N-CSR 1 d407834dncsr.htm SIT LARGE CAP GROWTH FUND, INC. Sit Large Cap Growth Fund, Inc.

 

 

UNITED STATES SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

 

 

FORM N-CSR

 

 

CERTIFIED SHAREHOLDER REPORT OF REGISTERED

MANAGEMENT INVESTMENT COMPANIES

Investment Company Act file number: 811-03343

 

 

Sit Large Cap Growth Fund, Inc.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in charter)

3300 IDS Center

80 South Eighth Street

Minneapolis, MN 55402

(Address of principal executive offices)

Paul E. Rasmussen, VP Treasurer

Sit Mutual Funds, Inc.

3300 IDS Center

80 South Eighth Street

Minneapolis, MN 55402

(Name and address of agent for service)

Copy to:

Mike Radmer, Esq.

Dorsey & Whitney

Suite 1500

50 South Sixth Street

Minneapolis, MN 55402-1498

Registrant’s telephone number, including area code:

(612) 332-3223

Date of fiscal year end: June 30, 2017

Date of reporting period: June 30, 2017

 

 

 


Item 1: Reports to Stockholders


LOGO


 

Sit Mutual Funds

STOCK FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT

TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

 

     Page

Chairman’s Letter

   2

Fund Reviews and Schedules of Investments

  

Balanced Fund

   4

Dividend Growth Fund

   12

Global Dividend Growth Fund

   16

Large Cap Growth Fund

   22

ESG Growth Fund

   26

Mid Cap Growth Fund

   30

Small Cap Dividend Growth Fund

   34

Small Cap Growth Fund

   38

International Growth Fund

   42

Developing Markets Growth Fund

   48

Statements of Assets and Liabilities

   54

Statements of Operations

   56

Statements of Changes in Net Assets

   58

Financial Highlights

   62

Notes to Financial Statements

   72

Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

   80

Expense Example

   81

Federal Tax Information

   83

Information About Directors and Officers

   84

Additional Information

   86

This document must be preceded or accompanied by a Prospectus.


 

CHAIRMAN’S LETTER

 

August 4, 2017

Dear Fellow Shareholders:

The U.S economy continues on a pace of modest expansion. Importantly, slow growth has contributed to a notable absence of “excesses” that typically precede a recession. A recent uptick in growth outside the U.S has helped propel markets higher in recent months, but we see some signs of moderation ahead.

Economic Overview

While the U.S. economy is entering its ninth year of expansion, we do not see anything over the near to intermediate term that is likely to derail the status quo of slow growth and moderate inflation. Consumer spending, which accounts for almost 70% of U.S. Gross Domestic Product (GDP), has been resilient, underpinned by steady job growth, modest wage gains, and healthy consumer balance sheets. Importantly, there have been encouraging signs that both manufacturing activity and business spending is picking up after a long slump, which was initiated by a collapse in commodity prices (particularly oil) in late 2014. To be sure, the pace of GDP growth continues to lag that of previous business cycles, but the current expansion could prove to be the longest on U.S. record, given the absence of meaningful excesses that tend to trigger a downturn. Specifically, consumers are saving more, household debt levels are lower (albeit largely mortgage-related), and their debt capacity is high due to low interest rates. Also, businesses are not overinvesting in equipment, inventories or labor. Looking ahead to 2018-19, there is clearly upside if Trump Administration pro-growth policies can gain traction. The combined impact of tax reform (including repatriation), decreased regulation, infrastructure spending and investment incentives will certainly have some positive impact on growth. It remains to be seen, however, whether fiscal constraints, political realities and self-inflicted wounds will limit that potential.

In terms of monetary policy, we anticipate that the Federal Reserve will remain data dependent/market-sensitive as it seeks to “normalize” the fed funds rate and its balance sheet concurrently. The Fed recently increased the fed funds rate by 25 basis points to a range of 100-125 basis points (its fourth increase since 2015) and outlined a plan to gradually reduce the size of the balance sheet, which has swelled over 400% to nearly $4.5 trillion since mid-2007. While investors are understandably concerned that reversing the unprecedented easing actions could have onerous market and economic consequences, we believe that policy changes will be slow and protracted. To this point, one of the more notable trends in recent months has been an unexpected downshift in inflation data, which have been fairly broad-based in nature. While there have been some transitory aspects (e.g., mobile phone prices) that are one-off in nature, we believe the absence of material inflation pressures effectively gives the Fed “cover” to move slowly in normalizing monetary policy.

Outside the U.S., growth has firmed over the past several months. European economic data have surprised on the upside, with measures of business activity and consumer confidence at cycle highs. However, we do not expect further acceleration from here, considering momentum seems to be waning, as the combined impacts of a stronger euro, slower exports (particularly to China), and political uncertainties (i.e., Brexit, 2018 Italian elections) begin to weigh on sentiment and growth comparisons become more difficult. Similarly, we believe growth in China peaked during the first quarter of 2017, and tightening measures will begin to take a toll on industrial and consumption growth and, in particular, frothy property markets. There remains a risk of “disorderly” deleveraging in China, due to an unprecedented buildup in bank loans and corporate debt. Finally, while the Japanese economy continues to expand modestly, structural challenges (e.g., aging population) continue to outweigh pro-growth monetary and government policies.

Equity Strategy

Global equity markets have surged ahead over the past twelve months, with the majority of gains occurring since the U.S. elections last fall. While the prospect of pro-growth U.S. policies were initial catalysts, the rebound in global corporate earnings against a backdrop of low volatility has been key to more recent gains.

With U.S. market valuations hovering at high levels, the rebound in corporate earnings has been welcome news to investors. The broad improvement has been driven by a weaker U.S. dollar, easier comparisons in the beleaguered energy sector, improved capital spending (helping manufacturing and technology, in particular), and higher bank earnings (aided by higher interest rates). Importantly, however, much of this profit improvement has been driven by easier comparisons after a two-year slump, and earnings ahead will likely begin to correlate more closely with moderate nominal GDP growth trends, particularly later this year and into 2018.

One notable characteristic within financial markets has been the remarkably low levels of volatility that have prevailed across geographies and asset classes. We view this as a sign of investor complacency against a backdrop of some notable uncertainties that lie ahead. Prominent causes of this “low vol” environment include investor “faith” in central banks providing a constant backstop if economic flare-ups occur, along with a notable lack of economic volatility that has persisted amidst the slow growth global backdrop. We note, however, that many factors could change to alter this low volatility regime. Most notably, central banks around the world have taken on a more hawkish tone, particularly in terms of balance sheet reduction. In addition, there are ever-present risks around geopolitics (e.g., North Korea, Russia), a massive buildup in global

 

 

2    SIT MUTUAL FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT


 

 

debt (particularly in China), and emerging risks in Europe, as previously discussed.

Taking all of these factors into consideration, we believe quality, diversification, and differentiated growth are central to portfolio construction. Within U.S. portfolios, we believe a “barbell” strategy offers the most favorable risk/reward for investors. This entails a mix of holdings that are pro-cyclical and potential policy beneficiaries, including banks, technology firms, and transports as well as holdings that are more defensive in nature, such as healthcare, defense, and telecom. We believe fundamentals for the technology sector are especially attractive, as both secular (e-commerce, cloud-based computing) and cyclical (improving capex environment) drivers are contributing to exceptional earnings growth for many companies.

Outside the U.S., we generally remain constructive on European equities over the near term, given the uptick in economic growth and their attractive valuations. We are cognizant of previously-noted risks ahead, however, and have also employed a “barbell” strategy in this region, similar to our U.S. strategy. We continue to meaningfully underweight Japanese equities, due to the country’s lackluster growth outlook. While the valuations of Chinese stocks are generally attractive on a relative basis, we favor secular growers (e.g., the Internet sector) relative to cyclical firms, given the potential for a slowdown in economic growth against a backdrop of high debt levels and tightening monetary policy. Among other emerging markets, we see attractive risk/reward opportunities in India and South Korea, largely based on modest valuations relative to growth trends.

Regardless of region or sector, our research emphasis remains focused on building a diversified portfolio of quality companies that compound earnings and grow dividends on a consistent basis. We strongly believe this will reward investors over the longer term.

With best wishes,

LOGO

Roger J. Sit

Chairman, President, CEO and Global CIO

    

 

 

 

JUNE 30, 2017

  

 

3


 

    Sit Balanced Fund

 

 

OBJECTIVE & STRATEGY

The dual objectives of the Sit Balanced Fund are to seek long-term growth of capital consistent with the preservation of principal and to provide regular income. It pursues its objectives by investing in a diversified portfolio of stocks and bonds. The Fund may emphasize either equity securities or fixed-income securities, or hold equal amounts of each, dependent upon the Adviser’s analysis of market, financial and economic conditions.

The Fund’s permissible investment allocation is: 35-65% in equity securities and 35-65% in fixed-income securities. At all times at least 25% of the fixed-income assets will be invested in fixed-income senior securities.

 

 

 

The Sit Balanced Fund’s twelve-month return was +12.56%. The S&P 500® Index return was +17.89% over the period, while the Bloomberg Barclays U.S. Aggregate Bond Index lost -0.31%.

Stocks and bonds performed very differently over the past twelve months, reflecting the prospect for potential pro-growth government policies, an uptick in economic growth trends (particularly outside the U.S.), and a less-accommodative Federal Reserve. In terms of equities, we expect returns to moderate and volatility to increase from exceptionally low levels, given high valuations that are unlikely to expand further due to expectations for somewhat higher interest rates. We believe quality, diversification, and differentiated growth are central to portfolio construction. Within the equity portion of the Fund, we believe a “barbell” strategy offers the most favorable risk/reward for investors. This includes a mix of holdings that are pro-cyclical and potential policy beneficiaries, including banks, technology firms, and transports. This is balanced against holdings that are more defensive in nature, such as healthcare, defense, and telecom. Regarding performance, the Fund’s equities outperformed the S&P 500® Index over the past twelve months primarily due to strong returns generated from the technology services and electronic technology sectors.

Most bonds posted negative returns during the period, with longer-duration investments losing the most despite the flatter yield curve. Looking ahead, we expect the recently-communicated reduction in the size of the Federal Reserve’s balance sheet to continue to push interest rates higher over the next 12 to 18 months. The unwinding process, despite being communicated in advance, is expected to add to volatility and a greater range of interest rates in the coming months. Regarding performance, the fixed income portion of the Fund generated a return of +1.5%, compared to -0.3% for the Bloomberg Barclays U.S. Aggregate Bond Index. The meaningful income advantage relative to the benchmark continues to be the primary driver of returns. The portfolio also benefited from a shorter duration than the benchmark, as interest rates rose. Outperformance within the corporate

HYPOTHETICAL GROWTH OF $10,000

 

 

LOGO

The chart above illustrates the total value of a hypothetical $10,000 investment in the Fund over the past 10 years as compared to the performance of the S&P 500® Index and the Bloomberg Barclays Aggregate Bond Index. Past performance does not guarantee future results. Returns include the reinvestment of distributions. The chart does not reflect the deduction of taxes that a shareholder would pay on Fund distributions or the redemption of Fund shares.

1 S&P 500® Index is an unmanaged capitalization-weighted index that measures the performance of 500 widely held common stocks of large-cap companies. It is not possible to invest directly in an index. This is the primary index for the equity portion of the Fund.

2 Bloomberg Barclays Aggregate Bond Index is an unmanaged market value- weighted index which measures the performance of investment grade debt securities with maturities of at least one year. This is the primary index for the fixed income portion of the Fund.

 

sector added to relative performance as did a significant underweight in the U.S. Treasury sector, as Treasuries were one of the weakest-performing sectors during the period.

As of June 30th, the asset allocation of the Fund was 62% equities, 36% fixed income, and 2% cash and equivalents.

Roger J. Sit

Bryce A. Doty

Portfolio Managers

 

 

Information on this page is unaudited.

  
4    SIT MUTUAL FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT


 
 

 

COMPARATIVE RATES OF RETURNS

 

as of June 30, 2017

 

      Sit
Balanced
Fund
    S&P 500®
Index 1
    Bloomberg
Barclays
Aggregate
Bond
Index 2
 

One Year

     12.56     17.89     -0.31

Five Year

     9.24       14.63       2.21  

Ten Year

     5.75       7.18       4.48  

Since Inception

     6.95       9.38       5.36  

Performance figures are historical and do not guarantee future results. Investment returns and principal value will vary, and you may have a gain or loss when you sell shares. Current performance may be lower or higher than the performance data quoted. Contact the Fund for performance data current to the most recent month-end. Returns include changes in share price as well as reinvestment of all dividends and capital gains. Returns do not reflect the deduction of taxes that a shareholder would pay on Fund distributions or the redemption of Fund shares. Management fees and administrative expenses are included in the Fund’s performance. Returns for periods greater than one year are compounded average annual rates of return.

1 S&P 500® Index is an unmanaged capitalization-weighted index that measures the performance of 500 widely held common stocks of large-cap companies. It is not possible to invest directly in an index.

2 Bloomberg Barclays Aggregate Bond Index is an unmanaged market value-weighted index which measures the performance of investment grade debt securities with maturities of at least one year.

PORTFOLIO SUMMARY

 

 

Net Asset Value 6/30/17:

   $22.71  Per Share

Net Asset Value 6/30/16:

   $20.40  Per Share

Total Net Assets:

   $25.2    Million

TOP HOLDINGS

 

Top Equity Holdings:

1. Apple, Inc.

2. Alphabet, Inc.

3. Visa, Inc.

4. Microsoft Corp.

5. Broadcom, Ltd.

Top Fixed Income Holdings:

1. BlackRock Income Trust

2. MFS Intermediate Income Trust

3. FHLMC, 5.00%, 10/1/2043

4. BlackRock Enhanced Government Fund

5. FNMA, 5.50%, 10/1/2033

 

Based on total net assets as of June 30, 2017. Subject to change.

FUND DIVERSIFICATION

 

 

 

LOGO

Based on total net assets as of June 30, 2017. Subject to change.

 

 

Information on this page is unaudited.

  

 

JUNE 30, 2017

  

 

5


    

SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS

June 30, 2017

Sit Balanced Fund

 

 

Quantity

   Name of Issuer    Fair Value ($)  

Common Stocks - 62.4%

  

Commercial Services - 0.7%

  

1,225

  

Equifax, Inc.

     168,340  
     

 

 

 

Communications - 1.1%

  

650

  

SBA Communications Corp. *

     87,685  

4,150

  

Verizon Communications, Inc.

     185,339  
     

 

 

 
        273,024  
     

 

 

 

Consumer Durables - 1.1%

  

1,450

  

Electronic Arts, Inc. *

     153,294  

1,400

  

Genuine Parts Co.

     129,864  
     

 

 

 
        283,158  
     

 

 

 

Consumer Non-Durables - 4.1%

  

2,625

  

Estee Lauder Cos., Inc. - Class A

     251,948  

2,925

  

NIKE, Inc.

     172,575  

2,700

  

PepsiCo, Inc.

     311,823  

1,150

  

Philip Morris International, Inc.

     135,068  

1,800

  

Procter & Gamble Co.

     156,870  
     

 

 

 
        1,028,284  
     

 

 

 

Consumer Services - 5.3%

  

2,450

  

CBS Corp.

     156,261  

1,900

  

Marriott International, Inc.

     190,589  

5,350

  

Starbucks Corp.

     311,958  

5,650

  

Visa, Inc.

     529,857  

1,400

  

Walt Disney Co.

     148,750  
     

 

 

 
        1,337,415  
     

 

 

 

Electronic Technology - 7.2%

  

4,350

  

Apple, Inc.

     626,487  

8,400

  

Applied Materials, Inc.

     347,004  

1,875

  

Broadcom, Ltd.

     436,969  

4,000

  

Ciena Corp. *

     100,080  

4,450

  

Intel Corp.

     150,143  

325

  

NVIDIA Corp.

     46,982  

1,025

  

Skyworks Solutions, Inc.

     98,349  
     

 

 

 
        1,806,014  
     

 

 

 

Energy Minerals - 2.2%

  

650

  

Chevron Corp.

     67,814  

2,250

  

Continental Resources, Inc. *

     72,742  

850

  

EOG Resources, Inc.

     76,942  

3,800

  

Marathon Petroleum Corp.

     198,854  

2,375

  

Occidental Petroleum Corp.

     142,191  
     

 

 

 
        558,543  
     

 

 

 

Finance - 6.8%

  

850

  

Ameriprise Financial, Inc.

     108,197  

1,250

  

Chubb, Ltd.

     181,725  

1,175

  

Goldman Sachs Group, Inc.

     260,732  

3,250

  

Invesco, Ltd.

     114,368  

4,575

  

JPMorgan Chase & Co.

     418,155  

4,500

  

KeyCorp

     84,330  

 

Quantity

   Name of Issuer    Fair Value ($)  

1,600

  

Marsh & McLennan Cos., Inc.

     124,736  

1,050

  

T Rowe Price Group, Inc.

     77,920  

3,150

  

US Bancorp

     163,548  

3,100

  

Wells Fargo & Co.

     171,771  
     

 

 

 
        1,705,482  
     

 

 

 

Health Services - 2.2%

  

2,000

  

Centene Corp. *

     159,760  

550

  

Humana, Inc.

     132,341  

1,400

  

UnitedHealth Group, Inc.

     259,588  
     

 

 

 
        551,689  
     

 

 

 

Health Technology - 6.7%

  

2,550

  

AbbVie, Inc.

     184,901  

550

  

Alexion Pharmaceuticals, Inc. *

     66,919  

625

  

Allergan, PLC

     151,931  

1,450

  

Boston Scientific Corp. *

     40,194  

1,200

  

Celgene Corp. *

     155,844  

1,000

  

Gilead Sciences, Inc.

     70,780  

1,350

  

Incyte Corp. *

     169,978  

2,100

  

Johnson & Johnson

     277,809  

1,725

  

Medtronic, PLC

     153,094  

4,000

  

Pfizer, Inc.

     134,360  

1,000

  

Thermo Fisher Scientific, Inc.

     174,470  

925

  

Zimmer Biomet Holdings, Inc.

     118,770  
     

 

 

 
        1,699,050  
     

 

 

 

Process Industries - 2.0%

  

1,850

  

Dow Chemical Co.

     116,680  

2,225

  

Ecolab, Inc.

     295,369  

300

  

Sherwin-Williams Co.

     105,288  
     

 

 

 
        517,337  
     

 

 

 

Producer Manufacturing - 4.4%

  

825

  

3M Co.

     171,757  

1,850

  

Honeywell International, Inc.

     246,586  

1,500

  

Ingersoll-Rand, PLC

     137,085  

1,800

  

Raytheon Co.

     290,664  

600

  

Rockwell Automation, Inc.

     97,176  

1,400

  

United Technologies Corp.

     170,954  
     

 

 

 
        1,114,222  
     

 

 

 

Retail Trade - 3.0%

  

210

  

Amazon.com, Inc. *

     203,280  

1,975

  

Home Depot, Inc.

     302,965  

1,850

  

TJX Cos., Inc.

     133,514  

390

  

Ulta Beauty, Inc. *

     112,063  
     

 

 

 
        751,822  
     

 

 

 

Technology Services - 12.2%

  

1,400

  

Accenture, PLC

     173,152  

3,075

  

Adobe Systems, Inc. *

     434,928  

400

  

Alphabet, Inc. - Class A *

     371,872  

255

  

Alphabet, Inc. - Class C *

     231,726  
 

 

 

See accompanying notes to financial statements.

  
6    SIT MUTUAL FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT


    

    

 

Quantity
/Principal
Amount ($)
   Name of Issuer    Fair Value ($)  

850

  

ANSYS, Inc. *

     103,428  

2,725

  

Cognizant Technology Solutions Corp.

     180,940  

2,875

  

Facebook, Inc. *

     434,068  

7,575

  

Microsoft Corp.

     522,145  

2,750

  

Oracle Corp.

     137,885  

2,750

  

PayPal Holdings, Inc. *

     147,592  

145

  

priceline.com, Inc. *

     271,225  

800

  

salesforce.com, Inc. *

     69,280  
     

 

 

 
        3,078,241  
     

 

 

 

Transportation - 2.9%

  

5,025

  

Delta Air Lines, Inc.

     270,044  

925

  

FedEx Corp.

     201,030  

1,450

  

Union Pacific Corp.

     157,920  

900

  

United Parcel Service, Inc.

     99,531  
     

 

 

 
        728,525  
     

 

 

 

Utilities - 0.5%

  

975

  

NextEra Energy, Inc.

     136,627  
     

 

 

 

Total Common Stocks
(cost: $10,502,692)

     15,737,773  
     

 

 

 

Bonds - 33.2%

  

Asset-Backed Securities - 1.0%

  

95,086

  

Bayview Opportunity Master Fund,
2017-SPL1 A, 4.00%, 10/28/64 1, 4

     99,308  

2,313

  

Citifinancial Mortgage Securities, Inc.,
2004-1 AF3, 4.27%, 4/25/34 14

     2,314  

1,672

  

Conseco Financial Corp.,
1997-7 A6, 6.76%, 7/15/28

     1,677  

74,989

  

Credit Suisse First Boston Mortgage Corp.,
2005-AGE1 M3, 1.87%, 2/25/32 1

     74,253  

25,000

  

Hertz Vehicle Financing, LLC, Series
2016-3A, Class A, 2.27%, 7/25/20 4

     24,793  

10,105

  

HouseHold Home Equity Loan Trust,
2007-2 A4, 1.31%, 7/20/36 1

     10,097  

5,671

  

Irwin Home Equity Corp.,
2005-1 M1, 5.92%, 6/25/35 14

     5,723  

16,000

  

New Century Home Equity Loan Trust,
2005-A A4W, 4.57%, 8/25/35 14

     16,640  

29,086

  

Park Place Securities, Inc.,
2005-WHQ3 M2, 1.89%, 6/25/35 1

     29,079  

3,204

  

Residential Funding Mortgage Securities II, Inc., 2003-HI2 A6, 5.26%, 7/25/28 14

     3,209  
     

 

 

 
        267,093  
     

 

 

 

Collateralized Mortgage Obligations - 5.6%

  
  

Fannie Mae:

  

42,476

  

2004-T1 1A1, 6.00%, 1/25/44

     48,113  

24,963

  

1999-17 C, 6.35%, 4/25/29

     27,462  

33,411

  

2001-82 ZA, 6.50%, 1/25/32

     37,461  

90,633

  

2009-30 AG, 6.50%, 5/25/39

     100,464  

4,922

  

2013-28 WD, 6.50%, 5/25/42

     5,567  

 

Principal
Amount ($)

   Name of Issuer    Fair Value ($)  

27,035

  

2004-W9 2A1, 6.50%, 2/25/44

     31,113  

70,248

  

2015-88 CJ, 6.50%, 7/25/44

     79,918  

3,829

  

2010-108 AP, 7.00%, 9/25/40

     4,311  

11,348

  

2004-T3, 1A3, 7.00%, 2/25/44

     13,292  
  

Freddie Mac:

  

37,294

  

K014 1A, 2.79%, 10/25/20

     37,802  

30,788

  

4293 BA, 5.34%, 10/15/47 1

     32,745  

35,236

  

2102 Z, 6.00%, 12/15/28

     39,277  

37,180

  

2122 ZE, 6.00%, 2/15/29

     39,905  

61,868

  

2480 Z, 6.00%, 8/15/32

     70,848  

43,671

  

2980 QA, 6.00%, 5/15/35

     49,664  

18,507

  

2283 K, 6.50%, 12/15/23

     20,077  

33,013

  

2357 ZJ, 6.50%, 9/15/31

     36,784  

31,738

  

T-59 1A1, 6.50%, 10/25/43

     37,461  

65,574

  

4520 HM, 6.50%, 8/15/45

     78,389  

85,452

  

1142 IA, 7.00%, 10/15/21

     91,722  

7,539

  

3946 KW, 7.00%, 11/15/29

     7,983  

34,134

  

3704 CT, 7.00%, 12/15/36

     39,838  

26,416

  

2238 PZ, 7.50%, 6/15/30

     31,015  
  

Government National Mortgage Association:

 

54,837

  

2015-80 BA, 6.98%, 6/20/45 1

     63,489  

54,289

  

2014-69 W, 7.26%, 11/20/34 1

     62,798  

47,876

  

2013-133 KQ, 7.30%, 8/20/38 1

     56,329  

30,081

  

2005-74 HA, 7.50%, 9/16/35

     33,372  

47,959

  

New Residential Mortgage Loan Trust,

  
  

2016-2A B3, 5.69%, 11/26/35 1, 4

     51,847  
  

Sequoia Mortgage Trust:

  

28,867

  

2013-3 A2, 2.50%, 3/25/43 1

     27,872  

14,948

  

2012-4 A2, 3.00%, 9/25/42 1

     14,829  

79,346

  

2012-1 B1, 4.24%, 1/25/42 1

     81,879  
  

Vendee Mortgage Trust:

  

24,555

  

2008-1 B, 7.24%, 3/15/25 1

     28,575  

20,316

  

1994-2 2, 8.64%, 5/15/24 1

     21,814  
     

 

 

 
        1,404,015  
     

 

 

 

Corporate Bonds - 16.7%

  

50,000

  

Adobe Systems, Inc., 3.25%, 2/1/25

     51,105  

25,000

  

Aetna, Inc., 2.80%, 6/15/23

     24,957  

25,000

  

Affiliated Managers Group, Inc., 4.25%, 2/15/24

     26,168  

50,000

  

Alphabet, Inc., 3.63%, 5/19/21

     52,930  
  

Ameriprise Financial, Inc.:

  

50,000

  

3.70%, 10/15/24

     52,224  

50,000

  

5.30%, 3/15/20

     54,066  

50,000

  

Anheuser-Busch InBev Finance, Inc., 4.90%, 2/1/46

     56,432  

25,000

  

Apollo Management Holdings LP, 4.40%, 5/27/26 4

     25,921  

25,000

  

Apple, Inc., 3.00%, 6/20/27

     24,874  

25,000

  

Aspen Insurance Holdings, Ltd., 4.65%, 11/15/23

     26,661  

50,000

  

Athene Global Funding, 4.00%, 1/25/22 4

     51,937  

50,000

  

Autodesk, Inc., 3.50%, 6/15/27

     49,169  

25,000

  

AutoZone, Inc., 3.75%, 6/1/27

     25,007  
 

 

 

See accompanying notes to financial statements.

  

 

JUNE 30, 2017

  

 

 

 

7

 

 


    

SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS

June 30, 2017

Sit Balanced Fund (Continued)

 

 

Principal
Amount ($)

   Name of Issuer    Fair Value ($)  

50,000

  

Bank One Corp. (Subordinated), 7.63%, 10/15/26

     64,317  

25,000

  

Bank One Michigan (Subordinated), 8.25%, 11/1/24

     32,001  

50,000

  

Berkshire Hathaway, Inc., 3.13%, 3/15/26

     50,562  
  

BlackRock, Inc.:

  

50,000

  

3.20%, 3/15/27

     50,608  

25,000

  

3.50%, 3/18/24

     26,283  
  

Burlington Northern Santa Fe, LLC:

  

50,000

  

7.00%, 12/15/25

     63,988  

25,000

  

7.08%, 5/13/29

     32,931  

25,000

  

Charles Schwab Corp., 3.20%, 3/2/27

     25,117  

50,000

  

Chubb INA Holdings, Inc., 8.88%, 8/15/29

     73,354  

100,000

  

Citigroup, Inc. (Subordinated), 5.30%, 5/6/44

     113,158  

25,000

  

Coca-Cola Co., 2.50%, 4/1/23

     25,058  

25,000

  

Comcast Corp., 2.75%, 3/1/23

     25,244  

50,000

  

ConocoPhillips Co., 4.95%, 3/15/26

     55,686  

33,976

  

Continental Airlines 2000-1 Class A-1 Trust, 8.05%, 11/1/20

     37,543  

20,078

  

Continental Airlines 2012-1 Class A Trust, 4.15%, 4/11/24

     21,082  

25,000

  

Cox Enterprises, Inc., 7.38%, 7/15/27 4

     30,689  

37,711

  

Delta Air Lines 2007-1 Class A Trust, 6.82%, 8/10/22

     43,273  

46,818

  

Delta Air Lines 2015-1 Class AA Trust, 3.63%, 7/30/27

     48,223  

50,765

  

Doric Nimrod Air Alpha 2012-1 Class A Trust, 5.13%, 11/30/22 4

     52,686  

47,488

  

Doric Nimrod Air Alpha 2013-1 Trust, 5.25%, 5/30/23 4

     49,387  

25,000

  

Exxon Mobil Corp., 4.11%, 3/1/46

     26,373  

50,000

  

GE Capital Intl. Funding, 4.42%, 11/15/35

     54,419  

25,000

  

Gilead Sciences, Inc., 2.50%, 9/1/23

     24,630  

83,423

  

Hawaiian Airlines 2013-1 Class A, 3.90%, 1/15/26

     85,300  

25,000

  

Heineken NV, 3.50%, 1/29/28 4

     25,371  

75,000

  

Home Depot, Inc., 5.95%, 4/1/41

     99,162  

25,000

  

Horace Mann Educators Corp., 4.50%, 12/1/25

     25,729  

100,000

  

IBM Corp., 3.63%, 2/12/24

     104,527  

47,000

  

Ingersoll-Rand Co., 7.20%, 6/1/25

     53,217  

100,000

  

Intel Corp., 3.70%, 7/29/25

     104,984  
  

Invesco Finance, PLC:

  

25,000

  

3.13%, 11/30/22

     25,473  

50,000

  

4.00%, 1/30/24

     53,036  

25,000

  

ITT, LLC, 7.40%, 11/15/25

     31,691  

25,000

  

Jackson National Life, 3.05%, 4/29/26 4

     24,538  

50,000

  

Janus Capital Group, Inc., 4.88%, 8/1/25

     53,738  

50,000

  

JPMorgan Chase & Co., 2.95%, 10/1/26

     48,255  

50,000

  

KKR Group Finance Co., 6.38%,
9/29/20 4

     56,179  

75,000

  

Manufacturers & Traders Trust Co. (Subordinated), 1.84%, 12/1/21 1

     73,969  

25,000

  

McDonald’s Corp., 3.50%, 3/1/27

     25,412  

 

Principal

Amount ($)

   Name of Issuer    Fair Value ($)  

25,000

  

MidAmerican Energy Co., 3.95%, 8/1/47

     25,709  

50,000

  

Monsanto Co., 2.20%, 7/15/22

     48,275  
  

MUFG Americas Holdings Corp.:

  

50,000

  

3.00%, 2/10/25

     49,161  

50,000

  

3.50%, 6/18/22

     51,505  

25,000

  

National Rural Utilities Cooperative Finance Corp., 8.00%, 3/1/32

     36,632  

50,000

  

NIKE, Inc., 2.38%, 11/1/26

     47,433  

25,000

  

Nordstrom, Inc., 4.00%, 3/15/27

     24,464  

25,000

  

Pfizer, Inc., 5.80%, 8/12/23

     29,373  

25,000

  

Polar Tankers, Inc., 5.95%, 5/10/37 4

     29,716  

75,000

  

Precision Castparts Corp., 2.50%, 1/15/23

     74,802  

50,000

  

ProAssurance Corp., 5.30%, 11/15/23

     54,903  

25,000

  

Raytheon Co., 4.88%, 10/15/40

     29,170  

50,000

  

Reinsurance Group of America, 4.70%, 9/15/23

     54,247  

50,000

  

Rockwell Collins, Inc., 3.70%, 12/15/23

     52,037  

50,000

  

Ross Stores, Inc., 3.38%, 9/15/24

     50,852  

50,000

  

Sammons Financial Group, 4.45%, 5/12/27 4

     50,898  

50,000

  

Santander Holdings USA, 3.70%, 3/28/22 4

     50,646  

75,000

  

Security Benefit Life Insurance Co. (Subordinated), 7.45%, 10/1/33 4

     86,507  

50,000

  

Sierra Pacific Power Co., 3.38%, 8/15/23

     51,361  

60,435

  

Spirit Airlines 2015-1A Trust, 4.10%, 4/1/28

     62,852  

41,320

  

Spirit Airlines 2015-1B Trust, 4.45%, 4/1/24

     42,403  

25,000

  

StanCorp Financial Group, Inc., 5.00%, 8/15/22

     27,009  

75,000

  

Symetra Financial Corp., 4.25%, 7/15/24

     76,123  

50,000

  

Target Corp., 3.50%, 7/1/24

     51,789  

25,000

  

TD Ameritrade Holding Corp., 3.30%, 4/1/27

     24,969  

50,000

  

TJX Cos, Inc., 2.25%, 9/15/26

     46,425  

25,000

  

UnitedHealth Group, Inc., 3.38%, 4/15/27

     25,545  

36,680

  

US Airways 2001-1C Trust (Subordinated), 7.35%, 3/20/22

     40,256  

100,000

  

US Bancorp, 3.15%, 4/27/27

     100,167  

2,000

  

Verizon Communications, 5.90%, 2/15/54

     53,840  

100,000

  

Voya Financial, Inc., 5.70%, 7/15/43

     116,372  

50,000

  

Wells Fargo & Co., 3.00%, 10/23/26

     48,688  

75,000

  

Westar Energy, Inc., 3.25%, 12/1/25

     75,377  

50,000

  

WPP Finance 2010, 3.63%, 9/7/22

     51,897  

25,000

  

Wyeth, LLC, 5.95%, 4/1/37

     32,318  
     

 

 

 
        4,212,365  
     

 

 

 

Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation - 1.2%

  

145,670  

  

  5.00%, 10/1/43

     162,104  

5,490  

  

  6.00%, 10/1/21

     5,728  

49,733  

  

  6.50%, 2/1/22

     52,918  

35,586  

  

  7.50%, 7/1/29

     41,245  

12,008  

  

  7.50%, 11/1/36

     14,514  

22,458  

  

  8.00%, 2/1/34

     26,761  

2,339  

  

  8.38%, 5/17/20

     2,398  
     

 

 

 
                    305,668  
     

 

 

 
 

 

See accompanying notes to financial statements.

  
8    SIT MUTUAL FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT


    

    

 

 

Principal
Amount ($)

   Name of Issuer                  Fair Value ($)  

Federal National Mortgage Association - 2.7%

  

32,406

   5.00%,      2/1/33              33,465  

112,541

   5.50%,      10/1/33              125,723  

82,058

   6.00%,      2/1/38              94,471  

47,738

   6.12%,      11/1/43              53,783  

55,311

   6.50%,      9/1/27              61,177  

12,191

   7.00%,      1/1/32              12,957  

44,309

   7.00%,      3/1/33              51,014  

88,491

   7.00%,      12/1/38              101,303  

25,063

   8.00%,      6/1/24              27,638  

34,863

   8.00%,      1/1/31              37,213  

27,630

   8.00%,      2/1/31              34,036  

5,462

   8.47%,      7/15/26              6,082  

35,287

   8.50%,      10/1/30              41,337  
              

 

 

 
                 680,199  
              

 

 

 

Government National Mortgage Association - 2.2%

  

67,696

   5.75%,      12/15/22              72,926  

61,158

   6.00%,      4/15/29              69,450  

91,278

   6.00%,      7/15/38              102,900  

42,462

   6.50%,      11/20/38              49,350  

15,776

   7.00%,      12/15/24              17,033  

21,814

   7.00%,      11/20/27              25,433  

54,779

   7.00%,      9/20/29              63,669  

20,903

   7.00%,      9/20/38              24,326  

50,822

   7.50%,      4/20/32              58,234  

19,509

   8.00%,      7/15/24              21,157  

63,327

   8.38%,      3/15/31              65,467  
              

 

 

 
                 569,945  
              

 

 

 

Taxable Municipal Securities - 3.1%

  

50,000

  

Alaska Muni Bond Bank Auth., 5.99%, 9/1/25

     53,623  

75,000

  

City of Tooele City UT, 2.32%, 12/1/24

     72,125  

45,000

  

Kentucky Housing Corp., 3.50%, 1/1/40

     45,771  

50,000

  

Los Angeles Comm. Red. Agy., 8.00%, 9/1/38

     63,183  

35,622

  

Louisiana Housing Corp., 3.05%, 12/1/38

     35,476  

50,000

  

Macomb Interceptor Drain Drainage District, 5.50%, 5/1/30

     50,127  

35,000

  

Massachusetts Edu. Fin. Auth., 4.00%, 1/1/32

     36,095  

54,000

  

Multistate Liquidating Trust No. 1, 3.11%, 12/15/28 4, 17

     51,671  

100,000

  

Oklahoma Dev. Fin. Auth., 4.10%, 6/1/37

     100,630  

50,000

  

Soledad Redevelopment Agency, 6.13%, 12/1/32

     51,036  

50,000

  

South Dakota Hsg. Dev. Auth., 3.89%, 5/1/32

     51,198  

150,000

  

Tennessee Valley Auth., 3.67%, 1/15/30 6

     99,731  

65,000

  

Texas St. Pub. Fin. Auth. Charter Sch. Fin., 8.75%, 8/15/27

     69,332  
              

 

 

 
        779,998  
              

 

 

 
Principal
Amount ($)/
Quantity
   Name of Issuer                Fair Value ($)  

U.S. Treasury / Federal Agency Securities - 0.7%

  
  

U.S. Treasury Strips:

     

150,000

  

2.45%, 11/15/27 6

        117,590  

100,000

  

3.15%, 11/15/45 6

        43,624  

25,000

  

3.19%, 5/15/44 6

        11,481  
                 

 

 

 
           172,695  
                 

 

 

 

Total Bonds
(cost: $8,367,094)

        8,391,978  
                 

 

 

 

Investment Companies - 2.3%

     

9,613

  

BlackRock Enhanced Government Fund

        127,949  

27,500

  

BlackRock Income Trust

        175,175  

8,700

  

Duff & Phelps Utility and Corporate Bond Trust

        79,953  

39,300

  

MFS Intermediate Income Trust

        169,776  

2,153

  

Nuveen Multi-Market Income Fund, Inc.

        16,148  
                 

 

 

 

Total Investment Companies
(cost: $594,973)

        569,001  
                 

 

 

 

Short-Term Securities - 1.8%

     

456,926

  

Fidelity Instl. Money Mkt. Govt. Fund, 0.81%

     

Total Short-Term Securities
(cost: $456,926)

        456,926  
                 

 

 

 

Total Investments in Securities - 99.7%
(cost: $19,921,685)

        25,155,678  

Other Assets and Liabilities, net - 0.3%

        86,003  
                 

 

 

 

Total Net Assets - 100.0%

        $25,241,681  
                 

 

 

 

 

 

 

* 

Non-income producing security.

 

1 

Variable rate security. Rate disclosed is as of June 30, 2017.

 

4 

144A Restricted Security. The total value of such securities as of June 30, 2017 was $762,094 and represented 3.0% of net assets. These securities have been determined to be liquid by the Adviser in accordance with guidelines established by the Board of Directors.

 

6 

Zero coupon or convertible capital appreciation bond, for which the rate disclosed is either the effective yield on purchase date or the coupon rate to be paid upon conversion to coupon paying, respectively.

 

14 

Step Coupon: A bond that pays an initial coupon rate for the first period and then a higher coupon rate for the following periods. Rate disclosed is as of June 30, 2017.

 

17 

Security that is either an absolute and unconditional obligation of the United States Government or is collateralized by securities, loans, or leases guaranteed by the U.S. Government or its agencies or instrumentalities.

Numeric footnotes not disclosed are not applicable to this Schedule of Investments.

LLC — Limited Liability Company

PLC — Public Limited Company

 

 

See accompanying notes to financial statements.

  

 

JUNE 30, 2017

  

 

 

 

9

 

 


    

SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS

June 30, 2017

Sit Balanced Fund (Continued)

 

A summary of the levels for the Fund’s investments as of June 30, 2017 is as follows (see Note 2 - significant accounting policies in the notes to financial statements):

 

     Investment in Securities
     Level 1
Quoted
Price ($)
   Level 2
Other significant
observable inputs ($)
  

Level 3

Significant
unobservable inputs ($)

   Total ($)

Common Stocks **

       15,737,773                      15,737,773

Asset-Backed Securities

              267,093               267,093

Collateralized Mortgage Obligations

              1,404,015               1,404,015

Corporate Bonds

              4,212,365               4,212,365

Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation

              305,668               305,668

Federal National Mortgage Association

              680,199               680,199

Government National Mortgage Association

              569,945               569,945

Taxable Municipal Securities

              779,998               779,998

U.S. Treasury / Federal Agency Securities

              172,695               172,695

Investment Companies

       569,001                      569,001

Short-Term Securities

       456,926                      456,926

Total:

       16,763,700        8,391,978               25,155,678

 

** 

For equity securities categorized in a single level, refer to the Schedule of Investments for further breakdown.

For the reporting period, there were no transfers between levels 1, 2 and 3.

 

See accompanying notes to financial statements.

  
10    SIT MUTUAL FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT


 

 

 

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JUNE 30, 2017

  

 

11


 

    Sit Dividend Growth Fund - Class I and Class S

 

 

 

OBJECTIVE & STRATEGY

The objective of the Sit Dividend Growth Fund is to provide current income that exceeds the dividend yield of the S&P 500® Index and that grows over a period of years. Secondarily, the Fund seeks long-term capital appreciation.

The Fund seeks to achieve its objectives by investing, under normal market conditions, at least 80% of its net assets in dividend-paying common stocks. The Fund may invest the balance of its assets in preferred stocks, convertible bonds, and U.S. Treasury securities.

 

 

The Sit Dividend Growth Fund Class I posted a +15.41% return over the last twelve months, compared to the +17.89% return for the S&P 500® Index. The Fund’s gross dividend yield (before deducting Fund expenses) was 2.48% as of 6/30/17, compared to 1.99% for the S&P 500® Index.

Against a backdrop of low market volatility, U.S. markets posted strong gains, driven by generally solid corporate fundamentals domestically and signs of a more durable synchronized expansion globally. While we continue to see a path for equities to continue to climb higher, we are equally cognizant of risks on the horizon, including higher interest rates, growth concerns in China, and a highly fragile geopolitical environment. Recognizing both the upside and downside potential in this environment, we have adopted a “barbell” strategy within the portfolio, increasing exposure to sectors (e.g., financials, transports, producer manufacturing) most levered to potential government policy change, while maintaining a high-quality bias in more defensive groups (e.g., health care, telecom), which should perform relatively well if volatility picks up from currently depressed levels. Regardless of sector, we remain focused on companies that have strong balance sheets, generate consistent growth in earnings and cash flow, and maintain a commitment to increasing dividends to shareholders over the longer term. To this point, 74 out of 79 companies held in the Fund raised their dividends over the past twelve months, with an average increase of just under 10%.

Despite solid absolute returns, the Fund’s performance trailed the S&P 500® Index over the past year. While we strive to outperform market indices under any market backdrop, there are times when the somewhat conservative nature of this strategy (e.g., underweighting technology sectors) will constrain results, particularly during periods of strong market returns. In this regard, a primary culprit was poor stock selection in the finance sector. The Fund’s more conservative positioning in dividend-paying REITs and property/casualty firms lagged the major banks, which significantly outperformed during the period. Poor stock selection and an over weighted position in

HYPOTHETICAL GROWTH OF $10,000

 

LOGO

The chart above illustrates the total value of a hypothetical $10,000 investment in the Fund over the past 10 years as compared to the performance of the S&P 500® Index. Past performance does not guarantee future results. Returns include the reinvestment of distributions. The chart does not reflect the deduction of taxes that a shareholder would pay on Fund distributions or the redemption of Fund shares.

1 S&P 500® Index is an unmanaged capitalization-weighted index that measures the performance of 500 widely held common stocks of large-cap companies. It is not possible to invest directly in an index. This is the Fund’s primary index.

 

 

the health technology sector also detracted from relative returns. On a positive note, strong stock selection in the energy minerals, process industries, and electronic technology sectors contributed to relative returns over the past year.

Our research effort remains on high-quality companies that can deliver consistent earnings growth and a steady return of excess capital to shareholders, regardless of the economic backdrop.

Roger J. Sit

Kent L. Johnson

Michael J. Stellmacher

Portfolio Managers

 

 

Information on this page is unaudited.

  
12    SIT MUTUAL FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT


 
 

 

COMPARATIVE RATES OF RETURNS

 

as of June 30, 2017

 

     Sit Dividend
    Growth Fund    
 

S&P 500®
Index 1

      Class I   Class S  

One Year

       15.41 %       15.11 %       17.89 %

Five Year

       12.95       12.66       14.63

Ten Year

       8.04       7.77       7.18

Since Inception - Class I

       9.48       n/a         8.15

(12/31/03)

            

Since Inception - Class S

       n/a         8.72       8.00

(3/31/06)

            

 

Performance figures are historical and do not guarantee future results. Investment returns and principal value will vary, and you may have a gain or loss when you sell shares. Current performance may be lower or higher than the performance data quoted. Contact the Fund for performance data current to the most recent month-end. Returns include changes in share price as well as reinvestment of all dividends and capital gains. Returns do not reflect the deduction of the 2% redemption fee imposed if shares are redeemed or exchanged within 30 calendar days from their date of purchase. If imposed, the fee would reduce the performance quoted. Returns do not reflect the deduction of taxes that a shareholder would pay on Fund distributions or the redemption of Fund shares. Management fees and administrative expenses are included in the Fund’s performance. Returns for periods greater than one year are compounded average annual rates of return.

1 S&P 500® Index is an unmanaged capitalization-weighted index that measures the performance of 500 widely held common stocks of large-cap companies. It is not possible to invest directly in an index.

PORTFOLIO SUMMARY

 

 

Class I:

  

Net Asset Value 6/30/17:

   $ 16.88 Per Share

Net Asset Value 6/30/16:

   $ 15.82 Per Share

Total Net Assets:

   $ 1,015.9 Million

Class S:

  

Net Asset Value 6/30/17:

   $ 16.81 Per Share

Net Asset Value 6/30/16:

   $ 15.76 Per Share

Total Net Assets:

   $ 65.3 Million

Weighted Average Market Cap:

   $ 127.1 Billion

TOP 10 HOLDINGS

 

  1. Microsoft Corp.

  2. Johnson & Johnson

  3. JPMorgan Chase & Co.

  4. Verizon Communications, Inc.

  5. Apple, Inc.

  6. Dow Chemical Co.

  7. Home Depot, Inc.

  8. Broadcom, Ltd.

  9. PepsiCo, Inc.

10. Becton Dickinson and Co.

 

Based on total net assets as of June 30, 2017. Subject to change.

FUND DIVERSIFICATION

 

 

LOGO

Based on total net assets as of June 30, 2017. Subject to change.

 

 

Information on this page is unaudited.

  
JUNE 30, 2017   

 

13


    

SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS

June 30, 2017

Sit Dividend Growth Fund

 

 

  Quantity

   Name of Issuer    Fair Value ($)  

Common Stocks - 98.4%

  

Communications - 3.8%

  

374,625

   BT Group, PLC, ADR      7,271,471  

305,150

   CenturyLink, Inc.      7,286,982  

605,925

   Verizon Communications, Inc.      27,060,610  
     

 

 

 
        41,619,063  
     

 

 

 

Consumer Durables - 3.1%

  

156,625

   Genuine Parts Co.      14,528,535  

106,100

   Newell Brands, Inc.      5,689,082  

92,287

   Stanley Black & Decker, Inc.      12,987,550  
     

 

 

 
        33,205,167  
     

 

 

 

Consumer Non-Durables - 6.5%

  

200,475

   B&G Foods, Inc.      7,136,910  

116,400

   Dr Pepper Snapple Group, Inc.      10,605,204  

166,200

   Kraft Heinz Co.      14,233,368  

182,175

   PepsiCo, Inc.      21,039,391  

144,850

   Philip Morris International, Inc.      17,012,632  
     

 

 

 
        70,027,505  
     

 

 

 

Consumer Services - 4.9%

  

188,575

   CBS Corp.      12,027,314  

163,450

   Starbucks Corp.      9,530,770  

46,450

   Time Warner, Inc.      4,664,044  

127,525

   Visa, Inc.      11,959,294  

144,100

   Walt Disney Co.      15,310,625  
     

 

 

 
        53,492,047  
     

 

 

 

Electronic Technology - 8.8%

  

187,525

   Apple, Inc.      27,007,350  

326,950

   Applied Materials, Inc.      13,506,304  

94,875

   Broadcom, Ltd.      22,110,619  

486,425

   Intel Corp.      16,411,980  

110,625

   Skyworks Solutions, Inc.      10,614,469  

90,475

   Xilinx, Inc.      5,819,352  
     

 

 

 
        95,470,074  
     

 

 

 

Energy Minerals - 3.7%

  

67,500

   Chevron Corp.      7,042,275  

144,100

   Marathon Petroleum Corp.      7,540,753  

134,275

   Occidental Petroleum Corp.      8,039,044  

578,875

   Suncor Energy, Inc.      16,903,150  
     

 

 

 
        39,525,222  
     

 

 

 

 

  Quantity

   Name of Issuer    Fair Value ($)  

Finance - 15.5%

  

107,475

   Allstate Corp.      9,505,089  

310,250

   CubeSmart      7,458,410  

202,500

   East West Bancorp, Inc.      11,862,450  

29,800

   Goldman Sachs Group, Inc.      6,612,620  

1,032,225

   Huntington Bancshares, Inc.      13,955,682  

314,375

   JPMorgan Chase & Co.      28,733,875  

479,900

   KeyCorp      8,993,326  

333,350

   Legg Mason, Inc.      12,720,636  

109,725

   Macquarie Infrastructure Corp.      8,602,440  

124,641

   Marsh & McLennan Cos., Inc.      9,717,012  

147,275

   MetLife, Inc.      8,091,288  

648,775

   Physicians Realty Trust      13,066,328  

94,250

   T Rowe Price Group, Inc.      6,994,292  

285,150

   US Bancorp      14,804,988  

136,756

   XL Group, Ltd.      5,989,913  
     

 

 

 
        167,108,349  
     

 

 

 

Health Services - 3.8%

  

70,475

   Aetna, Inc.      10,700,219  

155,650

   Cardinal Health, Inc.      12,128,248  

99,225

   UnitedHealth Group, Inc.      18,398,300  
     

 

 

 
        41,226,767  
     

 

 

 

Health Technology - 13.6%

  

373,675

   Abbott Laboratories      18,164,342  

249,125

   AbbVie, Inc.      18,064,054  

61,150

   Allergan, PLC      14,864,954  

101,225

   Becton Dickinson and Co.      19,750,010  

246,250

   Johnson & Johnson      32,576,412  

159,925

   Medtronic, PLC      14,193,344  

229,102

   Merck & Co., Inc.      14,683,147  

445,325

   Pfizer, Inc.      14,958,467  
     

 

 

 
        147,254,730  
     

 

 

 

Process Industries - 5.2%

  

411,300

   Dow Chemical Co.      25,940,691  

106,450

   LyondellBasell Industries NV      8,983,316  

111,550

   Scotts Miracle-Gro Co.      9,979,263  

33,275

   Sherwin-Williams Co.      11,678,194  
     

 

 

 
        56,581,464  
     

 

 

 
 

 

 

See accompanying notes to financial statements.

  
14    SIT MUTUAL FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT


    

    

 

 

  Quantity

   Name of Issuer    Fair Value ($)  

Producer Manufacturing - 9.3%

  

55,625

   3M Co.      11,580,569  

127,025

   Honeywell International, Inc.      16,931,162  

66,325

   Hubbell, Inc.      7,506,000  

153,925

   Ingersoll-Rand, PLC      14,067,206  

39,805

   Lockheed Martin Corp.      11,050,266  

104,000

   Raytheon Co.      16,793,920  

71,425

   Rockwell Automation, Inc.      11,567,993  

90,250

   United Technologies Corp.      11,020,428  
     

 

 

 
        100,517,544  
     

 

 

 

Retail Trade - 4.7%

  

50,350

   Costco Wholesale Corp.      8,052,476  

157,300

   Home Depot, Inc.      24,129,820  

254,900

   TJX Cos., Inc.      18,396,133  
     

 

 

 
        50,578,429  
     

 

 

 

Technology Services - 6.9%

  

92,825

   Accenture, PLC      11,480,596  

8,825

   Alphabet, Inc. - Class A *      8,204,426  

54,550

   Intuit, Inc.      7,244,786  

517,325

   Microsoft Corp.      35,659,212  

229,125

   Oracle Corp.      11,488,328  
     

 

 

 
        74,077,348  
     

 

 

 

Transportation - 4.2%

  

98,025

   Alaska Air Group, Inc.      8,798,724  

183,025

   Delta Air Lines, Inc.      9,835,764  

59,050

   FedEx Corp.      12,833,336  

125,900

   Union Pacific Corp.      13,711,769  
     

 

 

 
        45,179,593  
     

 

 

 

 

  Quantity

   Name of Issuer    Fair Value ($)  

Utilities - 4.4%

  

137,520

   DTE Energy Co.      14,548,241  

116,850

   NextEra Energy, Inc.      16,374,190  

351,150

   Southern Co.      16,813,062  
     

 

 

 
        47,735,493  
     

 

 

 

Total Common Stocks
(cost: $897,763,541)

     1,063,598,795  
     

 

 

 

Short-Term Securities - 1.9%

  

21,242,911

   Fidelity Instl. Money Mkt. Govt. Fund, 0.81%   

Total Short-Term Securities
(cost: $21,242,911)

     21,242,911  
     

 

 

 

Total Investments in Securities - 100.3%
(cost: $919,006,452)

     1,084,841,706  

Other Assets and Liabilities, net - (0.3%)

     (3,643,240 ) 
     

 

 

 

Total Net Assets - 100.0%

   $ 1,081,198,466  
     

 

 

 

 

 

*

Non-income producing security.

Numeric footnotes not disclosed are not applicable to this Schedule of Investments.

ADR — American Depositary Receipt

PLC — Public Limited Company

 

 

A summary of the levels for the Fund’s investments as of June 30, 2017 is as follows (see Note 2 - significant accounting policies in the notes to financial statements):

 

     Investment in Securities  
     Level 1      Level 2      Level 3         
     

Quoted

Price ($)

     Other significant
observable inputs ($)
     Significant
unobservable inputs ($)
     Total ($)  

Common Stocks **

     1,063,598,795                      1,063,598,795  

Short-Term Securities

     21,242,911                      21,242,911  
  

 

 

 

Total:

     1,084,841,706                      1,084,841,706  
  

 

 

 

 

**

For equity securities categorized in a single level, refer to the Schedule of Investments for further breakdown.

For the reporting period, there were no transfers between levels 1, 2 and 3.

 

See accompanying notes to financial statements.

  

 

JUNE 30, 2017

  

 

 

 

15

 

 


 

    Sit Global Dividend Growth Fund - Class I and Class S

 

 

OBJECTIVE & STRATEGY

The objective of the Sit Global Dividend Growth Fund is to provide current income that exceeds the dividend yield of the MSCI World Index and that grows over a period of years. Secondarily, the Fund seeks long-term capital appreciation.

The Fund seeks to achieve its objectives by investing, under normal market conditions, at least 80% of its net assets in dividend-paying common stocks issued by U.S. and foreign companies. The Fund may invest the balance of its assets in preferred stocks, convertible bonds, and U.S. Treasury securities.

 

 

The Global Dividend Growth Fund Class I generated a return +11.94% for the twelve month period ending June 30, 2017 versus a return of +18.20% for the MSCI World Index. Stock selection along with industry and geographic allocation across a broad range of sectors had a negative impact on performance, particularly in the fourth calendar quarter of 2016, as small capitalization and higher beta stocks meaningfully outperformed around the world subsequent to the U.S. presidential election.

Synchronized global growth, improving corporate earnings, benign inflation, and positive economic surprises have contributed to the solid performance of U.S. and international equities over the past twelve months. In the U.S., the Trump administration’s policies have the potential to provide a boost to economic growth if effectively implemented. However, the range of potential economic outcomes continues to be wide as Washington remains bogged down by partisan conflict and the Federal Reserve begins to unwind its bloated balance sheet. Euro Area economic data has consistently surprised to the upside over the last twelve months. Yet, economic momentum is starting to show some signs of moderation as tailwinds from a weaker euro, Chinese stimulus measures, and easier comparisons fade in the second half of 2017. We are less optimistic on Japan as our concern continues to lie in the country’s subdued economic outlook and, by extension, the limited potential for earnings growth and equity price appreciation.

Therefore, the Fund has a diversified, barbell strategy that provides what we believe is the most favorable risk/reward profile at this stage. The Fund is overweight a mix of holdings that are pro-cyclical, policy beneficiaries to include banks and transports as well as holdings that are noncyclical/defensive such as select healthcare, telecom, and insurance. We believe bank stocks will outperform going forward based on rising rates, better growth, regulatory relief, tax relief, and an M&A cycle. Within the healthcare sector, we are investing in companies that possess an attractive mix of innovation and cost savings, both of which are currently providing attractive growth at reasonable valuations.

Contributing favorably to relative performance during the twelve month period were the Fund’s holdings in insurance (Prudential, XL Group and Allianz), transportation (Delta Air Lines and Union Pacific),

HYPOTHETICAL GROWTH OF $10,000

 

LOGO

The chart above illustrates the total value of a hypothetical $10,000 investment in the Fund over the past 10 years (or for the life of the Fund if shorter) as compared to the performance of the MSCI World Index. Past performance does not guarantee future results. Returns include the reinvestment of distributions. The chart does not reflect the deduction of taxes that a shareholder would pay on Fund distributions or the redemption of Fund shares.

1 The MSCI World Index is a free float-adjusted market capitalization weighted index that is designed to measure the equity market performance of developed markets. It is not possible to invest directly in an index. This is the Fund’s primary index.

 

and semiconductors (Applied Materials and Broadcom) industries. Conversely, pharmaceutical (Teva Pharmaceutical and Roche Holding) telecommunications (Verizon), and health care equipment (Medtronic and Cardinal Health) industries negatively impacted absolute and relative performance.

The Fund’s gross dividend yield (before deduction of Fund expenses) was 3.07% as of 6/30/17, compared to the 2.39% yield of the MSCI World Index. In periods of low absolute returns, the dividend component of the return becomes more significant and this should benefit the dividend paying companies that are the focus of this strategy. The portfolio emphasizes high quality, dividend paying growth stocks and continues to be well diversified. We believe the portfolio is well positioned to outperform in down markets if financial market volatility picks up, as we believe it will throughout 2017.

 

Roger J. Sit

   Raymond E. Sit    Tasha M. Murdoff

Kent L. Johnson

   Michael J. Stellmacher

Portfolio Managers

  
 

 

Information on this page is unaudited.

  
16    SIT MUTUAL FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT


 
 

 

COMPARATIVE RATES OF RETURNS

 

as of June 30, 2017

 

     Sit Global
Dividend
Growth Fund
 

MSCI  

World  

Index 1 

      Class I     Class S    

One Year

       11.94 %       11.67 %       18.20 %

Five Year

       8.87       8.59       11.38

Since Inception

       8.70       8.43       7.92

(9/30/08)

                              

Performance figures are historical and do not guarantee future results. Investment returns and principal value will vary, and you may have a gain or loss when you sell shares. Current performance may be lower or higher than the performance data quoted. Contact the Fund for performance data current to the most recent month-end. Returns include changes in share price as well as reinvestment of all dividends and capital gains. Returns do not reflect the deduction of the 2% redemption fee imposed if shares are redeemed or exchanged within 30 calendar days from their date of purchase. If imposed, the fee would reduce the performance quoted. Returns do not reflect the deduction of taxes that a shareholder would pay on Fund distributions or the redemption of Fund shares. Management fees and administrative expenses are included in the Fund’s performance. Returns for periods greater than one year are compounded average annual rates of return.

1 The MSCI World Index is a free float-adjusted market capitalization weighted index that is designed to measure the equity market performance of developed markets. It is not possible to invest directly in an index.

PORTFOLIO SUMMARY

 

 

Class I:

  

Net Asset Value 6/30/17:

   $14.54 Per Share

Net Asset Value 6/30/16:

   $13.19 Per Share

Total Net Assets:

   $25.6   Million

Class S:

  

Net Asset Value 6/30/17:

   $14.53 Per Share

Net Asset Value 6/30/16:

   $13.18 Per Share

Total Net Assets:

   $3.3     Million

Weighted Average Market Cap:

   $122.9 Billion

 

TOP 10 HOLDINGS

 

  1. Microsoft Corp.

  2. JPMorgan Chase & Co.

  3. Verizon Communications, Inc.

  4. Iberdrola SA

  5. Pfizer, Inc. 6. Nestle SA

  7. ING Groep NV, ADR

  8. Apple, Inc.

  9. Roche Holding AG

10. Diageo, PLC, ADR

 

Based on total net assets as of June 30, 2017. Subject to change.

FUND DIVERSIFICATION

 

 

 

LOGO

Based on total net assets as of June 30, 2017. Subject to change.

 

 

Information on this page is unaudited.

  

 

JUNE 30, 2017

  

 

17


    

SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS

June 30, 2017

Sit Global Dividend Growth Fund

 

 

  Quantity

   Name of Issuer    Fair Value ($)  

Common Stocks - 98.0%

  

Asia - 5.1%

  

Australia - 1.1%

  

24,700

   Amcor, Ltd.      307,705  
     

 

 

 

China/Hong Kong - 1.0%

  

6,475

   HSBC Holdings, PLC, ADR      300,375  
     

 

 

 

Japan - 1.5%

  

61,900

   Mitsubishi UFJ Financial Group, Inc., ADR      417,825  
     

 

 

 

Singapore - 1.5%

  

1,915

   Broadcom, Ltd.      446,291  
     

 

 

 

Europe - 27.1%

  

Belgium - 1.4%

  

3,725

   Anheuser-Busch InBev NV, ADR      411,091  
     

 

 

 

France - 1.5%

  

1,725

   Unibail-Rodamco SE      434,661  
     

 

 

 

Germany - 3.9%

  

16,400

   Allianz SE, ADR      324,310  

5,500

   Aurelius SE & Co.      295,581  

3,675

   Siemens AG      505,512  
     

 

 

 
        1,125,403  
     

 

 

 

Ireland - 2.0%

  

2,750

   Accenture, PLC      340,120  

2,600

   Ingersoll-Rand, PLC      237,614  
     

 

 

 
        577,734  
     

 

 

 

Netherlands - 5.2%

  

34,900

   ING Groep NV, ADR      606,911  

4,425

   LyondellBasell Industries NV      373,426  

25,400

   RELX NV      523,668  
     

 

 

 
        1,504,005  
     

 

 

 

Spain - 2.3%

  

83,100

   Iberdrola SA      658,521  
     

 

 

 

Switzerland - 6.2%

  

1,950

   Chubb, Ltd.      283,491  

7,000

   Nestle SA      610,524  

2,225

   Roche Holding AG      568,521  

1,140

   Zurich Insurance Group AG      332,708  
     

 

 

 
        1,795,244  
     

 

 

 

United Kingdom - 4.6%

  

4,625

   Diageo, PLC, ADR      554,214  

79,025

   DS Smith, PLC      487,733  

13,300

   WPP, PLC      280,055  
     

 

 

 
        1,322,002  
     

 

 

 

 

  Quantity

   Name of Issuer    Fair Value ($)  

North America - 65.8%

  

Bermuda - 0.7%

  

4,700

   XL Group, Ltd.      205,860  
     

 

 

 

Canada - 3.5%

  

11,725

   BCE, Inc.      528,094  

10,275

   Suncor Energy, Inc.      300,030  

5,400

   Vermilion Energy, Inc.      171,342  
     

 

 

 
        999,466  
     

 

 

 

United States - 61.6%

  

2,225

   3M Co.      463,223  

8,100

   Abbott Laboratories      393,741  

7,625

   AbbVie, Inc.      552,889  

3,325

   Allstate Corp.      294,063  

450

   Alphabet, Inc. - Class A *      418,356  

4,000

   Apple, Inc.      576,080  

8,175

   Applied Materials, Inc.      337,709  

4,875

   Arthur J Gallagher & Co.      279,094  

7,400

   CenterPoint Energy, Inc.      202,612  

11,625

   CenturyLink, Inc.      277,605  

8,900

   CubeSmart      213,956  

9,450

   Delta Air Lines, Inc.      507,843  

5,400

   Domtar Corp.      207,468  

6,525

   Dow Chemical Co.      411,532  

3,850

   Genuine Parts Co.      357,126  

2,875

   Home Depot, Inc.      441,025  

3,875

   Honeywell International, Inc.      516,499  

10,925

   Intel Corp.      368,609  

5,050

   International Paper Co.      285,880  

4,050

   Johnson & Johnson      535,774  

9,050

   JPMorgan Chase & Co.      827,170  

24,100

   KeyCorp      451,634  

3,300

   Kraft Heinz Co.      282,612  

1,365

   Lockheed Martin Corp.      378,938  

5,275

   Macquarie Infrastructure Corp.      413,560  

6,650

   Marathon Petroleum Corp.      347,994  

14,400

   Microsoft Corp.      992,592  

5,975

   Occidental Petroleum Corp.      357,723  

4,450

   PepsiCo, Inc.      513,930  

18,400

   Pfizer, Inc.      618,056  

18,500

   Physicians Realty Trust      372,590  

3,025

   Prudential Financial, Inc.      327,124  

1,825

   Rockwell Automation, Inc.      295,577  

3,225

   Scotts Miracle-Gro Co.      288,508  

8,250

   Starbucks Corp.      481,058  

4,800

   T Rowe Price Group, Inc.      356,208  

2,050

   TJX Cos., Inc.      147,948  

4,575

   Union Pacific Corp.      498,263  

2,700

   United Parcel Service, Inc.      298,593  

3,000

   United Technologies Corp.      366,330  

8,475

   US Bancorp      440,022  
 

 

See accompanying notes to financial statements.

  
18    SIT MUTUAL FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT


 

 

 

  Quantity

   Name of Issuer    Fair Value ($)  

15,500

   Verizon Communications, Inc.      692,230  

6,775

   WEC Energy Group, Inc.      415,850  
     

 

 

 
        17,805,594  
     

 

 

 

Total Common Stocks

(cost: $24,167,790)

     28,311,777  
     

 

 

 

Short-Term Securities - 2.5%

  

743,569

   Fidelity Instl. Money Mkt. Govt. Fund, 0.81%   

Total Short-Term Securities

(cost: $743,569)

     743,569  
     

 

 

 

Total Investments in Securities - 100.5%

(cost: $24,911,359)

     29,055,346  

Other Assets and Liabilities, net - (0.5%)

     (158,084 ) 
     

 

 

 

Total Net Assets - 100.0%

     $28,897,262  
     

 

 

 

 

 

* 

Non-income producing security.

Numeric footnotes not disclosed are not applicable to this Schedule of Investments

ADR — American Depositary Receipt

PLC — Public Limited Company

 

 

See accompanying notes to financial statements.

  

 

JUNE 30, 2017

  

 

19


    

SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS

June 30, 2017

Sit Global Dividend Growth Fund (Continued)

 

A summary of the levels for the Fund’s investments as of June 30, 2017 is as follows (see Note 2 - significant accounting policies in the notes to financial statements):

 

     Investment in Securities
     Level 1
Quoted
Price ($)
   Level 2
Other significant
observable inputs ($)
  

Level 3

Significant
unobservable inputs ($)

   Total ($)

Common Stocks

                   

Australia

              307,705               307,705

Belgium

       411,091                      411,091

Bermuda

       205,860                      205,860

Canada

       999,466                      999,466

China/Hong Kong

       300,375                      300,375

France

              434,661               434,661

Germany

       324,310        801,093               1,125,403

Ireland

       577,734                      577,734

Japan

       417,825                      417,825

Netherlands

       980,337        523,668               1,504,005

Singapore

       446,291                      446,291

Spain

              658,521               658,521

Switzerland

       283,491        1,511,753               1,795,244

United Kingdom

       554,214        767,788               1,322,002

United States

       17,805,594                      17,805,594

Short-Term Securities

       743,569                      743,569

Total:

       24,050,157        5,005,189               29,055,346

The Fund adjusts the closing price of foreign equity securities by applying a systematic process for events occurring after the close of the foreign exchanges. At each reporting period, this process is applied for all foreign securities and therefore all foreign securities are classified as level 2. There are no transfers between level 1 and level 2 between reporting periods as a result of applying this process. Level 1 securities of foreign issuers are primarily American Depositary Receipts (ADRs), Public Limited Companies (PLCs) or Global Depositary Receipts (GDRs). There were no transfers into or out of level 3 during the reporting period.

 

See accompanying notes to financial statements.

  
20    SIT MUTUAL FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT


 

 

[This page intentionally left blank.]

 

 

 

 

 

 

JUNE 30, 2017

  

 

21


 

    Sit Large Cap Growth Fund

 

 

OBJECTIVE & STRATEGY

The objective of the Sit Large Cap Growth Fund is to maximize long-term capital appreciation. The Fund pursues this objective by investing at least 80% of its net assets in the common stocks of domestic growth companies with capitalizations of $5 billion or more at the time of purchase.

 

 

 

The Sit Large Cap Growth Fund’s one-year return was +21.18%, compared to the +20.42% return for the Russell 1000® Growth index. The S&P 500® Index return for the period was +17.89%.

U.S. stocks posted strong gains over the past year, as corporate earnings rebounded following several quarters of lackluster growth. Although optimism over domestic pro-growth policies has faded since the euphoria immediately following the presidential election, growth trends outside the U.S. have broadly improved over the past twelve months. While this pickup in growth has been encouraging, our view for modest global growth with moderate inflation remains intact. With valuations approaching “fair” levels for equities, we strongly believe that emphasizing quality and identifying companies with strong earnings growth prospects will differentiate performance in this environment. To this point, we continue to believe the technology sector offers significant opportunities for investors, as both secular (e.g., cloud computing, software) and cyclical (e.g., semiconductors) groups are generating earnings growth well in excess of market averages. In addition, recognizing relatively high valuations and the potential for increased volatility, the Fund has meaningful exposure to defensive areas as well, particularly healthcare and consumer-related areas.

The Fund’s strong relative and absolute performance during the past twelve months was largely due to strong stock selection and overweighted allocations in the electronic technology and technology services sectors. Strong stock selection in the finance and consumer non-durables sectors also contributed to strong relative returns. In terms of individual stocks, standout performers included Applied Materials (+74% over the past year), Broadcom (+53%), Adobe Systems (+48%), JP Morgan Chase (+51%), and Goldman Sachs (+51%). On the negative side, our holdings in the health technology and commercial services sectors lagged over the period and detracted from

HYPOTHETICAL GROWTH OF $10,000

 

 

LOGO

The chart above illustrates the total value of a hypothetical $10,000 investment in the Fund over the past 10 years as compared to the performance of the Russell 1000® Growth Index. Past performance does not guarantee future results. Returns include the reinvestment of distributions. The chart does not reflect the deduction of taxes that a shareholder would pay on Fund distributions or the redemption of Fund shares.

1 Russell 1000® Growth Index is an unmanaged index that measures the performance of those Russell 1000 Index companies with higher price-to-book ratios and higher forecasted growth values. It is not possible to invest directly in an index. This is the Fund’s primary index.

 

 

relative returns. Stocks within these sectors that lagged over the period included Medtronic, Pfizer, Gilead Sciences, and Nielsen.

We continue to be optimistic on the outlook for companies held in the Fund and appreciate shareholders’ continued interest.

Roger J. Sit

Ronald D. Sit

Michael J. Stellmacher

Portfolio Managers

 

 

Information on this page is unaudited.

  
22    SIT MUTUAL FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT


 
 

 

COMPARATIVE RATES OF RETURNS

 

 

as of June 30, 2017

 

      Sit Large
Cap Growth
Fund
  Russell
1000®
Growth
Index 1
  Russell
1000®
Index  2

One Year

       21.18 %       20.42 %       18.03 %

Five Year

       13.27       15.30       14.67

Ten Year

       7.11       8.91       7.29

Since Inception 3

       10.01       11.13       11.77

(9/2/82)

                              

Performance figures are historical and do not guarantee future results. Investment returns and principal value will vary, and you may have a gain or loss when you sell shares. Current performance may be lower or higher than the performance data quoted. Contact the Fund for performance data current to the most recent month-end. Returns include changes in share price as well as reinvestment of all dividends and capital gains. Returns do not reflect the deduction of the 2% redemption fee imposed if shares are redeemed or exchanged within 30 calendar days from their date of purchase. If imposed, the fee would reduce the performance quoted. Returns do not reflect the deduction of taxes that a shareholder would pay on Fund distributions or the redemption of Fund shares. Management fees and administrative expenses are included in the Fund’s performance. Returns for periods greater than one year are compounded average annual rates of return.

1 Russell 1000® Growth Index is an unmanaged index that measures the performance of those Russell 1000 Index companies with higher price-to-book ratios and higher forecasted growth values. It is not possible to invest directly in an index.

2 Russell 1000® Index is an unmanaged index that measures the performance of approximately 1,000 of the largest U.S. companies by market capitalization.

3 On 6/6/93, the Fund’s investment objective changed to allow for a portfolio of 100% stocks. Prior to that time, the portfolio was required to contain no more than 80% stocks.

PORTFOLIO SUMMARY

 

 

 

Net Asset Value 6/30/17:

  

$ 40.56 Per Share

Net Asset Value 6/30/16:

  

$ 36.02 Per Share

Total Net Assets:

  

$ 113.6 Million

Weighted Average Market Cap:

  

$ 179.6 Billion

TOP 10 HOLDINGS

 

 

  1. Alphabet, Inc.

  2. Apple, Inc.

  3. Microsoft Corp.

  4. Facebook, Inc.

  5. Visa, Inc.

  6. Adobe Systems, Inc.

  7. Broadcom, Ltd.

  8. PepsiCo, Inc.

  9. Applied Materials, Inc.

  9. priceline.com, Inc.

Based on total net assets as of June 30, 2017. Subject to change.

FUND DIVERSIFICATION

 

 

 

LOGO

Based on total net assets as of June 30, 2017. Subject to change.

 

 

Information on this page is unaudited.

  

 

JUNE 30, 2017

  

 

23


    

SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS

June 30, 2017

Sit Large Cap Growth Fund

 

 

  Quantity

   Name of Issuer    Fair Value ($)

Common Stocks - 99.2%

Commercial Services - 1.0%

8,300

   Equifax, Inc.    1,140,586
     

 

Communications - 1.4%

  

4,600

   SBA Communications Corp. *    620,540

20,925

   Verizon Communications, Inc.    934,510
     

 

      1,555,050
     

 

Consumer Durables - 1.7%

  

10,300

   Electronic Arts, Inc. *    1,088,916

9,000

   Genuine Parts Co.    834,840
     

 

      1,923,756
     

 

Consumer Non-Durables - 5.6%

  

18,675

   Estee Lauder Cos., Inc. - Class A    1,792,426

17,650

   NIKE, Inc.    1,041,350

23,900

   PepsiCo, Inc.    2,760,211

8,800

   Procter & Gamble Co.    766,920
     

 

      6,360,907
     

 

Consumer Services - 8.8%

  

18,100

   CBS Corp.    1,154,418

12,700

   Marriott International, Inc.    1,273,937

39,000

   Starbucks Corp.    2,274,090

38,600

   Visa, Inc.    3,619,908

16,200

   Walt Disney Co.    1,721,250
     

 

      10,043,603
     

 

Electronic Technology - 13.6%

  

46,325

   Apple, Inc.    6,671,727

58,900

   Applied Materials, Inc.    2,433,159

13,000

   Broadcom, Ltd.    3,029,650

37,000

   Ciena Corp. *    925,740

21,100

   Intel Corp.    711,914

8,800

   NVIDIA Corp.    1,272,128

4,700

   Skyworks Solutions, Inc.    450,965
     

 

      15,495,283
     

 

Energy Minerals - 1.2%

  

18,600

   Marathon Petroleum Corp.    973,338

2,300

   Pioneer Natural Resources Co.    367,034
     

 

      1,340,372
     

 

Finance - 4.7%

  

5,450

   Chubb, Ltd.    792,321

5,400

   Goldman Sachs Group, Inc.    1,198,260

20,600

   JPMorgan Chase & Co.    1,882,840

18,300

   Legg Mason, Inc.    698,328

10,500

   T Rowe Price Group, Inc.    779,205
     

 

      5,350,954
     

 

 

  Quantity

   Name of Issuer    Fair Value ($)

Health Services - 3.5%

  

14,000

   Centene Corp. *    1,118,320

3,500

   Humana, Inc.    842,170

10,625

   UnitedHealth Group, Inc.    1,970,088
     

 

      3,930,578
     

 

Health Technology - 11.0%

  

22,500

   AbbVie, Inc.    1,631,475

4,700

   Alexion Pharmaceuticals, Inc. *    571,849

4,200

   Allergan, PLC    1,020,978

31,700

   Boston Scientific Corp. *    878,724

8,975

   Celgene Corp. *    1,165,583

8,400

   Gilead Sciences, Inc.    594,552

7,850

   Incyte Corp. *    988,394

13,700

   Johnson & Johnson    1,812,373

14,300

   Medtronic, PLC    1,269,125

22,600

   Pfizer, Inc.    759,134

5,850

   Thermo Fisher Scientific, Inc.    1,020,650

6,025

   Zimmer Biomet Holdings, Inc.    773,610
     

 

      12,486,447
     

 

Process Industries - 3.3%

  

13,800

   Dow Chemical Co.    870,366

14,500

   Ecolab, Inc.    1,924,875

2,800

   Sherwin-Williams Co.    982,688
     

 

      3,777,929
     

 

Producer Manufacturing - 7.5%

  

8,050

   3M Co.    1,675,930

13,425

   Honeywell International, Inc.    1,789,418

10,100

   Ingersoll-Rand, PLC    923,039

13,500

   Raytheon Co.    2,179,980

4,125

   Rockwell Automation, Inc.    668,085

10,300

   United Technologies Corp.    1,257,733
     

 

      8,494,185
     

 

Retail Trade - 5.5%

  

1,700

   Amazon.com, Inc. *    1,645,600

3,800

   CVS Health Corp.    305,748

15,100

   Home Depot, Inc.    2,316,340

16,600

   TJX Cos., Inc.    1,198,022

2,900

   Ulta Beauty, Inc. *    833,286
     

 

      6,298,996
     

 

Technology Services - 25.0%

  

12,275

   Accenture, PLC    1,518,172

23,800

   Adobe Systems, Inc. *    3,366,272

1,850

   Alphabet, Inc. - Class A *    1,719,908

5,966

   Alphabet, Inc. - Class C *    5,421,483

7,500

   ANSYS, Inc. *    912,600

21,800

   Cognizant Technology Solutions Corp.    1,447,520

27,800

   Facebook, Inc. *    4,197,244

70,600

   Microsoft Corp.    4,866,458

19,200

   Oracle Corp.    962,688
 

 

See accompanying notes to financial statements.

  
24    SIT MUTUAL FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT


    

    

 

 

  Quantity

   Name of Issuer    Fair Value ($)  

21,500

   PayPal Holdings, Inc. *      1,153,905  

1,275

   priceline.com, Inc. *      2,384,913  

5,400

   salesforce.com, Inc. *      467,640  
     

 

 

 
        28,418,803  
     

 

 

 

Transportation - 4.8%

  

11,900

   Alaska Air Group, Inc.      1,068,144  

21,615

   Delta Air Lines, Inc.      1,161,590  

6,900

   FedEx Corp.      1,499,577  

9,800

   Union Pacific Corp.      1,067,318  

5,400

   United Parcel Service, Inc.      597,186  
     

 

 

 
        5,393,815  
     

 

 

 

Utilities - 0.6%

  

5,000

   NextEra Energy, Inc.      700,650  
     

 

 

 

Total Common Stocks
(cost: $65,174,690)

     112,711,914  
     

 

 

 

 

  Quantity

   Name of Issuer    Fair Value ($)  

Short-Term Securities - 1.3%

  

1,526,296

   Fidelity Instl. Money Mkt. Govt. Fund, 0.81%  

Total Short-Term Securities
(cost: $1,526,296)

     1,526,296  
     

 

 

 

Total Investments in Securities - 100.5%
(cost: $66,700,986)

     114,238,210  

Other Assets and Liabilities, net - (0.5%)

     (618,200
     

 

 

 

Total Net Assets - 100.0%

     $113,620,010  
     

 

 

 

 

 

 

* 

Non-income producing security.

Numeric footnotes not disclosed are not applicable to this Schedule of Investments.

PLC — Public Limited Company

 

 

A summary of the levels for the Fund’s investments as of June 30, 2017 is as follows (see Note 2 - significant accounting policies in the notes to financial statements):

 

     Investment in Securities
     Level 1
Quoted
Price ($)
   Level 2
Other significant
observable inputs ($)
  

Level 3

Significant
unobservable inputs ($)

   Total ($)

Common Stocks **

       112,711,914                      112,711,914

Short-Term Securities

       1,526,296                      1,526,296

Total:

       114,238,210                      114,238,210

 

** 

For equity securities categorized in a single level, refer to the Schedule of Investments for further breakdown.

For the reporting period, there were no transfers between levels 1, 2 and 3.

 

See accompanying notes to financial statements.

  

 

JUNE 30, 2017

  

 

 

 

25

 

 


 

    Sit ESG Growth Fund - Class I and Class S

 

 

OBJECTIVE & STRATEGY

The objective of the Sit ESG Growth Fund is to maximize long-term capital appreciation. The Fund seeks to achieve its objectives by investing, under normal market conditions, at least 80% of its net assets in companies that the Adviser believes have strong environmental, social and corporate governance (ESG) practices at the time of purchase. The Fund invests in common stocks of U.S. and foreign companies, primarily of large to medium capitalizations (companies with market capitalization in excess of $2 billion).

 

 

 

The Sit ESG Growth Fund Class I generated a return of +13.13% in the twelve-month period ended June 30, 2017 compared to the MSCI World Index return of +18.20%. All of the underperformance occurred during the last six months of 2016. More specifically, just over 70% of the underperformance relative to the Index is attributable to an average cash balance of 17.6% over the last six months of 2016. While the cash balance remained elevated during the first three months of the Fund’s inception as we opportunistically purchased stocks in the uncertain market environment (i.e., Brexit, U.S. political elections), the cash balance is currently at a more normalized level of roughly 3%. More recently, the Fund has outperformed the benchmark for the first six months of 2017, generating a return of +10.90% versus the MSCI World Index return of +10.66%.

Synchronized global growth, improving corporate earnings, benign inflation, and positive economic surprises have contributed to the solid performance of U.S. and international equities over the past twelve months. In the U.S., the Trump administration’s policies have the potential to provide a boost to economic growth if effectively implemented. However, the range of potential economic outcomes continues to be wide as Washington remains bogged down by partisan conflict and the Federal Reserve begins to unwind its bloated balance sheet. Euro Area economic data has consistently surprised to the upside over the last twelve months. Yet, economic momentum is starting to show some signs of moderation as tailwinds from a weaker euro, Chinese stimulus measures, and easier comparisons fade in the second half of 2017. We are less optimistic on Japan as our concern continues to lie in the country’s subdued economic outlook and, by extension, the limited potential for earnings growth and equity price appreciation.

The industries contributing most favorably to relative performance were the insurance (Prudential Financial and Allianz), transportation (Delta Air Lines and FedEx), and health care equipment & services (Humana and UnitedHealth Group). Conversely, cash was the largest detractor, followed by the technology hardware & equipment (Ingenico and Apple) and semiconductors (Intel) industries.

From a geographic standpoint, the countries of Singapore (Broadcom), United Kingdom (DS Smith and BT Group) and Netherlands (ING

HYPOTHETICAL GROWTH OF $10,000

 

 

 

LOGO

The chart above illustrates the total value of a hypothetical $10,000 investment in the Fund over the past 10 years (or for the life of the Fund if shorter) as compared to the performance of the MSCI World Index. Past performance does not guarantee future results. Returns include the reinvestment of distributions. The chart does not reflect the deduction of taxes that a shareholder would pay on Fund distributions or the redemption of Fund shares.

1 The MSCI World Index is a free float-adjusted market capitalization weighted index that is designed to measure the equity market performance of developed markets. It is not possible to invest directly in an index. This is the Fund’s primary index..

 

Groep) added value from both an allocation and stock selection perspective. However, stocks election in the United States (Verizon, Brixmor, Occidental Petroleum and Pfizer) and France (Schlumberger and Unibail-Rodamco) negatively impacted the Fund.

The focus of the Sit ESG Fund is to invest at least 80% of the assets in companies that have strong ESG (environmental, social and corporate governance) practices. We remain positive about the long-term outlook for companies held in the Fund based on attractive valuations and sustainable earnings growth potential.

Roger J. Sit

Ronald D. Sit

Michael J. Stellmacher

Portfolio Managers

 

 

Information on this page is unaudited.

  
26    SIT MUTUAL FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT


 
 

 

COMPARATIVE RATES OF RETURNS

 

as of June 30, 2017

 

     Sit ESG
Growth Fund
 

MSCI
World

Index  1

      Class I   Class S  

One Year

       13.13 %       12.79 %       18.20 %

Since Inception

(6/30/16)

       13.13       12.79       18.20

Performance figures are historical and do not guarantee future results. Investment returns and principal value will vary, and you may have a gain or loss when you sell shares. Current performance may be lower or higher than the performance data quoted. Contact the Fund for performance data current to the most recent month-end. Returns include changes in share price as well as reinvestment of all dividends and capital gains. Returns do not reflect the deduction of the 2% redemption fee imposed if shares are redeemed or exchanged within 30 calendar days from their date of purchase. If imposed, the fee would reduce the performance quoted. Returns do not reflect the deduction of taxes that a shareholder would pay on Fund distributions or the redemption of Fund shares. Management fees and administrative expenses are included in the Fund’s performance. Returns for periods greater than one year are compounded average annual rates of return.

1 The MSCI World Index is a free float-adjusted market capitalization weighted index that is designed to measure the equity market performance of developed markets. It is not possible to invest directly in an index.

PORTFOLIO SUMMARY

 

 

Class I:

   

Net Asset Value 6/30/17:

    $11.29     Per Share 

Net Asset Value 6/30/162:

    $10.00     Per Share

Total Net Assets:

    $2.3     Million

Class S:

   

Net Asset Value 6/30/17:

    $11.28     Per Share

Net Asset Value 6/30/162:

    $10.00     Per Share

Total Net Assets:

    $2.3     Million

Weighted Average Market Cap:

    $124.3     Billion

2 Inception date of the Fund.

 

TOP 10 HOLDINGS

 

  1. Johnson & Johnson

  2. 3M Co.

  3. Iberdrola SA, ADR

  4. ING Groep NV, ADR

  5. Ingersoll-Rand, PLC

  6. Microsoft Corp.

  7. Pfizer, Inc.

  8. Marriott International, Inc.

  9. Starbucks Corp.

10. Intel Corp.

 

 

Based on total net assets as of June 30, 2017. Subject to change.

FUND DIVERSIFICATION

 

 

     LOGO

Based on total net assets as of June 30, 2017. Subject to change.

 

 

Information on this page is unaudited.

  

 

JUNE 30, 2017

  

 

27


    

SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS

June 30, 2017

Sit ESG Growth Fund

 

     
  Quantity    Name of Issuer    Fair Value ($)  

Common Stocks - 96.5%

  

Asia - 3.4%

  

China/Hong Kong - 1.3%

  

1,300

   HSBC Holdings, PLC, ADR      60,307  
     

 

 

 

Japan - 2.1%

  

2,400

   Asics Corp.      44,603  

8,325

  

Mitsubishi UFJ Financial Group, Inc., ADR

     56,194  
     

 

 

 
        100,797  
     

 

 

 

Europe - 31.1%

  

Belgium - 1.6%

  

700

   Anheuser-Busch InBev NV, ADR      77,252  
     

 

 

 

France - 3.1%

  

685

   Ingenico Group SA      62,121  

3,325

   Unibail-Rodamco SE, ADR      83,025  
     

 

 

 
        145,146  
     

 

 

 

Germany - 4.1%

  

5,100

   Allianz SE, ADR      100,853  

1,300

   Siemens AG, ADR      89,895  
     

 

 

 
        190,748  
     

 

 

 

Ireland - 3.8%

  

510

   Accenture, PLC      63,077  

1,250

   Ingersoll-Rand, PLC      114,238  
     

 

 

 
        177,315  
     

 

 

 

Netherlands - 4.5%

  

6,575

   ING Groep NV, ADR      114,339  

4,700

   RELX NV, ADR      97,196  
     

 

 

 
        211,535  
     

 

 

 

Spain - 4.6%

  

3,850

   Iberdrola SA, ADR      122,141  

2,375

   Industria de Diseno Textil SA      91,212  
     

 

 

 
        213,353  
     

 

 

 

Switzerland - 5.3%

  

900

   Nestle SA, ADR      78,480  

2,100

   Roche Holding AG, ADR      66,780  

3,500

   Zurich Insurance Group AG, ADR      101,955  
     

 

 

 
        247,215  
     

 

 

 

United Kingdom - 4.1%

  

2,100

   Coca-Cola European Partners, PLC      85,407  

600

   Diageo, PLC, ADR      71,898  

600

   Royal Dutch Shell, PLC, ADR - Class B      32,658  
     

 

 

 
        189,963  
     

 

 

 
     
  Quantity    Name of Issuer   Fair Value ($)  

North America - 62.0%

 

Canada - 3.1%

 

950

   BCE, Inc.     42,788  

3,500

   Suncor Energy, Inc.     102,200  
    

 

 

 
       144,988  
    

 

 

 

United States - 58.9%

 

600

   3M Co.     124,914  

1,050

   AbbVie, Inc.     76,136  

500

   Adobe Systems, Inc. *     70,720  

525

   Allstate Corp.     46,431  

100

   Alphabet, Inc. - Class A *     92,968  

300

   Apple, Inc.     43,206  

2,225

   Boston Scientific Corp. *     61,677  

750

   Cognizant Technology Solutions Corp.     49,800  

1,500

   Delta Air Lines, Inc.     80,610  

1,300

   Dow Chemical Co.     81,991  

425

   Ecolab, Inc.     56,419  

320

   Facebook, Inc. *     48,314  

450

   FedEx Corp.     97,799  

375

   Goldman Sachs Group, Inc.     83,212  

665

   Home Depot, Inc.     102,011  

250

   Humana, Inc.     60,155  

3,050

   Intel Corp.     102,907  

975

   Johnson & Johnson     128,983  

950

   JPMorgan Chase & Co.     86,830  

2,500

   KeyCorp     46,850  

1,600

   Legg Mason, Inc.     61,056  

1,100

   Marriott International, Inc.     110,341  

1,650

   Microsoft Corp.     113,734  

1,100

   NIKE, Inc.     64,900  

700

   Occidental Petroleum Corp.     41,909  

800

   PepsiCo, Inc.     92,392  

3,375

   Pfizer, Inc.     113,366  

560

   Prudential Financial, Inc.     60,558  

350

   Rockwell Automation, Inc.     56,686  

1,800

   Starbucks Corp.     104,958  

925

   T Rowe Price Group, Inc.     68,644  

1,065

   TJX Cos., Inc.     76,861  

375

   UnitedHealth Group, Inc.     69,532  

2,025

   Verizon Communications, Inc.     90,436  

875

   Visa, Inc.     82,058  
    

 

 

 
       2,749,364  
    

 

 

 

Total Common Stocks
(cost: $3,954,682)

    4,507,983  
    

 

 

 
 

 

See accompanying notes to financial statements.

  
28    SIT MUTUAL FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT


    

    

 

     
  Quantity   Name of Issuer   Fair Value ($)  

Short-Term Securities - 3.4%

 

159,335

 

Fidelity Instl. Money Mkt. Govt. Fund, 0.81%

 

Total Short-Term Securities
(cost: $159,335)

    159,335  
   

 

 

 

Total Investments in Securities - 99.9%
(cost: $4,114,017)

    4,667,318  

Other Assets and Liabilities, net - 0.1%

    2,391  
   

 

 

 

Total Net Assets - 100.0%

    $4,669,709  
   

 

 

 

 

 

 

* 

Non-income producing security.

Numeric footnotes not disclosed are not applicable to this Schedule of Investments

ADR — American Depositary Receipt

PLC — Public Limited Company

 

    

 

 

A summary of the levels for the Fund’s investments as of June 30, 2017 is as follows (see Note 2 - significant accounting policies in the notes to financial statements):

 

     Investment in Securities
     Level 1
Quoted
Price ($)
   Level 2
Other significant
observable inputs ($)
  

Level 3

Significant
unobservable inputs ($)

   Total ($)

Common Stocks

                   

Belgium

       77,252                      77,252

Canada

       144,988                      144,988

China/Hong Kong

       60,307                      60,307

France

       83,025        62,121               145,146

Germany

       190,748                      190,748

Ireland

       177,315                      177,315

Japan

       56,194        44,603               100,797

Netherlands

       211,535                      211,535

Spain

       122,141        91,212               213,353

Switzerland

       247,215                      247,215

United Kingdom

       189,963                      189,963

United States

       2,749,364                      2,749,364

Short-Term Securities

       159,335                      159,335

Total:

       4,469,382        197,936               4,667,318

The Fund adjusts the closing price of foreign equity securities by applying a systematic process for events occurring after the close of the foreign exchanges. At each reporting period, this process is applied for all foreign securities and therefore all foreign securities are classified as level 2. There are no transfers between level 1 and level 2 between reporting periods as a result of applying this process. Level 1 securities of foreign issuers are primarily American Depositary Receipts (ADRs), Public Limited Companies (PLCs) or Global Depositary Receipts (GDRs). There were no transfers into or out of level 3 during the reporting period.

 

See accompanying notes to financial statements.

  

 

JUNE 30, 2017

  

 

 

 

29

 

 


 

     Sit Mid Cap Growth Fund

 

 

OBJECTIVE & STRATEGY

The objective of the Sit Midcap® Growth Fund is to maximize long-term capital appreciation. The Fund pursues this objective by investing at least 80% of its net assets in common stocks that, at the time of purchase, have market capitalizations that fall within the range of companies included in the Russell Midcap® Growth Index during the most recent 12-month period. The Russell Midcap® Growth Index ranged from approximately $50 million to $86 billion during the 12-month period ended June 30, 2017.

 

 

 

The Sit Mid Cap Growth Fund’s twelve-month return was +18.74%, compared to +17.05% for the Russell Mid Cap® Growth Index and +16.48% for the Russell Mid Cap® Index.

Stocks posted solid gains over the past year, fueled by hopes for pro-growth policy changes following the election and an improvement in corporate earnings growth as drags diminished from weak energy prices, the stronger dollar, and weak economies outside the U.S. We believe stock prices can grind higher, but earnings growth will likely be the key driver, as valuations for stocks remain generally at historically high levels. In this regard, many technology companies remain highly attractive, given the multitude of growth drivers. Additionally, a combination of our aging population and innovation are resulting in strong earnings growth in the health technology sector. Finally, from a more cyclical perspective, we believe producer manufacturing companies are increasingly attractive based on a rebound in industrial activity in most regions of the world. Regardless of sector, quality remains the overriding theme, with a particular emphasis on free cash flow generation, balance sheet strength, and earnings visibility.

The Fund posted strong returns in both absolute terms and relative to the Russell Mid Cap® Growth Index due to a combination of stock selection and sector positioning. Overweighting the strong-performing electronic technology sector, while underweighting the weak-performing consumer non-durables sector, were key positive factors. In terms of individual stocks, the top performers over the period included Arista Networks (+133% one-year return), Align Technology (+86%), Autodesk (+86%), Applied Materials (+74%), and MACOM Technology Solutions (+69%). Conversely, the Fund was hurt by poor stock selection in the health services and health technology sectors. Laggards in these sectors included Envision Healthcare, Acadia Healthcare, Novavax, Allergan and Alexion Pharmaceuticals.

HYPOTHETICAL GROWTH OF $10,000

 

 

LOGO

The chart above illustrates the total value of a hypothetical $10,000 investment in the Fund over the past 10 years as compared to the performance of the Russell Midcap® Growth Index. Past performance does not guarantee future results. Returns include the reinvestment of distributions. The chart does not reflect the deduction of taxes that a shareholder would pay on Fund distributions or the redemption of Fund shares.

1 Russell Midcap® Growth Index is an unmanaged index that measures the performance of those Russell Midcap Index companies with higher price-to-book ratios and higher forecasted growth values. It is not possible to invest directly in an index. This is the Fund’s primary index.

 

Even after strong performance in recent quarters, we believe valuations for holdings within the Fund are attractive relative to both near-and longer-term growth prospects, and that our long-term investment approach will reward shareholders over time.

Roger J. Sit

Kent L. Johnson

Robert W. Sit

Portfolio Managers

 

 

Information on this page is unaudited.

  
30    SIT MUTUAL FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT


 
 

 

COMPARATIVE RATES OF RETURNS

 

as of June 30, 2017

 

     

Sit

Mid Cap
Growth Fund

  Russell
Midcap®
Growth
Index  1
  Russell
Midcap®
Index  2

One Year

       18.74 %       17.05 %       16.48 %

Five Year

       11.02       14.19       14.72

Ten Year

       5.85       7.87       7.67

Since Inception

(9/2/82)

       11.52       n/a       n/a

Performance figures are historical and do not guarantee future results. Investment returns and principal value will vary, and you may have a gain or loss when you sell shares. Current performance may be lower or higher than the performance data quoted. Contact the Fund for performance data current to the most recent month-end. Returns include changes in share price as well as reinvestment of all dividends and capital gains and all fee waivers. Without the fee waivers total return and yield figures would have been lower. Returns do not reflect the deduction of the 2% redemption fee imposed if shares are redeemed or exchanged within 30 calendar days from their date of purchase. If imposed, the fee would reduce the performance quoted. Returns do not reflect the deduction of taxes that a shareholder would pay on Fund distributions or the redemption of Fund shares. Management fees and administrative expenses are included in the Fund’s performance. Returns for periods greater than one year are compounded average annual rates of return.

1 Russell Midcap® Growth Index is an unmanaged index that measures the performance of those Russell Midcap Index companies with higher price-to-book ratios and higher forecasted growth values. It is not possible to invest directly in an index.

2 Russell Midcap® Index is an unmanaged index that measures the performance of approximately 800 of the smallest companies in the Russell 1000® Index.

PORTFOLIO SUMMARY

 

 

Net Asset Value 6/30/17:

   $18.06 Per Share

Net Asset Value 6/30/16:

   $15.36 Per Share

Total Net Assets:

   $156.3 Million

Weighted Average Market Cap:

   $25.1   Billion

TOP 10 HOLDINGS

 

  1. Broadcom, Ltd.

  2. Ulta Beauty, Inc.

  3. Waste Connections, Inc.

  4. Ecolab, Inc.

  5. Applied Materials, Inc.

  6. priceline.com, Inc.

  7. TJX Cos., Inc.

  8. Skyworks Solutions, Inc.

  9. Alaska Air Group, Inc.

10. Arista Networks, Inc.

 

 

Based on total net assets as of June 30, 2017. Subject to change.

FUND DIVERSIFICATION

 

 

     LOGO

Based on total net assets as of June 30, 2017. Subject to change.

 

 

Information on this page is unaudited.

  

 

JUNE 30, 2017

  

 

31


    

SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS

June 30, 2017

Sit Mid Cap Growth Fund

 

     
  Quantity    Name of Issuer    Fair Value ($)  

Common Stocks - 95.8%

  

Commercial Services - 2.5%

  

37,900

   Booz Allen Hamilton Holding Corp.      1,233,266  

21,600

   Cardtronics, PLC *      709,776  

15,000

   Equifax, Inc.      2,061,300  
     

 

 

 
        4,004,342  
     

 

 

 

Communications - 1.3%

  

15,200

   SBA Communications Corp. *      2,050,480  
     

 

 

 

Consumer Durables - 4.6%

  

20,000

   Electronic Arts, Inc. *      2,114,400  

15,100

   Genuine Parts Co.      1,400,676  

23,100

   Newell Brands, Inc.      1,238,622  

12,350

   Snap-On, Inc.      1,951,300  

5,000

   Thor Industries, Inc.      522,600  
     

 

 

 
        7,227,598  
     

 

 

 

Consumer Non-Durables - 1.3%

  

48,900

   Coca-Cola European Partners, PLC      1,988,763  
     

 

 

 

Consumer Services - 7.0%

  

3,000

   Chipotle Mexican Grill, Inc. *      1,248,300  

43,500

   Cinemark Holdings, Inc.      1,689,975  

53,600

   Dunkin’ Brands Group, Inc.      2,954,432  

33,832

   Marriott International, Inc.      3,393,688  

48,900

   Service Corp. International      1,635,705  
     

 

 

 
        10,922,100  
     

 

 

 

Electronic Technology - 13.3%

  

17,300

   Advanced Micro Devices, Inc. *      215,904  

98,400

   Applied Materials, Inc.      4,064,904  

22,900

   Arista Networks, Inc. *      3,430,191  

20,700

   Broadcom, Ltd.      4,824,135  

64,800

   Ciena Corp. *      1,621,296  

27,200

  

MACOM Technology Solutions Holdings, Inc. *

     1,516,944  

9,600

   NVIDIA Corp.      1,387,776  

38,300

   Skyworks Solutions, Inc.      3,674,885  
     

 

 

 
        20,736,035  
     

 

 

 

Energy Minerals - 1.3%

  

39,010

   Marathon Petroleum Corp.      2,041,393  
     

 

 

 

Finance - 9.3%

  

11,400

   Affiliated Managers Group, Inc.      1,890,804  

7,800

   Ameriprise Financial, Inc.      992,862  

35,300

   Arthur J Gallagher & Co.      2,020,925  

23,600

   First Republic Bank      2,362,360  

28,500

   Intercontinental Exchange, Inc.      1,878,720  

51,600

   Legg Mason, Inc.      1,969,056  

76,400

   Physicians Realty Trust      1,538,696  

8,800

   SVB Financial Group *      1,546,952  

4,900

   T Rowe Price Group, Inc.      363,629  
     

 

 

 
        14,564,004  
     

 

 

 
     
  Quantity    Name of Issuer    Fair Value ($)  

Health Services - 2.9%

  

26,300

   Centene Corp. *      2,100,844  

20,200

   Envision Healthcare Corp. *      1,265,934  

23,100

   HealthSouth Corp.      1,118,040  
     

 

 

 
        4,484,818  
     

 

 

 

Health Technology - 9.7%

  

7,900

   Alexion Pharmaceuticals, Inc. *      961,193  

12,200

   Align Technology, Inc. *      1,831,464  

8,100

   Allergan, PLC      1,969,029  

12,000

   Celgene Corp. *      1,558,440  

15,800

   DexCom, Inc. *      1,155,770  

11,800

   Incyte Corp. *      1,485,738  

7,900

   Jazz Pharmaceuticals, PLC *      1,228,450  

19,650

   Thermo Fisher Scientific, Inc.      3,428,336  

11,675

   Zimmer Biomet Holdings, Inc.      1,499,070  
     

 

 

 
        15,117,490  
     

 

 

 

Industrial Services - 2.8%

  

68,250

   Waste Connections, Inc.      4,396,665  
     

 

 

 

Process Industries - 5.1%

  

31,200

   Ecolab, Inc.      4,141,800  

18,800

   International Paper Co.      1,064,268  

30,800

   Scotts Miracle-Gro Co.      2,755,368  
     

 

 

 
        7,961,436  
     

 

 

 

Producer Manufacturing - 9.7%

  

4,689

   Adient, PLC      306,567  

24,000

   AMETEK, Inc.      1,453,680  

18,700

   Anixter International, Inc. *      1,462,340  

17,700

   Carlisle Cos., Inc.      1,688,580  

9,300

   Hubbell, Inc.      1,052,481  

31,700

   Ingersoll-Rand, PLC      2,897,063  

46,890

   Johnson Controls International, PLC      2,033,150  

18,600

   Mobileye NV *      1,168,080  

20,100

   Orbital ATK, Inc.      1,977,036  

6,600

   Rockwell Automation, Inc.      1,068,936  
     

 

 

 
        15,107,913  
     

 

 

 

Retail Trade - 6.1%

  

9,900

   Casey’s General Stores, Inc.      1,060,389  

55,300

   TJX Cos., Inc.      3,991,001  

15,600

   Ulta Beauty, Inc. *      4,482,504  
     

 

 

 
        9,533,894  
     

 

 

 

Technology Services - 14.7%

  

18,700

   ANSYS, Inc. *      2,275,416  

43,500

   Aspen Technology, Inc. *      2,403,810  

17,900

   Autodesk, Inc. *      1,804,678  

36,400

  

Cognizant Technology Solutions Corp.

     2,416,960  

13,400

   DST Systems, Inc.      826,780  

31,275

   Euronet Worldwide, Inc. *      2,732,497  

30,300

   Genpact, Ltd.      843,249  

2,150

   priceline.com, Inc. *      4,021,618  
 

 

See accompanying notes to financial statements.

  
32    SIT MUTUAL FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT


    

    

 

     
  Quantity    Name of Issuer    Fair Value ($)  

28,900

   PTC, Inc. *      1,592,968  

16,400

   Splunk, Inc. *      932,996  

14,700

   Ultimate Software Group, Inc. *      3,087,882  
     

 

 

 
        22,938,854  
     

 

 

 

Transportation - 3.1%

  

40,100

   Alaska Air Group, Inc.      3,599,376  

9,400

   Ryder System, Inc.      676,612  

10,200

   XPO Logistics, Inc. *      659,226  
     

 

 

 
        4,935,214  
     

 

 

 

Utilities - 1.1%

  

27,800

   WEC Energy Group, Inc.      1,706,364  
     

 

 

 

Total Common Stocks
(cost: $83,721,213)

     149,717,363  
     

 

 

 
     
  Quantity    Name of Issuer    Fair Value ($)  

Short-Term Securities - 5.1%

  

7,928,619

  

Fidelity Instl. Money Mkt. Govt. Fund, 0.81%

  

Total Short-Term Securities
(cost: $7,928,619)

     7,928,619  
     

 

 

 

Total Investments in Securities - 100.9%
(cost: $91,649,832)

     157,645,982  

Other Assets and Liabilities, net - (0.9%)

     (1,341,080
     

 

 

 

Total Net Assets - 100.0%

     $156,304,902  
     

 

 

 

 

 

 

* 

Non-income producing security.

Numeric footnotes not disclosed are not applicable to this Schedule of Investments.

PLC — Public Limited Company

 

 

A summary of the levels for the Fund’s investments as of June 30, 2017 is as follows (see Note 2 - significant accounting policies in the notes to financial statements):

 

    

Investment in Securities

 
     Level 1
Quoted
Price ($)
     Level 2
Other significant
observable inputs ($)
  

Level 3

Significant
unobservable inputs ($)

   Total ($)  

Common Stocks  **

     149,717,363              149,717,363  

Short-Term Securities

     7,928,619              7,928,619  

Total:

     157,645,982              157,645,982  

 

** 

For equity securities categorized in a single level, refer to the Schedule of Investments for further breakdown.

For the reporting period, there were no transfers between levels 1, 2 and 3.

 

See accompanying notes to financial statements.

  

 

JUNE 30, 2017

  

 

 

 

33

 

 


 

     Sit Small Cap Dividend Growth Fund Class I and Class S

 

 

OBJECTIVE & STRATEGY

The objective of the Sit Small Cap Dividend Growth Fund is to provide current income that exceeds the Fund’s benchmark index and that grows over a period of years. Secondarily the Fund seeks long-term capital appreciation. The Fund seeks to achieve its objectives by investing, under normal market conditions, at least 80% of its net assets in small cap dividend-paying common stocks that have market capitalizations at the time of purchase of up to $3.0 billion, or up to the market capitalization of the largest company included in the Russell 2000® Index measured at the end of the previous twelve months ($16.0 billion as of June 30, 2017). The Fund may invest the balance of its assets in preferred stocks, convertible bonds, U.S. Treasury securities (including Treasury bills, notes and bonds), closed-end investment companies, and master limited partnerships.

 

 

The Sit Small Cap Dividend Growth Fund Class I posted a +15.84% return over the last past twelve months, comparing unfavorably to the +24.60% return for the Russell 2000® Index. The Fund’s gross dividend yield of 2.10% (before deducting Fund expenses), as of 6/30/17, compared to 1.39% for the Russell 2000® Index.

Small capitalization stocks posted solid gains over the past twelve months, as investor sentiment was boosted by higher corporate earnings and the prospect for pro-growth policies from the Trump Administration. Although progress in Washington, D.C. has been frustratingly slow, we believe there will be some traction on key initiatives, particularly deregulation and tax reductions. This should have a very positive impact on many small companies that tend to be domestically-focused and have relatively high tax burdens. We believe the financial sector, which is the heaviest-weighted group in the Fund, has the most to gain if progress is made. Regardless of sector, we remain focused on quality companies that have strong balance sheets and exhibit consistent growth in earnings, cash flow, and dividends over the longer term. We are encouraged by the significant dividend boosts for companies held in the Fund, as 71 out of 97 companies raised their dividends in the past twelve months, with an average increase of 8%.

The Fund lagged the Russell 2000® Index over the past year for three key reasons. First, we had poor stock selection in the finance (largely due to poor performance of REIT positions) and commercial services sectors. Second, the Fund’s relatively high average cash balance diluted returns amid the strong market return backdrop. Finally, many non-dividend paying stocks (particularly in technology and biotechnology), which are not part of our investment universe for this Fund, did exceptionally well over the period. On a positive note, the Fund did have many strong performers during the period, including Huntsman, Kingstone, East West Bancorp, Capella Education, and Thor Industries. Each of these stocks returned 60% or more during the past year.

HYPOTHETICAL GROWTH OF $10,000

 

 

LOGO

The chart above illustrates the total value of a hypothetical $10,000 investment in the Fund over the past 10 years as compared to the performance of the Russell 2000® Index. Past performance does not guarantee future results. Returns include the reinvestment of distributions. The chart does not reflect the deduction of taxes that a shareholder would pay on Fund distributions or the redemption of Fund shares.

1 Russell 2000® Index is an unmanaged index that measures the performance of the 2,000 smallest companies in the Russell 3000® Index, an index consisting of the 3,000 largest U.S. companies based on market capitalization. It is not possible to invest directly in an index. This is the Fund’s primary index.

 

We believe the Fund offers an attractive option for investors to gain exposure to small cap stocks in a relatively conservative manner. Although the Fund struggled to keep up with surging small cap indices over the past year, we strongly believe in the long-term merits of this strategy.

 

Roger J. Sit

 

Michael T. Manns

 

Kent L. Johnson

  Robert W. Sit  
Portfolio Managers    
 

 

Information on this page is unaudited.

  
34    SIT MUTUAL FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT


 
 

 

COMPARATIVE RATES OF RETURNS

 

as of June 30, 2017

 

     Sit Small Cap
Dividend
Growth Fund
   

Russell
2000®

Index 1

 
      Class I     Class S    

One Year

     15.84     15.46     24.60

Since Inception
(3/31/15)

     7.36       7.09       7.10  

Performance figures are historical and do not guarantee future results. Investment returns and principal value will vary, and you may have a gain or loss when you sell shares. Current performance may be lower or higher than the performance data quoted. Contact the Fund for performance data current to the most recent month-end. Returns include changes in share price as well as reinvestment of all dividends and capital gains. Returns do not reflect the deduction of the 2% redemption fee imposed if shares are redeemed or exchanged within 30 calendar days from their date of purchase. If imposed, the fee would reduce the performance quoted. Returns do not reflect the deduction of taxes that a shareholder would pay on Fund distributions or the redemption of Fund shares. Management fees and administrative expenses are included in the Fund’s performance. Returns for periods greater than one year are compounded average annual rates of return.

1 Russell 2000® Index is an unmanaged index that measures the performance of the 2,000 smallest companies in the Russell 3000® Index, an index consisting of the 3,000 largest U.S. companies based on market capitalization. It is not possible to directly invest in an index.

PORTFOLIO SUMMARY

 

Class I:

     

Net Asset Value 6/30/17:

   $11.47    Per Share

Net Asset Value 6/30/16:

   $10.00    Per Share

Total Net Assets:

   $12.7    Million

Class S:

     

Net Asset Value 6/30/17:

   $11.46    Per Share

Net Asset Value 6/30/16:

   $10.00    Per Share

Total Net Assets:

   $3.5    Million

Weighted Average Market Cap:

   $4.3    Billion

TOP 10 HOLDINGS

 

  1. East West Bancorp, Inc.

  2. MKS Instruments, Inc.

  3. Provident Financial Services, Inc.

  4. Scotts Miracle-Gro Co.

  5. Wintrust Financial Corp.

  6. Dunkin’ Brands Group, Inc.

  7. Physicians Realty Trust

  8. Legg Mason, Inc.

  9. Power Integrations, Inc.

10. DST Systems, Inc.

 

Based on total net assets as of June 30, 2017. Subject to change.

FUND DIVERSIFICATION

 

LOGO

Based on total net assets as of June 30, 2017. Subject to change.

 

 

Information on this page is unaudited.

  

 

JUNE 30, 2017

  

 

35


    

SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS

June 30, 2017

Sit Small Cap Dividend Growth Fund

 

 

Quantity

   Name of Issuer    Fair Value ($)  

Common Stocks - 94.0%

  

Commercial Services - 3.6%

  

6,575

   Booz Allen Hamilton Holding Corp.      213,951  

3,350

   Deluxe Corp.      231,887  

4,725

   Herman Miller, Inc.      143,640  
     

 

 

 
        589,478  
     

 

 

 

Communications - 1.4%

  

7,200

   Shenandoah Telecommunications Co.      221,040  
     

 

 

 

Consumer Durables - 5.2%

  

5,600

   Ethan Allen Interiors, Inc.      180,880  

800

   Snap-On, Inc.      126,400  

2,300

   Thor Industries, Inc.      240,396  

1,925

   Toro Co.      133,383  

2,350

   Tupperware Brands Corp.      165,040  
     

 

 

 
        846,099  
     

 

 

 

Consumer Non-Durables - 4.7%

  

5,200

   B&G Foods, Inc.      185,120  

900

   Carter’s, Inc.      80,055  

2,800

   Fresh Del Monte Produce, Inc.      142,548  

2,900

   Pinnacle Foods, Inc.      172,260  

2,300

   Sensient Technologies Corp.      185,219  
     

 

 

 
        765,202  
     

 

 

 

Consumer Services - 8.9%

  

8,800

   Bloomin’ Brands, Inc.      186,824  

2,625

   Brinker International, Inc.      100,013  

1,600

   Capella Education Co.      136,960  

4,925

   Cinemark Holdings, Inc.      191,336  

4,825

   Dunkin’ Brands Group, Inc.      265,954  

6,250

   Service Corp. International      209,062  

9,900

   Time, Inc.      142,065  

1,025

   Vail Resorts, Inc.      207,901  
     

 

 

 
        1,440,115  
     

 

 

 

Electronic Technology - 4.8%

  

4,375

   MKS Instruments, Inc.      294,438  

2,425

   Monolithic Power Systems, Inc.      233,770  

3,400

   Power Integrations, Inc.      247,860  
     

 

 

 
        776,068  
     

 

 

 

Energy Minerals - 1.4%

  

1,339

   Tesoro Corp.      125,291  

3,050

   Vermilion Energy, Inc.      96,776  
     

 

 

 
        222,067  
     

 

 

 

Finance - 23.4%

  

4,375

   BankUnited, Inc.      147,481  

5,825

   Berkshire Hills Bancorp, Inc.     
204,749
 

5,775

   CoBiz Financial, Inc.      100,485  

3,850

   Columbia Banking System, Inc.      153,423  

3,325

   CubeSmart      79,933  

 

Quantity

   Name of Issuer    Fair Value ($)  

6,200

   Donegal Group, Inc.      98,580  

6,900

   East West Bancorp, Inc.      404,202  

1,300

   Equity LifeStyle Properties, Inc.      112,242  

1,900

   Evercore Partners, Inc.      133,950  

7,275

   Farmland Partners, Inc.      65,038  

5,625

   Great Western Bancorp, Inc.      229,556  

825

   Hanover Insurance Group, Inc.      73,120  

4,778

   Janus Henderson Group, PLC *      158,199  

9,800

   Kingstone Cos, Inc.      149,940  

6,550

   Legg Mason, Inc.      249,948  

2,050

   Macquarie Infrastructure Corp.      160,720  

4,750

   Old National Bancorp      81,938  

1,100

   PacWest Bancorp      51,370  

12,600

   Physicians Realty Trust      253,764  

2,025

   Piper Jaffray Cos      121,399  

11,200

   Provident Financial Services, Inc.      284,256  

3,800

   STORE Capital Corp.      85,310  

2,300

   Validus Holdings, Ltd.      119,531  

3,500

   Wintrust Financial Corp.      267,540  
     

 

 

 
        3,786,674  
     

 

 

 

Health Services - 2.4%

  

3,625

   Healthcare Services Group, Inc.      169,759  

4,550

   HealthSouth Corp.      220,220  
     

 

 

 
        389,979  
     

 

 

 

Health Technology - 4.3%

  

1,675

   PerkinElmer, Inc.      114,134  

6,300

   Phibro Animal Health Corp.      233,415  

2,500

   STERIS, PLC      203,750  

725

   Teleflex, Inc.      150,626  
     

 

 

 
        701,925  
     

 

 

 

Industrial Services - 1.8%

  

1,900

   EMCOR Group, Inc.      124,222  

2,588

   Waste Connections, Inc.      166,687  
     

 

 

 
        290,909  
     

 

 

 

Non-Energy Minerals - 1.5%

  

3,950

   Commercial Metals Co.      76,748  

2,000

   Potlatch Corp.      91,400  

2,100

   US Silica Holdings, Inc.      74,529  
     

 

 

 
        242,677  
     

 

 

 

Process Industries - 8.7%

  

2,900

   Apogee Enterprises, Inc.      164,836  

1,900

   Avery Dennison Corp.      167,903  

3,575

   Domtar Corp.      137,352  

3,100

   Green Plains, Inc.      63,705  

4,650

   Huntsman Corp.      120,156  

1,375

   Ingredion, Inc.      163,914  

1,550

   Neenah Paper, Inc.      124,388  
 

 

See accompanying notes to financial statements.

  
36    SIT MUTUAL FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT


    

    

 

 

Quantity

   Name of Issuer    Fair Value ($)  

9,475

   Orion Engineered Carbons SA      189,026  

3,025

   Scotts Miracle-Gro Co.      270,616  
     

 

 

 
        1,401,896  
     

 

 

 

Producer Manufacturing - 9.1%

  

1,300

   Applied Industrial Technologies, Inc.      76,765  

4,100

   Atkore International Group, Inc. *      92,455  

1,700

   Carlisle Cos, Inc.      162,180  

2,100

   Crane Co.      166,698  

1,500

   Hubbell, Inc.      169,755  

925

   Lincoln Electric Holdings, Inc.      85,183  

1,375

   MSA Safety, Inc.      111,609  

2,250

   Orbital ATK, Inc.      221,310  

3,100

   Oshkosh Corp.      213,528  

1,075

   Watsco, Inc.      165,765  
     

 

 

 
        1,465,248  
     

 

 

 

Retail Trade - 3.0%

  

2,825

   Big Lots, Inc.      136,448  

6,400

   Camping World Holdings, Inc.      197,440  

1,350

   Casey’s General Stores, Inc.      144,599  
     

 

 

 
        478,487  
     

 

 

 

Technology Services - 3.4%

  

575

   Blackbaud, Inc.      49,306  

1,800

   Broadridge Financial Solutions, Inc.      136,008  

3,900

   DST Systems, Inc.      240,630  

3,150

   ManTech International Corp.      130,347  
     

 

 

 
        556,291  
     

 

 

 

 

Quantity

   Name of Issuer    Fair Value ($)  

Transportation - 2.6%

  

2,100

   Alaska Air Group, Inc.      188,497  

4,725

   Golar LNG, Ltd.      105,131  

1,700

   Ryder System, Inc.      122,366  
     

 

 

 
        415,994  
     

 

 

 

Utilities - 3.8%

  

2,000

   Black Hills Corp.      134,940  

1,550

   Connecticut Water Service, Inc.      86,040  

6,300

   Covanta Holding Corp.      83,160  

3,775

   New Jersey Resources Corp.      149,868  

2,350

   Spire, Inc.      163,912  
     

 

 

 
        617,920  
     

 

 

 

Total Common Stocks
(cost: $13,223,817)

     15,208,069  
     

 

 

 

Investment Companies - 0.6%

  

2,900

   Tortoise Energy Infrastructure Corp.      88,131  
     

 

 

 

(cost: $107,796)

  

Short-Term Securities - 6.0%

  

976,380

   Fidelity Instl. Money Mkt. Govt. Fund, 0.81%   

Total Short-Term Securities
(cost: $976,380)

     976,380  
     

 

 

 

Total Investments in Securities - 100.6%
(cost: $14,307,993)

     16,272,580  

Other Assets and Liabilities, net - (0.6%)

     (96,021
     

 

 

 

Total Net Assets - 100.0%

     $16,176,559  
     

 

 

 

 

                                                                                      

 

* 

Non-income producing security.

Numeric footnotes not disclosed are not applicable to this Schedule of Investments.

PLC — Public Limited Company

 

A summary of the levels for the Fund’s investments as of June 30, 2017 is as follows (see Note 2 - significant accounting policies in the notes to financial statements):

 

     Investment in Securities  
     Level 1
Quoted
Price ($)
     Level 2
Other significant
observable inputs ($)
  

Level 3

Significant
unobservable inputs ($)

   Total ($)  

Common Stocks **

     15,208,069              15,208,069  

Investment Companies

     88,131              88,131  

Short-Term Securities

     976,380              976,380  

Total:

     16,272,580              16,272,580  

 

** 

For equity securities categorized in a single level, refer to the Schedule of Investments for further breakdown.

For the reporting period, there were no transfers between levels 1, 2 and 3.

 

See accompanying notes to financial statements.

  

 

JUNE 30, 2017

  

 

 

 

37

 

 


 

    Sit Small Cap Growth Fund

 

 

OBJECTIVE & STRATEGY

The objective of the Sit Small Cap Growth Fund is to maximize long-term capital appreciation. The Fund seeks to achieve its objective by investing, under normal market conditions, at least 80% of its net assets in common stocks of companies with market capitalizations at the time of purchase of up to $3.0 billion, or up to the market capitalization of the largest company included in the Russell 2000® Index measured at the end of the previous twelve months ($16.0 billion as of June 30, 2017).

The Adviser invests in a diversified group of growing small companies it believes exhibit the potential for superior growth. The Adviser believes that a company’s earnings growth is the primary determinant of its potential long-term return and evaluates a company’s potential for above average long-term earnings and revenue growth.

 

 

The Sit Small Cap Growth Fund returned +19.06% over the past twelve months. This compares to the return of +24.40% for the Russell 2000® Growth Index and the +24.60% return for the Russell 2000® Index.

Small stocks surged over the past year, due to a combination of hopes for policy change (following the U.S. elections last November), an uptick in corporate earnings growth, and a benign inflation/interest rate backdrop. Importantly, breadth has been broad-based, as many sectors have participated in the market rally. Technology and health care (particularly biotech) have fared particularly well, due to investors rotating towards groups with secular, differentiated growth in what remains a sluggish economic environment. With overall equity valuations at historically high levels, we strongly believe quality, growth and diversification must be emphasized, as we expect volatility to pick up (perhaps from a less-accommodative Federal Reserve) over the next several quarters. The heaviest-weighted sectors in the Fund are health technology, technology services, and electronic technology. We also have significant exposure to the finance (particularly banking) and producer manufacturing sectors, as these are cyclical groups that should respond quickly if/when the Trump Administration’s pro-growth policies, particularly tax reform, gain traction. The Fund has only modest exposure to slower-growing groups, such as utilities, energy minerals, and consumer non-durables.

The Fund’s underperformance relative to the Russell 2000® Growth Index could largely be attributed to negative stock selection in three areas: health services, technology services, and health technology. Poor performers within these sectors included Envision Healthcare, Acadia Healthcare, Manhattan Associates, Ultimate Software and Novavax. On the positive side, strong stock selection in the producer manufacturing, consumer services, and energy minerals sectors aided relative returns. Top performers across the portfolio during

HYPOTHETICAL GROWTH OF $10,000

 

LOGO

The chart above illustrates the total value of a hypothetical $10,000 investment in the Fund over the past 10 years as compared to the performance of the Russell 2000® Growth Index. Past performance does not guarantee future results. Returns include the reinvestment of distributions. The chart does not reflect the deduction of taxes that a shareholder would pay on Fund distributions or the redemption of Fund shares.

1 Russell 2000® Growth Index is an unmanaged index that measures the performance of those Russell 2000 Index companies with higher price-to-book ratios and higher forecasted growth values. It is not possible to invest directly in an index. This is the Fund’s primary index.

 

the period included Arista Networks, Ionis Pharmaceuticals, Take-Two Interactive, Align Technology, and Western Refining.

Our research staff remains highly-focused on identifying companies that will deliver consistent long-term earnings growth. We continue to appreciate shareholders’ interest in the Fund.

 

Roger J. Sit

 

Michael J. Stellmacher

 

Kent L. Johnson

 

Robert W. Sit

 

Portfolio Managers

   
 

 

Information on this page is unaudited.

  
38    SIT MUTUAL FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT


 
 

 

COMPARATIVE RATES OF RETURNS

 

as of June 30, 2017

 

      Sit
Small Cap
Growth
Fund
   

Russell

2000®
Growth Index   1

    Russell
2000®
Index   2
 

One Year

     19.06     24.40     24.60

Five Year

     9.07       13.98       13.70  

Ten Year

     5.37       7.82       6.92  

Since Inception

(7/1/94)

     10.10       8.03       9.46  

Performance figures are historical and do not guarantee future results. Investment returns and principal value will vary, and you may have a gain or loss when you sell shares. Current performance may be lower or higher than the performance data quoted. Contact the Fund for performance data current to the most recent month-end. Returns include changes in share price as well as reinvestment of all dividends and capital gains. Returns do not reflect the deduction of the 2% redemption fee imposed if shares are redeemed or exchanged within 30 calendar days from their date of purchase. If imposed, the fee would reduce the performance quoted. Returns do not reflect the deduction of taxes that a shareholder would pay on Fund distributions or the redemption of Fund shares. Management fees and administrative expenses are included in the Fund’s performance. Returns for periods greater than one year are compounded average annual rates of return.

1 Russell 2000® Growth Index is an unmanaged index that measures the performance of those Russell 2000 Index companies with higher price-to-book ratios and higher forecasted growth values. It is not possible to invest directly in an index.

2 Russell 2000® Index is an unmanaged index that measures the performance of the 2,000 smallest companies in the Russell 3000® Index, an index consisting of the 3,000 largest U.S. companies based on market capitalization.

PORTFOLIO SUMMARY

 

Net Asset Value 6/30/17:

   $54.18    Per Share

Net Asset Value 6/30/16:

   $45.59    Per Share

Total Net Assets:

   $90.8    Million

Weighted Average Market Cap:

   $7.4    Billion

TOP 10 HOLDINGS

 

  1. Waste Connections, Inc.

  2. Skyworks Solutions, Inc.

  3. First Republic Bank/CA

  4. Ultimate Software Group, Inc.

  5. Ulta Beauty, Inc.

  6. Dunkin’ Brands Group, Inc.

  7. Arista Networks, Inc.

  8. K2M Group Holdings, Inc.

  9. Euronet Worldwide, Inc.

10. On Assignment, Inc.

 

Based on total net assets as of June 30, 2017. Subject to change.

FUND DIVERSIFICATION

 

 

LOGO

Based on total net assets as of June 30, 2017. Subject to change.

 

 

Information on this page is unaudited.

  

 

JUNE 30, 2017

  

 

39


    

SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS

June 30, 2017

Sit Small Cap Growth Fund

 

     
  Quantity    Name of Issuer    Fair Value ($)  

Common Stocks - 96.7%

  

Commercial Services - 4.3%

  

40,100

   Booz Allen Hamilton Holding Corp.      1,304,854  

12,525

   Cardtronics, PLC *      411,572  

8,800

   Deluxe Corp.      609,136  

29,400

   On Assignment, Inc. *      1,592,010  
     

 

 

 
        3,917,572  
     

 

 

 

Communications - 1.8%

  

7,000

   SBA Communications Corp. *      944,300  

22,300

   Shenandoah Telecommunications Co.      684,610  
     

 

 

 
        1,628,910  
     

 

 

 

Consumer Durables - 7.2%

  

23,500

   Century Communities, Inc. *      582,800  

22,600

   Ethan Allen Interiors, Inc.      729,980  

8,500

   Snap-On, Inc.      1,343,000  

20,300

   Take-Two Interactive Software, Inc. *      1,489,614  

12,800

   Tenneco, Inc.      740,224  

11,200

   Thor Industries, Inc.      1,170,624  

6,700

   Tupperware Brands Corp.      470,541  
     

 

 

 
        6,526,783  
     

 

 

 

Consumer Non-Durables - 0.7%

  

10,200

   Pinnacle Foods, Inc.      605,880  
     

 

 

 

Consumer Services - 7.1%

  

3,000

   Buffalo Wild Wings, Inc. *      380,100  

7,200

   Capella Education Co.      616,320  

25,200

   Cinemark Holdings, Inc.      979,020  

31,000

   Dunkin’ Brands Group, Inc.      1,708,720  

5,900

   Grand Canyon Education, Inc. *      462,619  

28,600

   Service Corp. International      956,670  

6,600

   Vail Resorts, Inc.      1,338,678  
     

 

 

 
        6,442,127  
     

 

 

 

Electronic Technology - 9.8%

  

5,600

   Ambarella, Inc. *      271,880  

11,200

   Arista Networks, Inc. *      1,677,648  

47,000

   Ciena Corp. *      1,175,940  

19,000

  

MACOM Technology Solutions Holdings, Inc. *

     1,059,630  

13,700

   MKS Instruments, Inc.      922,010  

9,200

   Monolithic Power Systems, Inc.      886,880  

21,900

   Skyworks Solutions, Inc.      2,101,305  

16,000

   Synaptics, Inc. *      827,360  
     

 

 

 
        8,922,653  
     

 

 

 

Energy Minerals - 0.8%

  

7,332

   Tesoro Corp.      686,236  
     

 

 

 

Finance - 9.5%

  

6,100

   Affiliated Managers Group, Inc.      1,011,746  

10,100

   East West Bancorp, Inc.      591,658  

18,900

   First Republic Bank/CA      1,891,890  
     
  Quantity    Name of Issuer    Fair Value ($)  

26,600

   Legg Mason, Inc.      1,015,056  

21,200

   National General Holdings Corp.      447,320  

14,900

   PacWest Bancorp      695,830  

55,400

   Physicians Realty Trust      1,115,756  

6,400

   SVB Financial Group *      1,125,056  

14,000

   Validus Holdings, Ltd.      727,580  
     

 

 

 
        8,621,892  
     

 

 

 

Health Services - 2.8%

  

8,300

   Acadia Healthcare Co., Inc. *      409,854  

11,800

   Envision Healthcare Corp. *      739,506  

21,690

   Healthcare Services Group, Inc.      1,015,743  

8,450

   HealthSouth Corp.      408,980  
     

 

 

 
        2,574,083  
     

 

 

 

Health Technology - 15.3%

  

4,500

   Alexion Pharmaceuticals, Inc. *      547,515  

7,650

   Align Technology, Inc. *      1,148,418  

5,400

   Bio-Techne Corp.      634,500  

7,000

   Celgene Corp. *      909,090  

43,000

   Corcept Therapeutics, Inc. *      507,400  

13,400

   DBV Technologies SA *      478,514  

9,150

   DexCom, Inc. *      669,322  

7,700

   Exact Sciences Corp. *      272,349  

50,100

   Halozyme Therapeutics, Inc. *      642,282  

17,900

   Ionis Pharmaceuticals, Inc. *      910,573  

66,000

   K2M Group Holdings, Inc. *      1,607,760  

33,000

   NxStage Medical, Inc. *      827,310  

8,400

   PerkinElmer, Inc.      572,376  

32,000

   Phibro Animal Health Corp.      1,185,600  

14,700

   Sarepta Therapeutics, Inc. *      495,537  

15,900

   STERIS, PLC      1,295,850  

34,800

   VWR Corp. *      1,148,748  
     

 

 

 
        13,853,144  
     

 

 

 

Industrial Services - 4.3%

  

21,400

   EMCOR Group, Inc.      1,399,132  

38,700

   Waste Connections, Inc.      2,493,054  
     

 

 

 
        3,892,186  
     

 

 

 

Process Industries - 3.8%

  

16,200

   Apogee Enterprises, Inc.      920,808  

15,800

   Domtar Corp.      607,036  

19,600

   Green Plains, Inc.      402,780  

16,800

   Scotts Miracle-Gro Co.      1,502,928  
     

 

 

 
        3,433,552  
     

 

 

 

Producer Manufacturing - 9.3%

  

10,800

   Anixter International, Inc. *      844,560  

22,325

   Atkore International Group, Inc. *      503,429  

15,800

   Crane Co.      1,254,204  

7,300

   Hubbell, Inc.      826,141  

8,100

   IDEX Corp.      915,381  
 

 

See accompanying notes to financial statements.

  
40    SIT MUTUAL FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT


    

    

 

 

  Quantity

   Name of Issuer    Fair Value ($)  

8,300

   Lincoln Electric Holdings, Inc.      764,347  

6,600

   MSA Safety, Inc.      535,722  

11,900

   Orbital ATK, Inc.      1,170,484  

9,900

   Oshkosh Corp.      681,912  

8,400

   Wabtec Corp.      768,600  

1,225

   Watsco, Inc.      188,895  
     

 

 

 
        8,453,675  
     

 

 

 

Retail Trade - 4.2%

  

3,400

   Big Lots, Inc.      164,220  

33,550

   Camping World Holdings, Inc.      1,035,017  

8,400

   Casey’s General Stores, Inc.      899,724  

5,950

   Ulta Beauty, Inc. *      1,709,673  
     

 

 

 
        3,808,634  
     

 

 

 

Technology Services - 11.6%

  

9,300

   ANSYS, Inc. *      1,131,624  

25,000

   Aspen Technology, Inc. *      1,381,500  

3,400

   Blackbaud, Inc.      291,550  

21,800

   DST Systems, Inc.      1,345,060  

18,300

   Euronet Worldwide, Inc. *      1,598,871  

12,550

   GoDaddy, Inc. *      532,371  

10,800

   Manhattan Associates, Inc. *      519,048  

13,100

   Paycom Software, Inc. *      896,171  

19,300

   PTC, Inc. *      1,063,816  

8,600

   Ultimate Software Group, Inc. *      1,806,516  
     

 

 

 
        10,566,527  
     

 

 

 

 

  Quantity

   Name of Issuer    Fair Value ($)  

Transportation - 3.0%

  

16,200

   Alaska Air Group, Inc.      1,454,112  

6,900

   Atlas Air Worldwide Holdings, Inc. *      359,835  

21,800

   Marten Transport, Ltd.      597,320  

4,800

   Ryder System, Inc.      345,504  
     

 

 

 
        2,756,771  
     

 

 

 

Utilities - 1.2%

  

12,107

   Fortis, Inc.      425,561  

10,100

   Spire, Inc.      704,475  
     

 

 

 
        1,130,036  
     

 

 

 

Total Common Stocks
(cost: $57,571,908)

     87,820,661  
     

 

 

 

Short-Term Securities - 4.3%

  

3,878,475

   Fidelity Instl. Money Mkt. Govt. Fund, 0.81%   

Total Short-Term Securities
(cost: $3,878,475)

     3,878,475  
     

 

 

 

Total Investments in Securities - 101.0%
(cost: $61,450,383)

     91,699,136  

Other Assets and Liabilities, net - (1.0%)

     (882,392
     

 

 

 

Total Net Assets - 100.0%

     $90,816,744  
     

 

 

 

 

 

* 

Non-income producing security.

Numeric footnotes not disclosed are not applicable to this Schedule of Investments.

PLC — Public Limited Company

 

 

A summary of the levels for the Fund’s investments as of June 30, 2017 is as follows (see Note 2 - significant accounting policies in the notes to financial statements):

 

     Investment in Securities  
    

Level 1

Quoted
Price ($)

    

Level 2

Other significant
observable inputs ($)

  

Level 3

Significant
unobservable inputs ($)

   Total ($)  

Common Stocks **

     87,820,661              87,820,661  

Short-Term Securities

     3,878,475              3,878,475  

Total:

     91,699,136              91,699,136  

 

** 

For equity securities categorized in a single level, refer to the Schedule of Investments for further breakdown.

For the reporting period, there were no transfers between levels 1, 2 and 3.

 

See accompanying notes to financial statements.

  

 

JUNE 30, 2017

  

 

 

 

41

 

 


 

    Sit International Growth Fund

 

 

 

OBJECTIVE STRATEGY

The objective of the Sit International Growth Fund is long-term growth. The Fund seeks to achieve its objective by investing at least 90% of its net assets in common stocks of growth companies domiciled outside the United States. In selecting investments for the Fund, the Adviser begins by selecting countries or regions in which to invest by considering several factors affecting the economy and equity market of foreign countries and regions. After the country and regional allocations are determined, the Adviser seeks industries and sectors that it believes have earnings growth prospects that are greater than the average. Within the selected industries and sectors, the Adviser invests in foreign growth-oriented companies it believes exhibit the potential for superior growth.

 

 

 

For the twelve-month period ended June 30, 2017, the Sit International Growth Fund generated a return of +12.64% versus the MSCI EAFE Index return of +20.27%. Stock selection and allocation across a broad range of sectors had a negative impact on performance, particularly in the fourth calendar quarter of 2016, as small capitalization and high beta stocks meaningfully outperformed subsequent to the U.S. presidential election. However, the Fund has outperformed the benchmark for the most recent six-month period, generating a return of +15.19% versus the MSCI EAFE Index return of +13.81%. Euro Area economic data has consistently surprised to the upside over the last twelve months. Yet, economic momentum is starting to show some signs of moderation as tailwinds from a weaker euro, Chinese stimulus measures, and easier comparisons fade in the second half of 2017. We forecast that Euro Area real GDP growth in 2017 and 2018 will be relatively flat with the +1.7% rate achieved in 2016, but remain well above the +0.8% annualized rate of the last five years. The UK economy has also performed much better than initially feared by many post the EU referendum in June 2016. However, ongoing Brexit-related uncertainty, diminished confidence, weak capital formation, and slowing household spending will likely cap UK GDP growth at +1.5% in 2017 versus its five-year annualized rate of +2.1%.

We remain overweight on European equities heading into the second half of 2017, as a less-impactful political calendar should set the stage for improved political visibility and growth. However, ongoing global growth concerns, elevated equity market valuation, and central bank policies shifts will likely cause some volatility. We place an emphasis on companies that will benefit from a weak euro/ pound, Trump policy beneficiaries, and companies with exposure to the U.S. market. In terms of sector-specific exposure, we are maintaining a barbell strategy, focusing on a combination of cyclical companies that could benefit from pro-growth U.S. policies and less-cyclical companies in telecom, defense, technology, consumer non-durables, and healthcare.

We remain meaningfully underweight in Japanese equities. Our concern continues to lie in the country’s subdued economic outlook and, by extension, the limited potential for earnings growth and equity price appreciation. Where we do have exposure to Japan, we maintain a mix of defensive consumption-focused holdings that should perform well in a weak demand environment and stocks with exposure to select faster growing overseas markets that may also benefit from a cost advantage due to the weak yen.

HYPOTHETICAL GROWTH OF $10,000

 

 

LOGO

The chart above illustrates the total value of a hypothetical $10,000 investment in the Fund over the past 10 years as compared to the performance of the MSCI EAFE Index and MSCI EAFE Growth Index. The primary index used to compare the Fund’s performance was changed to the MSCI EAFE Index from the MSCI EAFE Growth Index because the Investment Adviser believes that the MSCI EAFE Index more accurately reflects the Fund’s investment objectives and strategies. Past performance does not guarantee future results. Returns include the reinvestment of distributions. The chart does not reflect the deduction of taxes that a shareholder would pay on Fund distributions or the redemption of Fund shares.

1 MSCI EAFE Index (Europe, Australasia, Far East) is an unmanaged free float-adjusted market capitalization index that measures the equity market performance of developed markets, excluding the US & Canada. This is the Fund’s primary index.

 

 

China’s real GDP growth rate likely peaked in the first half of 2017 and will moderate as the year proceeds. We expect real GDP growth to achieve the government’s goal of +6.5% in 2017 and slow a tad to +6.3% in 2018. Overall fixed investment growth will moderate as the housing market cools down due to tightening measures, and consumption growth could see a mild slowdown as well. Auto sales will be a drag due to a partial rollback of last year’s tax cuts, but stable household income from a better job market will remain supportive of overall consumption growth. Lastly, net exports will become a positive contributor to GDP growth in 2017 as external demand recovers. We remain selective in our China exposure and are positive on the Internet sector. While we could see short-term trading uncertainty after strong outperformance year-to-date, we believe the outlook for our holdings remains solid.

Roger J. Sit           Tasha M. Murdoff

Portfolio Managers

 

 

Information on this page is unaudited.

  
42    SIT MUTUAL FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT


 
 

 

COMPARATIVE RATES OF RETURNS

 

as of June 30, 2017

 

      Sit
International
Growth
Fund
    MSCI EAFE
Index  1
    MSCI EAFE
Growth
Index 2
 

One Year

     12.64%       20.27%       15.70%  

Five Year

     6.56         8.69         9.19    

Ten Year

     0.41         1.03         2.06    

Since Inception

     3.98         5.36         4.36    

(11/1/91)

      

 

 

Performance figures are historical and do not guarantee future results. Investment returns and principal value will vary, and you may have a gain or loss when you sell shares. Current performance may be lower or higher than the performance data quoted. Contact the Fund for performance data current to the most recent month-end. Returns include changes in share price as well as reinvestment of all dividends and capital gains and all fee waivers. Without the fee waivers total return and yield figures would have been lower. Returns do not reflect the deduction of the 2% redemption fee imposed if shares are redeemed or exchanged within 30 calendar days from their date of purchase. If imposed, the fee would reduce the performance quoted. Returns do not reflect the deduction of taxes that a shareholder would pay on Fund distributions or the redemption of Fund shares. Management fees and administrative expenses are included in the Fund’s performance. Returns for periods greater than one year are compounded average annual rates of return.

1 MSCI EAFE Index (Europe, Australasia, Far East) is an unmanaged free float-adjusted market capitalization index that measures the equity market performance of developed markets, excluding the US & Canada.

2 MSCI EAFE Growth Index (Europe, Australasia, Far East) is an unmanaged free float-adjusted market capitalization index that measures the equity market performance of growth oriented stocks of developed markets excluding the US & Canada.

FUND DIVERSIFICATION - BY REGION

 

 

      Sit Int’l
Growth Fund
  MSCI EAFE
Index

Europe

   69.0%   61.8%

Asia

   21.4      37.6   

North America

   6.2    

Africa/Middle East

     0.6  

Cash & Other Net Assets

   3.4    

Based on total net assets as of June 30, 2017. Subject to change.

PORTFOLIO SUMMARY

 

 

Net Asset Value 6/30/17:

   $16.23 Per Share

Net Asset Value 6/30/16:

   $14.48 Per Share

Total Net Assets:

   $22.6   Million

Weighted Average Market Cap:

   $74.6    Billion

TOP 10 HOLDINGS

 

 

 

  1. Nestle SA

  2. ING Groep NV

  3. Iberdrola SA

  4. Reckitt Benckiser Group, PLC

  5. Siemens AG

  6. DS Smith, PLC

  7. RELX NV

  8. Royal Dutch Shell, PLC, ADR

  9. British American Tobacco, PLC

10. Diageo, PLC, ADR

 

 

Based on total net assets as of June 30, 2017. Subject to change.

FUND DIVERSIFICATION

 

 

     LOGO

Based on total net assets as of June 30, 2017. Subject to change.

 

 

Information on this page is unaudited.

  

 

JUNE 30, 2017

  

 

43


    

SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS

June 30, 2017

Sit International Growth Fund

 

     
  Quantity    Name of Issuer    Fair Value ($)

Common Stocks - 95.4%

  

Asia - 20.2%

  

Australia - 2.0%

  
19,900   

Amcor, Ltd.

   247,908
8,300   

Westpac Banking Corp., ADR

   194,220
     

 

      442,128
     

 

China/Hong Kong - 5.7%

  
32,200   

AIA Group, Ltd.

   235,587
2,350   

Alibaba Group Holding, Ltd., ADR *

   331,115
7,025   

HSBC Holdings, PLC, ADR

   325,890
10,900   

Tencent Holdings, Ltd.

   391,037
     

 

      1,283,629
     

 

Japan - 8.0%

  
12,900   

Asics Corp.

   239,742
16,300   

Daicel Corp.

   203,730
600   

Keyence Corp.

   264,137
4,200   

Makita Corp.

   155,543
43,000   

Mitsubishi UFJ Financial Group, Inc., ADR

   290,250
3,500   

Secom Co., Ltd.

   266,298
8,400   

Suzuki Motor Corp.

   400,159
     

 

      1,819,859
     

 

Singapore - 2.4%

  
1,600   

Broadcom, Ltd.

   372,880
12,000   

DBS Group Holdings, Ltd.

   180,609
     

 

      553,489
     

 

South Korea - 2.1%

  
6,200   

Korea Electric Power Corp.

   221,090
235   

Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd., GDR *

   243,640
     

 

      464,730
     

 

Europe - 69.0%

  

Belgium - 1.4%

  
2,870   

Anheuser-Busch InBev NV, ADR

   316,733
     

 

Denmark - 1.0%

  
5,900   

Danske Bank A/S

   226,991
     

 

France - 10.4%

  
8,250   

AXA SA

   225,913
4,870   

BNP Paribas SA

   350,605
3,225   

Dassault Systemes SA

   289,254
2,506   

DBV Technologies SA *

   176,871
2,200   

Ingenico Group SA

   199,513
4,400   

Safran SA

   403,509
5,000   

Schneider Electric SE

   384,248
1,265   

Unibail-Rodamco SE

   318,751
     

 

      2,348,664
     

 

     
Quantity    Name of Issuer    Fair Value ($)

Germany - 5.1%

  
2,000   

Allianz SE

   394,685
4,160   

Aurelius SE & Co.

   223,567
3,900   

Siemens AG

   536,462
     

 

      1,154,714
     

 

Ireland - 2.2%

  
5,800   

CRH, PLC, ADR

   205,726
3,200   

Medtronic, PLC

   284,000
     

 

      489,726
     

 

Netherlands - 11.2%

  
1,700   

ASML Holding NV

   221,527
3,725   

Galapagos NV *

   284,764
34,900   

ING Groep NV

   602,472
6,500   

Koninklijke Philips NV

   232,830
4,400   

LyondellBasell Industries NV

   371,316
5,650   

Mobileye NV *

   354,820
22,800   

RELX NV

   470,064
     

 

      2,537,793
     

 

Spain - 4.1%

  
70,100   

Iberdrola SA

   555,503
9,900   

Industria de Diseno Textil SA

   380,210
     

 

      935,713
     

 

Sweden - 2.0%

  
5,200   

Hexagon AB

   247,050
17,000   

Nordea Bank AB

   216,519
     

 

      463,569
     

 

Switzerland - 8.3%

  
120   

Interroll Holding AG

   160,184
7,470   

Nestle SA

   651,516
4,650   

Novartis AG

   388,399
1,470   

Roche Holding AG

   375,607
1,020   

Zurich Insurance Group AG

   297,686
     

 

      1,873,392
     

 

United Kingdom - 23.3%

  
12,600   

Ashtead Group, PLC

   260,728
4,275   

ASOS, PLC *

   319,985
25,300   

Babcock International Group, PLC

   290,129
26,500   

BAE Systems, PLC

   218,766
6,400   

British American Tobacco, PLC

   436,117
5,800   

BT Group, PLC, ADR

   112,578
3,400   

Cardtronics, PLC *

   111,724
19,900   

Cineworld Group, PLC

   181,879
5,400   

Coca-Cola European Partners, PLC

   219,618
3,475   

Diageo, PLC, ADR

   416,409
76,700   

DS Smith, PLC

   473,383
66,700   

Greencore Group, PLC

   213,788
29,401   

Just Eat, PLC *

   250,960
 

 

See accompanying notes to financial statements.

  
44    SIT MUTUAL FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT


    

    

 

     
  Quantity    Name of Issuer    Fair Value ($)
12,200   

Prudential, PLC

   280,038
5,375   

Reckitt Benckiser Group, PLC

   544,883
4,500   

Royal Dutch Shell, PLC, ADR - Class A

   239,355
3,700   

Royal Dutch Shell, PLC, ADR - Class B

   201,391
2,700   

STERIS, PLC

   220,050
13,400   

WPP, PLC

   282,161
     

 

      5,273,942
     

 

North America - 6.2%

  

Canada - 3.9%

  
4,650   

BCE, Inc.

   209,436
13,100   

Suncor Energy, Inc.

   382,520
4,650   

Waste Connections, Inc.

   299,553
     

 

      891,509
     

 

United States - 2.3%

  
3,250   

Euronet Worldwide, Inc. *

   283,953
120   

priceline.com, Inc. *

   224,462
     

 

      508,415
     

 

Total Common Stocks
(cost: $18,226,169)

   21,584,996
     

 

Investment Companies - 1.2%

  
8,700   

iShares MSCI India ETF

   279,270
     

 

(cost: $258,887)

  

Short-Term Securities - 2.5%

  
553,666   

Fidelity Instl. Money Mkt. Govt. Fund, 0.81%

  

Total Short-Term Securities
(cost: $553,666)

   553,666
     

 

Total Investments in Securities - 99.1%
(cost: $19,038,722)

   22,417,932

Other Assets and Liabilities, net - 0.9%

   200,082
     

 

Total Net Assets - 100.0%

   $22,618,014
     

 

 

* 

Non-income producing security.

Numeric footnotes not disclosed are not applicable to this Schedule of Investments.

ADR — American Depositary Receipt

GDR — Global Depositary Receipt

PLC — Public Limited Company

    

 

 

See accompanying notes to financial statements.

  

 

JUNE 30, 2017

  

 

 

 

45

 

 


    

SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS

June 30, 2017

Sit International Growth Fund (Continued)

 

A summary of the levels for the Fund’s investments as of June 30, 2017 is as follows (see Note 2 - significant accounting policies in the notes to financial statements):

 

     Investment in Securities
     Level 1
Quoted
Price ($)
  

Level 2

Other significant
observable inputs ($)

  

Level 3

Significant
unobservable inputs ($)

   Total ($)

Common Stocks

                   

Australia

       194,220        247,908               442,128

Belgium

       316,733                      316,733

Canada

       891,509                      891,509

China/Hong Kong

       657,005        626,624               1,283,629

Denmark

              226,991               226,991

France

              2,348,664               2,348,664

Germany

              1,154,714               1,154,714

Ireland

       489,726                      489,726

Japan

       290,250        1,529,609               1,819,859

Netherlands

       1,180,493        1,357,300               2,537,793

Singapore

       372,880        180,609               553,489

South Korea

              464,730               464,730

Spain

              935,713               935,713

Sweden

              463,569               463,569

Switzerland

       160,184        1,713,208               1,873,392

United Kingdom

       1,521,125        3,752,817               5,273,942

United States

       508,415                      508,415

Investment Companies

       279,270                      279,270

Short-Term Securities

       553,666                      553,666

Total:

       7,415,476        15,002,456               22,417,932

The Fund adjusts the closing price of foreign equity securities by applying a systematic process for events occurring after the close of the foreign exchanges. At each reporting period, this process is applied for all foreign securities and therefore all foreign securities are classified as level 2. There are no transfers between level 1 and level 2 between reporting periods as a result of applying this process. Level 1 securities of foreign issuers are primarily American Depositary Receipts (ADRs), Public Limited Companies (PLCs) or Global Depositary Receipts (GDRs). There were no transfers into or out of level 3 during the reporting period.

 

See accompanying notes to financial statements.

  
46    SIT MUTUAL FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT


 

 

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JUNE 30, 2017

   47


 

     Sit Developing Markets Growth Fund

 

 

OBJECTIVE & STRATEGY

The objective of the Sit Developing Markets Growth Fund is to maximize long-term capital appreciation. The Fund seeks to achieve its objective by investing at least 80% of its net assets in common stocks of companies domiciled or operating in a developing market. In selecting investments for the Fund, the Adviser begins by selecting countries or regions in which to invest by considering several factors affecting the economy and equity market of foreign countries and regions. After the country and regional allocations are determined, the Adviser seeks industries and sectors that appear to have strong earnings growth prospects. Within the selected industries and sectors, the Adviser invests in foreign growth-oriented companies it believes exhibit the potential for superior growth.

 

 

 

The Sit Developing Markets Growth Fund advanced +24.56% for the twelve-month period ended June 30, 2017, outperforming the MSCI Emerging Markets Index’s +21.18%. The consumer services (TAL Education), pharmaceuticals (CSPC Pharmaceutical), and retailing (JD.com) sectors helped contribute to relative outperformance. However, the sectors of food, beverage & tobacco (Anheuser-Busch InBev, British American Tobacco Malaysia), utilities (Korea Electric Power), and media (CJ CGV) hurt performance. Stock selection in China and South Africa was beneficial to returns. Conversely, stock selection was negative in South Korea.

China’s real GDP growth likely peaked in the first quarter of 2017 and will moderate during the year. We expect GDP growth to achieve the government’s goal of +6.5% in 2017 and slow to +6.3% in 2018. Overall fixed investment growth will moderate as the housing market cools down due to tightening measures, and consumption growth could see a mild slowdown from the rollback of tax cuts on autos. China’s financial deleveraging process will similarly slow growth.

India’s fourth quarter of FY17 growth of +6.1% was weaker than estimated due to the continued effects of the currency demonetization in November 2016, which impacted the construction, financial and real estate sectors. We expect stronger growth in FY18 of +7.4%, as the currency demonetization headwind lessens. In South Korea, fiscal spending should drive the economy, as newly-elected President Moon Jae-in has set aside a $9.8 billion (0.7% of GDP) supplementary budget to raise the minimum wage and create jobs. South Korea’s economy should also benefit from strong export growth (e.g., mobile memory, phones).

In Latin America, Mexico’s and Brazil’s economic growth outlook is uncertain. The United States’ decision to renegotiate the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) remains an overhang for the Mexican economy. In Brazil, President Michel Temer faces corruption charges from the Supreme Court. We see reforms likely being delayed, resulting in a continued weak economy. Brazil’s GDP fell -0.4% year-over-year in the first quarter of 2017, on falling private consumption and investments.

We are most positive on the China, India, and South Korean markets. In China, better than expected macro data, easing capital outflow concerns, and improving earnings should continue to drive performance.

HYPOTHETICAL GROWTH OF $10,000

 

 

LOGO

The chart above illustrates the total value of a hypothetical $10,000 investment in the Fund over the past 10 years as compared to the performance of the MSCI Emerging Markets Index. Past performance does not guarantee future results. Returns include the reinvestment of distributions. The chart does not reflect the deduction of taxes that a shareholder would pay on Fund distributions or the redemption of Fund shares.

1 MSCI Emerging Markets Index is an unmanaged free float-adjusted market capitalization index that measures equity market performance of emerging markets. It is not possible to invest directly in an index. This is the Fund’s primary index.

 

 

We remain selective in China and are positive on the Internet sector. India’s GDP growth should recover post the currency demonetization, with strength led by the consumer. India will also implement the Goods & Services Tax, which should increase economic growth as it simplifies the tax structure and removes tax cheating. We are positive on India’s economic-driven growth stories (i.e., financials, technology, and consumer stocks). In South Korea, we prefer global technology, utilities, and banks.

In Latin America, we remain underweight Mexico and Brazil, given economic uncertainty from the NAFTA renegotiation impact on Mexico and political paralysis in Brazil. Our investment strategy in Mexico is focused on consumer stocks. In Brazil, we are maintaining a defensive strategy, owning consumer staples and exporters.

Roger J. Sit         Raymond E. Sit

Portfolio Managers

 

 

Information on this page is unaudited.

  
48    SIT MUTUAL FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT


 
 

 

COMPARATIVE RATES OF RETURN

 

as of June 30, 2017

 

      Sit
Developing
Markets
Growth
Fund
  MSCI
Emerging
Markets
Index 1
  MSCI
Emerging
Markets
Growth
Index 2

One Year

       24.56 %       21.18 %       24.13 %

Five Year

       2.19       1.52       4.35

Ten Year

       -0.33       -0.47       0.35

Since Inception

       3.99       3.30       n/a  

(7/1/94)

                              

Performance figures are historical and do not guarantee future results. Investment returns and principal value will vary, and you may have a gain or loss when you sell shares. Current performance may be lower or higher than the performance data quoted. Contact the Fund for performance data current to the most recent month-end. Returns include changes in share price as well as reinvestment of all dividends and capital gains. Returns do not reflect the deduction of the 2% redemption fee imposed if shares are redeemed or exchanged within 30 calendar days from their date of purchase. If imposed, the fee would reduce the performance quoted. Returns do not reflect the deduction of taxes that a shareholder would pay on Fund distributions or the redemption of Fund shares. Management fees and administrative expenses are included in the Fund’s performance. Returns for periods greater than one year are compounded average annual rates of return.

1 MSCI Emerging Markets Index is an unmanaged free float-adjusted market capitalization index that measures equity market performance of emerging markets. It is not possible to invest directly in an index.

2 MSCI Emerging Markets Growth Index is an unmanaged free float-adjusted market capitalization index that measures equity market performance of growth oriented emerging market stocks.

FUND DIVERSIFICATION - BY REGION

 

      Sit
Developing
Markets
Growth
Fund
  MSCI
Emerging
Markets
Index

Asia

       67.9 %       73.1 %

Africa/Middle East

       11.0       8.1

Latin America

       9.8       12.3

North America

       3.5         —

Europe

       3.1       6.5

Cash & Other Net Assets

       4.7         —

Based on total net assets as of June 30, 2017. Subject to change.

PORTFOLIO SUMMARY

 

 

Net Asset Value 6/30/17:

   $15.23 Per Share

Net Asset Value 6/30/16:

   $12.26 Per Share

Total Net Assets:

   $9.6     Million

Weighted Average Market Cap:

   $84.3   Billion

TOP 10 HOLDINGS

 

  1. Tencent Holdings, Ltd.

  2. Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.

  3. TAL Education Group, ADR

  4. Naspers, Ltd.

  5. Alibaba Group Holding, Ltd., ADR

  6. Shinhan Financial Group Co., Ltd.

  7. iShares MSCI India ETF

  8. Taiwan Semiconductor Co.

  9. China Construction Bank Corp.

10. JD.com, Inc., ADR

 

 

Based on total net assets as of June 30, 2017. Subject to change.

FUND DIVERSIFICATION

 

 

LOGO

Based on total net assets as of June 30, 2017. Subject to change.

 

 

Information on this page is unaudited.

  

 

JUNE 30, 2017

  

 

49


    

SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS

June 30, 2017

Sit Developing Markets Growth Fund

 

     
  Quantity    Name of Issuer    Fair Value ($)

Common Stocks - 92.3%

  

Africa/Middle East - 11.0%

  

Israel - 2.5%

  
3,050   

NICE Systems, Ltd., ADR

   240,096
     

 

South Africa - 8.5%

  
7,600   

Bid Corp., Ltd.

   173,609
9,775   

Bidvest Group, Ltd.

   117,714
1,925   

Naspers, Ltd.

   379,096
5,000   

Sasol, Ltd., ADR

   139,750
     

 

   810,169
     

 

Asia - 64.9%

  

China/Hong Kong - 31.5%

  
14,600   

AIA Group, Ltd.

   106,819
2,375   

Alibaba Group Holding, Ltd., ADR *

   334,638
320,000   

China Construction Bank Corp.

   248,847
7,375   

China Life Insurance Co., Ltd., ADR

   113,133
63,000   

China Mengniu Dairy Co., Ltd. *

   123,527
4,450   

China Mobile, Ltd., ADR

   236,251
2,600   

China Petroleum & Chemical Corp., ADR

   204,360
162,000   

CSPC Pharmaceutical Group, Ltd.

   236,619
2,600   

Ctrip.com International, Ltd., ADR *

   140,036
24,000   

ENN Energy Holdings, Ltd.

   144,794
1,600   

Hong Kong Exchanges & Clearing, Ltd.

   41,335
6,150   

JD.com, Inc., ADR *

   241,203
3,400   

TAL Education Group, ADR

   415,854
11,900   

Tencent Holdings, Ltd.

   426,912
     

 

      3,014,328
     

 

India - 3.3%

  
2,150   

HDFC Bank, Ltd., ADR

   186,986
3,925   

Tata Motors, Ltd., ADR

   129,579
     

 

      316,565
     

 

Indonesia - 1.8%

  
258,500   

Astra International Tbk PT

   173,194
     

 

Japan - 1.8%

  
3,600   

Suzuki Motor Corp.

   171,497
     

 

Singapore - 3.6%

  
675   

Broadcom, Ltd.

   157,309
12,300   

DBS Group Holdings, Ltd.

   185,125
     

 

      342,434
     

 

South Korea - 11.1%

  
1,040   

CJ CGV Co., Ltd.

   66,928
3,625   

Korea Electric Power Corp.

   129,266
325   

Medy-Tox, Inc.

   159,152
200   

Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.

   416,564
6,700   

Shinhan Financial Group Co., Ltd.

   289,073
     

 

   1,060,983
     

 

     
  Quantity    Name of Issuer    Fair Value ($)

Taiwan - 8.8%

  
82,086   

Cathay Financial Holding Co., Ltd.

   135,116
27,148   

Hon Hai Precision Industry Co., Ltd., GDR

   209,343
16,000   

President Chain Store Corp.

   143,764
37,482   

Taiwan Semiconductor Co.

   256,085
2,800   

Taiwan Semiconductor Co., ADR

   97,888
     

 

      842,196
     

 

Thailand - 1.7%

  
28,100   

Bangkok Bank PCL

   162,843
     

 

Turkey - 1.3%

  
51,000   

Kordsa Global Endustriyel Iplik A/S

   121,438
     

 

Europe - 3.1%

  

Belgium - 1.5%

  
1,350   

Anheuser-Busch InBev NV, ADR

   148,986
     

 

Netherlands - 1.6%

  
2,425   

Mobileye NV *

   152,290
     

 

Latin America - 9.8%

  

Brazil - 5.2%

  
30,725   

Ambev SA, ADR

   168,680
12,076   

Banco Bradesco SA

   102,611
3,400   

Embraer SA, ADR

   61,982
19,000   

Qualicorp SA

   165,459
     

 

      498,732
     

 

Chile - 2.6%

  
5,500   

Banco Santander Chile, ADR

   139,761
14,600   

Geopark, Ltd. *

   110,230
     

 

      249,991
     

 

Peru - 2.0%

  
5,400   

Southern Copper Corp.

   187,005
     

 

North America - 3.5%

  

Mexico - 1.4%

  
34,800   

Alsea SAB de CV

   131,923
     

 

United States - 2.1%

  
925   

Skyworks Solutions, Inc.

   88,754
1,575   

Tupperware Brands Corp.

   110,612
     

 

      199,366
     

 

Total Common Stocks

  

(cost: $6,662,637)

   8,824,036
     

 

Investment Companies - 3.0%

  
8,900   

iShares MSCI India ETF

   285,690
     

 

(cost: $261,167)

  
 

 

See accompanying notes to financial statements.

  
50    SIT MUTUAL FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT


    

    

 

     
  Quantity    Name of Issuer    Fair Value ($)

Short-Term Securities - 4.7%

  
453,412   

Fidelity Instl. Money Mkt. Govt. Fund, 0.81%

  

Total Short-Term Securities

  

(cost: $453,412)

   453,412
     

 

Total Investments in Securities - 100.0%

  

(cost: $7,377,216)

   9,563,138

Other Assets and Liabilities, net - 0.0%

   (2,023)
     

 

Total Net Assets - 100.0%

   $9,561,115
     

 

 

 

* 

Non-income producing security.

ADR — American Depositary Receipt

GDR — Global Depositary Receipt

Numeric footnotes not disclosed are not applicable to this Schedule of Investments.

 

 

See accompanying notes to financial statements.

  

 

JUNE 30, 2017

  

 

 

 

51

 

 


    

SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS

June 30, 2017

Sit Developing Markets Growth Fund (Continued)

 

A summary of the levels for the Fund’s investments as of June 30, 2017 is as follows (see Note 2 - significant accounting policies in the notes to financial statements):

 

     Investment in Securities
     Level 1
Quoted
Price ($)
   Level 2
Other significant
observable inputs ($)
  

Level 3

Significant
unobservable inputs ($)

   Total ($)

Common Stocks

                   

Belgium

       148,986                      148,986

Brazil

       498,732                      498,732

Chile

       249,991                      249,991

China/Hong Kong

       1,685,475        1,328,853               3,014,328

India

       316,565                      316,565

Indonesia

              173,194               173,194

Israel

       240,096                      240,096

Japan

              171,497               171,497

Mexico

       131,923                      131,923

Netherlands

       152,290                      152,290

Peru

       187,005                      187,005

Singapore

       157,309        185,125               342,434

South Africa

       139,750        670,419               810,169

South Korea

              1,060,983               1,060,983

Taiwan

       97,888        744,308               842,196

Thailand

              162,843               162,843

Turkey

              121,438               121,438

United States

       199,366                      199,366

Investment Companies

       285,690                      285,690

Short-Term Securities

       453,412                      453,412

Total:

       4,944,478        4,618,660               9,563,138

The Fund adjusts the closing price of foreign equity securities by applying a systematic process for events occurring after the close of the foreign exchanges. At each reporting period, this process is applied for all foreign securities and therefore all foreign securities are classified as level 2. There are no transfers between level 1 and level 2 between reporting periods as a result of applying this process. Level 1 securities of foreign issuers are primarily American Depositary Receipts (ADRs), Public Limited Companies (PLCs) or Global Depositary Receipts (GDRs). There were no transfers into or out of level 3 during the reporting period.

 

 

See accompanying notes to financial statements.

  
52    SIT MUTUAL FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT


 

 

 

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JUNE 30, 2017

  

 

53


    

STATEMENTS OF ASSETS AND LIABILITIES

June 30, 2017

 

 

       Sit
Balanced
Fund
       Sit
Dividend
Growth
Fund
       Sit
Global
Dividend
Growth

Fund
 

ASSETS

              

Investments in securities, at identified cost

       $19,921,685          $919,006,452          $24,911,359  
    

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

 

Investments in securities, at fair value - see accompanying schedule for detail

       $25,155,678          $1,084,841,706          $29,055,346  

Cash in bank on demand deposit

                          

Accrued interest and dividends receivable

       79,068          1,779,501          99,879  

Receivable for investment securities sold

       158,660          12,977,543          92,019  

Receivable for Fund shares sold

       28,485          2,258,507          402  
    

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

 

Total assets

       25,421,891          1,101,857,257          29,247,646  
    

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

 

LIABILITIES

              

Payable for investment securities purchased

       128,539          18,747,574          319,933  

Payable for Fund shares redeemed

       29,588          1,013,084           

Cash portion of dividends payable to shareholders

                278           

Accrued investment management fees and advisory fees

       22,083          884,224          29,784  

Accrued 12b-1 fees (Class S)

                13,631          667  
    

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

 

Total liabilities

       180,210          20,658,791          350,384  
    

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

 

Net assets applicable to outstanding capital stock

       $25,241,681          $1,081,198,466          $28,897,262  
    

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

 

Net assets consist of:

              

Capital (par value and paid-in surplus)

       $19,320,813          $863,060,053          $25,537,200  

Undistributed (distributions in excess of) net investment income (loss)

       82,423          3,846,558          142,589  

Accumulated net realized gain (loss) from security transactions and foreign currency transactions

       604,452          48,456,601          (926,330)  

Unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on investments and foreign currency transactions

       5,233,993          165,835,254          4,143,803  
    

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

 
       $25,241,681          $1,081,198,466          $28,897,262  
    

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

 

Outstanding shares:

              

Common Shares (Class I) *

       1,111,461          60,186,464          1,761,982  
    

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

 

Common Shares (Class S) *

                3,883,306          225,389  
    

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

 

Net assets applicable to outstanding shares:

              

Common Shares (Class I) *

       $25,241,681          $1,015,920,109          $25,622,970  
    

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

 

Common Shares (Class S) *

                65,278,357          3,274,292  
    

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

 

Net asset value per share of outstanding capital stock:

              

Common Shares (Class I) *

       $22.71          $16.88          $14.54  
    

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

 

Common Shares (Class S) *

                $16.81          $14.53  
    

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

 

 

*

Dividend Growth, Global Dividend Growth, ESG Growth and Small Cap Dividend Growth Funds offer multiple share classes (I and S). All other Funds offer a single share class.

 

See accompanying notes to financial statements.

  
54    SIT MUTUAL FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT


    

    

 

Sit
Large Cap
Growth

Fund
    Sit
ESG
Growth
Fund
    Sit
Mid Cap
Growth

Fund
    Sit
Small Cap
Dividend
Growth

Fund
    Sit
Small Cap
Growth

Fund
    Sit
International
Growth

Fund
    Sit
Developing
Markets
Growth
Fund
 
                    
  $66,700,986       $4,114,017       $91,649,832       $14,307,993       $61,450,383       $19,038,722       $7,377,216  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
  $114,238,210       $4,667,318       $157,645,982       $16,272,580       $91,699,136       $22,417,932       $9,563,138  
                                      745  
  54,019       7,680       76,659       26,304       61,248       110,179       37,239  
  2,856,664                   46,745       200,163              
  45,126             3,324       2,274       1,449       118,735       577  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
  117,194,019       4,674,998       157,725,965       16,347,903       91,961,996       22,646,846       9,601,699  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
  730,215             1,218,513       154,170       1,031,557             23,831  
  2,746,487             39,819             736       1,101       1,406  
                                       
  97,307       4,811       162,731       16,467       112,959       27,731       15,347  
        478             707                    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
  3,574,009       5,289       1,421,063       171,344       1,145,252       28,832       40,584  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
  $113,620,010       $4,669,709       $156,304,902       $16,176,559       $90,816,744       $22,618,014       $9,561,115  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
  $56,667,447       $4,143,849       $86,329,789       $14,493,192       $57,543,259       $20,004,134       $7,557,770  
  280,441       32,139       4,961       44,366             177,221        
  9,134,898       (59,584     3,974,002       (325,586     3,024,732       (940,898     (182,555
  47,537,224       553,305       65,996,150       1,964,587       30,248,753       3,377,557       2,185,900  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
  $113,620,010       $4,669,709       $156,304,902       $16,176,559       $90,816,744       $22,618,014       $9,561,115  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
  2,801,603       208,053       8,656,821       1,109,038       1,676,055       1,393,654       627,727  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
        205,812             302,085                    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
  $113,620,010       $2,348,987       $156,304,902       $12,715,645       $90,816,744       $22,618,014       $9,561,115  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
        2,320,722             3,460,914                    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
  $40.56       $11.29       $18.06       $11.47       $54.18       $16.23       $15.23  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
        $11.28             $11.46                    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

  

 

JUNE 30, 2017

  

 

 

 

55

 

 


    

STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS

Year Ended June 30, 2017

 

 

 

     Sit
Balanced
Fund
     Sit
Dividend
Growth

Fund
     Sit
Global
Dividend
Growth
Fund
 

Investment income:

        

Income:

        

Dividends*

     $307,990        $25,589,497        $764,072  

Interest

     232,207        69,298        3,194  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total income

     540,197        25,658,795        767,266  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Expenses (note 4):

        

Investment management and advisory service fee

     248,288        10,316,430        333,356  

12b-1 fees (Class S)

            167,882        7,590  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total expenses

     248,288        10,484,312        340,946  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net investment income (loss)

     291,909        15,174,483        426,320  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Realized and unrealized gain (loss):

        

Net realized gain (loss) on investments

     681,151        72,506,740        (232,496

Net realized gain (loss) on foreign currency transactions

                   (1,253

Net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on investments and foreign currency transactions

     1,963,274        59,079,432        2,814,059  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net gain (loss)

     2,644,425        131,586,172        2,580,310  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net increase (decrease) in net assets resulting from operations

     $2,936,334        $146,760,655        $3,006,630  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

        

* Foreign taxes withheld on dividends received

            $97,331        $36,628  

 

See accompanying notes to financial statements.

  
56    SIT MUTUAL FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT


    

    

 

 

Sit

Large Cap
Growth

Fund

     Sit
ESG
Growth
Fund
    Sit
Mid  Cap
Growth

Fund
    Sit
Small  Cap
Dividend
Growth
Fund
    Sit
Small  Cap
Growth

Fund
    Sit
International
Growth
Fund
    Sit
Developing
Markets
Growth
Fund
 
            
            
  $1,792,827        $94,660       $1,809,288       $292,327       $882,693       $511,633       $140,269  
  6,131        1,714       23,927       2,713       7,082       2,104       1,040  

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
  1,798,958        96,374       1,833,215       295,040       889,775       513,737       141,309  

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
            
  1,164,995        53,226       1,844,093       159,341       1,301,587       312,272       155,011  
         5,252             7,597                    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
  1,164,995        58,478       1,844,093       166,938       1,301,587       312,272       155,011  

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
  633,963        37,896       (10,878     128,102       (411,812     201,465       (13,702

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
            
  11,226,235        (59,584     4,151,414       (155,043     3,000,251       (519,662     (17,969
         (909           30             (3,788     1,141  
            
  10,499,569        553,305       21,044,515       1,772,310       12,418,238       2,819,488       1,716,216  

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
  21,725,804        492,812       25,195,929       1,617,297       15,418,489       2,296,038       1,699,388  

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
  $22,359,767        $530,708       $25,185,051       $1,745,399       $15,006,677       $2,497,503       $1,685,686  

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
            
         $7,178       $4,675       $2,418       $4,278       $54,621       $16,257  

 

  

 

JUNE 30, 2017

  

 

 

 

57

 

 


    

STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN NET ASSETS

 

 

     Sit Balanced Fund     Sit Dividend Growth Fund  
     Year Ended
June 30,

2017
    Year Ended
June 30,

2016
    Year Ended
June 30,

2017
    Year Ended
June 30,

2016
 

Operations:

        

Net investment income

     $291,909       $281,339       $15,174,483       $16,810,135  

Net realized gain (loss) on investments and foreign currency transactions

     681,151       405,475       72,506,740       64,500,977  

Net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation) of investments and foreign currency transactions

     1,963,274       (494,909     59,079,432       (40,919,305
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net increase (decrease) in net assets resulting from operations

     2,936,334       191,905       146,760,655       40,391,807  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Distributions from:

        

Net investment income

        

Common shares (Class I)

     (270,000     (483,000     (13,709,100     (18,773,757

Common shares (Class S)

                 (789,900     (1,221,244

Net realized gains on investments

        

Common shares (Class I)

           (1,053,969     (60,795,024     (106,854,655

Common shares (Class S)

                 (4,229,591     (7,776,788
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total distributions

     (270,000     (1,536,969     (79,523,615     (134,626,444
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Capital share transactions:

        

Proceeds from shares sold

        

Common shares (Class I)

     5,470,617       8,592,853       235,309,300       361,580,592  

Common shares (Class S)

                 4,759,392       4,208,565  

Reinvested distributions

        

Common shares (Class I)

     268,772       1,524,296       21,753,300       40,052,131  

Common shares (Class S)

                 4,974,693       8,936,473  

Payments for shares redeemed

        

Common shares (Class I)

     (6,675,093     (8,230,744     (246,146,918     (327,488,522

Common shares (Class S)

                 (16,552,919     (21,609,224
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Increase (decrease) in net assets from capital transactions

     (935,704     1,886,405       4,096,848       65,680,015  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total increase (decrease) in net assets

     1,730,630       541,341       71,333,888       (28,554,622

Net assets:

        

Beginning of period

     23,511,051       22,969,710       1,009,864,578       1,038,419,200  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

End of period *

     $25,241,681       $23,511,051       $1,081,198,466       $1,009,864,578  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Capital transactions in shares:

        

Sold

        

Common shares (Class I)

     251,315       413,544       14,366,496       22,658,489  

Common shares (Class S)

                 296,303       263,412  

Reinvested distributions

        

Common shares (Class I)

     12,751       74,586       1,378,945       2,621,435  

Common shares (Class S)

                 316,539       587,079  

Redeemed

        

Common shares (Class I)

     (305,161     (401,816     (15,130,992     (20,620,329

Common shares (Class S)

                 (1,021,341     (1,343,328
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net increase (decrease)

     (41,095     86,314       205,950       4,166,758  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

* includes undistributed (distributions in excess of) net investment income (loss)

     $82,423       $60,565       $3,846,558       $3,187,293  

 

  1 

The Fund commenced investment operations on June 30, 2016.

 

See accompanying notes to financial statements.

  

 

58

  

 

SIT MUTUAL FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT


    

    

 

Sit Global Dividend Growth Fund     Sit Large Cap Growth Fund     Sit ESG Growth Fund  
Year Ended
June 30,

2017
    Year Ended
June 30,

2016
    Year Ended
June 30,

2017
    Year Ended
June 30,

2016
    Year Ended
June 30,
2017 1
 
       
  $426,320       $375,267       $633,963       $576,725       $37,896  

 

(233,749

    (610,940     11,226,235       8,600,977       (60,493

 

2,814,059

 

    (170,944     10,499,569       (10,559,412     553,305  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
  3,006,630       (406,617     22,359,767       (1,381,710     530,708  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
       
       
  (354,957     (530,057     (571,000     (4,260,000     (4,383
  (38,043     (62,943                 (1,717
       
        (1,512,966     (7,612,702     (28,228,978      
        (201,110                  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
  (393,000     (2,307,076     (8,183,702     (32,488,978     (6,100

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
       
       
  2,665,400       2,302,443       2,592,948       6,199,628       2,077,200  
  409,892       181,452                   2,072,000  
       
  354,297       2,042,797       8,064,947       32,014,455       4,383  
  37,741       264,053                   1,717  
       
  (2,041,964     (1,040,365     (28,672,696     (31,691,511      
  (334,935     (719,020                 (10,199

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
  1,090,431       3,031,360       (18,014,801     6,522,572       4,145,101  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
  3,704,061       317,667       (3,838,736     (27,348,116     4,669,709  
       
  25,193,201       24,875,534       117,458,746       144,806,862        

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
  $28,897,262       $25,193,201       $113,620,010       $117,458,746       $4,669,709  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
       
       
  194,406       164,944       66,462       145,288       207,625  
  29,646       13,425                   206,622  
       
  26,168       154,832       224,089       874,234       428  
  2,789       20,031                   168  
       
  (151,558     (74,696     (750,228     (825,719      
  (24,106     (49,928                 (978

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
  77,345       228,608       (459,677     193,803       413,865  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
  $142,589       $113,414       $280,441       $217,862       $32,139  

 

  

 

JUNE 30, 2017

  

 

 

 

59

 

 


    

STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN NET ASSETS (Continued)

 

     Sit Mid Cap Growth Fund     Sit Small Cap
Dividend Growth Fund
 
     Year Ended
June 30,

2017
    Year Ended
June 30,

2016
    Year Ended
June 30,

2017
    Year Ended
June 30,
2016
 

Operations:

        

Net investment income (loss)

     ($10,878     ($340,217     $128,102       $97,450  

Net realized gain (loss) on investments and foreign currency transactions

     4,151,414       3,828,112       (155,013     (178,755

Net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation) of investments and foreign currency transactions

     21,044,515       (19,621,396     1,772,310       237,270  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net increase (decrease) in net assets resulting from operations

     25,185,051       (16,133,501     1,745,399       155,965  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Distributions from:

        

Net investment income

        

Common shares (Class I)

                 (87,515     (59,286

Common shares (Class S)

                 (21,485     (24,214

Net realized gains on investments

        

Common shares (Class I)

     (1,410,787     (23,213,056           (452

Common shares (Class S)

                       (218
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total distributions

     (1,410,787     (23,213,056     (109,000     (84,170
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Capital share transactions:

        

Proceeds from shares sold

        

Common shares (Class I)

     1,746,154       1,517,223       6,275,456       2,301,643  

Common shares (Class S)

                 876,893       312,218  

Reinvested distributions

        

Common shares (Class I)

     1,364,194       22,382,176       83,800       57,003  

Common shares (Class S)

                 21,044       24,085  

Payments for shares redeemed

        

Common shares (Class I)

     (10,102,829     (16,883,360     (656,383     (338,246

Common shares (Class S)

                 (424,301     (3,034
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Increase (decrease) in net assets from capital transactions

     (6,992,481     7,016,039       6,176,509       2,353,669  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total increase (decrease) in net assets

     16,781,783       (32,330,518     7,812,908       2,425,464  

Net assets:

        

Beginning of period

     139,523,119       171,853,637       8,363,651       5,938,187  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

End of period*

     $156,304,902       $139,523,119       $16,176,559       $8,363,651  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Capital transactions in shares:

        

Sold

        

Common shares (Class I)

     102,473       84,771       582,458       234,507  

Common shares (Class S)

                 79,594       32,561  

Reinvested distributions

        

Common shares (Class I)

     83,899       1,427,435       7,829       5,975  

Common shares (Class S)

                 1,981       2,522  

Redeemed

        

Common shares (Class I)

     (613,095     (928,645     (58,652     (35,249

Common shares (Class S)

                 (38,205     (304
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net increase (decrease)

     (426,723     583,561       575,005       240,012  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

*includes undistributed (distributions in excess of) net investment income (loss)

     $4,961             $44,366       $24,963  

 

See accompanying notes to financial statements.

  
60    SIT MUTUAL FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT


    

    

 

Sit Small Cap Growth Fund     Sit International Growth Fund     Sit Developing Markets Growth Fund  
Year Ended
June 30,

2017
    Year Ended
June 30,

2016
    Year Ended
June 30,

2017
    Year Ended
June 30,

2016
    Year Ended
June 30,
2017
    Year Ended
June 30,
2016
 
         
  ($411,812     ($586,514     $201,465       $162,017       ($13,702     $22,985  

 

3,000,251

 

    144,734       (523,450     (236,287     (16,828     (86,530

 

12,418,238

 

    (16,063,945     2,819,488       (1,782,725     1,716,216       (1,286,835

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
  15,006,677       (16,505,725     2,497,503       (1,856,995     1,685,686       (1,350,380

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
         
         
              (97,000     (121,000     (18,811     (12,000
                                 
         
  (144,732     (8,910,218           (1,330,288           (211,867
                                 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
  (144,732     (8,910,218     (97,000     (1,451,288     (18,811     (223,867

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
         
         
  1,705,891       2,774,375       739,301       833,973       1,191,396       274,576  
                                 
         
  142,196       8,733,559       96,669       1,443,980       18,429       219,826  
                                 
         
  (7,102,157     (8,698,957     (1,058,121     (1,015,370     (612,094     (815,737
                                 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
  (5,254,070     2,808,977       (222,151     1,262,583       597,731       (321,335

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
  9,607,875       (22,606,966     2,178,352       (2,045,700     2,264,606       (1,895,582
         
  81,208,869       103,815,835       20,439,662       22,485,362       7,296,509       9,192,091  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
  $90,816,744       $81,208,869       $22,618,014       $20,439,662       $9,561,115       $7,296,509  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
         
         
  33,242       51,321       47,796       51,877       79,312       21,675  
                                 
         
  2,793       180,036       6,875       95,946       1,517       18,458  
                                 
         
  (141,431     (177,213     (72,598     (64,900     (48,216     (67,398
                                 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
  (105,396     54,144       (17,927     82,923       32,613       (27,265

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
              $177,221       $76,544             $18,811  

 

  

 

JUNE 30, 2017

  

 

 

 

61

 

 


 

FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS

Per share income and capital changes for a share outstanding throughout the period. See accompanying notes to financial statements.

 

Sit Balanced Fund

 

 

 
     Years Ended June 30,  
     2017      2016      2015      2014      2013  

 

 

Net Asset Value:

              

Beginning of period

     $20.40        $21.54        $21.01        $18.42        $16.97  
  

 

 

 

Operations:

              

Net investment income 1

     0.25        0.26        0.25        0.27        0.27  

Net realized and unrealized gains

     2.29        0.04        1.16        2.58        1.46  
  

 

 

 

Total from operations

     2.54        0.30        1.41        2.85        1.73  
  

 

 

 

Distributions to Shareholders:

              

From net investment income

     (0.23)        (0.45)        (0.24)        (0.26)        (0.28

From net realized gains

            (0.99)        (0.64)                
  

 

 

 

Total distributions

     (0.23)        (1.44)        (0.88)        (0.26)        (0.28
  

 

 

 

Net Asset Value:

              

End of period

     $22.71        $20.40        $21.54        $21.01        $18.42  
  

 

 

 

Total investment return 2

     12.56%        1.47%        6.86%        15.58%        10.26%  
  

 

 

 

Net assets at end of period (000’s omitted)

     $25,242        $23,511        $22,970        $15,645        $13,492  

Ratios: 3

              

Expenses

     1.00%        1.00%        1.00%        1.00%        1.00%  

Net investment income

     1.18%        1.25%        1.17%        1.36%        1.52%  

Portfolio turnover rate (excluding short-term securities)

     50.31%        54.46%        47.49%        54.52%        30.86%  

 

                         

1 

The net investment income per share is based on average shares outstanding for the period.

 

2 

Total investment return is based on the change in net asset value of a share during the period (not annualized) and assumes reinvestment of distributions at net asset value.

 

3 

Ratios are annualized for periods less than one year. In addition to fees and expenses which the Fund bears directly, the Fund indirectly bears a pro rata share of the fees and expenses of the acquired funds in which it invests. Such indirect expenses are not included in the above reported expense ratios.

 

62    SIT MUTUAL FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT


    

FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS

Per share income and capital changes for a share outstanding throughout the period. See accompanying notes to financial statements.

 

Sit Dividend Growth Fund

 

 

 
Class I    Years Ended June 30,  
   2017     2016     2015     2014     2013  

 

 

Net Asset Value:

          

Beginning of period

     $15.82       $17.40       $18.69       $16.35       $14.10  
  

 

 

 

Operations:

          

Net investment income 1

     0.24       0.26       0.25       0.26       0.27  

Net realized and unrealized gains

     2.09       0.32       0.92       2.96       2.46  
  

 

 

 

Total from operations

     2.33       0.58       1.17       3.22       2.73  
  

 

 

 

Redemption fees 2

                              
  

 

 

 

Distributions to Shareholders:

          

From net investment income

     (0.23     (0.32     (0.25     (0.25     (0.26

From net realized gains

     (1.04     (1.84     (2.21     (0.63     (0.22
  

 

 

 

Total distributions

     (1.27     (2.16     (2.46     (0.88     (0.48
  

 

 

 

Net Asset Value:

          

End of period

     $16.88       $15.82       $17.40       $18.69       $16.35  
  

 

 

 

Total investment return 3

     15.41%       3.94%       6.39%       20.26%       19.77%  
  

 

 

 

Net assets at end of period (000’s omitted)

     $1,015,920       $942,244       $955,460       $1,017,106       $920,324  

Ratios: 4

          

Expenses

     1.00%       1.00%       1.00%       1.00%       1.00%  

Net investment income

     1.49%       1.64%       1.39%       1.50%       1.78%  

Portfolio turnover rate (excluding short-term securities)

 

    

 

61.33%

 

 

 

   

 

75.94%

 

 

 

   

 

57.69%

 

 

 

   

 

44.36%

 

 

 

   

 

26.58%

 

 

 

 

 
Class S    Years Ended June 30,  
   2017     2016     2015     2014     2013  

 

 

Net Asset Value:

          

Beginning of period

     $15.76       $17.34       $18.63       $16.29       $14.06  
  

 

 

 

Operations:

          

Net investment income 1

     0.20       0.22       0.21       0.22       0.23  

Net realized and unrealized gains

     2.08       0.32       0.91       2.96       2.44  
  

 

 

 

Total from operations

     2.28       0.54       1.12       3.18       2.67  
  

 

 

 

Redemption fees 2

                              
  

 

 

 

Distributions to Shareholders:

          

From net investment income

     (0.19     (0.28     (0.20     (0.21     (0.22

From net realized gains

     (1.04     (1.84     (2.21     (0.63     (0.22
  

 

 

 

Total distributions

     (1.23     (2.12     (2.41     (0.84     (0.44
  

 

 

 

Net Asset Value:

          

End of period

     $16.81       $15.76       $17.34       $18.63       $16.29  
  

 

 

 

Total investment return 3

     15.11%       3.68%       6.13%       20.02%       19.39%  
  

 

 

 

Net assets at end of period (000’s omitted)

     $65,278       $67,620       $82,959       $103,433       $134,498  

Ratios: 4

          

Expenses

     1.25%       1.25%       1.25%       1.25%       1.25%  

Net investment income

     1.24%       1.39%       1.14%       1.25%       1.53%  

Portfolio turnover rate (excluding short-term securities)

     61.33%       75.94%       57.69%       44.36%       26.58%  

                    

1 

The net investment income per share is based on average shares outstanding for the period.

2 

Amount represents less than $0.01 per share.

3 

Total investment return is based on the change in net asset value of a share during the period (not annualized) and assumes reinvestment of distributions at net asset value.

4 

Ratios are annualized for periods less than one year. In addition to fees and expenses which the Fund bears directly, the Fund indirectly bears a pro rata share of the fees and expenses of the acquired funds in which it invests. Such indirect expenses are not included in the above reported expense ratios.

 

 

JUNE 30, 2017

  

 

63


    

FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS

Per share income and capital changes for a share outstanding throughout the period. See accompanying notes to financial statements.

 

Sit Global Dividend Growth Fund

 

 

 
Class I    Years Ended June 30,  
   2017     2016     2015     2014     2013  

 

 

Net Asset Value:

          

Beginning of period

     $13.19       $14.80       $15.74       $14.27       $12.55  
  

 

 

 

Operations:

          

Net investment income 1

     0.22       0.21       0.20       0.23       0.25  

Net realized and unrealized gains (losses)

     1.34       (0.48     0.13       2.09       1.78  
  

 

 

 

Total from operations

     1.56       (0.27     0.33       2.32       2.03  
  

 

 

 

Redemption fees

         2                      2          2 
  

 

 

 

Distributions to Shareholders:

          

From net investment income

     (0.21     (0.34     (0.20     (0.22     (0.23

From net realized gains

           (1.00     (1.07     (0.63     (0.08
  

 

 

 

Total distributions

     (0.21     (1.34     (1.27     (0.85     (0.31
  

 

 

 

Net Asset Value:

          

End of period

     $14.54       $13.19       $14.80       $15.74       $14.27  
  

 

 

 

Total investment return 3

     11.94%       (1.67%     2.19%       16.76%       16.36%  
  

 

 

 

Net assets at end of period (000’s omitted)

     $25,623       $22,333       $21,424       $21,467       $14,196  

Ratios: 4

          

Expenses

     1.25%       1.25%       1.25%       1.25%       1.25%  

Net investment income

     1.63%       1.56%       1.33%       1.55%       1.81%  

Portfolio turnover rate (excluding short-term securities)

 

    

 

32.04%

 

 

 

   

 

48.30%

 

 

 

   

 

75.06%

 

 

 

   

 

48.68%

 

 

 

   

 

26.15%

 

 

 

 

 
Class S    Years Ended June 30,  
   2017     2016     2015     2014     2013  

 

 

Net Asset Value:

          

Beginning of period

     $13.18       $14.78       $15.72       $14.25       $12.54  
  

 

 

 

Operations:

          

Net investment income 1

     0.19       0.18       0.16       0.20       0.21  

Net realized and unrealized gains (losses)

     1.33       (0.48     0.13       2.09       1.78  
  

 

 

 

Total from operations

     1.52       (0.30     0.29       2.29       1.99  
  

 

 

 

Redemption fees

                           2       
  

 

 

 

Distributions to Shareholders:

          

From net investment income

     (0.17     (0.30     (0.16     (0.19     (0.20

From net realized gains

           (1.00     (1.07     (0.63     (0.08
  

 

 

 

Total distributions

     (0.17     (1.30     (1.23     (0.82     (0.28
  

 

 

 

Net Asset Value:

          

End of period

     $14.53       $13.18       $14.78       $15.72       $14.25  
  

 

 

 

Total investment return 3

     11.67%       (1.89%     2.00%       16.49%       16.01%  
  

 

 

 

Net assets at end of period (000’s omitted)

     $3,274       $2,861       $3,451       $3,323       $3,257  

Ratios: 4

          

Expenses

     1.50%       1.50%       1.50%       1.50%       1.50%  

Net investment income

     1.38%       1.31%       1.08%       1.30%       1.56%  

Portfolio turnover rate (excluding short-term securities)

     32.04%       48.30%       75.06%       48.68%       26.15%  

                

1 

The net investment income per share is based on average shares outstanding for the period.

2 

Amount represents less than $0.01 per share.

3 

Total investment return is based on the change in net asset value of a share during the period (not annualized) and assumes reinvestment of distributions at net asset value.

4 

Ratios are annualized for periods less than one year. In addition to fees and expenses which the Fund bears directly, the Fund indirectly bears a pro rata share of the fees and expenses of the acquired funds in which it invests. Such indirect expenses are not included in the above reported expense ratios.

 

64    SIT MUTUAL FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT


    

FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS

Per share income and capital changes for a share outstanding throughout the period. See accompanying notes to financial statements.

 

Sit Large Cap Growth Fund

 

 

 
     Years Ended June 30,  
   2017     2016     2015     2014     2013  

 

 

Net Asset Value:

          

Beginning of period

     $36.02       $47.21       $52.51       $47.53       $45.53  
  

 

 

 

Operations:

          

Net investment income 1

     0.21       0.18       0.20       0.29       0.43  

Net realized and unrealized gains (losses)

     7.07       (0.42     5.04       10.23       5.69  
  

 

 

 

Total from operations

     7.28       (0.24     5.24       10.52       6.12  
  

 

 

 

Redemption fees 2

                              
  

 

 

 

Distributions to Shareholders:

          

From net investment income

     (0.19     (1.44     (0.24     (0.39     (0.46

From net realized gains

     (2.55     (9.51     (10.30     (5.15     (3.66
  

 

 

 

Total distributions

     (2.74     (10.95     (10.54     (5.54     (4.12
  

 

 

 

Net Asset Value:

          

End of period

     $40.56       $36.02       $47.21       $52.51       $47.53  
  

 

 

 

Total investment return 3

     21.18%       (0.89%     10.62%       22.92%       14.18%  
  

 

 

 

Net assets at end of period (000’s omitted)

     $113,620       $117,459       $144,807       $188,574       $196,285  

Ratios: 4

          

Expenses

     1.00%       1.00%       1.00%       1.00%       1.00%  

Net investment income

     0.54%       0.44%       0.41%       0.57%       0.92%  

Portfolio turnover rate (excluding short-term securities)

     17.69%       20.05%       24.04%       27.34%       13.42%  
1 

The net investment income per share is based on average shares outstanding for the period.

 

2 

Amount represents less than $0.01 per share.

 

3 

Total investment return is based on the change in net asset value of a share during the period (not annualized) and assumes reinvestment of distributions at net asset value.

 

4 

Ratios are annualized for periods less than one year. In addition to fees and expenses which the Fund bears directly, the Fund indirectly bears a pro rata share of the fees and expenses of the acquired funds in which it invests. Such indirect expenses are not included in the above reported expense ratios.

 

 

JUNE 30, 2017

  

 

 

 

65

 

 


    

FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS

Per share income and capital changes for a share outstanding throughout the period. See accompanying notes to financial statements.

 

Sit ESG Growth Fund

 

 

Class I    Year Ended
June 30,
2017
*
 

Net Asset Value:

  

Beginning of period

     $10.00  
  

 

 

 

Operations:

  

Net investment income 1

     0.11  

Net realized and unrealized gains

     1.20  
  

 

 

 

Total from operations

     1.31  
  

 

 

 

Distributions to Shareholders:

  

From net investment income

     (0.02
  

 

 

 

Net Asset Value:

  

End of period

     $11.29  
  

 

 

 

Total investment return 2

     13.13%  
  

 

 

 

Net assets at end of period (000’s omitted)

     $2,349  

Ratios: 3

  

Expenses

     1.25%  

Net investment income

     1.01%  

Portfolio turnover rate (excluding short-term securities)

 

    

 

27.60%

 

 

 

Class S    Year Ended
June 30,
2017
*
 

Net Asset Value:

  

Beginning of period

     $10.00  
  

 

 

 

Operations:

  

Net investment income 1

     0.08  

Net realized and unrealized gains

     1.21  
  

 

 

 

Total from operations

     1.29  
  

 

 

 

Distributions to Shareholders:

  

From net investment income

     (0.01
  

 

 

 

Net Asset Value:

  

End of period

     $11.28  
  

 

 

 

Total investment return 2

     12.79%  
  

 

 

 

Net assets at end of period (000’s omitted)

     $2,321  

Ratios: 3

  

Expenses

     1.50%  

Net investment income

     0.76%  

Portfolio turnover rate (excluding short-term securities)

     27.60%  

                    

* 

The Fund commenced investment operations on June 30, 2016.

1 

The net investment income per share is based on average shares outstanding for the period.

2 

Total investment return is based on the change in net asset value of a share during the period (not annualized) and assumes reinvestment of distributions at net asset value.

3 

Ratios are annualized for periods less than one year. In addition to fees and expenses which the Fund bears directly, the Fund indirectly bears a pro rata share of the fees and expenses of the acquired funds in which it invests. Such indirect expenses are not included in the above reported expense ratios.

 

66    SIT MUTUAL FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT


    

FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS

Per share income and capital changes for a share outstanding throughout the period. See accompanying notes to financial statements.

 

Sit Mid Cap Growth Fund

 

 

 
     Years Ended June 30,  
   2017     2016     2015     2014     2013  

 

 

Net Asset Value:

          

Beginning of period

     $15.36       $20.22       $21.08       $17.69       $15.77  
  

 

 

 

Operations:

          

Net investment loss 1

         2      (0.04     (0.06     (0.07     (0.03

Net realized and unrealized gains (losses)

     2.86       (1.92     1.91       4.54       2.32  
  

 

 

 

Total from operations

     2.86       (1.96     1.85       4.47       2.29  
  

 

 

 

Redemption fees 2

                              
  

 

 

 

Distributions to Shareholders:

          

From net realized gains

     (0.16     (2.90     (2.71     (1.08     (0.37
  

 

 

 

Net Asset Value:

          

End of period

     $18.06       $15.36       $20.22       $21.08       $17.69  
  

 

 

 

Total investment return 3

     18.74%       (9.97%     9.52%       25.58%       14.70%  
  

 

 

 

Net assets at end of period (000’s omitted)

     $156,305       $139,523       $171,854       $180,276       $152,129  

Ratios: 4

          

Expenses

     1.25%       1.25%       1.25%       1.25%       1.25%  

Net investment loss

     (0.01%     (0.23%     (0.30%     (0.37%     (0.17%

Portfolio turnover rate (excluding short-term securities)

     23.02%       21.57%       23.39%       27.65%       16.91%  

                    

1 

The net investment income (loss) per share is based on average shares outstanding for the period.

 

2 

Amount represents less than $0.01 per share.

 

3 

Total investment return is based on the change in net asset value of a share during the period (not annualized) and assumes reinvestment of distributions at net asset value.

 

4 

Ratios are annualized for periods less than one year. In addition to fees and expenses which the Fund bears directly, the Fund indirectly bears a pro rata share of the fees and expenses of the acquired funds in which it invests. Such indirect expenses are not included in the above reported expense ratios.

 

 

JUNE 30, 2017

  

 

 

 

67

 

 


    

FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS

Per share income and capital changes for a share outstanding throughout the period. See accompanying notes to financial statements.

 

Sit Small Cap Dividend Growth Fund

 

Class I    Year Ended
June 30, 2017
    Year Ended
June 30, 2016
    Three
Months Ended
June 30, 2015 
*
 

Net Asset Value:

      

Beginning of period

     $10.00       $9.96       $10.00  
  

 

 

 

Operations:

      

Net investment income 1

     0.12       0.14       0.02  

Net realized and unrealized gains (losses)

     1.46       0.02       (0.06
  

 

 

 

Total from operations

     1.58       0.16       (0.04
  

 

 

 

Distributions to Shareholders:

      

From net investment income

     (0.11     (0.12      

From net realized gains

               2       
  

 

 

 

Total distributions

     (0.11     (0.12      
  

 

 

 

Net Asset Value:

      

End of period

     $11.47       $10.00       $9.96  
  

 

 

 

Total investment return 3

     15.84%       1.71%       (0.40%
  

 

 

 

Net assets at end of period (000’s omitted)

     $12,716       $5,777       $3,708  

Ratios: 4

      

Expenses

     1.25%       1.25%       1.25%  

Net investment income

     1.06%       1.46%       0.98%  

Portfolio turnover rate (excluding short-term securities)

 

    

 

19.57%

 

 

 

   

 

26.43%

 

 

 

   

 

2.63%

 

5 

 

Class S    Year Ended
June 30, 2017
    Year Ended
June 30, 2016
   

Three

Months Ended
June 30, 2015 
*

 

Net Asset Value:

      

Beginning of period

     $10.00       $9.96       $10.00  
  

 

 

 

Operations:

      

Net investment income 1

     0.09       0.11       0.02  

Net realized and unrealized gains (losses)

     1.45       0.03       (0.06
  

 

 

 

Total from operations

     1.54       0.14       (0.04
  

 

 

 

Distributions to Shareholders:

      

From net investment income

     (0.08     (0.10      

From net realized gains

               2       
  

 

 

 

Total distributions

     (0.08     (0.10      
  

 

 

 

Net Asset Value:

      

End of period

     $11.46       $10.00       $9.96  
  

 

 

 

Total investment return 3

     15.46%       1.46%       (0.40%
  

 

 

 

Net assets at end of period (000’s omitted)

     $3,461       $2,587       $2,230  

Ratios: 4

      

Expenses

     1.50%       1.50%       1.50%  

Net investment income

     0.81%       1.21%       0.73%  

Portfolio turnover rate (excluding short-term securities)

     19.57%       26.43%       2.63% 5 

                    

* 

The Fund commenced investment operations on March 31, 2015.

1 

The net investment income per share is based on average shares outstanding for the period.

2 

Amount represents less than $0.01 per share.

3 

Total investment return is based on the change in net asset value of a share during the period (not annualized) and assumes reinvestment of distributions at net asset value.

4 

Ratios are annualized for periods less than one year. In addition to fees and expenses which the Fund bears directly, the Fund indirectly bears a pro rata share of the fees and expenses of the acquired funds in which it invests. Such indirect expenses are not included in the above reported expense ratios.

5 

Not annualized.

 

68    SIT MUTUAL FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT


    

FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS

Per share income and capital changes for a share outstanding throughout the period. See accompanying notes to financial statements.

 

Sit Small Cap Growth Fund

 

 

 
     Years Ended June 30,  
   2017     2016     2015     2014     2013  

 

 

Net Asset Value:

          

Beginning of period

     $45.59       $60.10       $61.38       $50.08       $43.90  
  

 

 

 

Operations:

          

Net investment loss 1

     (0.24     (0.33     (0.48     (0.55     (0.30

Net realized and unrealized gains (losses)

     8.91       (8.97     6.26       11.85       6.48  
  

 

 

 

Total from operations

     8.67       (9.30     5.78       11.30       6.18  
  

 

 

 

Redemption fees 2

                              
  

 

 

 

Distributions to Shareholders:

          

From net realized gains

     (0.08     (5.21     (7.06            
  

 

 

 

Net Asset Value:

          

End of period

     $54.18       $45.59       $60.10       $61.38       $50.08  
  

 

 

 

Total investment return 3

     19.06%       (16.00%     10.38%       22.56%       14.08%  
  

 

 

 

Net assets at end of period (000’s omitted)

     $90,817       $81,209       $103,816       $99,510       $84,793  

Ratios: 4

          

Expenses

     1.50%       1.50%       1.50%       1.50%       1.50%  

Net investment loss

     (0.47%     (0.65%     (0.81%     (0.94%     (0.64%

Portfolio turnover rate (excluding short-term securities)

     29.08%       27.37%       31.07%       33.38%       28.36%  

 

1 

The net investment income (loss) per share is based on average shares outstanding for the period.

2 

Amount represents less than $0.01 per share.

3 

Total investment return is based on the change in net asset value of a share during the period (not annualized) and assumes reinvestment of distributions at net asset value.

4 

Ratios are annualized for periods less than one year. In addition to fees and expenses which the Fund bears directly, the Fund indirectly bears a pro rata share of the fees and expenses of the acquired funds in which it invests. Such indirect expenses are not included in the above reported expense ratios.

 

 

JUNE 30, 2017

  

 

 

 

69

 

 


    

FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS

Per share income and capital changes for a share outstanding throughout the period. See accompanying notes to financial statements.

 

Sit International Growth Fund

 

 

 
     Years Ended June 30,  
   2017     2016     2015     2014     2013  

 

 

Net Asset Value:

      

Beginning of period

     $14.48       $16.92       $17.44       $15.05       $13.29  
  

 

 

 

Operations:

      

Net investment income 1

     0.14       0.12       0.09       0.28       0.20  

Net realized and unrealized gains (losses)

     1.68       (1.47     (0.34     2.28       1.80  
  

 

 

 

Total from operations

     1.82       (1.35     (0.25     2.56       2.00  
  

 

 

 

Redemption fees

        2                         
  

 

 

 

Distributions to Shareholders:

          

From net investment income

     (0.07     (0.09     (0.27     (0.17     (0.24

From net realized gains

           (1.00                  
  

 

 

 

Total distributions

     (0.07     (1.09     (0.27     (0.17     (0.24
  

 

 

 

Net Asset Value:

          

End of period

     $16.23       $14.48       $16.92       $17.44       $15.05  
  

 

 

 

Total investment return 3

     12.64%       (8.19%     (1.35%     17.06%       15.06%  
  

 

 

 

Net assets at end of period (000’s omitted)

     $22,618       $20,440       $22,485       $24,127       $20,890  

Ratios: 4

          

Expenses

     1.50%       1.50%       1.50%       1.50%       1.50%  

Net investment income

     0.97%       0.76%       0.55%       1.69%       1.39%  

Portfolio turnover rate (excluding short-term securities)

     39.23%       37.94%       56.97%       46.91%       27.93%  

 

1 

The net investment income per share is based on average shares outstanding for the period.

2 

Amount represents less than $0.01 per share.

3 

Total investment return is based on the change in net asset value of a share during the period (not annualized) and assumes reinvestment of distributions at net asset value.

4 

Ratios are annualized for periods less than one year. In addition to fees and expenses which the Fund bears directly, the Fund indirectly bears a pro rata share of the fees and expenses of the acquired funds in which it invests. Such indirect expenses are not included in the above reported expense ratios.

 

70    SIT MUTUAL FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT


    

FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS

Per share income and capital changes for a share outstanding throughout the period. See accompanying notes to financial statements.

 

Sit Developing Markets Growth Fund

 

 

 
     Years Ended June 30,  
   2017     2016     2015     2014     2013  

 

 

Net Asset Value:

        

Beginning of period

     $12.26       $14.77       $17.48       $16.40       $17.70  
  

 

 

 

Operations:

        

Net investment income (loss) 1

     (0.02     0.04       0.03       (0.01     0.04  

Net realized and unrealized gains (losses)

     3.02       (2.18     (1.41     2.07       0.14  
  

 

 

 

Total from operations

     3.00       (2.14     (1.38     2.06       0.18  
  

 

 

 

Redemption fees

           —    2                   
  

 

 

 

Distributions to Shareholders:

        

From net investment income

     (0.03     (0.02           (0.03     (0.06

From net realized gains

           (0.35     (1.33     (0.95     (1.42
  

 

 

 

Total distributions

     (0.03     (0.37     (1.33     (0.98     (1.48
  

 

 

 

Net Asset Value:

        

End of period

     $15.23       $12.26       $14.77       $17.48       $16.40  
  

 

 

 

Total investment return 3

     24.56%       (14.42%     (7.64%     12.79%       0.36%  
  

 

 

 

Net assets at end of period (000’s omitted)

     $9,561       $7,297       $9,192       $10,808       $10,615  

Ratios: 4

        

Expenses

     2.00%       2.00%       2.00%       2.00%       2.00%  

Net investment income (loss)

     (0.18%     0.31%       0.16%       (0.07%     0.24%  

Portfolio turnover rate (excluding short-term securities)

     19.67%       28.14%       21.51%       21.45%       15.48%  

 

1 

The net investment income (loss) per share is based on average shares outstanding for the period.

2 

Amount represents less than $0.01 per share.

3 

Total investment return is based on the change in net asset value of a share during the period (not annualized) and assumes reinvestment of distributions at net asset value.

4 

Ratios are annualized for periods less than one year. In addition to fees and expenses which the Fund bears directly, the Fund indirectly bears a pro rata share of the fees and expenses of the acquired funds in which it invests. Such indirect expenses are not included in the above reported expense ratios.

 

 

JUNE 30, 2017

  

 

 

 

71

 

 


    

NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

Year Ended June 30, 2017

 

 

 

(1)

Organization

Sit Mutual Funds are no-load funds, and are registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940 (as amended) as diversified, open-end management investment companies, or series thereof. The Sit Balanced, Sit Dividend Growth, Sit Global Dividend Growth, Sit ESG Growth, Sit Small Cap Dividend Growth, Sit Small Cap Growth, Sit International Growth, and Sit Developing Markets Growth are series funds of Sit Mutual Funds, Inc.

This report covers the equity funds of the Sit Mutual Funds (the Funds). Each fund has 10 billion authorized shares of capital stock with a par value of $0.001. The investment objective for each Fund is as follows:

 

Fund

   Investment Objective

Balanced

   Long-term growth consistent with the preservation of principal and to provide regular income.

Dividend Growth

   Provide current income that exceeds the dividend yield of the S&P 500® Index and that grows over a period of years. Secondarily, maximize long-term capital appreciation.

Global Dividend Growth

   Provide current income that exceeds the dividend yield of the MSCI World Index that grows over a period of years. Secondarily, maximize long-term capital appreciation.

Large Cap Growth

   Maximize long-term capital appreciation.

ESG Growth

   Maximize long-term capital appreciation.

Mid Cap Growth

   Maximize long-term capital appreciation.

Small Cap Dividend Growth

   Provide current income that exceeds the yield of the Russell 2000® Index and that grows over a period of years. Secondarily, maximize long-term capital appreciation.

Small Cap Growth

   Maximize long-term capital appreciation.

International Growth

   Maximize long-term growth.

Developing Markets Growth

   Maximize long-term capital appreciation.

The Dividend Growth, Global Dividend Growth, ESG Growth and Small Cap Dividend Growth Funds offer Class I and Class S shares. Both classes of shares have identical voting, dividend, and liquidation rights. The distribution fee differs among classes, the Class S shares have a 0.25% distribution fee, whereas Class I has no distribution fee. Income, expenses (other than class specific expenses) and realized and unrealized gains or losses on investments are allocated to each class of shares based upon its relative net assets.

 

(2)

Significant Accounting Policies

The Funds are investment companies and follow accounting and reporting guidance under Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) Topic 946, “Financial Services-Investment Companies”. The following is a summary of significant accounting policies consistently followed by the Funds in the preparation of their financial statements in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (“GAAP”).

Investments in Securities

Investments in securities traded on national or international securities exchanges are valued at the last reported sales price prior to the time when assets are valued. Securities traded on the over-the-counter market are valued at the last reported sales price or if the last sales price is not available at the last reported bid price. The sale and bid prices or prices deemed best to reflect fair value quoted by dealers who make markets in these securities are obtained from independent pricing services. Consistent with the Funds’ valuation policies and procedures, debt securities maturing in more than 60 days are priced by an independent pricing service. The pricing service may use models that price securities based on current yields and relative security characteristics, such as coupon rate, maturity date, issuer credit quality, and prepayment speeds as applicable. When market quotations are not readily available, or when the Adviser becomes aware that a significant event impacting the value of a security or group of securities has occurred after the closing of the exchange on which the security or securities principally trade, but before the calculation of the daily net asset value, securities are valued at fair value as determined in good faith using procedures established by the Board of Directors. The procedures consider, among

 

72    SIT MUTUAL FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT


    

    

 

others, the following factors to determine a security’s fair value: the nature and pricing history (if any) of the security; whether any dealer quotations for the security are available; and possible valuation methodologies that could be used to determine the fair value of the security. Debt securities of sufficient credit quality maturing in less than 60 days when acquired, or which subsequently are within 60 days of maturity, are valued at amortized cost, which approximates fair value.

Security transactions are accounted for on the date the securities are purchased or sold. Securities gains and losses are calculated on the identified-cost basis. Dividend income is recorded on the ex-dividend date or upon the receipt of ex-dividend notification in the case of certain foreign securities. Interest, including level-yield amortization of long-term bond premium and discount, is recorded on the accrual basis.

Fair Value Measurements

The inputs and valuation techniques used to measure fair value of the Funds’ net assets are summarized into three levels as described in the hierarchy below:

• Level 1 – quoted prices in active markets for identical securities. An active market for the security is a market in which transactions occur with sufficient frequency and volume to provide pricing information on an ongoing basis. A quoted price in an active market provides the most reliable evidence of fair value.

• Level 2 – debt securities are valued based on evaluated prices received from independent pricing services or from dealers who make markets in such securities. For corporate bonds, U.S. government and government agency obligations, and municipal securities the pricing services utilize matrix pricing which considers yield or price of bonds of comparable quality, coupon, maturity, and type as well as dealer supplied prices. For asset-backed securities and mortgage-backed securities, the pricing services utilize matrix pricing which considers prepayment speed assumptions, attributes of the collateral, yield or price of bonds of comparable quality, coupon, maturity, and type as well as dealer supplied prices. For foreign equities, the pricing services adjust closing prices by applying a systematic process for events occurring after the close of the foreign exchange by utilizing such inputs as Depositary Receipts, quoted prices for similar securities, exchange rates, and certain indexes. All of these inputs are derived principally from or corroborated by observable market data. An adjustment to any observable input that is significant to the fair value may render the measurement a Level 3 measurement.

• Level 3 – significant unobservable inputs, including the Adviser’s own assumptions in determining the fair value of investments.

The inputs or methodology used for valuing securities are not necessarily an indication of the risk associated with investing in those securities.

A summary of the levels for the Funds’ investments as of June 30, 2017 is included with the Funds’ schedule of investments.

Foreign Currency Translations and Forward Foreign Currency Contracts

The fair value of securities and other assets and liabilities denominated in foreign currencies for Global Dividend Growth, International Growth and Developing Markets Growth Funds are translated daily into U.S. dollars at the closing rate of exchange (approximately 4:00 p.m. Eastern Time). Purchases and sales of securities, income and expenses are translated at the exchange rate on the transaction date. Dividend and interest income includes currency exchange gains (losses) realized between the accrual and payment dates on such income. Exchange gains (losses) may also be realized between the trade and settlement dates on security and forward contract transactions. For securities denominated in foreign currencies, the effect of changes in foreign exchange rates on realized and unrealized gains or losses is reflected as a component of such gains or losses.

The Global Dividend Growth, International Growth and Developing Markets Growth Funds may enter into forward foreign currency exchange contracts generally for operational purposes, but the Adviser may occasionally utilize contracts to protect against adverse exchange rate fluctuation. Any gains (losses) generated by these contracts are disclosed separately on the statement of operations. The net U.S. dollar value of foreign currency underlying all contractual commitments held by the Funds and the resulting unrealized appreciation or depreciation is determined using foreign currency exchange rates from an independent pricing service. The Funds are subject to the credit risk that the other party will not complete the obligations of the contract.

 

  

 

JUNE 30, 2017

  

 

 

 

73

 

 


    

NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

Year Ended June 30, 2017 (Continued)

 

Federal Taxes

The Funds’ policy is to comply with the requirements of the Internal Revenue Code applicable to regulated investment companies and to distribute all of their taxable income to shareholders. Therefore, no income tax provision is required. Also, in order to avoid the payment of any federal excise taxes, the Funds will distribute substantially all of their net investment income and net realized gains on a calendar year basis.

Management has analyzed the Funds’ tax positions taken in federal tax returns for all open tax years and has concluded that as of June 30, 2017, no provision for income tax would be required in the Funds’ financial statements. The Funds’ federal and state income and federal excise tax returns remain subject to examination by the Internal Revenue Service and state departments of revenue until such time as the applicable statute of limitations for audit has expired. For example, U.S. tax returns are generally subject to audit for three years from the date they are filed.

At June 30, 2017, the gross unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on investments and cost of securities on a tax basis for federal income tax purposes were as follows:

 

     Unrealized
Appreciation
     Unrealized
Depreciation
     Net Unrealized
Appreciation
(Depreciation)
     Cost of
Securities on a
Tax Basis
 

Balanced

     $5,406,507          ($173,653      $5,232,854          $19,922,824    

Dividend Growth

     173,385,025          (10,386,332      162,998,693          921,843,013    

Global Dividend Growth

     4,505,051          (382,260      4,122,791          24,932,555    

Large Cap Growth

     47,872,526          (403,983      47,468,543          66,769,667    

ESG Growth

     616,846          (63,545      553,301          4,114,017    

Mid Cap Growth

     66,750,329          (842,410      65,907,919          91,738,063    

Small Cap Dividend Growth

     2,310,493          (349,191      1,961,302          14,311,278    

Small Cap Growth

     30,467,669          (194,334      30,273,335          61,425,801    

International Growth

     3,858,500          (547,673      3,310,827          19,107,105    

Developing Markets Growth

     2,452,273          (266,351      2,185,922          7,377,216    

Net investment income and net realized gains differ for financial statement and tax purposes because of corporate actions on shares held and/or losses deferred due to “wash sale” transactions. A “wash sale” occurs when a Fund sells a security that it has acquired within a period beginning thirty days before and ending thirty days after the date of sale (a sixty one day period). The character of distributions made during the year from net investment income or net realized gains may also differ from its ultimate characterization for tax purposes. Also, due to the timing of dividend distributions, the fiscal year in which amounts are distributed may differ from the year that the income or realized gains (losses) were recorded by the Funds. The tax character of distributions paid during the fiscal years ended June 30, 2017 and 2016 were as follows:

 

74    SIT MUTUAL FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT


    

    

 

Year Ended June 30, 2017:                     
     Ordinary Income      Long Term
Capital Gain
     Total  

Balanced

     $270,000                   $270,000  

Dividend Growth (Class I)

     18,184,824            $56,369,317        74,554,141  

Dividend Growth (Class S)

     1,047,785            3,921,689        4,969,474  

Global Dividend Growth (Class I)

     354,957                   354,957  

Global Dividend Growth (Class S)

     38,043                   38,043  

Large Cap Growth

     598,249            7,585,453        8,183,702  

ESG Growth

     6,100                   6,100  

Mid Cap Growth

     —            1,410,787        1,410,787  

Small Cap Dividend Growth (Class I)

     87,515                   87,515  

Small Cap Dividend Growth (Class S)

     21,485                   21,485  

Small Cap Growth

     —            144,732        144,732  

International Growth

     97,000                   97,000  

Developing Markets Growth

     18,811                   18,811  

Year Ended June 30, 2016:

        
     Ordinary Income      Long Term
Capital Gain
     Total  

Balanced

     $508,889            $1,028,080          $1,536,969  

Dividend Growth (Class I)

     23,739,125            101,891,044          125,630,169  

Dividend Growth (Class S)

     1,582,606            7,415,541          8,998,147  

Global Dividend Growth (Class I)

     530,149            1,512,875          2,043,024  

Global Dividend Growth (Class S)

     62,954            201,098          264,052  

Large Cap Growth

     4,558,215            27,930,763          32,488,978  

Mid Cap Growth

     —            23,213,056          23,213,056  

Small Cap Dividend Growth (Class I)

     59,292            446          59,738  

Small Cap Dividend Growth (Class S)

     24,216            216          24,432  

Small Cap Growth

     —            8,910,218          8,910,218  

International Growth

     205,203            1,246,085          1,451,288  

Developing Markets Growth

     12,000            211,867          223,867  

As of June 30, 2017, the components of distributable earnings on a tax basis were as follows:

 

     Undistributed
Ordinary
Income
     Accumulated
Gain
     Unrealized
Appreciation
(Depreciation)
 

Balanced

     $82,423            $605,591        $ 5,232,854    

Dividend Growth

     17,604,115            37,535,605          162,998,693    

Global Dividend Growth

     142,589            —          4,122,607    

Large Cap Growth

     641,691            8,842,329          47,468,543    

ESG Growth

     32,139            —          553,305    

Mid Cap Growth

     4,961            4,062,233          65,907,919    

Small Cap Dividend Growth

     44,366            —          1,961,302    

Small Cap Growth

     —            3,000,150          30,273,335    

International Growth

     177,221            —          3,309,174    

Developing Markets Growth

     —            —          2,185,900    

 

  

 

JUNE 30, 2017

  

 

 

 

75

 

 


    

NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

Year Ended June 30, 2017 (Continued)

 

On the statement of assets and liabilities, as a result of permanent book-to-tax differences, reclassification adjustments were made to the following capital accounts:

 

     Undistributed
Net Investment
Income
     Accumulated
Net Realized
Gain (Loss)
     Additional
Paid-in Capital
 

Balanced

     ($51)            $51             —        

Dividend Growth

     (16,218)            16,218             —        

Global Dividend Growth

     (4,145)            4,145             —        

Large Cap Growth

     (384)            384             —        

ESG Growth

     343             909             ($1,252)      

Mid Cap Growth

     15,839             (15,839)            —        

Small Cap Dividend Growth

     301             (300)            (1)      

Small Cap Growth

     411,812             (6,393)            (405,419)      

International Growth

     (3,788)            3,788             —        

Developing Markets Growth

     13,702             (1,141)            (12,561)      

These differences were primarily attributable to return of capital dividends received, 988 reclassifications, non-deductible net operating losses and corporate actions on shares held.

Net capital loss carryovers and late year losses, if any, as of June 30, 2017, are available to offset future realized capital gains and thereby reduce future capital gains distributions. The Funds’ are permitted to carry forward capital losses for an unlimited period. Capital losses that are carried forward retain their character as either short-term or long-term capital losses. The net capital loss carryovers and the late year losses deferred as of June 30, 2017, were as follows:

 

    

Unlimited Period of Net

Capital Loss Carryover

    

Late Year

Losses

Deferred

  

Accumulated

Capital and

Other Losses

 
     Short-Term      Long-Term        

Global Dividend Growth

     $718,740          $186,394             $905,134      

ESG Growth

     59,584          —             59,584      

Small Cap Dividend Growth

     234,504          87,797             322,301      

International Growth

     723,576          148,939             872,515      

Developing Markets Growth

     90,015          92,540             182,555      

Distributions

Distributions to shareholders are recorded as of the close of business on the record date. Such distributions are payable in cash or reinvested in additional shares of the Funds’ capital stock. Distributions from net investment income, if any, are declared and paid quarterly for the Balanced, Dividend Growth, Global Dividend Growth and Small Cap Dividend Growth Funds and declared and paid annually for Developing Markets Growth, Small Cap Growth, International Growth, Mid Cap Growth, Large Cap Growth and ESG Growth Funds. Distributions from net realized gains, if any, will be made annually for each of the Funds.

Concentration of Investments

The Developing Markets Growth Fund may concentrate investments in countries with limited or developing capital markets which may involve greater risks than investments in more developed markets and the prices of such investments may be volatile. The consequences of political, social or economic changes in these markets may have disruptive effects on the market prices of the Fund’s investments and the income it generates, as well as the Fund’s ability to repatriate such amounts.

Use of Estimates

The preparation of financial statements in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles requires management to make certain 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 statements and the reported results for the respective periods. Actual results could differ from those estimates.

 

76    SIT MUTUAL FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT


    

 

Guarantees and Indemnifications

Under each Fund’s organizational documents, its officers and directors are indemnified against certain liability arising out of the performance of their duties to each Fund. In addition, certain of each Fund’s contracts with its service providers contain general indemnification clauses. Each Fund’s maximum exposure under these arrangements is unknown since the amount of any future claims that may be made against each Fund cannot be determined and each Fund has no historical basis for predicting the likelihood of any such claims.

 

(3)

Investment Security Transactions

The cost of purchases and proceeds from sales and maturities of investment securities, other than short-term securities, for the year ended June 30, 2017, were as follows:

 

     Purchases      Proceeds  
     U.S. Government      Other      U.S. Government      Other  

Balanced

     $1,450,388            $10,626,343        $2,127,958            $10,227,021  

Dividend Growth

     —            622,697,319        —            682,271,432  

Global Dividend Growth

     —            9,840,443        —            8,308,800  

Large Cap Growth

     —            20,196,670        —            41,516,206  

ESG Growth

     —            5,031,712        —            1,017,446  

Mid Cap Growth

     —            32,532,723        —            38,011,844  

Small Cap Dividend Growth

     —            8,182,055        —            2,353,789  

Small Cap Growth

     —            24,632,222        —            32,077,558  

International Growth

     —            7,964,494        —            8,108,552  

Developing Markets Growth

     —            1,839,559        —            1,489,703  

 

  

 

JUNE 30, 2017

  

 

 

 

77

 

 


    

NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

Year Ended June 30, 2017 (Continued)

 

 

(4)

Affiliated Fees and Transactions

Investment Adviser

The Funds each have entered into an investment management agreement with Sit Investment Associates, Inc. (SIA), under which SIA manages the Funds’ assets and provides research, statistical and advisory services, and pays related office rental, executive expenses and executive salaries. The current fee for investment management and advisory services is based on the average daily net assets of the Funds at the annual rate of:

 

            

Balanced

     1.00  

Dividend Growth Class I and Class S

     1.00  

Global Dividend Growth Class I and Class S

     1.25  

Large Cap Growth

     1.00  

ESG Growth Class I and Class S

     1.25  

Mid Cap Growth

     1.25  

Small Cap Dividend Growth Class I and Class S

     1.25  

Small Cap Growth

     1.50  

International Growth

     1.50  

Developing Markets Growth

     2.00  

SIA is obligated to pay all of the Funds’ expenses (excluding extraordinary expenses, stock transfer taxes, interest, brokerage commissions, 12b-1 fees and other transaction charges relating to investing activities).

In addition to the annual management fees, the Class S shares of Dividend Growth, Global Dividend Growth, ESG Growth and Small Cap Dividend Growth Funds also have a 0.25% annual distribution (12b-1) fee, which is used to pay for distribution fees related to the sale and distribution of its shares.

Transactions with affiliates

The investment adviser, affiliates of the investment adviser, directors and officers of the Funds as a whole owned the following shares as of June 30, 2017:

 

     Shares    % Shares      
Outstanding      
    

Balanced

       254,934        22.9       

Dividend Growth

       1,251,753        2.0       

Global Dividend Growth

       753,321        37.9       

Large Cap Growth

       614,026        21.9       

ESG Growth

       408,219        98.6       

Mid Cap Growth

       3,847,057        44.4       

Small Cap Dividend Growth

       832,807        59.0       

Small Cap Growth

       912,292        54.4       

International Growth

       813,417        58.4       

Developing Markets Growth

       260,519        41.5       

 

  
78    SIT MUTUAL FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT


    

 

(5)

Capital Share Activity

Short-Term Trading (Redemption) Fees

The Funds (except Balanced) charge a redemption fee equal to 2.00% of the proceeds on shares held for less than 30 calendar days. The fee is retained by the Fund for the benefit of its long-term shareholders and accounted for as an addition to paid in capital. For the year ended June 30, 2017, the Funds received the following redemption fees:

 

     Class I              Class S            

Dividend Growth

     $65           $259              

Global Dividend Growth

     13           —              

Large Cap Growth

     307           —              

Mid Cap Growth

     4           —              

Small Cap Growth

     1,333           —              

International Growth

     35           —              

 

(6)

Regulatory Updates

In October 2016, the SEC amended existing rules intended to modernize reporting and disclosure information. These amendments relate to Regulation S-X which sets forth the form and content of financial statements. The amendments will result in certain additional or revised disclosures in the financial statements and accompanying notes.

 

(7)

Subsequent Events

Management has evaluated the impact of all subsequent events on the Funds through the date the financial statements were issued, and has determined that there were no subsequent events that would require disclosure in or adjustments to the financial statements.

 

 

JUNE 30, 2017

  

 

79


    

REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM

 

The Board of Directors and Shareholders:

Sit Mutual Funds, Inc.

Sit Large Cap Growth Fund, Inc.

Sit Mid Cap Growth Fund, Inc.

We have audited the accompanying statements of assets and liabilities of Sit Balanced Fund, Sit Dividend Growth Fund, Sit Global Dividend Growth Fund, Sit ESG Growth Fund, Sit Small Cap Dividend Growth Fund, Sit Small Cap Growth Fund, Sit International Growth Fund, Sit Developing Markets Growth Fund, (each a series of Sit Mutual Funds, Inc.), Sit Large Cap Growth Fund, Inc., and Sit Mid Cap Growth Fund, Inc. (collectively, the Funds), including the schedules of investments, as of June 30, 2017, and the related statements of operations for the year then ended, the statements of changes in net assets for each of the years or periods in the two-year period then ended, and the financial highlights for each of the years or periods in the five-year period then ended. These financial statements and financial highlights are the responsibility of the Funds’ management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these financial statements and financial highlights based on our audits.

We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). Those standards require that we plan and perform the audits to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements and financial highlights are free of material misstatement. An audit includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. Our procedures included confirmation of securities owned as of June 30, 2017, by correspondence with custodians and brokers or by performing other appropriate auditing procedures. An audit also includes assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall financial statement presentation. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.

In our opinion, the financial statements and financial highlights referred to above present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of Sit Balanced Fund, Sit Dividend Growth Fund, Sit Global Dividend Growth Fund, Sit ESG Growth Fund, Sit Small Cap Dividend Growth Fund, Sit Small Cap Growth Fund, Sit International Growth Fund, Sit Developing Markets Growth Fund, Sit Large Cap Growth Fund, and Sit Mid Cap Growth Fund as of June 30, 2017, and the results of their operations, the changes in their net assets, and the financial highlights for the periods stated in the first paragraph above, in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles.

KPMG LLP

Minneapolis, Minnesota

August 18, 2017

 

80    SIT MUTUAL FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT


    

EXPENSE EXAMPLE (Unaudited)

 

As a shareholder of the Funds, you incur two types of costs: (1) transaction costs, including redemption fees and (2) ongoing costs, including management fees; and other Fund expenses. This Example is intended to help you understand your ongoing costs (in dollars) of investing in the Funds and to compare these costs with the ongoing costs of investing in other mutual funds.

The Example is based on an investment of $1,000 invested at the beginning of the period and held for the entire period January 1, 2017 to June 30, 2017.

Actual Expenses

The first line of the following table provides information about actual account values and actual expenses. You may use the information in this line, together with the amount you invested, to estimate the expenses that you paid over the period. Simply divide your account value by $1,000 (for example, an $8,600 account value divided by $1,000 = 8.6), then multiply the result by the number in the first line under the heading entitled “Expenses Paid During Period” to estimate the expenses you paid on your account during this period.

Hypothetical Example for Comparison Purposes

The second line of the table provides information about hypothetical account values and hypothetical expenses based on the Fund’s actual expense ratio and an assumed rate of return of 5% per year before expenses, which is not the Fund’s actual return. The hypothetical account values and expenses may not be used to estimate the actual ending account balance or expenses you paid for the period. You may use this information to compare the ongoing costs of investing in the Fund and other funds. To do so, compare this 5% hypothetical example with the 5% hypothetical examples that appear in the shareholder reports of the other funds.

Please note that the expenses shown in the table are meant to highlight your ongoing costs only and do not reflect any transactional costs, such as redemption fees. Therefore, the second line of the table is useful in comparing ongoing costs only, and will not help you determine the relative total costs of owning different funds. In addition, if these transactional costs (redemption fees) were included, your costs would have been higher.

Fund          

Beginning

Account

Value

(1/1/17)

 

Ending

Account

Value

(6/30/17)

  Expenses
Paid During
Period*
(1/1/17-
6/30/17)
Balanced Fund

Actual

     $1,000   $1,088.90   $5.18

Hypothetical

     $1,000   $1,019.84   $5.01
                      
Dividend Growth Fund

Actual

        

Class I

     $1,000   $1,086.10   $5.17

Class S

     $1,000   $1,084.40   $6.46

Hypothetical

        

Class I

     $1,000   $1,019.84   $5.01

Class S

     $1,000   $1,018.60   $6.26
                      
Global Dividend Growth Fund

Actual

        

Class I

     $1,000   $1,080.80   $6.45

Class S

     $1,000   $1,080.20   $7.74

Hypothetical

        

Class I

     $1,000   $1,018.60   $6.26

Class S

     $1,000   $1,017.36   $7.50
                      
Large Cap Growth Fund

Actual

     $1,000   $1,142.90   $5.31

Hypothetical

     $1,000   $1,019.84   $5.01
                      
ESG Growth Fund

Actual

        

Class I

     $1,000   $1,109.00   $6.54

Class S

     $1,000   $1,107.10   $7.84

Hypothetical

        

Class I

     $1,000   $1,018.60   $6.26

Class S

     $1,000   $1,017.36   $7.50
                      
Mid Cap Growth Fund

Actual

     $1,000   $1,123.10   $6.58

Hypothetical

     $1,000   $1,018.60   $6.26
                      
Small Cap Dividend Growth Fund

Actual

        

Class I

     $1,000   $1,040.90   $6.33

Class S

     $1,000   $1,039.40   $7.58

Hypothetical

        

Class I

     $1,000   $1,018.60   $6.26

Class S

     $1,000   $1,017.36   $7.50
 

 

 

JUNE 30, 2017

  

 

81


    

EXPENSE EXAMPLE (Unaudited) (Continued)

 

Fund        

Beginning
Account

Value

(1/1/17)

 

Ending

Account

Value

(6/30/17)

  Expenses
Paid During
Period*
(1/1/17-
6/30/17)

Small Cap Growth Fund

 

Actual

         $ 1,000   $1,075.00       $7.72

Hypothetical

         $ 1,000   $1,017.36       $7.50
                                    

International Growth Fund

 

Actual

         $ 1,000   $1,151.90       $8.00

Hypothetical

         $ 1,000   $1,017.36       $7.50
                                    

Developing Markets Growth Fund

 

Actual

         $ 1,000   $1,250.40       $11.16

Hypothetical

         $ 1,000   $1,014.88       $9.99

*Expenses are equal to the Fund’s annualized expense ratio of 1.00%, for the Balanced, Dividend Growth, Class I and Large Cap Growth Funds; 1.25% for Dividend Growth, Class S, Global Dividend Growth, Class I, Small Cap Dividend Growth, Class I, Mid Cap Growth, and ESG Growth, Class I Funds; 1.50% for Global Dividend Growth, Class S, Small Cap Dividend Growth, Class S, Small Cap Growth, ESG Growth, Class S and International Growth Funds; and 2.00% for Developing Markets Growth Fund, multiplied by the average account value over the period, multiplied by 181/365 (to reflect the one-half year period.)

    

 

 

82    SIT MUTUAL FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT


    

FEDERAL TAX INFORMATION (Unaudited)

 

Sit Equity Funds

For corporate shareholders, the percentage of investment income (dividend income and short-term gains, if any), for each of the Funds that qualify for the Dividends Received Deductions for the period of July 1, 2016 to June 30, 2017 is as follows:

 

Fund

   Percentage

Balanced Fund

   80.4%

Dividend Growth Fund

   100.0   

Global Dividend Growth Fund

   99.3   

Large Cap Growth Fund

   100.0   

ESG Growth Fund

   100.0   

Small Cap Dividend Growth Fund

   100.0   

International Growth Fund

   3.4   

Developing Markets Growth Fund

   18.5   

For the year ended June 30, 2017, certain dividends paid by the Funds may be subject to a maximum tax rate of 15%, as provided by the Jobs and Growth Tax Relief Reconciliation Act of 2003. Of the distributions made by the following Funds, the corresponding percentages represent the amount of each distribution which may qualify for the 15% dividend income tax rate.

 

Fund

   Percentage

Balanced Fund

   91.6%

Dividend Growth Fund

   100.0   

Global Dividend Growth Fund

   100.0   

Large Cap Growth Fund

   100.0   

ESG Growth Fund

   100.0   

Small Cap Dividend Growth Fund

   100.0   

International Growth Fund

   100.0   

Developing Markets Growth Fund

   100.0   

 

The following Funds designated the listed amounts as long-term capital gain dividends during the year ended June 30, 2017. Distributable long-term gains are based on net realized long term gains determined on a tax basis and may differ from such amounts for financial reporting purposes.

 

Fund

     Amount  

Balanced Fund

     $605,591  

Dividend Growth Fund

     60,291,006  

Large Cap Growth Fund

     10,880,874  

Mid Cap Growth Fund

     4,062,337  

Small Cap Growth Fund

     3,000,251  
 

 

JUNE 30, 2017   

83

 


    

INFORMATION ABOUT DIRECTORS AND OFFICERS (Unaudited)

 

The Sit Mutual Funds are a family of no-load mutual funds. The Stock Funds described in this Annual Report are the Sit Mid Cap Growth Fund, Sit Large Cap Growth Fund, Sit International Growth Fund, Sit Balanced Fund, Sit Developing Markets Growth Fund, Sit Small Cap Growth Fund, Sit Dividend Growth Fund, Sit Global Dividend Growth Fund, Sit Small Cap Dividend Growth Fund, and the Sit ESG Growth Fund (the “Funds” or individually, a “Fund”). The bond funds within the Sit Mutual Fund family are described in a separate Bond Funds’ Annual Report. The Sit Mid Cap Growth Fund and Sit Large Cap Growth Fund, and the corporate issuer of the Sit International Growth Fund, Sit Balanced Fund, Sit Developing Markets Growth Fund, Sit Small Cap Growth Fund, Sit Dividend Growth Fund, Sit Global Dividend Growth Fund, and Sit Small Cap Dividend Growth Fund have a Board of Directors and officers. Pursuant to Minnesota law, the Boards of Directors are responsible for the management of the Funds and the establishment of the Funds’ policies. The officers of the Funds manage the day-to-day operation of the Funds. Information pertaining to the directors and officers of the Funds is set forth below. The business address, unless otherwise noted below, is that of the Funds’ investment adviser – 3300 IDS Center, 80 South Eighth Street, Minneapolis, Minnesota 55402. The Boards have a separate Audit Committee. The Stock Funds’ SAI has additional information about the Funds’ directors and is available without charge upon request by calling the Sit Funds at 800-332-5580.

 

Name, Age, and

Position

with Funds

  

Term of

Office (1)

and Length of Time

Served

   Principal Occupations During
Past Five Years
  

Number of Funds
Overseen in

Fund Complex

   Other Directorships
Held by Director (3)

INTERESTED DIRECTORS:

Roger J. Sit (2)

Age: 55

Chairman and

President

  

Chairman since 10/08;

Officer since 1998.

   Chairman, President, CEO and Global CIO of Sit Investment Associates, Inc. (the “Adviser”); Chairman and CEO of Sit Investment Fixed Income Advisors, Inc. (“SF”); Chairman of SIA Securities Corp. (the “Distributor”).    14    TCF Financial Corporation.

INDEPENDENT DIRECTORS:

Edward M. Giles

Age: 81

Director

   Director since 2012 or the Fund’s inception, if later.   

Senior Vice President of Peter B.

Cannell & Co., July 2011 to present.

   14    None.

Sidney L. Jones

Age: 83

Director

   Director from 1988 to 1989 and since 1993 or the Fund’s inception, if later.    Lecturer, Washington Campus Consortium of 17 Universities.    14    None.

Bruce C. Lueck

Age: 76

Director

   Director since 2004 or the Fund’s inception, if later.    Consultant for Zephyr Management, L.P. (investment management) and committee member of several investment funds and foundations.    14    None.

Donald W. Phillips

Age: 69

Director

   Director of the International Fund since 1993, and since 1990 or the Fund’s inception, if later for all other Funds.    Chairman and CEO of WP Global Partners Inc., July 2005 to present; Partner of Ranieri Partners, 2007 to December 2012.    14    None.

Barry N. Winslow

Age: 69

Director

   Director since 2010 or the Fund’s inception, if later.    Vice-Chairman of TCF Financial Corporation, July 2008 to July 2014.    14    TCF Financial Corporation.

 

  
84    SIT MUTUAL FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT


    

    

 

Name, Age, and

Position

with Funds

  

 

Term of

Office (1)

and Length of Time

Served

   Principal Occupations During
Past Five Years
  

Number of Funds
Overseen in

Fund Complex

   Other Directorships
Held by Director (3)

OFFICERS:

Mark H. Book

Age: 54

Vice President – Investments of Balanced Fund only

   Officer since 2002; Re-Elected by the Boards annually.    Vice President and Portfolio Manager of SF.    N/A    N/A

Kelly K. Boston

Age: 48

Assistant Secretary & Assistant Treasurer

   Officer since 2000; Re-Elected by the Boards annually.    Staff Attorney of the Adviser; Secretary of the Distributor.    N/A    N/A

Bryce A. Doty

Age: 50

Vice President - Investments of Balanced Fund only.

   Officer since 1996; Re-Elected by the Boards annually.    Senior Vice President and Senior Portfolio Manager of SF.    N/A    N/A

Kent L. Johnson

Age: 51

Vice President - Investments

   Officer since 2003; Re-Elected by the Boards annually.    Senior Vice President - Research and Investment Management of the Adviser.    N/A    N/A

Michael J. Radmer

50 S. 6th Street Minneapolis, MN

55402

Age: 72

Secretary

   Officer since 1984; Re-Elected by the Boards annually.    Senior Counsel of the Funds’ general counsel, Dorsey & Whitney, LLP since January 2016; Partner from January 1976 to December 2015.    N/A    N/A

Paul E. Rasmussen

Age: 56

Vice President, Treasurer & Chief Compliance Officer

   Officer since 1994; Re-Elected by the Boards annually.    Vice President, Secretary, Controller and Chief Compliance Officer of the Adviser; Vice President, Secretary, and Chief Compliance Officer of SF; President and Treasurer of the Distributor.    N/A    N/A

Carla J. Rose

Age: 51

Vice President,

Assistant Secretary &

Assistant Treasurer

   Officer since 2000; Re-Elected by the Boards annually.    Vice President, Administration & Deputy Controller of the Adviser; Vice President, Controller, Treasurer & Assistant Secretary of SF; Vice President and Assistant Secretary of the Distributor.    N/A    N/A

Robert W. Sit

Age: 48

Vice President - Investments

   Officer since 1997; Re-Elected by the Boards annually.    Vice President - Research and Investment Management of the Adviser.    N/A    N/A

Ronald D. Sit

Age: 57

Vice President - Investments

   Officer since 1985; Re-Elected by the Boards annually.    Vice President - Research and Investment Management of the Adviser.    N/A    N/A

 

1 

Each Director serves until their resignation, removal or the next meeting of the shareholders at which election of directors is an agenda item and his successor is duly elected and shall qualify.

2 

Directors who are deemed to be “interested persons” of the Funds as that term is defined by the Investment Company Act of 1940. Mr. Sit is considered an “interested person” because he is a an officer of Sit Investment Associates, Inc., the Fund’s investment adviser.

3

Includes only directorships of companies required to report under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (i.e., public companies) or other investment companies registered under the 1940 Act.

 

  

 

JUNE 30, 2017

  

 

 

 

85

 

 


    

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION (Unaudited)

 

 

PROXY VOTING

Each Fund follows certain policies and procedures for voting proxies for securities held in each portfolio. A description of the Funds’ proxy voting policies and procedures is available without charge upon request by calling the Funds at 1-800-332-5580.

Information regarding how each Fund voted proxies relating to its portfolio securities during the most recent twelve-month period ended June 30 is available without charge upon request by calling the Funds at 1-800-332-5580, and is available on the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission’s website at www.sec.gov.

AVAILABILITY OF QUARTERLY PORTFOLIO SCHEDULES

The Funds’ file their complete schedules of portfolio holdings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) for the first and third quarters of each fiscal year on Form N-Q. The Funds’ Form N-Qs are available without charge upon request by calling the Funds at 1-800-332-5580 and are available on the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov. In addition, the Funds’ Form N-Qs may be reviewed and copied at the SEC’s Public Reference Room in Washington, DC. Information on the operation of the Public Reference Room may be obtained by calling 1-202-551-8090.

 

  
86    SIT MUTUAL FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT


 

 

 

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JUNE 30, 2017

  

 

 

 

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88    SIT MUTUAL FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT


LOGO


Item 2: Code of Ethics.

The registrant has adopted a code of ethics that applies to the registrant’s principal executive officer, principal financial officer, principal accounting officer, and persons performing similar functions. The registrant has not made any amendment to its code of ethics during the period covered by this report which must be described herein pursuant to Item 2. The registrant has not granted any waivers from any provisions of the code of ethics during the period covered by this report.

A copy of the registrant’s code of ethics is available without charge upon request by calling the registrant at 612-332-3223 or 1-800-332-5580, or by mail at Sit Mutual Funds, 3300 IDS Center, 80 South Eighth Street, Minneapolis, MN 55402.

 

Item 3: Audit Committee Financial Expert.

The registrant’s Board of Directors has determined that Mr. Edward M. Giles, Mr. Sidney L. Jones, Mr. Bruce C. Lueck, Mr. Donald W. Phillips, and Mr. Barry N. Winslow are audit committee financial experts serving on its audit committee. Mr. Giles, Mr. Jones, Mr. Lueck, Mr. Phillips, and Mr. Winslow are independent for purposes of this item.

 

Item 4: Principal Accountant Fees and Services.

(a) – (d) Aggregate fees billed to the registrant for the last two fiscal years for professional services rendered by the registrant’s principal accountant were as follows:

 

     Audit
Fees (a)
     Audit
Related
Fees (b)
     Tax
Fees (c)
     Other
Fees (d)
 

Fiscal year ended June 30, 2017

     22,600        0        5,175        0  

Fiscal year ended June 30, 2016

     22,000        0        4,925        0  

Audit fees include amounts related to the audit of the registrant’s annual financial statements and services normally provided by the accountant in connection with statutory and regulatory filings. Audit-related fees include amounts reasonably related to the performance of the audit of the registrant’s financial statements, and/or are traditionally performed by the auditor. Tax fees include amounts related to tax compliance, tax planning, and tax advice. Other Fees include services provided to review the Fund’s order processing and trading procedures.

(e) (1) The Audit Committee is required to pre-approve audit and non-audit services performed for the registrant by the independent auditor in order to assure that the provision of such services does not impair the auditor’s independence. The audit committee also is required to pre-approve certain non-audit services performed by the registrant’s independent auditor for the registrant’s investment adviser and certain of the adviser’s affiliates if the services relate directly to the operations and financial reporting of the registrant. Services to be provided by the auditor must receive general pre-approval or specific pre-approval by the audit committee. Any proposed services exceeding pre-approved cost levels will require separate pre-approval by the audit committee.

The audit committee may delegate pre-approval authority to the audit committee chairman. The chairman shall report any pre-approval decisions to the audit committee at its next scheduled meeting. The audit committee does not delegate its responsibility to pre-approve services performed by the independent auditor to management.

 

(2) No services included in (b) – (d) were approved pursuant to paragraph (c)(7)(i)(C) of Rule 2-01 of Regulation S-X.

(f) Not applicable.

(g) The aggregate fees billed for the most recent fiscal year and the preceding fiscal year by the registrant’s principal accountant for non-audit services rendered to the registrant, its investment adviser, and any entity controlling, controlled by, or under common control with the investment adviser that provides ongoing services to the registrant were $0 and $0, respectively.

(h) The registrant’s audit committee has determined that the provision of non-audit services rendered to the registrant’s investment adviser, and any entity controlling, controlled by, or under common control with the investment adviser that provides ongoing services to the registrant, that were not pre-approved pursuant to paragraph (c)(7)(ii) of Rule 2-01 of Regulation S-X is considered compatible with maintaining the principal accountant’s independence.


Item 5: Audit Committee of Listed Registrants.

Not applicable to open-end investment companies.

 

Item 6: Schedule of Investments.

The schedule of investments is included as part of the report to shareholders filed under Item 1 of this Form.

 

Item 7: Disclosure of Proxy Voting Policies and Procedures for Closed-End Management Investment Companies.

Not applicable to open-end investment companies.

 

Item 8: Portfolio Managers of Closed-End Management Investments Companies.

Not applicable to open-end investment companies.

 

Item 9: Purchases of Equity Securities by Closed-End Management Investment Company and Affiliated Purchasers.

Not applicable to open-end investment companies.

 

Item 10. Submission of Matters to a vote of Security Holders.

There have been no material changes to the procedures by which shareholders may recommend nominees to the registrant’s board of directors.

 

Item 11: Controls and Procedures -

(a) Based on their evaluation of the Registrant’s Disclosure Controls and Procedures as of a date within 90 days of the Filing Date, the Registrant’s Chairman and Treasurer have determined that the Disclosure Controls and Procedures (as defined in Rule 30a-2(c) under the Act) are designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed by the Registrant is recorded, processed, summarized and reported by the filing Date, and that information required to be disclosed in the report is communicated to the Registrant’s management, as appropriate, to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure.

(b) There were no significant changes in the Registrant’s internal controls or in other factors that could significantly affect these controls subsequent to the date of their evaluation, and there were no corrective actions with regard to significant deficiencies and material weaknesses.

 

Item 12: Exhibits:

 

(a) The following exhibits are attached to this Form N-CSR:

(2) A separate certification for each principal executive and principal financial officer of the registrant as required by Rule 30a-2(a) under the Act (17 CFR 270.30a-2) (certification required by Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002).

(b) Certification required by Rule 30a-2(b) under the Act (certification required by Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002).


SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and the Investment Company Act of 1940, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.

 

Sit Large Cap Growth Fund, Inc.
By (Signature and Title)*   /s/ Paul E. Rasmussen
  Paul E. Rasmussen
  Vice President, Treasurer
Date August 25, 2017  

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and the Investment Company Act of 1940, this report has been signed below by the following persons on behalf of the registrant and in the capacities and on the dates indicated.

 

By (Signature and Title)   /s/ Paul E. Rasmussen
  Paul E. Rasmussen
  Vice President, Treasurer
Date August 25, 2017  

 

By (Signature and Title)   /s/ Roger J. Sit
  Roger J. Sit
  Chairman
Date August 25, 2017