in the successful defenses of any action, suite or proceeding) is asserted by such director, officer or controlling person in connection with the securities being registered, the Registrant will, unless in the opinion of counsel the matter has been settled by controlling precedent, submit to court of appropriate jurisdiction the question whether such indemnification by it is against public policy as expressed in the 1933 Act and will be governed by the final adjudication of such issue.

 

ITEM 31. Business and other Connections of the Investment Advisers

 

The list required by this Item 31 as to any other business, profession, vocation or employment of a substantial nature in which each of the investment advisers, and each director, officer or partner of such investment advisers, is or has been engaged within the last two fiscal years for his or her own account or in the capacity of director, officer, employee, partner or trustee, is incorporated herein by reference to Schedules A and D of each investment adviser’s Form ADV listed opposite such investment adviser’s name below, which is currently on file with the SEC as required by the Investment Advisers Act of 1940, as amended.  

 

Name of Investment Adviser Form ADV File No.
Hercules Investments, LLC 801-119829

  

ITEM 32. Principal Underwriters

 

(a)Rafferty Capital Markets, LLC (“RCM”), 1010 Franklin Avenue - 3rd Floor, Garden City, NY 11530, serves as the Trust’s principal underwriter. RCM also serves as principal underwriter for the following investment companies registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended: Adirondack Funds, Direxion Funds, FMI Funds Inc., Leuthold Funds, PFS Funds, Reynolds Funds, Sparrow Funds and Walthausen Funds.

 

 

 

  

(b)The following table identifies the Officers of RCM and their positions, if any, with the Trust. The business address of each of these individuals is 1010 Franklin Avenue – 3rd Floor, Garden City, NY 11530.

 

Name Position with Underwriter Positions with Fund
Kathleen Rafferty President None
Stephen P. Sprague Chief Financial Officer None

 

 (c) Not Applicable.

 

ITEM 33. Location of Accounts and Records

 

The Registrant maintains the records required to be maintained by it under Rules 31a-1(a), 31a-1(b) and 31a-2(a) under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, at its principal executive offices 633 Rogers Street, Suite 106, Downers Grove, Illinois 60515, except for those records that may be maintained pursuant to Rule 31a-3 at the offices of

 

(i)Sudrania Fund Services Corp. 633 Rogers St, Suite 106, Downers Grove, Illinois 60515 (records relating to its function as Administrator, Fund Accountant, and Transfer Agent),

 

(ii)Commonwealth Fund Services, Inc. 8730 Stony Point Parkway, Suite 205, Richmond, Virginia 23235 (records relating to its function as the Fund’s sub-transfer agent),

 

(iii)Hercules Investments, LLC, 633 W 5th St, Suite 6770, Los Angeles, California 90071 (records relating to its function as Investment Adviser to the Hercules Fund), and

 

(iv)Fifth Third Bank, N.A., Global Securities Services, 38 Fountain Square Plaza, Cincinnati, Ohio 45263(records relating to its function as Custodian).

 

ITEM 34. Management Services

 

None.

 

ITEM 35. Undertakings

 

None.

 

 

 

 

SIGNATURES

 

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, the Registrant has duly caused this Registration Statement on Form N-1A to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, in the City of Downers Grove, and State of Illinois, on this 24th day of November, 2020.

 

  SFS Series Trust
     
  By: /s/ Nilesh Sudrania  
    Nilesh Sudrania, Initial Trustee, President and Treasurer
(Principal Executive Officer and Principal Financial Officer)

 

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act, this Registration Statement has been signed below by the following persons in the capacities and on the date indicated.

 

/s/ Nilesh Sudrania     November 24, 2020  
Nilesh Sudrania, Initial Trustee, President and Treasurer
(Principal Executive Officer and Principal Financial Officer)
 

Date

 

 

 

 

 

 

EXHIBITS

 

  (e) Form of Distribution Agreement, dated December 3, 2020, between the Registrant, on behalf of the Hercules Fund, and Rafferty Capital Markets, LLC.
     
  (g) Form of Custody Agreement, dated October 15, 2020, between the Registrant, on behalf of the Hercules Fund and Fifth Third Bank, N.A.
     
 

(h)(1)

Form of Fund Services Agreement for Accounting, Administration and Transfer Agency Services dated December 3, 2020, between the Registrant, on behalf of the Hercules Fund, and Sudrania Fund Services Corp.
     
  (h)(2) Form of Fund Services Agreement for Sub-Transfer Agency Services dated December 3, 2020, between Sudrania Fund Services Corp. and Commonwealth Fund Services, Inc.
     
  (h)(3) Form of Management Agreement for Management and Administrative Services dated December 3, 2020 between Registrant, on behalf of the Hercules Fund, and CorrCast Administration, LLC.
     
  (i) Form of Opinion and Consent of Practus, LLP regarding the legality of the securities registered with respect to the Hercules Fund.
     
  (j) Consent of Independent Public Accountants for the Hercules Fund.
     
  (l) Form of Initial Subscription Agreement.
     
  (p)(1) Code of Ethics for the Registrant.
     
  (p)(2) Code of Ethics for Hercules Investments, LLC.