NPORT-EX 2 mergerv6confidential.htm PART F MERGER
The Merger Fund
             
SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS
             
September 30, 2019 (Unaudited)
             
               
   
Shares





Value
 
LONG INVESTMENTS - 100.72%
                 
COMMON STOCKS - 45.53%
                 
AEROSPACE & DEFENSE - 1.09%
                 
United Technologies Corporation (k)
   
245,800
         
$
33,556,616
 
ALTERNATIVE CARRIERS - 3.08%
                     
Zayo Group Holdings, Inc. (a)(e)
   
2,807,509
           
95,174,555
 
ASSET MANAGEMENT & CUSTODY BANKS - 2.51%
                     
Brookfield Asset Management, Inc. Class A (b)(e)(m)
   
1,463,932
           
77,720,144
 
BIOTECHNOLOGY - 4.93%
                     
Alder Biopharmaceuticals, Inc. (a)
   
493,076
           
9,299,414
 
Celgen Corporation (a)(e)
   
1,328,047
           
131,875,067
 
Spark Therapeutics, Inc. (a)
   
118,043
           
11,447,810
 
                   
152,622,291
 
BROADCASTING - 0.46%
                     
Discovery, Inc. Class C (a)(m)
   
133,231
           
3,280,147
 
Fox Corporation Class A
   
343,730
           
10,839,526
 
                   
14,119,673
 
CASINOS & GAMING - 1.94%
                     
Caesars Entertainment Corporation (a)(m)
   
5,147,386
           
60,018,521
 
COMMODITY CHEMICALS - 0.24%
                     
Dow, Inc. (e)(k)(m)
   
157,290
           
7,494,868
 
CONSTRUCTION MACHINERY & HEAVY TRUCKS - 1.73%
                     
WABCO Holdings, Inc. (a)(e)
   
400,950
           
53,627,062
 
ENVIRONMENTAL & FACILITIES SERVICES - 0.52%
                     
Advanced Disposal Services, Inc. (a)(m)
   
491,407
           
16,005,126
 
FERTILIZERS & AGRICULTURAL CHEMICALS - 0.14%
                     
Corteva, Inc. (e)(k)
   
150,734
           
4,220,552
 
HEALTH CARE TECHNOLOGY - 0.41%
                     
Medidata Solutions, Inc. (a)
   
139,833
           
12,794,719
 
INDUSTRIAL MACHINERY - 1.12%
                     
Milacron Holdings Corporation (a)
   
2,084,888
           
34,755,083
 
INTEGRATED OIL & GAS - 0.02%
                     
Occidental Petroleum Corporation (k)(m)
   
10,705
           
476,051
 
INTEGRATED TELECOMMUNICATION SERVICES - 0.11%
                     
AT&T, Inc. (e)(k)(m)
   
93,309
           
3,530,813
 
LIFE & HEALTH INSURANCE - 0.04%
                     
Genworth Financial, Inc. Class A (a)
   
306,379
           
1,348,068
 
MANAGED HEALTH CARE - 1.64%
                     
WellCare Health Plans, Inc. (a)(e)
   
195,081
           
50,559,143
 
MOVIES & ENTERTAINMENT - 1.23%
                     
Viacom, Inc. Class B
   
1,584,894
           
38,085,003
 
OIL & GAS STORAGE & TRANSPORTATION - 3.45%
                     
Buckeye Partners LP
   
775,633
           
31,870,760
 
Columbia Pipeline Group, Inc. (a)(d)(g)(i)
   
2,276,354
           
68,745,891
 
Tallgrass Energy LP Class A
   
307,276
           
6,188,538
 
                   
106,805,189
 
PHARMACEUTICALS - 3.85%
                     
Allergan plc (b)
   
708,321
           
119,203,341
 
RAILROADS - 1.88%
                     
Genesee & Wyoming, Inc. Class A (a)(e)
   
527,305
           
58,272,476
 
REGIONAL BANKS - 5.63%
                     
SunTrust Banks, Inc. (e)
   
2,527,660
           
173,903,008
 
REITs - 0.40%
                     
Brookfield Property REIT, Inc. Class A (m)
   
600,931
           
12,252,983
 
SEMICONDUCTOR EQUIPMENT - 3.93%
                     
Versum Materials, Inc. (e)
   
2,297,602
           
121,612,074
 
SEMICONDUCTORS - 1.35%
                     
Mellanox Technologies Ltd. (a)(b)(e)
   
379,504
           
41,589,843
 
SEMICONDUCTORS & SEMICONDUCTOR EQUIPMENT - 2.75%
                     
Cypress Semiconductor Corporation (e)
   
3,650,184
           
85,195,295
 
SPECIALTY CHEMICALS - 0.36%
                     
DuPont de Nemours, Inc. (e)(k)
   
155,735
           
11,105,463
 
WIRELESS TELECOMMUNICATION SERVICES - 0.72%
                     
Sprint Corporation (a)
   
3,624,607
           
22,363,825
 
TOTAL COMMON STOCKS (Cost $1,430,698,062)
                 
1,408,411,785
 
                       
SPECIAL PURPOSE ACQUISITION COMPANIES - 6.51% (a)
                     
Act II Global Acquisition Corporation Class A (b)
   
675,184
           
6,650,562
 
Akazoo SA (b)
   
47,770
           
302,384
 
Alberton Acquisition Corporation (b)
   
541,885
           
5,554,321
 
Andina Acquisition Corporation III (b)
   
219,088
           
2,188,689
 
Apex Technology Acquisition Corporation
   
604,501
           
6,159,865
 
CF Finance Acquisition Corporation Class A (f)
   
390,688
           
3,955,716
 
ChaSerg Technology Acquisition Corporation Class A (f)
   
439,436
           
4,447,092
 
Churchill Capital Corporation II
   
302,611
           
3,180,442
 
Collier Creek Holdings Class A (b)
   
195,000
           
1,987,050
 
FinTech Acquisition Corporation III Class A
   
328,770
           
3,310,714
 
Forum Merger II Corporation Class A (f)
   
334,654
           
3,390,045
 
GigCapital, Inc. (f)
   
300,000
           
3,127,500
 
Gordon Pointe Acquisition Corporation (m)
   
424,801
           
4,447,666
 
Graf Industrial Corporation (f)
   
434,606
           
4,365,617
 
Haymaker Acquisition Corporation II
   
893,499
           
9,229,845
 
Hennessy Capital Acquisition Corporation IV Class A (f)(m)
   
175,540
           
1,764,177
 
Legacy Acquisition Corporation Class A
   
247,158
           
2,521,012
 
Leisure Acquisition Corporation (f)(m)
   
500,080
           
5,125,820
 
Leo Holdings Corporation Class A (b)
   
985,877
           
10,095,380
 
Longevity Acquisition Corporation (b)(f)
   
262,500
           
2,718,188
 
Megalith Financial Acquisition Corporation Class A (f)
   
260,768
           
2,650,707
 
Monocle Acquisition Corporation (f)
   
204,085
           
2,040,850
 
Mudrick Capital Acquisition Corporation Class A (f)
   
428,413
           
4,389,091
 
New Frontier Corporation Class A (b)(f)(m)
   
645,780
           
6,577,269
 
New Providence Acquisition Corporation
   
454,276
           
4,584,326
 
Opes Acquisition Corporation
   
299,301
           
3,102,255
 
Pivotal Acquisition Corporation Class A
   
495,651
           
5,045,727
 
Pivotal Investment Corporation II
   
121,848
           
1,240,413
 
Pure Acquisition Corporation
   
1,186,956
           
12,166,299
 
Sentinel Energy Services, Inc. Class A (f)
   
760,225
           
7,815,113
 
Thunder Bridge Acquisition II Ltd. (b)
   
516,993
           
5,262,989
 
Tiberius Acquisition Corporation (f)
   
311,172
           
3,191,069
 
TKK Symphony Acquisition Corporation (b)(f)(m)
   
541,620
           
5,502,859
 
Trident Acquisitions Corporation (f)(m)
   
1,309,990
           
13,623,896
 
Trinity Merger Corporation Class A
   
1,119,455
           
11,687,110
 
Tuscan Holdings Corporation (e)
   
610,840
           
5,986,232
 
Tuscan Holdings Corporation II
   
331,070
           
3,327,254
 
Twelve Seas Investment Company (b)(m)
   
1,208,851
           
12,378,634
 
VectoIQ Acquisition Corporation (f)
   
620,727
           
6,343,830
 
TOTAL SPECIAL PURPOSE ACQUISITION COMPANIES (Cost $193,323,545)
                 
201,438,008
 
                       
CLOSED-END FUNDS - 3.79%
                     
Altaba, Inc.
   
6,012,284
           
117,119,292
 
TOTAL CLOSED-END FUNDS (Cost $66,954,276)
                 
117,119,292
 
                       
PREFERRED STOCKS - 0.08%
                     
Colony Capital, Inc., 8.750%, Series E
   
97,704
           
2,470,934
 
TOTAL PREFERRED STOCKS (Cost $2,452,748)
                 
2,470,934
 
                       
CONTINGENT VALUE RIGHTS - 0.00% (a)(e)(g)
                     
Media General, Inc.
   
891,153
           
44,558
 
TOTAL CONTINGENT VALUE RIGHTS (Cost $0)
                 
44,558
 
                       
WARRANTS - 0.13% (a)
                     
Act II Global Acquisition Corporation Class A
                     
Expiration: April 2024, Exercise Price: $11.50 (b)
   
337,592
           
313,961
 
Akazoo SA
                     
Expiration: December 2024, Exercise Price: $11.50 (b)
   
238,850
           
183,915
 
CF Finance Acquisition Corporation Class A
                     
Expiration: April 2025, Exercise Price: $11.50
   
293,016
           
190,460
 
ChaSerg Technology Acquisition Corporation Class A
                     
Expiration: September 2023, Exercise Price: $11.50 (f)
   
219,718
           
219,718
 
Collier Creek Holdings Class A
                     
Expiration: November 2023, Exercise Price: $11.50 (b)(f)
   
65,000
           
91,000
 
FinTech Acquisition Corporation III Class A
                     
Expiration: December 2023, Exercise Price: $11.50
   
164,385
           
200,550
 
Graf Industrial Corporation
                     
Expiration: December 2025, Exercise Price: $11.50
   
434,606
           
169,496
 
Hennessy Capital Acquisition Corporation IV Class A
                     
Expiration: September 2025, Exercise Price: $11.50 (f)
   
131,655
           
102,691
 
Monocle Acquisition Corporation
                     
Expiration: June 2024, Exercise Price: $11.50 (f)
   
204,085
           
93,879
 
Mudrick Capital Acquisition Corporation Class A
                     
Expiration: March 2025, Exercise Price: $11.50 (f)
   
428,413
           
267,758
 
Pivotal Acquisition Corporation Class A
                     
Expiration: December 2025, Exercise Price: $11.50 (f)
   
677,651
           
887,723
 
Pure Acquisition Corporation
                     
Expiration: April 2023, Exercise Price: $11.50
   
342,226
           
359,337
 
Repay Holdings Corporation
                     
Expiration: July 2024, Exercise Price: $11.50
   
338,801
           
298,145
 
Tiberius Acquisition Corporation
                     
Expiration: April 2023, Exercise Price: $11.50
   
311,172
           
183,592
 
Tuscan Holdings Corporation
                     
Expiration: April 2026, Exercise Price: $11.50
   
610,840
           
464,238
 
TOTAL WARRANTS (Cost $3,199,002)
                 
4,026,463
 
                       
   
Principal
Amount
               
BANK LOANS - 3.32% (f)(j)
                     
Avaya Holdings Corporation
                     
6.278% (1 Month U.S. LIBOR + 4.250%), 12/15/2024
 
$
11,204,713
           
10,672,490
 
6.430% (2 Month U.S. LIBOR + 4.250%), 12/15/2024
   
6,684,312
           
6,366,807
 
Cengage Learning Holdings II, Inc.
                     
6.384% (1 Month U.S. LIBOR + 4.250%), 6/7/2023
   
15,340,720
           
14,554,508
 
McGraw-Hill Global Education Holdings LLC
                     
6.139% (1 Month U.S. LIBOR + 4.000%), 5/4/2022
   
15,342,037
           
14,383,159
 
Refinitiv US Holdings, Inc.
                     
5.849% (1 Month U.S. LIBOR + 3.750%), 10/1/2025
   
30,227,293
           
30,416,213
 
Zayo Group LLC
                     
4.259% (1 Month U.S. LIBOR + 2.000%), 1/19/2021
   
26,258,433
           
26,356,903
 
TOTAL BANK LOANS (Cost $104,377,986)
                 
102,750,080
 
                       
CORPORATE BONDS - 5.71% (f)
                     
Arconic, Inc.
                     
5.400%, 4/15/2021
   
7,553,000
           
7,816,486
 
CEC Entertainment, Inc.
                     
8.000%, 2/15/2022
   
11,217,000
           
10,684,192
 
EIG Investors Corporation
                     
10.875%, 2/1/2024 (m)
   
16,610,000
           
17,357,450
 
Inmarsat Finance plc
                     
6.500%, 10/1/2024 (b)(h)(m)
   
16,858,000
           
17,743,045
 
Kinetic Concepts, Inc. / KCI USA, Inc.
                     
12.500%, 11/1/2021 (h)
   
15,253,000
           
16,244,445
 
Nationstar Mortgage LLC / Nationstar Capital Corporation
                     
6.500%, 7/1/2021
   
2,935,000
           
2,950,225
 
6.500%, 6/1/2022
   
1,939,000
           
1,942,636
 
Nielsen Finance LLC / Nielsen Finance Company
                     
5.000%, 4/15/2022 (h)
   
12,171,000
           
12,265,934
 
SRC Energy, Inc.
                     
6.250%, 12/1/2025
   
9,185,000
           
9,138,891
 
T-Mobile USA, Inc.
                     
6.500%, 1/15/2024 (m)
   
9,842,000
           
10,233,810
 
Univar USA, Inc.
                     
6.750%, 7/15/2023 (h)
   
24,763,000
           
25,289,214
 
Vistra Energy Corporation
                     
5.875%, 6/1/2023
   
15,354,000
           
15,741,689
 
York Risk Services Holding Corporation
                     
8.500%, 10/1/2022 (h)
   
6,785,000
           
6,929,181
 
Zayo Group LLC / Zayo Capital, Inc.
                     
5.750%, 1/15/2027 (h)
   
21,763,000
           
22,302,722
 
TOTAL CORPORATE BONDS (Cost $177,748,404)
                 
176,639,920
 
                       
 
Contracts (100
shares per
contract)


Notional Amount
         
PURCHASED PUT OPTIONS - 0.07% (a)
                     
Alder Biopharmaceuticals, Inc.
                     
Expiration: January 2020, Exercise Price: $17.50
   
4,931
   
$
9,299,866
     
73,965
 
CBS Corporation Class B
                       
Expiration: October 2019, Exercise Price: $37.50
   
4,848
     
19,571,376
     
116,352
 
Expiration: December 2019, Exercise Price: $32.50
   
2,730
     
11,021,010
     
84,630
 
Expiration: December 2019, Exercise Price: $35.00
   
80
     
322,960
     
5,120
 
Centene Corporation
                       
Expiration: December 2019, Exercise Price: $40.00
   
986
     
4,265,436
     
152,830
 
Corteva, Inc.
                       
Expiration: December 2019, Exercise Price: $24.00
   
760
     
2,128,000
     
38,000
 
Dow, Inc.
                       
Expiration: October 2019, Exercise Price: $40.00
   
1,572
     
7,490,580
     
15,720
 
DuPont de Nemours, Inc.
                       
Expiration: December 2019, Exercise Price: $60.00
   
1,557
     
11,102,967
     
133,902
 
SPDR S&P 500 ETF Trust
                       
Expiration: October 2019, Exercise Price: $293.00
   
627
     
18,607,479
     
142,329
 
Expiration: October 2019, Exercise Price: $300.00
   
2,216
     
65,764,232
     
997,200
 
United Technologies Corporation
                       
Expiration: October 2019, Exercise Price: $105.00
   
2,458
     
33,556,616
     
19,664
 
VanEck Vectors Semiconductor ETF
                       
Expiration: November 2019, Exercise Price: $107.00
   
1,010
     
12,032,130
     
122,210
 
Expiration: November 2019, Exercise Price: $115.00
   
554
     
6,599,802
     
161,214
 
TOTAL PURCHASED PUT OPTIONS (Cost $2,931,002)
                   
2,063,136
 
                         
   
Principal
Amount
                 
ESCROW NOTES - 0.01% (a)(d)(g)
                       
AMR Corporation
 
$
1,243,406
             
285,984
 
T-Mobile USA, Inc.
   
7,594,000
             
 
TOTAL ESCROW NOTES (Cost $93,712)
                   
285,984
 
                         
   
Shares
                 
SHORT-TERM INVESTMENTS - 35.57%
                       
MONEY MARKET FUNDS - 32.34% (c)
                       
First American Government Obligations Fund, Institutional Share Class, 1.82%
   
151,096,000
             
151,096,000
 
Goldman Sachs Government Fund, Institutional Share Class, 1.82%
   
151,096,000
             
151,096,000
 
The Government & Agency Portfolio, Institutional Share Class, 1.81%
   
151,096,000
             
151,096,000
 
JPMorgan Prime Money Market Fund, Institutional Share Class, 2.08%
   
93,892,904
             
93,921,072
 
JPMorgan U.S. Government Money Market Fund, Institutional Share Class, 1.83%
   
151,096,000
             
151,096,000
 
Morgan Stanley Institutional Liquidity Fund - Government Portfolio, Institutional Share Class, 1.83%
   
151,096,000
             
151,096,000
 
Morgan Stanley Institutional Liquidity Fund - Treasury Portfolio, Institutional Share Class, 1.80%
   
151,096,000
             
151,096,000
 
                     
1,000,497,072
 
   
Principal
Amount
                 
U.S. TREASURY BILLS - 3.23% (e)(f)(l)
                       
United States Treasury Bills
                       
2.35%, 10/17/2019
 
$
895,000
             
894,292
 
2.33%, 10/24/2019
   
275,000
             
274,687
 
2.36%, 10/31/2019
   
1,095,000
             
1,093,395
 
2.33%, 11/7/2019
   
305,000
             
304,463
 
2.32%, 11/14/2019
   
4,575,000
             
4,564,949
 
2.21%, 11/29/2019
   
310,000
             
309,087
 
2.10%, 12/5/2019
   
340,000
             
338,910
 
1.99%, 12/19/2019
   
400,000
             
398,480
 
2.01%, 12/26/2019
   
2,685,000
             
2,673,561
 
1.97%, 1/9/2020
   
2,240,000
             
2,228,814
 
1.87%, 1/16/2020
   
6,830,000
             
6,793,727
 
2.00%, 1/23/2020
   
3,130,000
             
3,112,265
 
1.85%, 1/30/2020
   
860,000
             
854,867
 
1.78%, 2/13/2020
   
3,500,000
             
3,476,736
 
1.80%, 2/20/2020
   
13,145,000
             
13,052,448
 
1.78%, 2/27/2020
   
4,240,000
             
4,208,804
 
1.79%, 3/5/2020
   
6,525,000
             
6,474,807
 
1.80%, 3/12/2020
   
21,125,000
             
20,954,170
 
1.82%, 3/19/2020
   
15,630,000
             
15,498,240
 
1.77%, 3/26/2020
   
12,555,000
             
12,445,740
 
                     
99,952,442
 
TOTAL SHORT-TERM INVESTMENTS (Cost $1,100,437,453)
                   
1,100,449,514
 
TOTAL LONG INVESTMENTS (Cost $3,082,216,190) - 100.72%
                   
3,115,699,674
 
   
Shares
                 
INVESTMENT OF CASH COLLATERAL FROM SECURITIES LOANED  - 4.97%
                       
SHORT-TERM FUND - 4.97% (c)
                       
Mount Vernon Liquid Asset Portfolio LLC, 2.11%
   
153,666,020
             
153,666,020
 
TOTAL SHORT-TERM FUND - (Cost $153,666,020)
                   
153,666,020
 
TOTAL INVESTMENT OF CASH COLLATERAL FROM SECURITIES LOANED - (Cost $ 153,666,020)
                   
153,666,020
 
                         
                         
SHORT INVESTMENTS - (15.10)%
                       
COMMON STOCKS - (15.06)%
                       
AIRLINES - (0.01)%
                       
American Airlines Group, Inc.
   
(11,395
)
           
(307,323
)
ASSET MANAGEMENT & CUSTODY BANKS - (2.35)%
                       
Brookfield Asset Management, Inc. Class A (b)
   
(1,370,202
)
           
(72,744,024
)
BROADCASTING - (0.35)%
                       
CBS Corporation Class B
   
(179,338
)
           
(7,239,875
)
Discovery, Inc. Class A
   
(133,231
)
           
(3,547,942
)
                     
(10,787,817
)
CASINOS & GAMING - (0.59)%
                       
Eldorado Resorts, Inc.
   
(460,852
)
           
(18,374,169
)
INDUSTRIAL MACHINERY - (0.34)%
                       
Hillenbrand, Inc.
   
(336,708
)
           
(10,397,543
)
INTERNET & DIRECT MARKETING RETAIL - (0.10)%
                       
Alibaba Group Holding Ltd. - ADR
   
(17,432
)
           
(2,915,154
)
MANAGED HEALTH CARE - (0.78)%
                       
Centene Corporation
   
(560,678
)
           
(24,254,930
)
PHARMACEUTICALS - (3.68)%
                       
AbbVie, Inc.
   
(613,504
)
           
(46,454,523
)
Bristol-Myers Squibb Company
   
(1,328,047
)
           
(67,345,263
)
                     
(113,799,786
)
REGIONAL BANKS - (5.64)%
                       
BB&T Corporation
   
(3,270,283
)
           
(174,535,004
)
REITs - (0.32)%
                       
Brookfield Property Partners LP (b)
   
(488,190
)
           
(9,910,257
)
WIRELESS TELECOMMUNICATION SERVICES - (0.90)%
                       
T-Mobile USA, Inc.
   
(351,768
)
           
(27,708,765
)
 TOTAL COMMON STOCKS (Proceeds $442,140,566)
                   
(465,734,772
)
                         
PRIVATE PLACEMENTS - (0.04)% (g)
                       
Celgene Corporation
   
(638,210
)
           
(1,268,443
)
TOTAL PRIVATE PLACEMENTS (Proceeds $1,342,961)
                   
(1,268,443
)
TOTAL SHORT INVESTMENTS
                       
  (Proceeds $443,483,527) - (15.10)%
                   
(467,003,215
)
TOTAL NET INVESTMENTS
                       
  (Cost $2,792,398,683) - 90.59%
                   
2,802,362,479
 
OTHER ASSETS IN EXCESS OF LIABILITIES - 9.41% (m)
                   
290,970,064
 
TOTAL NET ASSETS - 100.00%
                 
$
3,093,332,543
 

ADR
 
- American Depository Receipt
ETF
 
- Exchange-Traded Fund
LIBOR
 
- London Interbank Offered Rate
plc
 
- Public Limited Company
         
REITs
 
- Real Estate Investment Trusts
(a)
 
Non-income producing security.
(b)
 
Foreign security.
(c)
 
The rate quoted is the annualized seven-day yield as of September 30, 2019.
(d)
 
Security fair valued by the Valuation Group in good faith in accordance with the policies adopted by the Board of Trustees.
(e)
 
All or a portion of the shares have been committed as collateral for open securities sold short, written option contracts, swap contracts, and forward currency exchange contracts.
(f)
 
Level 2 Security. Please see footnote (o) on the Schedule of Investments for more information.
(g)
 
Level 3 Security. Please see footnote (o) on the Schedule of Investments for more information.
(h)
 
Security exempt from registration under Rule 144A of the Securities Act of 1933. These securities may be resold in transactions exempt from registration normally to qualified institutional buyers. As of September 30, 2019, these securities represent 3.26% of total net assets.
(i)
 
Restricted security. The Fund may own investment securities that have other legal or contractual limitations, and thus are restricted as to resale. These securities are valued by the Valuation Group under the supervision of the Board of Trustees. As of September 30, 2019, this common stock had a cost of $57,736,820 and its market value represented 2.22% of total net assets. The Fund’s adviser perfected its appraisal rights over this security as of 6/20/2016. Please see footnote (o) on the Schedule of Investments for more information.
(j)
 
The coupon rate shown on variable rate securities represents the rate as of September 30, 2019.
(k)
 
This security is held in connection with a written option contract.
(l)
 
The rate shown represents yield to maturity.
 (m)   All or a portion of the shares was out on loan as of September 30, 2019. Total loaned securities had a value of $150,088,894 as of September 30, 2019. Due to corporate action activity, some of the securities designated on loan were considered a receivable as of September 30, 2019.
(n)
 
As of September 30, 2019, the components of accumulated earnings (losses) for income tax purposes were as follows*:

 
Total Portfolio
 
Tax Cost (1)
$
2,784,263,534
 
 
     
 
     
Gross unrealized appreciation(2)
 
135,231,329
 
Gross unrealized depreciation(2)
 
(122,855,595
)
Net unrealized appreciation
$
12,375,734
 

   
(1) Tax cost represents tax on investments, net of premiums on written options.
   
(2) Includes investments, open written options, forward currency contracts, and open swap contracts appreciation and/or depreciation.
   
*Because tax adjustments are calculated annually at the end of the Fund’s fiscal year, the above table does not reflect tax adjustments for the current fiscal year. For the previous fiscal year’s federal income tax information, please refer to the Notes to the Financial Statements section in the Fund’s most recent annual report.
     
(o)
 
Investment Valuation
   
Equity securities, including common and preferred stocks, closed-end funds and ETFs, that trade on an exchange will typically be valued based funds and ETFs, that trade on an exchange will typically be valued based on the last reported sale price. Securities listed on NASDAQ are typically valued using the NASDAQ Official Closing Price. The securities valued using quoted prices in active markets are classified as Level 1 investments. If, on a particular day, an exchange-listed security does not trade, then the mean between the closing bid and asked prices will typically be used to value the security. These securities are classified as Level 2 investments. Fixed income securities having a maturity of greater than 60 days are typically valued based on evaluations provided by an independent pricing vendor. Investments in United States government securities (other than short-term securities) are valued at the mean between the 4:00 p.m. New York time bid and asked prices supplied by a third party vendor. Short-term fixed-income securities having a maturity of less than 60 days are valued at market quotations or based on valuations supplied by a third party pricing service. If a reliable price from a third party pricing service is unavailable, amortized cost may be used if it is determined that the instrument’s amortized cost value represents approximately the fair value of the security. These securities are classified as Level 2 investments.
     
   
Investments in Special Purpose Acquisition Companies, including their related units, shares, rights and warrants (each a “SPAC interest”), will typically be valued by reference to the last reported transaction for the composite exchange. These securities are classified as Level 1 investments. If, on a particular day, no reliable market transaction is readily available and reported for the composite exchange, then the mean between the closing bid and asked prices on the composite exchange will be used to value the SPAC interest, or the SPAC interest will be fair valued in accordance with the Fund’s pricing procedures. These securities are classified as Level 2 investments.
     
   
Exchange-traded options are typically valued at the higher of the intrinsic value of the option (i.e., what a Fund would pay or can receive upon the option being exercised) or the last reported composite sale price when such sale falls between the bid and asked prices. Notwithstanding the above, options that trade principally on a European exchange are typically valued at the “settlement price” as reported by the exchange on which the option principally trades. If the settlement price for a European exchange-traded option is unreliable or unavailable, the option will generally be valued at the last reported sale price. When the last sale of an exchange-traded option is outside the bid and asked prices, the Funds will typically value the option at the higher of the intrinsic value of the option or the mean between the highest end of day option bid price and the lowest end of day option ask price. On the stipulated expiration date, expiring options will be priced at intrinsic value. Options for which there is an active market are classified as Level 1 investments, but options not listed on an exchange and/or are fair valued in accordance with the Fund’s pricing procedures are classified as Level 2 investments.
     
   
Investments in registered open-end investment companies, including Money Market Funds, are typically valued at their reported net asset value (“NAV”) per share. These securities are generally classified as Level 1 investments.
     
   
Forward currency contracts are valued daily at the prevailing forward exchange rate. These securities are generally classified as Level 2.

   
In general, swap prices are determined using the same methods as would be used to price the underlying security. When the underlying security is the subject of a completed corporate reorganization for which the final deal terms are known, the swap is priced at the value of the consideration to be received by the Funds. The credit quality of counterparties and collateral is monitored and the valuation of a swap may be adjusted if it is believed that the credit quality of the counterparty or collateral affects the market value of the swap position. These securities are generally classified as Level 2 investments.
     
   
Due to the short-term nature of the reverse repurchase agreements, amortized cost approximates fair value at September 30, 2019. These securities are generally classified as Level 2 investments.
     
   
The Funds typically fair value securities and assets for which (a) market quotations are not readily available or (b) market quotations are believed to be unrepresentative of market value. For example, the Funds may fair value a security that primarily trades on an exchange that closes before the New York Stock Exchange (“NYSE”) if a significant event occurs after the close of the exchange on which the security primarily trades but before the NYSE closes. Fair valuations are determined in good faith by the Valuation Group (the “Valuation Group”), a committee comprised of persons who are officers of the Trust or representatives of the Adviser, acting pursuant to procedures adopted by the Board. When fair value pricing is employed, the prices of securities used by the Funds to calculate their NAV may differ from quoted or published prices for the same securities. In addition, due to the subjective nature of fair value pricing, it is possible that the value determined for a particular asset may be materially different from the value realized upon such asset’s sale. These securities are generally classified as Level 2 or 3 depending on the inputs as described below.
     
   
The Fund has performed an analysis of all existing investments to determine the significance and character of all inputs to their fair value determination. Various inputs are used in determining the value of the Fund’s investments. These inputs are summarized in the three broad levels listed below:
   
Level 1 — Quoted prices in active markets for identical securities.
   
Level 2 — Other significant observable inputs (including quoted prices for similar securities, interest rates, prepayment speeds, credit risk, etc.).
   
Level 3 — Significant unobservable inputs are those inputs that reflect the applicable Fund’s own assumptions that market participants would use to price the asset or liability based on the best available information.
     
   
The inputs or methodology used for valuing securities are not an indication of the risk associated with investing in those securities.
     
   
The following tables provide the fair value measurements of applicable Fund assets and liabilities by level within the fair value hierarchy for the Fund as of September 30, 2019. These assets and liabilities are measured on a recurring basis.

Investments at Fair Value
 
Level 1
   
Level 2
   
Level 3
   
Total
 
Assets
                       
Common Stocks*
 
$
1,339,665,894
   
$
-
   
$
68,745,891
   
$
1,408,411,785
 
Special Purpose Acquisition Companies
   
120,409,169
     
81,028,839
     
-
     
201,438,008
 
Closed End Funds
   
117,119,292
     
-
     
-
     
117,119,292
 
Preferred Stocks
   
2,470,934
     
-
     
-
     
2,470,934
 
Contingent Value Rights
   
-
     
-
     
44,558
     
44,558
 
Warrants
   
2,363,694
     
1,662,769
     
-
     
4,026,463
 
Bank Loans
   
-
     
102,750,080
     
-
     
102,750,080
 
Corporate Bonds
   
-
     
176,639,920
     
-
     
176,639,920
 
Purchased Option Contracts
   
2,063,136
     
-
     
-
     
2,063,136
 
Escrow Notes
   
-
     
-
     
285,984
     
285,984
 
Short-Term Investments
   
1,000,497,072
     
99,952,442
     
-
     
1,100,449,514
 
Investments Purchased with the Cash Proceeds from Securities Lending***
   
-
     
-
     
-
     
153,666,020
 
Forward Currency Exchange Contracts**
   
-
     
2,820,151
     
-
     
2,820,151
 
Swap Contracts**
   
-
     
356,303
     
-
     
356,303
 
Total
 
$
2,584,589,191
   
$
465,210,504
   
$
69,076,433
   
$
3,272,542,148
 
 
                               
Liabilities
                               
Short Common Stock*
 
$
(465,734,772
)
 
$
-
   
$
-
   
$
(465,734,772
)
Private Placements
   
-
     
-
     
(1,268,443
)
   
(1,268,443
)
Written Option Contracts
   
(8,899,665
)
   
-
     
-
     
(8,899,665
)
Total
 
$
(474,634,437
)
 
$
-
   
$
(1,268,443
)
 
$
(475,902,880
)

*
Please refer to the Schedules of Investments to view long/short common stocks segregated by industry type.
 
 
**
Swap contracts and forward currency exchange contracts are valued at the net unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on the
 
 
instrument by counterparty.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
***
Certain investments that are measured at fair value using the NAV per share (or its equivalent) practical expedient have not been characterized
 
in the fair value hierarchy. The fair value amounts presented in the table are intended to permit reconciliation of the fair value hierarchy to the
 
amount presented in the Statement of Assets and Liabilities. See Note (o) for additional information regarding securities lending activity.
 
The Level 2 securities are priced using inputs such as current yields, discount rates, credit quality, yields on comparable securities, trading volume, maturity date, market bid and asked prices, prices on comparable securities and other significant inputs. Level 3 securities are valued by using broker quotes or such other pricing sources or data as are permitted by the Fund’s pricing procedures. The appropriateness of fair values for these securities is monitored by the Valuation Group on an ongoing basis.

There were no transfers to level 3 securities during the nine months ended September 30, 2019.

Level 3 Reconciliation Disclosure

The following is a reconciliation of Level 3 assets for which significant unobservable inputs were used to determine fair value.

Description
 
Common Stock
   
Contingent Value Rights


Escrow Notes


Private Placements


Total Investment
 
Balance as of December 31, 2018
 
$
59,773,482
   
$
26,735
   
$
1,927,279
   
$
-
   
$
61,727,496
 
Purchases on Investments*
    -
     
-
     
-
     
(1,342,961
)
   
(1,342,961
)
(Sales) of Investments
   
-
     
-
     
-
     
-
     
-
 
Realized (Gain) Loss
   
-
     
-
     
-
     
-
     
-
 
Transfers Into Level 3
   
-
     
-
     
-
     
-
     
-
 
(Transfer Out) of Level 3
   
-
     
-
     
-
     
-
     
-
 
Change in Unrealized Appreciation (Depreciation)
   
8,972,409
     
17,823
     
(1,641,295
)**
   
74,518
     
7,423,455
 
Balance as of September 30, 2019
 
$
68,745,891
   
$
44,558
   
$
285,984
   
$
(1,268,443
)
 
$
67,807,990
 
 
                                       
Change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation)
    during the period for Level 3 investments held at
    September 30, 2019.
 
$
8,972,409
   
$
17,823
   
$
(1,055,453
)**
 
$
74,518
   
$
8,009,297
 
 
                                       
  * Includes receipts from corporate actions.
                                       
** The difference in unrealized depreciation values is due to a change in the cost basis from a corporate action.

The realized and unrealized gains and losses from Level 3 transactions are included with the net realized gain (loss) on investments and net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on investments on the Statement of Operations, respectively. The net change in unrealized appreciation on investments related to Level 3 securities held by the Fund at September 30, 2019 totals $7,423,455.

Significant unobservable valuation inputs monitored by the Valuation Group under the supervision of the Board of Trustees for material Level 3 investments as of September 30, 2019 are as follows:

 
Description
 
 
Fair Value at
September 30, 2019
 
Valuation Technique
 
Unobservable Input
 
 
 
Common Stock
 
$
              68,745,891
 
Discounted Cash Flow Model
 
Discount Rates/Terminal Value/Cash Flow Projection
 
 
 
Escrow Note

 
$
                   -
*
Projected Final Distribution**
 
Discount of Projected Distribution
 
 
*
Amount less than $0.50.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
**
This Level 3 security was received through a corporate action. The security is being kept open due to the potential of an additional
distribution. Based on the evaluation of the likelihood of an additional distribution, the security is being priced at zero.
 
 

The table above does not include certain Level 3 investments that are valued by brokers. At September 30, 2019, the net value of these securities was $(937,901). The inputs for these investments are not readily available or cannot be reasonably estimated and are generally those inputs described in footnote (o).

The Global Industry Classification Standard (GICS®) was developed by and/or is the exclusive property of MSCI, Inc. and Standard & Poor’s Financial Services LLC (“S&P”). GICS is a service mark of MSCI and S&P and has been licensed for use by U.S. Bancorp Fund Services, LLC, doing business as U.S Bank Global Fund Services.


The Merger Fund
         
SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS
         
Open Written Options
             
September 30, 2019 (Unaudited)
         
           
 
Contracts (100
shares per
contract)

 
Notional Amount

 
Value
WRITTEN CALL OPTIONS
           
AT&T, Inc.
             
Expiration: October 2019, Exercise Price: $36.00
(418)

$
        (1,581,712)

$
             (79,002)
Expiration: October 2019, Exercise Price: $37.00
(514)
   
(1,944,976)
   
               (50,115)
BB&T Corporation
             
Expiration: October 2019, Exercise Price: $50.00
(28)
   
(149,436)
   
               (10,416)
CBS Corporation Class B
             
Expiration: October 2019, Exercise Price: $42.50
(4,848)
   
(19,571,376)
   
             (145,440)
Expiration: December 2019, Exercise Price: $37.50
(2,810)
   
(11,343,970)
   
          (1,145,075)
Centene Corporation
             
Expiration: December 2019, Exercise Price: $45.00
(986)
   
(4,265,436)
   
             (219,385)
Corteva, Inc.
             
Expiration: December 2019, Exercise Price: $27.00
(760)
   
(2,128,000)
   
             (181,640)
Dow, Inc.
             
Expiration: October 2019, Exercise Price: $46.00
(1,572)
   
(7,490,580)
   
             (373,350)
DuPont de Nemours, Inc.
             
Expiration: December 2019, Exercise Price: $67.50
(1,557)
   
(11,102,967)
   
             (957,555)
Occidental Petroleum Corporation
             
Expiration: October 2019, Exercise Price: $45.00
(107)
   
(475,829)
   
               (10,700)
United Technologies Corporation
             
Expiration: October 2019, Exercise Price: $115.00
(2,458)
   
(33,556,616)
   
          (5,413,744)
             
           (8,586,422)
WRITTEN PUT OPTIONS
           
SPDR S&P 500 ETF Trust
             
Expiration: October 2019, Exercise Price: $283.00
(627)
   
(18,607,479)
   
               (52,041)
Expiration: October 2019, Exercise Price: $289.00
(1,167)
   
(34,633,059)
   
             (179,135)
VanEck Vectors Semiconductor ETF
             
Expiration: November 2019, Exercise Price: $100.00
(505)
   
(6,016,065)
   
               (27,775)
Expiration: November 2019, Exercise Price: $105.00
(554)
   
(6,599,802)
   
               (54,292)
             
              (313,243)
TOTAL WRITTEN OPTIONS
           
 
(Premiums received $8,135,149)
          $
         (8,899,665)
               
ETF - Exchange-Traded Fund
             

The Merger Fund
                 
SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS
                 
Forward Currency Exchange Contracts
                 
September 30, 2019 (Unaudited)
                 
                           
Unrealized
Settlement
           
USD Value at
       
USD Value at
 
Appreciation
Date
 
Counterparty
 
Currency to be Delivered
 
September 30, 2019
 
Currency to be Received
 
September 30, 2019
 
(Depreciation)*
12/5/2019
 
JPM
 
27,519,738
AUD
 
 $                        18,614,315
 
18,765,196
USD
 
 $                        18,765,196
 
 $                             150,881
11/12/2019
 
JPM
 
6,306,308
EUR
 
6,896,511
 
6,957,237
USD
 
6,957,237
 
60,726
12/19/2019
 
JPM
 
9,464,714
EUR
 
10,381,960
 
10,790,008
USD
 
10,790,008
 
408,048
12/19/2019
 
JPM
 
236,154
USD
 
236,154
 
213,234
EUR
 
233,899
 
(2,255)
1/15/2020
 
JPM
 
41,648,026
EUR
 
45,780,242
 
46,623,762
USD
 
46,623,762
 
843,520
1/15/2020
 
JPM
 
5,733,028
USD
 
5,733,028
 
5,198,493
EUR
 
5,714,275
 
(18,753)
10/15/2019
 
JPM
 
28,740,570
GBP
 
35,361,145
 
35,974,234
USD
 
35,974,234
 
613,089
10/23/2019
 
JPM
 
2,694,283
GBP
 
3,316,142
 
3,381,420
USD
 
3,381,420
 
65,278
10/23/2019
 
JPM
 
3,292,549
USD
 
3,292,549
 
2,694,283
GBP
 
3,316,142
 
23,593
11/6/2019
 
JPM
 
90,982
GBP
 
112,044
 
110,607
USD
 
110,607
 
(1,437)
12/19/2019
 
JPM
 
52,383,814
GBP
 
64,628,024
 
65,279,575
USD
 
65,279,575
 
651,551
2/6/2020
 
JPM
 
6,241,483
GBP
 
7,713,553
 
7,722,472
USD
 
7,722,472
 
8,919
1/16/2020
 
JPM
 
58,679,720
HKD
 
7,492,592
 
7,482,405
USD
 
7,482,405
 
(10,187)
12/4/2019
 
JPM
 
741,349,542
JPY
 
6,887,300
 
6,914,478
USD
 
6,914,478
 
27,178
             
$                      216,445,559
       
$                      219,265,710
 
$                          2,820,151
         
AUD
- Australian Dollar
       
EUR
- Euro
       
GBP
- British Pound
       
HKD
- Hong Kong Dollar
       
JPM
- JPMorgan Chase & Co., Inc.
       
JPY
- Japanese Yen
       
USD
- U.S. Dollar
       
*
Net unrealized appreciation (depreciation) is a receivable (payable).
       

The Merger Fund
         
SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS
         
Open Swap Contracts
                   
September 30, 2019 (Unaudited)
         
                 
Unrealized
 
     
Pay/Receive on
Financing
Payment
 
Notional
 
Appreciation
 
Counterparty
Security
Termination Date
Financing Rate
Rate
Frequency
Shares
 Amount

(Depreciation)*
 
LONG TOTAL RETURN SWAP CONTRACTS
     
JPM
Altran Technologies SA
6/25/2020
Pay
0.400% + 3 Month U.S. LIBOR
Quarterly
660,820
 $              10,609,674
 
$             (240,976)
 
JPM
Aveo Group
8/29/2020
Pay
0.400% + 3 Month U.S. LIBOR
Quarterly
12,799,878
                18,451,272
 
                 (67,536)
 
BAML
Avon Products, Inc.
8/26/2020
Pay
0.750% + 1 Month U.S. LIBOR
Monthly
3,824,286
                16,563,689
 
                 252,913
 
GS
Avon Products, Inc.
9/17/2020
Pay
0.500% + 1 Month U.S. LIBOR
Monthly
48,868
                     232,680
 
                 (17,842)
 
JPM
BCA Marketplace plc
6/27/2020
Pay
0.300% + 3 Month U.S. LIBOR
Quarterly
8,000,713
                24,290,916
 
            (1,119,219)
 
BAML
BCA Marketplace plc
7/25/2020
Pay
0.450% + 1 Month U.S. LIBOR
Monthly
3,826,683
                11,383,013
 
               (294,741)
 
JPM
Cobham plc
9/10/2020
Pay
0.300% + 3 Month U.S. LIBOR
Quarterly
31,747,766
                63,054,999
 
            (1,869,780)
 
BAML
EI Group plc
9/27/2020
Pay
0.450% + 1 Month U.S. LIBOR
Monthly
2,189,994
                  7,576,302
 
                   (4,450)
 
BAML
Inmarsat Finance plc
4/1/2020
Pay
0.550% +1 Month U.S. LIBOR
Monthly
1,488,860
                10,580,099
 
                 119,274
 
JPM
Inmarsat Finance plc
4/25/2020
Pay
0.300% + 3 Month U.S. LIBOR
Quarterly
2,831,556
                19,483,807
 
                 856,494
 
JPM
Innogy SE
6/6/2020
Pay
0.400% + 3 Month U.S. LIBOR
Quarterly
165,433
                  7,858,324
 
                 186,269
 
BAML
Kinder Morgan Ltd.
9/10/2020
Pay
0.750% + 1 Month U.S. LIBOR
Monthly
1,182,984
                13,250,169
 
                   55,052
 
JPM
Merlin Entertainment plc
8/15/2020
Pay
0.300% + 3 Month U.S. LIBOR
Quarterly
19,996
                     109,283
 
                     1,834
 
JPM
Osram Licht AG
8/13/2020
Pay
0.400% + 3 Month U.S. LIBOR
Quarterly
889,013
                36,565,520
 
              2,491,136
 
JPM
TPV Technology Limited
8/29/2020
Pay
0.400% + 3 Month U.S. LIBOR
Quarterly
15,202,000
                  7,110,625
 
                   97,224
 
JPM
Zozo, Inc.
9/25/2020
Pay
0.400% + 3 Month U.S. LIBOR
Quarterly
392,997
                  9,057,940
 
                      (381)
 
 

                 
SHORT TOTAL RETURN SWAP CONTRACTS
     
BAML
Brookfield Property Partners LP
3/28/2020
Pay
(2.500)% + 1 Month U.S. LIBOR
Monthly
(112,741)
                (2,333,739)
 
                   44,856
 
BAML
Natura Cosmeticos SA
8/26/2020
Pay
(10.000)% + 1 Month U.S. LIBOR
Monthly
(2,296,550)
              (18,524,292)
 
               (223,763)
 
GS
Natura Cosmeticos SA
9/17/2020
Pay
(20.000)% + 1 Month U.S. LIBOR
Monthly
(29,320)
                   (259,397)
 
                   19,004
 
BAML
Pembina Pipeline Corporation
9/10/2020
Receive
(0.350)% + 1 Month U.S. LIBOR
Monthly
(363,393)
              (13,536,240)
 
                   70,935
 
   
 $               356,303
 
BAML
- Bank of America Merrill Lynch & Co., Inc.
     
GS
- Goldman Sachs & Co.
                 
JPM
- JPMorgan Chase & Co., Inc.
     
LIBOR
- London Interbank Offered Rate
                 
plc
- Public Limited Company
     
*
Based on the net swap value held at each counterparty, unrealized appreciation (depreciation) is a receivable (payable).